Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 33



Only Noblemtl

Episode 33. Holy Grail Knight (2)

Isaac was a little nervous. Gebel could be said to be the person closest to him in this world. He was the first person he met and the person who knew him best. Perhaps it wouldn’t be strange if he had even a vague inkling of it.

“I actually don’t care at all whether you are a Eucharist or a demon. I decided that way from the day I brought you here. Especially to you… … “From the day I decided to teach swordsmanship.”

“For revenge?”

“For revenge.”

It was a story I had already heard from Gebel.

It is a story related to the annihilation of the Holy Knights of Avalanche, to which he belonged.

Gebel opened his mouth as if he had now made up his mind.

“I said that the Avalanche Holy Knights were annihilated. Actually, it didn’t end there. All the corpses of the Avalanche Holy Knights were taken to the Immortal Church. And from there, I became a Death Knight. Since they cannot become Death Knights unless their souls consent, they ultimately committed apostasy. Thanks to this, the Holy Knights of Avalanche have already been branded as apostates in the outskirts.”

“no… … .”

“There is no one anymore who can understand Avalanche swordsmanship. Unless you are a paladin who uses the same sword techniques. So you don’t have to worry.”

Isaac felt embarrassed, but thought about saying that he had never actually been worried. In any case, Avalanche swordsmanship puts a huge strain on his body. Isak’s self-made sword technique was much more efficient.

Then Gebel dropped a bombshell.

“And I believe that someone among the descendants is behind the annihilation of the Avalanche Holy Knights.”

Isaac looked at him with a stern expression.

Blind on the way to and from school. It is a derogatory term for the core of the Code of Light Church.

It was unfair that the Holy Knights of Avalanche were branded as apostates, but this remark could now be seen as hostile to the entire sect.

“… … “Why do you think that?”

Gebel said while looking at Isaac blankly.

“Do you remember Carlsen?”

Carlsen Milter.

There’s no way you won’t remember. It was Isaac’s first prey, and his talent for swordsmanship was based on his abilities.

“Carlsen was scheduled to become an angel this time, and was also expected to become a famous angel. However, within a few years after the Holy Knights of Avalanche were annihilated in the outskirts without anyone noticing and were marked as apostates, Carlsen also became an apostate. “Is this a coincidence?”

“Are you saying Carlsen is not an apostate?”

“No, no. Carlsen is clearly an apostate. “He sold out his men and mercilessly murdered his compatriots of the same faith.”

Gebel clicked his fingers and said.

“However, there is a person who encouraged Carlsen to become an apostate, and there is a person who pushed his back so that he had no choice but to sacrifice his own men. Just like the Avalanche Holy Knights did that.”

“The Immortal Church… … .”

“You must have intervened. But they can never do that alone. “There is a real traitor within the church.”

In Gebel’s eyes, murderous intent and conflict were alternately revealed. Just by telling this story, Gebel is putting Isaac and himself in danger.

But Gebel thought it would be the last time he saw Isaac.

If I can’t tell you now, I don’t know when I can tell you again.

“I was branded an apostate, so I couldn’t conduct an open investigation. So to you… … “With burdensome expectations, I decided to entrust my resentment to him.”

Gebel looked at Isaac with regret.

“I don’t know what you’re hiding, but you better keep it hidden. I believe in your true nature, but an unknown power can create fear even if you use it in the right place with good intentions… … “Especially now, the leaders of the church are very suspicious.”

“yes.”

“You said your dream was to become a paladin, Isaac.”

Gebel cleared his throat for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“You will definitely be able to become a great paladin. No, someday… … .”

We might be able to get to the core of the cult.

At that time, Gebel hoped that Isaac would become the core of the church and cut out the corrupt parts, instead of being sacrificed like Carlsen or the Holy Knights of Avalanche. To do that, I first had to send Isaac away from here.

“good. “I think it’s time.”

“yes?”

“There is no need to return to the monastery. There is no need to go to Lancel Monastery. The Brigand Holy Knights are much larger and more skilled. “Commander Rottenhammer is merciless towards heretics, but he is a man of great character and skill when it comes to our allies.”

Isaac knew what Gebel was talking about and looked dumbfounded.

“Join the Holy Knights of Brient?”

“I will talk to Director Rottenhammer. I owe you a debt, so you will pay it. The Heretic Questioner will also give you good advice, so it won’t be difficult to join.”

Isaac was lost in thought for a moment at Gebel’s sudden words.

The Holy Knights of Lancel Monastery, which I originally planned to go to, were not bad either. However, it will take a long time to become a paladin while going through the general trainee process. He will also be late in making a contribution. However, the Holy Knights of Brient may be able to shorten the process.

When I thought about that, I had to go to the Brient Holy Knights without even thinking about it. This is much more practical and there will be a lot to learn.

***

Rottenhammer returned around sunset.

The surroundings felt like broad daylight as the divine beasts of the Code of Light, seemingly summoned by priests, walked around emitting brilliance. It was an appearance that could show the majesty of the Holy Knights, but Rottenhammer’s expression did not seem satisfactory.

‘As expected, it looks like they haven’t caught a single Walaika hunter.’

Isaac searched the entire valley for the Chaos Spawns he had unleashed before joining them. After Heinkel Gulmar, who was devoured by Isaac, there were no more Walaika hunters left.

“It looks like everyone has already run away.”

“Hmm, I guess so. I found the den where they stayed and searched their belongings, and it turned out that they were indeed Walaika hunters. “Seeing as the horses were gone, it seems they thought we were wrong and ran away as soon as we arrived.”

Jihilet ate all the horses that the Walaika hunters rode. It’s unfortunate, but it would be difficult to leave evidence behind. Thanks to this, Jihillet was full enough to move for several weeks.

“Still, I thought it would be a little slow because it was daytime, but the hunters directly under the Duke’s family seem to be different. “We are releasing our divine beasts to search in case they are digging into the ground and hiding, but honestly, I don’t have any expectations.”

At that time, Isolde peeked out from behind him. Isolde’s gaze wandered here and there with a helpless expression on her face, but then she seemed to realize that there was no escape, and she stepped forward.

“… … I owe him his life three times over. I don’t have anything to say… … !”

‘third time? ‘Did you save me that much?’

When I thought about it, I realized that I met a wolf once, once at the monastery, and once in the valley. It seems like he is truly an unlucky person.

“Rather than thanking me, I think it would be better for you to leave here quickly because this area seems to be an unlucky place for the Heretic Questioner.”

In fact, this region may have originally been the place where she died. But Isaac forced it back to life.

Isolde’s face turned red, and Rottenhammer thought for a moment whether this was worry or a twisted, mean remark.

But actually, Isaac didn’t want to scold Isolde that much. Isolde did her job well. She learned that there was a plot going on in this monastery to resurrect the Plague God, so she came to investigate, and also found those hiding in the valley. She even became so confident in her own results that she quickly called in the Order of the Holy Knights.

Except for the variable Isaac, everything was a reasonable decision, and he acted competently as an Inquisitor.

I almost became a dead Heretic Questioner.

‘Considering that Heretic Questioners rarely die due to expulsion, Isolde may not be particularly unlucky… … .’

“Well, that’s enough about that. Thanks to that, Mr. Gebel was also treated and saved quickly.”

“no. Since I owe you three times, I will pay my debt three times too. “As an Inquisitor of the Code of Light, as a member of the Brandt family, and as an individual.”

I ended up paying off my debt not once, but three times. Isaac looked into her Isolde’s determined eyes and thought that as long as she didn’t die somewhere, he might be able to get a good meal from her.

Rottenhammer seemed quite surprised by Isolde’s words, but soon smiled.

“Young lady, please go in and rest. Hasn’t she been able to sleep at all since yesterday? “He is sending official letters to the surrounding lords and expanding the scope of the search, so there is nothing for you to do now.”

“… … thank you “Captain.”

After Isolde finished apologizing and thanking her, she seemed to have relaxed and staggered back to the barracks.

Now it was time for her to fall asleep.

“Then shall we go in there and finish talking? “I have a lot of questions about what you did in the valley.”

***

The place where Isaac and Rottenhammer went to talk was the barracks where Gebel was resting. Originally, I was going to call him to the knight commander’s barracks, but Isaac wanted to talk with Gebel, so he called him. As Rottenhammer and Isaac entered, Gebel stood up.

“Oh, monk. Did you get some rest? “What about the wounds?”

Rottenhammer seemed to think of Gebel as a simple monk. But Gebel smiled bitterly and bowed his head.

“You still seem correct. “Captain Rottenhammer.”

Rottenhammer tilted his head in a tone that showed he knew him. Gebel covered his beard-covered chin with his hand because he could not recognize him.

Only then did Rottenhammer’s eyes widen.

“Gebel? Is that crazy dog ​​crazy? No, oh my god. “I’ve grown so old.”

What a crazy dog… … Isaac wondered what Gebel had been doing when he was young.

Gebel smiled bitterly at the nickname he hadn’t heard in a long time.

“Thank you for recognizing me even though it’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

“Of course I have to find out! How amazing were you and the Holy Knights of Avalanche during the last Dawning Army! Yeah, that’s right. Isolde praised your skills and said you deserved it. But you being in a monastery like this, you really don’t know what’s going on in the world.”

Rottenhammer’s admiration continued. At the same time, his gaze glanced at Isaac, and he seemed to have an idea of ​​how Isaac had survived.

It would only be half true to say it was thanks to Gebel.

“But what about Director Linde? I thought you didn’t have the personality to be the leader, but I thought you could still be the chief engineer. “Why are you in a monastery like this?”

“Director Linde is dead. The Avalanche Holy Knights were also wiped out.”

The inside of the barracks was filled with silence. Rottenhammer held his breath for a moment, and only after a long time did he open his mouth.

“When the Dawn Army ended, the Holy Knights and Linde were still alive, so it wasn’t because of the war. To be honest, if only Linde had died, I would have thought that you lost your temper and killed him and then ran away to the monastery.”

“Honestly, I wanted to kill that little old woman more than once. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who thought this.”

“that’s right. “I can’t say I’ve ever had that thought.”

Isaac watched the two old men chuckling and chatting about memories that only they had. That seemed to be a way for men who grew up eating swords and rice on the battlefield to commemorate someone. The conversation continued for a while and then stopped for a moment, as if to catch his breath.

Rottenhammer let out a long sigh and opened his mouth.

“Who killed it?”

“I do not know.”

“You don’t know?”

“I’m not sure. I ran away and didn’t see or hear anything. Since then, I have been hiding in this monastery. “It’s an ending fit for a coward.”

Isaac knew that Gebel had sought out as much information as he could and sharpened his sword for revenge. If he can’t do it himself, he’ll find someone to do it for him. But he chose to be a coward because telling everything would put Rottenhammer in danger as well.

“Right.”

But Rottenhammer did not accuse Gebel of being a coward. She seems to have already realized that there are circumstances she cannot talk about.

“So, I want you to take care of this child instead of me.”

Rottenhammer’s gaze shifted from Gebel to Isaac.

“I taught you poorly and ruined the basics, but I think your skills will get much better if the leader trains you.”

“… … Lady Isolde also praised this young man to the point where she was sick of it.”

Rottenhammer examined Isaac’s hands and massaged his arms. Compared to Rottenhammer’s iron-like hands and thick limbs, Isaac’s body was thin and weak, but he did not give up.

“Do you want to become a Holy Knight?”

“yes.”

Rottenhammer looked back at Gebel as if that was enough of an answer.

“I can take care of you, but I can’t make you a paladin on my own. For now, I’ll take you around as my guest and trainee and see how you perform. But if I had learned from you… … “I might already be able to play with some of my students.”

“Well, it won’t be enough.”

“good night. So your name is Isaac? “I will take responsibility for you and place you in the Brigand Holy Knights.”

Isaac thought that Rottenhammer’s assertion might make the atmosphere a little awkward, but he had no choice but to open his mouth.

“Well, about that, Captain Rottenhammer.”

“huh?”

“I don’t plan on joining the Holy Knights of Brind.”