Paladin of the Dead God
chapter-142

“Interesting opinion.”

Emperor Waltzemer muttered with a smile.

Isaac breathed a sigh of relief internally when he saw Waltzemer’s favorable reaction.

In truth, if the Dawn Army did not exist, Isaac would be in a difficult position too. He had to earn a recognition-worthy achievement in the Holy Land. Therefore, Isaac found himself in a position where he had to side with the Church, even though it was difficult.

To do this, he had to make the emperor sympathetic to the Dawn Army, which was the hardest part because the empire’s foundations were not yet solid.

The economy was controlled and shaken by the Golden Idol guild, spies bought by the Red Chalice were rampant everywhere, and the neighboring countries tied to the White Empire were fortunate if they didn’t just pull each other’s hair out.

The power of the nobility was also a problem.

It seemed as though the emperor had achieved centralization through power, but in reality, it was nothing more than the nobility banding together to oppose the absolute power of the Codex of Light sect. If Waltzemer hadn’t been the emperor, it would have been impossible.

In many ways, the emperor still needed to gather strength.

But what if this crisis with the Dawn Army could actually be an opportunity?

It was a tempting proposal for Waltzemer.

“However, it certainly won’t be easy, will it? Just laying out a sweet future is something anyone could do.”

If what Isaac had proposed was easy, someone would have already done it.

Waltzemer must have considered it too. However, the diplomatic relations entangled with doctrines and faiths in this world were not easily resolved.

Unless one was prepared in advance.

Waltzemer looked at Isaac’s face and felt assurance and confidence.

Isaac had just mentioned the very thing Waltzemer most wanted to hear, and which was most necessary under the current circumstances.

“I will go to the Kingdom of Elil and negotiate.”

A spark lit in Waltzemer’s eyes.

“You? I didn’t know you had a talent for diplomacy.”

Isaac had a secret weapon ready for this moment.

He slowly and carefully pulled out a dagger from his bosom.

Despite the blade appearing in front of him, Waltzemer showed no sign of tension.

For an emperor armed with all sorts of blessings and miracles, a dagger was nothing more than a needle.

However, if he had known the true nature of this dagger, even an emperor would have tensed.

Waltzemer’s demeanor suddenly surged like a storm. He had sensed the vicious history and blood from the dagger.

“It is the Rite of Division.”

The very dagger that had split open the living god Elil’s chest and extracted his heart.

The extracted heart of Elil had become a sacred artifact known as the Red Chalice, and the knights who vowed to retrieve it became wandering Knights of the Chalice in search of it.

“The descendants of those who vowed now carry the Rite of Division to seek reconciliation. What better symbol could there be?”

Dietrich, who had thought he understood the stakes, was speechless at this revelation.

All Knights of the Chalice were on a noble journey to return lost sacred artifacts to the temples, so having one was not strange.

But the ‘Rite of Division’ was an artifact beyond expectation. Very few Knights of the Chalice had ever reclaimed such a significant relic.

Keeping the fact that he had been recognized as a Dreamer by the Council of Salt to himself would surely cause a stir, but he decided to keep that secret.

The Council of Salt appeared neutral to the world, much like the Golden Idol guild. It was best kept as a secret weapon for truly necessary moments.

“A truly interesting character, Dietrich. As I’ve heard.”

Waltzemer muttered as if amused. Finally, Dietrich nodded his head in realization.

“I told you, Your Majesty. If you keep him by your side, he will achieve great things.”

“There’s no one better than him as an envoy to the Kingdom of Elil.”

Waltzemer’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he looked at Isaac.

“Good, Knight of the Chalice. I can see that you are different from the mediocre masses. Now, one last question.”

“Speak, Your Majesty.”

“You are a Knight of the Codex of Light. However, it seems you aren’t very loyal to the sect. Are you truly a dedicated Paladin of the Codex of Light, or are you a heretic here to sow discord?”

‘Stay calm.’

In truth, the emperor’s words were partly true.

Isaac was neither a devout Paladin of the Codex of Light nor a heretic hoping to disrupt the sect. He was pushing the empire toward war for his own purposes.

Yet, aside from that, Isaac’s conviction was genuine.

“I believe that a god should only be responsible for the afterlife.”

Isaac revealed his sincere belief.

“Therefore, let humans handle the matters of the human world.”

***

Isaac’s answer satisfied the emperor.

Waltzemer invited Isaac to stay for dinner instead of sending him away immediately. The informal meal was boisterous, with Isolde, Dietrich, and the royal guards joining in.

During dinner, rather than discussing politics or diplomacy, Waltzemer probed into Isaac’s past and personal life. Isaac found this more uncomfortable, but managed to skirt around the issues by talking about his monastery life.

“I plan to bestow a title of earl on you.”

After the meal, Waltzemer suggested to Isaac. Although it was a decent proposal, Isaac’s reaction was lukewarm.

Waltzemer laughed as if he knew everything.

“Of course, you might not like it. Becoming Earl of Issacrea doesn’t immediately grant you a wider realm, and you’ll probably be called a Knight of the grail more often than an earl.”

Moreover, the sect might suspect him of being more aligned with the nobility than with them. This wasn’t a favorable perception for Isaac.

“But you can’t refuse. It would be problematic if the title of the man marrying my niece was too low.”

“…As I said, Your Majesty, Isolde and I are…….”

“And I plan to appoint you as the ambassador to the Kingdom of Elil, and give you a major role in the upcoming Dawn Army operations. I still need to think about the exact position, but rest assured, you’ll have plenty to do.”

This was indeed good news.

The emperor was truly considering sending Isaac as an ambassador to the Kingdom of Elil and entrusting him with significant diplomatic policies. Moreover, giving him partial command meant that the major weakness Isaac could face while participating in the Dawn Army—manpower issues—would be resolved.

Just participating in the emperor’s strategy meetings would be a huge help for Isaac. Even if he didn’t play a major role in those meetings, being present at the imperial leadership would prevent anyone from treating Isaac lightly.

‘Participating in strategy planning at the imperial leadership is much better than joining as a mere frontline commander.’

Especially considering the level of strategy and tactics among the NPCs in the game, it was even more crucial for him to intervene.

While not incompetent individually, the influence and stance of the nobles and knight orders often led to nonsensical reasons for the disintegration of forces.

Separately, Isaac realized the emperor’s intent behind offering him a title of earl.

“You’re a clever man, you understand what I’m implying?”

“…Your Majesty.”

“Assigning you a major role means that you might have to command and oversee the nobles. No matter that I appointed you, these nobles won’t accept someone whose lands and title are lesser than theirs.”

Could an earl’s title suffice?

If what he said was true, even an earl’s title might not be enough.

To suddenly elevate a knight, who seemed no better than a rustic from the countryside, to a major military role, a background akin to that of the Duke Brant’s family would be necessary.

“That’s why you must marry my niece.”

The title of earl was merely a step to acquiring the title of son-in-law to the Duke Brant family. Isaac looked at Dietrich, speechless, but he was just quietly drinking his wine, probably already aware of these plans.

Isaac reluctantly decided to involve his religious mission.

“…Your Majesty, as a holy grail Knight on a noble quest, whose life is always at risk…”

“It’s not like I’m asking you to marry right away. Whatever your noble quest is, it will probably be over before the Dawn Army starts. You don’t look like someone who would die easily, and a simple engagement would suffice.”

Waltzemer said this and then chuckled incredulously.

“Besides, what’s lacking in Isolde? It’s a clear advantage for you. It would be hard to find a better partner than her. Unless I had a daughter, but I only have a son.”

“Indeed, marrying Miss Isolde would greatly benefit me. Then, Your Majesty, what do you see in me that makes you want to bring me into your fold?”

“Are you joking? You’re the holy grail knight who retrieved the Rite of Division and defeated an angel. You’re also the person who can secure the true throne of the White Empire for me. Wouldn’t I be a fool to let such a rising saint slip away?”

“But…”

“Moreover, you are the new saint of the Codex of Light. If I am to place you in a major military role, I need to trust you completely, and that might involve mixing our blood.”

Unable to find another excuse, Isaac quickly glanced at Isolde.

He hoped she would stand up and leave, but Isolde quietly looked down and remained silent.

Just as he had predicted, Isolde was prepared to follow her family’s commands for a strategic marriage.

She had received much from the Brant family—whether it be money, love, or education.

She had no right to refuse a duty she was born into.

As Isaac failed to respond, Waltzemer smirked and said,

“If I am to be pushed into the hell of the Dawn Army, shouldn’t you at least step into the hell of marriage?”

He wasn’t wrong.

***

“Dietrich, he is far more interesting than I heard.”

Waltzemer murmured as if he were truly entertained.

“If there is anyone beloved by the gods, it might just be him.”

“Didn’t we push him too hard?”

Alone now with Dietrich, Waltzemer spoke casually about the grail knight who had just left.

“Even before you came, I tried several times to persuade him, but he stubbornly refused. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone reject my offers so stubbornly.”

In the face of the authority of the Duke Brant, most people would prostrate themselves.

The Holy Grail Knight had shown humility, but blatantly ignored Dietrich’s direct proposals as if he were asked to run naked through the streets.

“But it didn’t seem like he was uninterested?”

“That’s why I made the offer. Would I send my daughter to marry someone who doesn’t love her?”

Dietrich had married for strategic reasons.

Freya was wise and kind, and he had fallen in love with her quickly, but there was no love at the time of their marriage.

Dietrich had no regrets about this; his father and grandfather had married the same way.

However, he wanted to give Isolde a chance. If she brought home a man who was clearly unsuitable, he would have dismissed him without hesitation, but fortunately, Isaac wasn’t that kind of man.

In many ways, Isaac was not a bad choice.

But the impression that Isaac was stubbornly trying to reject Isolde was problematic.

“From what I’ve gathered, he doesn’t have another woman. He doesn’t seem to have that kind of relationship with Hesabel Gullmar either. Did he feel there was some unacceptable flaw in my daughter?”

“No… it’s a problem with the Knight of the Chalice himself.”

Waltzemer thought about Isaac again, murmuring to himself.

His attitude, his tone of voice, and even his charisma that naturally drew even the emperor himself.

Yet, there was a fundamental flaw in Isaac’s character.

“To have the looks and abilities that could be loved by everyone, yet believe that he shouldn’t be loved, how interesting is that?”