Paladin of the Dead God
chapter-145

Isaac exhaled heavily.

His sword was buried in the sand of the beach. He glared at his ejected weapon, but that didn’t cause it to return to his hand.

It was Isaac who had seized the chance to turn the tables. Bashul’s sword was broken, and he was defenselessly exposed before Isaac’s blade. Yet, the next moment was a blur, and he couldn’t tell what had happened.

All that was evident was a bite-like wound on Bashul’s hand.

‘Did he really deflect it with his bare hands?’

It was a sword technique developed to rip apart angels, and he had deflected it bare-handed—what kind of monster was he?

Bashul looked down at his hand and then spoke.

“So, I see how you caught an angel. You have a talent that other knights lack.”

To Isaac, it sounded like a veiled way of calling him cowardly.

“Are you trying to say I’m cowardly?”

“No. Cowardice is a trait all paladins might as well have. There’s no need for manners or rules when you’re judging heretics.”

It was a conversation that defied common sense, but in this world, it was the truth.

In the face of faith, all rules are ignored. Courtesy, honor, rules, none of these matter.

Only true faith suffices.

“What I mean is this. Your master couldn’t have taught you this.”

Bashul stretched out his torn palm towards Isaac. At the same time, a faint blue glow sparked up like a flame from his hand. Isaac watched him with suspicion.

Facing Isaac’s gaze, Bashul tilted his head as if puzzled.

“You mean you don’t even know what you did?”

“What is it?”

“Sword energy. The Miracle seen by those chosen by Elil. Don’t you know what it is?”

Sword energy? Having played as a follower of Elil before, Isaac certainly knew what it was.

Many legends exist about Elil, most of which involve Elil slicing, dicing, or smashing someone.

The Red Chalice seduces, the Codex of Light converts, and the World’s Forge bestows precious treasures—such legends exemplify the nature of their respective deities.

And Elil favors the strong, often bestowing those with talents in powerful weapons or abilities with his blessings. Among these, those with extraordinary talents might hold the Miracle of ‘Sword Energy,’ capable of slicing anything effortlessly.

In the game, selecting the Elil faith and reaching the highest levels granted this ability.

When Sword Energy is activated, it doesn’t wear down the sword, and if the opponent has no resistance to miracles, it completely ignores their armor.

However, at that stage in the game, since the player’s weapons, stats, and skills are at their peak, Sword Energy isn’t exactly necessary—usually, you’re about to face the game’s end anyway.

But who wouldn’t be fascinated by a lightsaber that slices through anything?

Isaac was no exception.

‘… But I’ve never heard of a lightsaber that gnaws like a chainsaw with tentacles and teeth.’

This was somewhat disappointing news for Isaac.

However, Bashul’s explanation had a flaw.

“Isn’t Sword Energy something only followers of Elil can manifest?”

“That’s why you’re special. How you did it I don’t know, but other knights of the Codex of Light can’t use Sword Energy. Unless… you were always a paladin of Elil.”

Isaac was startled to learn that the Blade tear he thought he had invented was actually Sword Energy. Yet, the similarities were undeniable.

After all, it was an ability meant to tear opponents apart.

‘Now that I think about it…’

When he fought Liberation Bishop Al Duard, he faced a Dullahan from Elil. Even then, he had sensed a faint aura, which must have been an unconscious attempt to activate Sword Energy.

If consciously manifested, it became Blade Rip.

The question of ‘how’ was irrelevant.

Isaac was a Nephilim. Using the miracles of gods as if they were his own was second nature to him. Moreover, in the faith of the Nameless Chaos, there are no standardized scriptures or doctrines. Isaac realized the issue wasn’t solely with him.

“Wait, then you too…”

Bashul was using Sword Energy. He nodded as if it were obvious.

“Yes. I am a follower of Elil.”

Isaac was at a loss for words at Bashul’s confident admission.

A chief knight of the Imperial Guard of the Gerthonia Empire, supposed to be devoted to the Codex of Light, was a follower of Elil? Moreover, Bashul had previously been a knight of the Avalanche Knight Order.

He was technically a heretic that could be executed on the spot.

The political ramifications for the Emperor could be immense.

Isaac felt anger before confusion.

‘If I had known earlier, I could have killed him without even fighting…’

He could have manipulated situations such that the Emperor would dismiss him or the church would stab him in the back. But now, that wasn’t possible.

He shared the same vulnerability as Bashul.

That’s why Bashul could afford to be open about his use of Sword Energy.

“We both seem to have many secrets, Holy Knight. Shall we talk for a moment?”

***

Isaac agreed to Bashul’s proposal for a temporary truce.

He was curious about how a follower of Elil had ended up as a knight for the Emperor, and he wanted to uncover secrets that Gabel had not revealed.

As they walked along the beach, Bashul asked:

“Who taught you swordsmanship?”

“Gabel Krantz.”

“That mad dog… is he still alive? No, of course. He would be the only one. Did he order you to kill anyone using Avalanche Che swordsmanship on sight?”

“It wasn’t an order, but a caution.”

“That’s the same thing.”

Bashul crossed his arms and looked at Isaac intently.

“Regrettably, you can’t kill me. And it seems I can’t kill you either.”

“I haven’t played all my cards yet.”

“Neither have I. And the reason you haven’t shown all your cards is that we both might survive, right? I feel the same way.”

Isaac burst into laughter.

It was true. Isaac had not resorted to using his tentacles to the end. He had restrained himself in case Bashul managed to escape after a desperate struggle. Bashul was indeed an adversary to be cautious of.

And now that he knew Bashul was a follower of Elil, he couldn’t recklessly engage him. After all, his opponent could also perform miracles.

In retrospect, not revealing his tentacles was a prudent decision.

Bashul turned his head to look at the crashing waves. Regret was evident in his eyes.

“Did you ever hear why Gabel ordered us to kill anyone using Avalanche Knight Order techniques?”

The Avalanche Knight Order was annihilated during a battle with the Immortal Order, and they became Death Knights, either by choice or force. As a result, the Avalanche Order was branded as traitors, and Gabel had fled to live in the monastery.

Gabel believed that the whole affair was a conspiracy orchestrated by someone high up in the Codex of Light.

However, why he specifically ordered them to kill anyone using the same sword techniques was not something Isaac had heard. Only that the other person would try to kill Isaac as well. Indeed, there was some truth to that.

“I heard that the Avalanche Knight Order was wiped out. And that it was believed to be an inside job, like what Kalsen Miller did.”

Kalsen Miller had driven all his fellow knights to their deaths just before he defected. Gabel believed the same thing had happened to the Avalanche Knight Order.

Bashul nodded.

“What you know matches what I know. So Gabel himself is not the traitor, meaning the other survivor must be? So I’m that traitor?”

“Is that so?”

“Exactly.”

Isaac absentmindedly touched his palm, fearing his tentacles might burst out.

With a blank expression, Bashul looked at Isaac and said,

“I led the Avalanche Knight Order into a valley ambush. I watched as my comrades were slaughtered by the undead of the Immortal Order. Thinking back, Gabel was absent without leave and in confinement… that’s how he survived.”

Should I kill him now? But there might be more to learn.

“Yes, Gabel was right.”

“…”

As Isaac struggled to suppress the squirming tentacles within him, Bashul continued calmly,

“I did it. I was following an angel’s orders.”

Isaac paused before asking,

“You were following an angel’s orders?”

“Yes.”

“Which angel?”

“I don’t know. It was passed down through an inquisitor who accompanied us. It was during the 12th Dawn Army, as usual, an oracle and blessings from an angel were received. The inquisitor didn’t specify which angel. But it was an angel’s command. Is there any reason to doubt?”

No. If there’s no conflict between God’s instructions and an angel’s commands, the latter are absolute. They are chosen to act on behalf of God’s will in heaven and on earth.

But if Bashul’s words were true, it wasn’t just a matter of corruption within the church’s upper echelons.

It implied that an angel had fallen.

Bashul continued,

“Only after hearing my comrades’ screams did I realize what I had done. That’s why I ran away. I couldn’t face those I had dragged into hell.”

***

‘This is not good.’

Isaac thought he had heard something he shouldn’t have. Bashul might be lying, but just knowing this information could endanger lives.

Even if it was not a fallen angel but a directive from God, it was still problematic.

Isaac decided to point out a flaw in Bashul’s story.

“If what you say is true, why would you try to kill someone using Avalanche sword techniques?”

In Bashul’s story, he was portrayed as someone who fled due to guilt over his comrades. But then, why would he want to kill someone using the same techniques as his comrades?

Bashul tilted his head and looked at Isaac.

“Look, Isaac. I had been living under the belief that all my comrades had turned into Death Knights. They probably want to kill me. Maybe they even agreed to become Death Knights for that reason. Then someone shows up using Avalanche sword techniques. What would I think?”

“A spy for the Immortal Order?”

“Or another monster created by the Codex of Light that I didn’t know about. I put my bets on the latter. You appeared out of nowhere as a Paladin.”

“I have no ties to the church.”

“That’s not something a paladin usually says. Anyway, I’m the same.”

Bashul sighed and looked at Isaac, his gaze complicated.

“To think Gabel is still alive… it’s both reassuring and frightening.”

“If you still feel like repenting, I can arrange a meeting for you.”

“Well, no matter what excuses I make, it won’t work. I can apologize, but I can’t just offer up my neck.”

Snap. Bashul stopped and faced Isaac.

“Why do you think I turned apostate and devoted myself to Elil? Why did I leave my knighthood to become an Imperial Guard?”

Probably because if he had stayed with the Codex of Light, those who knew the ‘forbidden secrets’ he was aware of would have killed him. Isaac thought this but Bashul was implying more.

“My goal is to destroy the backstabbers in the Codex of Light. After I kill all those damned people, I’ll ask them why my comrades had to die, what schemes necessitated this chaos.”

Bashul’s eyes were cold as he stared at Isaac.

“If you still can’t forgive me, feel free to try and kill me anytime, Isaac. But I won’t just let myself be killed. When the time comes, I’ll go see Gabel myself.”

“Really?”

Isaac was visibly pleased by this revelation.

After making his declaration, Bashul was startled by Isaac’s eager expression.

Realizing he might have spoken too hastily, Bashul felt the wound on his palm again.

Thinking about Isaac’s rapidly improving skills and his unscrupulous methods, it seemed he might have been too rash.

“…Let me rephrase. I’d rather you didn’t try to kill me if possible. After all, my goals align with Gabel’s. Doesn’t he also want to resolve the Church’s grudges?”

“Are you asking for a double deal?”

“Then tell me what you want, Paladin. Apart from killing me.”

With that, Isaac finally smiled.

“Give me the chance to kill you until I am dispatched as an ambassador to the Kingdom of Elil. In return, I’ll use only my swordsmanship. If you survive until then, I’ll leave your fate to Gabel.”

Bashul pondered Isaac’s words.

It was a strange proposal. If it was just about swordsmanship, Bashul was superior. Typically, it’s the other way around—absolute power offering a chance to grow stronger if they can survive.

But then Bashul understood Isaac’s intention.

“…You want to duel daily?”

“You risk your life, I’ll barely not.”

Isaac was soon to go to the Kingdom of Elil.

He needed to improve his swordsmanship before then.