Paladin of the Dead God
chapter-168-1

Edelred’s voice was rough and awkward as if rusted.

He struggled not to let his voice tremble, but the shaking of his clenched fists was unavoidable. Isaac quickly whispered to Mors.

“Was someone from Saltain supposed to come too?”

“We did send a messenger, but there was no reply. We assumed they would ignore the summons…”

The person who arrived wasn’t just anyone; it was someone from Saltain, known to harbor a deep grudge against the royal family of Aldeon.

Yet here she was, without any guards, just her and a large sack, having made her way to this place. Isaac thought that normally someone like her would be stopped at the main gate, but it would have been difficult to outright deny entry to a distinguished guest.

Lady Rosalind Saltain stared silently at Edelred for a moment before bowing exaggeratedly and saying,

“Glory and victory to the Kingdom of Elil! It’s been a long time, Your Majesty. I’m not sure if you remember me.”

“…How could I forget you, madam? I’ve always been concerned about your health. Frankly, your visit is unexpected, but that makes it all the more welcome. How is Count Theobald Saltain?”

Rosalind smiled weakly, but her sunken eyes betrayed a chilling hatred.

“My husband wanted very much to come after receiving your invitation. But his illness had advanced too far, making it difficult for him to travel.”

“That is unfortunate. But I am glad that you could grace us with your presence. We will make sure that you are comfortable during your stay…”

“However, as a subject, how could I refuse Your Majesty’s summons? He insisted on coming to speak to you directly and stubbornly took to the sea.”

Isaac felt a premonition of doom.

Rosalind then violently tore open the sack she had brought with her. Instantly, a foul stench filled the hall, causing the nobles to recoil.

“That’s how he arrived.”

Inside the sack was the partially decomposed body of Count Theobald Saltain.

The hardened body, apparently left unattended on a ship, was caked with white salt. However, one greyish eye still bulged open. It was hard to believe this was a dead man given his expression.

Rosalind stood the corpse up and started dragging it toward Edelred. As the ghastly grey eyes faced him, Edelred gasped.

Her smile deepened.

“Here, Your Majesty. This is the body of my husband, whom your father greatly desired! Even in death, he wishes to serve you. The 80,000 of your citizens who starved to death in Saltain also expect this of you.”

Crack, crack.

The sound of the salt-hardened body being dragged was eerie. Overwhelmed by Rosalind’s insane determination, everyone stood frozen.

“Come, Your Majesty, hurry!”

Edelred instinctively stepped back, but someone supported him from behind.

It was Isaac.

‘Showing weakness now would be the end.’

It was not a child’s place to handle such matters. But Edelred knew he had to face the legacy of the previous king head-on now that he was king.

It was insulting to only treat him as a child.

Isaac could push him, but he couldn’t make decisions for him.

Finally, unable to stand it, Mors shouted.

“Remove that witch immediately!”

At his command, Aldeon knights rushed forward.

At that moment, Edelred’s voice boomed out.

“Stand down!”

The knights immediately halted.

Edelred steadied his breathing and walked forward. His hands were still shaking, but his steps did not falter. Rosalind stopped and watched as Edelred approached.

His eyes intensely focused on the dead Count’s body; Edelred saw tens of thousands of ghosts in those grey eyes, ready to leap out and tear into his flesh.

But Edelred bravely offered his neck and shoulders to their fangs.

“You have traveled far, Count. Aldeon welcomes you.”

Isaac admired Edelred’s courage more than he expected, but as Edelred embraced the Count’s corpse, sighs and murmurs of disapproval arose from various quarters.

Isaac did not miss the mixed expressions of the nobility.

He had already instructed Hesabel about this.

“I regret we couldn’t speak earlier. Your advice would have been invaluable now more than ever. I hope you find peace.”

Lady Rosalind watched Edelred intently.

She was unarmed, a fact they all knew, but if looks could kill, Rosalind’s might have done the job.

However, as Edelred did not avert his gaze, she gradually subdued her show of emotions.

“…Thank you for welcoming me with open arms, Your Majesty.”

Her face showed nothing but exhaustion, but Isaac suspected that her murderous intent hadn’t completely vanished, just taken a more concentrated, quieter form.

“I’m sorry, but may this old woman retire now? I rushed here in response to your call, but at my age, it’s hard to keep up with such fervor.”

“Of course. We are already grateful that you came this far.”

Edelred soothed her and directed the knights to take care of Count Saltain’s body. They cautiously placed the body back into the sack.

As Rosalind watched them like a corpse sunken at the sea, she finally left the scene.

***