Paladin of the Dead God
chapter-254

Gebel had one reason for wanting to join the Dawn Army.

“What I want is always the same. Revenge.”

Originally, his target for revenge was the one who had betrayed the Avalanche Paladin Order and driven them to the brink of death. However, fundamentally, it didn’t change the fact that those who killed his comrades were from the Immortal Order.

Gebel confirmed that the current frenzy of the Dawn Army was more intense than ever. The entire continent was talking about the Dawn Army and burning everything as if there was no tomorrow.

This meant two things.

The war would result in massive casualties, but at the same time, they might finally succeed in reclaiming the Holy Land after the failures of the past six Dawn Army campaigns.

“In other words, if I miss this chance with the Dawn Army, I won’t have another opportunity for revenge.”

Thud. Gebel placed the bottle of alcohol on the table with a firm hand.

“And Bashul will also join the Dawn Army. There’s a high chance I’ll encounter the high priest who drove the Avalanche Paladin Order into a corner on the battlefield. There might be another opportunity for revenge there. At least in this remote monastery, there’s no chance at all.”

Isaac didn’t ask what the swordsmanship instructor of the Issacrea estate would do if he killed the high priest. He was willing to help Gebel with his revenge.

Helping with his revenge would be the least he could do to repay Gebel.

However, Isaac couldn’t help but ask one thing.

“I heard that Bashul received orders from an angel. What will you do if it turns out to be one of the Archangels who gave the order?”

Gebel had been excommunicated because of the unjust accusations against the Avalanche Paladin Order. He had done nothing wrong. But what if those he needed to take revenge on were the Archangels, the voices, and the will of the gods themselves?

Gebel only looked at Isaac with a chilling expression.

“Then I’ll show those bastards that if they treat believers like dogs, even angels can end up in a dog-like situation.”

Isaac felt like he had glimpsed a fragment of Gebel Kranz’s past, the time when he was known as the “mad dog berserker.” Gebel had always been someone who could have been expelled at any time. Even if he hadn’t been excommunicated because of the Avalanche Paladin Order.

For him, his faith seemed more aligned with the Paladin Order he belonged to rather than the Codex of Light. It just happened that the Order’s faith was in the Codex of Light.

The moment the Paladin Order was annihilated, his faith had lost its meaning.

Isaac had a feeling that Gebel would die the moment he completed his revenge, or even during it. That wasn’t what Isaac wanted.

But what if he found a new faith that wasn’t the Church?

***

In the Issacrea estate, which was protected by the Holy Grail Knight, there weren’t many who dared to cause trouble.

As a result, Jacquette and her guards spent more time on road maintenance and patrols rather than needing to risk their lives in training. While it was necessary to calm their temper from their bandit days during peaceful times, their long respite ended when Gebel became the swordsmanship instructor.

Isaac had deliberately given only a brief introduction and title, leaving the rest to Gebel. Swordsmen don’t easily accept someone who parachutes in as their superior.

In the end, only bruises and bloody noses could persuade them.

Gebel’s first greeting was simple.

“Everyone, arm yourselves and gather at the training ground.”

The quick-witted Jacquette immediately obeyed the order, but there were some who were suspicious of the suddenly appeared middle-aged man. However, when Gebel selected five of the most impudent ones and knocked them down at once, the order was established.

Gebel’s position was not that of a captain but a swordsmanship instructor.

And the authority of a master is prioritized over any other power.

The guards rapidly improved day by day through blood, sweat, and tears. And during patrols, they began to accept a certain notion under Neria’s subtle consolation.

‘As long as Gebel is here, no problem can occur in the estate.’

Previously, they wondered who would dare to touch the Issacrea estate. But moving forward, they knew it would be an era of self-reliance. Once Isaac had ensured the estate’s security with competent strength in place, he immediately set out for a slightly distant location.

‘This way.’

Riding on Nel, Isaac landed in front of an old castle halfway up the mountain. It was in the heart of the western mountain range, a bit away from the Issacrea estate. It was a spot he had been eyeing because it lay on the route from the empire’s center to the Issacrea estate.

As soon as Isaac descended, something began to stir and rise from the shadowy parts of the forest. It was Zihilrat, who had been ordered to investigate for traces of ancient gods while Isaac was away.

“The ancient gods in other places were either dealt with by me or already dead. But the one here was beyond my ability to handle.”

“You dealt with the others?”

“Yes.”

Isaac examined Zihilrat. He was indeed stronger and smarter compared to before. It was partly because he had devoured the ancient gods, but also due to the influence of Isaac’s growth, similar to what had happened with Hesabel.

Isaac wasn’t particularly disappointed to hear that the ancient gods had already been killed.

The ancient gods, by merely existing, negatively impacted their surroundings. It was right to eliminate them as soon as they were spotted, like cleaning up cockroaches. And Isaac had grown so strong that consuming ancient gods wouldn’t yield significant gains anymore.

‘With this, I can entrust Zihilrat to handle minor matters.’

Isaac was pleased with the growth of his subordinates. The fact that they grew independently without his constant oversight was even more satisfying. So, he decided to create another growth opportunity for them.

“Let’s go.”

***

The ancient castle, whose origin was unknown, was already in ruins, barely different from a pile of rubble. The ceiling had collapsed, exposing the sky, and the wind howled through the cracks in the crumbling walls.

“The ancient god here is known as Tralgul.”

Zihilrat whispered to Isaac, almost ingratiatingly, offering unsolicited information.

“An old record says a great general, wrongfully accused of treason, fought and died here. Afterward, those who framed him all mysteriously died. Since then, the locals believed the general’s curse haunted the place, offering sacrifices to appease it or to curse others.”

“You’ve done well in your research.”

Isaac also knew what kind of place this was and who resided here.

The lord of the old castle, Traelgul, was among the higher ranks of the relatively insignificant ancient gods. He was once said to be a martial god before Elil, but now, he was merely an undead-type monster in the outskirts. However, he was still strong enough to pose a challenge for Zihilrat, who excelled in assassination and infiltration.

Isaac had no intention of fighting personally.

As they walked towards the throne of the old castle, a fog began to form around Isaac. The weather had been clear until they entered the castle, making the fog appear suspicious to anyone.

Isaac stopped and instructed Zihilrat.

“Zihilrat, summon the rats.”

Without a word, Zihilrat called forth the rats he had already infiltrated into the castle. All of these rats were infected with the Parasite from Beyond. As the rats gathered into a mound, growing to the size of a head, Isaac activated his enhanced ‘Offspring of Chaos’ ability and commanded.

“Come here.”

With a sickening crunch, the rats began to compress into one spot. The mass of flesh and bones squashed together, blood spraying everywhere but not a drop wasted as it reformed. The flesh pulsed and swelled repeatedly, and eventually, a delicate woman’s form blossomed like a flower.

“I respond to your summons, my lord.”

“Hectali.”

Once an ancient god of Elil, she had now become Isaac’s servant. The fog thickened in response to Hectali’s appearance.

Isaac gestured lightly.

“With two of you, the balance should be just right. Zihilrat, hunt Traelgul with Hectali. You may do as you wish with the flesh.”

“As you command.”

The castle seemed to shudder with anger at Isaac’s command. A heavy voice boomed through the fog.

[Who dares speak blasphemy in Traelgul’s domain!]

Isaac coldly replied, “Silence him before he prattles on.”

“As you command.”

Zihilrat tore through his robe, expanding into a colossal beast. He looked even larger and had two additional limbs compared to when he hunted the Wallachian manhunters. Ferocious tentacles surged like a mane around his neck.

Hectali also shed her delicate appearance, revealing a face split into eight parts. Her graceful movements were like a flower blooming, but each petal contained lips that ceaselessly chanted curses.

As Hectali hissed and muttered, the fog parted to reveal the throne. Beyond it sat the headless general, leaning on a massive axe.

Enraged by his visitors’ insolence, Traelgul grabbed his axe and charged out.

The battle began.

Isaac found a suitable spot to sit and watched the fight.

***

Unexpectedly, the battle was fierce.

Zihilrat, skilled in ambushes, was unaccustomed to direct confrontations. Hectali, as a witch, was also limited without her lair and minions. Lacking her minions meant she had to rely solely on curses.

But Traelgul, wary of Isaac, couldn’t afford to go all out against Zihilrat and Hectali either.

‘Still, it doesn’t seem like they will lose.’

Despite being strangers, Zihilrat and Hectali coordinated well, steadily inflicting wounds on Traelgul. Hectali’s curses would slow him down, and Zihilrat would strike unexpectedly.

Traelgul’s ability to hold his ground was impressive. Isaac estimated Traelgul’s level to be roughly on par with Rottenhammer or Gebel.

‘Should I make him a servant?’

The temptation to recruit someone of Paladin Order captain level crossed his mind, but he dismissed it. The general’s size and foul odor were too conspicuous. He would only be useful in large-scale battles or frontal confrontations, and if his headlessness was exposed in the Dawn Army, it could cause an uproar.

Moreover, many external priests were joining the Dawn Army. They wouldn’t fail to notice.

‘There’s no need to be greedy. Faith would also be wasted.’

Realizing that the outcome was just a matter of time, Traelgul desperately shouted.

[You there, human! Are these your servants? Let me speak…]

“Pathetic, Traelgul. Face your end like a general.”

[What grudge do you hold against me…?]

There was no personal grudge, but an ancient god like Traelgul could corrupt those around him. Just as Zihilrat spread plagues and Golruwa incited greed, Traelgul’s presence would amplify violence and murderous intent in people nearby.

He was nothing but a living sin.

Isaac, concluding the fight was almost over, moved to another task.

‘Let’s see… There should be a sanctuary here.’

The Immortal Order often hid ancient gods in sanctuaries. The sanctuary of the old castle was just below the throne. As Isaac searched for the hidden space beneath the throne, Traelgul shouted something, but Isaac ignored it.

Reclaiming the sanctuary was straightforward; he only needed to embed his tentacles. Soon, veins and nerves spread from the pulsating heart, rooting throughout the sanctuary.

Once the sanctuary was claimed, Isaac could sense the environment and creatures around the castle. This strategic location, leading to the Issacrea estate, was ideal to secure.

His expanded awareness detected a considerable number of people heading towards the Issacrea estate. Isaac focused on them.

He was momentarily puzzled by what he felt.

‘…A group of beggars?’

Then he sensed others. This presence was familiar.

It was Isolde and her companions.

As soon as he located them, Isaac stepped outside. At that moment, Zihilrat seized an opening and bit off Traelgul’s right leg. With a thunderous crash, Traelgul fell.

Hectali quickly recited a spell and used her elongated fingers to stab into the gaps of Traelgul’s armor, causing a swarm of maggots to crawl out from within.

Traelgul couldn’t even scream.

Zihilrat and Hectali looked to Isaac for permission.

“Sorry. I have another use for him.”

Isaac couldn’t give them the promised flesh.

He had just thought of a suitable use for Traelgul.