Paladin of the Dead God
chapter-281

Isaac was wrong. Manseungja had no intention of summoning Isaac hastily.

She already knew for some time that Isaac had been in and out of the Issacrea estate.

And she was aware of the unbelievable series of events that occurred shortly after Isaac left for Lichtheim: the appearance of the Lighthouse Keeper, the excommunication of the Emperor, the breaking of the Licht Treaty, the Emperor’s escape, and the birth of the “Gerthonia Holy Empire.”

‘Is he some kind of walking bomb?’

Having mastered the acceptance of knowledge through countless reincarnations, Manseungja easily understood the concept of a “bomb.”

She also knew that some orcs were fascinated by explosions and loud noises.

From the first time she heard of Isaac to his actions now, it truly seemed like bombs went off everywhere he went.

So, despite knowing that Isaac had returned to Issacrea, Manseungja deliberately refrained from calling him. She was unsure if this bomb would go off in her hands.

Of course, there was a more practical reason as well.

Though she had seized Seor, the vanguard forces, who had suffered their first defeat since the Great Raid began, had to be reorganized from scratch. New commanders and shaman generals were assigned, and Khan also began paying close attention to the northeastern part of the Empire where Issacrea estate was located.

She knew that Issacrea was building walls and obstacles, but Manseungja wasn’t concerned. Such small stone walls would be swept away by Khan’s tide. What worried her more was what the newly reformed nation, now named the “Gerthonia Holy Empire,” might do.

‘Honestly, an empire ruled by an angel is scarier than one ruled by a human emperor.’

Many countries in this world had similar political systems.

It was just that the Gerthonia Empire had been in an odd situation due to the Licht Treaty. Even the Olkan Code had their supreme leader, Khan, act as a proxy for Olkan, moving based on the advice of the Archangel, “Netherworld.”

Fortunately or not, the Gerthonia Holy Empire still seemed interested only in the Holy Land.

So Manseungja was contemplating how to treat Isaac, who suddenly showed up.

***

With rough hoofbeats, Atlan and three Keshik galloped toward the riverside near Seor. Across the river stood Isaac and a red-winged woman, her hood pulled down to her head.

The Keshik knew they were within arrow range and were tempted, but any decision was up to Atlan, dispatched as Khan’s representative.

“Atlan.”

“Isaac.”

They called each other’s names as if they were old friends meeting after a long time. But soon, Atlan’s provocation began.

“I saw your subordinates building a small stone wall. It looked even smaller than the walls of Soer, almost like you could jump over it. Are you playing house?”

“Yeah.”

“What?”

“I was playing house. It wasn’t a wall. Thanks for noticing.”

Isaac dismissed the provocation with a wave of his hand.

Atlan realized he had thrown away a diplomatic card by provoking. He could have pressured Isaac, saying, ‘You promised knowledge but are building walls. Are you planning to break your promise?’

“Are your wounds healed? I heard you got quite hurt last time when you got chewed up a bit…”

“You monstrous bastard…”

Isaac, on the other hand, targeted Atlan’s personal pride. Atlan had been overwhelming Isaac with his skills and physicality but felt aggrieved when caught off guard by the tentacles. He believed that he could have blocked the tentacles if he had been prepared.

Atlan swallowed his anger and shot back.

“By the way, a priest from the Codex of Light crossed over to our side. Our soldiers caught her observing from a distance. What’s your scheme?”

It seemed like it was Yurie. She was caught right after crossing. She must have tried to escape, but it’s no easy feat to evade the Olkan Code’s cavalry, especially for a young priest.

“Did you kill her?”

“We killed the knights. The priest is… unusual, so the shamans are interrogating her. After the interrogation, we might try to make her apostatize for fun.”

Atlan watched Isaac’s reaction, hoping he would show weakness at the mention of torturing and forcibly converting a young priestess. But Isaac showed no reaction.

“We’re not here to chat, Atlan. Is Manseungja here?”

Atlan kept his mouth shut for a moment and looked up at the sky. A hawk was circling the same spot. He then spoke.

“She’s listening. Did you bring the ‘knowledge’?”

“First, let’s clarify. If I share the knowledge, the Great Raid will stop, right?”

“Don’t play word games, Holy Grail Knight.”

Atlan snapped irritably.

“The Great Raid will spare only your little village. You know this. Why ask such a pathetic question?”

Of course, Isaac expected this.

The Olkan Code had already moved too far. Even if the archangels agreed, the interests of those on earth weren’t that simple. If they didn’t loot properly after starting the raid before winter, many tribes would starve.

One way or another, the Empire wouldn’t avoid war.

“Well… Fine. Not my concern.”

Isaac shrugged, showing he wouldn’t be greedy. Atlan, sensing Isaac was ready to speak, glanced at the sky again and prepared to cover his ears.

He knew some knowledge could be dangerous just by knowing it.

But Isaac waved his hand.

“No need to cover your ears. You can listen.”

As Atlan felt puzzled, Isaac spoke to the sky.

“The name of the Nameless Chaos is me, Isaac Issacrea. I am the only proxy, pope, priest, and believer designated by the Nameless Chaos. I am the only one who can wield the power of the Nameless Chaos, so I am the name of the Nameless Chaos.”

Beside him, Hesabel looked at him with eyes filled with reverence and admiration, while Atlan and the Keshik looked at him in shock and disbelief, glancing at the sky to see if it was true.

At that moment, Atlan’s body twitched, and his eyes blazed with fury.

Atlan shouted, embodying Manseungja, Orus Maktu’s rage.

[That’s not true!]

***

“Damn it. It didn’t work. Let’s go, Hesabel.”

“What a pity, Sir Isaac!”

Isaac and Hesabel immediately turned and fled without hesitation. As soon as they turned, a horse with red muscles and tendrils extending like roots appeared from the saddle.

Isaac mounted the Phantom Steed and fled.

[Pursue them!]

Atlan and the Keshik, who had been dumbfounded by Isaac’s sudden turn, urgently leaped into the river at Manseungja’s command. Atlan also dashed forward as Manseungja left his body.

Thundering hoofbeats echoed as they pursued Isaac’s party relentlessly.

At the start of the chase, the Keshik thought Isaac was a fool.

Although there was a river in the middle, it wasn’t deep. Beyond that was an open field. Evading mounted Keshik in such terrain was a laughable notion.

But the Keshik soon had to reconsider.

Isaac was faster than expected. Fast enough to rival them.

The speed was unimaginable for an ordinary horse, prompting the Keshik to chant prayers urgently.

“Ancestors, show your wrath!”

In response to their prayers, the spirits of orcs infused the Keshik’ legs and hooves. With a surge of strength and firm hooves pounding the ground, they quickly doubled their speed. The distance between them and Isaac closed rapidly. The lead Keshik nocked an arrow.

Thud! The leading Keshik suddenly toppled over. Falling at full speed, his legs shattered horribly.

The unprecedented event of a Keshik falling while running shocked the others. But only Atlan, further behind, understood the situation.

“They’ve tangled the weeds! Watch your steps!”

In truth, Hectali, Isaac’s follower, had already prepared the field long ago. She manipulated vines and roots underground to sprout unexpectedly.

While the Keshik could avoid them, they were running too fast. They had no choice but to slow down after another Keshik tripped.

Only Atlan and one Keshik remained.

‘How are they running like that?’

Atlan watched Isaac’s unnaturally fast pace in astonishment. Then he realized Isaac’s horse wasn’t running but flying. It couldn’t fully fly like the Phantom Steed created by the Immortal Order’s miracle, but it ran lightly as if flying, with tendrils and muscle fibers extending like centipede legs.

Atlan had no choice but to stop.

‘If one of us falls, he’ll definitely come back to attack.’

Considering they were evenly matched in a one-on-one fight, Isaac would attack confidently in a two-on-one scenario. Even Manseungja had said, ‘If not for the tentacles, I wouldn’t have intervened,’ implying Isaac would fight purely on skill this time. Atlan wasn’t confident he could win.

[Isaac!]

Suddenly, Manseungja shouted through Atlan’s mouth. Her voice echoed across the field and into the mountains.

[That’s not your name! Are you breaking your promise?]

Atlan felt confused by Manseungja’s outburst.

What was she pointing out? Isaac’s name wasn’t Isaac? Why was she emphasizing that?

Wasn’t she looking for the name of the Nameless Chaos?

However, despite Manseungja’s shout, Isaac returned to his lair at high speed without answering. What remained on the now silent field were the groans of the wounded Keshik and the gaze of one uncertain Keshik.

Realizing Manseungja had left his body, Atlan sighed and turned his head.

“Let’s go back.”

“Huh, like this?”

“We must treat the wounded and return to the camp. We’ll be at war soon.”

Atlan wondered if Isaac truly understood the meaning of his escape.

He had escaped this encounter, but it didn’t matter.

Now, Khan’s army, carrying Manseungja’s fury, was set to attack his estate.

***

“We’re doomed.”

Isaac clicked his tongue as he watched Atlan retreat. He had deliberately provoked them, even riding on a horse to make them give chase, but Atlan had wisely discerned his ploy.

He regretted not fighting when only Keshik remained, but that might have prolonged the battle. The cavalry of the Olkan Code could arrive swiftly from beyond the horizon, so he couldn’t ignore the threat of reinforcements.

“What should we do, Sir Isaac? I could sneak in and cut his throat.”

Hesabel offered confidently, but Isaac shook his head. He had no fantasies about sneaking into a camp and assassinating the commander at night. It might work with ordinary people, but the opponent was a Keshik, the Olkan Code’s holy knight, and the camp would be teeming with shamans.

“Let’s prepare for war. Your skills will shine more on the battlefield.”

Hesabel was well-suited for the role of a sniper.

Isaac understood the significance of his actions.

It was now war. The Olkan Code was poised to invade Issacrea. And it would be the main force led by Manseungja.

‘This is all I can do.’

Drawing as many troops as possible toward himself meant fewer would head south. It was the only way Isaac could protect people beyond his reach.

‘Emperor, I did my best. Now we leave it to fate.’