Paladin of the Dead God

Chapter 81:

Isaac combed through memories from Kyle’s younger days.

He observed the meeting between the former lord, Lisfen Hendrake, and Kalsen Miller with a sense of admiration. At that time, Kalsen was not seen as a betrayer but as a hero and a saint, so it was natural for Kyle to look up to him with admiration.

Kalsen was having a conversation with Lisfen, and due to Kyle’s deep immersion in his own emotions, the sound was almost inaudible. This memory remained clear in his mind.

However, he distinctly remembered Lisfen Hendrake, tense and holding something resembling a white stone tablet. Kalsen examined the tablet before handing it back to Lisfen.

That was all he remembered.

‘What was written on it? And that stone tablet…’

Since it was returned to Lisfen, it was highly probable that the tablet was still within these lands. Isaac entertained a possibility. Considering Kalsen’s long-prepared plan to become a deity, it was only natural he had collaborators among the nobles and powerholders.

This meant Lisfen was likely one of them.

‘Then something went wrong, and he ended up being taken care of by the prophet of the red flesh.’

Isaac couldn’t detach himself from the memory of the white stone tablet.

He had a feeling it was a crucial clue.

***

Kyle’s fate was settled as ‘returning to the Codex of light, declaring a life of celibacy and poverty.’

For a noble who owned lands to become a mere servant in a monastery was a harsh punishment, causing even other nobles to express their discomfort covertly.

Nonetheless, the order was satisfied.

Since establishing a monastery here was already a foregone conclusion, someone needed to be responsible for the land. In this regard, Kyle’s actions were exemplary.

“Having troubled the faithful with ignorance, it’s only fitting to devote one’s life to serving them as atonement for enlightenment,” Isaac remarked.

Juan nodded in agreement.

“A model punishment that can serve as an example for the arrogant nobles.”

Inside the abandoned mine.

Bishop Juan and Isaac were touring the mine’s fallen angel while discussing. Around the fallen angel, inquisitors and priests had placed sealed areas and golden ropes. The church’s regulations forbade tampering with or removing parts of the fallen angel carelessly.

The official reason was to prevent corruption or evil influence, but in reality, it was to harvest materials needed by the order in emergencies. Many of the church’s sacred artifacts were secretly made this way.

However, parts of the fallen angel were clearly tampered with. It wasn’t natural erosion but deliberate excavation. But the priests conducting the sealing operation didn’t seem overly concerned.

“There might have been miners who found it and secretly took some. It’s common for the church not to always be the first to discover fallen angels. The rest can’t be stolen now, anyway.”

One priest even created a seal on the spot using parts of the fallen angel.

“What abilities does this seal have?”

“It prevents the evil aura of the fallen angel from leaking out,” the priest answered Isaac’s question, pleased as if honored by his interest.

“This might sound rude, but it doesn’t seem too labor-intensive?”

“Ha, you mean it looks like it’s made rather casually? Yes, what you see is accurate. To do it properly, we’d need a world forge master.”

World forge masters were priests of the World’s Forge order based on the northern islands, known for their ability to manipulate metal like clay and for being skilled warriors and blacksmiths.

Isaac used the friendly priest’s attitude to inquire about various tools surrounding the fallen angel and their effects, all while inspecting its material and texture. He casually asked,

“Would you know the use of a stone tablet made from a piece of fallen angel of this size?”

Isaac was referring to the stone tablet from Kyle’s memory, believed to be made of fallen angel material. Considering fallen angels were key in creating sacred artifacts, it was easy to speculate that Kalsen intended to use it for something.

However, after seeing Isaac’s gesture, the priest hesitated, unsure, then speculated,

“I’m not sure, as I only work with seals. Maybe if I saw it, I could guess its use.”

Yet, not wanting to end on an uncertain note, the priest ventured a guess,

“Still, if it’s a tablet made of fallen angel material of that shape… Are you talking about a Dawn Tablet?”

‘Dawn Tablet?’

Isaac suddenly realized there was indeed a famous relic similar to what he had seen in his memory. It was so famously absurd that he hadn’t thought of it until now.

Isaac criticized himself for not immediately thinking of the Dawn Tablet, a tablet said to have been brought out from the flames of a pyre by Ruadin, the prophet of the Codex of Light. It was said to contain the messages of the Law of Light transcribed amidst burning flames, with glowing letters etched onto it. Based on the messages of this tablet, the Codex of Light was able to establish itself as a formal order.

‘No, even so, the Dawn Tablet would be securely stored away; it couldn’t possibly be the original. Then, what Lisfen was trying to make was…’

A copy, or perhaps a prototype.

Kalsen might have been trying to replicate the miracle shown by Ruadin in his quest to become a deity.

***

Isaac watched the sealing process come to an end with mixed feelings. Even though the fallen angel was already dead, the priests finished their preparations to leave after conducting one more sealing procedure.

“The sealing process is complete. Since we’ve decided to convert the castle into a monastery, we can now prevent any unclean spirits from infiltrating this place. You’ve done a great job. The prophet of the red flesh was surely drawn here by the fallen angel, so this should prevent the same from happening again.”

Juan patted Isaac on the shoulder as if to commend him.

“Who would dare attack a monastery guarded by a Grail Knight who has defeated angels? I’ve entrusted you with a heavy burden.”

In reality, Isaac didn’t have much left to do. Juan expected him to be the nominal head of the monastery while continuing his journey as a Grail Knight. So, his words were merely a formality.

Juan’s prediction wasn’t far off.

However, Isaac had no intention of detaching himself from this land, not even slightly.

“With all due respect, Bishop, I have a request concerning the burden I bear.”

“A request?”

“Though a lenient decision was made regarding Kyle, I believe the order is not fully satisfied with how things turned out.”

‘This matter’ encompassed several issues.

The punishment of Kyle, the handling of the land, conflicts with the nobility, elevating Isaac to sainthood as a new symbol… all these ended ambiguously from the order’s perspective.

Especially since Isaac could have received a title from Delia, becoming part of the emperor’s faction, which remained a point of concern.

Of course, Isaac had only shown himself as a faithful Grail Knight, but doubts lingered.

“Speak your mind.”

“I accepted the choice to establish a foothold for the order in this land, but it’s true that I compromised with evil-doers. To atone for this sin, I must depart for a mission commanded by the divine.”

Isaac’s insistence on not abandoning his journey pleased Juan. The more Isaac achieved, the more the Codex of Light’s reputation soared.

“A noble intent.”

“However, I’m concerned that evil-doers might target this land again in my absence.”

“So we established the monastery to suppress the energy and…”

“With all due respect, Bishop. Evil-doers are not only heretics, apostates, or non-believers but can also be among our own faithful. Please remember the greedy conflict that surrounded this land.”

Juan fell silent at the hint about the nobility. Isaac, who had tactfully entered Delia’s sphere of influence and gained her support, was now cautioning against the influence of the nobles.

“Are you saying the nobles will target this land again? Duchess Delia fulfilled her conditions, and all debts were settled. There’s no reason for it.”

“Duchess Delia might think so, but not the other nobles. They were merely suppressed by her power, returning from this expedition at a loss.”

Honestly, Isaac wondered how different these nobles were from gangsters who, after failing in their investments, demanded money. But that was the era they lived in. It was natural to anticipate the nobles harboring grievances.

“Are you suggesting they will demand debts again?”

“How could you possibly disregard the authority of the church? It’s just that there might be an alternative way to compensate for the loss. As you know, Isacrea is a poor land. It’s in a state of ruin due to rebellion, exploitation, and misguided governance. If I were to continue this noble journey…

Isaac hinted at Juan’s sense of crisis ambiguously. Juan could guess what was coming next.

“…You mean we might have to dispose of part of the territory.”

“Regrettably, that is the case. It is due to my inadequacy.”

Juan frowned at the idea that the nobles might demand the return of territories secured by the church or even those bestowed upon other celestial beings. According to imperial law, the church had no way to secure territory other than through donations. There were plenty of ways to squeeze the territories, but Isaac seemed to have no intention of doing so now.

“So, what are you asking for? Financial support? You’ve already spent a significant amount of money on building the monastery.”

Juan expressed his overt reluctance. Isaac sensed the greed swelling within Juan. After all, Bishop Juan had gotten involved in this matter because he had asked Kyle for an investment in Loracus. He was no different from the nobles who had rushed here out of greed for money.

However, the situation changed when an event involving the appearance of a heretical angel occurred during their journey.

Supporting the construction of the monastery was also because, in the long run, if Isaac were to govern this territory, he could extract much more in donations.

Then, Isaac would simply have to gently scratch Juan’s greed to extract what he needed.

“That’s not it. I am aware of the church’s difficult circumstances. What I need is the church’s influence.”

“Influence?”

“Money is fine. Please dispatch priests and paladins. Let their teachings take root in this land and spread the word to even the impoverished, so that, though their lives may be poor, their hearts will be enriched.”

Juan scratched his wrinkled chin at Isaac’s words, indicating that money wasn’t necessary. Sending a few priests and paladins was not a big issue for him. And with Isacrea becoming a gray area, dispatching priests to clearly demonstrate influence seemed like not a bad idea.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ve made you the lighthouse keeper of this land; it’s the least I can do. Remembering the grace of the church is enough for me.”

Juan proudly flaunted his generosity, hinting that Isaac would pay a significant price later. Isaac simply smiled in response.

Juan ended the conversation and went back outside the mine. Now, he would return to his diocese.

***

After Juan left, Isaac watched his departure with an expressionless face. The humble smile was nowhere to be found.

“Good. I’ve secured the priests and paladins. Taming them will be done gradually…”

Isaac had plans completely opposite to Juan’s.

Isaac intended to make Issacrea his base and sanctuary. He had already confirmed that he was on the verge of being proclaimed a saint and saw how much admiration he received among the priests and paladins.

Isaac planned to tame the priests and paladins sent by Juan to follow him.

Isaac knew well how easily those filled with religious fervor could be brainwashed, as opposed to nobles or knights who were harder to control.

“The canon of light is full of its contradictions and errors as it is. Just look at the emergence of Barbarians within the influence of the White Empire, and you can guess.”

Barbarians are those who have forsaken religious beliefs.

This means that many within the White Empire have chosen to live rejecting the teachings of the Codex of light.

The craze for growing Loracus, a cash crop rather than a traditional food crop, had made it difficult for people to make a living, leading to an increase in their numbers.

In this situation, even the church was focused on speculation, showing how chaotic the church’s situation was.

In this context, Isaac intended to become a new trend himself.

By introducing a new interpretation of doctrine and teachings, he planned to infiltrate the canon of light with nameless chaos, sucking up money and talent to grow.

“To put it nicely, it’s internal reform; to put it badly… it’s becoming a parasite.”

In the history of religion, this is a common occurrence. Once a symbol of reform, a religion becomes conservative once it grows sufficiently large and powerful. Then, a new interpretation of doctrine and reform is demanded from within, leading to the birth of new factions and independence.

The Roman Catholic Church experienced this, with numerous factions emerging and doctrines changing before splitting into new forms.

Similar events have occurred in this world.

Elil was once a founding hero of the great empire that served the Codex of light, but eventually split into factions, Elil’s daughter, after ripping out his heart, fled and established the Red Chalice Club. Even the Immortal Order can be said to have branched out from the Codex of light.

In the midst of such transformation, each faith established its identity, solidified its internals, and underwent reform.

Of course, Isaac was about to introduce a completely different deity, named Nameless Chaos, which essentially made him a real heretic.

However, in this world where all faiths have firmly established themselves, the only way for Isaac to win was this.

To plug a straw into a more powerful faith and suck out its strength.

Juan believed he was the one who had placed a straw into Isaac within the Codex of light, but in reality, he would be the one being sucked dry.

‘First of all…’

Isaac looked at the heretical angel sealed by the priests. The gold chains that had already been fully analyzed for their function, weaknesses, and power would pose no obstacle to Isaac.

Isaac thought while looking at the petrified heretical angel.

‘This needs to be dealt with first.’