Paladin of the Dead God

Before Isaac could ask what the Sword of May meant, she vanished, as if she had never been there. However, her voice continued to echo in his ears.

“A mistake created by Beshek? A crack that will shatter the world? Does she mean the descent of the afterlife onto the living world?”

Isaac wasn’t entirely sure what she was referring to, but it was clear that the situation was dire enough to overlook his “blasphemy.” The urgency implied that, even if they had to rely on another faith, the reclamation of the Holy Land must be completed.

Isaac also suspected that the recent sudden shifts in various faiths were related to this.

The Dawn Army’s goal wasn’t solely a human one. Even the gods and angels were moving to fulfill this world’s fate.

‘Well, truthfully, I am the most likely person to lead the Dawn Army to success.’

The Codex of Light was powerful, but they had already failed multiple times.

The Immortal Order’s territory—where the terrifying desert alternated between scorching heat and freezing cold, swelling with their forces after each battle—was practically a fortress on its own.

It was no wonder that the Immortal Order’s victory declarations were simply a result of holding off invaders.

If the Immortal Order claimed victory by merely defending their ground, it meant that the cycle of reclaiming and losing the Holy Land would come to an end.

There would be no 14th Dawn Army. If the current Dawn Army failed, the Holy Land would remain forever in the hands of the Immortal Order.

And that was a situation the Codex of Light could not accept.

***

After the Burning Maiden and the Sword of May left, only the paladins and the charred remains of Soltnar were left behind. Yet none of the paladins looked back at the ruined body of Soltnar. Tending to those judged by the hands of an angel was considered an unholy act.

Of course, no one was now clamoring to have Isaac executed either.

“Holy Grail Knight.”

The commander tending to Dera Heman approached Isaac and bowed deeply.

“I’ve committed a grave disrespect. I apologize. I will not make excuses for being deceived by the inquisitors’ schemes.”

“Sounds like you just did, though.”

“….”

The commander bowed silently, pretending not to hear Isaac’s pointed remark.

Isaac didn’t feel inclined to get angry at the paladins.

After all, what fault did they have? It was true that Isaac bore traces of Kalsen Miller’s swordsmanship, that he was a follower of the blasphemous Nameless Chaos, and that he had even killed a paladin in the past.

It was only because of the sudden intervention of the Sword of May that they no longer had a reason to kill him.

They had merely acted according to their duties, swept up in the angelic tempest just like Isaac himself.

[Isaac.]

Dera Heman stumbled toward Isaac, partially removing his mask as he leaned close and whispered with great effort.

[…I still believe that I should kill you here.]

Isaac was taken aback but remained silent, knowing that he now held the upper hand. Dera, with dull eyes, continued to speak slowly.

[But you’ve become too strong for me to do anything about it. In the end, it will be like it was with Kalsen Miller—I will have no choice but to let you go. I had hoped that you would live to bring glory to the Codex of Light. But if even that is part of the grand design, I must accept it.]

Dera Heman remained stubborn, unyielding to the end.

He was a man like a mountain.

Isaac realized why the Burning Maiden had chosen Dera Heman, a paladin, over an inquisitor. Dera’s unwavering convictions mirrored something in the Burning Maiden herself.

When the man presumed to be the Lighthouse Keeper’s proxy appeared in Lichtheim, everyone worshiped and praised him—everyone except the Burning Maiden, Isboseth, who alone doubted him. She dared to demand proof of faith, and as a result, her entire body had been consumed by flames.

There aren’t many who, when the entire world declares something true, have the strength to stand alone and say otherwise. Whether they are right or wrong.

Dera Heman silently donned his mask again and gestured to the paladins.

The commander translated his command.

“Pack up, we’re retreating!”

None of the paladins questioned the order. They all swiftly began gathering their belongings. Whatever trial or judgment they had been involved in, the appearance of angels had resolved everything. Despite having been saved, Isaac still felt an uncomfortable resentment about the whole situation.

Angels had a way of making all human efforts seem insignificant. Everything humanity had built, the foundations of their actions and decisions, was trampled beneath the weight of the angels’ footsteps.

In the presence of such overwhelming power, humans felt small and powerless, even though that very power ultimately stemmed from their faith.

‘Maybe that’s exactly what the angels want. To instill the belief that angels are invincible and humans are helpless against them.’

Isaac glanced at the charred remains of Soltnar, which no one tended to. Just then, a gust of wind blew through as Hesabel and Nel descended into the courtyard. The ashes of Soltnar scattered into the sea with the breeze.

It was a quiet funeral, with no one to mourn him.

***

As the Salt Council’s fleet docked at Odryf port, Isaac reunited with the commanders of the Dawn Army from Issacrea, whom he hadn’t seen for several days.

The moment Tuhalin saw him, he erupted in anger.

“What the hell were you doing without consulting us?!”

Isaac was baffled by the outburst, unsure why Tuhalin was so furious.

“Didn’t I inform you that I would handle Dera Heman personally?”