Paladin of the Dead God

“Obstacles? You’re saying you can avoid the storms, whirlpools, and tidal waves? Are you sure you didn’t misspeak?”

“Yes.”

Typically, people avoid pirates, not storms. How could one possibly evade massive weather phenomena? Moreover, the storms in the Nightmare Strait would never disappear as long as the Lighthouse Keeper’s curse over Miarma remained unbroken.

Yenkos looked at Isaac with a doubtful expression.

“Sir Holy Grail Knight, you must not know much about the sea. The sea doesn’t have shortcuts like forests or cliffs.”

“But you’ve heard the legends about a sea route through the Nightmare Strait, haven’t you?”

Yenkos’ expression hardened, and the other sailors began murmuring among themselves.

The Nightmare Strait’s treacherous conditions were the greatest obstacle blocking their path to their sacred city, Miarma. Naturally, they had tried to break through it many times.

“…Of course, we’ve heard the legends. Plenty of captains have written their wills before embarking on such a journey, but none returned—except for the wreckage of their ships. Well, there’s the story of some becoming ghost ships, but I doubt that’s the answer you’re looking for.”

“Why else do you think people say captains head south only when they’ve gone mad or know they’re about to die? If we had any better knowledge, we wouldn’t be withholding it.”

Isaac understood. The sailors of the Salt Council couldn’t lie, but there was no need for them to know everything.

“I know.”

Isaac’s calm response silenced everyone. Yenkos, Eidan, and the captains’ eyes widened in disbelief.

“Y-you… you really know? How? Did you learn this from Urbansus? Please, explain in detail…!”

Eidan rushed forward, practically begging Isaac for answers, but Yenkos pulled him back.

“…But you’re a land-dweller, Sir Knight. From what I’ve heard, this is your first time sailing the southern seas. How would you know anything about such a route?”

“It’s not exactly a route, more of a ‘method.’ To be precise, it’s the ‘key’ to passing through the Nightmare Strait.”

Isaac shrugged.

“The terrible conditions of the Nightmare Strait are not natural but miraculous in origin. So, if we can find the key to breaking the miracle, we can pass through the storm.”

The captains fell silent at Isaac’s explanation, which, despite its simplicity, was logical in this world. They, too, had heard of relics that could calm the seas and tame the waves. Isaac’s words struck a chord, and they knew that if such a relic existed, it was likely in the hands of the Salt Council.

Yenkos was already half-convinced.

“…That makes sense.”

“But, as I mentioned, the ghost pirate ships are another matter. There’s no relic that can stop them.”

The only beings capable of freely sailing through that cursed strait were the undead ghost ships of the Immortal Order, which could survive even after spending days submerged in the sea. But to the sailors of the Salt Council, who were as skilled and often as brutal as pirates themselves, ghosts were less frightening than the storm. 𝖗

“Where’s the key?”

“That’s the problem.”

Isaac replied with a vague smile.

“It’s inside the Nightmare Strait.”

***

Thanks to Isaac’s persuasion, the fleet of the Salt Council resumed their journey southward.

Though the sailors couldn’t hide their fear of heading toward what many called the abyss of the sea, the captains’ enthusiasm about the relic that could calm the waters helped instill a mix of fear and anticipation in the crew.

“That doesn’t mean they’ve overcome their fear, though. It seems some of the sailors’ anxiety has spread to the soldiers.”

The Dawn Army of Issacrea, particularly the knights who had never sailed before, seemed more affected by the fear than the World’s Forge or Elil followers, who were at least somewhat used to sea travel. But the bigger issue was seasickness.

Rottenhammer, who suffered the worst, was often found hanging over the ship’s railing for half the day. Isaac could also see that Gebel, who was speaking with him now, looked more gaunt than usual since boarding the ship.

“Is this your first time at sea, Gebel?”

“…You could say that.”

Gebel answered curtly, but Isaac had never seen him succumb to seasickness. However, as they got closer to the Black Empire, Gebel’s complexion had noticeably worsened.

Isaac could sense that Gebel’s fear had nothing to do with the sea or the ghost ships. His fear was rooted in his past.

“Gebel, are you worried about facing the Immortal Order?”

“Who isn’t afraid of battle? But no, I’m not planning on running away…”

“No, I mean, are you worried about meeting your former comrades—the Avalanche Knight Order?”

Isaac’s direct question made Gebel’s expression stiffen. For a moment, Gebel glared at Isaac in anger, but he soon bit his lip and nodded.

“…Yes. I fear that I’ll meet them again, as Death Knights. And I’m almost certain I will.”

It wasn’t just Gebel. Most of those who had fallen during previous Dawn Army campaigns had been resurrected as undead in the lands of the Immortal Order.

Whether a soul could retain its self-awareness or be enslaved as a mindless servant depended on how long it could resist submission. And the longer they felt abandoned by the Codex of Light, the harder it became.

The enemies the Dawn Army would face were once some of the most passionate and courageous warriors who had fought for the same cause.

“But it doesn’t matter. I have no intention of running anymore. In fact, I almost hope to meet them—to end their wandering.”

If his former comrades had fully turned to the Immortal Order, there would be no way to save them. But if they were still mere slaves, burning their bodies could free their souls. Gebel was willing to risk his life for that possibility. It might have been the only form of revenge he could take against the Codex of Light.

Isaac looked at him thoughtfully and then spoke.

“I’ll help you.”

“…Isaac, I’ve already burdened you with my heavy load of vengeance. I don’t know the full truth yet, but I don’t want to burden you further. Just having this chance is enough for me.”

“Did you forget, Gebel? I’ve also learned some of the Avalanche Knight Order’s swordsmanship.”

Isaac grinned.

“Your goal is my goal as well. If the seniors are wandering around in disgrace, what kind of junior would I be to leave them like that? Whether we meet them on our way to the Holy Land Lua or after the Dawn Army’s mission is over, if we can’t find them, then let’s go search for them ourselves.”

Gebel was momentarily speechless at Isaac’s bold declaration. It had been Gebel who had drawn Isaac into his quest for revenge against the Avalanche Knight Order and taught him their techniques.

Isaac, as the final successor of the order, certainly had the qualifications to take on this mission.

“Alright, let’s do that.”