Paladin of a Fallen Order (Novel) - Chapter 66 - Love of God (Part 1)
Chapter 66 – Love of God (Part 1)
===================
Translated by Pratt
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
===================
Marcus’s actions were so natural that Isalvius only realized the situation after his wrists were already half-bound.
“Mr. Marcus? Why my wrists all of a sudden…”
“Since we couldn’t find an answer outside the walls, we have to go inside to inspect the situation. There is no one else but you, Mr. Isalvius, who can serve as both a gift and bait.”
If one intended to cast a fishing rod, one had to prepare a plausible bait first.
And in this situation where they fought over the Order of the Flowing Water, there was no bait as excellent as Isalvius.
“Even so…”
Isalvius mumbled, attempting to say something, but he could not bring himself to finish. It was because he knew very well how great a risk Elbridge’s party was taking.
For Isalvius to endure a certain level of risk in this kind of situation was a duty, not a choice.
Isalvius asked with a resolved expression.
“Understood. But I would like to know what you plan to do once we enter the city.”
“First, we need to know the ideal situation you hope for.”
Elbridge thought it was a bit strange to start a serious discussion only after suddenly binding someone’s wrists, but the parties involved, Isalvius and Marcus, did not seem to care much about that.
After some contemplation, Isalvius spoke.
“The most ideal situation would be to rescue all the paladins and priests of the Flowing Water and enter the fortress where the Black Handaxe Brotherhood is staying.”
Marcus asked back.
“Is the Black Handaxe Brotherhood the order you said you had frequent exchanges with in the past?”
“That is correct.”
Elbridge had never been to the south, but he had experience hearing stories of the south through well-traveled paladins.
It was said that the religious orders in the southern part of the continent had many elements that were disparate from those in other regions.
The first thing that stood out was the names of the orders. Since they were frequently organized around bloodlines or residences, names like ‘Apostleship’ or ‘Brotherhood’ were commonly used in the south, it was said.
“If that is the best option, what is the next best?”
“Well. Rather than a second best… the most important thing is for as many priests and paladins as possible to gather in one place. Once our numbers increase and we gain a voice, we should be able to avoid a situation like this.”
Marcus thought for a moment and then replied.
“Then let’s do this. We will enter the city using Mr. Isalvius as bait, and then, targeting their blind spots, we will escape with the priests and paladins. We rescue them from here once, and then from over there once… Let’s gather as many people as possible that way.”
Isalvius still appeared anxious.
“Rumors will spread. Even if things go well, rescuing the people in this fortress might be the first and last time.”
“Since you said the orders are at war, they probably won’t keep in close contact. The rumors will spread just as slowly. If we are lucky, we might be able to rescue people from three or four fortresses or more.”
Since it was a reasonably realistic and decent plan, Elbridge and Rombel also gave slight nods to express their agreement.
The Goddess of the Rusty Shield, who had been quiet until today, also subtly revealed her presence.
– For once, Marcus put forth an opinion that perfectly aligns with your Goddess’s. Quite clever.
However, in the very next moment, Marcus faltered.
“Wait. The God of the Sunshower has handed down an oracle.”
“An oracle?”
“Yes. ‘To carry a single stalk of grain to the warehouse every time you pick one up is an action only a blockhead would do. A wise person gathers enough stalks first, and then carries them all at once.’ …That is what he says.”
It meant that rather than moving between multiple fortresses to rescue the paladins of the Order of the Flowing Water little by little, they should cooperate with the faction of this city, gather as many paladins in one place as possible, and then escape all at once.
Rombel laughed awkwardly.
“That is definitely better. Why didn’t I think of that?”
However, Elbridge could not laugh like Rombel. It was because he felt that the Goddess of the Rusty Shield might have been slightly hurt.
Marcus spoke.
“The decision is roughly made. Let’s go.”
Marcus stood at the front with Isalvius, and Rombel and Elbridge stood behind them.
As the four of them approached the city walls, a harpoon with a rope flew down from atop the wall and struck the ground.
Thud.
The harpoon dug nearly two spans deep into the ground.
Although the soil of the south was soft, this was impossible with the physical strength of an ordinary human.
‘Since they said there are hardly any knights in the south… is it a paladin?’
Looking up, a young man wearing a metal breastplate was looking down at the party from atop the city walls.
“Halt. Who are you?”
The young man’s voice was slightly stiff, but what was felt was tension, not hostility.
The spot where the harpoon struck was also too far to be intended for killing. Since Elbridge’s party did not appear to be an enemy faction, a reasonably mild response returned.
Marcus replied.
“Travelers who are sure to be of help to you.”
“Be specific.”
“I am the mercenary Marcus. I belong to the Order of the Sunshower. The paladin behind me is Sir Elbridge of the Order of the Rusty Shield. And the dwarf next to him is… just Rombel.”
Rombel glared at Marcus, but Marcus did not show much of a reaction.
The young man atop the wall replied.
“You certainly do not have southern attire or accents. Where did you come from? I know that the Order of the Sunshower and the Order of the Rusty Shield have no influence in the south.”
“We came from Solenion in the east.”
“The east… How did you end up bringing a priest of the Order of the Flowing Water?”
“It is a long story. May we enter and speak with the person in charge? I do not know if we will be a benefit to you, but we will not be a loss.”
Marcus’s words held quite a bit of persuasion.
In a fortress where there were at least dozens to a maximum of over a hundred paladins, there was no way four outsiders could pose any significant threat.
“Wait.”
The young man was briefly seen gesturing toward his rear. He must have sent someone to contact his superior.
After a short while, the young man shouted.
“We cannot open the gates. Climb up the ladder.”
Since it would be a disaster if troops ambushed in the Great Forest rushed out the moment they opened the gates, they were choosing to hang a ladder instead of opening the gate.
“Lower the ladder.”
Thud.
A ladder so massive that one might wonder if it was for a siege was placed against the wall.
“I will go up first.”
Elbridge climbed the ladder first.
When he arrived atop the city walls, the first thing that caught Elbridge’s eye was the dozen or so men and women surrounding him.
‘Are they southern paladins? Their armament is peculiar.’
They wore metal breastplates, but the armor for other parts was made of tanned leather.
It was armor too grand to be for a mere soldier, yet too simple for a paladin.
Their weapons were also unique. They each possessed a slightly short, curved sword and a harpoon with a rope.
Elbridge turned his head and looked at the city inside the walls.
On the ground, buildings were crowded closely together.
Perhaps due to the cramped space, the footprint of the buildings itself was not large, but they were basically stacked two or three stories high.
Just as Isalvius had said, small houses were nestled atop the giant trees inside the city. Some houses were built spanning between trees, and some people were seen using giant tree hollows as homes.
Stairs fixed to the tree bark were also noticeable.
‘Since they would have to climb up and down the trees at a moment’s notice, did the paladins’ armaments naturally become lighter?’
As Marcus, carrying Isalvius on his back, and Rombel climbed up the wall following Elbridge, the young man from earlier spoke.
“Follow them.”
The dozen or so paladins moved while surrounding Elbridge’s party, as if escorting criminals.
Just as Elbridge’s party looked at the southern city with curiosity, the people inside the city also watched Elbridge’s party with eyes full of curiosity.
However, even while watching Elbridge’s party, the people would hurriedly turn their heads away if their eyes met those of the southern paladins.
‘Fear?’
It was a reaction clearly different from the people of the east, who did not fear paladins or knights even when seeing them.
Marcus must have also noticed the atmosphere, as he lowered his voice and asked Isalvius.
“Mr. Isalvius. Do southern people fear paladins?”
“Yes. The south is different from the east. The paladins of the south are, how should I put it… you can view them as a combination of eastern nobles, knights, and paladins. They rule the territories centered around bloodlines and monopolize military power.”
“Why did such a difference arise?”
“Unlike other regions where magic beasts have been scarce for a long time, the magic beasts of the south have never been completely subjugated. It is because of the vast Great Forest. There were always many magic beasts, and the role of the paladins never vanished. Each order was always the ruler and guardian of the city. Naturally, their authority is bound to be high.”
“How fascinating.”
Unlike Marcus who was simply fascinated, Elbridge and Rombel found this atmosphere somewhat familiar.
Because in the old days, people feared paladins a little and revered them a little.
Walking slowly, Elbridge was able to gradually recall the information he had heard about the south from his age-old memories.
A population much smaller than other regions. Mostly minor orders that possessed no seats. A land where demons rarely appeared. However, a land where countless magic beasts existed. Paladins who also doubled as priests…
Before long, the party’s steps stopped.
It was the location of the largest and slightly tilted tree in the city.
In front of the tree, there was a platform about chest-high to a person, which was made of pure white stone rarely seen in this region.
A middle-aged man sat on the platform, and below the platform, dozens of armed men and women were lined up.
About half held curved swords and harpoons, but the other half held various weapons.
‘It’s not simply that their weapons are different. Multiple orders are mixed together. However, the influence of those who use harpoons must be the greatest.’
Behind the platform, several people were staring at Isalvius with wide eyes; judging by their expressions, they appeared to belong to the Order of the Flowing Water.
After finishing a brief assessment, Elbridge looked up at the platform again.
‘Is that man the leader of this order?’
He was a man with black curly hair hanging down to his shoulders.
Even though he was sitting, it was easy to see that his build was far larger than that of an ordinary person, and an atmosphere resembling a sleek beast of prey rather than a human was felt from him.
The man on the platform opened his mouth.
“I did not expect guests to come from the far east. I am Vireon. The leader of the Silver Harpoon Apostleship. In eastern terms, I would be something like the Archbishop and Chief Paladin.”
Archbishop and Chief Paladin. Elbridge felt a small sense of kinship.
Although Elbridge had taken on all the key posts simply because there was no one else, but anyway.
Marcus replied.
“I am the mercenary Marcus of the Order of the Sunshower. The two behind me are the paladin Elbridge of the Order of the Rusty Shield, and Rombel.”
Vireon’s gaze swept over Elbridge’s party. And Elbridge thought that Vireon’s gaze seemed to linger on him for an exceptionally long time.
“Very well, Marcus. With what intention did you come to find the Silver Harpoon Apostleship?”
“I received a request. Isalvius said to help the priests and paladins of the Order of the Flowing Water so they can gather and live together in one place, wherever it may be.”
“Then that means Isalvius is the client. Why did you bind the client’s wrists?”
It was a sharp observation.
Now that he thought about it, there was no particular reason to bind Isalvius’s wrists.
If he had to look for one, it would be that because Isalvius’s wrists were bound, Elbridge’s party might have felt slightly less threatening?
Marcus blurted out whatever came to mind.
“In the east, we have a custom of wrapping a gift nicely before giving it.”
“Haha!”
Whether because he liked that answer, Vireon burst into laughter.
The surrounding paladins also turned their heads slightly and smiled.
Thanks to this, Elbridge obtained the information that southern people liked subtle jokes.
Vireon replied after laughing for quite a while.
“Good. That is a decent joke. I will accept the gift gladly. You all may go back now.”
Marcus frowned.
“The request I received is only finished when the people of the Order of the Flowing Water gather together.”
“Are you saying you will fight alongside us?”
“If we must.”
However, Vireon’s response was lukewarm.
“Would you be of any help?”
Marcus was flustered by the unexpected rejection.
However, in Elbridge’s mind, that was closer to a provocation than a rejection.
Unlike his lukewarm tone, Vireon’s eyes were full of interest.
It wasn’t just Vireon. All the paladins lined up below the platform were expecting something.
There are such people in the world.
People who found it more comfortable to get to know someone by clashing with them rather than slowly getting to know them through courtesy. People who believed that clashing was the only way to recognize someone’s true worth.
Vireon and the southern paladins were demanding of Elbridge’s party.
To be a bit more honest than usual, and a little rude. To lay bare the depths of their hearts.
To such people, humility was merely the behavior of a weakling who did not deserve respect.
Therefore, Elbridge grinned, showing his white teeth.
“Anyone hearing that would think you southern greenhorns actually have the eye to recognize the skill of an eastern paladin.”
Sure enough, what flared in the eyes of the southern paladins was not anger, but interest and a competitive spirit.
Elbridge cocked his chin arrogantly.
“If there is even a single person who defeats me, I will strip off all my armor and crawl all the way back to the Holy City Solenion.”
At Elbridge’s spirited remark, Vireon burst into laughter.
“Haha! I know that the Order of the Rusty Shield occupied four seats this year. However, just because the seats increased doesn’t mean the paladins’ skills improve as well.”
Elbridge grinned.
“Come at me, anyone. Because I’ll show you the strength of the weakest paladin in our order.”