Paladin of a Fallen Order (Novel) - Chapter 68 - Love of God (Part 3)

Chapter 68 – Love of God (Part 3)

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Translated by Pratt

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Since it was a night with only a half-moon’s light, people wandering the streets at night were rare.

The party, with Vireon leading the way, crossed the city whenever the clouds covered the moon.

Fortunately, at least Vireon seemed to know the destination precisely.

“Vireon. Do you know the way?”

Vireon replied to Elbridge’s question.

“I have been here a few times in the past. Before the war broke out, the relationship between our order and the Order of the Surging Sword was quite good.”

Elbridge recalled the two people who were killed by Vireon on top of the wall.

Even though they were not fighting sworn enemies, Vireon had killed the two men without hesitation.

‘If I had been in Vireon’s position, would I have been able to act like him?’

His skills were sufficient. However, Elbridge lacked the certainty.

The certainty that he could pursue the order’s interests even to the point of killing others.

The senior paladins who had vanished with time would not have been different from Elbridge.

Rombel asked Vireon.

“It is good that you know the way, but do you also know where the priests are staying?”

“Of course. How do you think I knew those Surging Sword fellows would be away today?”

Only one method came to mind.

Planting one’s own subordinate in the Order of the Surging Sword or inside this city.

He felt that with Vireon’s resourcefulness, it was entirely possible.

Vireon passed by the temple of the Order of the Surging Sword leading the party and climbed up a giant tree.

There was a hollow in that tree large enough for several people to stay, and four people were asleep inside the hollow.

Two female priests, one elderly male priest, and a man with a wavy sword.

Among them, the man with the wavy sword noticed the presence of Elbridge’s party and tried to get up.

“You guys are…!”

However, the man died before he could even get up. Because Vireon blocked his mouth with his left hand, snatched his sword with his right hand, and stabbed him in the heart.

“…Urgh.”

Elbridge assessed while looking inside the hollow.

‘There are fewer people than I thought. Did they drag the others to the battle?’

Without any warning, five people appeared, and the guard died.

In this unexpected situation, the three priests who woke up trembled, unable to say a word.

Elbridge whispered.

“I am Elbridge of the Order of the Rusty Shield. I have come from Solenion in the east at the request of Priest Isalvius.”

When Isalvius’s name was brought up, the three priests were visibly relieved.

Vireon naturally gave instructions to his subordinate and Rombel.

“Dicha. Rombel. Escort these people back.”

“Understood.”

It seemed the name of Vireon’s subordinate was Dicha.

However, unlike Dicha who readily agreed, Rombel asked Vireon back.

“What are you guys going to do?”

“The Order of the Surging Sword will return in a little while. We will take the paladins who followed the Order of the Surging Sword and escape.”

“Will it be fine?”

“Those Surging Sword fellows left the fortress yesterday afternoon for a surprise attack. If they return in the middle of the night after a fruitless errand, they will be exhausted. We just need to take them and escape while they are asleep.”

Rombel sensed something strange in Vireon’s story.

“A fruitless errand? How do you know that?”

“Because I also leaked the information that the Surging Sword fellows were preparing an attack to the other side. They would have prepared against a surprise attack, even if only to be safe.”

“You devious bastard… Understood.”

Rombel tapped Vireon’s back, then carrying the priests on his back, quietly climbed down from the tree.

Marcus watched Rombel disappear into the darkness, then spoke as if complaining.

“Even to prepare for any contingency. Would it not have been better for me to leave and for Mr. Rombel to stay? After all, Mr. Rombel is far more skilled than I am…”

At that, Vireon shook his head.

“Rombel’s appearance is too distinct. If things go wrong, we could be tracked because of him. And you, did you not say you follow the God of the Sunshower?”

“Yes.”

“We need good luck more than those guys do.”

There was not a single redundancy in any of Vireon’s judgments or actions.

Elbridge was inwardly impressed.

‘Meticulous bastard.’

*

The remaining three hid themselves above the temple’s rafters and waited.

Indeed, before long, numerous signs of presence approached the temple. It was the master of this city, the Order of the Surging Sword.

Behind them, the members of the Order of the Flowing Water could also be seen trudging along.

‘Many are dragging their feet. Everyone is exhausted.’

The voices that followed were quite sharp and annoyed.

“How did those sinking shadow bastards notice?”

“Must have been a mole they planted, right? Since they are the craftiest bastards…”

A moment later, a shout echoed from up in the tree.

“Kadum is dead! The priests are gone!”

“Now it is certain. It is definitely the work of those sinking shadow bastards. A spy leaked our plans outside, and then made off with the priests to escape.”

“The two who died on top of the wall. And Kadum was also killed by spies, right?”

“That is right.”

“Those bastards…”

Their reasoning fitted together reasonably well.

However, just because it sounded plausible did not mean it was always the truth.

A low voice growled and issued commands.

“For now, rest today. Even if I have to cooperate with other orders, I will kill every single one of those sinking shadow bastards. Hob and Hisha. You two guard the wall today.”

“Understood.”

The signs of people’s presence felt like they were scattering here and there. Although there were several presences inside the temple, before long, everything quieted down.

And Elbridge’s party, boldly hiding above the temple’s rafters, was eavesdropping on that conversation.

“If we dillydally, dawn will break. Let’s head down slowly.”

The three men descended and entered the room where the priests and paladins of the Order of the Flowing Water had been dragged.

Perhaps because they were quite exhausted from the forced march, they did not wake up easily even when Elbridge’s party entered.

“Wake up.”

The three woke the priests and paladins of the Order of the Flowing Water who had just fallen asleep.

There were nine people. Although all of them were slightly dazed, intoxicated by fatigue and sleep, they managed to open their eyes.

Elbridge introduced himself.

“I am Elbridge from Solenion in the east. I have come to rescue you at the request of Mr. Isalvius.”

“Isalvius?”

Hearing Isalvius’s name, the people’s eyes flew open.

It seemed Isalvius held quite a large standing within the order.

Vireon replied.

“Isalvius asked our Silver Harpoon Apostleship for help. The three who were in the hollow have already been rescued. Follow me quietly.”

The priests and paladins of the Order of the Flowing Water quietly rose from their seats and stepped outside, dragging their tired footsteps.

The outside was still dark, and no sign of people could be felt. However, Elbridge’s heart thudded wildly.

Until now, Elbridge had experienced various situations.

However, rescuing people from other humans to escape was his first time.

‘Quietly. Quietly…’

Around the time the eastern sky grew dimly bright, they arrived at the wall.

“Wait a moment.”

Once again, Vireon climbed up the wall.

A moment later, Vireon gestured from atop the wall. Climbing up along the stairs inside the wall, sure enough, two men lay slumped and dead.

Perhaps because they had died in their sleep, their postures looked comfortable.

Vireon lowered the usual rope down the wall.

“Let’s go down.”

Before long, everyone escaped outside the wall.

The paladins and priests of the Order of the Flowing Water still had dumbfounded expressions.

“…I did not know we could escape outside so easily.”

“It is not over yet. Let’s move quickly.”

Elbridge’s party and the nine rescued people crossed the Great Forest toward their destination.

Whenever the rescued people were too exhausted to move, Elbridge, Vireon, and Marcus carried them on their backs.

We do not know when a pursuit party will catch up. We must move as fast as possible.

However, even until the sun rose and the sky turned blue, the pursuers did not appear.

All they encountered on the way back were the ground boars digging up the dirt while sniffing.

Of course, the ground boars only stared blankly at the party and did not even approach.

*

After Vireon and Elbridge’s party rescued the people from the Order of the Flowing Water, the expressions of the Order of the Flowing Water’s people became visibly comfortable.

If it was already to this extent, the Order of the Flowing Water might truly stand by Vireon’s side.

Of course, Vireon’s plan was only just beginning.

“Those Order of the Surging Sword fellows said they would attack the Sinking Shadow Order even if they had to join hands with other orders. The one they cooperate with will definitely be the Order of the Stump. They are…”

Elbridge let Vireon’s story go in one ear and out the other.

Speaking coldly, Elbridge had little interest in who held hegemony in the south.

It was enough if the slave-like life of the Order of the Flowing Water’s people ended and they could naturally move to the Lake of Eternity.

Even though Elbridge showed a blatantly lukewarm response, Vireon showed endless goodwill to Elbridge.

“…Right. This is a matter I should handle on my own. Shall we have a duel instead of stiff talk? Just to warm up.”

The trigger for Vireon to show goodwill to Elbridge in earnest was a duel they had for fun on the second day of the rescue operation.

Elbridge lost to Vireon in unarmed combat, but easily subdued Vireon in a fight using weapons.

One victory and one defeat. Out of the two, it was the defeat that stimulated Vireon.

After being beaten delightfully by Elbridge’s scabbard, Vireon looked at Elbridge with incongruously sparkling eyes.

Just by looking at that expression, Elbridge could understand Vireon’s thoughts.

Surely, Vireon had never had anyone he could call a lifelong rival.

“We already did it in the morning, what do you mean… I am fine for now.”

Since Vireon was likely to pester him if he stayed, Elbridge avoided the place.

Elbridge climbed up the wall and let his legs dangle outside.

As he sat on the wall looking at the Great Forest of the south, Isalvius naturally came and sat by Elbridge’s side.

Isalvius broke the ice with the story of the Grand Festival.

“Even when we ran into each other in Solenion, Sir Elbridge was so detestable… I did not know it would turn out like this.”

“One never knows what will happen in life.”

“Because of that event, I thought Sir Elbridge would reject my request. Strictly speaking, is that not closer to an ill-fated relationship rather than a good connection?”

“I bear no ill feelings. Rather, I felt a little sorry.”

That was a plain fact. Elbridge had no particular goodwill or ill will toward Isalvius.

Even now, he had not come to the south out of pure goodwill.

He had needed an excuse to go to the Lake of Eternity, and the circumstances of the Order of the Flowing Water were just a little pitiful.

“By the way, you said that the believers of the Order of the Flowing Water live near the Lake of Eternity, right?”

Elbridge stealthily shifted the topic toward the Lake of Eternity.

Only then could he naturally head to the Lake of Eternity after the work was done.

“Yes. That is correct.”

“Usually, do not priests or paladins live close to their believers?”

“That… has its reasons.”

Isalvius made a bitter expression.

“The south is not a good land for humans to live in. The vicinity of the Lake of Eternity is also like that. Our believers’ lives are always tight. There are too many things lacking.”

A harsh life. And the priests and paladins living away from home. The authority of healing.

The situation was easy enough to guess.

“You came out to earn money.”

“Yes. Our priests and paladins treat people and use the earned money to obtain daily necessities and send them to the vicinity of the Lake of Eternity. Actually, our expansion into the east was attempted for a similar reason. If we could establish a foothold in the prosperous east, we would be able to earn money much more handsomely…”

Elbridge thought.

That Isalvius’s footsteps were so different from the ordinary people of this era.

“Is there a reason to remain in the Order of the Flowing Water while going that far?”

Elbridge spoke carefully so that Isalvius would not misunderstand his statement, and Isalvius did not take Elbridge’s question in a twisted way.

“Do you know that most southern orders worship their ancestors as gods?”

“I have heard of it briefly.”

This was one of the representative characteristics of southern orders.

When a person achieves a great feat and ascends, the clan creates an order and becomes clergy to serve the ascended one. Since the order is built based on bloodline, the priests and paladins of the south become close to nobles.

The southern people did not find it strange. After all, was a paladin not the clan of a god?

“The gods of the south cherish their believers because they share a common bloodline, or at least share the same place of origin. However, the God of the Flowing Water was slightly different. He wrapped all believers in love without considering their origin.”

This was a story told in any order, but the next story was slightly unusual.

“Every believer of the Order of the Flowing Water receives an oracle a few times in their lifetime. The first time I received an oracle was when I confessed to a girl of my age and was rejected. The God of the Flowing Water delivered an oracle to me, comforting me not to be heartbroken.”

This was a hard thing to imagine.

Most gods spared their oracles, and even if they delivered one occasionally, they delivered it to the archbishop.

Deities who delivered oracles to ordinary believers like the God of the Flowing Water were extremely rare.

If one asked about the reason, similar answers would return.

Because the god wished to load weight onto his words.

Because the god wished to spare even a little divine power to share more things with the believers.

Because the god wished not to favor any specific believer.

In that sense, the God of the Flowing Water was a very peculiar god.

If every believer had heard an oracle several times…

“When my daughter was born, both my wife and I received an oracle. It is not an oracle delivered out of light interest or caprice, either. The God of the Flowing Water remembers even the trivial stories of his believers and watches over us with warm eyes. He is a god, and at the same time, someone like a father to all believers.”

The Goddess of the Rusty Shield, who had been quiet, delivered an oracle.

– My most cherished child. Your goddess is no less.

“The Goddess of the Rusty Shield is no less, either.”

When Elbridge delivered the oracle directly to Isalvius, the Goddess of the Rusty Shield felt embarrassed.

– I did not mean for you to convey your goddess’s words to Isalvius, Elbridge…

Of course, Isalvius did not know that Elbridge’s words were an oracle.

Isalvius smiled softly and replied.

“Then Sir Elbridge must also know. A god who truly loves and cherishes their believers is far more noble than a god who grants authority as if trading with them. It is only regrettable that almost all gods are too busy to pay attention to their believers.”

The healing authority possessed by the God of the Flowing Water fell short compared to the healing authority possessed by the Goddess of Spring Rain and Moss.

Rationally speaking, it would be logical for the believers serving the God of the Flowing Water to move to the Order of Spring Rain and Moss.

However, as a result of the God of the Flowing Water adding love and attention to his inferior authority, he had succeeded in defending a single seat even until now.

The attention and love that a high god in heaven bestowed upon an earthly being was such an intense experience.

High enough to prevent Elbridge from ever turning his gaze to another order.

Strong enough to make him choose the path of walking through a thorny field to rebuild the order, instead of turning his back on a ruined order.

Elbridge recalled the day he first received his goddess’s oracle.

The brief conversation he shared with the Goddess of the Rusty Shield that day was vividly remembered even now, more than two hundred years later. Surely, he would never be able to forget it until the day he died.

That was why, for the first time in his life, Elbridge harbored a question.

For what reason did the gods spare their oracles, and why did they not easily reveal their love for their believers?