Paladin of a Fallen Order (Novel) - Chapter 69 - Love of God (Part 4)

Chapter 69 – Love of God (Part 4)

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Translated by Pratt

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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A few days later, Vireon came to find Elbridge and spoke.

“Good. The situation is flowing well according to plan.”

“According to plan?”

“Yes. The current situation is…”

Vireon began his explanation.

Although Elbridge was still a bit confused by the names of the southern orders, he could understand the situation itself without difficulty.

The Order of the Surging Sword did not know that it was Vireon who stole the priests and paladins and fled.

Instead, they held a grudge against the wrong order, and decided to draw in another order to strike the wrong one.

A fisherman’s windfall born from entangled misunderstandings.

Vireon liked this situation quite a bit, as his face was filled with smiles.

“It seems we can benefit once more while the three orders are entangled in combat.”

“Benefit.”

“This time, I plan to launch a two-pronged operation. One side will target the empty fortress again, and the other side will observe the situation on the battlefield and take advantage. If this battle goes well, I think we can seize the victory.”

There was one truth about war. The sooner it ended, the better.

Vireon saw that possibility.

“So, what do I need to do?”

“Targeting the empty fortress does not require many skilled experts. Dicha, Rombel, and Marcus should be enough to lead the apostles and execute the mission. You, Elbridge, go with me to the battlefield.”

Elbridge furrowed his brow slightly.

“Well. I do not think the two of us can make any great exploits in the midst of hundreds of people tangled in combat.”

“If we think it is not working out, we can just come back. And Elbridge. You are underestimating yourself. At the same time, you are underestimating me too.”

A subtle competitive spirit bloomed on Vireon’s face.

Elbridge could now anticipate what Vireon would say next.

“Elbridge. A duel.”

“We have already done it several times.”

Even if only to show his subordinates, the shrewd Vireon often requested a duel with Elbridge.

For watching duels between experts was highly helpful for improving one’s skills.

However, the outcome of the duels between Elbridge and Vireon had never changed until now.

Combat using weapons was Elbridge’s dominance. Unarmed combat was Vireon’s dominance. Vireon’s statement that he was more confident in unarmed combat than weapon techniques was no boast.

Talent was talent, but Vireon’s physical condition was simply too good. Long-limbed and extremely elastic, Vireon’s body was nimbler and more threatening than most magic beasts.

“It will be a bit different this time. Let’s fight while even utilizing our divine authority.”

“Divine authority?”

Generally, paladins did not utilize their deity’s authority when dueling.

It was so in the Grand Festival, and it was the same in their past duels.

“Because this is not a simple duel. Before heading to the battlefield, I must check your capabilities in more detail. Likewise, you should also know my capabilities.”

However, Elbridge shook his head.

“The authority of the Order of the Rusty Shield is not an authority for one-on-one combat.”

“If so, I will show you at least the authority I can wield. I will show you that I can defeat you with weapon techniques.”

A provocative statement.

Since Elbridge was inwardly curious about the authority of the Silver Harpoon Order, he did not refuse the duel request.

And dueling with Vireon was also inwardly fun.

As the two stood at a reasonable distance, the apostles of the Silver Harpoon Apostleship gathered as if they had been waiting.

‘I feel like I’ve become a spectacle.’

However, it was not a bad feeling. Elbridge slowly composed his breathing.

In Elbridge’s hand was his sword, still in its scabbard, and in Vireon’s hand was a curved sword and a harpoon with a rope attached.

The biggest difference between a harpoon and a short spear is the shape of the blade.

The blade of a short spear is simple; it is just sharp and sleek. However, the tip of a harpoon is curved like a fishhook at the bottom so that once it is embedded, it cannot be pulled out.

“Here I come.”

As the two slowly narrowed the distance, Vireon threw the harpoon with great force.

Swish-

Elbridge thought while looking at the harpoon.

‘It seems he has something he wants to show me… Shall I take a look?’

In this situation, the most general response would be evasion. Elbridge lightly dodged to the side.

However, as Vireon maneuvered the rope attached to the harpoon bizarrely, the harpoon’s trajectory curved slightly, brushing past Elbridge.

Then, Vireon pulled the rope.

Tug.

The thrown harpoon flew back, targeting Elbridge’s back.

Elbridge raised his scabbard, attempting to deflect the returning harpoon.

However, at that very moment, Elbridge’s body began to be pulled toward Vireon.

“…!”

It was a bit different from being dragged along.

Even though his two legs were firmly planted on the ground, absolutely no friction was felt on his soles.

A bizarre phenomenon defying common sense. Surely, it was the authority granted by the God of the Silver Harpoon.

The speed at which Elbridge was being pulled was even as fast as an average person running at full sprint.

‘…It seems this authority is manifested through the harpoon.’

When Elbridge swung his scabbard and deflected the harpoon, sure enough, the bizarre force vanished.

However, the distance was already considerably narrowed. Vireon lunged at Elbridge, swinging his sword.

He could not shake off a running opponent by taking steps backward. Instead of retreating, Elbridge advanced toward Vireon and swung his sword.

Clang, clang, clang!

Elbridge’s scabbard and Vireon’s curved sword clashed rapidly four or five times.

Vireon’s sword skills were quite excellent. However, it was not to the extent of matching Elbridge.

In the end, Vireon threw his body to the side and threw the harpoon once more.

The trajectory of the harpoon was toward Elbridge’s thigh or knee.

It was quite a threatening trajectory. Since generally, defending the lower body was much harder than defending the upper body.

Instead of blocking the harpoon, Elbridge kicked off the ground shortly and moved to the side.

Thud!

The harpoon that missed its target embedded itself into the dirt floor.

The evasion was not the end. Elbridge immediately swung his sword and cut the rope attached to the back of the harpoon.

‘He won’t be able to control the harpoon without the rope.’

After staring at the harpoon for just a brief moment, Elbridge’s gaze directed back to the front. Toward the position where Vireon should be.

However, Vireon was not in front of him.

‘What?’

He had not missed Vireon’s movements.

The time Elbridge looked at the embedded harpoon was extremely short. No matter how great Vireon was, he could not move out of Elbridge’s field of vision in such a brief time.

In Elbridge’s experience, situations that could not be understood always threatened his life.

Solely for the reason that Vireon was not visible, Elbridge’s mind and senses expanded to the limit in an instant.

Woosh-

Elbridge felt a sensation as if the entire world were rushing upon him.

Next, he simultaneously perceived the sensations he had taken for granted until now—the entire mass of sensations that could not even be felt unless he paid close attention.

The sensation of internal organs in his body moving slightly. The sound of his heart beating. The feel of his soles supporting the ground. The feel of his clothes touching his skin. The taste on the roof of his mouth. The smell of air brushing past the mucous membranes inside his nose. And the touch of faintly flowing air against his skin.

Elbridge felt an atypical movement of air behind his back.

That was not a naturally blowing wind. It was a flow of air created by something twisting and pushing out.

As was always the case in desperate situations, Elbridge’s body read the situation faster than his head.

Elbridge’s scabbard swung behind his back without a single moment of hesitation.

Crack!

A repulsive force was felt through his grip.

What had guided Elbridge until now was instinct. Only now did Elbridge’s reason perceive the situation.

‘The back?’

Elbridge looked back. Vireon had dropped his sword and was clutching his wrist.

“…!”

Vireon’s expression was one he had never seen before.

Astonishment was imbued on Vireon’s face, which had been relaxed all along.

The apostles of the Silver Harpoon watching the duel nearby wore similar expressions. Faces that looked as if they had seen something that could not possibly exist.

The pupils of Vireon’s eyes looking at Elbridge shook violently.

“…Is that your goddess’s authority?”

Elbridge shook his head.

“I told you. The authority of the Order of the Rusty Shield is not suited for one-on-one combat.”

“Elbridge. Have you ever seen our order’s authority elsewhere?”

“No.”

“Then how did you react to it?”

Elbridge pondered before replying.

“Just… as I lived my life, it ended up like this.”

Toward Vireon, who still wore a dazed expression, Elbridge asked a question.

“The first authority you showed was pulling the opponent entangled by the harpoon.”

“Yes.”

“What was the second one?”

“…Leap. It is our order’s most powerful authority.”

Vireon seemed quite flustered by the unexpected defeat. However, he did not forget the purpose of this duel.

Vireon spoke as he pulled out his harpoon embedded in an odd place.

“I will show you again.”

Swish- Thud.

Vireon threw his harpoon and embedded it in a nearby tree.

And in the very next moment, Vireon’s figure vanished like a lie.

The vanished Vireon was standing next to the tree before anyone knew it.

“…Leap is an authority that swaps my position with the harpoon. Though it has many restrictions, it is a powerful authority.”

Elbridge evaluated.

“It is a bizarre authority. An authority that would shine even brighter in combat against humans rather than magic beasts or demons.”

“However, it is also the secret of how our order, which does not have large numbers, could survive in the south.”

It made sense.

If a skilled expert of Vireon’s level caught someone off guard with that kind of authority, who could survive?

Having finished his explanation, Vireon wore a miserable expression and soon asked Elbridge.

“…Elbridge. What you said when we first met. Is it true?”

“When we first met?”

“The story that you are the weakest among your order’s paladins…”

It was not a lie.

However, answering yes here felt like it would cause Vireon serious frustration.

“Actually, it is not to that extent.”

“Then?”

“I am exactly around average.”

Hearing that, the Goddess of the Rusty Shield burst into laughter.

– The strongest, the weakest, and the exactly average paladin Elbridge. That was a wonderful performance.

Elbridge whispered softly.

“Thank you, Goddess.”

*

Two days later, the time of battle arrived.

Elbridge patted Rombel’s back and said.

“Do not screw it up and do well, Rombel.”

“What are you talking about? If anyone screws up, it will be you. Mind your own business.”

Elbridge looked at Marcus with a solemn expression.

“Your mission is grave, Mr. Marcus. Because Rombel sometimes does foolish things in odd places…”

Marcus chuckled.

“Have a safe trip.”

Yesterday, Marcus told Vireon that he would follow Elbridge and Vireon.

However, Vireon flatly refused Marcus’s request. The reason was that his skills were insufficient to join this mission.

Though it was a statement that could feel somewhat rude, the rejected Marcus looked quite excited.

Marcus and Rombel departed together with the apostles of the Silver Harpoon Apostleship.

Now it was Elbridge and Vireon’s turn to move.

“Let’s go.”

The two ran for quite a while across the Great Forest.

Since they intended to gauge the battle situation and look for opportunities rather than joining the combat, both Elbridge and Vireon wore light armaments.

Wearing a cuirass like the apostles of the Silver Harpoon Apostleship, and only wearing thigh protectors.

While running, Elbridge asked Vireon.

“Vireon. What will you do if the Order of the Flowing Water does not remain by the side of the Silver Harpoon Apostleship?”

“That won’t happen. Did you not see the bright expressions of the Order of the Flowing Water’s priests?”

“One never knows what a person is thinking.”

“The priests and paladins of the Order of the Flowing Water are not fools. Rather than staging another escape drama risking their lives, they will know it is more realistic to settle down while saying they had no choice.”

“So shrewd.”

After repeating running and walking for quite some time like that, the shouting of people reached Elbridge’s ears.

Perhaps Vireon heard that sound too, as he slowed his pace and spoke.

“They are fighting hard. Let’s approach carefully from here.”

As they approached stealthily a bit further, the sight of people fighting along the wall was visible through the trees.

‘Those attacking the fortress are the Order of the Surging Sword and the Order of the Stump. Those defending inside are the Sinking Shadow Association, they said.’

However, the way they fought was different from what Elbridge had imagined.

The clashes of orders Elbridge had seen in the past were carried out with cold weapons like swords and spears.

But it was hard to even view this as a fight of paladins.

At least the Order of the Surging Sword fought using swords, but the remaining two orders were the problem.

First, the Order of the Stump. When the priests of the Order of the Stump unleashed their authority, giant trees of the Great Forest moved sluggishly like turtles, approaching the city walls.

An authority that was slow but had no means to be blocked.

Defending against the attack was the Sinking Shadow Association.

They wielded spears and swords like any other paladins. Some paladins even shot bows quite skillfully.

However, their authority was even more exotic than that of the Order of the Stump.

Occasionally when a dangerous moment came, the paladins of the Sinking Shadow Association dispersed their entire bodies like smoke, only to reappear a short distance away.

In Elbridge’s eyes, their way of fighting even looked like demons and magic beasts.

“…Southern orders are exotic. I have never seen that kind of authority before.”

“There are orders that might feel ordinary to you. But in the south, that kind of anomalous authority is more effective. Ultimately, the strong create large forces.”

While they were talking like that, a giant tree fell on top of the wall.

Boom-

The giant tree slightly collapsed part of the wall and became a passage through which they could move onto the wall.

The paladins of the Order of the Stump and the paladins of the Order of the Surging Sword ran along the tree and climbed onto the wall.

Vireon clicked his tongue.

“It will end sooner than I thought. At this rate, we can’t slip away with the Order of the Flowing Water… Should we have come earlier?”

The paladins of the Sinking Shadow Association fought while repeatedly dispersing like smoke and reappearing, but the problem was that the number of intruders was nearly double.

As if the authority bestowed by their deity had been depleted, the paladins of the Sinking Shadow Association met their ends one after another.

Just as the battle was about to end in such a one-sided manner.

A paladin of the Sinking Shadow Association, covered in blood, shouted at the top of his lungs on the wall.

“You bastards! Do you think the Sinking Shadow Association will vanish quietly?!”

The paladins attacking the fortress mocked him.

“Haha! That is for us to decide.”

Then, the paladin of the Sinking Shadow Association pulled out something that did not suit the battlefield.

It was an animal slightly larger than a dog. However, its appearance resembled a boar, without a doubt.

It was a quite cute appearance, but the way the paladin of the Sinking Shadow Association treated the boar was not cute at all.

The paladin roughly clutched the baby boar with both hands.

Squeal-

The baby boar let out a piercing scream.

The baby boar’s scream was so clear and loud. To the point where it was hard to believe it burst out from such a small body.

This was an extremely out-of-the-blue situation, but Elbridge felt he knew what that action was for.

‘…No way.’

Perhaps Elbridge was not the only one who realized the intention, as the attackers’ faces turned pale white.

“You crazy bastard! Are you planning to kill even your own clan?!”

However, the paladin of the Sinking Shadow Association burst into a mad laughter.

“Haha, hahahaha! My clan members would rather die together than survive with their enemies!”

The paladin of the Sinking Shadow Association finally tore the small boar apart, scattering its blood around, and spoke as if squeezing it out.

“So, let us all vanish into the shadows together. You bastards.”