Paladin of a Fallen Order (Novel) - Chapter 74 - Path

Chapter 74 – Path

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Translated by Pratt

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Marcus’s observation was sharp.

However, contrary to Marcus’s assertion that the lake was lying, Elbridge kept the opposite possibility in mind.

What if Marcus’s most earnest desire was truly the girl next door? What if Leonhardt had truly ascended to heaven with the shield?

Elbridge was not the only one who thought so.

Rombel slightly nodded as he looked at Elbridge, then asked Marcus.

“Marcus. There is something I want to ask. What did you desire even more intensely than the girl next door?”

“Money and honor…?”

Marcus’s answer instilled certainty in Elbridge and Rombel.

For it to be an intense desire, Marcus’s response was far too common and vague.

‘If what I just saw was not a lie…’

Like the Central Mage Tower Lord who had descended to the earth, did the ascended Leonhardt also descend to the earth again and entrust the shield?

‘He said that Sir Leonhardt entrusted the shield to the mountain city when the previous mayor was still alive.’

If this speculation was correct, it meant that Leonhardt had descended to the earth not long after his ascension.

If so, Leonhardt would have died of old age by now.

Elbridge’s thoughts branched out in all directions.

For what reason did Leonhardt descend to the earth? What did he do after descending to the earth?

Elbridge toyed with the shield.

‘If I put the shield back into the lake, would I be able to continue watching the latter part of the memory?’

As if reading Elbridge’s mind, Marcus spoke.

“Sir Elbridge. The God of the Sunshower tells you not to do anything foolish…”

“Anything foolish?”

“He said that if you try to peer into heaven using a trick, you will surely pay a price.”

Just then, an oracle also descended upon Elbridge. It was the Goddess of the Rusty Shield.

– Elbridge. It would be good if you sought your goddess’s opinion as well before doing anything dangerous.

“Does Sir Leonhardt’s memory belong to a dangerous matter?”

Elbridge stopped mid-sentence to answer the goddess’s oracle, but Rombel and Marcus did not find it strange. For the two of them knew very well how close Elbridge and the Goddess of the Rusty Shield were.

The oracle continued.

– It is not that I cannot give you a hint about Leonhardt, but it is not a problem for you to be interested in him. The problem is that you almost peered into heaven without possessing the qualification.

“If it is qualification…”

– Only those who possess the qualification to ascend to heaven can see heaven.

“I see.”

– At least you and Rombel are better off. Having accumulated great achievements since long ago, you might have been able to catch a tiny glimpse of heaven. But Marcus is different. If the God of the Sunshower had not acted in time, a serious problem could have occurred to Marcus.

It seemed that severing the memory formed on the surface of the water was the action of the God of the Sunshower.

“In that case, would it be alright if I examine the memory again in a place where Marcus is not present?”

– The God of the Sunshower has already laid hands on the Lake of Eternity. For the time being, the Lake of Eternity will remain an ordinary lake with no abilities whatsoever.

Then, the Goddess of the Rusty Shield spoke sternly.

– And, Elbridge. Just because Marcus was in the most danger does not mean that you and Rombel were safe. Please consider the heart of your goddess, who cherishes her sole paladin so dearly.

The emotion contained in that voice was not reprimand or criticism, but pure worry.

Elbridge felt a little embarrassed.

“Understood, Goddess.”

– Yes. I understand your curiosity about Leonhardt’s whereabouts… but do not rush too much. As your goddess has realized from living until now, the news that one earnestly desires always reaches them eventually.

With that, the oracle cut off.

*

That night, in a dark room where not even a candle was lit.

Elbridge lay in bed, lost in thought.

He was still thinking about Leonhardt’s whereabouts.

Just then, he heard the sound of Rombel tossing and turning in the bed next to him.

Rustle.

Following that, Rombel’s voice carried over.

“Elbridge. There is something I am curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Earlier, when you asked to show your desire. The image of a temple appeared in the lake, right?”

“It did. Why?”

“To me, it felt like the lake showed a clearer image the more strongly one desired something. You know, just as Marcus’s desire showed earlier…”

Marcus immediately chimed in.

“The lake showed it wrong. I loved that girl purely.”

“Marcus. Swear to the God of the Sunshower and answer honestly. Do you even remember that girl’s face exactly?”

“…Damn it. I am not a man who falls in love based on looks alone. I loved that girl’s kind heart and clear voice.”

“I do not know about the voice, but her heart was indeed grand.”

As Rombel teased him, Marcus grumbled a little and then shut his mouth. It was because he realized that he would only lose by speaking.

Elbridge asked.

“Anyway, why are you bringing that story up now?”

“The temple shown in your desire was exceptionally blurry. The people were blurry, the temple was blurry. Even though the statue of the goddess was clear at least…”

“What is it you want to ask?”

“Elbridge. Do you really want to rebuild the order?”

It was a statement that could be offensive if taken the wrong way, but Elbridge knew that a faint worry was contained in Rombel’s voice.

“Even if it is blurry, a desire is a desire.”

“Though it was as blurry as the face of the girl who lived next door to Marcus.”

“Hey now, Mr. Rombel. Why is that story coming up again here?”

Marcus pretended to be angry, and Rombel and Elbridge chuckled.

After their laughter stopped, Rombel finished speaking.

“Anyway, looking at you since the old days, I always had that feeling. You do it because you have to, you do it because you can, that kind of…”

It was not wrong.

For Elbridge had found it burdensome to betray people’s expectations since a long time ago.

Perhaps the matters of the order were the same.

At least, the fortunate thing was that even to Elbridge, only the Goddess of the Rusty Shield was special.

“Rather, you are the unusual one, Rombel. Most people’s desires are probably blurry like mine.”

Elbridge said so and closed his eyes.

*

Three days later, Elbridge’s party left the vicinity of the Lake of Eternity.

Since it was no easy task for outsiders to penetrate the Great Forest and escape from the south, Mayor Marcellus assigned Isalvius as a guide for Elbridge’s party.

It was a good thing for Elbridge’s party. After all, was not Isalvius the person with whom they were most friendly in the Order of the Flowing Water?

However, there was one strange thing. Isalvius looked serious to the point of depression.

Just a few days ago, when they were heading to the Lake of Eternity, Isalvius had somehow recovered his energy.

But now, Isalvius’s expression was as dark as it had been right after the God of the Flowing Water turned into a demon.

In the end, Marcus could not hold back and asked.

“Mr. Isalvius. Did something happen? Your expression is too serious.”

Isalvius poured out his story as if he had been waiting.

“Mr. Marcus. I thought that everyone in the order, just like our priests and paladins, sincerely respected and served the God of the Flowing Water from the bottom of their hearts.”

“Was that not the case?”

“When I explained to Lantern Keeper Marcellus what happened to the God of the Flowing Water, do you know what Marcellus said?”

“I do not know.”

“He said that it was a regrettable thing, and asked what we were going to do now.”

“…?”

When Elbridge’s party showed a bewildered reaction, Isalvius added an explanation, his hands trembling with emotion.

“Has not our priests’ and paladins’ way of earning money disappeared now that the healing authority is gone? He told us to think about how to sustain the livelihood of the city in the future. Does this even make sense?”

“Wait. Could that be…”

“Yes. He meant that the priests and paladins should consult well among themselves to find a lucrative order. Saying that there will surely be a decent place… To them, the God of the Flowing Water was merely one among numerous gods.”

To show how great his disappointment was, Isalvius spoke with a slight whimper.

Elbridge’s party was astonished.

Was it not even more shameless than the behavior shown by the White Hands last year-end?

At the very least, the White Hands only made their own faith an item of trade.

They merely failed to cast aside their greed even in an urgent situation; it was not to the extent of revealing the absolute bottom of humanity. Anyone is bound to be a little selfish and prioritize their own benefit.

However, Marcellus included not only his own faith but also the devotion of the priests and paladins in the trade items. Without even asking for the priests’ and paladins’ opinions.

Rombel roared.

“You are saying you held back after hearing that? If it were me, I would have swung my fist first.”

At that, Isalvius let out a deep sigh.

“I also wanted to do so in my heart. However, Marcellus’s words are not entirely wrong. If our priests and paladins do not earn money, will not the livelihood of the people become difficult? In the end, we must find a way…”

At that, Marcus furrowed his brows.

“Why are you worrying about the livelihood of the townspeople, Mr. Isalvius?”

“Yes? Well, that is…”

“While staying here for three days, I also saw the city people. They seemed to live reasonably well.”

“That is because we have earned money and contributed until now. But from now on…”

Marcus cut off Isalvius’s words.

“No, no. What I want to say is two things. First, Mr. Isalvius, you have done enough up to now. Second, not all of those bastards who hold out their hands saying they are dying and asking for help are actually in difficulty.”

Marcus snorted.

“While living as a mercenary, I learned an interesting thing. Do you know what it is?”

“I do not know.”

“If there are ten mercenaries, about seven out of ten are bastards who started the harsh mercenary work claiming they would support their families. Elderly parents, young children, a frail spouse… That kind of story.”

“Hmm.”

“About half of the bastards who started as mercenaries that way die or get seriously injured within three years. Since they recklessly jumped in claiming they would make big money without being prepared, it is only natural.”

“…It is a regrettable thing.”

At Isalvius’s response, Marcus shook his head.

“What I want to tell you is what happens after. When a mercenary dies, fellow mercenaries often gather a little money bit by bit to deliver to the family… Well, it is not a lot of money. At most, it is money that allows a family to barely get by for fifteen days or a month. Do you know what happens when they run out of that money?”

“Would they not end up on the streets? Or starve to death…”

Marcus waved his hand.

“Of course, there are such families occasionally. It breaks one’s heart just to watch. However, in my experience, seven or eight out of ten manage to live reasonably well. The elderly parents do needlework or the like, the frail spouse suddenly gets up from bed, and the children also mature early and become able to take care of themselves.”

“…”

“Mr. Isalvius. The people of that city were exactly in that state. Even if left alone, the people of that city will survive on their own. Although it will not be as affluent as before.”

Marcus was uncharacteristically angry.

Elbridge could tell just by looking at his expression. That Marcus must have seen countless such mercenaries and such families.

“I heard that there are many people who mistake goodwill for a right. However, in my experience, that story applies not only to the receiver but also to the giver. Mr. Isalvius, are you not mistaking devotion for an obligation? That is not your obligation.”

“However, it is a fact that the land is barren.”

“If the land is barren, they should leave. At the very least, I can guarantee this regarding the people of that city. Even if Mr. Isalvius, the priests, and the paladins disappear, they will manage to live on.”

Elbridge recalled Rombel’s words from last night.

The remark about whether he had merely lived doing things because he had to and because he could.

Elbridge also did not know exactly how to take those words. However, one thing was certain. Isalvius felt like a person similar to himself.

Therefore, Elbridge asked.

“Mr. Isalvius. Is there anything else you want to do?”

“…There is. To be precise, it came about not long ago.”

“What is it?”

“Just as a god can turn into a demon, I want to find out if there is a way for a demon to return to a god.”

The nucleus left behind by the God of the Flowing Water. Isalvius sealed and kept that nucleus.

Instead of despairing and breaking down, Isalvius harbored an endlessly difficult, or perhaps impossible, hope.

Elbridge smiled.

Even if it was a dream close to impossible, was not the sight of someone harboring a grand dream beautiful?

Elbridge thought that Isalvius might be a step ahead of him.

“Mr. Isalvius. Leave now.”

“Yes? But the guidance for your way…”

“You do not need to worry, as we can find our way somehow. However, Mr. Isalvius, if you do not leave now, it seems you will lose your path forever.”

However, Isalvius shook his head.

“I cannot leave right this moment.”

“Why is that?”

“I want to make my decision known to the priests and paladins of the order. Since we suffered together, after all.”

“There is a way for that too.”

Elbridge pointed to the north.

“Go to Middlemarch in the central region, the place where all paths lead. And seek out the Central Mage Tower Lord.”

“I have never been to the central region. And even if I seek him out, a person of the Mage Tower Lord’s caliber would not meet me…”

“If you mention our party’s name at the Central Mage Tower, he will meet you. The Central Mage Tower Lord will contact the priests and paladins through the southern mage tower. Furthermore, since the Central Mage Tower Lord knows a lot about gods and demons, it will be of great help to you, Mr. Isalvius.”

Isalvius stopped walking.

And looked toward the north, where the Central Mage Tower would be.

Isalvius thought for a long time, then bowed his head deeply to express his gratitude to Elbridge’s party.

“I receive help until the very end. How can I ever repay…”

“If your dream comes true, it will be a grand repayment to me as well. Leave quickly before your heart wavers.”

Isalvius headed north with hesitant steps.

He walked a few steps and looked back, then walked a few more steps and looked back again.

He repeatedly bowed his head in greeting.

Elbridge’s party waved their hands to Isalvius, who was departing first.

For a proper send-off is only fitting for someone who has set a grand goal.

When Isalvius finally vanished from sight, Rombel grinned.

“You spoke quite stingingly, Marcus.”

“It could not be helped. Just listening to it made me burst with frustration…”

The party conversed in low voices and began to walk again in the direction they had been heading.

*

A few days after that, Rombel wore a serious expression.

“I see why a guide is necessary.”

Elbridge’s party had lost their way.