Paladin of the Dead God

Chapter 37:

[You are granted the ‘Noble Journey’ perk.]

[Physical abilities increase by 30%.]

[Faith abilities increase by 30%.]

[The perk’s effects strengthen as you face greater adversities.]

As Isaac class-changed into a Grail Knight, notifications cascaded down.

Isaac couldn’t help but be astonished by the 30% increase in both physical and faith abilities. Simply by class-changing, he had become a third stronger. And the perks would only grow stronger in the face of difficulties, making this just the baseline.

‘It seems the rite division has something to do with it.’

Possessing an EX-grade holy relic, difficult to find even in games, seemed to magnify the effects of the buff. With each new relic found, the effects would stack, making Isaac look forward to becoming even more powerful.

“So, what do you plan to do now, our Grail Knight?”

After Isaac’s knighthood ceremony, Rotenhammer and the Briant Knight Order returned to their base. Only Gebel and Isolde remained.

Isaac pondered for a moment before responding.

“For now, I’m thinking of exploring around here before heading north.”

“The North? Heading to the Kingdom of Elil might be a good idea.”

The origin of the Grail Knights began in the Kingdom of Elil. The “Grail,” as implied by its name, metaphorically refers to Elil’s Heart, stolen by the “Red Chalice Club.”

After the ascension of King Elil, his successors obsessed over retrieving the stolen Grail, “Elil’s Heart.” Many Grail Knights embarked on quests to find it for faith or glory, but the thief became a secret religion, hiding among the people, and the Grail was never recovered.

However, the journeys of these Grail Knights left behind countless achievements and legends. The Grail has transcended its original meaning as a singular holy relic, now regarded as an ideal of faith. This is why the Codex of Light especially favors Grail Knights.

Elil Kingdom remains the biggest supporter of Grail Knights, and many famous ones have emerged from there, hence Gebel’s suggestion.

“I thought about that, but wouldn’t it be better to visit with something in hand to receive a warmer welcome?”

In truth, Isaac’s “Rite of Division” relic was a holy artifact of the Red Chalice Club but also of the Elil Church. The very knife used by the dancer to rip open Elil’s chest and steal his heart.

A relic tainted with a god’s blood would certainly cause a stir if Isaac revealed its nature, but he had no such intentions now.

‘The reward is temporary. I couldn’t carry it around forever.’

For Isaac, becoming powerful enough to hold his own in the upcoming Dawn Army in two years was what mattered. For that goal, using the division ritual directly was preferable to any financial reward.

“Rotenhammer mentioned a holy relic to the north. I plan to search there first.”

“Is that so?”

In truth, Rotenhammer hadn’t said anything; it was information Isaac already knew. It was the closest known relic to this monastery.

If Isaac’s information was correct, the yet-to-be-discovered ruin should be unguarded.

‘Of course, this info is based on the period close to when the Dawn Army starts, so it might not completely match…’

Gebel sighed deeply before looking at Isaac. Isaac suddenly felt as if Gebel had aged significantly in just a short time.

“It seems you’re already well-prepared, so there’s little left for me to advise.”

“I’m deeply grateful for all the help you’ve provided.”

“Not at all, just take this with you.”

Gebel removed the chest piece he wore under his robe, along with the shin guards and belt, handing them to Isaac. Isaac tried to refuse, but Gebel insisted.

“These are all knight’s equipment. They’re worn, and the miracles infused within have faded, but they’re still useful.”

“I really don’t need this…”

“For the knights’ honor, not for you. A Grail Knight wandering around like a vagabond would be mistaken for a madman. You must at least dress the part with minimal armor.”

Gebel had a point. In a world where attire validates one’s status, having a symbol of knightly recognition from Rotenhammer wasn’t enough to prove one’s identity without showing it. Gebel forcibly equipped Isaac with the armor without giving him a chance to refuse.

Isaac thought the armor would be too large, considering the difference in their builds, but as it touched his body, the joints contracted, fitting him perfectly as if tailor-made.

Fitting as if custom-made from the start.

“Perfect fit, isn’t it? This functionality isn’t magical; it’s the work of the world’s forge masters, so it won’t fade away. It would be good to have a decent sword too, though…”

Since Isaac tended to break his swords frequently, he had none left. Of course, the Rite of division was truly a ‘good’ sword, but it was too precious to be wielded recklessly.

“I’ll lend you my sword.”

Then Isolde stepped forward, drawing her ‘Sword of Judgment.’

Both Isaac and Gebel looked at her in surprise.

“Isn’t that Inquisitor equipment?”

“It was reported lost. And I’m lending it, not giving it.”

Isolde smiled as she spoke.

“A Grail Knight will eventually return to the Order to return the holy relic. Then we’ll meet again. By then, you might have a better sword, and you can return it to me.”

The Sword of Judgment was already considered mid to high-grade even within the game. A sword that could replace it would mean Isaac had achieved considerable success.

“We can’t have a Grail Knight of your renown wandering around unarmed.”

“…Thank you.”

Unlike with Gebel, Isaac readily accepted without objection. He wasn’t particularly keen on the armor, but the Sword of Judgment was indeed a coveted item. It also served as proof of high standing within the Order. If there were any issues with the Order, merely presenting the Sword of Judgment could solve most problems.

Then Isolde leaned in close to whisper to Isaac.

“What did Gebel decide to do?”

Isaac recalled Isolde’s offer. If Gebel wanted, he could be reinstated as a knight and regain his honor. Isaac had discussed it with Gebel, but contrary to expectations, Gebel declined.

The reason was simple.

“Gebel has no desire to leave the Avalanche Knight Order.”

“…I see. I thought as much.”

Isolde smiled bitterly.

For Gebel to shed the label of a heretic would mean acknowledging the Avalanche Knight Order as heretics. And he would have to testify that he no longer belonged to that organization.

But Gebel didn’t want that. To him, the Avalanche Knight Order was merely innocent victims.

“Perhaps one day, Gebel’s unjust circumstances will be revealed. No matter how much he hides, someone destined to stand out will do so.”

From Isolde’s perspective, she couldn’t openly oppose the Order’s judgment. So, she had to speak in such a neutral manner. But Isaac agreed with her sentiment.

After all, Isaac didn’t expect Gebel to stay at the monastery forever.

Because Gebel would be by Isaac’s side when the Dawn War begins.

***

Isolde returned to the Order for her report, and Gebel returned to the monastery. Isaac had asked Gebel to convey his farewells to the monks on his behalf.

Leaving the monastery wasn’t as abrupt as it might have seemed.

‘I was ready to leave all along.’

Isaac had prepared to depart even before Isolde’s visit, which had nothing to do with him. Thanks to her visit, he could leave without much trouble. He didn’t have many personal belongings to begin with, and his predation ability negated the need for food.

‘It’s finally time to set out.’

Though he had long awaited this moment, setting off brought a sense of trepidation. However, Isaac tried not to feel too forlorn. After all, he had just gained a new ability that would serve as a milestone.

The changes that came with becoming a Grail Knight weren’t limited to buffs.

[The conditions for ‘Lighthouse of Watcher (EX)’ have been met and activated.]

Isaac remembered one of the messages that appeared after his class change.

The activation condition for the previously inaccessible Lighthouse of Watcher was finally met.

‘Considering Heinkel’s example, predation only grants innate abilities… so Kalsen having this ability means he was a holy being.’

Why such a holy being would commit apostasy remained a mystery. Moreover, the Watcher’s Lighthouse was among the highest-tier miracles in the Codex of Light. Kalsen’s birth must have involved divine or angelic will.

‘Well… that’s not important.’

The crucial point was that “the very Kalsen’s” ultimate ability had entered his body.

In the game, Lighthouse of Wacher was described as a powerful defensive skill. For a certain period, it rendered one virtually invincible and bestowed strong buff abilities around.

However, the lore described it differently.

“The Watcher stands as the arbiter of order in a universe filled with chaos, and the Lighthouse serves as the sole beacon in a world engulfed in darkness, a metaphor for an unchanging existence. The Lighthouse of Watcher symbolizes an infallible entity that discerns right from wrong in a world overwhelmed by confusion and darkness… or something along those lines.”

Such grandiose explanations made it hard to even imagine how it would be implemented.

Isaac, having finally acquired an ultimate ability, didn’t want to use it in a disappointing manner, but he also didn’t want to find himself in trouble by using it without understanding its precise effects.

After composing himself, Isaac activated the ability of the Lighthouse of Watcher.

Instantly, his eyes began to burn with a bright, blazing light.

***

The valley ravaged by the Knight Order was eerie. Since there was no need to worry about civilian casualties, it was filled with scorched and shattered rocks, the result of miracles.

As fog began to seep into the valley, three figures in hunter garb appeared: two tall hunters, each nearing 2 meters, and a small girl, barely reaching their chests.

The hunters, seeming displeased with the chaos left by the knights, surveyed their surroundings warily, but the girl paid no mind. She sought something else.

She was looking for blood traces.

In this valley, vampires had met their demise. However, no blood was found, which was to be expected. Vampire blood turns to dust at sunrise, leaving nothing behind. But the blood she sought was special; it neither vanished nor disappeared.

Suddenly, the girl stopped in the middle of the valley.

She groped around the ground and soon seemed to find something, plunging her hand into the earth. Instead of merely tapping, her hand spread like liquid, scattering red blood in all directions. When she withdrew her hand, it was unscathed, holding a short sword.

The sword soon lost its form, melted away, and was reabsorbed into the girl’s hand.

“It’s Elil’s blood. No doubt about it. The Rite of division was extracted here.”

A sigh echoed among the hunters. One of them cautiously said,

“Could it be that Duke Heinkel…”

“No. It seems my uncle has passed away. He was murdered by someone. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like he committed apostasy as my father feared…”

She crawled around the ground, searching for more clues as she did when finding the sword. Repeating the process of plunging her hands into the earth, she soon paused, tilting her head in confusion.

“What’s this?”

Murmuring as if something didn’t make sense, she asked,

“Did you find something?”

“Not dragged away or turned to ashes. Devoured. Right here on this spot.”