Paladin of the Dead God

Chapter 38:

The girl’s words implied that within their own sect, there was someone who had killed Heinkel.

After a moment of silence, the girl straightened her waist and spoke to the hunters.

“Go back. From here on, I will track alone.”

“Lady.”

“I cannot return in a state where we’ve lost the rite of division. It was my uncle who used the family’s item without permission, so our family must take responsibility and find it. However, if this matter is also tangled with other families, the situation becomes complicated. Go back.”

The hunters did not try to stop her a second time. The measure of strength among the Wallachia hunters depended more on lineage than on experience or training. The strongest person present was the girl. Even after the hunters had left, the girl stood in place for a long time, staring into the void.

Her mind was filled with questions due to information she couldn’t dare to share with the hunters. It was information that could turn the family upside down if it were ever discovered, hence she had no choice but to send them away.

‘Why is the Prophet of the Red Flesh mentioned here?’

The information read from the remaining blood was filled with screams calling for the Prophet of the Red Flesh.

***

Time quickly passed.

In the past three months, Isaac had left the monastery and headed north.

As described in the game, the concept of borders was not significantly important to the people of this era. Even the White Empire, which is centered around the Codex of Light, originally had a respectable name like ‘Gerthonia Empire’.

The monastery where Isaac stayed was also part of a small duchy under the White Empire. However, religion was considered more important than the ruler, so people of the same faith almost treated each other as if they were from the same country.

‘Ordinary people just call it the White Empire, and the countries opposing it, associated with the Immortal Order, is called the Black Empire…’

Nations often change, and so do their rulers. However, faith remains constant. That’s why countries centered around the Codex of Light are all called the White Empire, and opposing nations are referred to as the Black Empire.

Territories were also bound together by friendly faiths.

For example, the Elil Sect, although a distinctly different faith, was derived from the Codex of Light and had good relations, so it was included in the territory of the White Empire. On the other hand, the Red Chalice Club, though not on good terms with the undead sects, was still positioned against the Law of Light, thus being associated with the Black Empire.

In this sense, Isaac could travel far distances without ever leaving the White Empire. The White Empire was not a territory but a realm of concept.

However, not everyone in the White Empire held the same faith or convictions.

For instance, people like barbarians.

“Hand over everything you have!”

“Drop everything and run, and your life will be spared!”

Isaac narrowed his eyes upon hearing voices from up the slope.

The voices were not aimed at Isaac. Even if they had seen Isaac, it was uncertain whether they would have said the same. After all, Isaac’s appearance, having hunted wild animals all winter, was not much different from theirs.

Meaning, he looked like a bandit.

The bandits were surrounding the merchants, threatening them with spears and swords. The merchants, shivering with fear, were still surrounding their wagons, holding staffs or spears, ready to defend themselves.

Ironically, the number of bandits was less than the number of merchants. There were 6 bandits, but there were 8 people outside the wagons among the merchants.

‘Of course, fighting is about morale.’

A few people prepared to kill their enemies can crush a frightened crowd like sand. In this sense, the bandits were exuding a quite deadly aura. If a fight broke out, more than half of the merchants would likely die. Even if they surrendered, it was doubtful whether they would be spared.

Isaac moved forward with heavy steps.

The bandits, who were focusing all their attention on the merchants, were startled and changed the direction of their spears only after Isaac passed by them.

Conversely, the merchants, thinking Isaac was one of the bandit’s group, screamed and tried to stab him with their spears. However, with a clack, the spears hit the ground. No one there saw how or what knocked them away.

“What are you! If you don’t want to die, scram!”

The bandit shouted sharply. Only then did the merchants look relieved. Just the fact that he was not a bandit or part of their gang was enough for them to feel at ease.

“Are you a mercenary? We will pay you any amount, please help us…!”

“Are you the caravan that started from Kesang region and is heading to Seor?”

The merchants looked at each other and then back at Isaac, as if wondering how he knew. Isaac had confirmed he was at the right place by the smell emanating from the wagons. Loosening his sword in its sheath, Isaac turned towards the bandits.

“See, I have no faith. Atheist.”

The sudden statement made the bandits’ faces contort. However, they were tense from Isaac’s relaxed demeanor and the way he had effortlessly deflected the spear earlier. Eventually, one of the bandits boldly stabbed at him with a spear.

Isaac thought a more forceful ‘persuasion’ was necessary.

With a loud crack, the spear shaft broke, and the bandit’s head hit the ground. This time, everyone could see what happened. Isaac had moved that way on purpose.

Isaac easily caught the spear shaft. The bandit tried to twist and pull it free, but it didn’t budge. A tentacle, as thick as Isaac’s palm, with suckers and teeth, firmly gripped the spear shaft. Unless Isaac was lifted off the ground, taking the spear back was impossible.

Isaac simply took the spear and struck the man hard enough to plant his head in the ground.

The reason he chose not to swing his sword but to perform this feat was simple.

“If I kill all of you, I’ll sweat in this winter. It’s the same if I chase you down and kill you. Speak frankly, and I’ll spare your life. I have no faith, atheist.”

Whether he sweated or not was a significant concern. First, it was still the cold season, and second, Isaac’s physical condition hadn’t been fully resolved. He didn’t want to waste his energy chasing after minor thugs.

Realizing Isaac was serious, the bandits hesitated and then one by one laid down their weapons. However, two particularly murderous ones stubbornly charged at Isaac.

“Son of a bitch!”

Isaac had anticipated they would charge. They seemed more interested in murder than theft.

Finally, Isaac’s sword was drawn.

The Sword of Judgment scattered the winter sunlight in several directions.

***

After dealing with two dead bodies and one unconscious man, Isaac tied up the remaining four and forced them to kneel.

He observed the two he had killed.

It was not surprising that the barbarians bandits were particularly brutal compared to other bandits. Those who had forsaken the afterlife had nothing to fear. But these showed a level of murderous intent close to hatred. That was certainly not ordinary.

‘Do they hold a grudge against these merchants? As far as I know, they’re just ordinary merchants.’

While he pondered this, one of the merchants approached Isaac.

“Sir… Knight? May I ask your name?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s Isaac.”

Isaac was slightly surprised that the other called him a knight. No one during the past winter had recognized him as a paladin. His scruffy appearance aside, his frail physique and delicate features were also to blame.

Hadn’t they just called him a mercenary?

‘Ah, is it just something nice to say?’

Meanwhile, the merchant thought Isaac might not be a noble, seeing that he didn’t mention a family name.

But Isaac had no intention of giving up the advantage he had just gained. And being a paladin was akin to being a noble. He never liked the class system, but he wasn’t about to renounce the privileges that others enjoyed so freely.

Isaac maintained his superior attitude and asked, “What about it?”

“Are you going to spare these men? There have been quite a few people killed in this valley. These bandits are among the most vicious. Your kind-heartedness is clear, but if you spare them, surely…”

The merchants seemed eager for revenge against the bandits who had threatened them. Maybe their desire included avenging their associates. However, Isaac shook his head.

“The ones intent on murder I’ve just killed. I have plans for the ones still alive.”

“But…”

Isaac appreciated the misunderstanding and the convenience of the class system once again. Instead of explaining further, he simply looked at the merchant.

Feeling an intense pressure from Isaac, the merchant swallowed hard. He then remembered that Isaac had just killed two people without batting an eye.

“Anyway, you’re the caravan that started from the Kesang region, right?”

“Yes. But why are you looking for us…?”

“I wasn’t specifically looking for you guys. I was searching for merchants who bought goods from the Kesang region.”

Isaac approached the wagon and briskly flipped open the tarp covering the cargo. The merchants, though startled and muttering objections, were unable to stop him. Inside, numerous plant bulbs wrapped in thick sacks were packed tightly.

The smell Isaac had noticed was that of these bulbs.

As Isaac set aside a sack, the merchants hurriedly began to reorganize the cargo space.

“A carriage loaded with Loracus bulbs, you’d make a decent profit from this.”

“How did you…?”

“I’ve heard some stories.”

Loracus is a flower known for its rich fragrance. While pretty and used as an ingredient in potions to lower magic resistance in the game, it held no further significance.

The issue with this flower stemmed from a different reason.

“The price of Loracus has skyrocketed?”

This was information Isaac had obtained after rescuing a merchant nearly devoured by trolls in the Kesang region. The merchant had little money but offered valuable information instead.

In the northern metropolis of Seor, Loracus had become a trend, causing its price to surge. Particularly, Loracus bulbs with unique shapes and scents were bought at prices ten to twenty times higher than others.

Upon receiving this information, merchants quickly loaded up on Loracus and headed for Seor. However, Loracus flowers, which bloom in spring and fall, wither away in the harsh winter, so the trade mostly involved their bulbs.

“Buying bulbs, not even knowing what shape they’ll bloom into, for gold?”

“Yes, yes. The price keeps rising every time you hear about it. Everyone’s going crazy, trying to make a profit.”

“Do you intend to sell these bulbs to me?”

The merchant looked troubled, not because he doubted Isaac’s ability to pay, but because it was impossible for him to sell.

“Sorry, but there’s already someone set to buy these bulbs…”

“Why can’t I buy them from that person then?”

“That’s the thing… there’s another person who owns the selling rights, and it might sound a bit complex to you, sir…”

The merchant began to explain in detail, but Isaac just waved him off with a smile. He already knew the merchant couldn’t sell to him.

The merchant thought Isaac was avoiding complex concepts, but it was quite the opposite.

To Isaac, it was a fascinatingly familiar, modern concept.

“Futures trading, right?”

Simply put, the current situation in Seor resembled the Tulip Mania.

An abnormal spike in the price of goods and the complex trading methods surrounding these goods. As these complexities tangled further, the price of Loracus bulbs soared far beyond their original value.

Eventually, some anticipate the price rise and buy Loracus early, while others sell the ownership rights even before the Loracus arrives. When competition kicks in, even the ‘right to trade’ Loracus is bought and sold.

A typical case of futures trading.

The merchant was merely transporting the Loracus, with the actual ownership constantly changing hands. In the end, no one could tell who would end up owning the Loracus.

Isaac’s interest in this situation stemmed from the connection between this price surge and the onset of the Dawn War. The eventual crash, like that of the Tulip Mania, would lead to a domino effect, crippling the economy of the White Empire.

To manage the political and economic turmoil, the White Empire would choose war.

Of course, the Dawn War wouldn’t erupt solely due to the Loracus bubble. The war is a complex event triggered by various factors.

However, it would be one of the contributing factors. Eventually, as public dissatisfaction boils over, rulers turn to war to divert attention.

What was once a background setting in a game was now unfolding in real-time for Isaac.

“The Dawn War happening could be beneficial for me… But how could I use this to my advantage?”