Paladin of the Dead God

Leonora responded nonchalantly.

Hastel thought she was bluffing and scoffed, but Leonora wasn’t nervous at all. This wasn’t the first time she had been threatened by a Wallachian Duke.

The Golden Idol Guild dealt with the Immortal Order.

Which, of course, meant they also did business with the Kingdom of Wallachia.

And true to their faith of indulging in physical pleasures, Wallachians were sensitive to all manner of luxuries, hedonism, spices, and trends. They were among the guild’s most valuable VIP customers.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m very close with Her Majesty Sageya Roanoke of Wallachia. I give her advice on her quarterly wardrobe designs. I’ve also been invited to Duke Luetta Ere’s parties.”

Being extremely wealthy meant being very well-connected with the upper echelons of society, who desired that wealth. And while she had no intention of doing so because it wasn’t profitable, Leonora could potentially buy the entire Gulmar family with her private funds alone.

A miracle only the Golden Idol Guild, with its financial power, could achieve.

Leonora subtly hinted that she wouldn’t be an easy target, and Hastel’s expression stiffened. As a skilled assassin, she could tell when someone was lying, and Leonora didn’t seem to be bluffing.

Leonora tilted her head slightly and looked at Hastel.

“It’s my first time meeting the renowned Duchess Gulmar. I’ve always wanted to, but I heard you never leave your castle. You don’t attend banquets, balls, or tea parties. How do you entertain yourself?”

“…You can have plenty of fun at home without going out.”

Hastel shuddered as if the mere mention of banquets and balls gave her the chills.

“Wasting time on such pointless activities is far less productive than doing something constructive.”

“Constructive? Like what?”

“Reading, chess, music, painting, sculpture, theater. There’s so much, I can’t even list it all.”

“Oh, you have a deep appreciation for the arts! I thought there was something different, a more intellectual and mature aura about you. It all comes from your years of experience.”

“Hmph, are you comparing me to those empty-headed fools? True pleasure lies in the fullness of the senses. The vacuous aristocrats of Wallachia focus only on the most primal of the senses—sight and taste. But can they understand the feeling of admiring a sculpture that captures the texture of rough stone, or the foreign music played by an orchestra? Do they… Why am I chatting with you?!”

Hastel snapped, turning away from Leonora with irritation. Leonora clicked her tongue, disappointed. She had almost secured a new client.

“Talking to me won’t change the situation. If I’m in trouble, you’ll be in trouble too, so let’s just continue our conversation.”

“Talk about what? I have nothing to say.”

“Large banquets and balls deal with many items and are valuable markets. But the ‘real’ luxury is in the hobbies of people like you, Duchess Gulmar.”

“…What do you mean?”

“People mine stones from deserts roamed by undead to create beautiful sculptures. They spend a fortune to buy instruments made by artisans centuries ago. What about paintings of Elil or the Dancer, captured by ancient artists?”

Leonora’s eyes sparkled as she leaned closer to Hastel.

“Have you ever seen such ‘real’ works of art? Standing before a masterpiece crafted by a true genius can make your whole body tremble. But that’s a feeling only those with a discerning eye can experience… I’m guessing there are very few in Wallachia who possess such discernment.”

Hastel silently stared at Leonora.

Leonora couldn’t see Hastel’s expression hidden in the darkness, but she imagined she was filled with anticipation. It helped her sales pitch to think that way.

“If you’re interested, Duchess, I would love to introduce you to part of the Golden Idol Guild’s collection someday. If I’m selling to someone with refined taste like yourself, I can offer it at a very good price.”

“…Quiet.”

Hastel commanded silence, but her tone was noticeably less cold than before.

Leonora decided to obey and keep her mouth shut. It was better to let Hastel’s imagination run wild with happy thoughts and expectations rather than apply more pressure.

***

Isaac didn’t trust Shalok.

It wasn’t a matter of not trusting him personally, but rather disbelief that the human hunters of the Red Chalice, experts in assassination and conspiracy, could be so easily tracked by mere mercenaries. This was a matter beyond trust.

But Isaac could easily solve this mystery.

“…You memorized the bounty on Duchess Gulmar?”

“I make sure to memorize all bounties on significant figures.”

Shalok, along with his mercenaries, had surrounded the old lighthouse outside the city. They couldn’t approach any closer due to the human hunters patrolling the area.

Wallachia often sent expeditions outside its borders to replenish its depleted blood supply. While they sometimes bought slaves, they usually resorted to abduction. There was a reason why they were called ‘human hunters.’ Their most common job was kidnapping, not assassination.

Like most Wallachian nobles, Hastel Gulmar also had a bounty on her head. Shalok had memorized it and tracked her movements.

Isaac realized just how frightening Shalok’s talent could be when applied as a bounty hunter.

“Well, this is as far as I can go. To be honest, I can’t guarantee the young lady’s safety if we rush in head-on.”

He was implying that Isaac should take the lead. Isaac had already planned to do so since he trusted Shalok’s abilities, but not his combat skills.

He first gave instructions to Hesabel, who seemed a bit more confident than before.

‘Hesabel, go in first and prepare for an ambush. Make sure you’re not detected.’

‘Aye, aye.’

Isaac then sent a rat, infected with a parasite, inside the lighthouse. The human hunters were on high alert, but they weren’t so vigilant that they would notice a single rat. If they did notice and eat it, that would be even better. He could take over their brains.

The rat reached the lighthouse window safely and peeked inside.

After a moment, Isaac cautiously projected his thoughts to Hesabel.

‘…It seems friendlier than expected in there.’

Isaac, the Holy Knight of the Dead God.