Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 248:

‘I only intended to take care of Camille’s aftermath, but what a coincidence.’

Isaac’s visit to this temple was a product of coincidence and impulse. However, he thought that if he continued walking the path of the Nameless Chaos, he would inevitably visit this place someday.

Of course, nothing changed for Isaac after learning about his origin. He merely speculated that the background of his birth wasn’t solely due to forbidden love or lowly desires such as lust.

If there was a reason for his birth, there would be a destination in the direction of his life.

Isaac had to find that out.

***

Isaac swiftly moved to the Issacrea territory riding on Nel.

Thanks to Nel’s speed, they arrived at Issacrea territory in less than half a day. However, instead of landing immediately, Isaac flew around to get a rough look at the territory.

Even from a distance, the landscape had changed considerably. The roads were clearly widened and organized, and there seemed to be quite a number of people passing by. The land was being cultivated with wheat and potatoes, and the number of houses and waterways had increased.

‘Kyle is doing well.’

It was ironic that Kyle seemed better off after having his brain eaten by bugs than when he was intact.

But the Issacrea territory always had the potential for such development.

The former lord had intentionally isolated it with plans of apostasy and rebellion, but with proper roads, it was actually a key transportation hub. It wasn’t for nothing that Caitlin, the head of the Seor branch of the Golden Idol Guild, had come running. Moreover, goods from the Elil Kingdom and the Alliance of Arles were now passing through the northern Norden port, making the location noteworthy even to the Golden Idol Guild.

Isaac flapped Nel’s wings and gradually landed in the middle of the monastery. While people might be startled, this was a place where they needed to get used to such occurrences.

Most importantly, Isaac trusted himself, or rather, the reputation he had spread here.

“Lord! No, Abbot!”

“Holy Grail Knight!”

“The Saint of Resurrection has arrived!”

Isaac gave an awkward smile at the cheers and shouts bursting out from all directions. He wanted to ask them to unify his titles.

In the courtyard, Caitlin, blacksmith Ulsten, and guard captain Jacquette were already gathered. Kyle had summoned the key figures of the territory upon hearing of Isaac’s arrival.

Isaac had many things to hear and tell them.

Though people seemed startled to see a dragon landing in the monastery’s center, they approached with curiosity rather than fear upon realizing Isaac was riding it. When Jacquette cautiously tried to reach out to Nel, Isaac stopped her.

“Don’t touch it. Its dietary habits haven’t been corrected yet.”

“What? Does it eat people?”

“More precisely, it doesn’t have a preference.”

While it might be a good habit for children, it wasn’t ideal for people who could end up as food. Not wanting to test whether she suited the dragon’s taste, Jacquette quickly withdrew her hand.

“The rumors about you are impressive, Holy Grail Knight.”

Caitlin, being wise, spoke from about ten steps away from Nel, making it hard for Isaac to hear her.

“Have the rumors spread here as well?”

“Of course. Everyone in this area knows about it.”

Isaac’s deeds, including traveling to the Empire and the Elil Kingdom, had naturally spread here. The residents of Issacrea took pride in being part of the territory ruled by the Holy Grail Knight.

‘I saw the Holy Grail Knight defeat the Angel of the Red Chalice and fight alongside him against the undead of the Immortal Order!’

It was something they could indeed take pride in.

Surprisingly, there weren’t any exaggerated rumors. In fact, they seemed somewhat understated by the time they reached Issacrea.

Given the extraordinary feats of killing the Angel of the Salt Council at sea, becoming the son-in-law of the Brant Duke’s family, rescuing the Emperor from Chaos’s clutches, quelling a rebellion in the Elil Kingdom, and even negotiating with a god, there wasn’t much room for exaggeration.

Residents who observed Isaac’s humble and modest demeanor up close sometimes felt that the stories were too embellished, despite their respect for him.

“And as the branch manager of Issacrea, I am very pleased that you kept your promise, Holy Grail Knight.”

“Ah… it’s only with the Elil Kingdom for now.”

Isaac had promised her to open a trade route with the Elil Kingdom and the World’s Forge. Though he only managed the trade with the Elil Kingdom, given that the Salt Council controlled most trade routes, he had essentially kept his promise.

Isaac turned his attention to the stocky dwarf.

“Ulsten, Forge Master. I’m glad to see you’ve been well. It must be tough being away from home.”

“It’s nothing. Given that this place is originally a mining village, it feels like home except for the weather. By the way, I discovered something interesting while tinkering with the leftover materials…”

Isaac was curious about what the Forge Master had found interesting. However, his curiosity wasn’t immediately satisfied.

Ulsten merely glanced in a direction, indicating he couldn’t say more.

Following his gaze, Isaac realized why Ulsten couldn’t speak freely. A rotund priest in lavish robes and a scrawny monk in shabby attire stood at the monastery entrance.

Knowing what Ulsten had been tinkering with, Isaac understood his silence.

***

There were many things to hear and tell, but Isaac decided to postpone all of that for now.

The reason for the visit of the priests from the Codex of Light Church was difficult to grasp. Though Isaac had just demolished Baelbaden, the news hadn’t spread yet.

Isaac headed to the chapel where the priests waited. Upon seeing the two figures, he almost nicknamed them ‘Fatty’ and ‘Skinny,’ but Kyle, acting as the interim lord, approached and whispered.

“Bishop Ramarié of Lenheim Cathedral and an unnamed wandering monk.”

Kyle added more information.

“At first, I thought Bishop Ramarié was the one visiting, but it seems he’s actually assisting the wandering monk. He’s constantly attending to his needs and asking for his opinions.”

Isaac nodded. Even without being told, he could sense the immense power emanating from the wandering monk. Though it wasn’t the power of an angel, it was at least angelic in nature, a presence that couldn’t be ignored.

“Isaac Issacrea, it is an honor to meet the famous Holy Grail Knight.”

It was indeed Horhel who approached first. Bishop Ramarié humbly stood behind him with his hands clasped, merely observing their conversation, which revealed the power dynamics between them.

Bishop Ramarié was genuinely there to assist, or rather, serve the wandering monk. It was unclear why a wandering monk in such ragged attire could command a bishop from the great city cathedral of Lenheim.

“Thank you for remembering my humble name. May I know your name?”

“It is a name not worth remembering, but you may call me Horhel.”

Isaac hid his shock as much as possible, pretending it was the first time he heard the name.

It was not an easy feat. For anyone who played the game, Horhel was as famous as Kalsen.

‘I never expected the Pope’s proxy to visit.’

Horhel, the Pope’s proxy.

In the game, he appeared only after the midway point as the Pope’s secret mission agent. As his title suggested, the miracles he could perform were comparable to those of the Pope.

In other words, he was capable of confronting and summoning angels or borrowing their power.

Unlike the Pope, who remained lofty in his seat, Horhel was active both in the shadows and in the light, making him potentially stronger than the Pope in terms of combat power.

Bishop Ramarié’s attire was lavish even for a bishop. Even Juan hadn’t dressed so flamboyantly. By contrast, Horhel looked as modest as a monk caring for orphans at Ariet Monastery.

However, seeing him summon an angel and incinerate thousands of enemies in an instant would clarify that authority stemmed from power, not attire.

“Brother Horhel, though this place is lacking, please make yourself at home. If you need anything for your pilgrimage, feel free to let us know. We will cooperate as much as possible.”

Isaac hoped his words sounded respectful. There was no need to be servile. Since this was his first meeting with Horhel, being overly polite would seem suspicious.

‘It’s been a while since I felt this tense with someone.’

Horhel smiled with a wrinkled face and responded.

“No, there is no need to stay longer. I came to see the Holy Grail Knight. For a pilgrimage, a sturdy staff and durable clothes are enough.”

‘That makes sense for a priest who can resurrect the dead with a miracle.’

Isaac thought sarcastically but merely bowed his head humbly.

“Thank you for viewing my hollow reputation favorably. Is there anything specific you wish to discuss with me?”

Isaac wanted to advance the conversation quickly, hoping this dangerous man would leave soon. Fortunately, Horhel complied with his intent.

“Brother Isaac’s journey has been fascinating. Defeating angels and monsters, becoming the terror of heretics – it has been very thrilling to watch. It reminds me of a great hero.”

“No, please don’t say such things. The rumors are exaggerated. I am nothing compared to my predecessors.”

“Listen. There was indeed a hero whose deeds closely resembled yours. The Codex was about to appoint him as a saint and grant him a name.”

To be given a name implied being appointed as a Holy Angel.

Isaac pondered if he was referring to the Sword of May and Saint Arte, but then he realized Horhel was speaking in the past tense.

Horhel mentioned a completely unexpected name.

“Have you ever heard of Kalsen Miller?”

***

Isaac almost screamed.

‘The lost Kalsen Miller? He’s currently inside my belly.’ Of course, he couldn’t say that.

Why was Horhel calling Kalsen, who was branded a heretic and expunged from records, a hero and comparing him to Isaac?

‘Is he trying to provoke me?’

Isaac tried to remain calm and hide his agitation.

“Isn’t he a heretic who betrayed the Order?”

“Yes, but it’s also true he was a great hero before his betrayal. His defection was a painful sorrow for millions of believers, including the Order. But fortunately, as he disappeared, a new hope emerged.”

Horhel suddenly grabbed Isaac’s arm. Closing his eyes and bowing his head as if in prayer, he murmured.

“It is a joyous and blessed event. They say the most painful betrayal comes from the most faithful believers, yet we can find a shining star even in the mire of evil. Brother Isaac has become a great hero and the bearer of light on the eve of the millennium kingdom.”

Isaac was bewildered, wondering what Horhel was leading to by praising him so much.

Judging by the atmosphere, it didn’t seem like Horhel was going to say, ‘I know your true identity, so let’s strip away the façade and see those tentacles.’

As Isaac was about to relax, Horhel gripped his arm tightly and said,

“The Lighthouse Keeper has a name prepared for you.”

A prepared name?

Isaac didn’t understand the meaning for a moment.

However, the realization came slowly but with clear intent.

“…Do you mean I will be given a name?”

Among the numerous titles attached to Isaac, another one was about to be added.

Isaac Issacrea, Provisional Archangel (Confirmed).

_____________

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