Episode 17 .
“Oh, do you need to leave in such a hurry? You went through a lot of hard work, why don’t you just rest for a few days and go away? hahahaha.”
Aiden hurriedly moved as soon as the sun rose. It was because I wanted to go back to the church, finish my report, and hurry up with my next task. In fact, the climate of Serengal was not adapted to the young.
The lord smiled and grabbed his ankle, but Aiden shook his head rather strongly.
“I just have to go. I will remember the favor of the lord.”
Youngjoo hardened his appetite. He tried to build a friendship with a paladin this time, but there was no great income. It was so resolute that I couldn’t hold it.
Yeongju gave up and just looked at the paladin with meaningful eyes. Aiden roughly interpreted it as saying to return the amount he gave.
She nodded slightly and turned her gaze to Sistina and Priest Vandel, who had come to the castle gate to see them off.
“Soon the Aspect will arrive. Hand over the sinners to them.”
The Ascendancy was a general term for the execution units under the direct control of the Holy Assembly. It was a special purpose unit that carried out espionage, search for heresy, espionage, assassination, extermination of barbarian villages, etc.
They tended to intervene in matters related to the Demonic Church, but Aiden predicted that they would be unconditionally involved in this case.
It was because the devil that the Demonic Cult was trying to summon was not an ordinary individual, but Marticoras.
Sistine and Vandel priest nodded. The two remained in Serengal to sort out the situation, and were entrusted with the task of safely handing over the demonists captured in the tomb to the Aspect.
Sistina took a step closer to Aiden.
“Do not worry. We will keep an eye on it and hand it over safely.”
“Okay, I’ll be back first, so ask me to do some later work. I have to go.”
“I···”
Cistina’s hesitant voice caught Iden back.
Aiden nodded.
“Don’t worry brother and sister.”
Only then did his expression brighten up. She raised her sword with sincerity.
“Even though it was a short time, the time I spent with you was an honor for me.
Aiden also drew the sign of the cross in front of her eyes with divine power.
“God saw your devotion. You were honorable, you protected the weak, you kept your oaths. Knight without shame, open your chest. Never lose your noble spirit.”
Sistina traced the sign of the cross with her index finger.
“I will always pray for your well-being.”
“I will too.”
Aiden slightly bowed his head to the priest as well.
“The priest also suffered a lot. Are you planning to stay here forever?”
“no. I’m going to finish only the mission the Lord gave me and head for the Western Provincial Office.”
“Yes, wherever you go, lead the way as you do now. If you’re being called Bishop Vandel in the future, there’s nothing more you could ask for.”
“Ha ha, God chooses. I will just do my duty silently.”
Aiden nodded. It was time to leave.
“Then, I must go now. I wish I could see your face at least once.”
Aiden left those words and slowly passed through the castle gate. After that, Euron and half-blood siblings followed.
*
The territory of the empire was vast enough to occupy half of the continent. Also, the frozen land in the north and the forests in the east were uninhabitable for humans, so it was no exaggeration to say that the empire actually controlled most of the continent.
Of course, life exists in frozen land and forests, but they are neither human nor demonic.
Contrary to Aiden’s impatience, this was the reason why he couldn’t reach the Holy Land even after running all day. because it’s too far
So, the party decided to spend the night in a small village between the western and central parts of the continent.
settled in the inn. On the first day heading to Serengal, it was a place where I left the horse and changed to a camel.
After Aiden checked Petra’s condition, he went up to the inn room.
When I opened the door, there was a musty musty smell. fleabag. However, in fact, it was a base prepared by Tegain to help the task force.
There were places like that all over the empire.
Daryl and Euron in the room. And Sein was sitting around and talking.
Euron seemed to be avoiding them at first, but it seemed like they were getting closer. It must be because of the sense of kinship with life and death. In the first place, in the yard where Iden didn’t say much, there was also a psychology that he didn’t have to sharpen his blade.
Daryl painstakingly described the battle with Marticoras. Euron and Sein tilted their heads in disbelief, but were listening intently.
Even to Aiden’s ears, it sounded a bit exaggerated than the truth.
Seeing Iden enter the room, Daryl shut his mouth.
“Euron, bring me to dinner with Sain.”
The food is served on its own, but Daryl and I had something to talk about. Sain didn’t know that he was half a demon, so it was difficult to hear.
Euron was well aware of that fact, so he immediately left the room with Sein. Iden felt that Euron was useful enough to notice.
Aiden pulled out a chair and sat down at a small round table. I gestured to the slightly hesitant Daryl to take a seat.
Daryl was nervous because Iden’s expression looked so stiff.
Aiden opened his mouth.
“If you go to the church, your brother and sister will die.”
Daryl also guessed it, so I tried not to go to the church. He planned to somehow remain in Serengal and prove his need to Tegain, or run far away in case of emergency.
In a way, the situation is tied to Iden. Because it seemed like I would never be able to run away from him.
“Even if you run away tonight, you will die.”
That too was true. The siblings could not escape from the hands of the church. I have to find and kill her somehow.
The atmosphere cooled down. Because it sounded like a death sentence to Daryl. He was momentarily conflicted. Can you outrun the paladin in front of you? What if we had to fight? It didn’t come to mind except for the hopeless home.
I wanted to get down on my knees and beg for my life, but there was no way it would work. Daryl had no choice.
“・・・・・Please save me. Even my little brother.”
“I will buy both.”
Daryl doubted his ears for a moment. The answer was unexpected, so my head stiffened a little.
“That, I’m not good at it…”
“I said I would live with both. It has already been decided and there is no going back. You save your life.”
He looked at Iden with a very puzzled look. Daryl knew his situation well. Mixed blood that cannot belong to any group. I have seen many times how goodwill and affection change when the true nature is revealed.
A trusted colleague shoved a knife in the middle of the night. The life he had saved accused him. It was enough for a lover to turn into an enemy.
Like this, even normal humans hate demons so much, how could a paladin save himself?
“Uh, why…”
“You are indebted to your brother. You risked your life to subdue me and the Witchbeast. It’s over.”
It wasn’t the end. Archmage Kadak. Because his presence was also very great.
As for Daryl, he killed Iden when he killed him, but he didn’t appear to be a person who would lie. However, I couldn’t understand the reason at all.
The Aiden I’ve seen over the past few days is a person who hates demons more than anyone else…
“In addition, I will wash away the black blood flowing in your body.”
It was a shocking declaration.
“It is not a lie. I know how, so have hope.”
This was the reason why the Archmage Kadak gave Sein the Elohimderk. The key to free them from their shackles is hidden in the first ruin where the holy relic is sleeping.
Daryl’s brain felt like it was going to burst with so many thoughts, but one thing was certain. That word is sincere. Since he lived with more attention than anyone else, his intuition was generally correct.
“So don’t follow me to the church, hide yourself with the world for a while.”
Aiden took out a map from his bosom and handed it to him.
“The location is marked.”
Daryl received guidance with trembling hands. The pupils fluttered wildly.
“Now go out and see.”
It was very difficult to sleep together in the same room.
*
As soon as the day dawned, Aiden rode his horse to the Vatican. Everyone he encountered talked to Aiden, but he cut short the conversation and headed to the archbishop’s office.
The entire letter sent by the saintess was put on hold for now.
“Paladin, this is Iden.”
“Come in.”
Will Tegain reprimand him for failing to stop the summoning? Or should I accept it as a better result? Aiden thought that and turned the doorknob.
Tegain’s expression brightened. After exchanging greetings, we immediately got to the point.
“Mission failed.”
“hahahaha! Isn’t failure worth more than success? It is perfect.”
“Six kidnapped children are dead. Four people were poisoned with magi, and some were crippled.”
“When something is gained, something is lost. There is only one thing we need to note here. Better gain than loss. In that sense, I have no choice but to commend you. Good job. well done.”
“I see, thank you. Archbishop.”
His expression subtly changed. A playful smile flickered across his face, which was genuinely happy.
“Rather than a simple report, it seems that he was trying to find me. Did I understand it right?”
“you’re right. I was wondering how you would take it. Please forgive the rudeness.”
It was not a matter of good or evil or preference. In terms of flow, Tegain seemed highly likely to become the main axis of the church. If so, Iden had to understand his personality and principles of action.
“hahahaha! I can’t be honest, so I don’t hold back. So, was that the answer you wanted?”
There was no answer that Iden particularly expected.
“It sounded like a good enough judgment as a commander.”
“Right. However, I just want you to know that I am not a person without blood and tears.”
“I don’t think so.”
Tegain nodded and changed the subject.
“Well, how are the siblings? I delegated all authority to you.”
“It was nice to write. He did his part.”
“They are nice guys to deal with. It’s clear what you want, and I believe that you can give it to me. So, what did you do?”
“I saved it. I intend to write a little more.”
Tegain made a slightly questionable expression.
“I expected that if it were you, you would have already dealt with it.”
“I can throw it away at any time, so I will keep it for the rest of my life.”
Tegain smiled contentedly and nodded.
“Do as you wish. I have delegated authority, so I will not get involved anymore.”
“I will put it to good use.”
“Yeah, but apparently, I found this place as soon as I returned. Did you ever run into the Inquisitor?”
Aiden seemed to know what he was going to say. As soon as the discussion on the restoration of the holy water is over, the purge will begin in earnest. At that time, it meant to be together.
Because of the fact that Tegan had handed over the list of apostates to Xerath and Aiden, he could be sure.
“I haven’t met. And I don’t think I’ll be able to meet the interrogator this time.”
“Are you saying you’re going to open Seonghwangguk right away?”
“That’s right, I have other things to do.”
“Since you are honest, I will speak directly. Wouldn’t you like to cut out the rotten parts of the church together? The interrogator also agreed.”
Aiden shook his head.
“The Paladin’s duty is to exterminate demons. Apostates should be dealt with by the Inquisitor and the Archbishop.”
As if Aiden had already put an end to his thoughts, he answered immediately without a second thought. The archbishop thought that it might be difficult to break Aiden’s will at such an attitude.
It was true that there was one regret left. It was because if the sword praised as a hero was in his hand, that in itself would be justification.
“The more we talk, the more I covet it.”
“I’m sorry we couldn’t agree.”
The archbishop looked at Aiden for a moment, then smiled lightly as if resigned.
“It is an issue that cannot be forced. OK, I will respect your thoughts. Are you thinking of leaving right now?”
“I’m about to leave right away.”
“Hmm… But, no matter how busy you are, you can meet the saintess at least once. You seem to be looking for it.”
Aiden was well aware of Uriel’s powers, so it was a little burdensome for him to keep running into him.
It was the reason I always tried to end conversations with her quickly.
“I’d love to, but now…”
Knock knock cut off Aiden’s words. A familiar voice came from outside the door.
“Saintess, this is Uriel. May I come in for a moment?”
“Oh, to make a noble person come to me on my own. You seem to be doing well as a man. Oh, is it blasphemy? Please forget about it.”
Tegain chuckled, but Aiden was very puzzled.