Paladin in Dark Fantasy

Episode 10 .

Marthicoras.

It was one of the predators that inhabited the Demon Realm.

It was a demon that soared up with black wings sprouting from the body of a bull and swung its long tail to harvest life on earth.

Sometimes, it was a terrible creature standing on two legs and munching people.

Even more unpleasant was the fact that it had a human face embedded in its face.

The reason Aiden predicted Marticoras as the demon that the Demonic Cult would summon was simple.

It was because right after the monster was summoned, the moment when the quiet demonic religion began to be active in earnest.

Marticoras was a disaster. Thousands of casualties may occur.

Aiden knew that the time was moving forward, but he hadn’t expected it to come this soon.

And, in fact, I had no intention of coping. This is because the manifestation of Marticoras was inevitable.

Even if the summoning ceremony is blocked at the tomb, the Demonic Church will only choose another location.

Whatever it is. If Tegain’s words are true, the achievements he made were remarkable. Just by specifying the location, the number of casualties can be reduced.

Maybe we can weaken Marticoras.

“I can’t find any trace of manipulation.”

It was a conclusion that Xerath had come to after carefully reading through the numerous documents. For once, the archbishop’s innocence was confirmed.

Aiden pondered the conversation he had with the archbishop.

‘Could you join my investigation team and stop the summoning?’

Regarding this case, Tegain thought that organizing a regular punitive force was not a good decision.

That was something Iden fully agreed with.

If it’s the information power of the Demonic Church, they’ll know that the Church has organized a regular army. Because then everything could go back to nothing.

The Demonic Church will abandon the tomb and find another summoning place.

Xerath, who was carefully leafing through the documents, murmured in a low voice.

“There will be blood in the church.”

“I guess so. As soon as the expedition is canceled, the archbishop will begin a massive purge.”

In the documents he sent, the priests who committed infidelity and apostasy were recorded in detail.

There were some priests that Aiden knew, and some newly appeared characters like Forel.

Tegain was hiding his claws. With the intention of cutting out the rotten parts of the church.

The archbishop’s actions made Aiden very satisfied.

It was because Xerath and other talented people who could help began to appear little by little.

“Why do you think the Archbishop handed over this information? Is it just to prove your innocence?”

“It sounds like you’re talking about coming together.”

“That’s right. It’s a story about wallowing in mud together.”

In the game, Xerath hated politicians. They regarded their quarrel as extremely unjust.

“The political scene is a mess. The beliefs and causes that were cherished are gradually eroded, leaving only a shell. No one can escape that.”

Iden intended to respect Xerath’s opinion. In addition, he himself did not plan to get deeply involved in politics.

“I understand Master’s will. Just move with your confidence.”

Predictably, there was a high probability that Xerath would participate in the purge of the apostates. It was because Tegain’s understanding and Xerath’s faith meshed together. Of course, it was unknown whether they would be together after that.

“Don’t worry about me. Rather, what about you? Since the Archbishop’s innocence has been revealed, shouldn’t we be leaving soon?”

“you’re right. I will stop by the headquarters once and leave sometime today.”

“Right. Please be careful. Don’t forget that God is watching you. I wish you luck.”

Aiden nodded and left the residence.

*

“I apologize for the earlier rudeness.”

Tegan shook his head.

“I was pleased with your actions. It was the moment when I decided that I could trust you. So, no need to apologize. Rather, I may be the one to ask for forgiveness, yes. hahahaha!”

Tegain originally intended to think of Iden.

The reason Aiden covered up the incident wasn’t for the sake of justice in the collapse of the expedition.

It was because he did not know that he might have tried to have a relationship with himself for selfish reasons. Using his own name that came out of Forel’s mouth as an excuse.

Aiden was well aware of Tegain’s intentions.

“I fully understand. I also have no ill feelings.”

“As I felt from our meeting a few days ago, you seem to be a friend who is only good at fighting.”

Tegain chuckled and handed her a roll of parchment.

“This is an internal map of the Grand Tomb of Grandel. In addition, the Demonic Church’s military power has been analyzed in detail, so you can familiarize yourself with it while moving.”

He stopped laughing and went on with a serious expression.

“Once again, the main objective is to block the summons. Avoid excessive battles and focus only on the mission of destroying the summoning medium.”

I couldn’t agree to this part. The devil should rather be summoned from the tomb.

In the direction of weakening it as much as possible and knocking it down.

“I will keep that in mind.”

“good.”

Tegain handed over the small insignia to Aiden.

“As of the present time, I appoint you as the temporary head of the special task force under the direct control of the Archbishop. Lead the field and carry out the mission. If you have any other questions or requests, I will accommodate them as much as possible.”

Aiden responded immediately.

“I need a bottle of God’s Nakru. must.”

God’s Nakru refers to the highest quality holy water that occasionally springs from the Holy Grail enshrined in the temple.

An invaluable material. However, there was no reason why the archbishop, who was from the Holy Family, could not be saved.

“······Nakrura. May I ask why?”

“It is necessary to stop the summoning.”

Tegain thought for a moment and then nodded.

“i get it. Not delivered via messenger. Anything else?”

“doesn’t exist.”

“good. I will pray for your safe survival and mission completion. Wait for good results.”

Iden headed straight to the city where the task force was waiting.

*

western empire. This land, where the huge catacombs lay asleep, was a vast desert where life was difficult to live.

Sandy fields and desolate winds spread out in all directions slowly eat away at life and eventually dry it out.

A large tomb was located in the middle of the land of death.

Residents of the Empire believe that the souls buried in the graveyard are being punished by the gods.

This is because the souls who served the wrong god in their lifetime were considered to be the price for daring to stand against the empire.

The savages are suffering from being trapped in the scorching heat for a long time of two hundred years. The church propagated like that.

I don’t know, but at least Iden could relate to how horrible it was to be buried here.

It was a top secret mission. Because the climate is the climate, it was terribly hot even though I had taken off my holy armor.

“Sir Aiden! I found the Juriel Inn.”

Euron ran towards Iden, who was sitting in the square sweating profusely.

I want to know what a plaza and inn are in such a barren area, but the city of Serengal was very rich in contrast to the hellish environment.

The only base linking the Western Countries and the Empire.

Merchants and delegations heading to the empire had no choice but to pass by this place. In addition, the adventurers who searched for the ruins did not stop.

The place where the Archbishop’s task force waited for Aiden was the most luxurious inn in Serengal.

“Let’s go. It will be cool inside!”

Strangely enough, Euron was very motivated. Iden, who was weak in the heat, had a hard time matching Euron’s tension.

Aiden silently walked in the direction he led.

Before long, a towering stone building caught Aiden’s eye.

Juriel’s Inn. At the top of the entrance was written something like that.

“It will be on the third floor.”

When I came inside, I was at least alive. The moment I found my room and opened the door, the sour smell of alcohol wafted in.

A bottle of alcohol rolled over and crashed into Iden’s toe.

“Oops, I’m sorry.”

A tall man leaned back fully on the sofa, looking at Iden with a languid expression.

“By the way, who are you?”

Hearing the sound, a kid jumped out from the next room. She glared at the man with a rather bewildered expression.

“Oh, brother! it’s crazy? Have you already forgotten who is coming today?”

The little boy seemed to be about ten years old.

The man exaggeratedly clapped his hands as if he had just remembered it.

“Ah, the holy knight will be fine.”

He jumped up from his seat and approached Iden. He was slim in build, but about the same height as Iden.

“I’m a lowly guy, so I don’t know manners. Please, kindly forgive me.”

The smell of tobacco and alcohol wafted from his mouth.

The stench was very painful for Aiden, whose five senses were already sensitive. Even worse because of the bad weather.

“Brush your teeth, though.”

“Is this an order? Then do it right away.”

It sounded sarcastic. As if he was deliberately trying to provoke him, he took a step closer and smiled.

The kid became contemplative and pulled the man.

“I’m sorry. My brother is very drunk… so I’ll tell you well.”

Iden approached the kid and brought them to eye level.

“What is your name?”

“······three. It’s called Sein. Holy Knight.”

“Yes, Sein. Could you please go to your room for a moment?”

“That, that’s why my brother drinks too much…”

“Nothing will happen. I swear to God.”

Euron came and hugged the kid.

“Uxia, Princess, you don’t have to worry too much. Sir Aiden is not a man who breaks his oath.”

The knight and the priest walked side by side from the room Euron entered.

“I have heard the name familiar. Knight, Sistina. Sir Aiden, it is an honor to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you. This is Vandel, priest of the Western Parish.”

Aiden responded with a nod.

Then she turned her gaze back to the man.

“You look full of complaints.”

“Complaints. How dare you say it’s safe. But, is it a reasonable doubt? I don’t even know if you are really a paladin. To be honest, you don’t even know your skills, do you? I’m the type of person who never believes in rumors.”

It was a word that I couldn’t admit it. Regardless of his attitude, it was a reasonable enough idea.

“You have to leave your back and fight in the enemy camp where life and death come and go, but somewhere. I’m the captain, follow me, if you do. What should I follow? I wonder if there will ever be trouble like this. Well, yes. As for me.”

Aiden nodded.

“Are you a demon hunter? Seeing that you’ve been living with that attitude for so long, you must have some skills in your own way.”

Some nobles do not condone such behavior. It’s a world where one slip of the tongue cuts off the head, but the man was really lucky, or his skills were clear, or one of the two.

no. could have been both.

“Yes, I live with my rice bowl full. My name is Daryl the Demon Hunter. There are no strangers around here.”

Iden took off his gauntlet. It was to avoid hurting the man as much as possible.

“I’ll get along with you, so if you understand, be polite.”

“A strong guy knows how to lick his ass.”