Paladin of the Dead God

Chapter 80:

“Does being watched bother you, Sir Isaac?”

In the midst of this, Isolde’s confession made Isaac feel uncomfortable.

“Nobody enjoys being watched. But if an inquisitor wishes to observe me, how could I possibly tell them to go away?”

Isaac clicked his tongue and continued.

“Moreover, you’re free to doubt if you wish. What I’m curious about is why Ms. Isolde would openly talk about it. Even if I knew Ms. Isolde was an inquisitor, couldn’t you have just made up some excuse and secretly watched me?”

“Firstly, I’d rather not deceive a Grail Knight who’s started to gain fame.”

“And the second reason?”

“It seems difficult to deceive and observe a renowned Grail Knight up close. You already know I’m an inquisitor. How could I say my purpose isn’t to surveil?”

It was a strategy of being upfront about it from the start, assuming it would come out eventually.

From Isaac’s perspective, this forthrightness was more unsettling. If the other party hid their intentions and watched him, he could pretend not to notice and deceive them. But if they openly follow him with the intention to observe, it leaves him with fewer cards to hide.

“I suppose you haven’t heard about the halo I supposedly wielded above my head?”

“Are you referring to the Lighthouse of the Watcher? It’s a powerful miracle. However, my superior seems to think that’s not sufficient evidence. There have been cases before where someone had that miracle and still committed apostasy.”

Isaac felt a twinge of guilt but did not show it.

‘The inquisitors indeed have a keen sense.’

The priests, including Juan, seemed to trust him implicitly, but it seemed the inquisitors planned to continue their investigation. Even defeating an angel was reason for suspicion to them.

Not being able to perform the miracles of the Codex of Light was a sticking point for him as well. That was partly why he deliberately didn’t join the Order of Knights.

Of course, being poor at using miracles wasn’t a big problem. The strength of a paladin lies in their ability to wield miracles alongside their swordsmanship. Without miracles, a paladin is no different from any other knight.

Indeed, Bexter, from the imperial knights, was on par with some of the top paladins.

In other words, without the ability to perform miracles, it would be hard to explain the power to defeat an angel.

‘Well… there’s nothing I can do about it. It was a matter that needed to be addressed eventually.’

Fortunately, if Isolde, who was somewhat friendly towards him, was assigned to observe him, it was a silver lining.

“Is there a third reason?”

“I personally do not wish to deceive Sir Isaac or keep secrets from you.”

Isolde smiled as she spoke.

“Could you do the same for me, Sir Isaac?”

A strike using the conscience as a weapon.

Isaac was caught off-guard by the unexpectedly sharp attack but pretended not to be surprised and smiled back.

“Very well. Then shall I demonstrate a miracle to resolve this?”

Isolde’s eyes lit up at Isaac’s words.

“Can you?”

“Of course. However, I do not wish to use the divine power frivolously just to prove myself.”

Isolde tilted her head, puzzled.

“Then?”

“One month.”

“Pardon?”

“Observe me for one month. During that time, I will show you me using miracles. Whether Ms. Isolde finds evidence of heresy in me or proof of miracles, I won’t mind.”

Isaac concluded with a sly grin.

“Though it might be a type of miracle Ms. Isolde is unfamiliar with.”

The disposal of Kyle, who had not just lost his fiefdom but donated it and was confined to a cell, was left to Isaac.

While the issue of debt was resolved to an unsatisfactory but somewhat acceptable degree, it was Isaac who gained the most. Yet, undeniably, it was Kyle Hendrake who lost the most.

Outside the cell, Isaac and Reinhardt discussed Kyle’s fate.

“What shall we do about Kyle Hendrake?”

“By imperial law, he has been punished to some extent…”

Reinhardt pondered upon Isaac’s question.

The suspicion of heresy against Kyle had been deemed negligible by the inquisition, and his responsibilities as a lord were resolved by the loss of his lands and titles. It was the worst outcome possible within the scope of preserving his life.

In imperial law, nobility was limited to those who owned land or were honored directly by the emperor. Since titles were mostly attached to lands, Kyle Hendrake was now no different from a commoner.

From Reinhardt’s perspective, Kyle was like the murderer of his men, but considering he was manipulated by an angel, it wasn’t entirely devoid of pity.

“Let me ask again. What usually happens to nobles who are stripped of their titles and lands for committing crimes?”

“Once punished, by custom, they keep their surname but are exiled to remote areas. However, if they haven’t committed heresy or treason, they’re given the chance to redeem themselves and regain their titles through meritorious deeds.”

The treatment of nobility was admittedly lenient. In a world prone to wars and conflicts, nobles with influence and military power were seen as potential forces to be mobilized in times of need. For Isaac to operate the Issacrea estate smoothly, he needed the Hendrake name.

‘Kyle may be detestable, but his ancestors were reputedly respectable lords.’

Isaac felt he could reach a satisfactory conclusion.

“Very well. Then let’s confine Kyle Hendrake here, to the Issacrea Monastery. Let him reflect on his misdeeds here and seek forgiveness for his sins.”

“Understood.”

“I’ll deliver the message to Kyle. Count Reinhardt, I’ll leave the reorganization of the territory’s administrative structure to you. Even though it’s a monastery’s lands, ensure the administration runs smoothly.”

“Yes.”

After the matters were concluded, Reinhardt did not return to his own lands but stayed with a few of his knights. The rest of his forces were sent back to prepare for the sowing season, and he worked diligently as if he were one of Isaac’s devoted followers.

Isaac found this natural, having already assessed his situation.

‘He’s becoming more deeply influenced than before.’

Just as the Barbarians and Hesabel in Seor, Reinhardt and his knights revered Isaac.

No, they worshipped him.

Without preaching any doctrine or persuasion from Isaac, they naturally supported whatever he said or did.

Their faith was seeping into Isaac.

If Isaac began preaching doctrine, they would naturally become followers of the nameless god of chaos. However, Isaac was postponing this moment. Despite pretending it aligned with the teachings of the Codex of Light, he wasn’t bold enough to act right under the inquisitors’ noses.

Isaac ultimately aimed to influence Isolde as well.

‘But that requires much more preparation and process…’

Even if Isolde had a personal liking for him, personal fondness and doctrinal differences were separate matters. To ensure a deep influence, thorough preparations were necessary.

After seeing Reinhardt off, Isaac entered the cell.

Inside, Kyle Hendrake, who could be considered the main contributor to Isaac acquiring the fiefdom, sat quietly. Upon making eye contact with Isaac, Kyle quietly bowed his head.

Isaac sat opposite Kyle and began to speak.

“You’ve had it tough, Kyle.”

“It wasn’t difficult.”

Something wearing Kyle’s skin answered.

***

During the siege of Hendrake Castle.

Zihilrat’s mission was simple yet challenging.

To infiltrate the castle first, assess the situation, and relay the internal structure.

And if Kyle Hendrake was found, to capture him.

This was to prevent any witnesses when Isaac faced Raela.

Others could be silenced, but keeping Kyle alive was beneficial. Fortunately, Owen’s rebellion had locked away Kyle and all the servants, eliminating the concern of witnesses.

After finding Kyle, Zihillrat took protective custody measures.

The problem began from there. Kyle, weakened mentally due to the prophet of red flesh, lost his sanity upon seeing Zihilrat.

In simple terms, he had become an imbecile.

Isaac, returning after defeating the prophet of red flesh, was puzzled. It wasn’t Zihilrat’s fault, nor was it anyone’s place to blame, since it was only because Kyle’s mind was weak.

But Isaac realized anew.

His tentacles or minions could be seen as fear-inducing to the extent of inflicting mental wounds on others.

Honestly, Isaac thought it was odd to receive such mental wounds from mere tentacle monsters in a world where angels who devour people alive and manipulate minds run rampant. He even thought there was something abnormal about such an excessive reaction.

But perhaps, this too might be a power unique to the nameless chaos.

Nevertheless, Isaac considered leaving Kyle as a fool, but that seemed likely to complicate his plans of taking over the territory. Isaac had no choice but to implant a parasite to take over from within.

Zihilrat wearing Kyle’s skin was considered, but the risk was too great if the inquisitor were to interrogate him. The parasite was small and insignificant enough not to be detected, and even if discovered, it was an expendable piece.

Fortunately, the parasite undetectedly gnawed away at the brain over a long period, gradually restoring its functions, enabling normal speech and living.

Of course, it wasn’t ‘Kyle’ anymore.

The punishment for being foolishly guilty was harsh. However, had he lived to receive his punishment, only a slow and lingering destruction would have remained. After all, Isaac intended to take over this land.

Anyway, Kyle was now Isaac’s faithful and valuable servant.

‘It might continue to drain my faith for a while, but as someone to govern the territory in my absence, there couldn’t be a better choice…’

Whether incompetent or foolish, a familiar leader was crucial to the territory’s people. Having heard that the previous lord was not bad, it was necessary to keep the people from becoming restless with a familiar face.

Isaac tried invoking the Eye of Chaos on Kyle.

[Kyle Hendrake (C)]

[Job: Unemployed]

[Ability: Touch of Chaos]

The grade was insignificant, but all that was needed was a well-behaved guard dog.

There was no need for undue cleverness.

Isaac intended to turn this territory into a stronghold of nameless chaos from now on.

“Kyle.”

“Yes, speak.”

“You will now become the steward of the Issacrea Monastery.”

Isaac continued speaking to Kyle, the former lord of these lands.

“Preserve and govern this territory to the best of your ability, spreading my teachings to anyone who comes here, be they monks, priests, or paladins.”

“Yes, I understand.”

It would be a cunning and secretive approach. Isaac’s forces were still weak.

“By the way, do you remember anything about the previous lord, Lisken Hendrake?”

Since Kyle needed to act competently, the parasite naturally absorbed Kyle’s memories. However, the process wasn’t perfect, making older memories jumbled or vague. Kyle could deceive those around him because there was already a perception of him being dimwitted, but Isaac was curious about the secrets the previous lord might have hidden.

“No need for too old memories. Just after the mine closure will do.”

“There was something that might be of reference among the memories of my father…”

“What is it?”

“It might be better to show you than to tell you.”

Saying so, Kyle rolled his eye strangely. The grotesque sight of the eyeball moving independently made Isaac frown, but he understood what was happening. A small tentacle, the parasite controlling Kyle’s brain, crawled out from under the eyelid.

Isaac placed his left hand near the tentacle. A tentacle sprouted from his hand and connected with it.

And instantly, memories flashed through Isaac’s mind as if experiencing them firsthand. In that moment, Isaac staggered, overwhelmed by the significant amount of memories that felt as real as if he himself had experienced them. For that brief moment, Isaac was also Kyle.

And Isaac was baffled by the new memories he acquired.

‘Kalsen Miller? Why is this guy here?’