Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Episode 16.
The plaza was crowded yet eerily silent.
Every unfolding scene felt so detached from reality that people struggled to react immediately.
A monster straight out of ancient cave paintings and a man blazing with radiance had fallen from the sky.
As if that weren't enough, the man had torn through the monster's belly and now stood motionless amidst the carnage.
To the onlookers, this spectacle resembled a scene from fairy tales, myths, or holy scriptures.
The demonic beast convulsed. Twisting its entire body, it emitted low groans. In a final act of desperation, it gaped its massive maw toward the man, but ultimately collapsed without reaching him.
Only then did the light radiating from the man begin to fade.
Several people bowed their heads. Someone recited prayers with closed eyes. They believed without doubt that this was either the return of a hero or the descent of a saint.
The man's eyes darted rapidly as if chasing invisible insects. He seemed to be reading something in the air, wearing a bitter smile.
Then, clamorous noise began spreading from the plaza's entrance.
"Make way! The Lord of Serengal approaches!"
"Step aside! Clear the path!"
The crowd instantly parted. Pushing through the hastily retreating citizens, a carriage surrounded by armed guards stormed toward the fountain.
A lightly armored soldier hesitated upon seeing the demonic beast, then approached the man.
"State your identity."
"A paladin. My name is Aiden."
Aiden showed him the insignia of the Barantes Church.
"Ah... my apologies."
The soldier alternated glances between the demonic beast and Aiden before offering a respectful bow.
He then sprinted to the carriage and reported through the window.
The carriage door burst open. A fleshy figure draped in dangling jewels tumbled out.
His glistening skin and golden silk robes unmistakably declared his status.
Deril whispered to Aiden:
"That's the Lord of Serengal."
The man theatrically spread his arms.
"Ah, Paladin! You've come from the Church!"
He seemed somewhat lacking in dignity. To Aiden, the man resembled a merchant more than a high-ranking noble governing a territory.
He approached Aiden.
"I am Broden, Lord of Serengal. But... what in the world has happened here?"
"Paladin Aiden. I was exterminating a summoned demonic beast from the tomb when Serengal became involved. My apologies for the disturbance."
"Apologies? What nonsense! The Church's grace is as vast as the heavens—how could this minor incident matter? Haha!"
Nobles often went to great lengths to curry favor with the Church. This tendency was especially pronounced in border regions. The constant threats of heretics and demons they faced could often be resolved simply by the Church dispatching a single paladin.
Creatures wielding dark magic feared paladins more than entire armies.
Thus, the Lord of Serengal also desired friendly relations.
"Instead of standing out here, let us retreat to the castle. Though Serengal lies on the frontier, we lack no luxuries. Food and drink go without saying. Come, this way."
The lord gestured hospitably as if ushering a guest. Aiden shook his head while pulling his sword from between the demonic beast's fangs.
"It's not over yet. Remnant forces and my subordinates remain in the tomb. Is this your entire military force?"
About forty or fifty soldiers and a single knight were visible.
The lord shook his head.
"Of course not. Even these commoners here would perform admirably if given blades."
He laughed while vaguely gesturing at the gathered citizens.
"Unnecessary. I'll only borrow the assembled soldiers here."
"Haha, as you wish."
Aiden walked toward the troops.
"Who's in command here?"
A man guarding the carriage met Aiden's gaze.
"I am. Knight Kidan."
"You're under my control until the situation is resolved."
Though Kidan wore a slightly sour expression, he glanced at the demonic beast and nodded.
They immediately led the troops through the castle gates.*Aiden raced across the desert at full speed with the military contingent.
Though slower than horses, he found camels surprisingly swift.
Everything would have been satisfactory—were it not for the lord lagging far behind, having stubbornly followed.
Aiden illuminated the surroundings with his halo. Though nearing physical limits, he resolved to maintain the light until the special forces could locate him.
They needed to find them quickly.
Every delayed moment risked more casualties. What if the tomb had completely collapsed, crushing everyone beneath? It was a scenario too dreadful to contemplate. Gritting his teeth, Aiden urged his camel onward...
Meanwhile, the special forces were locked in desperate combat against pursuing demons in the desert's heart.
Yuron and Sistina guarded the rear of the children's procession, while Priest Vandel and Sein led the front.
Fortunately, the tomb hadn't collapsed.
It might have settled by now, but at least it had barely held until their escape.
Yuron cleaved through another charging hybrid. He didn't swing wildly—calmly aiming for vital points as trained.
Blood gushed from a naked elder's throat. A fleshy mass with enormous eyes shrieked. A creature with torn fins collapsed wailing.
Sistina's sword dance also concluded with demonic screams, but both were gradually tiring.
There seemed no end in sight.
Then, the weeping, fleeing children suddenly erupted in cheers.
When Yuron and Sistina whirled their heads, radiant light appeared from the horizon's edge.
The shimmering glow reaching toward the sky advanced, dispelling darkness and quelling anxiety.
Everyone sighed in relief.
Yuron tightened his grip on the sword. It wasn't over until it was over.
He kept swinging his blade, thoroughly drenching it in black blood.
Whoosh! A brilliant flash tore through the darkness, grazing Yuron's cheek.
A gigantic spear blazing with light incinerated the malice-filled creatures.
Battle cries echoed from afar. Countless shouts erupted.
"Annihilate them—!"
The demons began faltering. Some even turned to flee.
Sand sprayed everywhere. Something whizzed past Yuron. Fleeing demons howled.
Spears and blades impaled them, staining the ground with black blood.
"Leave none alive!"
"Kill them all!"
Only then could Yuron relax his grip.
After pursuing and slaughtering every last demon, Aiden and the soldiers approached the special forces' location.
The soldiers caught their breath, their lingering adrenaline evident. Their gazes at Aiden shone with admiration.
Dismounting, Aiden approached Yuron and patted his back.
"Well done."
Yuron's shoulders nearly jerked up, but he calmly bowed his head.
"I fell short."
"That doesn't suit you."
"Haha..."
Aiden passed through the procession toward the front. Sein and Priest Vandel greeted him with tearful expressions.
"Paladin! The demonic beast—"
"Dead. Don't worry."
Sein exhaled in relief while Priest Vandel brushed his chest.
"A truly magnificent feat. The Goddess surely witnessed everything."
Aiden gave a slight nod to Vandel before scanning the children.
"Are all the children safe?"
Shadows briefly crossed their expressions. Sistina, who had followed, answered instead.
"Of thirty-two total, six died. Four suffered demonic corruption. We did everything to minimize casualties but... I apologize. Our strength was insufficient."
Aiden shook his head.
"No. Your efforts saved countless lives. No need for self-reproach."
If anyone bore responsibility, it was Aiden himself.
Had he prevented the summoning as Tegan commanded, those children would have lived.
Of course, even if stopped, the summoning would have occurred elsewhere. Yet that didn't change the fact that six children's lives had been traded for this outcome.
Did he possess the right to weigh lives against grand purposes? Aiden shook his head sharply as if dispelling the thought.
He'd vowed repeatedly not to hesitate. Knowing what lurked ahead, he'd reminded himself countless times not to falter.
Aiden couldn't predict the future. No player had ever cleared this game.
With no predetermined answers, he could only advance by believing in his own righteousness.
Even if this path proved wrong, nothing could be known without reaching the destination.
Self-doubt shouldn't burden his steps.
Yet the sacrificed lives must be carried forward. Six more today.
Though he steeled his heart, a corner of his chest remained icy.
"Ah, Paladin!"
The lord's voice abruptly severed his thoughts. Arriving belatedly, the man panted heavily.
Aiden regarded him.
"Lord, you mentioned Serengal's prosperity?"
The lord caught his breath. Though horseback riding consumed energy, this seemed excessive.
He slowly spoke.
"Haha, undoubtedly prosperous. Now that the situation has concluded—"
"Four children suffered demonic corruption. Heal them all with holy water. The Church will supply it."
Naturally, the lord would cover the cost. Holy water production was one of the Church's sustaining enterprises.
His complexion stiffened slightly. Spending a fortune to heal mere commoners wasn't ideal.
The lord laughed awkwardly.
"Haha, regarding that matter—"
"I'd prefer returning with favorable impressions of Serengal."
The lord nearly retorted but clenched his mouth shut. Then he slumped in resignation.
"...Understood."*News of the paladin who vanquished Marticoras spread like wildfire.
While the bishop's apostasy remained fresh gossip, the Holy Kingdom was again thrown into uproar.
Saint Yuriel also heard of Aiden's exploits and couldn't conceal her bewilderment.
She recalled their brief exchange during the investiture weeks prior:
'Will you always remain faithful?'
'No.'
'Will you lead the charge against evil for the Goddess?'
'No.'
'Will you always devote yourself to the Goddess?'
'No.'
It made no sense. An unfaithful paladin refusing to "fight evil for the Goddess," yet wielding divinely granted power without devotion.
A contradiction. To Yuriel's knowledge, holy power stemmed from faith. Thus, it shouldn't respond without complete life devotion.
Saints, paladins, priests, holy mages... etc.
Most holy power wielders achieve divinity through prayer.
But Aiden? Possessing immense holy power without faith. Moreover, accumulating achievements that spread the Empire's glory.
Most critically:
'Will you always spread the Goddess's teachings?'
'Yes, I will.'
A denier of the Goddess propagating her teachings. How preposterous.
If all this were true—if such a being truly existed—Yuriel couldn't fathom how to interpret it.
...Yet she forcibly suppressed the single possibility that fleetingly crossed her mind.