Chapter 17

Episode 17.

"Oh my, must you leave in such haste? After all you've endured, why not rest here properly for a few days? Haha."

Aiden began moving as soon as the sun rose. He wanted to return to the Order, complete his report, and hurry to his next task. Truthfully, he still hadn't adjusted well to Serengal's climate.

Though the lord chuckled and tried to detain him, Aiden firmly shook his head.

"I must take my leave now. I'll remember your hospitality."

The lord clicked his tongue in disappointment. He'd hoped to forge a connection with a paladin through this opportunity, but the gains had been minimal. With Aiden being so resolute, forcing him to stay was out of the question.

The lord finally relented, fixing Aiden with a meaningful gaze. The paladin interpreted it as a reminder to repay favors in kind.

With a slight nod, Aiden turned his attention to Sister Sistina and Priest Vandel, who had come to see him off at the city gates.

"The Holy Seat will arrive soon. Hand the prisoners over to them."

The Holy Seat referred to the execution squads directly under the Holy Council's command—special forces tasked with espionage, heresy investigations, covert operations, assassinations, and exterminating barbarian tribes.

They typically intervened in matters related to the Demon God Cult, and Aiden expected their absolute involvement this time—because the demon the cult had attempted to summon wasn't some common fiend, but none other than a Martikoras.

Sistina and Vandel nodded. Their duty was to remain in Serengal, tidy up the situation, and safely transfer the captured cultists from the tomb to the Holy Seat.

Sistina stepped closer to Aiden.

"Don't worry. We'll keep them under close watch until the handover is complete."

"Good. I'll return first—please handle the aftermath. I must be on my way now."

"Um..."

Sistina's hesitant voice stopped Aiden as he turned to leave.

He nodded.

"Don't worry about the siblings."

Only then did her expression brighten. She offered a sincere salute.

"Though our time together was brief, serving alongside you has been an honor."

Aiden traced the holy sigil before her with divine energy.

"The Lord has witnessed your devotion. You have been honorable, protected the weak, and upheld your vows. Hold your head high, knight without blemish. Never lose that noble spirit."

Sistina traced the sigil with her index finger.

"I shall always pray for your well-being."

"As shall I."

Aiden gave the priest a slight bow as well.

"You've endured ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠much too, Priest. Do you plan to remain here?"

"No. Once I complete the task you entrusted to me, I'll head to the Western Diocese."

"Good. Wherever you go, continue guiding others with hope as you have. If I someday hear you addressed as Bishop Vandel, I'll have nothing more to wish for."

"Haha, that's for the Lord to decide. I'll simply fulfill my duties in silence."

Aiden nodded. It was time to depart.

"Then I must go now. May we meet again someday."

With those words, Aiden slowly passed through the city gates, followed by Yuron and the half-blood siblings.

*The Empire's territory spanned half the continent—vast enough that its dominion effectively covered most inhabitable lands, given that the northern tundra and eastern jungles were uninhabitable by humans.

Though life existed in those regions, they were neither human nor demon.

Despite Aiden's urgency, traveling the entire day wouldn't bring them to the Holy Kingdom—it was simply too far.

Thus, the group decided to spend the night in a small village between the western and central regions of the continent.

They settled into an inn—the same one where they'd left their horses and switched to camels on their first day heading to Serengal.

After checking Petra's condition, Aiden headed upstairs.

Opening the door released a musty, moldy stench. A cheap inn—though in truth, it was a safehouse Tegain had arranged for the Special Operations Unit's use.

Such locations were scattered throughout the Empire.

Inside, Deril, Yuron, and Sein were seated in conversation.

Though Yuron had initially seemed wary of them, he now appeared more at ease—likely due to the camaraderie forged through shared hardship. With Aiden raising no objections, there was little reason for Yuron to maintain distance.

Deril was enthusiastically recounting the battle with the Martikoras. Though Yuron and Sein listened intently, their skeptical expressions suggested they found it hard to believe.

Even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to Aiden, the tale sounded slightly exaggerated.

When Deril noticed Aiden entering, he promptly fell silent.

"Yuron, take Sein and get some food."

Meals were delivered automatically, but Aiden had matters to discuss with Deril—things Sein couldn't hear, unaware of his own half-blood nature.

Yuron understood this well and immediately led Sein out. Aiden noted that Yuron had useful instincts.

Dragging a chair to the small round table, Aiden gestured for the hesitant Deril to sit.

Deril was inwardly tense—Aiden's stern expression didn't help.

Aiden spoke first.

"If you go to the Order, you and your sibling will die."

Deril had already guessed as much, which was why he'd avoided heading there. His plan had been to remain in Serengal, prove his usefulness to Tegain, or flee far away if necessary.

In a way, he was bound to Aiden—escape seemed impossible.

"Even if you flee tonight, you'll still die."

That was also true. The siblings couldn't escape the Order's reach—they'd be hunted down and killed regardless.

The atmosphere grew icy. To Deril, it sounded like a death sentence. He briefly considered his options—could he shake off the paladin? What if they fought? Only despair awaited.

He thought of begging on his knees, but knew it wouldn't work. Yet he had no choice.

"...Please spare us. At least my sibling."

"You'll both live."

Deril doubted his ears. The unexpected answer left him momentarily stunned.

"I—I must have misheard—"

"I said you'll both live. The decision's made—no takebacks. You'll survive."

He stared at Aiden in utter confusion. Deril knew his place—a half-blood belonging nowhere. He'd seen firsthand how kindness and affection could turn upon discovery of his true nature.

Comrades he trusted had stabbed him in the dark. Lives he'd saved had betrayed him. Lovers became enemies in an instant.

If ordinary humans despised demons so fiercely, how could a paladin spare him?

"Wh-why...?"

"I owe your sibling a debt. You risked your life to help me slay the fiend. That's all."

It wasn't entirely true—Archmage Kadak's existence played a significant role too.

To Deril, Aiden didn't seem the type to lie—if he intended to kill him, he'd have done so outright. Yet the reasoning eluded him.

The Aiden he'd observed these past days hated demons more fiercely than anyone...

"Furthermore, I'll cleanse the black blood flowing in your veins."

A shocking declaration.

"It's no lie. I know the method—hold onto hope."

This was why Archmage Kadak had given Sein the Elohimderk. The key to breaking their chains lay hidden in the first ruins where the holy relic slumbered.

Deril's mind reeled with countless thoughts, but one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠certainty remained—Aiden meant every word. Having survived by reading people's intentions, his instincts were rarely wrong.

"So don't follow me to the Order. Hide with Sein for now."

Aiden pulled out a map ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and handed it over.

"The location's marked."

Deril accepted it with trembling hands, pupils quivering.

"Now go."

Sharing a room any longer was unbearable.

*At daybreak, Aiden rode straight to the Papal Court. Though many tried to stop him along the way, he kept conversations brief and headed directly to the Archbishop's office.

He'd temporarily set aside the missive from the Saintess.

"Paladin Aiden reporting."

"Enter."

Would Tegain reprimand him for failing to prevent the summoning? Or would he consider it the better outcome? With these thoughts, Aiden turned the doorknob.

Tegain's expression was bright. After exchanging greetings, he cut straight to the point.

"I failed the mission."

"Haha! A failure more valuable than success, wouldn't you say? Perfect."

"Six kidnapped children died. Four suffered demonic corruption, several were maimed."

"Loss accompanies gain—such is the way. Only one thing matters here: the gains outweigh the losses. In that sense, I can only commend you. Well done."

"I see. Thank you, Your Eminence."

Tegain's expression shifted subtly—the earnest delight giving way to a playful smirk.

"Less a report, more a probe, wasn't it? Am I correct?"

"You are. I was curious how you'd react. Forgive my impertinence."

It wasn't about morality or preference. Given the circumstances, Tegain seemed likely to become a central figure in the Order. As such, Aiden needed to understand his temperament and principles.

"Haha! Blunt to a fault. So, was it the answer you wanted?"

Aiden hadn't expected any particular response.

"It sounded like a perfectly reasonable judgment for a commander."

"I see. Just know I'm not entirely heartless."

"I never thought otherwise."

Tegain nodded and changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, what of the siblings? I delegated full authority to you."

"They served well. Pulled their weight."

"Easy to handle, aren't they? Clear desires, believing we can provide. So, what did you do with them?"

"I spared them. Plan to use them a while longer."

Tegain looked mildly puzzled.

"Odd—I'd have expected you to execute them by now."

"They're disposable—I'll keep them until their usefulness runs out."

Tegain smiled approvingly and nodded.

"Do as you will. Having delegated authority, I won't interfere further."

"I'll make good use of them."

"Good. Though I see you came straight here upon returning. Did you happen to meet the Inquisitor?"

Aiden guessed where this was headed. With the Holy Land Reclamation Expedition's discussions concluded, the purges would soon begin—Tegain was suggesting they join forces.

Having previously received the list of apostates from Tegain and Zeras, Aiden was certain.

"We didn't meet. And I doubt I'll see the Inquisitor this time."

"Leaving the Holy Kingdom immediately, then?"

"Correct. I have separate business."

"Your honesty deserves mine in return. Will you help me excise the Order's rot? The Inquisitor agrees."

Aiden shook his head.

"A paladin's duty is eradicating demons. Leave the apostates to you and the Inquisitor."

Aiden answered without hesitation—his mind already made up. Tegain sensed an immovable will.

Yet disappointment lingered—having a hero like Aiden by his side would have bolstered his cause.

"The more we talk, the more I want you."

"My apologies for not sharing your vision."

Tegain studied Aiden briefly before smiling resignedly.

"Can't force these matters. Very well—I respect your stance. Leaving right away?"

"Immediately."

"Hmm... Busy as you are, won't you at least see the Saintess? She seemed to be looking for you."

Aiden, well aware of Yuriel's powers, found frequent encounters somewhat burdensome.

Hence his habit of keeping their conversations brief.

"I'd like to, but—"

A knock interrupted him. A familiar voice came from beyond the door.

"Saintess Yuriel here. May I come in?"

"My, to have such esteemed company seek you out personally—you must be quite the man. Ah, is that blasphemy? Do forget I said that."

Tegain chuckled, but Aiden was thoroughly mortified.