Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Episode 30.
Siron withdrew her gaze from Tyrun and turned back to Aiden with a bright smile.
Then, without warning, she raised her halberd and brought it down toward Tyrun's head.
The motion was executed with remarkable skill—her upper body remained perfectly still while only her arms moved as she delivered the downward strike.
Aiden was slightly taken aback. The halberd looked heavy at a glance, and though the speed was considerable, it wasn't fast enough to prevent him from reacting.
Just before the halberd could crush Tyrun's skull, Aiden thrust his holy sword between them, blocking the blow.
The clash of metal roared through the air, nearly rupturing Tyrun's eardrums from the sheer force. Moreover, he couldn't comprehend Aiden's actions at all. Blocking the Execution Squad? And beyond that, why was he protecting him in the first place?
Siron stared at the holy sword pressed against her halberd and let out a low hum.
"No falsehood in your reputation. Truly impressive..."
"I don't particularly care to see a human turned to pulp. A demon, maybe."
Siron smirked.
"Oh, come now. I personally investigated the Grandel Tomb. Didn't you turn tongues into scarves? Doesn't that prove you don't discriminate between humans and demons?"
Aiden frowned.
"Tyrun is not a cultist of the Demon God."
"In some ways, his crimes might be worse than theirs."
Though Siron's expression remained cheerful, her gaze toward Tyrun carried a chilling edge.
Aiden found this absurd.
"I don't know what basis you have for such certainty. If executions were carried out based on a single handwritten confession without investigation or procedure, the world would be in chaos."
Regardless of Tyrun's guilt, the method was far too primitive. What if someone had coerced him into writing that confession? Siron seemed to completely disregard that possibility.
No matter how illogical this world could be, things weren't handled this recklessly. Especially not by the Execution Squad, directly under the Holy Council.
Siron continued smiling despite Aiden's pointed criticism. He couldn't fathom why she was so amused. Given how she had casually joked about skulls earlier, she seemed half-mad.
"We've already verified the handwriting and confirmed the black blood. More importantly, I considered you the perfect evidence."
Aiden scowled.
"What do you mean by that?"
"From afar, it looked like you were subduing Tyrun to execute him. I assumed there must be a reason behind the noble hero's decision. Was I wrong?"
If Siron was serious, Aiden could confidently declare her insane. What kind of trust was this, staking a man's life on a decision she barely understood?
And if she was just playing word games, that was equally disgusting. Either way, Aiden was growing increasingly weary of this conversation.
He wanted it over with.
"If Tyrun is guilty of anything, it's only of using you."
She tilted her head in confusion. The other two members of the Execution Squad, who had arrived unnoticed, also seemed puzzled by Aiden's words.
"What do you mean?"
Aiden steeled himself.
"As a paladin, Tyrun was carrying out his duties when he encountered an enemy he couldn't hope to defeat—a 150-year-old mutant. Naturally, he lost and had no chance to regroup. I'm sure you all understand why. The Church couldn't provide reinforcements, so he needed your help."
The burly man carrying a massive tome—likely a divine mage—spoke up.
"...So he lured us here to use us in hunting the mutant? At the cost of his own life?"
Half-right, half-wrong. A mix of truth and lies.
Tyrun struggled to grasp the situation, but one thing was clear: Aiden was helping him.
Aiden nodded at the large man.
"Correct. Exploiting the Execution Squad is certainly a grave offense, but not one deserving death."
Siron interjected.
"Then, Sir Aiden. Do you have any evidence to support your claim?"
Aiden answered immediately.
"No."
Siron blinked, taken aback by the blunt, almost shameless reply.
The divine mage sighed before speaking again.
"That sounds rather forced. Not that I doubt your word, but if hunting the mutant was his goal, there must have been other ways. If Tyrun admitted to using us, perhaps that vile bastard deceived you."
Aiden nodded.
"Which is why you should investigate. Decapitation isn't the answer."
The large man pondered briefly before nodding.
"Indeed, we should interrogate him properly."
The summary execution had been halted. Aiden glanced at Tyrun, whose eyes flickered with turmoil.
"Tyrun, your incompetence has wasted the time of busy people. If your guilt is proven, you'll be stripped of your rank. If you feel even an ounce of remorse, return to Eislen and serve the God. Even a weakling like you must have some use."
He could only hope Tyrun understood the hidden meaning. The rest was up to him.
Siron, still oddly cheerful, shifted the mood.
"Well then, Jude?"
The divine mage—apparently named Jude—let out a deep sigh and nodded.
"Right. Since we're here, let's wrap this up quickly and head back."
Though Siron couldn't hide her excitement at the thought of crushing demon skulls, the situation was already resolved.
Aiden spoke with a hint of regret.
"Apologies, Sir Siron, but I've already exterminated them all."
Her face briefly fell before lighting up with anticipation.
"Then, might I at least witness your skills? I can help clean up."
"I've already incinerated everything. A shame."
"I see..."
She lowered her head mournfully, then soon smiled bitterly in resignation.
"Can't be helped. Just wasn't my day. Still, I'd love to have an in-depth discussion about artistry with you someday. Each race has its own unique feel. For instance, with elves—"
"Do it alone."
Aiden had no interest in hearing more and mounted Petra. Siron looked wounded.
Jude called out before Aiden could leave.
"Sir Aiden, are you very busy?"
"I do have matters to attend to. Did you need something?"
"Nothing major. Since you're patrolling the borders, I thought you might be unaware of recent developments in the Holy Kingdom. Nothing urgent. If you're pressed for time, go ahead."
Nearly a month had passed since Aiden left the Church. While he had a rough idea of the situation, specifics eluded him.
Given the chaos he'd left in his wake, something must have shifted.
"Please enlighten me. I have time for a brief discussion."
Jude nodded.
"The biggest news is that the expedition is leaning toward rejection. The stagnant manpower will soon be freed up. Your efforts haven't gone unnoticed—things should ease up for you."
A relief. Tegain was doing his job well.
Aiden bowed slightly in gratitude.
"Thank you. Then—"
"Ah, one more thing."
Jude hesitated briefly before continuing.
"This is personal, but I understand you share a special bond with Hierarch Zeras."
"Yes, he's a respected figure."
Though he said it, Aiden didn't particularly revere him. His negative impressions of Zeras had merely softened somewhat.
"Haha, same here. Most inquisitors respect him. Anyway, Hierarch Zeras has been appointed as Deputy Head of the Inquisition and Advisor to the Execution Squad."
In other words, Tegain was preparing a purge. The moment the expedition was officially rejected, he would act.
Tegain was clearly stacking key positions with his own people—Zeras' inclusion suggested they were fully aligned. Politics—he claimed to hate them. Aiden didn't know what had changed Zeras' mind, but it worked in his favor.
Zeras was undoubtedly an ally.
Aiden suddenly thought Tyrun was quite lucky.
If Zeras was the Execution Squad's advisor, he was far above these three. A single letter from Aiden might spare Tyrun the gallows.
Jude seemed to have more to say.
"Lastly, your promotion ceremony is scheduled. Rumor has it you'll be named a Meritorious Paladin, though it's unconfirmed."
A groundbreaking promotion. A Meritorious Paladin commanded a hundred fresh recruits—how they were used was entirely at the paladin's discretion.
Not bad, but Aiden wasn't in a hurry. He had no immediate need for troops, and there were things to do before returning to the Holy Kingdom.
"Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to relay this."
"Not at all. If it helped, I'm honored. Your unwavering devotion to the God sets an example for all. Personally, I hold you in deep respect."
Aiden exchanged polite formalities before bidding farewell. One of the trio had his face wrapped in bandages, mouth likely sealed—he only bowed silently.
Aiden turned his horse toward the lord's castle.
Aiden's report had reached both the Holy Kingdom and the Empire.
Slaying the Snow Leopard, detecting anomalies in the Eternal Snowfield, discovering the ruins of a Great Hero, passing Arhan's Trial, obtaining holy relics, exterminating mutants, destroying a demon farm.
A month's worth of achievements. Even those who had dismissed his earlier feats as luck could no longer deny his worth.
In the Holy Council, where discussions of reclaiming holy lands dominated, the day Aiden's report arrived was spent buzzing about him alone.
Some even proposed elevating his status to that of a Holy Race.
Though Tegain had suggested it, the old-guard elites, steeped in supremacist ideology, vehemently opposed it, and the motion was scrapped.
Amid these rumors, Saintess Yuriel faced Aiden's messenger.
Yuron handed her a sealed letter.
The parchment was stamped shut to prevent unauthorized eyes.
"Saintess, Sir Aiden requested you read this immediately."
What could a paladin have to say to her alone? Yuriel nervously broke the seal.
As she read, bewilderment crept across her face.
She recalled Aiden's words as he left Tegain's office: "I'll soon resolve the doubts you harbor. I'll contact you separately—come alone to the location I specify."
The letter named that location. But ten days? Given her duties as Saintess, leaving the Church for so long was rarely feasible.
Yuriel sighed softly.
"He's truly unreasonable."
Yuron glanced at her hesitantly.
"Um, about that..."
She tilted her head curiously.
"What is it?"
"Well, ah..."
Yuron struggled, clearly wrestling with something difficult to say.
"He... he told me to relay something if you seemed hesitant. But it's really not something I can—"
From Yuron's demeanor, Yuriel could guess what Aiden had said. More blasphemous words, no doubt.
After a moment's thought, she spoke gently.
"You don't have to. I'll find an excuse somehow."
Yuron swallowed his relief. She seemed like an angel to him.
"Thank you. Truly."
It was unfair to Yuron, but Aiden had no choice.
He needed to lure the Saintess out—no matter what.
Her insight was indispensable.