Paladin of the Dead God

Chapter 371: Division (1)

"…What brings you here?"

Isaac suppressed his irritation, deciding not to provoke the alliance unnecessarily, but his tone still carried a formal detachment. Maintaining this degree of distance from Leonora felt just right—any closer, and she could easily ruin the life of anyone, male or female, who got entangled with her.

Leonora, though visibly dissatisfied, knew better than to waste time on pointless power struggles. For someone like her, every second could be converted into gold, and she was the type to calculate her worth down to the second.

“I thought your supplies might be running low by now, so I’ve brought additional provisions. You can’t exactly resupply within the Immortal Order’s territory.”

Isaac welcomed the news.

Aidan had been scheduled to arrive with the second supply convoy at the appropriate time, but it seemed the convoy had arrived ahead of schedule.

"Did Aidan not come?"

"I suggested that, since we were moving faster than expected, he accompany the next convoy instead. Also, the Golden Idol Guild has agreed to handle future supplies."

The news of the Golden Idol Guild stepping in to assist with resupply in Aidan’s stead was both surprising and reassuring to Isaac. As capable as Aidan was, being a candidate for the Archangel under Amun Dalas’s protection, the depths of the mainland would limit his influence.

“Dera Heman, leading the Dawn Army’s main force, smashed the Immortal Order’s hold on Belslav and drove off Wallachia’s Skewer Legion. The Legion didn’t even fight—they simply retreated. This confirms that the Red Chalice won’t be interfering with the Dawn Army anymore.”

The soldiers rejoiced at the news of the Dawn Army’s decisive victory. Cheers praising the Lighthouse Keeper and the Codex of Light echoed everywhere.

Isaac sensed there was more to Leonora’s story than she was letting on, but for the sake of the soldiers’ morale, he chose to remain silent. Instead, he gave instructions to Rottenhammer.

“Make sure the soldiers are well-fed and spread the news of the Dawn Army’s victory. If they believe the Codex of Light is winning, they’ll be less likely to entertain thoughts of death insurance.”

“Understood.”

Whether he liked the Codex of Light or not, they were allies for now. For the soldiers, who didn’t need to know the nuances, the good news was enough. Once Leonora seemed to have shared everything she intended, Isaac scanned the area and lowered his voice.

“Leonora, commanders, please gather here for a moment.”

From this point on, the discussion was only for the commanders.

***

Leonora began sharing news that might dampen the soldiers’ spirits. The first topic was the change in the Great Raid’s direction under the Olkan Code.

“Khan’s forces are moving southward… but it seems there hasn’t been any major clash yet. However, there’s intelligence suggesting that the Khan has changed.”

“The Khan has changed?”

“Yes, apparently replaced by someone from his personal guard. We’re still gathering more information on the matter…”

“It’s likely Atlan. Former Khan Sahulan’s offspring, born from an… intimate relationship with his steed. He’s said to be blessed by the Archangel and wields a bow and two curved blades with exceptional skill. A rare great hero among orcs—and with Netherworld teachings under his belt, he’ll be a formidable enemy.”

“…”

Leonora stared at Isaac as if wondering how he could possibly know such details.

While she was aware of Atlan’s name and weapons, she hadn’t managed to gather such specific information. After all, the remote orc tribes of the plains were nearly impossible to infiltrate with spies, even for merchants.

Edelred, listening nearby, looked incredulous.

“Wait, a horse? That… is that even possible with orcs?”

“It’s said to be a divine miracle guided by Olkan. You might even call it a form of ‘Holy Body.’ However, such children cannot leave descendants and are raised exclusively as part of the Khan’s personal guard.”

Though Edelred looked bewildered, Leonora seemed to be deep in thought, trying to assess whether any of this information could turn a profit.

Isaac, unwilling to let her drift off into her scheming, demanded more details about another matter.

“Leonora, to my knowledge, Belslav isn’t the kind of fortress to fall easily. The Dawn Army’s main force, frankly, is little more than a rabble of powerful individuals. Strong, yes, but without a proper commander, it’s hard to believe they achieved such a decisive victory.”

“If that rabble had an axe sharp enough to cut through the world like slicing cake, the story changes.”

Leonora smirked and continued.

“Still, you’re right, Sir Knight. The Immortal Order didn’t bother to directly confront that ‘cake-cutting axe’ of the Dawn Army. Instead, they redirected most of their forces to the rear, which allowed Belslav to fall so easily. As for those redeployed troops… whether they’ve gone to the Gehenna Fortress or the capital Ushak, we don’t know yet. Or perhaps…”

Isaac contemplated who among the enemies might be nearest to Holy Land Lua.

“…they’re headed here.”

“That’s my best guess. They may not be as astute as I am, but they’re not blind.”

The route the Issacrea Dawn Army had taken—through the Nightmare Strait and Salt Desert—was nothing short of shocking. While the Immortal Order might have noticed them in the Nightmare Strait, they could hardly have anticipated their crossing of the Salt Desert and establishing it as a supply route.

The Issacrea Dawn Army had become an undeniable threat.

Still, they couldn’t shift their entire army toward Issacrea. A moment’s lapse in focus, and the Dawn Army’s main force, armed with its proverbial axe, might cleave through the Immortal Order’s territory from crown to jawline.

“The Dawn Army’s main force is an axe aimed at the head, while the Issacrea Dawn Army is a dagger poised at the throat. The Immortal Order cannot afford to ignore either. That’s why they’ve decided to shrink their occupied territory.”

The Archangel’s intervention was inevitable, and the heroes of a bygone era would soon rise as skeletal champions.

The pressing question was who would come to Lua.

“Could that be why the Immortal Emperor himself made an appearance? No, it couldn’t be…”

Perhaps Beshek was involved simply because he had the most leisure time. The other Archangels were undoubtedly exhausting themselves trying to disrupt the war situation. If Beshek had truly wanted to stop Isaac, he would have chosen far more insidious and brutal methods.

Regardless, the information Leonora delivered proved invaluable for Isaac’s strategic preparations.

However, the Golden Idol Guild’s enthusiastic support was both reassuring and concerning.

***

“Regardless, I appreciate the resources and intelligence provided by the Golden Idol Guild. But don’t you think openly supporting us puts the guild at risk? Your members could be attacked.”

“Hmm, are you concerned about my safety?”

“Let’s just say it would be problematic if the supply line was cut. Without paladins or priests, how would you defend yourselves? If necessary, we could split off a unit to…”

“No need to worry. I didn’t just bring supplies, Sir Knight.”

Leonora pulled back the cloth covering one of the wagons, revealing an assortment of unusual artifacts, gemstones, and even rare relics. Luxurious and extravagant, these items seemed more suited for royalty or wealthy merchants than for soldiers. Some of the relics were so impractical they served no purpose beyond looking pretty.

Isaac immediately recognized what he was looking at.

“...You’re trading with the Immortal Order even in the midst of this?”

“In wartime, a peculiar economy always emerges.”

Leonora picked up an ornate sword from the wagon. Inlaid with gemstones and exuding a faint glow, the relic sword was far from practical—but undeniably beautiful.

“Doesn’t this just scream ‘Immortal Order’? They neither eat nor sleep. The concept of ‘practicality’ is foreign to them. But in war, even they find a moment of utility. And in those moments, they wish to look particularly splendid.”

War was perhaps the only time the immortal army had a semblance of purpose.

Leonora gave the sword a half-hearted swing before shoving it back into the wagon, as if it were heavier than expected.

“There are still people willing to trade with the Golden Idol Guild, even in these times. With fewer competitors, now is the perfect time for big deals.”

“They might take you hostage to pressure us if things get desperate.”

Isaac’s warning wasn’t about the Immortal Order. He was referring to factions like the Dawn Army, the Red Chalice Club, or even unforeseen enemies, who might target the Golden Idol Guild to destabilize the situation.

Leonora, however, scoffed at the notion.

“Then they’ll find out where the scales of the Golden Idol Guild tip. No matter how they value my life, we never forget debts recorded in our ledgers.”

***

One of Leonora’s motives for taking such risks likely involved gathering more intelligence on Midas’ Hand, an artifact valuable enough to compel the Platinum Society to act at a loss.

With Holy Land Lua’s fate hanging in the balance, their urgency was understandable.

Instead of worrying about Leonora—already beholden to Beshek for her life—Isaac chose to focus on his own survival. After all, his odds of dying at the hands of the undead were significantly higher.

“Enemy sighted! Undead forces spotted ahead!”

This was the first appearance of an enemy since they had crossed into Urdantu Empire territory. Strictly speaking, Beshek’s appearance was first, but Isaac wasn’t inclined to count that as part of the enemy forces.

As the soldiers swiftly prepared their defenses, Isaac rushed toward the front lines.

At the vanguard, Elil’s forces were already facing off against the undead.

Lianne was issuing sharp orders, rallying the knights to be ready for combat at a moment’s notice. Edelred stood nearby, tense and focused on the enemy ahead.

Isaac took a moment to survey the surrounding terrain.

“The position isn’t ideal.”

“Indeed, cavalry will have a hard time operating here.”

While deserts typically weren’t suitable for horses, this particular stretch—exposed to prolonged cold—had a solidified ground. However, the combination of icy winds and shifting sands had created bizarre, uneven formations, akin to frozen waves. Atop one such high ridge, a group of undead silently watched Elil’s forces.

Isaac quickly realized that the enemy had been lying in wait. But why were they positioned so conspicuously rather than striking from the shadows? The question gnawed at him.

He then noticed Edelred fidgeting more than usual.

“What’s troubling you?”

“Ah? Oh… it’s their formation. It’s unsettling.”

Isaac followed Edelred’s gaze and immediately understood. Despite riding phantom steeds, the undead knights mirrored Elil’s army with uncanny symmetry. It wasn’t the arrangement of an ambush but a setup meant for open confrontation.

A chill ran through Isaac.

Lianne, Cedric, Reyna Hilde, and the other knights also seemed to sense something ominous, their expressions grim.

Then, among the undead on the ridge, a banner unfurled.

“Lua Vellin…”

Someone whispered in disbelief. Against a green background, the crimson sword insignia of the Vellin family was emblazoned on the flag.

The Red Blade, Lua Vellin, had appeared. A legend of a bygone era, now risen to block their path—a dreadful murmur rippled through the ranks.

Before the morale, painstakingly raised earlier, could collapse, Isaac spurred his horse forward.

“Sir!”

Edelred’s alarmed shout echoed behind him, but Isaac didn’t stop.

“That’s not the Red Blade, Lua.”

Even with the world’s narrative twisted beyond recognition, Lua Vellin wasn’t supposed to appear here. She was isolated, detached from this part of the unfolding events. No matter how chaotic things had become, Isaac was certain it wasn’t her.

As he approached, a knight in the undead ranks emerged. Clad in ornate armor adorned with roses and a spear, it was a Death Knight whose presence exuded nobility.

[I am Levante of the Boltero family! Speak your name, brave one!]

Isaac smirked instead of responding.

These undead weren’t Lua Vellin’s direct forces, but they were undoubtedly connected to her. They were knights of Elil who had fought alongside Lua Vellin and now carried spears and swords to stand before their successors.