Chapter 1489 – 1489. Paladin: A Journey Of Eradication
There are eight regions in this world.
Valentier is just one of those eight regions, and each region is overseen by a Paladin.
In other words, there are a total of eight Paladins, including myself.
‘Compared to Earth in reality, this world is too small. Perhaps there are other continents.’
The existence of other continents isn’t really important.
What’s important is that Valentier has become safe because of me.
Valentier was originally considered one of the most dangerous regions among the eight due to the Great Demon Surtan. Especially recently, it became even more dangerous after the previous Paladin died. However, the situation changed when I appeared. Using the information I knew, I sought out and killed all the demons, the corrupted, and the heretics. I even killed the Great Demon.
Valentier has become much safer than other regions. It was something the people of Valentier should be happy about.
Unlike the people, I was feeling slightly anxious.
My growth has stopped.
I need to kill demons and the corrupted, but they are nowhere to be seen.
There is one demon hanging on the iron cross in the center of the city, but that guy is supposed to be there to boost the people’s faith.
“Repent! Repent! Repent!”
I can hear the people’s voices from here. They must be beating the demon as I told them to.
‘Idleness is a sin. Should I try to root out heretics one more time…? It wouldn’t be bad to test the faith of the residents.’
Some might ask why I don’t train or go to another region.
I train every day. I wake up early in the morning and train until the afternoon. But I don’t feel like I’m getting stronger at all. It was a matter of efficiency. For me, catching ten demons was more efficient than training for a year.
‘And going to another region isn’t something I can do on my own.’
To put it a bit exaggeratedly, a Paladin was no different from the king of that region. If such a Paladin were to enter another region and hunt demons at will? The Paladin and the religious forces of that region wouldn’t take it kindly. From their perspective, it would be a territorial invasion, an act of aggression.
If a Paladin wants to operate in another region, they have to go through a bothersome procedure.
“Paladin.”
A Holy Knight approached me. He bowed his head in respect.
“Speak.”
“A messenger from the Papal Court has arrived. He is waiting for the Paladin in the reception room.”
“Finally, he’s here.”
I knew what the messenger from the Papal Court would say.
If the resurrection of the Great Demon Surtan of Valentier was the content of Act 1, then Act 2 would begin with the arrival of the messenger from the Papal Court.
I headed to the reception room at a brisk pace.
I opened the door to the reception room.
The messenger from the Papal Court, who looked to be in his mid-30s, jumped up from his seat as soon as he saw me and bowed his head in greeting.
“I am Francis, a bishop of the Papal Court. I have brought a message from His Holiness the Pope.”
“I didn’t expect a bishop from the Papal Court to come in person. Let’s get straight to the point. What is the message from His Holiness the Pope?”
“His Holiness is very pleased with the Paladin’s achievements.”
“I was just doing what a Paladin should do. You wouldn’t have sent a messenger just to say that.”
“His Holiness has decided to bestow a blessing directly upon the Paladin of Valentier. Furthermore, in recognition of the achievement of eliminating the Great Demon and restoring stability to Valentier, he has decided to create a holy artifact exclusively for the Paladin.”
“A holy artifact exclusively for me….”
“What kind of holy artifact would you like?”
“A holy sword.”
I said without hesitation.
“There is a holy sword in Valentier, but one sword is not enough. The holy sword of Valentier has already been broken once, so it would be good to have another holy sword.”
“Understood. However, holy blood is needed to create the Paladin’s holy sword.”
“By holy blood, do you mean blood?”
“That is correct.”
“I understand.”
I nodded readily. This was also according to the original story.
The bishop of the Papal Court took something out of his pocket. It looked like an ordinary stone on the outside.
“This is a return stone with the location of the Papal Court stored in it. The Papal Court is already prepared to welcome the Paladin. Please come with me to the Papal Court. If you have other pressing matters, I will gladly wait.”
“It won’t take long anyway. Let’s go now.”
I received the return stone.
I used divine power. The return stone began to glow brightly. The light from the return stone enveloped my body. The bishop also used the return stone.
After a short time, the bishop and I disappeared from the reception room.
*Pop.*
The bishop and I appeared at the entrance of the Papal Court.
A huge white wall over 20 meters high greeted me. At the open gate, Holy Knights in white armor were lined up. As soon as they saw me, they drew their swords and planted them on the ground as a sign of respect.
“Paladin of Valentier, I will guide you to the Papal Court.”
The bishop walked ahead.
The Papal Court was smaller than the city of Valentier. However, it was much more developed than the city of Valentier. The faces of the citizens were bright, and the laughter of children echoed.
The Papal Court was located in the center of the eight regions and was thoroughly managed against evil.
The citizens living in the Papal Court were all of extraordinary origin. Only special people such as the collateral lines of nobles, the blood relatives of priests, the descendants of Paladins, and gifted artisans could reside in the Papal Court.
In the center of the city was the Papal Court building. It was a white castle as white as the walls. It was a white castle that was in no way inferior to the royal palace of the ‘White Ring’ world. Behind the castle was a huge statue that was 30 meters tall.
A statue standing majestically, wearing full armor and planting a greatsword on the ground.
“That statue. It’s quite eye-catching.”
“That is Lord Diaros. He is the first Paladin to receive the revelation of the Goddess Herianne.”
“Is he the one who killed two Great Demons?”
“Yes. That is also one of Lord Diaros’s achievements. Lord Diaros’s greatest achievement is laying the foundation for the religious order that would unite humanity. The current religious order exists because of Lord Diaros’s dedication.”
“……”
I closed my mouth. I was just looking at the statue because it was so big. I wasn’t interested in the first Paladin or anything like that.
As we headed to the Papal Court, citizens began to gather. The citizens cheered as they saw me.
“The people are welcoming me.”
“Didn’t the Paladin eliminate the Great Demon Surtan? There is no one who doesn’t know of that great achievement.”
“Did the Papal Court prepare this?”
“Everyone is voluntarily welcoming the Paladin.”
*Kiiiiiiiiing.*
I used my Soul Eye to look around. Then, the cheers grew even louder.
The bishop smiled wryly but spoke confidently.
“I heard that you can distinguish demons, the corrupted, and heretics. Are there any heretics among them?”
“…No.”
There couldn’t be.
If the rumors about me have spread, they would know that I can recognize heretics, so there is no reason for them to appear before me while taking such a risk.
“The Papal Court is thoroughly managed. We protect the Papal Court with the barrier of the Goddess Herianne’s holy artifact, and our priests perform purification rituals with the citizens every 100 days. Demons don’t even dare to think of targeting the Papal Court. This place is a sacred ground.”
The bishop boasted about the Papal Court, spitting as he spoke.
I listened with one ear and let it out the other.
The reason why the Papal Court has not been attacked by demons so far is not because of the barrier. It’s simply because there is no reason to attack the Papal Court.
‘Humans can be easily caught and eaten in other regions. Unless they are perverted demons, there is no reason to target the heavily guarded Papal Court.’
We entered the Papal Court.
Numerous Holy Knights, priests, and nuns welcomed me.
The bishop looked at me with a pleased expression. This was an event prepared by the Papal Court. An event to show off how much they welcomed me.
“I can’t stand it.”
“Yes?”
I summoned Stormbreaker. *Charrrr*. Stormbreaker disassembled into pieces in the form of a spear and then attached to my body, becoming armor. Then, I summoned the holy sword of Valentier and stabbed it into the chest of the bishop in front of me.
“Ugh?! W-what are you doing?!”
“Shut up, corrupted one. Did you think I wouldn’t know you were hiding your body with magic? My eyes can see through even demonic magic.”
“I am not corrupted!”
“You’re still talking even after your heart has been destroyed. The fact that you’re still alive is proof that you’re corrupted.”
The bishop struggled with his arms and legs, trying to back away. I reached out with my left hand and grabbed the bishop’s neck. The bishop tried to break free from me with superhuman strength. But my strength was stronger than his.
“The Paladin of Valentier has gone mad! The curse of the Great Demon Surtan is controlling the Paladin! Holy Knights! What are you doing! Stop the Paladin! Priests! The Paladin of Valentier has fallen! Stop the Paladin with holy magic! Nuns! Support the priests!”
The Holy Knights held up their greatswords, and the priests prepared to chant prayers. But the bewilderment in their eyes made them hesitate.
The bishop of the Papal Court and the Paladin who eliminated the Great Demon. There was no question which one had the higher status and greater influence.
“Don’t interfere. I am currently eliminating the corrupted.”
“…Paladin, Bishop Francis is one of His Holiness’s disciples. What is the proof that he is corrupted….”
One of the Holy Knights spoke calmly even in this situation. I looked at him with my Soul Eye.
“My eyes are the proof. Surely, you are not denying these holy eyes that the Goddess Herianne has bestowed upon me?”
“No! But, this is the Papal Court!”
“Demons are like cockroaches. No matter how clean you keep it, they never get tired of crawling out. You think you’ve been safe so far because it’s the Papal Court? Throw away that complacent thought. Demons are everywhere. The Papal Court is no different.”
Before that Holy Knight could answer, another Holy Knight jumped out and swung his sword at me. I killed the bishop and simultaneously spun my body to block the Holy Knight’s sword.
“The Paladin of Valentier has fallen! Kill him! This is where His Holiness resides! We must eliminate the heretic for His Holiness!”
I coated the greatsword with holy power. The golden sword cut through the Holy Knight’s sword and armor in one go. The Holy Knight knelt down and glared at me as if he would kill me. The Holy Knight’s wounds began to twitch and heal. It was a regenerative ability that no human could possess.
“Listen, Holy Knights. The place where your faith should be directed is not the Pope. Your faith belongs solely to the Goddess Herianne.”
The Holy Knight revealed his true nature. His skin turned red, and his snout protruded like that of a beast.
I unleashed a Holy Aura.
The holy energy emanating from me dominated the space. The corrupted were slowed down by the holy energy.
“In the name of the Paladin, I command you. Holy Knights, fulfill your duty.”
I swung the holy sword.
The corrupted one’s body was cut in half, spilling blood and guts.
“Kill the evil.”
