Paladin of the Dead God

The image of the Inquisitor as an executioner is actually a relatively recent development.

Originally, the role of the Inquisitor was focused on investigating historical records, interpreting doctrine, and acting as prosecutors in religious trials. Their purpose was to identify cults or heretics who distorted doctrine or followers who had been influenced by other faiths.

However, much changed after the Licht Treaty.

The Codex of Light clergy had to lower their lofty gaze and adapt to the new world order. Having relinquished much of their power and authority to the common people, the only domain where they could still exert influence was faith.

And the Inquisitors became an effective weapon.

When the clergy made political decisions, the Inquisitors would find the justification to back them up.

In that process, anyone who stood in their way was labeled a heretic.

It became the role of the Inquisitors to first create the problem and then prove it.

As with any such organization, Inquisitors eventually gained overwhelming authority within the clergy, to the point where they could carry out summary executions if the situation concerned internal matters.

Soltnar Culvain was a talented individual who had become the head of the Inquisition at the age of thirty. It wasn’t a position he could have attained without exceptional talent, but his rapid ascent also reflected the short lifespan of Inquisitors, who easily made enemies.

“Isaac Issacrea, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Isaac met Soltnar near the Issacrea Dawn Army’s camp. Even though it was a place where allies could quickly come to his aid if trouble arose, Inquisitors weren’t combatants; they were like ravens cawing before the real fight. The real problem arose after they left.

Isaac forced a smile as he locked eyes with Soltnar. The Inquisitor’s clear, glass-like eyes had a chilling effect.

‘Soltnar Culvain… So I finally meet this obnoxious character.’

Isaac knew Soltnar Culvain very well. In every campaign Isaac had played as part of the Codex of Light, Soltnar was the paranoid, suspicious figure who constantly sabotaged his side. In fact, Isaac encountered Soltnar more often when playing against the Black Empire faction than when playing for the Codex of Light itself.

About 90% of Isaac’s negative image of Inquisitors came from this guy. When Isaac first met Isolde, he’d even debated killing her on the spot because of the trouble Inquisitors had caused him in the past.

“I never thought I’d meet the hammer of heresy in a place like this. If there’s anything I can do to assist, I’ll gladly cooperate.”

Despite his internal frustration, Isaac responded calmly. After all, if anyone wanted to make a real case against Isaac, it would need to be at the angelic level.

‘I’ve worked with the Sword of May on joint operations. So, what can you really do?’

If the angels had decided to eliminate Isaac, there wouldn’t be much he could do except run.

But if it was the Inquisitors who took issue with him? Isaac had plenty of connections to resist.

More importantly, Isaac was still useful to the Codex of Light clergy.

Without Isaac, the Dawn Army’s expedition had little chance of success.

Soltnar gave Isaac a small smile in response to his confident stance.

“I’ve heard much about the formidable strength of the Issacrea Dawn Army. Your reputation precedes you, Sir Isaac.”

“Ah, well, thank you.”

Isaac couldn’t help but wonder what Soltnar was getting at with all these compliments. But Soltnar, still smiling, continued.

“I understand that my visit might make you uncomfortable. No one ever welcomes us. So, I’ll get straight to the point and leave quickly.”

With that, Soltnar presented a box he had prepared in advance. After tearing open the wax seal, a scroll of golden paper was revealed, tightly rolled. Recognizing the papal insignia, Isaac knelt, ready to receive the decree.

But instead of reading the scroll, Soltnar began talking about something entirely unrelated.

“I hear there’s an old monastery nearby.”

“…?”

Isaac gave him a puzzled look, wondering what he was on about. But Soltnar narrowed his eyes and gazed out eastward toward the sea. In the distance, a small fortress-like island could be seen, resembling a lone rock.

Isaac stared at it for a moment before something clicked.

“That’s the Monastery of Saint Millisar. I’ve heard it’s the monastery where Kalsen Miller grew up.”

Isaac hadn’t immediately recognized it because it was nothing more than a ruin. Kalsen had offered all the knights from his monastery to the Immortal Order, and then he had defected. Here, Isaac had consumed him, but in the game, Kalsen had become a Death Knight of the Immortal Order.

After the knights left and both the Codex of Light and the Immortal Order found the place unmanageable, the monastery was abandoned. Exposed to the wind and salt, it had decayed quickly.

‘Why is he bringing up Saint Millisar Monastery now?’

Isaac’s suspicion grew, but he answered diplomatically.

“I wasn’t aware there was such a blasphemous place nearby. I’ll be sure to avoid it.”

“It’s fine. I’ve heard it’s now just a ruin, where only the wind and ghosts wail.”

Soltnar smiled faintly and continued.

“Come to think of it, Sir Isaac, you remind me quite a bit of Kalsen Miller. A brave and excellent paladin, a young man who accomplished great feats, received a holy name, and now commands a strong military force.”

“…You flatter me.”

Isaac, sensing that the conversation was dragging on, stood up from his kneeling position. He suspected that Soltnar had pulled out the scroll just to see him kneel.

“They say that long ago, Dera Heman, the leader of the Golden Lion Paladins, once faced off against Kalsen Miller at that monastery. Who do you think won?”

“I’m not sure…”

Even though Isaac knew the answer, he pretended not to. The result of that battle had never been officially disclosed.

Both Dera Heman and Kalsen Miller were top-ranking warriors within the Codex of Light, so the confrontation had garnered immense attention. However, the outcome had been classified as a secret.

“I see. Well, how about this: If you, Sir Isaac, were to face Dera Heman, what do you think the outcome would be?”

‘I don’t know about Dera Heman, but I’d sure love to slap you across the face.’

Honestly, Isaac felt confident that he could handle the consequences if he were to lash out. The only thing holding him back was the political debt he would owe to the clergy afterward.

“I’m still just an ordinary believer. How could I possibly face the top paladin of the Codex?”

Isaac feigned humility, knowing that modesty cost nothing.

Whether Soltnar was satisfied with that answer or not, he finally seemed to have said everything he wanted. With a smile, he tore open the scroll.

Isaac resumed his formal stance, listening carefully.

The beginning was the usual tedious rhetoric. It praised Isaac’s accomplishments, urged him to remain humble, and emphasized the importance of ensuring the future success of the Dawn Army. Then it assigned him a new responsibility: leading the Ciero Dawn Army.

‘Wait, what?’

Isaac suddenly snapped back to attention, rethinking what Soltnar had just said. While Soltnar continued reading the boring conclusion—something about future expectations and praising the glory of the Codex of Light—Isaac cut in.

“Did you say I’m to lead the Ciero Dawn Army?”