Paladin of the Dead God

Chapter 70:

The Ancient God XP Theory.

Isaac found this hypothesis quite plausible. Indeed, in the game, ancient gods failed to influence the main course of events, serving merely as sources of decent XP and items. It was tougher to defeat the ‘Prophet of Red Flesh’, who only utilized a fraction of his power, than to defeat genuine gods like Golruwa and Zihilrat.

‘So, was I unintentionally consuming the ancient gods instead of Kalsen Miller?’

Kalsen Miller had failed in his attempt to become a god. It would make sense if he had been hunting ancient gods or absorbing their powers as groundwork for his ascension. After all, the ancient gods still possessed divinity worth absorbing.

And Isaac had been intercepting this process.

‘I wonder how the Immortal Order will feel about this.’

For Isaac, it was like enjoying a feast prepared by others, but he couldn’t help worrying about potential repercussions.

Not that Isaac could afford to be picky. The ancient gods were a reliable source of experience, crucial for his rapid growth. Interfering with their plans, he would inevitably encounter the masterminds behind the conspiracies.

‘The best course of action seems to be to keep doing what I’ve been doing.’

Gaining confidence that he was on the right path, Isaac felt a sense of relief. He still needed to understand why Raela specifically targeted Hendrake’s domain, thinking that Kyle might provide some insights.

Knock, knock.

There was a knock on the door. Isaac knew who was there and chose not to respond.

“Did you call for me?”

After defeating Raela, Hesabel’s demeanor towards Isaac became even more respectful.

“There’s been a lot of complex issues lately, hasn’t there, Hesabel?”

Hesabel simply bowed her head.

Now, Hesabel wouldn’t harbor any more illusions about Isaac lying (though Isaac never claimed such things himself) about being under orders from the Red Chalice or being the Prophet of Red Flesh.

Raela had revealed the whole truth to her, even tempting her to return under the angel’s protection to Wallachia. Isaac had no right to stop her if she chose to go back.

But Hesabel chose to stay by Isaac’s side, renouncing her lifelong faith and her family.

It was puzzling if it was merely out of fear.

“I honestly thought you’d choose Raela’s side.”

Hesabel looked at Isaac with wide eyes.

“Did you wish for that?”

“No. But when I found out you were taken, I thought it was inevitable.”

The rite of division given to Hesabel was meant for an attack when the ‘Prophet of Red Flesh’ revealed his true form. At that moment, the Prophet would be fully focused on Isaac, likely underestimating or ignoring Hesabel’s attack.

Isaac hadn’t imagined she’d use it while being a captive. He even thought she wouldn’t be of any further help once captured, especially because of the Red Flesh.

According to the game, the flesh and blood served at the Red Chalice’s banquet were said to induce pleasure and addiction worse than drugs. Without the protection of a saint or an angel, rejection was deemed impossible.

Yet, Hesabel had held it in her mouth and even spat it out after a while, a feat even the ‘Prophet of Red Flesh’ couldn’t understand.

Isaac didn’t believe Hesabel had endured it because she possessed the patience of a saint.

“How could you endure that, Hesabel?”

“Well…”

Hesabel hesitated to answer, seemingly afraid of something.

But Isaac roughly guessed what she might say.

“Is another angel protecting you?”

Hesabel was no saint.

Then, another angel’s intervention was the only explanation.

***

Isaac headed to the dungeon of Hendrake fortress, with Hesabel leading the way.

When asked if another angel had intervened, Hesabel, though flustered, couldn’t deny it. Lying to Isaac, who could see right through her, was pointless. Instead of making excuses, she led him to the dungeon, saying she could explain everything there.

They encountered several traps or seals along the way, all of which Hesabel skillfully disarmed.

“Have you been here before? You seem quite adept.”

“These are common trap spells used by Wallachia hunters. Honestly, they’re a bit outdated.”

“Is this where Raela was scheming?”

“Yes.”

Isaac felt a familiar sensation. It was similar to what he had felt in the basement of the Ariet Monastery.

Soon, he understood what that familiar feeling signified.

At the end of a long underground staircase was a shiny new altar with a ritual circle drawn in red dye. Next to the altar stood a large mirror reflecting Isaac and Hesabel’s full figures. For a moment, Isaac wondered if this was a sanctuary, but something felt off.

He quickly realized what was missing: faith.

“Were they trying to create a sanctuary here?”

“Yes.”

The voice that immediately responded was not Hesabel’s but came from elsewhere. Isaac, who had not sensed anyone else’s presence, reflexively reached for his sword, but there was no one else there.

Then, with a thud, Hesabel collapsed. She didn’t appear dead but seemed to have fallen asleep as if switched off.

“They tried to create a sanctuary here. It would have made things much easier. If they had brought in more money through Loracus, they might have succeeded, but unfortunately, it seems they failed.”

Since the voice continued, Isaac could soon identify its source.

It was the large mirror beside the altar. Inside it, the reflection of Isaac was speaking independently.

Approaching the bizarrely chattering reflection, Isaac recognized the characteristics of a certain type of angel.

The Red Chalice’s messenger, voice.

“Mirror Handmaiden?”

An entity known to appear before proud kings, emperors, high priests, and heroes, leading them into delusion and downfall.

It was another angel of the Red Chalice, the Mirror Handmaiden.

“Ah, you recognize me quickly. So the rumors are true, a noble Grail Knight impervious to charm?”

The Mirror Handmaiden laughed as if amused, but Isaac looked at her skeptically. Despite her appearance identical to his own, it was known that the Mirror Handmaiden took a female form.

“You keep getting tangled with the Red Chalice, they must be very interested in me?”

“The interest has grown, to be precise.”

Facing the Mirror Handmaiden brought a different kind of tension for Isaac compared to his confrontation with the Prophet of Red Flesh. While the Prophet schemed to expand the Red Chalice’s influence, the Mirror Handmaiden’s role was to convey the god’s voice and enforce its will.

Thus, the Mirror Handmaiden’s interest was as good as the Red Chalice’s itself.

This meant the Red Chalice had interfered with its own angel’s work.

‘Why?’

“Why would the Red Chalice interfere with its own angel?”

“Because more important matters have arisen.”

“More important matters?”

The Mirror Handmaiden, smiling through the mirror, gently caressed the cheek of the unconscious Hesabel. Isaac felt uncomfortable seeing his own form touching Hesabel but did not show it.

“The plan of the Prophet of Red Flesh did not align with the greater will of the Red Chalice… Let’s leave it at that. To clarify, the Red Chalice has no intention of being hostile towards you.”

Isaac did not want to be manipulated without understanding the other party’s intentions. He quietly activated his Eyes of Chaos. There was no one around to notice, so he could unleash its power fully.

As Isaac’s eyes turned purple, the Mirror Handmaiden’s smile deepened.

[■■ ■■(EX+)]

[Occupation: ■■■■(■)]

[Abilities: ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■]

However, all information appeared as if blacked out.

Was it because she was an angel, or was there a spell concealing the information?

Yet, Isaac was not deterred. If anything, he was pleased; it was clear that his ability could affect even angels.

Isaac concentrated all his power into the Eyes of Chaos.

Thin tendrils began to seep between his eyelids, his eyes turning a deeper shade of purple as tears of blood streamed down. As the ink-like concealment began to clear, revealing the hidden information, the Mirror Handmaiden’s smile vanished.

Suddenly, with a crack, the mirror fractured.

***

The image of the Mirror Handmaiden shattered into pieces. As Isaac hesitated on where to focus, a chill air wrapped around the cellar.

“You’re quite persistent, Grail Knight. Don’t you think a softer approach to conversation would be better?”

The Mirror Handmaiden, scattered across broken mirror fragments, grumbled.

“Would you have answered if I asked for a dialogue?”

“Secrets and deception are part of our job. But there’s no need to keep things hidden to the point of creating such a tense atmosphere. As I said, the Red Chalice has no intention of hostility towards you.”

“Then speak.”

Challenged by Isaac’s arrogance, the Mirror Handmaiden twitched her lips but began to speak.

“I thought it would be better for the heir of the Gulmar family to stay by your side.”

“Hesabel?”

“Means there are high hopes for you.”

The Mirror Handmaiden muttered almost like a sigh.

“How significant do you think the influence of the Red Chalice is? There’s no place other than Wallachia that openly worships the Red Chalice. But it’s not due to a lack of power or faith. We simply don’t prefer to expand openly like you do.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Our preferred method is… being the chancellor to an emperor, the concubine to a wealthy man, the advisor to a general, the second-in-command to a hero, the disciple of a saint. We parasitize firmly established systems to secretly spread pleasure and doctrine. Thanks to this, even with just the small kingdom of Wallachia, we can exert influence all over the world.”

Isaac seemed to understand. The Red Chalice Club might only have the kingdom of Wallachia as its territory, but its influence was far from insignificant. Like Raela, they seduced heroes and kings and manipulated them from the shadows.

Isaac then realized what the Mirror Handmaiden was trying to convey.

Isaac turned to look at Hesabel.

“So, Hesabel… she’s your straw attached to me?”

“If you prefer to skip over nicer expressions like the second-in-command to a hero, the concubine to a wealthy man, the advisor to a general, the disciple of a saint, then yes. It’s not entirely incorrect.”

The Mirror Handmaiden said with a laugh.

“Of course, there’s no need to doubt her loyalty. It was entirely Hesabel’s will to choose you. We just let her betrayal slide and generously released her.”

In essence, the Red Chalice believed Isaac would achieve greatness. And if Isaac truly became something akin to a hero or saint as they anticipated, Hesabel, who was with him from the start, would naturally receive significant favor. She was already being treated like an apostle.

Isaac had already gleaned fragmentary information through the Eye of Chaos. It was easy to tell that the Mirror Handmaiden’s words contained no lies.

The issue was whether or not to accept this situation.

“Why didn’t you stop the Prophet of Red Flesh when she attacked me?”

“Tell the Prophet of Red Flesh to just give up and scram? Ha. Let me ask you the opposite question. Is that what you wanted, Grail Knight?”

Isaac remained silent.

‘A stupid question.’

The Prophet of Red Flesh had already tried to flee. Yet, Isaac had doggedly pursued her and devoured her.

“So… you took a risk with your own angel getting hurt to make me stronger and to plant Hesabel by my side? What if I had died?”

“That would have been a disappointing outcome.”

The Mirror Handmaiden spoke leisurely.

“Not all of the Red Chalice’s arrangements are successful. Many heroes and potential kings have died in absurd accidents. If you had died there, it just means that was the extent of your capability.”

Her absurd claim was that by providing a perilously difficult trial, they offered an opportunity to become stronger. Indeed, had Isaac not consumed the Prophet of Red Flesh, he would have missed a chance to grow stronger.

At that point, Isaac realized something.

“Does the Prophet of Red Flesh still know nothing?”

The Mirror Handmaid smiled broadly.

“Yes. She will continue to be your trial. We’ll keep our relationship with you hidden, and at the same time, she’ll remain a treasure chest that makes you even stronger. Not only that. We have much more to offer than you can imagine.”

Heroes grow stronger each time they overcome a trial.

Isaac felt perplexed by this absurd revelation but thought it was okay.

‘Not bad.’

Having Hesabel by his side meant he could continue to utilize the support of the Red Chalice.

The scheme of the Red Chalice to willingly use even their own angels as disposable pawns was astonishing, but then again, that might just be how deities think.

Regardless of the reason, the Red Chalice wished for Isaac’s growth and success. And all they wanted in return was for Isaac to side with them upon his success.

Being unaware is one thing, but knowing all this, Isaac had no reason to refuse.

There was just one thing that bothered him. Isaac crossed his arms and looked at the woman in the mirror.

“Does my identity not matter? The Prophet of Red Flesh really hated it.”

The Red Chalice dislikes the Nameless Chaos. In fact, all faiths dislike it. Even deities without personalities are not supposed to react favorably to it, according to the setting.

Isaac didn’t think the Mirror Handmaiden was unaware of his identity. After all, the Prophet of Red Flesh had witnessed it.

However, the Mirror Handmaid spoke calmly.

“Double alliances are common for us. You’re not fully trusting us either.”

Watching one’s back is everyone’s responsibility. Or rather, they’re definitely planning to betray Isaac if the Nameless Chaos becomes prominent.

“Fine. If one condition becomes clear, I’ll accept your offer.”

But Isaac had no intention of being caught off guard.

***

Hesabel awoke.

She found herself in a room where the walls seemed to pulse with veins and muscles. At the center of the room, a heart thumped dominantly on an altar. Despite the bizarre surroundings, Hesabel felt an instinctive sense of calm.

She could sense that this sanctuary was created by Isaac, for Isaac.

“You’re awake.”

Isaac, having retracted his tentacles, approached. Hesabel understood that he had finished discussing matters with the Red Chalice’s side and resumed her subservient posture. The decision of what would happen next rested entirely with Isaac.

Isaac looked down at Hesabel before speaking.

There was one question he had to ask before deciding to keep her by his side.

“Why did you choose to stay by my side, Hesabel?”

It wasn’t for family, honor, or pleasure, was it?

Hesabel could have had all those if she hadn’t turned her back on the Red Chalice. But right now, Isaac had nothing to offer her.

Hesabel seemed troubled by the question, but then she spoke.

“I’m not entirely sure, Sir Isaac. But…”

“But?”

“I want to be on the winning side. That’s what I’ve been taught all my life.”