Necros was counting the gold coins he received from Sharia.
The Paladins were given a brief respite.
“Oh Goddess, what is this sight…?”
Paladin Reinel sighed at the scene unfolding before his eyes.
Upon ascending the Silent Mountain Range, what appeared was none other than hideous undead.
And not just any undead, but a massive legion in formation.
Skeletons composed of bare bones and Ghouls with rotting flesh.
Before them stood a skeleton exuding an aura of death and a being clad in a blue robe.
“Paladin Reinel, the aura is too malevolent. I don’t think they are simple undead.”
Another Paladin, Drakon, who was behind him, spoke up.
Drakon had only recently become a full-fledged Paladin.
Until recently, he was a trainee, and this was his first mission as an official Paladin.
He had encountered the worst possible situation for his very first mission.
The aura emanating from them was no ordinary undead.
“…Perhaps a Death Knight and an Arch-”
“Enough.”
Reinel covered Drakon’s mouth.
He too had already guessed.
That those two beings were not mere undead.
‘This is bad.’
Just as Drakon was about to say, those beings were indeed a Death Knight and an Arch Lich.
No, it was certain.
‘Why is this happening…’
Reinel had gone to the mountain range for an investigation.
It was an investigation into the disappearance of priests and Paladins in the Silent Mountain Range.
Originally, the Church had dispatched an envoy for the investigation, but most of them had lost their lives due to the sudden appearance of a Class 7 disaster.
The White Church had suffered a painful loss.
Normally, they would have pressured the Kingdom of Sail by mentioning the disaster, but by chance, Queen Irena’s feat had spread throughout the continent.
– Princess Irena of the Kingdom of Sail defeated the disaster!
This rumor had turned Princess Irena into a Queen, and the people rejoiced, proclaiming the birth of a new Saintess.
With Queen Irena ascending to the status of a Saintess, the Church could no longer treat the Kingdom of Sail carelessly.
Even though the Queen had not yet had her official coronation ceremony, and the Church had not officially declared Queen Irena a Saintess, there was nothing they could do.
Even within the Church’s hierarchy, there were whispers that Queen Irena should be treated as if she were a Saintess.
In such a situation, the resumed investigation also had to consider the kingdom’s feelings.
Instead of the original envoy, only a small group of Paladins was active in the Kingdom of Sail and the mountain range.
And now, the investigation in the mountain range consisted of a total of seven Paladins, led by Reinel.
Even though the number was small, he didn’t worry much.
They possessed a quality different from the previously missing Paladins.
Besides, no matter how few they were, who would dare to touch the Church?
If anyone did, they wouldn’t be able to survive anywhere on the continent, unless it was the Demonic Realm.
But it was a complacent thought.
He never expected monsters to appear.
Of course, since it was the Silent Mountain Range, he had anticipated the possibility of monsters.
However, he had not expected the monsters that appeared to be Class 5.
“Paladin Reinel, why don’t we attack?”
As Reinel stared blankly for a while, Drakon offered his opinion once more.
“Look at them. There are people among the undead.”
In the direction Drakon pointed, there were figures who appeared to be mages.
Of course, an aura of death was felt from them.
This indicated that their identity was Warlocks.
“Paladin Reinel, have you heard of a situation like this? The current situation is very strange! Surely these wicked Warlocks summoned these creatures by offering sacrifices!”
“Yes, that makes sense.”
Drakon’s opinion was valid.
He had never heard of both a Death Knight and an Arch Lich appearing simultaneously.
Of course, it might be possible in the lands of the Demonic Realm, which humans had not conquered, but this was near the entrance of the mountain range.
If such situations were frequent, would the Kingdom of Sail be safe?
Even to Reinel, the current situation seemed contrived.
It made more sense to assume, as Drakon suggested, that Warlocks had summoned the monsters.
“……”
But no matter the case, the fact remained that this was the worst-case scenario.
‘If they can summon a Death Knight and an Arch Lich, they must be high-ranking Warlocks.’
Perhaps they were even apostles aiming to resurrect an Evil God.
Reinel suddenly remembered Eclipse, a group formed by Warlocks in the past.
‘Could Eclipse have reappeared!’
Eclipse was a group of Warlocks whose goal was to resurrect an Evil God.
They were wicked beings who did not hesitate to commit brutal acts.
They were people who had abandoned their humanity for the sake of dark magic.
However, a considerable amount of time had passed since Eclipse disappeared.
Their activities had completely ceased at some point.
Therefore, the Church gradually reduced its vigilance towards Eclipse, and now paid no attention to it at all.
Even the Paladins only learned that such a group existed in the past when they were trainees.
“Drakon, the enemy is presumed to be Eclipse.”
Drakon’s expression turned surprised at Reinel’s words.
To see a group he had only read about in books before becoming a Paladin appear before his eyes.
“D-did they disappear for this very day…?”
Eclipse had not been inactive.
It was reasonable to assume that they were acting covertly for the resurrection of the Evil God.
And in the end, hadn’t they summoned a Death Knight and an Arch Lich?
“Yes, they must have offered a great sacrifice to summon those beings.”
“……”
Drakon became enraged atReinels words.
Were the beings summoned by the Warlocks ordinary monsters?
There were two Class 5 beings.
How many sacrifices had been offered to the Evil God to summon them?
Surely, among them were the missing priests and Paladins, their brothers.
It was possible that countless others had been sacrificed there.
Ultimately, it meant that innocent lives had been lost to the Warlocks.
As a holy sword of the Church, who served the Goddess, this was something that could not be overlooked.
Drakon raised his Holy Power with an angry expression.
The moment a faint white light enveloped his sword.
“Endure it.”
Reinel shook his head and stopped Drakon.
He understood Drakon’s fiery spirit, having just become a Paladin. But reality was different.
If one couldn’t read the flow of the situation, a meaningless outcome, worse than a dog’s death, awaited them.
The situation was that both a Death Knight and an Arch Lich were present, when even one of them would have made victory impossible.
There was no other way here.
“Listen everyone. Maintain formation and slowly retreat.”
Reinel commanded in a low voice.
At this point, the best they could do was to slowly create distance and escape.
“The priority is to get out of here and inform the Church!”
“Kugh… I understand.”
Drakon reluctantly sheathed his sword and slowly retreated.
Although anger surged, Reinel was right.
It was impossible to face them with their current strength.
It would be a more righteous judgment to plan for a rear engagement and rally the holy Crusaders.
Drakon slowly retreated, gazing at the abhorrent undead legion.
The undead and Warlocks looked detestable.
Above all, his gaze was drawn to the Arch Lich who was meticulously recording something.
The Arch Lich was an undead mage.
The thick book he was currently recording in was undoubtedly a grimoire.
‘It must be filled with wicked dark magic.’
While Drakon was thinking haphazardly, Necros was diligently recording something.
– One should not judge solely by appearance. This is a failing as an Inspector. Remember that even the poor yield gold coins.
Necros was self-reflecting.
He would become a better Inspector, using today’s events as a lesson.
“Click.”
Necros nodded and finished his recording.
Now that he had earned money, it was time for the next task.
He saw the Paladins slowly retreating into his view.
“Click!”
With a gesture from Necros, the Ghouls and Skeletons charged towards the Paladins.
* * *
Arch Lich, Necros.
As he raised his hand, a wave of death washed over the Paladins.
“Creatures of darkness attack! Everyone, prepare to defend!”
At Reinel’s command, the retreating Paladins stopped in their tracks and formed an array.
The Ghouls, their rotten flesh trembling as they ran, and the Skeleton legion, their bones clattering as they moved, charged towards their target.
‘No…!’
Reinel despaired as he saw the approaching undead legion.
It wasn’t out of fear of death.
Rather, he could willingly lay down his life for the Goddess.
However, the number of undead was far greater than expected.
Initially, he thought they could escape somehow.
But that was too arrogant a thought.
‘We’re in danger of being surrounded.’
The Ghouls and Skeletons were already spreading out broadly around the Paladins.
If they continued like this, everything that happened in the mountain range would be buried.
Reinel faced a moment of choice.
There were seven of them, including himself.
One of them had to escape.
Then, who should escape?
The answer was decided from the beginning.
“Drakon! Run towards the Kingdom with all your might!”
Reinel called out to Drakon, who had only recently become a Paladin among the current personnel.
Even if one person escaped, the remaining six had to buy time.
Drakon, who was a trainee until a few days ago, wouldn’t be able to buy much time by staying.
So, he decided to send Drakon, the youngest.
The fortunate thing was that the distance from here to the Kingdom of Sail was relatively short.
If he could buy just a little time, he should be able to escape.
“When you reach the Royal Capital, find Vice Captain Liana! And tell her that Eclipse has resurrected!”
Above all, in the Kingdom of Sail, there was Liana, who served as the Vice Captain of the Knight Order.
Furthermore, with Inquisitor Jeremiah, who was known as a skilled individual within the Church, there, he could somehow request reinforcements if he could escape.
However, Drakon protested.
“…What? What are you saying! I am also a righteous Paladin. I will stay until the end!”
“Snap out of it!”
Reinel rebuked Drakon.
There was no more time.
“Drakon! This is an order! If you are truly a righteous knight who serves our Goddess, then inform the Church of this situation. Do not let our time be in vain!”
*Boom-*!
At that moment, a Death Knight, who had appeared unnoticed, struck a Paladin with his shield.
The armor the Paladin wore was crushed.
“Kyaaak! Oh Goddess!”
Simultaneously, Ghouls swarmed the screaming Paladin.
The Ghouls brutally bit him, ending his life in an instant.
“……”
“Drakon! Hurry!”
Reinel slapped Drakon’s cheek.
Only then did Drakon, who came to his senses, bow his head with tears welling up.
“…Thank you.”
The thanks were brief.
If there was enough time, it might have been different, but even a thank you was a luxury now.
Drakon turned his back and ran.
After confirming that the youngest had run, Reinel poured all his strength.
‘Now there are five.’
He just had to hold on for a little while, just a few minutes.
At the very least, if he could create some distance between Drakon and the undead, it would be a success.
However, that thought did not last long.
*Boom-*! *Boom-*!
The Paladins exploded without even a scream.
The skeletons charged and exploded simultaneously.
“Brother!”
But it was already too late.
In the place where the skeletons exploded, only bloodstains and horrific traces remained.
“Arch Lich…”
It was the Arch Lich’s skill, ‘Corpse Explosion’.
He had been so fixated on the undead that he had failed to pay attention to the Arch Lich.
Now, only Reinel was left.
“Is this the end…?”
No, it couldn’t be. He had to buy more time.
Drakon had to safely descend the mountain and inform the Church.
“Goddess, grant me the strength to withstand evil.”
Reinel poured all his Holy Power into his sword.
He squeezed out all his remaining strength.
“Kugh!”
Despite the strain, he ignored the blood gushing from his mouth and channeled all his body’s strength into his sword.
His heart burned with faith in the Goddess.
In this moment, he himself was justice incarnate.
“……”
A powerful light emanated from his sword.
It was a strength he had never felt before.
This was the last moment.
He prepared his final blow as the sword that protected the Church.
“Oh Goddess, I offer all my strength! Have mercy on this young lamb and save us from evil!”
Reinel’s cry was like thunder.
As if the Goddess’s protection was with him, a holy aura enveloped the surroundings.
Reinel swung his sword with all his might.
“Let all my strength cast away evil!”
His final struggle.
It was a strike condensed with Paladin Reinel’s conviction!
The life’s ultimate strike of one who dedicates his life for justice, for his comrades, and for the Goddess!
*Boom-*!
An immense roar shook the forest.
A dazzling flash filled the forest.
“Did I defeat them…?”
It was an attack launched with all his might.
It was a sacred power he had never felt before.
He was certain that he had wiped out the Ghouls and Skeletons with the previous attack.
“Perhaps the Goddess heard my prayer.”
As a result of using immense power, extreme fatigue struck Reinel’s entire body.
He weakly lifted his head.
The forest was still filled with white light.
“Ah… I hope he survives…”
He was now going to the embrace of the Goddess.
All that remained was his hope that Drakon would safely deliver this news to the Church.
A bitter smile flickered across Reinel’s face.
But then.
*Slice-*
The sword pierced Reinel’s heart.
“……?”
As if the sacred light was extinguished, Reinel’s body began to collapse.
What was this?
In front of Reinel, whose expression was filled with confusion, he saw the Death Knight.
And soon, the light that filled the forest died out.
“!”
He had never thought of defeating the Death Knight and Arch Lich from the beginning.
At least, he thought he could eliminate the Skeletons and Ghouls with the last strike.
But it was an illusion.
“Why…”
It was a powerful strike, yet.
“Why!”
It was a decisive blow.
It was an attack launched with earnest prayer to the Goddess!
But it had not caused a single damage to the undead legion.
Reinel felt hollow.
“……”
His gaze turned to the shield stuck in the ground.
Was it this that blocked the last blow?
But everything was a question.
The shield looked ordinary, and only a Maid Outfit was fluttering, showing nothing special.
“……”
Was this the end?
His faith in the Goddess, his struggle for justice, and all the time he had spent as a Paladin felt negated.
“Kuh…”
His heartbeat was gradually slowing down.
Despite the extreme pain, Reinel’s mind was filled with only one thought.
‘Were all the time and faith I endured in vain?’
His conviction crumbled, and justice was trampled.
‘Were all the offerings and devotions I made truly meaningless!’
He felt empty.
Reinel’s heart was filled with a void.
His blind faith in the Goddess crumbled at the moment of death.
“Hehehe.”
Reinel laughed.
What was the use of all this?
His laughter held no hope.
Despair and disbelief.
Negative emotions dominated Reinel.
‘Oh Goddess! Are you not looking after us!’
A single tear flowed down his cheek.
It was not a tear of sadness, but a tear of realization.
The world was darkness itself, and there was no light at all.
The Goddess he had believed in and followed, and the justice he had pursued, were all mere illusions.
The truth was the brutal reality unfolding before his eyes.
Reinel’s pupils flickered.
Inside them were a mix of madness, despair, and anger.
Soon, darkness engulfed him.
The Paladin’s end was stained not with conviction, but with regret and disbelief as he closed his eyes.
And from the Death Knight’s sword that pierced his heart, an aura of darkness rose.
“……!”
The Paladin, who had turned his back on the world, reopened his eyes.
– Paladin ‘Reinel’ evolves into Chaos Paladin (★★★★).
* * *
Drakon ran at full speed.
Even though he was out of breath and his legs felt weak, he ran and ran.
“I must… I must tell the truth!”
He had to inform the Church that the Warlock group Eclipse had reappeared.
This was a grave mission he carried.
And to ensure that the deaths of Reinel and his Paladin brothers were not in vain, he continued to run.
Fortunately, there were no undead pursuing him.
This must mean they were buying him time.
For a moment, tears threatened to spill, but he held them back.
As Drakon continued to run, trying to get out of the forest.
“Brother, where are you rushing off to so busily?”
A figure clad in Paladin armor appeared in Drakon’s sight.
‘Are there more people investigating?’
He was momentarily confused, but that was not important now.
“B-Brother! A-A big problem! Over there… over there, Warlocks have appeared!”
Drakon shouted, informing the other person of the current situation.
After all, they were not outsiders but Paladins belonging to the same Church.
The more people who knew this fact, the higher the probability of it reaching the Church.
“Oh, my. That is quite a big problem. This seems like an urgent situation, so let’s move to a different location.”
The other person nodded, showing a peculiar expression.
Then, he began to introduce himself.
“Ah, my name is Eric. I work solely for the Great One.”
The person Drakon met was named Eric.
He was a Paladin controlled by a Banshee.
