Ch.463I Am an Individual.

Perhaps it was because my declaration was too sudden. It took the Paladins quite some time to understand what I meant.

About 10 seconds, to be precise.

“What nonsense are you speaking!”

The Paladins, who had been wearing dumbfounded expressions, contorted their faces like police officers struck by a drunk, and glared at me with eyes mixing hostility and bewilderment.

“Is it difficult to understand? I meant exactly what I said. Everything here in Arad belongs to me now. From this moment on.”

I spread my left arm wide and declared to them once more.

Just as the Church of Grimnir occupied Nashiriya and the Church of Volberg took Barseba, I would occupy Arad. That was the meaning behind my declaration.

Naturally, the Paladins protested.

“Absurd nonsense…! Property? Occupied Arad? Such ravings only a madman would spout!”

“Preposterous lunacy. Who would ever acknowledge such an outrageous act!”

“Acknowledge…? Why should I need acknowledgment? I am the horseman of the Aishan-Gioro, conqueror of the great plains. From the moment I arrived, this place became my territory. Whether weaklings acknowledge or deny it, nothing changes.”

I smiled arrogantly and directed a fierce aura toward them.

If you have complaints, come at me. I made my intention blatantly clear.

“So stand down. I have no intention of tolerating Astraea’s Paladins damaging my ‘property’ any further.”

Since this is land I’ve conquered, those protesters are technically my slaves.

Therefore, only I, their owner, can harm them.

The Church of Astraea, as outsiders, touching them is no different from touching me.

Even I thought it was an absurd, forced logic.

“Uh… property? Are you referring to us…?”

The protesters listening from behind were so bewildered by this sudden situation that they even lowered their drawn bows and just muttered in confusion.

“What is she saying…? No, more importantly, who is that woman?”

“Shh! That woman? Haven’t you heard! The Paladin of Elpinel who annihilated the Church of Grimnir. Descendant of the Great’s Twelve Knights, Lady Median!”

“Elpinel? Why would the Church of Elpinel…?”

Yes. That was exactly the reaction I wanted.

If I had expressed my intention to help them and stood against the Church of Astraea… the citizen militia wouldn’t be stopping in bewilderment like now, but would have fought more fiercely with raised morale.

That would be troublesome. That would be like helping whoever incited these people.

I didn’t come all this way to help such a person.

—-

Unlike the confused citizens, Astraea’s Paladins seemed to have resolved to treat me as an enemy, wiping away the bewilderment in their eyes and leaving only sharp hostility.

I suppose as long as I interfere with their “enforcement of order,” I too am an enemy of the Church of Astraea.

“…Enough with these absurd sophisms, Lady Median.”

A middle-aged man who appeared to be the Paladins’ representative stepped forward and addressed me.

He seemed to be a high-ranking Paladin… but despite his experienced appearance, his aura seemed much weaker than Ceylon whom I met a few days ago. Perhaps just entering Master level.

“Sophisms…”

“Do you realize what you’re doing? An Elpinel Paladin interfering with the Church of Astraea’s affairs. Such overstepping cannot be tolerated. Even as Cardinal Elmaine’s proxy, you surely don’t want all-out war with our church. You should withdraw immediately.”

His tone was calmer than his expression suggested, but his meaning was clear: if you don’t want war between the churches, stop talking nonsense and back off.

But what can I do?

I have no intention of backing down.

“Elpinel’s Paladin? Ah, you mean the ‘Knight of Radiance’ or whatever? Don’t worry about that. I quit.”

I smirked as I pulled Durandal from the ground and gripped it properly.

The blue-silver blade emanated a chilling aura as I pointed it toward the Paladins who were slowly gathering.

The Paladins stopped in their tracks at the cold hostility, unable to take their eyes off Durandal’s tip as they broke into cold sweats.

Yes. I could quit Elpinel Church’s honorary Paladin position whenever I wanted.

It was just an honorary position anyway.

I had no attachment to such a title.

For someone like me who doesn’t serve Elpinel, an honorary clerical position was meaningless from the start.

Lacy would probably grab the back of her neck and sigh… but what can I do?

“Quit, you say…?”

“Yes. So right now, I’m not a Paladin of the Church of Elpinel, but merely a Ka’har warrior who came to the Holy State. A plunderer who, like a true Ka’har warrior, has taken a city by force. You understand what I mean?”

Whatever I do here has nothing to do with the Church of Elpinel.

Of course, if Lacy had come herself, such an excuse wouldn’t work.

She’s a candidate for Elpinel’s saint, after all.

If Lacy had come here and stopped Astraea’s Paladins, it would inevitably lead to a direct confrontation between the Churches of Elpinel and Astraea.

If things escalated to that point, other churches would also have to split into two factions and fight. It would be like the revival of a religious war.

However, if I act alone, there’s no need to worry about conflict between churches.

This is just the mad act of a single foreign warrior.

Instead… the full force of the Church of Astraea would be directed solely at me.

“…What about the Empire then?”

“The Empire?”

“Yes. If you distance yourself from the Church of Elpinel, then this outrage becomes an Imperial high noble unlawfully invading Holy State territory… this would cause serious diplomatic conflict beyond mere inter-church tensions. Do you understand?”

The Paladin clicked his tongue and pointed his sword at me, offering what sounded like either advice or a threat.

Well… he wasn’t wrong.

An Imperial Count, and one expected to become a Marquis, seizing a Holy State city.

Looking at it that way, it’s practically the Empire invading the Holy State.

If Leopold heard this news, his already bright mind would shine even brighter.

But so what?

Come to think of it, how is this any different from the current situation?

We’re already as divided as we can be over the archdiocese issue.

I gave up long ago on expecting normal diplomatic relations between the Holy State and the Empire to be restored.

It would be impossible as long as the three churches of the Holy Solar Alliance—Saulite, Astraea, and Ceres—exist.

It might be faster to give control to Lacy and the churches that support her.

Besides, the Holy State couldn’t attack the Empire just because of my actions.

How could they muster an expeditionary force to attack the Empire when they’re too busy fighting among themselves for power?

“Is that so? Then go and report it. Tell His Majesty the Radiant Emperor. Tell him that Count Median has traveled to the Holy State and is causing havoc, and please help.”

I raised the corner of my mouth and mocked the Paladin before me.

There’s no need to worry about the Empire’s reaction.

Leopold wouldn’t side with the Holy State at the expense of abandoning me.

After Rurik’s great invasion, the Empire’s military power has diminished, and the international situation is chaos itself.

In such times, how could he abandon the Empire’s strongest warrior who has served him loyally without any desire for power? Impossible.

At most, Viscount Wien’s faction would make a fuss about punishing me.

Besides…

“It would take about twenty days for an answer to come back.”

By the time the Empire hears news of this place, I will have already cut out all of Arad’s problems and finished the aftermath.

How far is it from here to the capital?

The Paladin seemed to understand my meaning, as he firmly closed his previously talkative mouth and silently glared at me.

“The conversation ends here. Now, choose. Will you withdraw and preserve what little force you have? Or will you perish as thieves targeting my property?”

“She’s completely insane!”

“I’d heard rumors about Elpinel’s Radiance being arrogant, but to this extent…!”

The listening Paladins erupted in anger and began emanating holy light.

So they’ve decided to fight after all. Even knowing they can’t win.

…I had hoped they would withdraw.

As I surveyed the Paladins beginning to emit golden light, I slowly awakened the power of achievement within my soul.

Recalling the Church of Astraea’s combat miracles in my mind.

‘Pillar of Faith’ that heals oneself throughout battle.

‘Executor’s Cloak’ that enhances physical abilities.

‘Unwavering Scales’ that protect the mind.

‘Blade of Order’ that strengthens weapons and ‘Guardian’s Armor’ that reinforces defenses.

These five miracles are what ordinary Paladins can use.

High-ranking Paladins might use a couple more.

It might be a bit tricky if ‘Light of Judgment’ or ‘Weight of Sin’ come flying at me… but it wouldn’t be a problem.

I could just dodge or endure them.

“—If you have last words, speak them now. There won’t be another chance.”

I turned my body sideways, half-bent my knees, and pulled my firmly gripped longsword up beside my right cheek.

Revealing my killing intent—that I would rush in and cut them down the moment they charged at me.

Astraea’s Paladins slowly approached me, gripping their golden light-infused spears and swords.

The citizen militia and Kranus’s priests behind me began to stir.

A critical moment.

The moment the high-ranking Paladin before me gave the attack order, the temporarily halted battle would resume.

– Swish.

I slightly extended my left foot forward and aimed the tip of my sword at his solar plexus.

First, I would inflict a severe wound on this high-ranking Paladin, then cut off the right arms of all the other Paladins.

Then they would have no choice but to withdraw with just their lives. That would be enough.

“It seems you have nothing to say. Then die here. Along with your faith, meet a miserable dog’s death.”

Just as I finished my judgment and was about to rush at him—

“…Everyone withdraw. There’s no meaning in confronting her like this.”

The high-ranking Paladin who had been staring at me with a stern face lowered his sword tip, grinding his teeth.

As if he had no intention of fighting me.

Judging by his eyes full of fighting spirit, he wasn’t retreating out of fear of death.

And it didn’t seem like he intended to hand Arad over to me either.

Then… this must be what they call a strategic retreat.

Instead of charging at an opponent they couldn’t defeat and meaninglessly being annihilated, they would withdraw for now and gather the Paladins scattered throughout the city.

Additionally, they would need to report about me to Archbishop Wilhelm who caused this commotion.

It was quite a rational decision, befitting an experienced high-ranking Paladin.