episode_0015

Within the sanctuary.

There was a woman there, her expression almost ecstatic.

She was clad in pure white armor befitting a paladin.

Her name was Eileen, one of the ten paladins who served the hero.

“How long has it been?”

Recalling Lena’s recent command, she shuddered.

It had been a full three years.

A time that could be considered short or long.

After all this time, she finally received the call from the person she admired endlessly.

“Though he hasn’t called me since that day.”

Her loyalty still remained unwavering towards him.

Even though she had lost the trust of the one she served due to that day’s mistake.

This time, she vowed not to make any mistakes.

***

Serad was a city located near the Dark Forest.

Hence, one had to travel by carriage or similar means.

Lost in thought on the way to Serad, I pondered, “What will happen to the protagonist’s party?”

Considering what Lena had mentioned, the protagonist’s party was most likely in the Dark Forest.

But with no children there and most of the dark guild forces eliminated, it would be a fruitless endeavor.

“Should I inform them?”

Originally, these matters were meant to be resolved by the protagonist, Arien’s party.

However, given the circumstances, I found myself unavoidably intervening, thinking it might be better to inform the hero’s party of their location for resolution.

“Hmm… Is it too risky?”

Paladins gathered around me already.

If Arien’s party, including myself as a paladin, were to encounter the hero’s party, a confrontation was inevitable.

Just because I don’t apprehend them doesn’t mean the paladins will remain idle.

“In that case… Should I have the marquis’ men captured?”

However, without a clear memory of which noble family they belonged to, it was impossible.

After contemplating for a while, finding no suitable solution, I simply cleared my mind.

“It will work out somehow.”

The situation was already somewhat twisted, so what harm could a little more do?

I decided to let fate take its course.

As I closed my eyes to calm my mind,

“We have arrived.”

The coachman suddenly spoke.

I tossed him three silver coins, opened the door, and stepped out.

Welcomed by the refreshing air and sensing a distant aura of sanctity, I realized I had arrived.

“They must be hiding their appearances.”

Affiliated with the sanctuary, and being prominent figures like paladins, it was natural for them to conceal themselves.

I headed straight towards where I felt the sanctity emanating from,

Observing the paladins gathered in various disguises.

“There are only five of them here.”

I noticed the other paladins disguised nearby, keeping watch.

Approaching the group of five, I said, “Long time no see.”

All five of them turned their gaze towards me simultaneously.

Among them was Eileen, the sole female paladin.

She held the largest stake in why I hadn’t called upon the paladins before.

Although they attempted to bow immediately upon seeing me, I halted them.

“Greetings can wait. Let’s move elsewhere since there are many onlookers. Follow me.”

Nodding, the paladins followed me without awkwardness, and those nearby cautiously began to follow suit.

Leading the paladins, I headed towards a small tavern.

“We have arrived.”

Entering the tavern, empty seats were visible, and a figure behind the counter who seemed to be the owner greeted us.

“How many?”

“10 people.”

“You can sit over there.”

With that said, the owner went inside.

I took a seat, and the paladins who followed me also found their places to sit.

“Is it okay to talk here?”

One of the ten paladins asked.

“Don’t worry. There are not many people here, and the owner doesn’t even care about the conversations guests have. Or rather, he probably won’t even hear them, right?”

“What do you mean…”

“Although it looks like a tavern on the outside, this place is where important conversations take place. Each table is enchanted so that sound doesn’t leak out.”

“Is that even possible?”

Ares, another paladin, asked, looking puzzled.

Certainly, when I first read the original work, I also wondered if that was possible, but at times it seemed plausible, so Ares’s confusion is not unfounded.

“It must be possible since it exists. In fact, the answer is simple. It exists because it is possible. Regardless of the reason, it exists because it is possible.”

Leaving Ares, who seemed to understand, behind, I looked at the ten paladins. They all had different expressions and faces, but their eyes held the same determination.

Blind loyalty.

From my perspective, such loyalty was burdensome yet somewhat comforting.

Looking at them, I spoke up.

“Listen carefully. There are likely demons nearby. The demons have kidnapped children, and we suspect there are nobles colluding with them. We don’t know which family yet, but there is one thing you all must do. Follow me and eliminate all the demons in the area. And rescue the children.”

While we can speculate on the whereabouts of the demon’s hideout, we cannot rule out the possibility of other demons being present. If the paladins or those becoming paladins moved, they could detect even faint traces of magic, so if there were other demons, they would be able to find them.

“And you.”

I pointed at Ellen.

Honestly, I wanted her to search for demons like the other paladins, but unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.

“Come with me. The rest of you, as I mentioned earlier, eliminate any demons that may be in the vicinity. Now, let’s move quickly.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the nine paladins disappeared.

The once crowded space emptied in an instant, leaving only Ellen and me.

“Let’s go.”

“Where are you going?”

“We’re going to hunt down demons. We can’t afford to sit idly by.”

I stood up.

The situation was more urgent than I had initially thought.

It was no longer time to delay.

“Let’s go.”

I stepped towards the door, and Ellen followed behind me.

***

Paladin.

A term referring to the ten individuals who assist a hero, it was a very prestigious position.

However, when Ellen first became a paladin, she did not feel positively about this position.

If you ask why, it was because at that time, rumors about the hero were not favorable.

Although she was a paladin assisting the hero, the fact that she was assisting a hero with a bad reputation without even meeting him was uncomfortable, but she couldn’t show it.

Whether she liked it or not, she was a paladin, and ultimately, it was her fate to assist the hero.

However, contrary to her thoughts, the appearance of the hero she had actually met was quite different from the rumors.

Living in a world known for indulgence and luxury, the warrior, rumored to exploit his status to persecute others, not only refrained from indulging but also generously helped those in need without sparing himself.

Even if he used his position as a warrior, it was never for his own benefit, always leveraging it to help others.

A person who seemed as if they were woven from all the purity and light in the world.

The warrior she saw was exactly that kind of person.

Though his occasional peculiar actions and self-spreading unfavorable rumors seemed inexplicable, no one could deny that he was fit for the role of a warrior.

After witnessing the warrior’s integrity, Eileen devoted herself wholeheartedly to him.

While other paladins also pledged sincere allegiance upon recognizing the true nature of the warrior, she wanted to become somewhat special.

Admiring his appearance, resembling the very essence of purity and goodness in the world, she sought to stand out more than others in his eyes, leading to moments tainted with obsession and fervor.

Believing that eliminating everything that harmed him was a true act of loyalty, she once immersed herself in eradicating perceived threats.

Her past days were marred by mistakes.

For three years, there was no calling until now.

Summoned again after three long years by the being she had pledged loyalty to, Eileen resolved not to repeat the same mistakes.

Although her desire to eliminate those who obstructed or harmed him remained unchanged, at least she vowed not to act as she did back then.

Following Kariel, she made promise after promise to herself.