Chapter 463

Because it was such a sudden declaration, it took quite a while for the paladins listening to understand what I meant. Specifically, about 10 seconds.

“What on earth are you talking about now!”

The paladins, with dumbfounded expressions, twisted their faces like cops who had been punched by a drunkard, glaring at me with a mix of hostility and confusion.

“Is it hard to understand? I meant exactly what I said. Everything here in Arad is now my property. From this moment onward.”

I spread my left arm wide and declared it again to them. Just as the Grimnir Church Order had occupied Nasiriya and the Bølberg Church Order had taken Barseva, I would seize Arad. That was the meaning behind my declaration.

Naturally, the paladins resisted.

“Absurd nonsense…! Your property? You’ve occupied Arad? Only a lunatic would spout such nonsense!”

“Ridiculous ravings. Who would ever acknowledge such an outrageous act!”

“Acknowledge…? Why should I need anyone’s acknowledgment? I am the conqueror of the Great Plains, the words of Ai-shan Gi-or. From the moment I arrived, this land was already my territory. Whether the weak acknowledge it or deny it, nothing changes.”

I smirked arrogantly and exuded a fierce aura toward them. If they had any complaints, they could come at me. That was the message I was blatantly sending.

“So, back off. I have no intention of allowing the Paladins of Astraea to damage my ‘property’ any further.”

Since this is the land I’ve conquered, those protesters are, in principle, my slaves. Therefore, the only one who can harm them is me, their owner. For outsiders like the Astraea Church Order to interfere is no different from attacking me.

Even I thought it was a ridiculous stretch of logic.

“Huh… Property? Are you talking about us…?”

The protesters in the back, equally baffled by the sudden turn of events, lowered their drawn bows and muttered in confusion.

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

“Shh, don’t you know who she is? The paladin of Elpinel who annihilated the Grimnir Church Order. The descendant of the Twelve Knights, Sir Median!”

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

Yes. That was exactly the reaction I wanted.

If I had declared my intention to help them and stood against the Astraea Church Order… the citizen militia wouldn’t have been stunned into inaction like now. Instead, their morale would have soared, and they would have fought even more fiercely.

That would have been troublesome. That would have been playing right into the hands of those who incited the people. I didn’t come all this way to help such scoundrels.

—

Unlike the confused citizens, the Paladins of Astraea seemed to have made up their minds to treat me as an enemy. The confusion in their eyes had cleared, leaving only sharp hostility.

Since I was interfering with their “enforcement of order,” I was now an enemy of the Astraea Church Order.

“…Enough of this nonsense, Sir Median.”

A middle-aged man who seemed to be the representative of the paladins stepped forward and spoke to me.

He appeared to be a high-ranking paladin… Despite his experienced appearance, the aura he exuded was much weaker compared to Seilon, whom I had met a few days ago. He seemed to be at the level of a novice master.

“Nonsense, you say…”

“Do you even realize what you’re doing right now? A paladin of Elpinel interfering with the affairs of the Astraea Church Order. Such overreach cannot be tolerated. Even if you’re acting on behalf of Cardinal Elmain, the Church Order does not wish for an all-out war. You should withdraw immediately.”

Despite his calm tone, his words were clear: if I didn’t want to start a war between the Church Orders, I should stop talking nonsense and leave.

But what can I do? I have no intention of doing so.

“A paladin of Elpinel? Ah, you mean the ‘Knight of Radiance.’ Don’t worry about that. I’ve already quit.”

I chuckled and pulled Durandal from the ground, holding it straight. The blue blade emitted a chilling aura as I pointed it at the paladins slowly gathering around me.

The paladins, frozen by the cold hostility, couldn’t take their eyes off Durandal’s tip, sweat dripping down their faces.

Yes. The honorary paladin position of the Elpinel Church Order? I could quit whenever I wanted. It was just an honorary title, after all.

I had no attachment to such a title. For someone like me, who doesn’t serve Elpinel, an honorary position was meaningless from the start.

Lacey might clutch her head and sigh… but what can I do?

“You quit…?”

“That’s right. So now, I’m not a paladin of the Elpinel Church Order, but just a warrior of Ka`har who came to the Holy Kingdom. A plunderer who has taken a city by force, as befits a warrior of Ka`har. Do you understand what that means?”

It means that whatever I do here has nothing to do with the Elpinel Church Order.

Of course, if Lacey had personally intervened, this excuse wouldn’t have worked. She’s Elpinel’s chosen saint candidate.

If Lacey had come here to stand against the Paladins of Astraea, it would have inevitably led to a direct clash between the Elpinel and Astraea Church Orders.

If things escalated to that point, other Church Orders would also be forced to take sides, leading to a religious war.

But if I acted alone like this, there was no need to worry about a clash between the Church Orders. This was just the act of a single foreign warrior gone mad.

Instead… the full force of the Astraea Church Order would come after me alone.

“…Then what about the Empire?”

“The Empire?”

“Yes. If you’re cutting ties with the Elpinel Church Order, then this act of tyranny becomes an unauthorized invasion of the Holy Kingdom’s territory by a high-ranking noble of the Empire… This isn’t just a conflict between Church Orders, but a serious diplomatic dispute. Do you understand?”

The paladin clicked his tongue and pointed his sword at me, spouting words that were either advice or a threat.

Well… he wasn’t wrong. A count of the Empire, one who is slated to become a marquis, has plundered a city of the Holy Kingdom.

In essence, it’s no different from the Empire invading the Holy Kingdom. If Leopold hears of this, his already bright head will shine even brighter.

But what can I do?

Thinking about it, it’s not like things will change much from how they are now. The relationship between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire has already been strained to the breaking point due to the issue of the Archdiocese.

The hope for a normal restoration of diplomatic relations between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire was abandoned long ago. With the three Church Orders of the Holy Sun Alliance—Shaulite, Astraea, and Keres—it’s impossible.

Rather, it would be quicker to hand the initiative to Lacey and the Church Orders that support her.

Moreover, even if I did this, the Holy Kingdom couldn’t attack the Empire. They’re too busy fighting among themselves over power struggles to muster an expeditionary force to attack the Empire.

“Oh? Then go and report it. Tell His Majesty the Radiant Emperor. Tell him that Count Median has come to the Holy Kingdom and is running amok, so please help.”

I sneered at the paladin in front of me.

There’s no need to worry about the Empire’s reaction. Leopold wouldn’t abandon me to side with the Holy Kingdom.

After Ryu-rik’s great invasion, the Empire’s military strength has drastically decreased, and the international situation is in chaos. In such times, there’s no way he would abandon the Empire’s strongest warrior, who has remained loyal without a hint of ambition. That’s just nonsense.

At most, Duke Bien’s faction might make a fuss about punishing me.

Besides…

“It’ll take about twenty days for a response to come back.”

By the time the Empire hears of this, I’ll have already cut out all of Arad’s problems and finished cleaning up the mess. It’s a long way from here to the Imperial Capital.

The paladin seemed to understand my meaning and firmly closed his mouth, silently glaring at me.

“That’s enough talk. Now, choose. Will you retreat and preserve what little strength you have left? Or will you fall as bandits trying to steal my property?”

“You’re completely insane!”

“I’ve heard rumors of Elpinel’s Radiance being arrogant, but I never imagined it would be to this extent…!”

The paladins, hearing this, erupted in anger and began to glow with divine light. They were going to attack, even though they knew they couldn’t win.

…I had hoped they would retreat.

As I scanned the paladins beginning to glow with golden light, I slowly awakened the power of feats within my soul. Recalling the combat miracles of the Astraea Church Order in my mind.

The ‘Pillar of Faith’ that heals oneself during battle.

The ‘Executioner’s Cloak’ that enhances physical abilities.

The ‘Unwavering Scales’ that protects the mind.

The ‘Blade of Order’ that strengthens weapons and the ‘Armor of the Protector’ that strengthens armor.

These are the five basic miracles that ordinary paladins can use. High-ranking paladins might have a couple more.

If something like the ‘Light of Judgment’ or the ‘Weight of Sin’ came flying at me, it would be a bit tricky… but it wouldn’t be a problem. I’d just dodge or endure it.

“—If you have any last words, say them now. You won’t get another chance.”

I twisted my body slightly, bending my knees halfway, and pulled the longsword firmly gripped in my hand to the side of my right cheek. I was ready to charge and cut them down the moment they attacked.

The Paladins of Astraea slowly approached me, holding spears and swords glowing with golden light. The citizen militia and the priests of Kranus behind me began to stir.

The moment was tense. The moment the high-ranking paladin gave the attack order, the paused battle would resume.

—Swish.

I subtly shifted my left foot forward and pointed the tip of my sword at his solar plexus.

First, I’d inflict a serious injury on this high-ranking paladin that would be hard to recover from, then cut off the right arms of the rest of the paladins. That would force them to retreat with their lives. That would be enough.

“It seems you have no last words. Then die. Face a stern death alongside your faith.”

As I was about to charge at him—

“…All units, retreat. There’s no point in fighting like this.”

The high-ranking paladin, who had been glaring at me with a hardened expression, gritted his teeth and lowered his sword. It seemed he had no intention of fighting me.

Judging by the determination in his eyes, it wasn’t fear of death that made him retreat. Nor did it seem like he intended to hand Arad over to me.

Then… it must be a tactical retreat.

Rather than pointlessly charging at an opponent they couldn’t defeat and being annihilated, they would retreat and gather the paladins scattered throughout the city. They would also need to report this incident to Archbishop Wilhelm.

It was a rational decision befitting an experienced high-ranking paladin.