Chapter 1475

< Chapter 1475 > 1475. Paladin: A Journey of Evil

The fallen ones, revealing their true nature, charge from all directions.

I spun around, gripping my greatsword as if I’d been waiting for this moment. As the massive blade swung like a top, the fallen ones flinched and backed away, maintaining distance.

“Amateurs.”

These are newly-fallen ones. Experienced fallen would have relied on their superior regeneration and charged at me fearlessly, ignoring my sword. And in that case, I’d be struggling quite a bit.

“It’s easier to deal with them when they act like this.”

Approaching the nearest fallen one, I swung my fist. The fallen stumbles. From its chest, a massive blade protrudes, aiming for my shoulder. Kaaang! The blade is blocked by my armor, though the shoulder plate is slightly torn.

“This is why you need good armor.”

Buuuuuuuung.

The greatsword cleanly bisects the creature.

“Charge all at once and kill him!!”

“He’s just one paladin!”

“We need to kill him here! Our survival depends on it!”

“Let’s kill him and hold a blood festival!”

The fallen shout. In their urgency, they all charge together. An octopus-like creature grabs my leg with thick tentacles, a hulking mass clings to my back, and sleek-looking ones grab each of my arms.

“Kehehehe! We’ve got him! Got him, alright!”

“You’re finished, kid!”

“We’ll rip out your guts while you’re still alive!”

“I’m going for the marrow! I’ll suck the marrow out of this paladin!”

Other fallen ones rush in, rejoicing. Their claws and teeth relentlessly attack Stormbreaker. Even if it’s called Stormbreaker, it won’t last long in this state.

‘The most needed divine power right now is on cooldown. And I can’t use Full Recovery either.’

It’s a crisis. If I stay like this, I’ll die.

‘But I can use Lightning.’

Zzzziiiiiiiiiiip!

Golden currents of holy energy spread in all directions. The fallen who were gleefully attacking me are now trembling uncontrollably, electrocuted. Freed from their grip, I swing my greatsword. The swings are slow. My physical stats aren’t overwhelmingly high.

‘There’s no need to rush. The advantage is already mine. I just need to take them out one by one.’

With every swing of the greatsword, the heads and bodies of the fallen are separated.

The final death cries fade. The silent street is left with only terrified villagers and two fallen ones who didn’t dare to attack.

I approach the remaining fallen ones, greatsword in hand.

“O-oh no! Don’t come near me, you monster!”

One of the fallen flees. It’s a creature with a broken leg, but it moves surprisingly fast.

‘I’ll deal with the one who stayed first.’

The remaining fallen chooses a different tactic. It grabs a nearby man and presses its sharp claws against his throat.

“Aaaaaah!”

“Don’t move if you want to live! Pal-dog! You stop right there! You don’t want this guy to die, do you?! Let me go, and I’ll spare this one!”

My footsteps don’t falter.

“Stop! Stop, I said! Can’t you hear me?!”


“Damn it all! Is this brat really about to die?!”

The claws of the Fallen One dug into the hostage’s neck. Yet, I did not stop.

“We do not negotiate with demons or the fallen. We only exterminate.”

“S-spare me! Holy Knight-sama! Please!”

The hostage trembled violently, pleading for their life. In a detached tone, I addressed them.

“Hate me.”

“You insane bastard!”

The Fallen One’s claws pierced deep into the hostage’s neck. A fountain of blood erupted.

I closed the distance in a dash, swinging my greatsword. Simultaneously, I cleaved through both the Fallen One and the hostage.

Blood soaked my armor, making it squelch with every movement.

Exhaustion hit me like a wave, but the task was far from over. I had to chase down the escaped Fallen One and end them.

“Demons and the fallen prey on humans, corrupting them. They spread like a plague. If left unchecked, their numbers will only grow.”

Keeeiiing.

I activated my Divine Eye. The trail of the fleeing Fallen One appeared before me. It circled the village, feigning an escape before retreating back inside.

“Never ventured outside the village, huh? Or perhaps this is a calculated move to catch me off guard.”

Without my Divine Eye, this would’ve been quite the hassle. I might’ve lost them entirely.

Clank clank.

With the sound of my armor, I arrived at a humble cottage. Entering the small home, I paused momentarily to survey my surroundings.

My Divine Eye located the hidden Fallen One. It cowered beneath the bed.

No reason to hesitate. Sword in hand, I approached the bed and swung downward.

“AAAAAHHHHH!”

The Fallen One let out a horrifying scream as it leapt from under the bed. Its shredded shoulder sprayed blood everywhere as it bolted out the door, sprinting through the village streets. I gripped my greatsword tightly and hurled it toward the creature.

Dead on target.

The blade impaled the Fallen One, causing it to collapse. I approached and crushed its head beneath my boot.

“It’s over… or is it? There may still be others hiding.”

After confirming no other Fallen Ones remained, I decided to rest for a day before leaving the village. Mounting my horse, I noticed no one around, yet I could feel their fearful gazes wishing for my departure.

Then, an elderly man approached me, trembling.

“You must be the village chief. Is there something you wish to say?”

“T-thank you for saving our village!”

“I merely did my duty.”

“…Here is a modest offering collected for the church. Please accept it.”

“An offering, you say. Your funds will go toward eradicating demons and the fallen.”

I accepted the money pouch.

Holy Knights do not refuse offerings. Half goes to personal use, the other half to the church. Such is one of our codes.

It wouldn’t matter if I kept it all to myself. After all, I’m not just any Holy Knight—I’m a Paladin blessed by the Goddess herself.

“Restrain your desires. Demons exploit human desires to corrupt. You must always remain vigilant.”

“Y-yes, we shall remember that.”

My horse began walking slowly.

Our destination is the Valentier Cathedral. Quite a distance—about a week’s ride.

“Better visit churches and cathedrals along the way.”

The lingering taint of corruption on my body bothers me greatly. And I need to replenish holy water too.

Keeeiiing.

Occasionally, I activated my Divine Eye. Whenever I spotted a corrupted animal, I charged without hesitation and eliminated it. Each one granted valuable experience points.

I stopped by a small church in a fairly large town.

The priests immediately froze upon seeing me.

“This can’t be! Such a vast and thick aura of corruption…!”

“Holy water won’t suffice… The corruption is too potent! A purification ritual would be more effective!”

“Notify the bishop and prepare the purification ritual!”

The priests panicked, rushing about frantically.

As the original game…


As I recalled him, I was about to head to the chapel.

“Stop right there.”

The church’s Holy Knights blocked my path. Clad in full-body armor, they eyed me warily.

“I’m aware you’re an exceptional Holy Knight. However, your body is overflowing with impure energy. The priests are preparing a purification ritual, so please wait. And it would be helpful if you could disclose your identity—your name, which church you belong to, and how you ended up covered in such unclean energies?”

“So many questions.”

“You must understand. These days, demons and heretics are running rampant, so the atmosphere in the church is as cold as frost.”

“…”

Keeeeeeeeeeeee!

I activated my Divine Sight. My pupils turned blue, and at their center, a winged cross emblem floated.

The Holy Knights were startled. They all drew their swords and plunged them into the ground.

“We greet thee, Paladin!”

Divine Sight is one of the abilities exclusive to Paladins and is also used to verify identity.

“Has information from the Vatican arrived?”

“Yes. Paladin! Four days ago, the Vatican informed all churches and cathedrals of your existence!”

The Holy Knights spoke with tense tones. Their gazes now carried reverence toward me. I confirmed their numbers—seven. This was sufficient.

“I’m heading to the chapel. Follow me.”

“Paladin, we should first perform the purification ritual….”

“It’s an order.”

“…Yes, we shall follow.”

I marched toward the chapel, leading them with confident strides. The Holy Knights looked at me curiously because I walked directly to the chapel despite being here for the first time. I ignored their curiosity—it was too troublesome to explain, and I didn’t see the necessity.

Just before opening the chapel doors, I summoned Stormbreaker and wrapped myself in it. Zzzzwooooommm! From head to toe. With my armor fully equipped, I pushed open the chapel doors without hesitation.

The chapel exuded a sacred atmosphere. At its center stood the statue of Goddess Herianne. On either side, statues of Paladins lined the walls.

I strode confidently toward the statue of the goddess. It was beautiful. The wings on her back were intricately crafted, as if they might move at any moment.

“Everyone, prepare for battle. Keep an eye on the statues.”

I firmly gripped and raised the hilt of my greatsword.

“Paladin?! What are you doing?!”

The tip of my sword pierced the goddess statue’s chest. Instead of breaking, the statue oozed blood.

“CAAAAAAAAARRRRKKKKKKKKKK!”

The goddess statue screamed. Its angelic wings transformed into demonic ones, flapping wildly, and its beautiful face twisted into that of a wrinkled monster.

Gargoyle.

Demon of stone.

“Paladin! You foul servant of this hateful goddess!”

Other statues lining the chapel came to life.

Realizing the situation, the Holy Knights immediately drew their swords and aimed at the demons.

“How dare you hide here, you filthy demons!”

“I won’t forgive you.”

“We’ll exterminate every last one of you!”

Enraged, the Holy Knights began battling the gargoyles. I focused on the gargoyle leader in front of me. This one was the most dangerous—probably level 30 or higher before I even attempted to fight it.

But things are different now. The ambush was a complete success.

‘Lightning!’

Zzziiiiiiipppp!

Golden lightning coursed through my sword. A gargoyle trying to escape by flapping its wings screamed and staggered. I grabbed its shoulder and pressed my sword harder. There’s no way I’m pulling my sword out until this thing dies. If I do, it’ll definitely escape, heal its wounds, and attack again.

“Die here!”

“Paladin! I’ll kill you while you’re still weak! Coming after me based solely on that eye of yours was your mistake… your arrogance!”

The gargoyle grabbed my armor and flew into the air.