The Paladin Owns the Relic

78 – Paramer Subjugation (3)

“…That’s terrible.”

Marquis Ashwal Haltz, who led the army, clicked his tongue. He saw rotten flesh trickling down the outer walls of Para Mer.

Wriggling. It oscillates like a living being. Not to mention the entire outer wall, there were occasional sightings of huge creatures inside.

I don’t know what’s going on inside. You can access it, but as soon as you enter, monsters pour in. Terrible creatures that constantly revive even after being killed.

It is useless even if you set fire to it. Even if bombardment magic is applied, the outer wall made of rotten flesh regenerates again. Paramer itself is impossible to capture.

The only good thing is that it doesn’t react unless you touch it.

Ashbal raised his head and looked back at his men.

His garrison is 2,000. There were less than a hundred knights and only thirty wizards.

Privates raked from his own estate. Those who were desperate to die and followed them, but at least the number was too small.

At first, it wasn’t that small. In addition to himself, several nobles were out with their own enlisted men. However, the rest withdrew at the sudden command of the Empire. All of them retreated on the pretext that no unusual phenomenon had been observed for about a month.

Only the army of Ashwal Haltz was left in accordance with the cause of the vigilante army.

“……”

It is a guard force because it speaks well, but it is an army that will be the first to be thrown as prey in the event of an emergency. Ashwal Haltz knew why.

…It’s probably because I follow the 3 princesses.

Are you trying to completely trample on the power of the 3 princesses, who are barely left? Prince.

Ashwal returned to the tent. He closed the door and was lost in thought.

It’s a headache. It’s like putting a bomb in front of you that you don’t know when it will explode. As a result of several reconnaissance, the things inside Paramer were like immortal monsters.

If you hit it, you die. A breakthrough does not exist.

But he had no justification for escaping.

The empire will maintain its current situation until that outer wall collapses and the last symbol of the 3rd princess, herself, disappears.

…I don’t mind dying. For the sake of the empire, even if I gave up my life, only glory would remain.

If there is just something painful, is the lord left alone?

Ashwal Haltz let out a long sigh. To clear his mind, he took a sip of water.

The boundary continued day and night. The army trembled whenever the giant monster moved beyond the outer wall, and the number of deserters was slowly increasing.

“This, this is crazy…”

“You have to run before it crawls out!”

The army that was 2,000 was reduced to 1,800. Even though the knights were cracking down, it was that much.

In addition, the activity of the flesh-covered outer wall was gradually increasing. The appearance of a huge monster that can be seen beyond the outer wall has also been witnessed more and more.

I don’t know what it is, but it means that it’s on the verge of exploding.

“…Is the end approaching?”

“That’s not true! Dismissal!”

“An unquenchable horn will cover the plains!”

“The name of Ashwal Haltz will forever remain in the history of the Empire!”

“Even if something happens, Your Excellency, please use us as a shield to plan the future!”

Ashbal laughed bitterly at the words of the faithful knights.

“…Thanks, but I don’t want to live so ugly.”

There are many villages behind the front lines. Those who did not leave despite warning of the danger.

The reason they didn’t leave wasn’t much. In their place of life, they cannot leave because they are worried about something that has not happened yet.

The lives of nobles and commoners are different.

Ashwal Haltz had a duty to protect them. From the time he signed the knight’s oath, he was prepared to draw out his sword for the sake of his people.

At the very least, it should give them time to evacuate, should something happen.

If you have no choice but to die, honorably. Ashwal Haltz stood up.

“Let the soldiers rest. I will stand guard myself.”

“Your Excellency!”

“You don’t have to do such a thing…!”

“These are the people who gave their lives for me. I’ll do something like this…”

The door is open.

A soldier rolled in and fell to his knees.

“Your Excellency!”

Is the thing to come?

Ashwal grabbed the sword.

“Has the outer wall collapsed? Is the monster coming?”

“That’s not it! We have found armed men now coming towards the military!”

“…What is the number?”

From noble mtl dot com.

“It seems to be between 50 and 60!”

It is an ambiguous number. Had the prince changed his mind?

“Did you hold the flag separately?”

“There was no separate flag, but…”

Ashwal blinked at the words that followed, unable to comprehend their meaning.

“Judging from the clothes they are wearing and the patterns drawn on them… They look like the Paladins of Ra!”

“…What?”

Why are they?

Why are you here?”

. . .

“This is Dimona, the heretic judge from the Church of Ra. It is an honor to meet your Excellency, Marquis of Ashwal Haltz.”

“May the grace of God dwell on your path.”

Ashwal received a warm welcome. He raised his eyes and saw the paladins.

A unique pattern among the patterns of Ra.

These are the Heretic Questioners. Those who condemn the devil and heresy.

But why did they come to Paramer?

“Has the Empire called you? I haven’t been contacted beforehand.”

“I didn’t call.”

“Then why did you come here?”

The answer was clear.

“A Heretic Questioner is being held inside Paramer.”

“…One person?”

You brought in 50 people just to save one?

“You must be an important person.”

“I’m just the Heretic Questioner.”

“…Do you have any valuable information?”

“No. He was just a paladin who participated in the Paramer search party.”

“……?”

To go through all this trouble to find an insignificant paladin?

Ashwal raised his head. The paladins lined up behind her all had determined faces.

Determination to be unafraid even of death.

…There are many insane people among the Heretic Questioners… But are they just insane as a group?

Forcing fifty people to die to save one person?

“As you can see, Paramere is not normal.”

“I know.”

“If you go inside, monsters will pour out.”

“I know.”

“I will not die.”

“I know.”

Ashwal realized.

They’re just real madmen!

“…No…Well…If you really want to go in…I won’t stop you…”

Ashbal scratched his head.

“Can you show me the certificate that you left the church?”

“No.”

“……? You mean you left without permission?”

“Yes.”

“In order to save one colleague… All of these people?”

“Yes.”

You crazy bastards were right!

“I can pave the way for you, but I want you to know that I cannot take responsibility for the aftermath. My troops will stay here.”

“It’s okay. I’ve already made up my mind to that extent. If you don’t block it, I’m satisfied with that.”

“If so… If so…”

“Your Excellency!”

A soldier rushed in as if rolling. Ashwal asked in a scene where he felt a sense of déjà vu.

“Isn’t the outer wall collapsed?”

“No! But…!”

The soldier hurriedly said.

“A group of about 40 people is currently approaching the military!”

“……?”

Ashwal frowned.

“Is this the Church of Ra?”

Dimona was startled.

“A chase team already…?”

“Looking at the clothes you are wearing and the patterns drawn…”

Ashwal couldn’t understand the words that followed, so he grabbed some water.

“It is assumed to be the Cult of Serpents!”

Why is that one sticking out again?

. . .

“This is Estelle, the apostle.”

It’s a giant. A giant came out. If you’re an apostle of the Serpent Order, then in terms of religion, you’re like a Duke.

“Ashbal Halz. What’s going on here…?”

“Please get out of the way so I can go inside Paramer.”

“…No way.”

Ashwal asked just in case.

“Is it because of the Heretic Questioner inside?”

“……? How?”

“There are passengers.”

Dimona Inquisitor walked into the barracks. I was startled when I met Estelle’s eyes.

“Da, why are you here?”

“Why do you…?”

A subtle glance came and went. Isabella, who was standing next to Estelle, asked hastily.

“D, Dimona Heretic Inquisitor! Is Inquisitor Zahard still alive?!”

“I didn’t know, so I came here, but… Could it be that the Serpent Church sent troops to save Zahard?”

“No. It is my opinion.”

Are you deserters too!

Ashbal brushed his face. What the hell is the heretic inquisitor named Zahad hanging on to death from the two churches?

You don’t seem to be a simple person…Do you have any secrets about those monsters?

Maybe a way to get Paramer back to normal…?

“…Lada Talk.”

“Isabella.”

The two paladins exchanged glances and shook hands lightly.

“It’s good to see you again as an ally.”

“That way. I’ve entrusted my back to you once, so I’ll leave it to you again this time.”

“If it’s you, I’m reliable.”

”Hey… No… I don’t think it’s time to say goodbye like that…”

In Dimona’s sigh, the soldiers opened the barracks door once more and came out.

Ashwal didn’t even ask anymore.

“Who else?”

“Yes, yes? Well, that’s on a pretty big scale this time around! Check Five Hundred Soldiers! There are five knights in the lead!”

“Five hundred? Aren’t they religious people?”

“It turns out not! Judging from what I witnessed, they are mixed with various armaments… I’m assuming they are mercenaries!”

A mercenary?

Why are mercenaries here?

. . .

“…You guys?”

Rosemary blinked. Daniel, whose eyes met, opened his eyes wide.

“Priest! Why are you here?!”

“Then why are you here?”

“We were hired by a man. With very high wages. And more than anything… I was worried that I left a young priest inside…”

Daniel smiled gooeyly at Rosemary.

“Seeing that we met again, doesn’t it seem a bit like destiny?”

“Close your mouth before you get hit.”

“……”

The five men at the head of the mercenaries jumped off their horses.

“Yayi. What are you doing?”

“I’m seeing an aristocrat for the first time.”

“What is etiquette…?”

“You say hello!”

“I-I’ll stay behind…”

One of the people we were bickering with jumped out. The big man stammered his voice.

“Ah, how are you? Aristocratic old man. My name is Hector, but it’s no different…”

“Are you here to find Zahard?”

“Yes? How…?”

“That friend is really…”

Ashbal clicked his tongue.

“What are you doing?”