Paladin of the Dead God

Isaac wore a grim expression.

After learning in his meeting with Belman that the true identity of Midas’ Hand was actually The Monkey’s Paw, Isaac took a more cautious stance on retrieving the relic. This naturally left Belman somewhat frustrated.

“The ‘Hand’ you’re searching for may not be as convenient as you think.”

“Why do you say that?”

This was what drove Isaac crazy.

The legend of The Monkey’s Paw clearly wasn’t known in this world. If Isaac kept refusing to search for it, people would simply think he was stubbornly refusing just because he didn’t want to give up Angela.

“Does a powerful relic that grants wishes really just lend its power with no restrictions?”

Isaac slightly unsheathed Kaldwin from its scabbard. The new scabbard was custom-made to fit the unique blade that had absorbed the Reaper’s scythe. This too had been a gift from the Golden Idol Guild.

“This sword was used by Elil on the battlefield. But even a powerful relic like this has its limits. I even once held the dagger that was used to extract Elil’s heart. It was useful when dealing with miracles, but when used against ordinary people, it was no better than a kitchen knife.”

No god, no matter how powerful, could control their believers completely or wield absolute power in the world without resistance. They were always kept in check by other gods and angels.

So, could an unknown relic really have the power to overturn the world?

Leonora looked at Isaac with amusement.

“Hm, how curious.”

“What is?”

“You believe in the power of the ‘Hand,’ Isaac. When my father first told me about it, I thought he was just an old man going senile. To be honest, I still don’t fully believe in it. But if it does exist, I believe no one but me should possess it.”

“…”

That made sense, Isaac thought. Leonora’s reaction was actually quite rational, the response you would expect from a sensible adult. If there was only one sword in the world, even if you had no intention of using it, it would still be safer to possess it to ensure no one else could.

But Isaac had already seen The Monkey’s Paw grant wishes, so he couldn’t argue.

“There’s no need to think too deeply about it right now. It’ll be a long time before we retrieve the Hand, and the journey to get there will be full of challenges.”

Isaac nodded. He suspected that Midas’ Hand, or rather, the Monkey’s Paw, was located in Holy Land Lua.

Why would it be there, of all places? Perhaps it was because Immortal Emperor Beshek had shattered the barrier between heaven and earth at that location. The past, present, and future had collapsed there, creating a bizarre space where anomalies like the Monkey’s Paw could appear.

“Let’s talk about something lighter. If you had the ‘Hand,’ what would you wish for?”

Isaac had no intention of ever making a wish to the Monkey’s Paw, but Leonora’s question made his mind spin.

‘A wish, huh…’

When Isaac first took over this body, his sole goal had been survival. That wish was still ongoing, but now his objectives had branched out and grown more complex.

‘To become stronger,’ ‘to protect my people,’ ‘recognition, honor, wealth’… But none of these are things I would desperately wish for, not yet at least.

“Why don’t you go first? Why is the Platinum Society so determined to find the Hand?”

“Leonora.”

“What?”

“Call me Leonora. And if you keep using formal speech, I’ll start using it too. I don’t know how old you are, but you’re definitely younger than me, aren’t you?”

“Yes, older sister.”

Isaac replied sarcastically, but somehow Leonora seemed to like it.

“Do you have a wish, Leonora?”

Rather than addressing her casually, Isaac chose to maintain some distance by using formal speech. Leonora still seemed like someone he didn’t want to get too close to. She smiled softly as she answered.

“I wish for no one to be able to make any wishes.”

“Excuse me?”

“I wish for no one in the world to be able to make any wishes. If I were to get my hands on the ‘Hand,’ that’s the wish I would make.”

Isaac found her wish deeply paradoxical. But then he realized that she wasn’t just talking about the Golden Idol Guild.

She meant everyone.

Followers of other faiths prayed to their gods, each with their own desires and wishes.

They were making wishes to their gods.

Leonora wanted all of that to be impossible.

Just like the Golden Idol Guild, where no prayers are answered, and no wishes are granted.

Leonora’s wish sounded like a call for the downfall of all gods.

***

“Isaac! My Holy Grail Knight! You’re the first to arrive, as expected!”

“Tuhalin, it’s been a while.”

Isaac smiled as he greeted the World’s Forge army, who had arrived first in Odryf.

It was strange that the dwarves and werewolves, who had trekked through the mountains on foot, were the first to arrive. But Isaac, knowing the hidden strength of the World’s Forge, wasn’t surprised.

‘There’s an enormous network of underground roads and cities built beneath the Gelliford Mountains, isn’t there?’

These roads and cities were built hundreds of years ago, back when the World’s Forge still held significant influence across the continent, and much of it was still usable. They used those underground roads to suddenly appear in various places throughout the Gelliford Mountains, ambushing orcs.

Some of the people they saved had close ties with Isaac.

“I heard you defeated the orcs surrounding Ariet Monastery. That’s the monastery where I spent much of my childhood. I’m deeply grateful to you.”

Ariet Monastery was a place Isaac had debated visiting for a long time.

But at the time, Isaac had been on the run from Shalok, and when he finally had a moment of peace, he was quickly drawn into the issues involving the Dawn Army of Ciero and the Reaper, leaving him with no time to spare.

Thankfully, Tuhalin had stopped by the monastery and saved them.

“The abbot there talked a lot about you. He said you were quite the promising child back then. Though he did mention your ability to perform miracles was rather… lacking.”

Isaac smiled wryly.

During his time at the monastery, Isaac had earned the recognition of Abbot Evhar, giving him the status of an apprentice priest—though now, it meant nothing.

“The abbot had a message for you.”

“What did he say?”