Paladin of a Ruined Order - Chapter 148

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Order

Chapter 148: Throne

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Of all the problems Elbridge faced, the most pressing was undoubtedly the Master of the Central Magic Tower.

Dealing with other demons while leaving the Master of the Central Magic Tower alone was little different from trying to put out fires while letting an arsonist roam free.

'But...'

Still, Elbridge couldn't ignore Marquis Hagenlot's story.

He wasn't the kind of person who could turn away from a problem, even knowing something terrible would happen soon.

That was even more true in the current situation. If, as Marquis Hagenlot predicted, a demon was wearing the king's skin, the damage wouldn't end with a few people, or even a few dozen.

'...It wouldn't be strange for everyone in Royal Capital Leodel to be slaughtered at once.'

For now, the matter of the Master of the Central Magic Tower had to be set aside. It was time to resolve the problem in Royal Capital Leodel.

As Elbridge gathered his thoughts, the well-oiled door slowly opened.

Swish.

Murvach appeared in the doorway.

Just moments ago, Murvach had excused himself, saying he didn't think he would be much help in this matter.

When everyone turned to look at him, Murvach spoke awkwardly.

"...After giving it some thought, I realized I might be able to help. If my presence makes you uncomfortable, please tell me."

"Not at all. Thank you for coming back. Please feel free to share any thoughts you have."

"I will."

There weren't enough chairs in the room, so Murvach sat on the edge of the bed instead.

Then, as though nothing had happened, Elbridge resumed speaking.

"I've heard two stories about demons that interfere with the mind. One was about a demon that escaped because they couldn't find a proper way to counter it. The other was about a demon that was easily subdued. Apparently, it couldn't manipulate a Paladin's mind and lost its head."

"If it's at that level, this will be easy to resolve."

"It would be good if that were the case this time as well. But we should always prepare for the worst."

Sonia, who had been listening in silence, spoke.

"Either way, I think we need to meet the king. But it would be stupid for all of us to go at once. If we're all affected at the same time, things could go terribly wrong."

The others generally seemed to agree with Sonia.

Rombel crossed his arms and said, "The problem is how we can meet the king. Kidnapping them would still be..."

As he said that, Rombel glanced at Murvach. If Marquis Hagenlot, Murvach's younger brother, was related to the king by blood, then Murvach was as well.

Rombel quietly changed his conclusion.

"...We can't kidnap the king. Obviously. Right?"

Murvach waved his hands.

"Please don't worry about me. Speak freely."

"Ahem. Anyone hearing us would think we're trying to kidnap the king. Besides, right or wrong aside, kidnapping the king won't be easy."

This time, Marcus offered his opinion.

"We can't kidnap the king, nor can we summon the king here, so our only option is to visit the royal palace and request an audience. But... do we have a way to meet the king?"

Murvach nodded.

"That won't be very difficult. Because of the incident at the temple not long ago, rumors about all of you have spread throughout Leodel. They say a legendary hero and a great mage have appeared... News like that naturally reaches His Majesty first, so His Majesty will likely be curious about you."

"...Curious."

"The previous king enjoyed meeting distinguished visitors from other lands. The king couldn't easily leave the royal palace, so they would say that meeting outsiders was at least a way to broaden their horizons. The current king is likely the same."

"Do you really think so?"

When Marcus asked, Murvach answered with certainty.

"I'm sure of it. It wouldn't be strange for people of your stature to receive an audience with His Majesty. It would be even easier if we use House Hagenlot as a stepping stone."

"Good. Then... only one question remains. Who will go meet the king?"

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed through the air.

- Elbridge is the best choice.

The one who delivered the oracle was the God of Fox Rain.

The God of Fox Rain's oracles had resolved quite a few problems so far, so Elbridge's group didn't take this one lightly.

That didn't mean they had no doubts.

Rombel asked, "Anyone else might be fine, but shouldn't Elbridge be the one person who mustn't go? If Elbridge falls for the demon's trick, there'll be no way to clean up the mess."

- No matter how capable the demon is, it cannot interfere with a god.

"Elbridge isn't a god."

- You short bastard. Think about it. If Elbridge goes to meet the king, there are two possibilities. First, the demon cannot take control of Elbridge's mind. Second, the demon takes control of Elbridge's mind. If the first possibility comes to pass and the demon cannot take control of Elbridge's mind, the problem is resolved immediately. Elbridge just needs to cut off the king's head.

Yet neither Rombel, Marcus, nor Sonia could agree with that oracle.

"...There's a lot I want to say. But let's assume Elbridge takes the king's head, just as you said. Won't everyone in the royal palace, and beyond that, everyone in Leodel try to seize Elbridge?"

As Rombel gave his opinion, the Goddess of the Rusted Shield quietly joined in with a public oracle.

- Wise words, Rombel. I too do not wish for Elbridge to be placed in danger.

The God of Fox Rain clicked their tongue.

Tsk.

- What is the problem with people rushing at Elbridge, claiming they will capture him? Do you think the king's Knights and some guards can capture Elbridge? You are more likely to be captured while trying to leave Leodel.

The Goddess of the Rusted Shield seemed pleased that Elbridge was being held in such high regard and immediately changed her attitude.

- That opinion is correct as well. There is no way such rabble could capture Elbridge. As expected of the God of Fox Rain, famous for their sharp mind...

The God of Fox Rain continued without paying her any attention.

- And if, as Garmon Hagenlot said, a demon has been pretending to be the king, there is a good chance the problem will be resolved once Elbridge kills the king. Nine times out of ten, the demon will reveal its true form.

It was a simple-minded plan, but one that was entirely possible.

Still, it all depended on Elbridge not having his mind consumed by the demon.

Sonia asked, "Then what if the demon takes control of Elbridge's mind?"

- That is fine as well. The demon's ability does not seem to be turning a few people into puppets. It seems more like interfering so that many people cannot suspect it.

"But... if Elbridge cannot suspect the king, won't the plan fail?"

- If Elbridge were alone, yes. But the Goddess of the Rusted Shield is with him, so that will not be a problem either.

As the God of Fox Rain delivered the oracle, the Goddess of the Rusted Shield chimed in despite not fully understanding what it meant.

- That is also correct. What problem could there be when I am protecting Elbridge?

- ...That is not what I mean. What matters is that Elbridge trusts you, Goddess of the Rusted Shield. More precisely... from what I have seen, Elbridge does not completely trust your abilities, but he firmly trusts oracles unrelated to your abilities.

Rather than speak directly among themselves, the gods in heaven were conversing through oracles. It was an interesting situation.

Elbridge, however, couldn't listen to the conversation so calmly. One of the recent oracles included something that might upset the Goddess of the Rusted Shield.

Flustered, Elbridge said, "God of Fox Rain. What do you mean I don't trust the goddess's abilities? I trust the goddess's divine power completely. The divine power she has granted has never failed even once, and it has always exceeded my expectations..."

The God of Fox Rain interrupted him.

- Do not misunderstand. I was not talking about divine power. I meant intellectual ability.

"...Of course, I also firmly trust the goddess's wisdom."

The Goddess of the Rusted Shield, however, found Elbridge's reaction suspicious.

- Elbridge. Perhaps I am mistaken, but it seemed as though you hesitated a little before answering just now. That moment felt as long as an eternity, and your goddess feels as though her heart is breaking...

"Goddess, that is a misunderstanding. I didn't hesitate in the slightest."

The conversation between Elbridge and the goddess seemed likely to continue for a long time, so the God of Fox Rain summarized the situation again.

- Hey, Rusted Shield. That is not the important part. What matters is that Elbridge firmly believes your oracles except in certain cases.

- Hmm...

- The point is that even if the demon consumes Elbridge's mind, everything will be over if you deliver a single oracle.

- Fox Rain. What oracle are you talking about?

- Elbridge. The king before you is not human, but a demon wearing a human's skin. Cut off the king's head at once. If Elbridge receives an oracle like that, he will draw his sword and strike off the king's head without hesitation. Because Elbridge firmly trusts you.

Elbridge nodded with almost exaggerated force, and the God of Fox Rain continued.

- In the end, whether the demon consumes Elbridge's mind or fails to do so, you can eliminate the demon and resolve the problem. What do you think? Simple, right?

"Oh..."

Marcus and Sonia exclaimed in admiration. It was a bold, clean solution, just as one would expect from the God of Fox Rain.

Elbridge, however, couldn't fully agree with the oracle.

"God of Fox Rain. Is there no possibility that only the king's mind has been consumed? Could I not drive out the demon and save the king's life?"

- The possibility is low. And even if that possibility exists, the action you must take does not change.

"Why not?"

- Elbridge. You have fought demons for a long time. There must have been people around you who wanted only perfect results. People who wished to pursue the best, flawless outcome even if it required sacrifice. People who refused to accept the limits of their abilities and wanted to save everyone. What happened to them?

"..."

Elbridge couldn't answer easily.

Almost all of them had died.

No, dying wasn't the only problem. People like that were the first to die.

Surviving for a long time while fighting demons wasn't simply a process of building skill.

It was also a process of recognizing one's limits, accepting them, and finding a compromise. Elbridge had gone through that process as well.

Because of that, Elbridge had realized something. Mental pain was worse than physical suffering.

And the heaviest mental pain came when one faced the result of a compromise, when one realized they had turned away from the best possible outcome.

- Elbridge. Do not forget that the value of your life is different from that of others. The lives of ordinary people, and even that of an ordinary Paladin, are as light as feathers compared to yours. That was true in the past, but it is even more true now.

"But..."

- When you take risks, you place the lives of the people you will save in the future on the scales. Do not forget that your life is not yours alone, young Knight.

Neither Elbridge nor the Goddess of the Rusted Shield responded to that oracle.

- When you face the king of Leodel, do not take needless risks. Kill the king without hesitation. For yourself, for your goddess, and for the world.

With that final oracle, the presence cast by the God of Fox Rain disappeared.

"..."

Elbridge clasped his hands together and sank into thought.

There was one other person deep in thought as well.

Murvach.

The offer to become king.

Only now did Murvach understand the meaning behind that offer.

'The order to kill the king without hesitation...'

It was not only for Elbridge.

For the God of Fox Rain to place Murvach on the throne, the king's death would have to be the first step.