Paladin of the Dead God

Isaac tried hard to remain calm before answering.

There were countless titles people used to refer to him, but never once had he thought of himself as a ‘married man.’

In fact, Isaac hadn’t even had an official wedding ceremony with Isolde yet.

After a moment of appropriate silence, Isaac calmly answered to avoid making Belman feel awkward.

“I have no interest in Miss Leonora Bessia.”

“…Father, I’ve explained it to you already. The Holy Grail Knight and I aren’t in that kind of relationship.”

Leonora also added her own excuse, but Belman still looked unconvinced.

“From the way you always talk about him, it sure seems like it.”

Isaac couldn’t help but wonder what Leonora had been saying about him while he was here. But he had no interest in wasting time on such unproductive conversations.

“I believe I’ve explained my position clearly. If you need more convincing, please ask your daughter.”

Whether Belman was convinced or not was his business. Isaac had no intention of pleading for his understanding. Seeing Isaac’s firm attitude, Belman frowned but seemed to soften a little as he spoke again.

“It seems I’ve misunderstood. My second daughter does have an unusual way with words and ideas.”

“That’s understandable. It’s an easy misunderstanding to have.”

Isaac nodded in agreement, forming a small bond of sympathy with Belman. After all, the best way to form a bond is to criticize the person caught in the middle.

But Belman furrowed his brows again.

“Why is it a misunderstanding? Are you really not interested in my daughter at all? Do you not find her attractive?”

“…As I’ve said, I have no interest in Miss Leonora Bessia aside from a business relationship. I’m already married, so I have no interest in her appearance.”

Isaac wondered how many times he would have to explain this, but it seemed to be the model answer Belman was looking for. Finally, a slight smile appeared on Belman’s lips, and the atmosphere lightened.

“Business, is it? Yes, my daughter is good at business. I’ve heard much about the reputation of the Holy Grail Knight, and I like that you keep personal and professional matters strictly separate.”

Belman sat down opposite Isaac.

Isaac began to think that maybe Belman was a bit of a doting father. It must be difficult to care for such a psychopathic woman, but in his own way, Belman had his merits.

“I apologize for doubting your character, Holy Grail Knight. You see, my second daughter is of marrying age, but she hasn’t shown any effort in finding a match. Then, suddenly, all she talks about all day is you, so naturally, it made me curious.”

“I understand.”

It would have been even more concerning considering the fact that Isaac was a married man. That was why Isaac had been holding onto his patience as well. He needed to maintain a good relationship with the Golden Idol Guild. ɌÄΝóβÈŜ

***

Belman leaned back on the sofa and looked back and forth between Leonora and Isaac. He tapped the armrest of the sofa and asked in a probing tone.

“I heard that there was an issue between you two, but it has been resolved. You’ve decided to partner up in business, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Do you know what business Leonora has been most interested in recently? I heard that’s where the issue came from.”

“Yes. In fact, that’s the reason I’ve come to see you. Miss Leonora is…”

At that moment, Leonora suddenly stood up and, without a word, dismissed all the waiting servants and maids. Then she began drawing the curtains around the reception room herself. Belman waited quietly until she had finished closing the curtains. Once Leonora returned to her seat, Belman gestured with his teacup, signaling for Isaac to continue.

“…Looking for ‘Midas’ Hand,’ correct?”

Belman set his teacup down on the table. After a brief silence, Belman spoke.

“Where did you hear about that? I’m not interrogating you, I’m genuinely curious. Very few people even within our own faith know about it, and we’ve never had any dealings with other faiths.”

“I heard it through a revelation.”

Isaac brought out the excuse of divine revelation, the catch-all explanation for everything in this world. After all, he couldn’t exactly explain that he had already achieved the Golden Idol Guild’s victory condition in the game.

Belman gave a wry smile at Isaac’s response. Even though it was the perfect excuse, to Belman’s ears it clearly translated to, ‘I can’t tell you.’

“If the gods themselves are involved, then it must be true. Does the Codex of Light clergy know about this as well?”

“No. I am the only one aware of it.”

On this, Isaac could be confident. His answer seemed to relieve Belman somewhat.

In truth, the Golden Idol Guild had no real military power. If they were to engage in competition with other religious orders, there wasn’t much they could do. This meant that their plans had to be carried out even more quietly than those of the Red Chalice.

“Father, as I mentioned, the Holy Grail Knight doesn’t know exactly what Midas’ Hand is. Even if others knew, that’s all they would know as well.”

Leonora added an explanation.

Isaac knew that Midas’ Hand was a relic that turned things into gold. However, Leonora had told him that this was not entirely correct. Belman seemed to have heard the same story, nodding in agreement.

“Very well. But before I explain what Midas’ Hand truly is, we need to go over some formalities. It may be just a formality, but since you’ve formed a business partnership with our Vice Guild Leader…”

Belman removed one of the many rings from his fingers and handed it to Isaac.

It was a simple platinum ring without any gems, but upon closer inspection, intricate patterns and inscriptions were engraved all over it. Isaac realized this ring wasn’t made by human hands.

“…I extend an invitation to you to join the ‘Platinum Society.’”

The Platinum Society was the top-secret inner circle within the Golden Idol Guild. It was the clandestine organization that allowed the Guild to go beyond being a mere merchant association, manipulating world events and faiths for profit.

They would go so far as to incite famine in a city or instigate war if it meant securing their objectives. But their ultimate goal was singular.

To secure Midas’ Hand.

‘This is like the modern Illuminati or Freemasons… and now I’m being invited in. How touching.’

When Isaac had played as a member of the Golden Idol Guild in the game, he had only ever been used as a pawn by the Platinum Society. That eventually led to internal strife, and the Society was wiped out. After that, he had become little more than Leonora’s personal lackey.

‘Not that it mattered, I ended up parting ways with her due to her inhuman actions and reached the game’s ending.’

Ironically, one of Isaac’s companions back then had been Shalok. It didn’t seem like they would get that close this time around.

But now, here he was, being handed a ring by the Guild Leader himself. Even though Isaac followed a different faith, Belman had trusted Leonora’s partnership enough to offer him the ring. This showed just how much trust Belman placed in his daughter.

“I accept with gratitude.”

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