A brief silence fell.

Rotenhammer asked with a hint of suspicion, You want to become a Paladin, right?

Yes.

But you wont join our Briant Knight Order? Do I seem unsatisfactory to you?

Of course not, Commander Rotenhammer. I have no doubts about your abilities

Isaac pondered how to delicately phrase his decision in a way that Rotenhammer would accept.

Choosing not to join the Briant Knight Order was a conclusion Isaac had reached after careful consideration.

Had he stayed at the monastery, he would have followed Gebels guidance. However, his experiences fighting the Wallachia hunters in the valley had led him to realize the life he needed to lead. Up until now, he hadnt understood this, cocooned as he was in the safe shell of the monastery.

[The Nameless Chaos watches you.]

It signaled a crucial crossroads in life. Even without the implicit warning from the Nameless Chaos, Isaac knew. He dismissed the warning.

I know the best strategies for this game.

Neither Gebel nor Rotenhammer were the players.

Not even the many-eyed tentacled monster that brought him to this world.

Im the one who will see this games ending.

With that resolve, Isaac asserted to Rotenhammer, I intend to become a Holy Grail Knight.

***

Holy Grail Knights.

Righteous knights who wander the world, seeking holy relics, vanquishing evil beings, and aiding the weak. They are the solitary heroes of countless epics and songs. In the game, Grail Knight is a secondary class for Paladin, typically considered part of the same group. However, while Paladin operate in armed units with comrades, Holy Grail Knights are lone warriors, roaming in search of holy relics.

Their endless wandering requires not only unwavering faith but also limitations on possessions. Searching for relics often involves aiding the wronged and confronting evil.

The only thing they can count on is their reputation.

Now considered a relic of a bygone era, theyre often viewed as outdated.

But this is the best, no, the only path for me.

Isaac stood in the open area of the Briant Knight Orders camp, lost in thought.

Becoming a Paladin brings many benefits: resources, fortresses, swordsmanship, mentors, comrades, financial gain, and social privileges. Grail Knights, roaming solo, must forego these advantages.

In return, Grail Knights gain the Noble Quest buff based on their fame and achievements. This buff strengthens with the number of enemies and grows more powerful against formidable foes. The value of discovered relics directly enhances miraculous abilities.

Their heroic deeds often stem from this buff.

If a powerful relic is found, a Grail Knight might even rival the strength of a whole order of Holy Knights.

Most Grail Knights die before that, though.

Most importantly, Isaac had the The Rite of Division, a relic taken from Heinkel, on his back. Its a top-tier relic, intertwined with the birth of gods. Though its not from the Codex Light and may not show its full potential, thats irrelevant to Isaac.

To a Holy Grail Knight, what matters is the greatness of the relics they unearth.

To others, a relic might be an object of reverence, but for Isaac, its merely a useful tool.

I can join a Holy Knight Order later if I need their power.

In the game, a Grail Knight couldnt revert to being a Holy Knight, but this wasnt a game. Now that its clear he cant perform miracles, joining a Holy Knight Order later is still an option.

What he needs is the recognition and fame of a Holy Knight.

Isaac waited for the right moment.

Hey, you.

As Isaac idly kicked pebbles in the open area, a young man in light armor approached him. Isaac didnt realize he was being addressed until the young man spoke again.

What are you doing here? Are you from the monastery? Why are you just standing there

Mistaking Isaac for a soldier, perhaps, the young man stopped mid-sentence as they faced each other.

Isaac glanced at him briefly.

Freshly minted Holy Knight, judging by the shiny armor. Maybe a few months in?

Feeling Isaacs scrutinizing gaze, the young man, Ian, blushed and coughed awkwardly.

Hmm, must be curious about the Knight Order coming to the village. This is a dangerous place, lots of scary men and adults around. Ill take you back.

Realizing Ians absurd misunderstanding, Isaac ran a hand through his hair.

Its been a while since Ive cut my hair Did it get this long?

Isaacs appearance could easily be mistaken for the opposite gender with just long hair. He rarely faced such confusion in the monastery, but this naive Holy Knight seemed to be making

a big mistake.

What are you waiting for? Follow me.

I have some business here, so I cant leave yet.

Ian looked flustered by Isaacs response. His voice, still charmingly androgynous due to the charm enhancement, added to Ians confusion. Then, someone called out to them.

Ian, do you need something from this friend?

Rotenhammer was approaching.

Commander.

Identified as Ian, straightened up immediately.

This is the lad I mentioned who escaped the Wallachia hunters unscathed all night. I thought he was making a ridiculous mistake, so I was about to correct him.

Ians jaw dropped.

The hunt for the Wallachia hunters had ended, and the plot was thwarted, but no culprits were caught an unsatisfying conclusion. The real struggle would now start within the Orders upper ranks: dealing with the Wallachia Kingdom, diplomacy, and posturing.

But all that was no longer Isaacs concern.

His concern was the open area Rotenhammer had arranged to fix young Isaacs foolish thinking.

Its understandable, though.

To Rotenhammer, it must look like a talented recruit was heading towards certain doom.

Its said the foot of a heros path is piled with corpses. Few Grail Knights die of old age; most meet a heroic end on a daring adventure.

Are you ready, Isaac?

Rotenhammer had no intention of letting this young man face such a fate.

So, he decided to give him a harsh lesson.

Remember your promise, Commander Rotenhammer.

Yes. As promised, if you beat three, you win.

But the lesson wouldnt come directly from Rotenhammer. It would be inappropriate for him to beat Isaac himself, and it would be awkward for Gebel, who had recommended him.

So, Rotenhammer proposed a duel to Isaac.

If you win

Rotenhammer replied, If you win, Ill appoint you as a Paladin in the name of the Briant Knight Order Commander and issue a document certifying you as a Holy Grail Knight legitimately in pursuit of holy relics under the Codex of Lights.

Thats acceptable. What are the terms?

One-on-one. Real swords, as we have priests around. Avoid lethal strikes. If you defeat three opponents, you win. But,

But?

If a duel lasts longer than 30 seconds, another opponent will join.

Isaac frowned. He thought Rotenhammers conditions seemed unfairly harsh, but the commanders expression was stern.

Holy Grail Knights travel alone. They often fight against multiple opponents. If you cant settle a fight quickly, its better to give up.

Isaac realized Rotenhammer wasnt just trying to teach a young man a lesson but was seriously testing whether he had the skills to be a Grail Knight. If it was just about discipline, Rotenhammer himself would have been sufficient.

To become a Grail Knight, I first need to be a Holy Knight. Not a bad deal.

Isaac agreed.

***

The first opponent was a trainee, whose name Isaac couldnt remember.

He seemed to have a solid foundation, but the moment their swords clashed, Isaac twisted his angle slightly, causing the trainees wrist to bend awkwardly. The trainee dropped his sword, clutching his wrist, and Rotenhammer dismissively kicked him off the field.

The second was also a trainee, a bigger and older-looking young man. Isaac recognized he had moved beyond basic training and was on the path to becoming a Holy Knight.

But to Isaac, he didnt feel much different from the first trainee.

I should give Rotenhammer a face-saving fight.

Isaac exchanged a few blows with him, but perhaps too nonchalantly, as the trainee realized he was being humored. Agitated, he launched a reckless attack. Isaac exploited a minor gap, swiftly coiling around his sword and striking the back of his hand with the flat of his blade.

Wow!

Someone exclaimed at Isaacs deft move. The Holy Knights cast discontented glances, but since the exclamation came from Isolde, they had to retract their resentment.

However, unease was spreading.

Isaac was one of the younger trainees in the Briant Knight Order. Yet, even older trainees couldnt last 30 seconds against him. The last one was even on the verge of becoming a Paladin.

The real issue was whether the Holy Knights themselves could have fared better.

Looks like I am quite strong, after all.

It might sound absurd given he had defeated Wallachias Duke, but honestly, Isaac had never objectively measured his skill in swordplay.

Beasts, Zihilrat, and Wallachia hunters were no real benchmarks for him. A true knightly duel, aside from Gebel, was new to him.

If advanced swordplay is the criterion for a decent Paladin am I at least average?

Then it made sense for the trainees to be no match.

Isaac faced Rotenhammer, ready for the next challenger.

Whos next? Are they hiding, waiting to jump in after 30 seconds?

Gebel, sending a take it easy look to Isaac, couldnt help but feel a bit proud. His young apprentice, in some way a successor to the Avalanche Knight Order, was thrashing other trainees.

Ian, youre up.

Me?

Ian seemed surprised at being called, not originally scheduled to duel. Rotenhammer didnt repeat himself. Ian hesitated but didnt let pride get in his way.

He drew his sword and stepped forward.

Isaac, recalling Ian was an official Paladin, was slightly taken aback. Now hed really see where he stood.

Ian glared at Isaac, then twisted his face disdainfully.

You survived the Wallachia hunters? You look too frail and delicate, probably ignored for lack of blood worth draining.

Whats his deal?

Isaac puzzled over his attitude, then realized Ian was recalling their earlier embarrassing encounter. He was just picking at Isaacs appearance. Or maybe, Ian was using the valuable skill of provocation in real combat.

Real Holy Knight, huh? Using any means for the proof of faith?

Ian didnt stop there and kept hurling insults. Isaac, unmoved, carefully closed the distance while holding his sword. Ian, pretending to be agitated by his own words, trembled slightly.

So staring with those wide eyes and cute face is going to make me fall for you again

Ian!

Rotenhammers warning shout interrupted Ians continued provocations. In that instant, Ians sword moved.

Isaacs gradual closing of the distance suddenly vanished as they collided.

Wow.

In that brief moment, locking eyes with Ian, Isaac was mildly impressed. Ians previously agitated swordplay had been a ruse, his eyes now coldly calculating.

So it was a deliberate provocation.

Ian had hurled insults and feigned agitation at a stranger, only to launch a surprise attack. And his current offensive was advanced swordplay. To Ian, this was going all out.

But that was it.

For Isaac, the moment seemed prolonged enough for thoughts to wander.

If hes gone to this extent, I should show some courtesy in return.