Inside the tent, the various representatives of the Issacrea Dawn Army had quickly gathered. They had already been on edge due to the visit of the Inquisitors. And now, word had spread that Isaac had beaten up one of them, leaving everyone visibly shocked.
Yet, amidst the tension, there was an undeniable air of mirth.
The paladins from the Codex of Light side seemed especially amused. Among them, Rottenhammer was grinning from ear to ear.
“That’s our commander!”
The news of Isaac assaulting an Inquisitor had shocked Rottenhammer, but he couldn’t hide his delight.
Isaac felt somewhat bewildered by how much more elated Rottenhammer was compared to others like Elil and the World’s Forge, but he understood the sentiment.
Unlike Elil and World’s Forge, who had long severed ties with the Inquisition out of disgust, the paladins and priests from the Codex of Light had only recently escaped their torment. Those who had grown disillusioned with the church and joined the Issacrea Dawn Army had suffered the most under the Inquisition’s scrutiny.
However, while the amusement was genuine, the reality remained grim. Rottenhammer, as much as he loathed the Inquisitors, was also well aware of the disasters they could bring.
“Well, I’ll admit, it was satisfying to see those lunatic crows get what they deserve, but... what do we do now? You must have had a plan when you beat him, right?”
“I don’t.”
Isaac answered calmly.
Rottenhammer laughed, thinking it was a joke, but when Isaac didn’t continue, his smile vanished. His eyes darkened with a more feral edge.
“No plan? In that case, should I go chase them down and finish them off? They can’t have gone far yet.”
Isaac wondered if this was something a faithful paladin of the Codex of Light should be saying. When had Rottenhammer become so... corrupted?
Isaac shook his head.
“They’ve already reported everything to their superiors through their ‘ravens.’ Killing them now won’t change the fact that the church has already dispatched someone to keep us in check.”
“Someone to keep us in check?”
“Dera Heman.”
A heavy silence fell over the tent.
The problem lay with the Issacrea Paladin Order, whose home base was still under the influence of the Codex of Light. If things went wrong, they could be branded as heretics. This was why Rottenhammer hesitated to respond.
But Isaac understood Rottenhammer’s hesitation all too well. The mere fact that such a loyal follower of the church was wavering showed how deeply troubled he was. And yet, Isaac had no intention of dragging them into a full-on war with the Codex of Light.
“I appreciate your support, but I don’t intend to wage war against the Codex of Light.”
“What?”
Rottenhammer asked, clearly taken aback.
“What do you mean? Are you planning to surrender?”
“Our enemy remains the same: Holy Land Lua and the Immortal Order that resides there.”
Isaac hadn’t forgotten the main goal. Holy Land Lua had to be reclaimed, not only to achieve victory but also to prevent direct intervention from the angels.
To use an extreme example, even if Isaac destroyed the entire Codex of Light clergy, took the throne, and executed the Pope, as long as he reclaimed Holy Land Lua, the Lighthouse Keeper wouldn’t stop him.
The Codex of Light’s victory condition was singularly focused on reclaiming Holy Land Lua.
Isaac had concluded that the church’s current interference was more driven by its own politics than by angelic influence. Reclaiming Holy Land Lua remained his primary goal as well.
“We can’t afford to fight amongst ourselves if we’re to reclaim Holy Land Lua.”
“...Of course. But those bastards aren’t going to leave us alone!”
Rottenhammer exclaimed, frustrated.
“So, what exactly are you planning? If you’re thinking of surrendering, you’ll be the first Dawn Army leader to face mutiny.”
Rottenhammer and Tuhalin quickly expressed their concerns. Isaac appreciated their loyalty, but if the Issacrea Dawn Army was to avoid being entangled in this matter, Isaac himself had to resolve it.
Isaac turned his gaze toward the sea and mentioned the hint Soltnar had dropped.
“Over there, there’s a monastery where Kalsen Miller’s Milishar Paladins once resided. It’s said a historic duel took place there.”
Everyone’s gaze followed Isaac’s toward the sea.