Chapter 77 - The Paladin Returns

Two days later, Jake finished learning the three skills. He could use them in combat.

With this, Jake was pretty confident in his strength and was planning to visit another noble today.

Viscount Dorstone was the 2nd closest noble from his location. Jake had heard that this nobleman was a powerful 3rd Circle Knight. He also had a battalion of knights which had once fended off a monster horde.

However, Jake didn’t think they would be that much of a challenge. Unless his mana was exhausted or they had magical artifacts in person, the people lower ranked than him couldn’t resist his [Degeneration Halo].

Tak… Tak… Walking through the brightly lit stone corridors, Jake returned to the 18th floor. He wanted to give Irene some instructions before he left.

She would take care of the dungeon while in his absence.

…

Ash Harley, the paladin, stepped in the Senesten village. It was late morning, and the villagers were preparing their lunches.

The summer sun was shining high up. Walking on the muddy road, Ash recalled the days of his childhood.

He looked around and remembered the faces and homes of the people he knew. On the left, behind that tall tree, was the house of sister Dorothy.

Over there, the James brothers were tending to the cattle. They still quarreled like yesterday.

As Ash walked through the wood and stone houses, he saw his childhood friend and immediately recognized her. She was Emily Seale. His eyes glowed seeing her beautiful figure. In ten years, she had grown a lot.

Ash walked up to her. Emily was startled and went back. Seeing the emblem of the Lord on his chest, she stood straight.

Eh, why was it upside down? Could it be a paladin was wearing it improperly? She couldn’t help but giggle.

“Emily,” Ash called with a smile.

The woman finally recognized who it was. He was the village leader’s son who was taken by the Church Knights.

“Ash!”

She was surprised. Then a look of sorrow covered her face. Ash acutely noticed it and asked, “What happened? Did you not want to see me…?”

“No, that’s notー” Emily didn’t know how to word it. She stayed silent, and that made Ash more curious.

“Then what is it?”

“It’s…” Emily took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Y-Your family members… Someone assassinated them.”

…

Devastated after learning about his family’s death, Ash sought to find the killer. He asked around if his father had offended someone during these days, but didn’t get any answer.

Despite leading the village, the Harleys mistreated no one. They were friendly and had no enemies. Then why would someone assassinate a happy family living in a faraway village?

‘Is it my fault? It must be my enemies… But I told no one where I came from. That information is secured in the Diocese.’

Ash went outside of the village. Although he knew many people here, Senesten just didn’t feel like his home. There was something strange about this village. Ash couldn’t pinpoint it.

He felt it when the people talked, when they moved around and did their work. His instincts were telling him something sinister was going on. Ash didn’t feel like staying here.

He glanced back at the village which he had fondly returned to. Now it seemed like a wholly different place. He looked at the front and walked a considerable distance.

At this moment, his sword suddenly vibrated. Ash became alert at once. It indicated that something evil was in the surroundings.

Behind the bushes, Jake pushed a large boulder. He exited the dungeon from the entrance near the Senesten village because Viscount Dorstone’s fief was in the western direction.

However, the moment he left the dungeon, he sensed something holy through Magipathy. The source was right in front of him.

”What is it, master?” Vin and Diana asked from behind. This time, they were accompanying him.

Jake frowned and told them to stay here. The moment he took a step forward, however, he suddenly withdrew his scythe from his inventory and equipped it.

Ting!

A crisp sound rang in the area as the Black Reaper’s blade clashed with the blade of the Paladin’s sword. A shock wave ran through the air and the women behind him covered their ears.

Jake forcefully pushed the man in front of him and appeared from the bushes. The women followed him, worried about their master.

As three people appeared in front of him, Ash sensed their evil aura. He held his long sword tight and immediately spread his Divine Sense which he got after advancing to a Paladin.

”Who are you people?” Ash asked in a thunderous tone. He felt danger from the man at the front.

Jake stayed silent and cautiously swung his scythe. He used [Demon Eye] to look at the stats of this blonde-haired man.

[Name: Ash Harley]

[Species: Human]

[Rank: 4th Circle]

[Titles(s): Failed Hero, Knight of Gera (+??? Stats boost in Gera City), Rising Light (+10 Will +15 ???)]

[Job: Paladin]

[Strength: 401 / Agility: ??? / Stamina: 386 / Vitality: 364 / Intelligence: 304 / Charisma: 220 / Will: ???]

[Abilities: Sword of Judgment (Uniqueーlvl. ???), Cleansing ??? (Rareーlvl. 8), ??? of Protection (Uniqueーlvl. ???), Divine Smite (Rareーlvl. 9), Aura of Courage (Rareーlvl. 7), Divine Sense (RareーPassive), ???, Mass Blessing (Rareーlvl. ???), Armor Penetration (Superiorーlvl. 10), Holy Shield (Uniqueーlvl. ???), Taunt (Uncommonーlvl. 10), ???…]

Jake’s [Demon Eye] was a Unique skill. But because his rank was still 3rd Circle, he could not view the full stats of this 4th Circle Paladin.

However, looking at the attributes, Jake could tell that he was superior instead.

‘Go back and tell Irene to keep herself ready.’ He used [Magipathy] to inform Vin and Diana. The two women turned around and ran through the dark tunnel, back to the dungeon.

“This evil…” Ash frowned deeply. He has never sensed such a thick evil aura in his entire life. This man standing with a scythe could not be human at all.

If he was of the human race, then he had already lost his humanity.

“Who are you?” Ash’s sword shone brightly as he asked again.

Jake was not afraid to fight this paladin. However, he knew how much damage a Unique skill could give him when used with Divine Power. He had only one way to block Ash.

Jake stopped using the appearance magic and black horns sprouted on his head.

Seeing it, Ash’s eyes bulged. He could not believe a demon stayed this close to the human settlements.

Jake decided to gamble here. He went back to the dungeon where he would have a home-ground advantage. If Ash didn’t follow, Jake would have to turn back and kill this paladin at all costs.

However, everything went as he expected. Ash followed him almost immediately.

Whoosh!

The paladin was compelled by his virtue to never let this evil creature go. He was quite confident in his skills and power. After all, this was not the first time he had subjugated a demon.