Intermission: Circle of Light

In the middle of the human kingdom, a gigantic castle exists. It has a tall tower in the middle of its castle gardens.

It was called the "Spire of Light."

They named it after the giant angel statue in front of the Spire.

No one but the highest-ranked paladins and priest know its origin and its real name. It was more ancient than the kingdom itself.

Inside the Spire, there was an elegant table where all the Paladin Lords are meeting. However, the table and the Lords can be considered opposites.

Paladin Lord 5: “We should exterminate them now and leave no trace of behind!”

Paladin Lord 6: “No! We have more pressing matters! The monsters here are extinct. We need to explore the other continents and get a grasp on our strength across them.”

Paladin Lord 3: “We also received reports that a group of low-level skeletons had escaped through the southern border.”

Paladin Lord 4: “Damn! Kill them all! Let’s sweep the Deadlands now!”

Paladin Great Lord: “QUIET!”

The young-looking paladin spoke up.

This event was a meeting of the paladin lords. It was about the post-war plans for humans.

12 lords. Founded by one hero. The hero is the young paladin. The Hero held a spear that looks like it was made of pure light, but it certainly was a physical spear with overflowing holy enchantments.

“I have weighed the gains and losses. Eleven battalions, along with their paladin lords, will come with me on the expedition to scout the nearest continent. One paladin lord, namely Harb, will be the one in charge of the security of the kingdom and the exterminating of the remaining monsters. If anyone has any objection, speak now. I will fight you, and if you beat me, the position of Paladin Great Lord will be yours.”

It was the Hero who spoke. He holds the title of the Paladin Great Lord.

Murmurs can be heard from the paladin lords. Mostly about the speed in that the Hero decided an invasion right after the war ended.

Ganz, who was silent the entire time, spoke up. He shouldered his greatsword, trying to intimidate the group.

Ganz: “Hey, can I be the one left here? I don’t want to do something so tiring like going to another continent.”

Hero: “No.”

Ganz: “Okay.”

Hero: “Anything else? If there are none, let us go to the ships and begin the expedition.”

The hero went out of the hall.

The paladin lords followed, but three remained in the hall.

It was Ganz, Harb, and Yuon.

Yuon was almost as quiet as Ganz. As the only paladin lord that uses a katana, he was quite isolated from the others.

Harb: “Ganz, Yuon. I hope you have a safe trip.”

Yuon: “I wish.”

Ganz: “Don’t worry, Harb, as long as we have the hero; nothing can stop us.”

Harb went to tap them in the shoulders.

Harb: “I understand that I am the weakest of the group that I was left out. Mark my words though, I’ll make you guys proud when you come back.”

Ganz: “Haha! How? By killing weaklings?”

Harb: “No, Ganz. I guess you’ll just get surprised by then.”

Ganz: “I should be, or else I’ll gut you for raising my hopes.”

Yuon went to Harb and gave something. Harb put down his trademark knuckles and shield equipment combo.

Yuon: “Harb, that is a crystal. We will use that to contact you on our expedition. If there is anything worth reporting from us or your side, we will use this.”

Harb: “Thanks, Yuon.”

They said their farewells and parted ways.