Raising Paladins

Episode 80. Godmother (1)

Derdrang, a representative resort city in the southern part of the empire.

The pure white and majestic castles along the beach are the symbol of Derdrang.

The coastal road along the castle is full of beautiful flowers, and the emerald sea that touches the white sandy beach beyond it catches the attention of tourists.

The wealth brought by tourists from all over the empire enriched life throughout the city.

It is hard to imagine that it was a small and poor fishing village just a few decades ago.

However, the white castle of Derdrang was now stained with blood.

“Shoot!”

Do-do-do-do-do!

At the cry of the centurion standing on the wall, the archers put a demonstration in unison.

The well-trained archers’ sharp points pierced the backs of the fleeing monsters without fail.

Kieeck!

Monsters reminiscent of leopards with gills.

They walk on two legs, but when they get into the water, they are strange creatures that swim on all fours.

They were waiting for the sunrise and sunset every day to attack Derdrang.

“Stop the attack! Stop attacking!”

Their sticky blood and bodily fluids were smeared on the white walls of the castle.

It belonged to a group of monsters that attacked at sunset as usual today.

The soldiers of the castle who had barely defeated them let out a rough breath.

“Report!”

“12 dead, 33 wounded! Three of the wounded are in critical condition and 30 are addicted to listening!”

“Damn it… … .”

The centurion couldn’t contain his anger and kicked the objects around him.

The situation where there were only about 500 soldiers left.

However, even if the monsters were killed, even if they were killed, they would constantly flock to them.

They were fish people who appeared from under the sea.

They attacked the soldiers by applying the blue poison they got from unknown sources to their weapon, the trident.

They had sticky fins on their hands and feet, and they climbed the walls with them.

It was nothing more than a weapon skill, and it was just wielding it randomly with the intent to kill, but due to the difference in strength between humans and monsters, the soldiers fell countless times.

Their tridents can even pierce steel armor and shields.

The morale of the remaining soldiers in Derdrang was gradually sinking to the ground.

“Report!”

A soldier came running from under the castle.

The centurion asked at his unusual complexion.

“what?”

“In the plain outside the northern wall, the cavalry found a group of monsters and attacked them! Fortunately, the monsters were wiped out… … .”

“Go on!”

“Daemo-nim, who was leading the cavalry, was injured!”

“What?! Is it listening?”

“no! Their trident pierced your left arm, but it’s not poisoning!”

“Stay here! Don’t let go of your guard, they might come in again!”

“Yes, Captain!”

Bailey, the centurion of Derdrang and the battle priest of the Noon Church.

he took a hasty step.

***

bang!

A loud noise was heard from the Derdrang City Hall mansion.

It was the sound of Bailey kicking in the mansion door.

He headed straight for the market.

“Godmother!”

There were already many people in the room.

Derdrang’s merchant guild masters, masters of other guilds, the priests of the temple at midday, and even the heads of the trade union that traded with cities in the west of the empire through the port of Derdrang.

A woman was seen lying among them, worried.

An old man with elegant, rich gray hair neatly tied back.

Covering her wounds with a blue cloth embroidered with gold, she was the respected Mrs. Crena, called ‘Godmother’.

“Godmother! How did this happen?!”

Bailey hurried over and knelt in front of her.

It is hard to imagine that a priest of the Noon Church would kneel to someone other than God.

However, the godmother, Crena, was more respected than anyone else in Derdrang.

“It’s okay, don’t worry.”

Red blood oozes from the bandage wrapped around her left arm.

But Crenna was strong.

Although he was injured and his recovery was slow due to his old age, he maintained a determined expression and gaze so as not to upset the hearts of the people around him.

“A raid?”

“I blocked it. Only wounded… … .”

“It looks the same today as well.”

“sorry. It happened because I was lacking.”

“no. What to do with the monster army that suddenly invaded? It must be because of the long noon.”

Derdrang’s riches and movies for decades.

People here are accustomed to a prosperous life.

Monsters haven’t appeared since the great paladin put the Lich King to rest 200 years ago.

Very rarely, one or two small individuals were seen, but that amount was easily dealt with by battle priests or professional hunters.

Then, at some point, monsters suddenly increased, and they finally attacked the city walls.

It was a crisis that came in the blink of an eye.

“Has there been any news from the outside?”

“… … If you’re talking about Mayrium, that’s still it. I received the message of departure a long time ago, but the distance from there to Derdrang is very far. You may have to wait a little longer.”

“Right… … .”

Godmother Krenna let out a small sigh.

“I think it would be better for Godmother to focus on recovery first. The battle is our… … .”

“I can’t do that. Before being a member of the Noon Church, I was the mayor of Derdrang. Even though I’m not a battle priest, my family has been famous for swordsmanship for generations. When I recover a little, I will fight again.”

“Godmother… … .”

Everyone around them couldn’t help but marvel.

woman’s body.

It is also an old man who has already passed 70 degrees.

However, Krenna did not hesitate to pull out her sword and ride a horse to face the monsters.

If the mayor himself saves his life, what kind of soldier will fight for the citizens?

That was Krenna’s argument, and it was the driving force behind her being called ‘Godmother’.

“… … .”

Krenna’s gaze moved to the large portrait hanging over the head of the bed.

A middle-aged man wearing antique armor and a jeweled sword.

It was Crena’s late husband and the man who would become Meisa’s maternal grandfather.

Crena has never regretted her husband’s empty position or resented him for leaving first.

But somehow, I missed my husband who left today.

If he had, he would surely have stood by and protected himself on horseback.

Her husband is also a descendant of an aristocratic family known for swordsmanship.

However, shortly after Crena got married, the family was shattered due to being involved in a bad incident in the capital.

But, like other nobles, her husband and Krenna did not do the stupid thing of leaving their hometown and starting anew by deceiving their identity and name.

The two started anew in Derdrang, a small fishing village and her husband’s hometown.

And after hard work, he turned the poor village of Derdrang into the best resort city in the southern part of the empire.

‘I miss you today… … .’

But now the city is in crisis.

I couldn’t be comforted by brooding over the past.

“How are the soldiers?”

“I am still treating it, but it is not good. That blue poison is so powerful… … .”

“As expected, it will be resolved only when the priest comes?”

“It seems so. Can’t you just believe it?”

“Hmm… … .”

Crena is not happy.

To be honest, she couldn’t believe it.

A priest who received the blessing of the sun god came out of the Dawning Church, a ruined tribe that was not a member of the Midday Cult or the Twilight Cult.

Moreover, in the city of Derdrang, the three letters of Dawning were not at all favorable.

“I called them on your advice, but I still don’t know. Whether it was a good thing to ask for help from the Dawning Church. You know very well what they did to this city in the past.”

“that… … .”

Bailey spoke with difficulty.

“But first of all, aren’t they the three tribes of the same Sun God? We asked for help, and they gladly accepted. I heard that they already had experience of fighting monsters in the Tournoble area once. Since such people are coming for us without sparing their lives, shouldn’t we treat them with sincerity first? As a courtesy to greet guests.”

“… … .”

Despite Bailey’s ardor, Krenna’s displeasure did not disappear.

Deep in her heart was a distrust of the Dawning Church.

It wasn’t because the Church of Dawn was a ruined tribe, nor was it because unbelievable rumors were spreading.

He just remembered what the old Church of Dawn had done in the city of Derdrang.

“If you do, godmother… … .”

It was the moment Bailey was about to continue talking.

thump thump!

I heard someone heavy in armor running up the stairs.

Soon after, a soldier appeared in the bedroom.

“Enemy surprise! This time, I climbed the cliff on the east coast! The watchtower and beacon tower on the eastern side have been captured!”

“what?!”

Bailey and the people were horrified.

“Yeah, but… … .”

The pale soldier stuttered.

“Something, tell me.”

The words of the godmother who sat upright on the bed before she knew it.

The soldier stuttered and continued his report.

“No, they’re holding hostages! They are holding a group of children and making an unknown demonstration towards the wall!”

“The monster took a hostage… … ?”

A hostage is a word used when you hold someone and demand something from them.

But monsters lacking intelligence took hostages?

Something was going strangely.

“Is that even possible? Are monsters taking hostages?”

“Huh… … What will the world be… … .”

The people in the room each threw a word with a puzzled look on their faces.

At that time, Gregory, the second son of Godmother Crena, who had been silent until now, spoke.

“It looks like the belly has finally appeared.”

Although he is the second son, Gregory is the head of the Crena family.

People listened to him, who was evaluated as wise and wise, not only for his excellent swordsmanship, but also for not neglecting to read.

“Godfather, what do you mean by that?”

Crena also seemed to be curious about her son’s opinion.

“Monsters are suddenly attacking the city in an army. This isn’t the usual level of stealing food. Doesn’t that mean there must be something or someone manipulating them behind the scenes?”

“Hmm… … Go on.”

“Maybe that back belly has now appeared. It’s also suspicious that he took the children hostage. It’s sad that adults get hurt and die, but isn’t it different when children are caught? I’m sure he’ll ask for something lethal.”

thump thump!

Then a new soldier burst into the bedroom.

And he delivered some surprising news.

“I am a warlock! A warlock has appeared at the eastern watchtower and is asking to see the Great Mother!”