Volume 2, Chapter 15 – Is It Really Just a Game?

At this moment, Tianyin, along with the NPC soldiers who were not Paladins and a few Beastmen, had reached the entrance of the canyon.

And just then, the figure of the Paladin bound by invisible chains in the sky suddenly stirred.

But what shocked everyone was that the Holy Light that had been burning upon that figure’s body… suddenly went out.

「As expected. Trading your own life to ensure others can live… Paladins really are such unreasonable, foolishly pitiful beings…”」

Samael’s voice echoed in Tianyin’s mind, making her subconsciously lift her head to look up at the sky.

Beneath that solitary figure, one Paladin after another, armed with swords and shields, charged toward the direction of the ambushed players.

“For the Holy Light!”

“A Paladin never abandons a comrade!”

The Paladins shouted the creeds of their faith as they launched their assault.

However, high above, the countless spells cast through magic scrolls began to reactivate the instant the flames on Karl’s body went out.

In that brief moment, thousands of beams of light fell from the heavens, and in the next instant, they collided with the charging Paladins.

There was no doubt about it. Against Paladins who were far weaker than Karl, B-rank magic was pure annihilation.

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Moreover, the Paladins had already used their strongest defensive skills to block the previous wave of attacks.

So it was clear that their current charge was nothing more than a futile effort.

『To throw their lives away like that… is that what it means to be a Paladin, Samael?』

Having followed the remaining group to the exit of the canyon, Tianyin could see from the other side the overwhelming, one-sided slaughter unfolding before her eyes.

「Yes, Xiaoyin, that’s what a Paladin is. That’s why I hate them the most. In my eyes, Paladins are nothing but puppets, their lives ruled by so-called faith, existing only for it.」

For some reason, even though Samael’s tone was calm as she said those words, in Tianyin’s ears, it sounded strangely terrifying.

What am I afraid of?

Is it Samael’s cold, detached tone?

Or is it those Paladins, whose eyes see nothing but their faith, like puppets without will?

“Master… what’s wrong?”

Beside her, Mengyao noticed Tianyin’s distracted look and worriedly tightened her small hand around hers.

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“Wuu… it’s nothing, Xiaomengyao, I’m fine…”

She said that, but watching the Paladins in the distance being struck again and again by magic until their lives faded away, Tianyin felt a deep weight pressing on her chest.

NPCs… are they really just NPCs?

In her mind, Tianyin couldn’t help recalling the people she had met before.

The beautiful girl with the same long silver hair as hers, Yivrea.

The knightly maiden called the strongest female knight on the continent, Fisiel.

Were those people truly… merely NPCs formed from clusters of data?

If that’s the case, then what am I? Data… or a real human?

“…………”

Is this really…

“…a game?”

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In a voice only she could hear, Tianyin murmured softly.

“Eh? Master… what are you talking about?”

“Nothing, let’s just focus on getting out of the canyon.”

“Mmhm…”

……

Meanwhile, on the other side, the battle had reached its peak.

No, more precisely, it wasn’t even a battle anymore. It was a one-sided slaughter.

The Paladins had already used up their strongest defensive skills. Now, they were utterly exhausted.

The players didn’t even need to lift a hand. The countless spells raining down from the sky alone were enough to kill most of the Paladins below.

Only a few of the strongest Paladins were still standing, desperately holding on.

But judging by the situation, they too wouldn’t last long.

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“Karl, those who were supposed to retreat have already left. It’s time for you to keep your promise.”

Watching Tianyin’s group leave the canyon, Yunchou smiled faintly as he spoke to Karl.

“Don’t worry, outsider. A Paladin is not someone who breaks their word.”

Karl spoke slowly.

“Since you’ve fulfilled my condition, I will… fulfill mine as well.”

His calm, indifferent tone made it sound as if it wasn’t his own life he was talking about.

“Enough with the nonsense. Get on with it.”

Yunchou’s tone grew impatient.

“Of course… I will die… May the Holy Light never shine upon you again, outsider.”

“Thank you. But I was born to live in the shadows, Karl.”