Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Fishman Paladin
"It is as you say. I am heartened to hear that the surface-dwellers know of our kind." Devin Booker’s mouth opened and closed. Though his expression was unreadable, satisfaction was evident in his voice. "However, we have never acted beyond the scope of our duties, thus there is no need for such displays of reverence. All is for the sake of the great cause."
Ron remembered Quest saying something similar, though he had obviously been referring to something else. ’I suppose some races in this world, or at least certain individuals among them, really are quite united.’
"So, your people have taken it upon yourselves to expel evil Elemental Creatures?" Victoria nodded. "Does your presence here mean that there are evil Elemental Creatures in this place, too?"
"A defeated foe, unworthy of mention," Devin Booker said, his tone laced with contempt. "Although it came at a terrible price, we have already driven them back to the Elemental Plane. The surface-dwellers can rest assured."
"However, those evil ones serve a greater evil, which we are powerless to purge. We can only stand guard here and lie in wait."
"In other words, there’s an even more powerful being here that commands your sworn enemies?" Ron asked.
"Precisely," the Sorol Fishman Centurion nodded slightly. "My apologies, but what I can do is still limited."
"Could you share some of what you know?" Ron pressed. "We’re also investigating related matters, but a great deal of time has passed for us. Combined with major changes on the surface, many old clues have vanished into the wind, leaving no trail to follow."
With that, Ron gave him a summary, highlighting the key points of what they had learned about the surface.
"Civilization’s development... a purge..." Devin Booker listened, finally murmuring, "How... sorrowful."
"It’s not that sad, really. After all, the Hailan Empire was no saint..." Aive muttered.
"Evil submitting to a greater evil... there is nothing more sorrowful."
The Sorol Fishman’s tone trembled intermittently. "If that is truly the case, then what use is there in my standing guard here for nine hundred years? If the source is not cut off, the stream will never cease to flow."
"We are trying to stop this from happening and hope to solve the problem at its source," Ron said. "Of course, we would be overjoyed if we could rely on the strength of the Freshwater Legion—"
"The Freshwater Legion is no more," Devin Booker said, his voice filled with sorrow. "The Fourth Legion... is also no more."
"Ninety years ago, my comrades and I perceived the stench of Water Giant Spirits in these waters. When we followed the trail here, we fell into a cunning trap set by those very same spirits."
"Though we achieved a hard-won victory, our losses were heavy. My remaining brothers-in-arms died one by one as they stood guard, either from their grievous wounds or from their lives simply reaching their end."
"Now, only I remain, all alone. But—I shall continue this great work until my very last breath!"
"As long as I still draw breath, I will absolutely not allow any miscreant to disturb this place!"
As Devin Booker spoke, a faint, holy, silver radiance shimmered into existence around his body.
"That light!" Victoria’s expression changed the moment she saw it. "Please forgive me for asking in such an undignified setting, but if my eyes did not deceive me, you have committed your very body and soul to—"
"An oath. Yes." Given that Sorol Fishmen typically live for two hundred years, Devin Booker had undoubtedly entered his middle years. But when he spoke of this, his eyes and voice remained firm.
"The threat we face is cunning, powerful, and unnatural. We must remain ever vigilant against their corruption. Never accept gifts or boons from an Evil Demon or its allies. Be true to the mission, to your comrades, and to your duty. I am the shield against the endless horrors of the Elemental Plane. My blade must always be sharp, my mind must always be clear."
"I see... I see. Vigilance, Loyalty, Discipline." Victoria gazed at Devin Booker with profound respect. "May the Watchers be with you, honorable Paladin."
’A Paladin?!’
Ron stared in astonishment at the shabbily dressed, plain-looking Fishman, who even sported a beer belly. He knew he shouldn’t judge by appearances, but no matter how he looked at him, he simply couldn’t connect this Fishman with the concept of a Paladin.
’And if I didn’t misjudge the color of his Spiritual Light, or mishear the words of his oath, then he must be a Silver Rider—a Paladin who follows the Oath of the Watcher!’
"I am not familiar with your Deities, but your tenets seem similar to my own," the Fishman Paladin said, returning Victoria’s gesture of respect. "If you have no other business, then please depart. I should be able to stand guard over this place for another ninety years. I pray that fortune favors you in battle, and that you might one day sweep away the gloom that covers this land."
"Aren’t you going to come out with us?" Ron asked. "You’re all alone now. If the evil Elemental Creatures do return, how will you handle them? How will you raise the alarm?"
"Why not join us? We can find the root of the problem and then figure out a way to solve it..."
"I appreciate your kind intentions," Devin Booker said, shaking his massive fish head. "But this place cannot be left unguarded. I cannot leave my post. As for my people... if you have the chance, seek out a mermaid tribe that believes in Wula. They will carry the news back to our kin."
"As for... us, I have a feeling that we will meet again."
As he spoke that last sentence, Devin Booker finally dropped his formal, stilted way of speaking. Although Ron couldn’t hear him laugh or see him smile, he had a feeling that the Centurion was smiling as he said those words.
"In that case, we won’t disturb you any longer." Seeing that his persuasion was fruitless, Ron didn’t insist. Just before taking a deep breath to dive back into the water, he asked one last question.
"Your legion arrived around the same time Green Swamp Town was destroyed up above. Did you happen to see any Magic Power Gemstones fall in here?"
Ron was only asking on a whim. Of the two entrances to the underground Dark River they knew of, the older one had been dug by Aiksuuri, while the more recent one was the well dug by the villagers. It was nearly impossible for any of the six remaining Gemstone keys to have ended up in the river.
But to everyone’s utter astonishment, Devin Booker actually nodded. "Yes. I’ve seen one."
"But the Water Giant Spirit carrying it fled the Material Plane and escaped through a Teleportation Gate."
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