The Paladin in the Abyss

Chapter 319: Chapter 323 Reflection

“Eskodel?” Lancelot was surprised, “Isn’t that…”

“Yes, he was Queen Movir’s former spouse of the Aira Celestials and was indeed tricked by the Mother of Demons Cang Ye, which led to an entire generation of Aira children being trapped in this plane,” Acheron furrowed his brow, “It is said that he frequently came to Androlina, protecting those children who were trapped here because of him, and it wasn’t long before he sacrificed himself…”

“Maybe that succubus used to be one of his lieutenants or someone close to him,” Lancelot took the sword suffused with starlight from the vines, feeling as smooth as jade when he held it, “I’ve heard that the Aira Celestials have a very open attitude towards romantic relationships…”

“The Aira are impulsive and passionate; they believe that love must be sincere,” the Elven Ranger glanced at their Priest companion, “but they don’t require exclusivity. Eskodel was just one of the many spouses of the Star Queen, and her current spouses are Finier and Gwenhwyfar. The former continues the mission of his predecessor, dedicated to protecting the children trapped in Androlina, and the latter… is the Star Queen’s own daughter. I know this sounds a bit strange…”

“Lady Firehair opposes any moral shackles imposed upon love,” Alamir shrugged, “More love is always better, as long as it does not cause harm.”

Lancelot was hearing this theory for the first time, but noticing the Holy Warrior beside him frown disapprovingly, he handed the weapon over while changing the topic.

“This dagger must be quite famous if you recognized it immediately.”

“Legend has it that this treasured sword is made with the unrestrained starlight of the wilderness, and any lower plane demon struck by this weapon will be immediately transported to the prison at the Court of Stars,” the Elven Ranger accepted the dagger from Lancelot, examined it for a while, then handed it to others, looking at Lancelot with a complex expression, seemingly hesitant to speak.

“Do you want me to return this weapon to the Aira of Androlina?” Lancelot saw what he was getting at and asked directly.

“You’re the one who found this sword, and you solved the problem of the succubus guarding it; you have every right to possess it. But it holds special meaning for the Aira,” the Ranger said with less conviction, “If it could be returned to the Aira, I believe they would be very happy. Of course, if you refuse, I can completely understand, given that this is a Divine Artifact Level weapon…”

“Does anyone of you want to use it?” Lancelot looked to his companions to seek their opinions.

“Don’t you want to use it yourself?” Kalalin asked curiously, “A weapon of this level would surely perform best in your hands…”

“That’s too small for me,” Lancelot patted Frostslash on his back, “I prefer something longer and thicker…”

The rest looked at each other and shook their heads.

“Koula, do you want it?”

“That thing’s too sharp for vegetables and meats,” the Halfling waved his hands repeatedly.

“Makes sense,” Lancelot turned to the little girl who stood obediently to the side, “Little Isha, the dagger is just your type, do you want to own it? You took the lead in defeating that succubus, you’re entirely qualified to claim this weapon…”

“I don’t want it,” Isa decisively shook her head, without a trace of hesitation.

“Oh?” Lancelot raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Can you tell me why you refuse?”

“The merit I established relied on this.” Isa tapped her forehead. “When I poured Holy Water over that corpse, it didn’t matter at all what kind of weapon I had at my waist, did it? If I had such a powerful weapon, I would be inclined to solve problems in a simple and crude way, unable to make the right judgement.”

“Haha, I underestimated you.” Lancelot’s face broke into a happy smile. He took back Starlight Strike and placed it in a concealed spot on his belt. “Since no one else needs it, Acheron, I promise you. When we get back to Melanthan, I will definitely return it to the Airas.”

“Thank you, thank you!” The Elf Prince, Seren, bowed excitedly to him again and again. “The return of this Divine Artifact will definitely greatly boost the morale of the Protectors. I thank you on behalf of everyone in advance… ”

“As Elothysia just said, there’s no need for thanks, it’s all part of what we should do,” Lancelot turned and smiled at the Succubus Paladin. “Alright, let’s go rest…”

Everyone filed out of the small stone chamber and found the Dwarf and the skull still unconscious. Isa gently cradled Cromwell in her arms, while Lancelot carefully peeled off Bruto’s spiky armor and then carried him on his shoulder.@@novelbin@@

Bruto might only be a tad over 5 feet tall, but he wasn’t a bit lighter than Lancelot. Of course, that was in comparison to his weight before Foundation Establishment. If Lancelot were to step on a scale now, the result would probably make him question his life.

It seemed like a long walk on the way there, but the return trip felt like it was over in a moment. Lancelot didn’t intentionally control his pace, but Bruto, perched on his shoulder, remained unconscious, showing that he was indeed quite seriously injured. To be honest, Lancelot was somewhat surprised he had managed to stay alive; it seems the rumor that Dwarves have some natural resistance to magic is not unfounded.

When they returned to the camp, they relit the campfire. Priests and Holy Warriors used up the rest of their spell slots to cast healing Divine Arts on everyone, then they joined the exhausted group to rest, leaving Lancelot and Isa in charge of the ‘night watch.’

Less than an hour had passed since they last woke up, and it was only three in the afternoon. A sufficient rest would take eight hours, and by then it would be midnight, later than the group’s original departure time, but still enough time for them to cover several more miles in darkness.

Isa took a bag filled with Demon Palace roses and ran off to practice manipulating these bloodthirsty plants. Meanwhile, Lancelot sat by the campfire, meditating for Qi Cultivation while reviewing his performance in the battle that had almost ended in tragedy.

He had forgotten to cast Qingyun Sword and Shield on himself during the fight. This kind of Shield with a counter-effect should have been effective against the succubus’s Touch of Corruption, and the ability Shadow Web that he had acquired from the Shadow Weaver might also restrain the erratic movement of incorporeal beings.

There were several other Cultivation Techniques that Lancelot had mastered that might have been helpful in fighting the succubus, allowing him to attack more effectively or provide some Protection to his companions, but in the heat of battle, he managed to use only his Sword Aura and movement technique with ease.

It seems I’m fated to be a warrior, Lancelot thought to himself with a sense of helpless self-mockery.

There was no doubt that his strength had significantly increased lately, but he had yet to learn how to wield that power, a situation that must be changed quickly. This time they were lucky, the young Vampire’s actions allowed them to end the battle quickly. If the Priest and Holy Warriors had exhausted their spellcasting ability in a drawn-out fight, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

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