The Paladin in the Abyss

Chapter 335: Chapter 349 Utilizing Value

“Are you sure he’s all right?” Lancelot asked, somewhat worried, “This city is too dangerous for a lone spy…”

“The emblem we saw yesterday was still very new, indicating that at least a few days ago, he was fine.” Acheron pressed his body against the wall by the window, as though he feared they were being watched, “Let’s just wait patiently a little longer…”

After breakfast, Lancelot and Kalalin still decided to go out. As a scholar who studied the Abyss, Kalalin found it hard to resist the temptation to go out and ‘inspect.’ Therefore, he shamelessly asked Lancelot to take him out for an ‘inspection.’ After careful consideration, Lancelot agreed to the proposal.

However, he made Kalalin leave his Howard Convenience Bag in the room, so that in case of an emergency, he could stuff the scholar into the Dimensional Bag and make a swift escape.

As for fighting, he might encounter some tricky characters here and would have to be distracted by protecting his spellcaster companion; but as for running, whether it was the movement technique learned from the bamboo slips or the Shadow Jump ability pilfered from the Weavers of Darkness, most of the demons in this city couldn’t lay a hand on him.

After all, as a Spiritual Cultivator, survivability is most crucial.

Lancelot had rushed through the streets and alleys of Gaomendikolia on his first two visits with a mission in mind, but this was the first time he was walking through this city of demons with a tourist’s spirit. Subconsciously, he compared this place with Twin Bridges Town, Oasis Fort, and Mogrondale, where he had stayed before.

Aside from the stark differences in architectural styles, another significant difference was the absence of any guards or soldiers on the streets. As mentioned before, Gaomendikolia was not a Neutral Town; no power tried to maintain order here or provide any security for citizens and visitors. Therefore, most of the pedestrians appeared in groups, warily watching every person approaching them.

And naturally, Lancelot and Kalalin attracted many ill-intentioned gazes, mostly from foreign visitors like those Dark Elves they encountered yesterday, who looked to be his peers—mercenaries. Their presence here was undoubtedly due to the only war of importance in the entire Multiverse: the Blood War.

“The Blood War is not just a conflict between two evil races; its core contradiction concerns whether order or chaos should dominate the cosmological rules,” Kalalin explained as he observed the bustling street, “Right now, Tanari and Bartez are the main forces in the conflict, but quite a few neutral races with no inclination towards good or evil have begun to pick sides.”

“Like us humans?”@@novelbin@@

“Humans don’t really count.” Kalalin shook his head but didn’t elaborate further, “The Blood War is like a black hole. No matter how many troops you throw in, it’s never enough, and neither side will step back, resulting in every power from the Nine Hells to the Bottomless Abyss recruiting more mercenaries. Even places like Androlina, far from the front lines, cannot avoid being affected.”

“In such a scenario, mercenaries who sell their fighting abilities can indeed fetch a good price,” Lancelot said with a smile, not unfamiliar with the concept. Though this world was vastly different from his own, the nature of war seemed eerily familiar.

“Demons and Devils offer very enticing rates, but not everyone lives to enjoy the rewards they’ve earned,” Kalalin shrugged, “Remember Prince Kailon? His father, Lord Wu’an Grazzt, is one of the most generous employers in the Abyss. Quite a few return alive to boast about their experiences serving under Lord Wu’an and flaunt the wealth they’ve gained.”

“Really?” Lancelot’s voice was filled with skepticism, “Could these individuals be deliberately sent back by the Abyssal Lords to lure more mercenaries?”

“Never rule out the worst assumptions about an Abyssal Lord’s intentions because they’re likely true.” Kalalin’s expression became serious, “You know what I’m talking about, right?”

“I know.” Lancelot nodded, a beautiful shadow flickering across his mind.

“She is a Succubus. Despite examples like Elothysia, those are… rare,” the Scholar spoke very cautiously, “Lancelot… there are some things I’m not sure if I should remind you of…”

“Go ahead.” The Human Knight sighed, aware that his friends were truly concerned.

“I don’t think you’re handsome enough to make a Succubus reform for you like an Angel would,” said Kalalin.

“… I’ll give you a chance to rephrase that.”

“… Tigana has indeed been nothing but good to us so far, and to be honest, she’s been quite good to our group,” Kalalin shrugged, “This can be interpreted in two ways: the first is she’s a good Succubus who has hidden well, and has managed to establish and defend Twin Bridges Town in the Abyss where strong enemies lurk and be a significant balance of power…”

“And the other possibility?”

“To her, we’re just a bunch of fools too insignificant to bother squeezing any advantage from,” Kalalin sighed, “But it’s hard to say how things might change in the future. Lancelot, I’ve come to a sober understanding of your strength during this journey. Let alone ten of me, even a hundred of me…”

“A hundred of you casting spells at me at the same time would definitely be too much.” The Human Knight interrupted Kalalin’s hyperbolic comparison, “But I get what you mean. You’re saying that as we demonstrate increasing capabilities, Tigana’s attitude toward us might… change?”

“Yes.” The Scholar nodded, “I think she will treat you better and better, maybe even offer you some… very nice incentives. But you’d do well to keep a clear head, understand what she wants from you in exchange, and carefully consider whether it’s worth it.”

“Alright.” Lancelot promised softly, “If I take on any mission that worries you, tell me anytime. Don’t bear any burden about it; I will never force you to join me on a perilous journey.”

“I will.” Kalalin replied simply. After a while, he added, “This time doesn’t count. I genuinely want to help the Succubus Paladin.”

“We all do.” Lancelot nodded, and the topic ended there.

That day, they roamed through the streets and lanes of Gaomendikolia, except for the areas guarded and inaccessible. The Scholar didn’t complain; he just wanted to get a general understanding of the city’s layout rather than to probe its secrets. When night fell, the two returned to join their companions, waiting expectantly behind that window.

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