The Paladin in the Abyss

Chapter 340: Chapter 354: The Mercenary’s Salary

The demon’s words were like a heavy bomb, leaving Bruto and Acheron behind him utterly dumbfounded, but Lancelot’s face remained as tranquil as a well without ripples, and he calmly replied:

“I do indeed have some experience, which is why I am quite aware of what a terrible disaster it can be to command a group of unfamiliar soldiers. Especially when those soldiers belong to the most unmanageable and undisciplined races in the entire Multiverse.”

“Ah, don’t worry about that, you’ll find that commanding a Tanari army is actually quite simple, as long as you grasp the tricks,” the demonic conscription officer said with a cruel smile on his face, “Of course, before that, you have to prove your ability. War is about to start, and if this chance is missed, the next might not come for hundreds of years…”

“War?” Lancelot raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you always at war with those song-loving beings from the Heavens to the south? Are you going to war with another Abyssal Lord? That doesn’t sound too good, I need to know who the potential enemies are…”

“Another Abyssal Lord?” The demon with dead skin was taken aback, hurriedly denying, “No, no, that’s not it, we’re going after those weak and foolish chaps to the south. Listen, General Ulgog has been preparing for this for a long time, your time in the army will definitely not be boring, the chance to make a fortune is waiting!”

“That sounds good,” Lancelot felt he should show a bit of interest, otherwise it would be too fake, “You mentioned earlier that proving one’s capability could lead to promotion as a commander?”

“Yes, yes! Just achieve twenty military accomplishments, any will do, and you will be sent to the fortress outside the city for training at our military academy,” the demon’s voice lowered again, “Listen, I believe you’ll make a great commander, and if you’re willing, I can reduce that number to ten, which would make things much easier, wouldn’t it?”

“It does sound good, but twenty accomplishments aren’t too difficult a target for me and my brothers,” Lancelot shrugged indifferently and decided to cut the conversation short, “You’ve said a lot, but demons are not known for their good reputation, I prefer tangible gold. How do you pay the first term of salary, can it be advanced?”

“No, no!” The demonic conscription officer’s complexion changed upon hearing this, shaking his head like a fan, “Where’s the reason in paying first without work being done?”

“I don’t think you’d cherish something that’s free,” Lancelot took a step back with a skeptical look, “Each time I take on a new contract, I assume I’m going to lose my life because of it, so I must receive enough compensation in advance.”

“Smart, uh, I mean, that sounds very cautious,” the demon crossed his long clawed arms over his chest, “and General Ulgog assumes every mercenary coming to enlist is nothing but a drunkard and glutton, he won’t pay a mercenary who hasn’t served him.”

“Looks like I’ll need to find another employer,” Lancelot shrugged nonchalantly.

“Suit yourself, but we are your best option,” the demonic conscription officer spat a clump of yellow-green phlegm onto Lancelot’s boots and turned his head away, ignoring them.

Bruto and Acheron exchanged inquiring glances with Lancelot, wanting to know his next plan. The Human Knight just shook his head gently and walked towards the other side of the hall.

There was also a recruitment point for a Demon Legion here, with less gold piled up than the previous one, but because it was mixed with many sparkling gemstones, it still looked dazzling and attractive.

The small demon guarding this treasure trove was about the height of a Halfling, with skin as black as coal. Its skeletal face was nearly devoid of flesh, under its bald scalp were a pair of pale eyeballs, and its dry body looked like the corpse of a refugee who died of starvation.

Despite this, it was essentially like an ordinary humanoid creature, except for its claws—a pair of crimson, scythe-like claws with only three finger-like digits. Lancelot knew this was a Middle Rank Demon known as a Crafty Demon. When he had upgraded Dingke, there had been an option to take on this form of demon.

“Looking for work, mercenary?” The short demon hopped from the chair it was seated on to the table in front, so it could look down at the three approaching people, “Did that corpse-eating guy dizzy you up? Join us, a hundred Gold Coins per week, simple, right? Sign the contract now, and you can immediately receive the first week’s pay…”

“Don’t you need to assess our abilities?” inquired Lancelot with an interested look, “Or do you accept anyone who comes by?”

“Since Mita and Nita, those two idiots at the gate, didn’t throw you out, that’s proof enough you’re qualified,” the demon said impatiently, yet speaking incessantly, “I know what you blockheads are going to ask next, what if your abilities far exceed the price of a hundred Gold Coins a week? My answer is, for each enemy head you turn in, you’ll earn a hundred Gold Coins. If you think you’re really capable, go exchange them on the battlefield! Of course, we only pay a bounty to the living— even if you have a companion who knows a Necromancy Spell, turning you into a zombie and bringing you back won’t work. The last guy who tried that…”

“Sounds tempting, but how often will there be battles?” Lancelot interrupted the demon’s rambling.

“Oh, so many that you’ll hardly have time to rest,” the Crafty Demon seemed to think he had a shot, his tone becoming excited, “A great battle is about to begin. Bring your sword and join us. Every time you swing it, you’ll hear the sound of Gold Coins clashing, just like this!”

The demon tossed a handful of coins into the air, letting them collide with clinking sounds. This trick had just been used by another Conscription Officer, they seemed to think that mortals from the Prime Material Plane found this sound very tempting.

Unfortunately for them, this had no effect on Lancelot; after all, he was the man who had entered the treasury of the Succubus Palace with a Dimensional Bag. What was the requirement back then? Don’t take the gold.@@novelbin@@

“A great battle? That sounds a bit too dangerous. I prefer my life over gold,” Lancelot shook his head and walked away without hesitation, leaving the still-raised arm of the Crafty Demon hanging in the air.

The interactions with the two demon recruitment officers were quite enlightening, and both demons had mentioned an imminent great war, sparking an inexplicable sense of urgency in him.

“Hey, stop wandering around!”

All of a sudden, a voice rang out near Lancelot’s ear. The voice wasn’t loud, but it reached his ears distinctly amidst the noisy surroundings.

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