The Paladin in the Abyss

Chapter 397: Chapter 411 Besieging the City

Androlina, south bank of the Hoffenstan River, atop the lookout tower of Pascaler Fortress.

Narciso squinted his eyes, sizing up the demon army that was crossing the river ahead, his fingers unconsciously brushing over his own quiver. This was his habit when encountering an enemy—if the foes outnumbered his arrows, it was best not to act rashly.

But today, this habit might not apply, since the enemy far outnumbered the ammunition in his quiver, and Narciso and his companions had no room left to retreat.

Looking out into the distance, the demon army resembled a festering wound upon the land—merely seeing them filled him with extreme revulsion. Yet the enemy was still beyond his shooting range, and Narciso was already standing at the farthest spot from where arrows could be shot across the fortress.

Around him were a group of elven archers, but none of their longbows matched the size of his. There were other traits that set Narciso apart as well, like his somewhat pointed yet not excessively long ears, his more robust physique, and the stubble on his chin. Yes, he was a half-elf, with a human father and an elven mother.

In many worlds, half-elves could not fully integrate into human society and also found it difficult to adapt to life among the elf race, but not so in Androlina. Narciso’s father was a great holy warrior, and his mother an elven ranger who had followed the Prince of Blazing Flame to this realm. They met in battle and what followed was a somewhat cliché love story, culminating in Narciso’s birth.

Many elves, fully aware of the short lifespan of humans, were nonetheless irresistibly drawn to the passion and fervor of this race. Narciso’s father would turn eighty in two years and, although he was still very healthy, both Narciso and his mother knew his life was nearing its end. If all went as usual, he would pass away in a warm bed, with his still young wife and son by his side.

But you never know which will come first, an accident or tomorrow—especially in the Abyss, a plane that mortals spoke of with fear and dread.

Narciso couldn’t help but lower his gaze, looking down at the soldiers clustered on the city walls below. He immediately spotted his father, who was leading a large group of knights in prayer before the battle, asking for the blessing of his god—Hajonnis—for victory in the imminent fight.

Donning that suit of armor, his father seemed to revert to his younger self. It wasn’t the first time Narciso was watching his father from this spot, nor the first time he worried it might be the last. But deep down, Narciso knew that this time, it truly might be the last.

“That first time I saw him, it was under circumstances just like today’s.”

A light, feminine voice suddenly emerged next to his ear. Narciso quickly turned his head and found his mother standing behind him, tenderly looking at his father’s back.

“Mother, what are you doing here?” The half-elf hastily bowed to his mother. “I am on guard…”

“We’re high enough here to get a clear view of the demon army,” said the elven lady, who looked younger than her own child if not for the serious expression, “It seems that the rumors are true. Cang Ye has indeed gathered three legions. I have never seen such a vast demon force…”

“Are we going to die?” Narciso couldn’t help but ask softly, “There are simply too many of them…”

“Sooner or later, mortals must die,” the elegant elven lady glanced at her half-elf child. “But I hope it’s not today.”

A terrifying horn sound suddenly arose from all directions, causing even the ground to shake slightly. The tumultuous river began to churn with strange waves, and then dozens of huge bone bridges emerged from the water, providing a pathway for the demon army’s crossing, which prompted a panicked outcry from the tower.

“I must go now,” said the mother as she kissed Narciso’s face, “Take good care of your father for me.”

The Elven Mage turned swiftly and departed, leaving only a hurried silhouette for her Half-elf child, and not far below them on a section of the city wall, a Martial Monk with a red cord wrapped around his hand stood next to the crenellation, quietly gazing outward, while behind him, a fully armed Knight was pacing about impatiently.

“Damn it, Hobinson, they should have let us out!” the Knight complained for the tenth time, “Look at those Demons, they’re crossing the river! Is there a better time for a cavalry charge than this?”

“Stay calm, Tannis. I don’t doubt your fighting ability… ”

“Then why didn’t you support me just now?”

“Because what awaits you on the riverbank is nothing but cannon fodder from the Demon Legion, you and your men’s strength can be put to better use.”

“Damn! A knight off his horse, what difference does he have from an infantryman…”

“I deeply admire your courage, but if you were out there now, without the protection of the walls, you’d be overwhelmed by the enemy in an instant,” the Martial Monk tightened the red cord on his hand, “Only by staying alive can you kill more enemies, especially today.”

“…Has the Messenger for help been sent out?”

“Of course. But I doubt it will be of any use, even if they hurry here at their fastest, the Demons will have already blockaded the area by then…”

A creaking sound of mechanical operation arose, and the four trebuchets mounted on the fortress’s main keep fired. The ignited boulders emitted a piercing screech as they traced a fiery arc across the morning sky, then crashed heavily into the dense Demon throng, creating a violent explosion.

Cheers came from all directions of the city wall, but the Martial Monk simply shook his head in silence.

“Hey! That was beautiful!” his Knight companion, who was just restless a moment ago, was now enthusiastically waving his arms, “Do it again! Hm? Why that expression, are you unhappy with something?”

“Look at what’s died, Coward Devils, Prime Demons, perhaps even some Aberrant Demons,” Hobinson said with a somber expression, “Those things should have been saved to deal with the enemy’s siege engines, instead they were revealed prematurely for some cannon fodder Demons.”

As he spoke, the trebuchets launched a second volley of projectiles, which raised large red waves in the filthy Demon sea. One shot, in particular, flew especially far, landing in the middle of a bone bridge and smashing it to pieces on the spot, quickly washing away large numbers of Demons with the rolling river water.

“Oooooh!!”

Another wave of cheers came from the crowd, but their voices soon quieted down, as the Demon Legion showed almost no signs of slowing down and were still rapidly approaching. The defenders of Pascaler were mostly humans, among them many experienced veterans, but most had only fought small bands of Demons and hadn’t faced a Demon Legion of this scale head-on before.

But the Elves knew, this battle would prove much tougher than their human comrades had thought, and it was too wasteful to spend their energy on cheering right at the start of it.

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