The Paladin in the Abyss

Chapter 400: Chapter 414: Encountering the Butcher Again

“The big guy ahead doesn’t look easy to deal with,” Acheron said, withdrawing his head from around the corner, “Is there another way?”

“Maybe,” Lancelot shrugged, “but this is the way I just came from.”

“It was just you alone, slipping by that creature naturally wasn’t difficult,” the Elf Prince shook his head, “but this time it’s different, we have so many people behind us, either we find another way around, or we have to kill that monster.”

“And me,” the voice of Clone Well came from Lancelot’s waist, “Lancelot wasn’t alone at the time.”

“You’re so small, you don’t count as a person,” Acheron glared at the skull in annoyance, “The corridors here are really too narrow, accommodating at most three people side by side. Fighting in such an environment, who knows how much it will cost to take down that monster? Besides, we’re pressed for time…”

The enemy they were discussing was naturally the ‘Butcher’ mentioned by the goblin chef. After coming out of the interrogation room, Lancelot led more than two hundred people back the way he had come, without encountering any major trouble along the way.

Roaming Aberrant Demons were not considered major trouble, but the High Rank demons caged up took great interest in this group of people. These creatures, who had previously postured as important beings in front of Lancelot, offering power and wealth, were now as meek as kittens, fearing being singled out and released for slaughter.

They could see clearly that the Human Knight who had slipped in there earlier had only a strange skull with him, acting all sneaky as if afraid of being discovered. How did he manage to lead out such a large army in the blink of an eye?

Yes, an army. Groups of four or five are called adventure teams, more than a dozen can be called a mercenary band, but how many people were following behind this Human Knight? An immense crowd, almost endless in sight, and each one seemed well-equipped, with a resolute gaze, and an air of not being easily messed with.

Although they were captives captured by the Mother of Demons in their time, the Mother of Demons couldn’t possibly deal with so many at once. This troop of two hundred could be thrown onto the battlefield of blood and might not stand out, but against a single Barlow Flame Demon or an Abyssal Demon Refinement, under the siege of these two hundred, it would be akin to delivering one’s own head.

In fact, quite a few had suggested taking this opportunity to just level the stronghold of Cang Ye—this had been a collective wish of the Protectors of Androlina through the ages, but Acheron successfully convinced everyone to prioritize rescuing Androlina. These noble warriors, who came to the Abyss to protect Aira, naturally understood what was more important: their kin’s lives or the Abyssal Lord’s home.

Though this group contained many former Elf Generals and even their predecessors, the protectors never had a strong sense of hierarchy; as long as you made sense, everyone was willing to listen to you. Everyone was clear on their mission—to rush back to Pascaler as quickly as possible, to buy time for the defenders, to hold out until the Succubus Paladin brought reinforcements from the Court of Stars. That’s why Lancelot and the others were so troubled by the big lug blocking their way ahead.

“What’s going on?”

The Scholar’s voice floated into their ears, Lancelot turned his head and saw Bruto, Alamir, and Kalalin walking towards them from the waiting main force.

“There’s a guy ahead who seems tough to beat, though he doesn’t look very smart,” Acheron gestured with his mouth towards the corner ahead, “We’re considering if there’s another way apart from just forcing through.”

“Goddess above, what kind of creature is that?” Shuni’s Priest eyes blazed with angry flames upon seeing the being, “Such a life form, it’s too sacrilegious… Purification… it must be purified!”

“Calm down, Elf,” Lancelot quickly pulled Alamir back, “With Elothysia gone, if you die, we won’t be able to resurrect you.”

“I think it’s rather fine,” Bruto was still clinging to the corner, sticking out half of his head, “It’d be even better if it had a beard…”

“Goddess, save me…” the Elf Priest rolled his eyes in resignation, “Do you think anything looks decent as long as it’s shaped like a bucket?”

The Dwarf pondered for a moment, then nodded.

Alamir sought support from his companions with a desperate look, but everyone seemed to be struggling not to laugh. As a Priest, he had some quirks that common folk couldn’t understand. Alamir served the Lady of Fire, Shuni, whose divine office included love, passion, and beauty. He was normal in every other aspect, but he had a strong obsession with beauty and ugliness.

“I believe that may be a creature created by some kind of Blood Magic, possibly with properties similar to a golem, resistant to both physical and magic attacks,” Kalalin gave her opinion, “It’s best not to rashly use spells on that guy; not only would it have little effect, but it might also provoke it.”

“Could you turn the stones beneath that monster’s feet into mud?” Without getting involved in the argument between the Elf and the Dwarf, Lancelot inquired about possible solutions with the Scholar.

“No,” Kalalin shook her head decisively, “There is indeed a spell that turns stone to mud, but it’s beyond my casting abilities. Besides, as far as I know, that spell only works on naturally formed rocks. It wouldn’t affect stones that have been cut like these.”

“I see,” Lancelot scratched his head, feeling conflicted. He had ways to kill that monster, but it would certainly require a lot of effort. At the moment, Lancelot had less than twenty percent of his True Yuan left, and there was still a great battle awaiting him. He needed to save as much of his precious True Yuan as possible.

“Well, I suppose it’s time to resort to that method,” Lancelot sighed, “Bruto, you and I will put on the Transformation Rings and lure it away…”

“Why me?” the Dwarf asked curiously, “And why not bring Kalalin along?”

“Kalalin’s style after transformation is similar to mine. But you…,” Lancelot chose his words carefully, “are different. Maybe the monster will prefer your style after you’ve transformed?”

“Good taste,” the Dwarf seemed quite pleased, impatiently pulling out the ring, “Let’s get started…”

“Wait… Alright then,” Lancelot swiftly averted his gaze from the bearded Succubus’s face, “Acheron, you take the others and continue down this corridor. Make a left at the second intersection, then go straight until you reach a three-way junction. Turn right there, and at the end, you’ll find stairs going up. Wait for me there.”

“Understood,” the Elf General nodded, “The two of you be careful.”

“Don’t worry about us,” Lancelot smiled, “You might encounter some Low Rank Demons there. They’re meant to be fodder, so just take them out. You may also run into Goblins, those foolish creatures are here because they were tricked. If they’re not a threat, you can spare them.”

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