The Paladin in the Abyss

Chapter 631: Chapter 655 It’s Her

“Some mad whispers?” Lancelot raised one eyebrow, “Any other effects?”

“In battle, Small Grid becomes… very bloodthirsty.” The Tiflin female magician looked worriedly at the boy beside her, who was biting his lip tightly.

“What’s wrong with that?” Bruto widened his eyes, glancing around at the others, “I also go wild during a fight, only thinking about smashing my enemies into a pulp.”

“I’m not talking about the barbarian’s kind of wildness.” Musk shook his head, the curved horns protruding from his forehead making the gesture look particularly intense, “Small Grid he…”

“Sister, let me speak for myself.” Glori suddenly spoke up, with a stubborn quality of youth in his voice, “During a battle, I feel an intense hunger, an uncontrollable desire to wound my enemies and let my weapon taste the flavor of fresh blood. But that hunger isn’t my own emotion, it’s… it’s…”

“Your master’s.” Tijana finished the boy’s sentence. She turned her head and looked silently at Lancelot, her voice resonating directly in the human knight’s consciousness, ‘What they say should be true.’

‘Can I take them with me?’

‘Decide for yourself. These two Tiflins have no more trouble on them than the others, but that’s not your problem.’

“So, why do you want to participate in the bloody battle?” Lancelot asked in a calm tone, “Or is that also a requirement of your master?”

“No, it’s not that…” The Tiflin boy named Glori shook his head firmly, “I’ve been trying to fight that hunger, to even utilize the power it brings, but this can only be attempted in battle…”

“I understand.” Lancelot nodded lightly, “As long as you can meet my requirements and remain absolutely loyal to every member of the team, I can accept you.”

“Really?” The Tiflin female magician stood up excitedly, bowing with her brother in gratitude, “Thank you so much, Sir, and… Madam…”

“Don’t thank me.” Tijana swirled her wine glass, “He made the decision himself.”

“I don’t think agreeing to let others participate in a bloody battle is something to be thanked for.” Lancelot offered a wry smile, “Any special requirements for your companions to come?”

“None.” The sister among the two answered immediately, but her brother seemed to hesitate, wanting to say more.

“Glori, it looks like you have something to say.” Lancelot encouraged the Tiflin boy with a supportive gaze, “Is there something that makes you uncomfortable?”

“If possible…” Glori looked up at his sister, who shrugged helplessly at him, “I hope everyone can abstain from eating bloody foods.”

“I can’t promise you that, logistics aren’t something I can control…” Lancelot stroked his chin, “If there’s no choice, we’ll try to avoid eating it in front of you, okay?”

“Yes, yes!” The Tiflin boy nodded vigorously, “Thank you, Sir!”

“It seems I’ve heard quite a few interesting stories tonight,” said the dark-haired woman who was Tijana in disguise, as she stood up. “My fellows, I wish you luck. Lancelot, I have much to attend to and must take my leave.”

“Thank you once again for gracing us with your presence, my lady.”

Lancelot rose to his feet and gave her a very formal Knight’s bow, while Tijana simply nodded faintly, stepped back, and vanished into a Portal that had appeared out of nowhere.

“So, Lancelot… Sir,” began the white-haired Half-elf, deliberately drawing out the word ‘Sir,’ “could you now explain to us ignorant yet curious commoners what’s the deal with your ‘Prince’ title?”

“Why are you still hung up on that…” Lancelot rolled his eyes and sat back down, “It’s just a nickname, not a real title.”

“But I’ve heard that the ruler of Twin Bridges Town is a famous Succubus Lord,” said the Half-elf, with a playful glint in his red eyes. “Does your nickname of ‘Prince’ have something to do with this mysterious Succubus Lord?”

“It does,” Lancelot admitted frankly. “The lady who just left is the Succubus Lord you mentioned, as well as your employer for this mission, the ruler of Twin Bridges Town, Tijana.”

“What?!”

“No way!!”

“You must be joking… right?”

“…”

The reactions around the table varied. Bruto and Alamir watched with the amused expressions of onlookers, Dwarf Miners and Gnome mechanical geniuses wore faces of astonishment. The Half-elf’s malicious grin froze on his face, while the shape-shifting girl and the Tiflin boy looked utterly confused.

The only ones who seemed unsurprised were Ivendell and Musk. The former, being a Holy Warrior, with his Sensory Ability towards Fiends, had probably realized the true identity of the mysterious lady early on, which explained why he had been scowling since the banquet began; the latter likely realized the woman was a peer of far greater strength than herself after being questioned.

“But that won’t change our status in the army, or the privilege of having our armor kept clean,” shrugged Lancelot, beginning to cut the steak that a servant had just brought with smooth movements, as if slicing through butter, “On the contrary, we will join General Sonam’s personal guard and enter the battlefield with her. Be mentally prepared, for she will definitely choose the place where the enemy’s resistance is the fiercest to launch an assault…”

“Hang on, who’s this Sonam you’re talking about?” Rurik, the younger of the Gnome brothers, asked in confusion, “Isn’t your lady… supposed to be Tijana?”

“Sonam is the six-armed Serpent Demon who presided over today’s ceremony, I’m sure you all have a vivid memory of her,” Lancelot replied with a shrug, “The army departs early the day after tomorrow, so tomorrow is the last day for us to have any free time. Bruto, later you take Rurik and the others to the Blacksmith area to get the equipment, do you remember what it is?”

“A set of Chainmail and a Heavy Shield, right?” Bruto answered without looking up as he was fully engaged in his battle with his food, “Leave it to me. I’ll ensure we get the best quality products at the most favorable prices!”

“Great, anyone else in need can join them, those Dwarf blacksmiths are truly skilled craftsmen. Meet me in the fourth floor of Mercenary Hall tomorrow morning; they have Protective Gear for training, and I need to test your strength,” Lancelot raised his glass, filled with fine wine from Shendiravir, to everyone, “Friends, war awaits us not far ahead, I can even smell its putrid breath, but for now, let’s enjoy the fine wine and sumptuous feast before us. May we return victorious, and feast again as we do tonight.”