The Paladin in the Abyss

"No, just the death of Ashap is enough, now she can't hurt others anymore," the Succubus Paladin said, flashing a sunny smile, "You not only saved my life but also helped me take my revenge, which is a kindness I can never thank you enough for."

"Wow! You've taken down a six-armed Serpent Demon too?" Lance asked in amazement. A group of children, about a dozen of them, surrounded them, all friends of Dong Quan and Lilu, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation as they looked at these new travelers.

These children were really pitiful. Although they would no longer age, they were permanently trapped in this dangerous and hostile domain, with very limited safe areas to roam, at most a riding distance of a day or two. Thus, they were always curious about travelers from outside and eager to hear more adventure stories.

"Haha, I was just lucky, the Serpent Demon was already seriously injured," Lance said, slipping into a storytelling mode, "Do you want to hear how we rescued Elothysia?"

"Yes!!!!!!"

The children answered in unison, among them a little Vampire.

"Hehe, brother's stories are really interesting, I want to hear it again too," faced with Lance's inquiring look, little Isabella playfully stuck out her tongue.

"Well, where should I start? We are a group of mercenaries from Twin Bridges Town, a neutral town located on the Plains of the Abyss..."

The children loved listening to Lance's stories, but the townspeople were more interested in Elothysia. Even when not used for any evil purposes, her charm was irresistible—after all, who doesn't like beautiful things if they are mentally healthy?

It was late into the night before the crowd gradually dispersed, and the innkeeper provided free rooms for everyone as a thank you for the business they brought. This female Aira, with light blue skin, claimed that the guests had drunk a whole month's stock in one night. Lance insisted on paying for the lodging, but was straightforwardly refused.

Unlike other places in the Abyss, glittering gemstones couldn't change the minds of the local business people here, as if serving others brought them greater satisfaction.

"Boss, do you have a moment?"

Just as Lance was preparing to start his Meditation and Qi Cultivation to end the long day, the skull on his bedside suddenly spoke.

"I was just waiting for you to say something," Lance smiled, "You seemed a bit distracted tonight, do you have new memories coming through?"

"No, otherwise I wouldn't be feeling this conflicted..." the skull floated up and then slammed itself back down into the soft pillow, "But I somehow feel very familiar with scenes like tonight, as if I had celebrated with a group of Airas like this evening before..."

"Very familiar with such scenes?" Lance raised his eyebrow, "Are you saying that you were an Aira before you became like this?"

"I don't think so, otherwise I would have more memories after seeing them," the skull rolled back and forth on Lancelot's bed, as if doing so could help it recall something.

"Does that feeling of familiarity come with any other emotions?" Lancelot hinted, "like happiness, excitement, or fear?"

"Uh, definitely no negative emotions. I felt... quite happy?" the skull stood up again, "Why do you ask that?"

"If you were some kind of evil creature before, then it definitely wouldn't have been pleasant for you to be with those from the Heavens," Lancelot explained, "Apart from Androlina and the Wild Expanse, where else might you have encountered these Airas? Perhaps you just met them during your travels, or maybe you actually lived near them..."

"That makes sense! There are quite a few Airas living in the Fairy Wilderness, which is a reflection of the material plane. Kalalin should know a lot..." the skull whooshed up into the air and flew off, "I'll go find him now, and I'm going to sleep with him tonight..."

Lancelot silently smiled, making no movements, when suddenly a gentle breeze stirred in the room, softly closing the door that was originally open.

A silent night passed.

The next morning, the well-rested group set off on their journey once again, spiritedly. In addition to the five Red Flame Angels, twelve guards gifted by Edonton also joined their ranks. Dong Quan and Lilu followed as well, serving as important 'witnesses' to provide support for Elothysia.

The region they had entered was already under the control of the forces of good, with surroundings so beautiful they seemed like something out of a painting. Above was a clear blue sky, in the distance were lush mountains and forests, and the roadsides were lined with golden fields; the crops were growing very well, but almost no farmers could be seen working the land, which Lancelot guessed was largely due to magic.

The group's pace involuntarily slowed down, thoroughly enjoying the scenery. For Lancelot and his companions, this place was like heaven compared to other areas of the Abyss, providing both physical and mental relaxation, so much so that Lancelot felt the malice in his heart dissipating significantly.
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At that moment, if a stinking Berserk Demon had suddenly appeared before them, their first reaction would likely not be to draw their swords and chop it down, but rather to care about whether the creature had lost its way or needed help with something.

While everyone was immersed in the beautiful surroundings, Lancelot suddenly felt a stir in his heart. He sensed a creature radiating strong Holy Energy approaching them, as if someone carrying an Iron Anvil blessed by Moradin was walking towards them.

Elothysia and Alamir also turned their heads, looking toward a small hill nearby. Under the expectant gaze of the group, a creature entirely glowing with golden light appeared. Its form was like that of an elephant, with a dragon-like head sporting huge antlers like a stag, and a horse-like body covered in fine golden scales.

Everyone clearly realized that the creature before them, burning bright like Holy Fire, was entirely an embodiment of kindness and justice, evoking in even Lancelot the strong emotion of wanting to worship this noble being.

But it merely stood there silently, gazing intently at the Succubus with bright violet eyes, who looked back calmly. After several seconds of eye contact, the creature nodded slightly, then turned and disappeared from sight.

And the eyes of the Succubus Paladin were already full of tears, as if she had just stared directly into the noonday sun.