The Paladin in the Abyss

(Too tired, I'll correct the typos tomorrow morning, everyone can read this again at noon tomorrow)

The one who suddenly intervened in the battle was none other than Medusa, who had numerous encounters with Lancelot and his party. Those bizarre figures with grayish-white skin were the petrified flesh golems they had seen before. The petrifying gaze, exclusive to the serpent-haired witch, is an extraordinarily powerful innate spell ability. As long as both parties make direct eye contact, it immediately begins to take effect, turning the living person into a statue, including all the equipment they carry.

However, this ability also has clear limitations. Firstly, direct eye contact must occur for it to be effective; seeing other parts of Medusa's body won't cause any harm. Therefore, unless ambushed, experienced adventurers can avoid Medusa's gaze to prevent petrification. Another limitation is that petrification isn't immediate; it can take tens of seconds or even minutes to be fully complete (although Medusa doesn't need to keep staring at the target during this time). Before it fully takes effect, spells like high-level Restoration Art can interrupt the process, which is exactly what Baroness Giselle Endier is trying to do now.

In fact, the noblewoman is wearing a precious spell-storing ring on her finger, which contains a high-level Restoration Art. She brought the ring to her lips and softly uttered the activation phrase:

"My love, protect me."

Nothing happened.

The baroness, who had been quite composed, suddenly changed her expression. She immediately repeated the same action, but still, nothing happened, causing her emotions to collapse suddenly.

"Peyton Derrick!!!" She angrily took off the ring and threw it to the ground forcefully, "How dare you deceive me!"

Despite being extremely angry, the baroness immediately began to cast another spell, intending to leave this chaotic battlefield and go to a place where she felt safe to deal with the petrification effect spreading on her body. Something odd happened once again; her spell failed to take effect, like someone trying to ignite a pile of soaked straw, unable to create a spark no matter how hard they tried.

By now, their allies had finished off the enemies surrounding them with the help of the 'reinforcements', and Bruto had also ended his berserk state. The dwarf felt an intense fatigue, a side effect of continuous berserking, but he still mustered his strength, preparing to charge at the witch.

This time, not just Alamir, but even Kalalin and Tanya rushed up, pinning him firmly to the ground.

"You're heavy, move away!" The dwarf pounded the ground, bewildered, questioning his companions, "What's up with you guys?"

"Think of Lancelot's previous encounter!" Kalalin, who was on top, shouted downwards, "Be careful of Chain Contingency, don't touch her! Petrification is almost complete!"

"Is that so..." Bruto rolled his eyes, "Well, get off of me quickly; you're going to crush me to death..."

The companions' guess was spot on, and their conversation plunged Giselle Endier into utter despair. She continued her frantic attempt to cast spells, but the incantations and gestures had gone entirely awry. Even without any supernatural interference, she couldn't succeed. At one moment, the petrification effect overwhelmed the baroness like a flood bursting its banks, submerging her rapidly at a visible speed, turning her into a lifelike statue, frozen in terror and confusion.

However, the companions couldn't be sure if the battle was over. They huddled together, keeping one eye on the flesh skeleton reconstructed from petrified body parts and the other eye on Medusa's feet, wary of her every move—their previous encounters hadn't been pleasant. Though Medusa seemed to have helped them just now, she might merely have eliminated another enemy before turning on these outsiders.

Medusa moved leisurely, walking up to the stone statue of the baroness, looking satisfied at the cursed power within her body.

"Dear Giselle, you never imagined the outcome would be like this, did you? Hehehe..." The serpent-haired witch let out a wicked, unrestrained laugh, then seemingly talking to herself, said, "Come out, little assassin, I know you're there; you can tell I haven't any hostile intentions now."

Even Bruto could recognize who she was referring to, realizing simultaneously that one of their companions had been missing for quite a while.

"What's your intention?"

A cold, youthful voice sounded. Little Isa emerged from the shadows behind the statue, holding a short sword in one hand while the other, behind her back, revealed the contents to her companions—a black obsidian box, inside which sat the Anti-Magic Stone previously given by Lancelot.

As a wanderer, one does not always need to join a battle to help their companions; little Isa had always remembered this principle.

"Truce." Medusa said in the most friendly tone possible, "I believe I've demonstrated my sincerity."

"..." Little Isa fell silent for a moment, slowly retreating to her companions' side, "You can look up now, Medusa is not dangerous at the moment."

The group was astonished by her words, but when they did look up, they immediately understood why—Medusa now wore a pair of deep-black glasses on her nose, effectively blocking her lethal gaze.

"Madam Kesme, we meet again." Alamir courteously bowed to her, "Our previous meeting wasn't pleasant, it's truly regrettable. Is there anything I can do for you, madam?"

Seeing Alamir had already started talking, the group shut their mouths obediently. In dealing with people, especially women, no one was better than this priest of Shuni, even if the other party was a creature who'd bite you during a kiss.

"I'm afraid not." Medusa shook her head, "I seek the knight, Lancelot... where is he? I need to see him."

"Ah, our esteemed friend might be a bit inconvenient at the moment." Alamir smiled slightly, "Perhaps you could first tell me the purpose of seeking him?"

"I will only speak with him; I can wait." Medusa crossed her arms, "Let me guess, this peculiar giant tree is his doing? Truly unsightly... Wait, it's still growing?"

Alamir turned his head, surprised to find that the vine Lancelot had created had grown into a structure the size of a small fortress. Moreover, at the 'canopy,' several dozen thick 'roots' had extended into the lake, causing its water level to drop noticeably. Compared to a moment ago, the shore had receded over thirty feet and continued shrinking visibly.