The Paladin in the Abyss

The two fought fiercely, while the others stood beside them with puzzled expressions, incapable of intervening. At that moment, the two Brezu Demons staggered up from the ground. Having been members of the Twin Bridges Town guard, they certainly recognized Lancelot. During the Demon army's attack on Twin Bridges Town, Lancelot's surprise assault from the water was crucial, and later Tijana publicly gave the Human Knight a deep, loving kiss in front of the entire defense force. Although not officially acknowledged, the title of 'Prince' for Lancelot had long spread among the residents of Twin Bridges Town.

The severely injured Brezu Demons exchanged confused glances. Prince, weren't you here to rescue us? Why did General Sonam attack you?

Lancelot also wanted to clarify this matter, of course avoiding fatal moves. The elbow hit successfully left the opponent dizzy for a short period. The Human Knight wouldn't miss such an opportunity, his other hand flashed out like lightning, grabbing Sonam's breastplate collar, then fiercely twisting his body, he flung the six-armed Serpent Demon onto the ground, pressing his palm like an eagle claw firmly onto her chest.

"Calm down, Madam Sonam." Lancelot suppressed his anger, staring directly into the eyes of the Serpent Demon as she gradually regained consciousness, "Why are you..."

As the dizziness faded, the Serpent Demon's expression turned fierce instantly, instinctively raising her six arms on both sides. However, her longsword had completely slipped from her hands during the fight, so she could only clench her fists, fiercely pounding Lancelot's waist, making a dull thudding sound against the chainmail-covered body of the Human Knight.

"...Why did you attack me?" Lancelot gradually increased the strength of his grip, pinning her firmly to the ground, ignoring those ineffective punches from the Serpent Demon, "And why did you say I dared to come back? Is Tijana's misfortune related to me?"

The Serpent Demon screamed hysterically, pounding Lancelot more frantically, showing no signs of reaching any kind of communication.

"I said, calm down!!!!!"

Finally losing patience, Lancelot let out a roar, an unusual energy exploded suddenly, and behind him appeared two sinister, crimson phantom figures. Each phantom had its own body, making Lancelot appear to have three heads and six arms. They leaned down, holding the Serpent Demon's six thrashing arms tightly, while the Human Knight's face turned into something fiercely malevolent.

"What is that?" Kalalin's voice, nearly a whisper, was filled with disbelief, "I've never seen Lancelot use such a spell before..."

"Hasn't he always been like that? Haven't you gotten used to it yet?" Bruto shrugged, then nudged Alamir beside him with his elbow, "It's no surprise Lancelot comes up with new tricks, right Elf?"

"This time..." Alamir frowned, his expression exceptionally serious, "It truly seems different."

"Huh?" The young Dwarf lifted his eyelids, "How so?"

"Difficult to describe." The Elf Priest scratched his head, "Those phantoms seemed to be some sort of Fiends, but there's also a sacred aura emanating from them. It's just... a very contradictory feeling."

Lancelot was unaware of the crowd's commentary, all his attention focused on Sonam before him. Absolute suppression finally made the six-armed Serpent Demon cease her struggle, the madness in her eyes gradually faded, yet still carried an unabashed hatred.

"I am not your enemy." Lancelot gazed into the Serpent Demon's eyes, "I also don't understand how my connection to the destruction of Twin Bridges Town came about. My current goal is simple, complete the last task Tijana gave me, find out how everything happened, and what can be done to resurrect Tijana. Now tell me, am I your enemy?"

"Let me go, Human."

"Please answer my question first, Madam."

"...You are not my enemy. Not anymore."

Lancelot nodded, releasing his grip on the Serpent Demon's chest, his figure flickered briefly, instantly retreating several dozen feet away, completely out of the Serpent Demon's attack range. The two phantoms behind him did not dissipate; one phantom still held his Hand Half Sword, although it did not assume a defensive stance.

"I'm glad we could reach an understanding." Lancelot stood cautiously in place, True Yuan gathered in his legs, ready to strike at any moment, "But there might still be some misunderstanding between us, could you explain why the destruction of Twin Bridges Town is attributed to me?"

"...Hmph." The Serpent Demon uttered a disdainful sound, bending down slowly to pick up her scattered weapons, "Letisha, you explain it to him."

"Me?" Having quietly played the role of spectator, the Succubus Maid was startled, "Explain what?"

"Tell this foolish and innocent man what happens when a Succubus falls in love."

"This... this..."

"Speak!!!"

"Alright, Madam..." Letisha timidly shrunk her neck, turned to the bewildered Human Knight, "When a Succubus falls in love, her power suffers severe weakening, becoming fragile like a... mortal."

"What the hell is that?" Bruto quietly muttered to Alamir, "They were weak to begin with..."

"How could it be?" Lancelot felt a strange sense of panic, "I never noticed Tijana..."

"Wait a minute, there's a problem here." The Priest Shuni suddenly interjected, "You mentioned falling in love earlier, but that's merely a symbolic description. What's the specific marker?"

"When a Succubus brings happiness and fulfillment to her lover, instead of emptiness and pain." Letisha gazed at Lancelot with a profound look, "She truly gave you those things, didn't she?"

The unbearable screeching sound of metal scraping arose, it was the noise Sonam created with her sword.

"...Yes." After a brief silence, Lancelot nodded in confession, "But I didn't know it would have such consequences..."

"Even an idiot could tell, humph!" Sonam fiercely ground her longsword, producing more ear-piercing humming, "Tijana might not be Grazzt's match, but it was impossible for her to die under him!"

"Please do not blame yourself, Sir Lancelot." Letisha shook her head, "I know this sounds absurd, but every Succubus knows such outcomes. For our kind, true love is essentially an unattainable thing, we might express disdain, play with it, even fear it, deliberately ruin it. But if there's a chance to attain it, we'd be willing to pay any price..."

"Then you turn from hunters into prey, like hopeless idiots." Sonam crudely slapped her wound-covered tail, "In this realm, even the slightest negligence could cost you your life, I can hardly believe Tijana made such a mistake, just like her mother once did..."

"Tijana's mother?" Lancelot's eyes widened in surprise, "What kind of mistake?"

"That's none of your concern." Sonam, realizing her slip of tongue, roughly turned her back, "If there's nothing else, please allow me to leave... Letisha! How much longer are you going to stand there?"

Upon hearing, the Succubus Maid nodded apologetically to Lancelot, turning and flew towards the six-armed Serpent Demon's silhouette, while Lancelot quickly pursued, asking:

"How can I resurrect Tijana?"

"..." The six-armed Serpent Demon spoke, her back facing Lancelot, "I wish I knew. I hope you find the answer soon, Prince. I will wait here, until I lose patience, after which I will come looking for you..."