The Paladin in the Abyss

"What's wrong?" The astute Priest immediately noticed Lancelot's distress and instantly guessed the reason, "Did Tijana contact you?"

Lancelot silently nodded his head, remained quiet for a long while, then turned to address the elderly Holy Warrior, "Sir Ivendell, there is a matter I need to entrust to you..."

"Please command ... wait, you're not leaving again, are you?" Ivendell's weathered eyebrows furrowed, "You know, as a Commander, you should not always leave the responsibility of leadership to others while you run around like a firefighter ..."

"I completely agree with you, but this time I have no choice." Lancelot offered a helpless smile, "That's why I'm entrusting the captain's duties entirely to you, and I will also hand over the mercenary badges of mine, Bruto, and Alamir to you. The bounty within is almost enough for an ordinary person to live a kingly life for the rest of their days. So you must swear to strive to ensure the safety of every member of the team to Twin Bridges Town and divide all the bounty equally among them. Can I trust you with this?"

"I can." The old Holy Warrior nodded without hesitation, without any sign of questioning or bargaining, "Duty to me is as sweet as nectar, and by the names of the gods, I swear to abide by the mission just entrusted to me by Sir Lancelot; if I violate it ..."

"I will personally hold you accountable." Lancelot finished the oath for him, at the same time handing over his own emblem that represented the team captain. Bruto and Alamir, although unclear about the situation, also took out their emblems out of trust in Lancelot. Seeing that he had accepted them, Lancelot nodded and continued, "Just east of the Mercenary Hall in Twin Bridges Town, there is a property called Hagrid Manor. Once you return to Twin Bridges Town, feel welcome to visit us there."

"Understood." The old Holy Warrior's expression became solemn as he performed a standard Knight's salute to Lancelot, "It has been an honor to fight alongside you, Sir Lancelot. I wish you all the best."

"The honor is mine." Lancelot returned the salute with equal formality, "Bruto, Alamir, it's time for us to depart."

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"Twin Bridges Town was attacked?!" The Elves, Dwarf, and the six-armed Serpent Demon exclaimed in unison, clearly shocked by the news.

"Yes." Lancelot nodded, "But the issue has been resolved. Tijana also instructed that Sonam should lead the mercenary legion back to Twin Bridges Town as soon as possible but to remain vigilant on the way; Bruto, Alamir, and I will return immediately through the teleportation emblems, as there seems to be something else they need us for."

"Damn, who could it be? Someone managed to catch the exact moment they left?" Sonam took a deep breath, "Could it be another Demon that's sprung up from nowhere?"

"The attackers came from ... Oasis Fort." Lancelot answered somberly, "Tijana only gave me this name without further explanation."

"Those filthy, despicable, lowly, shameless sewer rats?" The six-armed Serpent Demon laughed angrily, "Good, very good. Finally, there's a reason to erase that ghostly place from the map ..."

"But isn't Oasis Fort one of the allied forces?" The Elf Priest asked confusedly, "We're on the brink of victory; what good would it do to stab us in the back now?"

"No matter, I don't care what those idiots with their heads filled with dog shit are thinking," Sonam said through gritted teeth, "Tijana has always been cautious because of Mekanshut's reaction and tolerated that tumor growing beside the trade route. If we get undeniable evidence this time, I'd like to see how the whore Queen will continue to protect that disgusting necrophile!"

"I have a question ..." Bruto started, looking somewhat pale, "Did Tijana specifically ask for Alamir and me to return with you?"

"Yes." Lancelot confirmed, "You look pale, Bruto. Is something the matter?"

"I don't know; I've been feeling restless since a while ago..." the Dwarf bit his lip, "When do we leave?"

"Now," Lancelot patted his shoulder. The Dwarf's words had made him feel uneasy as well, "General Sonam, I entrust these mercenaries to you. Do you remember our previous conversation? They are a valuable asset to Twin Bridges Town, you must bring them back alive..."

"Got it," the six-armed Serpent Demon waved impatiently, "Get lost."

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As the starting and ending points of the teleportation were on the same plane and not too far apart, everyone hardly felt any discomfort. With a flash of light and shadow beside them, they returned to the streets of Twin Bridges Town.

Lancelot quickly realized he was in the middle of the smithing district's streets, surrounded by choking smoke, running Dwarves, and collapsed blacksmith shops. The Succubus Lord's figure was less than ten feet away, where Adrick Braunanwell, the Chief Commissioner of the Craftsmen Committee, and another Dwarf were urgently speaking to her, followed by two fully armed Succubus Maids.

"You're here." Tijana turned the moment Lancelot appeared, "Did you inform Sonam?"

"Yes, my lady," Lancelot gave a knightly bow, "General Sonam is aware of the situation in Twin Bridges Town, and the mercenary legion will set off immediately."

"Good."

Tijana nodded, then turned to Bruto beside her, looking as though she wanted to say something but was at a loss for words. The blood drained from Bruto's face, and he asked with a trembling voice:

"Has something happened to my dad?"

"...I'm very sorry." Tijana struggled to squeeze the words from her throat, "He was killed in the attack. Your father had become one of Twin Bridges Town's most important Grand Craftsmen, and I immediately had someone cast the Resurrection Technique, but all attempts so far have failed..."

"Derrick the younger also tried, to no avail," Braunanwell added, "The Divine Arts seem unable to recall Master Barrend's soul."

"Where is dad now?" Bruto's face had completely lost its color, but his voice held an eerie calm.

"The Craftsmen Committee, it's now a temporary infirmary," the Chief Commissioner quickly responded, "the second basement level has a cellar for storing wine, your father and others awaiting resurrection... they're all there."

Without waiting for the Chief Commissioner to finish speaking, Bruto had already sprinted from his spot, frantic like a wild buffalo with its tail on fire. Alamir immediately looked at Lancelot, who gently nodded, and the Elf swiftly pursued in the direction the Dwarf had vanished.

"Sigh, Bruto cares deeply about his father's safety, which is why he came with me to Volcano Fortress." Lancelot sighed deeply, "For the Resurrection Technique to fail... Do you know the possible reasons, my lady?"

"I'm very sorry..." Tijana repeated, "There could be many reasons. Let's go there too, we can talk on the way."