The Paladin in the Abyss

"It's touching, but I hope such a thing never happens," the Succubus Lord smiled, "I still have some time, and it seems I owe you some answers to your questions."

"I am indeed very curious," Lancelot nodded in acknowledgment, "but you owe me no answers, my lady."

"Damn it, we're at this point, and you still have this attitude?" Tijana suddenly pushed Lancelot against the wall, then kissed him fiercely, "Tell me, what were you thinking when Visuvius's figure emerged once again from the Volcano Fortress?"

"To be honest, mainly about what chances there might be to turn the tables," Lancelot gazed into her eyes, "For a very brief moment, an idea flashed through my mind like a shooting star, making me realize I might never see you again..."

"Ah, that's enough," the Succubus Lord revealed a sincere smile, "Let's change the place..."

She waved her hand, summoning a portal on the wall they were leaning against, and Lancelot felt a void behind him, then stumbled into softness.

"My lady," Lancelot swallowed hard, looking up at Tijana with her hands on his chest, "didn't we say..."

He couldn't continue, as the Succubus Lord pressed her lips against his again, sealing his naive mouth completely. The two embarked on the long-awaited boat and headed straight into a storm that mere mortals couldn't possibly imagine.

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Lancelot sat on the bed, still dazed by what had just ended.

The exhausted Tijana was asleep behind him, the bedsheet stained with bright red blood. The Succubus Lord started off with great vigor, but soon revealed unbelievable clumsiness, handing over the helm back to Lancelot... Having been intimate with a virgin succubus was strange enough, but his mysterious breakthrough to the high rank of Foundation Establishment Stage was even more bizarre.

There were some passages in the bamboo slip that Lancelot had skipped before. He needed to read those parts carefully later, as they should explain this situation. However, what had happened had happened, things were as they were, and he indeed felt great, and it probably wouldn't have any bad effects on Tijana... He had never practiced those Cultivation Techniques that could.

Lancelot suddenly realized that a sleeping Succubus Lord was not a good thing for Twin Bridges Town—too many accidents might happen during this time. So he sat back by the bed, gently took Tijana's wrist, and channeled a stream of pure Spiritual Energy into her. In just a few breaths, the Succubus Lord jerked open her eyes. After a moment of initial confusion, her expression changed abruptly, and she sat up from her lying position to ask Lancelot in a low voice:

"How long has it been like this?"

"Not very long. If we start counting from leaving that cellar, it's been less than three hours..."

Upon hearing this, Tijana tightly shut her eyes, seemingly sensing something silently, while Lancelot unconsciously averted his gaze, not daring to directly view the alluring scene, although he was now familiar with every inch of the Succubus Lord's skin.

"Good, good, nothing unexpected happened again," Tijana's voice finally rose, "How could this... affair... be so dangerous? It even made me lose consciousness? I should have been more careful... Wait, did you wake me for a reason..."

Lancelot turned and saw the Succubus Lord had already conjured a full set of evening dress, watching him with a wary look... and suddenly with a battle-ready Nail-headed Hammer. This couldn't be blamed on the Human Knight because the Succubus Lord continuing naked might have been better, but once she dressed, it presented a completely different kind of stimulation and enticement.

"Uh..."

Lancelot's face turned uncontrollably red, and he quickly bowed his head, hurriedly dressing himself in a fluster, which slightly eased the awkward atmosphere in the room.

"I don't mean to... no, what I mean is, I'm not saying I don't want to..." Lancelot felt his tongue twist in his mouth, and he had to give up trying to make his words sound less crude, "Yes, I would be very glad to do it again, anytime and anywhere, even now. Do you have other matters to attend to at this moment?"

"I did have, but not anymore. ..." the Succubus Lord started to unbutton her evening dress, "If I pass out again, wake me up immediately with the method you just used, understand?"

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"Tijana."

"Hmm?"

"Why are you a Holy Warrior?"

"Because of an oath I once made."

"Is it that simple?"

"It is that simple. However, rather than an oath, it might be more accurate to call it a pact. After all, anyone can make an oath, and some people do it several times a day, but only those oaths that are powerful enough to resonate with a native magic power in the multiverse are useful. And it's only through the actions and will of keeping that pact that one can gain more power."

"What kind of oath did you make?"

"An oath of revenge."

"Revenge for what?"

"My parents. Don't ask me about their identities; I can't tell you."

"Understandable. Then who is the target of your revenge?"

"I still can't say. Sorry."

"It's okay, but I guess your enemy must be very powerful."

"Yes, but I won't give up. Never."

"I'll help you."

"Thank you, but there's no need. I don't need that kind of promise." Tijana sat up once again, this time much more determinedly, "I have to go."

"Where to?"

"To find the portal to the Domain of the Vague, and while I'm at it, write a strongly worded letter of protest to Mekanshut to see how she'll react." As she spoke, her aura completely reverted to that of the Succubus Lord. "Leave your armor here, I will have someone fix it later. You can continue to rest here, but if you wish to return to Hagrid Manor, simply go down the stairs to the bottom floor after leaving this room and you'll find the training ground where there is a portal."

"Alright." Lancelot tilted his head and kissed Tijana fiercely again, but this time the kiss held the meaning of farewell.

When their lips parted, the Succubus Lord gave his shoulders a solid push, causing Lancelot to fall back onto the soft bed again, while she herself turned and disappeared outside the door.

Lancelot did not move at first, merely staring blankly at the complex and mysterious patterns on the ceiling. Gradually, though, the corners of his mouth began to curve up, which he then forcefully pushed back down.

'Erm...' the voice of an elegant middle-aged male Elf echoed in his mind, 'Could you take me out and separate me from the Sword of Zariel? The atmosphere in here is kind of weird...'