The Paladin in the Abyss-Chapter 680 - 704: The Underground Palace

Chapter 680: Chapter 704: The Underground Palace

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A deep rumbling sound reverberated, much louder than the one before. The large bed holding the flayed female corpse slowly rose, and only when it almost touched the ceiling did a dark hole of an entrance reveal itself. Lancelot raised an eyebrow, for a considerable length of the column below the bed was solid, so even with his Spirit Perception, he had sensed something odd but had not discovered the existence of an underground passage beneath.

“The true temple of Lord Wu’an, the master of forbidden pleasures, lies below,” Syrevey Cullion explained enthusiastically as they walked down the spiraling staircase in the secret passage, “Under different circumstances, your visit here would leave a profound impression. Usually, this place is only open to devotees who have made significant contributions to the cause of Lord Wu’an, allowing their most intense desires and cravings to be satisfied, experiencing pleasures they never dared to dream of… Of course, some ‘products’ created by our family can achieve a similar effect. Would you be interested in trying them, Sir?”

Lancelot abruptly halted his steps and stared at the succubus with an icy gaze.

“Let me make myself perfectly clear,” his voice suddenly turned extremely sinister, “Your last remark was a grave provocation. We both know that once you control a person’s desires, you essentially enslave them. If you or any of my companions were to come into contact with any of those products of yours, I assure you I will make your death a thousand times more painful than that of the female corpse above your head. Do you understand?”

The matriarch of the Carrion family opened her mouth, but only a husky whine came out, as the killing intent radiating from the human knight was too strong, as if an icy claw was squeezing her heart, preventing her from uttering even half a word. And it wasn’t just her—everyone around was in a similar state, as if the air itself had solidified. Fortunately, this only lasted a few breaths as Lancelot closed his eyes and suppressed the boiling killing intent within him, and the atmosphere returned to normal.

“I… I am very sorry…”

Syrevey struggled to squeeze a few words from her throat and shrank back, while Lancelot’s gaze followed the curvaceous figure, with a look that had nothing to do with admiration.

“Ahem.” Another succubus spoke up to break the silence, using an absolutely serious tone that had nothing to do with schadenfreude, “Sir, let us continue onward, the person you’re looking for is down below…”

The group moved forward, and after descending for nearly a minute, the light of an exit finally appeared ahead. Contrary to Lancelot’s initial guess, the atmosphere in Grazzt’s temple basement was not oppressive, and it did not give off an overtly evil first impression. This secret area, with more than fifteen feet of headroom, felt unusually spacious, and the air was filled with a faint, comfortable fragrance, almost enough to make one forget they were in the Abyssal Plane. There were sofas, daybeds, and rocking chairs placed on the thick carpet, each piece of furniture looked luxurious and comfortable enough to make one fantasize about the touch of resting upon them; deep black velvet that hung from the ceiling could easily create a private space, with its purpose being obvious. Walls and ceilings were all painted a pale gold color, adorned with intricate silver patterns that gleamed under the flickering candlelight, and the many large oil paintings and sculptures of half-human height that lined the walls added to the opulence, making it seem almost like a palace.

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However, despite the pleasing first impression, there was still an inexplicable sense of dissonance. This feeling came partly from the Tiflings with antlers and tails resting on sofas and daybeds, partly from their shocked and guarded glances towards Lancelot, but most of all from the artworks that enhanced the decorum of the surroundings.

As soon as one’s gaze lingered on those paintings and statues, it became immediately clear that they all share a common theme: each depicted a demon with dark skin, six-fingered hands, and a crown-shaped pair of antlers on its head being involved in some deed or another. In some paintings, he held the serpentine greatsword, his gaze fierce and intimidating as if he were about to crush an army’s commander; others showed him surrounded by a horde of beautiful female creatures, each one’s gaze filled with adoration and worship; some portrayed him standing with one foot atop an angel, poised to thrust his weapon into the enemy beneath; yet others had him smiling with open arms, as if about to embrace the viewer, the creator capturing his well-muscled body and sharply defined features with great allure.

In Lancelot’s mind, even the most narcissistic of monarchs would not decorate a room in this manner, and even deities might struggle to accept such superficial worship of themselves. But perhaps this explained the scene before him: although Grazzt’s power reached the level of a true god, he was not a deity. However, following the principles explained by Alamir to Lancelot, if enough people believed he was, then perhaps Lord Wu’an really did have the potential to ascend to godhood.

“Gayka!”

Just as Lancelot was sizing up his surroundings, a few somewhat childish voices reached his ears. He turned his head and saw a group of children running towards them. Most of these children were not even as tall as his thighs, including Cambions and Tiflins, as well as downright Succubus girls. They surrounded Gayka, who had just emerged from the passage, chattering nonstop.

“Gayka, you’ve been gone for so long! I’m so hungry I’m flat!”

“Sherlock said you must have been killed by a demon, and I gave him a good beating, knocked out two of his teeth! Did I do good?”

“Did you find my mom? Where is she now? Why hasn’t she come for me yet?”

“How much longer do we have to stay here? I want out! I want to see a battle!”

Lancelot looked at Gayka with some surprise. She shook the bag full of food in her hand at him and then squatted down, soothing the children who were becoming increasingly restless for her attention.

“Xeko, just wait a second, the food will be ready soon…”

“Sherlock was almost right, but luckily Sir here saved me. Let me see your fists, not bad, they’re getting stronger…”

“Rigi, your mom said she’s left you in my care, so from now on, I’m your mom…”

“Be patient, Feld, we have to stay here a bit longer… Have you seen Miller? Or his two sisters? Go and find them for me…”

“As for you, Sir, the person you’re looking for is in that room.” Gayka looked at Lancelot as if he was the last child that needed reassurance, “Good luck. Did I ever tell you she has quite the quirky temper?”