The Paladin in the Abyss-Chapter 606 - 630 Put on the Table
Chapter 606: Chapter 630: Put on the Table Chapter 606: Chapter 630: Put on the Table “I imagine you wouldn’t want to answer this question,” Lancelot replied expressionlessly, “so I’d rather not ask.”
“Oh, I don’t like that way of thinking at all,” Tijana’s beautiful eyebrows furrowed tightly, “As a succubus, I am quite aware of the image you mortals have of me. Out of respect, I won’t use magic to probe your thoughts, so let’s establish this rule: if you have any questions for me, please ask me directly; don’t keep your questions to yourself or seek answers from someone like Kalalin, that so-called demon scholar.”
“Alright,” Lancelot nodded, “Even if it’s a question you’re unwilling to answer?”
“Not being able to tell you is also a response, and it lets me know what you’re worried about, seeking other ways to alleviate your doubts,” Tijana said with a very serious look, “Those things are like the seeds of Razor Vine; once they spread, it’s difficult to eradicate them. So let’s bring any questions into the open to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings. It’s to both our advantages, don’t you agree?”
“I agree.”
“Very well. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and ask, must I take the initiative to bare my soul to you?”
“Well then, my lady…” Lancelot took a deep breath, “Is the enmity between you and the Queen of the Succubus, because of an old lover?”
...
“I swear by the Stygian River, everything I am about to say is the truth,” Tijana’s expression remained serious, “No. But it does concern someone very important to me, for whom I must seek vengeance.”
“So… apart from me, do you have other men in your life now?”
“No,” Tijana offered him an encouraging smile, “I’m not surprised you’re asking this, and I’m glad to have the chance to tell you myself… Is there anything else?”
“That’s enough for me,” Lancelot bowed deeply to Tijana, “My apologies, my lady.”
“Your honesty will never offend me…” the succubus let herself fall into Lancelot’s arms, whispering softly in his ear, “Please remember that, my knight.”
Lancelot extended his arms, embracing his beloved. They were immersed in the soft touch of each other for a good while before parting, both wearing calm and satisfied smiles.
“We should do this more often… especially when you’re not wearing armor,” Tijana remained in Lancelot’s embrace, pulling a face not in keeping with the demeanor of a Demon Lord, “Don’t get too pleased yet; I have some questions for you too, very difficult ones, but not now.”
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“When will that be?”
“When you feel you can… be on top,” Tijana chuckled, freeing herself from his arms, her coquettish demeanor causing the Human Knight to involuntarily start practicing the Ice Heart Technique. The Succubus Lord turned to look at the mountain of gold in front of her, and heaved a deep sigh, “Ah… Kostcheqi’s Treasure, it certainly is a pleasure to behold, but a real hassle to deal with.”
“I was worried about that too.” Lancelot nodded, “But I guess you’ll have a way to manage it, right?”
“Of course, but let’s go outside first; after all, they all have a share of these spoils.”
Moments later, the figure of the Human Knight and the Succubus Lord reappeared in Hagrid Manor. Everyone was sipping red wine—or at least what appeared to be red wine—except for the Dwarf, who clung to his golden ale, gobbling up skewers of roasted White Dragon meat.
“Ah, damn it, how could you be so quick!”
Upon seeing them emerge, Bruto immediately let out a loud lament, while old Reap just cracked a smile, sweeping two coins from the table into his pocket.
“So… how does it feel?” the Dwarf asked, wiping the froth of ale from his beard, “Was it super shocking?”
“It’s okay,” Lancelot shrugged, “but Tijana has something to say about how to deal with it…”
“First, for the good of everyone, I would like to ask a few questions…” the Succubus Lord’s gaze swept over everyone present, “and I need absolutely honest answers.”
Her fingers swirled through the air swiftly, followed by a short incantation. A golden halo spread outwards from Tijana’s body, covering a fifteen-foot radius. Lancelot was familiar with this Spell; he had seen it at an interrogation presided over by a Radiant Cloud Angel. The effect was to prevent anyone within the spell’s range from deliberately telling lies. Of course, he could try to resist the spell, but the caster would know immediately about such an attempt, and right now, he had no reason to do so.
“Domain of Truth?” Alamir’s face showed a ghost-like expression, “How do you know this one?”
“I understand more than you think, surprising, isn’t it?” the Succubus Lord glanced at the Elf Priest, “Tell me, have you ever under any circumstance revealed information about Kostcheqi’s treasure to anyone not present right now? Don’t shake or nod your head, speak.”
“No.”
“No.”
…
All the companions voiced their confirmation, and Tijana nodded in satisfaction, waving her hand to dissipate the Domain of Truth.
“Good, I don’t need to say it for you to guess that leaking such information is of no benefit to anyone.” Tijana nodded, making eye contact with each person, “My next spell will prevent all of us, myself included, from being able to talk about the location of Kostcheqi’s treasure to anyone who does not already know, and even among us, we’ll have to refer to it as ‘that time’s spoils’ to prevent eavesdropping.”
“I’m not fond of being subjected to such magic,” the Dwarf complained, “but ‘that time’s spoils’ are indeed too numerous, and it’s wise to be… wait, has the spell taken effect already?”
“Of course, if I let you prepare in advance, the spell wouldn’t work properly,” the Succubus Magician said with a smug smile, “Silent casting, a very useful super magical ability. If you’re smart, you’d best learn not to be too presumptuous in my presence.”
“Uh, my apologies, my lady,” Bruto immediately adopted a stiff, upright posture, “Please make sure not to subtly make my beard disappear.”
“I promise you, if one day something happens to your bunch of red curls, it will have nothing to do with me.” Tijana took her seat next to her own chair, reaching over to grab a skewer of roasted dragon meat from a plate that Alamir had just brought over, “Safety measures are now in place, so we can talk about how to turn ‘that time’s spoils’ into wealth that you can actually use. The biggest issue is of course the revenge of the original owner; no one knows when it will regain its freedom. It could be ten thousand years later, or it might be hurrying back to its lair right now. Can you imagine its reaction when it finds its home gone? Anyway, I’m rather looking forward to it… All in all, if the Abyss has taught me anything, it’s always to plan for the worst-case scenario.”
