The Paladin in the Abyss

Carefully concealing his resentful gaze, the soul-judging demon cast another spell, and the glow within the serpent demon's skull began to change. A gigantic White Bone Tower appeared on the rock wall projection, its base nestled deep within a massive ravine on the ground.

"What does this mean?" the Flame Demon asked suspiciously, staring at the iconic structure. "Isn't that Kai-Oine?"

"The spell reveals where the fellow who killed her intends to go next," the soul-judging demon patiently explained. "Kai-Oine is merely a landmark; their true destination is likely Mogrondale City, at the base of the Skeleton Tower.

It's well known that the power of the Great Abyss prevents mighty demons like you from entering; I suppose that human has considered this and plans to hide there with Elothysia to evade your vengeance."

"That wench is still in the Abyss?" The Flame Demon was confused. "She didn't immediately flee?"

"She returned to this plane through resurrection," the soul-judging demon thought it would never be surprised again by the Flame Demon's stupidity. "Within 99 years, she'll be trapped in the Abyss and unable to leave. Perhaps you could send a minion, a capable assassin, to bring back the soul of that human and the essence of the succubus..."

"So that's possible." The Flame Demon's face took on a thoughtful expression as he began to summon another name in his mind.

Soon, with the sound of heavy footsteps, a human clad in black armor entered the Throne Hall located at the mouth of a volcano, where the Flame Demon resided.

The enormous helmet completely covered his face, and the black iron armor enveloped every inch of his skin, leaving not even a sliver of a gap. Upon closer inspection, one would notice that all the movable parts meant for disassembly on the armor were welded shut. It was less about providing absolute protection and more like a cage for the wearer.

The soul judging demon watched the newcomer uneasily, someone who made it uncomfortable. This was a Dark Guardian, or rather, a Fallen Paladin.

If one were to count which mortal profession has killed the most demons, Holy Warriors would undoubtedly be at the top of the list.

Inspired individuals abandoned secular identities and positions without a second thought, willingly standing at the forefront of the grand war between good and evil in the Multiverse, tirelessly seeking traces of evil to utterly eradicate and never retiring from this calling unless through grievous injury or death.

It was faith that steered a Holy Warrior onto such a devoted path. This power could come from a divine calling or from within themselves. Such conviction was the driving force of a Holy Warrior, so a wavering belief could lead to mere days of confusion or could steer a Holy Warrior down a completely opposite path.

Such cases were not uncommon. In some ways, those who became Holy Warriors were already inclined to extremity. The higher they climbed, the harder they fell; so when a great Holy Warrior's moral scales tipped in another direction, a fearsome Dark Guardian was born.

But don't get me wrong, becoming a Dark Guardian merely meant the release of a Holy Warrior's inner moral restraints; it didn't suddenly make demons appear lovable in their eyes.

"Oh, Enrique, my best assassin," the Flame Demon leaned forward, his giant body deliberately letting hot breath wash over the other's face. "I've found you another splendid prey."
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"Who is he, where is he."

Despite not being as strong as the demon before him, the Fallen Paladin showed no fear whatsoever. The reason was simple: his dark and cold heart no longer felt any pain or despair, and the Flame Demon couldn't derive any pleasure from tormenting him.

It was this very state that made the soul-judging demon next to him rather discontent. Demons are creatures of intense emotional activity, driven by anger, pain, greed, fear, and other desires; the soul-judging demon actually fed on hatred and despair. This Dark Guardian seemed to be solely interested in slaughter, which it found both terrifying and repulsive.

Various thoughts had crossed his mind, yet the demon with the pig face's hands did not cease their movement. It lightly patted the Serpent Demon's head, and instantly the image of Lancelot appeared on the stone wall.

"It's this guy who rescued Elothysia, your former companion," the barbed words of the Flame Demon echoed in the cave, "The fat pig beside him had used magic to determine his next destination—Mogrondale. You should be quite familiar with that place, right?"

Enrique nodded silently.

"That's perfect. I want you to find him, torture him, kill him," the Flame Demon said excitedly, imagining the scenario his words had painted, "And that despicable, shameless, foolish Succubus Paladin, along with any companions they care about, kill them all!"

The knight in black armor nodded again, then turned to leave the sweltering cave.

"I haven't given you permission to leave!" the Flame Demon shouted angrily, flicking his whip and pulling the human back.

"Is there anything else?" Despite being bound by the whip, the Dark Guardian remained unflustered, merely asking in a calm voice.

"Take this." The Flame Demon took out a deep purple amulet from a small pouch at his waist and threw it to the Dark Guardian.

The moment he saw the amulet, the eyes of the judge of souls flickered subtly. It was an item crafted by the night witches of the Grey Wastelands, made of Soul Crystal and Abyssal Metal, known as the Soul Snatching Stone.

Besides being able to capture the souls of mortals, the greatest function of this item was to absorb the essence of demons, turning the trapped demons into complete slaves of the holder.

"Bring that wretch Elothysia back to me with this," the Flame Demon said with a vicious smile on his face, "I want to forever relish in the pleasure of tormenting a Holy Warrior, so don't let her die by someone else's hands..."

The Dark Guardian named Enrique stood still for a moment, and then pocketed the item before saying,

"May I leave now?"

"Go forth, my hero, hahahahaha..."

The Flame Demon let out a grating laugh, winging back to his Lava Throne, beginning to fantasize about the numerous pleasures he could derive from having the essence of the Succubus in his grasp.

The Dark Guardian left in silence, while the judging demon quietly flew out as well.

No sooner had it left the sight of the Flame Demon than it changed direction, going after the human who had just departed. While it disliked Enrique, the Soul Snatching Stone was a critical element in the plan, so it had to have a talk with the Dark Guardian.