The Paladin in the Abyss

Tijana led two guests and pushed the door into the disfavored lady's room.

This elegant Succubus was reading by the window and looked up when she heard the door open, her eyes meeting those of the man approaching her.

"I've brought this back to you," the nameless man stood before the disfavored, placing the fiery red amulet around the golden-haired Succubus's neck, "It should never have left you."

"I'm quite safe in Tijana's castle, and those whom I've entrusted need your support more than I do," the golden-haired Succubus said gently, gazing at the man while the other two Succubi in the room clearly understood the implication of her look.

The man naturally bowed his head and kissed her red lips lightly, without any regard for others around.

"Hmm," Tijana had to clear her throat to make her presence known.

"Ah, my apologies!" the disfavored slapped the nameless man on the chest, pushing him back, and he conveniently fell onto the bed nearby.

"I've brought the person you asked for," Tijana tried to pretend she hadn't seen anything, but her tone was quite cheerful, "You should take her and leave soon. You know very well this is no place for a Paladin to linger."

"Greetings, respected disfavored lady," Elothysia bowed, "I've heard so much about you, and never imagined we'd meet under these circumstances. I am deeply grateful for your assistance; it is a huge favor."

"We're all on similar paths; it's only right to help one another," the disfavored said with a gentle smile, which soon turned serious, "You are aware of your current situation, aren't you."

"Yes," the expression of the Succubus Paladin immediately became somber, "I... I don't know what to do next."

"Over the past couple of days, Tijana and I have discussed your situation," the disfavored glanced at the Succubus Lord beside her, "She mentioned a place, Androlina; we both agree that it might be the most suitable place for you."

Upon hearing that name, a look of bewilderment crossed Elothysia's face, but a spark of hope soon gleamed in her eyes.

"Going to the Mother of Demons' territory will be a hard and dangerous journey, but there is no better place for you to spend the next 99 years. Think it over," the disfavored smiled again, "But make your decision quickly. Every day you stay here heightens the risk of being discovered."

"No need to think further, that's where I'll go," Elothysia seemed resolved, "I'll write to Eldin immediately and then depart..."

"Don't be in such a rush; you still have time to regain your strength and prepare for this journey," Tijana turned toward the door, "come with me, I think the disfavored lady needs some privacy now…"

The other two Succubi blushed slightly at her candid words, and the Paladin quickly bowed and followed Tijana, who had already stepped outside.

"She's expressing her displeasure with your earlier actions," the disfavored tilted her head toward the scar-covered man, whose gaze seemed to be admiring the most beautiful thing in the world.
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Under the gaze of the golden-haired Succubus, the nameless man's lips curled into a shallow smile. He raised his arm and gestured, and a ghostly hand shimmering with silver light appeared out of nowhere and gently closed the open door.

"So, where have you been since we last parted?"

...

Elothysia walked quietly behind Tijana, navigating through the massive castle. Occasionally, she encountered other succubi who lived in the castle; they all looked up to Tijana with great respect, and clearly, their attitude was not out of fear. She surmised what she saw around her, filled with curiosity.

Half of it was curiosity about where the other party was taking her, and the other half about the person herself.

The answer was soon revealed. As the Succubus Lord pushed open a thick door, Elothysia found themselves at the top of the castle, faced with an empty stretch of city wall.

It was evening on the Plains of the Abyss, with the blood-red sunset on the verge of sinking below the horizon, struggling to cast its last rays, turning the sky, the land, and the town below all into a shade of red.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Tijana's voice came from ahead, and when Elothysia turned, she saw the Succubus Lord intently enjoying the splendid scene, looking very relaxed.

"Indeed." Elothysia admitted, "I had never paid attention to this side of the Abyss before."

Tijana didn't speak again, and the Succubus Paladin thus quietly stood aside, gazing down at the legendary town from up high.

For a species like the Tanari, who possessed infinite lifespans, three hundred years was not a very long time, but it was within these three hundred years that Twin Bridges Town had risen into a force not to be overlooked on the Plains of the Abyss even she—a succubus who spent most of her time on the Prime Material Plane—had heard about Twin Bridges Town's massive blacksmith area and thriving trade activities.

And its lord, known simultaneously for prowess in battle and beauty.

Succubi were not usually built for the battlefield; most often, they would rely on their beauty to solve problems, which was a rarer and more effective ability. What was more difficult to overcome was the psychological gap; when Elothysia decided not to rely on her charm abilities and began to accept the training of a holy warrior, she had never felt so weak.

Thus, when she first heard about Tijana's exploits, she had thought it was just a well-disguised succubus after all. But when she actually met the Succubus Lord, she realized that all the rumors about Tijana had not been exaggerated in the slightest.

"What does it truly feel like to fall in love with someone?" The quiet master suddenly spoke softly, her gaze still resting on the sunset, as if merely talking to herself.

"It's pretty confusing at first." Elothysia laughed, "You find yourself constantly thinking about him, seizing any opportunity to meet him; and when you're together, just ordinary conversation can make you happy; you want to possess him, monopolize him, but you do not want to use your charm to twist his thoughts; you like his current appearance and personality, no longer wishing to see him corrupt or fall."

The Succubus Paladin watched the sunset sinking into the earth, her eyes sparkling with bright light.

"But what really alarms you is that you find yourself hoping that he is happy."

After saying these words, she turned her head to look at Tijana, only to find her still gazing confusedly into the void, apparently not listening to her at all.

So, Elothysia fell silent again, feeling the hot breeze of the Plains of the Abyss caressing their huge wings and black hair until the distant red sun completely disappeared below the horizon.

"It's time to go."

The voice of the Succubus Lord rose again, turning to walk back the way they had come. When Elothysia realized and quickly followed, all she saw was a calm and proud silhouette.