The Paladin in the Abyss-Chapter 462 - 486 Iron Ice Plains

Chapter 462: 486 Iron Ice Plains Chapter 462: 486 Iron Ice Plains “Immortality can be a blessing or a curse, depending on whether you can control your own destiny,” Alamir commented in that unique tone of the divine office, “Misplaced faith can lead to very serious consequences…”

“Tell us more about that realm,” Lancelot Morassa rubbed his somewhat stubbly chin, “I guess although one does not age or die of natural causes, a wound through the heart is still fatal?”

“Of course,” the Scholar nodded, “For us mortals, the severe cold of the Iron Ice Plains is deadly enough. In fact, the environment of that realm is too harsh and inhospitable for Demons as well, Kostcheqi was actually declaring sovereignty over a piece of ruins that no one wanted to rule. If we are to stay in that realm, it’s best to prepare magical items that can fend off the cold beforehand, otherwise a bunch of big fur balls struggling through the blizzard could easily end up as dinner for Frost Giants.”

“Understood. Tijana said she would pay for any equipment we need for our adventure, so the cold shouldn’t be hard to handle,” Lancelot said seriously, “Initially, the perspective of the illusion was flying high in the sky, making it hard to see what was below. What is the surface of that realm like? Are there any towns or roads?”

“There are many wide roads on the Iron Ice Plains, allowing the armies loyal to Kostcheqi to move quickly, but anyone other than Frost Giants walking on them will attract patrols’ attacks. As for towns… no, there are no places for travelers to visit, only countless Frost Giant tribes roaming the plains, waiting for the Prince of Wrath to issue the call for plunder from the Glacial Fortress.”

“Setting out to plunder? That sounds exactly like something Giants would do,” Bruto seemed to want to spit in disdain but swallowed it back under Lancelot’s stern look.

“You seem to have a big issue with Giants,” Lancelot glanced at Bruto, “Forgive my ignorance, do Dwarves and Giants have some historical grudge?”

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“Do Giants need a reason to be hated? They do not engage in production themselves, they just like to rob others of their hard work, and they are arrogant to boot, considering all creatures shorter than them either slaves or food,” Bruto pounded his thigh fiercely, “Now they’ve even hidden the relics of our Frost Forged ancestors!”

“The hatred between Dwarves and Giants has a long history, initially because Giants once enslaved Dwarves,” the Elf Priest across spoke up, “The Giants had built a vast empire at a time when the Elves had yet to arrive in this world, and humans hadn’t even entered the stage of history—all races on the land were trampled under the feet of Giants, including Dwarves of course. You know, for this stubborn race, hatred is as indelible as words carved in stone. But our views on Giants are the same—we Elves think that if all the Giants were killed, some innocents would suffer, but if you killed one in every two, some would surely escape.”

“So every Frost Giant we see on the Iron Ice Plains is an enemy, got it,” Lancelot nodded, “Aside from Frost Giants, are there other residents in that realm? What kind of Demons might we encounter?”

“We might also encounter some scattered Ogre and Troll tribes, Orcs are possible too, but it’s less likely to encounter Demons,” Kalalin pondered, “Kostcheqi seems to have wholly assumed the identity of a Frost Giant, although he is actually a Tanari demon transformed from a mortal. There have been several reports of Kostcheqi leading large numbers of blood mire beasts—the humanoid dogs that you saw in the illusion—hunting Demons that ventured into the Iron Ice Plains. Many Scholars studying the Abyss believe that Kostcheqi’s hatred for the Tanari rivals that of any other race, which also leaves him nearly without any allies in the Abyss…”

“Nearly?” Lancelot’s eyebrow raised in doubt, “Is there really someone mad enough to think they have common ground with Kostcheqi?”

“Indeed, there was,” Kalalin nodded heavily, “Though it seems hard to believe… it’s widely rumored that Queen Mekanshut frequently went to the Iron Ice Plains to meet with the Prince of Wrath secretly…”

“What?” Everyone present cried out in unison, “But… isn’t it said that Kostcheqi is incredibly ugly?”

“However, compared to Dimogorgen with his two baboon heads, Kostcheqi is definitely a great improvement. And unleashing anger isn’t limited to mere slaughter; Mekanshut is also well-known for her voracious desires,” Kalalin said with a knowing smile, “Although the Queen of the Succubus herself vehemently denied these accusations, perhaps their relationship didn’t end on a particularly harmonious note.”

“That’s because someone wanted to frame Mekanshut.”

A familiar voice sounded from outside the door, and Lancelot had already stood up, heading toward the entrance.

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“Good evening, my lady,” Lancelot bowed respectfully, but as he raised his head, a fragrant breeze met him, and Tijana’s blazing red lips pressed directly onto his.

“Oh oh oh! Hehehe! There are minors here!” Bruto, excitedly slamming the table, caused everyone else to wear strange expressions due to their stifled laughter. The only truly embarrassed one was little Esha, who covered her eyes with her hands, while her ears outside blushed like ripe tomatoes.

“Ah, sorry about that, didn’t notice you all,” Tijana bit his lip slightly with force before willingly letting him go, just before Lancelot could muster the will to resist. The Succubus Lord waved her hand, and her personal chair, originally in the living room, appeared beside the table, “You don’t mind if I sit here, right?”

“You’ve already sat down,” Lancelot shrugged helplessly, “We were discussing the situation at the Iron Ice Plains… you mentioned that someone wanted to frame Mekanshut? Was it deliberately spread rumors?”

“This matter is no secret among the lords anymore, it was actually ‘Lord Wu’an’ Grazzt who pretended to meet with Kostcheqi as Mekanshut, all to tarnish that bitch’s reputation,” Tijana said with a wry smile, “Although Mekanshut ultimately thwarted this conspiracy, various rumors had already spread all over the Abyss.”

“Another consequence of this incident is that Kostcheqi, furious about being made a fool, believes he is just a clown to be mocked by other Abyssal Lords, and Lord Wu’an effortlessly defeated the Frost Giants’ army that went for vengeance, which was a great humiliation for him.”