The Paladin in the Abyss-Chapter 749 - 679: Curse or Blessing

"Just one of them, my predecessor."

The voice of the King of the Dead remained indifferent, but Lancelot suddenly realized that the other was deliberately imitating the way of speaking of that cloaked skeleton. At that moment, a special voice echoed faintly in Lancelot’s heart, and his expression shifted slightly as he took the initiative to speak:

"Respected Arbiter of All Endings, an old friend of yours is with me, and it wishes to greet you."

Oh? My friend?

The skeleton’s tone seemed merely intended to convey politeness, that condescending inflection was all too familiar to Lancelot.

I would certainly be pleased to meet this ’old friend,’ but where might he be now?

Lancelot reached into the Dimensional Bag at his waist and drew out Starlight Strike at a pace that would not cause any misunderstandings. A swirl of silvery mist appeared around the Aira artefact, and in just a few breaths’ time, there appeared a male Elf dressed in a dark blue robe. He bowed with an extravagantly flamboyant gesture and spoke cheerfully:

"Hello there, Weaver of Spells, do you remember me?"

It’s you? I thought you had perished by Cang Ye’s hand...

"Predecessor, who is he?" the King of the Dead asked in some surprise, "A Sword Spirit?"

This is the King Consort of the Queen of the Aira...

"The former King Consort."

...It’s indeed unfortunate to hear that, Eskodel, the former King Consort of Starlight Strike.

"The sword."

"I have heard that name," the deity with the silver mask nodded, "Legend has it that he sacrificed himself in the Abyss to protect those innocent children and thus completed his own redemption..."

It seems this Sir has found his sword in Androlina and brought it forth. What a pleasant surprise, my friend, I had thought I would have to wait until the end of time to speak with you again.

"I feel the same, and I’ve recently heard quite a number of unbelievable legends about you... really, quite incredible." The Elf transformed from Starlight Strike offered a meaningful smile, "Do you still think being the Grim Reaper is a boring job?"

The work itself is not boring; it’s the way the work is done. And the same goes for you, my lord.

"I’ve gained some insight into that, predecessor. Since these people include your old acquaintance, would you take this Vampire away? Although we hold different views on Undead creatures, I won’t deny the rights you hold over them."

"There’s no need, esteemed King of the Dead," Starlight Strike replied courteously, "Just look into this young girl’s heart, she requires no one’s protection."

I would never lay claim to that right either, lord.

"In that case, step forward then. These mirrors will reflect all your life experiences..."

Upon hearing this, little Elizabeth’s body trembled slightly, but still, she bravely stepped forward from behind Lancelot.

"Just a moment," Lancelot suddenly spoke. "Great King of the Dead, may we step aside?"

"Why?"

"A lady always has her own secrets." Lancelot shook his head. "Besides death, no one has the right to pry into those secrets, and death itself should be silent."

"...Hmm, I completely agree," the Grim Reaper nodded gently. In the next instant, the area surrounding Lancelot became enveloped in utter darkness. "Then please wait in the darkness for a moment; we will be done shortly."

In the complete darkness, time seemed to stop flowing. Lancelot silently counted his heartbeats, and before reaching thirty, everything around him returned to normal. His gaze immediately found the little girl; he was relieved to see her still standing unharmed in her spot, the only difference being the two crystal-clear tear streaks on her face, making her look especially pitiful.

"What’s the matter?" the Human Knight quickly walked to the little girl’s side, asking in a gentle, soft voice, "Did you remember some bad memories?"

"It’s nothing, brother, it’s all in the past," Little Elizabeth lifted her head, trying to muster a smile. "Wait, the King of the Dead hasn’t announced the verdict yet."

"My conclusion is, innocent," the voice of the King of the Dead timely rang out. "Brave girl, you do indeed have a heart of gold."

"That’s wonderful!"

Companions cheered as they rushed over and hugged Little Elizabeth tightly in the middle. It must be said, the darkness just then had been quite frightening, putting everyone’s nerves on edge, fearing that upon the return of vision, the first thing they would see would be the little girl turned to ash.

"Thank you, Great King of the Dead." Lancelot tried to keep his smile in check, bowing respectfully and as solemnly as possible to the divine presence on the throne. "Thank you for making a fair judgment."

"It is my duty, and fairness is what people deserve; there is no need for thanks," the King of the Dead shook his head. "Regarding the judgment of Elizabeth, I have not finished."

"But didn’t you say she is innocent?"

"As an individual, she never killed the innocent, never spread unnecessary death in the world for her own benefit, never intentionally created any new Undead, and never preyed on intelligent beings out of desire. Thus, she is indeed innocent," the King of the Dead spoke calmly. It might have been Lancelot’s imagination, but the voice seemed less cold than before. "However, the Undead are a group I have openly declared to strike down. Therefore, I shall perform the following transformations with Divine Power:"

"Her Vampiric Ability shall no longer be lethal, nor will she be able to create any new offspring..."

"Any being she kills shall be unable to be transformed into Undead by any means..."

"Her Soul shall carry my blessing and mark, and it shall not be destroyed by the spells of Necromancers..."

As the Grim Reaper’s words came out one by one, several points of light radiating Holy Power gently entered Little Elizabeth’s body. She stood submissively with her head bowed, receiving the transformation that was both a curse and a blessing from the deity. When everything was completed, the little girl bowed respectfully on one knee and gently said:

"Thank you, Sir Cranvo."

"No need to thank me, this is what you have earned," the King of the Dead replied indifferently, then turned to look at the Human Knight standing nearby. "As for you, Sir Lancelot, I’ve heard your name many times..."

"What?" Lancelot was shocked upon hearing this. "You mean..."

"Where we are is the final destination of all mortals on their earthly journey. As part of my duty, I read everything a Soul has experienced. Some of them have mentioned you: the mysterious Knight, the hero who saved Androlina, the champion Warrior of Twin Bridges Town, the Lord of Withering of Mogrondale... If one listens enough, they can piece together someone’s rough journey. I must say, your story is particularly astonishing, but what puzzles me is that no one knows you from a year ago; it’s as if you emerged from the Multiverse out of nowhere... I guess you fell into a deep sleep for some reason a long time ago and have only recently awakened?"