The Paladin in the Abyss-Chapter 416 - 430: The Defender’s Awakening
Chapter 416: Chapter 430: The Defender’s Awakening
It wasn’t just Hobinson and Tannis who had this realization; when they witnessed the terrifying Demon Legion pour forth en masse, everyone on the city walls understood they were about to face the last battle of their lives.
Although the Protectors had come to Androlina for very noble reasons, the knowledge that death was waiting just ahead elicited different reactions from everyone.
Fear is the most normal emotion, like a dagger pressed against one’s throat, rendering one too frightened to move; and then there’s regret, for both the unfulfilled dreams and the inconsequential little things of ordinary life—such as strolls under the stars, hearty drinking with friends in a tavern, or kissing one’s children and lover.
But it was to protect these beautiful things that the Protectors fought, and by deciding to come to Androlina, they knew they would die in just this way, which ironically gave them strength, allowed them to calmly accept the imminent fact of their death, and prepared them to meet their final battle.
Lancelot had just killed the last enemy in his field of vision and, leaning on his Great Sword, silently watched the Demon army charge toward the fortress. He had already sent Skull to find Kalalin and Koula, and although he still had faith in Elothysia, his years of military life had taught Lancelot never to pin his hopes on reinforcements.
If the awaited reinforcements did not arrive in time, he still had the responsibility to bring his companions back.
...
As Lancelot was pondering his next course of action, an interesting conversation happened to drift to his ears.
“…Talasher, there are things I must confess to you.”
Lancelot turned his head and saw it was Sir Emanu speaking to an Elf. Despite being more than thirty feet away, with his vision he could clearly see the struggle on the old Knight’s face.
“What is it?” the Elven Ranger asked, confusion on his face, “What troubles you, my friend?”
“Thirty years ago, you left for Gaomendikolia and never returned,” the old Knight’s expression grew even more embarrassed, “You can imagine, Tila… Tirrasjo, she was very, very heartbroken.”
“Oh… my poor Tila,” regret showed on the face of the Elven Ranger, “Is she alright? I wonder if I will ever have the chance to see her again…”
“She is fine,” Emanu removed his helmet to reveal a head full of white hair, “Actually, she is now… my wife.”
“…”
“We also have a child named Narciso.”
“…”
“At this moment, they are both in this fortress. Narciso is a splendid Archer, and Tila has become Pascaler’s Great Sage.”
“Enough!” the Elven Ranger grabbed the old Knight by the collar, “What exactly are you trying to say?”
“Look at me! Talasher, what do you see?”
“A man I thought was a friend, who stole my lover while I was gone!”
“No, look more closely,” the old Knight pointed to his head, “This is an old man on the verge of death, soon to reach the end of his life. Even without these damn Demons, I wouldn’t have long to live.”
A stark reality, like a heavy punch, hit the Elf in the face. Talasher immediately released his grip, his expression rapidly changing, finally settling on guilt. He stepped back twice, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just done.
“I think I owe you an apology,” the Elf said with difficulty, “Maybe I did leave for too long…”
“For you Elves, it’s probably not that bad,” the old Knight said generously with a smile, then added, “If, I mean if, after this battle you and Tila manage to survive, please take good care of her for me…”
Lancelot shook his head, no longer paying attention to the conversation over there. Behind him, his companions had already regrouped and were waiting for him to speak.
“Clone Well, when the fight starts, make sure to protect Kalalin and Koula.”
“Don’t worry, boss!”
“Alamir, don’t use Healing Divine Art on me, save your strength for the other comrades who need it.”
“Bruto, during the battle, pay attention to the positions of others, and stay with your allies. There will be a lot of enemies, enough for you to kill, prioritize using your Shield to cover others.”
“Understood, I can tell what’s more important,” Bruto responded.
“Good. See that alley over there? If I say retreat, everyone runs there immediately, I’ll stay behind to cover our escape. Once inside, Bruto and Alamir secure the entrance first. We should be able to hold out for a while there, waiting for the reinforcements Elothysia brings.”
“Can we still use that Emblem that Tijana gave us?” asked Kalalin, who looked like he had an octopus clutching his stomach, “I mean, if we’re faced with the worst-case scenario, maybe we can teleport straight back to Twin Bridges Town…”
“No,” Lancelot pulled out the Emblem, the magic on it clearly had not recovered, “Tijana used up the power of this Emblem to save me before; it won’t be ready for use again until at least a week later. But don’t worry, there is a sewer in the depths of the alley, I will use Shadow Jump to take you out.”
Hearing this, everyone’s faces finally looked a little better.
Just then, a burst of dense booming sounds suddenly came from outside the city. Everyone hurriedly looked out, only to see the low-rank Demons that had been jumbled together being pushed aside, and a large group of Berserk Demons holding Shields crazily charging at the wall of Thorns.
The petrified Thorns were not a single piece of stone, but countless intertwining petrified vines, and the heavy charge of the armored Berserk Demons was as powerful as a battering ram. In just a few breaths’ time, the wall of Thorns collapsed completely. The Demons let out a thunderous roar, pouring out from the breached gap like a flood bursting its banks.
“Release arrows! Quick, release arrows!”
“Hold your ground!”
“Don’t panic! Steady! Steady!”
The voices of the Defensive Army Commanders on the city walls rose and fell one after another. The wounded who had been injured earlier in the battle returned to the wall so long as they weren’t missing limbs. Despite being prepared to die, everyone’s face turned pale, and their bodies couldn’t help trembling.
Follow current novels on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.
Suddenly, a brilliant rainbow light shot out from the main tower of the castle, heavily striking the densest part of the Demon group. The rainbow light formed into a sphere about four feet in radius, emitting countless dazzling rays in all directions. Most Demons that were swept by these rays fell to the ground in slumber, and fewer than one-tenth of them could still stand.
The sphere underwent another Transformation, condensing into the figure of a handsome Elf. Dressed in a robe as dark as the night sky, he wielded a Longsword entirely made of light, with eyes shining a dazzling golden light. All Demons within a hundred feet who were still standing, if looked upon by his focused gaze, would explode into countless light particles with a bang, vanishing without a trace.
Sir Finier, the Chief Knight of the Court of Stars, enters the battlefield!
