The Paladin in the Abyss

Chapter 188 Tears of Lazzaka

From above, Mogrondale is a hollow city, at the center of which lies an unfathomably deep hole. The base of the Skeleton Tower, Kai-Oine, is anchored to the cliff edge of the great hole, and the city districts are constructed on the flat ground surrounding it.

The city also extends vertically, with the higher buildings looking more refined, while the bottom is entirely in slum condition. Before everyone had the chance to take a closer look at the Abyssal City, the boat had smoothly landed on a lake in the southeastern part of the city, slowly steering towards an adjacent dock.

"Welcome to Blood Gaze," the Ferryman Demon boatman spoke. "I hope you've enjoyed this journey."

"Ah!" Little Isha sitting beside Lancelot suddenly let out a shriek, her eyes wide with fright.

Everyone also saw what frightened the little Vampire: above their heads, countless heavy chains were strung with thousands of flayed bodies, some of which were still struggling in agony, clearly not quite dead from the skinning alone.

"Those are the criminals who violated Mogrondale's laws," Elothysia explained with a look of disgust, "The Lords of Withering believe these sights can bolster outsiders' confidence in Mogrondale's law and order."

"Eh, I'm more concerned with how not to end up as one of those skinned folks," Bruto, who wasn't too shocked, said. Having been through several adventures, he was somewhat numb to such scenes, "Where can one find a codex that stipulates what is allowed and what is not?"

The Succubus Paladin looked at the Dwarf with an incredulous gaze, then chuckled and shook her head, uttering a simple five words:

"Don't cause any trouble." Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire

Elothysia's words plunged everyone into silence. In this somewhat oppressive atmosphere, they one by one disembarked and set foot on the long-renowned neutral city.

"Last time I came here, I was in chains, shackled as a prisoner," Elothysia sighed, "I didn't expect to return to this place so soon."

"Look at that," Bruto pointed to the center of Blood Lake, where a waterfall of blood from above propelled a giant waterwheel, providing energy and power to the city. "Didn't think there'd be such a thing. The city creator's engineering isn't half bad. What do we do next?"

"Our main purpose here is to procure the latest map," Lancelot explained, "Without it, we'll never find the portal to Androlina."

"Why the latest one?" Bruto asked curiously, following Lancelot down a long dock towards the shore, "Isn't an old one okay?"

"The structure within the Great Abyss is not static," Kalalin explained to him, "Above this city, near Mogrondale, the portals are relatively fixed, while those below this city move to other places nearly every month."

"Alright," Bruto shrugged, and as they spoke the group had already passed through the docks and reached the bustling streets, "Are we going straight to find the map, or should we find an inn to relax a bit first?"

Lancelot narrowed his eyes, surveying the city. The architecture here was primarily made of stone cottages and natural caves, so densely packed they brought to mind an insect's nest; the pedestrians on the street were naturally of various Demons, but one also frequently saw groups of Orcs, Goblins, Zoel, as well as other Mortal Races.

However, what concerned him most were the city guards that could be seen everywhere, a kind of demon whose body was covered in chitinous shells, resembling humanoid beetles.

"Those are Maizeros Demons, a neutral type among the Yugros Demon Tribe," apparently noticing Lancelot's curiosity, the Succubus explained to him, "The Lords of Withering have hired these mercenaries to maintain order in the city."

"I've heard the term 'Lord of Withering' mentioned a few times," Alamir also leaned in, "What are they? The rulers of this city?"

"As far as I know, that's correct," Elothysia nodded, "There are four Lords of Withering in total, each ruling over a quarter of the city. The one we're in now is called Sprayplain, and the other three are Beggars' Cliff, Blood Abyss Lookout, and Hive Valley. Additionally, there are some honorary Lords of Withering, who make up the noble class of this city."

"How does one become a Lord of Withering?" Bruto asked excitedly, "Is it by direct challenge?"

"That's right," the Succubus Paladin replied with a resigned smile, "If not specified otherwise, any title in the Abyss can be taken in this manner."

"What do you think, big brother?" the Dwarf nudged Lancelot with his elbow, "Why not consider becoming a Lord of Withering? I think you have what it takes."

"And then rule over a bunch of citizens who are trying to murder you at every turn?" Lancelot shook his head in disdain.

"With so many merchants coming and going here, there must be some decent restaurants, right?" the Halfling Koula looked expectantly at Elothysia, "I want to eat some real food... the kind that doesn't require prayers."

Alamir gave a hurt look but didn't object, because he too was sick of living off the Divine Arts-created provisions.

"I suggest going to an inn named Tears of Lazzaka," Elothysia proposed, "Its food and rooms may not be as good as others', but it attracts foreign travelers with extra security measures. Its owner also has a very special identity that can save the guests a lot of trouble."

"Is the owner named Lazzaka? What's wrong with his tears?" little Isabella couldn't help asking curiously, the Vampire girl having recovered from the earlier shock.

"No, the owner of Tears of Lazzaka is 'The Immortal' Pakos, who has twice claimed the title of Lord of Withering but soon gave it up because he found it boring," Isabella's question made the Succubus Paladin's expression a bit strange, "He has been killed several times in public, but he would always reappear the next day as if nothing had happened, except that his enemies would have mysteriously disappeared.

Because he seemed to never be able to die, he was awarded the title 'The Immortal'."

"Sounds like a very hospitable host," Lancelot nodded, "Where is this inn located?"

"If I remember correctly, it's two blocks in that direction."

Shortly after, the group stood at the entrance of a three-story stone inn, the sign featuring a string of strange symbols, but Lancelot immediately understood they meant Tears of Lazzaka. At the end of the sign were some dazzlingly colored tubes, forming the image of a weeping angel hanging in the air.