The Paladin in the Abyss

"Wow, that's Tijana," said the Halfling who had been nervous all along, finally relaxing, "Although she looks fierce, I'm pretty sure she enjoyed the dinner."

"It's easy to tell," Bruto observed the piles of empty plates in front of him, "She almost ate a third of it by herself. Isn't her stomach bursting?"

"Sister Tijana is actually not fierce at all," Isabella whispered in defense of the Succubus Lord.

"Food disappears into a demon's stomach as if it goes directly to the core of the Abyss through a portal. Researchers have always suspected that there's a portal going straight to the core of the Abyss inside their stomachs," Kalalin said with a smile, "But this really was a fantastic dinner, Koula, thank you."

"You must not have had enough," the Halfling jumped up from his chair, "Don't worry, I still have dessert here. Who wants a couple of flowing heart tarts?"

"Me!"

Everyone spoke up simultaneously, except for a certain distracted knight and his jawbone-leaking skeletal servant.

"I need to figure out a way to get a body soon," Eckmond lamented, watching others, "Eating seems like such a fun, meaningless activity."

"These cookies are fantastic," Bruto almost instantly ate his share, "Lance, if you're not planning on eating yours, it's going to be mine, okay?"

"Are you okay?" Alamir looked at Lancelot with some concern, "Still worried about the revenge of the demon that Tijana mentioned?"

"He's probably thinking about Tijana herself," Bruto crossed his arms and sighed, "I just can't appreciate those types without beards."

"Lancelot? Tijana?" The Elf looked quite shocked, then suddenly his expression turned a bit strange, "Is that why the Succubus Lord suddenly visited? How far has their relationship progressed?"

This gossipy topic piqued everyone's curiosity, even Eckmond was surprised enough to drop his jaw, and the inquisitive looks in little Isabella's and Koula's eyes could have bored holes into Lancelot.

"So far, it's completely one-sided on his part," Kalalin explained, "It's not hard to imagine, he's definitely not the only male subdued by Tijana's charm."

"Pfft..." Eckmond was the first to express dissatisfaction, "Boss, what are you doing? I swear by the crown of my head, absolutely no succubus would reject you. Your power, your muscles, your essence, they adore all that. Don't worry about getting addicted; even if it's with a succubus, you'll cool down after it's over. The only thing to be wary of is their kiss."

"Weren't you suffering from amnesia, how do you know so much?" Lancelot looked at the skeleton irritably but couldn't help but ask, "What's with their kiss?"

"Succubus draws energy through their kisses, which is fatal for mortals," Kalalin answered Lancelot's confusion, "It is said that you can derive no satisfaction from their kisses, the only experiences are the pain they inflict on you, and the immense emptiness."

"The strength of their draining kiss is probably equivalent to being smashed five times with full force by a hammer wielded by Bruto, but I don't think such a kiss would kill you," Alamir looked at Lancelot, "And I have reason to believe that, given your constitution, a succubus might not even be able to draw any energy from you."

"Thanks, that does sound really reassuring," Lancelot said, but his expression said otherwise.

"This is bad," Bruto shook his head, "This guy isn't just lusting after her body, he's really in love with her, which is really bad."

"I am drawn to everything about her," Lancelot opened up to his friends, "How can you not like her? It's obvious, she is inherently charming, and she has always been so kind to us. I try to remind myself that she is a demon, the most skilled at tempting mortals to fall, but I can't fool my own heart.

So far, neither her way of governing nor her actions could be done better by me, and Twin Bridges Town under her rule is almost the only place in the Abyss where a human glow still burns; I can find no reason to dislike her."

"What's so hard about finding a reason?" Bruto raised his chin proudly, "She doesn't have a beard."

"I understand your pain," Alamir, unlike the Dwarf, looked very serious, showing no intention of mocking Lancelot, "Although I've had countless encounters with succubi just for fun, I can't help you much. The only advice I can give you is to forget that she's a succubus, and do not impose any moral burdens on yourself.

Listen to the true voice of your heart, be honest with yourself, and then you can be honest with her, which is essential for true love."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"But what if demons are incapable of feeling love?" Lancelot's voice sounded somewhat desperate, "Does that mean any effort is in vain?"

"The power of true love is beyond your imagination," the Elf's expression was very calm, but these words were indeed at the core of Shuni Priest's beliefs, "Such feelings can arise in the hearts of any intelligent race, a power capable of contending with any magic or Divine Power."

Your journey continues on empire

"I hope so," Lancelot sighed, his expression appeared much more relaxed, "but Kalalin is right, so far it has been unrequited love, and even if a demon's heart could be ignited by the flames of love, it would certainly require a tremendous amount of effort."

"Maybe it's not as hard as you think," Alamir raised an eyebrow, "She's already come to your house and had dinner with you. And with Koula around, she's bound to come again."

"Should I start planning the wedding menu right now?" Koula suddenly spoke up, making everyone laugh, and the previously somewhat oppressive atmosphere was swept away.

"All right, let's talk about distributing the loot," Lancelot's expression became serious again, "I believe that what will bind our team together in the future is not the spoils obtained in adventures, but I'm also aware that unfair distribution can turn even the closest comrades against each other."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and so Lancelot continued.

"Here's my proposal for the distribution of the loot.

All monetary gains are to be evenly distributed, and the acquired equipment will be distributed as needed, and if one day you no longer need it, the income from selling it will also be shared equally," Lancelot looked at Elf Priest, "Alamir, I know your fondness for these artworks, you can own them before we sell them, but once sold, the money obtained will also be evenly distributed among everyone."

"No problem," the Elf Priest nodded, "I will use them to decorate this house, the beauty of art should be appreciated by everyone, I have no intention of monopolizing these exquisite creations."