Chimaera's Conquest: The Legend Of The Devourer-Chapter 168: [Weekly Bonus - 4/6] Break Out (3)

Right after going outside, the paladins were contacted by none other than the Pope himself, inquiring about the attack he had heard about. His message shook them to the core, not because of its content but because it was supposed to be inside the cellar.

At that moment, everything became apparent, and the two charged right back inside, only to find the impostor’s true identity as the dead hero, Adrian.

Adrian’s sudden appearance took the Paladins by surprise. Taking advantage of their hesitation, Adrian sliced his palm up on the chains binding Vesper and shoved it inside one of the paladins’ mouths.

The other Paladin swung his blade, trying to get Adrian off his partner. But Adrian pulled the Paladin in the way, using him as a meat shield. Thanks to their armour, the attack didn’t do much.

However, it gave Adrian time to push the paladins out of the room, locking it to keep Vesper safe from any more harm. The paladins hastily got back to their feet, standing before Adrian, wondering if the former hero had a death wish.

"You fool! You think you can take us both at the same time?" one of them barked, readying himself for another attack.

"I don’t swing that way. But even if I did, which two are you talking about?" Adrian smirked, and suddenly, one of the paladins grabbed his neck and fell to the ground.

The other Paladin was stunned to see his companion lying on the ground, his mouth foaming as his body went limp. The Paladin’s eyes widened in disbelief as he knelt to check on his partner, only to realise his pulse was fading and he had been poisoned.

"What did you do to him?" the Paladin screamed, trying to fetch an antidote.

"What do you think, genius?" Adrian replied but didn’t bother stopping the Paladin from administering the antidote.

Ignoring the warning, the Paladin forced his partner to drink the antidote and sighed, thinking the job was done. However, the Paladin’s status didn’t improve despite the antidote.

"W-What’s wrong? Why isn’t the antidote working!?" the Paladin stammered.

He poured another antidote, then another, but nothing seemed to work. Within a moment, the Paladin’s body had started turning blue. The man was slowly losing control of his body, but he could feel everything around him and saw Adrian laughing at their misery.

The antidote didn’t work for a reason. If it were just the arachnid queen’s poison, it would’ve worked just fine. But combining it with troll blood changed the poison’s properties.

Like troll blood adapted to it, the poison also learned to protect itself. In other words, as Adrian’s troll blood gained poison immunity, the poison in him learned to counteract the effects of an antidote.

The paladins were overcome by despair, but Adrian wasn’t done yet—not after seeing what they had done to Vesper. The paladins had to die, and everyone working for the church had to die, but for now, Adrian would be happy by getting rid of those before him.

"I can save him if you want," Adrian mumbled, casually picking up the poisoned Paladin’s arm to check his pulse. "Surprisingly, he is still alive, but he won’t be for long. I suggest you make a decision fast."

The healthy Paladin shot Adrian a dirty look. However, getting emotional wouldn’t do him any favours, and he could also get rid of Adrian later. With a deep breath, he got on all fours and begged Adrian to save the other Paladin.

"Fine then, cut off your sword arm," Adrian told the Paladin with a straight face as if he were discussing the weather.

"...what?"

"You heard me," Adrian shrugged, handing the Paladin the Minotaur’s broadsword. "Chop-chop, oh and do the same with your friend. If you do, I’ll cure him from the poison."

The Paladin stared at the sword and then back at his companion. If he had to pick between their lives and arms, the choice would have been easy. However, in that state, the Paladin couldn’t help but wonder if Adrian would follow through with his promise.

"...oath," the Paladin mumbled, picking up the sword. "Take an oath, and I’ll do it."

"You know you’re not in the position to make demands," Adrian replied, shaking his head. "But that’s fine. Being the kind and generous man I am, I’ll do it."

The two then proceeded to take an unbreakable vow in the name of Goddess Aria. With his mind at peace, the Paladin raised his sword and cut off his partner’s arm in a swift strike.

Despite having his hand severed, the man didn’t even flinch. It was as if being poisoned had worked in his favour. It was the other Paladin’s turn now, and severing one’s own arm was a lot more difficult than he had imagined.

"Don’t forget the oath," the Paladin sternly reminded Adrian, who was busy yawning.

"Of course," he reassured the man.

The Paladin clenched his teeth, steeling his resolve. He raised the blade with trembling hands before steadying it, eyeing his forearm. With one swift motion, he brought the blade down upon his arm.

Pain rushed through his hand as it clattered on the ground. The man stifled a cry of anguish as blood spurted from the wound before picking up his arm and offering it to Adrian, who graciously accepted it.

"It’s a pain working with your family, isn’t it?" Adrian remarked, waving the severed arms.

"How do you...?" the Paladin mumbled, but Adrian cut him off.

"You know who I am but don’t know the skill that made me famous?" Adrian scoffed before slapping the man with his own arm. "I was an [Analyst] before. I peeked into your stats, saw your names, and put two and two together."

Adrian continued, "Your last names match, and from the age gap, that guy’s gotta be your son or little brother. Besides, a true soldier would rather sacrifice their comrades than give the enemy what they want. But you readily gave your arm to me, confirming my theory."

The Paladin stared at Adrian, viewing him as the dirty manipulator he was. However, as long as Adrian kept his word and healed his son, they could still take him down. But fate was hellbent on making one cruel joke after another.

"Heal... my son..." the Paladin mumbled, his vision getting dark all of a sudden.

"I don’t think I will," Adrian replied before unlocking the cellar.

"You... can’t... do this!" the Paladin screamed, getting back to his feet. "YOU TOOK AN OATH!"

"Yeah, an oath in the name of a goddess I don’t believe in," Adrian laughed. "Why the fuck would I care about a god whose disciples are pure evil?"

"YOU BASTARD!"

The Paladin grabbed the big sword and charged at Adrian, aiming to cut off his head. But just as he was about to swing, his legs buckled, and he tumbled to the ground.

Thinking it was the result of his blood loss, he tried again. But once the numbness took over, the Paladin realised he, too, had been poisoned, just like his son.

"When... did you..." the Paladin mumbled as Adrian picked up his sword. "it’s the sword... that damned sword was poisoned..."

"Ding! Ding! Ding! You’re correct, and you’ve won two tickets for a trip to hell," Adrian smiled while swinging his sword to sever the Paladin’s head.