The Paladin in the Abyss-Chapter 666 - 690: Three Questions

Chapter 666: Chapter 690: Three Questions

“We have just over a thousand left, six hundred of which are the main force.”

Lady Web spoke with a cold tone, offering no further explanation. However, Lancelot understood that the ‘main force’ the Demon Lord referred to meant Middle Rank Demons like the Berserk Demon and the Brezu Demon. To simplify the strength comparison, roughly thirty cannon fodder were equivalent to one Middle Rank Demon. Therefore, even though a Demon Legion had more cannon fodder than main force, their strength determined their status in the eyes of commanders—similar to expendable items like arrows and javelins. It’s best to use up all these expendables before deploying the main force troops.

“Ogore’s warriors are down to five hundred, but they’re all skilled hands.” The bull demon spoke sullenly from the corner, “Ogore originally brought five thousand; his warriors fought with all their might, unlike the spiders, who slacked off in battle!”

“Casualties have nothing to do with combat achievements, idiot,” Lady Web retorted without even glancing at the Destruction Horns, “and who knows how many were trampled to death by you?”

“Enough, stop arguing.” Babos, who was watching the drama unfold from the side, waved his hand in boredom, “The allied forces can still muster two complete legions, that is, six thousand men, of which about two thousand are Middle Rank Demons. As for Bartez’s side, thanks to the thorn wall created by the will of the Abyss, less than three hundred low-rank infantry have retreated into the Volcano Fortress, but there are still about five hundred Middle Rank Bartez—I’ve counted them very carefully, unless General Visuvius leaves some garrison in the Volcano Fortress to consume some more enemies, that’s the number.”

Visuvius kept a dark face and remained silent.

“So, that means our strength totals one thousand mercenaries, four thousand four hundred low-rank Tanari, and three thousand one hundred Middle Rank Tanari; a total force of eight thousand five hundred,” Lancelot stroked his chin and slowly said, “While our enemies number only eight hundred, including five hundred Middle Rank Bartez… So assume we engage in a decisive battle on the plains, the demons wouldn’t stand a chance, right?”

“If we purely hypothesize, then yes, in the face of absolute power, no amount of clever strategy will help, but the demons know this too, which is why they would have already fled; such a confrontation will not occur,” Sonam replied with a cold tone, “But don’t forget, the enemy still has four Abyssal Demon Refiners, plus an impregnable fortress.”

“I know, but it’s crucial to understand the strength comparison between the two sides. The next question, how long will this situation last? Is it possible for either side to get reinforcements?”

Lancelot’s question darkened the faces of the Demon Lords, and eventually, Visuvius was the first to speak:

“The nearest is Plague Town, I heard that it fell ten days ago. If those Bartez had sent out a distress signal today, reinforcements could arrive from Plague Town in three days at the fastest. As for our own reinforcements…”

“Don’t even think about reinforcements,” Babos decisively shook his head, “Visuvius, you know the character of our Lord. If we fail, it would rather send a large army later to level the Volcano Fortress than send troops to rescue us.”

“And even if they set off now, there wouldn’t be enough time,” Sonam added, “It took us five days to reach the Volcano Fortress from Twin Bridges Town, and that was already the fastest route.”

“So, we must resolve the battle within three days,” Lancelot nodded, “Then onto the final question, great Destruction Flame, can you tell us… what weaknesses does your territory have?”

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“Volcano Fortress is a perfect fortress!!!!” The former Lord of the Volcano Fortress suddenly erupted in intense flames as he roared at Lancelot, “There is no way to breach it!!!!”

The pressure from the roar of a Barlow Flame Demon was indescribable, and Lancelot felt an uncontrollable urge to turn and run. However, he quickly activated the Ice Heart Technique, forcibly suppressing the heart that was about to burst in his chest, and respectfully responded:

Unless its lord is foolish enough to lead his army out himself.

“Unless its true master wants to reclaim it from the hands of a shameless thief.”

“Hmm, that is, of course…” Visuvius nodded in satisfaction and sat back down, “But the Volcano Fortress is indeed a perfect fortress, it has no flaws or weaknesses!!”

“Hmm… If that’s the case, what makes the Volcano Fortress so perfect?” Lancelot decided to steer the conversation differently with the Flame Demon, “For instance, could we organize a flying unit to drop soldiers into the castle from the air?”

“Hahahaha, you think I hadn’t thought of that?” Visuvius laughed loudly, “Inside the Volcano Fortress, there is a powerful defensive formation, infused with special powers into the obsidian that makes up the walls. Any creature that approaches within a hundred feet of those obsidian walls will lose their ability to fly and fall straight from the sky. The only gap is the staircase at the front, but it has a special defensive structure and is always heavily guarded. It is even more difficult to attack from the air than from the ground, so taking the Volcano Fortress with flying units is impossible!”

“I see…” Lancelot touched his nose, “Then may I ask where this powerful defensive formation is exactly located and what powers it?”

“Why do you ask that?” Visuvius eyed the Human Knight warily, “Is Tijana putting you up to this?”

“I am merely considering potential strategies.” Lancelot looked somewhat exasperated at the Barlow Flame Demon, “Though we can’t fly in, I can still climb in. It might be too difficult and conspicuous for an entire army to climb, but it’s different for one person. Moreover, currently the demons are understrength; they must have concentrated their main forces near the staircase, which should give me plenty of room to maneuver.”

“But even if you climbed up, you couldn’t get in, aside from that front staircase, the Volcano Fortress has no other exits…”

“I know it sounds incredible, but during my adventures, I’ve mastered some special skills, unrelated to my identity as a knight.” Lancelot shrugged, “Maybe there’s a small crack in one of the walls, just enough for me to squeeze through using a little trick…”

“Really?” The former Lord of the Volcano Fortress still seemed skeptical, “Even if what you say is true, I’ll force you up there at knifepoint… But then what? You’re just one person, what can you do after getting inside?”

“Firstly, I won’t be alone. See this Dimensional Bag? I can have a few companions stay inside it initially, then let them out once I’m at the Volcano Fortress.” Lancelot patted the pouch on his waist, “This won’t equal the strength of an army, but if we’re clever enough, we can still cause significant disruption, like temporarily disabling that special defensive formation…”