The Paladin in the Abyss

Lancelot bent down to help the vampire girl to her feet. The young girl opened her eyes, revealed a weak smile, and then fell asleep again in his embrace.

"You did well, everything is alright now," Lancelot whispered in her ear. He took out the vampire's small wooden box from his Dimensional Bag and carefully placed her inside, "Rest well."

"How did she... end up down here?" Bruto scratched his head, puzzled by the situation, "And what is this book that's as big as a tower shield all about?"

"Little Isha just snatched this book from the Frost Giants and then used her vapor form ability to escape. This ability puts a tremendous strain on the body and is usually only used in near-death situations. Furthermore, it would typically lead her to flee to her resting coffin to recover slowly, but I had activated the Anti-Magic Stone earlier, so she couldn't approach me in that state. That's why she had to hide beneath the snow," Lancelot explained as he tucked the wooden box with the vampire back into his Dimensional Bag, then turned to look at Kalalin, "As for this book..."

The Scholar had already jumped into the pit, engrossed in examining the cover of the large tome. His whole body was trembling with excitement, looking as if he might faint at any moment. His expression was that of a sailor who had been adrift at sea for two years and had just set eyes on a courtesan in the tavern for the first time ashore.

"There's no doubt, this is indeed one of Ahham's Abyssal Scrolls!" Kalalin tried to lift the large book from the bottom of the pit, but he lacked the strength to do so, "Fellows, come and give me a hand, this is a Divine Artifact!"

"Isn't this a spellbook of the Frost Giants?" The Dwarf looked at the Human Knight, who had already extended a helping hand to the Scholar. So the Dwarf shrugged and slid underneath the lifting book, pushing hard upward with his head.

Once the large tome with a purple cover was finally brought to the surface, everyone realized how staggeringly large it truly was. It measured six feet long, four feet wide, and was as thick as a person's knee. The cover and back had numerous buckles, twisted rings, and straps to ensure that the book wouldn't accidentally open.

"Is this a work left by the founder of your Cult?" Alamir asked Kalalin with curiosity, "What is recorded inside it?"

"Ahham left behind several works. This largest and most precious type is called the Abyssal Scroll, which mainly contains maps of parts of the Abyss, as well as records and research notes of Ahham's travels on those planes," the Scholar fondly stroked the purple cover of the Abyssal Scroll, "Besides the Abyssal Scroll, there are Dark Notes that record the true names and secrets of certain Abyssal Lords, and the Crimson Catalogue which contains information on the habits and ecology of certain Abyssal creatures..."

"Kalalin, a book is not a woman, no matter how much you stroke it, it won't open by itself," Bruto joked crudely at the Scholar, "Let us see what's inside."

"I want to do that more than any of you, but it's not possible. Not now, not here, and I... I can't either." The Scholar reluctantly shifted his gaze from the book, "Forbidden knowledge inherently has power. Interpreting the Abyssal Scroll requires the reader to be thoroughly prepared both mentally and physically. The Cult's library archives have rich records of the consequences of reckless attempts, including but not limited to becoming paranoid, severe delusions, and sinking into terror whenever any book approaches. In short, unless you are in a madhouse with a complete staff and facilities, it is best not to open the cover of the Abyssal Scroll. Put it in the Dimensional Bag, Lancelot, and I will come to you when I am ready."

"Besides those damned maps, doesn't this thing have any other use?" Bruto still wasn't giving up, "That Serpent Demon earlier, it was summoned by this object, right?"

"Yes, that's a high-level power of the Abyssal Scroll, capable of summoning a High Rank Demon that must obey the holder, but every time this power is used, it attracts more demons attempting to steal the artifact and throw it into the Well of Darkness on the 73rd layer of the Abyss for complete destruction. Moreover, should it sense the threat of demons nearby, the book will cast the Teleportation Technique to escape on its own. However, in the Iron Ice Plains, Kostcheqi actively hunts down any Tanari bold enough to intrude, which is why his Frost Giant Mages dare to use that power without restraint."

"So, this thing is of no use to us," the Dwarf finally lost interest, "Let's move on, go see if we can find some spoils of war on those Frost Giants' bodies..."

"Then… that… could you… help us…"

A feeble plea suddenly drifted into everyone's ears, all were taken aback, only then remembering something they seemed to have forgotten—the prisoners locked in cages!

"My apologies, the battle was so intense that we nearly forgot about you," Lancelot hurried over and tore down the door of the iron cage with his hand, "Quickly, before the portal closes, rush back to your original world."

The prisoners, like sheep released from a pen, filed out one by one, most of them running wildly towards the portal without looking back, while a few, despite the cold, stood in place and bowed in gratitude to Lancelot.

"The highest gratitude, honorable Knight!" said an elderly man, who was decently dressed, leading a few people in a deep bow to Lancelot, "You must be sent by Tom to rescue us!"

"I'm not familiar with Tom, and if you stayed any longer, you might have indeed gone to meet Him," Lancelot humorously responded, "By the way, I'm called Lancelot, and when you have time, you might mention to your god that there's no need for thanks on my behalf."

"Are you really not an envoy of the gods of courage and sacrifice?" the elder still seemed somewhat incredulous, but as the portal began to flicker, he was forced to run towards it, "Thank you, Sir Lancelot! We will certainly mention you in our prayers!"

"It's too cold here, staying any longer is not good for their health," Lancelot shrugged to his companions, "Besides, when doing good deeds, one should leave a name. That's what I learned from an ancient book."

"Bad deeds too, right? But without leaving your own," Alamir responded with a laugh, "Right?"

"Exactly," Lancelot nodded, watching Bruto come over, dragging a huge bag, "Find any good stuff?"

"Mostly just some average-quality iron ingots, which I've discarded, but some of the gemstones are not bad," Bruto cheerfully replied, but his expression suddenly changed, "Wait, these aren't the possessions the Frost Giants seized from those prisoners just now, are they? Should we return them… ah, big brother, you're too cunning! Is this the real reason you urged them to hurry back?"