The Paladin in the Abyss

Chapter 34 - 30: The Price of a Soul

Lancelot was not annoyed by the attitude of the Devilspawn; in fact, this was already considered relatively polite by Abyss standards.

"I heard there’s a guy named Catez who can offer a good price for gemstones."

"A fresh, unfamiliar face," the Devilspawn looked at Lancelot with an amused gaze, "Today, with that damn Red Dragon around, someone still comes to me?"

"I don’t like dealing with someone who is much stronger than me," Lancelot stated the reason he didn’t go to see the Red Dragon Krivtar.

"That creature isn’t even of age yet. Sooner or later, I will slaughter it and take all the treasures from its lair for myself," Catez glared hatefully at the Red Dragon and then asked, "How much do you think your goods are worth?"

"I’m not sure, but they are all beautiful."

"Is that so," Catez sneered, "Don’t tell me you’re a fool who picked up a few pretty pebbles and is fantasizing about making a fortune. Show me what you have."

Lancelot reached into his pocket, thought for a moment, and drew out three gemstones, giving his wrist a gentle shake to let the gemstones roll slowly on the table.

They were three blue gemstones, two of them were very clear, and one was so dark it almost appeared black.

The experienced Bruto had already appraised these gemstones, the two lighter-colored ones were ordinary sapphires, each worth about a thousand Gold Coins; the darker one was a Black Sapphire, also known as ’Black Pearl,’ starting at five thousand Gold Coins, it was one of the most valuable gemstones.

Bruto had already carried out a preliminary cutting of these gemstones. Although he claimed that his skills were not even one-tenth of his father’s, Lancelot believed that to be modesty, for he couldn’t discern any flaws with his naked eye.

As the gemstones gently tumbled, their facets continuously flashed dazzling highlights, especially the dark gemstone.

Greedy and excited eyes appeared in Catez as he reached out for the gemstones.

"Roar!!!!!"

An urgent dragon’s cry came, followed by the strong gust of wind from the flapping of massive wings.

Catez’s face changed, he turned and grabbed a Spear leaning nearby, pointing it at the incoming Red Dragon and roaring:

"Krivtar! It’s not your turn to run wild in Twin Bridges Town!"

"Relax, I was merely attracted by some beautiful shimmering." The juvenile Red Dragon landed, casually crushing a hapless stall beneath it, and with a lazy swipe of its tail, another stall also suffered collateral damage.

This Red Dragon truly had not yet reached adulthood, but its size, over twelve feet tall, was definitely a dominating presence here. Everyone nervously moved away from their original spots; some slinked right out, while others took on the attitude of watching a good show from a safe distance.

Its gaze was drawn to the three gemstones on the table, a fervent light shining in its dragon eyes.

"Wow, these are some fine treasures," it noticed Lancelot standing to the side, "Ah, a newcomer, no wonder you didn’t know to come to Krivtar for selling gemstones. But no matter, you know now. Krivtar always offers the best prices."

"Bastard, how dare you steal my business directly!"

"Tijana told me we can’t rob or kill within the boundaries of Twin Bridges Town, but she didn’t say anything against stealing business."

"You!"

"Gentlemen, if I may," Lancelot interjected, cutting off their argument, "The items seem to be mine, right? Esteemed Red Dragon, I appreciate your willingness to make a more generous offer, however, Mr. Catez did approach me first, and I believe he has the right of first refusal."

"Fine, I’ll just watch from the side, and if you’re not happy with his price, you can still come to me," the Red Dragon said, squinting at Lancelot with a less than friendly look in his eyes.

The Devilspawn, angered, slammed his spear hard into the ground and declared:

"Eight thousand! I bid eight thousand Gold Coins!"

"Why so stingy, Catez? Is eight thousand just for that black pearl?"

"Don’t push me too far!" Catez, grinding his teeth in anger, turned to Lancelot and said, "Eight thousand Gold Coins for all three! I’m making no profit at this price— if you want more, go find that Red Dragon."

"Eight thousand is a reasonable price," Lancelot nodded, "Deal."

"Hmph." Krivtar snorted heavily, flapped his wings, and turned to leave.

"Good." Seeing Lancelot didn’t push for a higher price, Catez nodded in satisfaction, turned, and shouted across the hall, "Letisha! You wench, get over here quick!"

"Oh, you didn’t talk like that in bed the other day," a lazy voice said, drawing closer.

"Nonsense." Catez waved his hand awkwardly, "Everyone can go ask around; I, Catez, am known as the ’Bull of Twin Bridges’ with the silver spear,..."

"Is the deal settled?" A beautiful figure descended gracefully from the air, interrupting the Devilspawn’s self-praise. She was a Succubus; she glanced around the room and her eyes lit up when she saw Lancelot.

"Oh, if it isn’t Sir Lancelot, good afternoon, Sir."

"You know me?" Lancelot touched his nose.

"My sisters have all been hoping to receive such gifts one day," the Succubus Letisha giggled, turning to Catez, "Silver Spear Pretty Boy, what do you want with me?"

"Watch your language!" Catez shouted angrily, "Pay Sir Lancelot eighty Soul Coins from my treasury."

"Uh, what are Soul Coins?" Lancelot asked curiously.

"You’re new here, it’s normal not to know," Letisha explained enthusiastically, "Soul Coins are issued by the banks of the Nine Hells of Demons, one Soul Coin is worth a hundred Gold Coins, or ten Platinum Coins."

"Currency issued by Demons?" Lancelot asked, shocked. "Do Demons accept this...?"

"We prefer Soul Stones that directly store Souls, but those are of no use to humans like you, and you don’t have the ability to assess the value of a Soul.

However, the ruler of the Nine Hells, Asmodeus, has publicly promised that each Soul Coin can be redeemed for a Soul or a hundred Gold Coins," the Succubus shrugged nonchalantly, her simple gesture oozing endless Charm, making those around her stare blankly, "Thanks to the well-known preferences of Demons, they will never give you Souls.

A Soul Coin is worth a hundred Gold Coins, which Demons believe is the minimum price to make a Soul fall."

"This... What kind of fool would go to a bank in Hell to withdraw money?" Bruto was incredibly shocked.

"Devotees of Demons, merchants who travel between the lower planes, and even the Demons themselves," Kalalin explained, showing his profound knowledge of the lower planes, "It is said that for every Soul Coin issued, there’s a corresponding soul wailing, hanging on the fireplace of the ruler of the Nine Hells."

"I’d rather not find myself one day in Barto Hell demanding Gold from Demons," Bruto said, showing his disgust, "Let’s just stick with Gold Coins."

"Gold Coins, gold bars, whatever form you want, you pick."

"Do you have Platinum Bars?" Kalalin interjected, "A Platinum Bar should weigh two pounds, worth the equivalent of a thousand Gold Coins."

"Of course, we do," Letisha winked at Lancelot, "They’re as hard as your body, Sir, if you know what I mean?"