CH 24

Paladin's eyes narrowed as he slowly took one step forward. His tone of voice was eerily flat and unsettling. "Northam, I had told you not to come in."

"Answer my question!" Northam, not wanting to be outdone, spoke back immediately. Paladin came to a halt about five meters away from Northam. When he heard Northam's question, a playful smile appeared on his blurred face lit by the torchlight. He couldn’t help but burst out laughing maniacally while flippantly raising his right hand and leisurely removing the right glove, showing his pale right hand to Northam.

"Take a good look, Northam! This is the reason, and this is the power!"

Northam, who was furious, felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped on his head. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Paladin's right hand brightly glowing golden just like a crystal. The palm that seemed to be crystallized was connected to the wrist hidden in the sleeve. There, several blood vessels that had a magical crystallization appearance were shown. What shocked Northam the most was that the spot that was crystallized emitted a dazzling golden light in the dark night!

In an instant, Northam realized. With a calm voice, he said, "Paladin, this is your magic ability to control the power of the magic elements. You're willing to tell me, so you're planning to kill me, right?"

Paladin looked into Northam's eyes and nodded approvingly. He took a gentle step forward and proudly stated, "You are no match for me, Northam. ”

'Especially now that I can control three hundred light magic elements,' he added in his heart.

Northam only nodded in dismay. With the look of someone who had just realized the truth, he whispered. "I must’ve been tempted by the devil to assist you settle down and do such things. Only a sliver of the notion has already pushed me to do regrettable things in my life, such as allowing innocent people to be sacrificed in vain."

Who knew that when Paladin heard this, he immediately laughed with disdain. Taking another step forward, he sarcastically said, "Oh, the hypocrisy of the dark sorcerer. Doesn’t acknowledge that the root of the problem is you, so you put all of the responsibility on the ethereal devil. Are you trying to flee? Escaping consequences because of your ridiculous conscience? You are nothing more than a worthless weakling. What makes you different from these losers scattered on the ground?" Paladin pointed to the four skeletons on the ground, with an expression of indescribable contempt.

He threw such an insult, but received no reaction from Northam. Northam only sighed deeply and said, "Paladin, there is one thing I must tell you before I die."

Hearing that, Paladin snorted softly and took a step forward, a playful smile plastered on his face.

"Go on. Say it before your last words."

But when their distance was only two meters apart, Northam, who had his head lowered, suddenly raised his head. His eyes were filled with murderous killing intent.

"I'm going to die after you!" Northam roared.

Paladin really had no idea that Northam would pull out his wand. A small black light shone on the tip of his wand, rushing forward and stabbed Paladin's forehead.

At the moment when Paladin was about to be stabbed, Northam noticed Paladin's expression. There was no panic, no fear. There was only that sickening eerie snicker on his face.

‘Something is surely wrong! There must be some kind of a trick!’ The thought occurred to Northam, but alas, it was too late. Paladin's sinister smile suddenly widened. A burst of golden light shot out from his eye. The corners of his tightly closed mouth cracked.

The right hand moved so fast it left afterimages to grab the hand Northam used to hold the wand. Looking at Northam’s face paling instantly, Paladin grimly laughed.

"Foolish! I’ve long seen through your ruse!"

Actually, Paladin only recently discovered that when Northam discovered that it was him who came to the basement, Northam immediately pulled out his wand. Originally, Paladin would never have known about that. However, the dark magic element hovering around Northam collectively surged to his left hand. Anyone would’ve noticed.

When Northam tried to pull his hand back, Paladin smiled. The golden light magic elements around him moved like an extension of his arm. Rushing to integrate onto his right hand before rushing into Northam's arm. Something incredible happened

Northam screamed. His arm that was grabbed by Paladin burst into flames. The flame was extremely hot that his flesh got burnt and poofed into ashes instantly. Tongues of fire began to spread on his arm bones. Paladin, on the other hand, was getting more excited. There was no sign of burns on his hands.

Paladin yanked Northam’s hand. With a snap, Northam's burnt arm got ripped. Sparks were flying everywhere. Paladin looked at Northam, who was screaming and clutching what was left of his arm. With a sinister smile, Paladin raised his foot and kicked Northam in the stomach. As his body flew to the wall and collapsed on the ground, the latter could only whimper. Blood was flowing uncontrollably from the corners of his mouth.

"Old man, it appears that you are no longer of much use. It would be more dangerous for me if I left you alive." Paladin laughed at his own words.

Gently shaking his hand, he gradually inched closer towards Northam who collapsed in the corner. Seriously injured, Northam could barely lift his head. his eyes filled with pain and fear as he watched Paladin approaching him.

Without the slightest hesitation, Paladin lightly grunted as he casually spread open his right palm. A lightsaber instantly coalesced in his right hand. Ruthlessly, he swung his hand. Northam's other hand, which was flung to the floor far away, immediately emitted a burnt odor.

"AAHHHHHHH!" Northam let out a heartbreaking scream.

However, Paladin frowned at that and said unhappily, "Be quiet! There are civilians up there! Shut up!"

After that, Paladin quickly swung his lightsaber again. Northam's screams ceased, his eyes dimmed. A large stream of blood gushed from a thick bloody wound on his neck.

Paladin quickly jumped away, avoiding getting sprayed with blood. When he flung his hand, the lightsaber dissipated. He crouched down to check if there was anything of use on the old man’s body. After searching for a while, Paladin not only found five gold coins and a bottle of anesthesia refined using dark magic, but also a book with an old cover and folded edges made Paladin feel like he hit the jackpot.

Paladin picked up the book and saw a painting that depicted a priest hanging on a cross on the cover. Moreover, the book had the same symbol as Morris’—the Inquisition’s chief executive officer—robe. This meant the book was from the Inquisition. Paladin was stunned for a split second before bursting into ecstasy.

"Hahaha, this old thing really has some treasure. The Herald of the Hanged, the Inquisition's Sacred Execution Magic!"

Paladin excitedly flipped open the book. The book was full of spells and the magic elements that corresponded to the spells in order. This was clearly a magic book that documented magic and its application!

Paladin was aware that the priests couldn’t learn the Holy See’s magic spells. In general, priests were only capable of non-aggressive magic like healing, bondage, blessings, and so on. The Inquisition, on the other hand, possessed the divine magic specially prepared for executioners to hunt heretics. That was why the book was a rare and precious treasure!

Paladin was ecstatic; this was his first encounter with traditional magic, and he knew he'd have to work hard to understand it. But just as Paladin was about to put the magic book into his pocket, a wave of exhaustion washed over him. It swept his whole body, this strength was rapidly fading. Eventually, he unintentionally fell to his knees.

"What the heck is going on?!"

Paladin couldn’t figure out what was going on as he was unable to come to his senses. However, he was astounded to see with his own eyes how his arm was aging rapidly. The originally smooth arm he used only a few moments ago began to sag and wrinkle like that of an eighty-year-old man. Even old age spots gradually appeared on his skin out of nowhere!

"What's happening? What the hell is going on?!"

Paladin who saw all this finally couldn't control his overflowing fear and screamed.