He still remembered the advice given during training: the usual swordsmanship of a paladin is most effective against humanoid enemies. When faced with opponents of massive size, many limbs, or bizarre forms, relying on sword techniques would be futile—divine arts should be used instead!
Now, he fully understood the meaning of his instructor's words. When facing non-human foes, many sword techniques become irrelevant, turning into fatal flaws instead.
In just two or three exchanges, the paladin had already been struck several times. If not for the sturdy armor, he would have been torn to pieces. As the mercury-like creature, having shed its restraints, attacked with childlike enthusiasm, it became even more dangerous, abandoning swordplay in favor of transforming its body into unimaginable shapes, attacking from directions the paladin couldn't have anticipated.
Realizing the tide had turned, the paladin's sword blazed once again with holy light, but this time, it was intertwined with thunderous radiance.
It was another Holy Slash, but an advanced version, now laced with powerful lightning damage.
Initially reserved for a confrontation with Amberxiu, the paladin never expected to be driven into a corner by such a strange monster. Now, he had no time to hesitate.
The mighty Holy Slash, infused with the fury of thunder, descended upon the living mercury. Despite the creature raising several mercury swords to block, the blow was unstoppable. The enhanced Holy Slash had the power to pierce through the creature's magical resistance, dealing devastating damage.
Unfortunately, the final strike only severed one of the mercury creature's arms.
"Missed?! How could that be?!"
The paladin stared in disbelief at his misdirected blade. How could this finely honed strike have gone astray?
The injured mercury creature, now completely enraged, ignored its wounds and immediately enveloped the paladin. Having failed with his most powerful strike, the paladin was helpless to dodge as his body was completely trapped, and the living mercury activated its metal-devouring ability.
The paladin struggled fiercely, his body emanating holy light, causing the mercury to bubble as though boiling, but it was all in vain. His armor and weapon were consumed by the living mercury, leaving only his thin shirt behind.
Blonde, handsome, strong, and graceful—this paladin's true appearance was so striking that in another place, it would have made countless young women swoon. But to the living mercury, this beauty was useless. The angry creature reformed its sword, ready to impale the paladin's exposed body.
Without his armor, the paladin was doomed.
But just then, Amberxiu shouted, "Don't kill him; the paladin is worth a lot!"
Although still seething, the mercury creature would not defy Amberxiu's orders. It begrudgingly pressed the paladin's head to the ground, smashing his handsome face.
Amberxiu smiled. "Still not satisfied, little one? That Holy Slash you just used—if I hadn't helped you, you'd have been finished already."
Amberxiu had underestimated the paladin's strength. Anyone capable of using an advanced Holy Slash was undoubtedly a high-ranking paladin, and given his youth, he was likely one of the most distinguished of the new generation in the Lyon Empire—possibly even a paladin personally bestowed with honors by the Emperor of Lyon.
It was a shame—the equipment of a high-ranking paladin was very valuable, and now it was all ruined.
No matter, the ransom would have to double!
Amberxiu looked at the paladin, still struggling to rise, and said, "Don't waste your energy. Your companions are already in my hands. If you don't want them to lose their lives, then obediently become a prisoner."
Hearing Amberxiu's words, the paladin responded firmly, "We are all servants of the Lord of Dawn. We will die in the holy war, and our souls will ascend to the heavens. You cannot threaten me with this. We are prepared for sacrifice."
"Heh, but there's one companion of yours who doesn't worship the Lord of Dawn. Are you prepared for him to die with you? As a paladin who has sworn the Oath of Devotion, isn't protecting the weak part of your creed?"
Amberxiu's words took the paladin by surprise. He hadn't expected Amberxiu to know so much about him.
Every paladin swears an oath before the gods. The Oath of Devotion, the Oath of the Ancient Sages, and the Oath of Vengeance are the three most common vows. The Oath of Devotion demands paladins act justly, uphold integrity, and protect the weak, never resorting to dishonorable means, even in battle.
Harvey, the paladin's comrade, fought alongside him. If Amberxiu threatened Harvey's life, the paladin could not allow his companion to face death because of his own stubbornness, for that would violate his oath.
To break one's oath as a paladin was a serious matter.
"What do you want? I will never cooperate with the undead. Even if you use that mage's life to threaten me, I will never join forces with you," the paladin declared resolutely.
"I'm not asking you to cooperate. I just want you to save some energy and be a good prisoner. Once the Lyon Empire pays the ransom, I'll let you go," Amberxiu replied.
He had already worked out the figures: the Holy Priest was worth 800,000 gold coins, and this paladin was worth a million—every single coin was essential.
It sounded like an outrageous demand, but it was all about setting the price.
Just think: if this paladin was worth so much, how much more would the living mercury, which could hold its own against him, be worth?
The living mercury could be Amberxiu's biggest deal in the coming centuries, and it absolutely could not be sold cheaply.
However, upon hearing Amberxiu's plan, the paladin sneered. "You're wasting your efforts. The Empire will never pay a ransom for a prisoner. The Lyon Empire has never yielded to threats, especially from the undead. If you demand a ransom from the Lyon Empire, it will only invite a crusade from the paladin order."
Amberxiu, unconcerned, replied, "Isn't that more in line with your wishes? So, what reason do you have to stop me from sending you to your death? Now, tell me your name."
The paladin didn't expect Amberxiu to be so resolute. Could this lich truly dare to provoke the Lyon Empire so openly, just for some gold coins?
Though confused, he knew he had no choice but to accept his fate as a prisoner, unless he wanted Harvey to die for his stubbornness.
Calmly, the paladin replied, "Ellen Watson, that is my name."
"Watson?" Amberxiu asked, hearing the surname, "Is James Watson, the editor-in-chief of *Legendary Spells*, related to you?"
The young paladin, surprised, responded, "You know my father?"
Amberxiu's eyes blazed with the fire of souls, ready to burst forth. Through gritted teeth, he said, "What a coincidence. I've known your father for many years."
End of Chapter