The Paladin in the Abyss

On their way to the Instant Fortress, Eckmond had shared much knowledge about the owners of this fortress, the Doomguard.

The Doomguard is one of the many factions in Mark City, and speaking of Mark City, one must explain the structure of the multiverse.

To put it simply, there are three types of planes in the multiverse: the Inner Layer, the Prime Material Plane, and the Outer Layer. Their current location, the Bottomless Abyss, where Demons live in the Nine Hells, and the Barrens where Mark City is situated, all belong to the Outer Layer.

As there is an Outer Layer, naturally, there is an Inner Layer. The Inner Layer consists of various elemental planes, including the Earth Elemental Plane, Fire Elemental Plane, the plane of Positive and Negative Energy, etc. The base materials of the world indeed originate from the Inner Layer, while the Ether Realm connects the Inner Layer with the Prime Material Plane.

The Prime Material Plane, also known as the transitional plane, is the plane of mortals, and also the homeland plane of Lancelot, Bruto, and the others. Here, materials from the Inner Layer and wills from the Outer Layer collide and combine, forming a myriad of races and worlds.

Although the Prime Material Plane appears to host countless worlds, it is generally believed that they are all situated within the same plane, merely separated by vast distances.

Meanwhile, the Outer Layer is inhabited by gods and Fiends, along with worshippers, mortal residents, and various other creatures. Although it might be hard to comprehend, the thoughts, desires, and emotions in the minds of mortals from the Prime Material Plane directly shape the various Outer Layer planes, with some deities even born purely because believers wished for their existence.

This is why many of the known areas of the Outer Layer are larger than all of the Prime Material Planes combined, after all, human imagination is limitless.

All the significant Outer Layers have clear factional tendencies, such as Barto Hell being Lawfully Evil and the Wild Fields being Chaotically Good. Another argument is, because of these clear factional tendencies, these planes are considered 'important'. The environments and creatures of different planes vary greatly due to their factional differences.

Here, the concepts of good and evil, order and chaos, previously residing only in the minds of mortals, have taken physical form—and they fight to the death.

So, if you must draw a map of the Outer Layer, Mark City is indeed right at the conceptual center—but only in a conceptual sense. On one side is the chaotically evil Bottomless Abyss, and on the other side is the lawfully good Seven Heavens; naturally, Mark City can only be placed in the middle.

But do not be mistaken; being at the conceptual center does not equate to being the center of the multiverse. One Bottomless Abyss is probably larger than all other planes combined, and some secretive planes wouldn't even appear on a map. Moreover, Mark City is not exactly the most flourishing place in the universe.

People from opposing factions meeting in Mark City without fighting is fortunate enough, and such a fragile order is maintained thanks to Mark City's mysterious mistress—the Lady of Pain.

The reason she is described as mysterious is that most people who have seen her are dead. The few lucky enough to have seen her and lived are curled up in the shadows, tremblingly whispering about the horrors of the Lady of Pain.

However, the Lady of Pain does not rule like a mundane sovereign; she never makes any demands of Mark City's residents, nor deigns to communicate with anyone. People merely find out what she dislikes through those unfortunate enough to be killed by her, with one of the most important rules being: do not publicly discuss the Lady of Pain, nor even mention her name slightly louder than a whisper.

But no one could deny that this cold and ruthless lady was guarding Mark City, and it was because of her that Divine Powers, Abyssal Lords, and Archdukes were kept at bay, and Angels, Demons, and Fiends who came here all behaved, at least outwardly.

The operation of the city was maintained by fifteen factions (or at least some of them attempted to maintain the operation of the city). These factions were both political and philosophical, each having its own perspective on the future of the universe, the fate of mortals, and the ultimate truth. Continue your adventure at empire

Some factions believed that life was full of various sufferings, and only true death could offer eternal relief; others believed that souls, through continuous self-improvement in the cycle of reincarnation, would eventually reach the peak of mortal existence and become Divine Powers; still, another faction believed that every sinner should receive fair punishment from the gods, and their task was to send each guilty soul to face divine judgment (typically achieved by ending the lives of sinners).

The faction known as the Doomguard believed that decay was the ultimate fate of the entire Multiverse, the ultimate release from toil and pain. The meaning of "Guard" in their name was also very clear—they guarded the onset of this ultimate decay, preventing any fool from trying to delay or reverse the process.

Of course, if they could help hasten this ultimate decay, it would be even better. Therefore, their cooperation with the Demons was very pleasant—Doomguard made battleships, weapons, and armor for the Demons, asking in return only that the Demons use these items to cause as much destruction as possible.

As long as there were profits to be made, the Demons were naturally happy to maintain this cooperative relationship.

But do not think that the Doomguard was an inherently evil organization; they merely believed that ultimate decay equaled ultimate liberation, and they coincidentally shared this goal of world destruction with the Demons.

So when a group of people passed through the broken city walls and entered the fortress interior, far from being attacked, a guard approached them, asking about their intentions for the visit and whether they needed any help, though his tone sounded utterly devoid of enthusiasm.

Following Eckmond's suggestion, Lancelot claimed they were a group of mercenaries, wanting to procure some weapons and equipment. The guard directed them to the armory, informing them where to find a bar and the inn.

Once the guard had left, the group naturally headed straight for the bar. Anywhere in the world, if you're confident in handling any unwelcome provocation, a bar is still the best place to learn about an unfamiliar location.

Walking east along the broken city walls for a short distance, the group quickly arrived at a district filled with bars and shops. Patting the Storage Bag containing his Gold Coins, Lancelot led his companions to the largest, and seemingly least run-down bar.

From the outside, the bar appeared to be four stories tall, each floor spanning more than 3000 square feet. According to the sign, the name of the bar was 'The Desiccated Rose.' All the windows of the bar were tightly shut, with only a 'Open for Business' sign on the door indicating that the bar was expecting guests.