Lord of Glory

Chapter 132: The Second Doppelganger

"Good job, Abberleigh. You know how to decorate your home," Paladin teased with a playful tone towards Abberleigh, who was nearby. Suddenly, a drop of blood landed on his nose. He looked up and saw a multitude of half-eaten corpses suspended from the treetops, transforming the once serene forest into a hellish nightmare.

As a gentle breeze from the plains wafted by, the hanging corpses swayed slightly. However, none of this seemed to affect Paladin. He nonchalantly dipped his finger into the blood on his nose and tasted it without hesitation. Abberleigh, seeing his master's actions, picked up a severed hand from the ground and offered it to him, trying to please him.

Paladin gently pushed the offering aside, showing his disinterest in consuming such a thing. He surveyed the horrifying surroundings and remarked, devoid of any emotion, "It seems like you need to find a new place to live, my child. This place won't do. Sooner or later, humans will discover you, and that will bring trouble."

Paladin turned away, paying little attention to Abberleigh's evident disappointment. He reached out and patted Abberleigh's head, revealing a sinister smile. "Before moving, I'll treat you to a meal. Eat without worry."

Paladin had changed over time, and he no longer viewed things from a human perspective. A few months ago, when he first arrived in Nurba, he would have been repulsed by Abberleigh's actions, but now he realized the vast gap between himself and humanity. In his mind, he had risen above humanity, becoming their ruler and transcending their limitations. Humans couldn't go without sleep, food, or experience the world's elements as he did, gradually replacing their flesh and blood bodies. Paladin no longer considered himself part of humanity.

Seeing Abberleigh's actions was akin to watching a hungry dog catch and eat a few mice. It was a trivial matter that didn't concern him.

Suddenly, a voice murmured weakly from a disfigured corpse buried under a pile of bodies. A bloodied hand extended from the mass of flesh, desperate to escape the oppressive space. Paladin and Aberleigh both turned to look, and Paladin finally heard the faint heartbeat beneath the mangled bodies. "Someone is not dead."

Muttering to himself, Paladin approached the body. Aberleigh howled in response, as a living being not dying when it should was a great affront to him. Violently, Aberleigh moved his massive body, reaching the pile of corpses and tossing them aside. He then picked up the nearly lifeless figure hidden among them and placed him on the ground.

Paladin noticed that this man was far from death. If he didn't administer a powerful healing spell immediately, the man would surely die. Paladin recognized him: it was Count Javier , the Maltese noble who had escaped after being defeated by Duchess Victoria. He was severely wounded, and Paladin could tell that without urgent treatment, he wouldn't last long.

"You... Father, save me," Count Javier murmured as he regained consciousness, lying helpless in Paladin's arms. Realizing the dire situation he was in, Count Javier instinctively begged for help. Paladin contemplated for a moment and then spoke, "Save you? Ah, yes, I will save you."

Paladin's eyes glowed with a golden radiance, and his forehead revealed a golden eye that emitted a strange, captivating power. Count Javier felt that he couldn't look away from the eye, as if countless hands were reaching into his mind, pulling and tearing at his thoughts. He screamed in agony, as an excruciating pain enveloped him, but he was unable to move or resist.

A blinding pain coursed through Count Javier 's body, but then, unexpectedly, it subsided. His vision cleared, and he found himself in a different world. It was as if he had fallen into an endless ocean of shimmering golden light, surrounded by warmth and comfort, like a mother's embrace. His body relaxed, the previous pain vanishing completely. He gradually sank into this ocean, forgetting time, memories, and even his own identity. Finally, he merged with this radiant sea.

Exhaling, Paladin released his grip on Count Javier , who now stood up as if nothing had happened. As Paladin looked at him, he realized that his vision now included not only himself and his other avatar, Alfred, in the fortress but also this new avatar, Javier .

Yes, Paladin had successfully created a second avatar using Javier 's body as a vessel. Though he had reunited with the experience, Paladin knew he had reached his limit. Trying to create another avatar now would lead to unforeseen and potentially catastrophic consequences, such as the collapse of his soul.

Seated on the ground, Paladin tried to catch his breath, his forehead still bearing the strain of his recent actions. He was aware that he could not create another avatar at this moment. It was a full feeling, one he hadn't experienced in a long time. He knew he had pushed his abilities to the limit. Paladin controlled the new avatar, Javier , who had started healing his damaged body, while an expression of satisfaction and anticipation appeared on Paladin's face.

"Donald, Javier ... Perhaps this pawn will have an unexpected role to play in the future."