The Paladin in the Abyss

Under normal circumstances, if you find the deepest secret chamber in a gigantic tomb, entering it would require extreme caution to guard against possible traps, eerie curses, and dangerous guards. However, if one of your companions is a genuine Grim Reaper, that would evidently be an entirely different experience.

At the bottom of the stairs is a lavish burial chamber. The stone bricks beneath your feet are polished marble. Expensive crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and the room’s four corners have gigantic golden candelabras with Magic Flames that burn eternally. There are four massive Stone Coffins in the room. Each one is the size of a double bed, with two placed at a relatively higher position, their lids tightly sealed. However, one of the two lower coffins has a top that looks like it was blown open, revealing its empty interior.

The surfaces of these Stone Coffins are intricately carved with complex patterns and designs, adorned with numerous precious gemstones, making everyone’s eyes sparkle, especially two of the shorter figures, whose eyes almost matched the brilliance of the candelabras beside them.

"In Milko’s era, people of power and influence would build such grand and luxurious tombs, hoping to please the Lord of the Dead and obtain preferential treatment in the afterlife," Cranvo observed the chamber’s decorations with interest. "This act of sacrifice itself holds no real significance to the gods, ultimately only benefiting the tomb raiders. However, Milko greatly enjoyed this blend of fear and reverence, so much so that it became a part of many cultures’ traditions."

"Then… what do you think of it?" Lancelot cautiously asked, casting a glare at Bruto to curb the hunger in his gaze.

"A meaningless waste. The significance of death is already profound enough. This is merely to satisfy Milko’s vanity," Cranvo shook his head. "Since I have promised to treat every soul with fairness, such ’bribery’ becomes a form of insult to me. However, I know how difficult it is to change people’s perceptions, requiring a lot of time and patience. Fortunately, as a deity, I lack neither."

"Your will shall be realized, my lord," Lancelot paused and then, with a thick skin, decided to ask, "About the wealth… already placed in the burial chamber, what is your view on those?"

Cranvo stared at Lancelot for a few seconds before a knowing smile appeared on his face.

"Forgive my slowness, Sir. I almost forgot my time as an Adventurer. A basic principle is, you must respect the dead, should not desecrate their remains left in this world, nor disturb their eternal sleep... Do you understand my meaning?"

"Understood, understood." Bruto quickly responded, "Don’t touch the burial treasures inside the coffins, correct?"