The Demon King's Paladin

Chapter 3. An Explanation

After absorbing the information on screen, I notice there are indents on all of the information in the window I decide to wait before pressing them, and repeat what I've seen as I had been asked to do.

"It says my name and says my job is Paladin." I say as confusion still mounts in my mind.

"That is fantastic news for us!" The Queen Aqua had spoken with a sense of relief.

The King Warrick looking on with a warm look in his eyes clearly full of positive emotions. He asks in a tone hiding excitement.

"What are your skills John Ericsson?" I squint my eyes to focus on the information.

" Holy Magic, Paladin's Recovery and Holy Swordsmanship are my job skills. For my regular skills I possess Holy Heal, Holy Mana Sword, White Slash, Cross Slash, Shield Bash, Barrier, Language Comprehension and Stamina and Mana Recovery +150%."

Looking at the reactions of the King and Queen I noticed a change in their expression when I said Holy Heal. I think I have an inkling on why I was summoned now. The King and Queen looking quite energetic after my answer. Begin to hold each other's hands as The King speaks in a warmer tone then before.

" Yes, all the risks and sacrifices were worth it! John The Paladin the reason why I summoned you is because I need your help. Around 6 months ago my daughter Sarah had become stricken with illness. we thought it was just a common illness, perhaps from too much training. she had fallen a bit under the weather. We brought our best healers, our best alchemists, but no one could help her, she continued to weaken in front of our eye's powerless to something we couldn't stop no matter what we tried. 3 months ago, she drifted off into a deep sleep all the while growing ever weaker. To see your daughter who was so full of life everyday changing to the point where even her own parents couldn't recognize her, well I don't think I could wish that on my own worst enemies."

The King looking ever more heartbroken as he continued to speak.

"It was at that time we decided to gather as much information as we could, so we used an appraisal orb and we found out to our shock our daughter had been cursed, it's quite the vicious and high level one as well. Slowly sapping the energy out of the person until they're forced to simply sleep until death. I couldn't allow my eldest daughter to suffer such a fate,  her 21st birthday had only passed a few days before her sleep even began. To heal a person of a curse of such quality she requires a Holy Heal spell, which only a Paladin or a Saint Lord has the capacity to learn. Unfortunately for us Demonkin, Paladins and Saint Lords are exclusive jobs for humans, and we have a somewhat tense relationship with them and their country."

The King then looks at me as he continues to speak.

" However, we don't have the same tension with Otherworlders. So a plan was hatched. To summon an Otherworlder Paladin to us so we can heal Sarah and bring the criminal to justice!"

The King looking truly alive for the first time since I arrived. Was helped in front of me with his Queen by his side assisting him. As they arrived in front of me gasps were heard from the guards and maids in the room as The King and Queen bowed to me on their hands and knees and said in unison.

"Paladin John Ericsson Please heal our daughter we beg of you!"

I looked on surprised as I'm sure anyone would with this situation playing out. I looked at the two of them, this couple burdened with tragedy, and I saw 4 people in the couple's  figures, my parents and my foster parents. I knew what their response would be, and I'd be putting them to shame if I didn't respond the same. So, I got down on one knee and I put one hand on each of their shoulders to have them lift their heads and I answer their plea.

" Raise your heads I'll do what you've asked me to do, we can sort out what we do after when your daughter is well again."

I give as warm a smile as I can, almost seeing the figures of my parents and foster parents in the wet eyes of the couple.

After my answer I could feel the tension in the room dissipate almost as if a giant exhale had happened. After my answer all I could here was the couple slow their breathing as they hugged each other in joy, then the guard's and maid's demeanors shifted to softer attitudes. Suddenly a question had popped up in my head, so I asked it unreservedly feeling a bit closer to The King and Queen at this point.

"So how do I help her exactly? I don't know how to use the skills so can you explain to me how?"

The King and Queen smile at me, they stand up and now I notice just how tall they are. The king must be 7 ft 5" and the Queen must be 6 ft 8". The King's eyes the color of deep red, his hair white as snow and long. The Queen's eyes the color of the deep sea like her deep blue long hair, wearing clothes that while showing they are highborn are still easy to move in. The colors of the clothes complimenting each's hair and eye color respectively. The Queen answers in a tone of a wise sage with a hint of excitement escaping through her words and happiness in her entire demeanor.

" To begin, the skill that we would like you to use is your Holy Heal spell it's one of the strongest healing spells in all of creation, capable of healing external and internal wounds as well as status ailments such as poison or in this case highly dangerous curses!"

Losing the mystique of a wise sage, she now seems like a teacher talking about her favorite subject, she continues the explanation.

"Now to use Holy Heal or any skill retaining to magical phenomena you need to feel and perceive mana! There are two ways to initially feel mana either focus your mind for a few years through deep meditation to perceive it, or we can force the sense awake through a quick but somewhat painful jolt of mana to stimulate your body's mana sense! this choice is up to you. With my expertise in magic, I can continue to keep my daughter alive for a few years so it's entirely up to you and what you feel comfortable doing."

She finished her answer showing a concerned look but whether that look was for me or her daughter I couldn't tell, either or. It truly didn't matter since I already knew my answer.

So, I answered with my true feelings behind it.

"Usually, I'd want to obtain anything I would gain through honest work, but since a life hangs in the balance, I'll take the jolt."

I answered with my full resolve behind the words.

The King and Queen look at me with a concerning look. It seems they were concerned for me in all sincerity. I'm glad they seem to be truly good people. The King with a quizzical look on his face speaks to me.

"John, I appreciate your decisiveness but are you sure the jolt is going to feel like lightning shooting through your body. are you really sure you want to do this?"

I look at the King and Queen with a warm gaze as they look concerned and speak my true thoughts on the matter.

"You know I may not be from here, but I can tell what ever spell you used, it cost you a great deal and there wasn't just a small chance you'd only tire yourself out if I had to guess, this was a big gamble you played, and it paid off. I'm here and I've decided to help. I want to do this the quickest way to have you both hear your daughters voice again. I know what it's like to not have the option to speak to family ever again, and I don't want it to happen to anyone if I can help it!"

I spoke in a way to tell them there was no changing my mind they looked touched by it I'm glad. I waited in anticipation for The Queen to tell me what the next step is.