Chapter 725: Sokabus? That Name Feels Strangely Familiar!

"Sokabus?"

The moment this name reached her ears, Lolth experienced an instinctive wave of disorientation.

It seemed… she’d heard this somewhere before…

A form of address trembled at the edge of her consciousness, nearly escaping her lips before being forcefully swallowed.

"Could I have encountered this maiden previously?"

She shook her head, ultimately dismissing the thought.

Judging by the other party’s reaction, this should indeed be their initial encounter.

Moreover, Lolth’s intuition whispered that this wasn’t the appropriate moment to unravel the girl’s identity.

Thus, she consciously relinquished the mental pursuit.

With a banquet spread before her, why torment herself with memory’s dredging?

Carpe diem—though these charming primitive sisters hadn’t even mastered fermentation.

Yet guiding them through pleasures beyond procreational mating—winemaking, drinking, and other revelries—proved immensely satisfying for the dark elf.

To her surprise, Lolth discovered genuine enjoyment in pedagogical pursuits.

Throughout the feast, she’d successfully demonstrated culinary arts using her provided ingredients while verbally illustrating various accessible "leisure activities" and methods to craft "recreational implements."

These maidens now comprehended for the first time that existence offered countless paths to delight beyond biological imperatives.

"Imprinting numerical values on parchment scraps for comparative evaluation… behold the embryonic form of ‘playing cards’…"

"Pardon? You find this amusing? Child, you’ve scarcely glimpsed the iceberg’s tip of card-based diversions!"

"Moreover, numerical comparisons require no physical medium—observe this ‘finger-guessing game.’ Though elementary, when paired with aforementioned alcoholic beverages, its entertainment value compounds exponentially!"

"For the socially reticent, we might conjure ‘narratives’ and ‘pictorial arts’—similar to your tribal sigils, but chronicling tales or imagining never-seen wonders."

"…’Creation’ isn’t divine monopoly! Mortals too birth new realities through ‘artistry’—though our genesis differs fundamentally from celestial craftsmanship."

Imparting wisdom—any wisdom—ignited peculiar satisfaction within her.

Admittedly, labeling "festivity organization," "hoop-rolling," "ale-brewing," or "card/mahjong techniques" as erudition stretched semantic boundaries…

Yet for these entertainment-deprived maidens, such novelties shone with the radiance of revelation.

But Lolth’s pedagogical ambitions extended beyond mere amusement.

"I comprehend neither your tribe’s origins nor these peculiar customs… yet perceive your collective yearning for blissful fulfillment—hamstrung by methodological ignorance."

"Perhaps my teachings erode traditions… might even hinder your cultural evolution…"

"Yet I discern… how to phrase this… as if some superior entity imposed artificial constraints or cognitive distortions."

Surveying the leaf-clad congregation from the guildmaster’s table—their horned heads tilted attentively, epidermal patterns shimmering with rapt fascination—Lolth delicately cleared her throat.

Their tribal "purpose" and extreme naivety bore the fingerprints of external engineering.

These maidens resembled living instruments—a crafted lineage left island-bound by advanced beings to safeguard… something.

Merely intuition, yet Lolth trusted her gut with serpentine certainty.

So… she felt a faint nausea, even…

An inexplicable sense of guilt.

Gazing at these passionate, inquisitive maidens whose purity shone like newborn souls, an innate sense of duty swelled within her—this conviction that she must rectify or compensate for something.

Drawing a deep breath, Lolth resumed her speech.

"To put it this way, I believe… every sentient being… possesses the inherent right to choose how to savor their existence."

"In a sense, embracing life’s joys enables one to thrive and create more meaningfully…"

"Yet paradoxically, excessive indulgence might render one’s potential unfulfilled…"

"Some cultures even brand pleasure and desire as ‘original sin’—but I fundamentally disagree."

Here Lolth hesitated briefly before continuing with renewed gravity.

"Even should this choice carry risks, none may rightfully strip it from you… You’re living beings, not destined to forfeit autonomy for any ‘grand purpose.’"

"You may embrace this mission after comprehending its significance… but I’d have you know—the world holds infinite possibilities beyond ordained paths."

As the words flowed, Lolth felt her thoughts muddling.

She exhaled softly, fingers threading through her hair.

"Forgive my lengthy ramblings—I fear I’ve sounded rather patronizing… Please don’t take offense…"

"Regardless… do enjoy the festivities."

With this closing remark, Lolth settled back into her seat.

Though sober, an unsettling loss of composure gripped her…

Some lingering memory’s influence?

Her brow creased slightly.

The tribal chieftain beside her—Sokabus—responded with delicate applause.

"Eloquent words… Lolth."

"Your wisdom carries profound depth…"

"You simply must prolong your stay among us!"

Sokabus’ hopeful gaze met Lolth’s as she clasped the speaker’s hand.

"Countless matters… require your guidance."

"Of deities… your notions of choice and indulgence… governance of my people… the world’s workings!"

"Long past, a sagacious woman taught me to wield extraordinary powers and revealed my destiny…"

"Perhaps your ‘higher being’—though well-meaning, I suspect… her knowledge pales before yours!"

A heartbeat’s pause followed.

"She named me her apprentice… claimed herself my mentor…"

"Might you then become my teacher? Lord Lolth!"

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Meeting Sokabus’ eager gaze, Lolth found herself unable to refuse – especially when confronted with such a beautiful maiden’s earnest request.

"Well… Then I suppose I’d be your second teacher now?"

"Though you would be my chief disciple… at least according to my current memories."

Lolth scratched her head while speaking.

"To be perfectly honest, I’ve lost significant portions of my memory, as if my soul sustained grave damage… I’m uncertain what I can truly teach you."

"Regarding this ‘world,’ my knowledge is virtually nonexistent."

Though objectively speaking, Lolth recognized her intellectual superiority over maidens dwelling in these primitive tribal lands. Yet this advantage stemmed entirely from another world’s knowledge and pre-transmigration experiences – concerning the current realm, her ignorance remained absolute.

"I’ve no need to understand the world itself," Sokabus chimed, her laughter shaping eyes into charming crescents. "Only matters that interest me – like these concepts you mention… ‘pleasure,’ ‘delight,’ and such."

After brief contemplation, she concluded: "Regardless, if you consent, you’re my teacher now!"

Lolth inclined her head slightly.

"Consent given."

"Excellent! Now… how does one properly become a disciple?" Sokabus’ renewed confusion showed.

Various ceremonial rituals from past memories flickered through Lolth’s mind, all dismissed for their cumbersome formalities. After consideration, she instructed:

"Raise your pinky finger."

When Sokabus complied after momentary surprise, Lolth hooked their little fingers together.

"Once we seal this pinky promise, it must hold for a hundred… Well, considering our circumstances, perhaps a million years without change!"

She gently swung their joined hands.

"Is this the apprenticeship ceremony?"

"’Tis the ceremony for all binding oaths," Lolth clarified, tousling the girl’s hair. "Henceforth you’re my pupil. Currently, the only worthwhile skill I possess – that aligns with your interests – involves transforming food into extraordinary delicacies… What’s commonly termed ‘culinary arts.’"

"Oooh! I must learn this!" Sokabus’ eyes sparkled like starlight. "Making food delicious sounds like perfect magic to make tribal beauties adore me! They’ll surely become more eager to mate with me!"

The maiden spoke with eager anticipation, and Lolth revealed a perplexed expression.

"Aren’t you all treating ‘mating’ as casual recreation?"

At Lolth’s words, Sokabus pursed her lips and bowed her head.

The priest girl who’d been sipping broth suddenly lifted her head.

"Ahaha! But since our chief’s technique is utterly dreadful—clueless about what to do—nobody wants to pair up with her for mating!"

She guffawed while slapping Sokabus’s shoulder, earning herself an indignant punch.

"Shut it, Luna! You’re no better!"

"Eh, but I don’t care," the priest girl shrugged, spreading her palms. "I prefer rituals and studying ancient scripts over ‘mating’… It’s rather tedious, honestly!"

She tapped her chin thoughtfully before adding,

"Well… If you’re truly desperate for a partner, Sokabus, I might mercifully indulge you once!"

As Luna spoke, Sokabus shook her head firmly.

"Nevermind. I won’t accept pity from you!"

Suddenly recalling something, Sokabus clapped her hands.

"Ah! Speaking of which…"

She turned to Luna.

"Teacher Lolth mentioned her fractured memory and soul injury… Those odd ruins you frequent—"

"Didn’t you say there’s a place that mends souls?"

When questioned about her expertise, Luna’s playful demeanor vanished. She nodded gravely.

"One comes to mind. But you know most ruins are fragmented… No guarantees it’ll work."

"My deciphered texts could be flawed. Even if correct, the site’s clearly been… disturbed. Might not function anymore."

"It’s risky."

"Risky…" Sokabus murmured, brow furrowed.

She’d leap at danger for herself without hesitation. Yet when risking this kind, erudite teacher they’d just met…

Her resolve wavered.

Noticing their turmoil, Lolth interjected,

"How to put this… Though I’ve forgotten nearly everything—who I am, what I’m like—"

She paused briefly before continuing,

"I suspect I’m someone unbothered by peril."

Her eyes sparkled as she added,

"Plus, ‘ancient ruins’ sound fascinating." She turned to Luna.

"If it’s safe for you, please take me there."

Luna blinked in surprise, then nodded.

"Safe? I practically live there between tribal duties—it’s my second home."

Standing, she wiped broth from her lips with a crisp leaf.

"Let’s depart immediately!"

"Now?" Lolth tilted her head.

Sokabus rose too, nodding.

"Right now!"

She produced a leaf whistle and blew sharply.

*Fweeeet!*

Every feast-going maiden froze mid-bite, eyes snapping toward her.

Sokabus inhaled deeply.

"The priest and I are taking Teacher Lolth to the ruins!"

"Keep feasting!"