Chapter 729: Defeat

Without needing further explanation from Luna, the closer Lolth approached this "device," the more instinctive knowledge flooded her mind, clearly guiding her on its operation.

Perched at the edge of the metallic bed, she channeled her magic into the surrounding apparatus. The "wires"—or rather magical circuits—within gradually awakened to life.

This creation was undeniably hers, or more precisely… a device specifically crafted by her own hands, for her exclusive use.

Though the primary function remained elusive to Lolth’s current recollection, soul restoration clearly comprised one of its capabilities.

The mechanical arm’s tip underwent ethereal transformation when suffused with magic, achieving that peculiar coexistence of spirit body and physical matter.

Cold steel tendrils pierced Lolth’s flesh, seeking out her soul. Through these mechanical extensions that now felt like natural appendages, she perceived the true disarray of her spiritual state.

Outwardly unchanged, her inner essence resembled ground pork crammed into a swine-shaped casing—superficially porcine in appearance and composition, yet fundamentally…

An entirely different reality.

Yet herein lay the apparatus’ marvel: even this metaphorical sack of butchered flesh could experience miraculous resurrection.

Her soul gradually regained order and vitality as fragmented pieces realigned. With reconstruction came memories—painful, unprecedented recollections of her identity within this world.

Torrential seas, world’s edge, fractured heavens.

The irreversible End of Days…

Distant visions sharpened into focus: an exquisite woman with frosty demeanor spewed blood, her chest impaled by a spiraled metal lance.

"An admirable attempt… but this remains my domain."

"Still, congratulations on seizing that ‘sliver of hope’—you actually succeeded."

"Yet how long can you stall, Lolth… Lolth… Lolth? Surrender."

"This world marches inevitably toward ruin."

Then came the plummeting descent.

Remembering surfaced.

Her original purpose.

This world’s true nature.

No barren wasteland in its prime, but a thriving civilization steeped in magical advancement—a realm she’d witnessed from primordial dawn through its ascendant epochs.

Until—

Until the "End of Days" drew near.

I had apparently tried to prevent the End of Days, yet evidently failed.

Upon the final wasteland, she harnessed the remnants of civilization and the rebels’ power, combined with her students’ strength, to forge this device…

No—to forge *this place*.

This vessel, the ultimate "Ark of the End of Days."

Its design as a "spaceship" served a purpose…

Not merely because this was the only large-scale, long-distance vehicle blueprint I retained.

But because… this ark genuinely accounted for the possibility of cosmic navigation.

The plan I’d conceived then borders on madness even as I recall it now.

She sealed an entire dimension within the ship… intending to flee back to her original world!

—If I could cross into this world, surely the reverse journey was possible!

Yet this scheme too collapsed.

For here I remain, alongside this ark, still trapped in this wretched reality!

I failed to halt the End of Days; failed again to outrun it.

All because… all because I didn’t slaughter that woman!

"Fuck—fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK!"

"I’m the ‘Eternal Goddess’… I shouldn’t have lost… should’ve fucking triumphed… Why?! Why didn’t I END HER?!"

Lolth’s resurrected soul flooded her with memories and raw, jagged emotions. Clutching her skull amidst the torrent of curses, she felt hot tears spill down her cheeks.

Why had everything unraveled?

Why this hollow ache in her chest?

A fragment was missing—still missing…

Her soul remained fractured, incomplete.

Yet the path forward crystallized before her.

As comprehension of this world dawned, Lolth sensed concepts materializing within her grasp—divine authorities that should demand eons of cultivation, now attainable through regained memories.

Suddenly, her own voice echoed through time:

"Hey, me—if you’re hearing this, I’ve probably failed!"

"No time for weeping or regrets. Swallow it all like I did… Start over."

"Become divine."

"Create enough gods—not excessive, precisely measured."

"Seize their authority. Steal their power. Then… END THEM."

"Fail? Try again."

"Don’t waste… well, you might not even remember."

"Just don’t let their sacrifices be wasted!"

The words cut through grief with clinical precision. Lolth recognized the speaker’s sorrow mirrored her own—yet the truth remained.

Mourning could wait.

Gods must be forged. Divinity reclaimed.

Her eyes snapped open.

"To ascend…"

She murmured, fingers closing around the nearest concept—abstract yet tangible. As she absorbed it, divinity reignited within her through this crude, unprecedented method.

Weak? Certainly. But divinity nonetheless. Given time…

"Goddess of Feasts and Revelry… Serviceable enough."

Her gaze swept the chamber. Luna, Sokabus, even the black pup in her arms lay unconscious. The bracelet around her wrist hung lifeless—overwhelmed by harmless but potent soul-restoration ripples.

"Trust remains… optional. But time’s gone scarce."

"At least their potential… shines bright."