Chapter 732: Inquiry

At the modest banquet table, Lolth sat at the head, gazing at the four occupied chairs before her as she poured herself a glass of wine.

"Mila, Sokabus, Luna… and you, Fuen—everyone is here."

Those seated across from her were the four deities.

Or more precisely, her students from the Second Era.

Though according to the memories and roles of this lifetime, two could be considered her mothers, and the others should hold elder status.

Yet from Lolth’s current tone, she intended to engage with them wholly as their former teacher.

Sokabus blinked in momentary surprise before pressing a hand to her temple with a pained expression.

"Of all the memories to regain first, it had to be this one…"

"Kululu… that damnable…"

Her sigh hung in the air as Lolth tapped the table lightly and took a measured sip from her glass.

"Truthfully, my confusion outweighs yours. Two sets of memories intertwine—one where you’re my mother, another where you’re my student. The dissonance is… peculiar."

"But I haven’t summoned you to dwell on such matters. I require answers. My involvement in the Second Era ceased after reshaping the world and partitioning the planes. What transpired afterward?"

"The Frost Goddess and the Goddess of Light I expected—but how did you become the Demon King?"

Lolth’s gaze fixed on Sokabus.

After a weighted pause, Sokabus replied, "Teacher, cleaving the planes preserved the main plane’s peace, but what of the severed realms?"

"Particularly the Abyss and Hell—those vast fragments. Lesser splits spawned minor evil gods, but those two… they became reservoirs for countless corrupted deities."

"I had to inhabit the Abyss, bear its will as the Demon King, and work with Mila to cleanse what corruption we could."

A rueful smile touched her lips.

"Neither triumphant nor entirely futile."

"You performed admirably. My oversight was inevitable at the time," Lolth murmured, lowering her eyes. "We’ll revisit your path later. Mila—my question concerns Sery’s death."

All knew of the century-long clash between the Goddess of Light and the Goddess of Shadow that concluded the Second Era—and of the Shadow’s fall.

Without these memories, Lolth had merely considered the God of Light ruthlessly efficient. Now she demanded answers: what turned disciples against each other?

Anguish etched itself across Mila’s features.

"Total control of the main plane’s will required… a singular vessel. Only one of us could remain."

As Lolth’s brow furrowed, Luna’s voice cut through.

"Deception. Mila speaks false."

"Sery wasn’t slain by—"

"Luna!"

Sokabus raised her voice, interrupting Luna’s speech.

"Even now—you still wish to conceal this from Lolth?"

Luna matched her volume, unyielding.

"Do you believe Lord Lolth won’t question why she was reborn or became your daughter?"

Lolth inclined her head slightly.

"I did intend to ask precisely that."

"What does this concern have with Sairi?"

Mrs. Fuen interjected at last.

"Hmm… How to phrase this?" Mrs. Fuen hesitated. "Lord Lolth, your rebirth stems from a ‘curse’—one you wrought upon yourself through the Eternal Dominion you once commanded."

"Your soul shall endure indestructibly within this world, persisting beyond the End of Days and the shattering of realms."

"Yet indestructibility doesn’t ensure perpetual vitality. Lingering on the brink of death or sealed in slumber still fulfills that condition… Thus your cycle of rebirth owes much to Kululu’s intervention."

At this revelation, Lolth stiffened.

"Kululu?"

"Her deeds can be inquired at the world’s edge," Mrs. Fuen replied, gaze shimmering. "I may only disclose Sairi’s actions…"

"She offered her will, divine authority, and soul as sacrificial kindling for your resurrection. Mila sought to halt her, volunteering herself as substitute."

Mila bowed her head.

"She proved the superior combatant. I was defeated."

"What’s with the gloom?" Luna scoffed. "You endured a century before yielding. Sokabus and I fell within half a month combined."

"Wait—so Sairi bested you three to claim the right to exchange her life for mine? This is your meaning?" Lolth demanded.

Sokabus smiled bitterly.

"So it appears."

"Are you all witless?" Flames of fury ignited in Lolth’s chest as she surged upright, glaring at her three Second Era disciples, Mrs. Fuen, and Sairi’s lingering absence. "This idiocy—trading lives for mine? Why? Couldn’t bear my passing? Is this what I taught you?"

"Is the world helpless without me? Why enact such folly? Was this my instruction?"

"Do you imagine yourselves noble? The End approaches, so the teacher must remain? Kululu too shares this madness—though her deeds elude me, she set this disastrous precedent!"

"I’ve failed endlessly! Why place faith in me? Never have I prevailed… Forge your own paths! Your prospects eclipse mine!"

"I believed you sought true solutions, Mila—and you, Sokabus, Fuen! Especially you, Fuen! Have you no wisdom?"

Lolth’s breath came in heaves. Words failed as tears traced her cheeks.

"Begone! All of you!"

The banquet table dissolved at her command. Denied her sanction, the four manifested deities faded from existence.

Turning, Lolth met the anxious gazes of Tina, Isabella, and Kanor. A heavy sigh escaped her.

"Emulate them not."

She fixed Kanor with this admonition before seizing Naivee and striding away without backward glance.

The turtle dangled by its neck, uncharacteristically silent until finally murmuring:

"Forewarned—I pledge nothing about reaching the world’s end."

"Yet… I’ll strive my utmost."