Volume 1 Chapter 501

Chapter 501: Quiet, Quiet, This Is Crucial!

To be honest, when Lolth saw the hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches, she had a premonition.

This arrangement clearly could only be concocted by someone from Hillenbrand Town.

This continent has yet to see the birth of such "fast food."

However, when she sensed the specific auras of these individuals, Lolth was still startled.

These are definitely among the top people who should not be here.

Initially, Lolth speculated whether it might be Isabella and Tina.

Although it might seem worse for them to witness her embracing two unfamiliar girls, …

After all, it seems like every time something like this happens, they are always around?

So Lolth has somewhat grown accustomed to it.

Moreover, she is still under the influence of the aftermath of the "confession" being exposed, feeling a bit like too many debts can’t bring her down, or like a broken pot that has nothing to lose.

But… upon reflection, how could Tina and Isabella be so quick?

Furthermore, both of them are also responsible for managing Hillenbrand Town.

So only these few people could have come.

Dorothy, Kanor, and… a slightly unexpected Ann for Lolth.

Two of them are her own disciples, and the other is someone who is fairly reliable and has no ulterior motives towards her.

It sounds like it might not be so bad.

But…

The problem is, for one of them, this situation is not about "hugging two unfamiliar girls while being all wet."

Ann and Yi…

They are his long-lost sisters!

Lolth thought of this and almost felt dizzy.

And before she could start to explain anything, before Ann reacted…

The first to speak was actually Luge.

"You came out!"

This big warrior woman said happily and boldly, then looked at the three of them, fully drenched, and cheerfully added.

"It seems like it’s not just about licking each other… you all are dripping with sweat!"

"That’s really great!"

When Lolth heard Luge’s words, her face turned pale.

And neither Lalea nor Yi in her arms objected.

"Oh dear, in the end, I was saved by this succubus… But the succubus does smell really good."

Lalea exclaimed.

"I’m utterly exhausted… Even more so than when I practice my sword,"

Yi murmured under her breath.

Neither of them had yet grasped the gravity of the situation.

Meanwhile, Lolth sensed that things were taking a turn for the worse.

For the first time in a long while, she caught the unmistakable scent of misunderstanding in the air.

"Oh no—this is a disaster!"

She wailed, her gaze darting toward the sandwich.

Before she could even attempt to explain, the "sandwich" trembled slightly and raised a hand.

Then, with a swift motion, she unzipped the covering, revealing Ann’s delicate, androgynous face.

Her eyes met Yi’s, and Yi’s gaze locked onto hers in return.

"Sister… is that really you?"

"Ann!"

The two sisters, reunited after so many years apart, stared at one another. Yet, there was no trace of warmth or affection in their eyes.

Ann’s expression held no resentment, and Yi’s showed no flicker of excitement.

Instead, the sisters were overwhelmed by a single, shared feeling:

Awkwardness.

In an instant, Yi found her strength and sprang out of Lolth’s arms.

"What… what are you doing with Lord Lolth?"

Ann asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

"No, it’s not what you think! This succubus and I were just… I mean… it’s all a misunderstanding!"

Yi stammered, her face flushing crimson.

She knew her sister had jumped to the wrong conclusion.

But…

As a swordsman who had undergone the trials of self-reflection, she couldn’t bring herself to lie to her sister.

The truth was, what had just transpired between her and the succubus was far from blameless.

Yi clenched her fists tightly.

Then, she turned her gaze to Lolth, her eyes sharp and accusing as they bore into the succubus.

"The timing of this meeting you arranged… it couldn’t have been worse!"

She couldn’t help but suspect that Lolth had orchestrated this on purpose.

After all, it wasn’t long ago that Lolth had promised her a reunion with her sister.

"This is all just a misunderstanding,"

Lolth protested, her tone equally innocent.

Meanwhile, Kanor and Dorothy silently removed their masks.

"Sigh—"

Kanor let out a long sigh.

It seems the competition for the position of the teacher’s wife has indeed intensified.

And it appears that Sister Dorothy has been overtaken.

Dorothy glanced at Yi, then at Lalea, biting her lower lip.

She also wore a rather reluctant expression.

"Teacher Lolth, it seems we’ve arrived at an inopportune moment."

As she spoke, Lolth finally noticed the subdued mood of her two disciples.

She quietly assisted Lalea in standing up from the ground.

Lolth hadn’t grasped the true reason behind her disciples’ low spirits.

In her mind, perhaps her disciples were disappointed to find her indulging in revelry after traveling such a long distance to be here.

It was akin to rushing back upon hearing of a father’s critical illness, only to discover he merely needed someone to sign for him at the police station.

The image she had upheld as a teacher had likely crumbled significantly.

She scratched her head, ultimately resigning herself to face the music.

"I’m sorry, Dorothy, Kanor."

Lolth bowed her head and spoke earnestly.

"But it’s not what you’re thinking."

At that moment, Lalea heard the name "Dorothy" and looked up.

"Your Highness, the Princess of the Golden Peacock… Wow, she really is your disciple!"

Dorothy also took notice of the other woman.

She recognized Yi as a pivotal figure from the Eastern Seven Kingdoms, the helm of the youngest top sect.

Now, looking at Lalea, she seemed somewhat familiar.

It felt like she had seen her somewhere before.

"Wait… you’re the princess from South Sotua who came to sign the treaty."

Dorothy said, shocked.

"Yes, I was nearly betrothed to you," Lalea’s expression turned peculiar, and then she flashed a rather mischievous grin, "But now it seems we can still be family— I might just become your teacher’s wife."

Lalea’s words startled both Dorothy and Lolth.

"What are you saying?"

Lolth quickly interjected.

"I was just joking," Lalea waved her hand dismissively, "You don’t seriously think that I, the Eastern Marshal of the Holy Alliance, and a succubus could engage in anything improper after knowing each other for less than a week, do you? Use your heads!"

Lalea’s voice suddenly rose sharply.

Although she felt a bit guilty, she was not the kind of stiff and old-fashioned person like Yi.

Telling tall tales with a straight face is a necessary skill when living in South Sotua; this level of hypocrisy is a required lesson for members of any royal family.

Members of the South Sotua royal family are even more skilled at telling tall tales with their eyes wide open!

"Although I have changed my opinion about succubi, I wouldn’t fall for even a perfect human girl so easily—do you think this is an opera?"

"And over there is the ‘Miss Ann’ that your sister dreams about—have a bit more confidence in your sister!"

Lalea said this while finally looking at the Victory Mercenary Corps members who were watching from the side, as well as the former vice-captain and current captain of Fish Eye, with her hands on her hips.

"Lord Luge, please don’t be so vague. We are only flattering each other out of necessity… Since we know others are present, let’s at least give them a chance to get to know each other."

Hearing this, Luge realized the misunderstanding seemed to be caused by him, scratched his head, and explained.

"Uh… it’s true, in this room, if the people inside don’t flatter each other, they can’t leave!"

She explained this, and Luge shared his thoughts as well.

Although Lolth knew this was wrong, she didn’t explain.

Instead, she agreed.

"That is true!"

She looked at Lalea with gratitude.

She really wanted to bow three times to Lalea.

If only Lalea, who is so understanding and kind, had been around earlier, I wouldn’t have misunderstood Tina and Isabella so many times!

This time avoiding misunderstanding was all thanks to Lalea.

Just a moment ago, I almost gave up!

Lalea saved the day.

In an instant, the expressions on Dorothy and Kanor’s faces softened a lot.

Yi and Ann also resolved their misunderstanding.

The emotions that sisters usually feel after not seeing each other for many years finally started to show.

They carefully tested each other with their eyes.

Just as Lolth expected.

Ann did not actually hate Yi.

She seemed, just like Yi, to feel a bit of guilt.

But neither of them realized this yet.

In the end, Ann spoke first.

"Um… how did you get here?"

"I… I came here to investigate the half-plane," Yi, being her usual self, would not tell her sister that she came for her, "What about you…?"

"I am working for this succubus because her disciple is worried something might happen to her, so I brought her here."

Ann answered rather awkwardly.

Then, the two sisters fell into silence once more.

At that moment, Kanor suddenly spoke up, her voice cutting through the quiet.

"You must be Sister Ann’s sister… Sister Ann always cries and says she feels sorry for you whenever she gets drunk at my mother’s tavern."

"Kanor!"

Ann exclaimed.

Then, realization dawned on her, and a look of surprise crossed her face.

"Wait—how do you know I’m a girl…?"

She wore an expression of astonishment.

"Sister Ann, you don’t really think your disguise is very good, do you?"

Kanor sighed.

"In Hillenbrand Town, besides the ordinary townsfolk, Maider, my mother, Master Lolth, and even Sister Dorothy can see you are a girl!"

"Even these mercenaries, who are seeing you for the first time, should be able to tell."

"Ugh, no wonder that Maider always seems eager to make silly jokes about my outfits."

Ann then glanced at all the mercenaries.

"Although your extraordinary presence, aura, and appearance are perfect, your true nature is hard to conceal, Miss Ann."

Luge smiled slightly.

Only Lolth showed an embarrassed expression.

She truly hadn’t noticed anything before.

But now, she could only act tough.

"Oh, yes, it’s so obvious, I noticed it a long time ago," Lolth said, raising her hand. "But don’t get caught up in those things anymore, Miss Ann!"

Lolth raised her hand, signaling Yi, who was standing across from Ann.

Yi’s lips trembled slightly, revealing her vulnerable side once more.

"Ann… it’s clearly my fault…"

As she said this, she wrapped her arms around herself and turned her head to the side.

"It’s my fault for not protecting you back then…"

"No, it was truly my mistake," Ann interrupted her sister when she saw her sister’s appearance. "It was I who held you back all those years… If I hadn’t been so weak and insisted on following you, you wouldn’t have needed to enter that alternate plane!"

"But in the end, you are the one cursed and unable to use the sword again," Yi’s voice rose involuntarily. "I promised to protect you—while you longed to be a swordsman, I failed to keep you safe!"

"So even if you’ve hated me and avoided me all these years, it’s okay," Yi said, closing her eyes. "But… at least let me say to you… I’m sorry."

"Why do you still blame yourself, sister? This is clearly my fault," Ann said, her eyes becoming wet again. "I am the reason you lost hope… you’ve already lost so much because of me…"

She spoke in a hoarse voice.

Ann looked up at Yi.

Actually, sister, I never truly wanted to be a swordsman.

I merely yearn to be someone like you…

I bear no grudge for your inability to protect me.

It’s just that I feel unworthy to stand by your side, not being deserving of the title of a swordsman.

What’s more… it’s because of my mediocre "talent" that you, a true genius, have lost your capacity to advance.

If it weren’t for saving me all those years ago, how could you now be merely at Holy Domain!

In Ann’s eyes, her sister’s stagnation is entirely her own fault.

This is also why she hasn’t returned to the Eastern Seven Kingdoms for so many years.

She… is also consumed by guilt.

Yi believes that Ann harbors resentment towards her.

Ann feels that she has been a burden to Yi.

After their dispute, the two sisters lapsed into silence.

Yet, the onlookers, including Lolth, had already sensed…

"Tsk, what a pair of complicated sisters…"

Lolth mused silently to herself.

Still, she understood that much had already been aired out.

Once their emotions settled, perhaps the misunderstanding could be cleared!

Lolth watched on with eager anticipation.

Having been part of the crowd earlier and now joining the spectators, Lolth felt an inexplicable thrill.

This time, there was no interruption from Lalea.

For Lalea, too, seemed keen to witness this unfolding drama.

Just as everyone present was engrossed in the familial drama between Yi and Ann, …

They all overlooked the gravity of the current situation.

Nearby, there were cultists and Demon Fanatics, battered but not yet defeated!

Suddenly, a piercing laugh erupted from the ground beside them, shattering the anticipated moment.

"Hahaha! You foolish, arrogant fools—my master…"

The voice began but was abruptly cut off.

Lolth’s space magic descended upon the one-armed cultist.

"Could you keep it down? I’m in the middle of something crucial here!"