Volume 1 Chapter 655

Chapter 655: Remedial Measures

After witnessing Janine Irene relentlessly pummeling an innocent broadleaf tree for ten full minutes…

Doyle Candice finally couldn’t remain silent any longer.

"This… Grand Knight of the Church of Light possesses quite the imagination."

Lolth sighed in agreement.

"Imagination she has in spades, though perhaps too narrowly focused… Persistently tormenting the same tree."

As she spoke, Lolth couldn’t help stealing a glance at the still-slumbering Lady of Light inside the carriage.

These two young women proved more obstinate than an ox each.

Nevertheless, the "commotion" had undeniably achieved its purpose.

The lingering magic essence here now saturated the air sufficiently—any competent investigator would inevitably discern…

That Janine Irene, leader of the Oracles Knight Order, had clashed with Abyssal Demons at this very location.

This conclusion alone would suffice.

As Janine Irene finally wound down her arboreal assault…

Lolth abruptly detected a familiar magical disturbance.

Chaotic, disquieting energy rippled westward, hurtling toward them with alarming speed.

Merely a heartbeat later, Doyle Candice jerked her head up, yanking a detection device from her robes.

"Damnation!"

"We’ve lingered too long!"

Their simultaneous exclamations pierced the air.

The overwhelming yet recognizable magical signature left no doubt about the approaching entity’s identity.

Without hesitation, Lolth burst from the carriage.

"Zakavido—you motherless cur! Cease this instant!!"

Her roar echoed as Janine Irene—still enveloped in weakening aura—went catapulting backward, struck by a translucent crimson phantom hand!

The spectral claw snatched the Grand Knight mid-flight, suspending her in air.

Lolth immediately identified the technique—Zakavido’s signature "Chaos Blood Claw."

From the shadowed woods emerged the Chaos Evil Spirit Knight himself.

Against all expectations, the legionnaire leader had braved his Holy Light aversion to penetrate this sanctified grove!

His hollow eyes widened upon seeing Lolth.

"Ah—Lord Lolth! Your presence here explains much!"

"My apologies… This quarry truly warrants your personal attention!"

Zakavido wore an apologetic look.

Lolth glanced at Janine Irene suspended limply in his grasp and momentarily lost her words.

After prolonged silence, she finally spoke with weary resignation.

"What are you doing here?!"

At the question, Zakavido scratched his skeletal visage, appearing somewhat sheepish.

"Well… Lord Lolth, when my subordinates visited Hillenbrand Town for the new ‘Magic Self-Controlling Dishwasher,’ they heard that Legend High Level Paladin you’d captured escaped during your absence…"

"I immediately informed Shelldor and Achilles. Having received so many kindnesses from you, we resolved to assist. After analyzing her escape route during our leisure time, we tracked her ourselves—then detected Holy Light signatures here!"

"To avoid alerting the prey, I rushed ahead alone."

Lolth’s pupils constricted sharply.

"Wait—you’re saying Shelldor and Achilles…"

Before she could finish, the atmosphere ignited.

Twin infernos erupted from opposing directions—one the dragonfire of Red Dragon Grand Monarch Shelldor, the other Balrog Lord Achilles’ hellish flames. Two forest swathes vanished instantly.

Shelldor wiping her mouth and spark-speckled Achilles hurried over. Upon spotting Lolth, Shelldor’s face brightened visibly.

She swatted Achilles’ shoulder while chiding Zakavido, "I told you we needn’t worry! Lolthlinda would never permit her escape—she’s clearly anticipated everything!"

Achilles glared at Shelldor. "Spare the hindsight! You were practically breathing fire earlier!"

Shelldor flushed. "It’s a Legend High Level threat! I merely thought to help…"

As they bickered, Lolth massaged her temples.

"Oh for pity’s…"

Behind her, Little Devil Doyle Candice emerged with an exasperated sigh. "Three imbeciles! You’ve sabotaged Lord Lolth’s scheme!"

"I too encountered this Paladin! Did it never occur to you she couldn’t have escaped without permission?"

The trio froze.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

Lolth exhaled sharply. "Zakavido—put Janine Irene down. Now."

The skeleton hastily complied, realization dawning.

As Janine Irene crumpled to earth, Lolth began her explanation.

"What you’re about to hear must never leave this circle."

"I’ve successfully replaced The Church of Light’s Director of Heretic Tribunal, operating within their Holy Capital."

"Janine Irene’s ‘escape’ occurs under my orders—she must appear to struggle back to The Church of Light. Her journey requires convincing hardships, not smooth passage. The slightest flaw could unravel everything."

Her gaze swept the trio before settling on the unconscious Paladin.

Heavy silence descended.

Achilles raised her hands defensively. "Not my fault! Shelldor proposed this! Zakavido did the knockout!"

"Traitorous Balrog!" Shelldor and Zakavido chorused indignantly.

Doyle Candice interjected coldly, "One remedy remains."

Three legionnaire leaders leaned forward attentively.

The Little Devil cleared her throat, smiling benignly.

"Commence mutual battering until all lose consciousness. After Lord Lolth applies Holy Light residue… we’ll claim mutual incapacitation."