Volume 1 Chapter 656

Chapter 656: I Am Here to Enlighten You

Lolth ultimately rejected Doyle Candice’s proposal.

In Lolth’s view, having the trio beat each other unconscious would be excessively cruel.

Moreover, there existed another seemingly trivial yet crucial reason…

A staged brawl simply wouldn’t be convincing enough.

The residual traces at the scene, magical disturbances, and marks left on Shelldor, Achilles, and Zakavido needed to distinctly carry the essence of Abyssal Demons…

Even minimal scrutiny would reveal these three bore no traces of Holy Light’s influence.

After all, the Church of Light’s methods were fundamentally honorable, and Paladins possessed no "spells" capable of inducing adversarial attacks through "mental confusion" or similar techniques.

Thus, Lolth opted for a more efficient, reliable, and meticulously precise approach.

She personally rendered the three unconscious.

Fashioning a Holy Light hammer larger than Shelldor’s true form, she delivered precise strikes to each Abyssal Sovereign before they could voice protests, enforcing immediate slumber.

Witnessing Lolth casually dispatching Abyssal Sovereigns with her hammer, Doyle Candice’s mouth twitched involuntarily.

"Lady Lolthlinda, one might suspect personal animosity in your methods…"

Lolth rolled her eyes at Doyle’s remark.

"Not particularly about this incident—their misguided good intentions warrant some leniency. Still, these fools require discipline. Their perpetual recklessness has gone unchecked too long!"

As she spoke, she launched several Holy Light fireworks skyward before depositing the unconscious trio in the woods and hoisting Janine Irene over her shoulder.

"The next phase rests in your hands, Her Excellency Doyle."

"Understood, Lord Lolth. I’ll ensure sufficient ‘information dissemination,’" Doyle nodded. "Though the Holy Alliance likely detected this location already… make haste."

Lolth nodded in agreement.

"Agreed—but ensure the Lord of the Demon King remains uninformed."

She feared her superior’s potential interference born from excessive concern might destabilize the precarious situation further.

Being a "connected individual" within the hierarchy…

Without knowing the exact nature of relationships between the Demon King Lord, her sister Xiletor, and their mother, Lolth dared not risk complications.

This scheme targeting divine-level entities within the Church of Light’s framework already felt like dancing on a dagger’s edge.

Every possible variable must be minimized.

The unexpected trio’s interference still fell within manageable parameters—the absolute limit of acceptable deviations.

After settling Janine Irene beside the Lady of Light in the carriage, Lolth resumed their journey.

Amidst the rattling cabin’s vibrations, she exhaled deeply.

"Finally… phase one concludes…"

"Despite complications… satisfactory progress overall…"

Although Lolth harbored such sentiments, she found no room for optimism within her heart.

After all, at the very first step, Doyle Candice along with three Abyssal Demon Lords and subsequent legionnaire leaders had successively intercepted their plans… Janine Irene’s competence had begun casting shadows of doubt in Lolth’s mind.

This indeed boded ill – her schemes involving The Church of Light and Holy Capital had never progressed smoothly, perpetually besieged by unforeseen complications. Even her involvement in the Papal succession itself had been thrust upon her through unexpected circumstances. If anything, these past two years on the mainland plane revealed an unsettling pattern: any design she conceived inevitably attracted peculiar deviations.

Contemplating this, Lolth felt an insistent throbbing developing in her temples.

At this precise moment…

A mellifluous voice resonated through the carriage compartment.

"So, Senior… your design requires me to return to the Church in ‘glorious’ fashion and ascend to Papal office, correct?"

The sudden sound startled Lolth into full-body tremor. Whirling around…

She beheld the slumbering Lady of Light – and hovering nearby, the translucent spirit body of Her Holiness. For a heart-stopping moment, Lolth feared the Holy Maiden had peacefully departed this world during prolonged slumber, her essence ascending to the Land of Light.

But through focused Magic Perception, Lolth exhaled in relief.

"Soul Projection… your studies wander curious paths," Lolth remarked, her breath escaping in a measured stream. "Most unconventional… for one bearing the mantle of Holy Maiden."

The memory surfaced clearly – this young woman had even contemplated spatial magic as her hidden card.

"Precisely why I employed it post Irene’s unconsciousness," the spiritual manifestation replied, radiating approachable sanctity more luminous than her physical form. "Though… rendering me insensate proved wise. Had foreknowledge been mine, such schemes would never have gained approval…"

As the words lingered, Lolth’s shoulders lifted in fluid shrug.

"Necessity dictates sacrifice – true sculpture demands removal of original matter. This truth I meant for your own discovery."

The Lady of Light inclined her head with regal grace.

"Glimmers of understanding already dawn…"

"Yet Senior, your current path treads dangerous grounds?"

The counterquestion hung airily. Lolth dismissed it with casual hand wave.

"My interests align here. Reserve your concerns…"

Elaborations about extracting divine culinary artifacts from celestial beings seemed tedious. Mysterious demeanor served better.

The Holy Maiden’s spiritual form nodded comprehension.

"Then… how might I assist?"

Lolth’s lips curved in mischief.

"Perhaps through my execution?"

Instant negation shook the luminous visage.

"Such acts lie beyond my purpose."

"Merely jests… All shall clarify in time."

Lolth spoke while clapping her hands briskly.

"Alright then—time I returned to the Holy Capital to resume my duties."

"Your Holiness, keep feigning sleep… I’ll awaken Janine Irene now."

As Lolth finished speaking, the Lady of Light inclined her head in acknowledgment.

With a graceful motion of her palm, Lolth conjured a shimmering veil of magic-infused mist that settled upon Janine Irene’s features.

The Paladin’s eyelids fluttered open in tandem with the vanishing of the Lady’s spirit body.

"Wh-what?!"

The young knight exhaled sharply, her voice tinged with alarm.

"What’s going on?"

Her bewildered gaze swept the surroundings, instinctively seeking signs of her assailant.

*Click. Click.*

Two crisp finger-snaps from Lolth captured her attention.

"All’s resolved—there was minor confusion earlier, but I’ve handled it. Frankly, this outcome might surpass our original expectations."

This wasn’t empty reassurance. The involvement of three Abyssal Sovereigns had undeniably amplified the spectacle’s magnitude.

Consider the difference: neutralizing a scouting party versus escaping three legendary-level demon commanders after counter-slaying their elite forces during a joint assault by Abyssal Sovereigns and a legionnaire leader. The latter narrative carried far greater weight.

What seemed absurd held strategic brilliance. Only genuine pursuit by demonic elites would validate their story.

With Doyle Candice’s reliable presence as their covert ally, information leaks became negligible.

Ironically, these chaotic elements had woven Lolth’s scheme into something approaching perfection.

Unaware of these machinations, Janine Irene relaxed at Lolth’s declaration.

Though ignorant of specifics, the Paladin found herself nurturing an inexplicable trust—forged through Hillenbrand Town’s peculiar ambiance and her own observations, gradually solidified by Lolth’s peculiar aura of competence.

"Thank goodness… Then shall we proceed as planned, Lord Lolth?"

"Precisely. Maintain the original course."

Lolth’s chin dipped in a measured nod before she added,

"Though hereafter, you’ll walk this path alone. Mind your navigation."

"I’ll await your arrival with the Lady of Light at the Holy Capital—remember, timing governs all."

Janine Irene’s features hardened with resolve.

"Understood, Lord Lolth."

As she spoke, Lolth nodded in agreement.

"Then… we’ll meet again in the Holy Capital."

After uttering this brief farewell without waiting for Janine Irene’s response, Lolth vanished from her position instantly.

Only residual ripples of spatial magic lingered in the air.

Within the next heartbeat, her figure materialized discreetly within the director’s chambers of the Heretic Tribunal at the Holy Capital.

Fresh documents had materialized atop her desk once more.

"Ah… this endless tide of responsibilities…"

Massaging her temples, Lolth found herself reminiscing about her carefree days of slacking off in the Demon Army.

Yet despite the mounting pressure, duty demanded her attention.

The newly delivered intelligence dossier contained sparse information.

The Heretic Tribunal’s expanding operations had propelled Lolth’s purge of dissidents across the Papal State and into the Holy Empire’s farthest reaches.

Even foreign churches now yielded captured fugitives to their gray-robed pursuers.

The Tribunal’s terror quotient had effectively doubled,

earning this era its whispered epithet – the "Gray Dread."

Most reports followed predictable patterns: routine arrest tallies from various regions.

Only two entries drew Lolth’s particular notice.

The first detailed Patricia and Dorothy’s furtive excursion into the dungeon vaults.

Though curious about the girls’ mysterious errand, Lolth dismissed it casually.

If Patricia orchestrated the scheme – well, the Great Sage’s eccentric schemes were legendary. A scolding would suffice should complications arise.

But should Dorothy take lead… Lolth’s lips curved approvingly.

Whatever enterprise the younger girl undertook deserved full endorsement!

Were Dorothy to rig the dungeons with explosives and detonate every wretched soul within, Lolth would applaud her ruthless efficiency.

Those corrupt bishops had long forfeited their right to mercy through vile deeds –

obliteration seemed lenient punishment for their crimes.

The second report, however, froze the blood in Lolth’s veins.

"Live sacrifices conducted among civilians… suspected cultist activity?"

The words glared from the parchment.

Cultists still operational?!

After the Bennett Manor incident, these vermin retained enough strength for blood rituals?!

This revelation cast severe doubt upon the Heretic Tribunal director’s supposed competence.

How could he have allowed the Holy Capital to become so thoroughly compromised!

The underworld demons were understandable… corruption from the upper echelons is both inevitable and nearly impossible to counteract, even when discovered.

But these cultists?

This clearly stems from corrupted "faith"!

Has the Heretic Tribunal become completely incompetent?

While permitting these vermin to lurk in the Church of Light’s Holy Capital long enough to orchestrate an evil god’s manifestation and assassinate a legend-level duke of the Holy Empire was already unconscionable…

To retain enough power for subsequent sacrificial rituals after the manifestation? Preposterous!

"Enough—I must inspect the site personally!"

Lolth declared, setting down the confidential missive before striding briskly from the director’s office.

Elsewhere in the Holy Capital’s depths…

Within the cavernous waterways beneath the city’s drainage system, black-robed figures convened in clandestine assembly.

"The Wizard Association’s warning should keep them from interfering further…"

"Our Lord expresses great satisfaction with the offered tribute…"

"The Heretic Tribunal’s recent activity concerns me, but our low-ranking operatives remain secure."

"Nevertheless, caution remains vital as we await the papal succession…"

Their hushed conspiracy echoed through the stone tunnels until…

A crystalline laugh shattered their deliberations.

"How quintessentially pathetic—holding council in disease-ridden sewers like vermin."

"Truly, no soul possessing basic decency would embrace such squalid heresy."

The cultists jerked upward as one.

"Who dares?!"

Above the drainage shaft hovered a youthful figure perched on a argent disc, flanked by two apprentice mages.

"Greetings, worms. I am Patricia, Great Sage of the Wizard Association bearing the title Morning Star."

"Though initially inclined toward collaboration, your wretched aesthetics and moral bankruptcy have inspired… alternative plans."

"I’ve decided to enlighten you instead."