Volume 1 Chapter 664

Chapter 664: The Ritual

The figure standing beyond the veil of rain was undeniably… a Demon God from the infernal realms.

Moreover, Lolth perceived with crystalline clarity…

This was no ordinary Demon God.

It was Nornolante, the Southern "Archfiend of Deception"—a being sharing Murphy Yates’ rank among hell’s Five Pillars.

The entity had employed esoteric means to circumvent planar restrictions between the main plane and alternate dimensions, bypassing divine barriers to manifest here through an aberrant form of descent.

Though termed a "descent," Lolth knew with absolute certainty…

This presence transcended mere incarnations—those simpler foes to dispatch.

Neither complete form nor true essence…

Yet its rank eclipsed even the Murphy Yates of former encounters in sheer dread potency.

Nevertheless, hearing its proclamation, Lolth unleashed her contempt unrestrained.

She flicked moisture from her fingers, laughter rippling through the downpour.

"I never intended to leash you with ‘commands’…"

"Violate my words as you will—but should you choose defiance—"

Her left hand rose, rain-beaded index finger extending in languid accusation.

"—prepare to forfeit your due toll."

As her final syllable fell, the rain encircling the entity congealed in midair.

Rivulets twisted sideways. Droplets cascaded upward. The vertical dance of precipitation shattered into chaotic vectors—each rainstreak fleeing gravity’s pull.

No mere hydrokinetic trickery nor gravitational manipulation…

Space itself warped around Nornolante.

Folded dimensions and distorted voids became visible through the rain’s aberrant paths—a lethal latticework that would have shredded mortal flesh instantly.

Yet the Archfiend remained unmoved.

"Spatial magic—quite proficient, little succubus!"

"But when forewarned, entities of my stratum find your parlor tricks… those pilfered God of Light trinkets… all borrowed power…"

"…thoroughly pitiful."

He stood amidst crumpled reality, speaking with conversational ease—a gentleman discussing weather patterns over garden walls.

"Your rapport with Murphy Yates appears… cordial."

Lolth maintained the spellwork, her tone glacial calm.

The failure against a vigilant Demon God came as no surprise.

The cunning Demon God did not respond directly to Lolth’s words.

"What about that purple technique of yours that uses Arcane magic to construct a dimensional cube?" Nonalon said, adjusting his hat, "If you don’t deploy it now…"

His voice abruptly materialized above Lolth’s head.

"You’ll miss your chance!"

A massive shadow cascaded down with the torrential rain above Lolth, heavy with arcane energy that threatened to engulf her entire being!

Amidst the cacophony of cackles and whispers permeating the magic, Lolth felt her own arcane energy becoming disturbingly unstable.

"Idiot… Got you now."

She remained motionless beneath the descending darkness.

An invisible barrier suddenly manifested above her, repelling both the rain and magical onslaught.

Of course, this wasn’t defensive sorcery – attempting to counter a Demon God’s assault with mere Forbidden Spell Level protections would be laughably inadequate.

This remained pure spatial manipulation – Lolth had opened an impossibly slender rift to an alternate plane above her, redirecting the attack entirely.

Though hardly eco-friendly to the alternate dimension’s inhabitants…

Necessity left no alternatives.

Simultaneously, Lolth executed another maneuver.

In the space diagonally above her, reality folded inward tenfold faster than before. As the Hell Demon God’s aura suddenly leaked through and a disheveled figure scrambled backward, Lolth smirked.

"If my domain included cheap tricks like ‘illusions’, I’d never stoop to calling myself the ‘Deceptive’ Demon God."

"Predictable… moron."

"Though Murphy Yates might have hinted at my capabilities… such a pity."

The splintered space seemed to animate at her words, hurling sheets of rainwater back at the Deceptive Demon God.

"My arsenal runs deep!"

"Not even Murphy Yates could unravel me!!"

The declaration provoked a thunderous roar from Nonalon hovering midair.

"Insolent succubus – you dare provoke me!"

"Oh? My deepest apologies!"

Lolth retorted with equal ferocity. Colliding spatial fragments generated unearthly light and cacophony beyond mortal comprehension, the annihilating void devouring all within its radius.

The apocalyptic radiance illuminated half the darkness-veiled Holy Capital.

This served as the awaited signal.

At the rainwater-choked sewer entrance, Kanor observed the glow from the Pious District with peculiar fascination.

"Commencing with the Pope’s demise, using a Hell Demon God as bait… Master, you’re the true genius compared to counterfeit prodigies like me."

As she spoke, turbulent waters disgorged a manhole cover followed by bedraggled cultists.

*Cough-cough*

They collapsed on the pavement, many retching swallowed rainwater.

Lalea and the mage girl behind Kanor struggled to suppress amused smirks.

"Sewer living apparently involves more than just pungent aromas…"

Lalea quipped derisively.

The cultists ignored the jibe, warily eyeing the trio. Their leader rasped:

"Why come here?"

"The Pope’s dead. Came to check your little ‘ritual’s’ progress," Kanor replied with mock sweetness. "Seems… you require assistance."

"Unnecessary."

The leader produced a putrid, grayish lump resembling decaying flesh shaped into an idol.

"O great reborn Lord…"

His eerie incantation made the meat-like effigy glow faintly.

Instantaneously.

His vitality extinguished as he crumpled lifeless.

Lalea and the mage girl recoiled in shock.

The other cultists’ terrified expressions confirmed:

This was no planned ritual element.