Chapter 123

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Chapter 123: The New Changes in Hillenbrand Town and Tina’s Sense of Crisis

Across the continent, both the Demon Army and the Holy Alliance teetered on the edge of monumental change. Yet, Lolth remained blissfully unaware that her “intelligence” had been urgently dispatched to the front lines and would soon become pivotal in the looming confrontation between the two forces.

After spending two leisurely days in Palgauro City, Shelldor successfully gathered the magical materials Lolth had requested. With everything in place, Lolth set off for Hillenbrand Town.

The Vera Plain was calm and peaceful, even more stable than before Lolth’s arrival.

With the daily problems resolved, Zakavido and Achilles’s followers finally turned their focus to the issue of monster disturbances. Aggressive wild monsters, especially those in large groups, were swiftly dealt with by evil spirits and Balrogs.

The Happy Number dog cart covered the distance in just one day, bringing Lolth back to Hillenbrand Town.

As they arrived, Lolth noticed the bulk materials she had ordered from various cities had also reached their destination. From a distance, Hillenbrand Town appeared unchanged.

The intense construction activity in the southern district had subsided, and residents had transitioned into normal business operations—a predictable development.

Lolth felt a sense of relief. It seemed that everything had run smoothly in her absence. Tina and Maider had proven themselves capable administrators.

After bidding farewell to Old Harper, Ann, and Kanor, Lolth turned her attention to the southern development zone. However, as the dog cart drew closer, she began to sense something unusual.

The population of the town seemed to have grown significantly.

“This shouldn’t be possible. It’s only been a little over a month. How has it become so crowded?”

The number of workers in the southern development zone had clearly increased, and most of the newcomers were young, strong laborers—an irregular surge in population.

What puzzled Lolth further was the distinct presence of Superoperators among them.

“Why is the concentration of Superoperators so high? And where did all these elves and dwarves come from?”

Scanning the crowd, she noticed that many of the individuals working in the fields, fishponds, and forests possessed extraordinary power. Some even appeared to be at the Superlative Level.

Their appearances stood out—tall and elegant elves, stout and industrious dwarves—all mingling among the human workers.

As the dog cart passed through the town and entered the southern district, Lolth’s confusion only deepened.

The Superoperators she observed seemed strangely familiar. After a moment of thought, realization struck her.

“Aren’t they the group we met on the first night in Vera Plain?”

A mixed team of humans, dwarves, and elves—such a combination was rare. The number matched perfectly. It had to be them.

But how had they ended up in Hillenbrand Town?

Lolth distinctly remembered giving them a Token and sending them away. Why were they here now?

Could it be the allure of the canned food and new-style snacks that had drawn them back? Or perhaps they felt indebted and had come to repay her kindness?

Both theories seemed unlikely.

The most plausible explanation was that they had stumbled upon the town by accident and decided to stay. But even that didn’t explain why they hadn’t left.

The group worked diligently in the fields, barely acknowledging Lolth’s passing. They simply glanced up momentarily before resuming their tasks.

Could Kululu have orchestrated this? Had that lazy subordinate finally taken initiative?

Lolth’s thoughts raced, but no clear answers emerged.

Setting her doubts aside, Lolth decided to seek clarification from Tina.

Tina, after all, would surely know what was going on.

As the dog cart came to a stop, Tina emerged from the temporary City Hall in the farmers’ market of the southern district.

Clad in her black-and-white maid uniform, she greeted Lolth with a mix of joy and respect.

“Master Lolth, you’ve returned!”

Her voice brimmed with enthusiasm.

“You’ve traveled a long way. It must have been exhausting.”

Lolth waved a hand dismissively.

“Not at all. Let’s head home first.”

Lolth parked the dog cart in the ranch south of the town, allowing the weary Bloodhound Dadaka to rest.

As they made their way back, Tina stole a glance at Isabella. The knight had been uncharacteristically quiet since their return.

Though Lolth hadn’t noticed, Tina picked up on subtle changes in Isabella’s demeanor. The knight seemed… gentler.

This shift unsettled Tina.

“Could she have finally understood her place? If so, won’t that threaten my standing in Master Lolth’s heart?”

Tina’s wariness toward Isabella only deepened.

The two women followed Lolth back to the torture tower, where they each retired to their rooms.

But Tina couldn’t rest. A sense of crisis gnawed at her.

She trusted in her abilities, but the possibility that Isabella might have grown closer to Lolth during their journey unsettled her deeply.

“The worst-case scenario has happened,” she thought grimly.

Tina resolved not to sit idly by. She had to act.

Gathering her courage, she quietly approached Lolth’s room and knocked softly.

“Master Lolth, are you resting?”