Volume 1 Chapter 575
by post_apiChapter 575: How Did Patricia Manage to Sneak In?!
"The taste is really good…"
Half an hour later, savoring the freshly grilled hot fish fillet, Lalea said with sparkling eyes while blowing on it.
As the princess of South Sotua, even though she grew up away from home and was often neglected, after entering the palace, when it came to food…
The old king of the United Kingdom of South Sotua had never been stingy with her.
After all, no matter how frugal or neglectful one might be, a princess of a country shouldn’t lack good food.
However, after she tasted Kanor’s cooking, she was still amazed.
It was truly as delicious as any royal dish she had ever tasted.
No…
It was even better than those!
Just the simplest roasting, but everything was perfect, from the cooking time to the use of spices…
Making the simple grilled fish fillet…
Incredibly delicious.
And that’s not all.
Ordinary cooking has many factors to consider, such as heat, ingredients, and seasoning…
In extraordinary cooking, there is one more factor to control.
That is "magic."
This extra factor can affect all other factors.
It undoubtedly increases the difficulty of the entire process significantly.
In fact, even this one factor is quite complex.
It is contained in the ingredients, cooking tools, and the chef’s magic…
There are also clear interactions between different kinds of magic!
And mastering magic is much harder than controlling the heat!
After all, cooking is also a skill that is hard to master…
Compared to extraordinary strength, it still falls a little short!
But it was very clear…
In this roasted fish, the little girl Kanor had made the magic reach perfect levels.
As she ate, she almost forgot that this was a dish infused with magic.
Only at the moment her own magic was unconsciously stirred did Lalea slowly realize…
It turned out that this little girl had blended the magic to a point where she didn’t even notice it as she took a bite.
The sense of magic seemed to become a part of her taste.
So Lalea only needed to think for a moment to understand how difficult this was.
"It is simply… a magical skill."
She held the grilled fish in her hands, even a little reluctant to take a bite.
Hearing the praise from the other person, Kanor finally showed a proud expression that matched her age.
"I still have a long way to go to be like Teacher Lolth."
However, Kanor still humbly said.
Though her words were humble, they were not overly modest.
She could only create such a perfect and extraordinary dish with simple cooking, after putting in a lot of effort and being very careful.
However, Teacher Lolth…
Kanor had seen her make a soup called "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" for Elder Martial Sister Dorothy to help her recover.
Even with such complicated techniques, Teacher Lolth easily and perfectly completed the task.
Even a genius like Kanor struggled to remember the complex steps and the right moments to add magic…
Kanor knew very well that she was far behind Teacher Lolth.
Her cooking seemed perfect, but it was all done by stiffly "memorizing" everything.
Remembering the best time for each step.
Each time adjusting the heat, and understanding the characteristics of each ingredient.
For Lolth, it was like a natural instinct.
Master Lolth just needed to take a glance to understand how to handle the ingredients.
It felt like a kind of "spirit."
This kind of talent does not belong to hard work or to natural ability.
It is the high skill that emerges from people like Teacher Lolth, who have talent, after millions of times of practice…
And represents the highest form of art.
Whenever Kanor thought of Master Lolth cooking…
She always thought of…
"miracles."
Of course, these were things Lalea could never understand.
Even if she saw Teacher Lolth’s cooking, she still wouldn’t understand.
After all…
She had never tried it herself.
Those who had never climbed a high peak would not understand how awe-inspiring those tall mountains truly are.
Moreover, Kanor was confident that she was already like a mountain herself.
However, when it came to cooking…
Teacher Lolth felt like a sky that was too far out of reach for her.
She took a bite of the grilled fish in her hand.
It was indeed very delicious.
"But it can still be even better…"
Kanor thought to herself.
And next to her, Lalea saw Kanor’s expression and suddenly understood something.
"I think I know why you are only ‘Elite Level,’ yet can easily handle Superlative Level and Epic Level."
Lalea murmured.
This little girl was a genius.
Lalea had realized this a long time ago.
Whether in cooking, magic, or combat…
Kanor was definitely far beyond any so-called "exceptionally gifted" person she had ever seen.
She was like the most perfect being that this continent could create.
However, her strength was not just showcased in her talent.
She also displayed great character.
You could tell just from her attitude towards cooking…
An eight-year-old girl made such a high-level dish.
When she received praise from others, she only felt happy for a moment.
Then, she showed a thought of "it seems like it could be even better."
Even from successful examples, one could learn and improve.
Such a heart and ability in an ordinary person…
Would definitely not allow them to remain ordinary.
Moreover, her talent was truly the best in the land!
Lalea thought of this and could only feel awe.
The apprentice and the master were both monsters!
Oh, right, this little girl’s master was Lolthlinda, that fearsome succubus.
Across the entire continent, the only one qualified to teach her, or rather, the only "master" who wouldn’t become a burden, was probably Lolth.
It even became reasonable to conquer extraordinary and epic beings with an Elite Level rank.
Lalea had already witnessed what it was like to push the power of a rank to its "limit."
This little girl could use magic in cooking to achieve "perfection."
Her control over magic illustrated a clear picture.
So, the magic used to build techniques and skills in battle, and the magic that enhances food flavors in extraordinary cooking…
Is there any real difference?
Of course not!
Even if the purposes are completely different, magic is still magic!
If you can control it to make fish and meat delicious at the right time, you can also use it in battle to find the enemy’s weakest point.
Such a thing is easy to understand without thinking!
The best butcher in the world kills with a knife… if he wants to, his skills won’t be poor!
After meeting Lolth, Lalea clearly realized one thing.
Most people’s battles in this world…
Are too rough!
Including herself, everyone has the problem of overly pursuing higher levels.
If we were to give each level an average score for combat ability and performance…
The first elite level would be one hundred points, and the initial Superlative Level would be one thousand points.
In reality, the theoretical limit of the Elite Level could very well be five hundred points.
An Elite Level that has reached its limit may not be too far off from an ordinary Superlative Level…
Moreover, achieving “perfection” can even break through limits.
And what’s worse is…
Along the way, Lalea has already seen this little girl use magic, mystical techniques, divine spells, as well as the fighting skills of warriors, rangers, and knights…
It seemed like she had mastered the skills of every Superoperator profession.
Even the level of skill was almost the same—this does not mean she only knew a little bit of everything.
As long as it was something she used…
It was definitely a “perfect” performance.
Moreover, her transitions were very smooth.
Just like when she had just subdued this Superlative Level bishop.
Lalea originally wanted to help…
However, in the very first moment of their meeting.
Magic: Ice Split, Skill: Fearless Charge, Mystical Technique: Corruption, Magic: Soul Shock, Skill: Shadow Finger…
A series of silky smooth moves that no one could possibly prepare for knocked this guy out on the spot.
It was more absurd than any well-trained and perfectly coordinated adventurer team!
This little girl was all alone!
Who would think that after seeing the freezing crack, she would charge at them the next second, casting a corrosion spell and a soul shock, then poke them with her finger?
It was like two martial arts masters fighting; one side got ready, and the next second, the other side turned into a rabbit. Then the rabbit pulled out a double-barreled shotgun from its fur, and the next moment, a muscular duck came out of the shotgun, shaking its fists, and then the duck breathed out flames as hot as fire!
Anyone who didn’t know Kanor’s trick was definitely going to fall hard…
Even if they did know, it might not be that easy to defend against.
However, after hearing Lalea’s words, Kanor still didn’t care.
"What’s the big deal? They are just too weak," Kanor said, collecting her thoughts and speaking softly. "Master Lolth told me long ago that ‘rank’ is not everything…"
She didn’t have as much passion for fighting as she did for cooking.
She continued training her extraordinary powers because she believed that a good extraordinary chef and itinerant chef should not be bad at fighting!
Her goal was to become an all-rounded chef like Master Lolth, so she could not neglect anything!
Moreover…
Her fighting ability at the Elite Level wasn’t that strong…
When Teacher Lolth practiced with her, she also held back to the Elite Level.
Besides, when only using magic, she couldn’t win at all!
At most, she occasionally forced Teacher Lolth to use some divine spells.
"Sigh, I wonder how the teacher is doing now…"
"I hope things are going well with Sister Dorothy?"
Kanor thought to herself.
Meanwhile, inside the Holy Capital, Dorothy and Lolth had also left the underground of the Western Church.
The power of Holy Light that had gathered in the Fountain of Benevolence for hundreds of years was almost halved in an instant.
Of course, Lolth did not see it as a waste.
Because this power of Holy Light brought back Dorothy’s health.
Even if it meant draining the entire Fountain of Benevolence, or even the Holy Light from Eden Palace…
Lolth still thought it was worth it.
A healthy and happy Dorothy was more important than anything else.
Even the love and confession from each other, and that moment when their relationship took a new step…
Although it was also very important and precious.
But compared to Dorothy’s complete recovery…
It could be said that it fell a bit short.
She looked at Dorothy, and the little girl looked back at her, showing a faint smile.
It was not just the health of the soul…
Even her smile had lost some of its previous shyness.
She had become like a truly ordinary and happy girl.
This was how Dorothy was always meant to be.
"Teacher, where are we going next?"
The little girl tilted her head and softly asked without much certainty.
"Um… Shall we go find Patricia?"
Lolth thought for a moment and replied.
She took Dorothy’s hand, just like she had done countless times before as a teacher.
It seemed like nothing had changed.
But Dorothy’s fingers, which she had pulled back, suggested that perhaps something had changed.
Even though Dorothy was asking where they would go next, referring to the next few minutes or hours.
Lolth couldn’t help but start thinking…
What would the future hold for her and Dorothy?
Compared to Isabella and Tina, Dorothy’s relationship seemed more complicated.
Aside from the identities of the Succubus clan princess and the Golden Peacock princess…
The teacher and the student, the savior…
Oh right, there is also the element of being a descendant of a hero who has some grudges against my family.
Crossing through all of these…
I’m afraid even the Succubus clan princess and the Golden Peacock princess seem to match each other in status…
After all, one is a princess and the other is a princess as well.
The most difficult to handle is still the teacher-student relationship.
She really wanted to travel to a martial arts world, like Xiaolongnü, to seek knowledge.
How to get along with Yang Guo.
However, this is just Lolth’s usual daydreaming.
How to get along with Dorothy…
There is nothing to refer to; she needed to explore little by little on her own.
It is also her responsibility as Dorothy’s teacher.
Of course…
Luckily, she had plenty of time.
While thinking this, Lolth carefully began to explore using her senses enhanced by Holy Light.
Soon, Lolth suddenly noticed something…
Patricia was not in the room, and she didn’t know why.
Even…
The whole Eden Palace felt lifeless without Patricia.
It was as if the Great Sage had vanished into thin air.
"Shouldn’t that be impossible?"
Lolth quickly took her mind off the romantic thoughts.
She was a bit confused.
Patricia, such a powerful Great Sage of Legend High Level…
How could she just be gone?
Even if she was erased by the Pope or even the God of Light, there should at least be some sign, right?
While Lolth felt confused, Dorothy suddenly noticed her teacher’s changing emotions.
She looked at Lolth and poked her cheek.
"What’s wrong, teacher?"
Lolth reached out and held Dorothy’s finger, then showed a smile.
"No, it’s nothing…"
"It’s just that… Patricia seems to be missing."
As Lolth said this, Dorothy was also quite surprised.
"Patricia… is missing?"
She said in disbelief.
Clearly, Dorothy could not believe the Great Sage had disappeared.
"It’s not really a disappearance, just that she is missing."
Lolth corrected Dorothy.
It would be one thing if it were another high-level legend…
After all, this is the Holy Capital of the Church of Light, where Eden Palace is located.
In a fantasy novel, it would be like a high-level dungeon.
To exaggerate a bit, one could say…
"Legends are like dogs, Holy Domains are everywhere!"
Even among them, there are usually four or five demi-gods present.
This is still the case with the Director of the Heretic Tribunal not at home and the Pope close to death.
In other places… it is simply unimaginable.
You must know, in the large country of South Sotua, there are only two demi-gods!
The publicly known demi-gods of the Ryman Empire are just their empress and the pope of the Frost Church.
Oh, of course…
Heidegger is definitely one too, even though he hasn’t said it openly, and the Ryman Empire hasn’t acknowledged it either…
But surely no one really thinks Isabella’s old father isn’t a demi-god, right?
So, you see, in normal nations across the continent, it’s already good if they have two or three demi-gods to share!
And most of them are scattered in different places.
Republic of Seychelles, and they only have their guardian Sword Master, who is a demi-god.
Of course…
This demi-god, for some reason, was especially strong and could hold down the other three normal ones.
Three was not a problem.
The demi-gods at the Church of Light in the Holy Capital numbered more than just a few.
This was why the Church of Light was the strongest force on the continent.
Because of their high-level combat power…
There were indeed many.
Especially a pope like this demi-god could often do the work of three.
If any power truly wanted to go to war with The Church of Light…
They had to at least bring in two other allies to have a chance of winning.
Moreover, the outcome would likely be a draw with both sides hurt.
This was the true value of The Church of Light!
But no matter how valuable it was or how many demi-gods there were…
Lolth felt that she couldn’t just let Patricia be suddenly transformed by a Great Sage and taken away on the spot!
After all, this was Patricia!
Let’s set aside the matter of her being a Legend High Level…
Patricia’s survival intelligence was definitely in the top three of the people Lolth had ever seen.
To be honest, even if the Pope wanted to harm her, this little girl could definitely escape.
"Could it be… she is hiding?"
Dorothy asked thoughtfully.
"I have searched all over Eden Palace; where could she hide…?"
Lolth shook her head with a wry smile.
However, she activated her senses again, looking more carefully for Patricia’s presence.
And this time…
Lolth really did notice…
Where Patricia was.
She looked in shock at the tall central church.
"No way… What is that fool doing?!"
She felt Patricia’s faint breath inside the central church.
Saying it was "faint" was not quite right.
Because Patricia’s breath showed no change, just hiding like usual.
Clearly, she was not hurt or unconscious.
She was even very healthy and full of energy, practically more lively than a fish just caught, still flopping around.
But the reason it was called faint…
It was due to the comparison…
This was also the reason why Lolth was shocked.
Because the current central church was not the same as the central church before she entered the Western Church.
Although in a normal state, the power of Holy Light in the central church was still very strong.
If she paid close attention, she could also sense the presence of powerful beings.
But…
Inside the current central church,
the power of Holy Light was not just "strong" in a simple way.
Lolth could feel it easily…
Inside, there were about ten bright auras like blazing fires.
The power of the Holy Light flowing from them, even in a calm state…
Seemed just like an unfinished Supreme Divine Spell.
Lolth had no doubt that all the strongest people in the Church of Light were gathered inside!
And Patricia’s presence…
Was mixed in there.
Although it was weak and covered up, once noticed, it became very obvious.
After all… she felt so out of place!
"How did this idiot manage to get in here?!"
Lolth couldn’t help but quietly cover her face.
She even wanted to exclaim…
Patricia, you are really amazing!
The reason she hadn’t found Patricia before was now very clear.
Her breath mixed in, who could sense it?
It was like a candle being mixed in with a powerful thousand-watt light…
Finding the candle before being blinded was truly a skill.
Moreover, after Lolth felt that the Holy Light in the central church seemed especially strong, she purposely avoided this place, afraid her perception would be discovered…
She had originally thought, based on common sense, that Patricia would also stay away.
After all, it seemed she shouldn’t go in.
But now it looked like…
Patricia didn’t seem to be there.
Lolth really wanted to rush in and ask right now…
"What is Patricia doing?"
In her mind, the thought of "Check Patricia’s status" even appeared.
Of course, if Patricia knew, she would probably feel even more wronged.
She didn’t do anything!
She was eating a banana in her bedroom when she suddenly got taken away!
Then everything started to change…
It became more and more mysterious!
Dorothy looked at Lolth, following the teacher’s gaze and excited expression…
She probably guessed where Patricia was.
"Teacher… What is she doing at the central church?"
Dorothy whispered.
In response, Lolth helplessly shook her head.
"I don’t know either… Maybe she’s up to something risky?"
"The central church is now filled with various high-ranking members of The Church of Light… Privy Bishops and others should all be inside…"
"The only good news is… that silly girl doesn’t know what’s going on… and is still happily staying inside…"
Lolth even began to doubt…
It can’t be like this, right? Patricia hasn’t been exposed, has she?
Dorothy also showed a look of disbelief.
"So… teacher, are we going to ‘save’ her?"
Dorothy asked after thinking for a moment.
"Well… I suppose so," Lolth sighed, feeling she couldn’t ignore Patricia, "even though I don’t think her current state… is one that needs to be ‘saved.’"
"But we really can’t just leave her alone; if she is exposed, it means we are exposed too."
As Lolth said this, she made up her mind.
"Let’s go, Dorothy, let’s find a way to sneak in!"
As Lolth said this, her expression became determined.