Volume 1 Chapter 682

Chapter 682: I Am Fear!

Under Lolth’s "manipulation," a novel composite creation—an amalgamation of numerous divine powers and concepts—was born within the spatial prison she had constructed.

Pristine, yet undeniably… "sinister."

After all, a third of its components originated from an evil deity, another third from a Hell Demon God, while the final third derived from an elemental god who appeared equally tyrannical.

Yet merely forging this entity proved insufficient.

A purely chaotic and disordered existence could never undermine the foundations of The Church of Light.

Thus, Lolth reserved her "final step"—to infuse herself as both the concluding catalyst and ingredient into the amalgam.

This was neither a perilous act nor a sacrifice.

Yet for her…

"Frankly, this feels utterly revolting!"

Within the prison, Lolth sensed her magic intertwining with these newfound, elevated forces. The convergence transformed the powers, avatars, and concepts into extensions of her very being…

The sensation was deeply unpleasant, akin to donning another’s worn socks.

Disgusting as it was, Lolth had no alternative.

Such concentrated power demanded a wielder.

Naturally, she remained the optimal candidate.

Even at Holy Domain level, she had once harnessed divine energies…

Now, fortified by the wine’s influence and the fragmented memories restoring her primordial stature, she could fully command these forces.

This perfectly compensated for her sole deficiency—after imbibing, Lolth acutely recognized her limitation…

Insufficient magical reserves!

Though her power neared cosmic magnitude, its "efficiency" remained lacking.

Her vast reservoirs flowed too sluggishly, as though constrained by seals, inadequate to sustain her unleashed soul and rank.

Thus, appropriating divine energies from other sources became imperative!

Upon achieving full synchronization, Lolth unsealed the spatial confinement.

The formidable forces that had briefly vanished—forces which had corrupted Holy Capital’s magic environment—resurfaced.

Now unified, the previously warring trinity of powers merged with Lolth’s drunken aura…

Though environmental destabilization diminished and magical fluctuations softened, the resulting pressure and suffocating dread… intensified tenfold.

Formless magic swelled through the Devout District. Lolth perceived…

She could now freely manipulate this energy’s "nature" and "manifestation."

The amalgam had absorbed too many traits.

It held infinite plasticity.

Elements, rebirth, guile… three interwoven "attributes" embodying the dominions of supreme deities.

Plus, with the three forces blended once more, Lolth temporarily acquired nearly all their combined capabilities.

Naturally, this allowed her complete freedom in manifesting her current "attributes" and physical manifestation.

"Appearance… Now that’s a matter requiring careful consideration…"

Lolth pondered briefly.

Under normal circumstances, such trivialities wouldn’t merit her attention.

But given The Church of Light’s unusual earnestness this time, even Lolth felt compelled to match their intensity during these final moments.

"Not merely to provoke the ‘Divine Ordainment’, but also to elevate that Holy Maiden’s prestige… In which case…"

After some contemplation, Lolth reached a decision.

"Very well then—I shall craft a form so terrifyingly sinister that all will instinctively sense something’s terribly wrong…"

"This storm-ravaged landscape already reeks of apocalyptic doom… I need only complement the existing ambiance."

"Primary requirements: massive scale and viscerally intimidating presence."

As Lolth mentally blueprinted her design, the divine energy conglomerate under her control began materializing from formless essence.

Ultimately…

Inspiration struck.

Having witnessed true eldritch deities in this world—the God of Demise and the Day of Revival entity radiating immense majesty (the latter resembling a monstrous divinity incarnate)—she drew from these memories.

The hellish Demon Gods followed similar patterns… Both the Judgement Demon God Murphy Yates and the Cunning Demon God Noloranthi maintained humanoid guises while harboring grotesque true forms.

Nor could one forget Lolth’s native Abyss—though the succubus clan stood as exceptional beauties, most Abyssal Demons dwelling within that chaotic realm were truly horrifying entities.

Yet…

None sufficed for Lolth’s purposes.

In a world where Demon Gods, evil deities, and the Demon King permeated both history and daily life—where The Church of Light’s Paladins, Heretic Tribunal, Holy Maidens, ascetics, and even the Pope boasted records of vanquishing dreadful beasts—the populace possessed astonishingly high tolerance for monstrous threats.

Thus…

Lolth understood clearly: To achieve the unprecedented legitimacy and impact desired for the papal coronation…

She must serve this world an utterly unprecedented spectacle.

And so…

A shadow vast enough to eclipse the sun materialized above.

Within the Sacred Zone’s storm-lashed terrain emerged a colossal hybrid of humanoid shape and alchemical construct, its rain-streaked silhouette resolving into:

A war fortress of cuboid brutality—sleek black-red metallic plates suggesting violence incarnate, angular limbs exposing mechanical guts of piping, cabling, rivets, and industrial paint.

This mechanized citadel, equal parts armored behemoth and nightmarish engine of war, became Lolth’s chosen visage.

While lacking the visceral corruption of true deities or the Abyss’ madness, it possessed another quality—the primal dread of confronting the utterly unknown…

In this world, no one had ever witnessed such an immense metallic colossus standing upon the earth!

Lolth understood this truth profoundly…

For the fragmented and chaotic spatial structure of this realm, with its infinite vast planes, had seemingly replaced the conventional relationship between "universe" and "planets."

The starlight gleaming above merely reflected conceptual projections from the Star Spirit Realm.

The void’s chaotic spatial currents and rifts proved far more perilous and unnavigable than any cosmic expanse.

Thus, even the pinnacle alchemical creations of the First Era had never evolved into gargantuan weapons designed for infinite spatial adaptation.

The most extreme examples, like the Ailuo race’s Autonomous Guards, while bearing superficial similarities, existed in entirely different aesthetic realms.

Those retained a distinctly "magical" essence – creations still confined within this world’s common understanding.

Yet what Lolth had manifested defied all such conventions.

The frosted metallic surface devoured the already feeble light, rainwater cascading down its angular planes as cold cylindrical protrusions defied categorization – weapons or exhaust vents remaining impossible to discern.

This construct embodied concepts unimaginable to natives lacking "cosmic" or "planetary" frameworks.

Within Lolth’s mind blossomed visions from countless grand sci-fi epics, space operas… digital realms, cinematic spectacles, literary wonders…

An aesthetic apotheosis of mechanized violence, crystallizing another world’s collective romance.

Its inaugural manifestation here delivered cataclysmic psychological impact.

And with it came…

Primordial dread.

"By the Divine… what abomination is this?"

Even the most ascetic monks, unwavering Paladins, and formidable Privy Bishops…

All trembled before this hundred-meter metallic leviathan, involuntary exclamations escaping pious lips.

None had ever truly envisioned the End of Days…

Yet now, every witness carried seared into their psyche an archetype for apocalyptic revelation.

Enthroned within the divine core of her manifested war-machine, perception amplified, Lolth sensed…

Terror seeping through the Holy Capital’s foundations.

Repeated divine incursions had already strained the city’s fragile stability.

Now her engineered dread struck at emotional and spiritual bedrock…

Triggering systemic collapse.

Mere presence sufficed to erode The Church of Light’s foundations, making Holy Light itself flicker.

"The resonance… exceeds expectations."

Three high deities’ reconstituted essences, fused with her transcendent aura, forged crushing magical dominance.

Paired with her reality-defying warframe…

The synergy surpassed mere arithmetic – becoming exponential catalyst.

The outcome was even slightly better than Lolth had anticipated.

Though Janine Irene and the Lady of Light had been forewarned about Lolth’s scheme, they couldn’t help but gulp as they gazed up at the shadow blotting out the sky. Having reached the Holy Capital’s outskirts without entering the Devout Area proper, the colossal structure remained clearly visible across hundreds of miles – an unavoidable spectacle for both women.

"Is… this what we must confront and vanquish?" Janine Irene tightened her grip on the knightly sword, her palms growing clammy. Despite having established relatively stable trust with Lolth, believing her former mentor turned Abyssal Succubus and Demon Army deputy truly intended to help Her Holiness ascend the papal throne and remake The Church of Light into something nobler…

Even knowing this monstrosity’s appearance aligned with the "detailed plan" she’d been shown…

At this moment, doubts about both herself and Lolth surged uncontrollably. Could she truly battle this behemoth? Was the succubus not simply toying with them, plotting to destroy both her and Her Holiness? Janine Irene harbored grave suspicions…

Even Her Holiness who’d received the God of Light’s blessing and become the prophesied "Divine Chosen" as the succubus claimed…

Could she possibly withstand this? The knight held profound reservations – even assuming the succubus wasn’t scheming against them and would hold back. But how much restraint would be required to make this gargantuan, unprecedented metallic beast fall?

Nor was Janine Irene alone in her turmoil…

The Lady of Light herself momentarily lost composure. "Oh my Lord…" The young woman whispered, adjusting her rain-soaked hood while straining to perceive the full enormity through the downpour. Yet compared to her guard knight’s bewilderment and self-doubt…

The Lady’s resolve steadied sooner. Since this entity had manifested here, and her duty was to defeat it…

Then…

She would choose belief. Belief in herself, the Holy Light, the God of Light she’d pledged eternal service to…

And faith in that former mentor!

"Irene… guard me well…"

The Lady of Light exhaled slowly. With none in the Holy Capital daring confront this calamity…

The burden fell to her alone. This was her destiny, her sacred duty, her… inevitable trial!

Clasping her hands, she relinquished all supernatural protections, letting rain soak through her robes as she knelt and bowed in devout prayer.

"My Lord, the Holy Light’s presence on the main plane faces perilous times…"

"Your faith withers, followers scatter, mercy fades, and divine majesty dims."

"I implore You to awaken. Bestow power that I might restore order in Your name."

She murmured without invoking any supernatural abilities. Through pure faith and devotion, the chosen vessel prayed with primal sincerity – mirroring the First Believer’s ancient supplications. Seeking strength to protect others against this terrifying existence in a world of darkness and chaos…

Thus originated nearly all divine power systems – humanity’s desperate offering of devotion for survival’s necessary might.

Within the Land of Light, the slumbering golden goddess radiating soft luminescence stirred at the whispered plea. Her eyelids trembled open a fraction, long lashes fluttering as daylight-bright eyes glimpsed the mortal realm through narrow slits.

One fleeting glance comprehended all unfolding events.

"We consent…"

The divine murmur faded as she drifted back into eternal repose.