Volume 1 Chapter 687

Chapter 687: Embrace

The abundant, high-tier Holy Light energy made Lolth immediately aware of her current location.

This was the "Land of Light."

The ultimate destination sought by all Holy Light devotees throughout their lives.

The Divine Kingdom belonging to the most powerful deity in the main plane’s pantheon – the God of Light.

Though technically a half-plane dependent on the main plane, Lolth perceived something extraordinary upon entering.

The realm boasted complete laws, surging power reserves, and spatial barriers so robustly structured they rivaled any fully independent plane.

"Truly befitting the God of Light."

Guided by a luminous orb that seemed expressly sent for her, Lolth ascended floating white steps that chimed melodiously with each footfall.

The tinkling notes formed a sprightly melody.

Surrounded by gilded clouds and drifting light particles, the entire Divine Kingdom radiated an overwhelming sense of "splendor."

"How unexpectedly… whimsical."

"The God of Light has a rather girlish side."

Lolth murmured her observation aloud.

This conclusion wasn’t drawn solely from the current spectacle.

Both her previous experience wielding the Rod of Eden’s power and the "Sacred Ordainment" form bestowed upon the Lady of Light revealed an obsessive emphasis on aesthetic perfection.

Even the "Supreme Divine Spells" – those holy techniques personally designed by the deity for Holy Light practitioners…

Contained numerous "effervescent" and "visually pleasing" incantations.

Lolth easily deduced the God of Light maintained, possibly to this day, an intense fixation on appearances.

Moreover, the divine aesthetic…

Resembled that of an innocent noble maiden.

Favoring "confections, fragrances, and exquisite objects," enamored with pristine halos, dazzling-yet-delicate forms, and elegantly simple designs.

This explained the fundamentalist architecture and artwork of The Church of Light.

Their symbolic Holy Light annulus and the ornate, patterned robes favored by clergy all testified…

To the deity’s particular tastes.

While later churches and vestments had spiraled into unrestrained opulence…

Lolth clearly understood…

This diverged from the God’s original intent.

The Holy Lieto Empire and The Church of Light, empowered by their patron’s might, had simply grown affluent – their nobility and clergy accumulating extravagant wealth alongside national prosperity.

Now Lolth witnessed conclusive evidence…

Beyond the serpentine path of white floating slabs lay the largest floating island in the Land of Light –

Its composition matched other islands: frosted white stone embedded with glittering micro-crystals, the underside glowing as if dipped in liquid radiance.

At the edge of the island lay a layer of finely crushed golden sand flowing perpetually downward in an inexhaustible stream.

Like shards from a shattered hourglass, the glittering granules cascaded endlessly, emitting a soft, rustling murmur.

Beyond this golden river of sand stood a barrier encircling the island—a peculiar hybrid between a low wall and a lattice fence.

Platinum-hued wrought-iron railings hugged the floating island’s perimeter with ornamental precision, their design leaning more toward aesthetic refinement than practical fortification.

After all, what deity would erect defensive walls within their own Divine Kingdom…?

Lolth’s thoughts drifted to other Divine Kingdoms she had witnessed.

The "Day of Revival" required little elaboration—a deranged evil god whose alternate plane resembled something between a grotesque nightmare and the squalid bedroom of a slovenly bachelor, its repulsiveness defying description.

Neither the "Divine Kingdom of Death" nor its Plague counterpart qualified as proper sanctuaries, their crumbling infrastructure bearing remnants of First Era disaster shelters, further degraded by centuries of neglect.

Though these artificial gods possessed divinity, their technological constraints rendered their realms closer in spirit to Ailuo race ruins than traditional Divine Kingdoms.

The God of Demise’s domain proved exponentially more pitiable—while the aforementioned three contained decaying grandeur, His realm offered absolute emptiness.

Lolth recalled peering into that desolate plane, where nothing existed save the deity Himself.

Judged by aesthetic standards, the God of Light’s craftsmanship would effortlessly outshine His peers.

Such elaborate embellishments in a Divine Kingdom revealed much—when deities fashioned intricate luxuries beyond necessity, it signaled both masterful control over their domain and formidable divine reserves.

The God of Light’s creation extended far beyond mere perimeter fencing.

After ascending the floating island’s elongated stairway, Lolth followed the guiding luminescence to an ornate gateway.

Beyond the open wrought-iron gates unfurled a cobbled path winding into the island’s heart, flanked by alabaster crystal sculptures and golden meadows ablaze with vibrant blossoms. Gilded koi leapt from meandering streams, while winged light motifs on fountains mirrored the actual luminous beings fluttering about—amorphous humanoid figures tending flowers with ephemeral grace.

The scene drew an involuntary murmur from Lolth:

"You actually managed to include fragrant gardens and decorative fountains in your Divine Kingdom?"

Even the air thrummed with curated vitality, an artificial yet exquisite simulation of living essence.

Among the luminous entities, some resembled her spherical guide while others mirrored Holy Light fairies—delicate winged forms with humanoid silhouettes, their features blurred beyond recognition.

Observing their playful dance, realization dawned:

"Wait… these can’t be the legendary angels?"

"They look more like domesticated sky-pets!"

Lolth’s features contorted in bewildered amusement.

Were these the God of Light’s sub-gods and native inhabitants—the vaunted angels of the Land of Light?

Although undeniably holy, why is each one no larger than a palm?

As Lolth contemplated these luminous orbs and humanoid figures that resembled "angels," the resonant voice of the God of Light echoed through the space.

"Bring this guest before me…"

A mellifluous tone permeated the air.

Clearer than any sound she’d heard in the main plane, with subtle differences in timbre and cadence… Yet Lolth perceived with absolute certainty—

This voice belonged to the authentic God of Light!

Upon these words, Lolth witnessed all winged luminous entities rotating toward her simultaneously.

Though eyeless, their focused attention conveyed intense curiosity.

The glowing congregation surged forward, merging with her original guiding orb until…

They coalesced into

A radiant arrow

Oriented toward the garden’s heart.

As this celestial pointer materialized, the previously labyrinthine paths and ornamental vistas clarified instantaneously.

The correct route imprinted itself upon Lolth’s consciousness—

A revelation that startled her.

"The God of Light’s mastery over spatial and spiritual domains… truly remarkable."

Even within this divinely ordained stronghold where rules bent to its sovereign’s will, Divine Kingdoms imposed inherent limitations.

Deities couldn’t manifest capabilities beyond their inherent dominions.

The God of Demise himself couldn’t rewrite minds or conjure minions ex nihilo, as evidenced during their previous encounters.

From the initial beacon to this mystical garden, each phenomenon demonstrated the God of Light’s meticulous craftsmanship.

When Lolth took her inaugural step…

Imperceptible shifts rippled through reality.

The lawns, blossoms, fountains, and statues remained visually unchanged, yet

Their essence intensified in sacred resonance.

The arrow advanced marginally.

Another step forward.

The transformation grew more pronounced.

Now Lolth comprehended—

This wasn’t mere garden strolling.

She traversed dimensional strata within the Land of Light itself.

Like the Ailuo race’s White Sand Ruins or Hillenbrand Town’s accidental incursion into the Plague Divine Kingdom…

All Divine Kingdoms existed as multilayered realities,

Their true depths unfolding through esoteric progression.

What astonished Lolth was…

The God of Light appeared capable of rendering this process "gradual"!

She recalled that during her two previous entries into the "core area," she’d simply plummeted or phased through!

Moreover, distinct shifts in "position" and "spatial perception" had occurred.

Yet within the Land of Light, the phenomenon differed entirely!

Rather than mere incremental advancement, her deepening penetration resulted not from positional changes through movement, but…

Spatially speaking, the inner and outer strata of the Land of Light coexisted in superposition.

With each unhurried step, Lolth transitioned as seamlessly as moving from wilderness to chamber!

The surrounding atmosphere grew increasingly sanctified.

At last…

When the luminous cluster before her morphed from an "arrow" into a "thumbs-up" gesture…

Lolth abruptly found herself beneath a colossal golden apple tree!

Through the gilded trunk, branches, and fruits, she discerned ethereal radiance coursing upward along arboreal veins toward the crown, where it pooled within golden apples like liquid starlight.

"You’ve arrived… Lolthlinda."

A mellifluous voice rippled from the tree’s direction.

Lolth froze, astonishment etching her features.

"The God of Light… is a tree?"

Her words plunged the realm into profound stillness.

After an elongated pause, laughter blossomed.

"Pfft… How delightfully unconventional."

The God of Light’s voice shimmered with unconcealed mirth.

"Not the tree itself, but the Eden Tree – cornerstone of my Divine Kingdom and emblem of the Divine Throne."

The deity elaborated before instructing:

"Lift your gaze."

Complying, Lolth peered into the foliage.

Amidst aurulent leaves and pendulous fruits, on the lowest bough perched a barefoot maiden. Her platinum tresses cascaded like molten moonlight, framing simple robes and folded wings of Holy Light that waved gently.

Then…

She leapt from the arboreal height.

Though aware this winged figure ruled her Divine Kingdom, Lolth instinctively rushed forward as the deity plunged from the ten-meter height, arms outstretched in irrational fear of divinely authored gravity.

The descending figure drifted feather-like through crystalline air.

At the final instant, wings and arms unfurled simultaneously, enveloping Lolth in dual embrace.

"Lolthlinda, beloved Lolthlinda."

Fragrant warmth – simultaneously substantial and weightless – filled her arms as Holy Light wings encircled her.

She floated within a sunbeam’s embrace.

"Long time no see."

She murmured tenderly.