Volume 1 Chapter 690

Chapter 690: Realizing One’s Mistakes Can Lead to Great Improvement

"Hey… Dorothy, and… Kanor."

Despite her lingering guilt, there had been an agreement after all.

Lolth couldn’t simply abandon the two girls and run off.

Summoning her resolve, she finally stepped forward.

"Hey…"

She greeted the pair.

Dorothy glanced at her before lowering her head, clearly still upset about Lolth’s earlier actions.

Sensing the tension, Lolth shifted awkwardly.

Kanor, cradling the pot of instant noodles, sighed as she observed her master’s flustered state.

"Master," she chided, "tossing someone out without explanation isn’t proper behavior."

The words deepened Lolth’s shame.

"But… the Holy Capital was truly dangerous then…"

"Precisely why you shouldn’t have acted alone," Kanor countered firmly. "Had it been safe, the act wouldn’t have been as egregious, Master Lolth."

"Even if you thought we were burdens hindering you… you could’ve at least consulted us—the situation still allowed that much, didn’t it?"

Lolth fell silent, cornered by her disciple’s logic. After a lengthy pause, she exhaled heavily.

"Alright… I won’t repeat this."

"My mistake… I apologize."

"I promise to discuss matters with you both next time… whatever the circumstances."

Dorothy pressed her lips together upon hearing this.

"It’s not that I wanted an apology, teacher…" she murmured.

"You just… assumed I’d stubbornly stay in the Holy Capital and court danger. I’m not a child anymore."

Her bright eyes lifted to meet Lolth’s, unwavering.

"Please stop treating me like one."

A blush spread across Lolth’s cheeks.

"Ah… I understand," she replied, tousling her hair absently.

"Wooow—"

Lalea’s drawn-out exclamation carried over from afar, its meaning unclear.

Patricia gently clapped her hands nearby.

"Brilliant!"

Patricia murmured softly.

This time, Lolth became aware of those two figures lingering in the distance.

But before the flustered and irritated woman could utter a word…

Kanor silently turned her gaze toward the newly formed pair.

Though Kanor remained speechless, both Patricia and Lalea simultaneously felt an icy shiver crawl down their spines.

Instinctively, they fell silent and hastily diverted the conversation.

"Er… So, Lord Lolth… The Church of Light matter has been settled, hasn’t it?"

Patricia inquired with deliberate obliviousness.

Hearing the question, Lolth exhaled slightly in relief.

"Hmm… One might say it’s been perfectly concluded."

"The plan proceeded smoothly, and I’ve obtained what I sought."

She rattled the crate brimming with Divine Artifacts, producing metallic clangs.

"Did the God of Light grant you those?"

Lalea questioned with genuine curiosity.

"In a manner of speaking," Lolth nodded faintly, a smile blossoming on her lips. "With these… our forthcoming journey should progress far more smoothly."

Her eyes shifted to Dorothy as she spoke.

The young girl stood frozen for a moment.

Then she gave a slow, deliberate nod.

Every present individual understood their next destination and its purpose with crystalline clarity.

The Golden Peacock Kingdom…

Maria Diana.

This concerned both the royal affairs of the Golden Peacock Kingdom’s nobility and Dorothy’s familial matters.

It also represented the personal vendetta between Lolth and Maria Diana.

Yet whether Patricia or Kanor…

Both now possessed legitimate stakes in this affair.

After all, Kanor stood as Lolth’s disciple and Dorothy’s elder martial sister.

Patricia too had been ensnared in Maria Diana’s previous machinations.

The sole participant lacking direct connection to these events…

Was Lalea.

Nevertheless, the woman who’d endured the United Kingdom of South Sotua’s turbulent royal conflicts found herself profoundly aligned with Dorothy’s plight through shared experience.

Regarding the act of beating up Maria Diana, even as a mere spectator, she had absolutely no reason or intention to leave.

"When do we depart?"

Patricia’s face lit up with eager anticipation.

"I’ve been dying to claw that damned hag’s face to shreds!"

She declared with visible exhilaration.

Lalea chimed in agreement.

"Indeed, I’ll gladly contribute my humble efforts!"

These two outsiders appeared remarkably enthusiastic already.

Needless to say, Kanor, Dorothy, and Lolth herself were even more committed.

"We can move out whenever," Lolth stated while stowing the chest brimming with Divine Artifacts into her dimensional storage. "That being said… don’t get carried away like we’re heading for a picnic. We’re dealing with a demi-god who likely has multiple hidden cards up her sleeve."

Patricia burst into laughter at Lolth’s warning.

"Stop being dramatic—it’s not like I’ll be fighting!"

The mage planted her hands defiantly on her hips.

"If you make me confront Maria Diana, I’ll be the first to flee while surrendering! But clearly you’re the main force against that rampaging demi-gitch—seriously, does anyone here actually still see you as just Holy Domain? By recent achievements, didn’t you just battle three evil gods and emerge unscathed after clashing with the Holy Light God’s chosen? And according to combat records, didn’t you utterly demolish Maria Diana recently? Why should I worry?"

Lalea succinctly summarized:

"Essentially, we’re just here to wave banners and cheer during the fight, then stomp on Maria Diana’s head afterward!"

Faced with their crystal-clear self-awareness, Lolth found herself momentarily speechless.

Kanor sighed while observing the pair.

"Such pathetic mages…"

Patricia bristled at the comment.

"Oh? Think you could do better then?"

Lalea promptly nudged Patricia’s ribs.

"Watch your tongue—she actually could."

The realization dawned on Patricia as she recalled the young girl’s recent feat of slaying a demi-god—specifically their Wizard Association’s senior Great Sage, the "Never-ending Night" Philtes, her own former superior.

After brief contemplation, Patricia gave a thumbs-up with renewed respect.

"Right, I forgot about that earlier."

"You’re seriously badass! My mistake completely!"