Chapter 709: Don’t You Find This World Peculiar?

Lolth offered no response to A Qiu’s inquiry.

For her, this matter remained fundamentally unanswerable.

Thus Lolth could only sigh before shaking her head and continuing.

"At any rate, we’ve sufficiently addressed the first query, wouldn’t you agree?"

Her gaze lingered on A Qiu as she spoke.

"You mentioned three questions… What then constitutes your second?"

The soft-spoken words hung in the air as A Qiu inclined her head in acknowledgment.

"Indeed, your answer to the first question proves most satisfactory, Lord Lolth."

"Regarding the second matter…"

A Qiu raised two slender fingers as she spoke.

"I would inquire… what constitutes ‘transcendence’ in your understanding?"

"Or phrased differently – what responsibilities should a ‘Superoperator’ bear?"

The question left Lolth momentarily speechless.

After a prolonged silence, she exhaled deeply.

"Both your queries strike at profound complexities…"

"Small wonder you wander the continent seeking resolution."

A Qiu nodded faintly at Lolth’s observation.

"Precisely. Without answers… my mental equilibrium suffers profound disruption."

Her confession flowed with unsettling calmness.

"In truth, my master warned during my childhood that ‘mental cultivation’ might become the sole impediment to my advancement along the swordsman’s path."

"Youthful arrogance made me dismiss such notions of limitation."

"Yet when I attained Superlative Level at sixteen – remaining unchanged at eighteen, then twenty…"

"When my blade arts ceased evolving beyond perfection…"

A humorless smile twisted her lips. "Most would deem this confession mockery, Lord Lolth. But four stagnant years… you comprehend this forced stasis?"

"For beings like us, such paralysis becomes existential crisis."

"Only then did I grasp how mental state governs progression."

"Each deepened insight into swordcraft and transcendent power bred deeper uncertainties – nocturnal hauntings demanding resolution."

"Thus I must unravel these mysteries… Truthfully, ambition for strength never compelled me."

"This pursuit transcends mere desire…"

A Qiu’s sigh carried centuries of weariness.

"Talent’s curse manifests thus -" she tapped her temple, "cessation of growth begets exquisite, unending torment."

As she spoke, Lolth gently nodded.

This was indeed a sensation deeply familiar to her.

The same principle applied during her magical research.

Lolth’s decades-long devotion to magic stemmed not merely from personal interest or the satisfaction of unraveling arcane formulae.

More crucially…

Failure to "achieve" would become its own "punishment."

Indeed, should Lolth encounter an unsolved spell, she could scarcely savor her meals until deciphering its secrets.

Such compulsions formed the inescapable burden of genius.

Kanor nodded in profound understanding.

This relentless self-discipline defined their nature—an ironclad refusal to cease inquiry when confronted with the unknown.

When faced with seemingly insoluble enigmas…

Their odyssey of discovery would commence.

The pilgrimage of knowledge persisted until achieving personal satisfaction.

In this world, nearly all prodigies ascending through extraordinary realms eventually confront unique existential queries while expanding their powers and comprehension.

"What truly constitutes ‘Superordinary’?"

Yet coincidentally…

Lolth possessed unconventional insights into this riddle.

Her perspective transcended singular reality.

Having witnessed another universe devoid of Superordinary phenomena…

She could effortlessly articulate her unique perspective.

"’Superordinary’… represents humanity’s craft."

Lolth stated serenely.

"From practitioners’ view, it’s merely specialized expertise—akin to culinary arts or metallurgy, though more universally applicable."

"Objectively observed… it manifests as natural law."

"Gravity’s pull, entropy’s march, oxidation’s decay, mortality’s finality—Superordinary simply embodies this world’s magical essence and its inherent patterns."

"Yet their convergence creates uniqueness."

"It becomes ruleset mastery attainable by individuals, while remaining mutable through applied expertise."

"Neither wholly exceptional—complexity alters not its fundamental nature."

"Thus Superoperators… may pursue their chosen paths."

"Higher-dimensional narratives might emphasize their power, yet they resemble nobles clutching authority or scholars hoarding knowledge—mere custodians of specific domains."

"Though distinctive, not uniquely so."

"You came to realize this too, A Qiu… through your identities—’Seychelles,’ ‘Nation’s Shield,’ ‘Sword Master,’ ‘A Qiu’…"

"’Superoperator’ becomes crucial yet indistinct—a faint watermark on existence."

"It colors life’s canvas without dictating its composition."

As Lolth concluded, A Qiu responded with soft applause.

"Eloquent, Lord Lolth… surpassing my youthful conclusions and current understandings…"

"Your wisdom enlightens me."

"Though answering the second question brought temporary satisfaction, it birthed new quandaries still troubling me."

A Qiu raised an index finger contemplatively.

"Lord Lolth, do you perceive… aberrations within our world?"