Chapter 712: Huh?

In a world of extraordinary powers, "talent" often transcends mere superiority in specific skills or accelerated learning compared to ordinary people.

It manifests as an innate "attribute" etched into one’s very being.

Take Kanor, for instance—this young girl’s "talent" has become apparent to Lolth through prolonged observation and instruction, and perhaps even to the girl herself.

Her gift resembles a supernatural ability to "unravel" truths, deeply embedded within her soul and existence.

Whenever she seeks to "know" or "comprehend" something—be it tangible or abstract, mundane or extraordinary—her mind instinctively deconstructs it into the most elementary, fundamental essence.

Lolth herself doesn’t possess any of this world’s over-the-top "talents." Through self-reflection, she’s come to understand…

Her aptitude originates from another realm devoid of the "extraordinary," making it far less ostentatious.

As for her occasional displays of formidable combat prowess or supernatural capabilities that border on the unconventional…

Those are simply the fruits of accumulated experience spanning untold years.

The crucial distinction lies in her origin: to master this world’s core supernatural arts and magical zeniths, she must compensate for her otherworldly roots with relentless effort.

Yet the native prodigies of this realm…

Might genuinely need no such striving.

Consider Sword Saint Seychelles A Qiu before them—for her, mere existence suffices. Eating, drinking, even breathing naturally elevates her strength.

She is, in essence, a child beloved and chosen by the very concept of "sword."

But this modest "talent" of Lolth’s carries its own virtue:

Choice.

A Qiu, by stark contrast…

Has none.

Like Kanor and all celestial-endowed geniuses of this world, their fates were sealed at birth.

Those like Patricia—whose gifts merely surpass the ordinary—might forsake "magic," though other supernatural paths would grow thorny.

But for destiny-tier prodigies like Kanor and A Qiu…

Their lives intertwine with cosmic principles from their first breath.

A Qiu’s circumstance illustrates this perfectly:

Even in passivity, she inherently embodies a sword-saturated God’s Domain, her every action funneling her onto a preordained path to divinity.

While most Superoperators grope blindly toward godhood, ordinary geniuses at least perceive faint trails.

A Qiu? She’s been placed on an ascending escalator—stagnation still delivers her to the summit.

Had she cherished blades or felt indifferent, all would rejoice.

In coming eras, the main plane’s pantheon would welcome a "Deity of Blades and Severance," empowering swordsmen with divine vocations…

But the crux remains:

"Indeed… I utterly despise ‘swords.’"

A Qiu spoke calmly.

"From the moment I first held a ‘sword’ at seven or eight years old—a wooden practice blade in my master’s dojo—I knew I’d excel at it, as naturally as an adult picks up a spoon. Its purpose, its potential… all were crystal clear."

"It became an extension of my body, easier to command than my own toes. My master’s techniques, forms, even his extraordinary powers—I absorbed them effortlessly. My very being refined his flawed moves into perfection, tailored for me."

She blinked slowly.

"My master recognized my gift, though he was merely an Elite Level aspirant running a dojo in Seychelles. My brilliance outshone even his understanding. Anyone—swordmasters or laymen—could sense it."

"I was born for this."

"His joy, my elder martial siblings’ envy… perhaps my innate rank was too lofty, or his teachings too virtuous. But their admiration held no malice—though mostly, I think, it was the former."

A Qiu smiled faintly.

"Being envied pleased me—I won’t lie about that."

Her voice faltered momentarily.

"Yet alongside that kinship with the sword… do you know what else I felt?"

Silence lingered, the audience’s assumptions hovering like unsaid words after Lolth’s earlier remarks. A Qiu didn’t prolong the suspense.

"Every instant the sword filled my grip, revulsion followed—a nauseating disgust. Though it fused with my flesh, it remained a tumor, an unsightly stain. My talent taught mastery, but never…"

Her hands opened emptily.

"…how to cherish it."

"Choices? I had none. As Lord Lolth noted, my gift strengthens inexorably—the sword’s essence roots deeper while I breathe. And others’ expectations…" Her lashes dipped. "…chain me as fiercely as my talent. My nature can’t ignore hopeful gazes—my proud master, beaming parents, aspiring juniors, adventuring comrades, the councilor who calls me confidant." A sigh escaped her. "I withdrew, waiting for their lives to fade… only to realize…"

"Some shackles can’t be outlived."

Self-mockery twisted her lips.

"Even a child’s smile on the street births this… arrogant duty within me! So I swing the sword—to slay monsters, end injustices, shield this land. If my blade brings others joy…"

Lolth interrupted softly.

"Not all others."

"You forget yourself."

A Qiu’s laugh turned bitter.

"Ah… myself."

"Each strike, each surge of sword-born power… it hollows me. That disgust, that fear of dissolving—I’ve tried loving the blade, interrogating zealots and starry-eyed admirers alike…"

Her palms lifted, studied like foreign objects.

"Their fervent words? Empty echoes. I’ve never felt a single one."

"But if I don’t use the ‘sword’… the thought of people suffering unnecessary hardships and torments becomes another kind of agony for me."

"Sometimes I even feel… unworthy of experiencing pain," A Qiu continued, her voice tinged with bitterness. "The ungifted and impoverished have no choice but to struggle for survival. Here I am, clothed in silks and adored by multitudes through my talent, yet wallowing in self-pity – this self-loathing for detesting the ‘sword’ disgusts me most of all."

As A Qiu spoke, Lolth shook her head.

"No, ‘pain’ requires no qualifications. If you feel it, that’s justification enough… Whether born from external circumstances or internal turmoil, whether rooted in poverty, talent, or family – all suffering demands resolution. We address what we can, when we can."

"Should those with mere fractures or scrapes be denied their right to ache, simply because others endure bone-crushing agony?"

Lolth’s words made A Qiu pause momentarily before a faint smile emerged.

"My thanks… succubus."

"That ranks among the three most comforting things I’ve ever heard."

Her posture visibly relaxed as she spoke.

"Yet these matters hold little importance now. Both my sense of responsibility and selfhood have eroded nearly completely since abandoning control of the ‘sword’."

"Though uncertain of what comes next… I sense it bodes ill…"

Naivee’s voice interjected as A Qiu trailed off:

"Disastrous indeed – for yourself and this world."

"Your existence becomes a vessel for the ‘sword’s endless proliferation. Your consciousness will warp it into something corrupted – the concept and authority of ‘sword’ shall awaken through your living essence, ascending to divinity…"

"A common path to becoming an evil god. I nearly tread it myself," Naivee extended her turtle claws, "Came perilously close."

A Qiu grimaced.

"Seeking death or surrender breeds calamity…"

She turned to Lolth.

"So… though burdensome, I implore you, succubus."

"Additional divine authority should serve your purposes, yes?"

"You walk dangerous paths… Though I despise the ‘sword’, years of wielding prove its efficacy for slaughter and obstruction."

Lolth snorted through A Qiu’s earnest appeal.

"You make for a pathetic peddler, A Qiu!"

"Cease hawking what you loathe. The authority does hold value for me."

Relief washed over A Qiu’s features.

"Then all is well!"

Her radiant smile resembled a bride’s joyous anticipation.

"Let us proceed."

"You’ve unraveled three layers of the Fourfold Sword Formation… Circumventing the ‘sword’ to end me proves no simple feat."

"The authority recognizes you now. Combined with your unique condition, killing me should transfer its power."

Her tone brimmed with decades-old longing for swordless tranquility.

"Before we begin, Lord Succubus – what method will you employ?"

Lolth sighed wearily.

"Of late, I’ve encountered numerous demi-gods."

"Beyond Tina and Isabella’s elders, every main plane demi-god seems death-seeking…"

"His Holiness, Maria Diana… now you."

"This rank breeds inherent dread."

A Qiu blinked.

"Ah… Perhaps an underlying issue?"

"Regardless," Lolth approached, resting her palm on the girl’s crown, "Were you no Sword Master, devoid of ‘sword’… what might you pursue?"

"Next life considerations?" A Qiu pondered before shaking her head. "Your question reveals my wasted existence… No true desires beyond the blade."

Lolth’s sudden laughter startled her.

"Worldly ‘genius’ carries curious flaws."

"What?"

Lolth withdrew her hand.

"You remain obtuse in all matters save swordsmanship."

"Pray you don’t become useless without your ‘sword’…"

"Regardless, you’ll have leisure to contemplate desires."

As Lolth spoke…

The sword domain enveloping Tum City dissolved.

A Qiu stared mutely at Lolth…

Her face etching confusion.

"Huh?"