Chapter 722: Island, Girl, Sea God

A new island emerged at the farthest edge of Lolth’s vision.

Scattered across its surface were pinpricks of light, unevenly distributed. Judging by the quality of the illumination, Lolth surmised these were likely artificial sources.

"An inhabited island…"

Her voice carried a note of delight before she shook her head in self-correction.

"Ah, perhaps not humans… but clearly home to intelligent beings capable of communication."

Muttering to herself, she unconsciously quickened her paddling rhythm.

Before long, Lolth’s boat scraped against the island’s shore.

As she drew nearer, the island’s full panorama unveiled itself—starkly different from the desolate wilderness of the previous isle. Though still enshrouded in perpetual darkness and anchored within the silent sea, its terrain burgeoned with luxuriant vegetation.

Dense thickets of shrubs towered beneath ancient arboreal giants, while wild grasses carpeted every inch between them. The sporadic chirps of insects and trills of unseen birds betrayed a thriving ecosystem.

"What a refreshing change!"

With effortless motion, Lolth hoisted the dark-furred cub aloft and deposited it ashore.

"Scout ahead, little beast."

The creature landed deftly in the coastal undergrowth, emitting disgruntled whimpers that nonetheless vibrated with vitality. Five minutes later, sensing its undiminished vigor through their bond, Lolth gathered her parcel of processed cuts and leaped onto the strand.

The sensation of her bare soles against the coarse undergrowth drew a faint frown. She snapped her fingers, summoning tendrils of magic that coiled about her feet like silken slippers.

Her gaze pierced the jungle’s depths where fractured light seeped through the canopy. Clutching both meat provisions and reluctant canine companion, she followed these luminous breadcrumbs deeper into the wilderness.

Branches yielded to her passing touch as magical filaments severed obstructing vines. The forest occasionally erupted with flurried motion—plump monochrome avians resembling winged penguins startled from their perches.

"Odd fowl," she remarked, though her current provisions stayed her hand from hunting these comical creatures.

The verdant labyrinth grew increasingly primeval as she progressed, foliage swelling to colossal proportions around her. A symphony of faint, rustling whispers began trailing her footsteps…

Until she paused mid-stride.

"Your stealth tactics reek of amateurishness—"

Her declaration hung in the damp air as she slowly turned, eyes scanning the encircling shadows.

"I don’t know if you can understand me, but…"

Lolth extended her finger to indicate multiple locations.

"You there, there, there, and over there—show yourselves."

The instant Lolth’s command echoed through the trees, figures materialized where moments before had stood empty forest—upon gnarled branches, behind tangled shrubs, and within swaying grass. A dozen youthful maidens emerged, their forms scarcely concealed by leaf-adorned garments. Most bore flowing dark tresses and rose-quartz eyes, their pale skin etched with intricate patterns of twisting coral hues. Curved horns crowned their heads while slender tails swished behind them.

The leader stood apart, her leaf-woven apron rustling as she moved. Two vibrant plumes—crimson and azure—adorned her coiled ebony hair. A barbed vine coiled at her waist served as a whip, while her hand gripped a dagger honed from bleached bone.

"Outsider… you speak our tongue?" Her measured words hung in the air as she studied Lolth.

"Frankly, I’ve no idea why this world’s language comes to me," Lolth replied, palms upturned in placation. "My ship merely chanced upon this island during voyage. If my presence offends, consider this apology sincere. Let’s part ways peacefully, yes?"

Her gaze tracked the primitive yet deadly armaments surrounding her—thorn clubs, obsidian-edged blades, and drawn bows. These were no simple forest dwellers. More crucially, their intelligent gleam stayed her hand; slaughtering communicative beings—especially comely ones—over misunderstandings seemed wasteful.

The feathered leader tilted her head. "No land claims ownership here. All earth and sea bow to the Eternal Forgers—those who birth and sustain creation."

"Thus we lack authority to banish island wanderers," she continued, though Lolth’s wariness remained. Such eloquence from leaf-clad warriors only sharpened the underlying implication.

"So you stalk me for reasons beyond trespass?" Lolth’s eyes narrowed at the encircling blades.

"Indeed. You carry an essence we recognize."

Lolth first raised the squirming shadow-pelted creature. "This your lost pet?"

"We know no beast reeking of void-stuff," came the dismissal.

"Then this bracelet?" Lolth shook her luminous wrist circlet. "Found it myself—makes decent lantern-light. Yours to reclaim if needed."

"Jade requires mastery we lack," the leader countered. "Our scant hoard drifts ashore in pebbles, never worked." Her finger abruptly jabbed downward. "That meat."

Lolth blinked at her dinner ration. "Oh… this? Some scaly abomination attacked me—cross between lizard and nightmare salmon. Killed it in self-defense."

"The Sea God’s Slayer!" The maiden’s voice crescendoed with fervor.

Lolth’s gut clenched. Godsblood—never a good sign. But instead of vengeful cries…

"Gratitude, noble visitor!" The leader’s sudden bow swept through her warriors like a tide. "You’ve freed us!"