Chapter 730: Ethical Issues

The subsequent scenes seemed to accelerate before Lolth’s eyes.

Departing from the ancient structure, now ascended as a goddess, she led Sokabus, Luna, and… the dog and bracelet that had transformed into two young girls.

"Hmm… Then they must be given names."

"You shall be Mira, and you shall be Seri."

Carrying two older and two younger girls, Lolth gradually exited the temple.

She then returned to Sokabus’s domain, where the four soon awoke one after another.

Lolth began instructing them on how to "ascend as deities"—not mere beasts bearing divinity from the totems, but true gods.

Mastering cosmic laws, awakening God’s Domain…

Naturally, Lolth didn’t neglect the remaining divine beasts. The final four would perfectly serve as these girls’ "graduation trial."

Sokabus and Mira proved quick learners, first to brush against the threshold of godhood.

As tribal chieftain, Sokabus claimed dominion over "discipline" and "retribution," while Mira, born from the bracelet, embodied "radiance."

Lolth faintly discerned budding affection between the pair.

Next came Seri, the puppy-turned-maiden whose cheerful vitality mirrored her former canine self. Surprisingly, this vibrant girl embraced "umbra"—a somber concept of shadows—as her divine path.

Lastly was Luna, whose intellect surpassed all others. Yet her very brilliance bred stubborn independence, refusing Lolth’s tutelage.

"Lord Lolth is wise indeed, but self-discovery holds its own delights when exploring divinity."

Thus Luna remained neither apprentice nor disciple.

Time cascaded forward as the maidens steadily approached apotheosis.

Before their ascension, Sokabus and Mira naturally became lovers, exchanging vows in Lolth’s presence during a modest ceremony.

That night, Luna drank herself into oblivion. Upon sobering, she emerged transformed—grave and austere—while discovering her own domain: "rimefrost."

When the totem stood emptied and all had ascended, events unfolded as Lolth foresaw.

As the final totemic beast perished and new gods emerged, the Dimensional Barrier surrounding the spacecraft’s captured realm—the seascape with its scattered isles—shattered.

This excised space reconnected with the greater dimension while the ancient vessel disintegrated, fragments scattering across existence.

The outer dimension proved grimmer than Lolth anticipated.

Her efforts hadn’t fully halted the End of Days, nor could they be deemed complete failure—the cataclysm arrived incomplete. Yet this partial apocalypse left the world more desolate: a tragic landscape where residual souls keened endlessly beneath skies warped by pure malice, as mountains of necrotic flesh twisted in perpetual agony.

Lolth had to reshape the Dimensional Barrier of this world to cleave apart the chaotic, distorted realm.

During this process, she glimpsed the other "teacher" Sokabus had mentioned – the figure sat at the heart of this dimension, desperately sustaining the crumbling world. Recognition suddenly dawned upon her.

"Fuen…"

At Lolth’s whisper, the figure offered a wan smile.

"Teacher, you’ve finally returned."

"Forgive me… I couldn’t stop her."

"Liuli perished, Kululu vanished… This is all that remains."

"It’s all over now…"

Though the words dripped with despair, Lolth shook her head firmly.

"No. The fault lies with me, not you."

"And… there’s still time."

"Merely another attempt required."

"I still possess hope. This world still holds promise."

As she spoke these words, her Divine Kingdom unfurled across reality. When the corrupted fragments fell away, an eternal banquet descended upon the purified realm. Revelry and feasting banished the lingering chaos and distortion.

It was then Lolth fully comprehended – she dwelled within "memories of the past." Her emotions gradually detached from cognition, restoring that omniscient perspective. She found herself seated once more at the endless banquet table. Though mere moments had passed externally, eons seemed to have flowed through her consciousness.

The subsequent memories stretched into hazy distances. Purifying the majority of the world had drained her completely – after completing this herculean task, her strength was utterly spent. In the final moments, after imparting final instructions to her disciples, she’d dragged her ravaged form toward some unknown destination.

Lolth’s eyes snapped open. The other "Lolth" before her had vanished, merging back into her being. The flood of memories brought a throbbing ache to her temples.

"So this occurred during the Second Era…"

"Even in the Second Era, I failed to prevent the ‘End of Days’?"

"How utterly vexing…"

Ms. Anno remained seated nearby. Observing Lolth’s pained expression and hearing her mutterings, she spoke gently:

"I wouldn’t deem it failure. Considering the ‘End of Days’ itself, the world’s continued existence proves your efforts bore fruit."

Lolth nodded at Anno’s words.

"True enough… Still, I require time to process."

"You don’t mind us lingering here?"

Ms. Anno shrugged gracefully.

"Of course not. You’ve doubtless uncovered staggering revelations."

"The End of Days, divine matters, eternity, the Second Era… Though I grasp but fragments, these are monumental truths."

Lolth sighed at Anno’s attempt to console.

"The shock isn’t from the revelations themselves – my former status tempered me against such."

"Though it’s a dire crisis threatening all existence, any ‘problem’ remains solvable."

"What truly unsettles me…"

"Is discovering both my mortal mothers were former students – whose wedding ceremony I personally officiated!"