Chapter 733: Return Ruins

"I say, how did your so-called ‘Invincible Emperor Godship That Conquers Archipelagos Across the Seven Seas’ end up in this state?"

Perched at the stern of a small wooden sailboat, Lolth propped her chin in her hand, studying Naivee—clad in a black sailor uniform and naval cap—as she struggled to control the sails.

Turning from her work with the rigging, Naivee shot a vulgar gesture at the relaxed figure behind her.

"I’m not charging you a dime, so quit your whining!"

"Besides, conjuring this sailboat’s a damn feat already… Last time I managed it was only with Kululu’s help."

Lolth gave a faint nod.

"Fair point… I do wonder where that Kululu has vanished to…"

As they conversed, titanic waves heaved across the night-cloaked sea outside, their monstrous peaks tossing the fragile vessel skyward before plunging it into troughs. Slimy, elongated tentacles of flesh occasionally breached the foaming surface, trailing shadows darker than the abyss below as they groped toward the boat. Yet each time, an unseen force halted their advance mere moments before contact—leaving the appendages limp and eerily "cooked."

Such interventions naturally came from Lolth, whose divine presence carved a visible trail across the featureless ocean. Though such a small craft should leave no wake, the sea behind them floated with countless inert flesh-segments, forming a macabre breadcrumb trail marking their passage.

"These nuisances truly persist," Lolth remarked. "Was this your constant companion during past voyages?"

"Aye, they’re the sea’s essence—or fragments of it," Naivee replied, her whistle blending with the snap of wind-tugged fabric. "Same as yours truly. Best avoided, really—battling them’s more trouble than it’s worth. Especially homeward-bound, when the hull’s crammed with plundered relics. Those ancient trinkets quiver at the faintest supernatural ripple—go all-out and you might wake worse things than tentacles."

As Naivee prattled on, Lolth listened absently. Time held little meaning here—no sun to mark days, no bodily needs to measure hours. Only the rhythm of waves and the gradual settling of Lolth’s spirit offered any gauge.

Since fleeing the Republic of Seychelles, the chaos of resurfaced memories—those millennia-old regrets and reluctant resolutions—had warred with the alienating divinity now coursing through her. Even her talk with Mila Sokabus had left raw edges. Perhaps Kululu had foreseen this inner tempest when plotting their maritime detour.

Now, merged fully with her Second Era self, Lolth found uneasy echoes in their voyage. Memories surfaced of another lonely journey across dark waters, accompanied only by a small beast. Bitter recollections, yet too precious to discard.

With a hollow thud, Lolth let herself collapse backward against the damp planks, exhaling a sigh that carried the weight of drowned epochs.

"Naivee, you see how utterly indolent I remain… Lazy before entering this world, lazy still after tens of millennia. Through those countless lifetimes and epochs between, what ever drove me to struggle so desperately?"

She murmured, massaging her temples as if pressing against metaphysical weight.

Naivee let go of the sail rope, tilting her head in contemplation.

"Hmm… Is this question meant for me, or are you posing it to yourself through me?"

Lolth maintained her silence.

The inquiry did indeed originate from her own fracturing resolve.

An entire reality’s fate – the breath of billions known and unknown, the trembling balance of existence itself…

Too immense. So immense that if what I must "save" is such a colossus, then my supposed greatness feels utterly alien to who I am.

Truth be told, I’m just an unambitious soul at core…

When I first arrived in this world during the First Era, learning of its impending doom – what madness compelled that initial vow?

Why persist through subsequent rebirths across Eras, staking everything repeatedly?

Perhaps through too many death-rebirth cycles, Lolth had lost the thread.

But in this incarnation…

The palpable weight of pupils’ hopes pressed upon her shoulders.

Though she’d berated Mira, Sokabus, and Luna fiercely, Sery’s silent message resonated through her continued existence.

"Teacher, this truly lies beyond any but your capability."

The phantom voice danced at her ear – that eternally puppyish disciple from two Eras past, both docile and mischievous.

"Moreover… I simply wish for Teacher’s survival."

Lolth couldn’t discern memory from hallucination anymore.

Naivee’s call shattered her reverie.

"Steady yourself, Lolth… Our destination approaches!"

The summons yanked Lolth back to present awareness.

Before them unfolded scenery worthy of "world’s end" – fracturing spatial matrices and disintegrating reality marking the Dimensional Barrier’s periphery.

Onyx tides cascaded into the endless Return Ruins below.

Beyond this liquid obsidian veil, all planar boundaries coalesced into swirling void.

Naivee secured her wind-tugged hat, nostalgia softening her features.

"Having witnessed this once before changes nothing… The terrible splendor still steals breath."

Together they descended – woman, spider goddess, and vessel – merging with the plummeting waters.