Chapter 738: Regret

Reviewing the memories from this life within the "Final Ark," Lolth reluctantly admitted… even the "artificial god" project had proven overly optimistic when confronting the End of Days.

Though she and Kululu had ultimately faced the apocalypse together, wresting a sliver of hope for their world, the lingering memories of this life now revealed another troubling revelation.

"Mahi Er… How did that foolish girl become the God of Demise?"

Her corrupted disciple Mahi Er—the pride of her first life—had inexplicably transformed into the ever-active God of Demise…

No wonder wielding the Ultimate Power had caused her so little backlash.

After 360,000 deaths and a flawed resolution of the first End of Days, she awoke millennia later at the dawn of the Second Era.

Yet the cost proved steep—Kululu too had perished 360,000 times, reduced from her primordial divinity to a fading wisp of soul clinging to Lolth’s existence.

During that subsequent rebirth, she wandered half-conscious until encountering Sokabus, Mira, and Sai Rui, ultimately "purifying" the mainland plane through her ascension as the Goddess of Banquets.

Later… Sai Rui willingly chose rebirth to continue their struggle.

Through countless cycles of resurrection, Lolth’s third life in this world revealed… a certain intellectual decline.

Though Kululu insisted this stemmed from soul corruption, the warped logic remained undeniable—attempting to save the world through warfare reeked of inverted priorities and muddled thinking.

Her eventual demise at the hands of her sister and the Hero, while extreme (and hardly wise given her sister’s pact with the Hell Demon God), at least halted further foolishness.

Then came her current awakening—these seventeen years as a succubus.

Now past students and sown karmic threads entwined around her anew, leaving Lolth uncertain whether to marvel at fate’s design or her companions’ stubborn nostalgia.

But sentimental reflections could wait.

One final gap remained in her life’s tapestry—a void intrinsically tied to her ultimate question: "How can the End of Days truly be resolved?"

Specifically…

How had she, after crossing into this world, become the Eternal Goddess? How had she first perceived the approaching apocalypse?

Her earliest memories already showed her mediating between the squabbling trio—Kululu, Fuen, and Mahi—who daily tore at each other’s hair even as they raged.

Yet she keenly sensed her own existence predated these so-called "Original Three Goddesses" of the First Era, her nature more ancient and exalted.

This missing chapter, like the erased moments before each life’s apocalyptic end, had been deliberately excised.

Her gaze shifted between Xiletor and Five Colors.

"So my original memories lie here, yes?"

"Correct."

Five Colors inclined her head slightly.

"Though… you must claim them yourself."

The heavy tome changed hands without ceremony.

Lolth accepted the massive, timeworn volume without surprise.

"Ah… I see."

"But before we begin, I want to ask… Sister Xiletor, what brings you here?"

Lolth turned to Xiletor, who sat in a chair adjusting her posture to get more comfortable.

"Hmm… how should I explain? First, you require my assistance to unlock your memories."

"Second, regarding my identity…"

Xiletor wore a contemplative expression, carefully weighing her words.

Eventually she abandoned the effort and spread her hands in resignation.

"Very well, dear sister—to phrase it simply… You are the Eternal Goddess, but have you considered my identity?"

Though born alongside her, Xiletor was no mere offspring born from Sokabus and Luna’s union.

Lolth pressed her lips together at Xiletor’s words.

"Could you speak plainly?"

As she spoke, Xiletor released a soft chuckle.

"Indeed… no need for obscurity."

"Lolth, I am the living embodiment of the ‘End of Days’."

Xiletor declared. Lolth exhaled slowly.

"An answer neither surprising nor easy to accept."

Xiletor mirrored the gesture, palms upturned.

"This is all I know."

"Should you find solutions in those primordial memories, I pray they don’t involve my demise."

Her voice carried earnest weight.

Lolth arched an eyebrow.

"I share that wish… though sister, do you fear death?"

"Not death itself," Xiletor replied, her serene smile belying any sorrow, "But perishing by my sister’s hand… that would wound me deeply."

She rose gracefully as she spoke.

"Regardless… I’ll await you outside."

Xiletor stood, piercing her index finger with teeth before holding it above Lolth’s tome.

A single dense drop fell—blood containing the weight of creation itself.

"Go resolve this life’s regrets and all those before, dear sister."

"Only when unburdened by attachments can you ascend beyond divine ranks and behold eternity’s true visage."

Xiletor’s chant stirred the Ruins of Sand half-plane to life, its energies responding to the interplay between blood, tome, and her essence.

Understanding dawned on Lolth.

The book embodied worldly knowledge, threading through mortal consciousness.

Xiletor’s blood held existence’s blueprint, foundation of all matter.

Herself—the Kululu-cursed revenant—carried eternity’s blessing, time’s infinite possibilities.

Their convergence sparked the ultimate reaction, revealing existence’s alpha and omega.

She opened the tome.

Then…

Lolth stood amidst whispering trees.

Rain-fresh breezes caressed leafy canopies.

A wry laugh escaped her.

"For a moment I believed myself regret-free… Such arrogance."

Each incarnation had bred countless unresolved sorrows.

The remedy proved simple.

Lolth breathed deep and ventured into shadowed woods.

Toward unfamiliar Moon Elf territories, drawn by a solitary familiar presence.