Chapter 740: Last Wish

What would have happened if Tina hadn’t gone to the front lines and been captured by the Demon Army?

First… she would never have met Lolth.

Naturally, Lolth wouldn’t have been ordered by the Demon King to extract intelligence.

Isabella wouldn’t have been accidentally captured either—perhaps that operation would have succeeded… or even if it failed, she might have avoided imprisonment.

Lolth would never have obtained her fiefdom, nor would the subsequent chain of events have unfolded.

Of course, the past—those established facts—could not be altered, for even to deities, time flows unidirectionally.

Yet after reclaiming Kululu’s authority and her own true power, Lolth gained the ability to "overwrite" reality.

Wielding the dual sovereignties of eternity and time, she could forge a new, equally "authentic" past and layer it upon existence.

Though fundamentally illusory, this fabrication could convincingly masquerade as truth.

At least in this moment, the narrative of her current life had been rewritten.

It was an elaborate ruse, a grand illusion capable of deceiving the world itself.

As for its duration…

"Just long enough to see everything settled will suffice."

Lolth murmured, sinking back into her chair.

The weighty tome still lay open across her knees.

When she lifted her gaze, the surroundings had dissolved into "void."

She had returned to the world’s edge once more—though this time, delving deeper than when she’d fought alongside Kululu during the First Era, perishing 360,000 times.

That previous breach had merely rent the world’s fabric through her clash with the End of Days; here resided the primordial depths beyond existence itself.

"True enough—had I never encountered Tina initially, I wouldn’t have met Five Colors either…"

A soft chuckle escaped Lolth’s lips.

Even her connection to the Ruins of Sand, those bonds forged through shared trials, had been severed by her crafted reality of verifiable falsehoods.

Yet she dwelled neither in the main plane nor within Demon King Castle.

Though by rights she should be sequestered in the Demon King’s stronghold…

This counterfeit reality held no sway over one who now transcended eternity itself.

"Now, the final mystery."

Her gaze pierced the surrounding ‘nothingness’ as she spoke.

"My dear Sister Xiletor—what exactly lies between you and the End of Days?"

The question hung suspended as Xiletor’s form materialized before her.

"Ah… that story begins in an age long forgotten."

As Xiletor’s voice resonated, luminescence bloomed—light and shadow intertwining, unfurling through the chaotic expanse.

Kaleidoscopic radiance containing every conceivable form and concept coalesced into shimmering orbs that swirled around them, their hypnotic dance leaving Lolth momentarily breathless.

"Let me recount the tale from when you first emerged into this world."

Xiletor murmured, her lips curving into a faint crescent.

"Back then—we became sisters."

As Xiletor spoke, Lolth’s memories crystallized like morning frost.

The recollections surfaced…

This marked both the epilogue of her existence in another realm and the prologue to her new beginning.

In the sterile isolation of the hospital’s critical care unit, she lay swamped in an oversized medical gown. The clinical odor of ventilator plastic blended with iron-tinged blood in her sinuses, while the IV line in her vein pumped medication into her weakening body.

Though familyless by fate and naturally reserved in temperament, her academic journey through institutions had nevertheless cultivated several meaningful connections.

"What regrets linger in your heart?"

A disembodied voice resonated nearby.

Lolth engaged in earnest introspection.

Despite her brief three-decade existence and penchant for slacking off, innate talent had paradoxically propelled her to academic distinction—contributions to humanity’s betterment already etched in scrolls of progress… Surely no unfinished business remained?

Contentment came easily to her nature.

Even this rare malady confounding medical experts, though initially sparking despair and rebellion, soon settled into resigned acceptance.

Yet upon deeper reflection, shadows of regret materialized.

Those fleeting bursts of motivation had been entirely consumed by culinary research and scholarly pursuits, leaving little room for romantic dalliances with fair maidens—a genuine pang of remorse.

How peculiar that her heart’s flutterings throughout life had been spent on distant idols and ink-and-paper paramours… Tsk.

What she wouldn’t give to embrace warm, living softness.

Such carnal yearnings, however, remained unfit for public confession.

Surveying the gathered faces—mentor, colleagues, companions—Lolth’s gaze settled on her petite childhood friend clutching her hand, usually cheerful features now clouded with sorrow.

But… wait.

That voice bore no resemblance to any present company.

Indeed, its origin seemed neither external nor corporeal.

The resonance vibrated internally, as if her very soul had grown vocal chords.

Sudden exhilaration surged through Lolth.

Final neural fireworks before eternal darkness? Latent schizophrenia revealing itself? Or perhaps true introspection manifesting audibly?

If this voice sprang from her essence, then answering authentically couldn’t hurt.

After all, no strangers occupied this intimate mental space.

"My deepest regret? Never experiencing love’s embrace with a captivating maiden!"

Lolth declared with conviction, then appended after contemplation:

"Well… and perhaps world peace too? No famines, conflicts, or suffering… Oh! And eradicating illness entirely!"

As she spoke, the mysterious voice gained crystalline clarity, thrumming with palpable excitement.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Since that’s the case… would you assist me?"

Lolth froze, her response escaping instinctively.

"I could, perhaps…"

Yet…

"Who the hell are you?"

The question burst from her lips unbidden.

What was happening?

Had they overdosed her with opioids, or did all deathbed visions feel this surreal?

When she next surveyed her "reality," Lolth noticed her colleagues and acquaintances had vanished, leaving only her dearest friend by the hospital bed.

She remembered clearly – during these months when nurses were unavailable, this friend had kept vigil. There she stood now, clutching freshly laundered garments, features contorted beyond mere surprise.

No, this went far beyond surprise – her companion’s face mirrored absolute, visceral shock.

Tremors danced between twitching lips and widened eyes. The woman rubbed her eyelids fiercely before mouthing a silent "What the hell?"

Lolth peered downward curiously, then comprehended the reaction.

"Holy shit – I’m glowing!"

Mental fog that had thickened alongside her failing body dissolved abruptly, leaving crystalline clarity. She felt… weightless.

A terminal lucidity… though in her case, quite literally luminous.

Her physical form radiated soft white luminescence.

As she tore her gaze from this spectral body, Lolth became aware of sensations long forgotten – the vibrant thrum of wellness.

Razor-sharp cognition. Painless existence. Limitless vigor.

Most crucially, the sterile hospital walls had vanished.

Before her in swirling void-space stood a winsome maiden, smiling gently.

"Apologies for the unconventional summons. Allow me to explain…"

"I remain unnamed, but am crafting existence – seeking to forge perfection. Will you join this endeavor?"