Serpent Whip

Serpent Whip.

The most vicious special weapon in the Underdark can only be used by those trained in Special Feat, most of whom are priests of the Spider Queen. They use this weapon to torture their enemies, inflicting extreme physical pain. Another group capable of using this weapon is the Maiden of Pain, who holds the Portfolio over torture, pain, and cruelty, and in the last one or two hundred years has become involved in sadomasochistic pleasure, seeking to extend this Portfolio to the realms of joy, lust, taboo, and other Evil Domain.

If she succeeds.

She could strip away the sexual and sadistic Portfolio of eroticism and add them to the Portfolio pain and torment, ultimately using this as a springboard to seize the Portfolio of eroticism, pleasure, procreation, and sex. She doesn't necessarily need to become the Portfolio Overdeity of the entire world; even if she is merely the sexual and Deity deity worshipped by the Drow, she can still use this to taint the Divinity of Lust.

Deity cannot expand their Domain without reason; the power of these Portfolio is mutually reinforcing.

For example, the core Portfolio of the Spider Queen is 'God of the Drow,' encompassing all realms related to the Drow. Beneath this Portfolio Domain the Spider Queen's other extended Portfolio, such as branching Divinity related to spiders, Evil, darkness, and Murder. Many Deity, before killing their opponents, will extend their Domain to thoroughly absorb the opponent's power.

"Even the Land of Ice and Snow is no longer safe."

This was the first thought in Soren's mind. His original plan was to bring Vivian here to avoid the coming Time of Troubles. But what he saw before him told him that although the Time of Troubles had not yet spread widely here, the [Snow and Ice Riot] had already begun to ferment. Everything before him was definitely related to the [Maiden of Pain], only it would not fully erupt until two or three years later. Before that, it was clear that her followers were already active in the Land of Ice and Snow.

No place is safe!

Soren felt as if the corpses before him were Taunt him, Taunt his cowardice and escapism. He had gone to great lengths to bring Vivian here to escape the Time of Troubles. But now it was as if he had been slapped across the face, told in a cold and merciless tone that there was no truly safe place in this era. Even the Land of Ice and Snow he thought was unaffected by the turbulent times was beginning to brew an impending storm of Slaughter.

"Hehe!..."

Soren's expression was somewhat ferocious, revealing a neurotic smile. He slowly sheathed his Scimitar, looked up at the sky, and muttered, "God, are you forcing me...?"

There was nowhere to escape.

If the followers Maiden of Pain really come here, then the Land of Ice and Snow is not as safe as imagined.

Soren spent nearly a month traveling from Amber City to White Horse City, clearing out the Wilderness Monster blocking his way. He crossed the plains to Falling Leaf City, then entered the Elven Realm, traversed the Dream Forest, fought to the death against the hunters, and then crossed the Barren Plains into the cold North region.

How much blood he shed, how many battles he fought along the way!!!

But what he saw before him was like a resounding slap in the face, telling him how ridiculous his actions over the past month had been. He had run away like a Joker, but ultimately, he couldn't escape anything. Soren's back was covered in scars, some left by Gnoll, others by Ogre; he had only wanted to take Vivian away from danger, to find a relatively safe place to escape the Time of Troubles. But the scene before him felt as if Serpent Whip had lashed his heart, causing excruciating pain and bloodshed, but also suddenly jolting him awake.

There's no escaping it; it's useless to run away anywhere!

Even the most tranquil Land of Ice and Snow are beginning to brew storms. There is no truly safe place left in the world.

Only battle.

All that's left is to fight!

Soren gripped his Scimitar, his fingers turning white from the force. He glanced coldly at the others around him, his icy gaze like a blade, causing them to retreat a considerable distance. It was a killing intent, a tangible killing intent that chilled them to the bone the moment they were stared at by Soren!

Since there's no way to escape...

Let's fight!

For Vivian, and for myself, I'll carve out my own path!

He had fled for thousands of kilometers, almost crossing half the continent, but the bloody reality woke him up; some things, no matter how much you try to escape, you will eventually have to face.

As long as you live in this world, you can't escape it!

"Stop!"

A steady female voice suddenly rang out, and then a kind-looking middle-aged woman walked over, accompanied by two young girls.

She frowned, glanced at Soren, then looked at the others, and slowly said, "What are you doing? All of you, put your weapons away!"

This middle-aged woman seemed to hold a very high position; upon seeing her, everyone else involuntarily bowed slightly, and those who had drawn their weapons because of Soren's actions hesitated for a moment before withdrawing them. She was the town's priestess, and moreover, the priestess of the Goddess of Agriculture. Any Deity closely related to their lives was respected by the people, and the priestess of the Goddess of Agriculture held a very high position in society. Because anything related to food would be given extra attention.

Soren's emotional outburst lasted only a moment before he bowed slightly in apology, saying slowly, "I'm sorry. I got a little emotional."

The middle-aged woman gave him a deep look; his face was quite dignified and approachable, exuding a maternal aura.

This is the power she receives from the Deity she serves.

The Goddess of Agriculture is the daughter of the Mother of the Earth. After the Mother of the Earth retired, she took over the Portfolio of agriculture and is the only deity who, despite not holding a combat Portfolio, possesses Greater Divinity Deity. The Goddess of Agriculture's Divine Power Rank is similar to that of the Elven Overgod. Below her are Subordinate Deity such as the River Goddess, the God of Mountains, and the God of Lakes. She is a special Pantheon independent of nature and serves as the link between the Nature Pantheon and the Human Pantheon.

Because the father of the Goddess of Agriculture is the Lord of Radiance!

The Lord of Radiance is the previous Light of Dawn, the Deity worshipped by the Young Female Cleric of Amber City. He is the companion of the Mother of the Earth and has a very close relationship with Mother of the Earth. Although the Mother of the Earth has interacted with many Deity throughout her long Hit Points, the Light of Dawn is her most important companion.

All things grow because of the sunlight, and Mother of the Earth gave birth to the Goddess of Agriculture.

He bestowed the Portfolio of agriculture upon his daughter and helped her become a new Deity. The Lord of Radiance was her most reliable ally, and the power of light protected the realm of agriculture. In just a few thousand years, this Goddess of Agriculture, without killing any Deity or waging any wars, simply relied on expanding her faith to rise from Quasi-Divinity to Greater Divinity, becoming one of the most powerful Overdeity in the entire world!

The Goddess of Agriculture has followers among all agricultural peoples, and her temples can be seen almost anywhere.

Even some Evil species hold Sacrificial Ritual at a set time each year.

The realms that have branched out from the agricultural Portfolio are numerous, and the power they possess is immense, almost fundamental to the development of the entire world. Therefore, priests of the Goddess of Agriculture are respected in human society, especially among the lower Commoner, who rely on agriculture for their survival; their well-being depends entirely on the harvest from the Farmland.

"Relax, child."

The middle-aged woman reached out and stroked Soren's forehead. Although he resisted somewhat, he didn't pull away. A gentle power flowed into his body, gradually calming his emotions. This was the maternal power of the earth; the Goddess of Agriculture had inherited a portion of this maternal power. This power calmed Soren slightly, and his grip on the Scimitar loosened. The Goddess of Agriculture advocated for better agricultural development, using increased food harvests to reduce inter-racial conflicts and wars.

This is a Neutral Good Deity, and also the Deity with the least desire for conflict.

Evil species rarely offer sacrifices to benevolent Deity, but the Goddess of Agriculture is an exception; she has some followers from the Evil Alignment.

She seemed to Inclusiveness these believers as well.

Unlike the Lord of Radiance of dust in her eyes, the Goddess of Agriculture strictly adheres to the principles of Neutral Good, yet strives to be as Inclusiveness as possible of everything.

"Very good." The middle-aged woman smiled slightly and said slowly, "Can you tell me what you know? These Evil fellows have caused a lot of panic recently, and we all hope to find them!"

Soren let out a long breath, then leaned slightly forward and said, "They appear to be followers of the Maiden of Pain. The weapon used to kill them was Serpent Whip, a weapon extremely rare on the surface. In the Underdark, only the priests of the Spider Queen and the followers of the Maiden of Pain can wield it."

Maiden of Pain?

The middle-aged woman frowned. The Deity in charge of torment, pain, and lashing, though not powerful, was by no means easy to deal with.

For a long time.

Some Deity cannot escape their demise, but this god, who clearly only Deity of Lesser Divinity, lived longer than many Evil Deity of Medium Divinity.

This is certainly not just because of strength!

The Portfolio of pain and torment belongs to the realm of combat. Although there are not many believers Maiden of Pain, their combat power is not low, and many of them are ruthless Slaughter Experience.

The middle-aged woman glanced at Soren and smiled, "Child, you look very tired. Perhaps you would like to go into town and rest for a while?"

She extended her palm in an inviting gesture.

...(To be continued~^~)