"Delicious."
She watched Tang lying in a pool of blood, his blood staining Shalti's dagger and dyeing her trembling hands crimson.
She was certain the dagger had pierced Tang's chest, because that was the order she had given the Elf before her—
[Domination], a higher-circle version of the fifth-circle [Command], was a spell effect shaped by divine power, a power she had created to spread betrayal across the land.
Its effects far surpassed even an upcast [Command]. It treated a living being like a puppet to be manipulated at will, preserving their most basic personal awareness while denying them control over their body.
Thus, the Elf before her could only witness herself betraying her devotion, unable to defy the command.
No matter how calm her expression appeared, her emotions could never escape a god's eyes.
Lolth took a deep breath, as though inhaling Shalti's fear of loss.
As for Tang, who had willingly sacrificed himself...
An interesting plaything.
She had watched him gradually gather the male beasts, rallying the men into a reasonably united force. His silver tongue seemed born for rebellion.
Perhaps, after he died, she could take his soul and make him her most faithful servant, spreading the teachings that belonged to betrayal alone? Even if that cost some divine power, the returns he brought might make up for it.
A fine plan. Besides, watching a devoted soul willing to sacrifice itself become corrupted would be thrilling in its own right.
As for the others...
Let them stay in this junkyard and await the moment the Phlogiston Sea burned them to death.
After leaving tonight, she would never again favor this land.
With that, Lolth made her decision, letting blood continue to gush from Tang's wound. He would die eventually anyway, and watching him suffer the torment and