"Who are you?"
With a sudden burst of speed, Lily moved to the rear, facing the gem-tossing girl head-on. Her expression was tense.
It was true she'd been too focused on the enemy before her—but even so, it was undeniable that despite her sharp instincts, she hadn't sensed this newcomer's presence until after she'd acted.
Mash also turned swiftly, raising her shield defensively between the red-haired girl and the goddess.
Even if this mysterious stranger had just helped them, that didn't mean she could be trusted. Caution was still necessary.
"You don't recognize me…? Well, considering you're those 'foreigners' or whatever, I'll forgive it this once—but watch your tone next time, little girl. In Mesopotamia, not a single human dares speak to me like that."
Ishtar narrowed her crimson eyes, the weight of her gaze pressing down on the three like a storm.
Even so, they didn't lower their guard.
"I apologize if I was rude," Mash said evenly, "but until we understand who you are, we can't afford to relax around someone as powerful as yourself."
Indeed, Ishtar's aura was overwhelming.
Had she appeared in a less dramatic way—say, falling out of the sky after losing control of her heavenly boat—they might not have been quite so wary.
But more than that, she had immediately revealed that she knew what they were. Though not unprecedented, it implied some connection to their mission here.
While Mash and Lily stood between her and their Master, the red-haired girl was already whispering to the doctor through her communicator.
"Doctor…"
"Be extremely careful," Romani warned. "She doesn't seem openly hostile, but there's no sign of genuine goodwill either—and her Spirit Origin is…"
Before he could finish, Ishtar spoke again, her interest rekindled.
"Oh? So that's how it is… But isn't it polite to introduce yourselves first before asking someone else's name?"
Swallowing nervously, the red-haired girl gathered her resolve and stepped forward.
"Greetings. We're from an organization called Chaldea. We've come to this era to restore the foundation of humanity. It may sound unbelievable, but please trust that we mean no harm."
"Hah? Are you suggesting I'd doubt my own divine insight?" Ishtar scoffed. "Well, whatever. Foreign guests—that's what you are, right? I'd already heard of you, but seeing you in person… I suppose that explains your lack of manners. Barbarians don't know how to revere gods, after all."
"I don't think that part was necessary…"
All three from Chaldea looked briefly deflated—but since Ishtar didn't seem intent on attacking them, they began to relax, just slightly.
"Well, it looks like we can at least talk now," Romani's voice chimed in from the projection. "I'm Romani Archaman, acting director of Chaldea. The red-haired girl is Fujimaru Ritsuka, our Master. The other two are her Servants. And you—judging from your reaction, you must be—"
"No. I've no intention of giving my name to humans of your level," Ishtar interrupted curtly, her tone dripping with disdain. "To earn recognition from a goddess, you'd first need strength worthy of respect."
Her mood shifted so abruptly that all three stared at her, stunned.
How could she lose interest that fast after sounding so curious just moments ago?
"Haha… typical god," Romani muttered awkwardly. But his smile faded quickly. "Ritsuka, I'm detecting more demonic beasts nearby—same type as before, but there are even more this time."
"What? Now? How annoying," Ishtar complained. Since Romani hadn't muted his transmission, she'd clearly heard every word.
"Well, I suppose it can't be helped. Besides… there's something I'd like to confirm."
She rose gracefully into the air, Maanna appearing beside her in a shimmer of gold.
"Hey, you who claim you've come to save humanity—show me what you're made of. Let's see if you actually have the strength to back up such grand words. Even that peculiar little girl doesn't speak so boldly."
"Right! Lily, Mash—get ready!"
Ritsuka quickly found her focus again, giving orders to her Servants.
"Yes!" the two responded in perfect unison.
Just then, another demonic beast burst from the ruins. Lily reacted instantly, releasing a surge of mana beneath her feet. She dashed forward in a flash of gold, her sword slicing clean through the creature's neck in a single stroke.
It looked effortless—but only because she'd caught it off guard. Her instincts told her clearly: this was one of the weaker ones.
As expected, another beast leapt high above her, claws descending, while several more lunged in from the sides, attempting to encircle the two.
Dodging or blocking alone wouldn't close all openings—yet Lily stayed calm. She stepped back just enough for Mash to appear before her, shield raised high, deflecting the beast's claws and launching it skyward.
In that same instant, Lily's sword flared brilliantly. A golden thrust pierced the beast midair, erasing it in a burst of light.
Meanwhile, the others trying to flank them were forced back by Mash's shield.
Still, a few clever beasts slipped behind, tightening the circle around them. Two then lunged in unison—one from the front, one from behind—trying to crush them between their strikes.
Mash and Lily exchanged a single look.
In perfect sync, Mash spun to intercept the rear strike while Lily cut through the confused beast in front whose target had suddenly vanished.
Their coordination was so seamless that even Ishtar—who'd never cared for the word "teamwork" in her life—clicked her tongue in appreciation.
This time, the remaining beasts didn't hesitate. Leaving only a few to maintain formation, the rest charged all at once, unleashing a full assault.
Lily and Mash's expressions hardened.
Their teamwork was flawless, but so was the beasts'. Surrounded on all sides, they had no choice but to fight in earnest—not desperately, but seriously.
And then, almost exactly as before, countless golden beams descended from above once more, obliterating every last beast in an instant.
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