"Aisha, you've come at the right time."
Just as Aisha was momentarily stunned, Lena walked up to her and spoke in a low voice.
"The one in the middle is Haruhime. I'm preparing to take them to see Goddess Ishtar."
It's really Haruhime?
Hearing the confirmation from Lena, Aisha's expression became slightly puzzled.
Wasn't she taken away by the Freya Familia? How did she escape?
And who were the two people standing beside Haruhime? Could they be members of the Freya Familia?
Questions surfaced one after another in her mind, but Aisha also understood that this was not a suitable place for conversation.
Glancing at the men and women passing by from the corner of her eye, she took the three from Lena.
Aisha: "You go back to guarding the door. I'll take them to see Goddess Ishtar."
"Alright, I'll leave it to you then."
Lena waved her hand and immediately ran off.
Anyone could see how much Ishtar valued Haruhime from the way she ran to the Guild every day to lodge complaints.
She herself was only Level 2. It was better not to involve herself in Haruhime's matters if possible. Leaving it to Aisha was the safest option.
"Everyone, please follow me."
Aisha led Cain and the others further upstairs.
After reaching the thirtieth floor, the number of people around them visibly began to decrease.
Seeing that the timing was appropriate, Aisha deliberately slowed her pace and walked beside Haruhime.
"Haruhime, were you captured by the Freya Familia before?"
"..."
Haruhime subconsciously glanced at Cain.
Before arriving at the Ishtar Familia, Cain had specifically warned her to speak as little as possible to avoid revealing any information.
Facing Aisha's sudden question, Haruhime did not know how to respond for a moment.
"It seems the key person is over here."
Aisha noticed Haruhime's subtle movement and shifted her gaze toward Cain.
"Friend, could you introduce yourself?"
"After all, I am bringing you to meet Goddess Ishtar. Being too secretive could easily lead to misunderstandings."
"Don't worry, there won't be any misunderstanding."
Cain took a letter out from his robe.
"If you do not believe us, then give this letter to Ishtar first."
A letter?
Aisha frowned.
To be honest, she had already felt that something about this situation was not quite right, and an uneasy feeling had begun to grow in her heart.
However, seeing that Cain was unwilling to say anything further, she understood that continuing to question him would not produce any useful results.
After taking the letter, Aisha led the three of them to the entrance of the top floor and stopped.
"Wait here for a moment."
After giving a brief instruction, Aisha walked up to the highest floor of the palace, where Ishtar's private room was located.
"Goddess Ishtar, Haruhime has returned."
At that moment, Ishtar was sitting on a luxurious sofa while enjoying the company of a handsome young man.
Hearing Aisha's report, she suddenly widened her eyes and stood up.
"Haruhime has returned?"
Aisha nodded.
"She is currently downstairs, but there are two individuals beside her wearing black robes and masks. They look very suspicious."
As she spoke, Aisha handed over the letter she had received earlier.
"One of them gave me this letter. He said you would understand after reading it."
"Let me see."
Ishtar reached out and took the letter.
After hearing Aisha's explanation, she had also become curious about the identities of the two people who had brought Haruhime back.
[Corrupted Spirit]
The content of the letter contained only two words.
At the same time, in the lower right corner of the letter, there was a black single wing pattern shaped like a grim reaper's scythe.
"I see. So that is how it is."
Ishtar let out a soft chuckle.
She was no stranger to that symbol.
It was the emblem of Thanatos, the god who led the remnants of the Dark Faction.
With that symbol as proof, combined with the hint of "Corrupted spirit" that only she could interpret, the identities of the two people beside Haruhime immediately became clear.
The visitors were remnants of the Dark Faction.
Although she did not know why the Dark Faction remnants were with Haruhime, Ishtar did not think too deeply about it.
If there were any doubts, she could simply question them directly later.
Ishtar: "Aisha, bring Haruhime and those two guests upstairs."
Aisha: "Yes."
Ishtar: "By the way, you do not need to come up with them. Stay below and guard the entrance."
Not allowed to listen?
Aisha paused for a moment, somewhat surprised.
However, Aisha was not a particularly curious person.
After responding to Ishtar, she left the room and returned to Cain and the others.
Cain: "Well? Can we go in?"
Aisha: "No problem. Go ahead."
After glancing at Cain and Takemikazuchi, Aisha stepped aside to clear the path.
Aisha: "Just go straight up the stairs. I will wait for you here."
Cain thought for a moment.
"Can you do me a favor?"
Aisha: "A favor?"
Cain nodded.
"Using this palace as the center, clear the people from the main entrance and the surrounding area."
Aisha: "?"
What kind of strange request was that?
Aisha frowned and was about to refuse.
Before she could speak, Cain's voice sounded again.
Cain: "Just do as I say. I will explain it to Ishtar."
Aisha: "Alright then."
Recalling Ishtar's attitude toward them earlier, Aisha turned and walked down the stairs.
Watching her leave, Haruhime and Takemikazuchi both let out quiet sighs of relief.
Haruhime: "Does this mean we have succeeded?"
Cain: "Half succeeded. You still remember the evacuation route we prepared earlier, right?"
Takemikazuchi nodded.
"I have already memorized it. Even if we become separated, I can still evacuate."
"Then let's go."
Cain took the lead and walked forward.
At the end of the staircase, a luxurious open air hall came into view.
Standing at the very center of the hall was a beautiful woman dressed in revealing clothing and adorned with many ornaments.
The Goddess of Beauty, Ishtar.
With a single glance, Cain confirmed her identity.
The seductive aura emanating from her body affected even him to some degree.
To avoid any potential complications, Cain simply closed his eyes.
With the mask covering his face, even if they were standing face to face, Ishtar would have no idea what he was doing.
On the other side, the moment Cain and the others entered the hall, Ishtar's gaze immediately fell upon Haruhime.
At such a close distance, she could clearly sense the Falna she had granted upon the girl.
"Goddess Ishtar."
Haruhime removed her mask and hood.
"Hmm. You seem to be in good condition."
Ishtar nodded slightly, feeling rather satisfied.
Haruhime was an essential piece in her plan to crush the Freya Familia.
Her safe return was good news for Ishtar.
Thinking this, Ishtar turned her gaze to Haruhime's right side.
Although Takemikazuchi had suppressed his divine aura, Ishtar could still recognize his identity as a fellow deity.
Without a doubt, he was a god.
"Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"
"I am an ally of Thanatos. The specific details cannot be disclosed. You may call me Enyo."
"Enyo?"
Ishtar actually recognized that name.
According to Thanatos, there was someone known as the City Destroyer who called himself Enyo and was cooperating with him.
Thinking of that, Ishtar glanced at Cain once more.
Enyo supposedly had a powerful subordinate. That must be referring to this person.
Ishtar thought for a moment.
"You brought Haruhime here to see me. You must have something to discuss."
Takemikazuchi took a dagger out from his robes.
"I heard you intend to move against the Freya Familia. Coincidentally, I recently obtained a special weapon. You might find it interesting."
Ishtar let out a light laugh.
As expected of the cunning old fox Thanatos had mentioned. Immediately presenting a bargaining chip she could not easily refuse.
Ishtar: "Go on. What does this dagger do?"
Takemikazuchi: "Explaining it is troublesome. I think it would be better to demonstrate it directly."
"Halt!"
From behind Ishtar, a handsome young man who had remained silent stepped forward.
As Ishtar's personal guard, Tamuz possessed Level 4 strength and had extremely sharp instincts toward danger.
Seeing Takemikazuchi approaching with the dagger, he almost instinctively moved forward and blocked Ishtar.
Tamuz: "if you wish to demonstrate the dagger's effect, I can assist."
Takemikazuchi: "Then I will test it on you."
Takemikazuchi did not show the slightest panic.
Long before arriving at the Ishtar Familia, Cain had prepared multiple contingency plans.
Being stopped by Tamuz was still within their expectations.
According to the plan, next...
Thud.
A dull sound echoed through the hall as Cain, who had been waiting for the moment to strike, suddenly appeared in front of Tamuz.
"So fast!"
Tamuz instinctively stepped back in order to create distance.
But at that very moment, a cracking sound rang out.
Under Tamuz's shocked gaze, Cain's arm suddenly extended forward.
Boom!
A tremendous force slammed into him. Tamuz was unable to dodge in time and was sent flying by the blow.
Immediately afterward, Cain's figure flickered again as he followed up with another punch to Tamuz's head.
Long before arriving at the Ishtar Familia, Cain had already activated the State of Selflessness to enhance his physical abilities.
With the boost provided by the State of Selflessness, his current strength was comparable to that of a Level 5 adventurer.
Two solid punches were more than enough.
Even though Tamuz was Level 4, he could not endure such attacks. His eyes rolled back as he lost consciousness and collapsed.
"Damn it! What are you doing?!"
Everything had happened far too quickly.
By the time Ishtar reacted, Tamuz had already been knocked unconscious and had fallen to the ground.
At the same time, Takemikazuchi, now free of obstruction, did not miss the opportunity.
He immediately accelerated toward Ishtar and threw a punch.
Boom!!!
The heavy blow struck directly, sending Ishtar's body flying through the air and over the edge of the hall.
The hall on the top floor was open air. Once thrown out, one would fall more than a hundred meters to the ground.
When a deity receives fatal damage, their divine power is inevitably released, triggering their forced return to the heavens.
However, the moment divine power is released, it forms a pillar of light that devours everything around it.
At night, the area around the Ishtar Familia headquarters was filled with people enjoying the nightlife.
Even though Aisha had already been instructed to clear the surrounding area, many people were still nearby.
To avoid harming innocent people, Takemikazuchi immediately rushed to the edge of the hall after sending Ishtar flying.
"Aim over there!"
Cain, who had already taken position earlier, raised his hand and pointed toward an empty area slightly to the left.
Takemikazuchi immediately locked onto the target and threw the dagger he had been holding.
The black dagger flew through the air and struck Ishtar, who was still falling, several seconds later, carrying her body toward the uninhabited area.
"Enyo!"
Severe pain spread from her abdomen as Ishtar glared furiously at the figure standing at the edge of the hall.
"Why! Why would you..."
Boom!
Ishtar's voice was abruptly cut off.
In the next instant, a brilliant pillar of white light shot into the sky, illuminating the night of Orario.
The Goddess of Beauty, Ishtar, had returned to the heavens.
...
Read advance chapters on p@treon
[email protected]/guilt_free_daoist
Join disc0rd link in synopsis.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.