From this, it was clear that Ishtar was colluding with Thanatos and Enyo, gaining a favorable position.
----------------------------
Brilliant, grand, magnificent, yet carrying a trace of allure.
The base camp of the Ishtar Familia fully displayed the style of courtesans.
Perhaps it was the confidence of the building's master, besides the splendid domed palace, the towering spires even faintly resembled the image of the Tower of Babel.
When the whole city bustled noisily in the daytime, this place remained quiet, as though it were a secluded little town hidden beneath the prosperity.
But at night, within the city lit with dotted lights, the enormous palace located in the pleasure quarter became the brightest star beneath the night sky.
From this, it could be seen how prominent the position of the Ishtar Familia was in Orario.
Under Ishtar's leadership, the courtesans, relying on their formidable combat power and great numbers, ascended into the upper echelons of many Familia, even giving rise to the Orario specialty known as the "Berbera."
Not to mention anything else, simply in terms of their contribution to the city's economic development, aside from those few special deities, the goddess Ishtar definitely ranked at the forefront.
Added to that, the vast network of connections gained from operating industries in the gray area of the pleasure district, these three factors combined to form a qualitative transformation. It was no wonder that even the upper levels of the Adventurers' Guild were reluctant to offend them.
Formidable combat strength, an immense web of connections, terrifying wealth. Among these three, the Loki Familia only held an advantage in combat power…
As he analyzed in his mind the comprehensive intelligence regarding the Ishtar Familia, Fron stood atop a high building, his golden eyes gazing at the splendid stronghold, his expression deep and unreadable.
The cloak draped over his shoulders flapped violently in the cool night wind, rustling without cease.
He raised his hand to press down his hood, then sat cross-legged, silently waiting for the moment the flames of war would ignite.
"The other protagonist should have finished gathering and be on the way here by now."
He muttered in a low voice, slightly turning his head toward the western horizon with eyes like layered veils.
"Just don't know, how long will this war last? An hour? Or two hours!?"
Thinking of a certain goddess's panic, Fron sneered, striking while the iron was hot.
"Heh, just think of this as punishment for your prank against our Loki Familia. I hope you'll behave like a proper god when you return to the heavens."
The soft murmur sounded like a death sentence pronounced upon a deity.
The lower world was the gods' playground. For the children, it was a life-or-death battle, was this simply entertainment?
No. Since you personally joined the game, becoming a player, you must be prepared for defeat.
An empty, desolate heaven, perhaps for an immortal god who pursued endless pleasures, that would be the most terrifying prison of all.
Ishtar Familia Base.
In the ostentatious and luxurious conference hall, an expensive red carpet stretched from the great doors through the hall, up the staircase, leading straight to the resplendent divine throne.
On the lofty platform, brown skin and extravagant dancer's garments framed the radiant purple hair coiled behind her head. Matching lipstick and seductive makeup exuded an endless aura of allure.
"The time is nearly here. Tonight's ritual must not fail. Once tonight's ritual is completed and the Killing Stone is obtained in its entirety, then we will have enough strength and trump cards to face her without fear!"
To insult another deity, that was perhaps a privilege only gods possessed.
Hearing this, everyone present, including the giant toad Phyrne, lowered their heads.
Out in the world, they were the famed "Berbera." But before Ishtar's terrifying methods of allure, every soul was filled with boundless fear.
"By the way, how's the rabbit you captured? I'm warning you, that's the trump card against Freya. Don't you dare make any mistakes. Especially you, Phryne. Don't even think of sneaking a taste."
"Guahahahaha…"
"Lady Ishtar, how could I possibly sneak a taste? That's Freya's most treasured possession."
Unfortunately, as she said this, her eyes flickered incessantly.
Aisha lowered her head slightly, her expression shifting as she heard Phryne's words.
The others didn't know, but she was very clear.
When she had just gone to deliver food, the prison cell that held Bell Cranel… was already empty.
A traitor? Who?
That glutton Phryne had ruined countless men. Once they fell into her hands, the best outcome was death. Otherwise, it was a fate worse than death.
Even now, including herself, none could comprehend… Where exactly did Phryne's confidence come from, to claim her beauty rivaled that of a goddess?
Especially now, with that one-armed appearance… heh.
"Remember what you said. Begin the operation!"
"Yes!"
But the words had barely fallen when an earth-shaking explosion blasted through, rattling everyone's ears.
"What happened!?"
Ishtar furrowed her brows tightly, casting an impatient glance outside the tall tower.
"Go and check, "
"N-no, Lady Ishtar!!!"
The great doors of the palace hall burst open as an Amazoness stumbled in, battered and injured.
What shocked everyone was her pitifully wounded state.
"Speak!"
"Lady Ishtar… the pleasure quarter, no, our territory has been attacked!"
"Boom!"
In the next moment, countless explosions resounded across the sky, turning the once lively pleasure quarter into a blazing sea of fire.
As though struck by a realization, Ishtar hurried to the window, her pupils shrinking to the size of needlepoints.
"This is…" What entered her vision was a raging inferno, billowing black smoke surging to the skies!
The finely crafted buildings, normally rare sights of craftsmanship, had all collapsed into ruins, consumed by fire.
One dark figure after another, some standing atop rooftops, some rampaging through the streets, they surged into the pleasure quarter like predators.
Adventurers! Magicians!
And not low-ranked ones, judging from the spells they used, their lowest rank was upper-class adventurers!
From the depths of her heart, a name surfaced slowly. Goddess Ishtar's face turned ashen, her grip crushing the pipe in her hand as her body trembled with fury.
"Freya!!!!"