"Indeed, all these gems are intended as tribute for you."
Faced with Ishtar's questioning, Castorice nodded as she spoke.
"What, all for me? Just who is the goddess here, you or me... Damn it..."
Ishtar gazed at the jewels scattered across the ground, clutching her head in her hands as an inner struggle commenced.
Bewitched by the multitude of gems, Ishtar's eyes had swirled into spirals. Clearly, the jewels were far too dazzling, practically short-circuiting her brain.
"We wish to employ Ishtar as a combatant for Uruk. With a great enemy at our gates, we need the assistance of a deity such as yourself."
"Of course, this is also the desire of Uruk's people. Furthermore, King Gilgamesh has promised to open the Gate of Babylon. Should you be willing to aid us, two-tenths of the treasury's mineral wealth shall be offered to you."
"Wh-what did you say?"
Upon hearing Castorice's words, Ishtar began to hyperventilate, momentarily overwhelmed by the staggering news.
Two-tenths of the treasury!
But... even if it's the Gate of Babylon, it's that one, right? The one Gilgamesh created for the future?
The one that, once completed, would yield limitless treasures, something he claimed would be equivalent to the total assets of all mankind...
Under Castorice's smiling gaze, Ishtar tried to sound defiant, but as she spoke, she only found herself growing more and more convinced.
"In that case, what about two and a half tenths? That is the absolute limit of my authority."
"Two point five tenths? You can go even higher?"
Her elegant brows trembling violently, Ishtar was now thrown into profound turmoil.
"Can even these treasures not sway you? But King Gilgamesh granted me no further concessions..."
A sorrowful expression crossed Castorice's face. "I truly wish for you to become my companion. That way, I could see you every day... Truth be told, during my travels across the land these past years, I've also accumulated quite a collection of gems."
"I had hoped to present them to you along with this offer. But since even the gems of Babylon's treasury fail to move you, then mine surely must be beneath your notice..."
"In that case, I can only take these away as well..."
"Wait! If these treasures were to leave me... I'd die of heartbreak!!"
In the end, Ishtar couldn't escape the classic arc of 'iron-willed refusal' followed by 'delicious acceptance'...
"It's... it's not because of the treasures! I just don't want you to feel sad, that's all! It's definitely not greed! Yes, that's it. What can I say? I'm just a soft-hearted goddess."
Ishtar said this while looking at Castorice, though the corner of her eye kept sweeping over the cartload of treasures.
"Thank you for your understanding, Goddess Ishtar."
Castorice nodded gently with a smile.
"Remarkable, Miss Castorice! To persuade that goddess so effortlessly..."
Ushiwakamaru, standing to the side, gazed at Castorice with admiration.
"Money really can make the gods turn the millstone..."
Ana couldn't help but mutter in exasperation.
"Just call me Ishtar. After all, I have a feeling we'll be together for a long, long time..."
"Thank you for your understanding, Ishtar."
Before Castorice could finish, she saw Ishtar gracefully seat herself mid-air and extend her flawless foot right in front of her.
"Since we're on such good terms, I won't demand you kneel before me. Feel honored. The privilege of kissing a goddess's instep... I am a Servant, after all. Certain rituals should be observed."
Ishtar looked down at Castorice with an amused smile.
"Since when are contract formations this troublesome!"
Ana, witnessing the scene, quickly interjected.
"Right! Why didn't I think of that! Logically, after forming a contract, I should be kissing Miss Castorice's hand. I was quite regretful I couldn't do it before due to her special constitution. But looking at it now, using a foot as a substitute isn't entirely out of the question!"
Ushiwakamaru, seeing this, suddenly recalled the idea and spoke up enthusiastically.
"You! Don't you start causing trouble too! And aren't you Japanese? Since when do Japanese pledges of allegiance involve kissing people!"
Ana was practically frantic. Everything had been going so well, the mission successfully completed—it was supposed to be a joyous occasion.
How did it come to this, with Ishtar throwing a wrench in the works?
And that Ushiwakamaru... she was definitely up to no good. Absolutely, unquestionably up to no good!
Seated gracefully upon her Maanna, Ishtar elegantly presented her black-silk-clad leg before Castorice. Beneath her footed stockings, her pristine, flawless foot was mere inches away. Five perfectly rounded toes curled slightly before Castorice, the arch of her foot forming an elegant curve.
Castorice could even catch a faint, delicate fragrance emanating from her.
As a goddess, it was unthinkable for her body to carry any unpleasant odor.
"A kiss on the hand should suffice..."
To be honest, if they were alone, Castorice wouldn't have minded more than a light kiss—she might have even been willing to go further. But there was no helping it.
If she actually did that, Ana would probably blow a gasket. Plus, it felt a bit strange regardless. So, Castorice could only settle for a respectful kiss on the back of Ishtar's hand.
Even this, however, was enough to make Ana seethe with jealousy.
Ushiwakamaru kept glancing down at Castorice from time to time, a look of eager anticipation in her eyes.
[Contract Successfully Formed: Goddess Ishtar.]
"Oh?"
Ishtar seemed to sense something, looking at Castorice with keen interest, her thoughts unreadable deep within her eyes.
"Well then, I look forward to working with you, my... Master."
She gazed at Castorice, her eyes full of provocation as she spoke.
--+--
After successfully forming the contract, the group engaged in a brief discussion before beginning their return to Uruk. Time was of the essence; there would be other missions ahead. After all, only nine days remained until the enemy's assault arrived.
"Good evening."
By the campfire that night, a gentle voice sounded beside Castorice's ear—though Ishtar would never use such a soft tone.
Coupled with the fact it was night, it meant Ereshkigal had arrived.
Castorice hadn't seen her since their hurried meeting in the underworld.
She must know about the flower field by now, right? After all, the underworld is under her control. She would have definitely discovered it after all this time.
"You're still on watch? Shouldn't they, the Servants, be handling this? A Master like you should be getting proper rest."
Ereshkigal approached Castorice and leaned forward slightly. The flickering firelight of the night illuminated her exquisitely beautiful profile.
It was the very same face, yet when Ereshkigal inhabited it, she exuded a gentleness and beauty that Ishtar never possessed.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.