Genichi sat in the living room of the Demeter Familia, holding a cup of tea that had already gone cold. Suddenly, his entire body jolted.
The information transmitted through his shadow struck his mind like a bolt of lightning, shattering its calm. His pupils contracted sharply, and the teacup nearly slipped from his hand.
"Ishtar is coming."
His voice was quiet, but there was a trace of gravity in it. "She brought members of her Familia with her. They're heading straight for the Demeter Familia. She intends to attack this place."
Demeter's face instantly turned pale.
Astraea looked up from her book, while Artemis turned away from the window.
They all knew how terrifying Ishtar's Charm was. It was a power that even gods found difficult to resist.
If Ishtar truly attacked the Demeter Familia, they would have no way to fight back.
"She's gone insane."
A trace of anger entered Astraea's voice. "How dare she? The Guild won't let her get away with this."
Genichi shook his head.
"She doesn't care. She's already gone all in. The Pleasure Quarter was burned down, her influence took a devastating blow, her ambitions were crushed, and her pride was humiliated. Right now, all she wants is revenge."
"She wants me. She wants to use my resurrection magic to fulfill her ambitions. She doesn't care about the Guild, the rules, or anything else anymore."
He set down his teacup, rose to his feet, and walked to the window.
The sunlight outside was still bright, yet his heart felt shrouded beneath dark clouds.
Ishtar's Charm was not something he could resist. Before the Authority of a Goddess of Beauty, he was still completely helpless.
He could not confront her head-on.
"We need to leave."
Genichi's voice was calm, but carried an unquestionable firmness. "Right now."
Demeter stood and walked over to him, worry filling her eyes.
"But where can we go? Ishtar's Charm could affect all of Orario. No matter where we hide, she'll find us."
Genichi shook his head.
"She won't. I have teleportation magic. We can go anywhere. She thinks we're trapped inside Orario, still within her grasp, but she's wrong."
"We can go to the Great Tree Sea. We can go to the Swordsmith City. We can go anywhere she can't reach us."
He turned around and looked at Demeter, Astraea, and Artemis, determination shining in his eyes.
"You trust me, don't you?"
Demeter nodded.
"Of course."
Astraea nodded as well.
"We trust you."
Artemis said nothing. She simply stepped forward and gently took his hand.
"Portal."
Light flared to life, and a massive portal opened in the center of the living room.
Beyond it lay the Great Tree Sea. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, moisture hung thick in the air, and ancient ruins could be seen in the distance.
"Go."
Genichi's voice was soft, yet it carried the weight of an order that brooked no argument.
He stepped through first, with Demeter, Astraea, and Artemis following close behind.
Light flashed, and the four vanished from the living room.
The portal slowly closed. The light faded, and silence returned.
Only the cup of cold tea left on the table remained as proof that they had ever been there.
A few minutes later, Ishtar stormed into the Demeter Familia's home with members of her Familia.
She entered the living room and swept her gaze across every corner. Her followers rushed in behind her with weapons drawn and magic at the ready, searching the entire residence.
"They're not here."
One Familia member hurried back, fear in her voice. "We searched everywhere. There's no sign of him."
"Demeter isn't here either. Neither are Astraea or Artemis," another member added. "Only some ordinary Familia members remain, and they don't know anything."
Ishtar's expression turned livid.
Her fingers clenched tightly, her knuckles whitening as fury burned within her violet eyes.
She had gone to such lengths, mobilizing the entire power of her Familia and even preparing to use Charm on a massive scale, all for one purpose.
Genichi.
Yet what had happened?
He had escaped.
Not only that, he had taken those goddesses with him and left behind no trace whatsoever.
Ishtar's voice was quiet, yet an unmistakable madness lurked beneath it.
"I'll make everyone forget Genichi ever existed."
"I'll make everyone believe he belongs to me."
"I'll make sure there's nowhere left for him to run."
The members of her Familia exchanged uneasy glances.
Charm all of Orario?
How enormous an undertaking would that be?
How great a risk?
If they failed, the Guild would never let them go. Even if they succeeded, every major faction in the city would turn against them.
But none of them dared disobey Ishtar.
They could only lower their heads.
Ishtar stood in the center of the living room, staring at the empty sofas and tables. An indescribable mixture of rage and humiliation rose within her.
She had believed Genichi would be here.
She had believed he had nowhere to run.
She had believed she would finally have him in her grasp.
But she had been wrong.
He was more cunning, more cautious, and far more difficult to capture than she had imagined.
"Genichi..."
She murmured his name, a twisted smile slowly appearing on her face.
"You can't escape me. No matter where you run, I'll find you."
Deep within the Great Tree Sea, Genichi stood in a clearing with Demeter, Astraea, and Artemis behind him.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, casting mottled patches of light and shadow across their bodies. The air carried the damp scent of soil and fresh vegetation, while birds and insects called from somewhere in the distance.
Everything was peaceful.
Everything was quiet.
"We're safe."
Genichi's voice was soft, tinged with relief.
"Ishtar can't find this place."
Demeter walked to his side and gently took his hand.
"Genichi, what are you planning to do? We can't hide here forever."
Genichi shook his head.
"We don't need to."
"We only have to wait for Hestia to descend. Once I obtain the Authority of the Sacred Flame and gain immunity to Charm, I'll go back."
"By then, Ishtar won't be a threat anymore."
Astraea stepped forward.
"But when will Hestia descend? Has Uranus sent any word?"
Genichi fell silent for a moment before shaking his head.
"Not yet. But it should be soon. Uranus gave me his word. He won't break it."
Artemis stood in front of him, her aqua-blue hair swaying gently in the breeze, determination filling her emerald eyes.
"No matter how long it takes, I'll stay with you."
Genichi looked at her, a trace of tenderness passing through his eyes.
"I know."
He turned and gazed toward the ancient ruins in the distance, already calculating his next move.
Ishtar's madness had exceeded his expectations, but he would not let her succeed.
He would wait.
He would wait for Hestia to descend.
He would wait until he obtained the Authority of the Sacred Flame.
And when that happened, he would stop hiding.
He would stop running.
He would never again allow that woman to flaunt her power in front of him.
"Ishtar..."
Genichi murmured her name, his voice quiet and cold.
"You'll pay for this."
(End of Chapter)
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