Ishtar's terminal shriek tore through the night sky, only to be instantly swallowed by the golden pillar of light descending from the heavens.
As the light and the scream faded into a heavy silence, the top of the tower—and the chaotic streets below—felt as if they had been muted by an invisible hand.
Lynn supported Haruhime, both of them staring blankly at Freya.
The display of absolute indifference and overwhelming power cast a deeper shade of terror over Haruhime's already pale face. Lynn, however, merely narrowed his eyes imperceptibly.
He had seen too many mad gods and far too many mortals toyed with by them. Freya's actions weren't exactly unexpected, but her decisive, lightning-fast methods were certainly impressive.
Below them, the warriors of the Ishtar Familia had fallen into utter disarray.
Watching their goddess fall from the tower and be "purified" by a pillar of light resembling divine punishment was enough to shatter any mortal's psyche. Even more terrifying was the realization that as Ishtar perished, the Falna brands they once bore with pride began to fade and dissolve rapidly.
"My... my Falna... it's gone?!" An Amazon warrior touched her back in horror. That sense of connection to the divine, the proof of granted power, had vanished completely.
"Lady Ishtar... Lady Ishtar is truly..."
"It's over. Everything is over! The Ishtar Familia is no more!"
Panic spread through the crowd, quickly overriding loyalty and the will to fight.
The Ishtar Familia warriors who had been putting up a desperate resistance threw down their weapons almost simultaneously upon confirming the goddess's demise. Those fierce, brutal Amazons lost every ounce of their momentum, some fleeing in terror, others falling to their knees to beg for mercy. They hadn't lost their physical strength, but without their faith and their anchor, they were nothing more than headless flies.
The Freya Familia warriors, conversely, were revitalized. Under the command of Ottar and the others, they quickly seized control of the situation, surrounding the surrendering remnants of Ishtar's forces to await further orders.
At the top of the tower, the night wind blew cold.
Freya slowly withdrew her gaze, turning her violet eyes toward Lynn. A meaningful smile played at the corners of her lips.
"It seems the chaos has subsided." Her voice remained soft, yet it carried the undeniable authority of a high sovereign.
Lynn gave the shivering Haruhime a gentle squeeze, drawing her closer to his side as he met Freya's gaze calmly. He knew the true "negotiation" was just beginning.
"Indeed. Thanks to your timely arrival, Lady Freya," Lynn responded neutrally, his tone betraying neither genuine gratitude nor mere politeness.
Freya chuckled softly, walking toward Lynn with elegant steps. Each stride felt like it was treading on a person's heartstrings, carrying an indescribable sense of pressure.
"Ending this farce so quickly was a surprise even to me. Especially you, Lynn." She stopped two paces away, her violet eyes seemingly capable of peering through his soul to the very bottom of his heart. "That sword of yours... it truly is fascinating."
She was referring to the Blasphemous Blade. The power it had just displayed was certainly beyond the common knowledge of the gods in the Lower World.
Lynn simply smiled and didn't take the bait. The Blasphemous Blade had already been returned to his inventory; he had no intention of revealing too many of his cards.
Freya didn't mind his silence. She continued, "During our last meeting, I invited you to join my Familia, but you refused." She sighed softly, a trace of almost imperceptible regret in her voice. "Seeing you now, you truly are an extraordinary person. However, acting so high-profile without the background of a powerful Familia is never a good thing. Tonight's events are the perfect proof of that, are they not?"
Lynn looked at her and didn't immediately argue. He knew she was telling the truth. In Orario, a powerful adventurer without the protection of a Familia was essentially a walking piece of prime meat, attracting greedy eyes wherever they went. But he had his own bottom line.
"Lady Freya speaks the truth." Lynn nodded, his attitude becoming slightly more sincere. "The help of the Freya Familia was instrumental in resolving tonight's crisis. You have my thanks." He bowed slightly.
Haruhime followed suit, timidly offering a bow to Freya.
Freya's lips curved with satisfaction, her beautiful eyes shimmering with charm. "It was a small matter. However, Lynn, I must ask once more. The gates to my Familia are always open to you." She reached out a slender, jade-like hand as if to touch his cheek, but stopped in mid-air, her fingertips hooking slightly in an unspoken invitation.
Lynn looked at that porcelain hand and shook his head slightly, his tone solemn. "I appreciate your kindness, Lady Freya, but my Grace cannot be removed." He paused before adding, "My God is different from the gods of Orario. Once His Grace is bestowed, it cannot be revoked or overwritten by any other deity. Therefore, I am destined to never join another Familia."
It was a perfect excuse. His "Grace of the Tarnished" indeed couldn't be removed, and he truly couldn't join a Familia like a normal adventurer. The statement was half-true and half-false, explaining the situation while avoiding a direct offense to the Goddess of Beauty.
An almost undetectable flash of disappointment crossed Freya's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by an even more intense curiosity. She withdrew her hand, tapping her chin with a long fingernail, looking at Lynn with a faint smile.
"Oh? A Grace that cannot be removed... how rare," she repeated meaningfully, before returning to her world-enchanting smile. "In that case, I won't force the issue."
Her tone softened even further as she changed the subject. "Still, I've helped you quite a bit tonight. Surely you won't refuse a simple dinner invitation?" She took a half-step forward, a faint, irresistible fragrance wafting from her. "The starlight is perfect tonight. Why don't we dine together?"
Lynn stared at the breathtaking face inches from his own. Those violet eyes felt like an endless abyss; one lapse in concentration and he would be swallowed whole. He could feel Haruhime growing even more tense in his arms, her small hands clutching his clothes tightly.
He grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, his tone somewhat helpless. "Since Lady Freya has extended such a gracious invitation, I would naturally be honored to accept. However, I'm afraid tonight won't work. I have quite a mess to clean up here, and Haruhime is badly shaken. She needs to be settled in." He glanced at the ground, where discarded weapons from the Ishtar Familia lay scattered amidst the debris and the wrecked streets below.
"How about this? In two days, I'll host a dinner to thank you, Lady Freya. You can pick the location." Lynn offered a compromise, avoiding rudeness while leaving himself an out. He didn't want to fall into Freya's "gentle trap" right now, especially in front of Haruhime.
Freya's eyes flickered. She laughed even more brightly. "Very well. I shall look forward to it, Lynn." She didn't seem surprised by the result; she almost seemed satisfied. After speaking, she gave Lynn one last deep look—a complex gaze filled with amusement, appreciation, and a hint of... predatory intent.
Without another word, Freya turned. her silver hair danced in the night wind as her violet figure vanished into the shadows of the tower like a phantom, leaving only a lingering scent as proof she had been there.
Lynn let out a long breath once she was gone. Dealing with that goddess was more exhausting than fighting a Level 5 monster. He looked down at Haruhime; her stiff body finally relaxed, though she still bore the look of someone who had just survived a nightmare.
"It's okay. It's all over," Lynn whispered, patting her back gently.
Haruhime looked up, her eyes red and tear-stained, yet filled with profound reliance and gratitude.
"Lord Lynn..." she called out, her voice raspy.
"Let's go. Let's head down." Lynn pointed toward the base of the tower.
He supported Haruhime as they descended. The chaos below had mostly stabilized. The Freya Familia warriors were counting captives and treating the wounded.
As they reached the bottom, Bell, Mikoto, Ouka, and the others immediately rushed over.
"Lord Lynn! Haruhime!" Bell ran toward them, his face etched with worry. Seeing Haruhime unharmed, he let out a massive sigh of relief. "Are you two okay? What happened at the top? I heard Haruhime scream, and my heart nearly stopped!"
Mikoto and Ouka surrounded them as well. Mikoto's face held its usual sternness, but her eyes betrayed her deep concern. Ouka looked at Lynn with pure admiration, his mouth hanging open as if he wanted to say something but was choked by shock.
"It's fine. It's all settled," Lynn said dismissively, as if the life-and-death struggle that had just occurred was a minor scuffle. He handed Haruhime over to Mikoto, who immediately began a careful check of her condition.
"Lord Lynn, your wounds..." Bell noticed the dried blood on Lynn's chest and the small scratch on his face.
"Scratches. Don't worry about it." Lynn waved it off. He looked over to where Ottar was directing the Freya Familia's cleanup operation. "How about you guys? Is everything okay down here?"
"We've handled things on our end," Mikoto replied after confirming Haruhime was mostly just shocked. "The Ishtar Familia members have all surrendered. The Freya Familia has full control of the situation."
Lynn nodded, his gaze sweeping over the ravaged streets. The Freya Familia was terrifyingly efficient.
In just a short time, the surrendering warriors had been organized into groups, and the wounded were being treated. The air was thick with the scent of blood, dust, and the scorched smell unique to the aftermath of battle.
Ottar's mountain-like silhouette was prominent in the crowd. He was issuing orders in a low, powerful voice, keeping everything in perfect order. The strongest man in Orario looked more like a calm battlefield commander right now.
Good, Lynn thought. This saves us the trouble of figuring out the legal fallout of taking Haruhime.
"Let's get out of here first."
Lynn withdrew his gaze and spoke to the group. Their business here was done, and he didn't want to overstay.
"Right!"
Bell nodded vigorously. He looked at Haruhime, who was being supported by Mikoto. The girl still had her head down, her body trembling slightly, clearly not yet free from the shadow of terror.
"Haruhime, let's get you back to our base first."
Mikoto's voice was soft but firm. She looked at Haruhime with eyes full of pity.
Hearing the mention of a familiar place, Haruhime's body seemed to relax a bit. She gave a tiny nod and a whisper-quiet "Mm."
Ouka, carrying his great axe on his shoulder, added in a booming voice, "Exactly! When we get back, I'll make you that Far East style grilled fish you love! I promise it'll be better than last time!"
Watching his companions try to comfort Haruhime, a small smile touched Lynn's lips. This kind of post-battle warmth was always a comfort.
He suggested, "It's settled then. Back to the Take-mikazuchi Familia base first."
The suggestion met with unanimous agreement.
Just as the group prepared to turn and leave this site of conflict, a steady footstep sounded from behind them.
"Lord Lynn."
Ottar had somehow finished his immediate tasks and appeared behind them. Just by standing there, he radiated a stifling sense of pressure.
Bell and Ouka instinctively tensed up. Even Mikoto pulled Haruhime closer.
Lynn, however, remained composed. He turned around, meeting Ottar's gaze squarely. "Lord Ottar, is there something else?"
"Lady Freya has instructed that you are our honored guest." Ottar's voice was flat, stating a fact. "If you require it, we can arrange lodging and medical treatment for you and your companions."
"No need. I appreciate the gesture," Lynn replied, declining decisively. "We have a place to go. We'll leave the rest to you; we don't want to get in the way."
Ottar gave Lynn a long, searching look, as if trying to read something from his face, but Lynn's expression was as still as a deep well.
Finally, Ottar gave a slight nod. "Understood. Then, please, suit yourselves."
He said nothing more, simply stepping aside to clear a path, though his eyes never left Lynn. It was the gaze of a predator observing an equal—free of malice, but full of scrutiny.
Lynn didn't mind. He patted Bell on the shoulder and signaled for everyone to follow.
The group wove through the chaotic crowds, gradually distancing themselves from the tower that had once symbolized lust and power.
Once they were outside the Pleasure Quarter, the normal bustle of the city returned to their ears. Bell finally couldn't help himself; he leaned toward Lynn and lowered his voice.
"Lord Lynn... that, Lady Freya... was she really just there to help? I feel like... I don't know..."
He didn't know how to describe the feeling. Even though the Goddess of Beauty had helped them, she made his heart race with more fear than Ishtar ever had.
Lynn looked back at the brightly lit Pleasure Quarter. The high tower looked like a silent, giant beast in the night.
He smiled meaningfully but didn't answer Bell directly. He simply said in a light tone, "Why overthink it? If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. We'll worry about it tomorrow."
Bell scratched his head, only half-understanding, but seeing Lynn's relaxed "no big deal" attitude, the heavy weight in his chest miraculously lightened.
That's right, Bell thought. With Lord Lynn around, it feels like there's nothing we can't handle.
Meanwhile, on a balcony of a high-rise in the Pleasure Quarter.
The night wind whipped Freya's silver hair. She stood barefoot, leaning against the railing, looking down at the district being rapidly brought under control like a chessboard. Torchlight flowed through the streets, casting flickering light in her violet eyes.
Ottar's figure appeared silently behind her, kneeling on one knee in a respectful report.
"Lady Freya. The Ishtar Familia has officially declared its dissolution. We are in the process of taking over the Pleasure Quarter's assets and territory. Preliminary control should be established before dawn."
Freya didn't turn around. She merely gave a distracted "Mm." Her eyes remained fixed on a few small figures disappearing around a street corner in the distance.
After a long silence, she parted her lips, her voice sounding like a dream melding into the moonlight.
"A Grace that cannot be removed... what kind of God does he serve?"
She had seen countless souls—brilliant ones, resilient ones, pure ones, twisted ones... but Lynn's soul was a color she had never seen before.
It was a shade of ash, as if it had burned through an entire world before settling into a deathly stillness. Yet, in the deepest part of those ashes, a single spark flickered—a spark capable of setting the world ablaze once more.
Contradictory, and fascinating.
Ottar looked up and asked, "Should we investigate him further? We found nothing before, but we could look into his life before he arrived in Orario."
"No." Freya finally turned, a faint smile on her lips—a smile beautiful enough to make the stars lose their luster. "Investigation is for understanding mortals. But a soul like that... you cannot treat it the way you treat ordinary people."
She walked to the center of the balcony, the moonlight draping a holy silver veil over her.
"A flower plucked by force loses its most enchanting fragrance. Let him grow freely. Let him fight, struggle, and bloom... only then will he produce the most beautiful blossom."
Her eyes sparkled with a near-frenetic anticipation—the look of a master artist gazing upon an peerless treasure.
Ottar remained silent for a moment. He fully understood his Goddess. For Freya, possession was not the ultimate goal. Witnessing the process of a soul blooming into its most brilliant light was the supreme pleasure.
"The dinner in two days," Freya's voice rang out again, tinged with delight. "Arrange it for me."
"The location...?"
Freya turned her gaze toward the other side of the city, seemingly looking through countless buildings toward a certain bustling tavern.
"Let's choose... 'The Hostess of Fertility'."
Hearing that name, even the stoic Ottar couldn't help but blink in surprise.
That tavern? A rowdy, public place that maintained neutrality toward all Familias? It was completely out of character for Lady Freya's usual style.
But he didn't ask questions. He simply lowered his head deeply.
"Understood. It shall be done."
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