What exactly was the enemy's purpose in orchestrating all of this?
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In the main hall of the "Twilight Manor," the headquarters of the Loki Familia, Loki, Finn, Riveria, and Gareth were gathered, some sitting, some standing, some leaning against the wall, each in their own posture as they discussed the matter at hand.
Finn licked his thumb, his emerald eyes gleaming with wisdom.
"Loki, if we continue to analyze this from our side and the Guild's perspective... what do you think will happen if we dig deeper into this matter?"
Taking a sip of her honey wine, Loki gazed out the window through her glass, her red divine eyes shimmering.
"The chaos in Melen, the division of power, and the operational patterns of the Guild, the enemy has already figured all of it out."
Finn gave a meaningful smile.
"The Guild's weaknesses have been carefully unraveled by someone in the shadows, and this incident was used to expose them. It seems that through this, the other side is trying to send a message to the Guild."
Riveria lifted her head slightly, her brows furrowed.
"They're warning the Guild's upper ranks, that our fates are intertwined. It's as if they're saying: 'You can investigate us as you like, but in the end, both sides will perish together.' Is that what you mean?"
With a "bang," Gareth smacked the armrest.
"How arrogant. Are they trying to provoke the Guild?"
"I don't know if it's provocation," Finn replied, "but one thing's clear, the enemy struck right at the Guild's soft spot. Even if we wanted to help, there's nothing we could do."
"Heh, let the Guild deal with that mess," Loki said lazily. "We're not the ones managing Orario. Our only goal is to kill those annoying bastards, that's enough."
Hearing Loki say this, Finn and the others fell silent.
"By the way," Loki continued, "why hasn't the Guild done anything about the Ishtar Familia's secret activities?"
Loki clicked her tongue disdainfully.
"What else could they do? Once bitten, twice shy. They got burned last time, so now they're afraid of being bitten back. Don't underestimate Ishtar just because she's a bitch, she's got plenty of tricks up her sleeve."
What vulgar words… Finn and the others exchanged bitter smiles.
"Thinking back, our understanding of the relationship between the Ishtar Familia and those Violas might've been completely wrong."
"What do you mean? You're saying those Violas weren't brought in through connections between the Ishtar Familia and the underground?"
"There's another possibility, those Violas are the result of Ishtar Familia's and the underground's own creation. They used an even greater chaos to conceal their actions."
"Using greater chaos to hide chaos... the same method as the Monsterphilia. So... the mastermind behind all this is the same person."
There was no need to think further, the one who plotted this incident was Ishtar Familia's collaborator, Enyo.
"Still, I have a feeling that using the Violas to delay us isn't their only goal. I don't know what else they're planning, but my thumb tells me I'm not wrong."
"What's their real objective... What is that woman Ishtar trying to do!?"
...
While the higher-ups of the Loki Familia were analyzing the hidden meanings and motives behind the incident, the very person they were discussing, the goddess Ishtar, wore a seductive smile, strolling leisurely through her domain as if nothing had happened.
Behind her followed a male, a loyal servant of the goddess of beauty... or rather, her male pet.
"That useless Kali... wasting such a good opportunity. And the Loki Familia... how annoying."
As they walked, they twisted and turned through the deserted alleys of the Pleasure District in the southern area, eventually reaching the southeastern quarter.
After confirming their direction, the two figures disappeared again.
If Finn were here, he would recognize that the path's end led directly to the entrance of Daedalus Street's underground waterways.
...
Meanwhile, in the southwestern district of Orario...
In the towering castle of the "Folkvangr," at the topmost chamber, the goddess of beauty Freya held the Guild's report in one hand. Her lips curved into an alluring smile, and her amethyst eyes sparkled with curiosity and amusement.
"So, Ishtar is up to her tricks again in secret, hmm? Targeting Loki... I don't quite think so. What do you think, Ottar?"
Her loyal servant stood beside the door, bowing respectfully.
"Lady Freya, I believe... the Loki Familia merely stumbled upon Ishtar Familia's scheme, which caused the conflict. My conclusion is that Ishtar Familia's real target is not the Loki Familia, but rather..."
"Us, isn't it?"
Every movement of the goddess radiated elegance and grace. She placed her feet softly on the floor and rose, walking to the window to gaze dreamily at the night sky.
"I can overlook Ishtar's little games in the dark, but if she gets too naughty... that won't do."
Ottar's towering figure, over two meters tall, stood silently in the corner, eyes lowered, faithfully performing his duty. Unless the goddess addressed him, he became as invisible as air, but when she needed him, he would even offer his life without hesitation.
"Ottar, have Allen investigate whether there's been anything unusual in the Pleasure District lately. Make sure he keeps a close watch."
"Yes, Lady Freya. I shall see to it immediately."
"Hehe, Allen... I bet he'll grumble the moment he hears about this assignment."
Recalling the gray-haired cat known as "The Chariot of the Goddess," Freya covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
...
The incident in Melen had sent ripples throughout the great labyrinth city of Orario.
Whether it was Loki, the Guild, or Hermes, anyone caught in this vortex could sense the coming storm.
The underground powers long hidden in the shadows were beginning to stir once more.
From the new species on the 50th floor, to the Violas at the Monsterphilia, the monster invasion on the 18th floor's Rivira, the Corrupted Spirit's clone on the 59th floor, and the street battles in the harbor town, piece by piece, the intelligence connected into a single clear line, finally surfacing.
[Ishtar Familia] and [Kali Familia].
The unknown [Enyo].
The remnants of the [Evilus].
The clone of the [Corrupted Spirit].
A colossal force, hidden in the darkness, was now beginning to stir.
And on the chessboard that would decide the fate of this great labyrinth city, the first to make a move, driven by jealousy and desire, was none other than the goddess of the Ishtar Familia, Ishtar herself.