At the Ishtar Familia's stronghold.
In an open-air clearing stood two adjacent training grounds.
Countless Amazons had gathered here now, packing the area to the brim. Though it wasn't night and no business was being conducted, the place buzzed with noise and was filled with the scents of various women.
Tione faced Argana, while Tiona stood opposite Bache.
These four women stood facing each other across the two training grounds.
"How's Eiji?" Tiona demanded the moment she stepped onto the arena, unable to keep her composure.
"With Lady Ishtar," Bache replied curtly.
"That beauty goddess?" Tiona's expression changed drastically.
As an executive of Loki Familia, she couldn't possibly be unaware of the rumors about Freya and Ishtar.
Those two goddesses with their charm abilities could easily turn others into their dogs!
Tiona immediately turned to leap off the platform.
Her gaze fixed solely on the massive temple in the distance—she had to reach that grand palace no matter what and rescue Eiji!
"Not so fast!"
But in the next instant, a fierce gust of wind came rushing at her from behind.
Tiona had no choice but to turn and block Bache's incoming fist with her arm.
"I don't have time for you!"
"Well, I do!"
Both roared in anger.
Their exchange was nearly identical to last time. Bache relentlessly blocked Tiona's path, their punches and kicks shattering the entire arena in moments.
"Ugh!"
But Tiona was quickly overpowered!
Her mind was solely focused on rescuing Eiji, leaving her unwilling to engage with Bache. Yet Bache pressed the attack, forcing Tiona to endure blow after blow, leaving her battered in no time.
Meanwhile, Tione and Argana' battle escalated to white-hot intensity instantly!
Fists collided, blood sprayed through the air, and flesh was torn away like wild beasts mauling each other. Yet neither showed any sign of backing down, continuing their fearless assault.
"Hahaha! This feels just like the old days!" Argana laughed maniacally.
She paid no heed to her injuries, even licking the blood from her face with a long tongue, appearing utterly monstrous.
"Like hell I want to go back!" Tione snarled, throwing another punch.
But suddenly, Argana' speed and strength surged beyond reason. In their next direct clash, she sent Tione flying back violently.
"What—?!"
Tione was stunned.
While her opponent had always been stronger, the gap hadn't been this vast. Argana' power had just skyrocketed unnaturally.
"Blood Absorption—it's the curse I awakened!" Argana licked more blood from her lips, her body drenched in Tione's crimson.
"According to Lady Kali, as long as I drink the blood of adventurers with Falna, my abilities temporarily increase dramatically! The stronger the adventurer, the greater the effect!"
A chill ran down Tione's spine.
So her blood-licking wasn't just for intimidation—it was to consume her power!
Damn it, this fight just got much harder!
...
"Did those two really not call for backup?"
Eiji stood by the window on the top floor of the Temple of Sacred Prostitutes, broken ropes scattered on the floor beside him.
This vantage point offered the highest view over the Ishtar Familia's territory, allowing him to observe everything happening below at a glance.
Right now, his gaze fell upon Tiona and her companion engaged in a brutal battle against Argana and Bache on the training grounds. He couldn't help but click his tongue in dismay.
Where's Finn?
Where's Ais?
Come help already!
I only dared to infiltrate the enemy's stronghold because I had an escape plan. How could you two charge in here alone without any backup?
"Yare yare..."
Eiji sighed as he materialized his spiritual weapon in hand.
With a swift motion, he hurled his sword through the air. The blade traced a perfect parabolic arc as it descended toward the training grounds.
"Alright, Goddess Ishtar, I've changed my mind."
Eiji turned away from the window and approached the bed.
Pulling back the curtains, he revealed the bound figure of the goddess. Her limbs were tied with cloth strips, causing her to wriggle like an earthworm across the sheets. The movement had dislodged her purple veil, leaving her beautiful body completely exposed.
She glared up at him with eyes full of fury, her murderous gaze practically burning holes through him.
"I don't have much time, so let's make this quick."
Eiji sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Tell me, where's the key hidden?"
His expression showed no trace of being swayed by her charms—only bottomless calm and indifference.
He remained completely unaffected by her allure, having instead turned the tables by binding Ishtar herself. Not content with that, he now sought to extract the key's location from her.
"Oh, my apologies. I forgot you couldn't speak."
Noticing Ishtar's continued furious glare, Eiji suddenly remembered.
He promptly removed the object stuffed in her mouth and tossed it aside—a small pair of purple panties.
Ishtar's own.
Click click click!
Eiji pulled out his student handbook and began snapping photos of the naked goddess.
"Guards!"
But the moment Ishtar regained her voice, she immediately screamed for help.
Consumed by rage, she couldn't recall feeling this furious in centuries of living in the mortal realm. Not only had this mortal ignored her divine grace and charm, he'd dared to bind her—this was blasphemy of the highest order!
"Ishtar-sama...?"
Someone outside heard the commotion and cautiously entered.
But the instant their eyes met Eiji's, their reason evaporated. Their mind blanked as all capacity for thought disappeared in an instant.
The girl collapsed to the floor with a thud, cheeks flushed, body convulsing uncontrollably as if experiencing ecstasy.
Ishtar's eyes widened in shock.
This reaction was all too familiar!
It was exactly how victims of her charm ability behaved!
But she hadn't used her charm!
Why would she use it on her own people?
"You...!?"
Realization struck Ishtar like lightning.
She stared at Eiji with utter disbelief, her mind reeling from the impossible revelation.
This guy... has charm?!
"I said, Goddess Ishtar, couldn't you just behave?"
Eiji turned back to her, shaking his head in exasperation.
"...This is blasphemy against the gods!"
Ishtar clenched her teeth.
Her expression darkened instantly, and an unparalleled surge of divine pressure radiated from her, bearing down upon the target of her wrath.
That was divine might!
Even though the gods had lost their divine power, they still possessed an overwhelming will that surpassed all mortals. That was why few in the mortal realm dared to show disrespect to the gods!
But—
"Behave yourself. Do you really think I wouldn't dare to kill a god?"
A blade was pressed before her eyes, silencing her instantly.