Eiji's gaze was icy, the killing intent in his eyes no joking matter.
Those of the lower world feared divine might, and few dared to kill a god. Not only would it require facing the terrifying will of a deity, but they would also be hunted by the Guild afterwards.
But Eiji was different.
He truly dared to kill a god!
He cared nothing for divine might or the Guild's pursuit, as if this man himself feared nothing. The blade pressed against her neck was the clearest proof.
He held no reverence for gods.
"...I understand."
Ishtar's expression was inscrutable as she withdrew her divine might.
"Untie me, and I'll give you the key."
Without divine power, a god was merely an ordinary person.
Add to that the fact that her charms were ineffective, and the bold and skilled Eiji chose to release her.
Ishtar made no underhanded moves.
She walked to the corner, pried open a magic stone lamp by the wall, and with a series of clicks, a hidden door revealed itself in the room.
She motioned for Eiji to follow, then led the way inside.
It was a dimly lit secret chamber, with almost no light filtering in, yet the furnishings were lavish.
Rare magic tools and materials lined the shelves along the walls—many of which Eiji couldn't even name. This was Ishtar's personal collection room.
Every item deemed worthy of a god's collection held unimaginable value.
"The key is in here."
Ishtar retrieved a wooden box and handed it to Eiji.
Inside the box was the key to the artificial labyrinth, or so Ishtar indicated.
With this key, one could control the labyrinth's gates and mechanisms, ensuring unimpeded passage!
Eiji's gaze fixed intently on the wooden box.
Sensing no danger from it, he stepped forward and reached for the box.
With this key, the Loki Familia could fully reclaim their losses from this ordeal—they could avenge Line and the others!
"...Are you mocking me?"
But Eiji's expression suddenly darkened.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Ishtar tugged at her hair impatiently.
Yet the next moment, she froze.
Eiji lifted the box and opened the lid.
—It was empty!
"This... how is this possible?!"
Ishtar's eyes widened.
She snatched the box back, frantically searching it as if unable to believe it, but found nothing. The box was completely empty!
"Impossible! I definitely put the key in here! It's the only one of its kind, which is why I kept it in this box..."
Ishtar muttered in disbelief.
"Hey, what's going on?"
Eiji's cold eyes bore into her.
"Are you really not playing games with me?"
"No! I'm certain the key was in this box—I always put it back after using it!"
Ishtar explained anxiously.
"Someone must have taken it!"
Her reaction seemed genuine.
Because if it were a lie, Eiji's blade would pierce her body, sending her back to the heavens!
"Did Kali take it?"
Eiji took a deep breath and pressed further.
"Impossible. She doesn't even know about this treasure room!"
Ishtar shook her head with absolute certainty.
"Very few people know about this treasure vault—only one other besides me... Tammuz! Could it be that bastard betrayed me?!"
Ishtar's face suddenly twisted with realization, her expression turning ugly.
Tammuz?
Eiji remembered that name; he'd heard it in passing.
That was supposedly the vice-captain of Ishtar Familia, a high-tier adventurer at Level 4, second only to Phryne in strength.
"Where is he now?"
"...He went missing a few days ago."
Ishtar spoke through gritted teeth.
"He was my personal guard, the only one who knew about the hidden chamber. Normally, he'd appear the moment I called, but three days ago, he suddenly vanished. I searched everywhere but couldn't find him. I thought he'd died... Now it's clear—he must have stolen the key!"
Three days ago.
Eiji knew in his heart that finding him now would be impossible.
Orario wasn't large, but every Familia's base could serve as a hiding place. Loki Familia couldn't possibly search every single one—that would provoke widespread outrage.
"What about the other keys?"
"There aren't any."
"Not even Kali?"
"She just joined. She hasn't earned Evilus's trust yet."
"Sigh... So, I came all this way for nothing?"
Eiji exhaled sharply, his grip on his sword tightening as killing intent flared in his eyes.
"W-wait, give me time!"
Ishtar's face paled as she instinctively stepped back.
"Give me time, and I'll find Tammuz! I once charmed him—there's no way I can't track him down! No, just let me return to the Dungeon once more. I can demand a second key—they wouldn't dare defy me, their investor...!"
Ishtar desperately bargained for her life.
She wasn't wrong. If she spoke up, she could undoubtedly obtain a second key from Thanatos.
But.
Thud!
The next moment, the blade pierced through her body.
Clean in, crimson out.
Ishtar stared in disbelief at the sword embedded in her chest, only the hilt remaining visible.
Eiji's expression remained ice-cold, utterly unmoved.
"You... how...?"
Ishtar gaped at him in shock.
"Do you take me for a fool? If I let you go now, you'd disappear, wouldn't you? And you'd bring nothing but trouble for me and my Familia."
Eiji sneered.
Her attitude toward Freya said it all—this woman was utterly unhinged.
Freya had done nothing, simply existing above her, and Ishtar couldn't stand it. Consumed by jealousy, she schemed to bring her down, harassing her at every turn.
If he let her leave now, what then?
Wouldn't she dedicate herself to making Eiji's life hell for threatening her?
Not only would he face endless trouble, but his Familia would suffer too.
"You... bastard... damn youuuuuu!!"
Ishtar's face contorted with rage.
With her last strength, she hurled a crude curse.
The next instant—
Hummm—!
A colossal pillar of white light erupted into the sky!
The beam pierced heaven and earth, centered on Ishtar, radiating a majesty that surpassed all mortal power, bathing all of Orario in divine radiance.
In that moment, every mortal and god who witnessed the light trembled.
A single truth imprinted itself upon all:
A god was about to return.
"This should bring some solace to the spirits of Line and the others in heaven."
Eiji leaped away from the pillar of light.
Gazing upward at Ishtar disappearing into the luminous column, he murmured softly under his breath.
Though by now, they might have already been reborn as different people.