In Happy Street, the magical stone lamps cast a dreamlike glow.
These lamps, primarily used for illumination, are unlike anything else found in other parts of Orario. Their colors fill the streets with an ambiance that immediately evokes a sense of mystery and allure.
Yami followed behind Goddess Ishtar, gradually making his way deeper into this area.
As the sky darkened, the once-empty streets began to fill with people. Not only were there guests arriving from outside, but the staff from the various establishments on Happy Street also started to gather in small groups along the sides of the street.
Demi-human, humans, pallum, Amazons, and more—women of every race were present, dressed in revealing attire as they smiled and invited passersby into their establishments.
Even elves could be spotted among them.
Visiting Happy Street for the first time, Yami had to admit that he was a bit overwhelmed. Although he couldn't engage in certain activities, it didn't stop him from indulging in some eye candy, right?
Adventurers wandered through Happy Street as if they were on a leisurely shopping trip. When they fancied a particular courtesan, they would approach her for a conversation, and if both parties reached an agreement, they would head inside together. The atmosphere was open and free, with no sense of embarrassment.
"Is that... a god?" Yami muttered to himself, taken aback by the unexpected scene.
Naturally, both Goddess Ishtar and Aisha, who were walking beside him, heard his comment and chuckled softly.
"Don't be surprised. This is quite normal here," Ishtar said with a teasing smile. "Many male gods are quite liberal in their behavior, so we've set up slightly more upscale places for them."
"Don't be fooled by their divine status—they may give off an air of superiority, but their behavior is often no different from that of mortals in the lower world. Sometimes, two male gods will even get into conflicts over a single person!"
Hearing Goddess Ishtar's explanation, Yami's mouth twitched slightly. He should have known better than to expect anything noble from these so-called gods. Especially in Orario, where the Greek pantheon was prominent, he was already well aware of how chaotic their relationships could be.
There was nothing surprising about what he was seeing.
If the grandeur of the Avenue of Adventurers represents the surface of the labyrinth city, then Happy Street is something much deeper. This place is home to all sorts of gray industries, providing both adventurers and gods with an outlet to relieve their inner stress and desires.
Yami couldn't help but find the decadent scenery rather fascinating. It had nothing to do with being pure or clean—it was simply that, after enjoying more refined pleasures, sometimes a bit of second-rate indulgence could pique his interest. But second-rate garbage? He'd pass on that.
"Ah! Isn't that the lord of the Hephaestus Familia?"
"Where? I don't see him!"
"It really is Lord Yami!"
"I didn't expect him to come to Happy Street, and with Goddess Ishtar, no less. Is he her target?"
"What a shame. I was hoping to spend the night with him myself."
As soon as they spotted Yami, the courtesans lining the street began whispering excitedly. Their words, laced with innuendo, were spoken without any attempt to hide them.
However, because of Goddess Ishtar's presence, these women managed to maintain their composure and didn't approach to pester him. Competing with their own goddess for a man would be a serious crime. After all, Goddess Ishtar was the most revered figure on Happy Street, the undisputed ruler of the area.
Happy Street was under the jurisdiction of the Ishtar Familia, and even those who weren't directly affiliated with Ishtar had to comply with her rules. In the past, those who didn't respect her authority had mysteriously disappeared from Orario without a trace.
It was for this reason that the establishments on Happy Street eventually submitted to the Ishtar Familia's control. Every business here had to accept their management.
So, despite the bold comments being thrown around, no one dared to step forward. The three of them continued on their way toward the tallest building in the center of Happy Street, unimpeded.
"Mr. Yami, would you like me to give you a tour of this place?" Ishtar suddenly asked, an ambiguous smile playing on her lips. "Of course, if you take a liking to someone, you're welcome to take her with you. As the overseer of Happy Street, I have that much authority."
This offer stunned Aisha, who was walking alongside them. As a core member of the Ishtar Familia, she knew exactly what it meant to be personally invited by Goddess Ishtar.
Yami had clearly become a target for this "goddess of beauty" in front of them!
But the fact that Ishtar, who viewed Yami as her prey, would still allow him to be with other women left Aisha baffled. She couldn't figure out what Ishtar's true intentions were.
Meanwhile, Yami narrowed his eyes, beginning to piece together the goddess's motives. Was she trying to win his favor and simultaneously test whether he was a womanizer?
Her roundabout tactics were certainly a headache.
But... he wasn't an ordinary person!
"Goddess Ishtar, you're too generous. Since you're so enthusiastic, how could I refuse? May I take my chosen companion back to my Familia?" Yami asked.
"Of course, that's not a problem at all. After all, the courtesans here are available for purchase," Ishtar replied, her smile growing even more radiant.
She was confident—no one could remain indifferent after experiencing the beauty of Happy Street. When the time came, she would make her move!
"Wonderful! I've already found what I'm looking for," Yami said with a playful smile before turning and heading toward a nearby building.
The house he approached, with its red pillars and red walls, immediately stood out to everyone. Almost every building here was at least three stories tall, and they were far more elegant than the brothels they had passed earlier. Even the exteriors were much more refined.