"Humph. It's rare to see that goddess quiet.." Gilgamesh muttered, settling back onto his throne. "Seems even fools mellow with time. My arrangements for you are recorded on the clay tablet. Follow Siduri. As for the useless goddess—just toss her somewhere she won't be seen."
Amber winced. That was quite… harsh.
Fujimaru, relieved Gilgamesh hadn't ordered Ishtar's execution, exhaled quietly. Amber, too, felt a weight lift. She didn't want to harm someone with Rin Tohsaka's face. If Gilgamesh had insisted, she might've switch sides..
Siduri arrived with the clay tablet, gracefully smoothing over Gilgamesh's bluntness. She emphasized how much the king valued their combat strength, assigning roles to each member—except Fu Hua.
Amber's slate was blank.
'Free action?' she wondered. 'I guess I never officially pledged to Chaldea or Uruk…'
Just then, a soft groan broke the silence.
"Ugh… What… happened?" Ishtar stirred, her vision swirling from the lingering effects of Shen Yun. The mental contusion would've knocked a human out for a day. For a goddess? Half an hour.
"Don't worry," Amber whispered. "It's just a mild psychic shock. I controlled it carefully—no lasting damage."
Up close, Ishtar's beauty was overwhelming. Even Amber, normally composed, felt her voice soften. Thankfully, Fu Hua's serene face and navigation's expression management kept her from visibly flustering.
But Ishtar wasn't immune either.
The face she admired—calm, elegant, powerful—was inches away. Her heart skipped. She'd teased mortals before, but now she couldn't muster a single flirtatious line.
'It's that human's influence again…'
She shook her head, banishing the thought, and flew out of Amber's arms.
"You attacked a goddess!" she snapped. "How dare you!"
Amber remained calm. "It wasn't my intention. But if I hadn't stopped your attack, no one here would've survived."
"You acknowledge my dignity, but show no respect!" Ishtar turned to Siduri. "Take care of her!"
Siduri, ever diplomatic, bowed slightly. "Apologies, Lady Ishtar. This guest is not a resident of Uruk. The Tower of God has no authority over her."
Seeing Ishtar wasn't truly angry, Siduri added with a gentle sting: "Also, if you continue losing your temper, the king's patience may wear thin."
"I don't need that golden tyrant's affection!" Ishtar huffed.
But dusk was falling, and her mood waned. She glared at Amber one last time, then took to the sky.
"It won't be so easy next time, pretty girl. And Siduri—if Gilgamesh suddenly dies, I'll protect Uruk. Raise the white flag and come get me!"
With that, she vanished.
"…What a casual goddess," Fujimaru chuckled.
Amber agreed. Ishtar's arrogance was oddly endearing. Even when scolded, she didn't spark anger—just exasperation.
Maybe it was the Rin resemblance. Maybe it was knowing she'd eventually join the protagonist group. Either way, Amber didn't sense true malice.
"She seems more chaotic than cruel," Amber said. "Her personality doesn't match her style."
After the interlude, Siduri led them to a two-story stone house. Rooms were assigned, and the group gathered around Mash's shield, preparing for communication protocols.
Amber, meanwhile, checked her system.
[Congratulations to the host. You have gained a lot.]
Recognition had jumped—from 3,700 to over 5,200.
'That's a lot! Can I use it to awaken Miss Conscious?'
She searched for the option. Nothing.
[The master control consciousness has planned a route for the host.]
Navigation displayed a prompt:
[Please use the card draw system to strengthen your power. The system's primary goal is host survival.]
Amber sighed. So she couldn't wake her benefactor yet. But she understood. If she died, the system would collapse too.
'Still… am I really in danger here?'
[No fatal threats detected.]
'Then why—'
[The system has set a route. Please trust it and follow its guidance.]
Amber wasn't reckless. If this was the master's plan, she'd follow it.
'Alright, Ms. Navigation. Let's draw the card.'