Rovi turned a corner, threading through streets bathed in alternating sunlight and shadow, until he finally found the source of the presence he'd sensed—waiting quietly in the shade.
"Hmph, I thought you'd lost the nerve to show up!"
At the center of a narrow alley flanked by tall buildings, a crisp voice echoed gently. The figure had her back to him, long black hair shifting softly as she turned, her fair, athletic body gleaming like ivory in the dimness.
Exactly as Rovi had anticipated.
"So it really was you… Ishtar."
"Indeed, it is I—the great goddess herself!" Ishtar flicked her hair elegantly, her face completely at ease, as though last time's humiliation never happened.
She wore a seemingly refined smile on her delicate features, exuding an unexpected intellectual charm that sharply contrasted with her previously arrogant attitude.
She waited with anticipation for Rovi's reaction.
Ever since her last defeat, she'd gradually integrated more of her host's humanity, slowly grasping the concept humans called "inner beauty."
Simply put—
She had learned to be gentle!
Gentle women were always popular; surely Rovi wouldn't be any different… Ishtar subtly lifted her eyes, gazing at him expectantly.
Yet the look on his face clearly said…
'Kiddo, you disappoint me!'
"..."
What kind of reaction is that?!
Ishtar's carefully maintained elegance nearly shattered on the spot.
Unbeknownst to her, Rovi truly was disappointed.
He had assumed this "invitation" was revenge, perhaps even an attempt on his life. Otherwise, why would he have come here with such eager anticipation?
He'd even deliberately sent Enkidu away.
Wasn't it exactly for this?
And this was it?
"If there's nothing important, I'm going back." Rovi shrugged indifferently, yawning lazily, not even sparing Ishtar another glance.
Feigning disinterest—
For gods, that was even more humiliating than direct insults.
Sure enough, seeing Rovi's dismissive attitude, Ishtar quickly steadied herself. The goddess took a deep breath, her bare chest rising and falling rhythmically.
No, I can't let him escape like this!
Otherwise, her efforts over these past seven days would have been completely wasted!
Rovi dusted off his hands casually, making a show of turning to leave.
Immediately, he heard Ishtar approach, her graceful steps echoing softly as she came closer, hips swaying gently with every movement.
Only about five meters away now.
Finally making her move?
Rovi couldn't suppress a faint spark of anticipation.
But instead, Ishtar simply spoke, flashing him a charming, cute smile.
"Become my lover, Rovi-san!"
"?"
Rovi's face instantly twisted into confusion.
Is this some kind of joke? Are we even that familiar?
Wait—
Was she trying to use the same trick she'd tried on Gilgamesh, only now directed at him?
Recalling her parting words after their last encounter in the royal palace, Rovi suddenly understood.
However, for Ishtar to speak like this now also meant that she hadn't communicated with the heavens recently. Otherwise, she surely would have known about his recent transgression against the gods.
If she had, she'd either never dare meet him alone—
—or she'd be trying to kill him the instant they met.
What a pity.
"You don't have to answer me right away," Ishtar continued, noticing Rovi's thoughtful silence.
She crossed her arms beneath her chest, pressing them slightly as if trying to emphasize something, but quickly realized the futility and gave up in mild frustration. Instead, she lifted one slender, jade-white finger, which stood out clearly in the shadows of the alley.
She murmured softly, "I know exactly what you're thinking."
As she spoke, the goddess moved two steps closer, further reducing the distance between them.
An intoxicating fragrance gently brushed Rovi's senses, and he froze momentarily as the graceful goddess leaned even closer, placing her face mere inches from his own.
Despite his earlier insults, Rovi never once underestimated Ishtar's current beauty.
After all, her host was a heroine featured prominently in Type-Moon's own works. Perhaps not the pinnacle of beauty, but certainly enchanting nonetheless.
Even more so now, with their closeness creating an undeniably ambiguous atmosphere.
This was something the prideful goddess from before would never have done—she who viewed all mortals as mere playthings would never willingly approach a human so intimately.
—Not even Gilgamesh.
Yet seven days of merging her humanity and divinity, mixed with her pride and stubbornness as a goddess of beauty, had led her to this very moment.
Rovi appeared momentarily dazed.
Ishtar raised her lovely face, her cheeks flushed as she parted her rosy lips:
"…See? My heart's beating so fast right now."
She gently leaned in, whispering sweetly beside Rovi's ear, her voice deliberately seductive, a faintly victorious smile forming on her lips.
According to her meticulous research on human emotions these past few days, such a gesture was irresistible—no mortal man could possibly withstand this temptation.
So, she was utterly confident—and even praised herself inwardly for her cleverness and flawless acting.
Although, deep down, her heart truly was racing rapidly.
But it was just an act, after all…
"An accelerated heartbeat isn't normal. It's an illness—you should see a doctor," Rovi said with a completely serious expression, placing his hands firmly on Ishtar's slender bare shoulders and pushing her gently away from his ear to face her squarely.
Ishtar blinked, dumbfounded.
This guy… Why didn't he react?!
Of course Rovi wouldn't react. It wasn't because he lacked human desires, but because…
"Lady Ishtar, did you forget to set up a spell to repel ordinary people?" Rovi calmly raised his other hand, pointing behind her.
Ishtar's body stiffened slightly. She sensed what he meant, yet didn't dare look behind.
Because—
"What are they doing in public?"
"No idea…"
"Ah, young love? Must be nice to be young..."
Whispers from behind reached her ears.
With such an audience, who could possibly continue confidently?
Ishtar's blush deepened immediately, her face practically burning—
Ahhhh—
Embarrassing, embarrassing, embarrassing… too embarrassing!
A dignified goddess being watched like street entertainment?!
A gentle breeze blew past—
In an instant, everyone vanished.
Rovi paused slightly, noticing Ishtar's raised hand and a faint glow at her palm.
Instinctively, Rovi moved to stop her. Even though he wished for his own demise, he couldn't simply watch fellow humans be slaughtered. Yet unexpectedly, Ishtar didn't kill anyone—she merely erased the bystanders' memories with divine power, gently sending them away.
This wasn't typical of the Goddess of Venus.
"So that's why you felt strange earlier..." Rovi suddenly realized, astonished. "You've fused with your vessel's humanity, haven't you?"
Such inexplicable shyness.
Such catastrophic failures at critical moments… This undoubtedly was Rin Tohsaka's influence!
He'd sensed this familiar feeling from the start, deliberately allowing the onlookers to gather. Rin Tohsaka might slip up, but he certainly wouldn't. Those ordinary people couldn't have hidden themselves from him, especially now that he embodied the [Key of Heaven] itself.
And as expected—
Ishtar hadn't harmed these mortals she previously saw as mere toys. This kind of genuine kindness was utterly alien to her original divine self.
"Hmph!"
Face still flushed, Ishtar turned her head aside, appearing distinctly unnatural from embarrassment. "I… I've made myself clear already!"
"B-be my lover—damn it!"
Though she couldn't suppress her embarrassment, her pride as a goddess forced her to continue.
Rovi had to admit, this version of Ishtar was indeed much cuter than before.
His expression softened into sincere interest, causing even Ishtar, who thought her plan had failed, to regain a glimmer of hope.
And then—
"But, I refuse!"
Are you fucking kidding me right now?!
---
T/N: ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?!