"So that's it. Now everything makes sense. But still… that woman really does have a death wish, doesn't she?"
-------------------
That goddess of beauty who stood atop the city's peak silently launched a Familia war against the gray-market overlord entrenched on Pleasure Street.
What had been a quiet night instantly boiled over as the news spread.
In a short time, countless gazes turned toward the southern district, the busiest part of Orario at night.
As the great blaze that lit up the night burned through that stretch of street, the Familia war was confirmed beyond doubt.
One of the parties involved, the goddess of the [Ishtar Familia], Ishtar, no longer wore the arrogance and coquettishness she had minutes before.
Watching the towering flames outside the spire and the once-prosperous street reduced to rubble, she was completely undone.
The anger in her heart even turned into tangible flames and kept burning; jealousy had twisted her features and her mind filled with indignation.
Intertwined with that fury was another current hidden deep in her heart.
Her strongest ace who had just been slain by the [Loki Familia] left her forces utterly unable to compete with the cards Freya now held.
Right now, her only hope… was to sacrifice that Renard to the Killing Stone. Completing the ritual would upgrade her cluster of familiars , only then would there be a sliver of hope.
"Guard the ritual well. As long as the ritual is completed, even Freya won't be able to stop us, we'll have a chance at victory!"
"Yes!"
After dispatching her familiars, she withdrew into the tower beneath the broken shield of the spire.
Perhaps gods can sense one another; a pair of equally seductive eyes entered Ishtar's sight.
Their gazes met, and both understood immediately who the other was.
"That bitch Freya actually came herself. No, I must hide!"
A chill ran through Ishtar's heart and the goddess fled in a panic.
On the other side, Freya withdrew her gaze, her lips curling into a delightful arc, a wicked smile playing at the corners.
"Ishtar, you are far too unpleasant. I used to dismiss your little skirmishes as your mischief, but this time… you should never, ever have touched that child. You deserve a lesson you'll never forget."
...
What happened outside had no effect at all on Fron, who moved quickly through the core spire of the [Ishtar Familia] stronghold.
Passing through the lavish courtyard, Fron slipped through a side door and blurred up the spiral stairs that wrapped the tower, his movements swift and hidden.
In less than a dozen minutes, a shadow merged with the night and appeared on a broad platform.
Ahead was a single-lane battlement path; at the end of the sightline stood a protruding high dais.
On the square platform, four chains extended from the corners, binding a kneeling female Renard in place.
Beneath her, a mysterious magic circle almost the size of the platform itself kept emanating an enigmatic light, breathing in rhythm with the moonlight in the dark.
"So this is the Killing Stone…" Fron immediately spotted the crystal orb before the female Renard.
No explanation needed, it was a magical artifact from the Far East, the 'Killing Stone'.
While Fron examined the ritual site and the female Renard, the [Ishtar Familia] retainers guarding the dais , Amazoness warriors, or rather Berbera also noticed the cloaked stranger.
"Who's there?"
"Alert, an intruder!"
Appearing at the ritual at this hour and not being a member of their Familia meant, without doubt, an enemy.
"Surround him!"
"Yes!"
Aisha Belka issued the order instantly.
If anyone's heart was most conflicted at that moment, it was hers.
Sanjouno Haruhime was the little sister she had always cared for; she would gladly die for her.
But she couldn't, Ishtar's blessing marked her, and Ishtar had used charm to brainwash her; she would never betray the goddess.
With her own strength insufficient, the only way she could save her little sister was to borrow someone else's power.
When hope seemed gone, the mysterious intruder stirred something in her heart.
A familiar black robe, a familiar figure, a familiar aura… She absolutely had seen this mysterious person somewhere before.
"Wahaha, an intruder actually showed up. Perfect timing, I've been itching to vent my anger. This one's mine!"
With a thud, a hefty figure dropped from above and the whole platform trembled under her terrifying weight.
Phryne Jamil.
Fron, hooded, slightly lifted his head; his eyes curved in a half-smile as he looked at the opponent blocking his way.
"Hey, fatty. You're blocking my path. Mind moving so I can pass?" Fron tilted his head and spoke words that deeply insulted someone.
"F-fatty pig!?" The surrounding Berbera were stunned speechless by his remark; even Aisha was dumbfounded.
Phryne , who was she? The leader of the [Ishtar Familia]? Her reputation across the city and among adventurers was loud, she was also one of the rare first-tier adventurers. To call her "fat" in public…?
This person, does he/she not fear death!?
At that moment Fron removed his hood, revealing dazzling golden hair and a striking, handsome face.
Aisha's pupils contracted to pinpricks in an instant.
"It's him…"
"Ahhhhhhhhh, " Phryne reacted even more extremely.
A shrill scream tore from the giantess's throat; her already ugly face twisted by raging fury.
"It's you, it's you, it's you, it's you!!!!!"
Fron tilted his head slightly and smiled wantonly as he looked at the now-crazed toad.
"What, does seeing my handsome face make that severed arm of yours ache? Don't worry, last time I was in a hurry and let you live in squalor for a bit. This time, I'll give you a proper, satisfying end."
"Shut up!!! I'll kill you! Kill you! Kill you! Kill you!!!!"
Enraged, Phryne raised her war-axe with one hand and swung it straight at Fron.
Anger had clouded her reason; in her mind at this moment… she only wanted to slaughter the one who had ruined her beautiful body.
She threw aside the disparity in strength between them.
"Heh, what nonsense." Aisha sneered coldly and then instantly leapt to Haruhime's side.
"Haruhime, listen. This gentleman is here to save you. When we're defeated, you run and leave with him!"
"W-what!? B-but Sister Aisha…"