After the battle in the factory and against Arcueid, as well as plotting against Gilgamesh, she had confronted two Servants who were most likely to obtain the Holy Grail in this Holy Grail War and even gained the upper hand.
Haruri had somewhat guessed the true name of this goddess.
In addition, her wording and tone, her control over the fertility of the earth, her bestowal of rewards and destruction upon warriors with the brilliance of Venus, and her protection of the people—for a magus, these descriptions were enough to figure it out.
Whenever she realized the truth of this matter, Haruri couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
—Such an existence is actually accompanying me?
—Is this really something that would happen in reality?
"In modern times, although magecraft has declined, if this is the result of specializing in technology, it's not too bad. Although I get along better with the jewelers of Uruk when it comes to the taste of decorations…but never mind. I'll respect the values of this era for this little thing."
Ishtar said, raising her hand.
She wore a sparkling ruby diamond ring on her hand, echoing her natural beauty.
It gave people the impression that the gem was only used to adorn her existence, otherwise it would have no value at all.
"After all, whether it's technology or taste, in the end, it's just a matter of whether it's suitable to match me or not."
Ishtar played with the diamond ring, smiling happily.
Her existence is the standard of beauty.
In the true sense, reaching the pinnacle of "beauty" itself can become a great magic akin to sorcery.
"I remember the Holy Grail War isn't supposed to summon gods…"
"Yes, that's right. Although there are some unorthodox methods, this kind of ritual limited to one place, and using a flawed, false Holy Grail, couldn't possibly summon a divine being of my caliber.
Ah, but… for example, if you use the Holy Grail as a wish-granting machine at the end of the ritual, you might be able to get someone like me to listen to the wisher's words."
Ishtar strolled leisurely through the forest.
Haruri followed closely behind.
"If that's the case, then why…?"
"I'm limited here simply because the power I left behind has activated. Hehe, it's a blessing I left for the world."
"…What do you mean?"
Looking at Ishtar's nonchalant demeanor,
this was a bit beyond Haruri's understanding.
As a modern mage, she couldn't comprehend the extent of a god's power or the specific theories behind it.
More importantly, in this age of declining mystery, it was incomprehensible that a god's power could remain to this extent.
"However, my limitation isn't complete right now. This body is probably a sacrifice prepared for this ritual, right? If my true self descended here, the humans in this town would all die. The only environment that could accept my descent would be the Age of Gods."
Although Ishtar spoke very casually,
Haruri's heart skipped a beat. The existence of gods was overwhelmingly vast.
She had heard people say before that
in an era much older than the present, the air was filled with true ether, and mystery was almost omnipresent.
That era was called the "Age of Gods."
If modern people were directly transported to the Age of Gods, they might die from just taking a breath.
Like freshwater fish unable to survive in the ocean,
modern humans wouldn't be able to survive in an environment filled with magical energy.
However, Haruri also knew that
there were still regions in Britain where the mystery was no different from the Age of Gods.
But whether that was legend or reality,
Haruri didn't know.
"I was humiliated by that disrespectful man. Even though I conceded so much, he still turned his blade against me! Cutting my neck! From that moment on, I deeply embedded a blessing in the world, and I didn't stop until I merged with human reason and vanished."
A chilling coldness seeped into her spine.
Beauty is terror, beauty is a fundamental terror.
The goddess's eyes were cold and sharp, her face so beautiful it could freeze people into ice, stunningly beautiful.
Who could have inspired such hatred in her?
Who could have inspired such jealousy?
If it was something even the goddess of beauty couldn't obtain, how high was the "beauty" of that thing?
Unimaginable.
If Haruri were the object of Ishtar's hatred, she would probably be grateful rather than terrified.
Because even in anger and hatred,
the goddess was still absolutely beautiful.
As a mage, Haruri was extremely knowledgeable about mythology, and she knew the story inscribed on the stone tablets:
A certain vizier of Uruk rejected the love of the goddess of beauty.
He chose the goddess of the underworld, who was rejected by the world.
In the end, disaster befell Uruk.
King Gilgamesh, along with the Chains of Heaven and the vizier beloved by the people,
worked together to quell the calamity.
In mythology, more emphasis is placed on the tragic and tender love between the vizier and the goddess of the underworld.
As for the description of the goddess of beauty,
she is portrayed as a willful and tyrannical goddess.
But in Ishtar's words, Haruri heard another version of the epic myth.
"Isn't it too much? That guy is so heartless. So, love is really dangerous. You have to punish guys who start things and then abandon them."
Ishtar spoke candidly to Haruri.
Perhaps because she saw a reflection of her past self in the girl's hatred that yearned to destroy mystery,
she revealed more detailed accounts of the past.
It was even more detailed than the myths.
Of course, this version was Ishtar's version, a story told from her perspective.
About how a certain man fell in love with her.
And finally, how they broke up.
Given Ishtar's personality, it's not hard to imagine how she would selectively tell the story.