- In total, we get: I destroy the front entrance as loudly as possible, after which Bell begins to attract attention, running around the building and destroying the environment, in case of an emergency I will intervene.
While we're busy doing our own thing, Mikoto sneaks in and tries to find and save Haruhime. If successful, she will release a green flare, if unsuccessful, a red one. Okay, let's begin.
...
*Belit Babili*
A teenager in dark clothes appeared in the guards' field of view. Slowly approaching them, he took a small hammer out of his pocket.
- I'm sorry for the trouble I'll cause.
With a wave of his hand, powerful bolts of lightning rained down from the sky, destroying everything in their path and producing very loud sounds. Hearing the mayhem, the members of the Ishtar familia became worried and began to move towards the source of the sound.
- Bell, let's go.
The moment the two got inside the building, adventurers from the Freya family began to appear on the streets of Orario.
- Goddess, are you sure that we should go there? I'm sure Crowley can handle it himself.
- I know, Ottar. But this time I will go with you, Ishtar did what she shouldn't have done.
....
The duo ran through the labyrinthine corridors, pursued by a group of women. Sometimes they hit dead ends, but a couple of Bell's firebolts quickly solved the problem.
Enemies getting in the way were not a problem. Until a certain point. Having broken through the wall into a huge hall, THIS appeared in front of the hunter and his partner.
A huge, bloated woman with a head resembling a toad. Armed with two huge axes.
- Sweet rookie, last time you and I didn't even finish. I knew that you would return to such a beautiful woman like me.
The boy turned pale and fear appeared in his eyes.
- Bell, are you really..... with her....
- NO! This crazy woman took me to some room where she was going to.....
- You don't have to continue. Let's continue on our way, I'll deal with... her?
And so the chase continued. This time, axes flew at Bell's back with great speed, repelled by the hunter with his weapon.
{ I don't think she's trying to kill us, the strength is too low for a level 5 adventurer. Then what is she trying to achieve?}
The answer was found shortly after. A red flare glowed in the air. Having reached the fork, Crowley stopped
- Bell, go to Mikoto, there is still time. They won't be able to find you once you break away.
When the boy left, the hunter was left alone in the corridor, blocking most of the members of the Ishtar familia. In his hands was a rusty whistle.
- Ladies, before you try to walk past me, let me show you something interesting.
*Whistling*
A huge snake head burst out of the ground and tried to swallow everything that was in the place where the whistle came from. After which it disappeared.
The Amazons seems to be in shock; no one dared to take the first step.
- What are you waiting for?! Do you really think that he can do this several times? - Phryne pushed girls to action.
*Whistling*
The situation repeated itself.
- You can try, but I warn you, despite its size, this thing is damn poisonous, you won't get away with one or two lost limbs.
The situation has reached a dead end.
*A few minutes later*
A voice was heard.
- Why are you standing here?! Leave Smiley to me, and go to the place of the ritual, there is not much left.
Everyone present, except the speaker and her companion, turned around and left.
- In such a situation, it would be worth introducing ourselves, but I think we both know enough about each other. What is all this for, Ishtar?
A brown-haired goddess in a revealing outfit stood in front of the hunter. Very revealing outfit.
- I always didn't like Freya, no, I hate her. When the ritual is completed, I will destroy her. In the meantime, I will take you and make her suffer.
Ishtar took off her clothes and went to Crowley. The Young Great One looked away.
- And you ask why she is considered more attractive?! She's certainly not an innocent maiden, but throwing herself at a man you just met out of a thirst for revenge? You're just terrible.
- Terrible? I don't think so. The relationship between a woman and a man in the lower world is beautiful, I take pride in pleasing others.
- Interesting, but that still doesn't explain your vile character. We do not have anything to talk about.
- You keep talking to me like that. Why doesn't charm work?!
- Who knows? I think it's time for me to go, and you probably should too. Can't you smell the smoke? I would venture to guess that your actions have greatly angered one goddess.
Having said this, Crowley went to the ritual site.
...
* Hanging Gardens *
A long bridge connected the main building and the annex, on which there was a large square platform. In the middle of the glowing square sat a chained girl with yellow fox ears and a tail, her eyes were empty, it seemed she had accepted her fate.
Next to her stood an amazoness, holding a dagger with a spherical crystal at the end of the handle. It was by killing Haruhime with this tool that the Ishtar family was going to gain her powers. Initially, this was supposed to be done by Samira, a beautiful girl who loves battles.
But she handed the dagger into the hands of a weaker representative of the family, and she herself went to fight with Bell.
- Why are you doing this?! Haruhime is part of your family, don't you feel anything?
- This is the will of our goddess, nothing can be done about it.
- You're finally acting like a man, rabbit. Unfortunately it's too late. Do it.
Aisha Belka, standing to the side, gave the command to begin the ritual.
Hearing this, Bell tried to break through Samira standing in front of him, but the superior strength of the amazoness did not allow him to pass.
The blade pierced Renard's chest. The stone at the top of the handle filled with unusual energy, Haruhime fell dead. After which the crystal broke into many fragments.
- NO!
Bell fell to his knees in grief. Tears flowed from Aisha's eyes
- Are my efforts in vain? Haven't I done enough?
- Ahhahah you didn't succeed, go away, you have nothing to do here, but I promise, our family will meet yours again.
On the bridge is a toad-like woman with ecstasy on her face.
A hunter appeared from the fog in front of the boy, sending Samira and Phryne into the main building with a powerful kicks. Shots began to sound in the air, aggressive members of the Ishtar family fell to the ground with their knees shot.
- Mr. Crowley, please help us. I know you are an unusual person, there must be a way.
- Cranell! You were the only chance! Your cowardice led to this outcome. Even the gods are not able to hold together a soul scattered in space. - Aisha decided to place the blame on the boy.
- Wait a minute, the only possibility? Literally each of you could have stopped the ritual, but you didn't. Don't blame the boy for your mistakes.
The hunter was not impressed by throwing responsibility onto others.
- What do you know? Can you even imagine what happens to someone who angers Ishtar?
- Surprise me. She may have done something terrible to you, but you were still trying to help the girl, which means your ability to make decisions was not lost.
I think you were trying to find lost courage in the boy.
- Mr. Crowley, she's right, maybe if I had done something earlier, Haruhime would be alive. There is no point in these conversations.
- *Sigh* Even I am not capable of saving a soul scattered into thousands of pieces. But... Bell, what are you willing to do to get the girl back?
- Is there still a chance? But Aisha said....
- I don't care, the gods are far from the most terrible creatures in this world. So what's your answer?
- I'm ready to risk everything.
- Fabulous. Look here.
The hunter took out a strange stone, on which were depicted three letters i, crossed by a curved line.
- Now listen carefully...
The hunter instantly cut off his hand, blood flowed to the ground.
- Master!
- You said you were ready to risk everything. Shut up and do what I say.
{ I hope I'm not mistaken about you. }
Draw a rune with my blood over the entire area of the platform, be sure to pour a couple of sips into the girl.
- But your body....
- Boy, don't make me regret what I did. Move.
Within a minute the rune was completed, the hunter sat in the center of the formation.
- Amazoness, Bell, try not to look into my eyes, also forget about the rune and the words that I say.
- What are you going to do?
- I may be avoiding this topic, but I also have a family. We don't have the best relationship with everyone, but I know that even those whom I have offended the most will help me if I ask.
Moreover, HE is the most passive of them and the master of space, and he is always nearby.