The night enveloped the pleasure district in a heavy and sensual atmosphere. Under the dim glow of the lanterns, Hermes, dressed in his adventurer's garb, headed towards Ishtar's mansion. He had carefully planned this meeting, playing on the curiosity and ambition of the goddess to achieve his goal.
In the main hall of the manor, Ishtar sat on a richly decorated throne, surrounded by her loyal Amazons. Her piercing gaze fixed on Hermes, an intrigued smile playing on the corner of her lips.
— "So, Hermes, what information do you have that would warrant an audience with me? I hope this isn't one of your usual shenanigans."
Hermes, wearing his casual smile, bowed slightly.
— "Nothing so trivial, my dear Ishtar. I have come to speak to you of a certain rival who has occupied your thoughts for centuries."
Ishtar raised an eyebrow, already interested.
— "Freya? What did she do this time?"
— "She has her sights set on a boy," Hermes replied, his voice lowering as if he were sharing a precious secret. "A special boy. But if you really want to know who he is and why he catches her eye, you're going to have to convince me to give you that information."
Ishtar, accustomed to such negotiations, stood with sensual grace. Her dress slipped from her shoulders and fell to the ground, revealing all her splendor.
— "Very well, Hermes. I will get what I want, as always."
Author's Note: Normally there's a lemon scene here between Hermes and Ishtar but I'm not very good at writing those kinds of scenes.
After several intimate romps, Ishtar, satisfied, fell asleep in her large ornate bed. Hermes, meanwhile, rose silently, a spark of mischief in his eyes. He knew that his true purpose was not yet accomplished.
With soft steps, he began to search the sumptuous room. Every drawer, every chest, every shelf. After several minutes of searching, he finally found a parchment carefully stored in an ornate box. On it, a complex magic formula: the one that controlled Haruhime's slave collar.
Hermes quickly pulled a small notebook out of his pocket and quickly copied the formula into it. As he was putting everything back in place, he heard movement behind him. Ishtar was waking up.
— "Hermes? What are you doing up?" she asked in a still sleepy voice.
Hermes adjusted his hat with a casual smile, hiding his confusion.
— "I was getting dressed to leave, my dear. I thought I wouldn't disturb you."
Ishtar straightened, her gaze alert.
— "You got what you wanted. Now, give me the name of this boy Freya is interested in."
Hermes, who was adjusting his cloak, gave the goddess a playful look.
— "You already know him. He's part of your own family: Bell Cranel."
Shock was evident on Ishtar's face. Hermes took advantage of her confusion to quickly leave the room, carefully hiding the formula he had stolen.
Left alone, Ishtar clenched her fists, her mind whirling. "Bell Cranel… Freya is interested in him? But why? What are you hiding from me, little rabbit?"
Her mind was already ablaze with new ideas and plans, as she vowed to discover the truth.
Hermes, meanwhile, left the mansion with a triumphant smile, congratulating himself on having succeeded in his daring infiltration. Haruhime's fate now depended on Bell, and he hoped that the latter would know how to use this formula wisely.
Chapter 41: Between Deceptions and Suspicions
Morning was slowly breaking over Orario, and Bell was heading to Hermes' residence to retrieve the promised formula. When he arrived, he found Asfi looking somber and visibly upset.
— "Ah, Bell Cranel," she said dryly as he entered. "I suppose you're here to get what my idiot god managed to get after his… 'negotiation' with Ishtar."
She held out the carefully folded paper, but her gaze burned with a mixture of reproach and resignation.
— "Thank you," Bell replied simply, taking the formula. He bowed slightly. "I owe you a lot."
— "It's not me you have to thank, but Hermes. Although I doubt his motives are purely altruistic."
Back inside, Asfi, still sulking, called out to Hermes, who was quietly sipping a cup of tea.
— "Why did you help that boy, Hermes? You never help anyone without a reason."
Hermes gave an enigmatic smile, setting down his cup with calculated slowness.
— "This boy is… special, Asfi. Let's just say I work for someone higher up, who asked me to keep an eye on him."
Asfi frowned, displeased by this vague answer, but did not insist. Meanwhile, Bell, who was walking away, activated Ethereal Vision by instinct. The light of emotions revealed to him the color of deception in Hermes. A slight frown passed over Bell's face, but he kept this revelation to himself.
Back in the pleasure quarters, Bell didn't have time to breathe. He was summoned by Ishtar, a summons he couldn't ignore.
In the great hall of the manor, Ishtar sat on her throne, surrounded by her Amazons, their piercing gaze fixed on Bell. Among them, Aisha stood slightly behind, looking worried but trying to hide her emotions.
Ishtar, magnificent and imposing, peered at Bell with icy intensity.
— "So, little bunny, after the mess you caused in the Soma family." She smiled, but her gaze was sharp. "And now, I wonder… Do you have a relationship with Freya?"
A murmur ran through the ranks of the Amazons. Bell, planted in the center of the room, felt the weight of the gazes on him. He looked up at Ishtar, her face neutral thanks to her skill at masking her emotions.
— "I do not understand what you are talking about, goddess Ishtar," he replied calmly, his voice devoid of any tremor. "I am completely devoted to your cause."
Ishtar leaned forward slightly, trying to fathom his intentions.
— "Freya has never taken such an interest in such a… insignificant adventurer. And yet, you seem to attract the attention of all of Orario."
Aisha stood back, clenching her fists slightly, her gaze alternating between Bell and Ishtar. She knew how cruel Ishtar could be if she felt betrayed.
With Ethereal Vision, Bell anticipated the fluctuating emotions around him. He saw Ishtar's suspicions, Aisha's worry, and even the greed of some of the Amazons who hoped to see a confrontation.
He bowed respectfully.
— "Everything I do is to serve your glory, goddess Ishtar. Perhaps the rumors about Freya are just a ploy to sow discord."
Ishtar remained silent, watching the young man with redoubled attention. Then, she straightened up on her throne, seeming to want to test his words.
— "I'll keep an eye on you, Bell Cranel. And remember, your body and mind belong to me."
Bell nodded, hiding his thoughts perfectly behind a mask of obedience. As he left the room, he met Aisha's gaze, who gave him a discreet sign of warning.
Outside, under the moonlight, Aisha was waiting for Bell. She quickly caught up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
— "You're playing with fire, Bell."
Bell turned to her, his gaze calm but determined.
- "I know."
Aisha sighed deeply, wondering if she should follow him into this madness. But somewhere, she saw a strength in him that she hadn't noticed before.
— "Be careful, Bell. If Ishtar finds out the truth, she will destroy you. And she will not spare me either."
Bell nodded, clenching his fist gently.
— "Don't worry, Aisha. Everything is calculated."
But deep down, he knew the game he was playing was far more dangerous than he cared to admit.