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In Orario, the most convenient way to make money, aside from being an adventurer, is to sell oneself in the red-light district. One can simultaneously gain wealth and status in the red-light district, establishing connections with famous adventurers or [Familia] executives can also indirectly grant a certain degree of power.
Many courtesans who have gained patrons live lives akin to queens of small countries.
The spirited courtesans who come here all dream of rising from the branches to become phoenixes. There are also many who, despite not belonging to any Familia, have opened their own shops.
Like adventurers, making a name for oneself in this labyrinth city equates to gaining power. Many courtesans come to Orario with ambitions, and girls like Haruhime, who find themselves in such circumstances, are actually quite rare.
High-level adventurers like Raul are the most coveted targets for the courtesans. Establishing a stable, intimate relationship with them can at least ensure a few years of worry-free wealth. And if one can persuade a famous adventurer to "redeem" them, they can completely enter the winner's circle of life.
Therefore, even for the same expenditure, adventurers with fame and strength often receive more attentive, meticulous, and considerate service.
This is also one of the reasons why people like Raul become addicted to the red-light district; the attitudes of the courtesans allow them to experience a status that is hard to come by within their own Familia.
On the broad streets where courtesans in various costumes come and go, there are architectural designs from the East or desert regions that are not commonly seen around Orario. There are open-style Eastern buildings, as well as heavy stone houses reminiscent of the cold North.
The changing culture of the magic kingdom, and the style of the maritime region of Disara... These modern types of brothels have recently started to cause aesthetic fatigue among adventurers, who are gradually beginning to miss the mysterious desert ambiance.
'The Familia has already started preparing for the next expedition. I've been too indulged in the red-light district recently, spending all my money here...', Raul thought to himself, clearly, his plan to save money for a magic book had failed once again.
'Today is the last time. Starting tomorrow, I need to train hard and earn money by killing monsters in the dungeon...', Raul made up his mind for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Isn't this [High Novice] Raul? Long time no see," The speaker was a handsome male god.
"Ah, Lord Hermes."
Standing before him was a male god with orange-yellow hair and eyes.
Slender in build, of medium height, his limbs stretched straight under his travel clothes. As expected of a god, his appearance was impeccably neat.
As he removed the wide-brimmed hat with feathers from his head, his orange-yellow hair cascaded down.
Raul: "Long time no see, Lord Hermes. You've returned to Orario."
The strength of Hermes' Familia is not strong. At least according to the information registered with the guild, but this god is very well-liked.
Because the Hermes Familia is one of the rare traveling Familia, other Familia in the city often need to commission them for special tasks, such as the Hephaestus Familia, which occasionally requires the Hermes Familia to help procure unique materials from the sword-making city.
The Loki Familia is the same; many elves need the Hermes Familia to deliver letters to the elven homeland every year. Raul is quite familiar with the Hermes Familia, especially this handsome male god.
Meeting in a special place like the red-light district is not the first time for both of them, and they share a knowing smile, a silent understanding between them.
"We're planning to go to the [Pyramid] today, would Lord Hermes like to join us?"
"Oh~ Raul's target today is the golden-painted sisters, huh? Although it is indeed tempting... but sorry, I already have an appointment with someone from the [Yukaku]," The tall male god's eyes curved into crescents as he revealed a charming smile, he put his wide-brimmed hat back on, the two feathers attached to it rustling in the night breeze.
"The wind tonight is quite restless, it seems something interesting is about to happen," Hermes looked up, gazing at the vast night sky covering the entire red-light district, and the gradually filling moon.
———
[Labyrinth City, South District]
The solemn mansion, like a temple, even located in the bustling downtown, still possesses a spacious courtyard and is surrounded by high walls on all sides, the scene displaying wealth, power, and glory.
This mansion stands in the fifth district sandwiched between the southern avenue and the southeastern avenue, facing the [Loki Familia] headquarters "Twilight Pavilion" located in the northern part of the city from afar, named "Folkvanger."
This is the base of one of the city's apex [Freya Familia].
"Goddess Freya, the [Ishtar Familia] is making moves," Deep within this building, which is also known as the [Sessrúmnir] due to its style resembling the moon in the sky, Freya sits at the center of a grand hall, a young Familia member kneeling before her.
The goddess of beauty sits on an elegant chair, her gaze shifting away from the round table set with wine and delicacies.
"What are the details?"
"Around the headquarters in the red-light district, the courtesans seem to be unusually busy, running around."
"The monitors... are they Allen and the others?"
"Yes, Lord Ottar is directing the surveillance from the Daedalus Street side, while Lord Allen and Lord Goliath have infiltrated the red-light district."
"I see, you may leave. Thank you, Helen."
Freya comforted the human member who came to report in place of Ottar, who had temporarily left the headquarters. She reached into the member's long hair, lovingly caressing her cheek.
The girl froze for a moment, then trembled with emotion, her back shivering as she said "You flatter me," bowing her head. She lowered her head to hide her flushed face and hurried away.
Freya watched the girl's back for a while, then turned to look at a large map hanging on a wall.
A strategic map replicating all landmarks of the labyrinth city Orario, with the red-light district at the center, marked with numerous symbols.
A tavern to the north of the red-light district, where [One-Eyed Blacksmith] Tsubaki, carrying the red rain katana, is drinking alone.
A coffee shop to the south, where [Black Cat] Chloe, [Black Fist] Lunoire, and [Chariot's Fragment] Anya are eating cake.
On Daedalus Street adjacent to the red-light district, [King] Ottar is directing the surveillance there.
Inside the red-light district, [Goddess's Chariot] Allen and [Four Warriors of Burning God] Gulliver Brothers have already entered.
And at the Yukaku, according to the time, Hermes should have arrived, Freya hopes he can investigate what Hephaestus, Astraea, and Mia are hiding, as agreed.
Freya does not know that Haruhime possesses the [Sessho-Seki(Killing Stone)], but even if she did, she wouldn't be too concerned.
"These adventurers or gods are merely supporting characters on the stage, and it's quite possible they won't actually appear."
'Tonight, the real protagonists are only two.'
"Shirou, Ryuu... I can't wait to see what brilliance you will shine with."
The goddess's fragrant tongue lightly glides over her delicate lips, she tilts her head, her hands cupping her cheeks like holding a flower, her eyes seem to be filled with deep purple mist, her divine intent lost and rippling.
———
Some guests have already noticed the anomalies in the red-light district today.
The number of Amazon women has decreased... to be precise, the "battle courtesans" of the Ishtar Familia seem to be absent from the red-light district tonight.
The red-light district's industry is not solely operated by the Ishtar Familia; many small Familia or merchant houses in the labyrinth city run brothels here, along with some entrepreneurs who have not joined any Familia.
As long as one follows the rules of the Ishtar Familia, anyone willing can contribute to the construction of the red-light district. However, compared to these small-scale brothels, there's no doubt that the Ishtar Familia's venues and practitioners offer higher quality and professionalism.
Especially the upgraded battle courtesans within the Ishtar Familia, even if you're just a non-upgraded Lv.1 junior adventurer or an ordinary person without the blessing of a god, as long as you can catch their eye and have enough money, you have the chance to get close to a senior adventurer.
Only in the labyrinth city, only in the Ishtar Familia's red-light district, is there such an opportunity.
But tonight, all Lv.2 and above battle courtesans in the red-light district are off duty, leaving the guests deeply regretful.
No one finds it strange, though, as this is a common occurrence, likely due to the Ishtar Familia preparing for a large-scale expedition.
After all, the primary occupation of the battle courtesans is adventuring; their work as courtesans is merely a side gig for their own entertainment.
In fact, after today comes the full moon night, and the combatants of the Ishtar Familia are preparing and rehearsing for the [Sessho-Seki] ritual.
If nothing goes wrong, after completing the [Sessho-Seki] ritual under the moonlight tomorrow, the day they go to war with the city's strongest, the Freya Familia, is not far off, hence even during rehearsals, the battle courtesans are particularly tense.
To go to war with the Freya Familia, the [Sessho-Seki] fragments engraved with the powerful "sorcery" [Sessho-Seki] are essential.
In addition, they must launch a surprise attack, relying on magic swords, traps, curses, and other means to weaken the first-tier adventurers of the Freya Familia. Otherwise, even if all members temporarily undergo a level ascension, the Ishtar Familia has no chance of defeating the Freya Familia.
Apart from the [Sessho-Seki], Goddess Ishtar seems to have prepared some unknown trump cards to deal with top-tier strongmen like [King] Ottar, but the specifics are not yet known to the female warriors.
In fact, within the Ishtar Familia, opinions on whether to go to war with the Freya Familia are not unified.
For example, [Beauty Elite] Aisha is a staunch opponent. Not only because she does not wish for Haruhime's sacrifice, but also because reason tells her that the outcome of a war with the Freya Familia would only be the complete annihilation of the Ishtar Familia, regardless of the presence of the [Sessho-Seki], this result is inevitable.
Even if all members temporarily rise by one level, the Ishtar Familia only has one Lv.6 and one Lv.5 first-tier adventurer, while the Freya Familia has three Lv.6 and four Lv.5, and even one city's strongest Lv.7.
The gap is too large, too obvious, and within the Ishtar Familia, rational individuals like Aisha are not few. But unfortunately, the Familia's goddess is completely blinded by jealousy, and they cannot change Goddess Ishtar's mind.
Unlike the Loki Familia, which is actually led by the captain and executives, the Ishtar Familia is absolutely centered around the goddess's desires, and no member within the Familia can question or sway the goddess's will.
As a result, those within the Ishtar Familia who maintain rationality and realize they are on a path to destruction, like Aisha, are clearly suffering. On the other hand, those who are fanatical and foolish, only following the goddess in calling for slaughter, live more easily.
So even without Emiya, Aisha might eventually choose to abandon the path of the Ishtar Familia. It's just that with Emiya around, Aisha, who doesn't have to bear the main responsibility, is somewhat relieved.
Today, the Ishtar Familia held a gathering to prepare for the [Sessho-seki] ritual. Surprisingly, Haruhime, the protagonist of the ritual, did not participate. Considering this might be the last day of her life, Goddess Ishtar generously and thoughtfully gave her a day off.
The goddess hoped that Haruhime could enjoy the nourishment of love in her final moments. Haruhime had fallen in love with her first guest after her debut, which was no secret within the Ishtar Familia and had recently become a topic of conversation among the seniors.
For the well-traveled female adventurers of the Ishtar Familia, such situations were not uncommon. Indeed, there are girls new to the world who develop special feelings for their guests under such circumstances, and they often grow from the so-called "love" that eventually shatters.
Only a very few courtesans can ultimately be "redeemed" by one of their guests. As for a girl and her first guest staying together from beginning to end, from the time Goddess Ishtar descended to the lower world until now, it has never happened. It's a "fairy tale" that no one has ever imagined.
In fact, Emiya is not really Haruhime's guest because he never paid, not a single valis.
Because he is essentially the hired party, an adventurer who accepted a mission.
———
In the highest tower of the pleasure district, Haruhime gently lifted her chin, revealing the delicate neck adorned with a black collar.
"This is a magic tool, it tells them my location..."
"No matter where I go, I am always under the control of Goddess Ishtar and them. As soon as I step out of the pleasure street, this collar will sound, burn my neck, and make me unable to move, and pursuers will come to capture me."
"Even if I try to break it, the collar will immediately send an emergency signal," Haruhime said, touching the surface of the black ring that emitted a strange glow, "So, I cannot go with you, master."
The girl lowered her head, "When you said you would 'redeem' me before, I was very happy, but... Goddess Ishtar would not agree."
"I am honored to serve you, master, to give everything to you, even if I die, I have no regrets..."
Emiya's finger gently pressed on Haruhime's lips, interrupting her words, while his other hand grasped the side of the collar, "It's too early to talk about 'dying without regrets' now."
Emiya looked into the girl's eyes "Haruhime, you don't need to worry, I can persuade Goddess Ishtar, and I will definitely take you away."
[Skill [Knight of Owner] activated]
He dominated and destroyed the collar.
A tense alarm sounded throughout the pleasure street.
The door of the tower was kicked open, and [Beauty Elite] Aisha walked in calmly. As Haruhime's "guardian," she also did not attend the Ishtar Familia's gathering.
"Sir, do you know what you are doing?", Aisha asked in a low voice.
Emiya reached out to support Haruhime's shoulder, he said, "Stealing the 'Queen's Belt' of the Amazons, that's what I'm doing."
"Declaring 'theft' right from the start, it's really an undeniable, male approach," Aisha's lips curled up, "You really understand us 'Amazons'."
Not saying to her those boring nonsense like "I hope you can let her go," "Do you really want to sacrifice a family member," "Such a war is meaningless," but straightforwardly declaring, I will take that girl away.
That's how it should be, arrogantly declaring war, roughly defeating the enemy, and then greedily taking the girl away... From the beginning, Aisha had been looking forward to such a thing.
"Such an approach, even Goddess Ishtar probably cannot refute it," Aisha said, she raised the black broadsword in her hand, the blade pointing directly at Emiya.
"According to your position, now you are going to block me?", Emiya asked.
Even though the beginning of everything was Aisha entrusting him to save Haruhime, now, she is the first to stand in front of Emiya.
Aisha: "As a sister, entrusting an adventurer to save a sister; and as an adventurer, blocking the enemy of the Familia, these are two different things."
"And, as an Amazon, I still want to feel the resolve of a man (male) through fists and weapons."
Emiya nodded, "A reasonable approach."
"Haruhime, for me, use [Uchide no Kozuchi]," He said.
Then, Aisha watched as Haruhime used the magic [Uchide no Kozuchi], completely ignoring her, without a moment's hesitation, directly enhancing Emiya.
'This color-changing fox...', Aisha couldn't help but think, but the next moment, she didn't even have the heart to mock the color-changing fox.
"Projection, start (Trace, On)"
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