Chapter 527

Chapter 534: When in Doubt, Remember Your Mama’s Got Your Back (Subscribe Plz!)

Ever since Izay snatched Haruhi away from Ishtar’s Familia, he had foreseen the current predicament.

After all, when you snatch prey from a hunter’s jaws, retaliation is inevitable.

Thus, it was wise to prepare beforehand.

Izay and Loki had already brainstormed numerous strategies against Ishtar prior to this day.

The reason these plans hadn’t been executed yet was because Ishtar initially laid low, maintaining an illusion of peace on the surface.

But recently, that fragile peace shattered.

Ishtar Familia joined forces with the Dark Faction to attack Loki Familia!

From that moment, they began revisiting their plans on how to deal with Ishtar.

Then, on one key individual, Izay and Loki found the perfect solution to handle Ishtar.

—Bell Cranel.

First off, this child possessed remarkable talent, making her qualified as a “wedge.”

Secondly, she was favored by Freya, which both Izay and Loki were well aware of.

And this factor offered great maneuverability.

Though it might sound a bit cruel…

To take down Ishtar once and for all, Bell would have to be utilized somewhat.

The crux lay in Ishtar’s hatred for Freya.

These two goddesses of beauty didn’t get along — a fact known throughout Orario by all deities.

If we dig deeper… only deities like Loki truly understood the extent of their animosity.

It wasn’t just dislike; Ishtar wanted Freya dead! To the point of obsession!

Building on this… Bell being Freya’s chosen child and under the care of Goddess Hestia…

The next steps were simple!

All they needed was to bring Bell into Ishtar’s line of sight!

Once Ishtar realized Bell was favored by Freya, it was certain she’d act against her!

This way, Loki Familia became bystanders, handing over control to Freya.

Freya wouldn’t sit idly if Bell was captured by Ishtar. Retaliation was guaranteed.

The question was the intensity and speed of said retaliation.

Would it happen instantly?

Or would Freya bide her time before striking back?

These two choices determined Izay’s course of action.

If Freya acted immediately, Izay wouldn’t need to do anything. The plan would be a perfect success.

Frey would invade and dismantle Ishtar’s Familia, leaving Loki Familia out of it.

Conversely, if Freya delayed her response, Hestia would step up.

Given Hestia’s affection for Bell, seeking help would be predictable.

She’d approach allies like Hephaestus, Mihe, Takemikazuchi, and others.

And surely, Hestia wouldn’t forget Artemis, her close friend in heaven who was also present in the city.

Once Artemis got involved, would it be hard for Izay to intervene?

Not at all!

Plus, there’d be a legitimate excuse to attack Ishtar Familia.

With support from Fels’ Guild and Freya’s delayed retaliation,

Ishtar’s minimum outcome would be expulsion from Orario.

Overall, Ishtar had no chance of turning things around!

Coincidentally, Hermes also saw an opportunity here.

And he successfully capitalized on it!

As someone knowledgeable about Bell’s origins and potential, Hermes aimed to achieve what his predecessors couldn’t through her.

For this, “trials” were necessary.

And judging Ishtar Familia as suitable NPCs for Bell’s growth, Hermes decided to use them to level Bell up!

So Hermes secretly plotted ways to manipulate events involving the pleasure quarter’s goddess.

No worries if things went south; after all, Bell had a “mom” to bail her out.

Hermes figured his worst-case scenario would involve faking sadness and temporarily leaving Orario to cool off elsewhere.

Months later, he’d return unscathed!

Just then, while Hermes pondered his scheme, Izay delivered the final piece of the puzzle:

—The news of Ishtar Familia’s ace being critically injured!

This was the perfect timing for Hermes’ trial plan!!

That night, the god of pleasure promptly approached Ishtar and sold Bell off.

Skipping Bell’s tragic journey to the pleasure quarter, everything unfolded exactly as Izay witnessed.

Frey, Bell’s “mom,” enraged, led her entire Familia to storm Ishtar’s headquarters.

Even though Ishtar’s faction no longer deserved its title as Orario’s strongest, it still overwhelmed Ishtar effortlessly.

The sudden ambush forced Ishtar to surrender swiftly.

This round belonged entirely to Hermes, MVP without a doubt!

As for Izay… aside from signaling Hermes: “Captain, it’s time to attack!” he didn’t contribute much else.

Still, Izay muttered quietly: “These gods, living for countless years, are all seasoned veterans.”

Deities like Hestia, Takemikazuchi, Mihe, and Artemis who remained consistent inside and out were rare indeed!

Yeah, Lady Artemis rocks!

“Hmm… Izay, are you gloating?”

Aisha observed Izay’s demeanor and felt this way.

When asked, Izay admitted readily: “Yes, I am gloating… After all, Ishtar has targeted our Familia for far too long. Seeing her fall is satisfying.”

Aisha agreed.

That goddess conspired with the Dark Faction, enemies of Loki Familia… plus the fox girl incident, Izay had every reason to gloat.

Thinking of this, she turned toward Hermes, lowering her eyebrows slightly: “Who knew, Master Hermes, you unintentionally did something good~”

“Hey now… Aisha-chan, is this how you address your own deity? All my actions were for ‘trial’ purposes! Why do you critique me with such a regretful tone?”

Hermes felt wronged.

He genuinely believed his intentions were noble.

“A ‘trial,’ huh… Poor Bell, getting targeted by you.” Izay watched the fierce battle unfolding within the main goddess’s brothel and sighed.

Speaking of which, he spotted Aisha earlier among those chasing Bell, confirming her safety.

Since Freya wouldn’t overly interfere in Bell’s battles for her growth, neither would Ota or others.

Part of Izay’s visit here was to check on her condition.

After all, she introduced him and Haruhi originally.

“Poor? Hmm… Is that what you think, little brother Izay?” Hermes tilted his hat lower upon hearing Izay’s words.

“—?”

“I believe ‘destiny’ would be a more fitting description!”

Facing Izay’s puzzled gaze, Hermes smiled slyly.

“This world needs ‘heroes’! Even with you, Izay, as one of the top contenders, there can never be too many heroes in the lower realms!!”

“And that child possesses such potential! That white light deserves my bet!! It will accomplish what previous generations couldn’t!!”

Like proclaiming his ideals, Hermes loudly declared his goals to Izay without reservation.

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