174 True Desires

Here is the chapter.

A few things before we go.

In order to make sure I don't make too big of a mistake regarding some things, I am reading the last 3 volumes of Sword Oratoria, this time for real, as I had read Volumes 8 and 9 a few months ago, but stopped after.

Once that's done, I'll likely read the last 2 volumes of the original work, and perhaps even Episode Freya and Ryuu to understand more about what happened in the past.

I can easily read one Volume per day, but that may interfere with how I make chapters.

It took me 3-5 hours to read Volume 10 yesterday, though I also read the manga at the same time, it was in Spanish, but I understood enough of it.

The problem is that this may interfere with Sunday's chapter, it may come a bit later, for both Novels.

I'll at least try to have Sword Oratoria done, once that's over, I'll finish my things before continuing with this read-and-write schedule.

This is important because these things don't appear in the Anime, so it's information I'm not too familiar with, especially since there is a shit ton of things that doesn't appear in the Wiki.

I by no means follow everything to a T, but I have to understand how things happened, for example, how the world reacted to the existence of intelligent monsters, the personalities of the dead adventurers, why Ryuu is like that, what happened during the dark ages and so on...

It's a base that I should at least take into consideration.

Thank you for understanding.

As always, if you have anything to point out as important in case you read the Novels, read the Manga, or watched the Anime, make sure to say it, It'll my pleasure to talk.

Also!

Do you think I should start diving into the games? There are many interesting characters there...

One such character even had a Skill that was exactly like Aetos', which was a great surprise for me.

There is even a term for that, which is the name of the game... Rhaspisodia? I didn't check, so yeah.

There is no timeline for the characters in-game, so I should be able to add them whenever I want.

One of them, the character that has that special Skill even appears in the movie, so you could even say they share this non-cannon universe.

It's a bit complex.

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"Cheeky boy…"

'Ishtar smiled seductively, making Hestia frown as her eyelids twitched.'

"I've been… Looking for you." She said with a sensual expression, getting up from her spot as she crawled on top of the bed, the thin pink bedsheets sliding off her body as she did so

'Despite not trying, her movements were full of silent sexiness… Her angle allowed those to see a lot... And at the same time nothing, despite she being naked.'

'It made Haruhime blush, it made Hestia's face turn dark, darker than the room itself.'

'And it made Silver frown as well.'

'Because he could feel his body react to her, it was outside of his control.'

'Despite his disgust for this woman, his body still followed some basic rules.'

'And the being in front of him was the very manifestation of such aspects of creation.'

"Come to me boy… Let me see for myself…"

"Her reasons..." She whispered softly...

'She was now on all fours, right in front of Siver, he could see her whole slender tanned body.'

'In order to keep his image, he had to control his body with his Plasmids, otherwise, he would've been aiming toward the sky right now…'

'Ishtar was about to touch Silver, breathing softly, she said:'

"Show me… What she sees in…"

"Enough of that!"

"Umm? Oh?"

/Poof!/

'Hestia suddenly stepped in front of Silver, her expression tense, the air around her tense as she pushed Ishtar back on the bed and threw a bed sheet on top of her to cover her shame.'

'Her eyes seemed to shine, burning with some mysterious flame...'

"Have some shame!"

"My… Oh My…"

'Ishtar finally saw Hestia... Or better put, she finally recognized her existence.'

'And she quickly forgot Silver.'

"You've always been like that Hestia… Such a bore." She said as she assumed a sensual position on the bed

"Huh?!"

'Hestia frowned, and Ishtar smiled.'

"Have you ever wondered why you were never called to the parties?"

"I…"

"So strict, so reclusive… So… Authoritative..."

"You were only below Artemis and a few others like Astrea... But at least she knew how to joke around a bit."

"While Athena was just plain boring, rarely doing anything else apart from reading her books." She said dismissively

"That was because…"

'But Ishtar did not stop.'

"No one would call someone just to have this person watch and not join in."

'She licked her lips.'

"Do you know how many tried? Yet you stopped each and every one of them."

"..."

"After the first few times, people just stopped calling you." Ishtar said as she rested her head on her hands

"..."

Humph!

'Hestia pouted.'

Their parties were a waste of time!

Nothing but the same… Food… Drinks… Gossip…

'She then became a bit pensive...'

Honestly, that seems quite tempting to me right now, but back then, I had no interest in anything aside from taking care of the flame together with the others…

No matter how many times they told me to go with them, I didn't go, after once, I completely lost interest in it.

Especially due to that terrible thing they did at the end!

'She turned her face to look at Silver, she implored him to do something with her puppy eyes...'

"Say something…"

"Me?..."

'Silver thought for a moment.'

"I don't find you boring at all." He said with a warm smile

'She became embarrassed, punching his arm.'

"N-Not that!"

'And Ishtar didn't miss that.'

"My… So it was true… You finally unstuck… Congratulation." Ishtar said with a light smile

"It just took a few thousand..."

"Hey!"

'Hestia's expression became dark again.'

"Fu… No need to deny, it's clear…"

'She looked into her eyes and asked seductively:'

"So tell me, how was it?..."

'She approached Hestia, whispering in her ears softly:'

"Was it good enough to make you want seconds?"

"Gah!"

'Hestia couldn't think straight anymore… While Haruhime's face turned as her eyes spun around in embarrassment.'

"Oh?"

'She simply pushed Ishtar aside, turning her face to look at the wall.'

'She was as red as a tomato, and this made SIlver shake his head.'

"In any case…"

'But before he could take over the situation, Ishtar looked to his left, seeing Haruhime.'

"You… Kinky girl… You're finally back to me… Your master."

"K-Kinky?! I-I'm nothing like that…" She said as she fiddled with her fingers

"No need to be a stranger, I've seen you grow haven't I?"

'Ishtar approached her, touching her cheeks and scrubbing her hair.'

"From a frail child, lost inside a cage, to a young woman capable of…"

"No… You're wrong." Haruhime replied with her head down

'Her eyes rose, staring straight at Ishtar.'

"I've never left my cage."

"..."

/Chuckles/

'Ishtar looked at her with some understanding, smiling even.'

"You've truly grown."

"It even makes me a little sad… But you have to understand…"

'Her eyes became a bit darker...'

"To take her down, I need your power, and in your current state…"

"You are of no use to me."

"..."

"!"

"..."

'Haruhime's ears dropped, and her tail fell, looking at the ground as she bit her lips.'

'Hestia turned to face Ishtar, anger on his face.'

'And Silver crossed his arms, but he was visibly upset as he exhaled slightly through his nostrils.'

"...?"

'Hestia was about to intervene, but Silver shook his head.'

'She didn't know what he was thinking, but she opted to stop, he had to have a reason for this.'

'And trusting him she would.'

"So, Child…"

"Sacrifice yourself to me… And together… Let us reign over Orario."

'She raised her hands, touching Heruhime's shoulders.'

"Doesn't that sound enticing to you, my child? To have such duty?..."

"..."

/Slap!/

'Against expectations, Haruhime slapped Ishtar's hands away.'

"No."

"No, it doesn't!"

"Child… Are you rebelling against me?" Ishtar asked with a frown

"I-Y-Yes!"

'With tears in her eyes, she gazed at this Goddess defiantly.'

'Mortal defying the will of the divine, you didn't see that often!'

"How… Deplorable." Ishtar said in a heavy tone

"Child… I took you away from those slavers, who knows what they would've done to you had you stayed there."

"I fed you with the highest quality food."

"I gave you the highest quality house."

"The highest quality clothes and teachings…"

"I know." She replied, looking at her with a straight expression

"However… Did you really free me?"

"You said you saved me, but you're no better than those slavers."

"You said you gave me a roof, food, and clothes, but..."

"You made me… A whore."

"! Haru…"

"No… Goddess… Let me finish…" She said with a small tear in her eye

"..."

'Silver stayed silent, while Haruhime turned her face to stare at Ishtar again.'

"You did nothing… You didn't take care of me."

"The Berbera did… They taught me."

"Not you."

"But I… I don't want it… This life."

"I don't want to be a flower in a box."

"To see the world… That is what I wish for, with my own hands."

'Ishtar rolled her eyes.'

"Is that so? How weak, you take the glorious power you have as a stain, unappreciative of the opportunities I have you throughout your life.."

"Instead, you desire something so fleeting..."

"Measly dreams in comparison to what stands in front of you."

'Haruhime… Smiled.'

'Raising her head, she said with determination:'

"Yes, they may be mere dreams and small aspirations…"

"But that is, what I wish to do."

"To walk outside… On my own… Perhaps not by myself, but with those…"

"I hold dear."

'As she said that, she became a bit flushed.'

"No… Not you too." Ishtar proclaimed with a disgusted frown

"Abandon these futile thoughts, they'll bring you nowhere."

'Ishtar got up from her seat, Hestia had to rush to her to make sure her clothes didn't fall... Even if that wasn't necessary as Silver was controlling them through telekinesis...'

"It's always the same, every one of them."

"They'll sing tales clad in roses, bashing in sunlight…"

'She then smiled mockingly.'

"But one look at what's beneath my clothes, and they'll all…"

"Bend."

"..."

"Urg..."

"..."

/Silence/

"Now… While you still can, and while I still have the patience."

'Ishtar looked at her with heavy eyes.'

"Go. Back. To. Your. Room."

"NOW!"

'Despite screaming out loud, Haruhime didn't move.'

'Albeit she had her tail between her legs, her legs trembling slightly.'

"..."

/Grab/

'It was at this moment, Silver touched her shoulder, giving her a slight nod.'

'And amidst heavy tears, she said:'

"I'm sorry…"

"But I've already been saved…"

"Sniff… And I have no intention of… Going back!"

"You…"

'Ishtar was visibly pissed, but she still did not act.'

'No... She did.'

/Poof.../

"You're all the same!" Ishtar said as she grabbed a pillow, throwing it at her

"Traitors... Disgusting..."

'The drink's effects were still holding strong, and for her, this was more akin to a dream.'

'So the moment she turned to face Silver, everything she just discussed vanished from her mind.'

/Lick…/

'Licking her lips, she turned to face Silver…'

"I'm a bit stressed right now, so…"

'She lifted the bedsheets on her body.'

"How about we have some fun?"

'She grabbed her clothes, making Hestia say, "HAAAA?!" in anger, frustration, confusion, and many more emotions.'

"Don't you think… It's rather cold?" She asked with a seductive smile

"###!!!"

"No it isn't!" Hestia said as she slapped the bed, making Ishtar flinch backward

/Hiss!/

'While the two bickered at each other, with Hestia even hissing at one point, Silver talked with the shaken Haruhime.'

"..."

'It had taken all of her courage she had gathered over the 2 and a half months they stood together to say those words, and for a few times, she almost submitted.'

'But she felt that doing so would be a betrayal… Not only upon herself, but also on the people that were there for her, everyone that helped her…'

'The Amazons, the people who trained with her every day.'

'The Goddess that tried to motivate her, despite not knowing how…'

'And the knight that saved her.'

/Blush…/

'Although… It would still be a long way before she gathered the courage to assume that.'

"Sit here for now, it'll be over soon." Silver said as he grabbed Haruhime's hand, pulling her to a chair

"Uhum…"

'With slight embarrassment, she sat on the chair, grabbing her long golden hair, letting it fall in front of her shoulder.'

'As she did so, Silver said one more thing:'

"Also… Take off your shirt."

"?!?!"

'She blushed, almost freezing in place, while Silver felt she was very cute.'

'Under the faint moonlight coming from Ishtar's large window, Silver felt that this young lady…'

'Was truly beautiful.'

…

/Sometime later.../

/Chatter!/

'Hestia and Ishtar were still bickering to each other, Silver felt it was both comical and pityfull...'

'A naked and drunk woman playing around with a fully sober one... Who was the smart one here?...'

"Enough." Silver said as he grabbed Hestia's hand

"We don't have time to waste, let's start."

"Humph!"

'She looked at Ishtar with an attentive gaze, clearly on guard, she even raised her hand, doing a gesture to say she had her eyes on her... Not like she would remember it anyway.'

'But Hestia didn't really know that.'

"Look, let me give you a small briefing of what's happening..." Silver whispered to her ears

...

'Not long after, Hestia nodded, understanding slightly what was going on.'

'She was slightly conflicted about this situation, but she understood it was for the best.'

'Better not confront Ishtar right now, perhaps never...'

'At the same time, Silver turned to Ishtar.'

"Let's perform the exchange ceremony."

"Hm?..."

'Ishtar frowned a little, but she then smiled.'

"Will I get you in exchange?~"

'He rolled his eyes.'

"Whatever you want."

"..."

I know he's just tricking her, but it makes me…

Urg! This situation is so…

'Hestia frowned, but she understood right there that Silver was lying.'

'Although she didn't understand exactly what was going on, with his small explanation, she was ready to support his decisions.'

'Even if he hadn't explained to her, simply by the actions Silver has displayed so far plus the smell of alcohol on Ishtar, she could've somewhat pieced together what was happening.'

'She was capable of that much at least.'

"Then…"

'Ishtar approached Haruhime, looking at her back.'

'She saw the symbol of her Familia, a prostitute, together with her status.'

(Image?)

'This was the physical manifestation of her blessing, and it was time to alter it.'

'With a small nail, Ishtar let a drop of her blood fall on her back, where it was then absorbed by the Hieroglyphs.'

'The Divine Runes started to shake, and the image of the prostitute slowly vanished.'

'It was at this moment Hestia quickly let her own blood fall onto Haruhime's back.'

/Shine…/

'And with a small spark of light, the image of a brazier of fire took place on her slender back…'

'Haruhime was now part of the Hestia Familia!'

"It's done…" Hestia said in surprise

So… Simple?

Nothing… Just like that?!

"Now… How about…"

'The moment they were done, Ishtar turned to Silver, but instead of a hot time, she was blasted with some purple smoke…'

/Poof!/

'And the moment she took a wif of the smoke, she fell down, unconscious.'

"It's over." Silver said with a relieved sigh

Although… The War is still ongoing.

I might've won a few fights, but that is not enough.

This will continue until Ishtar falls.

For now, she won't realize her connection with Haruhime was broken, since, in the first place, her Falna was being suppressed with the use of items.

But soon enough, her personnel will make their moves in my Familia, and at that time, they may realize something is wrong.

So will either have to wait and attack immediately... Or attack first.

Yet it's imperative I do not give her time to think and process things properly.

"Is it done?" Haruhime asked faintly, still embarrassed

"Yes… You can put your shirt back now." Silver replied with a smile

'In truth, Haruhime's shirt did little in hiding anything.'

'It was semi-transparent after all, he could easily see her body and her bra...'

/Grab…/

'When he said that, Hestia grabbed his face, pulling his face down to meet hers.'

"Where do you think you're looking?" She asked in a monotone, her eyes almost dead as she looked at him with a deep expression

'But Silver wasn't flustered, replying with his own question:'

"Are you really going to bring such a matter up in this circumstance?"

'Hestia immediately pouted.'

"But! You just watched her, and now…"

/Pat…/

'Silver merely patted her head, silencing her.'

"Now now, enough fuss."

"#!"

I'll let you be for now!

But... Don't you go thinking this is the end of this matter!

/Creak…/

'He raised his hand to the side, turning a nearby table onto a tall door.'

"It's time to leave... Before they realize something is wrong."

"Uhum."

'Haruhime was the first to walk, leaving Silver and Hestia behind.'

"Mn… Unfair…"

'Enjoying Silver's caress, Hestia took one last look at Ishtar before saying something in a low tone so Haruhime wouldn't listen:'

"We'll have to fight her don't we?..."

"... Yes, it is inevitable."

"She'll keep going after us, and the only way of making sure everyone is safe is by taking her down."

"Sigh… I now understand why they say peace is hard to earn…"

We are all Gods...

But why do we fight all the time?

Even more now then...

"Let's go then, I'm tired…"

Although I don't think I'll be able to sleep well…

I'll need to hear it from his mouth first, just what happened exactly?

Step by step...

'Silver nodded, but he didn't move.'

"You 2 can go first, I have something to…"

"Huh?"

"I-Is that so...?"

'The two of them stared at Silver with questioning gazes.'

'Haruhime's tail was up high, showing she was severely startled.'

'While Hestia's hair was starting to float on its own as her eyelids twitched once more…'

"Wait… I think you two are greatly misunderstanding something." Silver replied as he turned to the side

"I have no intention of doing anything… I just want to check something."

'As he said that, Silver walked to the side, pushing aside a few things aside, revealing a hidden safe on the wall.'

"Silver… You aren't planning to…"

A-Again?... I'm starting to feel bad now…

"No, no… Really now, what do you take me for?" Silver asked in a righteous tone

"I am a man of law!"

/Click.../

/Unlock…/

'Like last time, Silver easily opened the safe.'

"..."

"..."

'Hestia had a deadpan expression, while Haruhime looked at the side awkwardly, scratching her cheeks…'

'While the door opened, he turned his gaze to face the two girls...'

"Sigh."

These 2… I expected Hestia, but even Haruhime?

Perhaps it's time for me to review my public image.

'His gaze refocused on the safe.'

'Gems of many kinds, items of unknown origin and use, even a few bottles of extremely rare wine.'

'This was Ishtar's most private collection, it was his second time seeing it.'

"This is what I came here for." He said as he ignored those things

'On his hand was a long pile of papers.'

'They were all similar to each other… These were…'

"Is this… A Status?" Hestia asked as she looked at the papers

"Yes."

"The Status of every child of the Ishtar Familia." He said with a slightly devious smile

…

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Notes

Chapter end...

As always, the Cliff Overlord strikes again with his unending and never-tiring arm of Cliffhangers.

I'm getting excited though, we're arriving at the climax of this Volume pretty much.

Yay.

See you all later.