Chapter 148 – Aston’s plan

Night.

Under the sky enveloped in darkness, with a crescent moon hanging high, the Labyrinth City was brimming with the bright light of countless magic stone lamps.

The majestic Pantheon, the bustling Adventurer's Street centered around the Guild headquarters, the Industrial District where the sounds of metal upon metal overlapped layer upon layer, and the entertainment district dominated by the Grand Theater and casinos, where applause and cheers echoed all around.

Benefiting from the Dungeon, the city was still thriving and bustling, with the noise of the crowd never ceasing.

In a corner of this bustling metropolis, between standing buildings, various sounds of joy and pleasure faintly mixed together.

This was the time of enjoyment for adventurers, men and women indulging in pleasures, sometimes with loud calls, sometimes with whispers.

The intertwined light of shaking lamps cast vague silhouettes on windows and walls.

This place, separated from other roads or districts, different in nature from any other part of the city, was the red-light district, where a warm atmosphere pervaded the entire area.

Adventurers poured into it incessantly.

This is the night city of the pleasure quarter, the red-light district of the Labyrinth City.

"Damn bastard!" At the highest floor of a splendid palace, a goddess wearing gold and silver headbands, earrings, chest ornaments, bracelets, and anklets, with a full chest and slim waist, dressed in scant clothing made of just a few strips of cloth, was currently watching the central city's divine power-illuminated white tower's highest floor with a gloomy expression.

Ishtar, one of the two famous goddesses of beauty in the Labyrinth City Orario.

Although both are goddesses of beauty, Ishtar's reputation cannot compare with Freya's at all.

Because this goddess is notoriously bad, a bitch.

Moreover, Ishtar is also a sworn enemy of Freya, plotting at all times to bring Freya down from her pedestal and take her place.

In the original story, the Ishtar Familia even had contacts with the dark factions to deal with the Freya Familia.

They also had connections with the warrior nation of Telskyura, reaching out to the Kali Familia with commissions, preparing to join forces against the Freya Familia.

However, the members of the Kali Familia were taken over by the Loki Familia in the port city of Melen, defeated by the Loki Familia, and then returned to Telskyura.

…. 

The Ishtar Familia thus lost a helper.

"It's just unknown whether the Ishtar Familia has obtained the Killing Stone at this time."

"However, it's probably not."

"In the original story, the Killing Stone was obtained by Hermes."

"That guy is still wandering around somewhere, not having returned to Orario." Standing on the high walls of the city, Aston stroked his chin, looking at the brightly lit Night City, silently pondering.

Don't misunderstand, Aston had no intention of entering the Night City.

Aston had already sent someone to search for the fox in the Night City.

Mikoto, Lili, and members of the Takemikazuchi Familia, along with Lyd, were the ones sent.

Moreover, to rightfully deal with the Ishtar Familia and to bring Haruhime from the Ishtar Familia, Aston specifically devised a plan.

Lili and others went to search for Haruhime, while Lyd was to infiltrate the headquarters in the Night City, subtly revealing his own matters related to Freya to Ishtar, making Ishtar target him.

When Ishtar makes a move against him, then dealing with the Ishtar Familia would be justified.

As for whether the Ishtar Familia dares to make a move against him, Aston is not really afraid.

Ishtar, for the sake of pulling Freya down from her pedestal, would resort to extreme measures, even though the Hestia Familia is now stronger, having jointly defeated Amphisbaena, Ishtar would not miss this opportunity.

After all, the strength of the Ishtar Familia is quite formidable, having Haruhime as a trump card in the Familia, practically having a lv.6.

Besides, there are several lv.4 and a large group of warrior women, under normal circumstances, the Ishtar Familia really is not afraid of the Hestia Familia.

As for whether taking action against the Ishtar Familia would cause any guilt, Aston really doesn't feel any psychological burden.

After all, the Ishtar Familia can be considered half a dark faction.

They often engage in activities detrimental to Orario, but considering the Ishtar Familia is not a true dark faction, and the Night City brings significant profits to Orario, the Guild chose to turn a blind eye.

If a major Familia indeed takes action against the Ishtar Familia using a table, the Guild will not intervene.

Standing quietly on the city walls for a long time, some movements finally emerged within the Night City.

Aston knew that Lili and the others must have found Haruhime.

Moreover, judging by the scale, Lyd must have also been deliberately discovered.

It's just uncertain whether the plan I devised was successfully completed.

Soon, Aston, from his vantage point, saw Lyd and the others leaving the headquarters of the Night City.

Seeing this, Aston didn't continue to stay there but followed Lyd and the others, leaving the place and returning to the Hearthstone Manor.

At Hearthstone Manor, Aston and Lyd, along with others, made their way back.

"Aston-san, we have found Lady Haruhime."

"What should we do next?" Standing in front of Aston, Mikoto asked excitedly.

Aston nodded slightly, without answering, but looked towards Lyd.

Seeing Aston looking at him, Lyd scratched his head and then began to speak hesitantly: "I deliberately appeared near Ishtar as you planned, Aston-san, and casually let slip the information about you being marked by Goddess Freya. It's just uncertain whether they will act as you predicted, Aston."

"Aston-sama, can this really be successful?" Lili knew about Aston's plan but had little confidence in it.

"You underestimate Ishtar's hatred for Freya."

"As long as there is the slightest chance, Ishtar will not let it pass," Aston replied with a smile.

"In the next few days, I will enter the dungeon alone. You guys watch the entrance to the Tower of Babel. If you notice a large number of the Ishtar Familia entering the dungeon, notify me immediately." Aston held a crystal ball larger than a communication device in his hand, speaking gently.

"Understood, Aston-sama!"