CH. 284: Rings

In the meeting room, Asahi, Astraea, Alise, Kaguya, Ryuu, and Loki gathered.

"The fewer people we got, the better," Loki said. "Ishtar's charm can affect girls. Weak-willed girls shouldn't meet her eyes."

"Yes. The charm of a goddess of beauty can be troublesome."

Astraea supported Loki's claim.

"Oh, come on. We all know I'm more beautiful than her."

Alise's narcissism was at its peak. Asahi gave a shake of his head before smiling at Astraea.

"Astraea is more charming."

"...Really?" Astraea asked in a calm voice. The slight blush on her face betrayed her stoicism.

"Yup."

Astraea never thought that a compliment could make her so giddy.

"You two, get a room," Kaguya murmured. "These forces should be enough."

Alise thumped her breastplate. "Don't forget me."

"It's their top-tier adventurer versus ours." Kaguya glanced at Asahi. "I won't count Asahi-kun as our member until he tells everything about himself."

Ryuu nodded from the side. Other than her hatred for her fellows, her curious nature had pushed into crossing the boundaries of the elven forest. She was interested in Asahi's powers and his past, especially after the event in the dungeon.

"If you're not comfortable, then don't force yourself."

Asahi smiled at the elf. "It's nothing special. We'll talk after getting rid of Ishtar."

He had come so far with them, telling his background was obvious. He was most eager to see Alise's reaction when she heard he was from another world.

Asahi bought a new item to help the ladies against Ishtar's charm. A black ring with a jade gem embedded in it. It gave high resistance to mental attacks, which counted charm attacks.

Asahi took Alise's hand and quietly slipped the ring on her middle finger.

"Just a ring for safety, okay?"

He could have chosen any shape, but he decided on a ring for this very reaction.

"Oh dear… looks like Alise has some unnecessary thoughts in her mind."

Even Astraea teased the beet-red Alise.

Kaguya slowly extended her hand while looking at the ground. "Be gentle…"

Kaguya's attitude change made him speechless. He gently grabbed her hand. Kaguya winced and closed her eyes. "You can also be rough… if you want."

"Anytime, dear." He played along with her and put on the ring. "You like it?"

"Ufufu. It's pretty."

"You…" Alise was speechless. "What in the world are you two doing!"

Asahi ignored Alise and stretched out toward Ryuu.

"I-I can do it myself."

Just seeing him smile made her cheeks hot. She might do something excessive if he puts on the ring like a lover. She wasn't bold like Kaguya to laugh it off like that.

Asahi sighed. "I'm still a stranger, huh."

He was a little disappointed at his progress.

Ryuu's mouth wordlessly opened. Upsetting him was the last thing she wanted to do right now. She put her shaking hand on the table.

Asahi gave a broad smile and took her hand in his slightly bigger hand. Her soft skin was of the highest quality. Nothing less from an elf!

Ryuu watched as Asahi slid the black ring on her middle finger. She gulped her raw saliva. High elves used the branch of Yggdrasil to craft rings for their partners. It represented utmost faith and love.

'This means nothing…'

She shook her head again and again.

'It's not the time to be thinking about this!'

Ryuu pulled back her hand and slapped her cheeks red. "I'm ready for the battle! Let's go!"

A silence followed, broken by Loki's loud cackles. She was amused at the elf's reaction, which reminded her of Lefiya and Ais's relationship.

With a light-hearted atmosphere, the group departed.

Asahi's women were busy prowling through the dungeon, so they couldn't accompany him. He happily let them as he was hungry for XP.

***

Asahi arrived outside the Belit Babili, or better known as Mistress Ishtar's Godly Brothel. A pair of amazoness guarded the tower. Seeing Asahi, they licked their lips.

"Want some fun, handsome~?"

"He is min—"

The amazoness stopped after sensing the divinity emanating from Loki and Astraea.

Alise's eyes twitched in annoyance. She resisted the desire to pull out her sword. The amazoness looked her way and widened her eyes.

"Astraea Familia!"

"Lady Ishtar told us to let them in."

The amazoness gossiped and moved away from the gate.

The group expected a frontal assault by dozens of amazoness, not a warm welcome.

Loki hummed softly. "Ishtar gotta be plannin' some shit."

"Ya afraid, girlie?" Asahi smirked. "Ya can go back if ya want."

"Stop copyin' my accent." Loki hugged his arms, rubbing her meager boobs against him with a grin. "I ain't afraid with my knight 'ere."

Astraea just watched their antics with an amused smile. Loki released Asahi and raised her hands.

"I'm not takin' yer man."

Astraea shook her head before taking the lead into the tower. The rest followed suit and climbed the tower.

Asahi kept up his instincts for any traps. But his expectations were betrayed. Ishtar seemed to have no plans of attacking him.

'Did she lose hope after I trashed Valletta?'

The chances were fairly low.

The upper floors of the tower were lavish. Loki cursed Ishtar's luxurious lifestyle as they ascended the spiraling staircase.

A lone man stood there, a loose trouser on his lower body, and his torso exposed.

"Please, follow me."

The man turned around and walked into the room at the end of the staircase.

"Tammuz," Kaguya murmured. "The sole level 4 adventurer of the Ishtar Familia."

Asahi nodded. "Let's see what Ishtar got in store for us."

The party followed Tammuz into the room.