Boom—
A massive roar erupted from outside the banquet. The violent explosion resounded throughout the entire venue, startling even the gods themselves.
"What happened? What's going on outside?"
"That was an explosion! Has somewhere been attacked?"
"Don't tell me it's those Evilus bastards again? Why won't they just die off?"
Countless gods rushed to the balcony and looked toward the source of the explosion.
They didn't know until they looked—and once they did, they were stunned.
Especially several male gods. When they realized where the explosion had come from, their faces twisted in fury.
"Why there of all places?!"
"The place under attack is actually the Pleasure Quarter?"
"Aren't they afraid of Ishtar's retaliation?"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, flames ignited within the Pleasure Quarter.
But these flames were completely different from ordinary fire.
Normally, firelight should be red or yellow.
Yet what burned over the Pleasure Quarter was an indescribable pitch black.
Yes.
Black flames.
Along with the fire came the continuing sounds of explosions, collapsing buildings, screams, and panicked cries... Even from this distance, fragments of the chaos could still be heard.
The Pleasure Quarter was under a horrifying assault.
Some gods were indignant. Some felt regret. Others watched with barely concealed schadenfreude.
Then there was Ishtar.
Bang—
Ishtar, who had been chatting with several male gods just moments ago, saw the scene unfold before her. Her expression twisted instantly, and she smashed the wineglass in her hand onto the floor.
"I'll settle the score with those bastards later!"
Her gaze swept across the hall, committing to memory every god who looked even slightly pleased.
She would take revenge on them later.
But right now, the Pleasure Quarter was more important.
No god could sit still while their own stronghold was under attack.
Ishtar stormed off in fury.
"Ottar, let's return as well. This banquet wasn't particularly interesting to begin with... Though the final performance—" Freya was referring to the explosion and the blazing fire, "—should be quite entertaining, don't you think?"
"Yes, Lady Freya."
"Then I'll be leaving first, Loki—and Astraea."
As she departed, Freya cast one last glance toward Elise. Her lips moved slightly...
"We should head back too, Riveria. Looks like certain people in this city are getting restless again."
It had to be said—when Loki was serious, she was surprisingly handsome.
One after another, the gods began to leave.
That was only natural.
Now that the Pleasure Quarter had been attacked, who could say the next target wouldn't be their own Familia?
They had to return immediately and strengthen their defenses.
"Lady Astraea, we should go as well!"
The plan had begun.
Elise had to send Astraea back first.
"Elise!"
Astraea seemed to have realized something. Both her tone and expression were unusually serious.
"This crisis will pass soon... won't it?"
She noticed?
Elise did not want Astraea to know about this. She did not want the goddess to worry.
Forgive me, Lady Goddess. You are the one person I do not wish to involve.
"Yes. I promise you—the crisis will end very soon."
"Is that so? That's wonderful. Then let's return."
Only after receiving Elise's firm answer did Astraea finally relax.
Elise scooped Astraea into a princess carry. Before anyone noticed, the two vanished into the dark night sky.
"How long has it been since you carried me like this, Elise?"
The buildings beneath them sped past in a blur, but Astraea's gaze remained fixed on the one at her side.
"If we count it... more than three months, I suppose."
The first time Elise had carried Astraea was when she had just arrived in this world, on the way to Orario. In the blink of an eye, so much time had passed.
"Three months... Time really does fly."
The goddess seemed somewhat sentimental.
Then she gently pressed a kiss to Elise's cheek.
"No matter what you do, I will always believe in you and support you, Elise."
"So I hope you won't hide things from me either. Once this is over... will you explain it to me? About the matter of the Pleasure Quarter?"
Her voice was soft—yet the gentler she sounded, the heavier the guilt felt.
"You think it was me?" Elise did not answer immediately. Instead, she asked a question of her own.
"It's not that I think so..." Astraea shook her head, gazing steadily at Elise. "I'm certain. It was you."
"Ah..."
"Is that strange? But I am your patron goddess." She smiled. "I am always watching over my children. Every move you make, I see it. So I know this must be your doing."
"So..."
Elise was moving quickly. The Garden of the Stars was already close at hand. There was no time for further discussion.
"Come back safely."
"Thank you, Lady Astraea."
...
Pleasure Quarter.
"Ahhh! What kind of fire is this?!"
A group of prostitutes had gathered together, desperately dousing the flames engulfing the buildings. Each held a bucket of water, working in coordinated effort to extinguish the blaze.
But...
No matter how much water they poured over it, the black flames continued burning fiercely, showing no sign of diminishing. Instead, they spread further along the surrounding structures.
"What do we do? This fire just won't go out!"
"Lady Ishtar! Where is Lady Ishtar?!"
"Lady Ishtar went to the Ganesha Familia's banquet. She's not at the Familia residence!"
"Then what are we supposed to do?"
More and more prostitutes began to panic.
A sudden disaster like this—combined with the absence of their central pillar—was enough to shatter cohesion.
"Don't be afraid! We can—ahhh!!!"
One of the prostitutes failed to notice the danger beside her and was suddenly touched by the black flames.
"Everyone, get back!"
The woman whose body had caught fire stood in the center as the others instinctively kept their distance.
"Help me... help me, ahhh!"
Within seconds, her entire body was engulfed in black flames. Only a vague silhouette could still be seen within the inferno.
The others continued pouring water over her just as before—but it had no effect whatsoever.
"Could this be someone's skill? An inextinguishable flame?"
One prostitute stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the hellish scene around her.
"The Pleasure Quarter... is finished."