The black flames were burning away all the sins of the Pleasure Quarter.
Yet no matter how desperately the members of the Ishtar Familia tried, they had no way of extinguishing the inferno.
If a fan of ninja tales were to witness this scene, they would surely cry out—
Isn't this Amaterasu?
Indeed, it looked almost exactly the same.
But this was not mere fire. It could not even be considered entirely Elise's power.
It originated from Est—specifically, from the power of the Elemental Lords she had absorbed in the world of Bladedance of Elementalers.
Originally, it had been nothing more than elemental force—control over fire, water, and the like—without any additional attributes.
However, through the joint efforts of Elise and Est, these elemental properties gradually evolved.
The one Elise used most often was the healing power derived from the holy attribute, usually within the training grounds of the Astraea Familia.
Now, every attribute could branch into a unique power. Elise rarely used them, but that did not mean she lacked them. They were cards she had kept hidden.
As for the pitch-black blaze engulfing the Pleasure Quarter, the components of Elise's power were somewhat complex.
On the surface, it was fire—so naturally, it contained the fire attribute.
Because it was black, it was easy to associate it with the dark attribute.
But in truth, it had absolutely nothing to do with darkness. It was black in color alone.
Elise had even mixed in a trace of her own purification power. One could say its appearance and its true nature were completely different.
Some might ask: Why does your fire look like a devouring void flame, yet possess the abilities of a pure lotus flame?
Elise would only shrug. If it was her power, couldn't she combine it however she pleased? And that was far from the only force she had blended into it.
In short, this flame was anything but ordinary. The prostitutes of the Pleasure Quarter had no hope of putting it out.
While the fire raged, Elise used the cover of night and the concealment of her Prana to arrive at a building that appeared utterly unremarkable—so ordinary that most houses in Orario's slums looked just like it.
Knock, knock, knock.
After lightly tapping on the door according to their prior arrangement, Elise waited silently.
About half a minute later, there was finally movement inside.
The door cracked open slightly.
What emerged through the gap was not a face—but a thick, muscular arm.
A ferocious straight punch shot out. An ordinary adventurer would have died from that blow.
Elise, however, reacted calmly. She simply raised her slender arm and effortlessly blocked the attack.
"It's me, Ottar."
"..."
Silence came from behind the door. Then it opened fully, allowing Elise inside.
"Lady Freya, she has arrived."
"I know, Ottar."
This was the meeting point Freya and Elise had agreed upon—an inconspicuous location no one would ever suspect.
Who would imagine that one of Orario's apex goddesses was resting in such a place?
"Elise, you're here."
The moment she saw Elise, Freya stood up from her chair and approached with a smile.
"Lady Freya, I will be relying on you this time."
Elise gave a slight bow, offering proper respect to a goddess.
"Haven't I already told you? Any condition you propose, I would never refuse."
"Then let's depart."
This operation against Ishtar involved only Elise and Freya.
Though Ottar was present, he was merely responsible for escorting Freya.
He had very much wished to participate—after all, his goddess was here—but Freya had strictly forbidden it.
If Ottar joined them, how could Freya possibly enjoy her private time with Elise?
Poor Ottar. He had been reduced to nothing more than a convenient tool...
"I entrust Lady Freya to you, Elise. With your strength, you can surely protect her. I beg you."
Before they left, Ottar solemnly made his request.
Elise was stronger than he was. There would be no issue.
"I will return Lady Freya safely and unharmed. Rest assured, Ottar."
With that, Elise departed with Freya, leaving Ottar alone to sit quietly and wait for his goddess' return.
For the sake of speed, Elise carried Freya the same way she had carried Astraea—in a princess carry.
It freed her legs for swift movement.
But it also created the same situation as before.
Their chests pressed together.
And because of the motion of flight, they bounced slightly.
Most importantly, Freya's hands were anything but well-behaved.
Where exactly was she trying to put them?
Elise had no intention of indulging her.
To Freya's stunned astonishment, Elise suddenly let go—dropping her from high above.
The distance was easily over a hundred meters.
Although gods retained a portion of their power in the lower world, their bodies were mortal. Falling from such height would undoubtedly send her back to Heaven.
Elise fully intended to enjoy the look on Freya's face.
Yet to her surprise, there was no fear of imminent death in Freya's expression.
She remained perfectly calm.
Just before Freya struck the ground, Elise pulled her back up.
"Lady Freya, refrain from such little tricks next time. If I become angry, I may very well do this again. If your Familia finds out, they would surely come after me."
"Understood. I won't do it again. But Elise... I truly wish to taste you."
Though she ceased her wandering hands, Freya's words showed no intention of restraint.
Then something appeared before them.
Both fell silent.
It was a carriage, lavishly decorated—so ostentatious it practically screamed nouveau riche.
Within Orario, few Familias rode in such carriages. Especially not ones so extravagantly adorned, as if daring everyone to know exactly who sat inside.
"Found you, Ishtar."
Inside the carriage—
"Damn it! Who dares do such a thing?!"
The dark-skinned goddess' expression was grotesquely twisted. Though she was a goddess of beauty, her face at that moment resembled a demon's.
Over the years, the Ishtar Familia had made countless enemies. There were far too many suspects.
And she had never heard of any Familia possessing such power—overwhelming all defenses of the Pleasure Quarter in mere moments.
"If I discover who did this, I will cut them into a thousand pieces!"
The beauty goddess continued raging inside the carriage, unaware that her location was already completely under another's control.
Elise extended her right hand slightly forward.
Pitch-black flames immediately manifested in her palm.
And the target—
Was Ishtar, inside the carriage below.