The Cloud-Raised Brave Man's Travels

"Be happy, I will serve you well - until I squeeze out everything hidden in your belly."

Hermes' originally nonchalant expression lost its composure for the first time.

He smiled stiffly, and Ishtar stood in front of him, her red lips curved.

“I-Ishtar! Please wait a moment—!?”

As the young follower silently picked up the clothes that had fallen on the ground, the black shadow approached Hermes without any explanation.

Ah——!? Screams echoed everywhere.

"Woo, woo woo..."

Somehow, Hermes was exhausted and lying on the bed with his upper body naked, sobbing and crying.

Sitting on the velvet sofa, Ishtar was enjoying the taste of his pipe, naked.

"This is the child Freya has been obsessed with recently, right..."

Ishtar lifted her slender legs in a provocative manner, beads of sweat covering her brown skin, and sneered erotically.

The goddess of beauty who used harsh means to extract all the information from Hermes.

She scoffed as smoke blew from her lips.

Then—a ferocious smile appeared.

"Okay, I'll sleep with her hero."

Chapter 141: The Ishtar Familia Sets Out

It is not known whether Hermes did it on purpose, but he sold out Koya completely while having fun with Ishtar. Ishtar naturally knew that Koya was now in the little fox's room, and asked Hermes to do something to remedy the situation. Ishtar then gave instructions to the diligent "gatekeeper".

"Have all the clan members who haven't received guests gather here."

"Yes."

After hearing Ishtar's words, Hermes, who was almost squeezed to death on the bed, shed tears. If Koya knew that he was the one who betrayed him, not to mention how Hestia and Hera behind Koya would treat him, Freya's revenge alone would be enough to make Hermes suffer.

"No... I shouldn't be thinking about how to hide it now. I'm the one who tipped off Ishtar and took the blame. I can definitely say that Ishtar tricked me into saying it. Hestia and the others will definitely blame me, but at most they'll just beat me up. But if the dust settles, I'll be an accomplice. Then they might really kill me and send me back to the upper realm! I don't want to go back!"

"Um... Ishtar, I've said everything I need to say. Can I leave now?"

"Don't worry, Hermes. When I make Freya cry, I will definitely say that all this was your idea. By the way, you must be very tired now. Why don't you rest here for a night~~"

Ishtar strode gracefully away from the bedside. The little life Hermes had sown slipped between her legs, a captivating sight that made Hermes break out in a cold sweat. They were both experienced foxes, each with hundreds of millions of years of experience, and they knew each other's thoughts intimately. Ishtar could fully anticipate what Hermes was planning. While she remained unwavering in her desire to attack Koya, she feared what Hera and the others might do. Therefore, she intended to spend a night with Koya to piss off Freya, and would not hand him over to the Familiar.

But this black pot must be put on Hermes' head. When the time comes that Hera and the others really want to retaliate, he will be the first to take the blame.

"Ishtar!! You can't! You can't!!"

"Guard the door well and don't let him out. Oh, and he should have some magical props on him. Remember to strip him of all his clothes."

"Yes."

·Dividing line·

Ten minutes later, about thirty Amazons gathered in Istar's castle. They sat on the sofas in the hall. Some of them had beads of sweat on their bodies and white marks on their legs. It was obvious that these Amazons had just experienced a hearty battle. They all had seductive smiles on their faces, and some of them were licking their mouths as if they were still unsatisfied and savoring the battle just now.

"Everyone's here, right?"

The servant beside Ishtar pulled out a chair for her. This servant was as handsome as the gatekeeper in the room. The Amazons sitting on the sofa stared at the servant as if they were looking at their prey. Ishtar didn't say anything, she just sat on the chair and took out her beloved pipe.

"Why did you call us here suddenly? What happened, Goddess Ishtar?"

"That's right, I just spotted a man and was planning to capture him and enjoy him. Goddess Ishtar, I don't have any prey today. Can you lend me one of your male companions~~"

Ignoring the Amazons' chatter, Ishtar spoke:

"Koya Constantine of the Hestia family is in that little fox room now. Go and capture him."

"Ah? Goddess Ishtar, are you kidding me? That little hero can kill a Lv.4 monster with just a few arrows. We Lv.2s are just waiting for us to die."

After hearing the Lord God's order, the already noisy hall suddenly became even noisier. Fear was written all over the faces of those Amazons. They had heard of Koya's fame even in Happy Street. They had also imagined that they could catch this man and enjoy him when he was at Lv.1. But that was just a thought. They didn't dare to provoke Koya now. A Lv.2 man shot and killed a Lv.4 monster, not to mention that he was now at Lv.3. Even the toad spirit couldn't beat him.

"He's right there with the little fox. If he can beat a Level 5, can he beat a Level 6?"

"Quack, quack, Goddess Ishtar, what's the matter with you calling me here?"

The tall toad spirit pushed open the door and walked in. Upon seeing her arrival, the Amazons in the hall showed disgust on their faces that they did not want to hide. The hall, which had been full of lively atmosphere, became quiet at this moment.

"Help me catch this guy. He's at Haruhime's place. Bring him back and don't eat him secretly."

"Quack, quack, what a surprise, Goddess Ishtar, did you think that prey would be fascinated by me?"

The toad spirit did not answer Ishtar's words directly. He took a few big strides to her exclusive sofa and sat down casually.

The goddess saw through what Phryne was thinking, even though she was trying to play it safe. She was simply curious about a target that even she was interested in. The fact that she didn't agree immediately meant that she wanted to strike first. Ishtar narrowed her eyes, stood up, and spat the disgust in her mouth onto the ugly face of the toad monster.

"You can't cheat this time. I can't handle this guy's background. If you want to die, you can try. I don't think I can protect you."

Phryne was sprayed with smoke in her face, and her brows were furrowed. Although there was obvious dissatisfaction on her face, Ishtar's words made her feel a little afraid, so she nodded reluctantly.

The Amazons sitting on other sofas all stuck out their tongues and said "Serves him right", and Aisha was no exception. They were naturally happy to see the toad monster suffer.

"But, Goddess Ishtar."

"What's up, Samira?"

"Why choose this moment to attack Koya? It would be best to wait until the 'Killing Stone' ritual is over. The Hestia Familia has recently formed an alliance with the Artemis and Aphrodite Families. The Takemirai Familia, Mihe Familia, and Hephaestus Familia are also friendly with them. Would attacking them now affect the ritual?"

Samira is a gray-haired Amazon with muscles more robust than those of men, but she serves as a military advisor in the Istar Familia, and she must consider the impact of this matter on the Istar Familia.

"I got some information about Koya from someone. He's Freya's latest crush, and I want to see what kind of ridiculous expression her beloved will have when I capture him. Don't worry, after I've toyed with Koya, I'll return him to the Hestia Familia in one piece. They won't be able to say anything about our mutual consent, so don't cheat."

Ishtar told her thoughts to the group members, and then a playful look appeared in her amethyst eyes. She couldn't wait to see the expression on Freya's face after she knew about this.

"As soon as the 'Killing Stone' is ready, we will go to war with Freya and the others. So, Koya is my preliminary provocation to Freya."

Hearing Ishtar's plan, the Amazons all showed expressions of understanding. They were not afraid at all and showed ferocious grins. Phryne's big lips also split like a frog.

"Children! Let's go! That Koya is in the fox den. Let's start hunting."

"Yes, Lord God."

Chapter 142: Killing Stone

In the room, Helen was still thinking about how to comfort Haruki. The next second, the wooden door connecting to the Ishtar clan was pushed open. Koya stood up and protected Helen and Haruki behind him. Then, the fully armed Amazons rushed into the room. Without any words, they slashed at Koya with their weapons.

They had done this kind of thing countless times in Happy Street. The number of men abducted by the Toad Monster alone was too numerous to count on one hand. It was not a big deal for an adventurer with no background to disappear in Happy Street, but this was the first time they had come out hunting in such a high-profile manner. The members of the Ishtar clan were all a little excited.

Koya was actually a little happy when he saw the Amazons taking action. He was still thinking about how to justify his actions, but now that the other party had taken action first, he couldn't blame himself!

The specially made greatsword of Hephaestus, which was exchanged for the motorcycle, was transferred from Koya's personal storage to his hands. When the sword was swung, the small wooden house was in turmoil. Bedding, wardrobe and even fixed doors and windows were waving in the air with the storm raised by Koya. The next second, the flying objects were no longer dead objects. The first group of Amazons who rushed into the room to fight with Koya smashed the wall and returned to the corridor at a speed faster than when they came in.

Of course, Koya wouldn't commit murder in the streets of Orario. He didn't want to be associated with the dark faction. The dark faction sounded like a sewer bug, not something that could be tolerated. So, Koya didn't even unsheathe his greatsword; the heavy steel scabbard was firmly stuck to the blade, making it look more like a heavy ruler. The Amazon Koya had swatted away was injured, but not fatally.

"Haruhime, cast some magic on me."

"Eh?"

Aisha's voice reached Chunji's ears. At this moment, Aisha and the toad monster were standing behind many Amazons. Although Koya's heavy ruler could knock one or two Amazons away at once, it would still take some time to break their encirclement directly. As long as Chunji cast magic on the toad monster, with the strength of Lv.6, she would definitely be able to take down Koya quickly.

But now Chun Ji was completely shocked by the scene before her eyes. She stood blankly behind Helen, not knowing what to think.

·Dividing line·

On the other side, Hermes successfully escaped from the Ishtar clan through some tricks. After borrowing a set of clothes from an unlucky adventurer in a room, he ran to the Hestia clan without stopping.

"Hermes! You! It's better to let you return to the upper realm!"

The three goddesses who were awakened looked at Hermes with unfriendly faces. Among them, Aphrodite, who was more irritable, was already eager to make a few holes in Hermes' body.

"Wait a minute—I have information that could save my life!"

"Say it."

Artemis, always a ruthless person with few words, had already summoned Atalanta to her side just as Aphrodite was about to strike. Atalanta's bow was already drawn, and the gleaming arrow was aimed at Hermes' head. Artemis cared about Koya just as much as Hestia and Aphrodite did.

After hearing Hermes tell Ishtar the information about Koya, she really wanted to send Hermes to heaven on the spot. If the next information from Hermes was not good, she would definitely send Hermes away at the risk of a full-scale war with the Hermes family!

"Ahem, this time I went to the Ishtar clan to deliver an item called the Killing Stone."

"What does it have to do with us, Koya?"

"The Killing Stone is targeting the fox that Koya has his eyes on, so even if I don't say anything, Koya will still go against the Ishtar clan!"

Hermes' words calmed the three goddesses down a bit. They had anticipated the confrontation with the Familia of Ishtar after hearing Cassandra's prophecy, and the fox that Hermes mentioned made them curious. Could this be the fox in the prophecy?

"Tell me about the function of the Killing Stone."

Koya's strength is there, so the goddesses are not too worried about Koya being abducted by the Istar Familia. The reason they are angry is because Hermes betrayed Koya. If the Hestia Familia is not destined to fight against the Istar Familia, then Hermes's behavior has made an enemy for them; if this happens for the first time, there will be a second and third time. If Hermes is not warned, then who knows who he will betray the Hestia Familia to in the future.

"The Killing Stone is a tool used exclusively by the fox people. It's a forbidden magical tool made from the 'Tamamo Stone' and the 'Toba Stone'. I won't go into the specific ingredients, but just understand that the 'Tamamo Stone' can greatly enhance the fox people's magic, and that the Toba Stone is what we in Orario generally call the Moon Sigh Stone."

"Yuetan Stone?"

"The 'Moon Sigh Stone' is a special mineral that changes color and glows when exposed to moonlight, generating magical energy. Blacksmiths also use it as weapon material. The 'Bird Stone' is most effective during the night of a full moon. At that time, the 'Killing Stone', a fusion of the two minerals, becomes the Demon Stone."

"It will seal the magic power, no, the 'soul', of the stone's user... the foxman. Indeed, when used with the appropriate equipment, the 'Killing Stone,' perfectly sealed with magic, can grant the foxman's precious magic... the power of 'hex' to a third party. Thus, a magical item rivaling the 'Demon Sword' is created."

Hermes spoke rapidly, telling all the information he knew without reservation.

"As a price... the sacrificed fox will become a hollow shell without a soul."

The "soul" is separated from the body alive.

That's why it's called a taboo.

This is a negative magic item invented by the ancestors of the human race that allows others to use the "magic" of the fox people.

Chapter 143: Reactions from all parties

The appearance of the Killing Stone brought a sudden realization to Hestia and the others. The little fox must possess a powerful magic, one that had even given Ishtar the confidence to challenge Freya's Familia. And now, the Killing Stone was designed to transform that little fox's magic into a portable, easy-to-use tool like a magic sword. This behavior crossed the line of morality, but the Ishtar Familia on Pleasure Street didn't worry about the guild holding them accountable for such a minor incident.

"Hermes, you actually delivered this kind of thing to Ishtar. It seems I really need to lower your evaluation to the same level as Bugs."

Hestia's heart was filled with rage. Although she had never met the little fox before, Ishtar's cruelty made her feel deeply uncomfortable. Using a member of her family as material for forging tools... Hestia simply couldn't imagine such a thing happening to her. If Ishtar appeared before her right now, she would definitely slap the guy without hesitation. But unfortunately, her anger could only be vented on Hermes.

"Hestia, you really can't blame me. I was just giving her something according to the contract. I didn't know what she wanted to give me."

"Hermes, if I remember correctly, this type of prop using the human body as material seems to be strictly prohibited in Orario, right?"

"what?"

"I will report you to the guild for illegally transporting contraband to Orario. I hope your family still has enough funds to repay the compensation. By the way, I will also inform Asify about your trip to Pleasure Street."

"what?!"

"Please leave our clan now. You will be put on the unwelcome list of our Hestia Alliance."

"No, Hestia, you can't do this! I just gave you a gift!"

"Sorry, I'm in a bad mood right now. If you continue to linger in front of me, I might have a good talk with Freya about you betraying Koya."

"Gah-"

Hermes fled from the Hestia Familia in disgrace, but he could accept the outcome. If Freya had known about his betrayal of Koya, he would have walked in, and when he came out, Asifi would have come to hold him, like, a box. He had indeed suffered an unexpected disaster this time. He had indeed come to deliver a package, but running into Koya on Happy Street and then being tortured by Ishtar for confessing to Koya's betrayal was something he had never expected!

However, Hermes had not expected that Freya's family had already completely infiltrated Istar's family. As long as Freya wanted, she could see the news of what happened in Istar's family earlier than Istar. To exaggerate a little... Without Freya's approval, the Istar family's killing stone ritual would never have succeeded.

Freya had issued an order the moment Koya reached Level 2, demanding that any intelligence regarding Koya be relayed to her immediately. Therefore, she was already aware of the various incidents unfolding within Ishtar's Familia tonight. She was fully aware of Hermes's delivery of medicine, the trade with Koya for Haruhime's "ownership," and Ishtar's subsequent attack on Koya after receiving the intelligence provided by Hermes.

"Lord God, do we need to take action?"

"No need, Ota. Even if Phryne reaches Level 6 through the little fox's magic, she is no match for Koya. So, Ota, you have to work hard, otherwise you might not be able to catch Koya when I want him."

"I'm heading to the dungeon tomorrow..."

"Hahaha, don't be so anxious, but I'm really uncomfortable with what Hermes did this time. Ota, can you help me teach that frivolous male god a lesson?"

"I understand."

"Well, a lesson is enough. Hermes still has some use. I wouldn't want to see him go back to the upper realm now."

Freya casually decided on Hermes' fate. She felt that she was being merciful enough. If anyone else dared to treat Keya Freya like this, they might really start a clan war to make his clan disappear completely in Orario. Now Hermes only needed to be beaten to avoid the disbanding of his clan. This was a great deal!

Freya stood up and walked to the balcony. Facing the bright moonlight, her eyes seemed to fall on Koya. Koya's growth rate amazed her. She had thought more than once about forcibly abducting him before he matured, but each time the thought was suppressed by her inner desire. Freya knew that the best place for Koya to grow up was in the Hestia Familia. Staying with the Hestia Familia, his glory would shine even brighter.

"Just wait a little longer, wait a little longer, and he will surely become the most magnificent treasure in the world."