Inner Voice: All Heroines Hear My Inner Voice Chapter 948 948: Marking Haruhime as his wife. Ahem, I mean...

"F-forgive me, Ishtar-sama... If only I had been able to stop that man, Haruhime wouldn't have been taken away," Aisha pleaded, her voice quivering.

She harbored fear, yet also a hidden sense of relief that Haruhime had been taken by Eiji.

"Wait, you claim you were easily defeated despite being Level 3, and Eiji is supposedly a god... How could he wield his power so freely?"

Ishtar, initially intent on reprimanding and even punishing Aisha, suddenly sensed something amiss.

Or rather, something was peculiar.

"About that... I'm unsure. That fellow, Eiji, he subdued me merely by releasing his aura. I couldn't move, struggled to breathe, and could only watch helplessly as he absconded with Haruhime."

Aisha elaborated on the details of her defeat at Eiji's hands.

Ishtar remained stunned, deep in thought. Amidst this, one of the women present derided Aisha.

"That man might not be exceptionally strong, but you yourself are far too weak, you wretched creature. After all, you're merely Level 3. Were it I, I would never have disappointed Ishtar-sama."

The speaker was none other than Phryne Jamil, captain of the Ishtar Familia. Her imposing physique, reminiscent of a frog's facial features, stood over two meters tall. Her broad frame gave an impression of immense size, complemented by thick limbs and a chest as substantial as her entire frame.

Aisha regarded her with disdain, but given Phryne's Level 5 status and Aisha's own awareness of her limitations, she refrained from verbal retort.

"You possess the self-awareness not to argue, weakling. By the way, was that man handsome?" Phryne, seemingly pleased with Aisha's subdued reaction, inquired about Eiji's appearance.

Aisha's heart immediately sank with pity for Eiji. After all, who within the Ishtar Familia was unaware of Phryne's peculiar proclivities?

That repulsive woman had a disturbing habit of toying with handsome men who piqued her interest, discarding them like refuse once her amusement waned.

"He..." Aisha hesitated. Despite her recent encounter with Eiji, she was reluctant to describe his handsomeness to Phryne.

Providentially, Ishtar interjected at that moment, "Phryne, cease interrupting my conversation with Aisha. I am contemplating, and your voice is proving quite disruptive."

"My apologies, Ishtar-sama!"

Phryne immediately offered an apology and fell silent. Disregarding her personality, which was as displeasing as her physical appearance, she remained remarkably obedient to her goddess.

And Ishtar....

Despite her mounting anger, she maintained her composure and was not so rash as to dispatch Phryne or the rest of her familia to retrieve Haruhime.

Her gaze shifted to the vice-captain of her familia, a comely man with brown skin named Tammuz Belili. In the original narrative, a future not too distant from this moment would see him betray her, ensnared by Freya's allure.

Ishtar, however, was oblivious to this foreshadowing.

"Tammuz, I recall instructing you to gather intelligence on Eiji Seiya prior to this incident."

"Yes, Ishtar-sama. According to the information I've acquired..."

Tammuz commenced relaying all he knew about Eiji to his goddess, including details about his familia. Rumors concerning his relationships with Asfi, Shakti, and the Goddess Demeter were not omitted.

His triumph as the champion in the tournament hosted by the Ganesha Familia was also recounted.

"There is one more piece of information, and this does not appear to be mere hearsay, as it originates from the Guild... Eiji's Familia possesses an extraordinary level of strength. It is rumored that they boast three Level 8 adventurers and one Level 9 adventurer among their primary members."

A heavy silence descended upon the room. Ishtar's ire dissipated, replaced by sheer astonishment, and she lapsed into silence.

Level 9? Even Ottar of the Freya Familia was only Level 7. If this information proved accurate, Eiji's familia represented a formidable entity capable of razing Orario overnight.

His familia was, at present, the most powerful familia!

Aisha, Phryne, and the other executive members drew sharp breaths. They too were utterly surprised.

Their familia's standing among the elite might have just been relegated to a lower tier.

Ishtar tapped the armrest of her throne with a slender finger, striving to project an image of calm. "Level 8 and even 9...? That is inconceivable. No one has attained such a level since the illustrious eras of Zeus and Hera. Tammuz, are you certain the intelligence regarding his familia's might was obtained from the Guild?"

Tammuz nodded affirmatively. "I have verified the source of this information, Ishtar-sama."

"Impossible! Utterly impossible!" Ishtar exclaimed, beginning to gnaw at her fingernails. "Does this not signify that the preeminent familia status in Orario has been usurped? And that my own familia has been demoted!? Eiji Seiya... How could he possibly command such potent individuals as his familia members!?"

She found the notion difficult to accept.

However, Ishtar acknowledged that Tammuz was not prone to deception, and his report likely held a core of truth.

This was largely due to the information's origin from the Guild. In essence, Ouranos himself had acknowledged the formidable power of Eiji's familia.

"However, judging by how Eiji effortlessly defeated a Level 5 opponent in the tournament hosted by the Ganesha Familia, he also appears to be unlike other gods who cannot wield their divine power, Ishtar-sama."

Tammuz stated his observation.

Anxiety gnawed at Ishtar. "So... it will be difficult for me to get Haruhime back from that man, won't it? Is that what you're trying to convey, Tammuz?"

"With all due respect, yes. Ishtar-sama, it would be prudent for us to not act rashly and to first ascertain the true nature of Eiji Seiya."

Upon hearing this, she clicked her tongue in frustration.

She inwardly agreed with the assessment made by the vice-captain of her familia.

"If I were to dispatch my forces now, it would be akin to suicide if these rumors hold true. Therefore..."

Ishtar placed a hand on her chin, a cunning smile gradually gracing her exquisite features.

"Tomorrow night marks the commencement of the Apollo party, correct? Eiji is expected to be in attendance. I shall meet him personally at the festivities. I'll employ my allure to discern whether he is genuinely 'perilous' or if his pronouncements to me were merely an empty threat. Should I succeed in seducing him, not only will I reclaim Haruhime, but I shall also have him and his entire familia subjugated beneath my heel!"

"More than that—"

She moved towards the window, her gaze fixed in the direction of the Freya Familia's headquarters. Her eyes narrowed, and with increased fervor, she declared, "At that juncture, I shall also be able to crush Freya!"

Much like her rival from not long ago, Ishtar was brimming with confidence, believing she could bend Eiji to her will like a subservient hound.

Was her confidence solely rooted in being the goddess of beauty?

At the Seiya Familia residence.

Eiji chuckled, not because he had been eavesdropping on the conversation between Ishtar and her familia members, but due to an event that had transpired moments earlier.

"Everyone, this is Haruhime. From this moment forward, she will be a new member of our family."

He intentionally used the word 'family' instead of 'familia.' However, the distinction was negligible, especially since every member, save for himself, was female.

They were, in essence, all his women.

"I... I am Sanjouno Haruhime. Please take care of me!"

Haruhime introduced herself with palpable nervousness after Eiji's announcement.

It was understandable.

Before her stood four women, each possessing a beauty so profound it rivaled that of a goddess like Ishtar, leaving Haruhime utterly captivated.

Artoria stepped forward, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Hello Haruhime, welcome to our family. Eiji informed us about you before your arrival (he shared the details in our familia chat group). Do not be afraid; even if members of the Ishtar Familia come seeking to reclaim you, we will protect you."

As the legendary King Arthur spoke those words, her innate regal charisma illuminated the room, fostering an immediate sense of trust in Haruhime.

"Thank you, um..."

Noticing that Haruhime was unaware of her name, Artoria introduced herself. Scáthach, Morgan, and Medusa followed suit with their own introductions.

Eiji nodded with evident satisfaction.

[The harmony within my harem is truly exceptional. I have no concerns about my women engaging in conflict, especially now that I've welcomed a new woman into our fold.]

[I, Eiji Seiya, am an incredibly fortunate man!]

Indeed, he was exceedingly fortunate.

For many other men, the scenario might have ended tragically, with them being fatally wounded by one of their women.

Regarding Eiji's latest inner monologue...

Numerous heroines offered their approval with simple nods.

'Ahahaha!'

[Host, why are you erupting in laughter internally? Have you finally lost your sanity? Perhaps we should seek immediate medical attention to assess if there's a problem with your head right now!]

Miss System maintained her usual abrasive demeanor.

Despite clearly knowing her host was perfectly fine, she persisted in making sarcastic remarks.

'I'm perfectly fine. I merely recalled the protagonist from School Days who met his demise, brutally stabbed by one of his heroines. His head was even taken by another heroine.'

'It's quite amusing.'

[...]

Miss System: Does this man not worry about a similar fate befalling him?

"By the way, although Haruhime is now a part of our family, what about the bond she shares with her goddess?" Scáthach inquired, bringing up a crucial point.

Morgan-san responded, "Are you referring to her falna?"

"Ah, this..." Haruhime suddenly remembered that even though she had escaped Ishtar's dominion, her connection to the goddess remained etched upon her back.

After all, she was still officially a member of the Ishtar Familia.

She cast an anxious glance at Eiji, her face paling. "Eiji-sama, please forgive Haruhime!"

"Why do you need to apologize?" Eiji feigned confusion. "Cease that."

"But Eiji-sama, Haruhime may not be able to become a member of your familia because she is still affiliated with another. I also heard there's a rule preventing one from switching familias unless their previous God or Goddess willingly releases them."

"Hm... Such a rule exists? We simply need to disregard it."

Eiji exhibited no anger or disappointment, addressing the matter with the casualness of dismissing a trivial inconvenience.

Scáthach, Artoria, and his two other women didn't really see it as a significant issue.

However, Haruhime found herself bewildered, still unaware of her husband's true identity. She was unfamiliar with the saying that rules were meant to be broken.

In the original narrative, during the turmoil in the entertainment district where Bell inadvertently drew Ishtar's attention after he'd rescued Haruhime. Freya commanded Ottar and her familia to dismantle the Ishtar Familia. Driven by her possessiveness, she vanquished Ishtar, banishing her back to the heavens/tenkai.

Upon Ishtar's 'demise' and return to the heavens, the Falna inscribed on Haruhime's back was automatically deactivated, rendering her technically 'liberated' from any divine affiliations. It was at this juncture that Hestia infused her divine essence into Haruhime, overwriting the previous Falna and bestowing a new blessing from the Hestia Familia.

But in the present moment, Ishtar remained alive, and for the sake of his intricate scheme, Eiji had no immediate plans to end her life.

"Haruhime, take a seat and let me see your back."

"Eh? Very well, Eiji-sama."

Haruhime offered no resistance, as she, too, was eager to discover how Eiji intended to resolve her Falna predicament.

She settled onto one of the opulent sofas in the drawing-room. Under the watchful eyes of those present, she demurely removed her kimono, revealing her alabaster back.

Eiji let out a silent whistle, though his brow furrowed slightly at the sight of the Falna script that largely covered Haruhime's back.

It was aesthetically displeasing.

This was precisely why he had designed his Falna to deviate from the conventional.

"Do not be alarmed; you will merely feel a touch of amusement. And, you need not suppress any moans that may arise later," Eiji murmured softly, retrieving a dagger from his inventory.

Haruhime grew even more apprehensive, contemplating what exactly Eiji intended to do that might elicit a moan from her.

The other women in the room, particularly Morgan, observed the dagger in Eiji's hand with quivering lips.

She recognized the artifact.

"That is Medea's dagger, is it not? Eiji, you still haven't returned it to her?"

"Ahem! Morgan, what belongs to Medea is mine, and vice versa. We are husband and wife; such exchanges are only natural."

Eiji declared shamelessly.

It had been quite some time since he had stored the 'Ruler Breaker' he acquired from Medea in his inventory.

[Medea has never once requested the return of the Ruler Breaker. She seems indifferent to my continued possession and use of it.]

[For instance, at this very moment, I can utilize it to assist her new sister.]

The heroines, Haruhime included, were left in a state of utter confusion: ???

Many among them were ignorant of the Ruler Breaker's capabilities, leading to their lack of comprehension.

And in Draconic Deus, Medea merely let out a snort upon hearing her husband's discourse regarding her cherished dagger.

Morgan rolled her eyes.

"Just so you are aware, Haruhime, this is the Rule Breaker. It negates all contracts, magical bonds, and any laws that bind an individual... everything is reverted to zero when touched by this dagger."

Eiji elucidated the Rule Breaker's function to the lovely fox-girl.

Haruhime turned her head, her gaze fixed upon the dagger, a mixture of dread and fascination in her eyes. Eiji approached and indicated for her to turn around. With an incredibly fluid motion, he pressed the tip of the Rule Breaker against Haruhime's back, precisely where the mark of Ishtar's Falna was situated.

*TING—!*

With Haruhime's back and the tip of the Rule Breaker as the focal point, a violet luminescence bathed the drawing-room. Viewed from afar, this light was discernible through the window, surely sparking curiosity in any who chanced to witness it.

Shortly thereafter, the Falna etched onto Haruhime's skin began to dissipate into vapor. Haruhime experienced no physical pain, only an overwhelming sensation, as if the shackles that had bound her soul since her affiliation with the Ishtar Familia were finally severed.

"!" From her familia's headquarters, Ishtar instinctively perceived the forced severance of her connection with Haruhime.

She was utterly stunned.

How could this possibly happen!?

"It is complete. Ishtar is no longer your 'Goddess.' You are no longer her adventurer, nor are you legally hers."

"I shall commence marking you—that is, Haruhime... Are you prepared to be officially inducted into my familia?"

Artoria regarded her husband with a blank expression. She suspected he was entertaining a somewhat lewd thought at this moment.

Oblivious to Artoria's thoughts, Haruhime responded, "I am ready, Eiji-sama. Please make Haruhime your property."

Eiji grinned triumphantly, akin to a villain whose meticulously laid plan had just reached fruition.

Scáthach: Do you truly need to beam with such delight, Eiji?

Morgan: While you remain exceptionally handsome, I implore you to cease that expression, my husband.

Artoria: This man...

Medusa: (She remained silent in her mind.)

Disregarding the varied gazes from the other women, Eiji pricked his finger and let a drop of his blood fall onto Haruhime's back. The procedure for bestowing his Falna mirrored the one he had performed previously.

"Mnn~ Ahh~ Eiji-sama, I...!"

Haruhime could not help but let out a soft moan!

She experienced a sensation far more incredible than when her falna was removed, as Eiji's falna flowed abundantly within her, as if he were possessing her very being.

Haruhime's cheeks flushed crimson, and her gaze drifting out the window became hazy. Instead of any physical chains, a delicate spiritual thread now bound her and Eiji together.

This profound connection sent her heart racing and her fox tail wagging uncontrollably. She barely registered the appearance of a transparent window before her eyes.

Upon noticing it, she was once again astonished by Eiji, recognizing that his falna possessed qualities distinct from Ishtar's.

How to describe it?

Eiji's falna was demonstrably more advanced! She could now access her own status at will and even update it when desired.

Furthermore, there were other functionalities that left her utterly speechless.

"Oho? How intriguing. While Haruhime is only Level 1 and her foundational parameters are quite lacking, requiring significant improvement for leveling up, her potency is commendable, and she possesses a unique and fascinating magic," Scáthach remarked, observing Haruhime's status window.

Morgan approached Haruhime, her gaze fixated on a particular magic, a flicker of admiration surfacing within her usually cold eyes. "Uchide no Kozuchi. A magic that can temporarily elevate another person's level? And now, its duration has been vastly extended after receiving the Falna from you, my husband."

"Huh? Isn't that magic... something that could allow a Level 8 like me to instantly become Level 9, and even enable Scáthach to reach Level 10? That's truly astonishing," Artoria exclaimed, resting her chin in her hand with a look of surprise.

Haruhime readjusted her clothing before turning to face everyone, a hint of embarrassment coloring her expression.

She supposed she was receiving praise for her unique magic, wasn't she?

Eiji playfully rubbed his nose. "That's not all. A new unique Skill has manifested due to the influence of my Voracity energy. Read the explanation below."

[Haruhime's magic, Uchide no Kozuchi, was truly extraordinary, bordering on outright cheating. This unusual ability was the very reason Ishtar treated her with a degree of distinction compared to the rest of her familia.]

[Ishtar's decision to place Haruhime in a brothel was a calculated move to shield her 'secret weapon' from the watchful eyes of the Guild and other rival Familias. Within such a setting, no one would ever suspect a mere Level 1 prostitute.]

[However, Ishtar's nature was also characterized by cruelty and arrogance. She reveled in the degradation of Haruhime's dignity and spirit—a noblewoman hailing from the Far East—by forcing her into such work before ultimately planning her demise. Fortunately, thanks to Aisha's intervention, customers were frequently deterred or situations were subtly manipulated to ensure Haruhime was never actually harmed, as Aisha recognized Haruhime's purity and understood she did not deserve such a fate.]

[Ishtar's ultimate objective was to offer Haruhime as a sacrifice in a ritual involving the Killing Stone, thereby augmenting the power of the Ishtar Familia. Should this ritual succeed, Haruhime's soul would be eternally sealed within a magical artifact.]

[This stone would then be pulverized into countless minuscule fragments. Ishtar intended to distribute these fragments amongst all her familia members, enabling them to concurrently unleash the power of Level Boost and overcome the formidable Freya Familia.]

"!!!"

Ishtar's meticulously crafted plan was so heinously cruel that many of the heroines present cursed her name, decrying her as an utterly wicked villainess.

A wave of emotion washed over Haruhime; she finally understood that even though Aisha had deceived her, those actions were ultimately meant to protect her.

She felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Aisha, and an even greater thankfulness towards Eiji, as he had, in essence, rescued her from certain death.

And what of the unique skill he had mentioned?

She focused on it and was completely stunned.

"Eternal Feast. This skill enables Haruhime to replenish her own magic by 'devouring' the residual magical energy from an opponent's attacks that narrowly miss her. This is remarkably potent."

Potent?

Wasn't this skill utterly absurd?!

Haruhime managed to refrain from voicing her astonishment, sensing that in the eyes of Eiji and his familia members, her newly acquired skill still appeared to be merely adequate.