Looking Forward to Another World Chapter 741: Thanatos’s Realization, Ishtar’s Desire

"Of your entire faction, you're the only one, a god of Evilus no less, running about openly. The other two haven't even shown themselves."

"The true form of the Corrupted Spirit remains unknown, hidden away on some floor of the Dungeon. All that has appeared outside are her avatars and her minions."

"Enyo has also never made a personal appearance—only their spokesperson has shown up."

"You alone have been personally handling all matters, doing all the unpleasant work yourself."

"Don't you feel like they're just using you as a tool?"

Riezel's bold words nearly made Thanatos burst into laughter, yet he found himself utterly incapable of making a sound. Though he was reluctant to admit it, upon careful consideration, he was indeed the one with the fewest secrets among them at present.

Enyo, it went without saying, had never appeared from start to finish. Their identity was shrouded in mystery, their gender unknown. Thanatos had never even heard Enyo's voice, having no clue what kind of existence they truly were.

Meanwhile, the Corrupted Spirit possessed a considerable presence, but it was her subordinates, the so-called Creatures, who acted on her behalf. At best, she had merely provided her avatars and those grotesque monsters for them to utilize. Her true location was still a complete mystery.

Comparing them this way, Thanatos suddenly realized that he himself—who had always operated from the shadows, rarely left Knossos, and believed himself to be incredibly discreet—had in fact been the most visible, held the fewest secrets, and bore the greatest burden and cost among the trio.

He had provided Knossos as their base of operations, personally stepped forward to broker cooperation with the Ishtar Familia and the Kali Familia, and in every battle, had to sacrifice countless followers in suicidal self-detonation attacks against the enemy.

It was undeniable that whether it was resources, effort, or personnel, everything had come from him.

And what of Enyo and the Corrupted Spirit?

The latter had simply detached parts of herself, allowed the Creatures under her command to cultivate them, and then handed them over to him for management.

However, Enyo was even more detached.

From beginning to end, they had dispatched only a single servant to perform tasks, at most issuing directives and managing communications. Beyond that, they had done nothing else.

'No... had Enyo truly done nothing?'

A sudden realization dawned on Thanatos.

Had Enyo done nothing, or had they clearly done everything and simply chosen not to inform him?

At this moment, Thanatos's divine intuition kicked in, sending an icy chill down his spine.

Initially, Thanatos had planned to stall Riezel, or perhaps even obstruct him—to probe, test, and prevent him from taking any actions that might destabilize the situation within Knossos.

Yet, now, he found himself to be the one being disrupted and probed.

As Thanatos fell into a pensive silence, the two goddesses standing beside him spoke.

"Liberator Riezel Brynhart."

Kali was the first to speak, her gaze fixed on Riezel as if appraising a priceless treasure, showing no concern for Thanatos's distress. "Are you truly Level 6?"

"Argana and Bache on my side are both Level 6 as well. Why is there such a stark discrepancy in power between them and yourself?"

"This makes me exceedingly curious about you."

Kali's words conveyed a curiosity and keen interest that matched her expression.

However, it was not Riezel who responded, but Ishtar beside her.

"It seems your perspective is rather limited, Kali," Ishtar remarked casually, drawing on her pipe. "The Lower World is far vaster than you comprehend. Do not attempt to judge this realm with the understanding you've cultivated in Telskyura, lest you forfeit one of the greatest joys of being a god."

"The Lower World is consistently like this. From time to time, individuals emerge who challenge the comprehension of mortals and even various gods."

"These individuals are what we refer to as heroes."

As she spoke, Ishtar's gaze shifted from that of valuing a treasure to eyeing prey—her possession. The more she looked at Riezel, the more content she became.

In terms of raw strength, Riezel had already demonstrated that he would be in no way inferior to anyone in the Lower World, not even Ottar.

There was no doubt that Riezel was an existence who broke every known limit regarding potential, a true 'monster' in the eyes of many gods, making one easily envision the brilliance of his future.

Indeed, she had to concede that both his appearance and his demeanor were of the highest caliber.

’If only I could take this child into my private chambers…’

A sudden heat ignited within Ishtar’s heart as she realized that, when contrasted with the young man before her, all the males she had ever taken in previously seemed utterly insignificant.

If she had to select someone to share her bed, why not choose someone like him?

If that vixen possessed King, then she herself absolutely needed a Liberator.

Otherwise, even if she were to defeat that vixen’s familia, would she not still be considered inferior in the eyes of others?

A smile bloomed on Ishtar’s face as this thought emerged, but it was not her usual expression; it was a smile that was both enchanting and wicked. The moment it appeared, everything else around her seemed to lose its luster, unable to compare with its captivating power.

Witnessing Ishtar reveal such a smile, Thanatos was left speechless, and even Kali’s prior interest evaporated into stunned silence. Riezel himself, upon seeing the smile Ishtar displayed, was momentarily lost in a daze.

This was undeniably the allure of a Goddess of Beauty, now pouring forth indiscriminately upon everything within the space, almost violently overwhelming the aesthetic sensibilities of all living beings.

Anyone susceptible to such a demonic charm, regardless of gender or their own peculiar inclinations, would at that instant be completely captivated by the Goddess of Beauty before them, with no space left in their hearts for any other.

Such was the irresistible charm of the Goddesses of Beauty, a power that could transcend all else, warp minds, and instill an obsessive devotion.

Having unleashed this potent seduction, Ishtar extended a delicate, soft hand in Riezel’s direction.

"Come, Riezel Brynhart."

Ishtar’s voice, too, had transformed into a bewitching, sweet melody.

"Come to my side and belong to me."

"I shall bestow upon you the most exquisite affection."

"I will let you experience the adoration of the most beautiful goddess in existence."

"I will make you a hero, admired and worshipped by all."

"Whatever that goddess can bestow upon King, I will grant you twice over, elevating you to a status far exceeding his in power, fame, and greatness."

As she uttered these tempting words, potent enough to sway any heart in the Lower World, Ishtar began to walk slowly towards Riezel.

"You deserve to possess everything, myself included."

"An individual like you can only realize their utmost value by my side, not by being carelessly manipulated by Loki's whims."

"The Loki Familia is not where you belong. It is by my side that you should truly stand."

"Come… become a hero who is solely mine, who possesses me, and is possessed by me."

Perhaps fueled by the vision of such a future, Ishtar’s tone shifted from sweetly enticing to a scorching, fervent intensity.

She had already meticulously crafted her plan.

After securing Riezel and indulging herself to her heart’s content, she would then present him directly to Freya, flaunting him shamelessly before her.

Knowing that Freya, in addition to her own charm, possessed eyes that could pierce the very souls of others, she surely must have already recognized Riezel’s unique qualities and identified him as a new hero destined to surpass Ottar and reach the absolute zenith of Orario.

If such a hero were to fall under her influence, even that carefree goddess, that cunning vixen who looked down upon everything, would surely be thrown into a state of annoyance, wouldn’t she?

If she were to openly challenge Freya and have Riezel crush Ottar in a direct confrontation, the expression on that vixen’s face would undoubtedly be priceless. Once the duel concluded with Ottar’s defeat at Riezel’s hands, Ishtar would then launch a devastating assault, eradicating that vixen’s entire familia in a single, decisive blow.

With Riezel, capable of overpowering Gugalanna with ease, combined with Haruhime’s level-boosting magic and the full might of the Kali Familia, she held no doubt that the Freya Familia would not withstand the onslaught.

As her thoughts reached this incredibly satisfying juncture, Ishtar felt a wave of heat surge through her lower abdomen, compelling her to open her arms, utterly unable to resist the overwhelming urge to embrace Riezel.

Whether for mortals or even for gods themselves, the embrace of a Goddess of Beauty, the favor bestowed by a Goddess of Beauty, was undeniably an experience of unparalleled wonder.

Gods, as a rule, were born possessing transcendent appearances. Apart from the select few who deliberately chose to be worshipped in the guises of elders or children, the rest, irrespective of gender, all possessed visages that could only be described as peerless.

Among such divine beings, the Goddesses of Beauty indeed shone brighter, captivating the attention of even other gods with their allure. Should they grace someone with their favor, it would undoubtedly incite envy and jealousy in countless mortals and deities alike.

If such a situation wasn't considered marvelous, then what could be?

At least, that was the sentiment Ishtar held.

Only Thanatos and Kali perceived that Riezel, who appeared lost in thought on the surface, possessed eyes that were remarkably clear and serene.

Just then...

Accompanied by faint incantations, a wave of magical energy descended upon Ishtar, resembling invisible bonds that abruptly restrained her, locking her immovably in place.

"!!!"

Ishtar's body instantly froze, rendered completely immobile.

"You?!"

It was only then that Ishtar truly registered Riezel’s composed, almost chilling countenance, and an expression of utter disbelief dawned on her captivating features.

Under these prevailing circumstances, Riezel directed a rather disdainful gaze towards Ishtar.

"My apologies, but I have no need for the affections of a goddess with such questionable taste, nor do I believe you possess the ability to make me a hero."

Riezel extended a hand towards Ishtar.

"If I were to be taken in by a tasteless goddess like yourself into an equally tasteless familia, I would sooner choose death."

"And you claim the Loki Familia is not where I belong?"

"In my estimation, your familia lacks the standing to even carry the footwear for my familia."

Having uttered these words, Riezel disregarded the dramatic shift in Ishtar’s expression and calmly initiated his magic with indifferent resolve.

Instantly, an overwhelming sense of drowsiness washed over Ishtar’s mind.

In the subsequent moment, the Goddess of Beauty, coveted by all, slumped onto the ground in a lifeless heap, much like a beached fish—her posture utterly devoid of grace.

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