After leaving the tavern, Lynn En didn't head straight back to Eina's house. Instead, he followed the familiar streets back toward the Pleasure Quarter.
Could I just spirit Haruhime away quietly?
Following the path etched in his memory, he navigated the route with ease and found the room he had accidentally stumbled into before. The window was open, but the room was empty. The copy of Heroic Epics that had been spread across the low table was gone.
It seemed Haruhime had already been moved.
Lynn En clicked his tongue. It looked like a silent extraction was off the table. He had a feeling about this; a hard-fought battle was likely unavoidable.
He regrouped with Bell and Mikoto to relay the situation. Upon hearing that Haruhime had been moved, Bell's face fell instantly, his eyebrows knitting into a worried mess. Mikoto remained silent, but her tightened jawline and white-knuckled fists betrayed the fury simmering beneath the surface.
"We can't just rush in blindly," Lynn En said, his voice steady as he looked at them. "The Ishtar Familia isn't some group of street thugs. We need reconnaissance. We need to know their strengths before we can make a plan."
At the mention of reconnaissance, Bell perked up immediately. "Lynn En, what can I do?"
"You and Mikoto," Lynn En pointed toward the Pleasure Quarter. "Gather intel on the streets. Find out how many members the Ishtar Familia has, if they have any particularly powerful executives, and what their daily routines look like. Don't alert them. Just act like ordinary adventurers making idle conversation."
Mikoto nodded, her eyes resolute. "I understand."
"And what about me?" Bell asked, eager to help.
"You stay with Mikoto," Lynn En added. "Don't go looking for trouble, but stay sharp. Remember, you're just 'chatting,' not investigating."
"And you, Lynn En?" Bell asked.
A thin smile curled on Lynn En's lips. "Me? I'll handle the view from the rooftops. I need to map out the layout of Ishtar's headquarters and figure out the guard rotation patterns. That's my job."
Bell looked worried. "Isn't the roof too dangerous? What if you're spotted?"
"Relax," Lynn En patted his shoulder with a casual air. "If there's one thing I'm good at, it's knowing how to make an exit."
"Alright... if you say so, Lynn En."
After the group split up, Lynn En tracked down Hermes at a tavern. Hermes was still wearing his wide-brimmed hat, that perennial, playful smirk fixed on his face.
"My, my, Lynn En. Meeting again so soon? You really are a man of action," Hermes teased the moment he saw him.
Lynn En ignored the banter and got straight to the point. "Lord Hermes, I need a favor. I want you to submit a formal request for a meeting with the Ishtar Familia on my behalf."
Hermes raised an eyebrow, a spark of genuine interest flashing in his eyes. "Oh? You want to talk to Ishtar directly? She isn't exactly the most reasonable woman."
"I know," Lynn En replied calmly. "I just need you to deliver the request."
"Fair enough. For the sake of a great hero, I'll do it," Hermes agreed readily. He adjusted his hat, his gaze lingering on Lynn En for a moment before he vanished around the street corner with a parting shot: "Wait for my good news."
Over the next three days, the trio carried out their plan. During the day, Lynn En scaled the tall buildings surrounding the Pleasure Quarter. Finding hidden vantage points, he observed the central tower of the Ishtar Familia—the Belit Babili—with a level of patience that bordered on the obsessive.
He noted that while the building's exterior was ornate, windows were surprisingly scarce, and most were heavily draped. Only a single window on the top floor facing east occasionally let out a flicker of light. Using a charcoal stick and parchment, he meticulously sketched the layout of the "Prostitution Palace."
The guards worked in three shifts, rotating every four hours. During each rotation, there was a window of approximately three minutes where the top-floor corridor patrol would briefly depart, creating a temporary dead zone. Lynn En recorded every detail, even simulating several potential infiltration and extraction routes.
At night, he used the cover of darkness to move to even closer rooftops. Like a keen-eyed owl, he watched the lights inside the palace flicker on and off, deducing the movement patterns of the occupants until the entire defensive layout was etched into his brain.
Meanwhile, Bell and Mikoto gathered information from the taverns and street vendors. Though Bell was somewhat clumsy, his earnestness and harmless appearance often caused the cynical tavern owners and shop assistants to lower their guard. He asked about the Ishtar Familia with feigned curiosity, and though he was frequently harassed and left blushing by over-eager Amazon warriors, he managed to stumble upon quite a bit of useful intel.
"Lynn En! A tavern owner told me the Ishtar Familia has about fifty members!" Bell reported, puffing out his chest as if showing off a trophy. "Their captain is named Phryne—she's that 'toad woman' I mentioned! She's a Level 5 adventurer! They also have an executive named Aisha, who's Level 3!"
Mikoto focused on the finer details. Unlike Bell, she remained inconspicuous, silently observing and gathering info from subtle conversations and expressions.
"The Ishtar Familia has many Amazon warriors," she noted. "They are natural-born fighters, and their combat prowess is high across the board. If it turns into a brawl, we could be at a serious disadvantage. I also heard rumors that Haruhime might be kept in a room at the very top."
On the third night, the three met again at the Take-Mikazuchi residence. Lord Take-Mikazuchi and Ouka were present as well, listening to the report.
Lynn En spread his hand-drawn map of the palace on the low table, gesturing with his finger. "This is the main entrance. This is the back door. This is the top-floor window. Guards rotate every four hours, leaving a three-minute gap where the top floor is unguarded."
He integrated the info from Bell and Mikoto: "Roughly fifty members. Captain Phryne is Level 5, Aisha is Level 3. The rest are mostly Level 1s and 2s. Haruhime's room is likely at the very end of the top floor."
Take-Mikazuchi stroked his chin, his expression growing somber. Ouka frowned, looking at Mikoto with concern.
"Given this, a safe extraction seems almost impossible," Ouka noted.
"That's why the plan is to move fast," Lynn En said decisively. "Infiltrate from the roof during the guard rotation and take Haruhime directly. We finish this as quickly as possible and avoid a head-on confrontation with Level 5s or 3s if we can help it."
"And if we do run into them?" Bell asked.
"Then we fight. As long as we can get away, it's a win." Lynn En placed several smoke bombs he had "acquired" from Patches on the table.
Bell and Mikoto nodded firmly, their eyes filled with resolve.
Just then, Hermes arrived with a reply. "Good news, Lynn En," he said, handing over a letter. "Goddess Ishtar has agreed to meet you. Tomorrow afternoon, in the reception room of the central tower."
Lynn En took the letter and nodded to the god. "Thank you for the help."
"Don't mention it. I'm looking forward to a good story."
The next afternoon, Lynn En took Mikoto to the central tower. He ordered Bell to stay behind as backup, just in case.
The reception room was decadently decorated with gilded accents, ornate tapestries, and sculptures. The air was thick with a heavy, cloying perfume that was almost suffocating.
Ishtar sat in the seat of honor, draped in a sheer purple gown that accentuated her curvaceous figure. A charming smile played on her lips, but her eyes were as cold as a serpent's, filled with scrutiny and amusement. Standing beside her were Aisha and several tall Amazon warriors, radiating a palpable sense of pressure.
"So, is this the 'hero' Hermes hasn't stopped talking about?" Ishtar's voice was lazy and seductive, but her eyes brightened with a hint of surprise as she looked at Lynn En. "Truly, seeing is better than hearing. You are quite the handsome one, aren't you?"
Lynn En ignored the flirtation and got straight to the point. "Lady Ishtar, we've come today to buy the freedom of a girl in your service named Haruhime."
Ishtar's smile froze for a fraction of a second before returning, though her eyes turned even colder. "Buy her freedom?" she repeated, her tone turning stern. "How do you know Haruhime's name?"
Mikoto stepped forward. "Great Goddess Ishtar, Haruhime is a childhood friend of mine. I only recently learned she was under your care. We wish to pay for her release."
Ishtar looked Mikoto up and down, judging that she wasn't lying, and relaxed slightly. "And how much are you offering?"
Lynn En quoted a figure.
It was a sum that would make any ordinary adventurer's jaw drop—nearly a third of the wealth he had claimed from the Apollo Familia. It was a staggering amount. Mikoto's body visibly trembled; she hadn't expected Lynn En to open with such a massive offer. She couldn't pay him back even if she sold herself ten times over.
Ishtar's smile deepened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Haruhime is a priceless treasure to me—she is my precious child," Ishtar said, shaking her head. "She isn't something that can be measured by your gold."
Lynn En's eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained composed. "Then, Lady Ishtar, what are your conditions for letting her go?"
Ishtar tapped her chin with a finger, feigning deep thought. After a moment, she squinted at Lynn En, her voice full of allure. "I hear you're currently without a Familia, Lynn En? How about this... join my Familia. I might consider letting Haruhime leave then."
Mikoto's face went pale with anger. She looked ready to lash out, but Lynn En placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. His grip was firm, forcing her to calm down.
"That condition isn't realistic," Lynn En said, meeting Ishtar's gaze with calm resolve. "I cannot abandon my current patron. Is there anything else?"
Ishtar shook her head, her smile vanishing completely. She stood up, looking down at Lynn En with haughty disdain. "Then there is no other possibility. Though I truly do admire you—are you sure you won't reconsider joining me?"
"No thanks. I'm doing fine on my own."
Ishtar walked toward the door, stopping briefly to look back at Lynn En. Her gaze was predatory, as if she wanted to devour him whole. "If you change your mind, come to me," she said seductively. "I'll consider it. My doors are always open to you."
With that, she left without looking back.
Lynn En and Mikoto were left in the room under the watchful, hostile glares of the remaining Amazon warriors. Mikoto's body was shaking with suppressed rage, her nails digging into her palms. Lynn En said nothing, simply staring in the direction Ishtar had gone. His eyes were deep and calm, as if everything was unfolding exactly as he had expected.
Negotiations had failed.
Ishtar had flatly refused to release her, her attitude arrogant and dismissive. Lynn En knew there was no other way now—they would have to take her.
He turned to Mikoto and offered a relaxed smile. "Well, we've finished our preparations."
Mikoto blinked, then realized his meaning. Her gaze sharpened with determination, and she nodded.
"Let's go." Lynn En patted Mikoto's shoulder and led her out of the tower.
Night fell, and the stars began to dot the sky.
"Lynn En... are we really going to... force our way in?" Mikoto's voice was raspy. Though she was mentally prepared, the thought of facing a titan like the Ishtar Familia still left her feeling uneasy.
"Is there any other way?" Lynn En asked, his tone as light as if they were going for a stroll. "Do you have a better idea?"
Mikoto fell silent.
Lynn En stopped and looked up at the full moon. He thought back to the long nights in the Lands Between, the countless times he had faced impossible enemies, died, and been resurrected at a Site of Grace.
"There are some things that can't be settled with words," he said softly, a trace of weariness in his voice that only he could understand. "Especially when the other side has no intention of listening."
He turned to Mikoto, his eyes burning with a near-fanatical resolve. "We know their defenses. We know their executives. We even know where Haruhime's room is." A confident arc curled on his lips. "These past few days weren't for nothing."
"But—"
"Do you want to give up now?"
"Of course not!"
"Then that's that. I'll ensure your safety, and I'll ensure Haruhime's."
Looking into Lynn En's eyes, which shone brightly in the moonlight, Mikoto's unease began to fade. She knew that while this man often seemed detached or casual, once he made up his mind, nothing could stand in his way.
"Alright," Mikoto took a deep breath and nodded heavily. "I'll follow your lead."
"So, how did the talk go, Lynn En?"
Lynn En turned to find Hermes standing not far behind him, that trademark smirk still in place. He had appeared out of nowhere once again.
Hermes shrugged, catching the slight glint of excitement in Lynn En's eyes. A look of understanding crossed his face. "I see. You've made your choice."
"Weren't you the one who wanted to see a hero's story?" Lynn En countered. "Well, the story is about to begin."
Hermes laughed loudly and clapped Lynn En on the shoulder. "Good! I like your decisiveness! Do you need my help?"
"Haven't you helped enough?" Lynn En pointed toward the meeting request.
"That was just the appetizer." Hermes grinned like a sly old fox. "If you're truly going to war with the Ishtar Familia, I can offer some... 'additional' assistance. Perhaps some 'unexpected' information, or some reinforcements that just 'happen' to be passing by."
Lynn En looked at Hermes. This god truly loved to stir the pot just to watch the chaos.
"I won't be polite then," Lynn En said. "But the time isn't right just yet."
"I'll be waiting." Hermes winked and vanished silently into the night once more.
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Danmachi: My Primary God is Hidetaka Miyazaki? (Simulpub – Ongoing)
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