All Interpretation Rights Belong to This King
"The Crown of Seven Stones! The Storm Scepter!"
Ishtar's eyes sparkled with a glint of light, her throat bobbed involuntarily, and her deep-seated, fervent love for gems was fully awakened.
Moreover, compared to what's on the train, her looting and plundering of the temple and sacrificial site is utterly pathetic!
No, it's not even worth the trash!
The Sky Goddess finally managed to restrain her restless arm and looked up to ask a dry, questioning question.
These are...
"This is a jewel offered to you!"
Merlin, who was in charge of pushing the cart and cooperating, smiled and nodded.
"All of it is for... for me? Did I hear that right?"
Ishtar held her head in her hands, stammering as she asked, her expression one of disbelief.
"Come on! In any case, you have something to do with Uruk, so it's only right that you get some compensation."
"Furthermore, the wealth previously looted from the Subordinate God can also belong to you."
Merlin bowed slightly, lowering his posture and appearing extremely humble.
Am I dreaming? Is this for real?
Ishtar was breathing rapidly, her head was spinning with happiness, and her thoughts were becoming chaotic.
Calm down! Calm down! Ishtar! That Gilgamesh guy, would he really be so kind?
Ishtar wasn't stupid after all. She rubbed her stiff cheeks, forcing herself not to look at the sparkly little cutie in the car, her expression somewhat suspicious.
"Why?"
"The King has recognized your achievements, and in accordance with his generosity, he will not hesitate to reward those who have merit."
"As long as you continue to stand by Uruk's side, this is just a deposit!"
Merlin spoke eloquently, then paused before offering an even more enticing condition.
"Deposit?!"
"The reward for joining us in responding to the alliance of the Three Goddesses is two of the best minerals in the entire Treasury of Babylon!"
"The Treasury of Babylon? That special storage facility that Gilgamesh built for the future, once completed, would be equivalent to the total assets of all humanity!"
Ishtar stammered in response, then nearly fainted from excitement.
"That's right! We've even brought the contract. As long as you agree, these treasures will be transferred to your name!"
"At that time, you will probably become the richest goddess in all of Mesopotamia!"
Merlin's praise and the virtual vision of the future nearly suffocated Ishtar.
"Wait, this sounds too suspicious, I..."
However, these exceptionally generous terms made the goddess somewhat incredulous.
Previously, after being criticized by others, she thought she was going to be kicked out of Uruk in disgrace.
In the end, instead of holding her accountable, the other side sent her a large number of gems.
This is like going from hell to heaven.
"Merlin! Let's go!"
However, as soon as Ishtar opened his mouth, Samael, who was standing next to the carriage, immediately covered the curtain, pulled the reins, and prepared to turn back.
"No... don't go!"
Ishtar opened her mouth instinctively, her expression one of utter grief.
At this moment, Samael stopped, turned around indifferently, and whispered softly.
"To be honest, personal grievances are personal grievances, and work is work."
"The gods are silent and still, and your timely arrival in Uruk to provide support in this time of crisis is more than enough."
"So even if I am deceived once, I am still willing to believe that you are a goddess worthy of admiration."
"Having witnessed your victory over the monsters, all the people of Uruk believe that the kind Goddess Ishtar will always stand by humanity's side and protect this city that once belonged to her!"
"Therefore, I am willing to set aside my personal opinions and take the initiative to request King Gilgamesh to send me to discuss cooperation with you."
"Since you suspect us of having ulterior motives, then let it go."
"Anyway, the reward for assisting in the defense of Uruk has already been paid."
"Next, please take the spoils you have looted and leave our land!"
"You are not welcome here!"
Samael's eyes were filled with disappointment, which deeply stung Ishtar's still-lingering conscience.
"I've already given up hope, it's just a pity for all the Uruk people who still have hope for you."
"Er Er, Blue Dragon Bashum ..."
"Stop talking, I'll sign!"
Ishtar, experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, finally succumbed and hastily accepted the clay tablet, signing his Divine Name at the end.
Only when the last stroke was made and the binding cursed contract took effect did Ishtar breathe a sigh of relief, as if a huge boulder had been lifted from her heart.
Samael's expression softened slightly. He raised his hand and placed it on the goddess's shoulder, whispering softly with deep feeling.
"Ishtar, remember your promise."
"I hope you don't become the next ruined Babylon, Uruk."
Ishtar, who had initially been focusing her attention on the gem, felt ashamed and then nodded seriously.
Afterwards, this goddess, whose mood had been fluctuating like a rollercoaster, suddenly felt a little tired and wanted to rest for a while to process her emotions.
So, under the guidance of Siduri, she was arranged to stay temporarily at the embassy.
The jewels that the goddess had amassed, as well as the deposit that Gilgamesh had paid, were all transferred to her residence for temporary storage.
After all this commotion, Ishtar seems to have forgotten some of the events.
For example, if someone has helped others and provided supplies to save Uruk, it is only natural for them to ask for compensation.
Even more daring, it wouldn't be impossible for her to seize Uruk while Gilgamesh is injured.
Furthermore, although she signed the contract, she didn't read the three clauses in it carefully.
Needless to say, she would notice that on the lower left of the back of the Clay Tablet, there are three invisible buoys whose contents cannot be seen unless facing the sun.
"1. The contract is only effective before King Gilgamesh dies."
"2. This hiring is for the Goddess Ishtar and her retinue, the Bull of Heaven Gurra."
"3. Gilgamesh reserves the right to interpret Article 1."
These three implicit conditions, even if they change in the future, almost completely eliminate the possibility of Ishtar receiving the employment fee.
In reality, neither the investor (Party A) nor the guarantor (the bad guy) are law-abiding or honest people.
Paying a loss is never as appealing as secretly getting something for free.
There was nothing that could be done; it was because a certain goddess broke her promise first, swallowing the snake and throwing out the bait.
What seems like a free lunch often comes at a much higher price.
Therefore, he was able to obtain that considerable commission by helping Gilgamesh Ishtar.
Compared to the 5% MISSING ore treasure, the previous investment in fishing ore was incredibly worthwhile.
Having tamed the goddess serpent, and planning how to build a temple for Tiamat, he hummed a little tune and took Anna to the street for a good meal to celebrate.
However, as he passed through a dimly lit alley, the sight of an old man in a burlap robe standing in the shadows stirred something within him.