Chapter 499

Although extremely faint, it still retained a familiar divine aura.

Did you deliver it to me?

Thank you, Ereshkigal.

Having obtained the Tablet of Destinies, Shirou left City of Kussa and returned to Uruk.

Oh right, I need to go to the ranch to inquire about the damage.

After taking a slightly longer route, Shirou learned about the recent situation from the rancher's door.

In recent days, the goddess Ishtar has been launching indiscriminate bombing raids near the ranches, and after the attacks, she will find the ranchers and extort their property.

"They're demons!" the ranchers protested.

Obstructing ranch operations, and intimidation and extortion of operators --

Although on the surface this seems to be an undeniable fact, Shirou understands that it is probably a disguise by the goddess.

To date, not a single human has died as a result of Ishtar's attacks, although many have been injured...

Contrary to this fact, the number of Magical Beast destroyed by Ishtar's saturated magical bombardment is approaching four figures.

Was she fulfilling her duties as a goddess and protecting the Mesopotamia world in her own way?

Or, as King Gilgamesh said—

The goddess Ishtar simply viewed the world itself as her "property."

That said, the goddess of beauty who rules Venus is actually a miser...

The goddess Ishtar in mythology did indeed love collecting treasures.

However, her targets for extortion were usually beings of higher status than herself, including the Father God, and there are no anecdotes of her taking money from humans.

It couldn't be due to the influence of the object being possessed... hahaha...

"!!"

Just then, a powerful magical force approached at high speed from the sky.

Although Shirou didn't experience it firsthand, he heard from Ritsuka that they had suffered greatly.

This is the arrival of the goddess Ishtar!

The next instant, the Magic Bullet rained down from the sky like fireworks.

Shirou did not dodge.

If the locals' reports are accurate, Ishtar would never directly harm humans.

"..."

The Magic Bullet grazed past Shirou's body and blasted the ground apart.

Amidst the billowing dust, the black-haired Divine Aura, adorned with luxurious jewels, landed menacingly before Shirou.

"Finally found you, you wretched human!"

I heard you've been asking the ranchers a lot of questions about me!

Although I don't know what you're up to, but... huh?

The goddess Ishtar stared wide-eyed.

"Shi... Shirou...?"

The goddess Venus stared at the boy's face, speechless.

How could such a thing happen?

Isn't this my husband, whom I've never met but who died three months ago (the relationship was confirmed unilaterally by the goddess)?

Volume 7:321 The goddess をshoots and falls on the とした

On that day, the goddess Ishtar saw something truly radiant (a gem).

With her red hair and Kohaku eyes, her seemingly ordinary appearance evokes a strange sense of warmth.

The human boy's name is "Shirou Amamiya".

The moment she saw him, the goddess Ishtar fell irrevocably in love.

A naivety that defies all reason.

Irreversible speed.

It was love at first sight, even if she were denigrated as a promiscuous goddess.

Although people always say that Ishtar is frivolous and capricious, only the goddess herself knows that this time is different.

Based on the divine Authority remaining within this container, the goddess Ishtar could easily see through the essence of a person's soul.

Take, for example, Ana, the young woman who is currently traveling with Merlin.

With just one glance, Ishtar understood the child's past and future better than anyone else.

So, what shape does Shirou Amamiya's soul take when reflected in the eyes of Venus?

--It was like a light illuminating the dark bottom of a lake.

This impression only deepened after actually tracking the other party for several months.

Shirou Amamiya lacks reverence for the gods and is disrespectful to King Gilgamesh of Uruk, though he is generally very polite.

He is helpful, kind, and very clever. Although he can be a bit sharp-tongued, he is actually very considerate.

The woman was very popular, or rather, excessively so, which made Ishtar slightly dissatisfied.

He is like a shining diamond, formed from hard, stubborn iron ore through days of polishing.

That's how Shirou is in the eyes of the goddess Ishtar, and that's the only reason she would fall in love with him.

If it is not a possessed being, but rather Ishtar, a goddess from the Mythological Era—

She would probably take Shirou Amamiya for herself without any explanation and force him to marry her.

From the goddess's perspective, Shirou is simply worthy of her treasures (items), nothing more.

However, in becoming one with humanity...

After merging with this girl named "Rin Tohsaka," her thoughts also shifted towards a more human perspective.

The goddess Ishtar fell in love with Shirou was of the opposite sex.

This is something that has never happened in the past tens of thousands of years.

The goddess Venus, who deeply loves humanity as a whole, has fallen in love with one individual human being.

The goddess tasted the sweetness of first love for the first time.

So, after Shirou's presence disappeared from the surface.

The goddess experienced the bitterness of being out of contact for the first time.

"Shi... Shirou...!?"

However, he, whom everyone thought had disappeared, reappeared before them.

Ishtar's eyes widened: How is this possible? Why?

Seeing the goddess appear before him triumphantly only to immediately freeze in shock, Shirou revealed a mocking smile.

"Hmm? May I ask who you are? Where have we met before?"

"!!"

This was the first time Shirou had taken the initiative to speak to Ishtar.

This fact alone made Venus blush.

"Ugh... Ouch!... I... I'm... Um... It hurts so much!"

Ishtar bit her tongue because she was nervous.

Are you alright?

Shirou tilted his head, observing the disheveled goddess with a worried expression.

"Waaaaah...!"

Ishtar's face turned even redder.

"Are you the goddess Ishtar?"

Shirou asked.

He knew perfectly well from the beginning who the black-haired woman in front of him was.

To be honest, I was completely surprised.

Apart from her bright red eyes, Ishtar's appearance is almost identical to Rin Tohsaka's.

Gorgeous, elegant, luxurious, and majestic...

Even now, her flustered and clumsy manner is just like the Shirou knows her to be—it's somewhat adorable.

That's why Shirou couldn't resist playing a trick on the other person.

"Hmm... Gu, you're right! I... I am Ishtar, the goddess of beauty who rules over Venus!"

Having finally regained her composure, Ishtar crossed her arms over her chest, attempting to project the majesty befitting a goddess.

"You... you must be Shirou Amamiya from Golden Flash's place, right? I've heard rumors about you."

"It's my pleasure."

Shirou's smile made Ishtar's heart race.

"Hmph, what honor? You were just saying that to curry favor with me, weren't you..."

So, I thought you were dead, but you're still alive?

And they even wanted to investigate the goddess's vacation time? Even if someone's completely insane, there should be a limit!

"Even if Gilgamesh hadn't given me that request, I would have long wanted to meet you, Goddess."

"!!!"

Ishtar's eyes widened.

"Really... really?"

Shirou nodded and said, "Haven't you been going around helping humans all this time?"

"Save humanity... me?" Venus asked blankly.

"Yes, that's the conclusion I've drawn from the rumors I've heard recently and the inquiries I've made along the way."

Goddess Ishtar, you have always been patrolling the pastures outside Uruk, protecting them from attacks by Magical Beast.

"Ugh... How could I do something like protecting humans?! Don't talk nonsense!"

Shirou said, "No, protecting humanity is true... but it would be even better if we didn't rob people of their treasures."

Ishtar frowned unhappily. "What do you mean by robbing human treasure... that's a really harsh way to put it."

I don't attack humans for money; my demand is a fair and reasonable reward!

Besides, if they protect humans for free, wouldn't they easily become corrupted?

"Free protection?"

Shirou grinned mischievously. "So, you're finally admitting you're protecting humanity?"

Venus's beauty suddenly turned deathly pale.

"Oops... I accidentally let it slip..."

"Is that really so, Goddess?" Shirou pressed.

"Hmm..."

Ishtar bit her lip, making up her mind.

She suddenly flew into the air, creating distance between herself and the red-haired boy.

"In short! Shirou Amamiya —I will punish you with divine retribution!"