The Nephilim Outpost was an imposing old castle, repurposed primarily for visits by Nephilim ambassadors to Golden City. Ery had heard that Jinkan had once stayed there for safety when the Magus Academy was deed insecure. Upon arrival, Ery observed a substantial contingent of guards: a dozen magus and a few hundred Nephilim saint warriors vigilantly patrolled the grounds. Nearby, a sleek, sophisticated spaceship sat poised, most likely belonging to Ishtar's esteed Astiel family.
As Ery and Grand Magus Liith reached the castle entrance, they were greeted by a grand magus standing watch. Ery imdiately recognized the old man as the spirit master who had guarded Lady Ishtar during the Grand Reception. The spirit master's eyes narrowed as he addressed Liith with a stern expression. "The invitation is for one person only," he declared, his tone brooking no argunt.
Lilith t his gaze with an unflinching stare, her aura flaring with undeniable power. "Step away, servant… or die," she responded, her voice cold and resolute.
Ery quickly intervened, understanding that a confrontation was the last thing they needed. He turned to Liith and politely requested, "Senior, please wait for here, i won't be long" With a nod of understanding, Liith stepped back, her intense aura receding.
As Ery quietly followed through the hall, he received information from VIA about the old spirit master leading him. The man, nad Olloi, had served the Astiel family for 30 years. He was a formidable figure, a 2-cosmos grand magus, and a level three pagoda spirit master.
Monts later, Ery arrived at an opulent hall, where a long, exquisite dining table was set with only two seats placed across from each other. Lady Ishtar sat at one end, her presence commanding and regal. Behind her stood another 2-cosmos grand magus, the one proficient in space magic, silently observing.
Lady Ishtar, adorned with multiple golden accessories that glinted in the candlelight, did not invite Ery to sit. Instead, she continued with her dinner, a subtle power play ant to assert dominance and perhaps test his patience. Ery, however, remained composed. At this stage in his journey, he was accustod to the intricacies of grand magus individuals and was not easily intimidated.
When Lady Ishtar finished her dinner, she turned to Ery with a piercing gaze. "So, are you here to surrender Terra City to ?" she asked, her tone both curious and challenging.
Ery, maintaining his composure, replied calmly, "No, Senior… I did not"
"Then why are you here?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing.
Ery took a deep breath and explained his intentions with utmost politeness. He emphasized that he had no wish to offend her and, with his friends' safety in mind, he willingly apologized for any previous offenses.
Lady Ishtar's reaction was telling; a smile spread across her face, indicating a degree of satisfaction. "You are at least a bit better than that monkey Izta," she said, her words laced with mockery.
Hearing such disparaging remarks about his respected senior was difficult for Ery, but he remained steadfast, refusing to let his emotions get the better of him.
Unfortunately, Lady Ishtar was not finished. Her smile broadened as she continued, "So… what do you have to offer for your apology?"
Ery felt a surge of annoyance. He knew he was not in the wrong, but he held his temper in check and asked, "What is it that you want?"
Lady Ishtar's smile widened as she pointed directly at him. "You… I want you to be my slave. Let's say… ten years should be fair enough."
Ery was speechless. The audacity and madness of her demand left him montarily stunned. Lady Ishtar, however, continued casually, "I am a better master for you than that entitled Amarikh princess. Bow to … serve your goddess, and if you satisfy … I will even clear those problems you have with Kronos," she offered with a smile.
The proposition was absurd. Ery took a deep breath, recognizing that reasoning with her might be futile. This ti, his tone was much less polite as he replied,
"I hope you are joking… and my answer is no."
Ishtar's amusent grew, her smile turning wicked. "Really? Are you not afraid?… not even slightly?"
Ery t her gaze steadily. "I would rather not be your enemy. But if you insist... then I am ready."
The room's tension spiked as the two grand magus standing by Ishtar appeared ready to strike at her signal. Ery might be able to fight one of them, but facing two grand magus along with Ishtar and dozens of her guards would be almost impossible for him. He felt the weight of the situation bearing down on him, knowing that his chances of survival were slim if it ca to a direct confrontation. His only hope lay in the chance that the grand magus proficient in space magic wouldn't be able to stop him from reaching out to Lilith outside.
Ery steeled himself, his senses heightened. However, instead of giving the order, Ishtar took a sip of her wine and said, "The Karat can't help you… I can destroy you whenever I want."
Ery considered her words for a mont before replying, "No... I dont believe you… if you really could, you would have done it days ago. But no… you didnt.. why?."
His statent hung in the air, challenging her authority. Ishtar's eyes narrowed, and Ery realized that her restraint wasn't solely due to the Karat faction's protection. It likely wasn't because of Jinkan either. Ery suspected that the words of the Nephilim Grand Overseer, who had guaranteed his safety until the assigned duel with Kronos, played a significant role. Harming Ery would most likely cause trouble for Ishtar.
The atmosphere in the room remained charged, but Ery's resolve only strengthened. He had called her bluff, and the truth of his words resonated. Ishtar's reaction confird Ery's suspicions. Annoyed, she said, "I might not be able to harm you or openly harm your faction… but I can still harm your friend." Her expression turned wicked as she added, "As long as he is not a mber of your faction... I have nothing to worry about."
She called to her guards, "Bring him here!"
As the guards moved to obey, Ery felt a surge of real anxiety. Ishtar's laugh echoed through the room, her amusent at his distress clear. Monts later, the guards returned, dragging a young male magus. Ery's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the figure.
"Why are you here?" Ery exclaid, dumbfounded.
The young magus Ishtar had caught was none other than Ronan, the Serpent Supre.
"...."
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