Chapter 205: SFDI: Chapter 205
"Storming the Red-Light District" Drake finished his meal and went to the counter to pay. Mia, polishing glasses, watched him. "Watch out fo
"Storming the Red-Light District"
Drake finished his meal and went to the counter to pay.
Mia, polishing glasses, watched him. "Watch out for that frivolous god. Nobody knows what he’s plotting."
Drake smiled. "I understand. Thank you for your concern."
Mia glanced at the kitchen door. "I’m not worried about you. Someone else is."
Drake followed her gaze; he only saw a skirt disappearing.
Drake smiled and left the Hostess of Fertility.
Strangely, Hermes simply watched him go, seemingly unconcerned that his plan had failed.
On his way back to the workshop, Drake encountered two familiar faces.
Seeing Lili supporting the barely-walking Bell, Drake rushed over, catching them before they fell.
"What happened?" Drake asked, giving them recovery potions.
Bell grabbed Drake’s arm. "Drake, save Welf! He’s been kidnapped!"
Drake’s eyes narrowed. Passersby felt the air grow heavy, instinctively moving away.
Drake pressed, "What happened? Explain clearly."
Lili replied, "We were ambushed by the Ishtar Familia in the Dungeon. Phryne personally kidnapped Welf, and Bell-sama was injured by [Androctonus]."
Drake said, "I understand. Leave this to me. I’ll bring Welf back unharmed."
Hearing this, Bell closed his eyes and fainted.
He was badly injured but had insisted on reaching the surface to inform Drake. Relaxing, he passed out.
Drake gave Bell to Lili. "I’ll leave Bell to you."
Lili nodded, biting her lip. She’d been easily subdued in the fight but unharmed.
But she couldn’t help Bell; this fueled her frustration.
After watching Lili leave with Bell towards Hestia Familia, Drake turned towards the red-light district.
Logically, he should report to Hephaestus, who could negotiate with Ishtar.
Kidnapping other Familia members was strictly forbidden; the Ishtar Familia had overstepped.
Most importantly, Hephaestus’s strength far surpassed the Ishtar Familia.
Nobody knew how many magic swords were in Hephaestus Familia’s warehouse; if pushed, they could level the red-light district and even Freya’s battlefields.
But some things transcend logic!
Drake knew why the Ishtar Familia had taken Welf—because of him. Welf was collateral damage.
Worse, 〈Androctonus〉 Phryne had taken him.
That ugly woman was driven purely by her desires; if Drake was late, Welf would be traumatized for life.
Besides dealing with the Ishtar Familia, Drake wanted to punch a certain god in the face.
Using Welf as bait implied knowing Drake’s closest ally in the Hephaestus Familia.
Even within the Hephaestus Familia, few knew this.
It was clear who had leaked this information to the Ishtar Familia.
No wonder Hermes hadn’t insisted on going to the red-light district; he’d been certain Drake would go.
"I’ve been manipulated,"
Drake smiled, but it wasn’t a happy one.
He should have acted when dealing with the observers.
Finn had delivered the book the next day, distracting Drake.
But it wasn’t too late!
Drake’s fiery wings unfurled, forcing passersby to flee.
Seeing Drake take flight, a passerby exclaimed, "Is that the Dragon Crucible’s power? Terrifying!"
Another said, "Is this the time for sightseeing? Judging by the Dragon Crucible’s appearance, Orario’s about to face a major crisis!"
Discarding all hesitation, Drake flew directly to the red-light district. His fiery trail was visible across half of Orario.
In the Babel Tower, Freya’s room. Watching the fiery trail through the window, Freya gently swirled her wine glass.
"How foolish! He’s touched the dragon’s scales; being completely swallowed wouldn’t be surprising!"
Few things escaped Freya’s notice in this city, including Ishtar’s jealousy and her attempts to crush Freya’s Familia.
But Freya never cared. In her eyes, Ishtar was merely a foolish clown.
Ottar stood behind Freya, gazing intently at the flames in the sky.
Freya seemed to sense her most loyal guard’s emotions. "What is it, Ottar? Are you restless as well?"
Ottar, his heart pounding fiercely, spoke, "If you would permit it, my Goddess, I wish to engage him in all-out combat."
Freya smiled. "I’m sorry, Ottar, but I cannot grant your request this time. Because I do not wish to lose you so soon."
Ottar remained silent, once again swallowed by the shadows.
While he couldn’t quell his fervent desire for battle, the affection of his goddess was enough to satisfy 〈King〉.
As for Freya’s assessment that he would die if he fought Drake at full strength, Ottar never doubted his goddess’s judgment. Therefore, all he needed to do was continue to grow stronger.
...
At the entrance to the Hostess of Fertility, Hermes adjusted his hat, looking up at the sky with a smile.
Everything was proceeding exactly as he had planned. Next, he would observe Drake’s choice.
"How exhilarating! This era, where those with the potential to become heroes gather together. Unleash your brilliance, and etch your existence into the very fabric of legend!"
Hermes’s excitement grew, his words a low murmur, like the recitation of an epic poem.
"Indeed, Hermes-sama is plotting something!"
At the sound of this warning, Hermes raised both his hands. "Now, now, that’s a bit unfair. I’m merely a spectator, you see!"
"I hope that’s the case," Ryuu said, turning to go back into the tavern, leaving Hermes standing alone on the street, his expression unreadable.
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