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[FTMWDK] Chapter 479: Convincing Ishtar
🕑 Added 2024-06-14 01:23:39 +0000 UTCOn the next day, Arkhan finally set off for Mount Ebih with a cart full of gemstones.
Ishtar's temple stood atop Mount Ebih, grand and imposing, giving off a strong impression of 'I've conquered Mount Ebih'.
Despite the grandeur of her temple, Arkhan couldn't help but be drawn to the two golden lucky cat statues standing at the entrance.
How did these things end up here?
For a moment, Arkhan didn't know where to begin with his complaints.
"Ah well, anything associated with that crazy goddess can't be normal anyway..."
"What are you muttering about?"
As Arkhan muttered, the cool and composed Goddess of Venus floated in the air, looking at him with suspicion.
Mount Ebih was her domain, so the moment he set foot on it, she already sensed his arrival.
However, she waited until he reached her temple before showing herself, simply out of a goddess's dignity. After all, she was the Mistress of Heaven; personally going to greet someone was just too embarrassing.
"Long time no see, Goddess Ishtar." Arkhan greeted, lifting his head with a smile.
"Daring to step onto the land of this goddess alone, human, you've got some nerve." Ishtar huffed, crossing her arms. "So, what brings you here?"
"I'm here to fulfill my promise, of course." Arkhan said, a kind smile gracing his face.
"Promise, you say?" Ishtar raised an eyebrow.
"These are the offerings the people of Uruk have presented to you during this time." Arkhan unveiled the tarp behind, revealing a cart filled with gemstones. "Please accept them."
Looking at the cart full of gemstones, Ishtar's proud expression momentarily faltered.
"So many gemstones, more than enough for my magecraft... No, wait, they even enough to adorn my temple..."
Ishtar muttered to herself, then she suddenly snapped out of it, her eyes locking onto Arkhan.
"You're saying... all these gemstones... are for me? Are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious." Arkhan answered with a slight smile. "These gemstones are all voluntary offerings from the people of Uruk to the Goddess of Venus, Ishtar."
"Are you kidding me?!"
Ishtar exclaimed, clutching her head in disbelief, her eyes spinning like pinwheels.
'So many gemstones, I can't even believe my eyes! Get a grip, Ishtar, how could something so incredible happen up here? It's too good to be true!'
"I said I would help restore the people's faith in you, no? Did you forget?" Arkhan continued.
"You, you're a goddamn miracle worker!" Ishtar exclaimed, truly pleased with him.
Arkhan instantly became larger than life in Ishtar's mind.
"Ahem, you're too kind. I've only made a modest contribution..." Arkhan coughed lightly. "The real impact comes from the lasting impression you've left on the people."
Even the usually self-centered Ishtar blushed after hearing his praise.
"A-Anyway, you've done well. Since this goddess is pleased, I won't hold your previous unreasonable actions against me anymore." Ishtar said with a cough, pretending to be calm. "As a reward, I can grant you one wish. Anything you desire, just say it."
After saying that, she glanced at the cart full of gemstones, gnashing her teeth.
"If you want treasures, this goddess can also give you some. Thirty—no, twenty percent of the gemstones in that cart!"
'Seriously, this disgraceful goddess sure had a deep love for gems.'
After muttered to himself in his mind, Arkhan responded aloud.
"I'm not interested in gemstones. If possible, I hope you can return to Uruk and continue to serve as its guardian god."
"You mean, you want this goddess to fight for Uruk?" Ishtar narrowed her eyes.
Arkhan smiled and remained silent.
Seeing his smile, Ishtar couldn't help but ponder.
Although the temptation of the gemstones was strong, she also had to consider the risks behind this request.
Going against the return of the Goddess of Beginning wouldn't be a trivial matter, after all.
"In all honesty, it's not realistic to hire a goddess like you with just this little reward." Arkhan continued. "So, before I left, Gilgamesh made a promise."
"What promise?" Ishtar asked curiously.
"He promised that as long as you agree to fight for Uruk, he'll open his treasury for you."
"What!? You mean, that guy..." Ishtar's eyes widened instantly.
"Just nod, and twenty percent of the gemstones in his treasury will be yours in no time." Arkhan added with a smile.
Upon hearing that, Ishtar took a deep breath, trying to appear composed.
"Bu-But... even it's his treasury..."
Watching her hesitation, Arkhan chuckled silently before continuing.
"Well, he said that the treasures inside are practically endless and even claimed they would be equivalent to the total assets of humanity."
"That sounds too good to be true, it's simply unbelievable!" Ishtar shook her head vehemently.
"How about a little more?" Arkhan spread his five fingers. "Twenty-five percent."
"What! You can still raise the price?!" Ishtar was shocked senseless and felt like her brain was turning into mush. "Wait, wait, wait, I am Goddess Ishtar, just with such trivial conditions..."
"So, are you refusing?" Arkhan raised an eyebrow slightly, then spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "Well, that's a pity, looks like those gems will just continue to sleep in the treasury."
"Wait, please don't do this, let me think again!"
Ishtar bit her finger, her face showing an extremely conflicted expression. After pondering for quite a while, she sighed helplessly.
"Damn it... Fine, you win, human. I agree to join Uruk."
Upon hearing that, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Arkhan's mouth.
As he expected, once he grasped this goddess's weaknesses, dealing with her became very easy. Now that the Goddess of Venus was also taken care of, the only one left was that blonde goddess.
However, in the next moment, Ishtar suddenly stretched her foot out in front of Arkhan.
"Hmm?" Arkhan looked confused.
"What are you staring at? Hurry up and kiss my foot."
Looking at him wearing a confused expression, Ishtar tilted her head and spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I'm technically a goddess, and we need to seal the deal, don't we?"
"..."
Arkhan fell silent, his face became expressionless.
