Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Along the way, you could see people covered in dust and dirt who, after confirming that each other was safe, couldn't help but hug each other and weep.

There were also people who collapsed in tears beside the body.

If anyone understood the reason why "Valsha" attacked this place, and knew Ari's identity, they would definitely glare at her with hatred, and even throw stones at her.

Ari faced this desolate street scene head-on.

And they made up their minds.

Ari, who had gone out early in the morning, did not finish surveying the entire city until nightfall. As darkness fell and the temperature plummeted, she returned to the "Oasis Mansion" located in the city center.

Return to the goddess's abode, which had narrowly escaped being engulfed by the flames, but whose former slaves had not been spared.

"God Freya."

The lady of the house lived in the bedroom on the top floor.

She sat in a velvet chair, sipping the wine in her glass, gazing out the window at the city destroyed by fire.

The boar-man warriors stood by, waiting for orders, like followers.

As if they had just met, Ari greeted the goddess with the same respectful attitude.

"In order to defeat these villains, Valsha, I beg you to lend me your power."

No one can stop "Valsha" at present.

At least the Kingdom of Sharzad and the various kingdoms in the central region of the Western Caios Desert could not accomplish this.

The unprovoked invasion of the Commercial Nation (Islamic Domain) and the burning of "Liod City" constitutes an act of utter atrocity. This action shocked the world of West Caios, and amidst the heightened tensions, Valsha remained unwavering. This means that regardless of the number of allied nations, they possess unwavering confidence in their nation's military strength—or, to put it another way, a firm belief that the [Lashap Familia] could never be defeated.

"I asked Boffman to help me gather intelligence. I heard that the most powerful Thran warriors in our country's Sharzad were wiped out recently. The Lashap Familia of the Valsha military must have many 'Kabir' warriors, and they have exceptional combat power in this western Keos desert area."

In the harsh desert world—despite its overall combat strength being inferior to that of the labyrinth city (Orario)—several Lv.2 warriors were born.

Those who complete the next upgrade are called "Kabir" and are considered treasures in the region. In powerful nations near the great Nile River, they may even be granted the rank of general unconditionally.

However, there are actually several such "Kabir" in the La Sharp Familia.

Perhaps—there are even more powerful warriors inside.

In the God Era, which was known as "quality over quantity," the enemy's combat power was overwhelmingly superior.

"I know how shameless it is that I am making this request now, but you are the only god I can rely on right now."

"..."

"My homeland has been ravaged, my people trampled upon, and even innocent foreign countries have been caught in the crossfire. I am the one who dragged them into the war, so I cannot stand by and watch them commit more atrocities. For this... I am willing to debase myself no matter what it takes. I am willing to pay any 'price'."

If they want to counter the advance of "Valsha", they have no other choice but to borrow the power of the goddess in front of them.

"I am willing to... dedicate myself to you and become the partner (Odr) you desire."

Suppressing her trembling voice, Ari decided to offer her body.

"I am ultimately just a 'relay point' until the next king is born. After the next heir to the throne is born, it doesn't matter what this body becomes. I am willing to serve you wholeheartedly, so...!"

In order to save her homeland (Shahrzad), Ari decides to embody the spirit of "self-sacrifice".

Ari has nothing left to offer but herself.

She offered herself up as an offering, begging for God's mercy.

"If it is feasible, I humbly request that you send your family members—"

Help defeat the enemy country.

The goddess did not let the girl finish expressing her wish.

"I do not want."

And it was a firm and resolute rejection.

"Huh...!?"

"Why should I have to save your country? Why should I pity the children of the desert and force myself to take on those troubles?"

The goddess, sitting with her legs crossed, uttered these words without the slightest hesitation.

Ari knew she couldn't easily achieve her goal in this negotiation, but she didn't expect Freya to refuse so decisively.

She believed Freya had every right to feel anger over her "personal property"—the killing of the group of former slaves.

"You probably won't let 'Valsha' off the hook either, right?" Before Ari could ask that question, Freya preemptively answered as if she had already read Ari's mind.

"The children who harmed my things have been 'punished.' Those children will fall into despair in the heavens because of that promise that will never be fulfilled, and will eventually be bleached. The resentment in my heart has been relieved."

"...!!"

"Therefore, I have no reason or obligation to get involved in this pointless war."

"At least that's what I think," Freya said decisively.

Ari, who was frozen in place, was about to take a step forward to continue her plea, but Freya stopped her with a look.

"And what is the meaning of your pathetic request? Do you know I want a partner (Odr), so you're clinging to that?"

“Hmm…!?”

Do you really think I would agree to such a "boring exchange"?

Freya narrowed her eyes, a look of disappointment appearing in them for the first time.

"I'm so disappointed, Ari, you're such a disappointment."

To have one's shallow nature exposed in a single sentence, one is not only disappointed but also pushed away.

This incident inexplicably caused Alyssa pain, and she even had the illusion that her body was being torn to pieces.

Ari was hurt by these words and was quite shaken by her own behavior.

(If that's the case, what should I do...!?)

Without Freya's help, she had no way to stop Valsha's atrocities.

Lost in despair, Ari's gaze was about to fall on the ground.

"You can't satisfy me like this—you can't make your soul shine like this."

Then──

The goddess smiled.

"You don't have to give yourself up; you should forcefully take what you want."

The next instant, something was thrown onto the round table in the center of the room.

Ari was startled by the shrill sound and turned her head away. Some time ago, Ota, who had left its original position, had already prepared "something".

"You say you're the 'relay point' until the next 'king' is born? So what? Haven't you been groping your way to becoming a 'king' in a rigid, dull, and foolish way? If that's the case, you should forge ahead to the very end."

A board game is placed on the round table.

"To implement the so-called 'benevolent way'."

That's a halvan.

"Could it be that—"

Freya expressed her approval upon seeing the shocked Ari.

"Ariel, stake your hopes on a fight with me."

Those provocative, slightly narrowed silver eyes pierced through Ari, who stood frozen in place.

"I told you, Ari. As a monarch, there are always times when you have to face various 'gambles' and accept 'challenges'."

“Hmm…!?”

"If you win, I will lend you my clan, which you can command at your disposal. Whether you want them to protect your homeland or annihilate your enemies, they are welcome."

The goddess's clear voice lingered in Alyssa's ears, leaving her speechless for a moment.

The goddess rose from her seat and slowly walked towards the girl, gently cupping her cheeks in her hands.

"Instead, if you lose—everything you have will belong to me."

The next instant, Freya pulled the face she was holding toward herself.

The goddess's beauty is right before my eyes.

Her expression, however, exuded an aura of bewitching and destruction, like that of a witch.

She is also like a queen who is both arrogant and harsh.

That night in the oasis, the divine aura that the goddess had displayed that had stolen Ari's heart had completely vanished.

Everything has two sides, and that is the essence of the unrestrained yet cruel goddess of beauty.

Ari held her breath.

"I really want you, so the moment you lose to me in the game, I will immediately take you away from this Caios desert."

"Huh!?"

"After we return to Orario, I will drain you dry from your crying and turn you into a doll that belongs only to me."

The goddess's smiling, wide eyes reflected Aly's stunned expression.

Those eyes held a sadistic, pleasurable, and dark desire.

This is true.

This goddess kept her word.

She will follow her own desires, possess Ari's body and soul, and taste everything Ari has to offer.

To personally violate the soul that one once admired.

"Beauty Goddess" firmly believes that this is also her "love" and one kind of "happiness".

"Come, take a seat, Alyssa."

Even after Freya let go, walked to the center of the room, pulled out a chair, and sat down, Ari's legs still wouldn't obey her.

That's too risky; there's no chance of winning.

Before the two left Riod City, Ari had witnessed Freya's chess skills.

No, it's about understanding "what kind of existence the gods truly are."

Omniscient yet incompetent—the gods, through the power of truth, can see through the entire game, never making a mistake, and ruthlessly taking the opponent's head. They place their pieces in the most correct positions, as if guided by a universal law. They have a comprehensive view of the game, playing with unparalleled precision from beginning to end, employing a method described as "divine calculation."

No one can stand against them.

Alyssa's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and her hands were trembling uncontrollably.

Faced with this inevitable battle with the goddess, Ari's heart is being constantly eroded by despair.

Freya, who had been silently observing Ari, suddenly opened her lips.

"Ari".

Only in that instant did the goddess's voice change.

She smiled, like a young girl holding a flower in her hand.

"Are you truly standing here proudly, having staked everything on yourself?"

"──────"

Upon hearing this, a scene flashed through the girl's mind.

"You must stake your life like a hero—live with pride."

That was something Ari would never forget, something that happened during her night in the oasis.

It is also a divine oracle imprinted deep within the girl's soul.

It is also the divine will of the world's most beautiful goddess.

(...I see, is that so?)

After hearing Freya's question, Ari finally realized that she had misunderstood.

If playing chess with the goddess is a reckless move.

From the very beginning, the war against "Valsha" was a hopeless affair.