Chapter 124: Aisha Belka’s Peril (Bonus)

The Ganesha Familia and the Loki Familia had joined forces to encircle the Pleasure District, aiming to prevent any members of the Ishtar Familia from escaping. More importantly, they needed to contain any possible movements from the Evilus.

Now that there was confirmed intelligence linking the Ishtar Familia with Evilus, who could guarantee there weren't already some of those lunatics inside the Pleasure District?

The district was also home to many powerless civilians. If a battle were to break out here, it could lead to tens of thousands of casualties. That was something neither the Loki Familia nor the Ganesha Familia wanted to see.

Because of that, both Familias advanced cautiously toward the center, determined to capture every member of the Ishtar Familia and confirm whether Evilus agents were present.

Thankfully, they had large numbers on their side, and all Lv. 5 and Lv. 4 members had been mobilized, sweeping through the Pleasure District with nearly unstoppable force. However, the district's sheer size meant that, even with both Familias moving together, it was still taking a long time.

Meanwhile, members of the Ishtar Familia were fiercely resisting.

Raul had quickly withdrawn from the front lines and reported the situation to Finn.

"Captain, the Ishtar Familia members inside the Pleasure District are still fighting with everything they've got."

Finn wasn't surprised by the report. His eyes briefly passed over Phryne Jamil, who was under control.

"The news about the Ishtar Familia captain's surrender hasn't spread yet?"

"It has… but the goddess Ishtar herself has arrived at the front lines. She's ordered all her Familia members not to surrender."

Finn's brows furrowed. If Ishtar was still inside giving commands, things would get trickier. The biggest issue was the sheer number of people in the Pleasure District at night. They couldn't just charge in and start a battle without considering the civilians.

"Slow down the advance. Make sure every civilian is kept safe."

At times like this, compromises were necessary. Even when subduing members of the Ishtar Familia, they had to restrain themselves and avoid dragging innocent people into it.

"What about Aisha?"

Raul responded immediately.

"Miss Aisha entered the Pleasure District through a side path. Since she wouldn't raise suspicion easily, she slipped in ahead of us to find her."

Suddenly, Finn felt a sharp pain shoot through his thumb, and a bad premonition gripped him.

"Raul, take your men and find Aisha right away!"

"Tell the others to hold their advance for now. Finding Aisha takes top priority!"

"Yes! I'll go immediately!"

Realizing that Aisha was in danger, Raul didn't waste another second. He led his team into the Pleasure District to search for her.

The Pleasure District was full of alleys. People came here for entertainment, so the area was packed with buildings. Some were cheap, some hidden away in more remote spots, creating a tangled and complex layout. Unless you frequented the district, you wouldn't know where each alley led.

This layout made things extremely troublesome for the Loki and Ganesha Familias surrounding the area.

It also gave those trying to escape plenty of places to hide.

In one of those alleys, Aisha was sprinting while carrying a Renard dressed in a luxurious kimono, all while dodging pursuit from over a dozen enemies.

"Aisha..."

"Don't talk."

The fox girl wanted to speak, but Aisha, carrying someone in her arms, had no intention of listening.

"Even if I let you go now, it wouldn't help."

"The Loki Familia and Ganesha Familia have already surrounded the Pleasure District. It's only a matter of time before this place falls."

"If I let you go now, maybe I could escape on my own. But your abilities would be exposed to the gods, and that absolutely can't happen."

Even though Aisha knew Loki's Familia was powerful enough to withstand pressure from all over Orario, she still didn't want this child's powers revealed to the gods. While running, Aisha glanced behind her. The dozen or so pursuers showed no signs of stopping, forcing her to grit her teeth and keep going.

She couldn't afford any distractions. The moment she called for help, those behind her would seize the opportunity to attack.

"Someone..."

Still held in Aisha's arms, Sanjouno Haruhime looked at the people chasing behind and cried out for help.

But one of the pursuers had already closed in behind Aisha.

Damn it!

Aisha felt the presence closing in, but she couldn't stop. If she fell here, they'd be surrounded immediately.

A heavy punch slammed into her back.

"Urgh!!!"

The impact nearly made Aisha drop Haruhime. Gritting her teeth, she used the force of the blow to accelerate.

Blood spilled from her mouth, terrifying Haruhime.

"Aisha, I... I shouldn't have called out..."

Tears streamed down Haruhime's face, turning her into a sobbing mess.

Aisha couldn't respond. She was barely hanging on. If she relaxed even a little, they would be caught.

"Aisha, isn't it about time you gave up?"

Aisha didn't answer and just kept running deeper into the alleyways.

Seeing that she didn't respond, the Amazoness who had attacked her sneered.

"Let's see how long you can keep running."

If Haruhime weren't here, she would've gone all out.

But they needed Haruhime's power now. She couldn't risk knocking her out. If Haruhime lost consciousness, they'd lose their last hope.

The other Amazoness girls chasing behind hesitated to strike their former comrade.

Aisha had looked after them in the Familia. Even now, they didn't want to hurt the older sister who had once cared for them.

So they only followed, without truly attacking.

Under Aisha's relentless sprint, they soon passed the outskirts of the Pleasure District and reached a wasteland.

But this wasteland looked a little different than before.

Haruhime watched Aisha's face grow paler and paler, her heart trembling.

She knew exactly who truly cared about her.

And that made her all the more unwilling to let someone like that fall into danger.

"Aisha, just hand me over to them."

Aisha's face was ghostly white. Blood dripped from her mouth as she forced a bitter smile.

"Don't worry, I'm not dying that easily..."

But even as she spoke, her injuries finally caught up with her. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground with Haruhime still in her arms.