Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

Ultimately, the compassionate beast was split in two by the god wielding a giant axe, thus forming the first world of humankind. A few simple sketches in the sky outline the origin of the myths and legends of ancient Babylon.

However, the murals added later depicted the three storms, the seven-day trial, and the return of Tiamat, the mother goddess of origin.

The gods will eventually depart, while humanity will walk alongside its mother.

The two looked up and saw a fluorescent dome overhead, shimmering with the stars and the sun and moon.

From the alternating patterns of light and dark magic lines, one can vaguely see that they not only serve a decorative purpose, but also act as the power source for the warning magic array.

"What a waste! Gems should be held close to your heart and cherished!"

Ishtar tilted her head back, muttering to herself as she swallowed repeatedly, her dry throat tightening.

"Let's go! There are better ones ahead!"

Samael grabbed the money-grubbing goddess by the scruff of her neck and dragged her up the stone steps.

Ishtar was so mesmerized that she didn't notice anything unusual about what he said.

After walking about several dozen steps, the two looked down and, with the help of the faint light of the gemstone stars, could vaguely see an underground river beneath their feet.

But the riverbed is covered with tons of gold sand and scattered agate and jade.

Ishtar's hands stretched out limply, her face filled with extreme grief.

Samael examined the original texts on human wealth with great interest, but in reality, he didn't have much desire for money. Therefore, he continued to slowly pull the pained Ishtar up the hundred steps and pushed him to the front of the gilded gate.

Ishtar glanced back longingly at the glittering path behind her, then steeled herself and pressed the key-sword into the dent of the gilded giant gate.

With the dull rumble of the mechanism grinding and the magic array lighting up one by one, Samael and Ishtar appeared on a huge sand table map.

With gold and jade as its base, crystal as its mountains, mithril marrow as its rivers, and aurora steel as its city model, the sun, moon, and stars are suspended above by gemstone carvings. A series of precious collectibles, such as dragon skeletons, phoenix feathers, chaotic beast claws, and demon hearts, are also present. Supported by a magic array, it floats in mid-air, like a vast starry sea under the sky.

On the tiered platforms, prototypes of treasures from various eras are displayed, and on the golden throne at the very center sits the highest-grade diamond treasure chest.

Samael roughly estimated the scale of the map model. This area, roughly half the size of the capital, was filled with gold, jade, and gems, making it almost dizzying.

"As agreed, 30% of this is yours, and 70% is mine."

Upon hearing this reminder, the greedy goddess first felt a pang of heartache, but then, the vast wealth in her treasury made her forget about Samael's embezzlement and become completely engrossed in counting money, unable to extricate herself.

The goddess casually tossed handfuls of crystals, agates, sapphires, and other items, closed her eyes, and splashed them on her face and body, murmuring excitedly.

We're rich! We're really rich!

Waaaaah! This is the first time in my life I've ever seen so many gems!

She, the great goddess of Uruk, has finally prospered and no longer needs to go out and rob!

Ishtar, like a plump, white maggot, excitedly rolled around in the pile of gold coins.

Chapter 226 A Goddess More Precious Than Gems

Why is it only 30%?! Aaaaaah!

In the northwest corner of Uruk, Ishtar, aboard the celestial ark Maana, gazed at the now-closed Gates of Babylon, frantically pulling at her hair as she tumbled among the clouds, feeling her heart bleed.

But there was nothing I could do; it was my own fault for not keeping things secret, and that guy caught me and extorted the lion's share of the money.

Moreover, now even the Golden Key Sword has fallen into his hands. As soon as they received their fixed share, they were kicked out by the automatic defense system activated by the Babylonian Treasury, and could only watch helplessly as the remaining wealth fell into the hands of others.

Stinking snake! Wicked thing! Greedy devil! Disgusting!

Ishtar gritted her teeth, muttering sobs, and tore at her beloved, unfortunate bull in her hands with all her might, kneading and squeezing it until its body was stretched into various twisted shapes like a rubber band. It could barely even let out a scream, and could only look at its heartless owner with teary eyes, hoping to awaken her conscience.

No way! This goddess is known for only taking and never giving! When did this guy ever dare to rob me?!

Thirty percent of the wealth has already exhausted my resources. This guy's seventy percent will definitely cause a lot of trouble. In other words, the Golden Key Sword will still be in his hands for the time being!

Under the pitch-black night sky, Ishtar's ruby ​​eyes gleamed, gazing wistfully towards the brightly lit embassy.

Meanwhile, inside the embassy, ​​the group, who rarely get to gather, continued to chat and drink.

As soon as Samael stepped into the courtyard, a full glass of ale was thrown from the shadows around the corner.

"Did you get rid of that crazy woman?"

Under the flickering lamplight, Gilgamesh leaned lazily against a pillar, raising his cup in a gesture of respect.

"more or less."

The ancient serpent casually took the wine glass, took a sip, and then tossed the golden key-sword to the original owner.

The King of Heroes casually activated the Golden Key Sword, glanced at it indifferently, and raised an eyebrow.

"After all this fuss, you only want 30%? Isn't that a bit too little? I've said before that as one of the two kings of Uruk, you should have half the wealth of the Babylonian Treasury."

"Thirty percent is enough. This is the reward you promised Ishtar during the Third Storm."

"Twenty-five percent, that's the price you negotiated, and it's thirty percent of the mineral resources..."

"After all these years of hard work, shouldn't you get some interest? I'll take 30% of your earnings, so you won't lose out."

Samael shook his head helplessly as he recalled Ishtar grinning from ear to ear over a pile of inferior gems in the street.

"You misspoke, it's your 30%! Anyway, you only took 30% of the wealth of the Gate of Babylon on her behalf, so I didn't lose out."

Gilgamesh responded irritably, his brows furrowing slightly in an instant, before letting out a nonchalant hum.

“However, I must remind you, Samael, you spoil that madwoman too much. To deal with Ishtar, you have to tame her like a wild beast and make her submit. Giving her too many sweet treats will only make her greedy.”

In fact, shortly after Ishtar fled, Siduri discovered the theft of the Golden Key Sword after being reminded by Samael.

Given the goddess's various misdeeds and previous underhanded tactics, Uruk and his group, unless they were fools, could quickly identify the suspect.

However, Gilgamesh, despite the theft of the key to the gate, calmly continued drinking.

Because the hero-king, who was familiar with the nature of a certain goddess, had already set up earth guards inside the Gates of Babylon specifically to target divine intruders. If Ishtar were to recklessly barge in, not only would she not be able to get any money, but she would probably have to crawl out covered in dust.

To Gilgamesh's surprise, Samael actually volunteered to retrieve the golden key and sword, and this man, who had never had any concept of wealth or greed, actually demanded 30% of the treasure of the Babylonian treasury.

That's not all. In order to make a certain foolish thief think he had succeeded and could swagger into the Gates of Babylon to steal, Samael stalled for time by taking Ishtar shopping, while also asking Gilgamesh to take the opportunity to dismantle the defensive magic in the treasury so that Ishtar could move the supplies.

Although Samael knew the woman's nature well, he still indulged her desires so much, which puzzled the Hero King.

"That's just how I manage her, not the result I want. Whether it's spoiling her or indulging her, it's rare that she likes it, and I have those things too, so I'll just give them to her."

Samael chuckled in response, his eyes clear and gentle.

"She may be a bit slow-witted, lacking in integrity, and mischievous and greedy, but to me, she is far more precious than those thirty percent of the gemstones..."

"Forget it, that's your business. I can't be bothered with it. You've come at the perfect time, so have a few more drinks with me!"

The King of Heroes quickly changed the subject, pulled Samael along, and went inside to drink.

Am I more precious than a jewel?

However, neither of them noticed that in the shadows outside the wall, a pair of jewel-like red eyes lowered in astonishment, gazing at the beautiful, multicolored gemstone in their arms. Suddenly, they felt a sense of emptiness, and the once-beautiful things before them no longer seemed so dazzling and attractive.

Inside, after several rounds of drinks, as the effects of the alcohol took hold, Samael declined the company and went to the backyard to cool off in the cool breeze. He gazed absently at the dome surrounded by branching bands of light.

Inside the World Tree, all is peaceful; outside the World Tree, the world has probably already turned upside down.

"You still like to keep things to yourself and worry about them secretly, which is a bad habit."

Just as the ancient serpent was troubled by its own thoughts, a tall figure approached from behind, a mocking laugh reaching its ears.

“Kukur…”

Samael suppressed his agitation and looked back.

"Don't push yourself too hard. You're not cute when you're all gloomy. Be careful or I'll abandon you!"

The feathered serpent god, who always seemed to be full of sunshine and enthusiasm, opened his arms with a smile and embraced the somewhat lonely man in his arms, as if he had caught an interesting plush toy, and gently rubbed his chin against him.

However, this secret joy of possessing someone else lasted only a moment before being broken by the man who had calmed down.

"Big sister, you've come at the right time. I have something I'd like to ask you about, it's about the Maya..."

"what?"

Facing the little creature that had once again left his embrace, Quetzalcoatl squatted on the ground, somewhat discouraged and not in high spirits.

"A place..."

Kukulkan suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed, and his demeanor instantly became solemn and serious.

"You want to...play with fire?"

A quarter of an hour later, Quetzalcoatl and Samael entered the house chatting and laughing, as if nothing had happened.

Oh, and after the dinner, the real surprise is about to begin.

As Samael pondered, he looked around, then tapped his head and asked helplessly.

"Where is the Mother Goddess?"

"They must have gone to the sea of ​​flowers. It's rare for the Mother Goddess to set foot on the land of Mesopotamia again. Lady Ereshkigal really wants the Mother Goddess to see this miracle born in the underworld. Of course, it's also to buy you some time."

Siduri, who was clearing away the dishes, gave a meaningful response.

"Alright then, you guys get ready first, I'll find someone."

A gentle light appeared in Samael's eyes. After giving a few simple instructions, he got up and headed to his old haunts.

Chapter 227 Let's Get Married

The sea of ​​flowers in the underworld and the fertile black mud have brought unprecedented vitality to this desolate land.

Looking down from the hilltop into the valley, vibrant colors and flowers blooming in competition, emitting a delicate fragrance that attracts bees and butterflies.

Amidst the flowers, Ereshkigal, holding the hand of the mother goddess Tiamat, introduced each of the precious plants she had cultivated, as if they were her own treasures.

“Mother Goddess, look, this is Category 1, Red Rose, an upright shrub that can reach 2 meters in height; the stem is thick and grows in clumps; the twigs are densely covered with downy hairs, as well as thorns and glandular hairs, and have upright or curved, pale yellow thorns covered with downy hairs…”

"Those are irises over there, number 7. They come in white, yellow, green, blue, and many other colors..."

"The one on the left is number 21, Camel Thorn, with a bell-shaped calyx, triangular or awl-shaped triangular calyx teeth, a deep purplish-red corolla, an obovate standard, oblong wings, and a linear ovary..."

"Mother Goddess, let me tell you, when he first came to the Underworld, he was only this small. He seemed very obedient, but he's actually a master of deception!"

While admiring the flowers, Ai Lei couldn't help but criticize a certain snake that had harbored malicious intentions from the very beginning.

The Mother of Origin listened quietly, and as her cross-shaped eyes subtly observed Ereshkigal, she clearly saw that as Ereshkigal recounted these events, a blush of happiness shone on her face.

"You like Samael?"

The sudden question made Ai Lei catch her breath, her pretty face flushed, and she hurriedly grabbed her long golden hair, shook her head, turned her head away, and stammered in denial.

"No, no, no... I... I... I..."

"I would also like!"

However, before Ereshkigal could give a complete answer, Tiamat looked back at the figure walking from the valley and a genuine smile bloomed on her face.

"What are you talking about? Are you so happy?"

Samael leaped up the hill, his gaze sweeping over the two radiant goddesses with a hint of curiosity.

"We were talking about you..."

"Cough cough... It's nothing, what brings you here?"

An embarrassed Eresh hurriedly interrupted the innocent Mother Goddess's blunt self-disclosure, and casually asked a question in return.

"Just like you, I came here to take a look and maybe add some new varieties to our flower field."

Samael smiled slightly, flicked his fingers to take out a packet of seeds from the magic circle, and tossed it to Ereshkigal.

"Knowing you like gardening, I've collected quite a few unique plants and flower seeds from the Nine Realms during my years in Northern Europe. I haven't had time to give them to you before, but now, take them. These are all prepared for you."

The goddess of the underworld subconsciously pulled the full little pouch into her arms. The heavy texture and the strange seeds inside made Ai Lei's chest involuntarily overflow with warmth.

She still blushes so easily; it's just too cute.

Samael raised his hand and stroked his chin, his eyes taking in the goddess's flushed face, which exuded a unique charm.

Unable to withstand the onslaught, Ereshkigal turned her head away, clutching the seeds, almost wanting to flee on the spot.

Samael smiled wryly, then naturally extended his hand and grasped the Mother Goddess's fingertips, leading her towards the embassy. Ereshkigal followed behind the two with envy and a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

Along the way, sensing the tight grip from her fingers, Tiamat turned her head and looked gently at her divine child. Her star-shaped eyes overflowed with intense satisfaction and joy, and her sparkling eyes seemed to hold only the figure in front of her.

The Mother of Origin clasped her five fingers together, gripping that hand very tightly.