As one of Orario's "mid-tier" powers, Apollo Familia had accumulated considerable wealth, and their manor was extravagant.
As night fell, the grand estate was ablaze with light.
The true focus of this banquet was Liang Yue. Having firmly rejected Apollo's invitation to transfer, Hestia's heart was filled with tension.
She knew well that things would not proceed as smoothly as one might hope.
But since Liang Yue had instructed that they attend, she couldn't refuse. Deep down, she felt that he must have his own plan.
Their Familia had already survived the dangerous ordeal of a forced expedition in its early days.
Compared to that, this so-called Hongmen Banquet of the gods hardly seemed more perilous. Standing at the estate's main gate, she saw many familiar faces from Tenkai.
With little time left before the banquet began, Hestia, holding tightly onto Liang Yue's arm, smiled and suggested:
"Shall we go in?"
"Of course."
Banquets hosted by gods were never small in scale. The true objective tonight was obviously to initiate a War Game.
But that didn't mean Liang Yue wouldn't take advantage of the feast.
The food here would surely be finer than at The Hostess of Fertility.
And as for spiking the dishes with something suspicious—Apollo wouldn't dare. To try such tricks at a gathering with so many gods present would only bring ruin upon himself.
Otherwise, the outcome would likely be as in the original tale: Apollo Familia crushed by an alliance of gods.
There were no guides, but watchful eyes followed their every step as they moved in with the flow of invited gods.
Liang Yue's gaze swept across the estate's decor, his eyes filled with quiet scrutiny.
As a "mid-tier" Familia, Apollo's assets were far beyond what Hestia Familia could ever touch at the moment.
Marble floors, wallpapered walls, exquisite ornaments, crystal chandeliers—this was a model of medieval luxury.
Hestia, also visiting Apollo Familia for the first time, was just as shaken by the opulence.
The contrast was stark: back when she stayed at her friend Hephaestus's home, nothing had felt "luxurious." That had suited her status as a solitary goddess.
But now, seeing Apollo's estate—especially through Liang Yue's steady, unperturbed gaze—her throat tightened with unspoken words.
Her Familia was still undeveloped, struggling in its most difficult stage.
And in terms of environment alone, this grand manor was worlds apart from their shabby underground church.
Could we ever have conditions like this, someday?
She didn't dare dwell on it. Her debts alone would take a year of working odd jobs to repay.
Thus, though the walk to the banquet hall wasn't long, it felt heavy. She glanced at Liang Yue from time to time, but his expression never changed.
Just as she began to relax, his sudden words made her tense up again.
"Lady Hestia, what do you think of this place?"
"..."
She wanted to say it didn't feel like a home at all, but the words caught in her throat. She stopped and looked at Liang Yue, eyes filled with complicated emotion.
Noticing her hesitation, Liang Yue smiled easily and said:
"One day, we can have something like this too."
The abrupt turn left Hestia stunned. Her worries melted away in an instant. Looking at the boy's side profile, she finally nodded firmly:
"I believe you!"
"..."
She still hadn't realized the full weight of his words. But she linked her arm through his again, her steps growing steadier. As long as Liang Yue said so, she would believe they could overcome any danger.
Following the other guests, they soon arrived at the estate's reception hall. Apollo had clearly spared no effort.
The banquet was lavish, and the spread of food caught Liang Yue's interest most of all.
"Let's dig in."
Taking food wasn't stealing—after all, wasn't this banquet funded by assets that would soon belong to their Familia?
—
Upstairs, in the second-floor lounge overlooking the hall, Apollo sat watching.
When Liang Yue and Hestia entered, especially seeing the youth who had created so many miracles, a flush of unhealthy desire spread across his face.
"At last…"
"Liang Yue."
Rising to his feet, Apollo leaned against the railing, his gaze burning with obsession.
Though Hestia had refused his personal invitation, though his Familia's harassment had failed to break them, forcing Liang Yue into his Familia by conquest thrilled him.
In his mind, this night was for three alone: Liang Yue, Hestia, and himself.
The other gods were merely witnesses to the War Game. He cared nothing for whether they had eaten or drunk their fill.
When his eyes turned toward Hestia, irritation burned within.
"Tonight's banquet, of course, is to celebrate 'Sword Soul' Liang Yue, who shattered records in Orario and beyond."
"Now that the guest of honor is here, I have an even more interesting announcement!"
"..."
That his own child's feats were being celebrated by another Familia's god was already a joke in itself.
But his next words shifted the entire hall's focus onto Liang Yue and Hestia.
Every god and their followers turned to them.
Among the invited was, naturally, the Ganesha Familia, guardians of Orario's order.
Ganesha, the so-called "social terrorist," refrained from stealing the spotlight, instead watching with interest.
At his side stood Shakti, his mature yet youthful captain.
When she heard Apollo's words, her brow furrowed slightly.
Though she couldn't object—since the Guild permitted this kind of thing—her gaze turned toward Liang Yue, full of concern.
Others might not understand his ways, but she did.
This was the same boy whose pursuit of justice had destroyed the Soma Familia.
And he had done so while still Lv.1!
"Surely…"
"…this won't get out of hand, right?"
"..."
Apollo, basking in the spotlight, showed no hesitation.
"This boy, brimming with the unknown—"
"Leaving him to waste away in hopeless Hestia Familia would be a crime against his potential!"
"So, before all these witnesses—"
"I declare: Apollo Familia challenges Hestia Familia to a War Game! The victor shall seize everything the other possesses!"
"!!!"
The gathered gods erupted in interest.
Most had descended for amusement; nothing pleased them more than a War Game.
And now, Apollo Familia, a power in Orario, was openly declaring war on the tiny Hestia Familia—home to a child who had already worked miracles.
The whole hall buzzed.
Hestia's expression grew tense, but even so, she stood protectively before Liang Yue.
Losing face didn't matter. In terms of strength, they had no chance. To refuse would be reasonable.
But before she could speak, Liang Yue stepped forward.
"Lord Apollo, allow me to ask: in this War Game, the victor gains all of the loser's assets—liquid funds, fixed property, and Familia members alike, correct?"
His voice rang clear, drawing every eye.
Hestia froze, stunned. She had prepared to refuse, but Liang Yue was already answering in her place.
And from his tone, it sounded like he intended to accept!
Seeing the calm smile on his face, her doubts faded. Instead, confidence welled within her.
She lifted her chin and declared firmly:
"What Liang Yue says, is what I say."
"..."
"Of course."
Apollo's patience held. Liang Yue was still only a newly risen Lv.2. No matter his talent, he could not have advanced further in so short a time.
"To be clear, this War Game allows no outside assistance."
With Hestia's ties to Hephaestus Familia, Apollo wanted no risks.
But Liang Yue countered smoothly:
"Then I too have one request—that this War Game cannot be halted under any circumstances."
If the battle became too one-sided, Apollo might otherwise call it off. After all the days of cat-and-mouse, Liang Yue would not allow his plan to be denied.
Apollo smirked, confident in his overwhelming advantage—his Lv.3 captain Hyakinthos, and many Lv.2 adventurers.
"As you wish. That suits me perfectly."
"Then let all here bear witness!"
"The War Game will be held in three days! The method of battle will be decided by lottery among the gods."
His gaze fell on Hestia, a mocking smile twisting his lips.
"Let us hope certain gods do not disappoint their children."
"..."
Though Hestia had many questions for Liang Yue, this was not the time.
She merely glared coldly at Apollo and replied:
"Save your victory pose until after the War Game begins."
Then, turning to Liang Yue—she found him already slipping off to the buffet.
Her expression grew complicated. Just as she was about to ask, his carefree smile disarmed her.
"Since we're here," he said casually, "don't you think it's possible this banquet was funded with the assets of our future Familia?"
—
Apollo ignored them, already drunk on anticipation.
Raising his glass, he envisioned the joy of possessing the boy who had captivated him.
The other gods, meanwhile, were giddy with entertainment.
"The biggest casino's bound to open bets for this!"
"Of course! Who wouldn't wager?"
"Will the rookie adventurer pull off another miracle—or will Apollo Familia crush him?"
"Who knows? But the odds will be delicious!"
The hall grew rowdy, filled with chatter of wagers.
Shakti, however, only felt a pounding headache.
The outcome seemed obvious—yet Liang Yue's calm demeanor from start to finish unsettled her.
Could this have all been planned?
This bold thought took root in her mind.
As a Lv.1, he had dared to risk everything, forcing the Guild to recognize his worth.
Could it be that now, by making refusal impossible, he was aiming to claim Apollo Familia's assets for himself?
"This kid…"
"He really doesn't play by the rules!!"
Her eyelids twitched furiously. Objectively, the fastest legal way for a new Familia to grow was indeed through a War Game.
Shaking her head with a sigh, Shakti looked up at the gods finalizing the terms.
Her heart was filled with weary resignation.
"A social-butterfly god… and a scheming rookie…"
"Why does it feel like this generation of adventurers is impossible to manage?"
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