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Alex didn't want to waste any time. He led everyone straight to the base of the city walls.
The Apollo Familia reacted instantly."Everyone on guard! They're here!"
In a flash, everyone on the walls raised their bows.The mages gripped their staves, ready to chant at a moment's notice.
Across Orario, everyone watching the broadcast grew excited, eager for the two familias to clash as soon as possible.
The Hestia Familia lined up neatly. Alex stood at the center, holding a banner high, and shouted, "Anyone at all. Go break the walls for me!"
At those words, Artoria was about to step forward.
After all, the Sword of Promised Victory in her hands was an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm. Blowing up a wall would be child's play.
But Merlin grabbed her arm. "This War Game is being watched by all the gods. It's better not to expose your Noble Phantasm."
No matter what, the Sword of Promised Victory was a divine construct. In this world, gods were forbidden from using divine power to forge weapons in the Lower World.
If a divine weapon was revealed, it could invite serious trouble.
Artoria nodded in understanding.
At that moment, Morgan, Roxy Migurdia, Misaka Mikoto, and Esdeath all stepped forward.
Alex froze for a split second. He hadn't expected four people to volunteer at once.
Then he smiled and nodded. They instantly understood.
The four of them shot off at top speed, heading for the four cardinal directions of the city.
They were clearly planning to attack all four walls at the same time.
Watching the broadcast, Apollo sneered."They actually think they can assault all four walls at once? Hestia, your children really are as naive and adorable as you are!"
Hestia snorted and couldn't be bothered to reply to that creep.
The other gods and adventurers watching burst into cheers.
Hestia Familia's move was completely unexpected. Some thought they were being arrogant. Others thought they were overestimating themselves. Did they really think they were on the level of the Loki or Freya Familia?
And then there were those who were simply thrilled.This was exciting. This was what they came to see.
At the same time, over at the Loki Familia.
Finn and the others were also watching the broadcast, all wearing smiles.
Finn chuckled. "Alex is as reckless as ever."
Gareth Landrock took a swig of wine and laughed. "If you've got the strength, why not charge straight in? In the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks become meaningless."
The Loki Familia had crossed paths with the Hestia Familia twice during expeditions. They knew their strength better than anyone.
Finn had thought he had a good grasp of Hestia Familia's numbers and abilities. But this War Game had introduced so many unfamiliar faces that even he was stunned.
Meanwhile, Alex had also started a broadcast.
Not for Orario, but for his chat group.
That said, there weren't many people left in the group. Most of them were participating in the War Game themselves. The "best video game console," indeed.
Only Luo Hao, Tsunade, Erza, and Brunhilde remained.
Even they were all busy lately.
Luo Hao was tracking down Susanoo's location in the Netherworld.
Tsunade was dealing with the fallout from Sasuke's defection. Between hunting Orochimaru and Sasuke, and Danzo pressuring her from the shadows, things were a mess. The Konoha rookies sent after Sasuke had all been severely injured and were still recovering.
At Fairy Tail, Erza's guild had been clashing with Phantom Lord, and a full-scale war between the two was looming.
As for Brunhilde, she was preparing for the human–god war one year from now, carefully selecting humans from history who might actually be able to defeat gods.
In short, even though Alex was streaming, no one was watching. Everyone was buried in their own battles.
Still, he kept the stream going and recorded it.
Maybe someday, it would be nice to look back on it.
Once Roxy Migurdia and the others reached their positions, the Apollo Familia struck first.
A storm of arrows and spells rained down on the four women.
But to them, it was nothing.
Misaka Mikoto slammed both hands onto the ground. The earth trembled as metal elements buried deep underground were ripped free. Under the influence of electromagnetic force, they formed countless grains of black iron sand.
The swirling black sandstorm blocked every attack. Then, guided by electromagnetic control, it took shape as a towering giant over a hundred meters tall.
Adventurers watching the broadcast in Orario gasped in unison.
"What the hell is that skill?"
"She controls lightning, right? How is she pulling iron sand out of the ground?"
"That's way too cool!"
"That iron sand giant has to be insanely strong!"
Not just adventurers, but even the gods were captivated by Misaka's overwhelming presence.
For a moment, every god felt a stab of envy toward Hestia for having such an incredible child.
"That little runt just keeps getting stronger," Loki muttered, her eyes no longer half-lidded, her expression serious.
Misaka controlled the iron sand giant and fired an enormous Railgun blast.
One shot.
The eastern wall was blown to pieces.
"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap! Even a Floor Boss wouldn't survive that!"
"What kind of broken ability is this?"
"Damn it, why are my skills so weak?"
"This is insane!"
Misaka Mikoto's debut in Orario instantly conquered the hearts of adventurers everywhere. Even the gods were left in awe.
And it wasn't just her.
On another front, Morgan casually deployed a defensive barrier to block Apollo Familia's attacks, then unleashed her strongest move short of a Noble Phantasm.
Spear of the End, Rhongomyniad.
The clouds parted as a colossal golden spearhead appeared in the sky, then fell like a massive meteor.
The southern wall shattered instantly.
Once again, Orario erupted in shocked cries.
"My goodness, Hestia, where did you even find so many outstanding kids?"
"Hestia, lend me one or two of them!"
"They're all monsters!"
"Isn't Apollo Familia's captain only Level 3? He's done for!"
At the divine council, gods whispered among themselves.
Apollo, meanwhile, had lost all his former arrogance. His face was deathly pale.
He never imagined that Hestia Familia would have so many powerful members.
Damn it. He had just descended to the Lower World. How did he already have such terrifying followers?
Esdeath was no different.
As her fighting spirit and blessing level rose, even her Teigu broke past its former limits and grew stronger.
She summoned a massive sphere of ice, like Madara Uchiha's Tengai Shinsei.
When it slammed down, the western wall was obliterated.
Finally, the northern wall collapsed under a single emperor-tier water spell from Roxy.
Yes. Roxy had reached emperor class.
With her blessing level rising and her mana skyrocketing, she could now wield emperor-tier magic.
Esdeath and Roxy struck again, and once more, Orario's adventurers and gods were left speechless.
At this point, they were numb. They simply couldn't understand why the Hestia Familia was this strong.
These powerful newcomers had never been seen in Orario before.
Had they all arrived recently?
Loki, Freya, and even Ouranos began to look at Hestia with suspicion.
Even Dionysus of the hidden Dark Faction frowned deeply.
If Orario gained another familia as powerful as Loki's or Freya's, the Dark Faction would be suppressed forever.
With all four walls destroyed, the Apollo Familia was completely exposed.
Alex planted the banner into the ground, drew his sword Skyward Pride, raised it high, and shouted, "Charge together. Crush them!"
The Hestia Familia surged forward.
Alex himself stayed at the rear with Sakura, Illya, Mari Kurihara, and Shizuka Marikawa.
Today was the day for the Hestia Familia to step into the spotlight. Alex had no intention of stealing that glory.
He was already close to becoming a god himself. He didn't need this kind of recognition.
Today's honor belonged to everyone else in the Hestia Familia.
The moment the battle began, the Apollo Familia's hundred-plus members fell like wheat before a scythe.
There was no helping it. Aside from their captain, Hyakinthos Clio, who was Level 3, most of Apollo Familia were Level 1, with only a handful of Level 2s.
With that lineup, how could they possibly stand against a Hestia Familia filled with elites?
In less than ten minutes, the Apollo Familia was completely wiped out.
Only their captain remained.
Hyacinthus was quickly surrounded.
When Alex approached, Hyacinthus's face flushed red as he shouted, "You're the captain of Hestia Familia, right? If you've got guts, fight me one-on-one!"
Alex burst out laughing. "Are you stupid? This is a War Game. Why would I duel you?"
"Hmph. Afraid, are you?" Hyacinthus sneered.
"Wow, even using cheap provocation. Fine, if you're looking to die, I'll oblige." Alex smiled and crooked a finger at him.
Hyacinthus grinned in triumph and rushed forward at full speed, throwing a punch straight at Alex.
"..."
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