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An impatient Apollo wasted no time, scheduling the War Game for a bright and sunny morning.
As for the reports from his Familia members about Cassandra and Daphne going missing, Apollo didn't take them seriously at all. He could still sense that their blessings remained intact. They could be found again later—there was no way they had escaped for good.
Using divine mirror magic, the gods projected watery, mirror-like images across every corner of Orario, broadcasting the scene in real time.
Only at moments like this did people truly feel the overwhelming might of the gods—beings of a different species altogether, immortal and wielding supreme power.
Nearly everyone in Orario stopped what they were doing, lifting their heads to watch the images in the divine mirrors. They were all curious about the outcome of this War Game.
The battlefield was the colosseum—the same venue where the Ganesha Familia held the Monsterphilia.
Since this was an arena-style match, there was no need to prepare a special battlefield, which greatly relieved the Guild staff.
Although the gods had provided divine mirrors, far more people preferred to rush to the scene in person. After all, the colosseum was still within the city walls—not far at all.
Orario was practically emptied of people. The arena, capable of seating fifty to sixty thousand spectators, was packed to the brim, while countless others outside stared fixedly at the images in the divine mirrors.
The front-row seats were, of course, monopolized by the gods.
"Damn it, how did I not think of starting a War Game to snatch little Roy for myself?!"
"And Apollo got there first!"
"Don't get cocky. That Ryuu girl from the Astraea Familia isn't easy to deal with. I've got a bad feeling—Apollo's definitely up to something. This doesn't feel right!"
"Him? Having a brain for schemes like that? No way."
…
The gods chatted animatedly, complaints and banter flying nonstop.
Members of the Loki Familia watched through the divine mirror at the Twilight Manor. Loki herself, however, had come to the arena with Ais, drawing plenty of attention.
Ais Wallenstein—the Sword Princess—was the former world record holder for the fastest adventurer to reach Lv.2, before Roy appeared.
"Ais-tan, I'm so scared. You have to protect me," Loki said, striking a deliberately delicate pose.
"Stop touching me, or I'll hit you."
Though still young, the beautiful girl had already learned how to deal with her goddess's antics. She grabbed Loki's wandering hand firmly.
With her divine power sealed, Loki cried out in pain, laughing and crying at the same time. "So scary!"
Seeing this strange yet intimate relationship between goddess and child, those nearby couldn't help but feel envious.
On the upper floors of Babel Tower—
Freya did not appear at the arena.
Her charm authority was far too dangerous. Even without consciously activating it, she could influence people around her.
Unless it was a special occasion, she was not allowed to appear in public—a tacit rule among the gods.
Seated on a luxurious chair, Freya gazed down at the mortal world like a queen of the heavens.
"Apollo… you really do love stirring up trouble."
"…Still, since you didn't lay a hand on her, I'll let this slide—just this once."
"Good morning, everyone! I'm the commentator for this War Game, a member of the Ganesha Familia—Ibri Achaa! My title is Flame-Blazing Flame! Please take care of me!"
A dark-skinned young man wearing goggles appeared in the divine mirror, holding a magic-stone microphone.
"And joining us as commentator is our very own god—Lord Ganesha! Lord Ganesha, please give us a word!"
"—I AM GANESHA!!"
"All right! Thank you very much, Lord Ganesha!"
The comedic exchange between Ilvi and Ganesha sent the people of Orario into peals of laughter.
"Everyone! The War Game between the Astraea Familia and the Apollo Familia will be an arena match! Each side will send out three adventurers—best two out of three!"
"Lord Apollo's condition is to obtain the Astraea Familia's 'Justice Sprout'! If he loses, he will submit to whatever punishment Lady Astraea decides!"
"Without further ado, let the War Game begin! Please send out the first combatants!"
"Oooooooohhh!!"
With Ilvi's energetic prompting, the atmosphere ignited. Deafening cheers echoed throughout the arena.
Yet as time passed, something felt off.
Neither Familia sent anyone out.
An eerie tension filled the air.
Naturally so. To play Tian Ji's horse-racing strategy, you had to move second. Otherwise, you'd be the one getting played.
Apollo grew anxious. Why hadn't Astraea sent anyone out yet? Gale Wind, Roy—anyone would do!
As Apollo's impatience became more obvious, Astraea remained unmoved. Her elegant smile never faltered, carrying a faintly sly undertone.
It seemed the stalemate would continue—
Until Roy finally spoke up. He had no patience for this.
"Miss Ryuu. Go."
Ryuu's sky-blue eyes flicked toward him. When Roy had returned to the Starry Court yesterday, she could tell his mood wasn't good, even if he hadn't said a word.
"I understand."
Carrying a wooden sword, Ryuu stepped into the arena.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
To see Gale Wind in the very first match—this trip had been worth it!
Ilvi shouted, "Apollo Familia, please send out your representative!"
Seeing Astraea send out their top horse, Apollo finally relaxed. His gaze swept over his Familia members before settling on a young elf.
Following Apollo's gaze, the Familia members all turned to look at the blond elf youth.
The young elf noticed the attention, glancing around in confusion. Why are you all looking at me?
…Don't tell me I'm the worst horse?!
He was Lv.2—though newly promoted.
Hyakinthos spoke coldly, "Go. Don't embarrass Lord Apollo."
The blond elf wore an expression as if he'd just eaten something rotten.
So that meant even if he lost, he had to lose gracefully?
Everyone knew this match was unwinnable. Faced with pressure from both his god and his captain, the blond elf could only step onto the arena unwillingly.
Staring at Ryuu, a fellow elf, he clenched his teeth.
"Gale Wind, I know you're a Lv.4 adventurer, but it won't be that easy to defeat me!"
Ryuu replied calmly, "Are you finished?"
"Not yet—"
Before he could finish, his voice cut off abruptly.
A golden afterimage flashed before his eyes.
"But I've already heard enough."
Ryuu appeared instantly before him. Showing no mercy despite their shared race, she swung her wooden sword, striking his side and sending him flying.
A dull, heavy impact echoed.
Thud!
The young elf's body flew thirty to forty meters before crashing to the ground and rolling several times. He lay sprawled there, limbs limp, utterly incapacitated.
"So this is a Lv.4 adventurer…"
The blond elf stared blankly. The gap was too vast—he had been defeated in a single exchange.
The arena exploded with cheers.
Roy's icy gaze locked onto Hyakinthos among the Apollo Familia.
"Get up here, Hyakinthos."