Chương 122: Apollo's Demand

Apollo walked toward Hestia under everyone's attention. His handsome face twisted into an excited smile.

"Mmhahaha... Hestia, do you remember what happened yesterday?" As he spoke, Apollo looked at Cael. Cael understood that gaze immediately. It was the look of someone staring at a prized collectible he desperately wanted to own. A chill ran through Cael's body. If mortals could harm gods without divine punishment falling from the sky, he would have projected the Hestia Blades at once, activated Starburst Stream, Sword Saint's Blessing, and every useful Skill he had, then delivered the whole set to Apollo.

In myth, Apollo was troublesome in more ways than one.

"Yesterday?" Hestia frowned.

"You have the nerve to bring that up? Your children picked a fight with my Cael first."

"My Familia members were beaten so badly by yours that they could no longer move. Many people witnessed it. I assume you will not twist the truth." Apollo spoke as if victory were already in his hands. Cael looked at his expression and thought of a few arrogant characters who had met ugly endings.

"Twist the truth?" Hestia's eyes widened.

"Your children attacked first, so Cael and the others defended themselves."

"Can you still say that after seeing this?" Apollo gestured behind him. The lights shifted, and five people wrapped so heavily in bandages that they looked like mummies were carried into the hall.

"It hurts. My ribs. My legs. My arm..."

"Mother... Mother..."

"I will have to lie in bed for the rest of my life..." Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! The hall filled with murmurs. Hestia stared blankly at the five bandaged people, then slowly pointed at them before looking toward Cael.

"They really went all out with the acting," Cael muttered. He nearly laughed and quickly covered his face. To outsiders, it looked like avoidance and silent admission.

"Not only that," Apollo said.

"There are many witnesses." More lights came on. A dozen adventurers who had been in the tavern appeared, along with staff, the tavern owner, and even the cook.

"You people are exaggerating way too much," Cael said under his breath. The gods watched with interest. Any irritation at the interrupted dance had already turned into fuel for entertainment.

"Hestia has been cornered," Miach said with concern.

"Recently, Hestia Familia has drawn too much attention. The rumors have spread everywhere. Apollo must have decided to act now," Takemikazuchi said.

"Captain Cael is in trouble. Should we do something?" Mikoto asked anxiously.

"Wait and watch for now," Takemikazuchi said.

"If we interfere before the banquet ends, we may only create more trouble for Hestia."

"Dionysus, you are involved too?" Hermes asked with a playful smile when he noticed members connected to Dionysus's tavern among the witnesses.

"Do not misunderstand me, Hermes. I am not especially interested," Dionysus said with a gentle smile.

"It happened in a tavern I operate. Apollo asked us to testify, and refusing would have been awkward."

"Oh? I see." Hermes smiled as if he understood nothing and everything at once.

"My children were injured like this by yours," Apollo said, looking down at Hestia.

"Their lives may be ruined. Asking for appropriate compensation is not unreasonable, is it?"

"Do not joke with me." Hestia clenched her teeth. She knew this was Apollo's farce, but imagining Cael being reduced to such a state still made her furious.

"So you refuse to accept guilt?" Apollo smiled.

"Cael did not do anything wrong. Why should I accept guilt?" Cael quietly watched Apollo's triumphant face and sighed inwardly. Lady Goddess, this is the moment to call the farce what it is. Tell him his disgusting intentions are overflowing from his eyes.

"Mmhahaha. Then there is no other way. We will solve this by the fairest method." Apollo threw his arms wide.

"Apollo Familia challenges Hestia Familia to a War Game." The spotlight fell over Cael, Hestia, Kyojuro, and Tanjiro. The atmosphere erupted at once.

"Ohhh! Apollo, that is ruthless!"

"I have been waiting for this!"

"Apollo really knows what we want to see!"

"A War Game! It has been years!" The gods cheered loudly. Hestia stared at Apollo's grinning face. This was almost exactly what Cael had predicted.

"If I win," Apollo said, pointing at the three behind Hestia, "all of your children become mine." His face flushed with excitement.

"Y-you... you..." Hestia trembled with anger. Cael gently tugged her sleeve.

"Lady Goddess." Hestia came back to herself. Her angry expression shifted, and she looked at Apollo with a wicked smile.

"A War Game? Fine. If you want to force things that badly, then what happens if I win?" Cael and the others would not lose. Every one of them was excellent. They had truly defeated the Monster Rex.

"If you win, I will obey any demand." Apollo's smile widened when Hestia accepted the War Game.