Chương 128: The War Game Begins

"Orario has not been this lively in a long time," Loki said happily as she looked down at the crowded streets.

"Not even Ganesha's Monsterphilia makes the city this noisy. Everyone really loves a grand show." She was still annoyed about being shown up by Hestia, but that did not stop her from enjoying the atmosphere.

"For Orario, a War Game is one of the most unexpected festivals," Hephaestus said with a shake of her head.

"Still, the children on the stage are the ones who bear the burden."

"Do not say it like that. For the children, this is also training." Loki smiled wickedly and looked toward Hestia, who sat silently in the spectator area.

"Hehe. The little shrimp does not look very happy."

"I am perfectly happy," Hestia said, arms crossed and cheeks puffed.

"I only regret that this disappointing person is ruining the mood."

"Still pretending. Let me see how you cry when you lose."

"Hahaha, Hestia!" Apollo entered the spectator area in high spirits.

"You look as if you already know the result. Did you say goodbye properly to those children?" Hestia turned away with a snort.

"That is it. That is the expression I wanted to see." Apollo laughed wildly.

"Victory is already mine. Once you lose your Familia, you will obediently leave Orario. Perhaps you will even return to Heaven in exile forever!" Nearby, Miach and Takemikazuchi exchanged strange looks.

"Apollo is a god of prophecy too, is he not?"

"I believe so. But without using divine power, he has no such ability here."

"If he knew the truth, he might regret speaking so confidently."

"The time has come." Hermes looked at the sky with an unreadable smile, then turned toward empty space.

"Ouranos, the time has come. Please permit the use of divine power."

"I permit it." An aged voice came from the void. The gods immediately grew excited. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Hermes snapped his fingers. Images of the War Game appeared across Orario's streets and alleys. The broadcast began. The gods had agreed that divine power could be used only for this moment, and only for broadcasting the game. That alone was permitted. Now the whole city could watch.

Inside taverns, adventurers stared at the images with excitement.

"Ohhh, it finally started! Bets are open!"

"Twenty thousand valis on Apollo Familia."

"Ten thousand on Apollo Familia."

"Hahaha, one hundred thousand on Hestia Familia."

"Hey, are you insane? Betting on a Familia full of Lv. 1 adventurers? Be careful, or you will lose your shirt."

"Hmph. Just wait. I am going to earn a fortune."

"Pfft. Even with high odds, that chance is too low." In the Pleasure Quarter, Haruhime stared at the broadcast in shock.

"That is Lord Cael!" She had not known which Familia Cael belonged to. So Hestia Familia was Lord Cael's home. Memories of her conversations with him flashed through her mind. Her hands clenched together nervously, and her gaze fixed on the figure in the image.

"Please do your best, Lord Cael."

"Looks like that boy will steal the spotlight this time," Aisha said, glancing at the nervous Haruhime with a faint smile. That boy was a monster with upper Lv. 3-class combat power while still Lv. 1. If he leveled up, imagining what he might become was frightening. Apollo Familia would only help him grow. The question was whether he had listened to what Aisha said that day. If he had not, this girl might not have much time left.

"Do not worry, Haruhime. That boy is strong. Just watch quietly."

"Noon has arrived!" Flame Blazing Flame shouted.

"The War Game begins!" Everyone watched the broadcast without blinking. Inside the small city, Apollo Familia did not seem nervous. The defenders patrolled leisurely.

"The game started. I never thought our Familia would join a War Game one day."

"Too bad we cannot attack first. Otherwise, we could leave the city and surround them."

"The game lasts three days. They are only rookie adventurers. The rumors may sound exaggerated, but Captain Hyakinthos already tested their true strength."

"They should not attack immediately. Even rookies are not that foolish... Wait. What is that?" Before the defender finished speaking, a figure rushed straight out of the rocks. Blue magical light made him shine brightly. In almost an instant, he exposed himself to every eye on the wall.

"One person? It is Hestia Familia's captain. He is attacking the city alone?"

"Hahaha, fool." The defenders raised their bows at once.

"Careful! That man is using Magic. Do not get hit!" Behind Cael, more than a dozen second-tier weapons had already been projected. Swords trailing magical light followed him like comets.

"Hahaha! You want to hit me with those bows?" Cael laughed as he ran.

"Go practice with toy bows first!" He projected a bow, set a great sword against the string, and fired toward the wall. A straight blue trail shot out like a rocket. Boom! Apollo Familia's defenders had no time to react before blinding fire swallowed them. Screams rang across the wall. Several figures were blown into the air, slammed into the wall, rolled across the ground, or fainted outright.

"Ohhh! What a stunning entrance!"

"He fired a sword with a bow! Incredible! And the sword exploded! Is that Magic or a magic sword?"

"The one who brought us this dazzling opening is Hestia Familia's captain, Cael! Remember his name and cheer, everyone!"

"Ohhhhh!"