On the day of the War Game, Orario was alive with energy. Banners and parchment posters hung from the streets, and taverns set up extra seating outside their doors to welcome the endless flow of customers. Almost all adventurers had the day off, joining laborers or common citizens at the designated Divine Mirror locations.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the highly anticipated War Games are about to begin!"
"Apollo Familia vs. Hestia Familia!"
"But what everyone's really waiting for is the harem vs. harem battle!!"
The commentator from House Ganesha, holding a Magic Stone device, shouted the announcement. With every word, the crowd outside the guild burst into cheers.
"The time is almost here. The commentator for today's event is none other than our Familia God, Ganesha-sama. Please, give us your opening remarks!"
"I am—Ganesha!!"
"Great! Noon is nearly upon us, so let's all hold our breath in anticipation!"
In the midst of the excited atmosphere, Hestia stood silently on the 30th floor of the Tower of Babel, praying quietly. Most of the gods had gathered here, though some chose to mingle with the adventurers, observing the proceedings.
"Hestia, my friend, I never thought you'd accept Bell's harem activities. Could it be that all that talk of heavenly chastity was just for show?" Apollo sneered.
"Who's your friend, you pervert?" Hestia shot back, her lips curling in displeasure.
"Once this War Game ends, I'll teach Bell what true love really means. As for that insignificant harem…" Apollo grinned, his smile twisted and sickening.
"..."
Hestia gave him a sharp glance but didn't respond. Bell wouldn't lose. Neither would the girls—they wouldn't give up... Hang in there...
Though Hestia hated to acknowledge this impure relationship, she knew the strength of their feelings. With a complicated heart, she sent her support to the girls.
Apollo seemed ready to taunt her further, but Hermes intervened, cutting him off.
"The time has come, Ouranos-sama. Please grant us permission to use our powers."
Though far away, the great god overseeing the guild headquarters opened his eyes.
"Permission granted."
The declaration, filled with divine authority, shook the very air. In the next instant, the gods activated their [Divine Power]. All across Orario—on the streets, in taverns, casinos, and even in mid-air—[Divine Mirrors] appeared.
"Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!!"
The cheers were endless. Like waves, the applause spread through the crowd, growing stronger.
"The War Game will be a siege battle!"
"The Apollo Familia defends. Victory is theirs if Captain Hyakinthos can hold out for three days or if the enemy's Bell Cranel can no longer fight!"
Phallus's harem vs. the Little Rookie's harem—who will come out on top?!
"War Game—begin!"
Under the bright sun, with the sound of bells and cheers, the battle commenced.
…
Shreme Old Castle Ruins.
This fortress stood long before Orario was built, defending against dungeon monsters invading from beyond. Its survival to this day is closely tied to its thick walls.
"Without magical bombardment, there's no way to breach this wall."
Daphne of Apollo Familia murmured softly.
"No... we must flee this place quickly... the castle will be destroyed..."
Cassandra, her eyes hidden beneath long hair, trembled violently.
"Dreaming again?"
Daphne gazed at her pale friend and sighed deeply. "Even if a Thousand Elf stood before us, they couldn't chant magic on this open plain."
No forests surrounded the ancient city—only a vast wilderness. With such clear visibility, evading Apollo Familia to chant lengthy spells was utterly impossible. As for short incantations? They'd barely scratch the city walls.
"No... the Light of Love will pierce everything... It's over... They're already here..."
Fear etched itself across Cassandra's distinctive features.
"Calm down. I told you to stop mistaking [prophetic dreams] for reality. It's daytime now, okay? The visibility on the city walls is perfect. The enemy will wait until nightfall to strike."
To Daphne, crossing the plain under cover of darkness was the logical choice. If Bell Cranel were even slightly clever, he'd wait until the final night to launch his assault. That was the cruel reality of a three-day siege. Even a legendary strategist had no room to maneuver. Though she felt sympathy for the boy, his situation was truly hopeless.
"Stop talking nonsense. We should focus on preparing for tonight's battle... right?!"
Daphne frowned mid-sentence.
Someone was gathering magic power?!
"Impossible?!"
Her shock echoed in frantic shouts along the ramparts.
"They're attacking!"
"Where did they come from?! How many are there?!"
"It's... it's just the [Thousand Elf] alone!"
Apollo Familia on the walls descended into chaos. They had been watching the plains, spotting every movement. The plain should have been deserted. Yet, at some unknown moment, Lefiya materialized near the ramparts. The range of the magic cannons had already been breached.
"—Release that light, the arrows of the Sacred Tree."
Her golden-yellow hair danced in the wind as her clear, resonant voice wove a song. Amidst the chaos and astonishment of Apollo Familia, Lefiya stood alone and began her chant.
...
"Unbelievable! Does the Hestia Familia intend to finish this quickly?! Deploying their strongest force right from the start?!"
Cheers and murmurs filled the air.
The floating divine mirror reflected the beauty of the golden-yellow-haired elf. Her enchanting voice, weaving magic through song, stirred waves of astonishment and support among the crowd.
"Thousand Elf! Venturing alone into enemy territory!!"
"How did she evade Apollo Familia's sight?! Ganesha-sama, what is your insight?"
"I am—Ganesha!"
"Excellent, thank you for your explanation, Ganesha-sama!"
The amplified dialogue echoed through the chamber, drawing a wry smile from Finn. Tiona stared at the divine mirror, her eyes wide.
"Lefiya is this brave?! This is the power of love...?"
One person against a city—if it were the boy, it wouldn't be surprising. But for Lefiya, it was nothing short of a miracle.
"Finn, what do you think?"
Riveria asked softly.
"They seem to have a way of evading detection, but breaching the walls is still too much to ask. Could Lefiya have mastered Concurrent Chanting?"
Finn organized the group's thoughts.
"No... Her training this week focused solely on overcoming her shyness."
Riveria gazed at the golden-yellow-haired elf and answered truthfully. The current Lefiya was a living, breathing target. Though the distance was considerable, Apollo Familia could still interrupt her chant.
"The counterattack is coming."
Finn stated the situation.
Under the worried gazes of the others, the divine mirror reflected the barren wasteland. Lefiya stood alone, chanting with unwavering resolve.
And before her eyes, a terrifying hail of arrows tore through the air, descending like a storm.