Fiery flames blazed, and thick smoke filled the air.
The Apollo Familia on the city walls turned ashen. "Because of that attack, everyone who charged forward has fallen!"
"Black Fist" gave a cold laugh. "Judging by their state, they won't last much longer anyway. If we can take down Bell Cranel while they're down, that's our victory."
"You..." The Apollo Familia found no rebuttal.
The victory condition of the War Game was to defeat the Captain. "Black Fist" had precisely targeted this point, holding back his trump card—the costly Fire Magic Sword—until the youth appeared.
Even if Bell managed to stagger up from the flame bombardment, he was merely a spent force, no longer a threat.
"It's a pity I didn't get to finish him myself..." Black Fist's eyes gleamed with the joy of vengeance.
The smoke of battle still hung heavy in the air.
"A mere little rookie..."
The crowd and adventurers watched in bated breath, struggling to keep up with the shifting tide of combat.
"Bell..."
Hestia murmured softly, her breath catching.
"Bell Cranel."
Loki Familia waited for the youth's next move.
"Cranel-sama..."
Haruhime's eyes glistened with tears.
Amidst countless worried gazes, Bell's figure emerged from the smoke.
"Bell Cranel hasn't fallen!" Ganesha Familia shouted excitedly.
"Though covered in wounds, he still stands! Could that armor possess flame-resistant properties?!"
"The little rookie protected the two girls, but can his current state withstand a second attack?"
As the commentator spoke, the Fire Magic Sword swung once more. Flames surged toward Bell like a crimson beast.
Lefiya and Cecil stood behind the youth, trusting him to withstand this fierce blow.
At that moment, a song began.
"—Come, destruction of evil. The burial of wounds, interment of disease. Curses be gone in the light of vitality."
Airmid appeared behind the group.
Laurier's invisibility spell could cover two allies simultaneously. The Dea Saint had already joined the youth, stepping onto the battlefield.
The moment Bell materialized, she had begun murmuring her incantation.
Now that Laurier had departed, the concealment faded, and Airmid saw no need to hide.
"In the name of all that is holy - I heal you."
Amidst the youth's melee and Laurier's stealth cover, none noticed the gathering magic power. The incantation concluded.
Within the pure white radiance, silver hair fluttered in the wind.
"Dia Fratel!"
A rhombic magic circle materialized in the wilderness.
The instant the light appeared, the youth's wounds vanished without a trace.
Bell shielded his face with his gauntlets, using Cecil's high-flame-resistant light armor as a barrier.
Fierce flames devoured the air, roaring as they crashed forward.
Amidst the raging inferno, the song persisted.
The astonishing healing never ceased.
Though Airmid had cast only a single spell, the magic circle transformed it into a barrier of healing.
As long as the beautiful, moving song continued, Bell and his companions would receive healing surpassing that of potions.
The flames raged on, yet the scorched wounds that appeared on the youth's body were completely healed in moments.
Crimson and pure white collided, playing a song of love upon the battlefield.
...
"Dea Saint Joins the fight!!"
The commentator from Ganesha Familia leapt to his feet in excitement.
"All wounds inflicted by the Fire Magic Sword have been healed—truly worthy of one of the city's strongest healers!"
When it came to healing alone, even Riveria couldn't compare to Airmid's extraordinary magic.
"Who would've thought the Dea Saint was also Bell Cranel's lover? Truly astonishing! Can this team even take down a Floor Boss now?!"
Vanguard, rear guard, healer, mage—this four-person team was exceptionally powerful. Had Hestia's Familia not been the attackers, the match's outcome might have been decided early.
A sweet, clear song echoed through the wilderness. Airmid's doll-like, exquisite beauty now bore the radiant expression of a young woman deeply in love. Silver hair danced as the love song continued.
"Airmid..."
"Dea Saint..."
Learning Airmid was the youth's lover, some young people of similar age initially felt a twinge of envy. Yet witnessing her resolute, love-filled song, all negative feelings vanished. This was an expression the Dea Saint had never shown before.
As former patients she had saved, the young people offered their blessings.
"Dea Saint!"
Cheers rose in waves.
Airmid had helped countless people. When it came to patients, her dedication knew no bounds. For such a kind-hearted girl, everyone in the city—young and old, common citizens and adventurers alike—stood firmly by her side.
The shouts rose into the skies above Orario.
"The Dea Saint is joining the fight?! What trick did Bell Cranel pull... Damn it!"
Apollo's cheeks twitched with fury.
"Don't you understand after seeing that scene? Bell's love is the complete opposite of yours," Hestia spoke softly.
Apollo forced his affection upon others, using every means to strip those he claimed of their refuge. Even after they joined his Familia, no matter how carefully he nurtured them or how hard he tried to compensate, it was merely patching over cracks. The pain and resentment never fade. Tragedy never brings true love.
But the boy is different. The girls and Bell are drawn to each other, fighting side by side, wanting to protect one another, wanting to offer their strength for each other. Now, standing amidst the harem on the battlefield, Hestia felt not aversion, but a touch of envy toward them. Their love had reached such a pure and moving state.
"I refuse to accept it!" Apollo's face twisted with madness. "The sun's love is absolute! What's wrong with letting those children be nourished by its light?!"
"Ahh, here we go again..."
"Truly worthy of [Phallus]..."
"Apollo's still the same as ever, diving headfirst into love."
"Gods never change. It's Loki who's become an anomaly by altering her nature."
"Hey, don't lump me in with that fool Apollo! My children aren't like Apollo Familia—torn between love and hate for their Familia God."
The gods chatted idly. Loki insisted that all her Familia members deeply loved her.
"Enough! The game isn't over yet. Adding a healer won't change the outcome. My children will secure victory for me." Apollo's gaze fixed on the divine mirror, cutting short the gods' banter.
Though Airmid's healing abilities were top-tier, she excelled in defense and proved useless in a siege battle. Finn had noticed this too.
"The Dea Saint cannot move while casting spells, and her healing barrier has limited range."
Riveria nodded. "This team appears formidable, but both the healer and mage lack parallel chanting techniques. If they rashly assault the city, it's like adding two dead weights."
"The situation isn't looking good..." Finn concluded, almost to himself.
The next instant, everyone froze for a second. The battle situation shifted in an instant.
Tiona happily leaned close to the divine mirror. Her fists clenched, her cheeks flushed crimson with excitement.
"Little hero Argonaut! He's charging in!"