The Astraea Familia's defiance was expected—or rather, it was exactly what Ikelos wanted. "Interesting things are about to begin," he smiled.
"Let's go somewhere else," Ikelos suggested. "We don't want to cause a scene. After all, we're all neighbors in Orario." As he spoke, he gestured to the arena where tens of thousands were gathered. Even a small "accident" here could kill thousands.
Astraea and Ryu's expressions changed as they realized the threat. To the public, the Ikelos Familia was still a normal group... but Roy remained calm. He knew Ikelos and Thanatos were linked in Knossos. For these two Familias to cause a "quiet" catastrophe in the arena was all too easy. This sickening tactic was specifically designed to leverage the Astraea Familia's sense of justice.
Other Familias might have let Ikelos run amok just to provoke an Orario-wide crusade against them, but Astraea and Ryu would never sacrifice lives for a strategic advantage.
"Ikelos, state your terms," Astraea said, her tone no longer friendly.
"Don't look at me like that, Astraea," Ikelos laughed. "Let's have a private War Game. Best two out of three. If we lose, the matter is dropped, and we stay out of each other's way. If we win, you pay the three hundred million, Roy apologizes, and he breaks an arm. To make it fair, the combatants in each round must be of the same Level. Very advantageous for you, right?"
Roy, Ryu, and Astraea exchanged cautious glances. Roy was the strongest Level 3; no one of his Level could beat him. Ikelos was essentially giving them a free round. Did that mean they were incredibly confident in the other two? It smelled like a trap.
Astraea looked to Roy, respecting his judgment. Roy thought for a moment and nodded. He had spent over a hundred million preparing for today; if no blood was spilled, it would be a waste of money.
The group left the festive area. Roy found a moment to avoid Ikelos's gaze and tossed the custom gear from his ring to Ryu, Daphne, and Cassandra. Fully armored, their gear was enough to make Level 4s and 5s green with envy.
They followed Ikelos through the streets and into the city's underground drainage system. It was dim, requiring magic stone lamps to see. The water only reached their ankles, not hindering their movement.
Ikelos knew the way well. Roy's eyes narrowed; he knew the Knossos Labyrinth had multiple entrances across Orario—Daedalus Street, churches, and drainage tunnels. They arrived at a wide clearing where lamps were mounted on stone pillars, illuminating a dark chamber.
"Dix! I brought them!" Ikelos shouted into the darkness.
"So you're useful for something after all, Lord!" A tall man in combat gear stepped out. He wore goggles and carried a blood-red spear that radiated an ominous aura. Behind him were a dozen rebellious youths with sneering smiles.
"How rude. Respect your god," Ikelos grumbled, though he didn't seem truly angry.
Roy and Ryu stared at the man. Intel on him surfaced in their minds: Dix Perdix, nicknamed "The Barbarian." He had been a Level 4 seven or eight years ago and hadn't updated his status with the Guild since. No one knew his true strength.
However, based on Ikelos's wager—that combatants must be of the same Level—his secret was out. He was a Level 5, just like Ryu."Sprout of Justice, I never imagined you were connected to those monsters. I'm truly surprised."
Dix stared at Roy, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. He had no intention of being a mere toy for the gods' amusement; he decided his own battles. All eyes were fixed on Roy.
"Tracking the same prey... it seems you are quite interested in those monsters too!" Dix noted.
Roy gave a non-committal chuckle. "To be honest, whether it's a human or a monster matters little to me. Do you really care that much about the outer skin?"
This dispute was triggered by Roy killing members of the Ikelos Familia. Lady Astraea and Ryu didn't know the full details, but they simply trusted that Roy wouldn't kill without cause. The riddles in their conversation made them realize this situation was far from simple.
"I see!" Dix said with a moment of realization. He seemed to understand what kind of person Roy was—someone different from himself. He only wanted to hear the screams of those monsters!
"Forget it. If I don't deal with you, the bastards under me will revolt. Just accept your fate quietly. This world only needs one 'Barbarian' who fights against destiny," Dix declared. He stepped forward, shouldering his blood-red spear. "I'll be the first to fight. Level 5!"
As expected. And within the Astraea Familia, only the Level 5 Ryu met the conditions to respond. Ryu, holding her Alf's Lumina, stepped out.
The crowd retreated nearly eighty meters. A battle between Level 5 adventurers was not something "small fry" could casually interfere with. Behind the group, Cassandra's body trembled as the content of her dream became clearer.
"The thousand-year curse, engraved in blood, turns into a violent heart. O rising Great Serpent, thou shalt devour justice and cast it into the abyss. The light of the broken blade is hope, yet also a gateway to despair..."
Cassandra's pupils dilated in shock. At this moment, she finally understood why, when she was with Roy that day, she couldn't decode the previous "prophetic dream." The dream was inverted!
This was the first half of the prophecy!
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Danmachi : Starting with an Elf (378 Chapter – Ongoing)
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