At the very top of Babel Tower.
The emergence of the "War Game" led to a temporary postponement of the gods' council, including the selection of titles for the newly promoted Level 2 adventurers.
Even so, the scene remained extraordinarily lively. Even gods who normally had no interest whatsoever in such meetings chose to gather here now, waiting for the result of the draw.
In the end, it all stemmed from Hephaestus's wager. After the news completely spread throughout Orario, quite a few gods even staked all their savings to participate.
The odds had not changed.
The vast majority of the gods believed that the Hestia Familia had absolutely no chance of victory. Yet even so, there were still high-stakes gamblers who chose to bet on her.
This drawing ceremony would be the final verdict for that wager!
"Siege Battle"
"Tournament Battle"
"…"
The disparity in the size of the familias was plain to see. No matter which victory condition was drawn, there was no real advantage for the Hestia Familia.
As a participating familia in the War Game, Hestia naturally had to be present. Due to her familia's rank, she was assigned a position near the outer perimeter, but that did nothing to prevent her from becoming the focus of the assembled gods.
As for the upcoming War Game drawing ceremony…
She only hoped that victory could be decided in the form of a "Tournament Battle." At this stage, that was the most favorable condition for her familia to defeat the Apollo Familia!
"…"
'I hope it's a Tournament Battle.'
The girl clenched her hands tightly into fists.
After leaving the ball banquet hosted by Apollo, that conversation beneath the moonlight had made Hestia fully recognize the feelings deep within her heart toward Ron—feelings that had long since surpassed those of "family."
Even so, in their daily interactions over the past few days, the two of them had tacitly avoided piercing that final veil. Yet in certain ways, they had already grown even closer.
The reason behind it was most likely because the War Game had not yet been completely resolved?
'As long as victory is decided through a Tournament Battle, even if it means marrying Ron on the spot immediately, I'd be willing to do it…'
"…"
"I am Ganesha!!"
As the supervisor of this War Game, the elephant god Ganesha arrived at the gods' council. The remaining murmurs of discussion gradually subsided.
He did not even need a microphone.
Ganesha's loud and resounding catchphrase echoed in the ears of the assembled gods. When it came to presiding over such games, he always showed the utmost enthusiasm.
Without any unnecessary preamble.
He stepped onto the table. Beside him, inside a box, were the methods that would determine the "War Game": "I presume everyone present has come for the drawing."
"I won't waste any more time here."
"To ensure the fairness of the draw, I, as the supervisor, will not participate. Loki will draw the method that will decide the War Game."
"…"
No god questioned Ganesha's arrangement.
As for Loki, who took on the responsibility of the drawing ceremony, when she walked up to the box, her gaze unconsciously flicked toward Hestia in the distance, whose face was filled with worry.
'Sorry…'
After silently expressing her apology in her heart, she reached her hand into the black box, gave it a brief stir, and selected the round capsule containing the slip of paper. After all, this involved the wager she had joined with Hephaestus.
A full thirty million Valis was at stake!
Even Loki could not help but grow tense. Under the expectant gazes of the countless gods present, she opened the pure white capsule in her hand.
She unfolded the slip of paper.
The battle format that came into view instantly filled her with relief, as though she had seen the dawn of victory. A smile spread across Loki's face.
'It's in the bag!'
Thus, before the countless gods gathered in Orario, she declared, "In the name of Loki, I swear that there has been no falsehood or deception in the War Game drawing ceremony. The final result is…"
"A Siege Battle."
...
How did she even return to the collective dormitory?
In a daze.
Hestia herself did not know. Even her close friend Hephaestus, upon learning that the result was a Siege Battle, had rarely given herself two days off.
She was probably at a loss for how to comfort her.
Even though she unconditionally trusted Ron's talent and strength, what stood before them was an overwhelming disparity in familia power.
100 vs 3…
The cruel reality made it difficult for Hestia to feel confident. After all, she still did not know the exact strength of that external reinforcer—she had not even met him yet.
'Why…'
'Can't our luck be a little better?'
Hestia had even thought that once this War Game was over, she would properly develop her familia, so that Ron would not have to shoulder so much on his own.
It felt as though fate was playing a joke on her!
Until the girl saw Ron—who had returned early from his Dungeon exploration and was waiting for her at home—she forced a gentle smile, suppressing her disappointment.
During this period, he had been leaving early and returning late.
Hestia had seen it all and knew that Ron had been silently putting in the effort. Yet now, she did not even know how to tell him the worst possible result.
Perhaps eloping would be the best choice?
"Ron…"
"How about we pack up our things and find a place where no one can find us, and forfeit this War Game?"
She blinked.
If they ran away before the War Game, they would definitely be ridiculed by those gods. Even Hephaestus would likely be implicated because of her actions.
But aside from that, Hestia could not think of any other solution.
"…"
We're ready to fight to the death, yet the goddess is thinking about running away with the bucket?
Even without Hestia explaining, Ron had already guessed that the method chosen to determine the War Game's outcome was not particularly ideal.
Facing the girl's proposal, he gently shook his head, his tone firm. "It hasn't come to that."
"But… a Siege Battle. The disparity in familia numbers is right there. Even if you find a Level 3 external supporter, it still wouldn't be enough to turn the tide."
"…"
As for the specific information about Ryuu, during this period, Ron had been rooted in the Dungeon, accumulating experience. By the time he returned to the familia residence, it was nearly dawn, and he had not found a good opportunity to explain things to her.
After all, without the perspective of a transmigrator, an ordinary adventurer would have no way of knowing that Ryuu from the "Hostess of Fertility" was the adventurer Gale from five years ago.
Seeing the worry written all over Hestia's face, he had to give the goddess who unconditionally supported him some confidence.
After thinking for a moment, he chose to be honest. "From a purely strength-based perspective, that senior who's willing to help me is truly very powerful."
"Even me, as I am now…"
"I might not necessarily be able to defeat her in a real fight. Whether it's technique or combat style, the gap between us feels like at least two levels."
It was a blunt and painful truth.
"??"
"There's someone even stronger?!"
Hestia's previously solemn expression instantly froze.
She knew Ron was not lying. So that meant that even with the War Game being decided through a "Siege Battle"…
There was still a chance at victory?!
Right after that, her hand was gently taken. When she was led to the bedside, she saw Ron remove his white shirt and lie down on the bed with practiced ease.
Just as she hesitated, wondering whether she should lie down as well, she saw the confident smile on Ron's profile.
"Besides…"
"The Apollo Familia isn't worth us running away. I'm more curious to see how much my ability values have improved after these past days of training!"
"…"
So he just wanted to update his status…
Not that.
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