The invasion of the Rakia Kingdom, to the [Labyrinth City] Orario, was nothing more than a joke.
No, perhaps in the eyes of most people, it wasn't even worthy of being called a joke, just a yearly routine, a little spice added to an already lively yet mundane life.
Not only the many familias and factions inside the city, but also those outside, the neighboring countries, familias, and gods constantly harassed and invaded by the war god Ares, were all watching his antics with schadenfreude.
If it weren't for the fact that they truly couldn't defeat him, those so-called fun-loving gods would have long since rushed in to kick him while he was down, instead of enjoying their wine leisurely in their temples.
Of course, the fact that Ares could continue such a life even after invading Orario, instead of being forced back to heaven, was naturally due to some unspoken deal.
In the words of the Guild's representative: he had made significant "contributions" to Orario and the world's economy, though the blood and tears behind that were self-evident. Just looking at the city's commercial familias, each feasting with oil dripping from their mouths, showed how sweet the profits of war were.
After all, Orario's goods were plentiful in variety and their effects immediate. Its powerful manufacturing capacity not only guaranteed quality but could also further lower prices.
Add in the unique specialties that could only be purchased in Orario, and considering that the defeated had no other choice, the results were obvious.
In contrast, to the exploration familias like Loki Familia and Freya Familia, this guy (Ares) was nothing but trouble, an utter waste of their time.
Perhaps the younger adventurers found some novelty in this "renaissance-style warfare." For example, Fron and the girls might have used it as a chance to refresh their spirits.
One major event after another continued to unfold in Orario, dazzling the people. Not to mention ordinary citizens, even the gods themselves were thrilled.
Hestia Familia's child, dashing about at impossible speeds!
Loki Familia's children conquering unknown floors and battling in Melen!
The revival of the [Evilus], sweeping across the city once more!
The Rakia Kingdom's so-called invasion!
One after another, good or bad, incidents came in waves, almost blinding the crowd.
"Since that incident five years ago ended, how long has it been since Orario was this lively?"
A golden-haired god sat atop a tall rooftop, one hand holding down his feathered hat as he swung his legs, eyes narrowed with a joyful smile on his face.
Behind him stood a short-haired girl wrapped in a white cloak. Hearing his words, her lips curled in disdain, her eyes filled with contempt.
"You really have the nerve to call other gods pleasure-seekers. If only you'd look in the mirror right now."
"Hahaha, don't put it so harshly, Asfi-chan!"
Hearing his own child talk back like that, the god chuckled helplessly.
But Asfi, who knew her god's true nature all too well, couldn't even be bothered to engage.
"Just looking at your expression, I can already tell you're scheming something again. I wonder who will be the unlucky one this time? Perhaps the next Lady Ishtar?"
"..." The god's lips twitched as he pressed his hat lower, hiding his eyes.
"Asfi-chan, such things shouldn't be spoken lightly. As for Lady Ishtar… that matter had nothing to do with me, right?"
"..." You must be joking. If not for your scheming from behind the scenes, would such a chain of events have even occurred?
Especially when no one expected Ishtar Familia to secretly collude with [Evilus], even going so far as to become their financier. Just thinking of it made Asfi's eyes darken.
"The long-stilled windmill of Orario has begun to turn again. Has the era of heroes already arrived?"
Asfi's mind flashed with the figures of those wrapped in glory, admired by all. One after another, until finally, a tall, slender youth, his face bearing a gentle smile, froze in her memory.
...
North Street.
An orange-red castle stood tall along the city wall.
Wearing casual clothes and carrying no weapon at his waist, Fron stood upon Orario's walls, gazing into the distance.
His eyes followed from the castle below, across the parks and streets, finally resting on the towering alabaster spire that pierced the sky.
"We've cut off their tail, blocked Melen's exits, and stopped their goods from flowing out. After this period of brewing, they should be about ready to act."
Beside him, the Sword Princess, who had joined him for a stroll, tilted her head at his muttering. At first confused, she quickly realized the meaning behind Fron's words, her eyes sharpening.
After all, the last time Loki Familia fell into a trap, if not for Fron's timely arrival, their comrades would have been wiped out. Such hatred could never be forgotten.
Even the gentle-natured Ais felt this way, let alone Loki herself. The trickster goddess, who had never once been the prey, had nearly been taken down in one stroke. It was no wonder she was fuming.
Otherwise, she would not have thrown her senior executives into the Rakia Kingdom's war with such zeal, clearly treating Ares as her punching bag.
You could only say that the foolish god had charged headlong into the muzzle. Of all times to strike, he had chosen the very moment when both Loki and Freya were in foul moods. To guess at a woman's heart was already dangerous, let alone a goddess's, especially ones so petty.
"Come on, let's head back. I hear Finn, Loki, Riveria, and Gareth are already working on a plan. Around this time, there should be a meeting."
Glancing at the sun and estimating the hour, Fron slung an arm over Ais' shoulder, grinning as he pulled her along toward their base.
Sure enough, from a distance, they could already see the members rushing toward them, clearly to summon them.
On Loki Familia's side, discussions had already begun regarding the search for [Evilus] and strategies for the man-made dungeon, Knossos.
Meanwhile, in recent months, surpassing even Loki and Freya Familias to become Orario's hottest topic, the Hestia Familia, was, under everyone's watchful eyes, pressing forward with their dungeon conquest.
....
Southwest Street.
Hestia Familia's base, the Hearth Manor.
Looking at the dragon girl brought back by Bell and the others, even Hestia herself, though a goddess, was dumbstruck.
"Good heavens! Even after living billions of years as a goddess, in all my long divine life, I've never seen anything so ridiculous!"