A bit of time had passed within the banquet hall, and all the attendees were happily and leisurely spending their time in joy. Conversations overlapped with soft laughter, and the atmosphere felt warm and lively. As time passed, more and more members arrived at the banquet, further brightening the mood of the night. Many faces entered the hall, faces that caused several fellow gods and goddesses, as well as their familia children, to smile in delight upon seeing them.
With the Hestia group, they too were enjoying themselves. The group talked about various things, eating together as they casually judged the food provided, commenting on its quality while sampling dish after dish. Their discussion flowed easily from one topic to another, and in that simple act of sharing a table, they were steadily strengthening their bond. The time they spent together enhanced their relationship even further, slowly cementing it into something that felt as though it would become permanent allies.
However, as they were chattering away happily, the sound of several deities gasping in awe suddenly rippled through the hall. The sharp intakes of breath were not subtle; they carried excitement, admiration, and unmistakable enthusiasm toward a particular arrival.
"Look!" a god exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement at the sight of the arriving deity. "It's him!"
Everyone who had heard the proclamation instinctively turned toward the direction of the entrance. The Hestia group did the same, their attention drawn away from their conversation as they shifted their gazes toward the source of the commotion. Their expressions gradually changed into ones of shock as they witnessed an absurd display of fashion standing proudly at the entrance, commanding the attention of the entire banquet hall.
What they saw could only be described as the embodiment of wealth itself.
The arrival that everyone had been so hyped about consisted of three people.
The first was a man who possessed golden-blond hair, cut short and slightly messy, giving him a refined yet effortless appearance.
A single laurel-shaped earring gleamed from his left ear, catching the light with every subtle movement he made. He wore a golden tuxedo with a black shirt underneath, the tuxedo neatly buttoned, presenting a clean and unmistakably wealthy look. The sharp tailoring emphasized his composed posture, while the golden fabric reflected the light in a way that made him stand out even among gods.
He also wore golden pants, paired with polished black shoes that completed the coordinated elegance of his attire.
To his left stood a peach-haired woman, her hair flowing beautifully down her back as though it shimmered like silk under the hall's radiance. Each strand seemed to move gracefully, enhancing her presence with effortless charm. She possessed a strikingly beautiful face, her skin smooth and flawless like milk.
Complementing her appearance was a gold dress that sparkled beneath the shining lights of the hall above. The dress tightly hugged the hourglass shape of her body as she swayed with each step, drawing the attention of many male gods and adventurers alike. Eyes followed her without shame, captivated by the elegance and allure she naturally exuded.
Lastly, on his right, stood a tall man whose height made the person in the middle reach only his shoulders when standing beside him. He possessed rugged features on his face, suggesting that he was well-aged in his years. A clean beard framed his jaw, adding to the sharpness of his mature appearance, while medium-length wavy hair rested neatly around his head. Together, these features gave off the presence of a seasoned war general.
Just like the man in the middle, he mirrored the clothing perfectly as every piece of his outfit was a one-to-one copy, from the golden tuxedo down to the golden pants and black shoes.
The Hestians looked toward them in awe, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of gold that had been put on display. The brilliance of their attire almost seemed excessive, radiating status and dominance with every step they took.
However, among the group Hestia had formed for the night, one god frowned at the arrival of these luxuriously dressed figures, their expression darkening at the sight of them.
"To think that he is invited as well."
The speaker of the group was none other than Hermes himself. The sight of the people dressed in gold attending this banquet had made him slightly wary.
Bell, confused by Hermes' statement, grew curious enough to ask, "Who are they, Lord Hermes?"
Hermes did not look at Bell, his gaze remaining fixed on the people clad in gold. "Well…" Hermes said, hesitating for some reason. "They are known to be the richest Familia in the entirety of Orario, Bell."
Aurelius and Lili turned toward Hermes as well, their curiosity now stirred regarding the identity of the group in question.
"They're the Plutus Familia," Hermes said, announcing their identity to the three Hestians. "It's strange to me, though."
The Hestians looked toward the messenger god in confusion. Breaking the silence that had settled between them, Lili decided to ask about the sudden reason behind his unease.
"Why is that, Lord Hermes? Why does it weird you out? They are invited right?"
Hermes, still wearing a sceptical expression, composed himself before answering. "Well, you see," he said with a serious look, "Plutus has never attended any of Apollo's invitations. Every time Apollo invites him, he rejects the offer. Each and every single time."
"So, I was very confused as to why they suddenly decided to accept Apollo's invitation out of nowhere," Hermes concluded, finally shifting his gaze back toward Plutus and the two members standing at either side of him.
The members of Hestia's Familia watched the familia clad in gold as they passed by. Bell and Lili exchanged brief glances, mild confusion running through their thoughts regarding the information the messenger god had just given them.
The name of the unfamiliar familia lingered in their minds for only a short moment before they let the thought go, choosing not to dwell on it any further. Whatever concern had begun to form was quickly dismissed.
Aurelius, however, did not share their ease.
A frown slowly formed across his face as he observed the Plutus Familia walking forward with little care for the praise and attention directed at them. The admiration from the surrounding crowd seemed almost insignificant in their presence, as though they neither sought it nor needed it.
'An unknown familia suddenly showing up here? The timeline has completely veered off into a different route. There's no doubt about it.'
His gaze lingered on them, sharp and calculating.
'Though, I do need to start being wary of what happens next. All I see from them is trouble. I hope it doesn't come to that.'
With a slow breath, Aurelius forced himself to set those thoughts aside for now. Still, his guard remained firmly raised. The uncertainty of the situation unsettled him, and that unease refused to fade so easily.
After a moment, Aurelius shifted his attention toward the messenger god, clearly intending to ask a question that had begun to take shape in his mind.
"Lord Hermes," Aurelius asked, his tone calm but laced with curiosity as his eyes drifted back to the two figures walking alongside Plutus. "May I know who those two are? They seem quite powerful."
Hermes followed Aurelius's line of sight, his gaze settling on the pair flanking Plutus. His eyes narrowed slightly in recognition.
"Them?" he replied, now understanding what the tall man was referring to. "Those two are the captain and the vice-captain of the familia."
Hermes then turned back toward Aurelius, his expression growing noticeably more serious.
"Their names are Marcus Van Lion and Leona Dian. Both of them are Level 4, and they've been at that level for quite some time. There has been speculation that they may reach Level 5 soon." He paused briefly before adding, "Though, those are only rumors."
Aurelius nodded at the information given to him. Now knowing a little about this unfamiliar Familia, one that did not exist within his memories, he began to deduce, at least in theory, how strong they were as a whole.
'Considering that they have two Level 4s at their disposal,' he thought carefully, piecing everything together, 'it would be reasonable to assume that they also possess a number of Level 3s and Level 2s as well. A Familia structured that way would not lack depth.'
Not to mention, Hermes had stated that they were very wealthy—no, not just wealthy, but the richest in this city, possibly even the world.
'Though…' Aurelius continued his train of thought, his expression remaining calm but inwardly calculating, 'they may possess more Level 4s as well. Who's to say those two are the only ones? They cannot be called the richest without having additional powerful adventurers backing that title.'
He slowly reached a conclusion. Though it remained only a theory, mere speculation at best, it was still something to work with. For now, there was simply not enough information. The lack of solid details prevented his mind from forming any further concrete deductions, and so he allowed the matter to rest.
As Aurelius watched the figures clad in gold walk forward, the Plutus Familia moved directly toward Apollo. Their steps were confident and unhurried. Upon reaching him, they greeted the host in a manner that suggested familiarity.
'Yup,' Aurelius thought as he observed the spectacle unfold before him, 'definitely a red flag.'
Hermes, who had been quietly watching Aurelius with keen interest, noticed the careful observation in the captain of the Hestia Familia's eyes. He could see the caution there. The quiet vigilance.
"You are very sharp, aren't you?" Hermes said, his tone light yet knowing.
The comment drew a faint look of confusion from the titan-like man.
"That is a good quality to have," Hermes continued, a small smile forming on his lips. "Especially coming from you, Aurelius. As a captain, that is."
Aurelius stared at the messenger god for a moment after those words were spoken. Then, he let out a slow, controlled sigh.
"I often forget," he replied evenly, "that you are a very intelligent deity beneath that flirtatious guise you so often present, Lord Hermes."
Hermes, hearing the remark from the Hestian captain, threw his head back and laughed haughtily.
"HAHA! Thank you for the compliment, my boy!"
However, all of a sudden, the messenger god's expression shifted. The laughter faded. His face turned serious, the sharpness in his eyes becoming far more apparent.
"Though," Hermes said, his voice lowering into a more solemn tone, "he is very greedy. Extremely so."
Those words immediately caused Aurelius to grow more anxious and wary. His posture did not change, but his gaze sharpened. He turned his attention back toward the golden Familia, reassessing them in light of Hermes' warning.
'Absolutely a red flag, then.'
While he was still deep in thought, another wave of cheers suddenly rose from the entrance of the hall. This time, the sound was louder, filled with delighted shouts and excited woos that echoed throughout the banquet.
The reaction made it clear that someone of significant status had just arrived. It was the kind of welcome reserved only for a great and well-known Familia.
The Hestia group turned their attention toward the direction everyone else was staring at. Their gazes followed the collective focus of the crowd, and there, standing at the entrance, was none other than Freya herself.
The girls and the guys of the group, along with almost practically everyone present at the banquet, looked on with visibly flustered expressions. Faces flushed. Breaths hitched. Eyes widened. There was a saying in Orario that if anyone were to look directly at Freya, they would be charmed without even realizing it.
Well, everyone except Hestia, of course.
As a virgin goddess and the very embodiment of the hearth, she stood as a complete counter to Freya's nature of love and fertility. Where Freya embodied temptation and desire, Hestia embodied warmth and sanctity. It was only natural that Freya's influence would not work on her.
Bell and Lili found themselves staring toward Freya and the two members of her Familia who accompanied her. Their eyes lingered, drawn in despite themselves.
Before either of them could continue looking, Hestia suddenly appeared from behind and quickly covered their eyes with both hands.
"Bell, Lili," she said firmly, tightening the spaces between her fingers to make sure not even the slightest sliver of vision could slip through.
"Bell, Lili!" Hestia repeated in a sharp warning tone. "Don't look into her eyes! She'll charm you and take you two away from me!"
Her voice carried a mix of urgency and possessiveness.
Then, Hestia's gaze shifted toward her Familia's captain.
"Aurelius, you too!" she shouted sternly at the towering man. "Especially you! Don't look at her!"
Aurelius, however, did not care.
He continued to look toward Freya and the two members of her Familia who followed behind her, his expression unchanged. His eyes did not waver, calmly assessing their movements without the slightest hint of fluster or distraction.
Speaking of the two Freyans, the two walking at either side of Freya were none other than Ottarl and Zephyra. Their presence alone drew attention, their steps measured and composed as they accompanied their goddess.
Ottarl wore a dark blue vest with yellow accents, along with a purple shirt beneath the open vest. The contrast between the colors gave his attire a refined yet imposing look. He also wore white pants and black boots to complete the ensemble, the overall outfit giving off a strong British Empire-like vibe that defined his entire appearance.
Zephyra, on the other hand, wore something contrary to what many goddesses and female adventurers typically chose to wear. In fact, she was dressed in a distinctly masculine outfit.
She wore a green double-breasted blazer designed in a style reminiscent of the British Empire as well. Beneath the blazer, she wore a white ruffled lace jabot, further enhancing the old British aesthetic. To top it off, she also wore high-waisted jeans and black high British cavalry boots, cementing the look of a British officer or soldier.
The entire outfit stood in clear contrast to the flowing dresses and ornamental garments that were common among women of divine or noble standing.
Aurelius looked on in visible confusion at the choice of outfits the banquet host had provided. His gaze lingered on the three figures, trying to make sense of it.
'...Isn't Freya supposed to be Norse? Why are they wearing British outfits?' Aurelius thought, his mind struggling to comprehend the logic behind it.
He stared a moment longer before internally shrugging.
'Meh, I guess it makes sense. Before the Roman Empire, Britain was literally Vikings. I guess it's valid that their theme is based around the British Empire.'
He clicked his tongue inwardly, though his expression remained neutral.
'Not that I'm praising their fashion or anything. The damn British did colonize my country in my past life,' the Hestian captain thought, recalling the history of his homeland with faint irritation.
As Freya was walking, she noticed the commotion that Hestia had caused. She slowed her steps before coming to a complete stop, which prompted her two familia children behind her to halt as well. Without a word of complaint, they followed her gaze toward the source of the disturbance.
After a brief pause, Freya began walking toward Hestia's group. The two Freyans trailed behind her in silence, their movements calm and disciplined as they accompanied their goddess.
When she arrived before them, Freya greeted everyone with a warm and gentle smile, one that seemed almost radiant beneath the tavern lights.
"My, my~" Freya spoke in her sweet, motherly voice, her tone soft and melodic. "It's been so long, Hestia."
Her eyes then shifted gracefully toward Miach and Takemikazuchi, acknowledging them with the same serene expression.
"Hello to both of you as well, Miach, Takemikazuchi. Have you been well?" she asked gently.
Her presence alone was enough to draw faint blushes from the two gods.
"You bet I am!" Hestia declared with full conviction, her voice firm as if she were trying to one-up Freya. "I have never been more well than ever!"
In contrast, Miach and Takemikazuchi reacted quite differently. A noticeable tint of pink spread across their faces as they blushed under Freya's proximity.
"You're as beautiful as ever tonight, Freya," Miach said, offering a sincere compliment to the Norse goddess of love.
"H-Hi," Takemikazuchi stammered, visibly flustered and struggling to maintain composure in front of her. "Y-You look lovely, Freya."
Their reactions, however, did not go unnoticed by their familia children. Jealousy quickly surfaced. And what did they do in response? They pinched and twisted their gods' buttocks as a form of punishment for falling under her charm so easily.
Freya then shifted her attention toward the direction of the Hestians. Her gaze settled upon the three of them, her eyes calmly moving from one to another as she observed each in turn. After a quiet moment, she stepped back, returning to stand beside the two Freyans who remained close, guarding her presence.
"Well, I wish to stay and talk with you all more, but I must go elsewhere," Freya said, her motherly tone never wavering. "Until next time."
Freya and Ottarl then moved from their spot and headed elsewhere. Zephyra lingered for a brief moment, her eyes turning toward Aurelius. She gave him a slight bow, showing respect toward him as a friend. Aurelius nodded in return, offering the same measure of respect toward the Freyan.
With that, Zephyra turned around and headed back toward Freya and Ottarl.
Bell looked on, utterly confused, as the beautiful Freyan showed respect toward his captain. Hestia and Lili, meanwhile, fixed their eyes on the towering man, their expressions slowly twisting into frowns.
"Aurelius," Hestia began, suspicion heavy in her voice, "why of all people is the Lightning Empress showing respect to someone in this group?"
Lili nodded eagerly in agreement with Hestia's words. "Yup, yup!" she chimed, clearly sharing the same sentiment as her goddess. "How is it that she's so familiar with you?"
Aurelius glanced between the two girls, his expression calm yet knowing. "Well," he began, "remember when I said that I made a friend this morning in the dungeon?"
Both Hestia and Lili nodded, but it didn't take long for them to realize where Aurelius was heading.
"You don't mean—" Lili started, only for Aurelius to cut her off before she could finish.
"Yup," he said firmly, putting it into his own words. "She's the friend I was talking about."
At that, both Hestia and Lili fell utterly silent, stunned by the revelation. The words hung in the air like a shockwave, heavy and almost impossible to process.
"Really?!" Bell exclaimed, his tone brimming with excitement. "To think that our captain would actually befriend the strongest adventurer in the world… You're the best, mister!"
No sooner had Bell spoken than Hestia and Lili surged forward, practically swarming the towering man.
"What do you mean that's your new friend?!"
"Did she tempt you with her body or something?!"
"Did Freya plan to take you away from me, using her own familia child as a way to seduce you? How shameless!"
"I refuse to believe that our valiant captain would stoop so low just because of her figure!"
The two women volleyed their questions at him like a storm, alternating between accusations, incredulity, and fury. Aurelius, however, remained steadfast. He calmly reached out, gently grabbing their faces to create space between them, forcing them to listen.
"You two are impossibly nosy!" Aurelius snapped back, his voice sharp but controlled, firmly rejecting any implication of impropriety. "I said I'm only friends with her! Not dating her, damn it!"
As the girls continued pressing their captain for answers, a voice called out from behind them. "There you are, shrimp!"
The three Hestians and Hestia immediately turned to face the sound. There, Loki appeared, accompanied by three of her children. Standing beside her were Riveria, Finn, and Aiz.
Finn was dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, similar to many of the male attendees at the banquet. Beneath the jacket, he wore a bright yellow shirt, buttoned neatly, and a red tie that provided a striking contrast, highlighting the vividness of his ensemble.
His black trousers and polished black shoes completed the sophisticated and formal appearance, allowing him to blend seamlessly with the elegant crowd while still standing out.
Riveria, on the other hand, looked almost otherworldly. She wore a dress reminiscent of a wedding gown, emphasizing her ethereal beauty and ensuring that she appeared the most striking among all the elves present in the establishment.
The gown featured a strapless, sweetheart neckline with a corset-style bodice that accentuated her figure. Along the neckline, a unique sheer moss-green fabric formed a high, halter-style collar that fastened gracefully at her neck with a delicate gold clasp. A dark green sash cinched her waist, its long ribbons flowing elegantly down the front of the dress.
The voluminous, pleated skirt transitioned from a light sage green at the top to a deep forest green at the hem, adding depth and movement to her appearance as she stood poised.
Aiz, in contrast, chose a formal, strapless gala gown in a pale seafoam or mint green.
The gown's simplicity was balanced by dramatic accessories: she wore long, black opera-length gloves that extended to her upper arms, with jagged, "torn" edges along the top, giving her an edgy elegance. Around her neck rested a dark, spiked choker, adorned with a large teardrop-shaped green gemstone pendant that caught the light with every subtle movement.
Together, her attire conveyed both sophistication and a subtle, commanding presence amidst the gathering.
Hestia sighed, her irritation barely contained. Seeing her "nemesis" and "rival" friend here sparked a familiar pang of annoyance. "What do you want, Loki?" she asked, her voice laced with exasperation.
Loki grinned, a smug and self-satisfied smile spreading across her face. Watching her frenemy already on edge filled the trickster goddess with pride. "Fufufu," she purred, her tone playful yet taunting, "I'm just here to show off my Finn, Mama Riveria, and my precious Aiz to you. All of them are first-class adventurers, you know?"
Hestia's annoyance deepened at the sight of the Norse goddess of mischief flaunting her companions so shamelessly. She deliberately ignored the display, hoping that the flat-chested, red-headed goddess would grow bored and leave.
But, as expected, her plan did not work.
Loki's sharp eyes swept over Hestia's familia children, inspecting them from head to toe. She gave a faint, amused whistle before turning her attention to Aurelius. "So these three are your children, shrimp?" she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "They don't look impressive to me. Maybe the big guy has some potential, but aside from his size, there's nothing remarkable. Nothing at all compared to my cute Ais-tan!"
Hestia's patience snapped. Her face flushed, and her voice rose, trembling with a mixture of anger and pride. "Oh yeah?!" she shouted, the power of her emotions swelling up from deep within. "To me, my children are the best there ever was and ever will be! I, as their goddess, represent the beauty of my familia. Unlike you… your chest is more like a guy's than a girl's ever could be!"
Loki's smug expression faltered as her own pride was wounded. "Why, you…!!" she barked, her voice sharp as she lunged into verbal retaliation.
What began as a skirmish of harsh words quickly escalated into an all-out war of insults. The two goddesses bickered relentlessly, neither willing to yield an inch. Their words stung like blades, and the tension radiated outward. Many of the banquet attendees stepped back, choosing to become onlookers, captivated by the fiery clash between the two women.
Meanwhile, both Hestia's and Loki's children found themselves within the widening battlefield. The young adventurers stood tensely, awkwardly frozen in place, aware of the backlash coming from their familia patrons. Each step, each word, each glare between the two goddesses carried weight, and the air seemed to crackle with the sheer force of their rivalry.
The banquet had turned into an arena, its usual chatter drowned out by the heated exchange, as Hestia and Loki continued their unrelenting war of words, their pride and passions fully unleashed.
Aurelius then looked beyond the childish war of words, his gaze settling on the three children of Loki's Familia. Finn, noticing the Hestian captain's eyes on him, simply nodded with a friendly smile. In response, Aurelius returned the gesture, nodding back in kind. In that simple exchange, a mutual respect passed silently between the captains of their respective familias, a quiet acknowledgment of their shared responsibility and strength.
As the verbal sparring continued around them, a sudden voice cut through the clamor.
"Are you enjoying yourselves, everyone?"
Every head in the tavern turned toward the source of the voice. There stood Apollo, stretching his arms wide as if to embrace the room with pride. He let his hands fall casually to his sides and began walking with deliberate steps, his attention fixed on three Hestians in particular—Bell and Lili foremost among them.
Just as the sun god approached, the lights in the banquet abruptly went out, plunging the room into sudden darkness. A tense silence fell over the crowd. Then, three distinct beams of light pierced the gloom, shining directly upon Aurelius, Bell, and Lili, illuminating them like targets in a spotlight.
Apollo arrived at Bell and Lili's position, coming to a stop in front of them. His gaze lingered on the two with a perverse, disgustingly lewd expression. An expression so offensive that even a composed and kind man would have felt compelled to strike him.
Hestia, recognizing the all-too-familiar perverted look, abandoned her attention on Loki and immediately stepped forward. She placed herself between Apollo and her familia, a living shield against the sun god's ill intentions that needed no words to describe.
"Bell, Lili… stay behind me," Hestia commanded firmly, her voice unwavering despite the tension. The two obediently huddled close to their goddess, trusting her completely. Aurelius, now having drawn Apollo's attention as well, moved closer, positioning himself alongside them to stand in solidarity with the Hestians.
"Why, hello, Hestia," Apollo spoke, and an ominous atmosphere immediately befell the Hestia Familia. His voice carried a theatrical calmness that only made the tension in the air feel heavier. "I'm told that yesterday my children had some trouble with your familia the other day. Is that true?"
Hestia, upon hearing those words, became fully serious. The playful air she sometimes carried disappeared entirely. "So?" she replied sharply. "They were the ones who attacked MY children first." She then went on to tell her part of the story without hesitation. "You were mocking my familia members, and they got beaten up. Serves them right."
Apollo, ever wearing that face of perversion, stepped aside slowly. It was as if he wanted to present something, something carefully prepared, for Hestia and her familia to see. His movements were deliberate, dramatic.
"But my children were hurt badly, you know?" Apollo said, placing a hand over his chest in exaggerated concern. "I want sufficient compensation for the things your familia children did."
He then pointed toward a dark area behind him. Suddenly, lights shone upon the indicated spot. Luan could be seen there, completely bandaged from top to bottom, holding onto a wooden hospital walking stick. His entire figure trembled as he leaned on it. "It hurts! It hurts so much!" Luan shouted in "agony," though his pain was most probably faked.
Apollo continued the act without missing a beat. "And," he said, as more lights shone behind the "injured" Luan, revealing three men standing there with smug expressions on their faces. "You cannot get out of this so easily either, Hestia. I have witnesses."
Hestia looked toward the setup that had been made, clearly designed to trap her and her familia children in an ultimatum. Though they had been surrounded and pressured, Hestia did not budge. Instead, she continued mocking Apollo without the slightest hesitation.
"So what?" she said boldly. "It only means your children are just that weak. Having your captain beaten in one blow by my captain is just embarrassing, especially considering they are the same level."
Everybody gasped in unison, save for a few exceptions. The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Apollo, upon hearing the virgin goddess's words, contorted his face into an even deeper perverted frown. "Oh~" he said, his tone carrying unmistakable amusement. "So you refuse to admit your wrongdoings, Hestia~?"
Then Apollo gave a vile smile. His once handsome face twisted into something far uglier under the weight of his expression.
"Very well, then!" Apollo shouted, spreading his arms wide with pride and conviction. "I, Apollo, challenge you to a War Game!"
After he announced the offer of a War Game to Hestia, the onlookers erupted into cheers. Hearing those words had stirred the excitement of every deity within the establishment. The atmosphere shifted instantly, the tension from moments before transforming into eager anticipation. For gods who craved on entertainment, nothing was more thrilling than the promise of a War Game.
"Oh yeah! A War Game!"
"At long last! It has been a while!"
"I need to see this!"
Many of the deities chanted loudly, their voices overlapping in delight.
Apollo then pointed toward the Hestians, his finger settling particularly on Bell and Lili. His expression stretched into something feverish.
"If we win," he spoke, his voice brimming with excitement and barely restrained arousal, "I will be taking both your children—Bell Cranel and Liliruca Arde!"
After saying that, Apollo slowly licked his lips, his gaze lingering on the two smaller members of Hestia's Familia as though they were delectable treats placed before him.
"Oh, and that's not all," Apollo added, suddenly stepping aside as if deliberately making way for someone else to enter the scene.
The tavern fell quiet. Everyone waited in anticipation for what Apollo was about to reveal next. The earlier cheers faded into murmurs, and then even those died down. In the silence, the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard, steadily drawing closer to the center of attention.
As the individual arrived and stepped into view, everybody present gasped in utter shock.
The reason for such a reaction?
The one who had stepped into the commotion was none other than Plutus himself.
"?!"
Hestia stared in shock, just like everyone else, her mind racing as she questioned why Plutus had anything to do with this mess of a drama.
Plutus smiled faintly, though there was nothing warm about it. His greed was evident, unmistakable in his eyes as they landed on Aurelius. His gaze was as though he had just laid eyes upon a golden goose waiting patiently to be claimed for himself.
Apollo spoke up once more, his tone almost theatrical. "Considering that, at the time, some of the people you attacked were Plutus's members. They were on a mission together under the guise of my Familia."
Of course, this was a blatant lie.
He then turned toward Plutus, subtly yielding the spotlight to him.
"That's right," Plutus said smoothly. "I declare a War Game as well against you. Me alongside Apollo here, up against your Familia, Hestia."
The onlookers erupted again, even louder than before. Hearing that two gods were declaring a War Game against a Familia of only three members made the spectacle even more enticing to them.
"Two against one?! That's very exciting!"
"That is overkill! And I like it!"
"They are so brutal!"
Many of the deities shouted once more, completely unconcerned with how unfair the situation was.
"Again," Plutus continued, now the one pointing forward. His finger settled on Aurelius. "If we win, for my part, I will have your captain, Hestia. Aurelius will be mine."
Plutus smiled greedily as his gaze fixed on Aurelius once more.
'Tch,' Aurelius thought, irritation flickering across his expression as the uncertainty of the situation pressed down on him. 'How troublesome.'