Chapter 220: Cool Night Banquet
As night fell, the bright moon cast a soft glow, bestowing ribbons of honor upon the adventurers clinking their cups.
After a battle of life and death, even the most unfamiliar Familia members were now slinging arms over shoulders, sighing with emotion.
Bang!
Loki slammed her empty ale mug onto the table, sending foam flying.
"So, that Dionysus guy, he's gone for good with the Seventh Evil Dragon?"
"Yes." Arthur took a small sip of his drink, his expression calm, "At least for ten thousand years, you won't be seeing him."
"Only ten thousand years… that's too good for that bastard!"
Loki gritted her teeth, angrily grabbed a piece of roasted meat, stuffed it into her mouth, and chewed vigorously.
Finn picked up the fizzy, strange brew Tione had secretly swapped for him, his gaze sweeping over the faces of every companion around him.
"Although we dealt with the Incarnate Bomb and the Filth Spirit, the public outside knows that a sky-piercing hole suddenly opened in the surface dungeon."
Gareth rubbed the scabbed wound on his arm, which was itching terribly, and grumbled in agreement.
"The public only saw the red mist dissipate and are discussing the pillar of light that appeared afterward, but who knows the truth…"
Everyone's gaze, without prior agreement, converged on the composed Arthur.
The restless Tiona even moved her chair closer, leaning towards him, blinking her eyes curiously.
"So, what exactly was that pillar of light?"
As soon as she spoke, the clamor at the dining table paused, and even the noise from the next table seemed to fade away.
The executives all held their breath, focusing their attention.
"Ahem!"
Loki, who had been burying her head in her food, suddenly stood up, raised her mug, and broke the momentary silence with a loud laugh.
"Little ones! What are you spacing out for! Drink with me!"
Everyone was momentarily stunned, then shook their heads with a chuckle, raising their cups in response.
Even a God chose to actively change the subject; it seemed the secret of that pillar of light was far more important than any storage bags or the like.
The topic was smoothly brushed aside, and everyone continued to chat about the aftermath.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, adventurers from other Familia continuously came to offer toasts.
This banquet, an outpouring of emotions from a battle to the death, didn't break up until deep into the night.
The streets were strewn with drunken adventurers, and even the pub waiters were too tired to clean up, yawning as they locked up and went to rest.
Loki was dead drunk, sprawled like a lump of mud on Arthur's back, giggling foolishly, completely unresponsive even as Fou's tiny claws scratched at her face.
Finn called out to the still-sober members, preparing to drag the group of drunks back to Twilight Manor.
Riveria, who hadn't touched a drop of alcohol, stood by the street, looking at Arthur—
Her eyes were filled with undisguised disdain for the lump of mud-like God on his back.
Everyone chatted idly as they began their journey home.
Arthur noticed the emerald figure, who seemed hesitant to speak, and deliberately slowed his pace, lagging behind the group.
"Do you need me to come find you in the courtyard later?"
"No!"
The usually calm Riveria's cheeks were actually a little flushed. She quickened her steps, walking alongside him.
"Just say it here."
Arthur glanced sideways at Loki, who was still mumbling in her sleep on his back, a smile playing on his lips.
"You speak, I'll listen."
The night breeze brushed through her hair, subtly grazing the back of her neck, and that faint touch made her heart tremble.
"I…"
Just as she was about to speak, her gaze was involuntarily drawn to the night sky.
The stars there were brilliant, and meteors streamed upwards, blossoming into fireworks-like halos, beautiful enough to make one lose themselves.
In this moment, everything around them seemed to vanish. In her world, there was only this starry sky and the figure of the man beside her.
...Crimson King's Divide...
After the celebratory banquet's clamor, the stagnant Orario began to operate at high speed once more.
The Guild was busy covering up the truth of the city's unrest, while the Ganesha Familia was responsible for cordoning off Daedalus Street and dealing with the deep chasm that pierced through heaven and earth.
All Familia that participated in the conquest battle fell into collective silence, using time to heal their wounds.
The Gods seemed to have argued fiercely over some news at the Divine Council, but ultimately, under the strong suppression of the Guild and the Twin Kings, they grudgingly concluded.
Arthur, meanwhile, lived a two-point-one-line life, commuting daily between Twilight Manor and Tower of Babel, drawing on Uranus's experience.
Inside the Torch Altar, a pale blue divine flame enveloped Arthur's entire body, its pure power causing all the dust on the ground to float upwards.
The surrounding space first trembled, then emitted a shattering sound as if unable to bear the weight, as if the entire tower was shaking.
Feeling this pressure, which was no less than that of the old God, Fels, who was standing by, had intensely flickering phosphorescent lights in his eye sockets and retreated several steps.
Uranus, seated high on his divine throne, calmly nodded, a rare hint of approval appearing on his stern face.
"Alright, that's enough."
Upon hearing the command, Arthur immediately disconnected from the altar. His legs instantly weakened, and he knelt on one knee, breathing heavily.
Feeling the nearly depleted spell power within him, his face still showed solemnity, and he couldn't help but mock himself.
"To stably transmit divine power for over a thousand years… Compared to Teacher, I am no monster."
As he spoke, Arthur closed his eyes, and new spell power quickly nourished his wailing bones. The fatigue brought on by the high-pressure load rapidly receded.
...
Arthur pendragon
LV.6
Strength: SSS (1562) → SSS (1745)
Endurance: SSS (1547) → SSS (1731)
Dexterity: SSS (1531) → SSS (1717)
Agility: SSS (1524) → SSS (1721)
Magic: SSS (1671) → SSS (1803)
Miracle: SS
Swordsman: A
Magic Conduction: A
Shatter: A
Authority: D → A
——Magic——
Authority of the Celestial God
Star Light of Salvation
Ideal Home
——Skills——
Symbol of the Red Dragon
Eternal Blessing of the Star Spirit
Brilliant Journey
Transparent World
Limit Overclock
...
The speed, it slowed down?
No! I was too eager!
Arthur suddenly opened his eyes, forcefully suppressing the impatience within him.
He looked up at the still majestic Uranus and bowed.
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher. I will take my leave now."
Uranus remained seated, and a human-like flicker of hesitation crossed his ancient, unwavering blue eyes.
"The plan to conceal the Star Light using the altar failed. The only remaining unknown entity in the Lower World should be that Black Dragon, right?"
This made Arthur, who was about to leave, pause. He turned to look at the old God and nodded calmly.
"According to the unknown entity's usual method of infecting puppets, it's highly probable. Has bad news come from Dragon's Valley?"
Hearing his question, Uranus shook his head.
"No, the seal is still intact."
Arthur pondered for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his brow.
"I'm not worried about that beast being immune to Authority; it's just the timing…"
"It won't be a problem in the short term. You can go do your own things first."
Uranus surveyed the torch at each corner of the altar, his tone calm and certain.