Some time ago, Freya and Loki had clashed over the presence of a certain demon-level adventurer—Leon. The resulting conflict didn't stop at words, their familias went head-to-head, shaking Orario itself.
Now, barely a month later, a similar confrontation was unfolding once again.
All the gods present were well-acquainted with Apollo's notorious personality. Knowing his infatuation-prone nature, none of them were surprised that he had now set his sights on the Hestia Familia.
It was precisely this that stirred such excitement among the divine audience.
After all, everyone knew that Hestia's Familia had a suspiciously close relationship with the enigmatic Lucifer Familia. And the ambiguous bond between Hestia and the infamous Leon had long been the subject of whispers—it could even be called a romantic relationship.
The gods had uncovered this while investigating Leon's background.
Because of that connection, their interest in this new conflict skyrocketed.
Leon's temperament was anything but gentle. The moment someone crossed his line, there would be blood. He wasn't the type to back down or play politics—he acted, directly and decisively.
Just a few days ago, Ishtar had attempted to charm Leon using divine power, intending to claim him for herself.
The result? She was sent back to heaven, humiliated, defeated by the joint hands of Leon and Loki.
Of course, the gods weren't pleased. They had lodged a formal protest and pressured Ouranos to deliver a divine order forbidding Leon from interfering with other familias. A warning had been issued—any more such actions and the gods would take matters into their own hands.
But that decree didn't guarantee safety.
Leon's personality was simple: if you leave him alone, all is well. But if you provoke him… then even your godhood might not protect you. He had once said he'd send a god back to heaven and he did it.
Now, Apollo seemed to be walking that same cursed path. He was courting disaster, challenging the wind itself.
Would Leon let him off?
Everyone knew—he wouldn't.
Several gods at the scene shared a decent relationship with Leon. Of course, there was Hestia, and her close friend Hephaestus, who would undoubtedly stand by her side. Loki and Freya too—they would not simply watch Leon suffer.
The gods' curiosity deepened. What would Leon do this time?
Apollo had dared to target the Hestia Familia. Would Leon retaliate directly?
Just then—
"Apollo! You want my Belle, right? Then stop wasting time."
"Hold a war game."
Before Apollo could even open his mouth, Hestia stepped forward. With one hand on her hip and the other pointing straight at Apollo, her voice rang clear and firm.
The atmosphere froze.
The gods, adventurers, and even Apollo were momentarily stunned.
No one had expected Hestia to be the first to speak, much less issue a war game challenge outright.
But once the surprise passed, excitement surged.
War games—nothing thrilled the gods more. Entertainment, wagers, prestige—everything they loved wrapped into one.
To think Hestia herself would take the initiative—it was unexpected, but welcome.
Apollo quickly regained his composure. With a sneer, he tilted his head.
"Hestia, you really think you can win a war game against me? Or is this false confidence because of Leon?"
"Let me remind you—Leon can't just interfere in the affairs of other familias anymore."
"And Lucifer? Surely he wouldn't hand his only child over to your familia."
Then, turning to Leon with a mocking grin, Apollo added, "Speaking of which, where is that elusive god of yours, Leon? Why are you here alone? Where's Lucifer?"
All attention immediately shifted to Leon.
The gods stared, eager for an answer. After all, Lucifer's absence was glaring.
"Him?"
Leon replied casually, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "He said being around you made the air feel filthy. So he decided not to come."
"I came here for Hestia."
As the words left his mouth, a collective silence fell.
Apollo's face twisted, twitching uncontrollably before turning bright red with fury.
"You…! You've got a real mouth on you!!" Apollo snapped.
But then, as if remembering something, he composed himself and raised his chin smugly.
"Well then, tell Lucifer something for me."
"The Lucifer Familia is not to interfere with matters between the Apollo Familia and the Hestia Familia. If they do, I'll treat it as an act of war!"
"Ouranos should have told you what that means."
Apollo's grin widened, his confidence swelling once more. His arrogance, however, would be short-lived.
Leon raised an eyebrow, his voice smooth and amused.
"Why do you think I'll be the one to interfere?"
"Huh?" Apollo's smug expression froze.
"What do you mean?" He asked, his voice uncertain.
"Ouranos forbade me from attacking gods directly," Leon said, smiling coldly. "But he never said anything about Lucifer fighting."
The moment the words left his lips, the entire divine assembly tensed.
Realization dawned on the gods' faces.
They remembered.
At the last Denatus, Lucifer—the elusive god of Leon's familia, had displayed terrifying strength.
Even without invoking divine power, he had crushed Dionysus into a bruised, swollen pulp.
Leon couldn't act, but his god could. And Lucifer, much like his child, was known for holding grudges.
Apollo's face paled. His smirk died an awkward death, replaced by a nervous grimace.
"I—I'll say it again. You're not allowed to interfere in the matter between me and Hestia!!" He snapped, though his tone lacked bite.
Leon tilted his head and chuckled softly.
"Fine," he said. "I won't interfere. But in exchange, I have a condition."
Apollo's face twitched. "What condition?"
"Hestia's Familia is still small. Right now, she only has Belle and Haruhime. If a war game does happen, we both know what the result will be."
"So, I propose that Hestia's Familia be allowed to apply for external support."
He grinned. "And no, not me."
Apollo's pupils shrank.
"You think I'm stupid?! Even if you don't fight yourself, you'll just pull in someone from Loki's Familia. You and Loki are practically in-laws at this point. If you so much as ask, she'll lend you a top-tier adventurer."
"I won't allow it!!!"
Indeed, even without Leon's direct involvement, his connections were too terrifying. Loki's Familia boasted multiple first-class adventurers—just one of them could tear through the Apollo Familia like paper.
If external aid were allowed from within Orario, Apollo would stand no chance.
But Leon waved a hand calmly and said, "Relax. I'm not talking about adventurers from Orario. I mean outside support. Adventurers not affiliated with the guild—foreigners."
That caught everyone's attention.
Apollo blinked. "Foreigners…?"
Leon nodded. "You see, I have friends, very capable ones, outside Orario."
In the original timeline, Apollo had rejected such a proposal outright. Only when Freya applied pressure and Hermes suggested foreign support did Apollo reluctantly agree.