Receiving Apollo's banquet invitation—especially under such a high-sounding excuse—Hestia's expression turned especially grave.
In the divine realm, Apollo had once openly pursued her. She rejected him outright, and their relationship as gods was anything but friendly.
After descending to Orario, in the past half-year, she had never once interacted with Apollo again. The only exception was during Liang Yue's Familia expedition, when Apollo personally came to visit, proposing a resource exchange in return for Liang Yue's transfer.
But knowing Apollo Familia's style, and holding deep affection for her very first follower—someone so mature and reliable—Hestia rejected his request without hesitation.
For nearly five quiet days, she never imagined that Apollo would resort to such a pretext to invite them now.
"Nothing good will come of this."
That was the thought weighing deepest in her heart. Watching Apollo Familia's captain and members depart, she clenched her fists. They hadn't even given her the chance to refuse.
Not wanting to burden Liang Yue with this pressure, she resolved to simply decline attendance. Whether she maintained divine courtesy or not, to her, Liang Yue was far more important.
Once the footsteps faded away, she forced a bright smile, and with a lighthearted tone explained:
"Liang Yue-kun, I'm not very familiar with Apollo. This banquet… it's one we absolutely must attend."
After all their days of dungeon excursions, playing cat-and-mouse with Apollo Familia, Apollo's patience had finally run dry. He was preparing to trigger Liang Yue's plan—the War Game.
So Liang Yue had no reason to skip it. Turning to face Hestia, whose smile froze as she struggled to find an explanation, Liang Yue gently took her hand.
"Since they've gone so far as to invite us, they must have prepared something special for the banquet. We can't just let their efforts go to waste, can we?"
Of course, that included his own efforts—giving up rest after the expedition to toy with Apollo Familia's pursuit squads. Now it was time to see what rewards awaited.
Though she didn't fully understand why Liang Yue took the banquet so seriously, Hestia—whether as goddess or otherwise—held unconditional trust in him.
The banquet was set for tomorrow night. The invitation had been delivered so brazenly that she could imagine the scene already: many gods with nothing better to do would certainly attend.
Having decided to go, Hestia tiptoed, scrutinizing the handsome young man before her. Resting her delicate hand under her chin, she muttered:
Since this was a banquet of gods and their closest Familia, he couldn't very well appear in dungeon gear. Clothing preparations were necessary!
"After dinner, I'll take you to a tailor to have a suit made, Liang Yue-kun." (The DanMachi world does indeed have formal suits.)
And she herself needed a gown as well.
Liang Yue accepted her kindness without objection—especially since he had other matters to handle—and smiled:
"Then I'll be in your care, Lady Hestia."
"This is only natural."
To attend a gods' banquet with Liang Yue was, in its own way, a declaration of their relationship. Even setting aside Apollo Familia's lurking threat, Hestia found herself quietly looking forward to it.
Still, before leaving, she reminded him seriously:
"Liang Yue, you must be mentally prepared. This will be the moment when all the gods of Orario truly come to know you."
"Of course. But first, Lady Hestia, I'll need an update of my status, to reflect the gains from these past days of training."
The War Game was about to begin. There was no longer any point in entering the dungeon for small gains—only patience and preparation remained.
"Alright. Since the Familia expedition ended several days ago, it's indeed time to update your Falna."
Before the expedition, he had only just become a Lv.2 adventurer. Afterward, his status had already reached a whole new level. With the great feat of slaying Goliath, it might even be enough to propel him toward Lv.3.
Hestia eagerly prepared the ritual, hands rubbing together in anticipation.
—
As her divine blood fell upon Liang Yue's back, muscles taut and perfectly balanced without a trace of excess, his Falna glowed softly. The updated values overwrote the old.
Hestia pressed the parchment to his back, lifting it after the imprint was recorded.
Liang Yue
Lv.2
Strength: B703 → A860
Endurance: C681 → A801
Dexterity: B755 → A880
Agility: B738 → A844
Magic: C601 → B745
Development Ability: Sword Soul
Magic: War Zeal
Skills: Power of the Sword Soul, Killing Intent Perception
"...Even without deep dungeon exploration, you still gained over 200 points a day. At this rate, you'll reach the theoretical maximum of Lv.2 in no time!"
Hestia's heart was shaken. Not only had his stats leapt forward, but he had also gained a new skill—Killing Intent Perception, sensing danger directed at him.
She set the parchment down and sat on the bed's edge, legs dangling, voice filled with awe:
"What an absurd talent… Liang Yue-kun."
Liang Yue himself wasn't surprised. His rate of growth had slowed somewhat, especially without Mikoto's "Futsu no Mitama," but the new skill intrigued him.
Killing Intent Perception—born from days of being hunted. A simple yet powerful sense, reacting to hostile intent no matter how well hidden. Something like "mind's eye."
He didn't voice this thought. Watching Hestia depart to arrange banquet clothes, his calm face belied the growing anticipation inside.
This banquet of gods would also be the stage where the War Game was decided.
—
Later that evening, as Liang Yue was finishing dinner from The Hostess of Fertility and preparing for rest, a cloaked figure knocked softly.
It was Liliruca, carrying his repaired weapon. Her gray-brown cloak concealed her face, but the bruise at her lip was still faintly visible.
Avoiding his eyes, she placed the weapon on the table.
"Liang Yue, your blade is fixed. Another one's still at the Hephaestus shop—you'll need to pick it up yourself."
"Thanks for the trouble."
"We're companions. This is nothing."
She didn't mention being cornered earlier by Apollo Familia adventurers, nor that she'd only escaped thanks to Shakti of Ganesha Familia.
Hesitating, she finally asked, "We are… companions, right?"
"Of course."
"Then, as your companion, can you tell me your plan?"
Though he wore his usual relaxed smile, she pouted, almost sulking.
"If you're planning something reckless, the trouble will drag me in too! I'm already working for free, how much more do you expect?"
"The answer… I told you from the start," Liang Yue said evenly. "Earning enough in the dungeon to buy a new base for our Familia is nearly impossible."
"So…"
Liliruca had a bad feeling.
"In my homeland, there's a saying: whoever has money, we take money from them. Apollo Familia's methods of recruiting are clear—they lure adventurers with promises, and if rejected, they begin the hunt."
"I've already felt that firsthand," she murmured bitterly.
Her gaze fell on the ornate Apollo Familia crest stamped on the invitation. It celebrated Liang Yue's rapid rise to Lv.2, inviting all the gods to attend.
Her eyes widened as realization struck. Breath catching, she looked at Liang Yue, who remained calm, even amused.
"You mean…"
The short blade resonated with a soft hum, his sword-qi vibrating in answer to his will.
Smiling lightly, Liang Yue explained:
"It's simple. At the banquet, before the gathered gods, Apollo will challenge Hestia to a War Game. A weak Familia, forced into resistance after endless pursuit—it's the perfect excuse."
Every word landed heavily in Liliruca's heart. She had imagined many outcomes, but never this—that Liang Yue was deliberately baiting Apollo, steering him toward the War Game.
"The victor of a War Game takes everything of the loser's Familia…" she whispered. "So that's your solution for the base problem?"
He gave no answer, but his smile was answer enough.
Liliruca's mind reeled. Such a gamble could only be made by someone absolutely confident in their strength. Had Liang Yue already ascended to Lv.3 after Goliath?
She shook her head, conflicted. "You haven't changed at all…"
Then, sharply:
"And if the strength difference is too great? Apollo could cancel the War Game altogether."
"Before he can call it off," Liang Yue's voice dropped, cold as steel, "I'll annihilate his Familia."
"...???"
—
The next evening, Hestia and Liang Yue were dressed for the occasion.
Liang Yue wore a sleek black suit, cape covering his white demonic arm. Hestia donned a pure white gown, elegant yet dignified, the sash accentuating her perfect curves.
Rising on tiptoe, she adjusted his collar with a satisfied smile.
"Let's go, Liang Yue-kun!"
---
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