The Gods' Assembly had ended. The Gods returned to their homes, some dejected, some joyful—a mixed bag of emotions. But this was the life in the Lower World they wanted to experience.
When Daphne returned to the luxurious Apollo Familia manor, she saw the expected scene.
Their Head God was raving in the hall, cursing the other Gods with various vulgarities.
He was an orange-haired man, half-draped in a red cloak, wearing a wreath woven from green leaves on his head.
"Damn those despicable things!"
"They actually mocked the title I chose, 'Sun's Consort.' What's so strange about it? It's the most suitable title for that child! Only by bathing in the Sun's radiance can that child grow properly!"
…
Lord Apollo's face was flushed red, like a girl deeply in love, completely lost in his own world.
Daphne lowered her head. Lord Apollo wasn't just interested in Roy; he was utterly obsessed.
The Apollo Familia was predominantly male because of Lord Apollo's sexual orientation…
It made sense. The boy was full of wisdom and courage, setting an unprecedented level-up record—one that was definitely unmatched by any predecessor!
The Gods were all watching the boy fiercely.
If Goddess Astrea were to kick Roy out, every single God in Orario would rush to offer him a place immediately.
"Go and steal that child immediately! I must have him, no matter the cost!" Lord Apollo's eyes were bloodshot, radiating intense desire.
Facing their capricious God, the surrounding Apollo Familia members looked stiff. It wasn't that they didn't want to follow orders, but they simply lacked the capability!
Even Hyakinthos, the Captain who respected Apollo the most, was silent.
"What are you all doing? Hurry up!" Apollo scolded. The unattainable is always desired. He couldn't live a moment longer without Roy.
The Apollo Familia members looked pale.
In any Familia, the Head God possessed supreme authority and decided all major and minor affairs.
This was because the Head God could freely strip the Falna from a member. Once done, that person would instantly become a useless nobody, falling from the clouds to the bottom.
The only exception was Roy.
Just then, Daphne stepped forward, catching everyone's attention. "Lord Apollo, please hear me out."
"Daphne…"
The Apollo Familia members hadn't expected the newly joined Daphne to speak up. Was she trying to stop this?
Daphne said, "The Gale has LV.4 strength, and Roy is LV.2. Even if we all attack at once, defeating them won't be easy. Furthermore, the Astrea Familia has ties with many Familia. If we attack them, other Familia won't stand by."
These words voiced everyone's shared concern.
The people in the hall nodded secretly.
Especially the Ganesha Familia.
That Familia usually maintained order and seemed like mere background players, but if truly provoked, they could send out a single small party capable of annihilating the Apollo Familia. The old method of forcible recruitment wouldn't work.
"I don't care. I must have that child!" Apollo was like an oversized infant, petulantly demanding a toy from his parents.
A hint of coldness flashed in the depths of Daphne's eyes. "Lord Apollo, I have an idea."
"Speak quickly!"
Apollo's eyes lit up. He clearly saw Daphne as his external brain now.
Daphne's crisp voice rang out, "Propose a War Game under specific rules, confined only to the battle between our Familia and the Astrea Familia!"
The entire hall fell into a dead silence. Everyone looked at Daphne in disbelief.
Only Apollo's face erupted in joy. With a War Game, he wouldn't have to worry about other Familia intervening.
"Wait!"
Hyakinthos finally spoke up, his tone serious. "The Astrea Familia won't easily agree. They only have two people."
He was right. The Astrea Familia couldn't possibly agree to a War Game with such a huge disparity in numbers.
There must have been foul play in their battle with the Rudra Familia. Everyone knew Roy and Ryuu couldn't defeat a hundred adventurers head-on alone.
And the Apollo Familia's strength was equal to, if not greater than, the Rudra Familia, because they understood teamwork!
Hearing this, Apollo ignored Hyakinthos, looking only at Daphne with expectant eyes.
Daphne did not disappoint Apollo. "I heard the Astrea Familia owes the Guild 60 million Valis. Lord Apollo can use this financial angle to convince them to accept the War Game."
The Astrea Familia had just lost a large number of members and incurred a massive debt. They could be lured with vast profits! Apollo grew more excited the more he thought about it.
"But how do we ensure we win?"
A blonde elven youth asked. Since the Astrea Familia had to willingly participate, the rules of the War Game needed to give them a believable chance of winning.
A hundred people surrounding two was impossible.
Daphne replied, "We can use a Tournament Battle, three versus three, each side fielding three adventurers!"
"Wouldn't that be giving it away?"
Everyone looked unhappy. They had the LV.4 Gale on the opposite side. How could they possibly win?
"Lord Apollo, I once heard a story about a horse race where two merchants raced three horses: a superior horse, a medium horse, and an inferior horse…"
As Daphne narrated, everyone gradually understood: each person could only participate once. Use an inferior horse to eliminate Ryuu, the superior horse. Use Hyakinthos, the superior horse, to defeat Roy, the medium horse.
Since the Astrea Familia lacked members, they could be allowed to find an outsider, but the outsider's level must match the person they fielded. They would field a veteran LV.2 adventurer (medium horse) to defeat the outsider (inferior horse)!
The result would be a perfect victory!
When she finished speaking, the hall was silent.
The Apollo Familia members looked at Daphne in astonishment. This girl was so intelligent and far-sighted. The plan was interlocking, subtly leading the Astrea Familia into their trap.
"Daphne, you are my lucky star!" Apollo did not spare his words of praise.
Standing in the corner, Cassandra looked at Daphne, who was now being celebrated by everyone, a flash of sadness in her eyes. "It is too late to stop it. The thunder of justice is about to descend. The sun's radiance is dimming…"
Apollo decided to initiate the War Game, and the entire Familia became busy.
"What exactly are you planning?"
Hyakinthos approached Daphne, his eyes cold. Daphne's words sounded like she was entirely devoted to Lord Apollo, yet he still sensed something amiss.
Daphne looked innocent. "Lord Apollo wants that boy. I'm just helping him figure out how."
Hyakinthos said coldly, "Do you dare prove your loyalty to Lord Apollo?"
"What loyalty could a person who was forced to join and has only been here a week possibly have?" Daphne mocked. She still remembered the image of her own capture.
Hyakinthos' face darkened.