"A War Game!"
Hearing Astrea agree to the War Game, heads popped out from around the corners, from behind fountains, and from street trees—it was the Gods, who had been spying.
Like keen-scented hounds, they were sure to show up wherever the fun was.
The Gods screamed with excitement.
Unlike the previous War Game with the Rudra Familia, this one would definitely take place on the surface. It was time to see what these adventurers were made of!
The Gods eagerly rushed to the Babel Tower to gather. Holding the Gods' Assembly two days in a row was extremely rare, even for this group of busybodies.
Babel Tower, Thirtieth Floor.
In a very short time, more Gods showed up to join the fun than the day before. Even Hermes was present.
"Yo, Hermes, you're back?"
"Where did you run off to this time?"
Hermes had excellent relationships among the Gods and could chat with almost anyone.
"So, what are the rules of the War Game?"
"I don't know. That's up to them."
Hermes and the other Gods' attention was focused on the two protagonists: Astrea and Apollo.
Apollo said smugly, "Considering the Astrea Familia is short on members, how about a three-on-three single combat elimination match?"
"Huh?"
At this, the Gods looked astonished. Did this Apollo guy actually show great kindness and consider the other side? Was tomorrow Ragnarok?
The Gale of the Astrea Familia was LV.4. The Apollo Familia had no one who could match her!
Only Hermes understood the key manipulation. The War Game required Astrea's agreement, so the rules had to give Astrea the appearance of a chance to win, at least on the surface.
Was that his doing? The Trojan Horse…
The image of a certain young man flashed through Hermes' mind. A single spy could often achieve more than ten thousand troops. The God, who could discern lies, had been completely unaware. The young man's methods were truly frightening.
"Fine, I agree!"
Goddess Astrea's face remained impassive.
That child is incredibly bold, daring to manipulate even a God. Using himself as bait to draw Apollo's attention, and then using Daphne to deliver this 'Tian Ji's Horse Racing' plan right into Apollo's hands…
Since the two Gods had confirmed the rules, the others naturally had no objection. No matter the game, as long as it entertained them.
The rules of the War Game were:
A three-round, best-of-three single combat tournament!
The Star Garden.
To prevent Apollo from taking drastic action, Ryuu was guarding Goddess Astrea. Roy was in the courtyard maintaining his Muramasa, treating it no differently than sharpening a kitchen knife.
A low-grade weapon—it wasn't delicate.
[Fine Iron Longsword: Durability 65%!]
Roy spent an entire afternoon on it. The Muramasa's durability improved, but to restore its sharpness completely, he would need a professional blacksmith.
The images of sparring with Ryuu replayed in his mind, helping him refine his combat skills against people.
The most crucial factor in this War Game was whether he could defeat the LV.3 Hyakinthos.
It would be embarrassing to lose this unexpected challenge.
"Um…"
As twilight approached, a timid voice came from the gate. Roy turned to look.
A blue-haired girl stood outside the fence—Cassandra. Her long hair covered half her face, and she was slightly hunched over, looking somewhat stooped.
Seeing Roy's gaze fall upon her, the timid blue-haired girl's legs trembled.
But she didn't run away.
Roy walked over. "What's wrong?"
Cassandra's tears fell like small pearls. "Please, save Daphne."
"We can talk while we walk!" Roy frowned, pulling Cassandra away from the Star Garden.
With everyone's attention focused on the Gods' Assembly at the Babel Tower, the security at the Apollo Familia manor had somewhat decreased. Sneaking in wasn't difficult.
Cassandra pointed to a room behind an iron fence. "Daphne is in that warehouse."
Cassandra possessed a prophetic ability called "Dream Vision." She was forced to join the Familia because of this Skill and had only joined a few days before Daphne. She was LV.1, with very low Ability Scores.
"Quiet!"
Roy picked up Cassandra, flexed his legs, and easily leaped over the three-meter-high iron fence.
Having close contact with a male for the first time, Cassandra felt the masculine scent rush over her. Her face turned as red as an apple, and she nearly screamed.
Placing Cassandra on the ground, Roy strode into the warehouse. The reddish-brown short-haired girl lay on a pile of weeds, eyes tightly shut, her breathing weak, covered in bruises and purplish swelling.
Cassandra broke down, weeping softly.
Roy's face was grim. On the way here, he had already learned from Cassandra what happened.
Daphne's advice to Apollo had made Hyakinthos suspicious, and he had severely beaten her.
Roy knelt down and checked Daphne's injuries. His brows furrowed tighter. A brutal beating. The surface bruises were secondary; all her limbs were broken, and her internal organs had also been struck.
He had underestimated Hyakinthos' jealousy.
Hyakinthos' actions were motivated not just by loyalty to Apollo, but by jealousy.
Hyakinthos had suffered from a strange illness in his childhood that twisted his face, causing others to shun him. After being healed by Apollo, his looks were restored, and he became Apollo's most loyal fanatic.
His gratitude had turned into extreme obsession, leading to intense jealousy toward anyone Apollo favored.
Roy's expression was grim. He pulled out a bottle of All-Purpose Elixir, valued at 500,000 Valis each. He uncorked it and poured it into Daphne's mouth without hesitation.
As the potion slid down her throat, a soft green light soon emanated from Daphne's body, and her ragged breathing stabilized significantly.
"You… must win…"
Daphne slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Roy, her vacant, tired eyes caused her dry lips to whisper a sound as faint as a mosquito's buzz. She quickly lost consciousness again.
Roy carried the severely injured Daphne and Cassandra out of the Apollo Familia compound, settling them in an inn where they would be hard to find in the short term.
As for the long term, there was no need…
"Don't worry. It will be over tomorrow!"
Roy briefly treated Daphne's fractures to prevent her bones from moving and misaligning. He then left a bottle of All-Purpose Elixir and 100,000 Valis.
Two bottles of the Elixir would be enough to save her life.
Cassandra stood by the window, watching Roy's retreating figure. Recalling the contents of her "Dream Vision,"Hyakinthos had angered a lion.
The moment Roy stepped out of the inn, his calm eyes turned icy, a blazing fire seemingly burning in their depths. Daphne had done his bidding, only to be savagely beaten by Hyakinthos.
The nature of this War Game had changed.