The eager Apollo, unable to wait, set the time for the War Game to a sunny morning.
As for the reports from his Familia members that Cassandra and Daphne were missing, Apollo didn't pay any attention. He could feel their Falna was intact, and he could always find them later; they wouldn't escape!
The Gods used God Mirror Magic, and water-mirror-like images appeared in every corner of Orario, broadcasting the event in real-time.
Only in this moment could people truly feel the immense power of the Gods—that they were an entirely different species, immortal and possessing supreme power!
Almost everyone in Orario stopped what they were doing, looking up at the images in the God Mirror. They were all curious about the outcome of the War Game.
The venue for the War Game was the Colosseum, the same place where the Ganesha Familia held the Monsterphilia.
Since it was a single combat tournament, there was no need for special arena preparation, which relieved the Guild staffers.
Although the Gods provided the God Mirror broadcast, more people preferred to go and watch live. The Colosseum was right there, not far outside the city.
Orario was a ghost town. The Colosseum, which could hold fifty to sixty thousand people, was fully packed. Countless more people outside stared intently at the image in the God Mirror.
The front-row seats were, naturally, reserved for the Gods.
"Damn it, why didn't I think of initiating a War Game to steal little brother Roy!"
"Apollo got a head start!"
"Stop bragging. Astrea's little Rion is not easy to deal with. I have a bad feeling Apollo is up to something—but he shouldn't be that clever!"
"How could he possibly have that kind of brain?"
…
The Gods chattered and complained incessantly.
The rest of the Loki Familia watched via the God Mirror in the Twilight Manor, but Loki herself brought Ais to the venue, which drew considerable attention.
The Sword Princess, Ais Wallenstein, was the world record holder for the fastest LV.2 level-up before Roy appeared.
"Ais-tan, it's so scary. You must protect me," Loki said, feigning the look of a frail woman.
"Don't touch me, or I'll hit you!"
The stunningly beautiful girl, though young, had learned to skillfully fend off her Head God's predatory moves under the guidance of others, pinching Loki's 'dirty' hand.
The Goddess, with her divine power sealed, cried out in pain, her face a mix of tears and laughter. "So scary!"
The crowd looked on with a mixture of envy at the strange yet intimate relationship between the Head God and her Captain.
On the upper floors of the Babel Tower.
Freya did not appear at the venue. Her Charm ability was too terrifying. Even when she didn't actively release it, it would unintentionally affect people.
Therefore, not appearing in public unless for special occasions was an unwritten rule among the Gods.
Freya sat in a luxurious chair, watching the mortal world like the supreme queen of the Celestial Realm. "Apollo, you always cause me trouble."
"Forget it. Since you didn't lay a hand on her, I'll let you off this time."
"Good morning, everyone! I am Iburi Azar, a member of the Ganesha Familia, and I am in charge of live broadcasting this War Game! My title is 'Flame Explosion Flame.' Please treat me well!"
A brown-skinned youth with goggles appeared in the God Mirror, holding a Magic Stone microphone.
"The commentator is our Head God—Lord Ganesha! Lord Ganesha, please give us a word!"
"—I AM GANESHA!!"
"Excellent! Thank you, Lord Ganesha!"
The comedic performance by the master and servant, Iburi and Ganesha, made everyone in Orario roar with laughter.
"Everyone! The War Game between the Astrea Familia and the Apollo Familia is a Tournament Battle! Both sides will field three adventurers, best two out of three!"
"Lord Apollo's condition is to acquire the Astrea Familia's 'Justice Bud'! If he loses, he will be subject to the disposition of Goddess Astrea!"
"Without further ado, let the games begin! Please field your adventurers for the first match!" Iburi shouted.
"Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!"
Led by Iburi, the atmosphere was passionate. Earth-shaking cheers erupted in the Colosseum.
But as time passed, everyone felt something was odd: neither Familia sent out a participant.
The atmosphere grew strange.
This was natural. To play Tian Ji's Horse Racing, you must be the second mover. Otherwise, you'd be the one being played.
Apollo looked anxious. Why hasn't the Astrea Familia sent anyone out? The Gale, Roy, or even that nobody—I don't care who!
Watching Apollo grow more and more agitated, Goddess Astrea remained unmoved, keeping her elegant and noble smile, giving off a subtle sense of hidden malice.
It seemed the two sides would remain in this deadlock.
At the crucial moment, Roy spoke up. He had no patience for stalling. "Ms. Ryuu, go!"
Ryuu's sky-blue eyes glanced at Roy. Upon returning to the Star Garden yesterday, although Roy didn't say anything, she felt his mood was not good.
"I understand."
Ryuu stepped into the arena with her wooden sword.
A burst of warm cheers erupted in the Colosseum. To see the "Gale" in the first match—it was worth the trip!
Iburi also shouted, "Apollo Familia, please send out your representative!"
Seeing the Astrea side field their superior horse, Apollo breathed a sigh of relief. His gaze swept across his Familia members, finally settling on a certain elven youth.
The Familia members' gazes followed Apollo, focusing on the blonde elven youth.
The youth noticed the attention, looking around blankly. Why are they looking at me?
Am I the inferior horse?!
He was LV.2, even if he had just leveled up.
Hyakinthos said coldly, "Go! Do not disgrace Lord Apollo!"
The blonde elven youth looked horrified. Are they telling me to lose, but to lose gracefully?
Everyone knew this match was a guaranteed loss. Faced with the coercion of his God and his Captain, the blonde elven youth reluctantly walked onto the arena.
The blonde youth stared at Ryuu, who was also an Elf, and gritted his teeth. "Gale, I know you are an LV.4 adventurer, but it won't be easy to defeat me!"
Ryuu said flatly, "Are you done talking?"
"Not yet…"
The blonde elven youth was about to answer when his voice abruptly cut off. A golden blur flashed past him.
"But I'm done listening!"
Ryuu instantly appeared before the blonde elven youth. She didn't hold back just because he was of the same race. Her wooden sword swung out, hitting his flank, sending him flying.
A dull thud echoed from the heavy impact.
Thud!
The blonde youth's body flew thirty or forty meters, hit the ground, and rolled several times, ending up sprawled out like a starfish, completely paralyzed.
"That… that's an LV.4 adventurer!"
The blonde elven youth's eyes were blank. The gap was too vast. He was defeated in one move!
A burst of cheers immediately erupted in the Colosseum.
Roy's icy gaze fixed directly on Hyakinthos in the Apollo Familia waiting area. "Come up, Hyakinthos!"