BOOM—!!!!!!!!!!
"What the—!?"
"I wasn't told there was an expert of this caliber here!!!"
The members of the Apollo Familia were thrown into a state of sheer panic by the mysterious figures asaulting them.
"To think trash like this parades around as adventurers."
CRACK—!!!!!!!
"I'll make sure to snap at least one limb on every one of you."
SNAP—!!!!!!!
Alfia disciplined the Apollo Familia members with eyes of frozen contempt, twisting their arms and legs into such grotesque angles that they couldn't even manage to stand.
Slash—!
"Is it here, Akumo!?"
"Hey, keep it down... what if someone hears you!"
"My apologies!"
Akumo monitored the battlefield from a distance, identifying enemy positions and deployments. He relayed precise tactical data and strategic maneuvers to Welf and Lilli, providing clinical support to the personnel aiding the Hestia Familia.
Clang—!!!
"Let us join the fray!!"
Whoosh—!
"Please, refrain from causing any further disturbances."
Ouka and the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia entered the fray to face the Apollo Familia, while Naaza of the Miach Familia sniped from the shadows with her bow, clearing the path for Bell and Hestia.
THWACK—!!!!!!
"You're causing a scene in broad daylight!?"
Clang—!!!!!!
"Get lost if you don't want to be cut down."
Thud-thud-thud—!!!
"The Apollo Familia... they're running wild even more than before."
Predictably, the commotion had drawn the intervention of the Astraea Familia. Alise, Kaguya, and Ryu moved in to suppress the chaos and restore order.
"Where is the Ganesha Familia?"
Wham—!!!!!!
"They've just entered the Dungeon, so Shakti and Ardee are currently unavailable!"
Crash—!!!!!
"Understood. Then I'll leave the rest to all of you!"
As Akumo sensed the tides of battle settling under their control, a certain figure caught his gaze.
"Lilli...? That person in front of her..."
'The Soma Familia has intervened?'
Akumo moved cautiously toward Lilli, narrowing his eyes to analyze the situation.
The light had vanished from her eyes. With a mask of absolute indifference, she spoke coldly to Welf, who stood below her.
"Master Welf, Lilli is returning to the Soma Familia. Please tell Master Bell that I will no longer be a burden to him."
"What are you talking about, Lilli-kins!!!!"
Step, step—
"Hey!! Lilli-kins!!!"
Welf called out in desperation as Lilli turned her back with freezing apathy. She followed the man before her—Zanis, the captain of the Soma Familia—and was led away.
Step, step—
".....!!"
Flinch—!
'Master... Akumo...?'
"What are you looking at, Arde? Shut up and get back to the Familia."
"....Yes, Lord Zanis."
Lilli whipped her head around, sensing someone in the periphery of her vision, but there was no one there. Forced by Zanis's prompting, she could only follow him in silence.
"....."
'I'll have to pay them a visit soon...'
**
The skirmish that began in the morning finally ended with the Apollo Familia's retreat.
However, knowing they would continue to be targeted, Hestia was forced to make a decision. Ultimately, she challenged Apollo directly to a [War Game].
"No."
"....."
"Technically, I am a member of the Loki Familia."
"But...!"
"If I provide reckless assistance, it will create an opening for others to find fault. If my relationship with you is exposed, Familias far more dangerous than Apollo will start hunting you."
"I'm not asking you to participate!"
"I know. You came to find me for training."
Akumo met Bell in an alleyway beside Twilight Manor, the stronghold of the Loki Familia. Behind him, Ais and Tiona stood ready to meet the boy.
"Akumo, surely training Argonaut-kun is perfectly fine, isn't it?"
"Yes, I think that much should be alright, Akumo."
The girls tried to sway Akumo from his stern stance. It seemed they had already come out with the intention of helping Bell train.
"Those wounds... did you get them fighting that man?"
'One on the arm, one shallow one on the abdomen.'
"Didn't I teach you how to deal with a longsword?"
".....That was—"
"Follow me. Let me see your form."
Akumo led Bell toward a street on the outskirts of the city. Bell followed silently in his wake, accompanied by Ais and Tiona.
Slide—
"Come at me with everything you have. Only then will this training be of any use."
"Right...!"
Whoosh—!!
Bell utilized his signature speed, swinging his dagger at a velocity that defied his Level 2 status.
Clang—!!
"Hyaaah!!!"
Clash—!!
Chime—!!!
'As I thought...'
Akumo evaded every strike and analyzed Bell's movements, reaching a clinical conclusion.
THWACK—!!!!!
"Gah—!?"
"You aren't fighting a human being at all."
WHAM—!!!!
"Well, it's understandable. At your age, you internalize change quickly."
'His rapid growth and the manifestation of his skill have likely resulted in him fighting nothing but monsters.'
Exploiting an opening, Akumo struck Bell's dagger hand and followed through with a kick to the midsection, sending the boy rolling across the ground.
"Now I'll be the one attacking. Try to receive it."
"Huff... Huff... Yes!"
Whish—!
"!?"
CLANG—!!!!
Clash—!!!
Whoosh—!!!
Against the approaching strikes, Bell gripped the [Hestia Knife] and [Ushiwakamaru] tightly, parrying the blows one by one while searching for an opening in Akumo's defense.
He ducked beneath a strike aimed at his throat, and simultaneously blocked an overhead attack with his daggers, sliding them along the blade to create a gap.
"Your dagger technique is decent enough."
'His ability to parry, deflect, and counter has certainly grown.'
Snap—!
"However."
Grab—!
"If you're caught like thi—"
THUD—!!!
'He managed a rising kick in that interval?'
Akumo had plunged his sword into the ground and surged forward to seize Bell's hands as he lunged, sealing his movement. But Bell successfully broke free by driving his foot into Akumo's jaw.
Akumo took no damage, but he was surprised by the boy's newfound proficiency. Looking into Bell's eyes, he saw a burning resolve—a determination to win no matter what.
"Well done. At this rate, you can win against that man."
"R-Really!?"
"Yes. But it would be best for you to continue training with Ais. Adapting to her [Flash] will be the strength you need."
"!!!"
At Akumo's words, Bell's expression brightened visibly. He was overjoyed by the fact that he had earned Akumo's recognition and that he might actually defeat Hyakinthos.
"But do not let your guard down. A War Game is not a simple duel; it maintains the framework of actual warfare."
"I understand!"
"Since we don't know the opponent's magic, be absolutely vigilant the moment he starts a chant, got it?"
"Yes!"
'And there's that naive look again... as if the expression he wore while fighting never happened.'
Akumo mirrored Bell's smile and left the boy in the hands of Ais and Tiona.
"Wow! Argonaut-kun, what was that just now? You fought so well against Akumo!"
"Yes, it was impressive. If your levels were equal, it would have been a fine match."
"No, not at all...! Akumo-san is incredibly strong; he was clearly going easy on me..."
"Akumo is one of the strongest in Orario. To even withstand his attacks is a performance an ordinary Level 2 adventurer couldn't hope to achieve."
"That's right, that's right! Have some confidence, Argonaut-kun!"
".....Yes!"
**
Meanwhile, after departing, Akumo headed toward the Miach Familia, where Hestia and the others were gathered.
Creak—!
"You're all here?"
"Akumo-kun!"
"""""Akumo-san!"""""
'Has Alfia already gone ahead?'
Hestia, Welf, Ouka, Mikoto, Chigusa, and Naaza were all present in the room to greet him.
"So, what's the plan?"
"First, we rescue the Supporter!"
"Hmm....."
'Rescuing Lilli, bolstering the Familia's forces, and crafting a strategy... we're short on time.'
"I will go for Lilli."
"You will, Akumo-kun?"
Hestia wondered why Akumo would head to the Soma Familia personally, but Akumo simply offered a smile.
"Naaza, prepare a generous supply of potions."
"Understood!"
"Mikoto, I'll leave the rest of you to ensure nothing happens to Hestia and Bell in the meantime."
"Understood!"
Observing how everyone present was willing to risk themselves to help Hestia and Bell prepare for the War Game, Hestia couldn't help but smile at their kindness.
"Everyone.... thank you so much!"
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