Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Page 1337

The unprecedented "War game" has been officially confirmed.

The news spread throughout Orario immediately.

Because the "Goddess of Beauty" had used a large-scale "charm" and carried out a large-scale "invasion," the residents of the labyrinth city still had a hazy memory of that period. Now, with such shocking news, the chaos among the people has reached its peak.

The two sides involved in the battle are the Freya Familia and the Faction Alliance.

Whether these unprecedented and unusual rules were a consensus reached between the governing body (guild) and the gods, or whether Freya herself proposed them, the people, completely manipulated by the situation, had no way of knowing. However, one thing was certain: everyone had a premonition that this would become the "largest war game" in Orario's history. News of this "factional war" even crossed the city walls, impacting various regions outside the city.

"What exactly happened?" people who couldn't keep up asked loudly.

This is the obvious course of action—and those whose memories have been manipulated are indignant.

People who feel the punishment is too lenient are not uncommon.

But the vast majority of people are still wondering what will happen next.

Instead of seizing this once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity, the businessmen were deeply concerned about the "balance" within the city.

Even the gods are no exception.

They shed their usual frivolous attitude, and one after another, the gods began to seriously consider their future path; in addition, gods went to great lengths to dissuade their hot-blooded followers—or adventurers who hoped to make a name for themselves in this battle—from signing up.

After all, no one wanted to forgive the Freya Familia's atrocities. Although the way of settling the matter through a war game was surprising, including the destruction of the pleasure quarters, it was a way for the people to vent their anger at the Freya Familia's rampages, which they could no longer tolerate.

That's right.

In the current situation, the Queen (Freya) is isolated and helpless.

At the very least, no one dares to openly declare that they are on her side.

Moreover, those who dare to fight against the "Army of the Goddess" are far from being foolish enough to risk their lives.

"What on earth is going on?!"

Hestia's loud voice echoed loudly.

The conference hall features a high ceiling supported by numerous towering stone pillars.

On the thirtieth floor of the "Tower of Babel," which stands tall in the center of the city, a "Conference of the Gods" is being held.

"Loki! Why aren't you joining this war game!?"

bump!

Enraged, Hestia slammed her hands on the round table in front of her with all her might.

Loki, sitting diagonally opposite her, pouted in utter helplessness.

"...There's nothing I can do about it, that's just how things are."

"What do you mean by 'that's just how things are'!"

As Hestia launched into a scathing interrogation, the meeting room erupted into commotion.

The topic of this "Gathering of Gods" is to discuss various details such as the battle methods of this "War Game". At the very least, it's to confirm the participating roster of the "Factional Alliance" led by the [Hestia Familia].

Needless to say, the Loki Familia is the top candidate to fight against the Freya Familia, yet they have now publicly announced that they will "not participate in the war."

This undoubtedly sent shockwaves through Parliament.

This caused a stir at the "Assembly of the Gods," which had an unprecedentedly high attendance rate.

"In terms of combat strength, your family is the leader responsible for ganging up on Freya! And yet you suddenly shout out this nonsense, 'We're not participating in the war!' Don't you feel ashamed at all!?"

"The one who arrogantly accepted the 'war game' back then was clearly yourself..."

"That's because I believe that someone as hot-blooded as you will be the first to join! The important thing is that I've already decided to rely on Miss Warren and the others! Otherwise, how would I dare to challenge those terrifying Freya Familia?!"

"You actually want to rely on someone you normally despise? Don't you feel ashamed...?"

Faced with the young goddess who only wanted to curry favor with him, Loki couldn't help but look dumbfounded.

However, Hestia also had her own difficulties, and this was not the time to worry about that.

She leaned forward, as if preparing to unleash a torrent of abuse on Loki, and began to speak at the top of her lungs:

"Look around! Just because you announced you wouldn't participate in the war, all the other gods who were originally willing have been scared off!"

The gods who had been observing the movements of other factions immediately distanced themselves from Hestia, both mentally and physically. Specifically, they pulled their chairs about five steps away from the round table and let out awkward laughs like "hahaha" and "hehehe".

"Since the Joker faction (Loki's Familia) isn't joining the fight, who can suppress those monsters (Otto and his gang)?"

This was the unanimous sentiment of all the gods present.

If things start to look bad, the best course of action is to protect oneself; this applies to both humans and gods in the same situation.

Loki looked around and lazily opened his mouth.

"Then I'd like to ask you something... If all of us were to participate in the battle, honestly, wouldn't it just turn into a 'battle between Loki and Freya'?"

“Hmm…!?”

"This battle is nominally a 'battle between Hestia and Freya,' do you want to be relegated to a supporting role...? Then it won't be a war fought on behalf of the main god, but a war fought on behalf of you (little dwarf)."

This war game will no longer be about the Freya Familia versus the Hestia Familia and reinforcements—

Instead, it becomes the Freya Familia VS the Loki Familia + miscellaneous characters.

Loki's unspoken meaning lies here.

In fact, Hestia agreed with this statement, which is why she was left speechless.

Freya has staked her wealth, reputation, and dignity on this battle, so doing so is shameful and utterly unethical.

Unfortunately, her opponent was too strong, making Hestia want to shout out in her heart, "I don't care about saving face right now!" and "This concerns Bell's chastity!" to refute him.

"Then, at least send a few people to participate in the battle...!"

"Actually... the guild had already forbade me from doing this."

Even though Freya initiated this "war game," continuing like this would only result in a public execution.

This move would leave a bad impression on other countries. Since it's called a "war game," it should at least maintain a minimum level of fairness—that's the guild's "argument."

"It was clearly more unfair during my match with Apollo!" Hestia protested.

"Then you can only blame yourself for being lazy and not going to recruit reinforcements." He was immediately shut down by this perfectly valid reason.

"Ugh! Ugh!" In the end, Hestia could only suffer in silence.

After all, this is an unprecedented "factional war" with many against one.

Naturally, there are no comprehensive relevant rules, so it's understandable that the situation has become like this.

"..."

Hestia's gaze drifted toward one corner of the round table.

That was the empty seat directly opposite, the seat for the Queen who would be fighting Hestia this time.

Freya did not attend this "Gathering of the Gods".

The point is to express that we "accept everything," regardless of the competition format, detailed rules, or even the most unfavorable conditions.

The goddess of beauty relinquished her privilege of residing at the very top of the Tower of Babel, remaining on her throne in the castle (headquarters) until this very moment, maintaining an eerie silence as she patiently awaited the decision of the city's higher-ups. Freya, who was willing to wager everything she had built to declare war, still retained her queenly demeanor.

"In short, the guild will not allow any unfair war to occur within Orario. It's because these troublemakers officially gave the order that we were forced to abandon our participation in the war—"

"...You make it sound so nice, but in the end, Freya probably found some leverage against you that prevented you from participating in the war, right?"

"—Uh!"

After hearing Hestia's whispered question, Loki clearly looked guilty.

Upon seeing this, Hestia immediately raised her eyebrows in anger.

"Just as I expected! I always thought it was strange; how could a warmonger like you possibly obey the guild's orders!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?! I wasn't threatened because I was heavily in debt during my time in Heaven, or because I borrowed the eagle feather robe and kept it for myself!"

Faced with Hestia and Loki suddenly rising from their seats and starting to argue, Hephaestus, Mih, Takemikazuchi, and other gods who had been silently observing all sighed deeply.

After a period of time──

Loki, feeling reprimanded, sighed and sat back down in his chair.

"...If I could, I would naturally like to join the fight. After all, that infatuated girl went too far this time, and it would be hard to swallow this insult without giving her a good punch."

"If that's the case...!"

"However, this time there is a reason that prevents me from going my own way."

Loki said firmly.

His face looked quite unpleasant, as if he felt very helpless.

Loki's resolve was unwavering. No, it was some "reason" that reversed her resolve to settle scores with Freya, and she had no intention of explaining it further.

Now that things have come to this, Hestia has no choice but to give up on the idea.

After all, being gods themselves, they understood that such a firm divine will could not possibly be reversed.

"...Alright, I won't ask you to fight anymore, but at least let Miss Warren help out, okay?"

After a moment of silence, Hestia ultimately resorted to negotiation.

Even if the clans cannot join forces, they should at least try to get some concessions from Loki.

"Well... how should I put it? In terms of combat skills, Bell and Miss Warren are quite compatible, so I hope she can provide assistance until the War Game begins."

To avoid the gods present noticing the effects of her "rare skill," Hestia made her request vaguely.

Hestia understands the root of Liaris Freese's aspirations and deeply recognizes that Bell's combat abilities improved rapidly after receiving training and sparring with Ais. For example, before the war game against the sun god (Apollo), the boy was able to grow rapidly thanks to Ais's special training, enabling him to achieve the feat of reversing the battle (killing a powerful enemy).

Loki stared intently at Hestia, who was making the request... and finally shook his head helplessly in refusal.

"no."

"Huh...!? What, why is this happening!?"

"Ais cannot act rashly at the moment."

Faced with this all-knowing statement, Hestia panicked.

Loki leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.

"Actually, she is the one who is most constrained by the 'contract' right now."

On the vast "fields" shrouded in morning mist.

There was not a ray of sunlight on a cold autumn morning, like a winter's day.

Ais met the boarman man here alone.

"The goddess asked me to deliver a message to you."

"..."