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

Upon receiving confirmation of her commander, Hephaestus first looked around before answering expressionlessly.

The sounds of forging filled the air, and the furnace, operating at full power, emitted a heat that could kill. One of the team members nervously handed over the forged "demon sword," but the forging god examined the blade and then coldly declared, "No good, take it and reforge it."

Faced with the unusually serious attitude of the main god—and the fact that even the blacksmiths, with their craftsman-like personalities, were unsettled in the process of forging excellent equipment to withstand the great war (war game), Tsubaki revealed an expression that showed her trying to force a smile but failing to do so.

"To wage war against the Freya Familia? I wonder if the weapons I've crafted will be enough to deal with them... It's making me quite curious... My body is starting to tremble."

This trembling was not caused by boiling blood.

In the eyes of the Lv.5 Master Smith, the fierce warriors of the Freya Familia were not "masters of weapon wielding," but rather "berserkers obsessed with battle." Even if the weapons she forged were as sharp as mud and indestructible, she could not guarantee how well they could withstand their attacks.

"Well... all we can do for now is try our best, otherwise Junior Brother (Little Brother Weir) will be crushed by the opponent."

Chun paused her work for a moment, as if trying to shake off the distracting thoughts occupying her mind, and swung her hammer at the freshly heated refined metal (ingot).

【Hephaestus Familia】-Join the battle.

"Why!? Boss! Why aren't we participating in the war game!?"

This is the headquarters of the Ganesha Familia.

The entrance is bizarrely placed in the middle of the two hind legs of the giant elephant statue, with the inscription "I am Ganesha" inside. Inside, you can see the Amazon's deputy commander, Ilta Fina, loudly questioning.

"Because our Lord is the Lord of the masses (Ganesha), we are also called 'the gendarmes of the city'."

Because Ilta was making a ruckus just like his kin from the Clown faction (somewhere), Captain Shakti sighed repeatedly.

"As military police, we should take this opportunity to dismantle Freya's group and punish them for their past atrocities! Don't they realize how much harm they've caused Orario?"

Even so, the guild doesn't want us to do this.

"What is this?! Does having the biggest fist mean you can do whatever you want?! This city (Orario), once hailed as the center of the world, has been reduced to a barbarian (Amazonian) tribe I once knew!"

Seeing Shakti prioritize his own position, Ilta was even more furious.

Although Ilta is now on the side of maintaining order, she was a major villain among the outlaws when she first arrived in Orario. As a female warrior (Amazon), she upheld strength as the standard for good and evil, committing atrocities with utter impunity.

However, one day, she was "punished" by Shakti and her sister.

Their sheer power to overcome her own weaknesses—and their selfless spirit in protecting the weak—deeply impacted and moved Ilta, making her no longer feel like a female warrior (Amazon). She then joined the Ganesha Familia, and thus, the rare Amazonian military police were born.

Because of this past, she finds it even more unbearable that the guild has such rigid intentions, and that the leader (Shakti) and others choose to stand by and watch.

"...Are you aware that the scale of this war game, including the number of participants, is unprecedented and unparalleled?"

"Of course I know! But so what!?"

"Although the competition format has not yet been finalized, the 'battlefield' will most likely be the vast land outside the city. At that time, there will be no one else but us who can monitor and control the 'battlefield'."

As the leader of the "Family" with the largest number of members in the city, Shakti explained her "reason".

"If we participate in the war game and fail to monitor the surrounding area as bystanders... it's hard to guarantee that other countries or cities won't take advantage of the situation."

"!!"

"There are countless organizations that intend to weaken Orario in order to balance the various forces, as well as those evil gods who are 'like dark factions.' Once the weakened Freya Familia and faction alliances are targeted... it will inevitably lead to a significant reduction in the city's combat strength."

Shakti addressed the "political" aspect.

This is a perspective that Ilta has never had before.

Furthermore, Shakti is aware of the three adventurers' requests—that they are part of the labyrinthine city that holds the fate of the world in their hands.

In contrast, Ilta, whose focus was limited to what was in front of him, did not have these concerns.

Regardless of his inner feelings, Shakti, as the head of the military police, had long been prepared to consider the bigger picture.

"Furthermore, we are the only ones who hold the power of 'judgment.' If we want to maintain the fairness of the competition, we must be the ones to restrain the Freya Familia."

"Yes, that's right...! But...!"

Including battlefield preparations, monster extermination, and area control, the Ganesha Familia had to operate behind the scenes to facilitate this "factional war." After Shakti's guidance, when Ilta was no longer as agitated as before, but still unable to accept it calmly—

"Calm down, Miss Ilta!! If we're not in charge of managing this war game, who else can take charge?! The only one who can burn people's eardrums is me! The talking fire magic [Fire Inferno Flame]!! And that's my duty, Ibri Achar!!"

"Shut up! Ibri!! You idiot, are you trying to destroy my eardrums!?"

"Please, please calm down! Miss Ilta! And Ibri, stop pretending to be so righteous! It's annoying!"

"I've remained calm throughout, Munchada!"

"What a pity! Just a little bit short! My name is Mondaka!"

"What!? Are you trying to mess with me!?"

"Then I'll make a serious request! Please remember my name! Besides, we've actually been friends for a long time, you know!?"

"Shut up! This is all your fault for having such an easily mispronounced name! Hey! Ganesha! Stop playing dead! Give us your opinion as the chief god!"

"I am Ganesha!!"

"You bunch of bastards!!"

The interruptions from other members, coupled with the advice provided by the main god, completely ignited Ilta's fury.

Faced with the anger and shouts of the assembled crowd, Shakti, the only one who maintained a serious attitude, could only let out a long sigh of helplessness.

【Ganesha's Kinship】—Does not participate in the war.

"Are you... are you serious!? Modo!!"

In response to the exclamations of two humans belonging to the same faction—Kyle and Scott—Modo Latrode roared back.

"That's right! We must stand with the Hestia Familia!"

This is a bar in the city.

Amidst the uncertainty surrounding this war game among many of its peers, and the inexplicable intelligence war and treachery that has erupted within the city, Modo clearly articulated his opinion.

"I've convinced that bastard Ogmar! He actually said some bullshit like 'Even if he dies, he won't collect your corpses,' but whatever, ignore him! Let's join this war that's gone from the city to the world and become famous overnight!"

Including Scott and Kyle, who sat at the same table, all three of them belonged to the Ogmar Familia.

Their rank is F. Although they have many Lv.2 members, they have never accomplished anything worth mentioning. Even though their level is not low, they are not qualified to be called the backbone. It can be said that they are a faction that fits the style of Modo and others.

However, Modo was convinced that this situation would come to an end today. He took a big gulp of wine and slammed the wooden wine glass down on the table.

"And what's more! Whoever wins this war game will acquire all the assets of the Freya Familia! If you include land and other things, the amount might even exceed the national budget!"

In war games, the winner can take anything from the loser.

According to this rule, once the Freya Familia is defeated, the Hestia Familia's helpers are naturally entitled to a reward. Therefore, Modo enthusiastically stated that even without asking Freya for "compensation" for altering her memories, there are still very clear benefits.

"By then, even billionaires won't be able to compare to us! We'll say goodbye to those miserable days of drinking alone in the hotel town (Rivera)...!"

Even though the rewards will be divided equally among all factions, the Freya Familia's wealth will definitely provide enough for a comfortable life. Modo, already possessing a fierce appearance, only evokes the image of a cunning and ruthless thug when he smiles.

Scott and Kyle exchanged a glance and then sighed.

"Don't bother with those polite words, Modo."

"What……?"

"You're welcome to speak your mind."

Scott nodded in agreement with Kyle's words.

Modo was stunned on the spot, and one of the adventurers, who was an old friend of his, asked a question in return.

"Actually, you just wanted to help Bell Craney, right?"

Modo blushed with embarrassment after someone had so bluntly pointed out his true feelings.

"You were also very unhappy when that kid foolishly defended the Dragon Girl (Vivel) and became public enemy number one."

"When you were playing the war game with the Apollo Familia, you bet all your assets on that kid..."

"Even after the 'charm' was lifted, when you led the charge towards Freya's base, you just couldn't bear to see Rabbit Foot in danger... It was like an older brother worrying about his little brother, or a doting father."

"Stop talking nonsense! I didn't...!"

Upon hearing the other party start bringing up old grievances, Modo stood up angrily and roared.

He wanted to continue refuting, but under the gaze of Kyle and Scott, he found himself speechless.

"...No, that's not true. I'm not worried about that brat..."

Modo slumped back into his chair, feeling utterly exhausted. After gritting his teeth and letting out a long sigh, he suddenly looked up.

"It's just that I haven't yet repaid the favor I owed him!"

About six months ago, the "Black Goliath" suddenly appeared on the 18th floor.

Despite being framed by Modo and his gang of criminals, Bell saved them without holding a grudge. Therefore, Modo insisted that he did it not out of "friendship" but out of "debt of gratitude".

"Ah~ right, right, I get it, I get it."

"Your attempt to hide your embarrassment only makes people lose their appetite and makes the wine taste even worse."

"You, you two damned bastards!!"

Mordo went berserk again, stood up and started cursing, which made Kyle and Scott burst into laughter.

Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

Even if they can't provide much help, having more people is better than having no one to help at all.

The three men thus made up their minds and resolved to fight for the youth.

【Ogma Family】-Participating in the war.

"Modi...and Manny."

Kenjira reluctantly struck up a conversation with the two male gods.

"Oh, it's Takemikazuchi~ Mich, you're here too~"

"Are you here to recruit us into your faction alliance?"

"If you already know, don't ask such nonsense."

This is the thirtieth floor of the greyish-white Tower of Babel. During this time, when countless gatherings of the gods have been held to discuss the competition methods and detailed rules of the war game, Takemikazuchi and his companions have been traveling around persuading other gods. Their aim is to lend Hestia a hand and hopefully find more companions.

Seeing Mih sigh, Moody and Manny, sitting at one corner of the round table, raised the corners of their mouths.

Both of these male gods have brownish-brown hair and eyes, and are robust in build, so naturally they have handsome features. However, like other gods, no matter how handsome they are, their faces are ruined by lewd smiles.

Because their gang of foxes and dogs often played tricks on Takemikazuchi, Takemikazuchi, who didn't actually want to get involved with them, put on a stern face.

"Takemikazuchi, who are you planning to help~?"

"Is that even a question? I'm on Hestia's side."

"My clan and I have made a decision. After all, we hurt Bell like that before, so this time we must help him no matter what."

Takemikazuchi and Mih conveyed their faction's decision, and Modi and the others maintained their faint smiles after hearing it.

"That makes sense."

"Although Loki is confirmed not to participate in the war, Hephaestus's family still has members. Although the final power structure is still uncertain, many gods are still wavering... of course, I'm referring to neutral gods~"

Modi nodded in response, while Manny added an explanation from the side. Takemikazuchi and Mih, who had been listening silently, found two empty seats around the round table and sat down on either side of the two gods, sandwiching them between them.

"So what are your plans? Will you join the battle, or just watch from the sidelines?"

"To be honest, as long as you promise not to interfere with us... no, not to interfere with Hestia and the others, that would be a huge help."

Modi merely smiled in response to Mich's remark.

Instead, it was Manny who answered for him.

"Mich~ Takemikazuchi~ Do you know why the Conference of the Gods has been dragging on for so long~?"

The conference of gods, which lasted for several days, encountered difficulties in formulating detailed rules for the war game.

The gods, who love excitement and hate boredom, are generally decisive. Their habit is to agree immediately if they find it interesting. Even setting aside the fact that this is the largest "faction war" in Orario's history, it would have been impossible for the competition to still be undecided.

"...Isn't it because you keep putting forward specious arguments, constantly hindering the progress of the Assembly of Gods?"

"Hehehe."

Modi and his group made no attempt to hide their shameless snickers at Takemikazuchi's stern face.

The other gods are still arguing fiercely around the round table.

To put it bluntly, the goddesses proposed conditions that were favorable to Hestia and the others, while the group of male gods expressed their opposition.

This has happened thousands of times.