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

"Move the supplies over there. Repair as many things as possible."

In the dead of night, with the moon high in the sky, the Apollo Familia begins its final preparations for tomorrow's war game within the ancient city.

They arrived at the location three days prior, numbering approximately 110 people. This was almost the total number of members belonging to the faction. Under the command of their commander, the members were busy with tasks such as repairing the city walls, storing and distributing spare weapons, supplies, and food.

"Hmph, utterly boring... There's no point in doing these things."

In the throne room of the most prominent tower within the fortress, the handsome human youth Yacintos, the leader of the guild, snorted. He gazed through the window at his guild members scattered throughout the city.

The war takes the form of a siege and lasts for three days. As for the decisive conditions, if General Hyacinthus survives for three days, or if the enemy general—who will undoubtedly be Bell Crane—is rendered unable to fight, then the Apollo Familia will win.

Based on their position of defending the city, they made preparations for defense, but there was no need to go to such lengths; they were certain of victory. They heard that the enemy had increased their numbers at the last minute, but still no more than five. This number was simply no match for the hundred-strong army defending the city.

Why did Apollo resort to siege warfare...?

Even without these favorable conditions, he was confident of a resounding victory. Did Apollo not trust us? Hyacinthus felt resentful towards the chief god.

Ignoring the busy members around him, he sat arrogantly on the throne at the back of the room, clearly dissatisfied. Behind the throne, on the wall, hung the banner (emblem) of his clan, bearing a bow and arrow and a sun. This was because, being a perfectionist, he had ordered his members to clean the room thoroughly and hang it up neatly.

Sitting arrogantly on his throne, Hyacinthus snorted again.

"A boring game..."

"—I bet Hyacinthus would say that..."

Standing atop the fortified city walls, gazing up at the Tower of Thrones, Daphne, a short-haired female cadre, muttered to herself.

The structure of this fortress, renovated and reinforced by the kingdom, was somewhat peculiar. Perhaps it was a command from the vain and extravagant god, but the exceptionally thick tower housing the throne was ostentatiously placed in the very center of the fortress, lending it a royal air of grandeur to the otherwise simple and sturdy city. Seeing her own faction's banner fluttering in the wind atop the tower, she almost burst out laughing.

Despite her sigh, Daphne still did her job. She urged the members, who, like their leader, didn't take the opposing faction (the Hestia Familia) seriously and maintained an optimistic attitude, to go and repair the outer walls. Even with over a hundred members, it would still take considerable effort to complete the repairs on such a large castle.

Incidentally, in order to meet the gods' excessive demand that "the castle not be damaged so as to affect the war game," the elites of the high-ranking faction (the Ganesha Familia), who arrived before Daphne and her group to subdue the bandits occupying the ancient city, dug tunnels to advance. They suppressed the castle in just one day and wiped out all the bandits. Of course, Daphne and her group had already asked them to bury the tunnels to prevent the enemy from using them.

"Daphne..."

"Cassandra?"

On the city walls where magic stone lamps replaced torches, Cassandra called out Daphne's name in a trembling voice.

The dim light illuminated the profile of the long-haired girl, who hugged herself tightly and began to speak:

"No...we need to get out of here quickly."

"Huh?"

"The castle, the castle will be destroyed..."

Daphne looked annoyed when she heard Cassandra say these nonsensical words.

"Are you dreaming again? Things have come to this point, how could you possibly run away? Stop messing around."

"Please, please, believe me...!"

Cassandra desperately tries to explain away the completely unbelievable "prophetic dreams."

Daphne couldn't be bothered to listen at all, but Cassandra was being more clingy than usual today. Just as Daphne was frowning in annoyance, Cassandra suddenly froze.

She stared at a spot, her beautiful face as pale as a corpse.

"No, we can't let that in. There's still time. If we let that in..."

Below the city walls she was watching, wagons carrying the last shipment of supplies ordered from the nearest town were lined up and about to pass through the city gate.

"Hey—wait! Hold on a minute!"

As the city gates slowly closed, Lu An let out a scream.

The last cargo wagon quickened its pace and barely squeezed through the city gate. The heavy iron gate slammed shut with a deafening roar.

"Why are you closing the door? We're still here, aren't we?"

"Hey, you're here, Luan. You're too short, I didn't see you!"

Hearing the dwarf man's pathetic voice, the burly orc laughed mockingly at him.

Because of his childlike physique, this novice adventurer named Luan Esper was often treated as a subordinate within the Apollo Familia. This supply transport (a troublesome errand) was no exception.

Generally speaking, dwarfs are often prejudiced against because of their small size and perceived unreliability. "What the hell!" Luan pouted at his colleague who was mocking him, looking sulky.

"...They brought in a lot of stuff."

"Three days' worth of weapons and rations, as the saying goes, it's better to be prepared."

As Luan listened to his orc colleagues' sarcastic remark, "Aren't you being a little too cautious in dealing with a minor opponent?", he looked around.

Inside the city walls, countless wooden crates and large bags were being unloaded from the wagons.

“Ahh…”

Cassandra stood frozen in place, staring at the closed city gates.

Daphne had never seen her like this before, and although she was a little startled, she turned away.

"Hey, are you leaving?"

With her back to the girl who was walking away, Cassandra sighed deeply.

Then, she opened her trembling lips like a prophet of tragedy.

"It's all over... Destruction (Troy) has been brought in."

□

"It's pretty slow."

"Feel sorry."

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes. I also asked the gods to check my [ability stats]."

"Is that so? Well then, here's the short knife (dagger) I promised you. It's much sharper than the first generation, I can guarantee that."

"Thanks."

"Lord Welf... what about that you mentioned before?"

"I was prepared. However, time was still too short, so I apologize, I only managed to forge two."

"...Um, Welf, is this really okay?"

"Hmm... I won't compare my obsessions and companions on the scales anymore."

"?"

"It's nothing... Here you go. Like I said before, this was hastily made, so I can't guarantee its power or strength. Don't use it at the wrong time."

"I see."

"Then... let's do as Goddess Hestia and the others have arranged."

"Alright. Tomorrow—watch us take down the castle."

"Hmm... Let's win."

In the darkness, the voices of several people echoed all around.

VS. [Apollo's Familia]. Battle Category: Siege Battle.

Victory condition: Defeat the enemy general.

The long night is about to give way to dawn.

Volume 6, Chapter 5: Our War Games

The city is bustling with activity.

On the long-awaited day of the war game, Orario had accumulated extraordinary enthusiasm and excitement.

All the taverns opened early in the morning, and vendors set up stalls on every corner of the streets. The countless parchment paintings (posters) that have adorned the streets to this day are the result of the gods' overconfident promotion. The paintings depict the sun emblem of the Apollo Familia; as for the Hestia Familia, since they have no emblem, a rabbit is depicted instead.

On this special day, almost all adventurers take a day off and crowd into taverns to watch the event. Laborers who have managed to get time off join ordinary citizens on the main street or in the central square, eagerly awaiting the moment.

"Ah—ah—! Uh—Good morning, everyone. I am Ibri Achar, a member of the Ganesha Familia, who is in charge of broadcasting this war game live. I am also known as 'The Talking Fire Magic.' My alias is 'Fire Inferno Flame.' Please take good care of me."

An extravagant stage had been illegally installed in the guild headquarters' front courtyard, where a brown-skinned youth claiming to be a live broadcaster was shouting loudly through a megaphone made of magic stones. The front courtyard was also packed with a large crowd.

"Our narrator is our supreme god, Ganesha! Ganesha, please say a few words!"

"—I am Ganesha!!"

"Okay! Thank you, God Ganesha!"

Beside the live broadcaster Ibrahim, the god Ganesha, wearing a giant elephant-head mask, roared loudly. The audience cheered in unison.

The war game, which involves merchants and others to enliven the city's atmosphere, is a form of entertainment. Residents from other regions often come specifically to watch the battle, paying an entrance fee in return. Guilds can also use this event to showcase Orario's strength to the world, making it a kind of demonstration. Furthermore, it attracts talented and promising adventurers to the city.

Most importantly, war games are also the ultimate entertainment pursued by the gods.

"Oh, the atmosphere is getting lively."

Loki pressed his face against the window, looking down at the scene below.

The thirtieth floor of the towering white-walled Tower of Babel. Most of the gods, who had been eagerly anticipating the war game more than anyone else, had arrived at the Tower of Babel.

The two main gods who waged the proxy war, Hestia and Apollo, also waited here.

In addition, some gods choose to mingle with adventurers in taverns or watch the battle with their clan members at headquarters.

"Hermes...is it really alright for me to stay here?"

"Hmm, it's alright. Nobody here is that picky."

Being brought to the assembly hall of the Tower of Babel, where she was the only member of her clan among the gods and goddesses, made Asphie uneasy; however, Hermes just smiled and didn't take it seriously. Hermes made her stand beside him, her body stiff, and put his hand inside her clothes.

"...It's about time."

The pocket watch that was taken out showed that noon was approaching.

Hermes raised his chin and said to the sky:

"Then, Uranus, please grant us permission to wield our 'power'."

His words, which vibrated the space, received a response a few seconds later.

【--license】.

From the direction of the guild headquarters, one could almost hear a solemn and majestic declaration echoing through the air.

All the gods in Orario snapped their fingers in unison.

Suddenly, "mirrors" appeared in taverns, street corners, and in the void.

"~ ...

The countless round windows that appeared in every corner of the city caused a commotion among the crowd.

This is the "divine power" permitted to be used in the mortal realm—the "Divine Mirror." It possesses the ability to see a thousand miles, allowing one to see everything passing by even when separated by distance. This is the only exception recognized so that the gods can enjoy the activities planned in the mortal realm.

The gods would use these "mirrors" to watch with their children the war games unfolding far beyond Orario.

"The mirrors (images) are set up. Let me explain again! This war game is between the Hestia Familia and the Apollo Familia, in a siege battle format!! Warriors from both sides are already on the battlefield, waiting for the noon bell to announce the start of the war!"

In locations such as taverns and main streets, round windows of varying sizes reflect the ancient city with its sun flag (badge) raised, as well as the plains. Amidst the city's electrifying atmosphere, the live broadcaster begins explaining the overview of the war game through a megaphone.

"Is it ready yet?! Betting is about to close!"

Just as the sound of a live news report filled the air, in the numerous taverns along the street, adventurers colluding with merchants were setting up gambling dens. They were betting on whether the Hestia Familia or the Apollo Familia would emerge victorious in the war game. Those betting large sums of gold gripped their betting slips tightly at the tables, their eyes glued to the "mirror" that appeared in mid-air.

"The Apollonian faction and the Hestiaan faction are roughly twenty-five to one..."

"The expected profit (odds) for the [Hestia Familia] is over twenty times... lower than I expected. What idiot would bet on that [Familia] to win?"

The adventurers acting as the bookmakers tallied the bets and tickets, and checked the casino's status. In terms of power dynamics, it seemed the majority of bets would be placed on the Apollo faction, though a significant number were also betting on the Hestia faction.

"It'll definitely be those gods again..."

Those foolish gods always like to place big bets. In front of the banker adventurer, "Whoa—!", "Come on, come on—!", "Lucky rabbit—!!", the gods (gamblers) are seen clutching their betting tickets, praying to win the grand prize.

As for the other tavern,

"What's going on? Everyone's betting on Apollo to win."

A tavern owner looked around at everyone in the tavern and sighed, "This is boring." A human adventurer stepped forward and threw a full bag of gold coins in front of the complaining dwarf.

"—I'm betting 100,000 on a rabbit!"

"Hey hey hey hey!"