After Plutus finished stating his part of the deal, everybody present at the banquet erupted into cheers of excitement. To witness two of the prominent Greek gods so brutally and greedily lay out the terms of their wager, staking everything upon the outcome of a single War Game, was more than enough to stir the hall into a frenzy.
Every god and goddess alike within the grand chamber could hardly contain the thrill that coursed through them at the thought of the possible outcome. The air itself seemed to buzz with anticipation, heavy with divine amusement and expectation.
Aurelius, standing beneath the light that highlighted his familia, directed his gaze toward the God of Wealth with a serious expression. His face remained composed, but his thoughts churned beneath the surface.
'Hestia is going to reject this,' he thought with certainty. 'Knowing how stubborn she is when it comes to her familia, she would refuse the offer outright—even if there's one more anomaly mixed into this arrangement. By tomorrow morning, Apollo is going to guarantee attac—'
"I accept."
Hestia's voice cut cleanly through the noise of the banquet, slicing through Aurelius' thoughts before he could even finish them. There was no hesitation in her tone, no wavering uncertainty.
She stood firm as she spoke, her expression steady as she faced both Plutus and Apollo. The confidence and seriousness she conveyed were unmistakable.
Aurelius slowly turned toward his goddess, his face frozen in utter disbelief.
'Uh… what?' he thought, completely baffled by the sudden acceptance, from Hestia of all people, the very one who should have rejected such a proposal without a second thought.
'What's wrong with this version of Hestia?!' His mind spiralled in confusion. 'Did reality decide to give me a Temu version of the Goddess of the Hearth?! You were perfectly fine before we arrived at this damn banquet!'
Apollo and Plutus smiled in amusement, clearly entertained by the situation unfolding before them.
"Oh, how brave, Hestia~," Apollo said, a distinct tinge of mockery laced within his voice. His tone carried a theatrical sweetness that only made the ridicule sharper. "Are you that confident that you can defeat us with only the three members you currently possess? Or are you already forfeiting and preparing to give up your children to us?"
His words echoed lightly through the banquet hall, dripping with condescension.
Many gods and goddesses laughed at the banter Apollo delivered. To them, it was amusing. They found humor in the idea of slowly bullying and taking from a small Familia until nothing remained. The gradual stripping away of allies, pride, and hope was, in their eyes, something comedic rather than cruel.
Plutus, unwilling to let the humiliation directed at the Hestia Familia end there, continued the flow of mockery without pause.
"Let them, Apollo," he said casually. "It does not matter whether they reject it or not. The children we desire will still end up within our grasp. She will become Familia-less no matter what she does."
A fresh wave of laughter spread across the hall.
Plutus's words rang clearly within the grand chamber of the banquet, resonating among the gathered deities. The onlookers indulged in the remark, entertained by the confidence, and the cruelty, of the God of Wealth.
Hestia, however, was not deterred. Instead, she turned her gaze toward the two Greek male gods, determination burning steadily within her resolve. Her small frame did not waver, nor did her expression falter beneath their presence.
"Go ahead," she said, her voice firm as she made her declaration. "But will you hear my—"
Hestia cut herself off mid-sentence.
She glanced back at her familia children. Bell and Lili were already looking at their goddess, their eyes filled with the same unwavering determination that she carried. Their expressions mirrored her own resolve, silent yet resolute.
Aurelius, however, reacted differently. At Hestia's absurd choice of words, his eyebrow twitched slightly, a subtle but noticeable response to what she was about to declare.
Turning back toward Apollo and Plutus, Hestia straightened herself.
"Will you," she continued, resuming her earlier words without hesitation, "hear my proposal upon my victory, you two?"
Apollo and Plutus exchanged glances, mild confusion contorting their faces at her boldness. The two gods then merely shrugged before facing Hestia once more, their expressions shifting into faint amusement.
"Sure," Plutus replied, sarcasm thick in his voice. "Wish away your final wish."
Hestia inhaled deeply. The words that were about to leave her lips carried heavy weight—perhaps the heaviest proposal she had ever made.
"If my familia wins the War Game, Apollo and Plutus," she declared, her voice unwavering, "my familia will take away EVERY good in your possession. Your base, your establishments, and your wealth. After that, the two of you will be banished from Orario for ETERNITY to come."
Everyone went silent.
The words that had been spat out by the Goddess of the Hearth left even her comrades within her own friend group utterly speechless. For a brief second, the entire hall seemed suspended in stillness, as though the air itself had been stolen away by the sheer weight of her declaration.
Then—
Heavy laughter erupted throughout the banquet hall.
"Is she delusional?! How laughable!"
"You can't be this foolish, Hestia! By the heavens!"
"What will you gain from this, Hestia? A historical humiliation? HAHAHA!"
Voices overlapped, rising louder and louder as the mockery spread like wildfire. Many gods and goddesses, along with several adventurers seated beside them, laughed openly at the nonsensical proposal made by the Goddess of the Hearth.
Their laughter echoed against the high walls and arched ceilings of the grand hall, filling the space with ridicule and disbelief.
To them, her proposal was even more ridiculous than the alias that had been given at the Denatus.
Of course, Hestia's friend group did not join in. Hermes remained silent. Even Loki, of all people, did not laugh. This was no laughing matter.
"Shrimp, you idiot," Loki muttered under her breath, quietly cursing the absurd choice made by her frenemy.
The hall, still overflowing with laughter and jeers, was then abruptly silenced.
Plutus raised his hand.
With that single motion, he succeeded in stopping the joy and amusement that the onlookers of the banquet had been indulging in.
The laughter died down almost instantly, as though cut apart mid-echo, leaving behind a heavy and expectant silence once more.
Plutus, alongside Apollo, then turned his gaze toward Hestia, both gods wearing expressions that mixed pity with faint amusement. Their eyes lingered on her as though the outcome had already been decided.
"Very well then," Apollo said at last, his tone smooth yet condescending. "Considering that I personally feel bad for you, Hestia, we will graciously decide to give you a week of preparation. Surely that would be enough time, right?"
Apollo let out a soft chuckle at his own words, clearly entertained by his supposed generosity. The sound of his laughter spread through the hall, drawing several mused giggles and amused reactions from those nearby. A few did not even attempt to hide their enjoyment.
Apollo then turned his head toward Plutus beside him. "Say, would that be fine, Plutus?"
Plutus merely shrugged his shoulders, the movement casual and unconcerned. To him, no matter how much time was given, the result would remain unchanged. His prize possession would inevitably end up in his hands.
"Why not, I guess," he replied in a nonchalant voice. "There's nothing wrong with waiting a little. Besides, even if you were to give them a month, it would still end in the same result."
More laughter echoed throughout the banquet hall, as many seemed unable to get enough of what they perceived as Hestia's humiliation. The atmosphere grew heavier with mockery and ridicule.
Yet Hestia, stubborn and steadfast as ever, did not waver. She simply fixed the two Greek male gods with a serious, unwavering look. There was no trace of embarrassment in her eyes, only quiet resolve.
"Very well then," Hestia said firmly. "But don't regret your decision to give me time to prepare. All I can say is that—"
She turned around, now facing the exit of the hall, her small frame standing tall despite the laughter behind her.
"You're just giving my children more time to grow significantly stronger than they already are," she continued, briefly glancing back at the two male Greek gods.
Apollo witnessed her words with a flicker of fear, the sudden confidence in her voice shaking him more than he cared to admit.
Plutus, however, remained composed, his expression unchanged and completely unbothered, as though her declaration posed no threat whatsoever.
Hestia then faced the exit of the banquet once more.
"You three, let's go," Hestia said. "I think we've overstayed our welcome here. The food sucks anyway."
Without waiting for a response, she began walking toward the exit. Her familia children followed suit, leaving the hall behind as the lingering laughter slowly faded into the distance.
After leaving the banquet and making their way back home on foot, the cool night air settling around them, Aurelius could not help but question his goddess about her otherworldly decision. The events from earlier still lingered heavily in his mind.
"Goddess," Aurelius spoke at last, breaking the quiet as they walked, his tone respectful yet uncertain. "Are you really sure that it was a good idea?"
Bell and Lili immediately tuned in to the question, their attention shifting toward Hestia as well. Though neither of them had voiced their doubts aloud, they shared the same anticipation. All three of them waited for her answer, their expressions revealing a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Honestly," Hestia said after a brief pause, "I have no clue either, tehe~"
With that, she made a playful cat-like pose, closing one eye while sticking her tongue out in an exaggerated manner. The gesture was lighthearted, far too lighthearted.
In response, all three members of the Hestia Familia comically fell forward onto the ground, just like characters in one of those exaggerated anime scenes.
The answer they had received was truly not what they had expected, and for a moment, the silence that followed felt heavier than before.
"But," Hestia continued, her tone shifting.
Her voice lost its playful lilt and became calm, steady and composed. The change was immediate and unmistakable.
"I know very well that all of you are very capable people."
The three of them slowly pushed themselves up from the ground, brushing themselves off as their attention returned fully to their goddess.
The earlier humour faded as they focused on her words. Hestia's face now carried a serene expression, her calm smile radiating a quiet reassurance.
"Time and time again," she continued gently, "you three have broken through your limits just to prove yourselves to the world, to show that you have what it takes to defy it."
Her eyes held conviction as she looked at each of them in turn.
"I know it is foolish of me to make this choice," Hestia admitted. "However, I would not have made it if I did not believe in your capabilities."
The three members of her Familia looked at their goddess in admiration upon hearing those words. There was no hesitation in her gaze, only unwavering faith.
"So," Hestia said once more, her voice carrying renewed determination, "let's prove to the world that the hearth will not falter and fall beneath the pressure that threatens us!"
Bell and Lili immediately cheered at their goddess's declaration, their earlier doubts replaced with renewed resolve. Aurelius, meanwhile, simply shook his head with a small smile on his face, warmth settling in his chest.
With that, they continued their walk home under the night sky, moving forward together and awaiting the arrival of tomorrow.
<->
The next morning arrived, and they were now gathered within the hall of the abandoned church. The three members of the Hestia Familia stood together, prepared to embark on their training arc for the upcoming War Game. The atmosphere inside the old building felt heavier than usual, weighed down by the seriousness of what lay ahead. This was preparation for something decisive.
They equipped themselves carefully, checking their gear and making sure every item was secured. Each of them brought what they believed would allow them to push further in their training, to exceed their current limits, and to sharpen themselves for the battle to come.
Bell, in particular, brought his twin swords with him, intending to further enhance his capabilities. Recently, he had rarely used them, as he had chosen instead to focus on strengthening his body's foundation and overall conditioning. He had prioritized refining his physical chemistry and improving his base attributes without relying too heavily on weapons. However, now that a crucial War Game had befallen the them, he decided it was time to polish his swordsmanship once more. If victory demanded versatility, then he would not allow any of his skills to dull.
Lili had brought her trusty spear with her. It was the weapon she had grown accustomed to since she was little, the type she naturally excelled in. Her grip around it was firm and familiar, almost instinctive. Considering that it was the weapon best suited to her strengths, she intended to devote herself to mastering it completely. She would strive to become a true master of the spear, just like the stories and tales once told about Fianna. If legends could be forged through perseverance and resolve, then she would carve her own name into them.
Aurelius, this time around, had decided to bring his shield with him into the dungeon. With the kind of power he now possessed, the shield merely served to add more defense to his already formidable arsenal. Even so, he was aware that relying on it had truly stunted the full expression of his absurd physical prowess. His body alone was more than capable of overwhelming most threats without additional protection.
'Might as well use this shield,' Aurelius thought, contemplating its purpose as he adjusted it on his arm. 'It would be a waste for it to just pick up dust. Maybe it's a good idea to refund this, though. Hestia wouldn't be too happy about it, but it's better to lessen the debt.'
His thoughts continued, practical and calculating.
'Of course, any damage it accumulates would honestly be easy to repair. I know it's a 200 million valis lump of overpowered, fancy-looking metal, but there's no real use for it right now. If only this Familia had more members, I would've just given this to a tank-build user instead.'
Aurelius pondered the concept of having new members join their Familia. The idea lingered in his thoughts for a brief moment before it quietly faded away. Realistically, he knew it would most likely not happen anytime soon.
Who knows, he thought to himself, 'maybe this Plutus Familia has a ton of money, enough that the debt here could be paid off.'
His expression remained neutral, but the thought carried a faint trace of dry amusement. 'If not, then this Familia will stay a three-member Familia for a long time.'
The three Hestians eventually finished their preparations. There was nothing more left to arrange. Once everything was settled, they bid farewell to their goddess before stepping out of the church together.
As they walked forward, Aurelius felt a lingering thought tug at the back of his mind.
'I wonder if the ambush would still happen?'
He paused for a fraction of a second, his eyes narrowing slightly. 'Probably won't. But… better be careful.'
The three of them stepped outside in unison. However, the moment they exited the rundown establishment, the very first thing they saw caused the air around them to grow tense.
Numerous figures were waiting atop the ruined buildings that surrounded the church. They stood in silence, looming over the area from above. The three Hestians and Hestia, who remained in a trance in front of the church's door, were completely encircled.
Aurelius exhaled slowly.
'It seems like,' he muttered inwardly, 'I jinxed us, huh?'
Among the figures above, an elf stood out. His mouth was covered by a red scarf, concealing the lower half of his face. Without saying a word, he raised his hand high into the air.
Then, without hesitation, he dropped it.
The gesture was simple and yet unmistakable. It was a signal to attack.
And attack they did.
Multiple fireballs, conjured through magic weapons, shot forward all at once. They tore through the air as they hurtled toward the three Hestians and toward Hestia herself.
The moment Aurelius saw the incoming assault, he moved without delay. He stepped in front of the others and pulled out his shield in one swift motion, positioning himself as a wall between them and the incoming barrage.
Bell and Lili reacted just as quickly, moving to cover Hestia and shielding their goddess from any attack that might slip through.
In an instant, the quiet morning shattered into chaos.
BOOM!
The strike landed.
Smoke billowed into the air, rising high enough to alert the nearby onlookers who had been watching from not too far away. The sudden impact sent a tremor through the surroundings, and many gasped in shock. Fear quickly spread among them, as some began to worry that one Familia had attacked another and had caused severe collateral damage.
Among those who noticed the disturbance were the people inside the Hostess. Syr and Ryuu, in particular, were troubled by what they saw. From a distance, they witnessed smoke rising into the sky, the thick plume standing out ominously against the air. The sight alone was enough to make them uneasy about what had just occurred.
At the site of the incident, The ruined and abandoned church where it had still resembled a building now, however, had become nothing more than rubble. The structure that once barely stood was reduced further, broken stone and splintered wood scattered across the ground. As the dust and smoke slowly began to settle, three members of the Hestia Familia could be seen standing in good condition.
The shield Aurelius had raised to protect the three behind him had truly paid off.
'I take it back. It seems like it's not useless at all,' Aurelius thought, still holding his shield high in a firm guarding position. 'Well, at least in a situation like this, of course.'
After a moment, Aurelius finally lowered his shield. As his gaze swept across the area, he noticed that many people had begun to surround him and his Familia, watching from every direction. The sight caused a frown to form on his face. He then glanced back toward the three behind him and saw that Bell and Lili had begun to loosen their guard around Hestia, the immediate danger having passed.
"You two!" Aurelius said in a stern voice, his tone sharp and commanding. "Take Lady Hestia away from here right now and hide. I'll hold them all off. Head north toward the Guild."
Lili and Bell hesitated at his sudden order.
"B-But—" Lili began, only to be cut off.
"Just go, now!" Aurelius shouted, his voice leaving no room for argument.
The urgency in his command forced them into motion. Bell and Lili quickly moved to Hestia's side, lifting her between them before turning to flee. Bell carried her primarily, supporting most of her weight as they began to run.
"W-Wait!" Hestia shouted in protest. "We can't just leave Aurelius to fight alone!"
She did not receive an answer. Bell and Lili continued running, not daring to look back as they carried their goddess away from the scene.
Aurelius then shifted his gaze toward the ambushers. They were many in number, surrounding the area in a loose formation. His eyes moved swiftly, observing them in a quick and calculated manner as he skimmed through each of their figures.
'Apollo and Plutus' members,' he thought, noting the black uniforms worn by the Apollo Familia and the gold equipment and armor adorning the Plutus Familia. 'Tch, how troublesome.'
Seeing the two smaller members of Hestia Familia and their goddess escape, several of the ambushers immediately broke away from the group and attempted to chase after them. However, they were unable to proceed. Their movements abruptly stopped, their bodies freezing in place as if restrained by something unseen.
It was as though an invisible force had seized them mid-step.
Their comrades looked on in confusion, watching as those who had attempted pursuit remained completely immobilized. Slowly, uncertainly, they turned their heads back toward Aurelius.
He stood firmly in place, enveloped in the silhouette of a golden aura that radiated around him.
"[RULER'S AUTHORITY]," Aurelius spoke, his voice steady as his magic activated fully. The force restraining the attackers was his own power, halting those who had targeted his comrades and Lady Hestia. "I won't allow you to take another step beyond me."
He then lifted his hand.
With that single motion, the halted men were lifted from their spots as well, their bodies rising helplessly into the air before being hurled away. They were thrown into the already ruined buildings nearby, crashing into stone and debris.
The spectacle caused everyone present to freeze.
To witness a Level 3 wield such overwhelming power was terrifying. None of them had expected this. The sheer presence of his authority made it difficult for them to approach, let alone attempt to reprimand the towering man who stood before them like an immovable titan.
Aurelius slowly straightened his posture, rising to his full height. His expression hardened, serious and edged with anger as his gaze swept across the ambushers before him. The air around him seemed to grow heavier.
"Now then," Aurelius shouted, his voice booming through the area, "Is there no one ELSE?!"
His voice echoed, powerful and demanding.
Everyone fell silent.
Not a single person dared to respond to the titan of a man. The atmosphere became suffocatingly still, as though even the air itself refused to move. No one wished to step forward. No one wished to answer him.
However, that silence did not last.
"We'll take you on, Titanborn."
A sultry, deep voice cut through the stillness.
Aurelius shifted his gaze toward the source of the voice. His eyes locked onto four figures who had begun approaching him without hesitation.
The first was a brunette-haired male prum. Despite his small stature, he carried himself with seriousness. He was clad in golden armor that covered much of his torso, the flat surfaces of the pauldrons trimmed with refined detailing. The armor gleamed under the light. A helmet covered his eyes, leaving only a narrow, straight slit for vision. In his hand, he carried a longsword, a weapon seemingly disproportionate to his size, yet held with familiarity and control.
Beside him stood a raven-haired samurai woman. She wore pieces of samurai-style pauldrons that resembled those worn by Mikoto, accented with gold. The design was elegant yet practical. In her hand was a katana, already drawn and resting within what was likely her main hand. Her stance was firm and disciplined, her posture that of someone well-trained and unwavering.
The other two were none other than Leona and Marcus.
Leona wore minimal armor, covering only essential areas such as her chest and shoulders. The design emphasized mobility rather than defense. It was clear she was a speed-type swordswoman, similar in style to Aiz. Even in stillness, there was a sense of readiness about her, as though she could move at any moment.
Marcus, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. He wore full, heavy gold armor that covered his entire body, leaving only his head exposed. The pauldrons on his shoulders bore trims shaped into the image of a lion's head, a symbol of strength and authority. The armor was imposing, built for endurance and overwhelming force.
Aurelius stared down at the captain of the Plutus Familia, his face set in seriousness.
Marcus returned the stare with equal intensity. Neither man spoke. Neither looked away. They stood face to face, tension thick between them.
It was clear to everyone present that what was about to unfold would not be small.
A battle that would soon shake the area was on the verge of commencing as a fight of four against one, ready to break out at any moment.