Chapter 114: An Unexpected Familia Duel!

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While August and Lili searched for the Ikelos Familia's hideout, the Denatus was already in full session.

The Gods looked around the grand hall.

Hestia appeared radiant and lively, while Ishtar seemed intensely resentful.

Rumors had spread overnight. Everyone in the room knew that a certain Goddess of Beauty had been humiliated and had her territory attacked. Ishtar didn't look hurt on the outside, but her attitude was full of spite.

"Are there any objections to the ruling?" Ganesha addressed the room.

Because a rogue assassin had pulled two Familias into a street fight, the Guild gave a light penalty. It was just a small fine to cover the damages.

"None," Ishtar muttered, turning her head away. She forced herself to swallow her anger, having no grounds to stand on.

"I have no objections either," Hestia said, stepping up.

She still came out ahead. She had to pay a small fine for property damage, but Ishtar was ordered to pay her for emotional damage. That money alone could buy several new houses.

"Good." Ganesha nodded.

With both sides accepting the penalty, the matter was settled.

Loki and a few other Gods were already getting excited. Loki had three new Level 2 members in her Familia, and she wanted to make sure they got good aliases before anyone else suggested something silly.

"Moving on to the main agenda," Ganesha announced. "Which of your children reached Level 2?"

Giving an alias to a Level 2 Adventurer was the main event at the Denatus.

"I'll go first!" Hestia cheered. "My child, Liliruca Arde. She leveled up yesterday!"

The room fell silent. The other Gods were surprised. They hadn't realized that the Hestia Familia already had two Level 2s.

"HEY, SHRIMP, THAT'S PUSHING IT," Loki frowned, pausing her own naming plans. "Wasn't that girl from the Soma Familia? She leveled up that fast right after converting?"

It didn't add up... A Falna transfer didn't give free stats.

To Loki, the Pallum hadn't fought in any big battles or done anything special. How did she reach Level 2 so quickly?

"Hmph. You just don't get it do you..."

Hestia crossed her arms, tipping her chin up. "My child overcame a divine trial!"

She enjoyed her moment of pride.

"Soma, look at her. She needs to be humbled," Loki grumbled. Hestia's confidence had grown a lot since she recruited August. Loki really wanted to punch her.

Soma, sitting quietly in the corner, noticed the attention shift his way.

"Hestia is telling the truth," Soma said calmly. "That child did overcome a trial. A divine trial."

She had truly passed the trial he set for his Familia. It was what he had hoped for. He saw her potential, but he also felt the pain of losing her. In a way, he knew he had let her go first.

"Huh. That's rare," Loki muttered. She didn't expect Soma to admit fault. He usually just sat in silence and brewed his wine.

"Anyway, I'm keeping it simple," Hestia declared. "Her alias is Little Light!"

It was a simple name. It was the kind of name that made the other Gods want to tease whoever came up with it.

"Ah, I think 'Muscle Pill' sounds way better."

"No, 'Backstage Pendant' fits her more!"

As usual, the room filled with terrible and embarrassing title suggestions.

"..." Hestia bristled.

"Hey, you idiots!" she roared at the instigators. "DON'T RUIN THIS FOR HER!"

She picked a simple name to avoid this type of chaos. At least it wasn't embarrassing. With Hestia standing her ground and Soma quietly agreeing, Lili's alias was set: Little Light.

It was simple, but it suited her perfectly.

"Now, moving on to city operations," Ganesha announced, pulling out a stack of proposals drafted by his Familia.

Every three months, the Gods reviewed Orario's infrastructure and patrols. These meetings decided territory and profits.

"Hold on." A loud male voice thundered through the room.

A God with a laurel wreath and traditional Greek robes stood up.

"Apollo? What is it?" Ganesha stopped, wondering what Apollo was up to.

"HESTIA. I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL!" Apollo ripped off his glove and threw it directly at Hestia's face.

"What?" Hestia stared blankly.

The rest of the council fell dead silent.

Then chaos broke out. The excitement was real. Everyone knew August was incredibly strong, and nobody wanted to fight him. But Apollo had just issued a challenge.

"Oho! Apollo, you madman!"

"He really did it!"

"Are we getting a War Game??"

The Gods started shouting. All they wanted was a fight. Let them battle it out!!

"Haahh? Did you fall and crack your skull?" Hestia scowled. "Are you trying to steal my August?"

With her Familia's strength, she could wipe out his whole compound before lunchtime.

"Who wants him? He's old," Apollo sneered, waving a hand in disgust. "I want your two newest recruits. Those adorable little sisters."

He wasn't after the monster rookie. He wanted Yui and Ui Hirasawa.

"WHAT?" Hestia gaped. "Yui and Ui?"

She thought he was after Lili. But the twins? They were inexperienced and had never even entered the Dungeon. To the other Gods, they were just there for show. Was he crazy?

But Hestia knew not to underestimate Apollo. He was clever.

"Apollo, those girls are outsiders. The Guild recognizes them as novices. They haven't even registered a Dungeon dive yet. Under the rookie protection pact, you can't just snatch them."

The Gods had agreed not to steal new recruits before they had a chance to grow.

"I know. But that protection is voided if a formal War Game or a faction duel is declared," Apollo grinned.

He was twisting the rules to get what he wanted. The idea of taking the twins thrilled him. Hestia groaned. Dealing with his obsession was a huge headache.

"Therefore, I challenge you to a proxy duel," Apollo declared loudly. "A clash strictly limited to swords and magic."

The room let out a collective groan of disappointment.

"Cheapskate."

"Yeah, I thought we were getting a full-scale siege!"

"Swords and magic? That's it?"

It was just a regular melee fight. They had hoped Apollo would take on August's modern weapons, leading to a huge battle. That would have been a show. Instead, Apollo set things up to suit himself.

"Are you kidding me?" Hestia snapped. "Why would I take a rigged fight?"

Apollo was trying to put her at a disadvantage. Swords and magic? August didn't use a sword or practice normal magic. No guns meant fighting on Apollo's terms. She wanted to leap across the table and punch him.

"My Familia only has two people who can even cast, and nobody uses a sword. There's nothing in this for me. I refuse."

"Are you scared, Hestia?" Ishtar chimed in.

She still wanted payback after being embarrassed in the Pleasure Quarter. This was her chance to make things worse for Hestia.

"Your boy already has the reputation of a monster rookie. If he backs down from a simple duel, how will he ever show his face in this city?" Ishtar pushed her closer to the fire.

"..." Hestia clenched her teeth.

Ishtar was clearly siding with Apollo just to stir things up...

Hestia ignored her and turned back to Apollo. "And if I win? What's the payout?"

She wasn't opposed to the fight. She folded her arms, determined not to let him attempt to take her children without risking something himself.

The other Gods nodded in agreement. A duel needed a proper wager.

"Name your price," Apollo said easily. "If I win, I take the sisters."

Hestia was surprised he gave her a blank check.

"Of course, 'swords and magic' is just the theme," Apollo continued, addressing the room to build momentum. "I want to see a grand spectacle. I invite all of you to participate and see what kind of entertainment we can forge under these rules. We need to make this a true event."

He wasn't about to let his reputation suffer by fighting a small, private battle. He wanted a big win. But the main rule stayed: only blades and spells.

The Gods murmured their approval.

Apollo might be a schemer, but he knew how to throw a party. He covered up his unfair duel by making it a city-wide festival.

Hestia watched as Apollo played the crowd. He was clever and had trapped her.

But then she remembered August's magic abilities and his tactical skills. Even without guns, they still had options.

"Fine. It's a deal. I accept the duel."

Hestia knew she couldn't back out without seeming weak. Besides, getting to name her own reward if she won was too good to refuse.

The Denatus cheered. The game was on.

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