After Kisuke left, Akeno, Irina, Serafall and Artemis were still dumbfounded. But that was only the start because Medusa suddenly said, "No wonder Kuroka-san refuses to leave the three of them alone whenever they train with Yoruichi-san and Master. And each time, she's always on edge, flinching at every moment. I thought that she was just very concerned, but I didn't really think that their training was more than abnormal."
With the others still not being able to say anything, Sona closed her eyes while holding her chin to reminisce, "So getting my neck snapped to a weird direction is too much, after all?"
The newcomers shuddered.
"So is my throat being slashed open and my guts spilling out?", asked Aika.
Cold sweat started pouring out of them.
"And my limbs flying away?", wondered Koneko.
With that, something snapped inside Serafall's head and she launched herself towards the direction where Kisuke left, "Ki-tan you bastard! What did you do to these girls!!!"
While Serafall was making a mess with freezing everything around Kisuke and the latter trying his best to defend and explain himself, Artemis faced Hestia with an unbelieving face, "H-Hestia... Have you tried stopping them?"
Hestia, this time, was very nervous as she answered, "Well... I thought that they were just very strict and spartan. Kisuke also assured me that no one would actually die... So I just accepted it. I never thought it was that bad."
Artemis didn't know what to do at that point and thought with some fear, 'What sort of common sense did these people cultivate in this place?'
Conversely, Akeno and Irina were still speechless. They thought that a broken bone every few minutes was already too much. They didn't think their peers would be dancing with death multiple times a minute while training.
However, one thing was for sure. Their 'hard work' was still not on par with their 'hard work'... by far. And on another note, they didn't know if they could even catch up nor progress at the same pace. The way they do things was too inhumane for them, after all.
.
.
.
Three days had passed and the day of the War Game had come. Even with such one-sided conditions, the City of Orario was still bustling and full of energy, since a War Game was still a War Game. It doesn't happen very often. Tourists would pour in after hearing the news and it was the residents' chance to make some extra income and join the festivities.
During these three days, the Apollo Familia used all of their manpower to prepare the old abandoned castle that served as a fortress in ancient times against monsters, the Shreme Castle. The Hestia Familia had already agreed with the War Game's terms, so even if they escaped, it'd be their defeat and the Guild would be enforcing the agreed terms, putting a bounty on their heads once they disappeared.
Since it was technically a ruined castle, the Apollo Familia had to do emergency repairs to make it more secure. However, it became easy for them because several Familias lended their children to Apollo, most notably, Soma's children.
Their Gods were all reluctant because they would share the same penalty as Apollo, but seeing how many were giving their assistance, they felt confident, except for Soma who didn't know anything about his children's actions, as everything was decided by his captain, Zanis.
In total, there were more than 500 people currently occupying the castle, and among them, 21 Level 3s were present. An astounding force to such degree that it was impossible to lose given the current circumstances.
An hour before lunchtime, a Ganesha Familia member climbed on the temporary stage that was created in the middle of the plaza in front of the Tower of Babel, "Good morning, Orario~! The much anticipated day of the War Game has finally come~! I, Ibri Achaa, will be your host for the big event. You may also know me for my Alias, Fire Inferno Flame. It's a pleasure to be here folks!"
The announcer then invited another person up and introduced him, "And providing commentary for us today, Ganesha-sama~!"
As soon as he got up the stage, the tanned man wearing a red elephant mask posed and exclaimed, "I'm Ganesha~!" Hence, the War Game officially started.
On the thirtieth floor of the tower, various Deities were gathered to witness the game. Except for Soma, all the players were gathered. Hestia and Artemis on one side and Apollo and his alliance on the other side.
"Now, this is really somethin', don't you think~?", asked Loki with an amused expression to the red-haired Goddess at her side.
"I'm really worried..." Hephaestus couldn't hide her concern for her friends.
Loki looked at her and figured something out, "Hmm... So you really don't know much about them, huh?"
Hephaestus frowned, "Is that why you're confident?"
Chuckling, Loki answered with a lowered voice for others not to hear, "Let's just say that even if they triple or quadruple their forces, it still wouldn't be enough to best that Gigolo. I'm just here to look forward to what faces these Deities would make when the results come out."
Hephaestus was still doubtful, but since Loki assured her, her worries decreased, 'But are they going to display those weapons? If they do, it's going to be a long headache for me...'
Apollo approached Hestia with a condescending smile and said, "Hestia, it's fine to surrender, you know. At least that way, they won't get hurt. And I promise to take really good care of them~ Much better than what you're doing right now."
However, Hestia and Artemis just ignored him. Apollo didn't mind, though. He just shrugged his shoulders and left to find a good seat.
A few more minutes had passed after the host had announced the start of the War Game, "Alright, let's get this started.", muttered Hermes to himself before shouting, "Ouranos, permission to use our powers!"
From an unknown location, an old and magnanimous voice reverberated, "Granted."
With a snap of his fingers, a circular screen manifested in the middle of the room, showing the old Shreme Castle where the defending side was positioned. What's strange about this circular screen was the fact that, no matter where you looked, or what angle of perspective you were in, it would always be facing the spectator. So even in this circular room, everyone could clearly see the image as if they were right in front of it.
And not just within the meeting room, various Gods also used their powers to manifest this screen for everyone in the city to watch.
"At last, we're moments away from noon~! Let the War Game begin~!" The host announced with the loud gong rang out.
Those who were in the Shreme Castle also knew that it was about time, so they got into their positions to anticipate the enemy Familias' attack.
After giving some background to the castle's origin and explaining the position of the defending side, Ibri asked, "Now then, we see that the Apollo Familia were ready but where's the Hestia Familia? Please show us their current position~!"
Hermes, the one in control of all the manifested screens, heard the announcer's question and also became curious about what they were up to. With another snap of his fingers, the scenery on all the screens changed, "...What?"
Similar to Hermes, those who were watching right now could only gawk.
"T-t-they are eating their lunch!!!" Ibri exclaimed while watching the group who were enjoying themselves at the very familiar establishment, Hostess of Fertility.