In the Babel Tower between the third and fourth floors, in a meeting hall supported by rows of columns and with a single round table under a high ceiling, the gods were gathering for a Denatus. This assembly was convened to discuss the War Game proposed by Hestia against Apollo, which Apollo had readily accepted.
The gods, foregoing the continuation of the Denatus, came directly here to deliberate on the War Game. The rules of the War Game are set by the opposing factions' two main gods, considering the opinions of other deities, to create the best entertainment.
The sudden declaration of war by Hestia against Apollo took the gods by surprise. However, once the initial shock subsided, they became excited. The new and recently established Hestia Familia daring to challenge the Apollo Familia was a significant and thrilling development, offering a much-needed respite from boredom for the gods.
Under the watchful eyes of the gods, Hestia and Apollo completed the signing of the necessary documents and formalities for the War Game.
"If I win, I want Aston," Apollo declared eagerly after the documents were signed.
Hestia burst into laughter upon hearing this, which confused and irritated Apollo, prompting him to ask loudly, "What are you laughing at?"
"Oh, it's nothing," Hestia replied, still smiling in a way that Apollo, even without knowing the specifics, recognized as condescending.
This scene was observed by the other gods, who started whispering among themselves, trying to figure out why Hestia had such confidence and was looking at Apollo as if he were a fool.
Only a few gods who knew the truth but kept silent, like Miach, Hephaestus, Loki, and Freya, understood why Hestia was so amused and confident.
These four gods are very aware of Aston's situation.
Especially Freya, when Apollo proposed his victory condition to Hestia, Freya's first thought was to send Ottar and others to deal with Apollo's Familia. But seeing Hestia's reaction, Freya decided not to intervene and instead enjoy the drama, which was bound to be interesting.
Apollo, frustrated by not getting an answer to his question, felt even more irritated, lacking the joy of having signed the war game agreement. "I need to clarify this point to prevent you from later using ridiculous excuses to avoid your obligations," Apollo stated.
"If your Hestia Familia wins, I am willing to accept any request from you."
"Really?" Hestia eagerly awaited these words from Apollo. Upon hearing them, she became thrilled, her eyes shining.
"Ah, but you don't need to state your condition. After all, you Hestia cannot possibly win this war," Apollo said dismissively, waving his hand to rid himself of his irritation and regaining his confidence.
"Are you sure you don't want to hear my condition?" Hestia asked, raising her eyebrows in a peculiar expression.
"No need. Let's define the victory conditions of the war game now," Apollo said arrogantly, not wanting to listen.
Seeing this, Hestia shrugged, deciding not to reveal her conditions just yet. She planned to deliver a decisive blow after winning.
"How about a one-on-one battle, with each Familia sending a representative to decide the victory?" Hestia kindly suggested.
Others might not know the situation of the Hestia Familia, but as the chief god, Hestia certainly did. She was considering the members of Apollo's Familia. Many were forcibly taken by Apollo, and while those who joined willingly were one thing, those coerced into Apollo's Familia shouldn't suffer this fate.
"How come, Hestia? The fact that your Familia has fewer members is not my concern, nor my obligation to accommodate," Apollo responded disdainfully to Hestia's kind suggestion, with a repulsive smile on his face.
He had so many Familia members at his disposal; why should he engage in a one-on-one duel with a member of Hestia's Familia? Why not simply overwhelm with numbers?
Seeing this, Hestia sighed helplessly.
"Fine, then let's have a large-scale battle."
"How about using the Orario Coliseum for a grand melee under the eyes of an audience?" Hestia proposed again.
"I agree with this proposal," Apollo immediately approved of Hestia's suggestion.
"Hey, hey, you two just decided like that?"
"What about our role in this Denatus then?"
"That's right, that's right, we protest, we want to be involved in the discussion too." A group of gods, who enjoyed entertainment, protested seeing Hestia and Apollo's Familia agreeing on the war game format so easily.
Hearing the gods' protest, Hestia and Apollo exchanged a look, both seeing the speechlessness in the other's eyes, and then let the gods have their discussion.
After all, it was just a formality. Without letting these pleasure-seeking gods join in the war game discussion and feel some sense of participation, they would not give up easily.
The two watched quietly as the gods discussed, not intervening, just enjoying the show.
However, after all the discussions, the war game still proceeded in the format decided by Hestia and Apollo.
In other words, the gods' discussion was merely a formality, as they only wanted to feel the ritualistic aspect of participating in the war game.
With the conclusion of the war game discussion, the Denatus also came to an end, and the gods left one after another.
Before leaving, Miach sympathetically patted Apollo on the shoulder and offered a comforting word.
"Apollo, good luck."
This remark left Apollo dumbfounded, standing still, not knowing what to say.
"Ha? Good luck?"
***
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