When the sudden announcement left everyone in a state of disbelief, Ishtar, who was being directly challenged, was no exception. The shock that she experienced was so great that she was unable to hide her fear and pale face. The thought that her Familia had no chance of winning filled her with dread, yet somehow, her anger managed to overpower her, leaving her in a state of agitation. The tension in the air was palpable.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, HESTIA?!"
Did Hestia think that she could do anything she wished to do after Isao took over control over Orario?
Don't be kidding?!
Her Familia wasn't so weak that she would submit like this?!
More importantly, who would agree to such an unreasonable War Game?!
The last War Game was between Hestia Familia and the Apollo Familia, yet no one would expect that the Hestia Familia would hold another War Game, but this time against the Ishtar Familia, one of the strongest Familia in the Orario.
While everyone was shocked, those who were sober understood that this was Hestia Familia's method of consolidating its regency.
By defeating the Ishtar Familia and also robbing it of everything, no one would dare to challenge the Hestia Familia, at least for a short time, as they could tell that it would bring them more harm than good.
At the same time, there was also once a rumor that the Ishtar Familia had wanted to kidnap Isao in the past, so this might also be the revenge of the Hestia Familia.
Nevertheless, there was no doubt that this move of Hestia Familia made many praise it inwardly since what everyone wished for at this moment was stability. If they could sacrifice one for everyone's stability, then why not?
If there was something that they were regretting, it was the fact that many had a relationship with Ishtar as many had slept with her, and more importantly, they had often visited her brothel, having fun there, so in case Ishtar was destroyed, then would they unable to enjoy their nightlife?
Still, when they thought about Isao's business talent, they felt like... the brothel area of the Orario might exceed their imagination, so somehow, they looked forward to this War Game!
Well, the ones who thought many complicated things were a minority, and most of them were just happy that a War Game would happen. Their days had been boring after all, so if possible, they wanted to have fun, and this War Game just came at the right time!
Nevertheless, no one said anything. No one ever thought to help Isthar.
Why?
Well, it was because they weren't the ones who were being challenged on the War Game, and why should they get into trouble when they knew the result of the Hestia Familia was nothing but a complete defeat?
More importantly, what if Hestia changed her mind and challenged them?
So, at this moment, all of them just looked at Ishtar, wondering what she would say.
Still, Hestia stared at Ishtar, thinking that this goddess was like her in the past. In the past, she was powerless, and no one helped her in the War Game. In the end, she could do nothing except trust Isao, and because of that, she had never thought that she would be in the position of forcing others to have a War Game.
Yet, she wouldn't change her opinion since she knew that Ishtar was a danger.
This deity was nothing but a viper who waited for them to let their guards down before she injected her poison to kill all of them, so before that, Hestia had to kill her!
"Did you not hear me?" Hestia was as calm as ever when she faced Ishtar. "I am telling you that we will have a War Game. You and me. Let's bet everything. If I lose, you will get my everything, and I will leave the lower world, and when you lose, you will do the same."
"DON'T BE ARROGANT, HESTIA!"
While those who weren't involved thought many things inwardly, Ishtar was just angry.
How dare this short goddess try to challenge her?!
"Why shouldn't I dare? Or you don't dare, Ishtar?"
Facing Ishtar's anger, Hestia just asked calmly.
Did Ishtar think that she could get out unscathed after she wanted to kidnap Isao?!
Don't be kidding!
Hestia knew that this woman never gave up on Isao and wanted to destroy her, so why should she wait for her to make a move?!
'Before you do that, I will destroy you first!'
"....."
"Ishtar-sama..." Tammuz Bellili, the vice-captain of Ishtar Familia and the attendant brought by Ishtar, started to get nervous. He might be a Level 4 adventurer, but he knew well that he was weakling in front of Isao.
Slap!
Ishtar simply slapped Tammuz and brought her down before she spat her saliva on him.
"Trash!"
Besides being known as a goddess of love, Ishtar was also known as a goddess of war, so watching Tammiz, who acted cowardly, she was so furious?!
How could he not act like Isao?!
Even if Isao faced hundreds of the Apollo Familia, he never gave up!
Isao even challenged them straightforwardly!
Even if you knew that you would lose, couldn't you just fake your bravery so they wouldn't be at a disadvantage?!
What kind of cowardly trash was this?!
Ishtar kept stomping her feet against Tammiz to release her emotions since if she didn't, she knew that she would be at a disadvantage during her argument with Hestia. She might be a slut, but she wasn't stupid.
Yet, for Tammiz, who was in the original story, betrayed Ishtar, this cowardly act was nothing.
After Ishtar calmed herself, she looked at Hestia calmly and said, "I refuse."
To make the War Games official, both parties had to agree, so if she refused, there was nothing Hestia could do unless Hestia forced herself to fight, but if Hestia did that, she would definitely raise everyone to challenge Hestia to fight this tyrant!
Ishtar was proud of her conspiracy and was ready to face Hestia, but—
"Is that so?" Hestia was as calm as ever. "Then, I will expose all of your crimes now and let you be the enemy of everyone." Her voice was low, so only Ishtar could hear her.
"H-How?!" Ishtar was dumbfounded, but then she quickly calmed herself and said, "You are lying. I don't have any proof or whatever that I have done anything illegal."
"Did you forget what our first business is, Ishtar?"
"...newspaper." Ishtar appeared so gloomy.
"There is no information that we haven't mastered in this world." Hestia boasted.
"...do you really have to fight me, Hestia?" Ishtar asked for the last time.
"It was you who provoked us." Hestia looked at Ishtar and said, "More importantly, I am trying to give you a decent ending. Or do you want to be seen as a criminal on your end?"
Ishtar tried to endure her anger, but she knew that there were no other roads at her end except for accepting this War Game.
"I AGREE ON THIS WAR GAME!"
When Ishtar made her decision, everyone shouted excitedly.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Hestia then ignored Ishtar and looked at everyone. "Then, let's start the party!"
"YAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
As everyone started their party, only Ishtar was gloomy, and she didn't intend to stay any longer as she needed to make her preparations, but before she left, she looked at Hestia's mansion for the last time.
"I will make you regret for provoking me, Hestia..."
Her voice was sharp, poisonous, and filled with killing intent.