The matter about the War Game soon spread like wildfire within Orario.
To many, War Game is like a show to some extent. Like a coliseum show where people watch two opponents clash.
War Game is like that and everyone is excited with just the mention of War Game. But the hype get even greater when they learn it was a smaller Rank C Familia challenging the infamous Ishtar Familia who is a Rank A Familia!
Not just the people but also the gods are excited!
Naturally, the powerful ones already know the true underlying reason for the War Game.
Ishtar Familia crossed the bottom line of another god trying to covet a famous Adventurer who revolutionized the usage of magic guns which was previously obsolete because the existing magic gun was a cumbersome musket.
This stirred the interest of other major Familia. Especially the Freya Familia who is an eternal rival of Ishtar Familia rooted to the rivalry between Ishtar and Freya.
None want Ishtar to get a hold on the monopoly of Magic Rifles. Thus, they are prepared to assist the previously unheard of, Ray Familia as much as possible to suppress Ishtar.
However, things didn't play out as many would have expected.
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On the day of the discussion. A special Denatus is organized to facilitate the discussion of the War Game. Mainly to lay out the framework on how it would be held and what the demands would be from both sides.
Gods and Goddesses residing within Orario gathered to witness the discussion.
While the matter of the War Game occupied the mind of most Gods and Goddesses. Many are also curious about the God named Ray.
Not only was the name Ray never heard or recognised by them, they also never saw him. An elusive god who never made an appearance.
Yet, when everyone tried to recall details about this particular god from their time in Tenkai, everyone seemed to have an uncontrollable shiver of fear.
"Yo! Hephaestus. I heard you had a relationship with this Familia. Do you know anything about their God?" Loki suddenly turns to Hephaestus who is silently waiting for the meeting to commence.
"Hmn? You mean Tanya?" Hephaestus raised her brow at the question before trying to recall something but failed to recall any good details.
"Well, I never met her God before. But she does mention a few things about him." Hephaestus mutters.
"Come on, don't leave me hanging like that." Loki pouted and threatened to throw a tantrum about it which made Hephaestus sighed helplessly and answered to Loki's curiosity.
"Well, there isn't much interest. But she once mentioned he had the power to shapeshift into a cat. Also he likes to use that to his advantage to do perverted things." Hephaestus deadpanned when she recalled Tanya complaining about Ray like to play innocent and trick unsuspecting females and got into troubles many times.
While gods had their Arcanum sealed, their innate power that isn't part of their Arcanum cannot be sealed. For example, Hephaestus with her ability to discern material and item and ability to forge divine equipment.
Typically, through a god's innate power. One could guess what type of god a god is. However, shapeshifting as an innate power leaves Loki helpless to guess. After all, there never existed an Eldritch God in Tenkai.
For Ray, even if his 'Arcanum' or divine power would be sealed like the Gods in Orario. His innate power alone is numerous and shapeshifting is just one of them.
After a while, the discussion died down as Ishtar, one of the related participants, finally arrived. Ray arrived not long after. However, he wore a cloak which hid his appearance except for his lower face which is barely exposed.
"Since Ishtar and Ray had finally arrived. Let's commence this special Denatus!" A nameless god announced with boiling excitement which turned the atmosphere lively.
Ishtar on her seat smirking while looking at Ray, knowing she already had the War Game in the bag. To her, this whole game was just a farce that she had to go through to officially obtain what she needed. After all, even Ray Familia has three Level 5. That alone isn't enough to bridge the gap of numbers she had. Not to mention, 90% of her Familia members are Amazoness who are known to be fierce fighters while the three Level 5 in Ray Familia are all listed as Mages.
"My demand is simple. If my Familia wins the War Game. Tanya will convert into Ishtar Familia." Ishtar declared openly.
At this point, Loki, Hephaestus and Freya already wanted to interrupt. But Ray suddenly reached for his cloak and pulled it away to reveal his face.
Contrary to the expression of fear or bitterness which many expected. Ray smiled. A very confident smile as if the role between him and Ishtar is reversed.
"Is that so? But don't you think the wager is a little too small? Ishtar?" His voice carried a mocking tone.
Many in the crowd gasped. Not because of his words which also could be a reason. But no, most who gasped are the Goddesses. After all, many expected his face might be subpar or ugly, hence he hid his face. But never did they expect his face to be this handsome and beautiful even!
His face is sharp and charming. Radiating ethereal charisma intermixed with beauty. Any mortal that laid their eyes on him will be charmed. Even men, not to mention women. To the Gods and Goddesses, they only fell into a daze but quickly recovered.
The only exception is Freya. The sight of his wild grinning face made her body weak and paralyzed with an unknown fear deeply rooted in her soul which she cannot explain.
Fortunately, this time. Ray knew to guard his soul against Freya's gaze and at most she could see a fake facade he prepared in advance for her.
"The wager is too small?" Ishtar mutters but her eyes lay fixed on Ray as she licks her lips with unhidden lust. "Indeed, I think so too."
"Great that you think the same." Ray said with false cheerfulness before he proposed his wager.
"The winner gets it all. Isn't that the rule of war? You should be much more familiar with it, no? Then, if I win. Your Familia will mine to decide. Whether they will be absorbed or dissolved while you return to Tenkai never to descend again. The same for me if I lose." Ray proposed his bold wager which caused other Gods and Goddesses to forget about his appearance and caused a commotion.
But Ishtar remained calm. Her previous confidence was gone as cunningness flashed in her eyes. She might be lustful and tend to be hot headed but not an idiot. She thinks Ray had the confidence to propose such a term. Naturally, she won't be careless. She thinks Ray was betting for a one on one duel between Captains. If that's the case then indeed he held advantage. But Ishtar wouldn't blindly throw away her numerical advantage.
"Why don't we decide on the method of the War Game first?" Ishtar changed the topic which made many frown because they knew her intention.
But Ray didn't mind and gestured to her to go ahead.
"I think a siege would be appropriate." Ishtar shamelessly proposed which received numerous boos from the crowd but a glare from her silenced everyone as her gaze returned to Ray who is still smiling with an aloof and unconcern attitude.
"A siege, huh? It was a great proposal. But, that is a little bit bland. What about a War? Giving both sides the same opportunity to invade and defend. Isn't that much more fun to watch?" Ray proposed unconcernedly about his Familia's disadvantage.
Many gasped because Ray is basically asking to be defeated for his proposal.
A war, both sides having a headquarter to defend and the goal is to defeat the leader or Familia Captain to secure a victory aside from a declaration of surrender. This would require manpower to both defend their headquarter and attack the enemy headquarter. Both require manpower and naturally, it's tilting towards Ishtar's favor since she has superior numbers.
"Hahaha. I don't know what you are planning. But fine, I accept your wager and term. The War Game will begin in a week. I will graciously provide you ample time to prepare so others will not say I took advantage of you." Ishtar smirked victoriously and stood up, about to leave.
"Well, wait for a moment. I still have one more term to put forward." Ray stopped her which made her smile stop but she didn't voice out any displeasure and sat back.
"Well, as others should know. My Familia originated from outside of Orario and had recently settled down not long ago. Some of my Familia members still scattered outside of Orario and had been recalled. They will be participating too." Ray said while looking at the small frown forming on Ishtar's face.
The only reason why Ishtar hadn't objected is because it's a well known fact Adventurers outside of Orario are rarely strong because of the lack of strong opponents aside from the dungeon. So, she isn't that worried. However, this also presents a variable. Who knows how many members Ray had scattered outside of Orario. A hundred? A thousand?
Then, as if reading her mind, Ray answered.
"Ah, don't worry. There won't be much. Only two dozen more members will be joining."
Ishtar then became relieved and agreed with a small smile.
"It is acceptable." Ishtar nodded before standing up and taking her leave.
Ray did the same before the Gods and Goddesses broke off from their daze and started hounding him.
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