1039. Shirou Is a Third Wheel / 1040. Going to War with Apollo

Bell was dragging Hestia along as they fled, pursued by dozens of adventurers divided into several groups.

Chapter 1039 Shirou is a third wheel

It all stemmed from the fight with the Apollo Familia in the tavern a few days prior.

The incident occurred a few days ago, the day after the fight.

"You're Bell Krune, aren't you?"

"Yes, it's me."

Bell was stopped on the road by two women.

One was a very assertive short-haired girl, and the other was a girl with long, flowing hair that covered half of her eyes, who walked forward timidly.

"Uh, please accept this..."

The other party handed over an envelope.

Upon closer inspection, Bell realized it was an invitation.

The paper was coated with wax and engraved with an emblem... a symbol of a bow and arrow and the sun.

Bell looked up in surprise, and the short-haired girl spoke directly:

"I am Daphne, and this child is Cassandra. As you can see, we are the [Apollo Familia]."

Miss Daphne, with her raised eyebrows, initially gave off a tough impression, but she seemed to be a more composed person than I had imagined. Perhaps it was also due to the atmosphere she exuded. On the other hand, Miss Cassandra, whose eyes were always drooping, seemed more innocent and carefree.

"This is an invitation from our supreme god, Lord Apollo. You and your god must come. You cannot escape. That one's obsession cannot be eliminated. No matter where you flee to, he will relentlessly pursue you," the short-haired woman said to Bell.

"Eh..." Bell paused, a sense of foreboding creeping over him.

Before Bell could ask any questions, the short-haired woman turned and left.

"Please accept my condolences..." The timid long-haired woman nodded to Bell and followed the short-haired woman away.

While the Apollo Familia is not as powerful as the Loki Familia or the Freya Familia, it is still far superior in terms of experience and strength to Bell's Hestia Familia.

Bell and Hestia attended the party, and sure enough, trouble ensued! Under the watchful eyes of the gods, Apollo appeared before Hestia.

"Since you have harmed my members, I cannot remain silent. This is a matter of the [Family's] reputation... Hestia, are you determined not to plead guilty?" Apollo shouted.

"No one would admit to that kind of thing!" Hestia exclaimed.

Lord Apollo's face—was contorted in ugliness, and the lewd smile that disproportionately adorned his handsome features deepened. He smirked and said:

"Then there's no other way, Hestia—I'm going to propose a 'Game War' to you!"

I stared wide-eyed, just like the God.

--"Game War"

A battle between factions of warriors that unfolds after rules are established between opposing forces (familias). A total war waged by gods who oppose each other like board game pieces, treating their familias as chess pieces, in order to carry out their divine will.

In other words, it is God's "proxy war".

The victorious god can take everything from the defeated god and is given the power to command the life and death of the opponent. Usually, the winner will choose to strip the loser of all factional assets, including their members.

The knowledge Miss Eina had taught me vividly resurfaced in my mind, leaving me speechless.

Are only my faction and God's faction going to play Game War with the [Apollo Familia], which possesses at least mid-tier strength?

It's completely unimaginable.

'Apollo has made his move--!!'

'Extremely bullying.'

'I'm actually starting to want to watch it.'

On the other side, upon hearing Lord Apollo's declaration, a sudden commotion broke out around them.

Many of the gods, who enjoyed entertainment, chuckled wickedly and began discussing the matter amongst themselves, as if watching a good show.

The surrounding crowd stirred; the gods, eager for amusement, all supported Lord Apollo's declaration. Bell and Hestia surveyed their surroundings, finding themselves isolated and helpless.

"If we win... you will hand over your clan, Bell Krune."

Apollo made a further request to the astonished Lady Hestia.

"Huh!?" Bell's eyes widened in surprise.

Hestia gritted her teeth and said, "So you came here for that in the first place...!"

'What is God saying?'

As Bell looked around in a state of confusion, Lord Apollo revealed a chilling smile, a smile that seemed to be a condensation of his innermost desires, dark and intense.

"--That's not very kind of you, Hestia~! How can you monopolize such a cute child~"

Suddenly.

Just thinking about it sent shivers down Bell's spine, and his face turned deathly pale.

Apollo's undisguised, burning gaze, as if trying to pierce through his clothes, sent chills down Bell's spine, rendering him unable to move a single finger.

He had never experienced anything like it since birth; the intense chill made his spine go cold. Even now, thinking back on it makes him feel uncomfortable all over. Perhaps only by sitting by the stove could he feel a little warmth.

Bell never expected that early this morning, the Apollo Familia would send dozens of people to forcibly take him away. He could only drag the Goddess along as they fled in a sorry state.

Lili and Wielf waited for a long time at the maze entrance, but Bell didn't appear. Sensing something was wrong, they rushed back to rescue him.

With the help of the young lady from the Azure Pharmacy and the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia, they barely managed to hold off the pursuers, allowing Bell and Hestia to escape.

"This time we've really messed things up badly," Hestia said through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry! My Goddess, it was all my fault for being too impulsive," Bell said apologetically to the goddess who looked like a girl.

"Bell-kun only did it for me, right? He's even angrier than I thought. I'm a little happy, but also a little sad..." Hestia whispered, holding Bell's hand as they hid in an alley.

"Goddess..."

"But! It's because the other party is a pervert, it has nothing to do with Bell-kun. But I never thought I would be bullied to this extent. If I could recruit a powerful familiar, this wouldn't have happened. I'm sorry... Bell-kun, it's all my fault for being a useless god." Hestia lowered her eyebrows.

"No! This is absolutely not the fault of the Goddess! The Goddess took me in when I was all alone and gave me a warm home. There is no better god in this world than the Goddess!" Bell retorted.

"Bell-kun ..."

"Goddess..."

"Bell-kun!"

"Goddess!"

The two, deeply in love, were completely unaware that someone was behind them.

Shirou stood silently behind the two, arms crossed, feeling speechless. It was awkward to interrupt them, but if he didn't, he didn't know when he would be able to greet them.

Is now the time to show off your love?

Chapter 1040 War with Apollo

In the dimly lit alley, a man and a woman gazed at each other with eyes full of emotion. Hestia clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and leaned her face close to the white-haired boy, her lips slightly pouting.

The white-haired boy, oblivious to romance, looked completely bewildered.

At that moment, a pair of hands reached out and lifted Hestia and Bell up from behind.

"Who is it!" Bell exclaimed in shock as he was lifted up without sensing any presence.

"Who is this ill-mannered fellow! I am a god, put me down right now! Of all times, at such a crucial moment!" Hestia waved her hands and feet, speaking urgently.

"Quiet! Don't attract those guys," Shirou said to the two of them, sounding annoyed.

"Shirou-kun?"

"Big brother!"

Hestia and Bell turned around and exclaimed in surprise. They immediately realized the problem and quickly covered each other's mouths.

"Let's get to a safe place first." Shirou carried the two into the alley, opened a door, went inside, put them down, and locked the door behind him.

Just then, the sound of a small group of soldiers running could be heard outside.

"Where?!!"

"They're not here! They must have gone ahead!"

"Chase them! They can't have gone far!"

Hestia looked around, surprised to find a hidden room in such an inconspicuous place.

This is actually a warehouse used by Shirou and Amazon to store weapons. It's used to store rare items that were sold on credit but have collectible value and can be sold at a higher price, so no one usually comes here. You could say it's a very safe place.

In addition, because valuable items are sometimes stored there, someone is needed to keep watch at night, so some daily necessities and beds are also provided.

"Bell, didn't I tell you to come to me if you run into any problems?" Shirou brewed a pot of milk tea for the two of them, hoping to calm them down.

"The matter is too urgent, and this shipment was caused by me. I can't cause you any more trouble, brother." Bell said, looking down at the cup. He had considered that Shirou's blacksmith shop had just opened and was currently very busy. He had already received a lot of help from Shirou, including forging weapons for him and taking him to hellish training.

Bell actually knew what grand plan his older brother had, but because he was too weak, he had never told him. Despite receiving so much help from his older brother, he couldn't help at all now that they needed manpower.

Therefore, Bell dared not trouble Shirou even more.

"No... they've already come knocking on my door." Shirou said, frowning. His blacksmith shop had been broken into by a group of armed men who were roughly ransacking his things.

"I'm sorry! Big brother, is everything alright at the shop?" Bell asked anxiously.

"It's not your fault. I told them to roll out of there, and they're still lying on the road," Shirou said, shrugging.

"That's right! It's not Bell-kun's fault. Shirou-kun did a good job, they needed to be taught a lesson." Hestia waved her little fist, looking fierce but cute.

"What are you planning to do next? It seems like they're not going to give up." Shirou poured himself a cup of milk tea and sat down opposite the boy and the goddess, asking.

"Hmm... the people over there also said that Apollo will absolutely not give up." Bell said in a deep voice, somewhat disheartened. He thought he had become stronger, but he was still in such a sorry state.

"That bastard, he was just as obsessed back in the God Realm, and on top of that, he was incredibly promiscuous," Hestia said through gritted teeth.

"Bell-kun, what are you thinking? If it's with you, I'm willing to go anywhere. Let's escape to a city now, and come back when you're strong enough." Hestia looked at her only familia and said with a smile.

"..." Bell lowered his head.

Seeing Bell's hesitation, Hestia said, "It seems the answer has already been decided! Well then, Bell-kun! Let's go see Apollo!"

"Eh?!?!" Bell jumped up.

"Shirou-kun, I can ask you for help, right?"

"Of course! They took my shop, and I want to settle that score with them too," Shirou said with a smile.

"Let's go, Bell-kun! I'll do anything to win!" Hestia angrily pushed open the door and walked out.

'Goddess? Big brother? What are you trying to do?!' Bell thought in fear.

Hestia pulled Bell along as they walked out of the street and headed towards the mansion of the Apollo Familia.

Along the way, they did not encounter any members of Apollo Familia. Even when they arrived at the entrance of the openwork ancient Ancient Rome- style wrought iron gate, no one stopped them.

Instead, a red carpet was laid out on the ground, as if they had been waiting for Hestia's arrival from the very beginning.

The Apollo Familia, dressed in identical uniforms, stood on either side, while Apollo himself, wearing a crown woven from olive leaves, emerged from the house.

"Oh, isn't this Hestia? What brings you here?"

"Enough with the nonsense! Apollo! You perverted bastard! If you want to fight, then fight! Game War! I accept!!!" Lady Hestia snatched a white glove from someone next to her and threw it at Apollo's smiling face.

The glove slid off Apollo's face, revealing his true, cunning and monstrous nature. He spoke, "This is the result of agreement between the gods—ladies and gentlemen, the Game War has begun."

"Yay! Yay..."

"Ooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!"

Dozens of gods suddenly appeared in the courtyard. They had been hiding in the bushes, on the grassy ground, in the trees, and in the pond, waiting for Hestia's words.

For bored gods, lively Game War are a welcome remedy for boredom.

"The grand ceremony has begun!"

Without Apollo even having to speak, these gods proactively submitted applications for the Game War to the guild, taking the initiative to notify the other gods and convene them to hold a divine meeting to discuss specific matters and rent venues.

"Just as you heard, the detailed rules of the competition will be decided at the Divine Assembly, and the schedule will be announced to you at a later date... I'm really looking forward to it, don't you think, Hestia?"

A commotion broke out around him, and Apollo wore an arrogant smile.

Seeing Hestia staring at him silently, Apollo turned and walked into the mansion.

Hestia snorted and pulled Bell away from the venue, returning to the hut where she had met Shirou earlier. Shirou had already gone to find Wielf and the others; everything was proceeding according to plan.