The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

5/5

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"Do you even realize what you're saying? What right do you have to question a rule jointly established by the gods?"

Hephaestus finally spoke up, looking at Yoru with a mixture of helplessness and concern. As a close friend of Hestia, she was familiar with the boy from her Familia.

She thought she already had a decent grasp on his personality—but clearly, this young man had once again upended her expectations.

This wasn't simply pride or a strong sense of self. This was sheer defiance—outright rebellion against divine authority.

It was true that the gods' dignity had long since eroded after living in the mortal world for so long. But that didn't mean a mere mortal could start pointing fingers and questioning their decrees.

There was no doubt about it—Yoru was challenging the gods themselves.

"No, I'm not questioning anyone," Yoru replied calmly. "I'm simply making a request—for the gods to reconsider and revise an unreasonable rule."

"I understand what you're trying to say," Hephaestus responded, "but that's not possible. If we followed your logic, there'd be no need for separate Familias. No competition, no drive to earn money or grow stronger. All gods might as well join forces and form one united Familia."

"…That doesn't sound so bad, honestly."

Yoru chuckled, narrowing his eyes. Hephaestus, however, replied seriously.

"The gods descended to the lower world to bestow our blessings so that mortals could temper themselves—to fight and survive using their own strength against monsters. We do not exist to shelter the lazy or reward those who expect something for nothing. People who don't strive for anything don't deserve salvation."

"Oh? So we came down to the mortal world with such noble ideals?" another god muttered offhandedly. "I only came because I was bored."

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Maintain some dignity in front of the mortals!"

But it was already too late. Whispered conversations broke out among the gods, and Hephaestus's stern expression collapsed into visible frustration.

"Well, Hephaestus," Yoru said with a shrug, "it seems your fellow gods don't quite share your sense of purpose."

She shot a glare at the ones who'd spoken and placed a hand over her forehead, clearly exasperated. She knew she couldn't talk Yoru down. The only one who might stop his madness now was… Hestia.

"I'm leaving."

She coldly announced her exit and turned to go.

Yoru didn't stop her. He knew she was likely going to tattle to Hestia. That was fine—Hestia was bound to hear about this anyway. He just needed to resolve everything before she arrived.

As he lowered his gaze, deep in thought, Loki's voice rang out from above once more.

"I know what you're thinking," she said, "but even if every god here agreed to change that rule, I would never hand over one of my children to an outsider. Let me be perfectly clear: a weakling like Hestia Familia isn't worthy of being my child's lover!"

"Weakness and strength… aren't something you prove with words."

Yoru sighed, visibly annoyed by her claim. He slowly clenched his fist—and an eerie, bone-chilling cold spread across the entire hall.

Several gods instinctively shivered, startled by the sudden drop in temperature.

Then, Yoru spoke again.

"Looks like we will have to settle this with a War Game after all."

His tone was almost identical to when he'd first mentioned it, which made Loki frown deeply.

That confident tone—like he'd already won—was really starting to get on her nerves.

"Hmph. If it's a fight you want, I'll gladly oblige," she said. "But tell me—can you afford the cost of losing? If you win, Riveria is yours. But what if you lose?!"

Yoru's expression darkened.

"I've already said—I won't treat Riveria like a wager. That would be disrespectful to her. I won't demand that she leave Loki Familia. If I win, all I ask is that the gods make a one-time exception—just for Riveria and me. You don't have to abolish the rule, just grant us this one exception."

Loki blinked, taken aback by his response. But she quickly composed herself.

"You're being too naive. Love between members of different Familias brings all kinds of complications. Even if we make a special exception…"

Her tone softened, and after a brief pause, she continued.

"You're right. I wouldn't use my child as a bargaining chip—not even if I knew I'd win. That would be an insult to Riveria. But if we do go with your version of the wager, then what will you bet in return? 'Never seeing Riveria again' is meaningless to me."

"…If I lose," Yoru said quietly, "I'll leave myself to your mercy. Do with me as you please."

Loki snorted in amusement.

"'At my mercy'? You really overestimate yourself. You're just a Level 1 adventurer. What use would I even have for you?"

She chuckled and crossed her arms.

"Your life isn't worth enough to be bargaining with. You're in no position to make deals."

"She's right," another god added. "Even in a War Game, there must be a wager of equal value. And clearly, 'do as you wish with me' isn't nearly enough to match what you're asking for."

Yoru frowned, caught off guard. He hadn't considered that he'd be the one struggling to offer a proper wager.

Just then, a calm yet resolute voice rang out from beyond the hall.

"Add this to the wager: if Yoru loses, the entire Hestia Familia—including me, their goddess—will serve the Loki Familia without question. Will that be enough?"

"Hestia?! Are you insane?!"

Hephaestus, who had gone to fetch Hestia, stood frozen in disbelief. She never imagined Hestia would say something so outrageous.

But Hestia didn't even glance at her friend. She stepped forward, stood beside Yoru, and locked eyes with Loki as she repeated her words.

"If that is the wager… will it be enough?"

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