The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

"Hestia, you…"

Yoru's feelings were complicated as he heard his goddess say those words.

"This is my selfishness. Why are you dragging the entire Hestia Familia into this?"

He gently hugged Hestia and let out a sigh.

He suddenly felt guilty toward her. If only he hadn't been so stubborn, maybe Hestia wouldn't have come here and said something like that.

"What are you talking about, dummy? You're a member of the Hestia Familia! If that flat-chested goddess dares to look down on you, then she's looking down on all of us!"

Hestia turned around and dramatically pointed a finger at Loki, who stood atop the platform.

"You little midget! Who are you calling a flat-chested goddess?!"

"Hmph… Do I even need to say it? How shameless can you be, Loki?"

"Y-You damned shrimp! You serious about this?!"

"I'm dead serious! So how about you, Loki? Do you dare accept my challenge—do you dare to initiate a War Game?!"

"Hahahaha! What a joke. Why wouldn't I? If you're willing to offer up your entire Familia to serve mine, why should I refuse?"

As Loki's voice faded, another god chimed in:

"Then, under the witness of all present gods, it is agreed: a War Game between Loki Familia and Hestia Familia will be held at a later date!"

With the terms of the War Game settled, the Divine Banquet resumed—after all, the primary agenda of naming the newly promoted adventurers had yet to begin.

But the rest no longer concerned Yoru and the others. As the banquet resumed, Yoru, Hestia, and Hephaestus had already left Babel.

"Did you even understand why I called you here?" Hephaestus grumbled. "Yoru doesn't grasp the severity of this situation, but you, Hestia—you should know better! Why on earth would you accept that kind of wager? Are you trying to doom your entire Familia?!"

She looked exasperated. Honestly, she was starting to regret even going to fetch Hestia. If she hadn't brought her, maybe Yoru wouldn't have been able to finalize the War Game due to lacking a proper wager.

But with Hestia's arrival, the War Game was now inevitable. And if they lost, the price would be catastrophic.

Hephaestus couldn't see any chance of victory for Hestia's side. Yoru might be strong—perhaps even strong enough to defeat a Level 5 or 6 adventurer—but so what?

War Games weren't about personal heroism. They were about mobilizing the full strength and strategy of an entire Familia.

Individual strength could only go so far.

And when it came to individual strength, Loki Familia wasn't lacking either—they had four Level 6 adventurers, after all.

"Well, counting me, there are only three members in my Familia right now," Hestia said with a carefree smile, completely unfazed.

"Besides, as long as we win, none of that matters, right?"

"Win? And just how do you plan to win? Don't be so naive, Hestia. You're going up against the most powerful Familia in all of Orario. I don't see even a sliver of hope for you."

"The strongest, huh? Then that makes this even more worth the challenge. If we win, the Hestia Familia will become a prestigious Familia. Adventurers will start lining up to join us, don't you think?"

"Yeah! The name of Hestia Familia will surely shine throughout Orario!"

"You two… sigh…"

Watching them laugh and act like they'd already won, Hephaestus could only let out a long sigh of resignation. At this point, nothing she said would change anything. All she could do now was wish them luck.

"I just hope the next time we meet, you'll still be standing before me as the goddess of the Hestia Familia."

"I will. I definitely will. I believe in Yoru."

"Then… good luck."

Hephaestus offered a warm smile before turning and walking away.

Thank you… my dearest friend, Hephaestus.

Hestia placed her hands over her chest and closed her eyes as she whispered softly, watching Hephaestus's departing figure.

—

Meanwhile, at the Loki Familia's headquarters…

The group had just departed on an expedition but was suddenly called back by their goddess. Everyone was confused and had no idea what was going on. After returning from the Divine Banquet, Loki looked displeased as she explained the War Game that had been arranged.

"Ehhhhh?! How did it come to this..."

Riveria looked troubled, unsure of what to say.

"A War Game, huh…? Then that means I might get a chance to fight Yoru, right?"

Ais tilted her head, looking visibly eager.

"Ahhhh… such devotion. I'm honestly a little jealous, Riveria."

The twin sisters teased, and Riveria could only offer a helpless smile in return.

"Not the time for jokes…"

"No matter who our opponent is, this is still a challenge to the Loki Familia," said Finn Deimne, stepping forward with quiet authority. "And as such, we will respond with everything we have. Let them see that the Loki Familia isn't something to be taken lightly!"

As their captain, his words sparked discussions among the members, and plans for the War Game began forming.

But no one noticed the silent figure sitting quietly in the corner of the room.

A young man with white hair and beast-like ears.

A twisted smile slowly crept onto his face, and within his eyes burned a hatred so deep it chilled to the bone.

---

Access more chapters at patreon.com/dzeref887