Even though the sun had only just risen in the east, casting Orario in a warm golden light, the city was already buzzing like a disturbed beehive.
The War Game everyone had been waiting for was finally beginning today. There was an electric energy within the city walls that was rarely seen — a festive feeling that hung in the air like the aroma of freshly baked bread.
Every bar had opened earlier than usual, bartenders wiping down glasses with quick, practiced motions while workers at restaurants and food stalls braced themselves for the hungry rush to come. The scent of fresh bread and roasting meat filled the streets.
The reason the War Game commanded such tremendous attention wasn't only the battle between Familias — several gods had insisted on having posters hung around the city as a sweeping advertisement. These gods wanted as large an audience as possible, building the dramatic tension to a fever pitch.
The posters themselves were dominated by the blazing sun emblem and silver bow of Apollo Familia, printed in grandiose fashion. Since Hestia Familia had no widely recognized official symbol, a simple white rabbit had been painted in the corner of the posters as their representative — small yet conspicuous against Apollo's dominating gold.
Almost no adventurers were even considering wandering into the Dungeon on a day like today. The risk of missing the War Game was too great. Instead, they flocked to their favorite bars, with more arriving every moment, filling every corner of every room.
As for the workers and ordinary citizens who had managed to secure the day off for the occasion, they made their way to the wide expanse of Central Park. No one could contain their anticipation as they waited with bated breath for the opening bell that would shake the city.
"Testing, one... two... Ahem. Good morning and good afternoon, citizens of Orario!"
A deep, booming voice resonated through the voice-amplifying equipment.
"I'll be providing commentary on today's events — my name is Ibri Achaa of Ganesha Familia! Some of you may already know me as Fire Inferno Flame! Remember that name!"
A sturdy temporary stage had been erected in the plaza in front of Guild headquarters. A dark-skinned man with clearly defined muscles stood before it, holding a voice amplifier in his hands. A large crowd had already gathered before him, cheering and feeding off his energy.
"Joining me today to add his own insights to the festivities is none other than Ganesha-sama himself. Ganesha-sama, please say a few words!"
"I am Ganesha!"
"Yes, thank you so very much for that!"
A god wearing a large white elephant mask mounted the stage at Ibri's cue. He struck a dramatic pose and shouted at the top of his lungs, met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd who were already well acquainted with that deity's eccentric nature.
The Guild had partnered with merchants to transform this War Game into something like a national holiday. Many people from other cities across the world would be coming to Orario to watch the battle, which meant an influx of money for local traders. At the same time, the Guild used the occasion to advertise Orario's image as a vibrant city of adventurers, drawing more young adventurers to the city in the future.
Naturally, no one was looking forward to the War Game more than the gods themselves.
Many of them had gathered on the thirtieth floor of Babel Tower, which offered the finest view of the entire city. They all sat at the edge of their seats, legs swinging, brimming with the excitement of children waiting for a new toy.
Hestia and Apollo — the two gods "at war" in this battle — were among them, seated across from one another with auras that were polar opposites: one radiating barely contained anxiety, the other an infuriating self-confidence.
Those not present at Babel Tower had chosen to watch the match at bars among the common people, or with their followers from the comfort of their own homes, creating a communal atmosphere that spread across the entire city.
"Hermes-sama, are you certain I'm allowed to be here?"
A mortal woman looked deeply uncomfortable among the gods and goddesses gathered on the broad expanse of the thirtieth floor. Asfi Al Andromeda felt small beneath the weight of the divine presences surrounding her.
"Yes, don't worry about that. The only one who'd care isn't here." Hermes answered casually, smiling sideways and waving a hand.
"It should be about time."
A battered pocket watch drawn from his coat pocket showed hands moving slowly, marking three minutes to noon.
Hermes tilted his chin toward the high ceiling and drew a deep breath, his expression shifting to something serious.
"Well then, Ouranos. We require your permission to employ our powers."
Hermes's authoritative words rang through the chamber, carrying the weight of consequence. A moment later, a subtle tremor answered — not a sound, but an assent that was felt in the soul.
"[Granted]."
The response spread telepathically across the entire city, those heavy syllables heard everywhere at once, from the Guild to the crowds assembled in Central Park.
*ZING!*
People gasped in astonishment as hundreds of large mirrors materialized across the city without warning, floating in the air like enormous eyes.
The gods were permitted to employ only one specific form of Arcanum — the Divine Mirror.
Every god or goddess could use their clairvoyant power to display events occurring at different locations at any given moment. Needless to say, its purpose was to enhance their enjoyment of life in the lower world, transforming battles into exclusive spectacles.
In this way, every god in Orario could watch the War Game together with their followers, even though the battle would take place far from the city in the ruins of a distant castle.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
"Now that the mirrors are in place, allow me to set the stage once more! Today's War Game is a Castle Siege battle between Hestia Familia and Apollo Familia! Both factions are already in position and awaiting the starting signal!"
Magic mirrors of varying sizes floated through the air across Orario, displaying different angles of the old castle that served as the arena, the grand banner of Apollo Familia billowing in the wind, and the surrounding plains ready to be trodden under war boots.
A roar of excitement erupted from the crowds as Ibri raised the voice amplifier back to his lips and began delivering background information with the enthusiasm of a seasoned sports commentator.
"All bets are in! No wagers accepted once things are underway!"
The owner of one betting house raised his voice to cut through the clamor of his customers and Ibri's commentary echoing from the nearest mirror.
Merchants and adventurers alike were betting on the outcome of the War Game between Hestia Familia and Apollo Familia. A favorite drink in one hand and a substantial sum of money in the other, patrons made their wagers and settled in front of one of the many mirrors, eyes locked on the moving images.
"Apollo Familia versus Hestia Familia, 20 to 1..."
"But the odds are 20 to 1 in favor of Apollo Familia. Lower than I expected. Is it really a foolish bet to put money on the smaller Familia?"
Two adventurers sitting side by side at a table frowned at the information posted at the betting counter.
Apollo Familia was the overwhelming favorite and betting on them should have been the sensible move, yet a number of people had placed money on Hestia Familia despite the considerable risk.
"Must be the gods over there..."
Gods and goddesses were better known for chasing jackpots than making safe bets. The two adventurers stared blankly at three particular figures as those gods grew increasingly transfixed by the mirror before them, wagering amounts that would be incomprehensible to ordinary humans.
"Wahhh!"
"It's time, it's time!"
"Come on, lucky rabbit!"
Tickets in hand, the three of them trembled with anticipation, praying with all their might, hoping for a miracle from the little white rabbit.
Meanwhile, at a quieter bar elsewhere in the city...
"What is this? How dull, if everyone is just betting on Apollo..."
Another bookie — a dwarf with a thick, full beard — glanced around his bar with mild disappointment at the lack of variety in the wagers. At that moment, a human adventurer walked up to the grumbling dwarf and set dozens of large coin pouches on the counter with a series of heavy thuds.
"Thirty million valis on a victory for Hestia Familia."
The voice was calm, but the impact was like a bomb going off. At the sound of that astronomical figure, every head in the betting house turned in unison, necks cracking from the sudden movement.
"I-It's Solo Leveling!"
"Good grief! Is Solo Leveling insane, or does he have so much money he's just throwing it away?!"
"What else would you expect from an upper-class adventurer! That amount is probably just one Dungeon expedition for him — money that lower-class adventurers like us will never see in our lifetimes."
In an instant, the crowd recognized that the man was none other than the renowned Solo Leveling himself, Charlie Avalon. His composed face radiated an undeniable aura of authority.
The dwarf stared at Charlie with a grave expression, cold sweat beginning to bead at his temple as he took in the sum of money on his counter.
"You sure about this? If you lose, don't come demanding your money back, alright? This betting house is backed by the Guild."
"I know."
"Your call then. Here you go. Don't lose it."
Seeing that Charlie hadn't changed his mind, the dwarf handed him a receipt and scooped up the money with hands that trembled ever so slightly, already thinking of it as free coin.
Charlie turned and walked back toward Empyrean Citadel. Aishia and Est were waiting at home, after all, and he had no wish to leave them worrying for too long.
"With this, I won't need to worry about finances for a while. 20 to 1... I wagered thirty million valis, which means six hundred million valis coming back."
A faint smile settled on Charlie's lips as he strolled leisurely away from the noise of the crowd.
"Far more profitable than having to go to the Dungeon. The Guild is going to bleed for this one."
Charlie despised gambling, but when he already knew the outcome thanks to foreknowledge, it was no longer gambling. It was an investment.
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