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It was obvious.
These gods were bored out of their minds.
"Very well, I have an important announcement to make… but first take a look."
Apollo swept his arm dramatically toward a corner of the hall.
All eyes followed.
Another spotlight flickered on, cutting through the darkness.
"Oh?"
Anos raised an eyebrow.
He already understood what Apollo was trying to do And he already knew how he would respond.
Under the light, three figures stepped forward.
Bruised. Bloodied. Faces swollen.
They looked miserable.
"These three are members of my familia, Children I care deeply about."
Apollo began, his voice thick with theatrical grief.
"But yesterday while they were out adventuring they were attacked by the captain of the Hestia Familia."
"They tried to fight back… but were beaten into this state by the so-called 'Holy Child,' Anos Kanzaki."
"They are my beloved children! To strike at them is to challenge my entire familia!"
"And so—I, Apollo, declare war on the Hestia Familia!"
His arms swung wildly as he delivered his speech, passion spilling over with every word.
The message was simple.
This war was justified.
Of course, none of the gods actually cared whether it was justified.
They only cared about one thing.
That it was happening.
A Familia War.
Something worth watching.
"My, my…"
Freya licked her lips, amused.
She hadn't expected that keeping Anos's information under wraps would lead to this outcome so quickly.
Based on what she had seen—
His power was overwhelming.
Even against Level 5 opponents, unless the rules were absurdly restrictive…
He would win.
"Can he really handle this?"
Loki frowned, watching closely.
"He can."
Ais answered without hesitation.
"He'll be fine."
She still remembered the moment he took down Goliath in an instant.
With that kind of strength—
There was nothing to worry about.
"You know something, don't you? Care to share?"
Loki leaned in, curious.
"…Yesterday, we…"
After a brief hesitation, Ais began explaining in a low voice.
Loki listened carefully.
And frowned.
Ais… hesitating?
That was new.
"Now this is getting interesting…"
Hermes stroked his chin, eyes gleaming.
He saw it.
The mark of a hero's destiny.
A hero's path was never meant to be calm.
A hero's story needed conflict.
Struggle.
Change.
And for a god—
What greater joy was there than watching it unfold?
Apollo had set the stage perfectly.
The entire hall was alive with anticipation.
At the center of it all—
Anos simply sighed.
"Anos?! You didn't really do that, did you?"
Hestia asked, startled.
For a moment, she was genuinely unsure.
But then—
Her expression hardened.
So what if he did?
If he hit them, they probably deserved it.
"Of course not. You can ask Ais."
Anos met her eyes calmly.
At the same time, he focused most of his attention on her, If she lost control and released her divine power…
She'd be sent back to heaven.
And they'd be separated.
That couldn't happen.
When her power began to stir, he subtly absorbed part of it, calming her down.
"Trust me with this."
He leaned in and spoke softly.
"…Are you sure?"
"Of course. You know who I am."
He smiled, gently patting her head.
"…Okay."
Hestia nodded firmly.
She trusted him.
That was all there was to it.
"I'll be right back."
With one last reassuring gesture, Anos stepped forward.
The three men.
Their injuries were real.
But he hadn't caused them.
Which meant—
They had done it themselves.
And pinned it on him.
"…What a world."
He thought to himself.
A place with no real law.
Absurd.
But useful.
In a place like this—
His ambitions could grow freely.
Stopping in front of them, under the gaze of the gods—
"You're saying I did this to you?"
"Of course you did!"
"You think you can deny it? That won't work!"
One of them shouted.
Another raised his voice not at Anos, but at the gods.
Trying to force him into admitting it for the sake of reputation.
"I think you're misunderstanding something."
Anos sighed.
Why did they think he was denying it?
"What misunderstanding?! You think we'd mistake the person who beat us?"
They were trying to sound confident.
But in his eyes—
They were trembling.
"You're right."
"You did mistake it."
"But…"
"I'm not planning to deny that I beat you."
His voice was calm.
As it fell—
A glowing magic circle appeared beneath their feet.
A healing spell.
Their wounds disappeared instantly.
"What—?! That's rare healing magic!"
Even the gods took notice.
For them, it wasn't impressive.
But for mortals—
It was extraordinary.
The three stared at themselves, stunned.
Fully healed.
"This is just you covering up your crime!"
Apollo cut in immediately.
Even now, he twisted the narrative.
But Anos only smiled.
"No. I'm just not denying something I haven't done."
"…What?"
One of them stiffened.
A bad feeling is creeping in.
"What I mean is—"
"Why not make it something I've actually done?"
Anos raised his fist.
And smiled.
Boom.
A single strike.
The loudest one was sent flying into the wall.
Anos hadn't even moved.
Just a punch—
And the air itself exploded with force.
"What?!"
The other two finally reacted.
Too late.
Boom.
Another punch.
They slammed into the wall beside him.
As for the first—
He was practically embedded.
Not even coming off.
"That's my answer, Apollo."
Anos said lightly.
If Apollo wanted a war—
Perfect.
He needed funds anyway.
And Apollo had just volunteered.
"Hahahaha!"
Apollo burst into wild laughter.
The shock from earlier vanished, replaced by excitement.
His gaze burned even brighter.
Yes.
This was it.
This was exactly what he wanted.
"Very well."
"The Hestia Familia accepts the war."
Anos spoke calmly, under the watchful eyes of the gods.
"But a war needs stakes, doesn't it?"
"For someone like me—the fastest to reach Level 3…"
"What exactly is the Apollo Familia putting on the line?"
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