'Everyone watched as Silver was engulfed in the flames of the explosion.'

'Loiju slammed the table in front of him in anger, the other workers had to hold him in place to stop him from raging around.'

'Eina dropped her coffee mug on the ground.'

'Tom screamed in anger…'

'And a cute beast girl dropped her large book onto the ground as tears started to form in her eyes.'

'All of his friends scattered around Orario watched as Silver exploded into bits…'

'On top of Babel, the Gods were silent.'

'Even Apollo knew this was an unsightly situation and remained silent.'

Why?... Why?... How did it come to this?!

'He didn't have words to describe what he was feeling right now.'

'However, he couldn't blame Hyakinthos for this.'

'Even if his actions were foolish, it is true that he was unconscious this entire time.'

'The moment he woke up, he attacked.'

'He didn't know of his Familia surrender… Nor would he accept it.'

"What just…"

'A small Blue-eyed Goddess with Twintails looked at this scene with hollow eyes.'

'A Blue-haired Goddess looked at it all with a blank face.'

'A tall red-haired Goddess couldn't believe what she was seeing, while a small red-haired Goddess looked at it all with a very, very sharp gaze.'

'And they weren't the only ones reacting to this of course…'

'Some of the Gods looked at the situation with pity, and others with anger.'

'And some were even… Smiling, as if this situation couldn't get more entertaining for them.'

—---------------------------------

"... I won! The Apollo Familia claims this victo…" Said Hyakinthos as he laughed

/SMACK!/

'But from the side, Vultus smacked him in the face as he said:'

"Are you out of your mind?! The War game already ended long ago! We already declared defeat!"

"?!"

WHAT?!

'He looked around to notice the looks and the state of the people around him…'

"... You have no authority to say that!" He replied as he wiped the blood from his face

"You were unconscious and everyone that was still battle-ready declared surrender!" Said Vultus as anger filled his mind

"LOOK AROUND YOU! DO YOU THINK YOU'VE WON?!" He said as he pointed to the dozens of hurt and unconscious people being treated

"What you did…" Said Vultus as he grabbed his ax from the ground

"Wh-what are you doing?!" Asked Hyakinthos as he crawled backward in fear

"I caused this due to my own selfishness, I will take your life away as repayment." As he said in a serious tone

/FWUSH!/

'He swung his ax with immense strength, perhaps even more than when he was fighting against Silver.'

/CLANG!/

'His ax clashed against Hyakinthos sword, making the latter slide several meters away...'

/BAM!/

'Hyakinthos crashed against a half-broken stone wall. His sword was shattered, its bits flying around the place...'

"I might not be in perfect condition but neither are you, this is enough to end you." He said as he made his way to Hyakinthos

"What are all of you doing?! Attack him!" He screamed towards his Familia members

'But the others did not move, although some were conflicted as to what to do.'

"After this War game, the Apollo Familia is going to be disbanded, there is no need to follow your foolish orders anymore." Said Vultus

"Your lack of vision and ethics has cost you, your companion's loyalty!"

/SWUSH!/

/Splurge!/

'Vultus swung his ax vertically, but Hyakinthos wasn't going to accept death just like this!'

"ARG!" Screamed Hyakinthos

'He tried to evade to the side, but he was too slow as he ended up losing his right arm.'

"How can it…"

/SMACK!/

'Vultus wasn't going to hear any of the bullshit he had to say.'

'He kicked him in the face, sending his body sliding a few dozen meters away…'

'It just so happened that… Hyakinthos was sent right next to Silver's body'.'

'Well… At least what should've remained from the explosion… Since the smoke is still a bit too thick.'

"ARRRRG!" Screamed Hyakinthos as he held into his bleeding shoulder

/Step step…/

'Vultus slowly made his way to him and said:'

"... This place is just perfect. I will end you right here, on his grave…" He said as he lifted his ax

/CLANG!/

"?!"

'In a twist of fate, someone actually appeared to help Hyakinthos!'

—------------------

"..."

'Back at Babel, Apollo closed his eyes in anguish as he watched the scene.'

Lissos…

'Apollo watched everything happen in front of his eyes with mixed emotions.'

'He wanted to protest and say something, but the previous display of the boy he underestimated still played in his head.'

'It was... An impressive display worthy of victory. There was no need to bicker over it.'

'The Gods main objective with the War game was to settle disputes in an entertaining way. Never forget, most of the Gods went to the mortal world to have fun.'

'About 99% of them came with that initial idea, some changed, others maintained their mentality.'

'And Apollo was no exception. He changed, but not by much.'

'He still loved his parties and extravagances.'

"..."

'Hestia didn't say anything at all as she watched the transmission with her eyes fully opened.'

'She was grasping the edge of her dress with so much force it seemed it was going to tear at any moment.'

'She wasn't the only one with similar reactions...'

'Although most Gods seemed to have surprised faces, for them, this was an incredible show that suddenly had an unexpected twist!'

'Was the protagonist of this show still alive though? Or were they just watching the aftermath of his tale?'

'Some of them wished for this to be the case while some wished for him to be alive!'

'Both results were seemingly exciting!'

—------------------

/FWUSH!/

'Vultus' ax was about to collide with Lissos small sword when…'

"s-stop..."

"?!"

'Vultus ax came to a halt when he heard the voice.'

/SMACK!/

'He threw his ax to the side and smacked Hyakinthos away as he walked into the smoke to search for Silver.'

/Thud.../

"Ur... Basta...d..."

'Hyakinthos soon collapsed on the ground due to blood loss on a pile of scrap rock.'

'After a few seconds searching, the beaten-up figure of Silver could be seen.'

'Vultus grimaced as he checked his injuries, and after he checked them, he came to a conclusion...'

"Phew… So you are alive…"

For now...

But... I feel like a clown for acting like that!

/Thud/

'And with that, the big guy fell on the ground, and laid there, resting.'

'His body wasn't heavy, nor were his injuries great.'

'But after all, that happened, Vultus just wanted to sit down on the ground and forget about everything.'

'Because he knew that today, there wouldn't be anyone waiting for him back home...'

'It was quite comical, the two opponents were now collapsed side by side, on the ground unmoving.'

"Cough! Cough!..."

'Silver looked like he had been to war, his clothes were completely torn, his pants were no more and only a few pieces of cloth still hung onto his skin, but surprisingly, his injuries were not as severe as Vultus thought!'

"Urg..." Said Silver as he tried moving around to no avail

Dammit! My body is so heavy that it seems as if this planet's gravity increased 10 fold...

'The smoke soon cleared, allowing faint beams of light to shine in the rubble.'

'And soon enough, the image of the two warriors on the ground side by side was broadcasted across all of Orario!'

'The sky was blue and the sun shined in the remains of the fort.'

'This wasn't an image the people of Orario would forget this day anytime soon... Because...'

'He did it!'

'He was alive!'

'An impossible game, against all ods!'

'The name and face of Silver were now on everyone's head.'

-----------------------------------

'Somewhere on the foot of a great coliseum, a man with a Mic on his hand stayed mouth open as he watched the scene.'

'On his side, a tall muscular man with an elephant mask looked at the scene but with a completely different reaction.'

'He was smiling.'

"..."

He did it.

'Ganesha remained rather calm as compared to his usual behavior... But not for long.

'He opened his arms wide and said with his booming voice:'

"THE WAR GAME HAS ENDED!" He declared to the people watching below the stage

"?!"

'Shocked, the man with Mic woke up from his own world and opened his mouth to speak.'

"THAT'S RIGHT GANESHA-SAMA!" He said

"I AM GANEEEEESHA!" Said Ganesha as he posed

"IN A COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS, THE HESTIA FAMILIA, OR SHOULD I SAY, THE LONE ADVENTURER MELLIOS SILVER STOMPED BOTH APOLLO AND TITYOS FAMILIAS!" He said as he ignored Ganesha

"BE IT IN COMBAT OR STRATEGY, HE DISPLAYED US A COMPLETE NEW AND UNEXPECTED WAR GAME AS HE SLOWLY WITHERED OUT THE DEFENSES OF THE FORT AND CRUSHED EVERYONE ELSE TO THEIR KNEES!" Said the man with Mic

"BUT WHEN EVERYONE THOUGHT IT HAD ENDED WHEN THE TITYOS FAMILIA SURRENDERED A CHALLENGE FROM THEIR CAPTAIN! TO END IT ALL THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY!"

"AN INCREDIBLE FIGHT THAT MADE UT BLOOD BOIL WAS SHOWN RIGHT IN FRONT OF US LIVE!"

"WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DISPLAY!"

'But he stopped as he made a dramatic stop.'

"WHAT ALIAS WILL THE GODS GIFT TO SUCH ASTOUNDING ADVENTURER?!..." He said as he almost swallowed the Mic due to how close to his mouth it was

'He started to talk about the details of the siege while Ganesha on the side added on with his own observations and his usual 'I am Ganesha' speech.'

'Such discussions weren't happening only in the Coliseum, as everywhere in Orario, be it in a pub or inside another Familia's home, everyone was discussing today's War game.'

'What did the future have in offer for the Hestia Familia? And what would they accomplish?'

'Many were pensive, some even exited, others... Regretful.'

'Yet another competitor...'

'The news soon started to be passed around, soo going beyond the walls of Orario...'

'But let's take it slow and go back to the end of the War game...'

-----------------------------------

…

"What a fucking crazy trip this was…" Said Silver as he tried his best to stand

/Ploft/

'But he was too weak to stand.'

Did Hermes stop the transmission? I hope so else hundreds of thousands of people will see my semi-naked, hurt body, live without me being able to do anything against it.

'He looked to the side to see a beautiful red-haired girl with a red potion on her hand.'

"Need some help?" Said Daphne as she grabbed his hand

'Silver looked at her as if she was an angel descending to bless him.'

'However, she quickly averted her eyes as her face became a little red.'

"I can barely even feel my legs…" Replied Silver with a smile

"..."

'Daphne didn't say anything as she helped him drink the potion, and after that, she pulled Silver from the small crater he was in, dragging him towards a small covered area where the pale-looking Cassandra was waiting.'

'Vultus had already collapsed on the ground as sonorous snores echoed in the fort...'

"..."

'Cassandra didn't know how to look at him.'

'But Silver knew what to say.'

"Thank you… Truly." Said Silver to Cassandra

"I guess I owe my life to you now? But I don't have anything that valuable... I guess that's it. What do you think? Wanna marry…" Lightly joked Silver

"Humph?!"

'But Cassandra just stuffed a potion into his mouth as her face looked as red as a tomato.'

'Daphne just smiled lightly as she picked up a big cloak and covered Silver's body.'

/GULP!/

'Silver finished drinking the entire potion, he already felt better.'

"Thanks for covering me up, I don't have a kink for exhibitionism." Joked Silver once again as he did a light chuckle

'But Daphne just looked at him with a poker face.'

How can he laugh at this situation…

He would've died if it was one second too late!

"..."

'In fact, Silver was thinking the same thing as Daphne.'

'He joked because he wanted to lighten the mood instead of pressurizing Cassandra with his thanks.'

... That was too close for comfort.

After fighting against Vultus, I did fall unconscious for a few moments.

But I recovered, only to realize I couldn't move my body properly, and when I opened my eyes with difficulty, the first thing I see is a ring of light bursting in front of me…

Not the most pleasant way to wake up I bet...

'Silver looked to the side, to see Cassandra and Daphne looking at him.'

"..."

'He smiled, this smile isn't only for them, but it was for everyone that was watching the transmission... If Hermes was still maintaining it that is.'

'He was not.'

"Mission complete…" Said Silver as he closed his eyes to rest a little

"..."

'Daphne and Cassandra looked at each other before Daphne got up and started to give orders to the people around, leaving Cassandra to watch over Silver, although… Cassandra seemed a bit embarrassed as she watched him…'

'She didn't particularly hate him, on the contrary, she respected him.'

'By employing strategy, he managed to sow chaos, and even when he threw subtlety away, he still took down two of the strongest fighters on his own, despite being lower leveled than them.'

'It might seem strange that Cassandra was thinking this way of a not so long ago enemy, but the reason for that is quite simple.'

'Cassandra wasn't fond of the Apollo Familia, it was more of a... Temporary rented apartment them a place she could call home.'

'One with a very dislikable landlord and neighbors.'

'Her reasons were pretty similar to Daphne.'

'So even when the man in front of her caused her Familia's demise, she didn't feel that sad at all.'

'Even more when you consider the fact that he didn't really do much to her at all. Her life was in danger at one point and that is one of the reasons why she conflicted.'

'And she ended up...'

"Hm…"

'Silver felt the coldness on his lower part… Although he still felt part of his underwear…'

Shit, how much did that bastard Hermes show to the public?

Did he show my balls live?!

Depending on the angle...

Bastard. I will know how much you showed once this ends, mark my words, if my balls were shown, I will make sure everyone sees yours as well.

'And with that, the War game came to an end!'

'But how did Silver survive?'

'That was what many people had in mind!'

…

/A few seconds before the attack…/

"... Oh sunlight, may you beat back ruin!" Said Cassandra as she cast her area healing spell

'And she collapsed on the ground, tired.'

"Are you okay Cassandra?" Asked Daphne

"I just used too much Mind… But I am okay."

"Don't overdo it, even more, when everything is over…" Said Daphne

/BOOOOM!/

…

'Silver finished drinking another potion.'

"Haaaa… To be saved by the healing spell of my enemy."

Although I am pretty sure I would've survived that strike.

Even though I was already unconscious, I have passive magic resistance due to my Skill.

And not the say, the difference in stats.

And even the bonus I got from /Perseverance/.

Even if I was hurt… No... Exactly because I was hurt… I am sure my stats are higher than Hyakinthos.

Hyakinthos is not a magic-user, so his spell, although decently strong, is still not strong enough to kill me outright unless it hits something like my face.

His magic stat was never his focus…

Cassandra told me the name of the spell, Aro Zephyros.

It's a ring of fire that chases out a specific target in his field of vision.

Hyakinthos can make it go 'boom' anytime he wishes. And this was what he did with me.

Particularly, I think it would've been much more devastating to me if he only allowed his magic to hit me in the face… Cutting me in half.

But he decided to blow it up a few feet away from me…

As for the why?... How would I know?

It might've been Desperation? Anger? Time?... In the end, it doesn't matter anymore.

And thanks to the heal I received from Cassandra, I recovered just enough to make most of my external wounds completely close.

Cassandra heal is considered to be greater than ordinary potions... And it's an area Spell. One she used a lot of her Mind at once to empower, so its effects were even greater.

It also recovers a part of your stamina, but my body was too hurt for me to be able to move at the time...

In any case, nor was I cut in half, nor did I die… That would've been terrible for propaganda.

On the other hand… Fighting that guy was worth it.

Even if I put myself at a risk and showed a few more abilities, that was enough to show that the Hestia Familia isn't playing around.

It also served as training...

I wonder how much my stats increased...

'He stopped to think.'

Perhaps I can recruit him? His Familia will most likely be disbanded.

No, it will disband.

Knowing Hestia, she will likely steal their soul due to anger...

'Silver remembered Hestia after she came back from the War game a week ago...'

She was really shaken by what had transpired in the Denatus.

I couldn't blame her for the actions and promises she did, in fact, I blame myself.

It was me who told her to bait them to have a War game together, it was me...

Yet, fully trusting me, she did that massive of a choice and bet her own dignity on the line.

I should've thought deeper and planned this better.

And I bet she is fuming with anger and relief right now...

'Silver shook his head as he shifted his attention back onto his body.'

"Arrrg…" Said Silver as he sprinkled healing powder on his skin

That fucker… This hurts! When this is over I will find him…

'Silver smiled evilly as he continued to heal himself…'

'Cassandra had left in order to heal her old companions, so she couldn't help him in this.…'

'Not like she would even if she was still there.'

'Previously, she just watched over him and gave him a few potions and items like the healing power he is applying on his skin right now.'

'She wasn't that close as to applying healing powder on him...'

'And what she is doing right now could be considered her final gift and act as a Commander of the Familia.'

'Soon enough, she and Daphne would look for a new Familia to join.'

'If she would be able to call these people companions or competitors by the next time she saw them would depend entirely on fate.'

"This is enough." Said Silver as he got up

'Even if his body ached, he still had some things to do, he had places to be.'

'And it's not like he needed to recover here, he could do that in a more comfortable environment like his home.'

'He also didn't like the stares, after living in a small village for close to two decades and hiding his identity for three months in Orario, he felt rather bothered by all of this.'

'But he didn't show it.'

/Clang.../

'He grasped his halberd that was placed on his side and went to Vultus.'

'If you are curious, his Halberd was recovered by one of the adventurers after the fight and brought to him as he healed, let's all thank the nameless adventurer, he will be forever remembered...'

"You ok?" Asked Silver as he looked at the collapsed body of Vultus

"ZZZ"

"Alright, keep faking your sleep." Said Silver as he picked a back of healing powder and spread its contents on top of Vultus

"..."

'Vultus started to twitch, but he still 'slept'.'

"Consider this my thanks..."

"That's not even yours anyway..." Said Vultus as he opened his eyes

"Aren't you a cruel man, can't you let me mourn in peace? Why do this to me?"

My body is now itching! Heavily!

"Repayment for those punches to the face." Said Silver with a 'kind' smile

"... See you around." Said Silver as he left towards the broken tower

"..."

Adventurer Silver...

We will meet again...

/Scratch.../

After I get rid of this fucking itch!

'The sun high in the sky free of clouds, Silver with his dark cloak covering his almost bare body, made his way to the broken tower to get his emergency supplies...'

'His adventure was still in its infant stages.'

...

.

.

.

Notes