Orario, Babel Tower.
The gathering place for the Gods was on the thirtieth floor of the Babel Tower. This floor had no other areas; the entire floor was a spacious hall, with thick, long columns lined up in a row, supporting the towering ceiling.
In the spacious area, there was only a large round table in the center, and the walls around were all huge glass, surrounded by clouds, like a palace in the sky.
The Gods of Orario gathered together.
War Game, where two Familia engage in conflict under the game rules set by the Gods.
It was Astrea Familia against the Dark Faction's Rudra Familia, which made these fun-loving Gods incredibly excited and expectant.
Justice VS Darkness, Evil!
Many Gods also stared at the brown-skinned male God with unfriendly eyes.
Lord Rudra of the Dark Faction.
During the Great Conflict two years ago, many Gods on their side were almost sent back to Heaven, so they had no good feelings towards these evil Gods who loved chaos and death.
"It's ironic that I can actually enter a God's meeting!" Lord Rudra sneered. As a God of the Dark Faction, he was not on the same path as the Gods who were willing to abide by order, and he had never stepped foot here until now.
Naturally, no God welcomed Lord Rudra.
"I am Ganesha—"
Seeing the atmosphere so awkward, a burly God wearing an elephant mask rushed out and shouted loudly.
"Haha, Ganesha, you're still so cheerful and optimistic." Lord Rudra laughed. As a God of the same India faction, he certainly knew Ganesha.
In the India region, Ganesha is known as the God of Wisdom and the remover of obstacles, symbolizing auspiciousness and success, and is the most popular God in India.
And he, Lord Rudra, was an evil God who enjoyed chaos.
"Lord Rudra, what do you want to do this time?" Ganesha raised his head and looked at him seriously.
The Gods looked surprised; it was the first time they had seen such a serious Ganesha.
"Don't misunderstand, that woman is looking for trouble with me this time." Lord Rudra spread his hands.
Ganesha fell silent. The children of his subordinate Familia were good friends, and his relationship with Astrea was also good, yet it was his fellow countryman who committed such evil deeds.
"Stop rambling, quickly announce the rules of the War Game!"
"I've already taken off my pants, and you show me this?"
"Exactly, exactly!"
…
Many Gods grumbled, but there was nothing they could do.
The War Game was to be played by Astrea Familia and Rudra Familia. The rules, of course, had to be agreed upon by both sides to proceed, unless in special circumstances, with the approval of all Gods, a lottery would be chosen.
Astrea and Lord Rudra exchanged glances. They had already negotiated the rules of the War Game privately; this was just a formality.
"The rules of the War Game are—"
"Challenge the Underground City!"
Astrea and Lord Rudra said in unison.
As their voices fell, the entire spacious hall fell into a dead silence, with breathing clearly audible.
Loki, sitting in the back row, leaned against the ladder chair, her hands behind her head, her narrowed eyes slightly open. Her guess was correct; they really dared to play like this!
Connecting the conflicts between the two Familia, many Gods had already realized something, and a male God still asked, "What does 'Challenge the Underground City' mean?"
"It means exactly what it says!"
Lord Rudra showed a sinister smile, "Two Familia enter the Underground City. The Familia that reaches a deeper floor within a limited time wins!"
As soon as this was said, even a fool would understand: was the Underground City a place for playing games?
This was not a game; it was a massacre!
Many Gods were sweating. Are they playing this big? Both sides are aiming to exterminate the other's Familia!
An ordinary War Game, in the end, is a game and does not result in deaths. The two sides are using the name of a War Game to settle old scores within the Underground City!
"Does the Guild agree?"
"Cough, cough!"
Remel, the unlucky one sent over, stood by, almost choking on his own saliva, "The Guild happens to be investigating the Underground City tremor from a few days ago and has already had Ganesha Familia seal the entrance. It's fine for the two Familia to enter, but the Guild will not be responsible."
The Underground City entrance was in a "exit permitted, entry forbidden" state.
At other times, Adventurers would probably be furious; they rely on hunting monsters and exchanging magic stones for money to make a living. But the Underground City anomaly a few days ago reached the surface, and the monsters' attributes increased by one level.
It scared everyone, and many people were injured, so the desire to enter the Underground City has been very low these past few days.
The opposition was not as strong as expected.
Astrea Familia and Rudra Familia also could not enter the Underground City in advance to pull any tricks.
"Since both sides have no objections, then it is confirmed. The rule of the War Game is 'Challenge the Underground City'; the Familia that reaches a deeper floor wins!"
As for the reward, there was no need to mention it.
The victor has the power to control everything of the loser: plundering assets, disbanding Familia, exiling Gods, and even directly sending them back to Heaven is not an exception!
…
When Roy opened his eyes again, he saw an unfamiliar white ceiling. It was a familiar environment; he was lying on his big bed. This was the Star Garden!
"Hiss!"
Roy tried to move slightly, but a sharp pain shot through his body, making him gasp.
Having taken a direct hit from a bomb, three low-grade potions were clearly not enough to heal his injuries. His whole body felt like it was falling apart, but amidst the pain, a warmth also surged through his body, helping to alleviate the pain.
"Are you awake?"
The Elf Girl with golden hair and pointed ears walked into the room, her sky-blue eyes fixed on him. "Which dangerous secret realm did you run off to again? To get yourself into such a state."
A hint of exhaustion flashed in the Elf Girl's eyes. Finding the severely injured Roy in the courtyard, she didn't know how many times she had used "Noah's Healing" to save him.
Roy forced a smile, "It's still the same situation; plans can't keep up with changes…"
Ryu sighed helplessly, unable to resist complaining, "You encounter far too many 'changes'."
Roy gave an awkward smile. Although he encountered accidents every day, sometimes he deliberately sought excitement. He changed the subject, "Where is Goddess Astrea?"
At the mention of this, Ryu immediately perked up, "She's at the Babel Tower attending a God's meeting! The War Game has arrived!"
Roy looked out the window at the distant tall tower. It seemed his plan was going smoothly and progressing step by step.
"It's amazing that you can endure not acting." Roy looked at Ryu. Although she wished to grind all members of the Dark Faction to dust, she held back when protecting Goddess Astrea and meeting Lord Rudra.
Ryu gritted her silver teeth, "Acting then would at most kill two people, not enough, definitely not enough!"
Even if Lord Rudra was captured and Goddess Astrea sent him back to Heaven, what then?
Those people from Rudra Familia would convert to another evil God and continue to cause trouble in the world.
Just as Roy said, if you're going to do it, do it thoroughly: eradicate the Familia and send the Gods back!