Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?

"This time Loki's targeting Apollo? Did that guy go and provoke her for no reason?"

"No way, no way. With how spineless Apollo is, there's no chance he'd pick a fight with Loki."

"Yeah... you're probably right."

The Denatus—a regular gathering of the gods in Orario—was like a tea party where old friends met up to share the latest gossip and happenings.

But today's meeting wasn't for idle chatter. Everyone had gathered to discuss the sudden War Game between Loki and Apollo.

Still, every god present knew the battle was just for show.

Loki's side had several Level 5s and 6s. Apollo, with only a single Level 3, didn't stand a chance.

Even without a Level 6, just a few of Loki's so-called "Level 5" were more than enough to wipe out the entire Apollo Familia.

"So why's Loki going after Apollo? She can't be doing it just for fun, right?"

"Not likely. With Loki's personality, she must have a reason. Remember when she wrecked us? She had ten goals back then. This time's gotta be the same."

"In Tenkai, she only toyed with us because she needed something to amuse herself, right?"

Those casual remarks echoed the shared frustration of many gods.

In Tenkai, plenty of them had been tormented by Loki. The title "Evil God" wasn't praise—it was just a nickname for her outrageous personality.

Things were better here in Genkai. At least she didn't treat all the gods like her personal playthings anymore.

Freya sat in the front row, dressed in a white gown, calmly listening to the surrounding conversations. She was waiting—for Loki to reveal her true intentions.

'What kind of information did that child give to Loki?'

The thought only deepened Freya's curiosity.

The two gods at the heart of this War Game were now seated at the center on the white jade platform, prepared to negotiate the terms in front of the gathered deities.

After all, War Games were launched through the demands of the Familia Gods.

And for the gods here, the most entertaining part of this so-called "formality" was hearing the two deities hash things out.

Loki's aggressive eyes bore into Apollo, making him sweat under the pressure.

The awful memories of Loki tormenting him in Tenkai resurfaced in a flash. Just facing those squinted eyes made Apollo's skin crawl.

"First off, if I win this game, I want everything your Familia owns... and your two children."

Apollo had heard these kinds of demands before, but this time, Loki's phrasing was vague. He had to get her to spell it out—otherwise, this crazy woman might twist things later.

"Which two? Say it clearly."

Loki immediately understood what Apollo meant, but she didn't really care to argue.

She wasn't after his toys. She wanted real talent.

"Daphne Lauros and Cassandra Ilion. Those two are who I want."

Hearing the names, Apollo silently let out a breath of relief.

At least Loki wasn't bluffing.

"Clerk, record all of that."

Just to be safe, Apollo reminded the scribe nearby to take down every word.

"And if I win?"

"Then I'll accept whatever conditions you set."

Loki laid it out bluntly. The gap in strength was obvious—Apollo had no real chance, so she didn't need to negotiate.

"What kind of match are we playing?"

Loki casually tossed the question back to Apollo, letting him choose how he'd lose.

The very idea made Apollo sick.

He wasn't an idiot. No matter what kind of match it was, it would end in a brutal defeat.

Still, having already been humiliated once, he didn't want to make things worse.

Even if he was doomed to lose, he'd at least try to keep a shred of dignity.

"How about a siege battle?"

"Oh~ I don't mind, but in a siege match, you're the only one who's going to end up humiliated."

"Who said I'm fighting your whole Familia in a siege battle!"

Apollo wasn't stupid—he knew he had no advantage in a direct siege scenario.

Whether attacking or defending, he'd be crushed either way.

Still, he chose the siege format because he hoped to at least showcase his children's courage.

If nothing else, it might help salvage a bit of dignity in the end.

"Your Familia has three Level 6s, four Level 5s, and a bunch of Level 4s. No matter how I look at it, my children can't match that."

"So, Loki, I want a limit on how many members your Familia can send."

If it was a full-on clash, it would be like throwing eggs at a stone. But if Loki's side sent only a few against his whole Familia, at least it wouldn't look like a complete one-sided slaughter. That way, he could preserve a little pride.

"Well, I don't see a problem with that."

Loki shrugged slightly but accepted the condition.

"My Familia will only send two members. But because we're sending just two, we'll be the attackers."

'Two people...'

Apollo repeated in his mind. One would've been even better, but he knew better than to push his luck with Loki.

They were going to lose either way. Still, getting beaten by two was slightly less shameful than getting wiped out by one.

He added one more term.

"During the War Game, neither side can use any support items."

It was an extra restriction.

Apollo knew full well it worked against him, but it was also a way to place some limits on Loki.

In a head-on clash, injuries were inevitable.

If there were only two enemies, and his children coordinated their efforts properly, they might at least land a few blows—even against the Loki Familia.

If they could manage to injure someone from Loki's side, it wouldn't feel like a total loss.

The difference in levels was massive—glaringly so.

Even dealing some damage would count as a moral victory.

Loki gave Apollo a quick glance, pouted slightly, but didn't object.

"Alright, then neither side can use support items."