Chapter 45: Problem Solved

'The attack has started.' Rex looked ahead to see smoke rising into the sky. It was so far it was almost imperceptible to his Level 2 eyes, but Scavenger confirmed it was the Apollo Familia's attack on the Hestia Familia church. 'Dammit.'

He was moving fast, darting across rooftops toward the Hestia Familia home. With Strong Body active and agility at SSS1479, his speed matched a true Level 3, with his feet barely touching the roofs before he leaped again. Below, the city folk caught only a blur overhead, gone before they could process it. At this pace, he'd reach the Hestia Familia church in three to five minutes. That's if the Ganesha Familia didn't stop him for 'reckless endangerment.'

'Shit, aren't I…' He reached the edge of a roof, kicked off, and cleared the 10-meter street below in an instant. His shoes hit the next rooftop with a soft thud, knees bending to absorb the impact before he surged forward again. 'Lili, my girl. At least don't kill anyone.'

He liked the Soma Familia right now and with how things are going, he wouldn't trade being part of any other familia. With how much freedom and money he has, even the Loki familia couldn't get him to leave. Besides, if he joined another familia, the millions of Valis he gets from selling his Blue Papilio powder will disappear, afterall the deal was made with the Familia itself and not him.

'I could maybe strike up another—wait a minute…' Rex stopped running and stood on top of a roof, looking ahead at the smoke rising from the Hestia Familia's church, his burgundy tie flapping in the wind. "I am him."

He just realized something he'd neglected. He had power. Financial power. He had connections. Did he mention he had power? There was an easier way to handle this situation—and it was more permanent.

'Hehe~' He adjusted his tie. 'I'm one smart motherfucker.'

———

"Ahh, soon, soon…" Apollo's eyes slowly closed as he sat on his ornate golden throne in the illuminated throne room.

The manor was quiet, as usual, being a good distance away from the noisy areas of the city. But today, it was even quieter than normal. The bulk of his Familia had already left to attack the Hestia Familia about 15 minutes ago, leaving only a few Level 2s tasked with protecting him.

Now, he simply waited on his throne for the moment they would bring him Bell. Even if they failed to capture the rabbit, Hestia would be forced to accept the war game—which was already a win in his book.

"Oh, my beloved Bell Cranel… when will I embrace you in my own arms?" Apollo had a habit of indulging in everything new and fresh. Picturing the events that would soon unfold brought him great joy. His very body shook with anticipation. "And if you add Rex Magnus—"

"Ahh, my boys~" His back arched in the throne as his hand moved to his private area. The night when he would sleep with his two boys was coming. He didn't mind if they refused his advances—many of his children had. 

Just sleeping in the same bed as them would be enough. "Fuccck~. I can't—"

"APOLLO!" A booming voice snapped him out of his fantasy as the double doors leading to his throne room blasted open with a thunderous crash.

"WHO DARES!" Apollo sat up, his voice deepening as he turned his attention to the door. "???" 

The one who had rudely kicked open the door was the captain of the Panacea Familia, the Level 4 Durlan, dressed casually with his blond hair in a ponytail, and his rapier sword drawn. Following behind him was an angry Dian Cecht, wearing his usual white and gold robe, and next to him was the doll, Airmid, dressed in the Dian Cecht Familia uniform. 

"Dian Cecht!" Apollo straightened his back and clenched his fist on the armrest. "Have you gone mad?"

"Mad? FU-HA-HA-HA!" Dian Cecht's laughter boomed mockingly. "Oh, Apollo, you truly are a spectacle. No, no, I'm not mad—I'm disappointed." His grin sharpened as he leaned slightly forward. "Here I thought you were a god of light, not a god of idiocy. But alas, it seems I overestimated you."

"What is the meaning of this, Dian Cecht?" Apollo's jaw tightened, his golden eyes narrowing. "You barge into my home, insult me, and bring armed adventurers into my throne room. Explain yourself before I—"

"You see," Dian Cecht interrupted, his tone shifting to something colder, his grin never faltering. "While you've been busy playing your little games, you've managed to step on some very important toes. Mine, for starters."

Apollo's expression shifted from anger to confusion. "What are you talking about?" Did his children mistakenly attack one of Dian Cecht and Panacea's property? No, they aren't that dumb.

At his question, Dian Cecht simply gestured broadly behind him, and Apollo turned his attention to Panacea, who he hadn't noticed earlier due to Dian Cecht's presence. The goddess was smiling calmly at him, dressed in a pastel-colored chiton, and slightly behind her stood Rex Magnus.

"???" Apollo was visibly confused at the sight of Rex standing beside Panacea like a child seeking comfort. "Why is he here?" He gestured vaguely at Rex, who sniffled like a lost puppy.

"Apollo, your actions have put us in a difficult position," Panacea said with a calm voice. "You see, this boy is under an exclusive contract with our Familias. His contributions are invaluable to us, and your attempt to forcibly recruit him jeopardizes that arrangement."

"Contributions?" Apollo blinked, his confusion deepening. "What are you talking about? He's just a Level 3 adventurer from a failing Familia. What could he possibly offer that's so important? Soma wine?"

"Oh, but it doesn't matter, does it?" Dian Cecht's grin widened. "All you need to know is that you've interfered with my business. FU-HA-HA-HA!" He laughed loudly, then instantly became serious, his voice low. "And I don't take kindly to that."

Apollo shivered at the older god's tone, gritting his teeth. His eyes moved to Rex, who was looking everywhere but Apollo himself, and the god opened his mouth to speak, but Dian Cecht beat him to it.

"Now, if you know what's best for you," Dian Cecht's gray eyes locked onto Apollo's scarlet ones. "Stay as far away as you can from this boy. Otherwise, the Dian Cecht and Panacea Familia will make sure you regret it."

Apollo's face flushed with anger, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes. "You dare threaten me in my own home? Do you think I'll just bow to your demands?"

"Yes," Panacea said calmly as Apollo turned his attention to the goddess. "Yes, we do."

Apollo clenched his fist, knowing he had his back against the wall. These two Familias alone controlled over 90% of all potions sold in Orario, and their only competition was each other. If they both banned him from buying potions, it would be a massive blow to his Familia. 

While the Apollo Familia could turn to lesser-known sources, the two giants could simply say, 'Don't sell to Apollo, or else you won't be able to sell in Orario again,' and everyone would bow their heads. Apollo couldn't even argue that they'd be missing out on his money—his disappearance would barely make a dent in their income. 

When united like this, even the Loki Familia would think twice before stepping on their toes. He was in no position to argue.

"Fine," he muttered, his voice tight with barely contained anger. "I'll leave the boy alone."

"He also touched me without my consent," Rex mumbled with a sniffle, but his voice was loud enough to be heard across the room.

"???" Apollo.

"Ah," Panacea smiled. "I guess you need punishment for that."

"W-what!?" Apollo shot up from his seat. "Punishment? ME?!"

"What do you say to a fifty-percent increase in the cost of all purchased goods from the Dian Cecht and Panacea Familia for a week?" she asked, and Dian Cecht laughed.

"You read my mind, Panacea!" he shouted, while Apollo's face went pale.

"You can't do this!" Apollo roared. "I have a war game coming up, so—"

"Oh, you do, don't you?" Dian Cecht's grin turned almost feral, and Apollo knew he'd messed up. "Why don't we extend this punishment until the war game ends? FU-HA-HA-HA!" His whole body shook as he laughed, and Panacea could only look at him.

"Well then," Dian Cecht said after his laughter, seeming genuinely happy. "We'll be on our way."

"Please remember not to touch our boy," Panacea said kindly to Apollo. "Dian Cecht can get mad when he's angry."

"Me?" The other god pointed at himself in confusion.

Apollo just stood there, watching as the two Familias left with Rex, the two gods talking casually like they hadn't just come and humiliated him in his own throne. His clenched fist shook in anger as he watched Rex's back disappear as Durlan closed the door behind him.

Apollo collapsed onto his throne. "Rex," he growled. "He dares!" 

Suddenly, his voice softened. "Oh, Rex Magnus~" 

He'd said it before. The more they struggled, the more he wanted to take them, and the sweeter it was when he finally had them in his hand.

"Mmnnn~" 

———

"Like we agreed upon," Rex spoke as the group walked away from the throne room, "I'll send five bottles of the Papilio Crystallinum to each of your Familias."

"Twelve," Dian Cecht cut in abruptly, his gaze fixed ahead as if the matter were already settled. "You'll be sending each of us twelve."

"But we agreed on five," Rex turned to the god walking to his right. "Right?"

"Indeed, we did!" Dian Cecht's laughter echoed down the hallway as he looked at Rex. "But circumstances have changed, boy. Thanks to your little predicament, we'll be losing a fortune because of the tax placed on the Apollo Familia. They won't buy from our pharmacies until this war game is over. Airmid, tell him."

Airmid, walking silently beside Dian Cecht, gave a small nod. "The Apollo Familia's boycott will cost us millions in revenue, especially with their wargame most likely coming up." she said softly, her tone matter-of-fact. "Twelve bottles would help offset the loss."

It was the truth and Rex couldn't argue with that. "Alright, I'll deliver twelve bottles to your Familia tomorrow morning." He didn't mind though. Afterall, they were a massive help.

"Good, good!" Dian Cecht grinned. "I thought today would be another dull affair, but you've made it positively spectacular, boy! FU-HA-HA-HA!"

"Ah, haha," Rex chuckled awkwardly, giving a slight bow. "Thanks again for your assistance. You were a tremendous help."

"As thanks, make it fifteen!" Dian Cecht declared, slapping Rex's back with a force that nearly knocked him forward. "Fifteen Papilio Crystallinum, boy. Consider it a token of your gratitude."

"…" Rex shot a glance at Panacea, who was now very interested in the ceiling, then let out a resigned sigh. "Alright," he muttered under his breath and Dian Chet grinned.

"Then I'll be on my way." Rex gave them a bow to the two gods, with Airmid giving him a small bow and Durlan gave him a nod. He smiled at the two captains before sprinting away to avoid Dian Cecht from ripping him off further, with the god laughing behind him. 'Now… let's go talk to Zanis.'

About half an hour had passed since he left for the Apollo meeting, and when he returned, the stack of papers on Zanis's desk hadn't seemed to reduce. No, it seemed to have increased.

'Yeah, thank god that's not my job,' Rex thought as he closed the door behind him. "Zanis."

"Hmm?" Zanis asked without looking up from his work.

"You've got to hear this." Rex immediately launched into talking like a gossiping girl sharing the latest rumor around town, and Zanis had to stop working to pay attention. There wasn't much to say, so it only took him five minutes to relay everything.

Zanis stared at Rex after hearing the story, then raised his palms and sighed into them. This was supposed to be a simple meeting with Apollo, who only wanted to see the hidden Level 3 in the Soma Familia. 

Now, not only was the Apollo Familia their enemy, but Rex had gotten cheated out of fifteen million valis. Well, not ripped off since the help of those two Giants were absolutely worth the price but still…

"How did it turn out like this?" He was too tired for this nonsense.

"My handsomeness is such a curse," Rex groaned as he ran his fingers through his hair with his eyes glinting. "I can't believe my face was enough to break off our alliance between two Familia. Oh, great heavens."

Zanis simply stared at him with a deadpan expression, and Rex nodded. "Alright, I'll stop." He then clapped. "But since the Apollo Familia betrayed us, I think this is the best chance to retaliate and steal all their members."

"What?" Zanis asked, confused.

"You see, the Hestia and Apollo Familia are definitely going to fight each other in a war game," Rex leaned forward and placed both palms on the table. "We can maybe support the Hestia Familia, and when they win, we could take the members of the Apollo Familia."

"That… doesn't make sense," Zanis sighed. "How would supporting the Hestia Familia lead us to taking members from the Apollo Familia?"

"I don't know," Rex shrugged, pointing at Zanis. "That's your job. I'm the fighter, while you're the strategist. Come up with something, my brother from another mother." He stuck up both thumbs. "I believe in you."

Zanis stared at him before sighing once more, massaging the bridge of his nose. "I'll see what I can think of." He mumbled. "Maybe we can do something with Arde."

"I knew I could count on you," Rex nodded with a smile. "Now, if you'll please excuse me…"

Rex nodded and left the office, stretching as he did. 'Its, dungeon time!' 

He quickly went to his room to change into his dungeon gear. 'It's still early in the morning, so I should be able to finish my twelve-hour shift before Rose clocks out…' He thought about it, then shook his head. 'She'll have clocked out by then.'

He wanted to talk to her, but he was too shy to just walk in and start a conversation. It didn't feel right. 'Let's just not sell any of our drops tonight and sell them to her before going back to the dungeon tomorrow morning.' He paused. 'I should spend twenty-four hours there.'

'Twenty-four hour grind whoop-WOOP!'

With that, he left Cupidinem. 

———

"Please, Zanis-sama." A light quivered as it pleaded, "Allow Lilly to leave this Familia…"

Liliruca's was body was hidden by her robe as she kneeled in front of him, her palms on the ground, head bent low. Her round, chestnut-colored eyes focused on one spot on the floor, not daring to look up at the man sitting in front of her.

A few hours earlier, she had managed to see Chandra when he was returning from the dungeon and paid him 25 thousand valis so he could arrange a meeting with Zanis tonight. Now here she was.

She hadn't thought she would come back here after faking her death, but this was all so she could be freed from the curse of the Soma Familia—so she could stand next to Bell and the others with pride, especially now that Lady Hestia had accepted the war game with Lord Apollo. 

"Lilly knows this comes without warning, and she apologizes for that and for every other offense she has committed." She continued as the man remained silent, her shoulders quivering in fear. "But please, Lilly begs for your mercy…"

Zanis didn't respond, and a silence stretched between them. The only sounds were the flipping of papers and the crackle of embers in the fireplace. But she didn't dare make eye contact or even raise her head.

"Arde," Zanis finally spoke, causing her shoulders to stiffen. "Today, the Apollo Familia attacked the Hestia Familia. Am I to assume you helped the boy?"

She froze, her eyes widening as she almost looked up. 'He… knew?'

As if reading her mind, his voice came again. "I, too, believed you to be dead until I happened to hear the story of one man at a bar." His tone carried a hint of amusement. "He talked about the exploits of the Little Rookie on the eighteenth floor and the little pallum supporter who tagged along with him."

Liliruca cursed her own carelessness. She always used her magic to take the form of a werewolf child while on the surface. However, she deactivated the magic in the Dungeon to preserve her mind. Now, because of the events on the eighteenth floor, Zanis now knew that she was in a party with Bell.

But that didn't matter now. She was here to ask him to leave either way. "Ye-yes..." She replied in a low voice. "I helped him against the Apollo Familia." 

"Did the Apollo Familia attack you first before you attacked them when you were helping the boy?" Another question came.

She didn't understand the point of the question, but she answered, "They attacked Lilly with a bow first."

"Hahaha!" A loud laugh came, shocking her as Zanis stood up from his chair and walked toward her.

She still didn't dare look up, her body stiff like a deer in headlights as she stared down at his shoes now in front of her. Then he squatted and placed his palm on her shoulder, sending a shiver down her spine.

"You did good," his voice came.

'Lilly… did?' She was even more confused, and she managed to spare a glance up to see his face twisted in a terrifying grin, the moonlight and the fire from the fireplace making him look like a demon.

"You did marvelous, Arde!"

[Rex used his connection to strong-arm Apollo. Zanis is still working like a slave. Rex has decided to do a 24-hour grind and Liliruca came to beg to leave the Familia. What would Zanis reply to her plee? What is he planning? Find out next time on Danmachi: Scavenger!

Will start using that when I have nothing productive to say. Anyway, thanks for reading and watch out for trucks. Don't want you reincarnating and stop reading my book~o(*￣▽￣*)ブ]