Chapter 124: New Familia Members! Daphne: This Guy is a Monster Through and Through

Chapter 124: New Familia Members! Daphne: This Guy is a Monster Through and Through

For Daphne, the Apollo Familia's home base was, of course, incomparably familiar. It was just that after the god had announced the Familia's disbandment, when she returned here again…

The scene before her was still familiar, yet it gave her an incomparably strange feeling.

The emblem symbolizing the Apollo Familia had already been taken down. It was clear the Hestia Familia hadn't even designed one yet.

Returning to a new starting point.

Daphne had already made sufficient preparations. Her mood wasn't complicated; to be precise, "apprehensive" would be a more fitting description.

Will I be rejected by Liam?

Although her mood was apprehensive, noticing her close friend Cassandra beside her... nervously clutching the cuffs of her sleeves, her own face remained calm.

"Let's wait."

"It should be starting soon."

"At least there are fewer competitors than at noon, and we are both Level 2 adventurers. There's no reason we can't even join a Familia."

"I hope so…"

Comforted by her close friend, Cassandra still scanned her surroundings. So many unfamiliar adventurer faces, yet she still remained pessimistic.

She didn't think that with her gloomy personality…

Even if she joined the Hestia Familia, she would probably become a marginal figure. On the contrary, Daphne, in terms of personality and ability.

Was superior to her in every way.

The worst result, of course, was being rejected herself. Cassandra was already mentally prepared. It would be nothing more than finding another Familia on her own.

Letting her close friend stay here where the development prospects were better.

And when the main gate of the Familia was opened, and the familiar figure of Liam subsequently appeared in everyone's sight, the noisy environment gradually quieted down.

"He's here."

Lunch was, of course, solved casually. Mainly because time was tight; he needed to recruit Familia members. If there was no one suitable…

Then it would probably come to nothing.

Regarding members, Liam already had a preliminary list of candidates.

Daphne, who could take on the role of Familia commander, and Cassandra. From a strength perspective, they weren't bad either.

Both were Level 2 adventurers.

Without needing much special preparation, Liam noticed through the glass window that the number of adventurers gathered outside was constantly increasing.

He had no intention of keeping them waiting.

Instead, he brought Lili along, preparing to expand the Familia members by a small number.

Just as he arrived at the manor's entrance.

His gaze was attracted by two somewhat familiar faces. The result was not outside Liam's expectations.

According to the plot development of the original DanMachi work, Bell, who had won the War Game against the Apollo Familia with the help of the clumsy elf and Syr.

Daphne and Cassandra's first choice was also him.

It was just that they were scared off by the money Hestia owed, and later joined the Miach Familia.

The overall environment hadn't changed particularly much, but the Familia's liquid funds were definitely considered ample.

"."

"Thank you all for coming here. Before the Familia recruits members, there are some things I must inform you of in advance."

Without a stern face, Liam's gaze swept over the crowd. The vast majority present were... completely unimpressive cannon fodder, passerby characters.

They most likely hung around the bottom layer of Orario.

Talent and strength were relatively secondary. The most crucial thing was character. He couldn't have them join the Familia and cause a big change in the overall atmosphere, could he?

"The Familia's activities will roughly be in the middle and lower levels of the Dungeon."

"To avoid encountering danger during Familia activities, there is a basic requirement for the strength of recruited members. This is also for your own safety."

"."

Noticing Liam's gaze falling on her face, Daphne clearly realized... in this situation, it was very necessary for her to be proactive.

She led Cassandra out of the crowd.

"Liam Moon... you can call me Daphne. This is my close friend, Cassandra. Both she and I are currently Level 2 adventurers."

"There may have been some misunderstandings before, but that kind of behavior was not our intention."

"Now that the Apollo Familia has been disbanded, Cassandra and I want to join your Hestia Familia. I hope you can agree."

"Y-yes."

Long blue hair was scattered across her forehead, covering most of Cassandra's face. She was slightly hunched over, not daring to face Liam directly at all.

Two consecutive nightmares, and the reason for the Apollo Familia's disbandment.

When facing Liam's gaze, it was difficult for the young woman to calm the fear from the bottom of her heart.

"Welcome."

The process was smoother than Liam had expected. Two Lv2 adventurers who could be considered combatants could greatly make up for the lack of members.

Counting Mikoto, there were three in total.

Entering the lower levels of the Dungeon to explore, at the very least, he wouldn't have to worry about safety.

As for the other adventurers, after being implicitly told that the threshold for joining the Familia was being a Lv2 adventurer, they looked at each other. Some were unwilling to give up.

"Um... does one have to be a Level 2 adventurer to join?"

"That's right."

"If it's just the middle levels, actually, as long as the coordination is in place, Lv1 adventurers can also explore the Dungeon normally."

"But can you guarantee you won't be a burden?"

The one who issued this soul-questioning query was Lili, standing beside Liam. Facing the gazes of the crowd, the young woman's slightly childish face was full of seriousness.

There were some things Liam, as the captain, couldn't say.

It was better to lay the ugly truth out first. Her gaze swept over the crowd, finally stating a fact, "Just five days ago, we just finished a Familia expedition."

"The final area we reached was the New World."

"Besides, Lady Hestia has already made it very clear that the primary core of the Familia's development is Liam. The rejection is not because we look down on you."

"If you want to be cannon fodder, I would, of course, raise both hands in approval."

"."

Such was the charm of language.

Heading to the lower New World, the strength of a Lv1 was definitely cannon fodder, and would even drag down the overall progress of the Familia's exploration.

Stating it openly and frankly made most of the adventurers who were thinking of trying their luck leave.

"The requirements don't have to be so rigid, right?"

Lacking the strength, there were still adventurers who stayed behind wanting to try. It was just that when facing Liam's indifferent gaze, they were instantly silenced.

An almost tangible killing intent washed over them like a tide.

The atmosphere on site was exceptionally quiet. Mainly because of Liam's age... his adventuring experience was deceptive, making them subconsciously feel.

That Liam was just slightly stronger.

Completely forgetting his decisive and ruthless appearance in the circular arena.

"Sorry."

"It was I who disturbed you."

Lv2 adventurers were rare in Orario. Through the screening just now, only Daphne and Cassandra remained.

Stepping into the manor again.

Looking at Liam's back as he led them to find the goddess.

Confusion filled Daphne's heart. She had thought this was just a preliminary screening, and there would be many complicated processes to follow.

It was also her personality.

Daphne didn't hide her doubts deep in her heart and asked decisively, "You're not going to ask anything?"

"Is there a need?"

"?"

Without even turning around, his light words made her proper and beautiful face almost be written over with question marks.

A strange feeling enveloped Daphne.

Even when joining other Familias, there would most likely be a background check, let alone for her, a former commander of the Apollo Familia.

But soon.

She figured out the reason.

Her expression was complicated, but she still kept pace, "That's true. With your current strength, you don't need to worry about such things at all." It was just that as soon as she finished speaking, she noticed Liam's steps pause.

Daphne realized she had misspoken. Just as she was about to correct herself, she heard the young man's... almost matter-of-fact final reply.

"Let's just say, is it possible that after joining the Hestia Familia, we will be partners fighting side by side in the Dungeon in the future."

"This bit of trust is a must."

Speaking of which, Liam turned his head, his smile sunny, "Besides, joining a more suitable Familia, isn't it for a better future?"

"."

Looking at the smile on the young man's handsome face.

Daphne was inexplicably dazed. She couldn't find any room for refutation. It was just that in the circular arena, he had proclaimed he would challenge the entire Familia.

That high-spirited appearance was a huge contrast.

At the very least, in this real contact, the impression Liam gave Daphne was extremely good.

She didn't deny it. Even the corners of her mouth were slightly raised at this moment. Goddess Hestia's attitude, she hadn't quite figured it out yet.

But smoothly joining the Familia would most likely be the most correct choice.

"You're right."

Having already made her decision, the remaining unstable factor was her close friend, Cassandra. Daphne hesitated for a moment, and finally decided to try.

"If I can join the Hestia Familia, it would be... my honor."

"But I have a request that's hard to make. If possible, could you let my best friend, Cassandra, also join the Familia?"

"."

"Although her personality is indeed sometimes a bit flaky and she has nightmares, but…" Recalling the details of their time together, there were indeed many good points.

But stating the shortcomings in advance also counted as mental preparation.

It was just that Daphne hadn't finished speaking before she was interrupted by Liam's matter-of-fact tone, "If I wasn't going to let her join the Familia."

"Why would I have let her follow along?"

"Of course, she's welcome!"

Being able to foresee future events in advance and find a way to break through from dreams – in terms of functionality, she was completely maxed out.

Liam didn't continue to dwell on the topic.

The next process was nothing more than having Hestia use her divine blood to update their ability scores and submit the Familia member list.

Moreover.

Lili and Mikoto had both smoothly joined the Familia.

There was no reason they wouldn't get past Daphne and Cassandra!

The facts were no different from Liam's speculation. Even after learning that Daphne and Cassandra were once members of the Apollo Familia.

Hestia still maintained a welcoming attitude towards them joining.

After all, both were of Lv2 adventurer strength. And she had asked all the necessary questions. They might be able to provide help to Liam in the Dungeon.

It was just that.

After completing the recruitment of Familia members, when the young woman scanned the growing Familia, which was supposed to be an excellent mood, after discovering they were all female members.

Hestia felt inexplicably melancholic.

All of them were... very beautiful girls. And they all had to move into the Familia home. It always felt like the matter of cultivating feelings with Liam.

Had to be put on the agenda urgently!

She looked at the first member of the Familia, who was also the Familia captain, Liam. She didn't let her tantrum show on her face, saying with a relaxed smile.

"Let's go to The Hostess of Fertility restaurant for a celebration banquet tonight."

"It will be more convenient to eat there, and we can also drink some wine, as a holiday for these past few days of hard work."

"I'll follow all your arrangements."

Going along with Hestia's idea, Liam had no other objections. The current Familia members had been supplemented by two Lv2 adventurers.

The development issue could be temporarily set aside.

As for the next goal, it was to use the funds paid out by the casino for weapon forging, and after that, to raise his level.

Whether it was his level in the DanMachi world.

Or the class level of his Sword Soul template, all needed to be raised!

Consider it a comprehensive supplement for the future development of the Familia. Liam's gaze swept over Daphne, Cassandra, Mikoto, and the others, finally saying.

"After the celebration banquet ends, we'll make a trip to the casino. We'll rest tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, prepare for Dungeon exploration. The target is the lower levels' New World."

"The time will be about 10 days."

"No problem."

Having witnessed Liam's power firsthand, Mikoto didn't feel defeated. She just didn't want to stagnate. Even if she could never reach his heights.

As long as she was stronger than yesterday's self, that was enough!

"."

The main point was the Dungeon exploration. Liam had already said it when recruiting dependants. It was just that when she heard "casino," Daphne frowned.

It wasn't that she felt the casino's actions were improper.

For the adventurers of Orario, who didn't have many means of entertainment, there was only the entertainment district, the casino, or going to a tavern to drink.

It was just that.

Having just finished a War Game with the Apollo Familia, and then going to a casino…

It inevitably made her, a former member, feel that there was something unusual about it. And the supporter Liliruca's next answer confirmed it even more.

"This is the betting slip. The casino only recognizes this."

"."

Curiosity ultimately triumphed over reason. Daphne looked at Liam and Lili, who were talking, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Um…"

"Captain."

"What does 'betting slip' mean?"

"It should be easy to understand. It's the slip given when you place a bet at a casino." The one who answered Daphne was Lili, her tone casual.

"Regarding the Apollo Familia's War Game?"

Already close to the truth of the matter, Daphne could even feel her heart beating. She looked at Liam not far away.

A bold idea gradually sprouted deep in her mind.

Mainly Liam's previous behavior, when being pursued by Apollo Familia members, was like a blatant entrapment.

Leaving traces to be searched for, but leaving when the pursuit team arrived.

Making the god Apollo, who had finally lost his patience, use the pretext of a banquet to initiate a War Game against Hestia in front of countless gods.

The one who agreed was Liam…

And the result of the War Game was already laid out before her.

Daphne took a deep breath to calm herself. Looking at Liam, her eyes were filled with complexity. Finally, she asked, "I have one last question."

"And that is…"

"The War Game between the Apollo Familia and the Hestia Familia, was it all orchestrated by you?"

"Of course."

"And you also went to the casino to bet on yourself?"

"Can't be helped. Who told the casino to set such high odds? Just by investing 2 million Valis, I could win 200 million after the War Game."

"."

Learning the truth of the matter, feeling the pounding of her heart, Daphne's mouth was slightly agape, but she couldn't say a word for a long time.

Countless complex thoughts filled her mind.

Her originally proper and beautiful face was gradually covered with bitterness and helplessness. It was just unknown, when Lord God Apollo learned of this news.

What kind of mood would he be in?

A mutual rush?

Apollo wanted Liam, who was impeccable in both strength and talent, while Liam, who had been seen as "prey" from the very beginning, wasn't he also using the War Game.

To seize all of the Apollo Familia's assets!

"You guy..."

"You really are a monster, through and through!"

(End of this chapter)

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