Chapter 100 - Invitation to the Banquet of the Gods

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"I'm Daphne, and this is Cassandra. We're both from the [Apollo Familia]."

After a simple introduction, Daphne—with her sharp, slanted eyes—gave off a commanding presence. However, her personality was calm and composed.

Meanwhile, Cassandra, with her droopy eyes, radiated a sense of innocence and carried a timid and pessimistic personality.

Her eyes darting nervously, Cassandra said in a soft, hesitant voice:

"Th-this is an invitation. Lord Apollo is hosting a banquet…"

"I-it's fine if you're too busy to attend… y-you really don't ha—"

Before she could finish, smack!

Daphne gave her a light chop to the back of her head and leaned forward. Cassandra whimpered, clutching her head in pain.

"Make sure you pass this on to your god, got it? The invitation's been delivered."

Daphne pointed at the envelope to emphasize her point.

Without saying much else, she called out to Cassandra and turned to leave.

As she walked away, Daphne suddenly paused and looked back at Raven Eltharion. Her sharp gaze softened slightly with a trace of sympathy.

"To be honest, I feel a little sorry for you…"

With that, she turned and departed for real this time.

Raven Eltharion watched her go and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Well, I kind of feel sorry for you, too."

After winning the War Game, not only would he gain the Hearth Mansion—

He'd also claim that cheat-tier girl, Cassandra.

…

On the way back to the [Apollo Familia] headquarters, Cassandra sighed deeply, her eyes filled with dread.

"Uuuu… Daphne-chan… our Familia is doomed…"

"What's going to happen to us…"

But Daphne remained unfazed by her usual doomsaying. Instead, she confidently spoke words of "positive reinforcement":

"What are you even talking about?"

"So what if he's the fastest to ever reach Level 2?"

"Our Familia still has tons of top-tier adventurers—our captain, Hyakinthos, is even Level 3."

"You think we're afraid of him?"

Cassandra broke into a cold sweat, growing more panicked.

"B-but this time feels different!"

"No buts."

Daphne cut her off coldly.

The truth was… their god, Apollo, had a very persistent obsession.

Whenever he took a liking to someone, he would chase them to the ends of the earth and wouldn't stop until they were his.

Daphne and Cassandra were both prime examples—girls who had been relentlessly pursued by Apollo.

From city to city, from nation to nation.

He never gave up until they gave in.

That's why Daphne had looked at Raven Eltharion with such pity earlier.

She knew exactly what was coming—because she'd already lived through it.

…

The sky was now draped in the deep veil of night.

The lavishly decorated ship glided slowly along the wide river that flowed through Orario.

Raven Eltharion strode along the wooden pier suspended six meters above the water, making his way to the floating restaurant.

"Raven-kun, I'm over here~!"

Hestia waved from a seat on the open-air deck. She had been waiting a while.

A pristine white dining table had been set, accompanied by two matching white chairs. A vase of flowers sat at the center.

The atmosphere was romantic and elegant.

As Raven took his seat, the waiter promptly brought out a selection of fine dishes and poured high-quality red wine into their glasses with grace.

"Raven-kun~~ this is my first time dining on a boat!"

Hestia said, her cheeks tinted with joy.

"Same here. I've never seen a restaurant this fancy before," he replied with a grin. "Come on, let's toast."

"Okay!"

After cutting into a perfectly grilled lobster, Raven set down his knife and raised his glass.

Clink.

Hestia took a sip of wine, then tilted her head in curiosity.

"Raven-kun, what were you doing just now?"

"This."

Raven pulled out the invitation.

"This is… an invitation to the Banquet of the Gods?"

Hestia blinked in surprise.

She opened the envelope and found the message: [Apollo Familia] would be hosting a Banquet of the Gods tomorrow night.

These banquets were private gatherings hosted by gods, intended to flaunt their influence, wealth, and the strength of their Familias.

After reading, Hestia smiled with growing interest.

"Raven-kun, let's go together tomorrow night~!"

"Sure."

Raven's curiosity was piqued too.

Normally, only gods could attend such banquets.

But this time, [Apollo Familia] allowed each deity to bring a single Familia member as a guest.

The two continued enjoying their lavish seafood dinner, with Hestia repeatedly marveling at the flavors.

As expected, Water Key's reputation was well deserved.

The menu focused on fresh shellfish and other sea fare.

The entire meal cost Raven 300,000 valis.

By the time their carriage returned them to their Familia's residence in District Seven on the Northwest Avenue, it was already 10 p.m.

"Raven-kun… can we sleep together tonight?"

The implication: no summoning Alfia or Meteria tonight.

Raven thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Sure. I won't summon Alfia or Meteria tonight."

"Yay~ let's play a game together~"

She loosened her blue-and-white ribbon, letting her jet-black hair cascade freely like a waterfall.

A game?

Raven instantly knew what she meant.

Although they had shared beds and intimate moments before…

…there had been no real progress.

As one of the three virgin goddesses, Hestia wouldn't easily give up her "first time."

But after spending the whole day together—

Her affection for Raven Eltharion had clearly reached its peak.

And now…

She felt it was finally time to take their relationship to the next level.

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