Chapter 146 - Victory in the War Game

Such overwhelming magical power caused Raven Eltharion's body to float midair.

10 meters.

20 meters.

50 meters.

80 meters.

100 meters.

Upon reaching a hundred meters above the ground, Raven raised his left arm high.

His palm pointed to the sky.

This was the artillery stance taught to him by the world's strongest mage, Silence.

Only mages with immense reserves of mental and magical power could set up such a terrifying cannon.

Back when Alfia and the Poseidon Familia fought against the Sea King, she had used this same artillery stance to strike the sacred bell tower at maximum output.

With that single blow, she annihilated the Leviathan from the three Great Missions in one hit.

Raven's cold gaze looked down upon the still-chanting Hyakinthos.

"Fast chant, huh?"

The masked Ryuu suddenly widened her eyes as she looked up.

"H-How is this possible…?"

"How much magical power and mental strength must it take to do something like this!?"

Trapped under the crushing gravity, Daphne raised her head with great effort, her eyes wide.

"A-Amazing…"

Mikoto, too, looked up at the figure floating above, his presence exuding the aura of a man who stood proud above all.

…

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!"

"How can there be such terrifying magical power in this world!?"

Staring at the swordless Hyakinthos and the cannon-charging form of the Heavenly Demon Lord, Apollo screamed in despair.

His face had long since lost any composure.

Every god present was dumbfounded, their expressions filled with shock.

"Loki, even your Nine Hell wouldn't be able to pull off something like this, right?"

Recovering from her shock, Hephaistos asked suddenly.

"Yeah, Fei Fei…"

"So this is his hidden potential?"

Loki couldn't deny it. Her crimson eyes were wide in disbelief.

She knew—he had initially tried to join her Familia.

Too bad that mutt Bete ruined everything.

In the end, the little shrimp got lucky and picked him up.

Just thinking about it made Loki grit her teeth in fury.

Hermes, setting aside his own astonishment, leaned slightly toward Hestia.

"From the looks of it…"

"Raven must have had absurdly high potential growth when leveling up, right?"

Wearing the smile of a pretty boy, the god asked with great interest.

"What were his maximum status values at Level 1 and Level 2?"

"I promise I won't tell anyone. Could you please tell me?"

Hestia stared at the mirror, not sparing him a single glance.

"You wouldn't believe it even if I told you."

"I'd believe you. Please, I'm begging you!"

Hestia remained calm and replied flatly.

"All SSS."

"Hahaha, you're joking, right?"

Hermes chuckled awkwardly.

"See for yourself."

Hestia's expression never changed.

Seeing her unwavering face, Hermes's smile began to twitch.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

At that short response, Hermes's face began to contort.

"Then… what's his magic stat, exactly?"

"Hermes, you're noisy."

One sentence cut off all further questions.

Hestia stopped speaking and continued watching the image in the mirror.

…

At Twilight Manor, home of the Loki Familia.

"An ultra-wide area annihilation spell?" Riveria looked deadly serious.

"A-Amazing…"

"It's like the sky itself has changed from the magic released…"

Lefiya stared in awe.

"Sound-based magic, ultra-wide spells, even defensive magic earlier…"

"He really is an incredible magic prodigy," Finn admitted.

"Yeah, an all-rounder mage…"

"From this old man's experience, there's barely anyone in Orario that can compare."

Even Gareth was wide-eyed.

"No."

"There might be more than just three spells. Do you remember what he once said?"

"You mean… the 99 types of magic… could that actually be true?"

Riveria's words left Lefiya completely shaken.

"…Raven~"

Ais smiled softly.

…

At the Golden Sanctuary Casino.

"What the hell kind of magic is that!?"

"Is Hyakinthos an idiot? Looks like he's screwed!"

"I'm finished… I might lose everything!"

"Damn it AAAAAHHH!!"

"Who the hell is this Heavenly Demon Lord!?"

"Yeah, how come we've never heard of him before!?"

The expressions of the high-roller players were starting to go green.

Casino owner Todd took in their faces with satisfaction, secretly thrilled.

"Young master…"

"We're gonna make a killing off this."

…

"[——Eifas Ze Phairos]!"

Hyakinthos, eyes bloodshot, hurled his solar disk skyward.

"How foolish."

Raven swung his raised arm down with force.

The massive magic circle in the sky rained down countless azure fireballs.

Trailing long tails and slicing through the air, they fell like a meteor storm.

Each ball carried destructive power.

One of them swallowed the thrown solar disk whole—

Then slammed down with undiminished force.

BOOM!

A chain of explosions erupted, covering the battlefield in thick smoke.

The ground was cratered, and the surrounding area became a sea of blue flames.

After a long moment…

The smoke dispersed on its own.

In a massive crater lay a charred man, black smoke still rising from his body.

The battle was over.

From afar, Mikoto released the gravity spell.

"W-We won…"

Just as her body was about to collapse from exhaustion, Ryuu caught her.

Seeing the result, Daphne fell to her knees, her limbs limp.

The sky slowly returned to its normal color.

Raven descended gently.

…

In Orario.

Thunderous cheers rose skyward.

As the heavy bell of the ancient ruins tolled—

The sound echoed across the entire city, announcing the victor.

Beastfolk spectators shouted excitedly at the mirror reflecting the young man.

"Eina, he won—!"

"His magic was so cool!"

"Raven…"

In front of the Guild Headquarters, Eina was embraced by Misha.

The surrounding guild staff were also in a celebratory uproar.

Eina smiled radiantly among them.

"A dark horse wins the whole thing!"

"The winner of the War Game is the Hestia Familia!"

On the stage, the host Ibli leaned forward with a flushed face, shouting into the mic.

His voice, amplified—

Crashed over the crowd and buildings like a tidal wave.

…

Inside the tavern.

The gods who had bet on Hestia's victory all jumped up in celebration.

"DAMN IT AAAAAAAAA!!"

As for the adventurers who bet on Apollo—

They shredded countless betting slips in rage and threw them into the air.

"Oh? Miss, you won too?"

Amid the sea of complaints, one girl smirked triumphantly.

"Indeed."

Naaza smiled, her tail wagging happily.

…

West Main Street.

At the Hostess of Fertility tavern.

Anya, Chloe, and Lunoire high-fived and laughed together.

"…Mister Raven~~"

Syr smiled with quiet joy.

…

"…He actually won???"

"And so flamboyantly, too?"

Bete clicked his tongue in frustration.

Without another word, he turned and left the lounge.

"Bete, where are you going nya?"

"Is it any of your business?"

He didn't answer Tione, and his figure soon disappeared.

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