Chapter 147 - Leveling Up to Lv.4

Babel Tower, 30th Floor.

For once, even the gods couldn't calm down, voices buzzing constantly in the hall.

They offered praise or criticism toward the children, each giving their own commentary on the War Game.

Among them, only one god stood frozen in place—Apollo—his face pale as a sheet.

The image in the mirror showed his Familia member kneeling powerlessly on the ground.

Reality left him no escape.

He stumbled back a few steps, and the laurel crown on his head fell to the floor.

"A—PO—LLO…"

Hestia stood up from her seat with a bone-chilling movement.

"Ee-eeh?!"

Apollo collapsed backward in fear, trembling violently.

"You're ready... aren't you?"

Hestia's voice was cold and deep, like it had risen straight from the pits of hell.

"W-Wait, it was just a spur of the moment…"

"Your child was just so cute, I couldn't help but pull a prank…"

"P-Please…"

"Have mercy, O kind and benevolent goddess…"

"Shut up."

Just those two words—

And Apollo turned ashen, completely silenced.

"You promised that if I won, you'd agree to any demand, right…?"

Staring at Apollo's tightening throat, Hestia took a deep breath—

Then declared:

"All your property, including your main estate, will be confiscated. Your Familia is to be disbanded."

"As for you, the main god, you're exiled from Orario—permanently. Never take a single step back into the city."

"And your children, the 'Pessimist' and 'Laurel Runner'—they'll be transferred into my Familia."

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

Clutching his head in despair, Apollo screamed.

Hestia showed no mercy in delivering her punishment to that pervert.

…

Ancient Ruins.

"Mikoto, how's your condition?"

"Recovering. You?"

"Don't worry. My mana and mental strength recover fast."

Raven let out a relieved sigh.

The spell he had just cast, Heavenly Plume Annihilation, still had room for improvement.

To show off, he had nearly blown himself up.

Thankfully…

In the end, he still managed to impress the audience.

Raven thought back on the grand goal he had set for himself—

The Hearthfire Mansion.

Now, he had completed the first step.

Next—

It was time to develop his Familia.

Just thinking about it made him smile with satisfaction.

"Let's go, Mikoto, Ryuu."

"Time to head back to Orario."

Normally, the return journey from the ruins to Orario by carriage would take a full day.

But for someone who had teleportation magic—

That distance…

Took only thirty minutes.

Yes.

Only as long as his magic's cooldown timer.

…

Thirty minutes later.

Northwest District, Block 7.

Inside the battered church that served as the Hestia Familia's base.

A pristine white magic circle appeared out of thin air.

"Your magic… really is convenient…"

Even after her second teleport, Mikoto was still deeply impressed.

"Hahaha."

"Is it?"

Raven smiled slightly.

Mikoto was now a member of his Familia, so he didn't hide anything from her.

"Raven…"

"I'll return to the tavern for now."

Ryuu began removing her disguise.

"Alright."

"When it's time to meet Goddess Astraea, I'll let you know."

"Then I'll head back to Lord Takemikazuchi's place as well."

Ever since they became family, Mikoto no longer called him "Lord Raven."

After saying goodbye to them both—

Raven went down to the basement.

He changed into clean clothes and laid down on his bed.

"Mm, I'm a little tired…"

"I'll take a nap before Hestia gets back."

…

Golden Sanctuary Casino.

Owner Todd tallied up the profits—

Total earnings: 149.9 billion valis.

Pure profit.

All the rich gamblers had bet on the Apollo Familia to win.

If Raven had lost…

Then the biggest casino in Orario would've gone bankrupt.

…

Night fell.

"Congratulations, Raven-kun."

"After just one week, you've reached Level 4."

Hestia smiled happily.

…

Raven Eltharion

Lv.3 → Lv.4

Strength: SSS 1999 → I0

Endurance: SSS 1999 → I0

Dexterity: SSS 1999 → I0

Agility: SSS 1999 → I0

Magic: SSS 1999 → I0

Development Abilities:

Mana Absorption: G → E

Intimidation: G → F

Summon: I (new)

Magic:

Heavenly Plume Annihilation

Reincarnation Summon

Phantom Feather

Skills:

Demonic Chaos

Overlord's Pressure

Sanctuary of Holy Magic

Outer Path Golem

Dance of the Demonic Horde

…

Raven looked over the stats written on parchment and smiled in satisfaction.

He could only say—

Having a cheat-level growth was a blessing.

Reaching Level 10 wasn't just a dream anymore.

So what if others leveled up slowly?

It had nothing to do with him.

"Raven-kun, let's go out and celebrate with a feast!"

"No problem."

---

Access more chapters at patreon.com/dzeref887