I love time travel the most!

"What are you two doing?"

On the second floor of the bountiful mistress's house, a god and a human were kneeling prostrate before her.

When they arrived, Hill said she had something important to discuss, and they thought it was something secretive. However, when they entered the room, they unexpectedly encountered Hestia and Bell.

Because he knelt so quickly, Hill and Hermes held his shoulders so that he could not move and could only accept their worship.

Wait a minute, doesn't this seem strange?

There's a god here, why is he kneeling so readily? Where has your pride as a god gone? And Hermes, that sly smile of his feels really off!

After kneeling down decisively, Hestia pleaded loudly, "Please, Kobayashi! Join this clan war!"

"I reject!"

Xiaolin refused on the spot.

Thinking for even a second would be disrespectful to his sense of emergency avoidance.

News of the Hestia Familia's impending war against the Apollo Familia has spread throughout the streets and alleys of the Labyrinth City.

Because it was a long-awaited event, the gods were all looking forward to what would happen next.

The most adept thing about the tragically loving Apollo is his relentless pursuit. No matter which town he hides in or which country he flees to, the madman will chase him to the ends of the earth.

Because Hestia had gone too far and was becoming increasingly impatient with the provocation, she finally decided to accept Apollo's challenge.

The more assertive she was then, the more humble she is now.

To secure victory, she actually knelt before others. Doesn't she have the shame a god should have? ...No, if Hestia did, she wouldn't be known as one of the "Three Idiot Goddesses" along with Aqua and Ristarte.

Kobayashi gestured for them to let go, then sat on Hill's bed, looking down at the god and the human below, and said, "Let me hear what's going on."

"actually……"

Hermes began to explain.

The story goes back to yesterday.

After Hestia could no longer tolerate the provocation and agreed to war, their demands were quickly approved by the guild.

Then, the gods were summoned to hold a grand assembly to set the date, as well as the rules, format, and other related matters of the war game.

The event was held on the 30th floor of the Tower of Babel.

In the assembly hall, with its high ceiling supported by rows of pillars and a single round table in the center, a large number of gods had gathered.

Among them were quite a few people who were there to watch the excitement, and even Loki and Freya, the two giants of Labyrinth City, appeared at the meeting.

The date doesn't matter, the important thing is that it's lively.

In such a tense and exciting environment, they began to talk about conditions, or rather, stakes.

“If we win this war game, Bell Craney will be mine. And if I lose, I'll grant you any request. That being said, I'm sure I won't lose.”

The confident Apollo made no attempt to conceal his intentions, which is why he deliberately set a trap and provoked Hestia into agreeing to the Familia War.

As for how to determine the winner—

Hestia gazed at Apollo and proposed, "How about we settle this one-on-one, with each clan sending a representative to duel to determine the victor?"

This proposal was approved by gods such as Mih and Takemikazuchi, who favored Hestia.

One-on-one is the fairest form of competition that can bring the two sides closer together.

But the blond god wearing a laurel crown scoffed and sneered, "The fact that Hestia has so few members is her own fault. It's all because you haven't actively recruited any members to this day. Complaining to me about this won't help, and I have no obligation to cooperate with you."

Apollo naturally wanted to leverage the advantage of having a large and powerful retinue, and his reasons for refuting were quite reasonable. The gods who were not biased towards Hestia or were neutral all expressed their agreement.

However, in an attempt to demonstrate his magnanimity, Apollo hypocritically suggested deciding the matter by drawing lots.

result--

"You drew the siege battle mode, right?"

"Yes, that's it..."

Hestia's face turned ashen.

Among the many options, I happened to choose the battle mode that emphasizes the number of players the most.

This was undoubtedly a devastating blow to her.

However, Apollo, who believed he had victory in his grasp, in order to make the war between the clans more interesting, voluntarily ceded the offensive to Hestia and mocked her, telling her to do her best to attack.

Kobayashi, who already knew this would be the outcome, remained expressionless as he looked at Hermes, who was awkwardly scratching his head apologetically to the side.

It's normal for him to feel apologetic since he drew the lots.

So, to ensure the spectacle, or perhaps to involve someone who was not directly involved, Hermes deliberately stirred up the emotions of the gods and proposed:

"How about allowing the Hestia clan to seek outside assistance?"

Hermes sought help from other members of his household, limiting the number of people he could reach.

Upon hearing this, Apollo narrowed his eyes: "I know that, Hermes. You always speak so casually, but you're just trying to fool me. I won't fall for your tricks."

Regarding the ill-fated relationship that has continued from the heavens to the present day, it wasn't just Hermes who understood Apollo; Apollo also understood Hermes. Therefore, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, it was only natural to choose to refuse.

But Apollo overlooked one point: Hermes was not instigating him, but rather the other gods attending the council.

Then a respected goddess stepped into the conversation.

Are you afraid, Apollo?

"...Beauty Goddess Freya?"

"Does this mean you can't fight if the opponent isn't alone? Or is it that you don't trust your children, and that your love for them is only this much?"

"Hey, don't look down on me..."

The silver-haired goddess, seated high on the steps, smiled, while Apollo, standing beside the round table, frowned, looking distressed.

The goddess's words immediately caused a large number of male gods to switch sides, expressing their affirmation and support for the assistant system. In the face of "beauty," fun and winning or losing are unimportant.

The trend in Parliament has been completely shaken.

As the situation grew increasingly chaotic, Apollo had no choice but to agree to Freya's request and accept Hermes's proposed system of helpers in order to avoid the condemnation of the gods.

However, the conditions have been changed to only one helper, and the family member providing the helper must be from outside the city!

I agreed, but I didn't fully agree.

—Apollo the stingy.

The gods in the council scoffed at the concession made by the blond male god, who wore a laurel wreath and spread his arms, thinking himself magnanimous.

Needless to say, the number of people is much smaller compared to the Orario Familia. The adventurers outside the city are much weaker, or rather, the adventurers inside the city are much stronger.

How many clans near a city can have members at LV2 or higher? The problem is, is it even possible to contact them before the war game? And persuading them to help is just too difficult.

Apollo, who refused to budge, thus overruled the objections and agreed to the assistant system on the condition that it was proposed.

Freya, who wanted to give Bell some training, also fell silent.

Just as Hestia was about to agree, Hermes suddenly interjected, "Um... perhaps Apollo could compromise a little and let it be an adventurer from the city? And it would be even better if I could choose."

"What nonsense are you spouting, Hermes! I've already said no..."

"Xiao Lin."

"what?!"

The moment the name appeared, the atmosphere in the parliament changed instantly.

Loki opened his narrow, fox-like eyes, and Freya, who had been smiling, turned cold. The two of them stared at Hermes at the round table.

Horrible!

Hermes adjusted his hat.

To be honest, his legs felt a little weak.

But this oppression brought even more excitement! Indeed, a brand new era would begin under his guidance!

Hermes, still smiling, said to Apollo, "I've designated Kobayashi, a member of the Uranus Familia, to fight. Of course, if he also loses, he'll join your Familia as well, how about that?"

"I agree!"

Apollo made the decision without hesitation, leaving the other gods completely bewildered.

Then the sorrowful sun god revealed a lovesick face and praised Hermes, saying, "You are indeed my friend. This suggestion is truly excellent, Hermes!"

"...Hehe, whatever makes you happy."

Hermes, startled by the perverted face, couldn't help but shudder.

The inexplicable change of rules caused some dissatisfaction among the other gods. However, both parties involved agreed to the decision, and they had no reason to object.

Thus the assembly of the gods was dissolved.

Freya was the first to stand up, and said meaningfully to the handsome man at the round table, "You really did something stupid, Hermes."

Then he turned and drifted away.

Loki rubbed his forehead in frustration and muttered, "No way. Is this for real? Hey!"

She then quickly left.

Loki, his head practically steaming, desperately needed to get back and discuss this matter with his three leaders. At the same time, he couldn't help but admire Hermes for daring to tamper with Freya's forbidden territory.

……

"That's just the way it is."

"...Why do you look so proud? Besides, I have no reason to participate in the game, do I?"

Xiaolin glared through gritted teeth at the playboy who had forcibly dragged her into this mess.

He was nominally a member of the Uranus Familia, but in reality he was just a mercenary in name only. Why should Hermes be able to decide his allegiance?

But Hermes suddenly spread his arms wide, striking the pose often used in operatic monologues, and exclaimed, “Are you going to abandon the God of Grace, Kobayashi? You’re going to turn a blind eye to the slightest request from a god who once saved your life! Are you such an unfaithful and disloyal person? Ah, I really misjudged you!”

"Hey! Stop acting crazy! You asked me to go to the banquet, and I've already gone. What more do you want?"

Xiaolin rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.

Hermes stopped and said, "Attend a banquet? Does that mean leaving halfway through the banquet and deliberately hiding in the courtyard until the banquet ends? What kind of banquet is that?"