A Cliché Multiverse Story

The next two days flew by in a breeze. No monster hunting in the dungeon was allowed. Asahi took Astraea and Alise on dates in Maya's world. Kaguya also nagged him, calling him dear and showing off her 'engagement ring.' In the end, Asahi relented and promised to take her out later.

Maya got a deserved break from her academy. She explored Orario on a date. Saya also introduced herself to the Orario gang. Her fiery demeanor and her bloated belly became a hot topic among the adventurers of Astraea Familia. Shizuka had the easiest time mixing in with the adventurers with her casual, easygoing aura. Lemegeton got the most attention with her Diva origin and her beauty. Yuriko only said a few polite words to the adventurers before she returned to her store. The woman had her priorities set for the moment, none of which related to the fantasy world of Orario.

Not now, at least.

***

The daybreak signaled the arrival of the fated day. The War Game everyone waited for finally arrived. The city was brimming with excitement. The arena had yet to open, but the crowd jam-packed the space near the door. The stalls set by merchants hardly kept the adventurers and commoners from breaking into the arena. The seats were limited, and everyone wanted to be the person inside the arena.

Hermes and other deities had taken the task to broadcast the match throughout the city with the 'Divine Mirror' spell. So, everyone could watch the War Game.

VIPs were allowed to enter the arena through the backdoor. That's where Asahi and his group ran into Freya. She was alone this time, her face glowing with energy.

"Ready to be my tour guide~?"

Asahi grinned. "Ready to serve me?"

He had put the matter of Syr behind him. He couldn't care less if she wanted to live a 'normal' life as a waitress. He wasn't going to reveal her secret as long as she didn't try anything on Ryuu.

Freya suspiciously averted her eyes. "My children will win."

"We shall see," Asahi said with a shrug. "Let's get this started."

His lovers cheered him up before taking their seats in the VIP section of the arena. The adventurers from Astraea Familia were absent from the bunch as Alise had taken all her savings to the bar. They were going to watch the match from the bar and bet the valis on him.

Asahi made his way towards the corridors, his instincts guiding him on the right path. He arrived before a closed giant door. The waiting room for the combatants. He could feel Ottar and other 'strong' presences behind a similar door.

(My love, let's chat until you are called.)

'Of course.'

***

A temporary stage had been set up in front of Guild Headquarters. Amazoness sisters Tiona and Tione beamed at the crowd, clutching a voice amplifier in their hands.

"Yahoo, everyone! Good morning~, it's Tiona Hiryute from your favorite goddess Loki's Familia! I'm gonna be giving insights into the fight today!"

Tione rolled her eyes. "This girl ain't qualified for this job."

The crowd burst into laughter.

"Hehe, I am more than qualified to talk about fights. Today, we are here to witness an event that will go down in the legends of Labyrinth City. It's a battle none of us saw coming. One man standing against the greatest Freya Familia could offer."

"Isn't it Ottar against Astraea Familia?" an adventurer asked with a puzzled face. "We were duped?"

Everyone in the crowd had the same concern. Most left their jobs just so they could watch the King crush the entire gang of Astraea Familia, including Asahi.

"You guys are in for a treat~." Tiona winked playfully. "A big treat."

"Let's not waste any time. Hermes-sama, if you please."

Hermes, who was standing near the stage with Asfi, nodded his head. "Well then, Ouranos, do we have the permission?"

"You may," Ouranos' response spread throughout the city, each word stirring people's hearts.

With the permission to use Arcanum, Hermes and other deities got to work.

The crowd gaped in amazement as hundreds of screens emerged in every part of the city. The excitement level doubled, perhaps quadrupled at the display of the divinity.

Asahi entered the arena and grinned at the crowd. His smug face immediately got loud jeers from the male side of the crowd. His reputation was already at the bottom among the male spectators. It became even worse when people realized Asahi will be fighting against the entire Freya Familia.

"That, our friend, is Asahi Marikawa," Tiona introduced Asahi to the crowd. "The Noble Rookie, the Charming Prince of Far East, and Lux Lanceam. He goes by many aliases."

"The fastest adventurer to level up in Orario's history." Tiona took over in a neutral, almost cold voice. "Never underestimate him or his lovers. It's my advice to everyone."

"And entering from the other side is Ottar! The King! The Level 7 everyone is excited to see today!"

Ottar threw his Supreme Black Sword over his shoulder. He only gave a glance at the crowd before focusing his gaze on Asahi.

Four small figures came out of the giant door. Bronze armor and helmet were worn by four identical pallums. The first brother wielded an axe, the second a hammer, the third a spear, and the fourth a greatsword.

"The Bringar!" Tiona shouted excitedly. "The Gulliver Brothers of Freya Familia. I once watched them fight an earth dragon. Their teamwork is so flawless and impeccable, I thought the four brothers were one unit."

"They were wanted by the Guild years ago," Tiona sneakily added as she watched more combatants joining Ottar's side. "The dark elf Dainsleif and the elf Hildrsleif. The White and Black Knights. The most brutal magic swordsmen of this era."

"Ne, Tione, I heard a rumor that Lady Freya wanted them so badly that she caused a war between the White Elves and the Dark Elves. Is it true?"

Tione nodded her head. "Lady Freya is a scary woman."

"These are all the adventurers Asahi will be fighting today. One against seven. The odds heavily favor Ottar's side."

"If he is a level 2 as his guild record says, the winner is already decided."

"If is a big word, sister. Hehe, did I sound wise?" Tiona giggled.

The conversation between the sisters didn't matter to the male crowd, who happened to be more vocal.

Meanwhile, in the VIP section, Hephaestus and Astraea observed the arena with little to no emotion on their faces, but the brown-skinned woman besides Hephaestus was anything but silent. She was a woman with an eyepatch on her left eye and long black hair.

She tugged at Hephaestus' shirt. As old as the woman looked, one would almost think she was a child by the way she gleefully smiled.

Tsubaki Collbrande, Cyclops, a level 5 adventurer from Hephaestus Familia. Strips of white cotton tightly wrapped around her well-endowed chest. A simple red hakama covered her lower body.

"Hey, hey, my goddess. Is that cute boy really strong?"

Tsubaki's clients had mentioned Asahi's name more than a few times in the last month, praising his talent again and again. She didn't think of it as a big deal until this War Game.

Hephaestus sighed. "You should watch his strength with your own eyes."

"Then if that boy loses, you'll hug me."

Tsubaki was always around the scorching flames of the forge. It made her appreciate human warmth more. Hugging Hephaestus, who always carried a pleasant warmth, always made her giddy.

Hephaestus revealed a smile. "What if he wins?"

"I'll hug you." Tsubaki grinned. "Fair enough?"

Hephaestus' brow twitched. "You'll take a day off."

Tsubaki herself was more than aware of Hephaestus' concerns. She was in her late thirties, but there were no signs of her finding a partner any time soon. The half-dwarf Tsubaki was picky with only that aspect of her life.

"Challenge accepted," Tsubaki readily agreed with the bet.

At that moment in the arena, loud bells signaled the start of the contest.