"Goddess Hestia, I have some business to attend to."
"Ah, take care then, we'll head back first." Hestia waved goodbye, showing her complete trust in Adam.
After leaving the Hostess of Fertility, instead of returning to base with the others, Adam and Beatrice headed to the Guild, located near the Dungeon.
He needed to report his findings to Ouranos. This mission held crucial importance not just for him and the Sky God, but for everyone living in Orario.
The flower-type monster had proven incredibly powerful. Even a typical Level 5 First Class Adventurer would find it nearly impossible to defeat without weapons.
Better to inform Ouranos early so he could prepare.
As Adam walked down the bustling street, he became the center of attention.
Passersby who spotted his distinctive cloak would pause, casting silent looks of both admiration and envy — admiring his ability to turn the tide and envying his recognition by the spirits.
Some, bitter with jealousy, thought "I could do that too", convinced they could easily take down the Apollo Familia if they had Spirit contracts. Yet they never considered whether they deserved such recognition.
To reach the Guild while avoiding exposure, Adam had to make a tiring detour through the Dungeon.
At last, he found the Sky God seated on his divine throne in the center of the underground plaza.
"Lord Ouranos, I've uncovered the connection between the Apollo Familia, Soma Familia, and the Creatures."
"Investigation... if you mean destroying the Apollo Familia and coercing the Soma Familia, that's more like interrogation, isn't it?" Ouranos made an unusual joke at Adam's expense.
Not because the God had learned of his actions in mere hours, but because Ouranos would make such a lighthearted jest. It was truly rare.
Since their first meeting, Ouranos had always been serious. This Sky God, who should have been dwelling in the clouds, was instead bound underground — making it puzzling why he would seclude himself in this dim plaza.
If he meant to hide, why continue running the Guild?
Moreover, the Gods required his approval to use their divine powers — he truly seemed to be their overseer.
But this didn't concern Adam. Even if this God secretly harbored heretics, he would pretend not to notice as long as it remained unmentioned.
"You jest, Lord Ouranos." Adam positioned himself as the victim, "As you know, they started the trouble — I was merely defending myself."
His accusation about Apollo's underhanded methods was simply meant to extract more compensation from the Sky God.
Unfortunately, the Sky God, who had lived for hundreds of millions of years, didn't take the bait.
"Adam, I truly wasn't wrong about you." Ouranos gestured for Fels to step forward and hand over a report, "This contains the Creatures' recent movements."
"Oh?" Adam raised an eyebrow.
Though he didn't grasp Ouranos's meaning, he accepted the report anyway.
It detailed everything: the transactions between the Soma Familia and the Creatures, the effects of those special magic stones, other contacts the Creatures had made, and most crucially, predictions about their next moves.
The intelligence was comprehensive, having anticipated nearly all the Creatures' actions and objectives.
As expected of the Guild — masters of intelligence!
"Indeed, it's just as I thought."
Through this report, Adam confirmed that the Creatures planned to spread special magic stones throughout Orario.
Their goal was to use these stones to summon those giant flower-type Creatures!
Did they intend to destroy Orario? Or perhaps use it as a medium to summon even more powerful beings?
For instance, the Corrupted Spirit?
Adam knew that the Demi-Spirit they had destroyed earlier was merely an avatar. Its true form still lurked in the deeper levels of the Dungeon.
The situation was troubling. In their previous encounter, he had only managed to defeat it by forcibly sealing its overwhelming magic and having over a dozen First Class Adventurers overwhelm it.
Even with his increased strength, he would surely be crushed when facing the Corrupted Spirit's true form!
The desire to Rank Up surfaced immediately.
But he still had a backup plan. If victory proved impossible, why not retreat? Wouldn't returning to the Parallel World resolve everything?
"Now, regarding Demeter's blessing — Earth's Blessing." Ouranos paused, "Later, Fels will take you to meet her. I've already spoken with her and provided appropriate compensation... however, when she heard it was for you, she made additional demands."
"Additional demands?" Adam raised an eyebrow, "What kind? What do I need to do?"
"I don't know." Ouranos replied, "I tried to negotiate with her, but she refused even my generous offer. So I'm uncertain what she wants from you. However... I've prepared another reward."
The Sky God, noting Adam's dissatisfaction, proposed an alternative.
"Apollo's... Sun's Blessing, how about that?"
This was unexpected. Adam hadn't imagined Ouranos would mention this God's name.
Had they made some private arrangement?
Just then, Apollo emerged from the shadows beyond the light's reach.
The Sun God appeared somewhat haggard, but upon seeing Adam, his face flushed red and he rushed forward.
If Adam hadn't dodged swiftly, he would have been embraced by this amorous deity.
"Lord Apollo." Adam bowed slightly.
Not to validate his previous actions, but to show proper respect for his divine status.
"Long time no see, Adam!"
"...It's only been half a day."
Apollo showed no sign of anger.
Despite being the culprit who had destroyed and banished him from Orario, Adam found that Apollo showed neither anger nor resentment. Instead, the God became even more flamboyant upon seeing him.
The tragic Sun God was truly indiscriminate in his affections toward men and women alike.
"How are your Familia members recovering?"
"Ah, they've all regained consciousness." Apollo waved dismissively, "Don't worry, they're fine. They'll be fully recovered in a few days."
In reality, under Adam's〘Explosion Magic〙, everyone except Hyakinthos had perished. But in front of the Gods of Orario, he couldn't engage in such wholesale slaughter.
So after the War Game ended, he had resurrected them and erased all evidence of their deaths.
"Alright, let's get to business." Ouranos cut through Apollo's chatter, instructing him to bestow Adam with the God's Blessing.
Apollo didn't hesitate — he was eager to give his blessing to a child he favored.
"I, Sun God Apollo, bestow upon you, Adam Carter, my blessing. May your future path be ever more fortunate."
A small magic circle appeared at his fingertip.
A flash of light shot toward Adam. After the familiar dizziness passed, he knew he had received the Sun's Blessing.
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