DanMachi: Starting with a Sword Soul Template

Chapter 111: Lili Learns the Truth, Heading to the Banquet of the Gods!

Receiving the banquet invitation from the god Apollo, especially with such a high-sounding reason, Hestia's expression was exceptionally grave.

Back in the heavens, Apollo, also a god.

Had openly pursued her, but she had directly rejected him at that time. Their divine relationship could not be considered amicable.

Later on, after coming to Orario for more than half a year.

She and Apollo had no contact at all. If there was an exception, it was his visit during Liam's Familia expedition.

Clearly stating a willingness to make a resource exchange, hoping she would agree to Liam's transfer.

Knowing the Apollo Familia's style, and for her first dependant who was so mature and sensible, the emotions Hestia held…

Facing the other god's request, she decisively chose to refuse.

After nearly five days of silence, Hestia had never expected the other party to use such a reason to invite them to a banquet!

"This is definitely not a good thing."

"."

This thought enveloped the deepest part of her heart. Watching the other Familia's captain and members leave, she couldn't help but clench her fists.

They didn't even give her a chance to refuse…

Not wanting to bring stress to Liam, the worst result would be simply not attending.

Between maintaining decorum among gods, Hestia unhesitatingly chose the latter. She felt Liam was more important.

Waiting for the footsteps to fade into the distance.

Her smile remained bright. She knew this matter had to be explained to Liam. She said in a relaxed tone, "Liam-kun."

"I'm not particularly familiar with Apollo."

"This banquet…"

"We definitely have to go."

After days of settling from his adventures and the game of cat and mouse with the Apollo Familia, the other party's patience had finally run out.

They were preparing to initiate a War Game according to Liam's plan.

There was no reason for him to be absent. Looking at the young woman whose smile had instantly stiffened, who was clenching her fists and racking her brain to explain the situation.

Liam gently reached out and took her hand, "Since the other party has taken the initiative to invite us, they've probably prepared some special tricks at the banquet…"

"We can't let their preparations go to waste, can we?"

Of course.

This also included his own. Giving up his rest time after the Familia expedition to play hide-and-seek with the Apollo Familia's pursuit team.

He had to test the final harvest!

"."

Although she didn't know why Liam was so serious about the banquet, as a goddess... or rather, from another status.

Hestia held unconditional trust in him.

The banquet was tomorrow night. Even the invitation was sent out with such fanfare. One could imagine the scene.

There would definitely be many idle gods attending.

Having decided to attend the banquet, Hestia gently stood on her tiptoes, carefully examining the handsome young man before her.

Her slender, jade-like hand gently rubbed her chin.

After all, it was a banquet attended by gods and their close dependants. They certainly couldn't be as formal as when exploring the Dungeon. In terms of clothes…

They definitely needed to be prepared!

"After dinner, I'll find a tailor shop to custom-make a suit for Liam-kun." (Suits and formal dresses exist in the DanMachi world.)

And also her own formal dress!

Not refusing Hestia's goodwill, and since there were still things he needed to handle, Liam said with a smile.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Lady Hestia."

"This is what I should be doing."

Attending the banquet of the gods with Liam was a confirmation of their status and relationship. Setting aside the potential threat of the Apollo Familia.

Hestia was truly looking forward to it in her heart.

It was just that before preparing to leave, she instructed with particular seriousness, "I hope Liam... you'll be mentally prepared for what's to come!"

"To be truly…"

"Known by the gods of the Labyrinth City Orario!"

"Of course, there's one more thing I need to trouble you with, Lady Hestia. I need to update my status on the past few days of Dungeon training."

The "War Game" was about to begin.

In the time that followed, all he needed was to wait patiently. Liam didn't continue to go to the Dungeon; he wouldn't get much improvement.

"Alright."

"It's been a few days since the Familia expedition ended. It's time to update your ability scores!"

Hestia had no objections. Before the Familia expedition, his ability scores were at the stage of a newly minted Lv2 adventurer. After the expedition ended.

Updating his ability scores again, all his stats had undergone a qualitative change…

And he also possessed a great feat that could directly raise him from Lv2 to Lv3. Towards Liam, who was adept at creating miracles, she was also curious.

Pointing to the bed not far away, she found the necessary tools.

Hestia rubbed her hands together impatiently, her eyes full of anticipation, "This is also something I'm very much looking forward to…"

"."

Regarding updating ability scores, Liam was already very familiar with the process.

As a drop of divine blood fell on his back, which had perfect muscle lines and wasn't bloated at all, a gentle light continuously appeared.

The updated ability scores covered the original ones.

Hestia took out a piece of cowhide paper and made a rubbing of all the information, checking the improvements brought by these three days of Dungeon exploration.

Liam Moon

Lv2

Strength: B703 → A860 丨 Endurance: C681 → A801 丨 Dexterity: B755 → A880 丨 Agility: B738 → A844 丨 Magic: C601 → B745

Development Ability: Sword Soul

Magic: Warlord's Fervor

Skills: Sword Soul Power, Homicidal Intent Perception

"?"

"Even without deep Dungeon exploration, he can still maintain an ability improvement of over 200 points every day. This speed…"

"I'm afraid it won't be long before he reaches the theoretical limit of his ability scores!?"

Witnessing the improvement in Liam's ability scores brought by these three days of Dungeon training, Hestia's mood couldn't calm down for a long time.

Most critically…

Not only had his ability scores taken a leap, but he had even gained "Homicidal Intent Perception" in his skills, to sense impending danger.

She didn't continue to straddle Liam.

Her face fell into a brief silence. Finally, she placed the paper near Liam, sat on the edge of the bed, and the young woman gently swung her feet.

"You really are..."

"A talent that would make everyone jealous! Liam-kun."

"."

Sitting up and also on the side of the bed, Liam picked up the cowhide scroll and examined it carefully, looking at the detailed stats finally presented before him.

It wasn't unexpected.

The rate of ability score improvement had indeed decreased. His combat style had been more restrained, and he didn't have Mikoto's "Futsunomitama" skill.

His gaze swept to the last item, which was also the issue Liam was more concerned about.

"Homicidal Intent Perception."

"This skill, it should have been cultivated through Dungeon training and being tracked by adventurers?"

"."

Liam had a rough guess in his heart. The skill's effect was very simple; it was actually to perceive the fluctuations of killing intent existing around him.

The overall effect was extremely similar to a certain Asura class's skill.

From a relatively objective perspective, the function of this newly mastered skill was maxed out. Even a well-disguised adventurer.

As long as they revealed their killing intent, he could directly react…

"A bit like..."

"Mind's Eye?"

He didn't voice his inner thoughts. Looking at Hestia, who had gotten up, put on her shoes, and was heading to a clothing store to make advance preparations for the banquet.

Liam's face remained calm, but his heart couldn't help but look forward to it.

This banquet of the gods.

All the gods present would be witnesses to the "War Game"!

Having just finished exploring the Dungeon, he finished the takeaway dinner from "The Hostess of Fertility" and had a simple wash. Orario had no nightlife that interested Liam.

As for alcohol, he couldn't muster any interest. Just as he was preparing to rest early, the gradual approach of footsteps, and the final visitor.

Was Lili, who had been free for some time, carrying Liam's repaired weapon.

The young woman wore a grayish-brown cloak, perfectly concealing her face, yet it couldn't hide the bruise at the corner of her mouth in the slightest.

She didn't look directly at Liam, placing the weapon on the table.

"Liam, your weapon, it's repaired."

"There's another weapon, I remember it's at the Hephaestus weapon shop. You might have to go pick that one up yourself."

"Thank you for your hard work."

"We're partners anyway. These things are trivial, right?"

Not telling Liam about being cornered by the Apollo Familia adventurers, the slightly childish young woman still maintained a smile.

After finishing the Dungeon exploration, during this time in Orario.

She had also inquired about the reputation of the "Apollo Familia," and gradually understood the reason Liam wanted to explore alone.

Pursuit from a powerful adventurer Familia!

Including herself…

While gathering information normally in a tavern, not using magic to disguise herself, she was recognized by adventurers from the Apollo Familia…

If not for Shakti, the Staff of the Elephant God from the Ganesha Familia, helping her out at that time.

Today, to deliver this weapon to Liam, she would at the very least need to use magic to disguise her own appearance.

Lili hesitated for a moment, then said with slight hesitation, "We... are partners, right?"

"Of course."

"Then as partners, can you tell me your plan?"

She could clearly perceive the abnormality in Liam. As for the trouble with the Apollo Familia, it was completely different from the oppression of the Soma Familia.

Although she was a supporter, Lili still wanted to, when Liam encountered problems.

Provide help to the best of her ability!

Seeing Liam still maintaining a relaxed smile, the young woman pouted with some resentment, "If it's a reckless act."

"The trouble will fall on me too!"

"I'm already working for you for free. What more do you want me to do?"

"Actually, the answer…"

"I've already told you all from the beginning." At this point, and with Lili being... a barely trustworthy adventuring partner.

Liam's smile remained.

He emphasized again, "I wanted to save enough money to change the Familia home through Dungeon activities. This matter is very difficult."

"So."

Lili already had a bad premonition, not considering the worst-case scenario.

And Liam patiently added, "In my distant hometown, there's a saying: whoever has money, earn it from them!"

"I'm relatively clear about the methods the Apollo Familia uses to recruit adventurers."

"The other god will use courtship to invite adventurers to join their Familia. If rejected, they will begin to pursue and kill."

"."

"I've already felt it."

Lili's mouth twitched.

Looking up again, not hiding her injuries, she looked at Liam with extremely serious eyes, "What if the pursuit has no effect?"

"Isn't it obvious then…"

"."

The "Apollo Familia" crest on the invitation was particularly conspicuous. The young woman flipped through it. It was an invitation for Hestia and Liam to attend a banquet.

To celebrate Liam breaking through to Lv2 at the fastest speed, inviting many gods…

Lili looked up abruptly. Her originally calm eyes looked at the nonchalant Liam, her pupils contracting.

Her chest heaved continuously, yet she was speechless.

"You mean…"

Drawing the short sword that had been repaired from the table, the Selfless Sword Aura stored within the blade instantly resonated with Liam.

Erupting with a cheerful humming sound.

Looking at the dazed Lili, Liam smiled faintly, "The result is very simple. In front of the banquet of the gods."

"Apollo initiates a War Game against Hestia. Being pursued in the Dungeon, a helpless, weak Familia chooses to resist."

"."

An even... very gentle tone, falling on Lili's ears, every word, every sentence made her heart tremble.

She had thought of many possibilities.

The one thing she hadn't considered was this: using the various methods the Apollo Familia used to recruit dependants, without any restraint.

Continuously baiting the other party, leading them to the "War Game" Liam wanted!

As for the result, Lili couldn't help but murmur, "The victor of the War Game will get all the assets of the loser's Familia..."

"So."

"This is what you meant by a better solution for the Familia home?"

"."

He didn't answer, but the smile on Liam's face already gave the answer. Still sitting on the sofa.

Lili's mind, however, briefly stopped thinking.

This kind of operation, only someone with absolute confidence in their own strength would do this?

Before the Familia expedition, Liam had risen to Lv2 at the fastest speed, and the ability score improvement brought by the expedition.

Could it be that by relying on the great feat of killing the floor lord Goliath, his level had smoothly sublimated to Lv3?

Finally coming back to her senses, the young woman shook her head gently, her tone filled with complexity, "You really haven't changed at all…"

"Then let me ask you."

"Using a War Game to get your hands on the other Familia's home and all their assets, does that conform to the rules?"

Liam's tone was a matter of course.

And Lili, catching the key point of the problem, considered it more comprehensively and asked back, "If the gap in Familia strength is too large."

"It's possible for Apollo to call a halt!"

As for whether the other god would call a halt to the War Game.

The specific method was very simple. Liam shrugged his shoulders, his calm tone filled with killing intent, "Before the other god calls a halt."

"Wouldn't it be fine to just wipe out their Familia?"

"???"

Hestia's various preparations in Orario clearly showed her attitude: she would accept the invitation to attend the banquet hosted by Apollo.

Also, very rarely…

Liam was not being monitored by the other Familia's adventurers. Regarding his plans, he had not yet fully informed Hestia.

Passing a relatively normal day.

As night gradually fell and the Labyrinth City Orario was plunged into darkness, he changed into a specially custom-made black slim-fit suit.

A gorgeous cape perfectly concealed his white demonic hand.

As for Hestia, she wore a dignified and elegant white formal dress, the sash at her waist outlining her perfect figure.

"."

They were about to head to the banquet hosted by Apollo.

The young woman, elegant yet still retaining a cute style, stood on her tiptoes and helped Liam adjust the collar of his black suit.

Finally, Hestia said with a satisfied smile.

"Let's go, Liam-kun!"

(End of this chapter)

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