After leaving the heavens and descending into the Lower World, all gods are forbidden from using their omnipotent "divine power."
…This rule is a well-known, ironclad law acknowledged by both mortals and gods alike.
However, in all things, there are always exceptions.
That's right—although the gods are prohibited from using divine power, they are still free to wield "divine authorities" that correspond to the concepts each of them governs.
And furthermore…
Under certain specific conditions, they may temporarily activate the "Mirror of the Gods" and the World's Corrective Force.
For now, setting aside the latter—an existence riddled with unanswered questions—and speaking only of the former…
During the period in which a War Game is held, all gods are permitted to use the Mirror of the Gods to broadcast the event live.
It was precisely because of this comparatively lenient regulation that—
"Uranus, please grant us permission to exercise this 'power.'" ×N
Across the world, nearly every god who had descended to the Lower World—and who had learned through various channels that a War Game would be held today—submitted such a request to Orario's creator and founding god before noon.
Not long after…
[—Permission granted!]
From deep beneath the Guild Headquarters, an invisible divine pressure spread outward in an instant. Carrying the will of the ancient god, it swept across the entire world.
Then—
"Snap~"
One after another, the gods snapped their fingers, unfolding the Mirror of the Gods at locations of their choosing.
This artifact could see anything happening at any place—undeniably a manifestation of something approaching omniscience, a remnant echo of divine power itself.
Today, however, observation was restricted solely to the pre-designated ruins zone within Orario, District Seven — the Old City.
For a time…
"Hoho~! It's getting lively now~! Getting lively~!"
On Loki's side, although she had gone to Babylon Tower — 30th Floor to gather with the other gods, she still remotely opened two Mirrors of the Gods for her own children—those stationed inside the Twilight Manor.
At this moment, the core executives—including the famed Three Captains—were all gathered in Finn's office, focused intently on today's match.
As for the other members, some had gone to taverns such as the Flame Bee Pavilion and the Hostess of Fertility, borrowing the Mirrors there to watch the live broadcast… and gamble on the side.
Still others—like Lefiya, Alicia, and Anakitty—had gathered together in the grand hall on the first floor.
Two Mirrors of the Gods, used to their fullest extent.
At the same moment…
"Do your best, Brother Renjiro."
"Ah~ there's no need to worry about him at all, okay?"
"Then stop shaking your legs, Rai."
Within Maria Orphanage on Daedalus Street, Syr (Frigg) deliberately opened a Mirror of the Gods remotely inside the abandoned church's first-floor hall.
At present, Rai, Xiao Lu, Fina, and the other children—under Mama Maria's guidance—had all gathered together.
Sayo still crouched up on the rafters, acting as a silent guard.
Elsewhere…
Freya, who had always placed great importance on her own children, naturally wouldn't neglect one side for the other. Multiple Mirrors of the Gods were also opened within the War Field Plains.
Hephaestus, Apollo, Miach, Takemikazuchi… and even Hermes, who was far outside Orario traveling with his children—all of these chief gods temporarily set aside the seemingly harmless masks they usually wore.
They revealed only the tip of the iceberg of their power—yet it was already enough to make those children witnessing such a grand spectacle for the first time stare in astonishment.
And through that, they came to deeply realize one truth:
Gods were, indeed, utterly transcendent and extraordinary beings.
And yet…
As one of the participants in this War Game, the patron god of the Soma Familia did not open a Mirror of the Gods for the logistics personnel who remained behind at their base.
And it was also on this very day that—
"Another piece of unbearably dull theatrics."
Dionysus, who normally carried himself like a refined nobleman, unrestrainedly revealed the ferocious face hidden beneath his mask when alone.
"Hah~ it's fine. Soon… very soon."
The blond god's eyes gleamed with madness. "Before long, the world will return to the age of antiquity… and it will never be boring again."
"Just one final step remains."
At the same time…
"The world truly is always changing."
Within a certain remote city, a brown-haired goddess with the gentle air of a caring older sister smiled serenely.
She gazed at the scene displayed within the Mirror of the Gods…
"Ryu, you should come find me soon."
"Or perhaps… I should go find you?"
"Yes."
The Goddess of Justice, Astraea, murmured softly to herself. "A lost child is troubled. As an elder, it's only right to offer proper guidance."
"Tomorrow, I'll set out."
=====
Within the Opera Kingdom of Merstola…
"I just so happen to be bored stiff lately~ My obedient little dolphins, come watch the side show Orario is hosting for me~"
The blonde, blue-eyed goddess of beauty—whose looks and figure were both incomparably seductive—sat with her legs crossed, laughing like she had a screw loose.
"To think that I, the goddess among goddesses, would personally open the Mirror of the Gods for you to witness this grand spectacle from afar… hurry and prostrate yourselves, and accept this supreme honor with overflowing gratitude! Oh-hohohohoho~"
"Yes! Lady Aphrodite!"
"Many thanks, Lady Aphrodite!"
"Long live Lady Aphrodite—"
"Buuua~ga (idiot), are you trying to curse me into an early grave?"
Inside the lavish palace, the goddess of beauty remained as scatterbrained as ever today.
Uh… let's not dwell on that farce for now.
Elsewhere—
In the southeastern part of the continent, within the warrior nation Tirskula.
"Lady Kali, weren't we supposed to cooperate with the Ishtar Familia and hurry to the port city Melen? Then why—"
"Hey, hey, don't bring up such boring things. It's not us who should be anxious."
"Besides, a War Game is worth watching."
Accompanied by a childlike voice capable of curing the long-standing 'Kugimiya Syndrome' of Earthlings, a petite goddess wearing a bone-white mask waved her hand casually.
"Algana, Bache—you two should take a look as well… we might see some decent warriors."
"Or perhaps… decent males (mating partners)?"
The moment her words fell, not only the two beside the young goddess, but also the numerous Amazons gathered around revealed ferocious gazes, unconsciously licking their lips.
In turn, they all exuded a savage aura—as if the moment they spotted suitable prey (men), they would devour them without hesitation.
=====
Within the overseas eternal divine realm—Olympia, the City of the Gods…
"So Orario is holding another War Game, huh."
A goddess with soft, wheat-colored skin secretly holed up in her small room, opening the Mirror of the Gods.
"Even though there's a mountain of work lately, and the Heavenly Fire has been growing more and more restless… taking a short break like this should still be allowed, right?"
"Mmm. This should certainly be allowed."
After this round of self-justification, the foresight god Prometheus folded her arms, staring intently at the distant scene—like a girl secretly binge-watching anime on a tablet.
At that moment…
The time reached exactly twelve noon.
The official start of the War Game.
She suddenly widened her eyes.
Because within the distant image reflected by the Mirror of the Gods, she saw that person.
That man…
The black-haired youth wears ten mithril rings on both hands.
In an instant—
"Solomon?"
She cried out in shock.
"How could he possibly still be alive?"