"So this is Vesta's altar... Is it the currently closed [Pandora's Box]..."
The group finally stood before the barrier.
"As expected, it surpasses human understanding. A domain of such irregular scale that it covers an entire giant city... There is no doubt a God has acted."
"A terrifying heat is surging forth as well... It feels as though we might burn up just by standing here."
Standing before that barrier, Hyakinthos and Mikoto were overwhelmed by the sheer pressure it radiated.
"It is an altar created by the Goddess of the Sacred Flame. Normally, it is not something that can be dispelled."
Swoosh—
"However, if one possesses a divine blade imbued with the same blood as Hestia... the story changes."
'Besides...'
"We have the [Keys] with us."
Following Hermes' words, Bell and Akumo stepped forward.
Whoosh!
"The embers in the surroundings... no, the flow of the flames is gathering around Bell!"
Crackle!
"Lightning...? Is it flowing through Akumo's body..."
In Bell's hand was the Hestia Knife, gathering flames.
The golden electric current flowing through Akumo's entire body soon took shape within his hand.
'Goddess... lend me your strength!'
'Zeus... you won't mind if I use your power, right?'
The divine power held in the hands of the two heroes was swung.
Shatter—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cracks appeared in the divine barrier, and it soon shattered into countless pieces like broken glass.
"W-What is this...!?"
"This isn't the Olympia I knew..."
What lay inside the barrier was not the [Ashes] they had seen before.
"It is [Aedes Vesta]."
"Hermes?"
However, to the Gods, it was the form of the temple they had already seen in the heavens.
"Hestia's temple that exists in the heavens. She has manifested it using the [Heaven's Flame]."
"Should we call it a [Temple Descent] rather than a [Divine Descent]... Though it is not the actual physical object from the heavens, in the sense that it has transformed the world into an otherworld..."
According to what the Gods were saying...
"Olympia has literally undergone [Divinization]."
As if it were no longer a domain of the lower world, the landscape before them proved those words true.
"Is this the scenery that unfolds in the heavens...? She is purifying the polluted flames through this domain..."
"Purification is inevitable, seeing as such an overwhelming pressure is circulating here..."
Regardless of how overwhelming the sight before them was.
"Our Goddess is here... Where exactly should we go?"
"If this place has the same structure as the original, Hestia will surely be at the central altar inside. Do you see the towers standing in there?"
The group's gaze shifted in the direction Hephaestus's hand pointed.
Rumble!
"There are multiple towers... no, 'Three Towers' and one temple?"
"That's right. The Sacred Flame Altar is at the central altar protected by the towers. She will be gathering power for purification while managing the polluted flames there."
Even though they had broken through the barrier, the altar was protected by three towers, as if this had already been foreseen.
"...If they are protecting it, does that mean... we must conquer those 'Towers' first?"
"It's a relief that veteran adventurers are quick on the uptake. Those towers are the gates. First, we need to do something about them."
To Asfi's question, Aphrodite gave a clear affirmation.
"The towers are so high that jumping up is impossible... How about our captain goes there all at once? All three of them."
"Are you trying to make me die of overwork!? In the first place, such a method is ineffici—"
Oooooooh—!!!!!!!!
""!?""
Just then, a piercing roar was heard.
"Flame Men... and in significant numbers."
"They are likely the residents who were inside. Has Hestia been keeping them contained all this time...?"
Schwing—
"In other words, this is the main force of the Flame Men! Whatever the case, what we must do remains the same."
"Everyone, prepare for battle!!"
With Akumo, Hedin, and Hyakinthos at the front, the clash with hundreds of Flame Men finally began.
Boom—!!!!!!
Thoom—!!!!!!!
"Kh...! They're spewing flames in all directions without identifying friend or foe..."
Slash—!!
"They likely fear the purification by Hestia that is soon to come."
The Flame Men fiercely fanned the embers, burning everything in their path.
Crackle—!!!!
"Protect the Goddesses!"
Slash—!
"Foolish flames that cannot even follow in the footsteps of the Sun!!"
On one side, numerous light bullets of lightning, and on the other, fire wheels poured out by the subordinates of the Sun were cutting them down.
"Honestly... They look perfectly fine when you see them like that..."
'As long as it involves their Patron Deity...'
Their appearance was worthy of being called excellent adventurers, but Akumo, who knew their other side, simply shook his head and waited for the other entities approaching.
'They should be here soon, right?'
"Charge~~~~!!!!!!"
Schwing—!
"Heretics who interfere with Vesta's ritual! Slay them here!!!"
Since setting foot in Olympia, he had felt the heterogeneous energy of the flames countless times.
""""Uoooooh—!!!!!!!!!""""
"Soldiers are coming from the direction of the barrier entrance we passed through...!?"
"Those bastards... did they wait for us on purpose...!!"
The soldiers of the Order caught the group's rear and proceeded to attack alongside the Flame Men.
"We've been ambushed from behind! It's going to turn into a chaotic melee in an instant, so everyone be careful!"
Asfi immediately thought they had to endure the chaotic battle.
"No, Asfi."
"Hermes? Why all of a sudden..."
"Step back for a moment."
"Even Freya...!"
However, Hermes and Freya, maintaining their composure even in the urgent situation, looked straight at the approaching army of the Order.
"Hmph! I'll immediately turn them into obedient dolphins with my [Charm]—"
"No, Aphrodite. It's my turn here."
"Hwaa!? Why all of a sudden! Isn't it my turn to shine here!"
"Even if you use it, it will just be neutralized by Epimetheus."
The forced cancellation of power manifestation that Epimetheus had used on the island.
According to the knowledge Akumo possessed, that definitely contained the essence of [Silence].
"...Then what, do you have a way?"
Could he oppose the Heaven's Flame that swallowed even the power of the Gods?
Click—
"Of course."
Naturally, it was possible.
Whoosh—!!
"Akumo!!!?"
Standing beside the Gods, Akumo stared directly at the attacks of the Flame Men rushing toward him.
""Aphrodite!!!""
""Freya!!!""
""Apollo!!!""
Despite the horrified voices of the Familia members, Akumo's eyes simply glowed quietly.
'Since it's not an attack, there's no reason for him to react.'
"And even if he does..."
Crackle!
"I'll burn him to death before he even takes the stage."
As he spoke.
Uoooooh—!!!!!!!!!
The moment the Flame Men's claws reached before the Gods' eyes to incinerate them.
https://images.novelpia.com/imagebox/87/87eaaa56da89f41ef607e0bb9778ac33_15890_1780035451_ori.file
"[Divine Artifact] [Aphrodite's Mirror]."
All the attacks were contained within the beautiful mirror wrapped in flowers and reflected exactly as they were.
".....Be laid, bridge of flames."
Despite the sight unfolding before him, Epimetheus quietly laid the bridge.
Sizzle...
"They can't even endure that much.... As expected, they are disappointing trash."
The light he had shown was a technique woven in a way extremely similar to his own.
Grit!
"No, in the end, he is just a fool who begged the Gods."
'I will personally burn everything to the ground.'
The mirror he had shown returned all the flames to the attackers themselves.
Whether they were flames filled with hatred or a blaze for someone's sake.
"You have a good eye, brat!"
"And here I thought you said I had poor taste..."
"Forget it! No matter how much you act, the fact that you've fallen for me doesn't change!"
"Whatever..."
Aphrodite, thoroughly satisfied with the mirror Akumo held, beamed at him with a confident smile, and Akumo didn't even want to respond to her confidence anymore.
"Well.... anyway! Let's get inside quickly!"
"Can you really say that after seeing those faces...?"
To Akumo's words, Ryu pointed toward Hedin, Horn, and the other Familia members who had frozen with absurd expressions.
"What... on earth... was that?"
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
"What does that..."
Mikoto answered the words flowing from the mouth of Ilia, who was equally frozen.
"Die...!! Traitor!!!"
Slash—!
"Gah!!!?"
In the eyes of Mikoto, who cut down a soldier attempting a surprise attack from behind without even looking, a deep resolve not to let go of the light reflecting upon her could be felt.
"Because the opponent is the power of the heavens, must we give up?"
"That's..."
Because the opponent was so overwhelming, they had no choice but to leave it to the Gods.
Because of that, the group had almost been broken.
"But look."
However, if that were the case.
Slash—!!
"There's no time, and we're low on stamina! So just follow along properly on your own!"
Boom—!!!
"I know, Brother!"
An existence that used even the abilities of the Gods as his own means.
The existence of an unmistakable hero who had surpassed even the common sense of the Gods.
"Let's go."
"As planned, we'll split into teams."
To the West: Asfi, Aisha, Lili, Haruhime, and Horn.
To the East: Akumo, Hedin, Ryu, Litos, and Mikoto.
"I've tried to distribute our strength as much as possible, but..."
And toward the North: Bell, Ilia, and Hyakinthos.
"I'm heading East. Welf, you follow Hephaestus."
"What!? But Akumo, wouldn't it be better if you went with Lili-kins or added strength to Bell's side..."
"Trust in your own strength, and trust in theirs."
The party heading North toward the [Flame].
The party heading East toward the [Thunder].
The party heading West toward the [Adventure].
And the blacksmiths heading toward the [Hearth].
"We will definitely meet at the central altar."
"Let's move!"
Everyone's footsteps moved toward the towers.
Dash—!!
'Aphrodite, she may seem eccentric, but really...'
For the heroes' advance, she released the restrictions on her own charm to block the Flame Men and soldiers rising again alongside her Familia.
"She's such a damn tsundere!!!"
Dash—!!
"It's been a total commotion since the heavens~"
"By the way, to create someone else's Divine Artifact again. I'm starting to get jealous."
Behind him, Artemis and Freya were heading East together under the group's escort.
"Akumo...!!! Have you truly gone mad!!!"
"Then should I just leave them there!? You know as well as I do!!"
Hedin sent a look of absolute fury toward Akumo for such a dangerous accompaniment.
"Apollo went with Bell Cranel, and Hermes followed Perseus's team. It was an unavoidable choice. [White Spirit's Magic Garment]."
"Shut up!! You fanatic!!"
"Who are you calling a fanatic!!"
""Both of you...""
Ryu and Mikoto watched the two fanatics bicker as Litos admonished Hedin, and they continued down the path.
Step—
"Quiet! We've arrived."
In the midst of that, the group finally stood before the tower.
Rumble—
The sight seen inside after following the passage was...
"W-What is this place...!?"
"Where on earth are we...!"
A giant white passage of overwhelming scale that far surpassed the descriptions of 'wide' and 'long'.
"Looking at the components of this passage... it's neither stone nor metal. It's a substance we don't know! What is this place...!?"
While Asfi was in shock at the white substance, Hermes explained the scenery as if it were familiar.
"This is the interior of Vesta's temple."
Clack, clack—
"The Goddess's castle recreated with the [Heaven's Flame]."
An [Otherworld] in the truest sense, different from the outside.
From the moment they stepped foot there, they had to risk their souls being burned.
Clack, clack—
"Oh my... what is this?"
An [Otherworld] in yet another sense.
Chirp, chirp—
Rustle—
A soft wind blew, warm sunlight poured down, and the cheerful sound of birds could be heard.
"What is this place..."
"The Tower...?"
More than the peaceful scenery so different from the outside, Ryu and Litos's attention was captured by the tower standing tall before them.
Gulp—
"Lord... Akumo."
"Don't be nervous. If we die, we die."
A tower exists, by nature, to be climbed.
Clack, clack—
The footsteps of the challengers heading toward the true [Babel] mingled with the peaceful scenery.
========================
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