The gods tacitly permitted Cecil's participation.
By all accounts, Ouranos would never allow cheating. However, before the War Game began, Apollo Familia had undergone a [conversion]. At this crucial moment, the Lv.3 duo, who had been lurking in the Golden Casino, joined Apollo Familia. Thus, Ouranos allowed Cecil to enter the fray.
The storm intercepted the arrows' attack.
"Those who charged out can't be stopped from chanting now!"
Faced with this urgent situation, one member of Apollo Familia asked,
"Shouldn't we fire the [magic sword] too? Isn't that what it's meant for?!"
"Black Fist," who had been knocked down by Bell, frowned.
"Don't rush. Wait a little longer."
He knew Bell Cranel's style well. The boy would never let his girlfriend be exposed to danger. Just like when Syr vanished in the casino. Though he didn't know how the enemy moved so stealthily, when the blades were aimed at the girl, that boy would always show up.
"Black Fist" coldly stared downward. He was waiting for the boy to emerge, to deliver the fatal blow.
...
"Wind Magic Sword."
Welf watched the blue-haired girl in the image, feeling a vague unease settle over him. Judging by the massive hammer and magic sword strapped to Cecil's waist, she was a smith like himself, probably around Lvl.2.
While she was formidable among smiths, combat was not their primary role. Apollo Familia had dispatched dozens to confront them outside the city. The Wind Magic Sword could only unleash a gale in a single direction. Once surrounded, neither the blacksmith nor the mage could guarantee their safety.
Welf clenched his fists, anxiously watching the divine mirror. Lefiya and Cecil both sensed the enemy's approach. But they remained unfazed. One swung her magic sword to deflect the arrows, while the other continued chanting her spell.
"—Penetrate, arrow of absolute accuracy!"
With Cecil's cover, the incantation was completed. In the next instant, Lefiya stood tall, her magic staff pointed directly at the city wall. She was not aiming at the Apollo Familia attacking them, nor at the central gate. Lefiya's gaze was fixed on a corner of the ramparts. The sunlight, bathed in magical energy, took on an orange glow. As a massive magic circle appeared beneath her feet, Lefiya spoke the name of her spell.
"Arcs Ray!!"
A barrage of light erupted in response. The blinding flash, like thunder, struck the thick stone wall with a deafening roar. The ancient relic wall collapsed in a thunderous crash. A massive shockwave swept across the battlefield, sending smoke and dust flying, as the Apollo Familia cried out in agony.
"The Thousand Elf's bombardment has arrived! The wall has been breached!"
The Ganesha Familia shouted in excitement.
"Should Hestia's Familia charge in now? Wait! The situation is changing fast—the girls are surrounded!"
The cheers and shouts lasted only a moment before falling silent. Everyone watched the isolated, defenseless girls with bated breath, unable to open their eyes. What happened next occurred in the blink of an eye.
Over fifty members of Apollo Familia avoided the frontal gale, attacking from both sides. Just as the blades were about to reach the girls, daggers and flames played a love song.
"Firebolt!"
Using Laurier's invisibility, Bell appeared on the battlefield a step later. On the left, a blue-violet light flared, catching a long sword. Amid the sound of clashing metal, Bell twisted it backward with a flick. The Apollo Familia charging at the front instantly collapsed to the ground.
On the other side, Lefiya and Cecil instinctively took a step back. A flame-and-thunder attack, needing no incantation, swept past them and struck the approaching enemies squarely. Amidst wails and cries, Bell found himself surrounded. But he was unafraid, dodging spears, parrying swords, and wielding Hestia's Blade in relentless counterattacks.
Sensing the situation had shifted, Apollo Familia turned their focus to the two retreating girls. But Bell had no intention of letting them through. With just a dagger, he moved through their fierce assault, counterattacking. If anyone tried to advance, the swift-striking Firebolt would sink into their backs.
The dagger clanged sharply as the Firebolt roared on.
The Apollo Familia had defeated a Floor Boss before. But they made a fatal mistake.
To stop Lefiya and Cecil, only the vanguard had charged out, lacking a proper team formation. Moreover, a Floor Boss wouldn't suddenly appear in the center of the formation like Bell. In just a few short seconds, the once-proud fifty-strong force began to falter. Bell single-handedly controlled the battle, sweeping through the enemies like a force of nature.
…
"Bell Cranel makes his entrance!!"
"He single-handedly turned the tide of the battle... this... this is one man holding off fifty!"
The Apollo Familia charging at the front couldn't advance an inch, but if they tried to retreat, they'd become easy targets for the fire magic. Bell's appearance had trapped these fifty men in a hopeless deadlock.
"Just ten days after reaching Level 2, and already capable of such a feat—truly worthy of being favored by the goddess Astraea! Ganesha-sama, what do you think of Bell Cranel?"
"I am—"
"Excellent! Ganesha-sama declares that the youth lives up to his reputation as the holder of the world's fastest leveling record!"
"I am Ganesha—"
"Understood! Seeing this breathtaking spectacle, even Shakti, the captain of the Ganesha Familia, has been moved!!"
Hearing the amplified voice from the magic device, Shakti, with her blue hair and blue eyes, furrowed her brow.
"During the Golden Casino incident, Leon was able to defeat the villains, all thanks to this youth..."
Shakti recalled the chaos at the casino, silently committing the young man's name to memory.
…
Inside the brothel.
"What kind of trickery has he pulled off?!"
Aisha's words were harsh, yet her face betrayed her joy. To grow so much in such a short time—it was like witnessing a certain fox's magic. Without seeing it with her own eyes, she never would have believed it.
"Cranel-sama..."
Haruhime gazed at the image in the divine mirror, her mind briefly adrift. She had heard many things from Bell, but this was her first time witnessing his battle.
Haruhime stared at the youth intently, as if trying to memorize every inch of his handsome form.
…
Outside a tavern.
"Bell Cranel's growth is truly astounding..." Dionysus muttered softly.
"..."
Filvis stared blankly at the divine mirror, lost for words. Everything had happened so suddenly. The reversal of the battle had come with shocking speed.
Within the divine mirror, a sudden change occurred. The girls, their hearts tied to the youth, widened their eyes in shock, unable to process the scene unfolding before them.
"Wh-what?!"
"He actually triggered a massive explosion, disregarding the safety of his Familia!"
"A demonic counterattack from Apollo Familia!"
"Bell Cranel stood in front of the girls!"
Only after Ganesha Familia's explanation did the crowd begin to understand what had actually happened. The crimson magic sword gleamed on the city walls. An unavoidable inferno engulfed the battlefield, catching Apollo Familia and striking the youth right in the center.
Amidst the barrage.
"Bell Cranel... down for the count?!"