Preparation for the War Game(corrected)

---Pov Zoe---.

/It seems my debt to you has increased./

'Haaaa, is this seriously the first thing that came to my mind after he saved me twice already?'

Thinking realistically, there was almost nothing I could do to repay him. In every respect he was better off than me: a high-ranking Familia, more available resources, plus he was much stronger than me.

'Better to focus on the present.'

Shaking my head, I continued running toward the guild. Although I was sure that Apollo Familia members would no longer intervene, I preferred to run through the various routes that allowed more cover.

After running at full strength for several minutes, I finally saw the guild building and without hesitation, I dashed inside.

Several people shifted their gaze to me, probably because of the way I looked, but reading their minds I could see that they were interested in the situation between mine and Apollo Familia.

"How are you, Zoe?!"

The one who hurriedly approached me with an agitated air was none other than the gentle Eina.

"Tired but I'm fine thanks, more importantly, do you know where Bell is? Our house was attacked."

"From the rumors, it seems that he was also attacked along with your goddess. I would like to do something for you, but Apollo made it so that we could not intervene."

Seeing her clench her fist indignantly, I knew she was doing her best, and already that made me happy.

"Zoe!"

Hearing a shout behind me, I turned quickly as I could see Bell with several cuts on his armor and blood marks, along with Hestia, Welf, and members of the Takemikazuchi Familia, with whom we were now on friendly terms after fighting together on the 18th floor.

"Are you guys okay?" -I quickly approached them, to see their condition.

"My condition improved after drinking a potion, but my goddess and I had a bad time." -Bell said wearily.

Later, Eina provided us with an empty room where we could talk quietly. Bell told me how they had been attacked just outside the church and were chased by most of the members of the Apollo Familia, including Hyakinthos, captain and the only level 3 of the Apollo Familia, who was also the responsible for most of his injuries.

After traveling around the city hiding as much as possible, they realized that the situation could not continue like this. In the future, the Apollo Familia would continue to attack us, whether it was in the city or the dungeon, so upon Hestia's decision, they headed to Apollo's mansion where she ended up agreeing to participate in the war game.

"In the end, it was the only possible solution." -I commented.

"You can say that, but Zoe how did you manage to escape from the encirclement? Your skills are indeed high, but against multiple opponents, it must have been tough for you too." -Hestia asked me confused.

"It was not easy for me either, some I managed to take them down, but there were simply too many of them. Fortunately, I met Mark, who provided support."

"I had no idea that someone who is not so connected to us would decide to intervene. You seem to have managed to establish a good relationship." -Said Hestia surprised.

With Hestia coming down to the 18th floor, she knew Mark had helped us when we were in danger, but I didn't think that was the reason he helped me today.

'I think he was more upset about the skewers.'

"My goddess, we should discuss about Lili and how we are going to handle the War Game." -Bell said seriously.

If there was one thing I noticed right away, it was the lack of Lili. From what Welf told me, in addition to the Apollo Familia, the Soma Familia, to which Lili belongs, also appeared.

Lili had scripted her death, but they seemed to have found out, and to make sure that the Soma Familia did not harm ours, Lili decided to return with them.

"We have a week before it is decided what kind of War Game it will be, in this period, I want you to focus on getting stronger Bell." -Hestia said.

"But..."

"Trust me Bell, I have a plan for Lili." -Hestia said confidently and then turned to me.

"You too Zoe. You and Bell are the strongest, in this week you need to strengthen yourselves as much as possible."

"Okay."

Once the plans were confirmed, we left the room and split into two groups, one consisting of me and Bell and the second with the others, but before we separated I had to make sure of one thing.

"Hestia, please let my mother know that I am fine." -Knowing her, I wouldn't be surprised if she charged within the guild to see if I was okay.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Anyway, why there are so many people?!"

It was quite normal that she was getting angry; it was already the third time that someone clashed against her.

'Now that I think about it, there are actually a lot of people.'

It wasn't strange that the guild was crowded, but not that crowded, and from the fact that not everyone was looking at us, it seemed like there was something else interesting going on besides the conflict between our Families.

"I think I know the reason." -Welf said with a complicated face as he pointed to a board being read by many.

(Mark Tormeto, alias Lost Prince, reaches level 3.)

'That explained his strength.'

The way he had treated that level two, it made sense that he was a level 3. What was abnormal was how quickly he had become one, that he also possessed an ability similar to Bell's?

"Zoe, I know a way to get stronger quickly."

Bell clenched his fist with determination and led toward what would be the third encounter with that person.

---Pov General--

Mark arrived calmly at the base. With all that was going on outside, he had no desire to go around the city, so he decided to return so he could relax in his room, reading something interesting to pass the time.

"Back already? I thought Loki told you to take the day off." -Tione said with an indicator look.

"Don't look at me like that, with all that's going on in the city, I find it more relaxing to stay in the room and read."

"If that's okay with you." -Tione simply shrugged her shoulders at Mark's tastes, who preferred reading to having fun in the city.

Waving goodbye to Tione, he headed for the base library, where he grabbed some books and then headed to his room. Sitting on the bed, he began to read the contents, which were mainly legends or adventure stories.

[What is the host looking for?]

'You told me in the past that it was impossible to return to my world right?'

[That's right, this planet and yours live in two different universes. You would need a huge amount of energy to be able to transfer from one to the other and even if you used all the magic present in the living beings of this world, it would not be enough.]

'Hmm, I was thinking that by chance there was some clue in these books about travel between planets. Unlike my world, where the legends were mainly fantasy, here they have a real basis, so I was wondering if it was possible, but from what you said, it seems unlikely.'

Even though he had agreed to live in this world, he had to think about what Selene would want, plus he wanted to visit Selene's parents and his parents' grave at least one last time.

He continued reading, finding some stories interesting. Time passed peacefully, the only time he was annoyed was when he heard several shouts coming from the garden, but fortunately, they did not last long, although shortly afterward he heard someone knocking on his door.

"Mark could you open the door, I need a favor."

Hearing Aiz's voice calling him and surprised that she needed something from him, Mark put down the book in his hand and went to open the door.

'clack.'

"What can I help you with?"

"I know it's your day off, but I need you to help me with something, you're the only one who can."

Seeing how intensely she was watching him, he found the situation increasingly strange, but since he had nothing to do, there was no reason to refuse.

"Tell me what to do."

"Follow me."

Without further explanation, Mark followed Aiz not knowing that he would encounter two familiar faces, one of which he had already seen in the morning.