Danmachi: Strongest Familia

"We have no need to involve ourselves in your battles." Sol leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands with a playful smile as he surveyed the group with interest.

Of course, he was aware that they needed his help, but he had no intention of offering it without suitable compensation. For now, he was firmly in the neutral camp, and the strength of his familia was well-known; it would take more than a few words to persuade him to join. He was no altruistic goddess like Astraea.

"What are you so hung up on? I never took you for such a finicky guy back in Heaven!" Loki snapped.

"My familia isn't as wealthy or as numerous as yours, Loki. If something dangerous goes wrong, I can't afford a loss in numbers," Sol replied with a smirk.

"Sol-sama, we've already enlisted many top adventurers to join us, more than enough to handle the high-level combatants on their side," Finn interjected, his tone confident.

"That's right," Loki chimed in, her eyes narrowing with a hint of a smirk. "We've got Freya and Ganesha backing us. This time, we'll finally send that pest Erebus packing, straight back to Heaven!"

"Sol-sama, you must understand—if we fail here, Orario will be overrun by the dark faction. And then, what will happen to your familia?" Finn continued, his calm tone underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The implication was clear—it was practically a threat. Yet Sol had considered this from the start: when the world collapses, it's the tallest who bear the weight. If the Loki and Freya familias were to fall, then his own familia would stand as the last line of defense.

"How do you plan to deal with Zald and Alfia?" Sol asked. The two Level 7s were indisputably the greatest obstacle in this operation. He wanted them as experience targets to aid Riveria's advancement, but that didn't mean he was willing to let her risk her life recklessly. These foes weren't the kind that could be taken down without serious effort.

In truth, Sol doubted Riveria's chances against them. If there wasn't a solid plan, he'd rather avoid the entire crusade.

"Ottar can hold off Zald, while we focus on Alfia. Meanwhile, the Ganesha Familia will intercept the remaining elite forces from the dark faction," Finn explained. The plan was straightforward but solid, though executing it would likely prove difficult.

Known as the "Incarnation of Talent," Alfia was no easy opponent; taking her down quickly would be a challenge. They'd have to adjust on the battlefield as circumstances evolved.

"I'll agree to participate, on the condition that my familia receives half of the spoils from this operation."

"Impossible! You're practically robbing us!" Loki shouted, nearly storming off in frustration. Fortunately, Finn held her back, understanding that the operation couldn't proceed without the Sol Familia's support. A powerful mage with strong AOE abilities could make all the difference in this battle.

Their own familia lacked a devastating mage like Riveria. While Gilatia was talented, she didn't compare to Riveria, the royal elf whose combat prowess exceeded the norm and whose reputation was known across Orario.

Besides, if Sol was negotiating terms, that meant he was open to collaboration. Winning over the Sol Familia could sway other neutral parties as well.

"We've mobilized so many familia members for this action; the spoils can't be divided so one-sidedly."

"There's just not enough incentive for me to commit to this," Sol replied flatly.

"We have to ensure shares for other familias as well. We can offer your familia 10% of the spoils—but you'll have first pick."

"Then I want 30% of the guild's post-operation subsidy. Agree to that, and we'll cooperate."

For such a major operation led by the guild, there was sure to be a significant reward afterward, which made the request reasonable. Though substantial, these funds meant less than driving the dark faction from Orario.

Finn hesitated, exchanged a look with Loki, and then nodded in agreement. There'd be plenty of opportunities to recoup funds once the dark faction was eliminated.

"Then we have a deal. Riveria will handle the rest of the details with you," Sol concluded, giving Riveria a supportive pat on the shoulder. After all, the actual fighting would be up to them.

"You're such a greedy bastard, taking that much from us all at once!" Loki couldn't help grumbling as soon as they stepped out of the hall. Just thinking about Sol's demands made her wince.

For a trickster goddess, suffering such a hefty loss stung her pride deeply.

"Oh, come now. The mighty Loki Familia can't seriously be fretting over a small donation—it's charity," Sol teased.

"You…! You scoundrel!" Loki fumed, her finger nearly jabbing at the tip of Sol's nose in frustration. She stomped twice in anger, then marched off. If she had any chance of beating him in a fight, she'd have gladly knocked that smug grin off his face.

And to think he'd had the gall to call it "helping the poor"—the nerve of him!

The Sol Familia was richer than hers by far. Where Loki's funds barely covered the cost of the guild's expedition, Sol's familia rarely had any expenses to speak of. Though they maintained an image of grandeur, the Loki Familia knew their own financial limitations.

With a smaller familia largely composed of magicians, Sol's expenses were minimal; magicians damaged equipment far less often than warriors. In fact, Riveria's earnings alone could more than sustain the Sol Familia.

Right now, Sol ranked just below Hestia as the most irritating person in Loki's life.

…

Just a few days after the agreement was reached, on an ordinary night, Sol was sleeping soundly, wrapped in Riveria's embrace. Suddenly, a violent explosion ripped through the silence, jolting them awake.

Riveria immediately gathered herself, dressed, took up her staff, and stood protectively in front of Sol. Commotion stirred among the familia members as they emerged from their quarters; soon, the entire residence was on high alert.

Gathered in the courtyard, the familia members could see Orario's flames blazing in the distance. The dark night sky was painted red by the fire, and then a beam of light shot upward, momentarily illuminating the night.

Sol recognized the beams of light immediately; they marked gods returning to Heaven.

Before he could fully process it, two more beams appeared, then more, each streaking toward the heavens.

Someone was targeting gods directly!