Danmachi: Strongest Familia

"Hint! It is recommended to absorb Apate's divine power and essence."

The voice of Sol's parallel consciousness rang in his mind, and he halted his movements, easing the pressure from his grip just enough for Apate to gasp for air.

'How is this guy still so powerful on earth, even without the full might of the heavens?' Apate thought, stunned by Sol's effortless strength. 'Isn't he supposed to weigh hundreds of pounds?' He couldn't believe Sol had lifted him one-handed so easily. 'What a monster!'

"What do you mean? Explain yourself," Sol mentally commanded.

"Constructing the Valoran continent will require substantial divine energy, and its future creation will also demand a divine blessing."

Valoran would host its own pantheon of gods: astral wanderers, and heroes who ascended from places like Mount Targon. Sol's parallel consciousness had overlooked this, especially since it hadn't even completed Bandle City yet.

"Then let's absorb it! I was going to send him back anyway," Sol decided without hesitation. The gods may be immortal, but their divine energy and essence are exhaustible resources.

Besides, with nothing else to occupy him once he returned to the heavens, Apate could simply replenish his strength in due time. Sol didn't even need to exert himself; his parallel consciousness had already begun siphoning Apate's divine power. The essence flowed continuously from Apate into Sol, disappearing without a trace.

"What...what are you doing!?" Apate's face finally revealed true fear. Unlike the frustration he'd felt watching his elven soldiers be annihilated, this was his own divinity—his very essence—being drained. 'What does Sol think he's doing?'

"Relax; I'll leave you enough power to make it back to the heavens." Sol's tone was almost kind, as if addressing a friend who'd just been swindled. "Consider it your contribution."

Regardless of their morality, gods' power and divinity were pure, untainted by intent. And even if it hadn't been pure, Sol wouldn't have cared—any energy that could help shape Valoran was worth the taking.

As Apate's divine reserves dwindled, his body sagged like a wilted plant, his head lolling to the side as all strength drained from him.

"Farewell, until we meet again."

Just as Apate tried to spit out a threat, Sol struck his chest with an open palm, sending a surge of energy through his body. A brilliant beam of light shot upwards, dispersing the flames around them with a wave of force, and within it, Apate's form was barely visible as he was launched heavenward.

"Safe travels~" Sol waved merrily as Apate ascended, still cursing within the beam. Sol couldn't have been in higher spirits. 'Even at this level, he had the nerve to stand before me and boast.'

'The perfect disposable power bank.'

"Are there any left alive?" Sol asked, glancing around the yard. 

Apate's forced return had saved Sol's group a bit of effort; at the very least, the divine energy unleashed in Apate's exit had disrupted Riveria's magic, completing their victory.

The family members swiftly cleared the battlefield. After Riveria's powerful magical assault, hardly any items survived intact enough to be called spoils of war.

Only two of the invading soldiers were left alive. The rest were charred beyond recognition, their identities indistinguishable among the ashes.

One of the remaining survivors was barely clinging to life, mumbling incoherently—perhaps calling for help?

Joan and Lan, who had gone out earlier to gather information, returned when they saw flames rising from the family's grounds. By now, the members of Sol's family had gathered around the two captured invaders.

"What should we do with these two?" one member asked, presenting the captured elven soldiers to Sol. With Apate gone, and no divine blessing to empower them, the captives had no strength left to resist.

Around them, family members continued cleaning up the remnants of the destroyed manor. The scorched ground still radiated heat, keeping lower-level members at a cautious distance.

"Lock them up for now," Sol decided. "We'll see what the Loki family has to say tomorrow."

It was clear that tonight's assault was a dark faction's response to Loki's recent plans. The precision of the attack showed it had been in the works for some time, and the moves made by Loki and others had simply triggered it.

Regardless of the motive, Loki and his allies would undoubtedly have to offer an explanation in the morning. Sol's elimination of Apate's elf soldiers was no small feat—twelve LV5 elven soldiers defeated. A reward from the guild was surely in order.

As Sol returned to his quarters, visibly unconcerned, Riveria remained on edge. To prevent any further attacks, she led the family's strongest members to stand guard through the night.

The air was filled with the lingering sounds of burning and the occasional cries from the dark faction's remnants, until, finally, dawn broke in the east.

…

When he awoke, the chaos from the night before hadn't disturbed Sol's sleep in the slightest.

This time, however, he wasn't interested in more rest. After absorbing so much divine power last night, he was eager to see the results.

"How did it turn out?" he asked.

"Currently, the progress of Bandle City is at 17.4% (up from 3.2%), with a total of three summons: all Yordles."

His parallel consciousness, aware of Sol's intentions, delivered the update.

The progress had jumped by over 14%—Apate had unwittingly contributed a significant boost before his departure. Even if Apate's power wasn't exceptional, he had still lived for countless ages as a god, lending an undeniable boost to Sol's project.

Sol smiled to himself. 'It's to be expected. The gods in their realm are far too complacent!'

With three available summons, Sol was ready to enjoy one of his favorite aspects of world-building: drawing new recruits!

"Summon successful. Summoned: Lost Fang—Gnar!"

"Summon successful. Summoned: Hammer of Sacred Fortitude—Poppy!"

"Summon successful. Summoned: Messenger of the Clouds—Vex!"