The Castle in the middle of nowhere.

It looked like the third Dreadnought would be delayed due to a mithril shortage. In one way, it was a huge problem but this one would only be delayed a few weeks. Each dreadnought was a significant portion of my fighting force and even Vestargo seemed to learn to fear them. With the waiting game I was currently playing, it was a huge blow to my readiness. On the other hand, the shortage meant that Dauntless would be grounded longer in the shipyard for its modifications and upgrades. As for the remaining ships, their schedule was according to the plan. Nine out of the ten new destroyers would join the Second Fleet directly, skipping the usual trials in the home fleet, while the tenth would join the Home Fleet. It wasn't the best solution but I needed to start building defensive measures across Everlight and Navell provinces. In case of a major collapse of the battlefront, the Second Fleet would be the only hope for the survival of my people.

Well, the Second Fleet and the combined forces of the Everlight Dungeons. Some might argue that I should use those forces I'm preparing to immediately strike Vestargo, and they would be right if this was a video game. But it was my reality and if anything went wrong, everyone living up north would die. With sufficiently strong local forces, I had a safety net to protect the citizens and vast territories of Arcadia I didn't want to lose. The collapse of the battlefront was actually something I anticipated in the near future. It was impossible to hold ground against the tides of bugs. Vestargo and his minions had received a massive blow but I wasn't under the illusion that it would hinder them for long. Vespids had an absurdly short reproduction cycle and I knew they would replenish their numbers in just a couple of months. As for regular monsters, the deeper parts of the Ancient Forest I carved out brought me closer to their spawners. In theory, that also meant I was closer to Vestargo but, in practice, his redeployment routes were shorter.

Burning down the entire damn thing wasn't a realistic option for all sorts of reasons. At the top of the list of reasons was, of course, the fate of the slaves. Some may argue that being dead was preferable to being his livestock but burning them alive was too cruel. While that was the most important reason, it was far from the only reason. The climate of the continent was already bad because of the, nearly, destroyed ley lines of the world. Outright destroying such tremendous swathes of the forest could be, potentially, disastrous. The last time I unleashed an inferno, the pillars of smoke reached high into the sky and ash fell even in Arcadia. I wasn't ready to face an ecological catastrophe so I had to preserve as much of the forest as possible. The Ancient Forest was also a natural resource stash of unknown potential. The wood alone was valuable as high-grade crafting material with nothing said about the wild herbs and food sources scattered around.

"Roannia and Harmonia just landed at Aclium's palace." Hestia raised her head from the war table.

"Why are you so nervous?" I was slightly surprised.

"I'm just curious... Well, slightly nervous, but they are my family after all." She smiled faintly.

"A distant family..."

"But family..." She hesitated. "After the incident with Roannia, I looked at something that had bothered me for a while now. Did you know that no deity tried to take over Ares's domain?"

I paused for a moment. "His domain? Like being the god of war?"

"Yes." She nodded seriously and her voice was full of pain. "There were many Eternals who called themselves Gods of War before the war. Most of them fell during the first war against the darkness or disappeared after. Ares, Athena, Mars, Týr, Wōden, Odin, Takemikazuchi, Perun, Zorya, Indra, Mixcoatl... So, so many of them... And yet... And yet no one took over the domain of war."

I mulled over her words. While I was sceptical about their actual godhood, I couldn't deny their individual power that came from the worship of the Mortals. Someone who claims the title of the god of war would rise to the top momentarily.

"You told me a while ago that the elder gods were awakening... Maybe one of them was a god of war? I think we need a backup." I sighed and sent a mental order to summon Freya and Orina.

"It's possible but, even then, a young god of war should emerge..." Hestia bit her lip.

A few moments later, Freya teleported into the room and took a seat. At the same moment, I received confirmation from the Praetorian guarding Orina that she was ready. I teleported out and back, bringing a surprised Orina, who had been shaking hands with a Nekomi woman brought to Avalon by Cédric.

"Oh well... Please sit down, you two." I pointed towards the sofa. "I'm sorry for accidentally bringing you here, Miss... Jilla?"

"Yes, Your Highness!" She bowed, utterly terrified.

"Oh, please, there is absolutely no reason to be so scared. If anything, I should apologise for accidentally snatching you. We were talking with Hestia about an odd thing she realised recently and we hoped you could help us, Freya and Orina. It shouldn't take long so just take a seat and help yourself with some snacks, Miss Jilla." I smiled encouragingly.

"What's the problem?" Freya crossed her legs and rested both her hands on her knee with a smile.

"We don't know why a new god of war has not emerged after the last war against the Ruinous Powers," Hestia said and gained intrigued stares.

"I know that you are quite good at Nordic mythology, Freya, so I thought we could try to... I don't know, figure out if any war god survived the war, I guess?" I smiled. "I'm not the best at mythology so..."

"Oh, sure." The Dwarfess smiled. "What about you Orina?"

"Mythology? I liked it, so sure... I might be able to help." The Half-Elf smiled more confidently.

"So, I was thinking that one of the elder gods, who are currently waking up, could be a war deity. In my opinion, they are simply the focus of all war-faith and don't let a new one emerge." I said before Hestia objected. "But I had no idea what or how they do it."

"Elder gods?" Freya furrowed her brows.

"Like Baal, Anat... You know that nasty bunch who demanded human sacrifices, if I'm not wrong." I cringed.

"Baal and Anat are gods of war..." Orina faintly smiled.

"Oh... That was quick." I smiled awkwardly.

"I told you it's not that simple, Theon." Hestia shook her head. "The domains of the Elder Gods encompass multiple aspects. They are powerful but not as specialised as the younger Gods and because of that, they aren't as proficient in any of their aspects. They naturally siphon some faith but they couldn't possibly stop the emergence of a new God."

The awkward silence filled the room.

"I don't know if that would be helpful, but it is said that the Metakan Royal Family are the descendants of the God of War and Justice, Týr." I looked at Jilla who instantly blushed and lowered her head. "I'm sorry for speaking unasked, my Lord!"

"Miss Jilla, I have no idea how you were treated by the Verksan nobles and Royal Family but, you are now Arcadian. As long as you have something important to say, your input is very appreciated even if your presence here was unexpected. What you said just now, is very important. Don't hesitate to join our discussion if you have any knowledge on this subject." I slowly shook my head and looked at Freya and Hestia. "No one told me that about them! Is it possible that one of them is a potential demigod? Like... You know?"

"I'm hearing about it for the first time as well. I have no idea if any of them is a Demigod but, after so many generations, it's unlikely." Hestia slightly shook her head. "I'm hesitant to reject it outright but, even if this is true, I don't know if we could awaken anyone as an Eternal..."

"But it's fairly important anyway." Freya nodded. "I will question Cassmira about it later."

"Hmmm... If the elder gods are not responsible for the lack of a new god of war then maybe one of the Eternals survived the war?" I proposed.

"It's funny that I can hear the small letters every time you call one of the Eternals a God." Hestia giggled but then took a deep breath and looked at me seriously. "Anyway... If they survived, then where are they? Even if they were wounded and battered, they should have emerged by now."

"Hestia is right, Theon." Freya slowly nodded. "What about the Riders of the Apocalypse? War was among them, after all."

I looked at her in silence because her words echoed in my head. It was a strange feeling that, somehow, turned into melancholy. It was like a small droplet hit the still water, causing ripples.

"I don't think so..." Hestia said, unaware of the strange emotions I couldn't identify. "They remained on Earth. It's their duty to wait for the end of times and appear during the battle of Armageddon."

"Huh..." Freya started fidgeting with her thumbs.

"Besides... She was rather... Peculiar." Hestia said awkwardly, making me smile.

"Why are we even discussing this?" Freya tilted her head.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"In a world full of war, a god of war should be one of the most powerful beings." I sighed. "I want as many Eternals on our side and getting someone like a deity of war would be incredibly beneficial. Like I said, Hestia pointed out that, after the war over three thousand years ago, no god of war emerged and, if you think about it, it's strange. There are plenty of nascent deities and even unnamed Eternals who are just waiting for their occasion to ascend."

"Fair enough..." Freya crossed her arms and pouted. "But I don't see how our knowledge about myths and legends might be helpful."

Orina was sitting near Jilla and, surprisingly, they both were focused on something.

"In Verksa, we had God Tíl, who was associated with war, but his cult wasn't popular before it was banned by the Arcadian law..." Jilla said more confidently than before but quickly added with an apologetic tone. "Only the recognised Gods can be worshipped in Arcadia."

"I was there when we made that law. I like it." I said with a smile and a shrug.

"I'm not surprised he isn't popular anymore." Hestia sighed. "Tíl was one of the local deities who hadn't resented us and was the first to join us in the war. However, he fell during the battle that sank most of the continent closest to Aderon, Graiole. That is the reason why he never answered your prayers. He couldn't."

"Oh..." Jilla solemnly lowered her head, but she suddenly froze and looked at Hestia as if she had suddenly added two to two and received a banana. "My Empress... You are the Divine, you are Goddess Hestia?"

"Yes." Hestia looked at her in confusion.

"But... According to the Holy Texts, you are the consort of God Baal..."

"Excuse me, what?" Hestia's eyes narrowed angrily. "This is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in a long time."

"I'm not the scholar but I remember the priests preaching that, one day, you and Baal would awaken to take reign over the world," Jilla said nervously.

"Just wonderful..." Hestia nervously covered her eyes.

"Someone worked overtime to corrupt the reality." I sighed. "But that changes-"

"Oh, this is serious, Theon." Hestia was nervous. "Baal is powerful. He isn't someone whom you can slap into oblivion as easily as you killed Jukk'nala. Remember that faith shapes the reality of Eternals and he, surely, will come to claim me. I refused him once and he isn't someone who takes no for an answer..."

Suddenly, we all felt pressure. Something incredibly powerful was coming.

"It's him?" I asked as I looked at Hestia who paled.

"I don't know... But, if it's him, he is unimaginably powerful..." Hestia was nearly panicking.

However, whoever it was, I sensed their feelings. It was the same strange feeling I had a moment ago.

"I... Have... Found... You..." Each incorporeal word was like a petal of joyous laughter. However... The woman's voice was like a clash of swords or a roar of firing guns.

She appeared over the table, terrifying and beautiful, like I remembered her... I realised that, until now, I had somehow forgotten about her. How could I forget her? A shard of a memory I kept hidden deep inside my heart chimed with images and painful memories. The images and memories of feelings I gathered across countless battlefields flashed before me. She ignored everyone in the room and floated in front of me. She cradled my face in her bloodstained hands that instantly became pure as she touched me.

"Have... You... Forgotten... About... Me...?" Her cold and blue as ice eyes looked at me with sadness.

"How could I, Minerva?" I smiled at her. "You are my old friend, after all..."

"Friend?" She laughed once again. Her voice changed, it became more fluent and soft, however, her laughter was as terrifying and beautiful as her entire person. For a very brief moment, I was unable to move. She kissed me, and her lips tasted of blood and gunpowder. "Have you forgotten that you are mine?"

"That's what you seem to insist on." I chuckled as I took her hand and forced her to sit down at the table.

Only then did she look around and freeze her gaze at Hestia who flinched. My wife, who did not hesitate to throw herself at a void god, wielding only a sword in her hand, was terrified. She was like a deer caught in a car's light.

"What are you doing here, child of Cronus?" Minerva hissed angrily.

"She is my wife so be mindful of what you say next, Minerva," I warned the woman I considered my friend.

"Oh?" She grinned with some deep satisfaction and glee. "If he took you as his wife, then you belong only to him..."

"Minerva?" I leaned forward and all her hostility immediately vanished.

"They took you from me!" She pouted and complained like a small girl. "I crossed heaven, purgatory, and hell but you were nowhere to be found! Death said he only touched you because he had to. But I have found you now... No!"

She looked angrily toward the sky and roared with fury but, suddenly, calmed down. She sadly lowered her head and cradled my face in her hands again.

"We will meet again... I will ask for permission to see you..." Her tears turned into droplets of blood as she let go of my face. "My beloved... The only one who never feared nor hated me..."

Just like that, Minerva disappeared. I sighed heavily. She was an oddball but, otherwise, a good friend. Honestly, I never noticed the blood stuff... I looked at the four women who were in turn looking at me in horror.

"I guess we have our answer." I felt a bit awkward that I allowed Minerva to kiss me but, well, what happened happened. I cleared my throat and smiled innocently. "Minerva survived the war and she is the goddess of war."

"Are you dumb?!" Hestia cried in horror. "That wasn't Minerva!"

"Oh? I called her by that name the first time I met her and she seemed happy about it..."

"That was War. The War! One of the Four Horsemen, Theon!" Hestia was sucking deep breaths. "I thought I was a goner! Heavens..."

"Oh..." I scratched the back of my head. "So she isn't Minerva? I need to call her something different, then..."

"DON'T YOU EVEN DARE!" Hestia screamed in absolute dread and shuddered. She was taking long, desperate gasps of air. "She won't take it kindly... No... Leave it be. Never change your opinion about her, Theon. I beg you..." She trembled and, then, looked at me for the first time with fear. "You are beloved by War? No wonder that no God of War has emerged in Nilmerthis! With you around? With her looming behind your every step? By the Heavens..."

Hestia wiped her eyes and hid her face in her hands. She, then, started crying the tears she had held in when Minerva focused on her for a brief moment. I decided to keep it to myself the reminder that I had only been around for just a moment compared to the time that had passed since the last war. I extended my hand and patted her head, making her shiver. Then, I looked at Freya, Orina and Jilla who were shaken but not as much as Hestia.

"Are you all right?" I asked, slowly realising that only I had felt comfortable in the presence of War.

"I think I need to change my underwear..." Freya lowered her face burning in embarrassment. "That was terrifying."

I looked at Orina and Jilla but they looked equally embarrassed as Freya.

"Take Orina and Jilla with you, Freya. I think that Hestia had it worse..."

"I'm afraid so..." Freya trembled and shook her head. "I don't know if I trust my legs after this. I can't imagine what Hestia felt when that... That... She... When War focused on her... Stay with her, Theon."

I fell silent for a moment before I helped Freya stand up and reach Orina and Jilla. Before they disappeared, Orina looked at me with respect and awe.

"She touched you, Emperor Theon... And you... You just smiled." Orina's voice was trembling. "She called you her beloved one..."

"So this is how frighteningly powerful you are, my Lord..." Jilla shook her head and I saw the same respect and awe Orina had in the Nekomi's gaze. "I'm proud to call myself Arcadian."

I opened and closed my mouth, not certain how I could respond. I decided on simply smiling and nodding at them. They vanished and I approached Hestia. She was covered in sweat and trembling when I lifted her and hugged her. She tensed and wasn't protesting but she also hesitated before she hugged me.

"You defied her when she wanted to kill me," Hestia whispered. "No... It was the other way around. She was afraid of angering you... She was afraid that she could lose you... She restricted herself so much, but even so, I was sure she would kill me with her gaze alone. She... She was jealous, Theon. Of me!"

"She was jealous of my wife in my previous world as well... Or life? Even Minerva said that I died." I smiled. "She would never hurt you, Hestia."

"How can you be so casual about her?" Hestia whispered, making me shrug. "How did you even meet War in the first place?"

"I met her... I... I don't remember where but it was a battlefield. One of many battlefields I remember... Our position was hit by artillery and I, probably, was caught in the shock wave. I think I was stunned when I saw her cradling the bloodied body of one of my soldiers." I smiled with melancholy. "She asked me if I was afraid and I remember I laughed. I told her that there was nothing more beautiful than sacrificing oneself to protect everyone you love. I remember how surprised she was. But I didn't pay her any more attention as I took my gun and put a bullet through the head of the enemy soldier who aimed at us. I told her that she should save herself and that I would protect her."

"You told War that you would protect her?" Hestia looked at me as if I were insane.

"Well... I told you that I might have been stunned by the explosion I survived so I wasn't thinking clearly." I laughed as I teleported us to our bathroom. She was soaked with her sweat and needed a bath. "But, yes. I earnestly promised to protect her. So she is War, huh?"

"Yes..." Hestia trembled as I helped her undress. After a moment of consideration, I took off my clothes as well. "But you, somehow, changed her... I have no idea how you managed to do it but, near you, War takes the form of Minerva. Well... Not entirely but one of the aspects of Minerva. The only aspect someone like War can relate to. Near you, she is the personification of Just War."

"Well. I thought I was going crazy since only I saw her so I never openly talked about her..." I smiled as I helped Hestia take a shower. She still looked as if her legs would fail her any moment, so I lifted her and carried her to the huge bath. "But she was so real to me... She listened to my concerns and shared hers although I can't remember what she shared with me."

"Are you surprised? Even if she shared anything with you, your Mortal mind would have collapsed under the burden of her thoughts. She must have protected you in her own way..." Hestia trembled in the warm water. "We can safely assume that she won't work against you but she won't help you either. Even if she wanted to, she won't be allowed to..."

"And that's good?" I asked in an uncertain voice.

"I don't know!" Hestia giggled nervously and hugged me tightly. She smirked but her eyes shined warmly. "She told me I'm yours so I would like to see the face Baal will make when he hears about it... I'm also taking back what I said when I said you can't just slap him into oblivion. If War respects or even loves you? I doubt we've seen everything you are capable of..."

"If you say so..." I embraced her with a soft smile and kissed her forehead. "I will talk with her more honestly when she returns. She can't just walk around and scare everyone..."