Ch-25: The King Who Understands Human Heart
On the streets of Rome, a specially customized luxury limousine was slowly moving.
The Commander in Chief of Copper Black Cross, Paolo Brandelli was looking at his niece, Erica Brandelli sitting next to him.
His elegant and always easy-going face was filled with complicated expressions. He said in a low voice:
"Have you made your decision, Erica..."
"You know that the New King is different from the King of Swords, he more like the Marquis Voban and the Martial Leader in the East, serving as the king's follower is not a simple job."
Erica is the only daughter of Paolo's older brother, he and his niece are the only remaining members of Brandelli family.
For his talented niece, he is always doing his best to protect her from all harm. But Paolo also knows that with Erica's steadfast character, she would not be willing to follow the prudent path he has set for her.
He knew that when time comes, Erica will leave his protection and walk alone towards a unknown, uncertain future. It looks like that time has come, earlier than expected.
"This is an order from the new king, even if I don't want it, what can I do. Uncle, you know how authoritarian the new king is."
From Erica's words it seemed she was forced to follow Roy's order, but her high spirited and eager expression betrayed her.
"Please be rest assured, uncle! With my ability, even if the new king is truly as cruel and ruthless as the Marquis Voban and the Martial Leader of the East, I will definitely be able to get his trust and favor, I will just have to be a little careful."
"...This is our best opportunity, uncle! The new king has just ascended the 'throne' and he lacks trustworthy subordinates."
"When I become king's subordinate, I will work my best to even become king's right handed man, whether it's Copper Black Cross or our Brandelli family, we all will gain a firm foothold in the magic world."
"Our hundreds of years of struggle with the Bronze Black Cross will also come to an end, the final victory will belong to us!"
Erica's gorgeous face was filled with youthful dauntlessness and absolute self-confidence.
This gesture made Paolo secretly gratified, he even secretly comforted his elder brother's spirit in the sky. His brother's daughter has grown up to stand alone on her own feet.
Seeing that Erica had her own opinions, Paolo didn't bother to question her decisions. After thinking about it, he asked to test his niece:
"...What do you think is different between the new king and Salvatore Doni?"
"Salvatore is not a qualified leader. He only has 'sword' and 'fighting' in his mind. Two years ago, I saw Salvatore who had just killed the Heritic god. Although it may sound disrespectful, but he does have a problem with his brain."
Erica pondered for a moment and continued:
"Because Salvatore only has battle and sword in his mind, he is an easier person to deal with. He will never care about our 'betrayal'."
"At most, he will find the new king to fight a battle. Similarly, because of his character, even if we become his subordinates, we won't get much benefit..."
"He won't care how much we dedicate ourselves to serve him. We will not be punished even if we are incompetent, neither will we be rewarded if we are extraordinary."
"...But the new king is different. From the information as well as the personal contact, we can see that the new king is a person with a strong 'desire'."
"So, as long as we can please him with our work, we will definitely be protected by the new king, even in the name of the new king, our Copper Black Cross will become more powerful."
"Salvatore Doni doesn't understand his subordinates's hearts, but the new king understands the human heart!"
Although the Campiones are unmatched by mortals, the Godslayers are ultimately humans.
As long as they are humans, they have their own desires, hobbies and prefernces. As long as you understand what a Campione likes and dislikes, you can get along well with the them.
...
On the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the western coast of Italy, an ultra-luxury yacht was moving on the sea level. Fishes shuttled under the beautiful sea, seabirds flitted in the clear blue sky.
Roy was sitting inside the luxurious and spacious viewing room, savouring his lunch, looking through the transparent glass, enjoying the beautiful view of the sea.
The facilities in the viewing room were very modern, more like the living room of a five star hotel.
There was a gold studed mahogany desk, a very soft ring shaped sofa and a large bed. A expensive bottle of wine was placed on the small bar at the corner of the room.
And a small wine cabinet filled with rarest of wines was hanging from the wall. A huge LCD TV in middle of the room was broadcasting a program.
Roy sat at the table with a knife and fork, tasting the finest of steaks in whole Italy, seasoned with rare Italian Alba white truffleas, enjoying the 'beauty' of the food on the tip of his tongue.
He is a person who knows how to enjoy, and he will never treat himself badly under the given conditions.
Now that he is a Campione, money has completely become as worthless as dust for him.
So of course, Roy will enjoy the most expensive and most quality things available in the world.
Roy's life spanning the past two decades is just of an ordinary person. An occasional enjoyment now and then relaxes the mind, but such luxuries will not bind his will in the 'shackles of comfort'.
After reincarnating to the 'A Certain Magical Index' world, his sixteen years of life can be described as filled with poverty, he was already finding it difficult to make ends meet, where can he expect some luxury.
Now that he has the opportunity, Roy will certainly make his tongue and taste buds feel pleasure after sixteen years of suffering. He is not an ascetic monk who has abstained from all forms of indulgences.
"Tuck, Tuck, Tuck———"
There was a knock on the door of the viewing room. Roy already knew who has arrived.
He put down the knife and fork in his hand, wiped his mouth with a tissue, and said: "...Come in!"
The door opened and a girl dressed in a red dress, like a phoenix, walked in.
She was wearing the same bright red high heels with white stockings on her legs, although her slender leg were not exposed, the outer view is enough to give people the urge to play with it in the palm of their hands.
She was wearing a fiery red dress with her shoulders exposed, however, it felt completely different on Erica, only increasing her natural aristocratic temperament.
"Excuse me for distrubing you at the time of your meal, my King!"
Erica bowed her head slightly, not counting the four decades of his life experience, Roy is still just a vigorous young man, and his sight, also subconsciously fell towards the girl's alluring neckline, this is just a sign of being a healthy youth.
But this situation didn't cause him to lose his composure like a normal youth. After he turned his gaze towards her head, he smiled and asked:
"...what's the matter? Erica."
"We will be soon arriving on the Ponza Island. According to the investigation done by the Seven Sisters, Metatron is now recuperating on this island. I'm here to inform this to the King."
Erica was like a butler fulfilling her duties, informing the master about his schedule.
"Thanks for your reminder, Erica..."
"A good state of mind before the battle is the one things necessary before the war since ancient times, so why don't we have a fulfilling meal together, Erica. You know, having a meal with a beautiful lady will vitalize me more."
Roy nodded slightly, accepted Erica's reminder, and offered an invitation at the same time.
"Thank you very much for giving me this honor, but I am your exclusive knight and I shouldn't be at the same table with my lord, so please forgive me, my King."
Erica kept her elegant appearance and said with a bright smile.
"Knight? Hahaha, Erica, I don't seem to have given you the title of my knight, right?"
Roy laughed twice, he stood up and pushed aside the chair, walked to Erica step by step, and stared into her beautiful sapphire eyes with a light smile on his face.