Multiverse's Holy Right

The bedroom door in the aircraft cabin slid open. As Roy stepped out, he saw two girls standing in the hallway. At the sight of him, they stiffened, instinctively straightening their postures.

The two individuals were none other than Yuri Mariya and Ena Seishuuin. Upon seeing Roy, Yuri's eyes flashed with fear and disgust before she quickly lowered her head. As for Ena Seishuuin, though there was a trace of fear in her expression, her demeanor was more marked by melancholy.

"Are you feeling better now?"

Roy glanced at Ena's slightly hunched figure—her abdomen had previously been pierced by the angelic sword he had summoned.

Ena stiffened. Gone was the spirited confidence she had displayed when she first met Roy in Tokyo. Now, she responded cautiously and fearfully, "...I've received emergency treatment and am fine now, King Roy!"

"Good. Rest well these next few days. I wouldn't want any physical issues to arise during the ritual."

Roy issued the command indifferently before turning his gaze to Yuri . "...The Japanese History Compilation Committee has located some mikos and will send them to Jerusalem soon. By the way, one of them is named Hikari Mariya—is she an acquaintance of yours?"

The moment he spoke, Roy noticed Yuri's expression change drastically. The shrine maiden, who had been keeping her head down to hide her revulsion, suddenly looked up in alarm, her voice trembling with desperation as she cried, "...Hikari is only ten years old! She's just a novice! Please, Your Majesty, don't hurt her! I beg you, spare her! I'll do anything you ask, anything at all—please!"

Overcome with emotion, Yuri tried to grab Roy, but Ena stopped her at the critical moment.

"So she is indeed someone you know—a younger sister, perhaps? Hmm. Whether that ten-year-old girl remains safe will depend on your performance during the ritual. If your role proves sufficient, I suppose such a young miko won't be necessary. Wouldn't you agree?"

Roy's tone was gentle, like that of an understanding older brother. But to Yuri, he was nothing short of a demon who deserved to burn in hell.

"I... I'll do my best! I won't make any mistakes—just please spare Hikari..."

Yuri sobbed uncontrollably, causing Roy to shake his head.

"We've arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Prepare to disembark."

Roy strode past the weeping Yuri and Ena, who was comforting her, then paused briefly. His voice softened as he added, "...Ena Seishuuin, I know your family has cut ties with you. But there's no need to grieve too much. Life is unpredictable like that. As the child of a prominent family, you should have expected this."

With that, he left without another glance.

Ena stood frozen for a moment. Was that... the King's attempt at gentle consolation?

She wasn't sure.

...

The top floor of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem had been reserved—though whether it was done by the Greenwich Assembly, the Bronze Black Cross, or the Copper Black Cross remained unknown.

On a warm afternoon, Alice sat on the hotel balcony, dressed in a Victorian-style gown with a Bohemian shawl draped over her shoulders, sipping tea at a small table.

She closed her beautiful, clear eyes, inhaling the faint aroma of the tea, her expression serene.

Ever since regaining mobility, she could finally indulge in the pleasures of taste once more. The first thing she did was retrieve the treasured tea leaves from the Godding family's collection. Every afternoon when she had leisure time, she would savor these refined moments, reclaiming the aristocratic lifestyle she had lost despite being a noblewoman.

Beep—————

The electronic lock on the door sounded, followed by the sound of the door being pushed open. Even with her back to the entrance, Alice knew exactly who had entered.

"King Roy, isn't it rather boorish and impolite to barge into a lady's chambers uninvited like this?"

The only person who would enter her room so brazenly was that free-spirited Demon King.

"Isn't the whole point of these electronic cards to sneak into a lady's boudoir unnoticed?"

Roy's light chuckle came from behind Alice as he walked over to the balcony, pulling out the chair opposite her and sitting down while waving the card triumphantly.

"Don't tell me you've taken all the room cards?"

"Correct. I possess electronic access to every maiden's chamber. As a King, I must have unimpeded movement throughout my domain."

Roy joked as he poured himself a cup of black tea from the pot, only to frown after one sip and set it down. "...You English are so peculiar, adding milk to black tea. How can anyone drink this?"

Utterly disliking the taste, Roy went back inside and retrieved a bottle of carbonated soda from the refrigerator.

"Nothing beats an ice-cold cola on a warm afternoon like this..."

Popping the tab open, Roy took a refreshing gulp.

"Drinking such things is hardly befitting of a lady's grace."

Alice lifted the porcelain teacup with her fair, jade-like fingers, pinky slightly raised in perfect aristocratic poise.

"That's why you nobles are such a hassle—no wonder history left you behind... By the way, Alexander Gascoigne approached you back in Tokyo, didn't he?"

Roy leaned back in his chair, making himself more comfortable as he smiled at Alice.

"Did you find out, King Roy? It seems that man wasn't cautious enough if you discovered him."

Princess Alice's lashes fluttered slightly, her beautiful eyes glimmering with playful light as she smiled coyly at Roy.

"Why didn't you leave with him? If it had been Alexander Gascoigne, even I would have struggled to reclaim you."

"The polite answer would be that I feared you, King Roy—that as a capricious Demon King, I dared not resist..."

"And the truth?"

Roy tilted his head, amused.

"The truth is that King Roy is far more interesting than Alexander. My witch's intuition tells me that by your side, my life will be more thrilling and vibrant. Many of my past questions will find their answers here."

Alice blinked her lively eyes, looking every bit the mischievous, willful girl.

"Ha! So you're sticking around to satisfy your meddlesome curiosity? Well, I don't mind—as long as Princess Alice can pay the price."

Roy's gaze gradually sharpened.

"Price? What price do I need to pay? I'm already your captive in every way. I can't imagine what else I have left to offer."

Alice's voice faltered as she set down her teacup and frowned.

"I need your knowledge. This ritual to summon a Heretic God is missing its final component, and I lack that crucial piece. Only you, the most powerful witch, can provide it."

Roy leaned forward slightly.

Alice exhaled in relief. "...I thought you were going to demand something else. If it's knowledge you seek, of course I'm willing to share it with you."

"Then will you give it to me with your body?"

Roy took a deep breath, reminding himself that as a man—as an unbound Demon King of the earth—he had no reason to feel shy or avert his gaze. He forced himself to meet the eyes of the elegant, refined young woman across from him, staring into her startled expression.

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹