Multiverse's Holy Right

"Lord Roy, this is the item you requested, freshly excavated from the ruins."

In a quiet villa in Rome, Italy, Erica gently placed a leather case on the table before Roy.

Erica and Liliana stood on either side of the table, bowing slightly as they spoke.

"Thank you for your hard work, Erica, Lily."

Roy smiled at his two knights as his fingers slid over the lock of the leather case, effortlessly breaking both the technological and magical seals.

With the care of someone handling an ancient and priceless artifact, Roy gently opened the case. At its center lay a circular stone disk resembling marble—small enough to be held like a badge in one's palm. Carved into its surface was the image of a snake-haired gorgon, the legendary monster from Greek mythology known as the Gorgon, or more famously, Medusa.

"The Gorgon's relic, a remnant of the ancient goddess..."

Roy delicately lifted the fragile-looking stone badge and blew lightly on it, sending a layer of dust into the air.

Compared to modern craftsmanship, the depiction of the Gorgon on this ancient badge was crude, sketched with only a few rough strokes. Yet Roy could distinctly sense immense divine power emanating from it—a power that granted the Gorgon Stone its indestructibility. No external force could shatter it; only by slaying its master would the stone lose its immortality.

"The gods worshipped by the Romans align with Greek mythology—just as Aphrodite is Venus, and Ares is Mars... In Ovid's Metamorphoses, Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden who, after being violated by Poseidon, was cursed by Athena and transformed into a monster."

"...In truth, this is a thoroughly distorted tale. According to authentic ancient Greek myths, Medusa and her two sisters were born as monsters. Tracing back further, the Gorgon sisters were originally goddesses who, under the blades of the Steel Gods, fell into the form of dragons and serpents."

Roy toyed with the Gorgon Stone in his hand as the pupils in his left eye contracted—activating his Clairvoyance. Through the stone as a medium, he delved into the ancient myths, navigating the torrents of legend and history to uncover its true master.

"Lord Roy, the Gorgon Stone has been unearthed, and its presence has already leaked. This stone serves as a beacon for the ancient goddess. Once revealed, it will inevitably draw the attention of the Earth Mother Goddess manifested upon this land."

Erica, well-versed in historical myths, took a deep breath and bowed her head in earnest counsel. "...This is Rome, the capital of Italy and the heart of your domain. Engaging in battle with a Heretic God here would inflict unnecessary losses upon your assets. Thus, I humbly request that you relocate elsewhere to confront the Heretic God."

"Liliana also implores you, Lord Roy," the silver-haired knight added, kneeling on one knee in a formal, ancient knightly gesture. "Grant the people of Italy your mercy and compassion."

Roy pocketed the Gorgon Stone and rose to his feet, sweeping his hand grandly like an emperor issuing an edict. "...Request granted!"

With a hearty laugh, he strode to the table and pinched Erica and Liliana's delicate cheeks. Their skin, smooth as polished jade, bore the flawless softness of fifteen-year-old maidens—especially those blessed with the blood of witches.

"Alright, you two can get up now. I've played along with your little act long enough."

Roy raised his hand, signaling Erica and Liliana to rise.

The two knight girls exchanged a glance, both revealing faint smiles at the corners of their mouths. Had this been a year ago, they would have genuinely been trembling while making requests to Roy. But now, having fully grasped Roy's modus operandi, they knew he had never intended to fight the Heretic God within Italian territory from the beginning. Thus, their so-called "direct admonishment" was merely going through the motions.

As a King, Roy would never tolerate disrespect or lack of proper etiquette. Yet just like ancient emperors who would joke freely with their close ministers, when facing Erica and Liliana—girls who had accompanied him for over a year, gradually gaining his trust and forming a tacit understanding—Roy allowed them more casual behavior in his presence, provided they knew to maintain proper boundaries and didn't overstep their privileges.

"Lord Roy, should we recall Yuri Mariya and Ena Seishuuin from Japan?" Erica asked. She deliberately didn't mention Alice, knowing full well that the princess held a significantly higher position in Roy's heart—equal to or even surpassing that of his two exclusive knights, herself and Liliana.

If one were to compare the two knights and Alice to an emperor's consorts, then Ena and Yuri would only rank as concubines. Those two Eastern girls belonged wholly to the King, with no one else permitted to lay hands on them. Yet precisely because of their lower status, they wouldn't receive much personal attention from the King, much like women who had lost in the harem's power struggles...

"No need to call them back. This time I don't require the spiritual sight of witches or mikos. Besides, ever since obtaining this eye, when it comes to spiritual vision, I am undoubtedly the world's foremost authority."

Roy pointed at his left eye. The principle behind witches' and hime-miko's spiritual sight was borrowing power from the Netherworld to glimpse the past. But the Clairvoyance Roy had obtained from King Solomon far surpassed any ordinary spiritual sight.

"Then where are we heading, Lord Roy? Please give us a specific destination so Liliana and I can make preparations."

As Roy's exclusive knights, Liliana and Erica often took care of his daily affairs. Before the King's travels, they would ensure every detail was meticulously arranged.

After brief consideration, Roy declared, "...To the southern Alps region of Switzerland!"

"As you command, Lord Roy!"

Erica and Liliana immediately set about making arrangements—coordinating private jets and ground transportation from Italy, preparing reception details in Switzerland, and so forth. The King's travels demanded far more rigorous preparation than any presidential visit.

...

The Seven Sisters Alliance of Italy had long established protocols for handling the King's daily affairs and travels. Shortly after Roy issued his orders, Erica and Liliana utilized the Alliance's resources to complete all preparations. A luxurious car carried the trio to Fiumicino Airport, bound for Switzerland.

Not long after Roy's departure, the villa where he had been residing welcomed a petite figure.

"I smell it—the scent of our sworn enemy, the Campione, and the aura of the Gorgon Stone. It seems my Gorgon Stone has fallen into the hands of a Campione."

The petite figure murmured softly, her tone noble and exquisitely elegant.

"What I seek is the Gorgon Stone. O ancient serpent, guide the path of the Queen who defies conformity, and bestow upon me once more the wisdom of darkness, earth, and heaven!"

As the incantation was spoken, darkness surged forth, and then all was calm, as if the figure had never appeared.

***

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