Multiverse's Holy Right

She was a young girl with short silver hair, appearing no older than ten. A blue rabbit-eared winter cap sat atop her head, dusted with snow from the Alps. Though her features had yet to fully mature, her delicate childlike beauty and snow-white skin already hinted at a peerless charm.

"Is this... a Heretic God?"

Erica and Liliana stared in astonishment at the lovely little girl at the door, whose appearance easily evoked affection. It was impossible to associate her with the calamity-bringing Heretic Gods.

Yet, the ominous yet sublime aura radiating from her unmistakably told Erica and Liliana that she was indeed a Heretic God—the goddess who had come in pursuit of the Gorgon Stone.

"It's freezing outside. Why not close the door, come in, and warm yourself with a cup of coffee, O Athena who does not submit?"

Roy showed no surprise at the goddess's arrival—this was exactly what he had anticipated.

Setting down his coffee cup, he gestured politely toward Athena.

"A Campione who invites a Heretic God to sit—this is a first for me. Since you have extended such a sincere invitation, it would be discourteous and cowardly of me to refuse."

The adorable little girl lifted her chin high and declared in a voice as crisp and youthful as a lark's song. Then, she stepped through the doorway with delicate strides, casually closing the door behind her.

The howling blizzard outside ceased, its icy winds drowned by the flames burning within the house. The clamor faded, and silence once again settled over the surroundings. Yet this oppressive stillness only amplified the unease creeping through Liliana and Erica. In this cramped little house, being in such close proximity to a Heretic God filled them with a faint, claustrophobic dread—like being locked in a dark room, stripped of freedom.

Erica and Liliana tightened their grips on their beloved swords, their palms slick with sweat. Even so, they dared not make a move, their gazes fixed on the irresistibly captivating little girl as she walked on her slender legs and seated herself opposite Roy.

"I am no longer Athena now. I have lost my status as the Queen of the Triple Goddess. All that remains in my memory are a mother's sigh, a queen's disgrace, and an old crone's wisdom."

"...My glory is broken, leaving only this small fragment—defiance against the Thunder and Sun that rule the heavens. Thus, all I desire is the Gorgon Stone. O Campione, would you be so kind as to hand it over to me?"

Though she was the one making the request, though obtaining the Gorgon Stone would restore her full power, the way she openly demanded what she needed from her enemy didn't come across as foolish. Instead, it revealed the depths of her wisdom and fearless courage.

"Lord Roy, you mustn't give her the Gorgon Stone! The Heretic God Athena is at her weakest now—you should strike her down and usurp her authority!"

Erica and Liliana urgently protested.

"To speak such blasphemous words of deicide before a god is to invite divine retribution."

The petite Athena cast a sidelong glance at the two young knightesses. Though her power was greatly diminished, she was still a Heretic God—even in weakness, no mortal could defy her.

Under that fleeting gaze, Erica and Liliana felt their breath catch, their faces turning ashen. Yet, being prodigies of their era, they channeled their magic to suppress the instinctive terror gripping their bodies.

Roy rose to his feet and stepped between them, shielding his knights from Athena's gaze. Then, he bent down and gently brushed the snowflakes from her clothes.

Athena wore a white long-sleeved blouse beneath a beige knit cardigan, a girlish ribbon tied at her collar. Below, she sported a black pleated skirt that reached her knees, with blue stockings framing the snowy expanse of her delicate absolute territory.

Overall, her outfit was an odd mix of colors—on anyone else, it might have looked tacky. But draped over Athena, it exuded nothing but nobility and grace.

They say clothes make the man, but for a god, even the most unflattering attire becomes elevated when worn by divinity.

"Snow on this knit sweater will soak you through when it melts. In this freezing weather, it's easy to catch a cold. Best to brush it off, and warming by the fire would be even better."

Roy's tone was gentle, his movements even more so. After carefully brushing the snow and wind from Athena's clothes, he finally stood up and returned to his seat.

Athena hadn't anticipated Roy's actions at all. She stared at him with her gem-like amber eyes, only bursting into laughter after a long pause. "...This one is a Heretic God. One does not catch colds."

"Ah, my apologies. Seeing your adorable and beautiful appearance, Goddess Athena, made me forget your identity as a Heretic God. I even had the impulse to take you home and keep you."

Roy shrugged as he sat across from Athena.

Athena's sharp, elegant brows furrowed slightly. "...This one feels your words are insulting, yet strangely, one does not feel much anger."

"Because those words were meant as praise. As a goddess, you should be able to hear the sincerity in my voice—there was no insult or mockery, only admiration for you."

Roy's expression was utterly sincere.

Athena gave a slight nod, her demeanor somewhat reserved. "...This one did indeed sense your praise. Very well, as the goddess who governs heavenly wisdom, one shall graciously accept it."

Nearby, Erica and Liliana stood dumbfounded. Listening to their conversation, they couldn't help but feel that Roy, this Campione, and Athena, this Heretic God, operated on a wavelength entirely different from ordinary people.

"Don't just stand there, Lily! With the goddess gracing our humble villa with her presence, we should be honored. This isn't how one treats a guest—go prepare our goddess a cup of Italian cappuccino!"

"...Compared to those overly strong, bitter coffees, cappuccino with milk and foam is much more suited for a lady's palate."

At Roy's instruction, Liliana snapped out of her daze and hurried off to prepare the coffee.

Meanwhile, Athena, seated across from Roy, suddenly spoke in a haughty tone. "...Do not treat this one as a little girl. It displeases one."

Her angry expression was oddly adorable, her cheeks flushed red, though the source of her irritation was rather peculiar.

"Don't be upset, Goddess Athena! In the East, there's a saying: 'Courtesy before hostility.' For a Campione and a Heretic God to sit here chatting so amiably—doesn't that better showcase your divine magnanimity?"

Roy smiled, stopping Athena as she rose to her feet and gesturing for her to sit back down.

Athena's brows knitted slightly, but she slowly settled back into her seat.

***

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