Multiverse's Holy Right

A sharp pain shot through Roy's hand as thin streaks of blood trickled down from Athena's lips, adding a bewitching allure to her visage.

Then, Roy felt a surge of divine power flowing from Athena's lips into his body through the wound on his hand. He recognized this energy—it was the same divine aura that had once emanated from the Gorgon Stone.

Slowly, Athena released his hand from her bite. Roy lifted it to his eyes, examining the row of teeth marks and the broken skin before shifting his gaze to Athena.

"This is our covenant. From this moment on, Athena's fate shall be bound to Roy Crowley. O King of the Rakshasa, marked by this goddess, whether this is your fortune or misfortune, not even death can sever this bond. Even if you fall into the underworld, I, its queen, shall seek you out—gazing upon you in the silent wasteland as you continue your reign as the Demon King in hell."

"...Use everything you have to satisfy me. Keep your promise to me—burn the Steel, sever the Last Steel. Should you dare betray our covenant, I swear upon the heavens and the earth, I will hunt you down and take your life!"

Athena's pearly teeth were stained with Roy's blood, as radiant as rose petals. Her expression was haughty, her tone imperious, her breathtaking beauty exuding both defiance and allure, capturing Roy's full attention.

Even as she became his possession, his subordinate goddess, her words and tone carried the weight of a queen bestowing titles upon her vassal. Athena's stubborn pride was unmistakable.

But Roy was willing to indulge her pride. Refuting a woman at such a moment wouldn't be a display of masculine dignity—it would just make him an oblivious fool who couldn't get a girlfriend.

"I will keep our covenant, until death parts us, my goddess!"

Roy placed a hand over his chest and bowed gracefully.

Athena's stern expression softened slightly. Her eyes narrowed as she let out a faint, amused hum. "...If I were to let you die before me, it would be an insult to my power. I will not allow your death. Even if you truly descend into the underworld, I, its queen, will drag you back out."

As she spoke, Athena's slender form began to shrink. Before long, she had reverted from her tall, divine stature back into her loli appearance.

"I have placed the Gorgon Stone within your body. It is the bond between us, a beacon, and a divine artifact—an authority of sorts. Whenever you need me to fight for you, you may summon me through the Gorgon Stone, restoring me to my trinity form as Athena!"

"...However, I will only fight for you and against the Steel Gods. As for my fellow earth goddesses, I will not raise my hand against them."

Athena's clear and beautiful voice gradually weakened. Struck by the Light of the Right, she had completely lost her ability to move, with almost no energy or stamina left.

"This is enough, Athena! My true enemy has always been Steel—the Last of Steel!"

Roy clenched his fist, sensing the divine power of Athena within his body. One could say the Gorgon Stone was Athena's power and other half, and now she had entrusted her power and divinity to him for safekeeping.

This goddess was indeed proud. If his actions crossed her bottom line, Athena would not hesitate to tear up their agreement. But as long as he stayed within her boundaries, she would do her utmost to fulfill their pact.

Roy knew that by giving him her power, she was ensuring his greater trust in her. Driven by their shared enemy and her hatred, they would face the future together.

'Let's call this Authority 'Guardian of Athena.''

Roy thought mischievously. The Authority itself should have been called "Summoning Athena," but he felt "Guardian of Athena" sounded better. After all, Authorities didn't inherently have names—they were just made up by the Campione themselves or the idle scholars of the Greenwich Assembly.

Though in their agreement, Athena had said she wouldn't help him oppose the Earth Mother Goddesses, Roy knew actions spoke louder than words. Even among the unfortunate Earth Mother Goddesses, not all were on good terms with Athena. A fair number were likely disliked by her—this goddess was willful and capricious by nature.

Moreover, Roy's compatibility with the Earth Mother Goddesses was poor. Even slaying them wouldn't help him complete his spiritual foundation fusion. For Roy, only gods with the attributes of "Steel," "Victory," or "Sun" were his targets—a hatred that aligned perfectly with Athena's.

Now, Roy could finally be certain that in this world, aside from the Last King, no other Campione or Heretic God could stand against him. With Athena by his side, even if the remaining five Campiones attacked him together, Roy would fear nothing.

"This one is rather tired… take me back."

Athena's eyelids grew heavy, the clarity in her eyes fading. Her voice grew fainter until she closed her eyes completely, her breathing steadying into sleep.

"So tired that she fell asleep because she knew there was no danger left?"

Roy looked down at Athena, now asleep on the ground, and chuckled. "…To dare sleep right in front of me—how much trust does that show?"

Roy touched his face. Was it because of his Face of God, which easily inspired trust in others? Or was it simply his nature that made people trust him so readily?

Probably both. After all, Aleister Crowley was a man who appeared utterly proper on the outside but was secretly quite the eccentric inside.

Roy exhaled, then knelt beside Athena on one knee. With the utmost care and gentleness, he lifted her petite, now-loli form into his arms.

Athena trembled slightly in her sleep, then like a kitten, her delicate snow-white hands clutched at Roy's bloodstained and tattered robe. She curled up against him, burying her exquisite face in his chest.

"Looking like this, she's actually quite adorable... just too stubborn and strong-willed..."

Roy chuckled softly as he cradled Athena and began walking back the way he came, carefully checking their surroundings as he moved.

The authority of the Lord of Light had reached its time limit for today, and Roy wasn't in the best condition either, so he could only make his way back step by step.

He hadn't gone far when he sensed a surge of magical energy. Looking up, he saw Erica and Liliana rapidly approaching using flight magic, their expressions filled with urgent concern.

Upon spotting Roy, the two knightly maidens visibly brightened, quickly landing and rushing to his side. Their faces paled when they saw him covered in blood—Erica immediately supported his body while Liliana, in her panic, forgot about the Campione's magic resistance and began casting healing spells.

"Didn't I tell you both to stay at the villa?"

Roy's expression showed displeasure, but his tone wasn't harsh.

"Lily and I were too worried about your safety, so we came here. Please punish us!"

Erica lowered her gradually maturing beautiful face but spoke without backing down.

"Forget it... you foolish women. If something really had happened to me, coming here would've just meant your deaths... Since you're both so eager to die with me, how could I possibly blame you... Lily, stop wasting your magic. While a Campione's body resists most harmful spells, it also renders beneficial magic ineffective. These wounds will heal with some rest."

Roy interrupted Liliana's futile magic expenditure and took a deep breath. "...I don't feel like walking anymore. See if you can call a helicopter to take me back."

"Understood, Lord Roy. Please wait a moment."

The decisive Erica reached into her cleavage and produced a phone to contact the outside world.

The magicians of this world were much more likable than those in the Type-Moon universe—less fanatical and quite fond of technological gadgets.

***

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