A Certain Multiverse's Holy Right

The helicopter landed in front of the villa deep within the Alps. Under the pilot's awed gaze, Roy carried Athena back into the villa, which had once belonged to the Marquis but now belonged to him.

"Lili, go to the bathroom and prepare some water for me. I need a bath."

Roy glanced down at his blood-covered body, now dyed red from head to toe, and gave his order to Liliana.

"Yes, Lord Roy!"

Liliana lowered her head slightly in acknowledgment before turning to begin her task.

"Wait a moment, Lili."

"Do you have another order, Lord Roy?"

Hearing his voice, Liliana stopped in her tracks and turned back to inquire.

Roy didn't immediately answer. Instead, he pressed his fingertips against the delicate face of the sleeping Athena in his arms. The goddess's skin felt soft, cool, and incredibly smooth.

Athena, disturbed in her sleep, shifted slightly. Her small hands swatted at Roy's hand as though shooing away an annoyance. She mumbled incoherently, her body curled up tightly.

Glancing at his fingertip, now spotless even after touching her, Roy said, "…Never mind, it's nothing. Carry on, Lili."

Liliana nodded and continued to prepare the hot water for Roy.

"Being a goddess is really convenient. She even has an automatic cleaning function. God Slayers don't get such luxuries."

Roy muttered under his breath. During their earlier battle, Athena had been battered by his Wrestling with God, rolling across the dirt in the process. Her body should have been filthy, yet the moment the battle ended, she was as clean as if she had just taken a bath. It was hard not to admire the practicality of divine authorities and status.

"Lord Roy, why didn't you kill Athena?"

Erica, watching the sleeping Athena in Roy's arms with suspicion, hesitated for a moment before finally voicing her question.

"Killing a god is only about seizing their authority. But compared to simply acquiring an authority, having a powerful god as an ally who can assist you is far more advantageous."

"…I understand your reasoning. But shouldn't we still be cautious? After all, she's a goddess."

"Don't worry, Erica. Athena willingly handed over the Gorgoneion to me. Her authority is now under my control, which means she can't act against me or attempt an assassination."

Roy wasn't the type to dismiss valid concerns. Hearing Erica's question, he patiently explained. He then extended his left hand, manifesting the divine authority within him, and made the Gorgoneion materialize in his palm.

When Erica saw the badge firmly under Roy's control, she finally relaxed. Earlier, as she and Liliana had flown back to the villa, they had witnessed the aftermath of Roy and Athena's battle from the sky. A section of the Alps—the most famous mountain range in Europe—had been flattened. The sheer destruction turned towering peaks into a flat expanse, a sight that would have required countless nuclear bombs to replicate with modern weaponry.

Campiones and Heretic Gods weren't merely natural disasters; they were forces capable of annihilating the world. No, Roy and Athena were beyond what humans could even imagine. Their powers existed only in myths—so vast and terrifying that they seemed to defy reality itself.

Erica was grateful the battle had taken place in the Alps. If the destruction that flattened mountains and turned them into plains had occurred in Rome, not just the city but half of Italy might have been reduced to rubble.

Earth's devils and heaven's calamities—Campiones and Heretic Gods lived up to their fearsome reputations.

"You're saying… you made Athena surrender?"

Only now did Erica fully comprehend Roy's words. Her beautiful eyes widened, and her lips formed an astonished 'o.'

Such a thing had never happened before. In all recorded history, every encounter between a Campione and a Heretic Gods had ended with one side's total defeat. There were no accounts of a Campione making a Heretic Gods submit—or vice versa.

"Surrender isn't the right word. Athena and I are in an alliance, with my position slightly higher in this relationship. When Athena wakes up, make sure you don't use the word surrender in front of her. She's too proud, and hearing it won't end well for you.

"…Additionally, Athena will probably live with us going forward. You should find some excellent maids from Italy to take care of her. And show her proper respect. While she's no longer the Trinity Athena, she's still a goddess."

While talking with Erica, Roy walked into his bedroom, gently placing Athena on the bed. He covered her with a light blanket and, after some thought, found a doll to tuck into her arms. Only then did Athena release her tight grip on his collar.

"How could I possibly disrespect Athena? But just thinking about living with a Heretic God in the future makes me feel like I'm dreaming," Erica, the renowned Diavolo Russo of Italy, muttered wryly, rubbing her forehead.

Even for someone as proud as her, the notion of living alongside a Heretic God left her dizzy and bewildered.

"You'll get used to it, Erica."

Roy chuckled as he patted her lightly on the shoulder. Hearing Liliana's approaching footsteps, he headed for the bathroom.

Steam filled the air as Roy washed the blood from his body. He watched the crimson water swirl down the drain.

"Thankfully, my physique has improved significantly. If it were my old body, I'd either be in the ICU or six feet under by now."

Roy muttered to himself, recalling how almost all his capillaries had burst, causing blood to seep out from his pores. The sheer amount of blood loss had shocked even him. Yet, for a Campione, such injuries were minor. As long as their head remained intact and their organs weren't completely destroyed, their self-recovery abilities could heal them.

Just then, a pair of snow-white arms wrapped around his waist, and warm breath brushed against his back as he was embraced from behind.

"Erica, how did you get in?"

Roy asked with a smile, grabbing the arms around his waist without turning around. He already knew who it was.

"Lord Roy, as your personal knight, I am obligated to solve all your troubles."

Erica's voice was playful and mischievous, her words as sultry as a whisper of a succubus. Standing on her tiptoes, she gave him a teasing smile.

"Lili! What are you so shy about? Get in here already!"

Erica suddenly called out to the door. A moment later, through the swirling steam, a silver-haired girl hesitantly stepped into view. Stammering and blushing, she said, "...Sorry to disturb you, Lord Roy."

As Liliana slowly approached, Roy and Erica couldn't help but burst into laughter at her awkwardness. Her timid behavior was endearing yet utterly out of place.

Roy, knowing full well why the two girls had come to him, shook his head and chuckled. "...Alright then, do as you wish."

Upon hearing his words, Erica snickered and winked, while Liliana shyly lowered her head even further. Both knights obediently stood by, ready to carry out their duties.

…

North America, United States

A woman clad in full armor, her identity concealed beneath a mask, sat reviewing a report. Her name was Annie Charlton, a Campione of the United States. Due to her constant use of armor and her male pseudonym, John Pluto Smith, many mistakenly believed she was a man.

"Jack, take a look at this. It's a report from Europe. My junior, the Campione who ascended about a year ago, has caused another major incident in the Alps. Wow, an entire mountain range was leveled! Even my Freeshooter (Artemis Arrows) can't compare to such destructive power."

Annie's tone was both serious and tinged with amazement.

"Lord Smith, are you considering seeking assistance from this king?"

The question came from Jack, a man in his thirties and a trusted subordinate of the American Campione.

"The Lord of the Flies has become increasingly troublesome, spreading their guerrilla tactics all over North America. I'm stretched too thin to stop them, and their actions have already caused massive casualties. This Roy Crowley once killed Solomon and obtained the Wisdom of Solomon. It's said that he can see into the past. I want to use his eyes to locate the mastermind behind the Lord of the Flies.

"...And this time, he fought none other than Athena, one of the most famous goddesses in the world. Based on his past acquisitions, I suspect he may have obtained Athena's Wisdom this time."

Annie Charlton spoke with conviction.

"Even so, Lord Smith, I urge you to reconsider. This king... how should I put it? Whether you bring him here or go to meet him in person, I think it's a very risky move."

Jack carefully chose his words, his tone filled with caution.

"Don't think I haven't considered that. Honestly, I'm worried too—maybe even a little scared. Even someone as ancient and powerful as Marquis Voban fell to him. A Campione who would kill their own kind is exceedingly rare. But for the sake of the people of North America, I... I might have to take the risk."

Annie Charlton let out a bitter laugh.