Multiverse's Holy Right

Athena opened her eyes from a heavy slumber.

She found herself lying on a soft, warm bed, embraced by someone. Her feminine instincts made her body tense, but as her nostrils caught that familiar scent, her stiffened delicate form gradually relaxed.

'Consider this a reward from the defeated to the victor.'

With that thought, she nestled closer into Roy's embrace and widened her eyes to gaze at the ceiling.

A night's rest had finally restored some of Athena's divine power, but the lingering weakness inflicted by the Light of the Right remained.

As Athena had realized upon her defeat, the Light of the Right was a power that eliminated all factors related to 'victory' from the enemy, leaving only the possibility of 'defeat.'

If your stamina was a condition for victory, it would reduce it to zero.

If your divine power was a condition for victory, it would reduce it to zero.

If your authorities were conditions for victory, it would seal every single one of them.

Even if awaiting rescue was your condition for victory, the Light of the Right would twist fate and overturn causality, ensuring that anyone who might come to your aid would be unable to do so for various reasons—like a force manipulating the world's suppression.

In short, once every external and internal factor that could lead to your victory was nullified, the probability of victory became zero—absolute defeat.

This was why Athena called the Light of the Right incomprehensible. She refused to accept this outcome, simply because Roy's right hand defied all logic, as if it were cheating.

"You're awake, Athena… How was your rest?"

Roy had already been roused when Athena's delicate body shifted in his arms. Slowly opening his eyes, he yawned and nuzzled her silver hair as if petting a cat, drawing a displeased huff from the goddess.

"Not bad. This one has regained some strength. At this rate, it will likely take two more days to fully recover."

Athena frowned slightly as she assessed her condition. She wasn't injured—she had merely been 'defeated.' Her current recovery wasn't so much healing wounds as it was the fading influence of the Light of the Right. The 'factors of victory' she had lost were gradually returning to her.

Stamina, energy, divine power, authorities—even abstract concepts like friendship and bonds—were slowly being restored.

"Since you've mostly recovered, let's get up. After breakfast, we'll take a stroll around Athens."

Yesterday in the washroom, Roy hadn't indulged too recklessly, merely relaxing in the bath to rest and enjoy himself.

"This one is a wandering Heretic God. It matters not where we go."

Athena's voice, clear and youthful as a babbling brook, held no trace of sorrow—she was merely stating a fact.

Though she was Greece's most renowned goddess, the guardian deity of Athens, she held no particular attachment to the city. After all, it was merely a myth woven by humans, a divine duty forcibly imposed upon her.

Of course, as Athens' guardian deity, she would receive a territorial boost if she fought there, making her even stronger.

Heretic Gods and Heroic Spirits were entirely different existences. The stories of Heroic Spirits occurred first, later embellished with mythological hues, while the tales of Heretic Gods were first mythologized before becoming divine duties—their causal relationships were completely opposite.

Seeing that his flattery seemed misplaced, Roy simply shrugged. He hadn't expected Athena to have no particular feelings toward Athens, but he casually remarked, "...Well, I've never been to Athens anyway, so might as well go take a look."

In his original world, Roy had always been fond of traveling. However, back then, constraints of time and money had prevented him from touring the world. In the Toaru universe, he was caught in wartime conditions, living in even greater poverty while caring for his sister and earning extra income by writing letters for others. Apart from his own street and the nearby Anglican church, Roy wasn't even familiar with London, the city he lived in.

Now, in this modern society, he possessed both authority and power, no longer troubled by financial worries. Though he usually spent most of his time holed up in his villa or the Vatican reading books, with leisure time now available, he didn't mind traveling around.

"Mmm, this one shall follow your lead... Though this one is no knight to pledge loyalty and serve you as master, this one shall strive to regard you as a chief deity."

Athena hopped down from the bed—a goddess's body required no cleansing—and prepared to leave the bedroom.

"Wait, Athena."

Roy called out to stop her.

"Is there something else, Roy...?"

Neither using an honorific for Roy nor addressing him with the distance of his full name, this plain, friendly form of address made Roy feel closer to the goddess.

Tilting her head slightly, with a few strands of hair cascading down, Athena gazed at Roy with amber eyes filled with puzzlement, looking every bit like an exquisite doll.

"Change your clothes first. That outfit of yours is just... too outdated."

Roy gave the loli-form Athena's bizarrely colored outfit a strange look. Fortunately, her divine grace carried it—otherwise, dressed in such garish colors, she'd resemble nothing more than a country bumpkin girl.

"The clothes are over there. I had the Swiss side deliver them yesterday."

Roy pointed to the sofa, where Athena now noticed a white dress with lace ruffles neatly folded.

"Is it... ugly?"

Athena lowered her head to examine her current attire, asking hesitantly.

These were clothes she had chosen herself. If Roy called them ugly, it would wound the goddess's confidence.

"I wouldn't say ugly, but how should I put it... This style is too mature for your current appearance. Since you've taken a child's form, you should dress the part—something cuter. Honestly, the outfit you wear in your full form is quite beautiful, with strong ancient Greek aesthetics."

Roy finished dressing as he spoke, wearing an amused smile.

Athena initially intended to refuse his suggestion—she was, after all, a willful goddess who wouldn't change herself based on others' opinions. But after a moment's hesitation, she finally said, "...Then you should leave."

"What?"

"This one must change clothes. Unless you wish to watch this one undress?"

Athena glared at Roy.

Roy nearly replied, "I wouldn't mind watching," but noticing the faint blush coloring Athena's flawless jade-like cheeks, he swallowed the teasing remark. With only a resigned smile, he headed for the door.

Their relationship wasn't that close yet, so it was better not to provoke this goddess too much.

"I am not Aphrodite, who would dress up prettily for men."

As Roy passed by Athena, he heard her muttering.

"Goddess of Love Aphrodite? You mean Venus... From your tone, it seems you dislike her quite a bit?"

Roy asked curiously.

"That kind of promiscuous woman is exactly what a chaste goddess like myself despises most—a useless waste who can only rely on selling her charms to beg male gods for help! Let's not talk about her anymore, Roy. You should leave now."

Athena's tone was impatient, even irritable as she urged him.

The Goddess of Love and Beauty Aphrodite indeed had a rather poor reputation in mythology, often portrayed as a coquettish goddess who seduced men with her attire and body. Athena, on the other hand, was seen as plain, decisive, and self-reliant—a goddess who solved everything with her own strength.

One could say these two goddesses represented two starkly different archetypes of modern women.

Though Athena in mythology could also be ruthless and manipulative toward humans, this was a common flaw among Olympian gods. In the excessively chaotic private lives of Greek mythology, only Hestia, Athena, and Artemis remained virgin goddesses, highlighting Athena's uniqueness.

...

At the dining table, Athena had changed into an ornate Baroque-style dress, wearing white stockings on her straight legs and a floral wreath on her head—identical to the one she wore as an adult.

Roy felt the wreath gave Athena a very youthful aura, as if something would be missing without it.

Athena seemed uncomfortable in such extravagant clothing, constantly frowning and tugging at the fabric here and there.

"Lord Roy, this is a handwritten letter from the Campione of North America, John Smith. He wishes to borrow your strength to resolve a troublesome matter for him. Mr. Smith mentioned he should have come to Italy personally to invite you, but he currently cannot leave North America, so he could only make his request via letter. He hopes you will travel to North America, where he will personally visit to apologize upon your arrival."

Every morning during breakfast, Erica would report the latest major events in the supernatural world and matters related to Roy, much like a personal secretary.

By now, Roy had grown accustomed to Erica handling these tedious affairs for him. Sometimes he even wondered how awkward he would feel if Erica were no longer around.

"John Smith? I don't even know him. I have no interest in traveling all that way to help him. Just decline and say I'm busy."

Roy replied without a second thought.

What a joke—expecting him to drop everything and rush over for help based on a single letter? Roy wasn't that kind of charitable person.

"Understood. I will politely decline Mr. Smith's invitation."

Erica nodded in acknowledgment, showing no surprise at Roy's decision.

When a Campione like Smith made a request, ordinary magical associations absolutely couldn't and wouldn't dare refuse. But Roy was different—he too was a Campione, one whose fearsome reputation matched that of the eastern cult leader. He could casually wave off John Smith's request with a mere gesture.

As subordinates of such a renowned Campione, all magical associations in Italy could stand tall, looking down on their counterparts from other nations. Erica didn't need to show any timidity when facing other Kings, for she represented Roy.

"Wait a moment, Erica. Don't be so quick to refuse!"

Roy raised his hand, his Clairvoyance magic having located something that greatly piqued his interest. This request for help from Smith had led Roy to discover its connection to a certain legendary artifact—the Holy Grail!

***

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🔹