Multiverse's Holy Right

"What does John Smith's matter have to do with me, Roy Crowley? She's the one asking for my help, not the other way around. Let her wait in North America! I'll go when I feel like it—who knows, she might solve the problem herself before I even get there!"

Despite his flippant words, Roy still headed to Athens rather than directly to North America.

Though his Clairvoyance had glimpsed the golden legendary Holy Grail—the very artifact Black Prince Alexander Gascoigne had long sought in vain—Roy's ability could only perceive the past, not the present or future.

Thus, all he could do was deduce the facts based on past information. Upon learning that the North American Campione's request involved the Holy Grail, Roy preferred to remain an observer, waiting until the Grail and its owner appeared before making his move.

Athens, Greece's capital and largest city at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, was once Marquis Voban's territory. After the Marquis's defeat and disappearance, the magical associations in the countries he once ruled became leaderless, one by one pledging allegiance to Roy.

Roy couldn't trust these associations as much as Italy's Seven Sisters, but he doubted these magicians would dare deceive or half-heartedly serve him, their King.

Just as presidents and prime ministers receive grand welcomes when visiting other nations, wherever Roy—as a King—traveled with confirmed plans, local magical associations would come to heed his royal commands.

"Lord Roy, did I hear you refer to Lord John Smith as she?"

Compared to the much quieter Liliana, Erica preferred to assert her presence. This stunningly beautiful, shapely future leader of Italy's Copper Black Cross was like a dancer at center stage, commanding attention wherever she went with her social grace.

"John Pluto Smith's real name is Annie Charlton. Beneath that mask and armor lies a woman. A Campione as introverted, low-key, and unwilling to reveal her true identity as her is unique from ancient history to the present... In that regard, she's quite an extraordinary person."

Roy casually revealed the truth that the North American Campione had been desperately trying to conceal. Before his 'Clairvoyance,' no secret could remain hidden.

"Lord Smith is actually a woman? This is the first I've heard of such a secret."

Liliana showed a surprised expression, while Erica's eyes sparkled. Though she was also astonished, what welled up in her was more the joy of uncovering one of the world's deeply hidden secrets. As a magician and great knight in the prime of her passion, she loved nothing more than playing the 'explorer,' unearthing ancient mysteries.

Even though Annie Charlton's era as a Campione was relatively recent, the secrets of a King were still comparable to the most ancient mysteries.

Behind Roy's group, the leader of a local Athenian magical association was accompanying them on their tour of Athens. Upon hearing Roy's revelation, far from feeling any joy at knowing a secret, he grew fearful, even terrified that the North American Campione might silence him to keep it hidden.

After all, if the North American King went to such lengths to conceal her identity and gender, even using a pseudonym, there must be profound reasons. Knowing a King's secret without having equal status was anything but fortunate.

"Speaking of which, the eras of Campiones are quite distinctly divided. Marquis Voban, the Eastern Cult Leader, and Lady Aisha of India were all born around two hundred years ago, while the remaining four Campiones, including myself, emerged within the last decade. There's a clear chronological boundary between them."

"...Looking back through history, I've never found more than four Campiones existing in any single era. That means during Marquis Voban's generation, the Last King should have appeared and slain them all. Yet unexpectedly, it's dragged on until now, allowing seven Campiones to exist."

Roy said this quietly to Athena beside him, keeping his voice low so Liliana and the others wouldn't hear. It was better if as few people as possible knew about the Last King for now.

The goddess, dressed in a baroque-style exquisite dress with a floral wreath atop her head, appeared young but carried herself with noble grace and haughty demeanor—her stunning beauty accentuated by a touch of adorable charm. Her jade-like feet moved lightly, and her legs clad in white silk stockings could stir any man's desire to gaze. Hearing Roy's words, the goddess merely snorted softly and said in a mocking tone, "...The Last King has grown lazy."

That the Campiones of the previous era weren't slain was certainly not because the Last King couldn't defeat them—it was simply that he failed to fulfill his duty.

"Those three Campiones were truly lucky. They should have died a hundred years ago, yet they've clung to life until now."

Roy shook his head with a faint smile. It seemed the Last King, having carried out his mission for millennia, had finally grown weary.

"However, this isn't good news for me. Having so many Campiones alive in the same era is unprecedented. The great ritual of the Old Covenant of the Last King will reach an unprecedented level... I do have a bold idea. Although the probability of success isn't high, if it works, I can eliminate the Last King. If this method fails, I might truly have no choice but to kill all the other Campiones."

The Last King was like the Sword of Damocles constantly hanging over his head—an obstacle Roy had to overcome. No matter when, he had to think about how to deal with him.

"This one cares not what methods you use—whether deceitful or honorable, they are all manifestations of wisdom. As the Goddess of Wisdom, this one will support you. So long as you remember our covenant—to sever the Last Steel together—this one shall stand guard before you!"

Athena declared with fervor.

"Shouldn't it be me 'protecting Athena'? Now it sounds like 'Athena protecting me.' Rest assured, Goddess, I will always remember our contract."

Roy joked lightly.

"As the Goddess of War and Wisdom, Athena needs no one's protection. An Athena who requires others' protection to survive would be a false Athena!"

The corners of Athena's lips curled slightly, her adorable face revealing an elegant and noble smile—one that carried both her pride as Athena and her approval of Roy.

Just then, Athena's delicate brows furrowed, her expression twisting into obvious disgust.

"What's wrong, Athena?"

Noticing the change in the goddess's demeanor, Roy grasped her small, fair hand, feeling its cool smoothness as he asked with concern.

Athena tugged at her hand but found Roy's grip too strong to break free from. After glaring at him, she gave up and whispered, "...This one detects a loathsome stench—the scent of the Raksasa King. It is faint now, but growing stronger."

The Raksasa King was another name for a Campione. If a Heretic God could smell a Campione's presence, it meant one was nearby.

A Campione's perception wasn't particularly acute—even two Campiones might not recognize each other face-to-face. But Heretic Gods were different; they could sense a Campione's presence from great distances. Athena was essentially a high-performance radar for detecting Campiones.

***

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