Multiverse's Holy Right

"Erica?! What have you done to Erica?!"

Liliana gasped in shock upon seeing Erica, brought forth by this Japanese middle school girl before her. Erica's body was covered in bloodstains, crisscrossed with wounds, even her beautiful face smeared with dust and dirt.

"So her name is Erica. I didn't do anything to her. I just found her severely injured by the roadside and brought her along," the Japanese girl holding a katana said casually, glancing down at Erica.

Hearing this, Liliana sighed in relief before immediately hardening her expression. "…Who are you? And what is your purpose here?"

"My name is Ena Seishuuin. As for why I'm here… well, I'm not entirely sure myself. Grandfather simply instructed me to do this. He said the girl named Yuri Mariya in your hands is very important and shouldn't be destroyed by the two Kings. He wants me to take her to the Netherworld so he can negotiate with the two Kings directly. I'm just following Grandfather's orders."

Ena Seishuuin's tone was clear and bright. Her simple demeanor indeed made her seem like nothing more than a girl following instructions.

"Lily! Don't worry about me! Quickly take Yuri Mariya beside you and leave! She's the target our King demanded. Completing our King's mission takes absolute priority!"

Erica, severely wounded and held by Ena Seishuuin, regained some consciousness. After hearing Ena's words, she urgently shouted to Liliana.

"I'm sorry, Erica, and you, silver-haired one. You have your mission, and I have mine. I can't let you leave."

Ena gripped her katana, pointing its tip at Liliana. The gentle Yamato Nadeshiko demeanor vanished, replaced by a solemn, lethal aura on her youthful face.

Only Yuri Mariya, held by Liliana, burned with anger. She realized neither Liliana and Erica—representing the King—nor this Ena Seishuuin, whom she'd heard of as representing the so-called Grandfather of the Seishuuin family, had bothered to ask for her opinion. They treated her like nothing more than a bargaining chip.

"Ena Seishuuin! Do you realize what you're doing?! Yuri Mariya is the shrine maiden demanded by our Italian and Vatican alliance leader, Roy Crowley! Have you considered the consequences of defying a King's orders?! Do you want this far-eastern island nation to bear the wrath of a Demon King?!"

Despite her severe injuries, Erica suddenly straightened, her voice sharp with authority.

Ena indeed hesitated momentarily. But soon, the simple-minded girl shook her head firmly. "…Ena knows how terrifying a King's wrath can be. But since this is Grandfather's command, I have no choice but to obey."

"Stubborn fool!"

Erica was both frustrated and displeased with the mention of grandfather by Ena Seishuuin. Just where did this audacious old man come from? Did he have a death wish? Was he harboring some grudge against Japan, trying to provoke the King's wrath upon the entire nation?

The more she thought about it, the more plausible the reasoning seemed...

"Erica, I won't abandon you. I'll defeat this Ena Seishuuin right here, rescue you, and then we'll take Yuri Mariya together to report to the King that we've completed our mission!"

Liliana couldn't bear to see her best friend suffer. She feared that if she took Yuri Mariya away now, this girl called Ena Seishuuin might actually slash Erica down with her sword.

Using her magic, Liliana immobilized Yuri Mariya's body and pushed her aside, gripping her beloved sword, Il Maestro, as she faced off against Ena Seishuuin.

"Lily, you..."

Erica was both touched and exasperated by Liliana's choice.

She was moved that Liliana was willing to risk the King's wrath by potentially failing the mission just to save her. Yet, she was also annoyed that Liliana couldn't read the situation clearly, stubbornly charging ahead without thinking.

Earlier, Erica had willingly acted as bait to lure out the servants summoned by Marquis Voban. In the battle against those undead minions, she had been completely outmatched, narrowly escaping death multiple times.

Just as Erica was on the verge of collapse, the undead servants suddenly turned to ashes and vanished. At that moment, she knew—Roy must have defeated Marquis Voban, causing the Marquis's authority to dissipate.

But by then, Erica was already severely injured, too weak to inform Liliana. She could only hope that Liliana would complete the mission on her own, allowing them to present a flawless report and fulfill the King's first arduous task perfectly.

Erica's plan was sound, but she hadn't accounted for the sudden appearance of Ena Seishuuin. Too wounded to resist, she was easily captured.

Her intention had been for Liliana to take Yuri Mariya and leave immediately to find Roy. As long as Roy knew what was happening, the King himself could intervene. Even if the entire Japanese supernatural world united against them, they would stand no chance against the King, and the situation would resolve itself.

With her silver tongue and wit, Erica was confident she could easily manipulate the seemingly naive Ena Seishuuin—there was no real danger to her life.

Erica's plan was flawless, but she hadn't anticipated that the usually sharp Liliana, out of concern for her safety, would stubbornly choose to fight instead.

The Crimson Devil could only smile bitterly. She couldn't voice these thoughts aloud—Liliana would have to read between the lines. If Ena Seishuuin caught wind of her scheme, she might just get overexcited and cut her down on the spot.

"You choose to fight? Fine. I've never feared battle. If this can be resolved with just a fight, then all the better."

Seeing Liliana assume her stance, Ena Seishuuin grew eager as well.

Tossing Erica aside, she gripped the hilt of her tachi with both hands.

"Lily, be careful. To end this quickly, I'm going all out from the start!"

"My name is Liliana Kranjcar. You don't get to call me Lily!" The silver-haired knight from Italy snorted coldly.

"O Sword of Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, I offer this body as sacrifice—please calm the raging souls!" Ignoring Liliana, Ena Seishuuin solemnly chanted the divine words, her pure eyes brimming with fierce fighting spirit and killing intent. The tachi in her hand began devouring the surrounding magical energy, which then surged into Ena's body.

In Liliana's eyes, Ena's magical power skyrocketed, even carrying a trace of divine presence.

"What?!"

CLANG—————

Liliana barely managed to block the lightning-fast slash by hastily raising her IlMaestro in defense.

"I can't maintain this state for long, so let's settle this quickly!" The tremendous force transmitted through her weapon made Liliana grit her teeth. Hearing Ena's confident words, she realized she had been caught completely off guard—she never expected Ena to possess a divine possession ability, nor that the tachi in her hand was actually a divine artifact!

"Lily, be careful of her weapon! That's a genuine divine artifact embodying a god's authority!" Erica urgently warned.

"I know that without you telling me!" Liliana growled, gathering magical energy before explosively releasing it. The violent magical gust pushed Ena back. Just as Liliana was about to chant a spell, a familiar voice calmly commanded in her ear: "...Dodge, Lily."

Recognizing the voice, Liliana's face lit up with joy. She immediately halted her incantation and rolled aside—just as a forty-meter-long crimson greatsword came crashing down like an executioner's axe.

***

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