A Certain Multiverse's Holy Right

"Lord Roy, this is the item you requested, freshly excavated from the ruins."

In a quiet villa in Rome, Italy, Erica gently placed a suitcase on the table in front of Roy.

Erica and Liliana stood on either side of the table, their heads slightly bowed.

"Thank you for your hard work, Erica and Lili."

Roy smiled at his two knights. He casually swiped his finger across the lock on the suitcase, breaking both the technological and magical seals on it.

With the care of someone about to inspect an ancient, priceless relic, Roy opened the suitcase. At its center was a round stone disk resembling marble. Small enough to be held in one hand, it resembled a badge. On the surface of the stone disk was the carving of the snake-haired monster, the legendary Gorgon of Greek mythology, also known as Medusa.

"The Gorgon's emblem, a relic of an ancient goddess…"

Roy carefully lifted the seemingly fragile stone badge and blew gently to remove the dust on its surface.

Compared with modern craftsmanship, the carving of the Gorgon on this ancient badge was crude, rendered in just a few simple strokes. Yet, Roy could clearly feel the immense divine power radiating from the badge. This power endowed the Gorgoneion with immortality, and no external force that could destroy it. Only by slaying the rightful owner of the Gorgoneion would this immortality be undone.

"The gods worshipped by the Romans aligned with Greek mythology, such as Aphrodite being Venus, and Ares being Mars... According to Ovid's Metamorphoses, Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden who was violated by Poseidon and was cursed into becoming a monster by Athena.

"...However, this is a story that has been completely distorted. In the true records of ancient Greek mythology, Medusa and her two Gorgon sisters were born as monsters. Tracing back further, the three Gorgon sisters were originally goddesses but fell from grace under the blade of the Steel Hero, becoming serpents and dragons."

As Roy toyed with the Gorgoneion in his hand, the pupils of his left eye contracted and merged. Activating his Clairvoyance, Roy used the Gorgon Stone as a medium to trace back the ancient myths. In the torrent of history and myth, he found its true origin.

"Lord Roy, the Gorgoneion has been unearthed, and its aura is leaking. This stone serves as a signpost for ancient goddesses. When it reappears in the world, it is certain to attract the attention of the Earth Mother Goddesses that manifest upon the land."

Erica, well-versed in historical and mythological knowledge, took a deep breath and solemnly said, "...This is Rome, the capital of Italy, and the central region under your command. If you battle a Heretic God here, it will cause unnecessary damage to your holdings. I humbly ask, Lord Roy, that you relocate elsewhere to fight the Heretic God."

"Liliana also humbly requests Lord Roy to show mercy and compassion to the people of Italy."

Liliana knelt on one knee, performing an ancient and formal knightly salute.

Roy pocketed the Gorgoneion, stood up, and waved his hand like an emperor issuing a decree: "...Granted!"

Then, he laughed heartily, walked to the table, and playfully pinched Erica and Liliana's soft cheeks. Wherever his fingers touched, there was smooth, delicate skin. A fifteen-year-old girl, especially a girl with witch bloodlines, had skin as smooth as if it was made of water.

"Alright, you two may rise. I've played along with your performance long enough."

Roy raised his hand, signaling Erica and Liliana to stand.

The two knightly girls exchanged glances and shared a smile. If it had been a year ago, they would have nervously begged Roy in earnest. Now, having spent over a year together, they fully understood Roy's approach. They knew from the start that he had no intention of fighting a Heretic God within Italy, so their formal pleas were merely a gesture.

As a King, Roy did not tolerate disrespect or breaches of etiquette. But like ancient emperors who joked freely with their close ministers, Roy allowed Erica and Liliana—who had been by his side for over a year and built a bond of trust and understanding—to be casual around him, as long as they knew their boundaries.

"Lord Roy, should we summon Mariya Yuri and Seishuuiin Ena back from Japan?"

Erica asked, deliberately omitting Princess Alice. She knew that Princess Alice's status in Roy's heart was much higher, on the same level as her and Liliana, the two personal knights, or even higher.

If Erica and Liliana were likened to the emperor's concubines, then Seishuuiin Ena and Mariya Yuri were mere consorts—entirely belonging to the King, forbidden to others, but also not commanding the King's greater attention, like women who failed to win favor in the imperial harem.

"No need to summon them. I don't require the psychic visions of witches and miko this time. Besides, since acquiring this eye, when it comes to clairvoyance, I am the unrivaled first in the world."

Roy pointed to his left eye. The clairvoyance of witches and mikos relies on the power of the Netherworld to trace back to the past. However, Roy's clairvoyance, inherited from King Solomon, was far superior in power and precision.

"So, Lord Roy, where shall we go? Please provide a specific location so Lili and I can begin preparations."

As Roy's personal knights, Liliana and Erica often took responsibility for managing his day-to-day affairs. Ensuring every detail of the King's journey was their primary duty.

After a brief moment of thought, Roy replied, "...To the southern Alps of Switzerland."

"Understood, Lord Roy!"

Both Erica and Liliana nodded in acknowledgment and immediately began making arrangements. They coordinated the special aircraft and ground transportation, along with the reception in Switzerland. The King's travel plans were handled with a level of formality exceeding even that of a president's.

…

The Italian Seven Sisters Alliance had established a well-organized protocol for handling the King's travel and other routine matters. Shortly after Roy issued the order, Erica and Liliana utilized the Alliance's vast resources to finalize every detail. Soon, a luxurious car escorted the three of them to Fiumicino Airport, where they were set to board a flight to Switzerland.

Not long after Roy's departure, a small, graceful figure appeared at the villa he had been staying in.

"I can sense it—the aura of our enemy, the Campione, and the essence of the Gorgoneion. It seems my Gorgoneion has fallen into the hands of a Son of Fool."

The petite figure muttered to herself, her voice regal and elegantly refined.

"I call upon the Gorgoneion! Ancient serpent, guide the heretic queen's journey once more. Bestow upon me the wisdom of darkness, the earth, and the heavens!"

With her chant completed, an ominous darkness spread through the area. Then, as suddenly as it had come, everything returned to silence. It was as if the mysterious figure had never been there at all.