章節 86: The Heretic God in the Mage Association
The agonized cries that ordinary people could not hear—the wailing of despair and the mournful laments—were cut off before they could even manifest.
Paolo gritted his teeth, hands pressing against the ground, veins bulging on his forehead as he tried to stand.
But the pressure from behind was like a mountain, an indescribable, unbreakable force.
This was undoubtedly one of the god's Authorities. If Paolo had been able to prepare, as one of the strongest supreme knights, his defeat might not have come so swiftly.
But... there are no "ifs" in battle.
Defeat is defeat.
Paolo's heart pounded in his chest, and the surging magic within him pulsed like a tidal wave, taking on hues of black and red.
This Heretic God was a terrifying being, one worth risking his life to challenge.
However...
"Uncle!"
Erica leapt from the rooftop of Milan Cathedral, her short skirt fluttering in the wind, revealing her slender legs and a glimpse of her cute strawberry-patterned panties.
Newton would have smiled approvingly.
"The Lion of Steel, Shield of the Red Devil! Let my words of power heed my will!"
A long, slender, silver sword emerged from the roaring magic circle, grasped firmly in Erica's hand.
The gleaming white sword, inherited from Saint Raffaello, named Cuore di Leone, shone brilliantly in the sunlight, its sharp edge dazzling.
"Fly, Hermes' Boots!"
A radiant glow enveloped her small boots as Erica kicked off the cathedral's white walls, soaring toward Kurumi with her sword outstretched.
"No, Erica!" Paolo shouted, his voice filled with warning. Gods are usually prideful beings. Once someone raises a sword against them, it often leads to a fight to the death.
And then...
Kurumi gracefully spun around, effortlessly avoiding the strike, catching Erica under her arms, lifting her up with ease, and spinning her around playfully.
Kurumi laughed. "Up we go! Up we go!"
"Let... let me go!" Erica struggled fiercely, but Kurumi only hugged her tightly, squeezing her cheeks.
"Oh my, my little kitten, what do you think you're doing to me~~~"
"Please forgive her ignorance, O Goddess." Paolo stood up, his eyes fixed on Kurumi as he spoke helplessly.
"Oh?" Kurumi tilted her head, observing the man before her.
Interesting.
"I'm not unreasonable, so what's there to forgive?"
"Then, I thank you, Your Highness." Paolo immediately seized the opportunity to respond.
The power of gods is immense.
The words of gods hold terrifying strength.
Even when manifesting in human form, the overwhelming pressure from Kurumi made Paolo's mouth taste bitter. He even wondered if that Godslayer could truly face such a Heretic God.
He wasn't surprised by Kurumi's appearance as a young girl.
Gods either took on extreme beauty or grotesque forms.
But... what should he do?
He couldn't win this fight, and calling for the protection of that Godslayer wasn't realistic. If they fought in Milan, who knew how much of the city would be destroyed?
But... could he really hand over Erica?
——
"Paolo-sama! Erica-sama!" A familiar voice called out as Ariana, Erica's maid, approached them. She seemed curious about the black-and-red dressed girl standing beside Erica.
She's... so beautiful.
"Ariana, take us back to the headquarters," Paolo said, resigned.
"Yes, Paolo-sama," Ariana responded cheerfully.
"Wait... wait a second, Uncle!" Erica's face turned pale.
"What is it, Erica?" Paolo asked, turning toward her.
Erica was about to warn him against letting Ariana drive, but seeing her maid's puzzled expression, she swallowed her words.
Still, after Kurumi had lifted her earlier, Erica couldn't resist planning a little revenge.
She braced herself for what she knew would be a death-defying ride.
...
"Ariana... thank you so much."
Paolo staggered out of the front passenger seat, grateful to be standing on solid ground.
The fresh air outside was delightful, and the feeling of solid earth beneath his feet was a relief.
Because Kurumi had wanted to continue teasing Erica, holding her hand in the back seat, Paolo had been forced to sit up front.
Even a man who had ridden divine beasts found Ariana's terrifying driving skills almost unbearable. Looking at the maid who stepped out of the driver's seat as if nothing had happened, Paolo finally understood what Erica had tried to warn him about earlier.
Damn it... how did Ariana ever get her driver's license?
Kurumi helped the pale and shaken Erica out of the car, the young girl looking thoroughly embarrassed.
To Erica's surprise, though, Kurumi showed no signs of being affected by the harrowing ride.
"Thank you, Ariana~~" Kurumi said with a smile.
"Serving Your Highness, Paolo-sama, and Erica-sama is my honor," Ariana said with a bow, then turned and left.
"Hey... you didn't feel anything?" Erica whispered to Kurumi.
Hearing Erica's words, Paolo tensed. My dear girl, that's a goddess you're talking to. Show some respect!
"Feel what?" Kurumi asked, amused.
"You know... Ariana's driving."
"Hmm, it was fine. I know two other people who are great drivers too," Kurumi chuckled, recalling Saber and Irisviel.
"They'd probably get along really well."
Erica felt like death was looming over her.
One Ariana was bad enough... adding two more? That would be the end.
"Welcome to the headquarters of Bronze-Black Cross," Paolo said as he led the way, giving Kurumi a slight bow.
As the commander of the Bronze-Black Cross, he couldn't believe he had brought a Heretic God back to their headquarters... how strange fate could be.
What Kurumi desired was something Paolo couldn't understand. She hadn't hidden her divine name either.
She seemed more like a young girl out on a carefree adventure, but she was still a Heretic God—one whose very presence could spell disaster.
But... Kurumi Tokisaki?
Paolo pondered the name, but found no mention of it in any mythology... yet the feeling she gave off was eerily familiar.
Where had he encountered it before?
Paolo sent Erica away and sat at a table with Kurumi.
"Your Highness... what is it you seek?" Paolo asked, his tone grave.
This was a crucial question.
"Oh~ Initially, I was just planning to feed a cute little kitten," Kurumi said, reclining lazily in her chair.
"But now... it seems I've found a new goal."
"I'm here to reclaim some Authorities."
...
Whenever a god reveals their true nature and descends upon an area, strange phenomena are bound to occur. For ordinary people, these anomalies—brought about by a Heretic God—are nothing short of a disaster.
The devastation caused by Heretic Gods is often attributed to tornadoes, earthquakes, or gas leaks.
But fortunately, Kurumi Tokisaki was not a deity hostile to humanity. In fact, in a sense, she could even be seen as a savior.
Though she brought great trouble to Erica, she hadn't yet affected the surrounding world. However, allowing such a Heretic God to walk the earth was a recipe for disaster—it was only a matter of time.
At least for now, Kurumi had retracted her Astral Dress and, dressed in her beautiful black-and-red gown, appeared no different from an ordinary girl.
Only Paolo knew the truth—he was sitting across from a monster.
Even the occasional aura that escaped from her was enough to make someone as extraordinary as him shudder.
Should he seek the help of Marquis Voban?
While the marquis would be eager to come, given his penchant for killing Heretic Gods and stealing their authorities, it seemed far too risky to summon him here.
Kurumi Tokisaki was no weakling.
If Marquis Voban, with his devastating powers capable of destroying everything in his path, fought Kurumi, Milan might be wiped off the map.
Or should he seek help from Los Angeles' Guardian Saint ?
No, no... that one had no time for this.
After much thought, Paolo came to the only conclusion.
Sorry, Erica... but the job of serving as a cuddle pillow and pacifying this goddess falls to you.
There were many magic associations serving Godslayers... but a magic association serving a Heretic God? Now that was truly a disheartening thought.
...
As for what authority she sought to reclaim, Kurumi wasn't entirely sure, nor did she feel the need to explain to Paolo. It wasn't necessary.
But one thing was certain—it would be an authority closely related to herself.
How ironic that, in her Heretic God form, she was destined to carry out actions akin to a Godslayer.
But... oh well.
——
"Oh my, I'm quite satisfied."
Kurumi smiled approvingly as she let Ariana serve her, enjoying the jealous look in the maid's eyes while she mercilessly pinched and squeezed Erica's cheeks.
The Bronze-Black Cross was primarily decorated in black and red, which matched Kurumi's style perfectly.
Kurumi had moved into the headquarters as if it were her rightful place.
Erica, apparently designated as the "saint" tasked with serving the goddess, was essentially handed over to Kurumi. Though the girl protested, deep down she was thrilled.
Finally, an excuse to skip training.
...
On Kurumi's second day at the Bronze-Black Cross, both she and Erica slept in until nearly noon.
Exhausted from the chaos caused by Kurumi's time distortions over the past few days, Erica finally got a proper rest.
Unlike the overly reserved Mumei, who slept fully dressed and remained perfectly still all night, Erica had a habit of sleeping in just her underwear.
When Kurumi woke, she found the young girl wrapped around her like a pillow, holding on tightly.
For a Spirit, understanding someone's true feelings was too easy. A glance was all it took to see if someone was sincere or just wearing a mask.
Perhaps that's why her companions were so easily wooed by that playboy, Shido Itsuka.
Erica was one of those tsundere types—prickly on the outside, but soft and affectionate on the inside, like a little squirrel.
As Kurumi pressed her forehead against the girl's, she simply thought, and the room was once again bathed in darkness. A second Kurumi emerged, quietly making her way downstairs.
"Your Highness, Kurumi!" Ariana greeted her, looking a bit flustered. She had already been warned by Paolo and understood the true nature of the girl before her.
"No need to be so tense, Ariana," Kurumi said, casually pulling out a high-backed wooden chair and resting her head on her hand at the long table, her posture lazy. She glanced over at the maid.
"Are you alone?"
"Paolo-sama is currently meeting with Her Excellency, the White Hime-Miko from Greenwich Sage Council," Ariana responded, calming herself before answering respectfully.
"No one else is in Erica-sama's room."
Ariana, with no talent for swordsmanship or magic, couldn't detect the concealed aura of Kurumi. She only thought Kurumi was incredibly beautiful.
"Oh, right. Would you like me to prepare breakfast for you?" Ariana asked.
"Breakfast?" Kurumi nodded. "Go ahead, and thank you."
"It's my pleasure," Ariana smiled, seeming genuinely happy to serve Kurumi. She bowed before leaving.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Kurumi murmured to herself.
——
Paolo was meeting with a young woman who appeared to be in her twenties.
Alice Louise of Navarre, the daughter of Duke Goddodin, was often referred to as Princess Alice.
Her golden hair gleamed, and her extraordinary beauty made her look like a princess from a fairy tale. She wore a short knit dress with a thin coat over it, along with black leather boots.
Her calm demeanor and jasmine-like elegance made her seem much older than her years. Yet, she appeared rather frail.
Though she looked delicate, Alice possessed extraordinary spiritual power. As the current Chairwoman of the Greenwich Sage Council, she was revered as the Sage Princess and was a rare genius in the world of magic.
However, at this moment, Alice seemed troubled.
"Paolo-sama," she greeted him. "Is what you wrote in your letter... true?"
The descent of Heretic Gods was not unheard of. In fact, with the right divine artifact and a special ritual, even magicians could summon Heretic Gods.
But... a Heretic God with such peculiar interests, who had chosen to live in a magic association, was certainly a first.
"Do I have any reason to deceive you?" Paolo said with a wry smile. "The report for the Sage Council needs your attention."
"And by the way... have you found any information on a god by the name of Kurumi Tokisaki?" Paolo asked, looking quite helpless.
He truly hadn't found any record of this Heretic God.
"No," Alice sighed.
"I'm sorry... but even the Diogenes Club has no records of a deity by that name."
"That certainly makes things difficult," Paolo sighed deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
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