The soft sunlight streamed through the window, casting golden highlights on the plush carpet. Towering bookshelves lined both sides of the walls, adding a touch of warmth to the room, although it wasn't particularly spacious.
However, in what should have been a cozy space, an inexplicable chill permeated the air.
Erica's magnificent expression froze, and her small body swayed involuntarily.
The reason was entirely due to the young man with black hair, who was sitting and smiling in the darkness, away from the light.
Kaito smiled slightly: "I thought you'd forgotten about me."
The surrounding space distorted unnaturally, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, and the room, which should have been warm, made Erica feel as cold as if winter had arrived.
Her body instinctively felt the oppressive, chilling sensation, and a pure sense of powerlessness made Erica feel like she had returned to that night when she was captured by the cultists and faced the disobedient Typhon.
The enormous divine power of evil almost pushed the girl's consciousness to the brink of collapse.
Here, in her room, Erica experienced that feeling of powerlessness once more.
An irresistible terror was growing slowly inside Erica.
Kaito noticed the girl's abnormality and immediately deactivated the Authority.
Fresh air filled his lungs, and a warm glow enveloped his beautiful skin as he looked out the window, where birds still sang and flowers bloomed.
Kaito had only used a hint of his first Authority's power a moment ago, but it was enough to show Erica what the underworld was like.
However, he knew that he hadn't actually harmed Erica; Kaito was teasing her, and there was a hidden warning in his actions.
In the original story, Erica was too strong and clever; Kusanagi Godou, who became a Godslayer, was often interpreted by her.
But Kaito wasn't Kusanagi Godou; he wasn't a pawn to be manipulated. When he got angry, he might not consider the consequences.
The shift between Hell and Heaven made Erica's body relax. Kaito extended his hand at the right moment and hugged her. Her soft and delicate body felt inert, and the scent of high-quality perfume filled his senses.
This wasn't the first time he had hugged Erica.
Over the past six months, he had occasionally gotten drunk and bothered Kaito to take care of her.
A magical spell that could calm the mind was applied to Erica in his arms, significantly improving the girl's complexion.
Due to their unique nature as Godslayers, ordinary magic, when used, increased significantly in power and effect. The only drawback was that, due to their high magical resistance, general amplification spells were ineffective against them.
"Do you feel better?"
Kaito looked at Erica, whose face had regained its flush, and said in a tone of apology.
He wasn't the type of villain who repaid kindness with malice.
Simply, he hadn't expected the power of Typhon to be even stronger than he had imagined.
Even as a Grand Knight, Erica found it difficult to maintain her composure in the Underworld Infernal.
Besides sealing, it seemed to also be able to make people see the true underworld.
"Mmm..."
Erica rubbed her pulsating forehead and, having escaped the terror, immediately looked at Kaito with embarrassment and annoyance.
"Then, your wings have hardened; after becoming a king, the first thing you do is tease a weak and defenseless girl like me?"
Even a clay figure has its temperament. Although Erica's cleverness indicated that Kaito's actions contained a warning, she was only a fifteen-year-old girl, and her mind wasn't stable enough.
Kaito was a vagabond she had taken in half a year ago; he had been given food and shelter, and now he was intimidating her severely in return.
But limited by the Authority of a Godslayer, Erica couldn't get too angry and could only put on a brave face verbally.
Tears filled her eyes. Erica experienced the unsettling emotion of being intimidated by a Godslayer.
She couldn't defend herself or dare to curse him. Her verbal complaints were solely due to their half-year friendship.
If it were anyone else, even if Kaito killed someone without reason, they would only be obsequious.
"It's my fault." Kaito hugged Erica without letting her go, thinking it would be foolish not to take advantage of the situation: "Since that's the case, you can ask me something reasonable."
"Remember, the premise is that it's reasonable; if it's too problematic, I'll refuse."
As Kaito heard Erica's words, she contained her tears. The fragile expression she had shown a moment ago instantly transformed into a sly and triumphant smile, full of cunning and victory.
Her blue eyes looked deeply at Kaito, and the clarity of her skin under the crimson dress was truly captivating.
Moreover, Erica didn't act timidly like a common girl; instead, she naturally showed off her proud figure to Kaito.
"You said that."
"Yes, but pay attention to the premise," Kaito said with a smile.
Effectively, Erica had tricked him again, but the girl's small act of stubbornness wasn't bothersome.
After all, they had been friends from the start.
"Since you've become an inaccessible king, then permit me, Erica Brandelli, to suggest with courage: what if I become your First Knight?"
There was a moment of silence.
Erica left Kaito's hug, looking at him with a smile and seriousness.
This isn't my usual drunken nonsense. Becoming the First Knight of the New King is, without a doubt, the greatest honor.
Although all the Magical Societies in Italy were under the command of the Sword King Salvatore, it was mere obedience; there had never been a formal oath of loyalty.
Salvatore Doni is too capricious. He's a king, but not fit to lead. Even if Milan were destroyed and Typhon turned this place into an underworld infernal, he wouldn't feel any compassion for us.
"But you will do it."
"..."
Kaito remained silent for a moment and then nodded.
"Can I take that as a compliment?"
"My King, while you desire it, I can offer you the most beautiful blessings and glory at every moment."
Erica summoned a long sword from nowhere.
This was the girl's personal sword, the Heart of the Lion King; even if it were broken or destroyed, it could be repaired.
"And we're not friends? This is my first request as a friend."
The girl spun the sword and offered the hilt to Kaito.
The Heart of the Lion King felt warm in his hand, still retaining the warmth of Erica's palm.
With a soft metallic sound, the girl in crimson knelt on one knee and raised her head.
Her blue eyes shone with a pure and noble smile.
Kaito understood the significance, then, powerless, used the flat side of the Heart of the Lion King to gently tap Erica's shoulder three times.
"Now, I appoint you as my First Knight. From now on, you will fight for me..."
Kaito paused.
"Do I need to say anything more?"
"The King says what he wants."
Erica said.
"Then... in the name of the Godslayer."
After completing the brief naming ceremony, Kaito returned the sword to Erica.
Does this type of ceremony have any significance?
You're oriental, so naturally, you don't understand the importance of a knighting ceremony for a knight, but for me, it has great significance.
The predecessor of the Cruz Negra de Bronce Rojo was the Knights Templar, who roamed freely across the European continent during the Middle Ages.
Therefore, Erica was a descendant of magicians who served the demon god Baphomet and a descendant of the glorious Knights Templar.
They considered the spirit of chivalry as truth.
The oath was completed, which means that Erica would never betray the object of her loyalty.
—Really, I don't understand, but I think with your appetite, you should have been able to ask for something better.
Kaito left the room slowly.
With three days, it's enough. Inform all the Magical Societies that are still in meetings to come and see me.
Erica remained in the same spot, motionless, and took a while to react.
Two blushes appeared on her beautiful and noble cheeks.
In the headquarters of the Cruz Roja de Bronce y Negra, the room, normally lit, had its windows blocked, preventing the outside view. Various figures were seated around a large, circular conference table.
Most of them were leaders of the Magical Societies in Milan, as well as heads or representatives of other Magical Societies that had come from various parts of Italy upon hearing the news of the New King's birth.
Perhaps, for Kaito, killing a god was simply a power transformation.
But for these mortals, it was a highly significant event for their destiny.
The "Loba" and "Vieja Viuda" Magical Societies, the Cruz Negra de Bronce Roja, the Cruz Negra de Bronce, and the leaders of the Order of Knights "Ciudad de los Lirios" were present.
The importance of the New King's birth is evident. Have they truly decided to join him? We've been waiting for the King for three days.
Paolo Blandtelli, the highest-ranking knight of the Cruz Negra de Bronce Rojo, spoke with a notably resonant voice.
I know what you mean, but all the Magical Societies in Italy are under Salvatore Doni's command. If he finds out that we've joined the New King, who can predict his anger?
The leader of the "Loba" nodded.
We've never sworn formal loyalty to Salvatore Doni, and for him, we're just a gathering of bees in a hive; he wouldn't care.
Paolo nodded.
The Sword King's whereabouts are uncertain, and the Demon King of Eastern Europe has always had Italy in his sights. If we fall into his hands, I believe it would be even worse.
The speaker was the leader of the "Vieja Viuda".
The Marqués Voban is tyrannical and cruel; his terror makes all of Europe tremble.
If it were just death, it wouldn't be so frightening.
But Voban possesses the Authority to turn those he kills into "Servants of Death", preventing them from resting even in death.
"This matter concerns the survival of the Cruz Negra de Bronce; we still need some time to mitigate the impact."
The objection was raised by Deanna Milito, the leader of the Cruz Negra de Bronce.
Given that the New King was an oriental vagabond taken in by the Cruz Negra de Bronce, his loyalty to them is understandable, but who can guarantee that we won't be treated unfairly if we join him?
The Cruz Negra de Bronce and the Cruz Negra de Bronce Roja were originally one, but they had been in constant conflict since their separation.
It was normal for Deanna to have these doubts.
Even a small misstep could lead to the complete downfall of the Cruz Negra de Bronce.
"Can I take that as an insult against the New King?"
Paolo was very optimistic about his nephew becoming a Godslayer, and the delay until now was entirely due to these hypocritical individuals.
In comparison to the capricious Salvatore, Kaito, who had a closer relationship with his niece, was definitely the better option for loyalty.
Only a fool wouldn't know what to do.
"Of course not, but I..."
Just as the leaders of the Magical Societies were discussing incessantly, the door opened from the outside.
A girl in a crimson dress and a black rose adornment on her head entered with confidence and her head held high.
Although Erica was a Grand Knight of the Cruz Negra de Bronce Rojo and Paolo's heir, her uninvited entrance into the leaders' meeting displeased many of those present.
"This isn't a place for you, youngsters."
The leader of the "Loba" struck the table and said with a disgusted expression.