After the Italian Magical Society swore loyalty to Kaido, the God Slayer, this also meant that Kaido had to take on the responsibility of protecting them.
When the heretic gods or other heretic gods put them in danger, Kaido, as their protector, had to take a step forward.
Both sides exchange equally.
After the simple ceremony was completed, under Kaido's command, the commanders of the various Magical Societies also left one after another.
"By the way, I remember you're Deanna from the Black Copper Cross, right?"
Kaido called out to a young-looking noblewoman, her attire full of Milan's fashion trends.
"Yes, esteemed King."
Deanna felt a bit uncomfortable in her heart.
After witnessing the abyss, her fear of Kaido deepened even more.
Although she had once faced the Sword King Salvatore directly, she had never feared the power that Kaido possessed as she did now.
Living people cannot see hell, especially a hell where ancient gods are imprisoned.
"I've heard that the Black Copper Cross has a Great Knight comparable to Erica, right?" Kaido had been in this room for six months, and the farthest he had gone was the outskirts of Milan, so he didn't remember some names from the past clearly.
"Her name seems to be Liliana, right?"
"Esteemed King, her name is Liliana Kranjcar, she's a disciple I've been teaching magic to since she was young."
Deanna said respectfully.
"May I ask why you're asking about her?"
Before the King, a subject should always remain ignorant.
Although Deanna had already guessed what Kaido wanted.
"Very well, when you return, have Liliana come to inform me, I need her."
Liliana is one of the important female protagonists in the God Slayer world.
Although she is openly hostile towards Erica, in private they are very good friends.
Since the Black Copper Cross has been subjugated, then having another lady to warm the bed... uh, no, a female knight to take care of daily life, that's also one of the privileges of the King, right?
One should enjoy life while they can, and cultivate excellent female companions from a young age.
At least Erica is no longer as aggressive as she was in the original story.
"As you order, my King."
Deanna knelt on the ground and didn't get up.
Is there anything else you'd like to say? There's no need to be so reserved, I'm very kind.
Kind to the point of almost killing us all.
Deanna murmured to herself.
Then, she ordered her words, looked up, and said: "The Black Copper Cross has sworn loyalty to you, so Liliana Kranjcar is also your servant, but... my daughter, under her grandfather's instructions some time ago, will be leaving for Bucharest in three days."
"Continue."
Kaido didn't think Deanna would dare to resist him now.
She must be careful about something more or... someone.
For example, a god hunter.
Liliana's grandfather is a worshiper of Marquise Voban, the Demon King of Eastern Europe, but due to his advanced age, he expects to send his granddaughter to serve the Marquise in his place.
Deanna felt a bit uneasy, and a cold sweat broke out on her palms.
If Kaido interpreted her words as an attempt to sow discord, both she and the Black Copper Cross would die.
Sasha Dejanstahl Voban.
The oldest living god hunter in the world, who has killed eleven heretic gods and is also the Demon King with the most authority among all heretic gods.
His bright, dark green eyes in the darkness are a symbol that inspires fear throughout Europe.
Kaido had heard of Marquise Voban's brutality more than once; the number of people who died at his hands could be measured in thousands.
He could mercilessly turn a servant into a block of salt if they were even a second late.
The young black-haired man slammed his hand on the table.
"Is this the intention of your Black Copper Cross?"
"No, King."
Deanna responded immediately.
"Then it's fine. Have Liliana pack her things and come here."
—Then, should we inform the marquise?
"There's no need, anyway. Even if I don't do anything, that old man will come looking for trouble on his own."
"Yes."
The young-looking noblewoman retreated and left.
After she left, Erica, who had been silent behind him, finally spoke up.
The fine red dress swayed before Kaido's eyes, and the noble and elegant blonde girl sat down lightly beside Kaido, her left hand casually hooking onto the arm of the young black-haired man.
An undeniable softness pressed against Kaido's body, making his breathing a bit faster.
It didn't matter how much he pretended to be a king; Kaido was still a vigorous young man, and since he had never experienced matters between men and women, he had little resistance to beauty.
"If the King desires me, Erica Brandelli will not refuse at all."
The girl, transformed into a small demon, whispered into Kaido's ear.
Erica had a special fragrance.
Her blue eyes shone with a fiery light, but they had a tinge of tenderness, and the whiteness of her chest added a touch of charm, covering her remaining innocence.
To be fair, Erica Brandelli was the most beautiful girl Kaido had ever seen.
Noble but elegant, alert and lively, although a bit cunning, fortunately, her personality was feminine, and her flaws turned into advantages.
If she were a man, she would be too repulsive.
Kaido, whose heart was beating slightly faster, kissed Erica on the forehead.
Bathed in the soft sunlight, the girl's face turned even more flushed and charming.
Only, without realizing it, she seemed a bit agitated and nervous.
"That's enough."
Kaido patted Erica's forehead.
He wasn't a man who was so impatient; there were still many things to do at that moment.
The ritual of invoking a god, besides getting involved with that old man Voban because of Liliana.
The next period shouldn't be too lonely.
"Huh? Is that all?"
Erica had really prepared herself to devote, but Kaido's actions surprised her a bit.
You're my First Knight and my friend, so I won't treat you like the others. Come find me when you're completely ready.
Kaido rubbed his temples.
"Hmm... as expected, even after becoming the King who rules the world, you're still that gentle maid of yours", Erica showed a lovely smile.
"Don't you have any curiosity about why I want Liliana to come?" Kaido asked.
"What you say, goes. There must be a reason for Liliana to be your knight."
Erica smiled with mischief.
You know Liliana is my friend, and yet you're asking me this. Does the King want me to be jealous?
"Sometimes I really wish you weren't so intelligent."
During the last six months they spent together, Erica had already shown Kaido what true wisdom was.
"Hehe..."
Although I also have that little idea, the main reason is that I value her potential as a witch.
That Liliana was a main character was one aspect, but she was also an excellent witch.
Three years before transmigrating, Voban forcibly took dozens of priestesses from around the world and, taking advantage of the alignment of the constellations and the flow of the earth, gathered enough energy to invoke a heretic god.
The potential of a witch? Do you mean you want Liliana...?
Suddenly Erica became nervous.
As Liliana's intimate friend, she naturally knew how severe the damage was from the forced god invocation ritual that Voban performed years ago.
Out of dozens of priestesses, only a handful survived.
And Liliana was one of them.
"Don't worry so much. Do I seem like a Great Demon King who would let people die without hesitation?"
Kaido had guessed that Erica would react this way.
"As long as some protective measures are taken during the god invocation ritual, with me, a God Slayer, protecting you, are you still afraid of suffering repercussions from the ritual?"
"Now that you can give me that guarantee, I feel relieved", Erica sighed. "But why did you suddenly think of invoking a god? Didn't you just defeat Tifon two days ago?"
"Heretic gods are not cabbages that can be found everywhere; invoking a god is much faster."
Strictly speaking, Kaido had already waited half a year.
And in those six months, as far as he knew, the only trace of a heretic god's appearance was Typhon, who descended upon Milan, Italy.
He didn't want to wait another half year.
Moreover, the original plot has not yet developed, and Sardinia shows no signs of any heretic gods.
To gain more authority, he still had to rely on his own efforts.
"I understand." Erica also knew that the life of a God Slayer wasn't as glamorous as it seemed.
"I'll return and have someone prepare."
After their conversation, the two of them separated temporarily.
While Kaido was familiarizing himself with the use of his authorities, he didn't forget his Sacred Lance, True Longinus.
One day, while immersing his consciousness in the Sacred Lance, trying to communicate with the consciousness of the Biblical God, Elohim, inside the Sacred Lance, he suddenly opened his eyes.
A weak mental force was probing him from afar, apparently investigating him.
The physique of a God Slayer gave Kaido superhuman intuition.
He could perceive danger towards himself, instinctively sense the aura of heretic gods like an animal, and penetrate the spiritual vision and curiosity of his opponents.
"The only one bold enough to probe a God Slayer like this is probably that White Princess."
Kaido thought for a few seconds and then revealed a cheerful smile.
It turned out he had no reason to bother her.
The origin of the Council of Sages was not the great reasons we found in the documents, but a group of meddlers who gathered together.
Magicians, sorcerers, Dr. Yao Jing, and other people related to magic.
Or priests, fathers, divine officials, nobles, capitalists, royalty, and other ordinary scholars of lower rank.
It was a group formed by people with aspirations and a spirit of research, and also some ambitious and wealthy individuals who gathered to exchange information.
And as time passed, the organization became formalized, eventually forming the current Council of Sages.