Multiverse's Holy Right

With Roy having reached an agreement with the goddess Athena, the tension in the room eased. However, Roy did not immediately hand over the Gorgon Stone to Athena—not because he intended to break his promise, but because "wisdom" was among the titles of the goddess.

Though Roy was willing to trust Athena's word, "wisdom" could also be called cunning. If Athena regained her full power and suddenly launched a sneak attack in this very room, Roy was confident he could protect himself, but he would never be able to safeguard Erica and Liliana.

Perhaps sensing Roy's thoughts, Athena sat on the chair, lightly swinging her slender legs clad in blue stockings. Unoffended, she remarked, "...It is wise to remain wary of me. I, too, have been considering whether I should follow the example of Troy and deceive you through trickery."

Hearing Athena speak so frankly, Roy became convinced that the goddess would not resort to such extreme measures.

While the atmosphere in the room had relaxed, that was only true for Roy and Athena. For Erica and Liliana, the pressure had only intensified. Sharing a room with a Heretic God—if other magicians were to learn of this, they would surely be shocked beyond belief.

"Lily, it's time for dinner. You didn't prepare my meal in advance today—that's negligence. And Erica, you haven't finished today's tasks yet, have you? You should go complete them."

Roy's words snapped Erica and Liliana back to reality. The golden-haired and silver-haired knights quickly bowed before cautiously retreating to the study and kitchen, all while keeping a wary eye on Athena.

"Roy Crowley, you certainly care deeply for your attendants."

Athena cast a brief glance at Erica and Liliana. As a goddess, she paid no mind to the hostility of mere mortals.

Compared to these two humans, she was far more intrigued by Roy. "...For a Heretic God and a Campione to coexist so peacefully under the same roof—even with my knowledge and wisdom, I cannot recall a similar occurrence. You truly are a remarkable man. To suppress the instinctive impulses between Campiones and Heretic Gods, to dare harbor such boldness—you must be a true tyrant."

"You flatter me, Goddess Athena. I simply refuse to act according to fate. I despise the word 'destiny,' for it implies a lack of control over one's own life. The inevitable bloodshed between Campiones and Heretic Gods is the 'destiny' I detest the most."

"...I want my desire to kill to stem from my own will, not from my identity as a Campione. Therefore, I wish to slay Heretic Gods—or befriend them—by my own choice."

Roy shrugged and chuckled lightly.

Fate, destiny—to Roy, these were nothing but shackles. He had always lived by his own rules, unrestrained and free. A Campione was meant to slay Heretic Gods, the calamities of the world, and Roy would act accordingly. But he wanted that decision to come from his own thoughts and judgments, not because his identity forced him to.

That state of losing all reason and getting carried away upon encountering a Heretic God was something he absolutely wished to avoid.

"If anyone else had spoken such words to me, I would have admired their thoughts while mocking their foolishness. But coming from you, it seems only natural."

"...The threads of fate spun by Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos are also things I dislike. In this regard, my thoughts align with yours."

"Before coming here, I learned of your past. You once conversed with Solomon the Wise and convinced him to willingly die by your hand. The name of that legendary king is one I've long revered. To earn his recognition—your wisdom is something I must view in a new light."

Goddess Athena gazed at Roy with keen interest, her long lashes fluttering. Her amber eyes brimmed with curiosity and... a desire to kill him.

Because she acknowledged his strength, she saw him as a destined rival—and thus had to kill him. Such was Athena's way of thinking.

"Lord Roy, your dinner is ready."

During Roy and Athena's casual conversation, Liliana finished preparing the meal and brought it to the table.

Today, Liliana had made Chinese cuisine instead of Italian. Roy deftly picked up chopsticks and sampled the aromatic, flavorful dishes, praising, "...Lily, your cooking skills keep improving. I've heard the Eastern Cult Leader, Luo Hao, is an exceptional chef. I imagine your culinary arts are no less impressive than hers."

"How could I possibly compare to the Eastern Cult Leader?"

Liliana replied modestly, though her face glowed with joy and faint pride at Roy's compliment.

"It's just a shame that in these two hundred years, no one has had the honor of tasting Luo Hao's cooking. I wonder when I might persuade that peerless master to personally prepare a meal for me."

Savoring the fine wine in his cup, Roy mused aloud.

Athena, seated across from Roy, remained unusually silent this time, sitting as quietly as a doll.

...

Night fell. Outside the window, the snowstorm had eased slightly, though the stars and moon remained hidden. The villa in the Alps was brightly lit. In Roy's bedroom, he leaned against the headboard, idly playing with his phone. Deep in the mountains, a dedicated base station had been installed for the former Marquis, ensuring excellent network reception.

Roy didn't spend every waking moment reading. Even as a Campione, he appreciated the conveniences of modern technology.

On the nearby sofa, Athena was engrossed in a book, her slender legs curled up as she rested the volume on her knees. The adorable cotton hat she'd worn earlier had been discarded somewhere, revealing her lustrous silver hair that shimmered faintly.

"Is something the matter?"

Noticing Roy's gaze, Athena set her book aside and asked.

"It's time to sleep."

Roy glanced at the clock on the wall.

"Hmm. Then sleep. Pay me no mind. Rest assured, I won't ambush you in the night."

Athena either missed Roy's implication or chose to ignore it.

Roy took a deep breath. Boldly, he got out of bed, walked behind the sofa, and—grasping Athena beneath her arms—lifted her up.

"What are you doing?"

Athena's sharp eyebrows furrowed as she growled in a low voice.

"Of course, holding you to sleep! Don't act rashly—we made a promise not to attack each other today."

Noticing the surge of divine power emanating from Athena, Roy quickly added, "...Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. I know you're a virgin goddess, and even if I wanted to, you could resist even in your weakened state, couldn't you?"

"Such audacity, foolish child of man, to covet a goddess."

Athena glared coldly at Roy as he placed her by the bedside. She watched as he knelt on one knee, carefully peeling off her blue thigh-high stockings as though handling a treasure, revealing her crystalline, jade-like legs beneath.

In her loli form, Athena's delicate feet were tiny, even smaller than Roy's palm. Cradling one of her flawless feet in his hand, feeling the goddess's smooth, supple skin, Roy couldn't help but feel a stirring impulse.

Yet he restrained himself, knowing this was already the limit of Athena's tolerance. Any further overstepping would break their fragile truce.

Staring at Roy, Athena suddenly flashed a dazzling, venomous smile: "...Male gods and mortal men are all the same, just like my thunder-wielding father! Roy Crowley, I have decided—I will kill you, grant you death, and leave you to wander the desolate wilderness of the cold underworld alone."

The murderous intent in Athena's eyes was palpable, and Roy's expression gradually turned icy as he chuckled softly, "...I look forward to that day as well, Goddess Athena!"

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹