Chapter 82: The Goddess Descends
The Alps are located in south-central Europe, spanning northern Italy, southeastern France, Switzerland, Austria, southern Germany, and Slovenia.
In the Swiss section of the Alps, a helicopter hovered in the sky before gradually descending into a secluded valley.
"Lord Roy, this was once the residence of the Marquis Voban. After his... departure, it was abandoned. However, the Marquis commanded immense respect across Europe. Even in his absence, this estate is regularly cleaned, and no one dares to disturb the items within."
The helicopter pilot, a member of a Swiss magic association, spoke carefully. Upon receiving the task of hosting the King, the Swiss side proceeded with great caution. Yet, deep down, they could only lament their situation, for no place ever remained peaceful once a Campione arrived.
Roy stood before an exquisitely crafted villa nestled deep within the Alps. Its modern amenities blended with its secluded location. The effort required to construct such a villa, complete with infrastructure in the rugged mountains, was immense. Only a being like the Marquis, a Campione, could issue such an order and compel governments and magic associations to collaborate with full dedication.
For over three centuries, the Marquis Voban held the title of "leader" in Europe's mystical world. It wasn't until the emergence of the Black Prince in England and the King of Swords in southern Europe that magic associations began to break away from his dominance and pledge their allegiance to new God Slayers.
Switzerland, long under the Marquis' rule, saw the Alps as his private domain. Voban, however, disliked staying in one location for long, preferring to shift residences frequently. As a result, he left behind numerous estates scattered throughout the world's remote forests and mountain ranges.
After Roy defeated Marquis Voban in Tokyo—leaving the Marquis presumed dead—the magic associations of Europe fell into disarray. Without the Marquis' firm grip, rivalries among magic associations in various countries began to surface. Only England under the Black Prince and Italy under Roy maintained order. The rest of Europe devolved into chaos.
Over the past year, Roy had received declarations of allegiance from magic associations in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and more. Compared to the reclusive Salvatore or the scheming Black Prince, Roy's reputation soared, making him the de facto leader of Europe's mystical community.
"Very good. Since it belongs to the Marquis, I'll gladly accept it!"
Roy examined the villa with satisfaction and nodded approvingly.
Having vanquished the Marquis, Roy was fully justified in claiming his inheritance. Although he knew the Marquis wasn't truly dead and would one day return, Roy was confident. Whether it was due to his growing power or the authority of his Holy Right, he believed he could easily defeat the Marquis again.
"All right, you may leave now," Roy instructed the pilot before turning to Erica and Liliana. "Erica, Lili, come in with me. Let's see what kind of taste the Marquis had."
The three entered the villa. The furnishings were exquisite, though they surprised Roy. Unlike the modern conveniences he expected, the decor was steeped in antiquity. The central hearth, meant for burning firewood, added to the nostalgic ambiance. It was evident that as someone who had lived for three centuries, the Marquis cherished relics of the past.
Once inside, Liliana immediately began tidying up, swiftly removing any decorations that didn't align with Roy's preferences. She worked with practiced efficiency to transform the villa into a space more suited to Roy's tastes.
In contrast, Erica was far less adept at domestic tasks. Consequently, managing Roy's household fell to Liliana. The two knights had a clear division of labor: Erica managed external affairs while Liliana handled internal matters. Their complementary skills created a well-balanced dynamic in Roy's service.
…
Inside a villa nestled deep within the Alps, the fireplace roared with blazing flames, and the air conditioning pumped warm air throughout the space. Even in the heart of the alpine wilderness, the villa's interior felt like a warm spring.
Roy reclined on a wooden chair, holding a steaming cup of coffee in his right hand and a freshly obtained book on mysticism from a Swiss magic association in his left. He read with keen interest, his expression serene.
Liliana bustled about the room, occasionally refilling Roy's coffee or bringing him exquisite cakes to enjoy. Erica, on the other hand, was seated at a desk with a laptop, typing and making occasional phone calls to maintain communication with Italy.
As the de facto ruler of Italy, the Vatican, and the broader mystical community of Europe, Roy had an extensive workload. However, he had delegated almost all of it to Erica. A genius from Milan's Copper Black Cross, Erica managed these responsibilities with effortless precision.
Roy sipped his handmade coffee, savoring its bitter notes as they lingered on his palate. Exhaling contentedly, he set his book down on the table and casually tossed the Gorgoneion in his right hand, watching it spin through the air. Turning slightly, he gazed out the window at the breathtaking snowy expanse of the Alps, a picture of leisure.
Roy's tranquil moment was interrupted as the sunlight reflecting off the snowy landscape outside dimmed abruptly. Darkness seemed to envelop the villa, descending like an ominous shadow.
"Lord Roy!"
Both Erica and Liliana reacted immediately, their expressions shifting to alarm. They stood up in unison, summoning their swords. Although nothing was visible through their spiritual vision or to their naked eyes, an overwhelming sense of dread began to seep into their bones. Their bodies trembled involuntarily as primal fear welled up from within, a response to the oppressive aura of a being far beyond human comprehension.
The two knights exchanged glances, their determined expressions betraying traces of unease. As devoted as they were, they could not fully suppress the instinctive fear that the divine presence inspired. They knew well what had arrived—the Heretic God drawn by the Gorgoneion.
But neither Erica nor Liliana had anticipated that the god would appear so quickly. After all, they had only been in Switzerland for a few hours since leaving Rome.
"Since you're already here, why not come in for a cup of coffee?" Roy said, his voice calm and inviting. His lips curved into a faint smile as he gestured towards the door. "As an ancient and noble goddess, surely you wouldn't refuse such a trivial request? And surely you wouldn't destroy this villa I've come to appreciate so much, would you? That would truly be a waste."
Roy's words were measured, his demeanor unruffled. Yet deep inside, he was irritated by the instinctual surge of bloodlust that every Campione felt in the presence of a Heretic God. Suppressing it took conscious effort, and Roy despised the irrationality of it—a reminder of his own lack of control over this primal urge.
"What I seek is the Gorgoneion, the ancient marker once carved upon my shield, a beacon of my authority.
"What I seek is the Gorgoneion, to restore the ancient dominion of the Serpent and grant my heretic self the power it embodies."
"What I seek is the Gorgoneion, to guide me on my journey and grant me once more the wisdom of darkness, earth, and sky!"
The voice, proud and noble yet carrying a faint undertone of youthful immaturity, resonated from beyond the villa. Moments later, the door to the villa swung open, and the icy alpine wind swept inside, chilling the warm air.
At the threshold stood a petite goddess. Though diminutive in stature, her presence was overwhelming. She radiated an aura of ancient majesty, heavy and unyielding, a stark contrast to her youthful and delicate appearance.
This was no ordinary presence—it was a goddess who descended to reclaim what was hers.
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(T/N: This week the extra chapters will be every 100 PS, with a maximum of 7 extra chapters. I will probably not change the incentive for the weeks to come. But don't worry too much if you are not able to meet any goals since I am at least going to upload 1 chapter a day anyway. This will not change unless there were extraordinary circumstances that prevent me from doing so.)