Chapter 16
King of Italy

“Oh? Lady Erika. Brantley, are you saying you wish to atone for your sins?”

Compared to Lilliana, who was not good at speaking and was full of shyness, Roy was more interested in Erika.

“Indeed, ‘King’, it would be better for us to live and serve you than to die. We can bring you what you need. Therefore, I dare to petition you, hoping that you will forgive our sins and pardon the disrespect of the ‘Bronze Black Cross’.”

Erika bowed deeply, begging for Roy’s mercy.

Other young magicians nearby were all admiring Erika’s boldness. They knew that Erika and Lilliana were close friends, and the ‘Bronze Black Cross’ and the ‘Copper Black Cross’ had been enemies for centuries. However, even so, for her friend and for the life and death of the opposing magic association, Erika put aside all prejudices and dared to make a plea to the ‘cruel’ King.

Only those more experienced magicians and the top members of the major magic associations could understand Erika’s deeper meaning. They glanced at Paul. Brantley, secretly envying him. The ‘Copper Black Cross’ had found a truly excellent successor!

“Lady Erika, look up and talk to me!”

Hearing Roy’s words, Erika did not hesitate at all, raised her pretty face, and boldly met Roy’s gaze.

She had a delicate and exquisite beautiful face. Her blue eyes were filled with the nobility and pride of a young lady. Her luxurious golden hair cascaded down, forming a sharp contrast with her fair and delicate skin. Especially that white, smooth expanse at the neckline of her open dress was a sight that was hard to avert one’s eyes from.

“I have a personal question for you, how old are you?”

“Reporting to the ‘King’, I am fourteen years old this year.”

“Fourteen years old…”

Roy sighed. In his memory, Erika seemed to be two years younger than when the original story took place. But even so, this girl who should still be in middle school already possessed the charm of a noblewoman, and her thoughts, though still a little immature, were already agile and profound.

Roy’s remark about Erika’s young age made the other magicians secretly grumble.

Fourteen years old? What’s wrong with being fourteen? According to the information they had, this ‘King’ was only sixteen years old.

And this sixteen-year-old ‘King’ had cleverly seized the best opportunity to force the Italian magic associations to submit. He had almost effortlessly made these magic associations swear allegiance to him.

No one had expected this ‘King’ to leave the Vatican and take action personally. He caught them red-handed during their meeting, with both physical and testimonial evidence. This made them undeniably guilty of defying the ‘King’s’ order, easily placing him on the righteous side.

Originally, the Italian Seven Sisters were preparing to have a unified plan of action at this meeting. They were going to find the Sword King who had gone to Africa to search for the Unwilling God, and after that, it would be a battle between the new king and the old king. These magic associations only had to wait for the two kings to decide the outcome and then swear allegiance to the stronger one.

Now, Roy had seized their reason for defying the ‘King’ and forced them to swear direct allegiance. If they refused, Roy would have an excuse to kill them all. But if the Seven Sisters Alliance agreed, they would have to go all the way and forever support Roy.

Because this oath was not the kind of vague allegiance to Salvatorre. Toni, where power and obligations were not clear. When they took this step, they had already cut off any possibility of betrayal. No matter who won the future battle between Roy and Salvatorre, the Seven Sisters Alliance would have to stand firmly behind Roy.

‘This profound wisdom and strategy is not like a God Slayer. It’s like a king’s heart. A tiger by the side of a king… what a terrifying ‘King’ he is.’

The leaders of the various magic associations were all masters of playing with power, so they could understand the deep meaning of Roy’s actions. He was forcing them to take a step they couldn’t take back.

“Lady Erika, you are young, but you are very shrewd. It seems like you are speaking up for the ‘Bronze Black Cross’, and you are facing great risk by directly confronting me, but in reality, you already know that there is no risk at all. If I forgive the ‘Bronze Black Cross’, that magic association will owe you a favor. If I don’t forgive them, it won’t do any harm to your ‘Copper Black Cross’. Instead, you will be using my hand to eliminate an enemy.”

“…….Hahaha! Lady Erika, you have already figured out that I have no intention of killing you, but I am giving you a warning, forcing you to make a statement. You are actively coming forward to swear allegiance to me at this time, the ‘first to swear allegiance’ status will make you and the ‘Copper Black Cross’ have a lot of goodwill in my impression. Afterwards, you can use this goodwill to get greater benefits and status for your ‘Copper Black Cross’ in the Seven Sisters Alliance, in all of Italy, and even in the entire world’s magic associations.”

Pausing for a moment, Roy continued: “…….Is that so, Lady Erika! Don’t lie to me, tell me your true thoughts.”

Erika had intended to retort that she was truly loyal to the King and didn’t have so many other thoughts. But after hearing Roy’s last words and meeting his strange and mysterious double pupils, she opened her mouth, unable to speak her self-defense. She could only lower her head and say bitterly: “…….‘King’, you are wise and perceptive, you see through my little thoughts. It is my disrespect to attempt to guess the ‘King’s’ thoughts. I hope you will punish me.”

Lilliana, who was beside Erika, looked at her best friend in disbelief. She had been deeply touched by Erika’s courageous stand, but she didn’t expect her best friend to have calculated everything, even including her. She had used their ‘Bronze Black Cross’ very well.

The other magicians and knights who had not seen through Erika’s subtle thoughts also felt a chill in their hearts. They felt ashamed for previously thinking Erika was ‘upright’. This woman was no upright knight, but a ‘devil’ at heart.

Erika was truly afraid at this moment. Her delicate body trembled. Her little thoughts had been exposed, and she was really afraid that Roy would be angry at her thoughts and actions.

“Punishment? No, no, no, Lady Erika, you don’t need to be afraid. From ancient times to the present, ministers have to try to figure out the ‘King’s’ intentions. Only in this way can they become the ‘King’s’ beloved. You’re not wrong to guess my thoughts, but you have to know when to stop. Don’t use this wisdom in the wrong place.”

Roy looked deeply at Erika, then looked around and said: “…….So, my dear lords, have you reached a conclusion?”

As he spoke, Roy removed his power, restoring Diana. Milito, the ‘Bronze Black Cross’ Commander-in-Chief, to her original appearance.

Paul. Brantley, the ‘Copper Black Cross’ Commander-in-Chief, stood up first. He placed his hand on his shoulder and performed a knight’s salute, saying: “…….The ‘Copper Black Cross’ wishes to be your subordinate, and we acknowledge you as our leader!”

“The ‘She-Wolf’ wishes…”

“The ‘Lily City’ wishes…”

“The ‘Bronze Black Cross’ wishes…”

“The ‘Blue Eagle’ wishes…”

“…”

In the blink of an eye, six of the seven magic associations in the Seven Sisters had sworn allegiance to Roy. As for the one that was not present, it had no choice left.

“Very well, my dear lords. Then I will issue my first mission here. Use all your resources in Italy to find Metatron’s whereabouts for me!”

“…….Secondly, intensify the excavation and archaeological work of the ruins in Italy, searching for those truly ancient divine artifacts!”

As the words fell, Roy stood up from his chair. He glanced at Erika, who was still kneeling on the ground, and said: “…….Lady Erika. Brantley, you have indeed piqued my interest. I have acknowledged your wisdom and abilities. Come to the Vatican tomorrow to work for me. I will also give you, and the ‘Copper Black Cross’, the status and favor you deserve.”

The many magicians and knights stood on both sides, respectfully watching Roy’s red figure disappear from the meeting hall as he left the ‘She-Wolf’ headquarters and returned to the Vatican.

With the allegiance of the Seven Sisters and the conquest of the headquarters of the Cross Church, Roy was now the ‘King of Italy’ in the truest sense of the word!