On the streets of Rome, a custom-built luxury car slowly drove along. Paul Brantley, the Grand Marshal of the "Bronze Black Cross," looked at Erica sitting beside him. His gentle and amiable face was slightly complex, and he spoke in a low voice: "…Are you sure about this, Erica? This new King is different from Lord Salvatore, closer to Count Voban and the Eastern Patriarch, it won't be a simple matter to be by his side."
Erica was the only daughter of Paul's elder brother, and the two of them were the last blood relatives of the Brantley family. He had always tried his best to protect his niece, who possessed extraordinary talent and potential.
But Paul also knew that with Erica's independent personality, she would not be willing to follow the path he had set for her. When the time came, Erica would definitely leave his protection and embark on an unknown path alone, and now that time had come.
"This is the new King's order, what can I do if I don't want to?"
Erica's tone sounded as if she was being forced to do this by Roy, but her expression was full of fighting spirit, even with a sense of eagerness. It was as if she was challenging a difficult problem, and she, Erica Brantley, would be the victor.
"Please rest assured, Uncle! I think that with my abilities, even if the new King is as ruthless and merciless as Count Voban and the Eastern Patriarch, I will surely gain his trust and favor. As long as I am careful in my daily actions, everything will be fine."
"…This is our best chance, Uncle! The new King has just ascended to the throne, and he is in dire need of trusted, direct subordinates. Becoming the new King's right-hand man at this time will be an opportunity for both me and the "Bronze Black Cross." The centuries-long struggle with the "Bronze Black Cross" can finally come to an end. Victory will be ours!"
Erica's beautiful face was filled with the youthful beauty of a young woman and absolute confidence. This posture made Paul feel secretly relieved, even comforting his elder brother's spirit in heaven that his daughter had grown to be independent.
Seeing that Erica had her own ideas, Paul stopped dwelling on this issue. He pondered for a moment and then asked, as if testing her: "…What are your thoughts on the new King and Lord Salvatore?"
"Lord Salvatore is not a qualified leader. He only cares about 'swords' and 'fighting'. Two years ago, I saw Lord Salvatore who had just succeeded in slaying a god. Although it is disrespectful to say so, his mind was definitely not right."
Erica pondered for a moment before using such a derogatory term to describe the Sword King.
"It is precisely because Lord Salvatore only cares about fighting and swords that he is easier to deal with. He will definitely not care about our 'betrayal', at most he will just challenge the new King to a duel. And because of his personality, even if we become his subordinates, we will not gain much benefit, not even protection."
"…But the new King is different. Based on information and contact, the new King is a person with very strong 'desires'. Therefore, as long as we can win his favor, we will definitely receive the new King's protection, even using the new King's name to make our "Bronze Black Cross" even more powerful."
"Lord Salvatore does not understand people, but the new King knows what we need!"
Erica spoke with conviction, analyzing things in terms of people's personalities.
Although the God Slayers are unmatched by mortals, they are still human after all. As long as they are human, they have their own interests and hobbies. As long as you find the right point, you can get along well with the God Slayers.
…
On the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Western Italy, an ultra-luxury cruise ship was sailing on the surface of the sea. Fish swam beneath the water, seabirds chirped in the sky, and Roy was enjoying lunch in a luxurious and spacious observation room, enjoying the scenery of the sea through the transparent glass surrounding him.
The observation room was very modern, more like a living room in a five-star hotel. There was a mahogany desk for work, extremely soft ring sofas and a large bed, bottles of wine were placed on the bar, and a large LCD TV was playing programs on the wall.
Roy sat at the dining table, using a knife and fork to taste a tender steak of the highest quality, seasoned with white truffles from Alba, Italy, and fully enjoying the goodness on his tongue.
He was a person who knew how to enjoy himself. When he had the means, he would never shortchange himself. Now that he was a God Slayer, money had become a trivial matter, so Roy naturally wanted to enjoy the most expensive and exquisite things in the world.
In the first twenty years of his life before the time travel, Roy was just an ordinary person. He could occasionally enjoy himself, but he couldn't have delicacies every day. After time traveling to the Toaru world, sixteen years of his life could be described as impoverished. Being able to eat a full meal was enough to satisfy him, how could he possibly hope for more?
Now that he had the opportunity, Roy naturally wanted to let his tongue and taste buds, which had suffered for sixteen years, experience pleasure. He wasn't a monk who didn't know the pleasures of women and food.
"Knock knock knock————"
The cabin door of the observation room sounded with a knock. Roy knew who it was. He put down the knife and fork in his hand, wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, "…Come in!"
The cabin door opened, and a girl dressed in a red dress walked in, looking as proud and magnificent as a phoenix. She was wearing equally bright red high heels, her jade feet and calves were in white stockings. Although only a section of her slender legs was exposed, it was enough to make people want to play with them in their palms.
A red outfit is easily worn in a vulgar way, but on Erica it was completely different. Only the innate temperament of a noble lady was present.
"I apologize for interrupting your meal, 'King'!"
Erica bowed her head slightly, her gaze falling on the girl's neckline, the area where human hearts lie.
However, Roy was not so easily swayed by this little bit of exposure. After withdrawing his gaze, he smiled and asked, "…Anything, Lady Erica?"
"We will soon arrive at Ponza Island. According to our 'Seven Sisters' investigation, Metatron is currently on this island. I am here to remind you, I hope you can be in the best condition before fighting the god."
Erica, like a butler reminding his master, spoke her suggestion seriously.
"Thank you for the reminder, Erica… It has always been a tradition for soldiers to have a full stomach before going into battle. So, would you like to join me for a meal, Lady Erica?"
Roy nodded slightly, acknowledging Erica's reminder, and at the same time extended an invitation.
"Thank you for the honor, but I am your exclusive knight, it is both inappropriate and against the rules for me to dine with my master."
Erica maintained her graceful demeanor and gave a charming smile.
"Knight? Hahaha, Lady Erica, I don't seem to have given you the title of exclusive knight."
Roy laughed twice. He stood up, pushed back his chair, and walked towards Erica step by step. He looked into the sapphire blue eyes on her beautiful face.