Chapter 33: The Butler and the Girl
Erica Blandelli was gazing out the window, observing the scenery outside.
Erica was a graceful and beautiful young girl born and raised in Milan, a major city in northern Italy. She was also the princess of the prestigious Blandelli family, whose ancestry included a god slayer. Currently, the family leads the Copper Black Cross, one of the most powerful magical societies in the world.
God slayers can indeed leave behind descendants. Although their offspring cannot inherit the terrifying power known as "Authorities," they can possess remarkable magical power. Even though this power diminishes over generations, it still grants their descendants exceptional talent in both magic and martial arts.
At the very least, this talent could clearly be seen in Erica. She was knighted at the age of twelve, and now stood just one step away from becoming a Great Knight.
In the magical society, knights are not like the feudal military nobility of the Middle Ages, but rather magicians who excel in martial arts and take pride in their chivalric spirit.
Her uncle, Paolo Blandelli, known as the "Crimson Devil," is currently the world's strongest Great Knight. He perfectly embodies the qualities of a godslayer's descendant. Aside from the kings who slay gods, he is the only one in the world of flesh and bone capable of matching divine beasts. Though such battles are fierce and near-suicidal, he can nonetheless accomplish them.
Now, Erica Blandelli is striving to inherit the title of Chief Knight of the Copper Black Cross.
Her private jet was flying above the sea of clouds, bathed in the golden brilliance of the sun.
Through the window, the sapphire-like clear sky stretched out, with a blazing sun radiating its power. Its scorching light poured downward, illuminating the vast, endless misty clouds, which slowly drifted and surged like a mighty tide.
She was not particularly satisfied with this mission, but since the request came from the "King's Butler," even her uncle could not refuse it.
After all, three years ago, she and Liliana had gone to the Sword Monastery in the ancient city of Florence, undergoing a test from Saint Raphael to inherit the "Twin Swords of the Lion and the Artisan." There, they had briefly encountered the god slayer Salvatore Doni—later known as the King of Swords—and witnessed his challenge to Saint Raphael as a swordsman.
At the time, they had not known Doni's identity. The magical sword in Doni's hand had actually been bought for him by them at a humble souvenir shop. Of course, back then, it was just an ordinary replica sword—unlike the Twin Swords of the Lion and the Artisan they had inherited, which were made from alchemically forged steel, crafted and refined by master artisans, then enhanced through further alchemy.
After that encounter, the god slayer began roaming the world in search of worthy opponents, becoming the youngest and most trouble-prone of all demon kings.
Among the magicians in Italy, Erica and Liliana seemed to be the most suitable to interact with this King. Since Liliana Kranjcar was suddenly summoned by an old King from Eastern Europe, this mission had fallen to Erica.
Still, her mind was filled with other thoughts.
At sixteen, Erica possessed an adult's beauty and a slender figure. She also had the refined air of a noblewoman from high society. By European standards, she wasn't particularly tall—just over 160 cm—but that made her seem even cuter.
However, those who knew her would say she was far from cute in personality...
"How can I inherit my uncle's title...?" the beautiful girl murmured. "After all... I suppose I have to defeat a divine beast like my uncle."
Perhaps because her ancestor had slain gods, Erica held little fear toward divine beasts.
After all, divine beasts were not the same as gods. While both were unimaginably powerful to ordinary humans, if her beloved uncle could defeat them, then so could she.
If someone had already accomplished it, then she believed it was only natural for her to be able to do it too. To Erica, this logic was obvious—it wasn't arrogance. Of course, proud as she was, she never believed she could slay gods.
As a descendant of god slayers, she understood better than most what kind of bizarre creatures they were and knew how to draw the line between confidence and hubris.
The greatest fools in the world—such beings defied common sense.
The plane began its descent.
The sea of clouds quickly disappeared from view, replaced by the sight of forest below.
Erica withdrew her gaze and stopped looking outside.
She checked her clothes and took out a mirror to examine herself.
Everything was in order.
It wasn't vanity—she had full confidence in her appearance and figure, and didn't need to do anything extra—but a lady should never forget proper etiquette.
At last, after a brief tremor, everything quieted down.
Only then did Erica stand up.
She had not brought any members of the Copper Black Cross with her, because there was no need. Her presence here wasn't secret, and no one in the underworld would be foolish enough to try anything against her.
"Because of that fool—I mean, pardon me—because of my King, I'm terribly sorry for troubling you,"
At the same time Erica stood up, another passenger did as well, speaking with a tone of slight apology.
Andrea Rivera, known as the "King's Butler," was the aide and overseer of Salvatore Doni. He was also the one who handled interactions with magicians on Doni's behalf.
He was a meticulous man.
He usually dressed neatly, like a butler from high society. However, today, he wore neither a jacket nor a tie. Though not improper, it was a more casual outfit.
"There's no need to apologize," Erica responded politely. "But why was it necessary for me to come as well?"
She was the type of person who adjusted her speech based on who she was talking to.
European magicians generally held Andrea Rivera in high regard, as he had repeatedly stopped the overly rambunctious actions of a certain god slayer.
"Because my King has lost his beloved sword. I thought that seeing the one who gifted it to him might help clear his mind a little."
"Huh? He lost it?" Erica was very surprised. Although it was just a common item, in the hands of Salvatore Doni, the King of Swords, it had become a divine-slaying magic sword. For someone like Doni, abandoning his sword was impossible—meaning it must have been damaged.
Did this island nation have such power? Or were the rumors true?
"As you guessed, my King had a battle in this country with the seventh King."
Andrea Rivera showed a bitter smile.
"Judging by the outcome, things didn't go well. Most importantly, Kings are hard to predict. If someone as wise and beautiful as you is present, perhaps the situation can be salvaged somewhat."
"I understand," Erica replied.
Although her mood worsened, she didn't let it show on her face.
The rumored young King from the Far East was said to be about her age. In history, Kings of this age often showed intense interest in the opposite sex.
That could be taken to mean they became more agreeable when faced with beautiful women.
"So that's why I've come here..." Erica sighed inwardly. "I just hope he's not like Lord Salvatore or Lord Alexander."
As a godslayer's descendant, she knew all too well—these Campione were best left in peace and solitude.