With Luo Hao gone, the only one left in charge here was Roy.
At this moment, Erica and Liliana also approached. The presence of Luo Hao had weighed heavily on these two Italian girls—before the stern leader, they hadn't even dared to breathe too loudly. Only after she left did they dare to speak.
Both girls secretly marveled. Though the world often compared Roy to Luo Hao, only those who had followed Roy closely knew that, compared to the leader's capricious and unapproachable nature, Roy was countless times gentler in daily life.
"Lord Roy!"
The two heirs to the leadership of the Copper Black Cross and the Bronze Black Cross respectfully bowed to Roy. In the presence of outsiders, Liliana and Erica dared not overstep even slightly—this concerned the dignity of the King.
Roy gave a slight nod and said to them, "...The two of you, prepare yourselves. We'll return directly to Italy."
After a pause, he added with concern, "...Do you need medical attention? If you're injured, we can stay in Japan a little longer to rest."
Erica and Liliana did look rather disheveled. Earlier, Sun Wukong had summoned a horde of monkeys. Individually, these monkeys weren't at the level of divine beasts, but in a group, they were more than ordinary people could handle. If not for the angels Roy summoned to block most of them, those monkeys alone would have been enough to kill everyone, including Erica.
Erica and Liliana exchanged a glance. Feeling Roy's genuine concern, they felt that all their hard work and dedication over the past two years by his side had been worth it.
"Lord Roy, we're unharmed. We can depart at any time."
Hearing their words, Roy nodded.
As for how to handle Erica and Liliana's future, Roy already had an idea. Not everyone had the potential to become a true powerhouse—everyone had their limits. In this world, Erica and Liliana possessed the strength of great knights, already the strongest among magicians. But in other worlds, such strength wouldn't be enough to guarantee their safety.
Roy was destined to venture into other worlds. In that case, there would inevitably come a day when Erica and Liliana could no longer keep up with his pace—these two girls had their inherent limits.
But these two had served him with such devotion in this world, even offering their bodies and hearts. Though Roy wouldn't halt his progress for them, neither would he simply abandon them.
'As long as I can complete that ritual...'
Roy pondered silently. He already had a plan for how to settle Erica and Liliana when the time came. If he could complete that ritual of infinite possibilities, he could provide a haven for like Erica and Liliana. Until then, it was better for them to remain in the world of Campione—because here, they would be safer.
That was the technique Roy called "Gold"—the apocalypse's end, a method potent enough to allow him to transcend the evils of humanity!
As long as he could decipher the "Human Order Correction Formula," Roy would be able to complete a prototype of "Gold."
Lost in thought, Roy arrived before the shrine maidens and Daoist nuns.
Gazing at the young women who stood before him in reverent silence, he observed the disciples of the Five Mountains Holy Sect. Each was exquisitely beautiful, dressed simply, their jade-like purity a testament to the rigorous selection process the Five Mountains Holy Sect employed across the land—far stricter than even the imperial concubine selections of ancient times. These Daoist nuns possessed an ethereal grace, their flawless complexions and innate elegance embodying the Taoist ideal of "harmony between heaven and man." Their delicate charm epitomized the refined beauty of Eastern women.
Roy felt a stirring of desire, wondering if he should indeed mention to Luo Hao the idea of selecting a few of these lovely maidens to keep as rare treasures for his amusement.
As a Demon King of Earth, such privileges were his by right—and Roy had no intention of relinquishing them.
After surveying the assembled followers of the Five Mountains Holy Sect and the members of the Japanese History Compilation Committee, he commanded, "...Prepare a plane for me."
"Yes, King Roy!"
The Japanese History Compilation Committee breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing Roy's imminent departure. The devastation wrought upon Kyoto was still incalculable, and if this Demon King lingered any longer, who knew if the entire island might one day sink beneath the waves?
Though Roy had taken an interest in the Five Mountains Holy Sect's nuns, he refrained from voicing it openly. Such matters could be delegated to his subordinates upon his return to Italy—they would handle the negotiations with the Five Mountains Holy Sect.
"It seems you've obtained what you sought. As for me, I have slain a Steel God. Tell me, how much more confident are you now in facing the Last King?"
Athena, now restored to her loli form, appeared behind Roy, her delicate face alight with faint joy as she spoke in a lighthearted tone.
"I already have an idea for dealing with the Last King... But never mind that—is Asherah alright?"
"To think you'd still care for such a useless Divine Ancestor. Are you simply too sentimental, Roy?"
Athena shot him a cold, yet mesmerizing glance.
"I promised Asherah she would live, and I never break my word. Besides..."
'Besides, I haven't had my fill of playing with the snake yet—how could I let Asherah die so soon?'
Of course, Roy kept that thought to himself.
The wise Athena could easily guess his intentions. With a disdainful sniff, she retorted, "...Asherah lost a lot of blood, but as a Divine Ancestor, it's no worse than a woman's monthly cycle. It won't kill her. On the contrary, after you slew such a mighty Steel God—one second only to the Last King in immortality—Asherah now holds you in high regard. She might even willingly offer you greater pleasures. Are you satisfied now?"
The previously cheerful goddess suddenly soured, as if unable to bear the sight of Roy any longer, and turned away.
Roy watched with amusement as Athena's petite, graceful figure retreated, musing to himself about the fickle nature of women.
However, he still spoke up, "...Thank you for earlier, Athena! If not for your ambush, although I could have defeated the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, it definitely wouldn't have been this effortless."
Athena paused mid-step, not turning back as she replied, "...There's no need to thank me. My hatred for steel gods runs deeper than the abyss—this you already know."
Though she said this, Roy noticed the faintest blush coloring the delicate curves of Athena's translucent earlobes. Despite her vast knowledge and wisdom, this goddess remained an untouched maiden who knew nothing of love.
"The renowned virgin goddess of Greece, the goddess of wisdom..."
Roy gazed at her intently, murmuring under his breath.
***
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🔹