As if throwing a javelin, Lucius slowly raised the sword, taking aim.
The golden, crystalline blade, radiating danger, shot straight toward the head of the kneeling Paul Blandelli.
The holy knight named Paul Blandelli, though drenched in sweat from anxiety, remained still as a statue.
Then, with a crack, a few strands of golden hair fell from Paul's head.
The golden sword, its momentum undiminished, continued its arc, carving a radiant golden trail through the air.
It exploded far in the distance, erupting into a blaze of golden flames that engulfed half the sky.
To ordinary people, it was merely an inexplicable explosion, perhaps a symbol of freedom.
But those sensitive to the supernatural felt an oppressive weight, as if a boulder had been dropped onto their chests.
The mages in the meeting room, elite members of their associations, were especially attuned to this. The mana aura blanketing the entire city left them trembling, their fear of the new Devil King, Lucius, intensifying.
But what shocked them more—
"Sir Paul, you're unharmed?" One mage stammered, disbelief in his tone. "Did he miss? Impossible!"
"Under my control, merely grazing hair won't trigger the sword's mana," Lucius said calmly, ignoring their shock, his gaze fixed on the still-kneeling holy knight.
Paul Blandelli, having narrowly escaped death, remained prostrate, his breathing noticeably labored.
Beads of sweat rolled from his forehead to the floor.
The ordeal had clearly taken a toll on his mind and heart.
"But if you had so much as twitched, letting the sword nick your skin—"
Lucius stood, speaking leisurely.
"Then you, along with Kochar beside you, would likely have been consumed by the flames."
Paul Blandelli straightened, bowing respectfully to Lucius.
His voice, though hoarse, retained its composure. "Thank you, Your Majesty… for your mercy."
"Heh, hehehe."
A low chuckle escaped Lucius's lips, his head lowered, his expression darkening.
But soon, the chuckle grew louder.
"Hahaha, hahahaha!"
He threw his head back, laughing unrestrainedly, the sound making the room tremble slightly.
Perhaps due to his emotions and lack of restraint, some of his mana erupted, amplifying his presence and forcing the surrounding mages to kneel, unable to lift their heads.
"Heh, hahahaha—"
The mages didn't know why the Devil King laughed, but it didn't stop them from cowering in fear.
Then, abruptly, Lucius ceased laughing, his face reverting to icy coldness.
His ruthless gaze fixed unapologetically on the kneeling knight.
"Paul, were you banking on my mercy all along?"
In this context, the question felt like a trap.
A knight who seemed fearless in the face of death—was he merely hoping for the King's leniency?
Paul Blandelli knelt, hesitating as he pondered how to answer without provoking the capricious King.
But Lucius seemed uninterested in waiting for a response.
"So, you mage associations are quite the amusing bunch!"
He sat back down, resuming his lazy, bored posture.
"Paul… no, Paul Blandelli," He said slowly.
"Regardless, I've witnessed your courage."
"I've witnessed your wisdom."
"As I said before, I won't make things difficult for you."
"After all, I stated that no matter how you handled it, I wouldn't pursue it."
"Your Majesty, you mean…" Paul Blandelli was momentarily stunned.
The burly knight could hardly believe his ears.
He hadn't expected the matter to be resolved so easily.
Perhaps this King was different.
Unlike any other Campione.
"What? Paul, are you hoping I'll take back my words?" Lucius's brow furrowed, his gaze cooling.
"No, not at all—" Paul Blandelli quickly denied.
But he stopped mid-sentence.
The King's eyes blazed with unmistakable anger.
Though his first instinct was fear, like a lamb before an enraged lion, Paul quickly realized the anger wasn't directed at him.
The next moment, he understood why the King was furious.
"Hahaha, this is the place, right? Hahahaha!" A boisterous laugh grew rapidly closer.
"Your Excellency, the Sword King, please wait—" Accompanying it were frantic attempts to dissuade.
"Hahaha, I can feel it—this immense magical aura! No doubt about it, it's not a Heretic God. My new kin is in there!"
"Hey, unknown mage, don't get in my way!"
A sharp, sword-like presence surged from outside.
Coupled with mana far surpassing ordinary mages, Lucius instantly recognized the newcomer.
Who else could it be but the sixth Campione, Italy's true master, Salvatore Doni?
"My new kin, entering through the door is such a hassle. Let's say hello with this instead!"
A burst of magical aura erupted outside.
It was followed by the resounding chant of Words of Power.
Those words carried divine authority.
"Let there be nothing I cannot cut!"
"This blade can sever all things on earth—an invincible sword of heaven and earth!"
In an instant.
Like tofu sliced by a sharp blade, the sprawling mansion was cleaved in two.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL