Melusine's declaration of war spread across the entire world in a very short time.
A Heretic God declaring war on a God Slayer, vowing to take the Campione's life in three days—such courteous and even merciful behavior, could this really be the work of a 'rampant' Heretic God?
No one could fathom it; they could only interpret it in ways they could understand.
It must have been the doing of Erica Blandelli, the knight serving as the Heretic God's attendant, who had advised the deity to reach this outcome.
That was the only assumption they could make.
But regardless of the reason, this advance notice of battle gave the magical associations, which had shown no change on the surface, just enough time to prepare their countermeasures for 'when order collapses.'
Voban naturally knew all of this, but he paid it no mind.
As the oldest and most vicious Devil King, the Authorities he possessed were extremely numerous.
Compared to a young Campione like Doni, he had far too many means to protect his life and cause large-scale destruction.
The only reason he wanted to acquire Athena's Authority before fighting was to make the victory even more effortless.
In Voban's imagination, even without Athena's Authority, he would merely have a more difficult fight.
He was well aware of what the magical associations beneath him were thinking, but he never paid them any heed.
He just needed them to get things done for him; he didn't need their loyalty. As long as he lived another day, no one could defy him.
The whole world was in an uproar over this commotion, but Athena, who should have been sitting securely with Melusine, was also in a less-than-pleasant mood.
"Melusine, I have just been spied upon by Spirit Vision."
She sought out the young dragon girl, who was currently holding an ink-black kettle shaped like a fish, with a mouth for pouring and a tail for a base.
Melusine was still trying to mix the things Athena had mentioned yesterday and pour them into the fish's mouth.
Upon hearing Athena's words, she didn't seem too concerned. "Spirit Vision? That's pretty normal, isn't it?"
She had been spied on by Spirit Vision so many times she was already used to the feeling of being watched. After all, although it was looking at her, what it actually saw wasn't really her.
But Athena furrowed her brow.
As a goddess, even being snooped on by a Hime-Miko made her uncomfortable, let alone the fact that the recent Spirit Vision wasn't just trying to uncover her identity, but had even attempted to probe further into her current state.
Unmoved by Melusine's nonchalance, Athena warned, "Allowing oneself to be snooped on so wantonly is not a good thing. If we don't retaliate, humans will endlessly overstep their bounds."
They're looking at Lancelot, what does that have to do with me, Melusine?
Though she wanted to say that, seeing Athena so concerned, Melusine relented, "Well then, how about we go together and meet the one who just snooped on you?"
"No... I couldn't pinpoint her location."
"Huh?"
This answer caught Melusine off guard. Stopping what she was doing, she finally looked at Athena. "Even you can't pinpoint them... Could it be some kind of special divine tool?"
"While that's possible, I believe the more accurate answer is that the snooper herself possesses exceptionally high qualities, allowing her to escape immediately."
More importantly, Athena's current state was far from complete.
"Meaning... this snooper was very likely from another Heretic God, or a Divine Ancestor." Athena was clearly leaning towards the latter.
At this point, Melusine already had a suspect.
--+--
Having swiftly withdrawn from Athena's temple, Guinevere's brow was beaded with a thin sheen of sweat.
Her recent daring venture had yielded considerable intelligence.
"Are you alright, my lovely child?"
Lancelot, who had been waiting outside, swiftly moved Guinevere away from the area.
Seeing Guinevere's slightly pale face, she said with some surprise, "Could it be that our whereabouts have been discovered by Athena?"
"No... Although Athena sensed my snooping, she didn't discover our trail... However, the situation is worse than if we had been discovered."
The pallor hadn't left Guinevere's face, and her worried expression deepened.
"Athena has already formed an alliance with that 'Lancelot'. Our original plan can no longer be executed."
Her initial plan had been to have Voban obtain the Gorgoneion, allowing Athena to descend fully upon the earth.
However, because the Gorgoneion appeared on Sardinia and was obtained by 'Lancelot', this plan had to be declared a failure.
But she quickly conceived another plan: to find Athena, cooperate with her, and join forces with Voban to deal with that 'Lancelot'.
This was a plan that would kill three birds with one stone.
Not only would it preserve the number of God Slayers, thereby accelerating the awakening progress of the Last King, but it might also eliminate the huge variable and threat that was 'Lancelot'.
Most importantly, given this 'Lancelot's' display, perhaps the hope of the Holy Grail could be placed in her.
With the help of Athena's and Voban's Magic Eyes, the moment that 'Lancelot' hesitated for even an instant, Guinevere could seal the Holy Grail within her body, using her life and mana as nourishment to gradually replenish the magical power within the Grail.
The Holy Grail was also a key divine tool for awakening the King.
But... Athena was now already allied with that 'Lancelot'? This was certainly not the situation Guinevere had wanted to see...
However, after calming down for a while, Guinevere was no longer so anxious.
At the very least, she had obtained that Lancelot's true name this time.
She never expected that her essence was actually Melusine.
Still, it made sense, after all, everyone knew that 'Lancelot' was a Dragon-Serpent; it's just that no one could pierce through that Lancelot disguise to see the inside.
But... since she's Melusine... Guinevere thought of someone.
Black Prince Alec, Alexander Gascoigne.
Generally speaking, the descent of Heretic Gods is incomplete.
It is precisely because they deviate from their myths and legends that they are called heretical.
This degree of deviation can often even lead to situations where the same deity possesses different abilities and appearances.
Well, Guinevere truly couldn't understand or explain why 'Melusine' was so powerful, but regardless, Alexander could be considered a strong contender in this battle.
It wasn't just the hope that Alexander, who had once killed a 'Heretic God Melusine', could replicate that great feat again—though there was indeed that expectation.
What Guinevere truly wanted was the participation of Alexander, a Campione extremely skilled in traps and control, to cooperate with Voban and increase the likelihood of successfully implanting the Holy Grail within Melusine's body.
As for how to get Alexander to act? A smile appeared on Guinevere's small face, which had regained its color.
On this point, she had ample confidence.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.