ca-book #455 - Young Athena: What do you want to do to me?
#455 - Young Athena: What do you want to do to me?
The two elders were the leaders of the noblewoman and the female wolf, respectively, while the middle-aged man was the Purple Knight, also the leader of the magic society.
Although it might seem offensive, it was a necessary measure.
Firstly, the Copper Black Cross is a magic society in Italy, and Italy belongs to Southern Europe, which is under the leadership of Salvatore.
In other words, Zun Zun was essentially running to someone else's territory to act like a tyrant.
Putting aside whether Salvatore would be angry, if they really submitted to Zun Zun, other magic societies might use this as an excuse to cause trouble—even if Salvatore himself didn't care.
Therefore, they needed to ascertain Zun Zun's strength.
If they incurred the wrath of Salvatore himself, and were unable to defeat him, the Copper Black Cross would ultimately face destruction.
In the end, a strong fist is the only truth in this world.
And after Erica declared herself Zun Zun's First Knight, and Zun Zun readily acknowledged it, the expressions of the three administrators of the magic society immediately changed, and they pledged their loyalty to him from that moment on.
“Besides, Erica was someone I snatched from Salvatore.”
“Snatched… what do you mean?”
The middle-aged man leading them found Zun Zun's statement strange.
“Because it was a condition.” Zun Zun spread his hands and said, “Salvatore… that guy insisted on competing with me, and after being annoyed by his constant nagging, I agreed. The stake was Erica.”
More precisely, it was the Copper Black Cross.
Although he didn't care much, it was still one of Salvatore's affiliated forces. If they were to work for him, there should be some promises made, a so-called exchange of benefits.
Then, Zun Zun won.
The three sought confirmation from Erica, and after seeing the girl cover her cheeks with a blissful expression, they could no longer suppress the shock in their hearts.
“He actually defeated the Sword King…”
“How could this be?”
“He only became a Godslayer recently!?”
The strength of a Godslayer completely depends on the powers they possess.
Because no amount of magic can compare to a single hair of a power, and Zun Zun had only become a Godslayer recently. His own powers might not even be effectively utilized, yet he was able to defeat the Sword King…
Whether it was Zun Zun's imagination or not, the expressions of the three clearly became more arrogant, not towards Zun Zun, but towards other magic societies.
One of the old men cautiously asked, “Then Erica's First Knight…”
“Is a title Zun Zun gave me.”
“It's a status.”
“It's a title!”
Erica, after being corrected, said so earnestly in return.
After all, since she was working for him, she should have a corresponding status. He didn't know why Erica wanted the title of First Knight.
Zun Zun only remembered Godslayers and rebellious gods, and didn't remember the minor details. Furthermore, he didn't care about these things, so he let her do as she pleased.
Then, the corners of the three men's mouths stretched to the back of their ears.
Afterwards, Zun Zun was taken back to the magic society. His treatment didn't improve significantly, as they already wouldn't dare to neglect a demon king, even a newly ascended one.
However, they offered to send several young and beautiful maids to serve Zun Zun, but he refused them all, and hoped that Ariana could come, as he felt more relaxed around her.
Ariana appeared in the room, holding many ancient books in her hands.
These were records related to the Underworld.
They weren't magic tomes, just ordinary records, but they were ancient books.
During this time, Zun Zun asked her what the First Knight represented, but the girl covered her mouth and looked at Zun Zun with a shocked expression.
“D-Don't tell me you forced Lady Erica? Using 'This young lady, you wouldn't want anything to happen to your affiliated magic society, would you?' as a threat, forcing her—”
“…No, I didn't.”
He realized that this maid and Darkness should have a lot in common. At the same time, he understood what the First Knight actually meant.
It was similar to the status of a lover.
Zun Zun wasn't a blockhead. He had vaguely sensed it these past few days. After all, Erica's bold and passionate pursuit of love was something that ordinary people wouldn't be able to handle.
Did Zun Zun have feelings for her?
The answer was that he had a great fondness for her.
But it wasn't love, it was camaraderie.
When facing Veleslana, her feet twisted strangely, and she resolutely stood in front of him, enduring the pressure of the incantation. That was when Zun Zun was very moved.
But that was all.
Evening.
As books related to the Underworld were continuously sent in, Zun Zun didn't find any useful information in them, as most of them were speculations and anecdotes.
Only a very small number of people had entered the Underworld by chance, and even fewer had managed to escape from it. Furthermore, the situations and encounters varied.
In short, there was no point of reference.
“I'm sorry, Lord Zun Zun.” Ariana said apologetically to the troubled Zun Zun. Then, she cautiously asked, “Should we ask other magic societies…?”
In name, it was asking, but in reality, it was snatching.
During this time, the Copper Black Cross would definitely make some big moves, and expansion was inevitable. However, Zun Zun allowed them to do so. After all, since they were working for him, they should have some hope, shouldn't they?
Then, more books were sent in.
During this time, Erica came almost every day, launching sneak attacks in the name of serving him in bed. If he wasn't careful, she would slip into his blanket. Although Zun Zun tried his best to drive her away, she succeeded several times.
And after nearly half a month of such days, Erica brought something.
It was an obsidian medallion, engraved with the image of a Gorgon, containing a shocking amount of magical power. It could almost be said to be a divine artifact.
“What is this?”
“The Gorgon Stone.”
“Oh?”
Zun Zun raised his eyebrows.
Then, Erica reluctantly explained the reason.
Before Zun Zun became a Godslayer, the Copper Black Cross had obtained this item by chance. Without a doubt, it was genuine, something that could summon a rebellious god—the most ancient earth mother.
Originally, it should have been handed over to Zun Zun, but as mentioned earlier, when they obtained it, the Copper Black Cross was still affiliated with Salvatore, so they were caught in a dilemma, not knowing what to do.
Until two days ago, the Gorgon Stone became restless again, and they had no choice but to compromise. In the end, this hot potato ended up in Zun Zun's hands.
“…Why do I feel like I'm a backup plan?”
“Forgive those old fogeys. I said long ago to let Zun Zun handle it, but those people were afraid of Lord Salvatore's difficulties, so they did this.”
Erica sneered at those people.
For Godslayers, rebellious gods were both hunters and prey. Successfully defeating a god would grant them powers. Therefore, apart from Lady Aisha, few people could resist this cursed tool that could attract rebellious gods.
Typical examples of this were the battle maniac Salvatore, and Marquis Vauban.
“So, giving it to me means I can handle it however I want?”
“That's right.”
There was only one condition, and that was to not let the rebellious god wreak havoc in Rome.
Although it might sound heartless, they had always done this when there were no Godslayers—driving away or sealing the gods.
“Okay, then I'll accept it.”
“I'll go report it. Be a good boy and wait for me to come back in bed.”
“You better not come back.”
Ignoring Erica's flirtatious winks and flying kisses, Zun Zun didn't even lift his head from the book.
As expected, it was still useless.
The Underworld was the most complex and mysterious place. Everyone who entered it encountered strange things, and there was almost no reference point. However, the only thing that could be confirmed was a sentence that everyone had said—without a clear guidepost, one would definitely lose their way.
A guidepost, huh…
Zun Zun was somewhat helpless.
On the other hand, Lady Aisha hadn't replied for a long time. It should be said that the church couldn't contact Lady Aisha at all. Like other magic societies, they were just parasites sucking the blood of Godslayers.
Should I just destroy it? Maybe Lady Aisha will appear then?
Zun Zun couldn't help but think so.
Suddenly, he felt someone silently appear in the room.
“I said, Erica, aren't you tired of doing this every day? If you continue, I'm going to get angry…”
He looked up and saw a stranger.
It was a very beautiful girl, about 13 or 14 years old. The young girl had an angelic face with a pitiful look. Her shoulder-length silver hair reflected a faint light as if it were fused with moonlight, and her pupils were as dark as the night.
Zun Zun's body tensed up uncontrollably, as if facing a nemesis, naturally entering a combat stance.
She was a rebellious god, Athena.
“…I heard that there is a Godslayer here who calls himself a knight. That man possesses a demonic sword that can cut through everything in this world… Are you that person?”
“No, that guy cried and ran off to heal after being defeated.”
“Is that so?”
The girl's dark pupils, as if they had solidified the night, stared quietly at Zun Zun. She seemed to have guessed that the person who injured the Sword King was the person in front of her.
“This is the headquarters of a magic society, but it's like a public toilet.” Zun Zun couldn't help but complain, then looked at the girl and said, “So, what do you want?”
“I am searching for the snake, and I smell the scent of the snake on you.”
“Unfortunately, it's not currently on me.”
“…Indeed.”
After staring at him carefully for a long time, the girl nodded. Zun Zun wasn't lying. The Gorgon Stone wasn't on him, but was placed in another dimension.
“Then what do you want to do to me?”
“Hey, that way of putting it…”
“I don't intend to fight you, but if you have such intentions, I will fight with all my might. Force and victory are my servants.”
Her calm little face spoke of absoluteness.
Zun Zun didn't have contemptuous thoughts. After all, the origins of rebellious gods were complex, and they were always related to force, victory, life, or death. So you couldn't say they were lying.
“Let's forget it, I don't have any intention of fighting. More than that, I want to know how to get home.”
“…Home?”
“That's right. By the way, do you know anything about the Underworld? In exchange, I can tell you about the Gorgon Stone.”
He felt that it would be quicker to directly ask a rebellious god than to look at these vaguely recorded mages.