The sacred right side of a certain manga Chapter 024

“Oh? Erica Blandelli, are you saying you want to atone for your sins?”

Compared to the inarticulate and blushing Liliana, Roy was more interested in Erica.

“Exactly, ‘King.’ Rather than letting us die, we, alive, can serve you better and bring you what you need. Therefore, I boldly approach you, hoping you can forgive our sins and pardon the disrespect of the ‘Bronze Black Cross.’”

Erica bowed deeply, begging for Roy’s mercy.

The other young mages nearby admired Erica’s bold resignation. They all knew that Erica and Liliana were close friends, and the ‘Bronze Black Cross’ and ‘Crimson Black Cross’ had been enemies for centuries. But even so, for her friend and for the survival of the opposing magic society, Erica cast aside all prejudices and dared to speak to the ‘cruel’ King.

Only the more experienced mages and the high-ranking officials of the major magic societies could truly understand Erica’s deeper meaning. They glanced at Paolo Blandelli, secretly envious. The ‘Crimson Black Cross’ had found a truly excellent successor!

“Erica, look up and speak to me!”

Hearing Roy’s words, Erica didn’t hesitate. She lifted her pretty face and boldly met Roy’s gaze.

She had an exquisitely beautiful face, with sapphire eyes brimming with a maiden’s nobility and pride. Her luxurious golden hair cascaded down, forming a strong contrast with her fair and delicate skin, especially the expanse of pale flesh visible at the open neckline of her dress, which made it difficult to avert one’s eyes.

“Let me ask you a personal question: how old are you this year?”

“Reporting to ‘King,’ I am fourteen years old this year.”

“Fourteen years old, huh…”

Roy sighed. In his memory, Erica seemed to be two years younger than when the original story took place. But even so, this girl, who should still be in middle school, already possessed the charm of a noblewoman and a mind that, though still a little naive, was already nimble and profound.

Roy’s sigh about Erica’s young age made the other mages inwardly grumble.

Fourteen years old? What’s wrong with fourteen? According to the data, this ‘King’ was only sixteen years old himself.

And this sixteen-year-old ‘King’ had cleverly seized the best opportunity to pressure Italy’s magic societies, almost effortlessly forcing them to swear allegiance.

No one expected this ‘King’ to leave the Vatican and act personally, catching them red-handed during their meeting. With both human and material evidence, they were confirmed to have defied the ‘King’s’ orders, allowing him to easily occupy the moral high ground.

Originally, the Italian Seven Sisters planned to have a unified course of action at this meeting: to find the Sword King, who was in Africa searching for a Disobedient God. After that, it would be a struggle between the new King and the old King. These magic societies only needed to wait for the two Kings to determine a winner, and then they would pledge allegiance to the stronger one.

But now, Roy seized on their defiance of the ‘King’s’ orders, forcing these people to directly pledge allegiance. If they disagreed, Roy would have an excuse to execute all of them. And if the Seven Sisters Alliance agreed, they would be committed to an irreversible path, having to forever support Roy.

Because this oath was not like the allegiance to Salvatore Doni, where power and obligations were unclear. When they reached this point, they had completely eliminated the possibility of betrayal. Regardless of who won the future struggle between Roy and Salvatore, the Seven Sisters Alliance would have to firmly stand behind Roy.

‘This profound wisdom and means are simply unlike a Campione. Keeping the Emperor’s favor, serving the monarch like a tiger… he truly is a terrifying ‘King’.’

The leaders of the major magic societies were all skilled at playing power games, and thus they could understand the deeper meaning of Roy’s actions, cornering them with no way out.

“Erica, though you are young, your mind is truly exquisite… You seem to be speaking favorably for the ‘Bronze Black Cross,’ directly facing me and taking a huge risk, but in reality, you knew all along that there was no risk at all. If I forgive the ‘Bronze Black Cross,’ that magic society will owe you a favor. If I don’t forgive them, there will be no harm to your ‘Crimson Black Cross.’ On the contrary, I would eliminate an enemy for you.”

“…Hahahaha!! Erica, you already saw through that I had no intention of killing you, but merely giving you a show of force, forcing you to declare your stance. Your coming forward at this moment to pledge allegiance to me, as the ‘first loyalist,’ will earn you and the ‘Crimson Black Cross’ much favor in my eyes. Afterwards, you can use this favor to gain greater benefits and status for your ‘Crimson Black Cross’ within the Seven Sisters Alliance, throughout Italy, and even among magic societies worldwide.”

Pausing, Roy continued, “…Is that not so, Erica? Don’t lie to me, tell me your true thoughts.”

Erica, who had intended to refute him by saying she was truly loyal to the King and had no such schemes, heard Roy’s final words and met his eerie, mysterious heterochromatic eyes. She opened her mouth, but the words of self-defense would not come out. She could only lower her head and say bitterly, “…’King,’ your discerning eyes are like a torch, seeing through all my little schemes. It was disrespectful of Erica to presume to fathom the ‘King’s’ thoughts. I beg for your punishment.”

Liliana, standing beside Erica, looked at her best friend in disbelief. She had been truly moved by Erica’s courageous stand, but she never expected that her friend had calculated everything, even including her in the scheme, and cleverly used their ‘Bronze Black Cross.’

The other mages and knights who hadn’t seen through Erica’s subtle thoughts also felt a chill in their hearts, ashamed of having previously thought Erica was ‘upright.’ This woman was no upright knight at all; her heart was practically like a ‘devil’!

Erica was truly terrified at this moment. Her delicate body trembled, her little schemes having been seen through. She was genuinely afraid that Roy would be angry at her thoughts and actions.

“Punishment? No, no, Erica, you don’t need to be afraid. From ancient times, subjects have had to fathom the ‘King’s’ will. Only then can they become those beloved by the ‘King.’ You were not wrong to ponder my thoughts, but you must know when to stop and not use this wisdom in the wrong place.”

Roy gave Erica a deep look, then scanned the surroundings and said, “…So, my dear ministers, have you come to a conclusion yet?”

As he spoke, Roy lifted his authority, restoring the ‘Bronze Black Cross’ commander, Diana Militello, to her original form.

Paolo Blandelli, the commander of the ‘Crimson Black Cross,’ was the first to stand up, placing one hand on his shoulder and performing a knight’s salute. “…The ‘Crimson Black Cross’ is willing to become your subordinate and honor you as our overlord!”

“The ‘She-Wolf’ is willing…”

“The ‘City of Lilies’ is willing…”

“The ‘Bronze Black Cross’ is willing…”

“The ‘Blue Eagle’ is willing…”

“…”

In the blink of an eye, six of the Seven Sisters’ magic societies present swore allegiance to Roy. As for the one that didn’t come, it had no other choice either.

“Very good, my dear ministers, I shall now issue the first task: use all your resources in Italy to find the whereabouts of Metatron for me!”

“…Secondly, intensify the excavation and archaeological work on ruins within Italy, searching for those truly ancient divine artifacts!”

As his words fell, Roy rose from his chair. He glanced at Erica, who was still kneeling on the ground, and said, “…Erica Blandelli, you have truly piqued my interest. Your wisdom and methods have been recognized by me. Come to the Vatican tomorrow to work for me. I will also grant you, and the ‘Crimson Black Cross,’ the status and favor you deserve.”

Numerous mages and knights stood on either side, respectfully watching Roy’s crimson figure disappear from the conference hall, leaving the ‘She-Wolf’ headquarters to return to the Vatican.

Having gained the allegiance of the Seven Sisters and brought the headquarters of the Christian Church under his command, Roy was now truly the ‘King of Italy’!