The sacred right side of a certain manga Chapter 025

On the streets of Rome, a specially customized luxury car slowly drove along. Paul Blantelli, the leader of the [Bronze Black Cross], looked at Erica, who was sitting beside him. His elegant and gentle face held a hint of complexity as he spoke in a low voice, “…Have you made up your mind, Erica? This new King is different from Lord Salvatore; he is more akin to the Marquis Voban and the Eastern Guru. Following him will not be a simple matter.”

Erica was the only daughter of Paul’s elder brother, and they were the last blood relatives of the Blantelli family. For his niece, who possessed both top-tier talent and intellect, he had always done his best to protect her.

However, Paul also knew that Erica, with her strong-willed personality, would not be willing to follow the path he set for her. When the time came, Erica would inevitably leave his protection and embark on a grand path whose future was unknown. And now, that time had arrived.

“This is a command personally decreed by the new King. What can I do even if I’m unwilling?”

Erica’s tone sounded as if she was forced into this by Roy, but her expression was brimming with fighting spirit, even a sense of eagerness, as if she were challenging some difficult problem, and she, Erica Blandelli, would surely emerge victorious.

“Please rest assured, Uncle! I believe that with my abilities, even if the new King is truly as cruel and self-centered as the Marquis Voban or the Eastern Guru, I will surely gain his trust and favor. I just need to be careful in my daily actions.”

“…This is our best opportunity, Uncle! The new King has just ascended and is in dire need of trustworthy, direct subordinates. Becoming the new King’s right-hand man at this time will be an opportunity for both me and the [Bronze Black Cross]. The centuries-long struggle with the [Bronze Black Cross] can finally come to an end. Victory will surely belong to us!”

Erica’s beautiful face was radiant with youthful and captivating beauty, as well as the absolute confidence of a young girl. This demeanor secretly pleased Paul, and he even inwardly consoled his brother’s spirit in heaven, knowing that his daughter had grown capable of standing on her own.

Seeing that Erica had her own opinions, Paul no longer dwelled on the matter. He thought for a moment and then asked, as if testing her, “…What are your thoughts on the new King and Lord Salvatore?”

“Lord Salvatore is not a qualified ally. His eyes only see ‘swords’ and ‘battles.’ Two years ago, I saw Lord Salvatore right after he successfully slew a god. Although it might sound disrespectful, his mind truly has issues.”

Erica mused, still using such an unfavorable term to describe the King of Swords.

“Precisely because Lord Salvatore’s mind is only filled with battles and swords, he is actually easier to deal with. He would absolutely not care about our ‘betrayal’; at most, he would just seek a sparring match with the new King. And because of his personality, even if we became his subordinates, we wouldn’t gain much benefit, not even protection.”

“…But the new King is different. Judging solely from the information and our interactions, the new King is a person with strong ‘desires.’ Therefore, as long as we can win his favor, we will surely receive the new King’s protection, and he might even use his name to expand the influence of our [Bronze Black Cross].”

“Lord Salvatore doesn’t understand people’s hearts, but the new King knows what we need!”

Erica spoke with conviction, analyzing the situation eloquently by focusing on the ‘human’ aspects of their personalities.

While God Slayers are unrivaled by mortals, they are ultimately human. As long as they are human, they have their own interests and hobbies, and by finding these, one can get along well with a God Slayer.

…

On the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the west coast of Italy, a super luxury cruise ship was sailing on the sea. Fish darted beneath the waves, seabirds cried in the air, and Roy enjoyed his lunch in the luxurious and spacious observation room, admiring the beautiful scenery of the sea through the transparent glass walls.

The observation room was very modern, more like a living room in a five-star hotel. There was a mahogany desk for work, extremely soft circular sofas, a large bed, bottles of fine wine on the bar counter, and a huge LCD television playing programs on the wall.

Roy sat at the dining table, savoring a tender, high-quality steak with a knife and fork, seasoned with Italian Alba white truffles, fully enjoying the delights on his tongue.

He was a person who knew how to enjoy life to the fullest. Under favorable conditions, he would never shortchange himself. Now that he was a God Slayer, money had completely become an external thing. Of course, Roy would try his best to enjoy the most expensive and exquisite things in this world.

For over twenty years before his transmigration, Roy was just from an ordinary family. Occasional indulgence was fine, but he couldn’t have delicacies every meal. After transmigrating to the A Certain Magical Index world, his sixteen years of life could be described as impoverished. Being able to eat his fill every day was enough; how could he dream of more?

Now that he had the opportunity, Roy would naturally let his tongue and taste buds, which had suffered for sixteen years, experience pleasure. He was not an ascetic who knew nothing of women or fine food.

“Knock, knock, knock—”

A knock sounded on the observation room’s cabin door. Roy knew who it was. He put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said, “…Come in!”

The cabin door opened, and a young woman in a red dress, as proud and regal as a phoenix, walked in. She wore equally vibrant red high heels, and her delicate feet and calves were clad in white velvet socks. Although only a slender portion of her beautiful legs was exposed, it was enough to make one feel the urge to caress them in their hands.

A full red outfit could easily appear vulgar, but on Erica, it was completely different; only her innate noblewoman’s aura shone through.

“I apologize for disturbing your meal, Your Majesty!”

Erica bowed her head slightly. Excluding his life before transmigration, Roy was currently just a hot-blooded youth, and his gaze instinctively fell on the girl’s neckline—that was human nature.

However, Roy wasn’t so easily swayed by such a small exposure that he would lose his composure. After withdrawing his gaze, he asked with a smile, “…Is something the matter, Lady Erica?”

“We will soon arrive at Ponza Island. According to our ‘Seven Sisters” investigation, Metatron is currently on this island. I came to remind you, hoping you can maintain a better state before fighting the god.”

Erica spoke seriously, offering her advice like a housekeeper reminding her master.

“Thank you for your reminder, Erica… Eating a full meal before a battle is a necessary custom before all wars since ancient times. So, would you like to dine with me, Lady Erica?”

Roy nodded slightly, accepting Erica’s reminder, and at the same time extended an invitation.

“I am grateful for such an honor, but as your exclusive knight, it would be inappropriate for me to dine at the same table as my master, both by custom and by reason.”

Erica maintained her elegant demeanor, revealing a radiant smile as she spoke.

“Knight? Hahaha, Lady Erica, I don’t believe I’ve bestowed upon you the title of exclusive knight, have I?”

Roy chuckled twice. He stood up, pushed his chair away, and walked step by step to Erica’s front, meeting her beautiful sapphire-like eyes in her delicate face.

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