"Thank you for the power bestowed by the King!"
Liliana and Erica, having received the power of the Stigmata, immediately expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Phoenix.
They didn't know where this Stigmata had originated, but after days of interaction, especially noting that Phoenix wasn't as weak and easily controlled as Godou Kusanagi, they felt reassured.
Erica had essentially pledged complete loyalty to Phoenix. Even though she was deeply curious about this so-called "Stigmata," she refrained from asking too many questions.
Some things are better left unknown, lest they displease the King.
"Right... I should give you weapons too!" Phoenix thought. Since she'd already provided the Stigmata, it made sense to equip them properly.
"Weapons? King... we don't need weapons!" Erica protested, startled by the suggestion. "I already have my own."
"Indeed, we'll pass on that offer," Liliana agreed.
Phoenix observed their reactions and considered the weapons in their hands—or rather, their magic talismans.
"Your... 'Lion King's Heart'?"
"Yes, that's it." Erica nodded and handed over the slender sword she'd carried earlier.
Phoenix examined the blade, recognizing it as a powerful magic talisman. "A fine weapon. Not god-tier, but certainly among the pinnacle of magic talismans."
Her gaze shifted to Liliana, who wielded a weapon equally formidable.
"Very well. For now, this arrangement will suffice." Phoenix saw no reason to press the matter.
"Alright, next... you should return to your rooms and adapt to your new powers. Take tomorrow off, and we'll depart for China the day after."
Phoenix checked the time on her newly purchased phone. It had only been a short while, yet it was already nearly midnight. Time really did fly!
"Go to China?"
"What's the purpose of going to China?"
Erica and Liliana looked at Phoenix with confusion.
"You'll understand when the time comes!"
Phoenix refused to explain, showing no inclination to elaborate.
"Yes..."
Seeing Phoenix's refusal to elaborate, Erica suppressed her curiosity. After all, Phoenix was from China herself; there must be important matters requiring her return.
"However, Your Highness, if you're going to China, it's Luo Hao's territory. Shouldn't we notify her in advance to avoid unnecessary complications?" Liliana suggested with concern. The presence of two Campione in a single nation was already rare enough, and their attitude toward the seventh Campione remained unknown.
If Phoenix were to enter Luo Hao's domain now...
It could potentially lead to trouble.
"No need. Luo Hao... I was planning to meet her anyway." Phoenix waved dismissively, as if showing fear would be inappropriate.
Moreover, one of Phoenix's objectives in going to China was precisely to have some fun with Luo Hao and see if she could properly educate her.
"But Your Majesty, that's Luo Hao... the Martial Arts King who reigns supreme over martial arts..."
Even Erica began to feel concerned.
After all, Luo Hao was fundamentally different from the King of Swords and such.
"The Martial Arts King who reigns supreme over martial arts? Hah..."
Phoenix scoffed at the title, waving it off. "What supreme reign? Even I, the Immortal Phoenix, wouldn't dare claim to reign supreme over martial arts. Every time I perform, I feel it's not perfect enough. I chant daily: 'The path of martial arts knows no end!'"
"You, a mere two-hundred-year-old brat, claiming to be the Martial Arts King who reigns supreme? How absurd!"
"The path of martial arts... knows no end! You needn't worry about this." Phoenix waved her hand dismissively.
"..."
"Your Majesty should avoid such words. If Luo Hao hears them, you'll have offended another Campione."
Liliana felt a headache coming on. Her "king" was far too prone to causing trouble.
With this, she'd nearly offended four Campiones already.
Can't she just spare us some trouble?
"...Alright, alright, enough already! Let's go back and sleep!" Phoenix was exasperated. Don't make it sound like I'm no match for Luo Hao!
As my knights, you shouldn't doubt the strength of the king you serve.
When Phoenix heard their words, she didn't respond. Instead, she fell silent, showing no intention of returning.
"What's wrong?" Phoenix looked at the two girls, puzzled.
"...Your Majesty..." After a moment's hesitation, Erica glanced at Liliana before addressing her.
"Hm?"
Phoenix's face showed pure confusion.
"Does Your Majesty require our company in bed?" Erica stared at Phoenix with earnest intensity.
"...What... what do you mean by that?" Phoenix was taken aback, nearly failing to comprehend the implication. Company... in bed?
What the hell?
"Th-that... that... Does the King like girls?" Erica asked Phoenix cautiously, though her face clearly showed she already knew the answer.
"I... Why do you ask?" Phoenix replied, feeling somewhat frustrated. She couldn't deny it - she really did like girls, especially cute and beautiful ones.
"So I guessed right! Then... King, can we be your girlfriends? Me and Liliana both..." Erica pulled Liliana closer, gazing at Phoenix with a seductive expression.
We're the Twin Bridges of Italy. How could Phoenix not be tempted by us?
"Do you know what you're doing?" Phoenix's expression suddenly turned cold. She stared impassively at the two young girls before her, her voice icy.
"I... I'm sorry! King."
"We... we..."
Startled by Phoenix's sudden change in demeanor, Erica and Liliana fell to their knees, fear etched across their faces.
"Get out!"
Phoenix waved her hand dismissively.
"Yes."
The two girls hastily left Phoenix's room.
After watching the two leave, Phoenix finally lay down on the bed. Though she had come to trust Erica to some extent, she still maintained a certain wariness toward this... Erica.
One must never let down their guard around someone cunning and intelligent. Erica's previous actions had already overstepped boundaries... Phoenix had no choice but to give her a sharp reminder.
Otherwise, if she were to treat Phoenix like Godou Kusanagi, the consequences would be far more severe.
Of course, these consequences would primarily affect Erica...