What kind of being is Marquis Dejanstahl Voban? For Erica Blandelli, the eldest daughter of the prestigious magical Blandelli family, he was a figure she knew quite well.
He was the eldest among all living Godslayers. Though referred to as a Marquis, he was not born into a family of rich heirs.
Born in the early 18th century, he became an orphan, so poor that buying a loaf of bread daily was a struggle. He often wandered and lived in various places.
The surname 'Voban' was taken from the name of a powerful beast bred by a monastery in a territory he had once attacked, and thus he adopted 'Voban' as his own surname.
In the 18th century, during a period when major magical societies and the Church controlled Europe as the ruling class, Voban, by defeating the Greek wolf-aspect Sun God Apollo Lycaeus, became the first Godslayer in centuries.
In an era when the Church shepherded its flock on behalf of God, and magicians were seen as Gods by ignorant mortals, Voban was the roaring voice that arose from those times.
He was both a Godslayer who slew Gods and the dark conqueror who reigned over what was known as Europe. With absolute power, he trampled over the former ruling class.
Even though he was called the Demon King and the most wicked Godslayer, countless magicians wished for him to die on the path of warring against Gods. Regardless of the final outcome, it was an undeniable fact that Europe was spared destruction from Heretic Gods during his era.
Yet, in her eyes at this moment, Marquis Voban, who should have declared a war of revenge against Seiya, his vanquisher, was instead summoning beasts of darkness and earth to resolve the long-standing confusion plaguing his own lord.
In the Otherworld, at Eien-tei. Marquis Voban arrived here, utilizing the Authority of Osiris, the Egyptian God of Harvest and the Underworld.
"Kid, this is the place," he said.
What found the traces for Seiya was a group of demon wolves with dark mouse-grey fur. These, serving as the sacred beasts of Apollo (Beasts of Darkness and Earth), though they did not possess the abilities of Divine Beasts, possessed keen noses, extremely unique dark properties, and could be summoned in unlimited numbers.
Through his Authority of Gale, Seiya crossed worlds and arrived in this space.
"Yes, this is it," Seiya said, stroking the pavilion's railing.
At such close proximity now, even Seiya's spiritual vision could discern blurry images. Athena's aura indeed lingered here, and even a Saint's spiritual vision could vaguely sense the turbulent remnants of Athena transitioning towards Metis.
And at that time, another person stood beside her. Who was it? Was she the culprit behind all of this?
Seiya frowned. Vaguely, an extremely familiar aura assailed him, an essence imbued with the killing intent of warfare.
"If you wish to restore the scene of what once happened here, this old man cannot help you. You would need to seek out specialists in that field. This old one recalls that you have under your command a Hime-Miko with the most supreme mediumistic constitution. It also seems you have a good relationship with the Witch of Sardinia…"
"Thank you, you've been a great help," Seiya turned around, looking at Marquis Voban, who resembled an old English gentleman.
Different positions yield different perspectives. For Seiya, among all the Godslayers in his mind, the most stubborn person and the easiest to talk to were completely different in Erica's eyes.
The most stubborn Godslayer, ironically, was Kusanagi Godou, who in the original work was like a Mr. Nice Guy. He had his own unique way of doing things, which in Seiya's view bordered on obstinacy.
But the easiest to talk to was Marquis Voban, who was straightforward. Marquis Voban possessed a 'might makes right' philosophy.
If you did not possess the strength of a Godslayer or a God, even if you were a Supreme Knight, he would not spare you a second glance.
But if you were a compatriot or warrior he recognized, he would, on the contrary, display remarkable generosity. It wasn't once or twice that Gods were stolen from him, but in the end, he would always forgive the other party after a fight, and would even proactively offer them a graceful exit. Of course, his usual 'sharp tongue, soft heart' demeanor would still be present.
"No matter, consider it a gift to celebrate your slaying of the God-King Melqart," Marquis Voban said, and after speaking these words, turned and transformed into an Underworld Dragon, disappearing into the Otherworld.
Half a day later, three of Fusou's most prominent Hime-Miko – Mariya Yuri, Seihoin Ena, and Sayama Kaoru – appeared before the Godslayer.
After a period of recuperation, Mariya Yuri had recovered considerably, but upon seeing Seiya, she still couldn't help but stutter with fear, even as her body instinctively yearned for closeness and admiration. Two conflicting emotions intertwined within her heart.
Seiya knew with a glance that she was suffering from Demon King Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Seihoin Ena and Sayama Kaoru, however, were completely fine. One was Fusou's foremost female swordmaster, the other was the most outstanding Musashino Hime-Miko.
Both successively activated their spiritual visions, but both turned pale afterwards, having gained no useful information.
Just as Mariya Yuri gathered her courage to attempt her own spiritual vision, she saw Seiya raise his hand and wave it.
Mariya Yuri, misinterpreting his gesture, showed a look of resignation, as if expecting punishment. She closed her eyes and willingly offered her face.
Seiya frowned, looking at the Hime-Miko suffering from Demon King Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He had waved his hand not to hit her or bestow a slap upon her, but because the absence of information was, in itself, information.
For Seihoin Ena and Sayama Kaoru to return empty-handed, the entity standing beside Athena must at least possess a status that surpasses both of them, and belong to the same lineage.
At this moment, Seiya already had the answer in his heart.
Fairy Land. The cliff where that young man had swung his sword countless times.
The cherry blossom trees, blooming year-round, still scattered pink petals towards the distant ocean.
As the girl with backward-swept wings and the drumming Dwarves approached, Guinevere also felt a familiar presence arrive before her.
"Guinevere, Seiya has arrived," a witch completely shrouded in a black robe whispered into Guinevere's ear.
"You may leave first," Guinevere commanded. "I wish to speak with him alone."
The witches nodded in assent. The drumming Dwarves and the fairies with translucent wings all obeyed Guinevere's command and departed, leaving the place once again to the two of them.
"Ma… Guinevere, you must have something to tell me," Seiya spoke from behind her.
"You arrived earlier than I expected, is it because of the help of the Wolf King Voban?" Guinevere chuckled softly.
"Please, have a seat. We have plenty of time."
As Seiya took his seat, he only then noticed the golden vessel Guinevere held in her hand.
Its classic shape, and the potent divine aura emanating from it immediately made him think of the Holy Grail from mythology.
"I have lived too long, so long that I have forgotten who I am," Guinevere said softly.
"Do you wish for me to end this life for you?" Seiya asked seriously.
__
Want more content for everyone? The community goals are:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone!
🎯 5 Reviews = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone!
And our main goal...
🚀 55 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters of EVERY STORY!
Your support keeps our work alive. Don't let this chance die!
Access, support, and read now: 👻 patreon.com/Walnutchan