In the heart of Italy's capital, Rome, near the Piazza Augusto Imperatore, a seemingly unremarkable bookstore sat tucked away in a quiet alley.
Only upon entering could one catch the faint scent of books in the air.
But a visitor's first impression would likely be the cluttered stacks of books, leaving little room to step.
Knock, knock, knock. A clear rapping sounded at the door.
No one answered from within, but the door swung open instantly.
"Teacher Diana—" A young, silver-haired knight maiden called softly, scanning the room and carefully stepping through the mess to find a place to stand.
This was one of the Copper-Black Cross's strongholds in Rome, a magical association in Italy. But, perhaps due to infrequent use, it was in disarray.
No one responded to the maiden's call, only a few sheets of paper lazily drifting from a table to the floor.
Her expression turned serious in an instant. With a shing, she drew her beloved sword, Il Maestro, without hesitation.
At the same moment, the falling papers shimmered with magical runes, quickly taking on a metallic sheen. The sheets stretched and reshaped, transforming with uncanny flexibility.
The metal plates twisted into sharp angles, morphing into the complex forms of beasts—three massive lions, their bodies gleaming with a metallic luster.
It was as if an invisible pair of giant hands had folded the steel into intricate works of art.
"Spell-crafted lions from a transmutation formula… another test?"
The maiden sighed inwardly, bending her knees to lower her center of gravity. In the next moment, she launched forward, meeting the three lions head-on.
Her silver knight's sword flashed in swift arcs, dispatching the magical beasts in a matter of moments.
Clap, clap, clap. Crisp applause echoed through the shop.
"Well done, Liliana." A voice filled with approval rang out, followed by the quiet appearance of a girlish figure in the store.
From her appearance alone, it was impossible to guess her age—she looked no different from a youthful maiden.
With a cute, doll-like face and a frilly lace dress that felt almost weightless, she exuded a playful charm.
"As expected of the prodigy of the younger generation, Liliana. A test of this level couldn't faze you in the slightest."
"Teacher Diana, please don't tease me." Liliana's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the praise.
After all, she knew her own limits. Though she had become a Great Knight at a young age, that only spoke to her potential, not her current strength.
In the ranks of Great Knights, she was still a novice just stepping through the door.
The praise from her teacher sparked a wave of indescribable shame.
"Well then, this long-overdue test of your skills is concluded." The witch named Diana studied Liliana, giving a casual smile before picking up a plastic bag she'd left on the table.
As a member of the Copper-Black Cross and one of Liliana's magical instructors, Diana's mastery of the arcane was profound.
If she had any flaw, it was her penchant for dressing like a young girl despite her advanced age.
"Sorry, I was a bit late because I went to get some ice cream. So, I figured I'd test your skills in the meantime."
Diana clasped her hands in front of her chest, her face apologetic, then pulled two ice cream cones from the bag, tossing one to Liliana, who scrambled to catch it.
"Thank you, Teacher Diana," The knight maiden said politely.
"No need for thanks—it's my apology for being late," The age-defying witch said, licking her cone. "Besides, ice cream suits a young girl best."
"Um…" Liliana's face showed a hint of unease.
"What's that look?" Diana, ever sensitive to such things, shifted her expression instantly. "Don't tell me you're like those wretched girls who think, 'She dresses young, but those faint crow's feet around her eyes give her away.'"
"No way! I'd never think that!" Liliana protested immediately. "I just sometimes think you should wear clothes more suited to your… maturity!"
Crack!
A fissure appeared on Diana's ice cream cone.
Suddenly, the cone didn't taste so good anymore.
Was her disciple really just that blunt?
"Liliana Kranjčar!" Diana licked the melted cream from her fingers, her expression turning stern, exuding the rare aura of a great witch.
"How's the investigation I assigned you—tracking the cultist group infiltrating Rome?"
"I've confirmed they're a band of Romani operating across various countries," Liliana said, her gaze sharpening as she knelt on one knee with swift precision. "They also seem to have deep ties to the cultists who attempted to summon a Heretic God in France a few years ago."
"Romani again, huh." Diana's expression remained unchanged. "As expected, I suppose?"
The term "Gypsy" carried a certain bias; strictly speaking, they were Romani, though the former name was widely recognized.
To some, the Romani were synonymous with mystery, but more often, they were labeled as beggars, pickpockets, or worse.
These weren't just stereotypes—they stemmed from cultural tendencies.
In this world, they bore another, more reviled label: cultists.
A faction among them was fanatically devoted to summoning Heretic Gods, heedless of the consequences.
As a result, they were widely despised, trapped in a vicious cycle.
"So, they're planning to summon a Heretic God in Rome?" Diana asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Highly likely," Liliana nodded. "But it's not just the Copper-Black Cross—other magical associations have also heightened Rome's security, ensuring they won't get a chance to perform the ritual."
"Don't forget, this is Rome," Diana shook her head. "There are already numerous dangerous divine artifacts here. Combine that with their efforts, and the odds of a Heretic God being summoned increase significantly."
"Then I'll go right now—" Liliana straightened, speaking without hesitation.
"No need," Diana cut her off firmly. "This matter is beyond your current responsibilities."
"Teacher Diana, I'm a Great Knight of the Copper-Black Cross now, capable of handling my own," Liliana said, her face showing reluctance. "As a knight—"
"Being capable and being required to act alone are two different things," Diana interrupted, arms crossed. "Letting an unseasoned kid take on such a task would undermine the Copper-Black Cross's purpose."
"But—" Liliana made a final plea. "It's my duty as a member of the Copper-Black Cross…"
"Who's been guiding your ideals? The Commander?"
The Copper-Black Cross's Commander was also Liliana's grandfather.
"Yes."
"Oh." Diana nodded, then said lightly, "You dog."
***
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