Sardinia is one of Italy's islands, and traveling there from Milan doesn't take much time at all.
Erica had initially assumed that with the current calm among the Campiones, no Heretic Gods were manifesting in the world.
Yet a casual investigation revealed there actually was one, which left her feeling rather awkward.
Her original plan had been to slowly instill the concept that "humans are valuable" into the goddess before her, hoping that if a fight broke out later, the deity might show some mercy toward human lives and choose a battlefield far from populated areas.
If given the chance, she also wanted to ask the goddess why she was seeking out other gods.
While she suspected it was to pick a fight, the exact reason had never been mentioned by the other party.
"Thank you, though at present I have nothing worthy of being called a reward to offer in return," Melusine replied, rising directly to her feet as if ready to depart immediately.
"I shall later consider how to prepare a proper token of gratitude."
Ruben bowed, preparing to politely usher this deity out, when Erica suddenly spoke up: "Please wait a moment!"
Her voice drew everyone's attention, and Ruben stared at her in astonishment.
"Being able to assist Sir Lancelot is our honor. There's no need for any gift, but may I ask you a question instead?" Erica said.
"Certainly, though answering a single question hardly repays your aid. I shall retain this debt for now," Melusine responded, appearing unconcerned.
After several hours together, Erica had come to realize that this Heretic God lacked the typical "rebellious" nature of others, instead displaying considerable rationality and genuine indifference to such formalities.
"Understood... May I ask, what is it you intend to do by seeking out other gods?" Erica voiced her doubt directly.
"My reason..." Melusine pondered briefly before answering.
"Truthfully, there's no special reason... If I had to give one, their existence affects the stability of the ley lines, so I must deal with them before that happens?"
"Affect... the stability of the ley lines?" Erica was momentarily stunned, though not because the idea of a Heretic God influencing ley lines surprised her.
After all, so-called Heretic Gods were calamities in themselves, harmful not only to humanity but to the world as well.
If a sun god descended, the entire world would scorch; if a sea god appeared, the globe would be swallowed by waves and sunk beneath the ocean.
They were disaster-gods who shaped their forms according to their own whims—that was the nature of Heretic Gods.
And among those affecting the world, or rather the ley lines, the Steel Gods were the most severe.
They would actively draw out dragons to slay, perversely fulfilling their mythic duty to exterminate serpent-kind.
Even sages from myth, once turned "heretic," would disregard the land and people dying from damaged ley lines.
This was common knowledge within the magical community.
What left Erica dumbfounded was the goddess's almost "world-protecting" attitude—where was the "rebellion" in that?
But she quickly realized the goddess had said "if I had to give one," meaning this might not be her true purpose?
Seeing Erica's utterly perplexed expression, Melusine smiled for the first time.
"Setting that aside, I merely wish to test my 'capabilities' against theirs. After all, I have little else to occupy myself with."
Now that made sense.
This was the thought process of a Heretic God—no matter what, "destruction" was their underlying nature.
Thus, Erica knelt once more and pleaded, "Sir Lancelot, for this journey—no, until your path reaches its end—might I serve as your attendant knight and remain by your side?"
"!!!" x2
Arianna and Ruben stared at Erica in disbelief.
Why would Miss/Madam Erica involve herself with a Heretic God?
Wasn't she afraid of being caught—or even killed—in some whim-driven battle sparked by the deity?
Moreover, the Heretic God's presence would inevitably draw the attention of Campiones before long, leading inevitably to a confrontation!
Erica's thoughts weren't as dramatic as the other two imagined.
Her idea was actually quite simple: to become a beacon for observing and locating this goddess.
She did have a vague sense that this Sir Lancelot differed from other Heretic Gods, but her words were mostly ceremonial.
No matter how different, a Campione would surely come to slay this goddess, so "a lifetime" might not even last a month.
However...
Conversely, if this goddess could actually defeat other Campiones and gods, then Erica stood to gain far more.
After all, she'd be the first to pledge loyalty and surely wouldn't be treated poorly.
This proposal also stemmed from her sense that being around Lancelot didn't feel dangerous. Either way, she couldn't lose.
Melusine was unaware of Erica's many calculations, but even if she knew, she wouldn't particularly mind.
One of her greatest virtues was self-awareness; she knew she wasn't universal currency, and people wouldn't unconditionally like or admire her.
Even if Erica had ulterior motives, as long as they didn't make her uncomfortable, there was no reason not to accept.
"Are you certain, human?" The silver-haired girl, still unaware of Erica's complex reasoning, found this sudden "loyalty" somewhat puzzling.
"I recall Italy has its own Devil King. Aren't you afraid that Campione might take vengeance on the Bronze-Black Cross?"
Hearing this, Erica couldn't help but smile bitterly.
She almost wished the Sword King would get angry—at least that would mean he cared about the Bronze-Black Cross.
Having a king above them who paid no attention except to cause trouble they had to clean up...
Did any magical association actually like Campiones?
Though she thought it, she couldn't say it aloud.
"I serve you in my personal capacity, not as a knight of the Bronze-Black Cross. My actions have nothing to do with the order," Erica stated.
In reality, whether it was connected or not was just semantics.
Her uncle was the leader of the Bronze-Black Cross; saying it was unrelated wouldn't truly sever the ties. Things would play out as they must.
"Truly courageous," Melusine praised. "I do not dislike courageous humans... No, it matters not whether they are human. I do not dislike courageous beings. Since you possess such resolve, I grant your request."
"My deepest gratitude," Erica smiled, then turned to Arianna and Ruben, who still looked somewhat lost.
"Book us the fastest flight... No, Sir Lancelot, would you prefer to travel by plane or ship?"
"Plane!"
Melusine answered without the slightest hesitation, her quicker reply and pace even catching Erica off guard.
"...Understood. We'll book flight tickets, then."
Does Sir Lancelot dislike ships? Probably not—being the Knight of the Lake, how could she dislike water?
She must simply be interested in modern aircraft.
Thinking this, Erica felt a secret delight.
It seemed her constant promotion of the conveniences of human society was having some effect?
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.