"Well then, would you two like to experience the local customs of Sardinia? I'll cover all your expenses."
As she spoke, Lucretia took out a rigid card. "The PIN is just the last four digits on the back."
"..."
Erica didn't take it, instead glancing at Melusine.
"Your hospitality isn't necessary... I'm not really in the mood to wander around," Melusine said.
"In that case, if you haven't decided on accommodations yet, why not stay here with me?" Lucretia smoothly withdrew the card, her expression unchanged.
"I've already sent familiars to scout the island. If they find anything, I can notify both of you right away."
"Then we'll trouble you."
This time, Melusine didn't refuse.
To demonstrate her sincerity, Lucretia prepared an exceptionally lavish dinner. Even though there were only three of them, the table was filled with all kinds of dishes.
Neither Melusine nor Erica were the type to be easily impressed by gourmet food—after all, they'd tasted countless delicacies in their time.
But since Lucretia had personally cooked the meal, they could still sense her earnest effort.
"A witch who cooks well... I suppose if you live long enough, you really do get to see everything," Melusine remarked with a hint of sighing wonder.
"These days, it's not all that rare. Times are changing, after all," Lucretia replied with a touch of pride.
"But reaching my level of culinary skill is still quite exceptional. I've devoted special effort to honing it."
"If you live long enough, you inevitably pick up many things without even realizing it."
In response to Melusine's musing, Erica felt complicated. To her, the food wasn't particularly outstanding—just better than what an average chef could make.
Yet Melusine clearly wasn't offering empty praise.
The reason for such appreciation could only be that she hadn't experienced truly refined cuisine before.
Which made sense, given the era and country she came from.
After the rather relaxed dinner, the three felt a bit closer. This was mainly because Melusine didn't put on airs.
Even knowing the other was subtly testing her temperament, she didn't take offense or show any displeasure.
She simply acted as she always did.
Honestly, ever since arriving in this world, she hadn't felt entirely comfortable—largely because everyone around her treated her like some fearsome monster.
It wasn't that she couldn't handle people being overly respectful, but while one or two were fine, having no one she could interact with easily meant she had to maintain a facade constantly, which was just exhausting.
If only I'd ended up in [Solo Leveling] instead, she thought.
Castorice is living so comfortably there—close friends, a steady stream of recognition points, followers and admirers she doesn't even have to interact with regularly.
Fortunately, things had improved somewhat now.
Erica was no longer tiptoeing around every word or probing frantically as she had at the beginning.
Lucretia was even sharper.
Melusine suspected that from their very first meeting, when she hadn't shown any displeasure, the older witch had already figured out she wasn't someone difficult to approach.
Compared to Erica, who still maintained a certain distance and degree of reverence, Lucretia had firmly categorized her as an "honored guest."
Her words and actions might seem somewhat disrespectful in Erica's eyes, but to Melusine, they felt just right.
"I never imagined the great witch would be like that."
The sunset had dyed the sky crimson. With their host having excused herself, only "their own people" remained at the table.
Erica unconsciously lowered her voice, adopting a "whispering" manner even though the other couldn't hear.
"I'd heard she was a great witch who'd been famous for decades. I thought she'd be a very imposing figure..."
So-called Great Witches and Great Knights represented nearly the limit of human growth.
If a Godslayer was 100, a Divine Ancestor 70 or 80, and ordinary knights or witches around 4, then Great Knights, Grand Mages, and Great Witches were at the level of 40—human pinnacles capable of destroying thousands of square kilometers when going all out.
Both Lucretia and Erica were great witches and great knights, with Erica being a prodigy who'd achieved the rank by just sixteen—a rarity even on a global scale.
That Lucretia could reside freely on Sardinia, which was under the Bronze Black Cross's jurisdiction, was precisely because she was considered a top-tier powerhouse apart from Gods and Campione.
As fellow witches, Erica had even admired Lucretia, who'd made her name long ago.
"Always maintaining dignity and solemnity would numb even a fairy," Melusine remarked, feeling this great witch's attitude was quite healthy.
"For long-lived beings, laziness and carefreeness are essential survival skills."
"I see... Thank you for the insight." Though her own witch talents weren't outstanding, Erica did carry witch blood, granting her a much longer lifespan than ordinary humans.
Hearing Melusine's words, she nodded thoughtfully.
"But I thought Sir Lancelot would punish her for her disrespect."
Erica shifted the topic.
"Disrespect? Ah, you mean that." Melusine recalled Lucretia suggesting they go out and explore.
"That was clearly an attempt to push the matter onto us, wasn't it? And all that talk about experiencing local customs..."
"Cunning and timid, but that's normal, isn't it? The weak always exhaust themselves trying to survive in the presence of the strong." Melusine's tone was matter-of-fact.
"Her fear of provoking my wrath is just instinct for any living being."
Erica couldn't help but look at the silver-haired girl.
This "Lancelot" had already mentioned "humans" and "weak lives" before, her tone utterly unlike that of a knight—or even a human, for that matter.
It felt more like a superior being gazing down upon all creation, yet overly sensitive in her position.
At first, Erica had thought this might be a change brought on by being influenced by the traits of a Heretic God. But this time was different.
Last time, she'd been too nervous, too focused on herself, to carefully observe "Lancelot's" demeanor. Now, she saw clearly.
This interpretation and understanding of strength and weakness seemed less like condescension and more like the recitation of a plain, sorrowful truth.
She was utterly certain of her own superiority—which was normal; all Heretic Gods shared that trait.
But where did this sadness come from?
Having spent less than a day together, Erica couldn't find an answer.
She simply responded, "It's my honor to follow a knight like Sir Lancelot, who considers others so thoughtfully."
"Considers others?" Melusine gave Erica a strange look, hesitating as if to say something before dropping the topic.
"Never mind. I'm going to rest now. You can have the desserts and tea sent to my room later."
This is too dull. Might as well check the chat group.
--+--
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.