Divine Right of Various Anime and Manga

"That's right, Erica and Liliana, don't harbor too much pity for the misfortunes of the unfortunate. Pity is an emotion that humans must possess, but 'pity' is also 'human evil'—a stain that humanity cannot overcome, one of the root causes of human extinction."

Roy reminded the two maidens, then turned his gaze to Princess Alice's beautiful face, which was full of smiles yet brimming with sorrow, and spoke in a gentle tone: "...No wonder you encountered a Disobedient God when you were just over ten years old—that was because your spiritual power had fully awakened. No wonder you resigned from the position of Chairwoman of the Council of Sages just three years after taking it. I thought the so-called health issues were just an excuse, but now it seems they were real."

"...And no wonder Marquis Voban didn't seek you out two years ago when he wanted to hold a Disobedient God summoning ritual—he knew your body simply couldn't handle it."

Princess Alice nodded lightly, her smile like a withering flower—beautiful yet sorrowful. "...When Your Majesty Roy came to my residence to find me, I already knew your purpose. Needing a witch like me can only be related to a Disobedient God. I'm afraid you, like the Marquis, intend to proactively summon a Disobedient God."

"...But what a pity, I've made you come all this way for nothing. In my current physical state, I cannot leave this place. I would likely die before I could even perform the ritual for you. Magic cannot heal the physical damage caused by my overwhelming spiritual power. Even Lady Aisha's Authority can only cure external and internal injuries, not the curse-like chronic affliction of my body."

"I'm afraid you'll need to find someone else."

Princess Alice's smile was very cheerful, as if she was delighted to have an irrefutable reason that left Roy, a Campione, at a loss.

"Ha, others might indeed be helpless against your condition, Princess Alice, but one of my Authorities happens to have an ability that can resolve this predicament."

Roy suddenly stood up. As Princess Alice felt the situation slipping out of control in a fluster, he walked to her bedside, reached out his left hand to grasp her delicate chin, looked at her pale lips, and bent down.

This was the fifth of the seven abilities of the "Divine Right"!

Chapter 36: Your Life Is Now Under My Conscription

(Once the storm passes, I'll update like crazy in one go.)

In the Bible, there is a story: God decided to test Abraham and said to him: "...Take your beloved son Isaac to Moriah, and on the mountain I will show you, offer him as a burnt offering to Me."

When Abraham heard God's instruction, he was utterly stunned, but he dared not defy God's will and ultimately decided to follow it.

Just as Abraham had prepared everything and steeled himself to kill his own son with a knife, an angel called out from heaven: "...Abraham, do not harm the child. Now I know that you fear God, for you have not withheld your only son from Me."

And in the Book of Zerubbabel, Michael once answered: "...I am the one who saved Isaac and mourned for him."

This ability of Roy's "Divine Right" originates from that myth, and it is the only one among Roy's seven Authorities related to healing.

Because this ability is merely one Authority among many, not a complete Authority, it has numerous limitations.

Unlike Lady Aisha's Authority, which can be freely unleashed as long as one has Magic Power, Roy's ability can only be used once per day.

But precisely because of this limitation, its effect is extraordinarily powerful. Lady Aisha's Authority can save someone as long as they have a breath left, but it is helpless against 'curses' or 'negative states' like Princess Alice's.

When Roy's ability is used on others, it can not only turn decay into miracle, healing any injury, but also dispel all negative states and form a protective barrier. When used on himself, it allows Roy to recover rapidly from any severe injury, even near death, temporarily shielding him from all damage and returning him to his peak until the Authority's duration ends, at which point the injuries resurface.

This can be called a life-saving ability in a Desperate Situation.

Roy named this ability—"Isaac's Redemption"!

For this Authority to work on others, physical contact is sufficient. The reason Roy used bodily fluid exchange was simply because he wanted to.

"Mm..."

Princess Alice whimpered. Her pale hand pressed against Roy, trying to push him away, but the maiden, who had been lying in bed like a vegetable, lacked the strength. After struggling twice and finding it futile, she could only helplessly give in and let Roy take what he wanted.

Erica and Liliana stood nearby, stunned, never expecting Roy to do such a thing. They blushed and fidgeted awkwardly, at a loss. Liliana, in particular, had a sudden wild thought—her chaotic mind conjured up a domineering CEO novel plot.

The man's scent washed over her, making Princess Alice's heart race and her mind grow dizzy from lack of oxygen. Besides Roy's scent, what Princess Alice felt most was the extraordinary 'Magic Power' flowing into her body.

This Magic Power was completely different from ordinary magic. Beyond the differences in quality and quantity, it formed a mysterious effect in a way Princess Alice couldn't comprehend. She knew this was the Authority of a Campione—a great feat stolen from the gods, an existence difficult for mortals to analyze. And now, this Authority formed from Magic Power was rapidly improving Princess Alice's body.

Her body, weakened by overwhelming spiritual power, began to grow flexible, like a rusted gear suddenly filled with Machine Oil, smoothly starting up again.

For the first time, Princess Alice felt her heart beat powerfully, her mind so clear. Her slender wrists finally had enough strength, and just before she suffocated, she pushed Roy away.

"Huff... huff..."

"Your Majesty Roy, don't you think this is too shameless?"

Princess Alice scolded in shame and anger, breathing heavily. She pressed a hand to her chest, slowly calming her breath.

Then, to her surprise, she found that her shout was full of vigor, completely different from her previous weak, gravely ill state.

Her limbs were filled with strength. She could even feel the blood flowing quickly through her body, and her pale hands had regained color.

Though she was still like an anemic patient, much weaker than an ordinary person, overall, she had undergone a tremendous change from her previous bedridden state. At the very least, she could now eat, drink, and walk like a normal person.

This was the first time Princess Alice had felt the vitality of life since she collapsed into bed six years ago.

Roy didn't follow Princess Alice's topic. Instead, he savored the moment, half-closing his eyes, and smacked his lips: "...Very inexperienced. It seems this is Princess Alice's first time. I thought that given your relationship with Alexander Gascoigne, you two would have long been intimate."

Roy's teasing words made Princess Alice even more annoyed. She said indignantly: "Please, Your Majesty Roy, do not compare me to that troublesome man."

"Oh? You're called the 'White Princess,' and that Gascoigne is called the 'Black Prince.' I thought you were a perfect match."

Roy feigned surprise, but his expression was clearly fake—just his way of teasing.

"I'm quite helpless about this matter too, but since everyone calls us that, I have no way to refute it... Besides, if I were truly close with Alexander, what you just did would be tantamount to declaring war on him."

With strength back in her body, Princess Alice became even sharper-tongued.

"I don't really care about declaring war on him. Besides, if you were truly intimate with him, I might be even more excited now. As a Demon King, isn't it my role to snatch away a beloved princess and drive her and her beloved to despair?"

"...That Gascoigne fellow—his personality is too cautious, cautious enough to be unique among Campiones. Do you think he's watching from nearby right now, torn between wondering if my actions are meant to lure him out, while also suffering in envy that I got Princess Alice's first time?"

Roy said this, even looking around as if Alexander Gascoigne were hiding in some corner, too afraid to come out.

"You really are..."

Princess Alice was at a loss for words, half-smiling, half-crying. Faced with such a shameless man, what could she say?

Meanwhile, Erica and Liliana's gazes toward Roy had also undergone a noticeable change.

"Pervert!"

Princess Alice muttered under her breath, then forced herself to speak calmly. "...Roy 'King,' forcing a girl against her will like this will make her dislike you. While some women enjoy being dominated, I am not one of them."

"I don't care whether you hate me or like me, whether you're willing or not. I am a Demon King, a tyrant who runs rampant on the earth and does as he pleases. Even if I declared right now that you are my woman and that I'm starting a harem of beautiful girls in this modern age, no one would be surprised—because that is my right!"

After a pause, Roy shrugged. "...Alright, now that Princess Alice can move, you have no reason to refuse me. The rest of your life is hereby conscripted by me!"

Chapter 37: Storms Converge

"Th-the rest of my life... conscripted?!"

Erica Blandelli let out a startled exclamation, her voice rising involuntarily, her face tense.

This, this confession-like declaration threw Erica into panic, stirring anger and jealousy as if something that should have been hers was being stolen. Her gaze toward Princess Alice turned less than friendly.

Beside Erica, Liliana didn't have as many thoughts. She had spent too little time with Roy, and was simply dizzy from his bold words. The maiden, who loved writing romance novels, had countless Mary Sue scenarios flooding her mind.

Princess Alice was also stunned for a moment by Roy's words. But as the former chairwoman of the Council of Sages, well-traveled and experienced, her heartbeat quickened slightly at his bold declaration, though not enough to make her scream or shout.

She steadied herself, pursed her delicate cherry lips, and smiled. "...Roy 'King,' is this a confession to me? A 'King's' bold confession—even I must handle it carefully and dare not refuse outright."

Princess Alice's tone was playful.

But Roy's expression was serious. "...This isn't a confession. It's an order! If I hadn't seen a beautiful woman like Princess Alice, that would be one thing. But since I have, and since she stirs my heart, then as a 'King,' I have the right to fill my harem with beauties."

His shameless declaration left Princess Alice speechless. Her face flickered with embarrassment and annoyance. Such an unreasonable, rule-breaking yet earnest 'confession' was something she had never encountered in her life.

"'King,' I beg you to reconsider this lifelong matter! You are still young, and being drawn to an older woman is understandable, but you should use a king's willpower to resist the temptation of a witch!"

Erica was the first to oppose this 'marriage.' She spoke with conviction, her expression righteous, like a minister offering 'advice' to ensure the emperor walked the Correct Path.

At the same time, she grumbled inwardly. Why, when the 'King' had beautiful maidens like her and Liliana by his side, did he treat them like ordinary subjects, yet act so boldly toward Princess Alice? Could it be that the 'King' preferred older women?

By age alone, Princess Alice was about five or six years older than Roy.

Princess Alice's face darkened at Erica's malice. Women never liked being called old. She threw off the covers, jumped out of bed in her nightgown, and though her long-inactive body was weak and unsteady, she refused Roy's help and stood on her own.

"Roy 'King,' since you have healed my body, it is only right that I serve you. Otherwise, people would call me ungrateful. But I do have one request..."

Princess Alice leaned on the bed, her tone reserved, her elegant and noble posture like that of a dignified lady, carrying the authority of one in power.

"I know what you want. You want me to lift the authority over your housekeeper."

Roy said this, raising his left hand and snapping his fingers. "...Alright, the authority of Sodom's Eye has been lifted. As clever as you are, Princess, you must have known from the start that I came here not to kill, but to force you into the ritual. Of course, if you had refused, tomorrow's The Times would really have carried a story about a massacre in London's Wealthy District."

Roy spoke in a gentle tone, uttering chilling words.

Princess Alice smiled bitterly. "...Truly worthy of a Demon King. This willful attitude is no different from any other Campione. I've heard that the Eastern Patriarch is even more brutal—anyone who hears her immortal voice must have their ears cut off, and anyone who sees her immortal face must have their eyes gouged out. Though you haven't used such cruel methods, the fear you instill strikes straight to the soul, even more so."

"...So, Roy 'King,' when do we leave?"

At first, Princess Alice's face was full of bitterness, but by the end, she was practically bouncing with anticipation. She moved back and forth, testing her real body's movements, while her elegant, noble eyes sparkled with excitement for what was to come.

"Just as I thought, Princess Alice, you're someone who loves a commotion. People like you have no real sense of good or evil. Even if the world were ending tomorrow, you'd be eager to watch the apocalypse's grandeur."

Roy saw straight through Princess Alice's nature. She was a woman who thrived on chaos—the more dangerous and turbulent the situation, the more it piqued her interest.

"I beg you not to slander a lady like that. I am merely curious about the unknown, not participating for my own amusement."

Princess Alice smiled sweetly, but a hint of darkness lurked beneath her beautiful, shallow smile.

Then, the princess acted swiftly, picking up the phone beside her to arrange the next steps, complaining as she did. "...Using my real body is troublesome too. I can no longer teleport to any corner of the world in an instant. Going to the Far East—that's a long flight."

Soon, Princess Alice had settled matters in England and arranged for a private plane at the airport.

She set down the antique landline phone, turned to Roy, parted her red lips, and smiled with a hint of seduction. "...Roy 'King,' I need to change into clothes more suitable for movement. I hope you'll be gentlemanly enough to step aside for a moment."

"No need. Just change here. Erica and Liliana are present, so I won't do anything to you. Besides, changing in front of me will help you get used to it a little."

"Get used to what?"

Princess Alice's heart suddenly jumped, sensing something amiss.

"Your chronic illness can't be cured with a single use of authority. It requires follow-up treatment, like the mouth-to-mouth therapy we did earlier. Of course, for a full recovery, we might need a bit more... close contact."

Roy said cheerfully. This woman couldn't be given an inch; he had to stay dominant and forceful, or she'd lead him by the nose. No wonder Alexander Gascoigne was at his wit's end with her.

The so-called treatment was, of course, a lie. His authority could be activated with just light physical contact. But Roy wanted to play the 'Demon King' for once, to completely abandon his past worldview and learn from his father's ways of passing through a garden of flowers.

Aleister accepted everyone who came, willing to take any woman. Roy, however, only wanted the finest delicacies, even if it cost him more effort.

Erica and Liliana were at a loss when they heard Roy's words. Princess Alice gritted her teeth, but in the end, her hand fell to her nightgown's collar, unbuttoning one button at a time, revealing her beautiful body.

This man's willfulness left her no choice.

Deep in the Alps, a villa stood like a fairy-tale retreat. An old man with graying hair sat before a fireplace, sipping a cup of steaming tea.

"My new clansman is truly a bold and reckless young man. He reminds me of that foolish swordsman from two years ago who stole my prey. Now another young man wants to take my toy. It seems I need to stretch my limbs a bit, or they won't learn to respect their elders."

The old man slowly set down his teacup and stood. His body was robust, his spirit vigorous, dressed like a kindly old gentleman. But his emerald-green eyes were filled with the wolf's cruelty and ruthlessness.

"...Still, I must thank the young man's efforts. That girl living in England can finally move again. If I add her to the mix, I won't have to wait years for my new ritual. I can hold it now."

The old man revealed a cruel smile and ordered, "...Prepare a plane for me."

In a countryside art gallery in England, a man like a noble prince held a piece of intelligence in his hand. His expression blank, he crumpled it, feeling an inexplicable unease in his heart.

Chapter 38: The Marquis's "Hero Saving Beauty"

The Historical Records Compilation Committee was Japan's largest institution, jointly established by the state and numerous families from the mystical world, tasked with managing the entire order of Japan's magical community. The Tokyo and Kyoto Branches in Kanto and Kansai respectively were also the most powerful departments within the Committee.

In the office of the Tokyo Branch, a female who appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, with short hair and the look of a handsome youth, sat at the head. Below her were the leaders of all the key departments within the Tokyo Branch.

The female was named Saya no Miya Kaoru, the heir to the Saya Family, a major power in Japan's mystical world. This maiden, who had just entered her first year of high school, had recently been promoted to Director of the Tokyo Branch of the Historical Records Compilation Committee and was now convening an emergency meeting.

"Director Saya, this is the intelligence we've just received. From Italy's Vatican, the new 'King,' Roy Crowley, has arrived at Haneda Airport with his two knights and Europe's Princess Alice. They are currently en route by car to The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Tokyo."

Kasukabe Touma, a man in his late thirties approaching forty, was delivering the report. He was a capable subordinate of Saya no Miya Kaoru, active as the Tokyo Branch's external liaison.

"Kasukabe-kun, did the Historical Records Compilation Committee send anyone to welcome the 'King's' arrival?"

"The new 'King' did not issue any official notification of his visit to Japan, so we dared not overstep and greet him. If the 'King' were to think we were keeping him under constant surveillance, that would be a major problem."

The slovenly man replied in a frivolous tone.

"Mm, you did well on that point. Since the 'King's' knights did not proactively inform us, it means the 'King' does not wish to be disturbed... I have another piece of intelligence here. That most ancient Demon Lord, the Marquis, also arrived in Japan not long ago."

Saya no Miya Kaoru took a deep breath, her tone gradually turning serious.

"Wha—what?! Why have two 'Kings' suddenly descended upon our tiny land?!"

The previously frivolous Kasukabe Touma's expression shifted dramatically. The entire meeting room fell into chaos as people argued and discussed, faces filled with terror. Japan had no Campione of its own, and the arrival of two Campione was nothing short of a catastrophic earthquake for the country—especially since these two Campione had rather poor reputations.

"The Council of Sages of Greenwich has sent word. The new 'King' abducted Princess Alice from Duke Godding's residence in London, then came to Japan. At the same time, the Marquis also headed here. From this intelligence, I believe Kasukabe-kun already knows what the two 'Kings' intend to do."

Saya no Miya Kaoru's body trembled slightly as she spoke through gritted teeth.

"It's for Yuri Wanitangi!"

Kasukabe Touma held a considerable position within the Historical Records Compilation Committee and was well-versed in the incident two years ago in Europe, where Marquis Voban had summoned a Disobedient God. Cross-referencing the intelligence on the new 'King' and the Marquis, he immediately deduced the purpose of the two Campione.