Divine Right of Various Anime and Manga

And at that moment, over a dozen powerful knights and mages who seemed like the dead appeared, their purpose also to capture her. The two groups of 'kidnappers' with the same goal started fighting each other, and Yuri Wanitangi took the chance to escape.

On her escape route, she encountered Touma Kasukabe. From him, she learned that Marquis Voban and Roy had come to Japan, and that the two groups who had tried to capture her earlier were subordinates of the two Kings. Thus, the earlier scene unfolded.

"Yes, I am Liliana Kranichar, a knight of King Roy, currently striving toward the title of his exclusive knight. Yuri Wanitangi, I hope you will not resist and will come with me quietly, to reduce casualties."

Liliana remained courteous even toward her enemy. She was an upright knight, but by no means rigid. As a knight, she strictly followed the King's orders, yet her heart was kind. If a task required it, she could kill without hesitation, just as she had with Touma Kasukabe. But if the enemy had lost the ability to resist, she would show her politeness and minimize bloodshed.

"Another Campione..."

Yuri Wanitangi muttered, anger rising on her face.

Though Liliana's tone was steady, a careful observer could see the hidden urgency in her eyes.

She was worried for Erica.

The dead she had seen at the shrine were servants summoned by Marquis Voban's Authority—each a famous Great Knight or Great Mage from the past two hundred years, each a prodigy of their era. If it were just one, either Erica or Liliana could handle it. But when over a dozen appeared together, facing them was like facing Voban's Authority itself, almost certainly a death sentence.

Yet to complete Roy's orders, Erica had used herself as bait to lure away those terrifying servants, fighting a guerrilla war while letting Liliana capture Yuri Wanitangi to finish their mission.

So for Liliana, she had to act fast. Only after capturing Yuri Wanitangi could she notify Erica to disengage. The slower her task, the greater Erica's danger.

Thinking this, Liliana abandoned her politeness. Her worry for her friend Erica outweighed everything. She stepped forward twice, grabbed Yuri Wanitangi's wrist despite her cry of pain, and said, "Come with me now, Wanitangi! I apologize for my roughness, but for my friend's sake, I have no choice."

Liliana apologized even as she forcibly dragged Yuri Wanitangi away.

"If your friend is this one, perhaps we can exchange hostages!"

Suddenly, a gentle female voice came from ahead on the road. Liliana looked warily and saw a girl in a high school uniform holding a tachi, with a severely wounded Erica in her grasp.

"...Grandfather said trouble had arisen in Tokyo and told me to send a girl named Yuri Wanitangi out of Japan. I think the trouble he meant must be you all."

The girl muttered to herself. Though she looked like a well-bred Yamato Nadeshiko, there was a natural wildness hidden in her words and actions.

Chapter 51: Forty-Meter Greatsword

"Erica?! What did you do to Erica!"

Liliana saw the Japanese middle school girl holding Erica, covered in blood and wounds, even her beautiful face dirty with dust and mud, and asked in shock.

"So her name is Erica. I didn't do anything to her. I just found her badly injured on the roadside and brought her along."

The Japanese girl with the tachi looked down at Erica and said lightly.

Hearing this, Liliana breathed a sigh of relief, then glared coldly. "...Who are you? And what is your purpose here?"

"My name is Ena Kiyōin. As for my purpose... well, I'm not entirely sure myself. Grandfather told me to do this. He said the girl you're holding, Yuri Wanitangi, is very important and shouldn't be ruined by the two Kings. He wants me to send her to Yomi, where he can negotiate with the Kings. I'm just following Grandfather's orders."

The girl named Ena Kiyōin spoke clearly, her simple demeanor suggesting she was merely acting on command.

"Lili! Don't worry about me! Take Yuri Wanitangi and leave! She's the target the King ordered. Completing the King's mission is our top priority!"

Erica, held by Ena Kiyōin and badly injured, regained some awareness and shouted urgently after hearing Ena's words.

"I'm sorry, Erica, and silver-haired one! You have your mission, and I have mine. I can't let you leave."

Ena Kiyōin pointed her tachi at Liliana, the warmth of a Yamato Nadeshiko gone, her youthful face showing killing intent.

Only Yuri Wanitangi, held by Liliana, was the most furious. She realized that neither Liliana and Erica, representing the King, nor Ena Kiyōin, representing the so-called 'Grandfather' from the Kiyōin Family, had asked for her opinion. They treated her like a trade good.

"Ena Kiyōin, do you know what you're doing?! Yuri Wanitangi is the miko demanded by Lord Roy Crowley, the sovereign of Italy and the Vatican. Have you considered the consequences of defying the King's orders? Do you want this Far East Island Nation to bear the wrath of the Demon King?!"

Erica, though weak and injured, suddenly sharpened her expression and demanded loudly.

Ena Kiyōin hesitated for a moment, then shook her head firmly. "...I know how terrifying the King's wrath is. But since this is Grandfather's order and request, I have no choice but to obey."

"Stubborn fool!"

Erica was both frustrated and displeased with the 'Grandfather' Ena mentioned. Who was this reckless old man? Did he have a grudge against Japan, wanting the King to vent his anger on it?

Thinking that, Erica found the idea plausible...

"Erica, I won't abandon you. I'll defeat this Ena Kiyōin here, rescue you, and then we'll take Yuri Wanitangi together and report to the King that we've completed the mission!"

Liliana couldn't bear to see her best friend suffer. She feared that if she took Yuri Wanitangi away, this girl Ena Kiyōin might actually cut Erica down.

She sealed Yuri Wanitangi's body with magic, pushed her aside, and gripped her beloved sword, the Silver Master, facing off against Ena Kiyōin.

"Lili, you..."

Erica saw Liliana's choice, feeling both moved and exasperated.

She was moved that Liliana would risk failing the mission and facing the King's wrath to save her. She was exasperated that Liliana couldn't see the situation clearly and was being too stubborn.

Earlier, Erica had willingly used herself as bait to lure away the servants summoned by Marquis Voban. Fighting those dead servants, she was completely outmatched, nearly dying several times.

But just as Erica was about to fall, the dead servants suddenly turned to ash and vanished. At that moment, Erica knew Roy must have defeated Marquis Voban, causing the Marquis's Authority to fail.

However, Erica was already severely injured and had no strength to notify Liliana. She could only hope Liliana would complete the mission, so they could present a perfect report and successfully finish their first difficult task from the King.

Erica's plan was good, but she ran into Ena Kiyōin from nowhere. Due to her injuries, she was captured without much resistance.

Her intention was for Liliana to take Yuri Wanitangi and leave quickly, find Roy, and let the King handle it personally. Even the entire Japanese mystical world combined couldn't stand against the King, and the problem would be solved.

With her silver tongue and wit, she could easily fool this seemingly naive Ena Kiyōin and wouldn't be in mortal danger.

Erica's plan was perfect, but she hadn't anticipated that Liliana, usually just as sharp, would choose to fight out of worry for her safety.

The "Crimson Devil" could only smile bitterly, but she couldn't possibly say these words out loud, leaving Liliana to grasp the meaning on her own—otherwise, if Ena Kiyōin learned of her thoughts, she might actually get worked up and chop her down with a single slash.

"Choosing to fight? Fine, I've never feared battle. If fighting alone can resolve matters here, then that's truly for the best."

Seeing Liliana before her, already poised in a ready stance, Ena Kiyōin felt a surge of eagerness to join in.

Tossing Erica aside, she gripped the hilt of her tachi with both hands.

"Lily, watch out—to end this quickly, I'm going all out from the start!"

"My name is Liliana Kranichar, and 'Lily' is not a name for you to call!"

The silver-haired Knight Princess from Italy let out a cold snort.

"O Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, I offer this body as sacrifice—please calm your raging spirit!"

Ena Kiyōin ignored Liliana, her expression solemn as she chanted the Word Spirit. Her pure pupils brimmed with fierce fighting spirit and killing intent, while the tachi in her hands began to devour the surrounding magic power, channeling it into her body.

In Liliana's eyes, the magic power of Ena Kiyōin before her surged explosively, even carrying a trace of a 'god's' presence!

"What?!"

"Clang------"

In haste, Liliana swung the 'Silver Master' across her body, barely blocking the lightning-fast slash at the last possible moment.

"I can't maintain this state for long—let's settle this quickly!"

The immense force transmitted through her hands made Liliana grit her teeth, and she heard Ena Kiyōin's confident words ringing in her ears. She had been completely caught off guard, never expecting Ena Kiyōin to possess the ability of 'Divine Possession,' nor that the tachi in her hands was a Divine Artifact!

"Lily, be careful of her weapon—that's a Divine Artifact manifested from a true Divine Authority!"

Erica called out in urgent warning.

"You don't need to tell me that!"

Liliana shouted back, gathering magic power within her body and unleashing it in a sudden burst. The violent wind of magic pushed Ena Kiyōin back, but just as she began to chant a spell for sorcery, a faint, commanding voice rang in her ears: "...Dodge, Lily."

The familiar voice brought a flash of joy to Liliana's face. She decisively halted her chant, rolled aside like a lazy donkey, and then saw a forty-meter-long blood-red cross-shaped longsword come crashing down like a giant axe.

Chapter 52: A Man's Right Hand Is Invincible

The enormous blood-red cross-shaped longsword descended like the majestic wrath of heaven, carrying an unfathomable authority, dyeing Ena Kiyōin's eyes a deep crimson.

"Chiba yabu—kami no igaki mo—koe—ima wa waga na no—oshimu nashi!"

At the critical moment, she chanted the final segment of the Word Spirit for Divine Possession. The Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi in her hand surged with divine power, blocking before her body in the nick of time.

"Boom--------"

A massive explosion roared. Ena Kiyōin felt an overwhelming, unstoppable force strike through her arms. Her body went limp, and she fell to one knee. The deep blue student stockings were torn open, revealing her smooth, pale calves, while her knees scraped against the ground, leaving trails of bloodstains.

But compared to these external injuries, the internal damage she suffered was far worse. Blood flowed from her mouth and nose, crimson streaks sliding down her lips, and the divine power that had sustained her body suddenly dissipated, leaving her with a sense of limp exhaustion.

The residual force of the dozens-of-meters-long blood-red longsword didn't stop, slicing straight through the two-story Japanese-style houses behind Ena Kiyōin, leaving a deep sword scar in the Tokyo alleyway.

"Rumble------"

Dust exploded, houses collapsed—with just a single swing of the longsword, this block was reduced to rubble.

"Tap--tap--tap--"

Clear, forceful footsteps came from ahead. The maidens looked up and saw, amidst the smoke, a young man appearing—one who seemed not much older than them in appearance.

His red cardinal robe was also torn, damage from the battle with Marquis Voban. Roy's exposed skin bore crisscrossing scars and bloodstains; the fight with the oldest Demon King had left Roy not lightly injured either. However, these were only superficial wounds, not enough to hinder his movements.

But what drew the most attention was the golden giant hand extending from Roy's right shoulder, gripping a blood-red cross-shaped longsword. The earlier slash had been delivered by this 'Third Hand.'

Roy's 'Divine Right' also had the ability to enhance other Divine Authorities, but since this move could only be used once every seven days, this enhancement function was rarely practical in ordinary times. Only now, after resolving Marquis Voban with the 'Light of the Right,' did this 'Third Hand' display its full effect.

At this moment, Roy was using the 'Third Hand' to wield the 'Sword of Judgment.' If he poured more magic power into it, he could even extend the sword to a kilometer, splitting a mountain with a single slash. But after the great battle with Marquis Voban, Roy had little magic power left, and facing a maiden like Ena Kiyōin, he didn't need to waste much to easily subdue her.

"Campione... a God-Slayer..."

Ena Kiyōin knelt on one knee, breathing heavily. A bloodstain on her forehead gushed crimson, forcing one of her eyes shut. This was the power of a Campione—even at Roy's weakest, even with his remaining magic power scarce, defeating a powerful Miko wielding a Divine Artifact was merely a matter of a single, light wave of his hand.

"A God-Slayer..."

Yuri Wanitangi's teeth chattered at the sight of Roy. Her eyes swirled with terror, fear, disgust, and other emotions. She felt as though her feet were filled with lead, unable to take a single step forward. On Roy, she smelled the same scent as Marquis Voban—cruel, brutal, merciless, and unimaginably powerful.

"'King'!"

Erica and Liliana were both overjoyed at Roy's arrival.

"Please forgive me, Erica, for being unable to greet your arrival properly. Also, please pardon the failure of Lily and myself—we couldn't even handle such a small matter, requiring 'King' to personally intervene and save us."

Erica struggled to her feet from the ground, lowering her head with a face full of guilt.

Liliana quickly ran over to support Erica, and by this time, Ena Kiyōin no longer had the strength to stop her.

"If you must punish someone, please punish me! This is all my fault—Erica gave her all. Please don't blame her!"

Liliana, holding up Erica's swaying, heavily injured body, also bowed her head in apology.

Roy then looked at Erica. The once radiant, proud maiden now appeared utterly miserable—her dazzling golden hair was a tangled mess, and some sword wounds on her body were deep enough to show bone. A fourteen-year-old girl facing such nearly fatal injuries without crying out in pain, instead persevering through sheer willpower—Roy couldn't bring himself to use too harsh words.

He spoke in a gentle tone: "...To have come this far against Marquis Voban's Divine Authority, Erica, you've done well. Even this achievement, across the entire magic world, rivals your uncle's bravery when he once faced a Divine Beast. I won't blame you for your failure; instead, I commend your courage."

"...But the fact remains that you and Liliana failed your mission. I am someone who rewards and punishes clearly. Once your body has healed, I will administer your punishment."

When it came to the word "punishment," Roy's gaze carried a hint of strangeness, and his tone held an ambiguous edge.

"I am willing to accept any punishment you deem fit, 'King'!"

Erica did not notice Roy's peculiar expression, but she could tell from his tone that he wasn't bothered by their mission's failure, so she let out a sigh of relief.

"That hand... what exactly is it?"

Ena Kiyōin stared intently at the eerie hand resting on Roy's right shoulder. When her gaze fell upon it, she felt a chill run through her entire body, as if she were looking at something indescribable, her very mind trembling on the verge of collapse.

"What is this hand? This hand is a 'Miracle'—one that, with a mere wave, is enough to annihilate humanity!"

Roy said leisurely.

"You've got to be kidding?!"

Hearing Roy's explanation, Ena Kiyōin and the immobilized Yuri Wanitangi both turned pale, while even Erica and Liliana were at a loss. As knights, they had never seen Roy's 'Miracle Hand' before.

0 Flowers····

"What's so impossible about it? Don't underestimate a man's right hand. Even an ordinary man, with a single swing, can easily wipe out hundreds of millions of humans."

Roy spoke with a serious expression, uttering frivolous words.

The four girls present were momentarily stunned. However, sex education in both Japan and Italy was thorough, and though the four maidens were young, they immediately grasped the deeper meaning behind Roy's words.

Liliana's face flushed red, and she stammered, "...'King,' p-please mind the occasion a little. We are on a battlefield right now, so please refrain from making such... such risqué jokes!"

Though Liliana had lived in Italy for a long time, she was Eastern European and had not inherited the Italians' fiery passion. In contrast, Erica remained composed, but upon hearing Roy's joke, she inexplicably recalled the earlier mention of 'punishment' and felt a wave of unease.

Roy fell silent, inwardly admonishing himself to avoid such jokes in the future, lest he follow in the footsteps of his father, Aleister, and become a lecherous old man fond of dirty humor.

0...0

Then his gaze sharpened. Sodom's Eye activated, his authority manifesting as a magical gaze fixed upon Ena Kiyōin.