Divine Right of Various Anime and Manga

"I don't know him either, but he looks more like some rich young master out on a trip. Let's go, Kusanagi—the teacher's calling us over there."

The boy named Kusanagi cast one last glance back before being pulled away by his friend.

"Hm?"

Roy, with his exceptional hearing, stopped in his tracks. He tilted his head thoughtfully, then turned to look back.

"What happened, 'King'?"

Erica, who had noticed Roy's movement, sidled up to him and asked warily, her jewel-like eyes sweeping the surroundings as if searching for an enemy.

"Erica, look at that boy."

Roy jerked his chin in the direction. He wanted to say, 'Doesn't he look like a dog?' but knowing Erica wouldn't get the reference, he swallowed the words.

"What about him? No magical power at all—just an ordinary person."

Erica scrutinized the retreating figure of the boy named Kusanagi, puzzled.

"Nothing. Let's go."

Roy called out and led the four maidens into the VIP passage. Princess Alice's chartered plane was already waiting there.

The private jet from Boeing took off from Haneda Airport, heading for Jerusalem in Israel.

In Roy's bedroom aboard the plane, Erica stood before him, her expression tense, her delicate frame even trembling slightly.

"As per our earlier agreement, I'm to give you both a reward and a punishment."

Roy leaned back against the sofa, relaxed and comfortable, a light smile on his face.

"I'm ready, 'King'!"

Erica looked like a soldier about to charge into battle, her face set with a death-defying resolve.

"Don't be so nervous. By the way, I recall you have witch blood in you, Erica? Though it's thin, you should know the ancient witch's 'Sex Magic,' right?"

The Italian maiden froze. She hadn't expected Roy to ask that. Her snow-white, crystalline cheeks gradually flushed crimson, but she quickly suppressed her shyness and answered his question. "...That's the most basic magic in witchcraft—practically every witch knows it!"

"Is that so? Then write down the specific method for using that magic. If you know the principles, even better."

Though Roy had read countless texts in the Vatican, he'd never really studied this area. Sex Magic wasn't some evil art; on the contrary, it was a very orthodox one, known in the East by the famous name 'Dual Cultivation.' It was only during the medieval witch hunts that the Church sullied its reputation, making it seem exceptionally wicked.

"So 'King' wishes to... do that sort of thing? I suppose it's understandable. You're only sixteen, in the spring of your youth—it's natural to be curious about a woman's body. Especially given your status, I doubt any woman would refuse you."

Roy's mention of the magic immediately made Erica think of that matter. The beautiful maiden known as the 'Crimson Devil' let her gaze turn seductive, her voice taking on a hint of coquettishness. "...As your knight, it's my duty to relieve your troubles, even those needs. But, 'King,' could you grant me a more proper title?"

Erica's words made Roy hesitate. He knew she was hinting at wanting a status like 'girlfriend' or 'wife,' but he felt that giving such a title would bind him.

Seeing his hesitation, Erica sighed helplessly. "...I understand. You don't want to make any promises, like a playboy who keeps many girls by his side as his possessions but refuses to take responsibility."

"...Since that's how you feel, I won't ask for much. Let me be your 'lover' for now. Just please don't get involved with any shady women. If you ever have needs, you can come to me!"

As she spoke, Erica's fingers landed on the buttons of her dress, making Roy swallow the words he was about to say.

"But my body is still injured. I need 'King' to use your Authority to heal me. Hmm... just like you did for Princess Alice, right?"

Then, to Erica's surprise, Roy stopped her. A bit embarrassed, his eyes wandering and evasive, he still spoke boldly: "...Actually, my Authority can activate through physical contact. So, we could change things up a bit."

Chapter 56: The Mysterious Object in the Right Hand

Ancient country, Mount Lu—

A waterfall cascaded down like the Milky Way from the Ninth Heaven, scattering crystalline droplets. Frogs croaked on the wet stones, and amidst the fairy-tale-like exotic flowers and rare plants stood a small wooden hut, as if Tao Yuanming had picked chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, or Li Bai had asked when to enter Shaoshi to meet the Queen Mother of the West.

A twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy in Hanfu moved as if riding clouds, soaring alongside birds. His toes lightly touched the ground, and in a few leaps, he arrived before the wooden hut.

He paid no heed to the surrounding wonders, keeping his eyes down, nose aligned with heart, hands hanging at his sides. With lowered brows, he walked to a spot tens of meters from the hut, flicked his sleeves, knelt heavily, and shouted loudly: "...The wise and brave Sacred Sect Leader's name lives as long as heaven and earth, shines with the sun and moon, eternal and indestructible! Your martial might is boundless, your wisdom and compassion illuminate the world. Disciple Lu Yinghua wishes Master civil virtue and martial merit, for a thousand autumns and ten thousand years!"

Lu Yinghua recited the flattery that would make anyone die of shame without changing his expression, then slammed his forehead against the ground, knocking the bluestone bricks with a thud.

"Flattery and sycophancy—how are you any different from those treacherous eunuchs and fawning officials!"

"Eagle Child, you are a man, meant to be a true hero and great man. How can you speak such fawning words? Aren't you disgracing your master's face!"

From within the wooden hut came a woman's low rebuke, her voice like a zither under the moonlight, a celestial melody lingering around the rafters. Just the sound alone sparked infinite reverie, making one believe its owner must be a fairy from the Ninth Heaven, untouched by the mortal world.

But mismatched with this celestial voice, a gale burst forth. The hut's door slammed open, and the fairy's breath came like a raging storm, a dragon's roar and tiger's howl. The boy kneeling on the ground had no time to react before the airflow sent him flying. After tumbling several somersaults, the youth, with his superb martial arts, finally steadied himself.

Lu Yinghua lowered his head with a bitter smile, having anticipated this outcome.

His master was Sect Master Luo Hao of the Five Prisons Holy Cult, one who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts and slain gods, an undefeated being.

Campiones were by nature a group of willful and reckless people, and Sect Master Luo Hao was a standout among them—calling her moody and unpredictable was an understatement.

If his words lacked respect, Luo Hao would think he didn't honor her enough; if he was too respectful, she'd accuse him of sycophancy. She was the epitome of hard to please.

Lu Yinghua secretly counted himself lucky to be the Sect Master's disciple. If he slightly angered his master, at worst he'd get a beating or some punishment. If someone else were in his place, they'd likely face Luo Hao gouging out their eyes or cutting off their nose.

This wasn't an exaggeration but a fact. In the history of the Five Prisons Holy Cult, there had been many incidents where people had their ears cut off just for hearing her voice, or their eyes gouged out for glimpsing her immortal visage.

This Demon Sect Leader, born in the late Qianlong era, was a figure who embodied the name 'Demon Sect' to the extreme.

"Your disciple will keep your teachings in mind!"

Lu Yinghua clasped his fists and performed a grand bow.

Only then did he dare to lift his head and look.

From within the open door of Mu'an's dwelling, a peerless beauty of only seventeen or eighteen years emerged.

Her features were as flawless as jade, her bright eyes shimmering like luminous pearls, her delicate figure like a swaying mimosa shy of the wind. Her jet-black hair, rivaling silk, was swept high into a coiffure, making her resemble an ethereal immortal maiden. Her skin bore a faint pink flush, her phoenix eyes rippling with light, her lips like cherry blossoms touched with rouge.

Sect Master Luo Hao wore a Gold-Silver Silk Embroidered Phoenix Robe on her upper body and a Pleated Wishful Moon Smoke Skirt below. With lotus steps light and graceful, she approached slowly—like a female emperor descending upon the world, or like a goddess of Kunlun riding the wind through the void.

Such immortal beauty and jade-like countenance were seen by few in this world, for all who beheld the Sect Master's celestial face had gouged out their own eyes, unwilling to let her divine visage linger in their sight.

Lu Yinghua was one of the fortunate few who had seen Luo Hao's true face without needing to destroy his eyes, yet he did not consider this a blessing—only bitterness welled in his heart.

"Eagle Child, what matter brings you to Mount Lu to seek your master?"

Sect Master Luo Hao had seemingly transformed back into a patient, teaching mentor, her tone much gentler, though the overbearing aura of supremacy on her face remained unchanged.

"It is a great matter! I have written it all here, and I beg my master to grant me the favor of reading it."

In Lu Yinghua's hand was a letter on paper.

Sect Master Luo Hao waved her hand, and the letter flew into her jade palm. She flicked the paper open and scanned it in a single glance, learning every detail of what had transpired on the Eastern Island Nation.

"Good! That thick-skinned, wolf-cunning old bastard was actually killed by a new 'King'—Roy Crowley? I will remember that name!"

Luo Hao's words startled Lu Yinghua. He knew that even among Campione, the only names his master deigned to remember were Marquis Voban and Lady Aisha. As for the younger generation of Campione, she scorned even knowing their names—such was her narcissism.

But now, the Sect Master had actually memorized the new "King's" name. This was not a good sign!

"Master... you, you wouldn't be planning to seek out that new 'King' for a duel, would you?"

Lu Yinghua asked cautiously.

"Though that Foreign King defeated my old rival, I am Number One Under Heaven. Would I travel mountains and rivers for such a trivial matter? If one day the whim strikes me, I might go meet him. For now, Eagle Child, you may withdraw!"

Luo Hao's tone was unbearably arrogant, like a phoenix descending from on high with head held high. Yet her arrogance did not inspire disgust—only a sense of inevitability, as if without this pride and self-love, she would not be Luo Hao at all.

Lu Yinghua silently cursed himself. Yes, though this event was unparalleled in the world of the occult, before his master, it was indeed a small matter. Making her personally set out for something so minor was absolutely impossible.

"Yes, your disciple dares not disturb you further. I take my leave!"

Lu Yinghua performed another grand bow and quickly departed.

Before this master of his, he too felt like Alexander—under immense pressure.

On the plane flying to Jerusalem, Roy sat at a desk, writing and drawing, transforming the knowledge he had gained from Erica into his own understanding.

After finishing the last symbol, he picked up the coffee beside him and took a light sip, a look of reminiscence on his face.

Earlier, Erica had served him here with her mouth, and Roy could still recall the taste of being wrapped in a gentle, tight embrace. Speaking of which, Erica was only fourteen—in the legal system of that Certain Ancient Country, she had just passed the age of criminal responsibility.

He still felt a bit awkward and embarrassed. For the first twenty-plus years of his life, he had lived in Tianchao, a law-abiding young man with a well-formed worldview. In the Toaru Majutsu no Index world, his fifteen years had been harsh and ascetic—he had seen few women, and aside from his sister Laura, the most frequent faces were the nuns of the nearby Anglican Church.

Now, he was a vigorous young man, a pure human, naturally interested in beautiful girls. But using his authority and power to pressure a girl still left him feeling somewhat guilty—he could not yet match Aleister's carefree, guiltless demeanor.

"I still need more experience."

Roy sighed inwardly. He recalled that at the very end, when he bestowed the Sacred Object upon Erica, he had also imbued it with the power of his Authority. When Erica swallowed it, her body was healed in the process.

Throughout history, he was probably the only Campione to use his Authority in such a way.

Thinking this, Roy felt a hint of pride.

Then, he raised his right hand and said to Aiwass behind him, "...I've noticed that something seems to have appeared in my right hand."

Chapter 57: When in Doubt, Quantum Mechanics

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Behind Roy, the "Holy Guardian Angel," whose body shimmered with faint light, with long golden hair and bare jade feet floating in midair, looked toward the right hand Roy had raised.

At that moment, the existence known as Aiwass flickered like an unstable signal, taking on a snowy, ethereal quality as if about to dissipate at any moment, before gradually stabilizing.

Seeing Aiwass nearly vanish, Roy froze and asked tensely, "...Are you alright, Aiwass~?"

To Roy now, Aiwass was a very important person—he did not want anything to happen to her.

"It is nothing. It is merely that the 'spirit' of this form experienced a momentary lag."

Aiwass's gaze fell on Roy's right hand. She revealed an extremely human-like smile, and her tone was no longer as mysterious and distant as before, but instead became somewhat irritable—even her words could be described as "colorful language." "...Those foolish 'Demon Gods,' who spent their entire lives pursuing what they desperately desired, have had it obtained so easily by me. If They were to learn of this, what expressions would They show? I can hardly wait to see Their faces."

Roy had grown accustomed to Aiwass's occasional strange tone. This "Holy Guardian Angel" was not a lifeless object—or rather, she had once been lifeless, but through contact with humans, she had grown closer to them.

Of course, only closer. Aiwass could never be human.

"Mm, I can feel it. That mysterious space we passed through when we crossed into this world—it now resides in my right hand. My right hand has become its vessel. Aiwass, what do you think—if I cut off this right hand, would something terribly dangerous come out of it?"

Roy spoke as if asking a question, but more like a joke. He wasn't insane enough to want to cut off his own hand—what if he accidentally lost his King's Power?

Aiwass could only fall silent, for even she could not fully understand or explain the mysterious space now dwelling in Roy's right hand.

"If you wish to return to Aleister's world, you must be wary of the 'Demon Gods.' If They discover what your right hand holds, They will pursue you with madness and obsession. They will give everything to obtain what is in your right hand."

Aiwass's tone carried a note of warning.

"This is already the second time you've warned me, Aiwass... Speaking of 'Demon Gods,' I've read about them in Aleister's writings. He described them as 'those who have exhausted the limits of magic.' I can imagine the scale of Their power, but I cannot fully comprehend it."

The Toaru Majutsu no Index world was one Roy had to return to, for Laura and Aleister were still there. But if returning to that world would make him the "Tang Monk's flesh" in the eyes of the "Demon Gods," then Roy had to treat Them as hypothetical enemies and plan a solution in advance.

"Only a Demon God can understand a Demon God. When you one day reach that realm, you will inevitably understand—it is necessary knowledge that is unnecessary... But you need not worry too much; even Demon Gods have their limits."

"Oh? How so?"

Roy raised an eyebrow, asking with interest.

"Do you know the Isolated Island Theory?"

"I have some understanding of it. It's one of the theories explaining why humanity hasn't discovered extraterrestrial life. Roughly speaking, it means the universe is infinitely vast, but human exploration and cognition have limits. There is an insurmountable distance between every civilization, so what humans call the universe is merely the universe they can perceive."

Roy pondered for a moment before replying succinctly.

"This theory can also explain the relationship between 'different worlds.' If all universes and worlds are described as an endless sea, then each world is an isolated island within that sea. The limit of Demon Gods lies in their inability to cross that sea or to reach another island through it. The mysterious space in your right hand is the 'ship' capable of crossing that sea, which naturally draws the covetous gaze of Demon Gods, because their dreams and desires are to leave their own island and see something broader."

"...And the being capable of building this 'ship' must be an ultimate existence far surpassing Demon Gods. You have already obtained this 'ship' that can voyage far. Whether you reverse-engineer its structure to gain power or use it to explore different islands and acquire more techniques and treasures, compared to Demon Gods trapped on their isolated islands, you are the freer one. This is where you surpass their limits."

Aiwass did her best to use simple, understandable words to build Roy's confidence, for she too was now a passenger on this ship. If Roy, the captain, ran into trouble, she, the guest, could not sail across this Sea of Worlds.

"So in the end, you're telling me to use what's entrusted to this right hand to traverse different worlds, thereby gaining power in those worlds that can rival Demon Gods."

Roy laughed heartily, stretching lazily.

He lowered his head to look at the words and spells he had written on the desk, frowning. "...These are all knowledge I obtained from Erica through bodily fluid exchange. Her knowledge isn't vast, so I can easily integrate it, but it's not enough for me to complete this ritual."

As he spoke, he turned back to look at Aiwass. If he could obtain the knowledge of this "Holy Guardian Angel," it would surely grant him a massive increase in knowledge—far faster than oral transmission.

Aiwass sensed Roy's thoughts and merely chuckled. "...I suggest you don't think about using the Witch's 'Sex Magic' to acquire knowledge from me right now. Even a tiny fraction of my knowledge would be enough to burst your current head... Besides, I am currently a 'spirit body' without flesh, so I cannot perform this 'magic.'"

After a pause, Aiwass continued. "...Another part of my consciousness is with Aleister. He is carrying out a plan. If it succeeds, I can obtain a physical body. If by then you can bear my knowledge, I will impart the necessary knowledge to you."

0... Seeking Flowers 0...

Aiwass had little resistance to the idea of imparting knowledge through negative-distance physical contact with Roy. Her only concern was whether Roy's brain could withstand her knowledge, which was like poison.

"The other part of your consciousness with Aleister? You can actually sense what's happening in another world from here?"