Only a Fake Athena Needs Protection / Lady Aisha

"Let this be the spoils granted to the victor by the defeated."

Thinking this, she snuggled a little deeper into Roy's embrace and widened her eyes as she stared at the ceiling.

A night of rest had finally restored some of Athena's divine power, but the weakness caused by the Light of the Right still remained.

Just as Athena had realized when she was defeated, the Light of the Right was a power that eliminated every factor related to "victory" and left behind only the possibility of "defeat."

If your stamina was a condition for victory, it reduced your stamina to zero.

If your divine power was a condition for victory, it reduced your divine power to zero.

If your Authorities were a condition for victory, it sealed all of them.

Even if waiting for reinforcements was the condition for your victory, the Light of the Right would distort fate and reverse cause and effect, preventing anyone who might come to your aid from arriving for all sorts of reasons, as though it were the Counter Force manipulating the world.

In short, once it had eliminated every external and internal factor that could grant you victory, the probability of victory became zero, resulting in absolute defeat.

That was why Athena had called the Divine Right of Various Anime and Manga unreasonable, and why she refused to accept this outcome. Roy's right hand simply made no sense, as if he were cheating.

"You're awake, Athena... How was your rest?"

When Athena's delicate body shifted in his arms, Roy had already been roused. He slowly opened his eyes and yawned, then rubbed his face against Athena's silver hair as though he were hugging a cat, earning an irritated response from the Goddess.

"I'm fine. I've recovered some of my strength. At this rate, I'll probably need another two days to recover completely."

Athena frowned and examined her body. She had not been injured; she had merely been "defeated." Rather than healing wounds, her current recovery was the gradual disappearance of the Light of the Right's influence, as the "elements of victory" Athena had lost slowly returned to her body.

Her stamina, vitality, divine power, Authorities, and even conceptual things such as friendship and bonds were gradually returning.

"Since you've mostly recovered, get up. After we eat, we'll go sightseeing in Athens."

The day before, Roy had not behaved too wildly in the washroom. He had merely lain in the bath and relaxed.

"I am a wandering Disobedient God. I do not care where I go."

There was no sorrow in Athena's clear, youthful voice like a stream. She was merely stating a fact.

Although she was Greece's most famous Goddess and the guardian deity of Athens, she did not actually feel anything special toward Athens. In the end, it was merely a myth woven by humans, a divine office forcibly assigned to her.

Of course, because she was Athens' guardian deity, fighting in Athens would grant her a territorial boost and make her even stronger.

Disobedient Gods and Heroic Spirits were completely different existences. The stories of Heroic Spirits happened first and were later imbued with mythological color, while the stories of Disobedient Gods were first given mythological form and only then became divine offices. Their cause-and-effect relationships were entirely reversed.

Seeing that his flattery seemed to have missed its mark, Roy shrugged. He had not expected Athena to feel so little for Athens, but he did not mind. "...I've never been to Athens anyway, so let's go there and look around."

In his original world, Roy had liked traveling. Unfortunately, his lack of time and money had prevented him from visiting various places around the world. In the A Certain Magical Index World, he had been living through wartime, and his circumstances had been even more difficult. He had to care for his younger sister and supplement the household income by writing letters for others. Apart from the street where he lived and the nearby Puritan church, Roy was not even familiar with London itself.

Now, in this modern society, he had power and strength and no longer needed to worry about money. Although he usually spent most of his time cooped up in his villa or reading in the Vatican, he did not mind traveling around now that he had some free time.

"Very well, I'll listen to you... Although I am not a knight who will pledge allegiance to you as my master, I will do my best to treat you as my main god."

Athena jumped down from the bed. A Goddess' body did not need cleaning, so she prepared to leave the bedroom.

"Wait, Athena."

Roy called out to her.

"Is something wrong, Roy...?"

She neither used an honorific for Roy nor addressed him with the unfamiliar formality of his full name. The plain way she spoke, like a friend addressing another friend, made Roy feel a little closer to the Goddess.

Athena tilted her head. A few strands of hair fell down, and her amber eyes looked at Roy in confusion. She resembled an exquisite porcelain doll.

"Change your clothes. That outfit of yours is really... too old-fashioned."

Roy looked strangely at Athena's petite form and the bizarrely colored clothes she was wearing. Fortunately, she was a Goddess with an elegant bearing. Otherwise, dressed in such colors, she would have looked exactly like a country girl.

"The clothes are over there. I had someone from Switzerland deliver them yesterday."

Roy pointed toward the sofa. Only then did Athena notice the white dress with lace and ruffles folded there.

"Are they... really ugly?"

Athena lowered her head and looked at her clothes, asking hesitantly.

She had chosen the outfit herself. If Roy said it was ugly, it would damage the Goddess' confidence.

"I wouldn't say they're ugly, but how should I put it... That outfit is a little too mature for your current appearance. Since you've become a child, you should dress cutely to match it. Actually, the clothes you wear in your Complete Form are quite beautiful. They have a strong ancient Greek style."

Roy smiled as he put on his clothes.

Athena had intended to reject his suggestion. She was an obstinate Goddess and would not change herself because of others' opinions. But after hesitating, she still spoke. "...Then you should go outside."

"What?"

"I'm going to change. Do you intend to watch me change clothes?"

Athena glared at Roy.

Roy had been about to say, I'd actually like to watch you change, but when he saw a faint, almost imperceptible blush appear on Athena's crystalline white face, he swallowed the teasing remark and walked toward the door with an exasperated smile.

Their relationship was not yet close enough for that. He had better not tease the Goddess until she lost her temper.

"I am not Aphrodite, dressing up to the nines for a man."

As Roy passed Athena, he heard her mutter.

"The Goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite? Venus, you mean... From your tone, it sounds like you really dislike her."

····· send flowers··········

Roy asked curiously.

"That wanton woman is exactly the type a chaste Goddess like me hates most—a good-for-nothing who can only rely on selling her beauty and depending on other male gods to solve her problems! Do not mention her anymore. Roy, hurry outside."

Athena sounded impatient, even irritated, as she urged him out.

The Goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite, indeed had a poor reputation in mythology. She gave people the impression of a coquettish Goddess who seduced men with her clothes and body. Athena, by contrast, gave the impression of being plain and decisive, a Goddess who relied on her own strength to solve everything.

The two Goddesses could be said to represent two distinct types of modern women.

Although Athena in mythology could also be ruthless and toy with humans, that was a common failing among the Olympian Gods. In Greek Mythology, where the Gods' private lives were notoriously chaotic, the fact that only Hestia, Athena, and Artemis were virgin Goddesses was enough to show how different Athena was.

At the dining table, Athena had changed into an elaborate and magnificent Baroque-style dress. White stockings covered her straight legs, and she wore a wreath on her head, exactly like the one Athena wore after growing up.

Roy felt that the wreath on Athena's head gave her a strong girlish air. Without it, he always felt that something was missing.

Athena seemed unaccustomed to such an overly gorgeous outfit. Her brows remained slightly furrowed as she tugged at the left side and then the right.

"Lord Roy, this is a handwritten letter sent to you by Lord John Smith, the Campione of North America. He wishes to borrow your strength to resolve a troublesome matter. Lord Smith said that he should have come to Italy personally to invite you, but he is currently unable to leave North America, so he can only make his request by letter. He hopes you will travel to North America, and once you arrive, he will personally come to apologize."

Every morning at breakfast, Erica reported the latest major events in the supernatural world to Roy, along with matters related to him. She was practically his personal secretary.

Roy had grown accustomed to Erica handling these tedious affairs for him. Sometimes he even wondered how awkward he would feel if Erica were no longer around.

"John Smith? I don't even know him. I have no interest in traveling that far to help him solve his problems. Just refuse him and say I'm busy."

Roy spoke without hesitation.

What a joke. Did he think a letter and a single sentence would be enough to summon Roy and make him help? Roy was not that kindhearted.

"Understood. I'll politely decline Lord Smith's invitation."

Erica nodded. She was not surprised by Roy's decision.

If a Campione like Smith requested something, ordinary magical organizations would be absolutely unable—and too afraid—to refuse. Roy was different. He was also a Campione, and one whose vicious reputation was every bit as fearsome as that of the Eastern Cult Master. He could casually wave away John Smith's request.

As the subordinate of a Campione with such a reputation, every magical organization in Italy could hold its head high. When facing their counterparts from other countries, they could even act superior. Erica did not need to fear other "Kings," because she represented Roy.

"Wait, Erica. Don't reject him just yet!"

Roy raised his hand. His clairvoyance had found something that interested him greatly. This request for help from Smith turned out to involve a certain object—the legendary Holy Grail!

The Ninety-First Chapter: Only a False Athena Needs Protection

"What does John Smith's business have to do with Roy Crawley? She's the one asking me for help, not the other way around. Let her wait on the North American continent! I'll go over whenever I feel like it. Maybe she'll solve the matter herself before I even arrive!"

Despite saying this so casually, Roy still went to Athens rather than heading straight for North America.

Although Roy had seen the golden legendary Holy Grail through his clairvoyance, the object that the Black Prince, Alexander Gascoyne, had pursued without ever obtaining, Roy's clairvoyance could only see the past. It could not directly observe the present or the future.

Therefore, all he could do was infer the truth from information about the past. After learning that the North American Campione's request involved the Holy Grail, Roy actually preferred to sit back and watch, appearing only when the Holy Grail and its master emerged.

Athens was the capital and largest city of Greece, located at the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. It had once been Marquis Voban's territory. After the Marquis' defeat and disappearance, the magical organizations of the countries he had ruled became leaderless, and one after another they began pledging allegiance to Roy.

Roy could not trust these magical organizations as much as he trusted Italy's Seven Sisters, but surely these magicians would not dare deceive or placate him, their "King."

Just as governments welcomed a president or prime minister with an escort when they visited another country, whenever Roy's itinerary was confirmed, the local magical organization would naturally come forward to hear the King's orders, no matter where he went.

"Lord Roy, did I hear you refer to Lord John Smith as 'she'?"

Compared with the more reserved Liliana, Erica preferred to make her presence known. This beautiful Italian woman with a striking face and lovely figure, the future head of the Bronze Black Cross, was like the dancer at center stage. Wherever she went, she became the focus of everyone's attention, deftly handling every social situation.

"John Pluto Smith's real name is Anne Charlton. Beneath that mask and armor is a woman. An introverted and low-profile Campione like her, one who is even unwilling to reveal her true face, is unique throughout history. In that respect, she is quite an extraordinary person."

Roy casually exposed the truth the North American Campione had tried so hard to conceal. In front of his clairvoyance, no secret could remain hidden.

"Lord Smith is actually a woman? This is the first time I've heard such a secret."

Liliana looked surprised, while Erica's eyes lit up. She was surprised as well, but what welled up more strongly was the delight of learning a deeply hidden secret of the world. As a magician and a Great Knight, she was at the most passionate age of her life and loved uncovering ancient mysteries like an explorer.

Even though Anne Charlton, the Campione, had been born relatively recently, the secret of a "King" was still enough to rival an ancient esoteric ritual.

Behind Roy and the others, the head of a local magical organization in Athens was accompanying them on their tour of the city. After hearing the secret from Roy, he felt no joy at having learned it. Instead, he was terrified, even afraid that the North American Campione might kill him to silence him.

After all, if the North American "King" had hidden her identity and gender, and had even used a false name, she must have had a profound reason. Knowing a "King's" secret without possessing an equal status was not something to celebrate.

"Speaking of which, the eras of the Campiones are truly distinct. Marquis Voban, the Eastern Cult Master, and Lady Aisha were born around two hundred years ago, while the remaining four, including me, were born within the last ten years. There's a clear divide between the eras."

"...I looked back through the past and never found more than four Campiones existing in any single era. In other words, during Marquis Voban's generation, the Last King should have appeared and killed them all. I never expected him to wait until now, allowing seven Campiones to be born."

Roy spoke these words quietly to Athena beside him, keeping his voice low enough that Liliana and the others could not hear. As few people as possible should know about the Last King for now.

Dressed in a gorgeous Baroque dress and wearing a wreath, the Goddess possessed an elegant bearing and haughty expression despite her childlike appearance. Her breathtaking beauty was mixed with a touch of cuteness. As she moved her jade feet lightly, her white-stockinged legs drew the gazes of every man nearby. Hearing Roy's words, the Goddess merely snorted and said mockingly, "...The Last King has grown lazy too."

The fact that the Campiones of the previous era had not been killed was definitely not because the Last King had been unable to defeat them. He had simply failed to carry out his mission.

"Those three Campiones were truly lucky. They should have died a hundred years ago, yet they managed to survive until now."

Roy shook his head with a smile. It seemed that after completing his mission for thousands of years, the Last King had grown tired as well.

"But this is not good news for me. So many Campiones living in the same era is unprecedented. The Last King's Great Covenant Law will rise to a level it has never reached before... I do have a bold idea. The chance of success is not high, but if it works, I can eliminate the Last King. If it fails, I may truly have no choice but to kill all the other Campiones."

The Last King was like the Sword of Damocles hanging above his head, an obstacle Roy had to overcome. No matter when, he had to think of ways to deal with him.

"I do not care what method you use. Whether it is sinister and cunning or honorable and upright, it is all a display of wisdom. As the Goddess of Wisdom, I will support you either way. Just remember your agreement with me—the agreement to sever the Last Steel together—and I will protect you!"

Athena spoke with high spirits.

"I was supposed to be the one 'protecting Athena.' Why does it sound as though Athena is protecting me now? Don't worry, Lady Goddess, I will always remember our agreement."

Roy joked.

"As the Goddess who governs war and wisdom, Athena needs no one's protection. If an Athena needs others to protect her to survive, then that must be a false Athena!"

The corners of Athena's mouth lifted slightly. Her adorable face revealed an elegant, noble smile containing both Athena's pride and her approval of Roy.

At that moment, Athena's delicate brows drew together, and a clear look of disgust appeared on her face.

"What's wrong, Athena?"

Noticing the change in the Goddess' expression, Roy took her small, fair hand and felt its cool smoothness as he asked with concern.

Athena tugged at her hand, but Roy's grip was too strong and tight, and she could not pull it free. After glaring at him, she finally gave up and said in a low voice, "...I smell an unpleasant stench. It is the scent of the Lord of Rakshasa. It is faint, but it is gradually growing stronger."

The Lord of Rakshasa was another name for a Campione. Since it could be sensed by a Disobedient God, that meant a Campione was nearby.

A Campione's senses were not particularly acute. Even two Campiones standing face-to-face might fail to recognize each other. Disobedient Gods were different, however. They could detect the presence of a Campione even from a great distance. Athena was practically a high-performance radar for detecting Campiones.

The Ninety-Second Chapter: Lady Aisha

Roy discreetly searched the surroundings, but he found nothing related to a Campione.

* Aiwass, can you tell where the Campione Athena mentioned is?*

Since he could not find her and Athena could not determine her exact location, Roy directly asked Aiwass through telepathy.

[That Campione is not in this world—or, more precisely, not on this timeline. She is returning from another point in time. This world is truly fascinating. It can open a path through the river of time so easily.]