Roy did not block Michael's longsword, because doing so would cost him his last chance.
He thrust out his chest and shifted slightly, preventing the longsword from piercing his heart. Instead, it pierced him just beside it. If the longsword were still the Sword of God, its Magic Power would be enough to kill Roy instantly, but under the influence of Angel Fall, it had temporarily become the Sword of Man and could no longer kill him outright.
Roy's injuries were severe, but they would not kill him immediately. He would have time to struggle before death.
At the same time as the longsword pierced him, Roy pressed the Spear of Longinus Fragment in his right hand into Michael's chest.
Then Angel Fall was dispelled. Michael's status returned from "human" to "god," and the Holy Spear Fragment—which had once killed the Son of God but was merely a sharp spear against humans—erupted completely.
In that brief second, Roy drove his killing move into Michael's "core." The property capable of killing the Son of God exploded inside Michael's body like the birth of the universe.
That one-in-a-billion miracle appeared.
The fearless angel showed a moment of astonishment on his handsome, beautiful face, then burst into laughter. "...Beautifully done, Child of the Fool! This is the ending I longed for. To return to the Lord's embrace and uphold the Lord's rule before Him!"
"...I am the God-like Being Michael, the angel of Certain Victory. Here, I bestow upon the Child of the Fool both blessing and curse!"
"Carry my Certain Victory forward, and use my fearlessness to annihilate everything, until the final end arrives!"
In his daze, Roy seemed to hear Michael saying something. By then, however, his severe injuries had already plunged him into unconsciousness.
Pandora's Dark Festival
Roy awoke to the soft sensation beneath his head and a faint fragrance drifting into his nostrils.
He opened his eyes and warily surveyed his surroundings.
It was a world of gray. The gray space stretched all the way to the horizon, empty of people, lonely and quiet, yet permeated by a mysterious eeriness.
Then Roy realized that he was lying somewhere. His heart jolted, and he instinctively tried to sit up.
But a small hand pressed down on his shoulder, forcing his rising body back down.
Only then did Roy lift his head and look upward, meeting the gaze of the owner of those eyes.
She was a girl who appeared to be thirteen or fourteen. Her beautiful, pale-purple hair was tied into twin tails, its uncanny color resembling that of Medusa, the famous monster from Greek Mythology. Her proper features formed a cute doll-like face, radiating a girl's innocence and liveliness, yet a bewitching allure also lingered over that young, adorable face, making people forget her apparent age and naturally think of the words "mature woman."
She wore a thin white dress, and her entire body looked slender—almost excessively so.
Roy was lying there with his head in her lap.
Roy felt slightly awkward, but he was not some pure young boy who had never even touched a girl's hand and blushed at the sight of a woman. He quickly composed himself and asked warily, "...Who are you? Where is this place?"
In truth, Roy already knew who the woman before him was: the source of everything in the Campione World, the creator of the Campione dark ritual, the first woman bestowed upon humanity by the gods of Greek Mythology—Pandora!
Only now did Roy understand why Aiwass had previously told him not to learn everything about a world in exhaustive detail or deliberately investigate it.
Once humans learned too much, they would instinctively become arrogant, naturally placing themselves in a superior position and looking down on others. That was dangerous.
If Roy accidentally revealed that he knew Pandora's identity, or disclosed too much and aroused her curiosity or suspicion, causing her not to perform the dark ritual for him, he would suffer a huge loss. The Campione ritual he had completed through such desperate effort would all be wasted.
Killing a Disobedient God and seizing its authority was not a rule inherent to this world, but a ritual belonging to Pandora. In essence, the ritual was a form of Great Magic. Its activation conditions were simply extremely harsh: one had to personally kill a god and use that god as a sacrifice.
Therefore, Roy did his best to appear confused and at a loss.
Pandora showed no suspicion. She merely watched Roy with intense curiosity and said with an alluring smile, "...I'm your 'mama'~~~ As for where this is, hm~ I don't mind telling you. You'll forget soon anyway."
"...This is the Realm of Life and Death. In Greek terms, it is the World of Thought; in Persian terms, the World of Mind. You came here after activating the ritual through the great deed of killing a god, becoming my 'son.' Come, call me Mama."
Roy looked at Pandora's expectant eyes and mischievous smile, then merely curled his lips and ignored her.
She actually dared to call herself his "mother." That was some nerve. His father was Aleister Crowley. If that vicious man learned of Pandora's existence, poor Pandora would probably be captured and taken to the Building with No Doors or Windows, then placed in a formaldehyde-filled jar for study. That man would absolutely do such a thing.
Roy silently grumbled to himself.
Seeing Roy ignore her, Pandora puffed out her cheeks as if angry and snorted. "...As for who I am, I'm Pandora—the Pandora you're thinking of. Explaining why you can see me would be too troublesome, so I won't bother. You'll understand everything soon enough. When you come here next time, you'll know it all."
Pandora had none of a Goddess's dignity. She was like an ordinary middle-school girl, displaying a touch of willfulness.
Soon, however, she revealed a sorrowful expression—whether sincere or feigned was impossible to tell. "...This era has already seen the appearance of the Seventh Campione, and the strongest Steel is about to awaken as well. My youngest child, your luck is rather poor. You cannot yet enjoy everything this great deed of killing a god has brought you, and must already face the end."
Pandora's words stirred Roy's heart. Though few, they revealed a great deal of information.
For example, he was the Seventh Campione. According to Roy's memories, the original protagonist of Campione should have been the Seventh. In other words, the timeline he had entered preceded the original Campione story, though not by much, since the first six Campiones had already appeared.
I really am fated to be associated with seven.
Roy's expression became strange, and he did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Roy moved his head, making himself more comfortable. Since he knew the woman before him was Pandora, he no longer feared the unknown. Instead, he observed her with interest, finding even his eyes much more comfortable.
She was undoubtedly a beautiful woman. In Roy's two lives and more than thirty years, aside from his younger sister Laura, he had never seen a woman more beautiful or more alluring than Pandora. Of course, Roy also knew that this was because he had not seen enough of the world.
"Oh? What a special child. Your reason and wisdom hardly resemble those of a Campione. Yet your choice to act 'ignorantly' before a god undoubtedly makes you a qualified Child of the Fool."
Faced with Roy's unyielding, calmly observant attitude, Pandora said helplessly, "...Why aren't you saying anything? Making me perform a one-woman show makes me look foolish."
"Interrupting someone is very rude, Pandora. I simply didn't want to interrupt you."
Roy finally spoke. He truly did not want to chatter with Pandora here; he only wanted her to finish the ritual and grant him the power he desired.
"Calling me Pandora sounds so distant. You must call me Mama, Mama~ If you call me 'Mama,' I'll give you a special reward."
"...Now that I look carefully, my youngest child is rather handsome and young. He's much cuter than that foolish boy from before."
Pandora's slender fingers gently combed Roy's disordered silver hair, which barely reached his ears. Though she looked like a young girl, she radiated a tenderness called maternal love.
Roy slightly raised his brows. He only wanted Pandora to finish this idle chatter, so he directly satisfied her. "...Mama."
"Hehe~ It's about time. Here's your special reward~"
As she spoke, Pandora cupped Roy's cheeks with her slender fingers and bent down.
Under Roy's astonished gaze, a fragrant breeze swept over him.
At the same time, the Great Magic of the Campione ritual—Pandora's Dark Offering—began!
Power, "Divine Right"
Roy opened his eyes once more.
He realized that he had spent these days continually passing between closing and opening his eyes, traveling back and forth in an instant.
He was still in the desert where he had killed Michael. The sun blazed overhead, but its dazzling light no longer harmed his pupils. The sand beneath him was scorching hot, yet its slight heat could no longer burn his body.
Roy knew he had completed his transformation. He had truly ascended in a single step, changing from an insignificant magician into a Campione capable of contending with gods.
Supporting himself, Roy rose from the desert and looked at his clothes, which had been reduced to rags. If he had not previously used the power of The Book of Law's original text to create a layer of protection, then even after becoming a Campione, he would have had to face the embarrassment of standing naked in the desert.
Lowering his head and carefully recalling things, Roy was surprised to discover that he remembered everything that had happened when he met Pandora in the Realm of Life and Death. He had not forgotten anything.
He smacked his lips. A warm sensation still lingered there, and his mouth tasted sweet, as though it carried the sweet, enchanting fragrance of lily of the valley. Even Pandora's astonished expression, and the bold way he had entered her mouth to explore the warmth of her fragrant tongue, remained vivid in his memory.
"Aleister has conducted extremely profound research into 'phases.' The Realm of Life and Death you reached just now was one such phase. Since you once fully comprehended The Book of 777, the culmination of Aleister's work, you are capable of resisting the negative effects brought by different phases."
Just then, as if sensing Roy's confusion, Aiwass, the Holy Guardian Angel behind him, answered him in her distinctive static-like voice, as though her signal were poor.
The Book of 777 was the condensation of Aleister the "Beast's" thoughts. In reality, it contained no detailed records of magical rituals, only Aleister's "philosophical ideas."
Therefore, even after fully comprehending The Book of 777, Roy did not directly become stronger or master any powerful techniques. However, when facing Aleister's Imaginary Phase earlier, he could manifest his body directly.
The book had nevertheless given Roy an opportunity: the chance to use its philosophical ideas to create a powerful technique belonging solely to himself, just as Aleister had created Spirit Binding.
Previously, Roy's realm had been profound, but he lacked practical ability—the typical "giant in thought, dwarf in action." Now that he had successfully killed a god and become a Campione through Pandora's Dark Offering, he finally possessed the ability to act.
"Aiwass, did you also go to that 'phase' just now?"
"After sensing your spirit enter that phase, I went to check on you because I was worried."
Roy curled his lips at her words. Why did this angel make it sound so ambiguous, even saying that she was "worried about him"?
"Pandora didn't notice you?"
"With her status, noticing me was impossible."
That brief sentence told Roy that neither Pandora nor the Disobedient Gods of this world could compare with this angel from a higher-phase world described by the Kabbalah Tree of Life.
"This is a novel world. The ritual used by that woman Pandora happens to conform to this world's origin. However, her ritual has many flaws. She should have been able to do better, but that is all."
Aiwass's expression held no contempt or mockery, yet her brief words revealed her extraordinary nature. With only a glance, she had grasped the core of Pandora's Dark Festival and pointed directly at the ritual's flaws.
Roy had done his best to observe the operation of Pandora's Dark Festival, but with his knowledge, he could only vaguely make out the tiniest portion.
Soon, Roy felt that this was not a big deal. After all, Aiwass symbolized the number "93," the Secret Chief who "stored knowledge" and "imparted knowledge."
"Aiwass, can you analyze Pandora's Dark Festival? Even...perfect the ritual?"
Roy was quite curious about Pandora's ritual.
"In theory, it can be completed. It is merely a ritual magic adapted to this world's rules. However, I need time to observe this world more carefully. Different worlds contain too many changes in their 'variables,' so they cannot be treated as identical."
"...I understand what you mean. Roy, even if you had not asked me, I would still have tried to analyze this ritual. I have always been intensely interested in observing the unknown and the fascinating."
"Ha, just like me and my father, Aleister? Because you find something interesting, you observe it, even going so far as to personally involve yourself."
Roy was not questioning her. He merely stated it calmly as fact.
Aiwass did not answer, because she had already conveyed her response through her actions.
Sometimes Aiwass liked to hide secrets and refused to say anything. At other times, this angel was especially honest, using her actions to reveal her choices.
"Let's first take a look at the authorities I gained after becoming a Campione. Pandora's Dark Festival can be researched as a long-term subject."
With that, Roy closed his eyes and felt the changes in his body.
After killing a god and using it as a sacrifice for the ritual, an enormous amount of Magic Power surged through Roy's body—or rather, an extremely high-quality form of magic power.
At the same time, his body underwent tremendous changes. The greatest was his Magic Resistance, which had reached an exaggerated level. Ordinary magic could no longer affect or harm him at all, and even Great Magic was greatly weakened before his Magic Resistance.
That was why even powerful magicians could not oppose Disobedient Gods. Disobedient Gods were almost completely immune to human magic, and only a handful of powerful spells could affect them.
Compared with resistance to magic, the Campione's growth in Physical Resistance was not as exaggerated. Their stamina and strength greatly surpassed those of ordinary humans, but the gap was not impossible to cross. Powerful magicians could train themselves to reach the same level.
More precisely, a Campione's physical abilities were strong, but still within the range of "humanity."
Campiones did not rely on physical ability anyway. It was merely the foundation beneath their true strength. The real power of a Campione lay in the authorities seized from gods!
After killing the god and completing the Campione ritual, Roy instinctively understood the functions and methods of using his authorities.
"The authorities seized from gods are closely connected to a Campione's own traits and compatibility. Even if two Campiones kill the same god, the authorities they obtain may not be identical... And having comprehended The Book of 777, I truly am deeply fated to the number 'seven.'"
Roy's expression was extremely strange. The Book of 777 recorded Aleister's ideas; in reality, its contents were a blasphemy against the perfect meaning of the Bible of Christianity.
Yet the god he had killed was the strongest and most glorious angel in Christianity, and the one most closely connected with "seven."
Roy had obtained seven authorities in one breath. Their breadth and power astonished even him. However, like the protagonist of the original work, because he had gained too many authorities at once, they also came with restrictions on their use.
The seven authorities each had their own names. After thinking for a moment, Roy said, "...Michael is the God-like Being, seated at God's right hand as an angel 'equal to God.' In Christianity, the 'right side' also means 'equal honor.' Since that is the case, these seven authorities shall collectively be called Divine Right!"
Jacob's Ladder
A Campione was a king, for he slew the gods of Heaven and seized the supreme divine power they possessed—
A Campione was a conqueror, for he wielded authorities stolen through god-slaying and used them to rule over the mortals of Earth—
A Campione was a demon king, for among all mortals living in this world, no one possessed the power to stand against one!
--
Within the Sand Sea, a young man in tattered clothes resembling strips of cloth walked onward. From his appearance alone, he looked like a down-and-out traveler lost in the desert, struggling against the terrible natural environment through sheer willpower, as if he might lose his life at any moment.
But viewed from nearby, the young man was full of spirit. Even beneath the blazing sun, he had barely broken a sweat, and he marched forward with his head held high and his strides wide.
"I wonder where Metatron ran off to. He may already have gone far from here."
The person crossing the Sand Sea was naturally Roy, who had just completed his god-slaying. Campiones possessed a strange sensitivity toward Disobedient Gods: the moment they met, they would recognize each other. Roy was therefore traversing this desert in hopes of finding Metatron's presence.
Metatron had been gravely wounded during his battle with Michael. Based on Roy's analysis of his authorities, unless Metatron possessed some authority related to resurrection or healing, he would need a long time to recover completely. This was the best moment to kill a god, and Roy naturally did not want to let it pass.
However, judging from the situation, he had wasted too much time undergoing Pandora's Dark Festival, and Metatron had likely already fled far away.
Unless he possessed a special authority, finding a hidden Disobedient God across Earth's 510 million square kilometers was beyond a Campione's abilities.
Now that Roy had seen Metatron, he would never let him go. The Celestial Scribe had become Roy's next target for god-slaying.
"Finding Metatron by myself is impossible. I need enough manpower."
Roy rubbed his chin. He was now the "king" of the Earth. If he announced that he needed subordinates, countless magical organizations would come applying, eager to become his loyal lackeys.
But Roy was not willing to accept just anyone. Even his subordinates needed sufficient influence—at the very least, they had to hold considerable power in both the occult and mundane worlds.
Creating a new organization himself would naturally be best, but Roy did not want to waste that much time. With a Campione's absolute power, he also had no need to worry about the loyalty of his subordinates.
Before you continue