A Certain Multiverse's Holy Right

The door to the cabin's bedroom opened, and when Roy stepped out, he saw two girls standing in the corridor. Upon noticing him, both stiffened and instinctively stood at attention.

The two were Mariya Yuri and Seishuuin Ena. Yuri's gaze flickered with fear and revulsion before she quickly looked down, avoiding eye contact. Ena, while harboring a trace of fear, seemed more subdued, her expression tinged with melancholy.

"Are you feeling better?"

Roy's eyes swept over Ena's slightly hunched form, her abdomen bearing the mark of the wound inflicted by his summoned angelic sword.

Ena froze. Gone was the confidence and vigor she'd once carried in Tokyo. Bowing her head, she replied cautiously, "...I've received emergency treatment. I'm alright now, King Roy."

"That's good. Rest well these next few days. I'd rather not see you having physical issues during the ritual."

Roy spoke nonchalantly before turning his gaze to Yuri. "...The Japanese History Compilation Committee has located some mikos. They'll be sent to Jerusalem in due course. By the way, I heard one of them is named Mariya Hikari. Does that name sound familiar to you?"

Yuri's face instantly changed. The miko who had been lowering her head in an attempt to hide her emotions now snapped her gaze upward, panic overtaking her features. Her voice trembled, almost breaking into sobs.

"...Hikari is only ten years old! She's just an apprentice miko. Please, King, don't harm her! I'll do anything—anything you ask. Just, please, spare her!"

In her desperation, Yuri reached out as though to grab Roy but was stopped by Ena, who intervened at the last moment.

"So, she is someone you know. A sister, perhaps? Hmm. Whether that ten-year-old girl remains safe depends entirely on your contribution to the ritual. If you prove useful enough, I don't see any need to involve such a young miko. Wouldn't you agree?"

Roy's tone was calm and kind, like a benevolent elder brother. Yet, to Yuri, he was nothing short of a demon.

"I...I will do my best. I won't make any mistakes, King. Please...spare Hikari..."

Yuri's tear-streaked face was a pitiful sight, but it only made Roy shake his head.

"We've arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Prepare to disembark."

Roy stepped past Yuri, who was now crying silently, and Ena, who was trying to console her. He paused briefly and added gently, "...Ena, I understand your family has disowned you, but don't be too disheartened. Life is unpredictable. As the child of a noble family, you should've been prepared for such eventualities."

With that, he continued walking, not bothering to look back.

Ena blinked, processing his words. Was this... the King's version of kindness?

She wasn't sure.

…

The top floor of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem had been fully reserved. It was unclear whether this was arranged by the Greenwich Assembly, the Copper Black Cross, or the Bronze Black Cross.

On the hotel balcony, basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun, Princess Alice sat elegantly. She wore a Victorian-style gown paired with a Bohemian shawl, and in her hand was a delicate cup of black tea.

Closing her eyes, she took in the fragrant aroma, her expression serene and content.

Since regaining her physical mobility, Alice had indulged in the small pleasures of life, especially tea from the Gordon family's prized collection. Every afternoon, she would take time to relive the life of a refined socialite, savoring the moments she had missed.

"Beep—"

The sound of the electronic lock echoed, followed by the door opening. Alice didn't need to turn around to know who had entered.

"King Roy, barging into a lady's room uninvited—don't you think that's terribly improper and impolite?"

Her voice carried a teasing reprimand, elegant and poised as always.

Apart from the free-spirited and carefree Devil King, there was no one else who could walk into her room so boldly and without hesitation.

"Aren't these electronic cards meant to sneak into girls' rooms?"

Roy's chuckle came from behind Princess Alice. Then he walked to the balcony, pulled out the chair opposite her, and sat down, casually flaunting the card in his hand.

"You didn't take all the room cards, did you?"

"Correct. Every single one of them. As a King, I must have unrestricted access throughout my territory."

Roy joked as he picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of black tea. However, after just one sip, he frowned and put the cup down.

"...You English are peculiar. Adding milk to black tea? How can anyone drink this?"

Clearly dissatisfied, Roy returned inside the room, rummaged through the refrigerator, and brought out a bottle of cola.

"Ah, this is it. On a warm afternoon, nothing beats an iced cola..."

He popped open the can and took a hearty gulp, visibly satisfied.

"Drinking something like that? Not very kingly."

Princess Alice lifted her white porcelain teacup with her delicate fingers, her little finger elegantly raised, exuding poise and refinement.

"That's why you nobles are so troublesome. No wonder history did away with you... By the way, Alexander Gascoigne visited you when we were in Tokyo, didn't he?"

Roy leaned back in his chair, adjusting to a more comfortable position, as his gaze settled on Alice with an amused expression.

"King Roy, you figured it out? It seems that man wasn't cautious enough and ended up being discovered by you."

Alice's eyelashes fluttered slightly, her luminous eyes shimmering with a teasing light as she smiled knowingly at Roy.

"Why didn't you leave with him? If it were Alexander Gascoigne, even I might not have been able to get you back."

"If I were lying, I'd say it's because I'm afraid of you, King Roy. A reckless demon king like you is too terrifying to resist..."

"And the truth?"

Roy tilted his head, his tone full of playful curiosity.

"The truth is, King Roy is far more interesting than Alexander. My instincts as a witch tell me that following you will make my life far more grand and exciting, and perhaps even resolve many of the questions I've long had."

Alice's lively eyes twinkled mischievously, her demeanor resembling that of a playful and capricious child.

"Ha! So you're sticking with me just to indulge your penchant for excitement? Well, that's not entirely unacceptable—as long as Princess Alice is prepared to pay the price."

Roy's expression turned serious as his gaze sharpened.

"Price? What price do I need to pay? I am already your prisoner. What more can I offer?"

Alice's voice faltered slightly, and she set her teacup down, her brows furrowing as she questioned him.

"I need your knowledge. The ritual to summon the Heretic God is missing its final component, and I lack the expertise to complete it. Only you, the most powerful witch, can provide what I need."

Roy leaned forward, his tone heavy with intent.

Alice sighed softly in relief. "I thought it would be something much worse. If it's knowledge you need, of course I'll share it with you."

"Can you share it through your body?"

Roy took a deep breath, internally bracing himself. As a man, as a demon king with no limits, he reminded himself that he needn't shy away or avert his gaze. Determined, he locked eyes with the astonished girl seated across from him, her elegant and delicate features frozen in disbelief.

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(T/N: As promised the extra chapter for 100 PS is here. Next one will be at 150 PS. So keep the stones coming.)