A Certain Multiverse's Holy Right

"Ha, we finally arrived in time and prevented the disaster from getting worse."

Roy was not some altruistic good Samaritan who would exhaust himself to save a city. However, knowing Madame Aisha's authority and the potential consequences from the Greenwich Assembly and his Clairvoyance, he had no choice but to act to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control and dragging him into unnecessary trouble.

Using his authority, The Face of God, Roy intercepted and took over Madame Aisha's Queen's Curse, turning the citizens who had been made fanatical by her authority into his own believers.

This ability to forcibly alter the faith of others was an inherent effect of The Face of God. However, as this ability had no effect on Campiones or Heretic Gods, Roy had never found a practical use for it and had avoided employing it in the past. Moreover, Roy had no need for ordinary people to believe in him with such fanaticism.

But in this situation, the ability played a crucial role. Compared to the uncontrolled randomness of Madame Aisha's authority, Roy's precise control over his own authority made resolving the crisis far more manageable.

'This is just trading one crisis for another,' thought the leader of the local Athenian magic association with a shiver.

The sight before him filled him with unease. Campiones were indeed living embodiments of demons, freely bending human will to their whims. Even more terrifying was how indifferent Roy appeared about it all.

As a magician, the leader could tell that this authority wasn't limited to affecting ordinary people; it would easily work on magicians like him. The thought that he might lose his humanity and be reduced to a mindless, fanatical follower filled him with horror. He now fully understood that Campiones were beyond what mortals could hope to resist. Just a glance or a single word from Roy could strip a person of their free will.

"My believers, go back to your homes and pray to the Lord we serve! God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son—me—to you, so that all who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life!"

Roy shamelessly proclaimed himself the savior, the Messiah. To the citizens under the influence of his authority, he was truly the Son of God, the Christ descended upon the earth.

The people on the street once again knelt down, cheering with heartfelt reverence. Then, with fanatical but obedient expressions, they bowed to Roy step by step as they left the street and returned to their homes, following his "divine" command.

In the blink of an eye, the entire street was deserted.

"Money!"

Roy extended his left hand and uttered the single word. While the Athenian magician looked confused, Erica smirked mischievously and quickly pulled a €500 note from her wallet, placing it in Roy's hand.

Roy felt gratified. After more than a year of being together, he and Erica had developed an exceptional understanding. This sharp and intelligent girl had become his most reliable ally.

Taking the large-denomination euro note, Roy leisurely walked to the food stall where Madame Aisha had eaten without paying. The owner, having fallen under Roy's authority, had already gone home. Roy placed the €500 in the stall's cash box and turned to Madame Aisha.

"...Eating without paying is not exactly honorable behavior, Madame!"

Madame Aisha blushed deeply. Though it wasn't her intention to dine and dash, and the situation was beyond her control, it still looked like she had taken advantage of the stall owner.

"Thank you so much for helping me, sir!"

Madame Aisha said gratefully, though it was unclear whether she was thanking Roy for paying the bill, helping calm the commotion, or both.

Roy took the moment to observe the mysterious Campione more closely. Despite being addressed as "Madame," Aisha had never been married. The title was merely a mark of respect. She had the complexion of a typical Indian, with slender, delicate features and a petite frame. However, her well-endowed figure left no doubt that she could rival Erica in charm.

Her sharp, defined features were not strikingly beautiful at first glance, but they were undeniably captivating, possessing a charm that grew the more one looked. Like many Indian women, her beauty was unique and distinctive.

What stood out the most, however, was her demeanor. Despite looking no older than seventeen or eighteen, Madame Aisha radiated an aura of kindness and compassion that evoked comparisons to the Holy Mother. Though she had lived over 150 years as a Campione, her innocent, almost childlike demeanor remained intact. She exuded an aura of joy, as though untouched by the weight of the world.

At the moment, though, she looked somewhat disheveled. Her clothes were dirty, and her overall appearance bordered on that of a beggar. The stall owner had been kind enough to serve her despite this, and Roy couldn't help but marvel at the contrast.

Roy recalled the Assembly's report on Madame Aisha and used his Clairvoyance to trace her past. In an instant, he gained a clear understanding of her mysterious history.

"Ahhhh—God, God! It's the Heretic God!"

At that moment, Madame Aisha belatedly noticed Athena's presence. She shrieked in panic and scrambled to hide behind the food stall. Her expression lacked the typical Campione's murderous intent toward the Heretic God or the common person's terror at their sight. Instead, her face was filled with pure confusion and panic.

"Humph, treating me like a cockroach? How infuriating," Athena snorted coldly, her tone tinged with annoyance.

Indeed, Madame Aisha's reaction was reminiscent of a woman encountering an unwelcome insect.

"Goddess, I don't want to fight... Please, I really don't like fighting, and I'm no good at it either. In the past, I only killed gods out of desperation. They always came after me first. I had no choice but to fight back!"

Madame Aisha's face was mournful, her tone filled with genuine distress.

She wasn't lying. Despite being a Campione, Madame Aisha had never sought conflict with the Heretic Gods. Her ascension to Campione was more a twist of fate than her own desire. Her story illustrated that Campiones often relied on fortune rather than skill to defeat gods.

"Though the stench you carry is repulsive to me, my freedom is not entirely my own anymore. I will not attack you unless Roy commands me to," Athena said disdainfully, casting a dismissive glance at Madame Aisha without taking any aggressive action.

Roy raised an eyebrow in surprise. Athena, the proud goddess, openly admitted to following his orders in public. It was a gesture that certainly preserved his reputation. Perhaps Athena understood the secret to making a man look good in front of others.

"Don't look at me like that. I am a just and fair goddess. Be grateful for that," Athena said, her tone haughty as she turned her head slightly to avoid his gaze.

Roy chuckled but didn't expose her facade. Instead, he said, "...As Athena mentioned, Madame Aisha, as long as you don't attack her, she won't attack you. However, if you can't resist and choose to make a move, I'll have no choice but to kill you here, as someone who stands alongside the goddess."

Roy's indifferent declaration of intent to kill a fellow Campione in defense of a Heretic God brought a faint, satisfied smile to Athena's lovely face.

"Wait, wait, wait! Sir, are you friends with this...Goddess Athena?"

Madame Aisha looked at Roy in shock. Although Campiones couldn't sense one another, she had deduced Roy's identity when he used his authority earlier.

"You could say that, Madame Aisha," Roy replied.

"Friends?! That's wonderful! So, Campiones don't have to be enemies of the Heretic Gods. In the past, I've tried to befriend several gods, but every time, they started chasing me the moment they saw me. It was outrageous! In the end, I had no choice but to kill them to survive."

Madame Aisha heaved a relieved sigh, her expression lightening as if her lifelong wish had come true. She alternated her gaze between Roy and Athena, her emerald eyes sparkling with joy.

"Madame, the commotion here has drawn too much attention from ordinary people. How about we continue our conversation elsewhere?"

Seeing how naive and easily swayed Madame Aisha seemed, like a country girl lost in the big city, Roy tempted her with a gentle suggestion.

"Okay! I also have so many questions I want to ask you, sir!"

Madame Aisha, oblivious to the potential schemes of city dwellers, nodded enthusiastically.