Chapter 11: Erika Blendelli (Patreon)

She was a girl who, by European standards, wasn't particularly tall—just over 160 centimeters. But the aura of authority she carried… how could he even describe it?

She stood there with the proud, imposing presence of a queen.

Her long blonde hair danced in the sea breeze. Dressed in red, the color seemed even more vivid under the sunlight, a stark contrast against her golden locks.

That fiery red and gold combination rested upon her head like a crown, adorning her with the majestic air of a warrior-queen.

But more striking than any of that was her beauty.

Her delicate, finely-crafted features were more perfect than any doll's, more vibrant than any model or actress.

Beyond that, she radiated a noble, unshakable confidence. It was a face you'd never forget after seeing it just once.

[Regarding the god that has manifested on this island—tell me everything you know. My name is Erika Blandelli. You need not introduce yourselves. Consider that a courtesy in return.]

Her words were utterly arrogant, as if she were addressing two random nobodies she'd found on the street.

And in Godou's case, that was pretty much true. But when the girl's eyes fell upon the elegant young man, she paused for a moment.

It wasn't that she'd never seen handsome boys before, but this poised, hot looking Eastern youth was something entirely new to her.

It was like a refined young master had stepped right out of a period drama!

[You… have we met somewhere before?]

But when she saw him tilt his head slightly, she felt an inexplicable pressure, a presence that felt vaguely familiar.

She couldn't quite place it, and right now, she had more important things on her mind.

[Doesn't matter. You're certainly not important figures. I want to ask you about the 'Heretical Gods' that appeared across Sardinia about three days ago… Also, you were just seen carrying a grimoire. Hand it over at once!]

The beautiful girl named Erika lightly brushed aside a strand of golden hair the wind had pressed against her cheek.

Then, with a tone that was haughty to the point of rudeness, she fixed her gaze on the flustered and tense Godou.

"...Hey, what are you saying? Is something wrong? Are you lost?" Godou, who didn't understand a word of Italian, could only respond helplessly.

"..."

As for the elegant young man, after the blonde girl appeared, he observed her with clear interest. Even if he didn't understand her words, that didn't stop him from appreciating the sight of this beautiful girl.

"Stare—"

In response, Erika's cheeks flushed slightly, and she glared back at him.

But inwardly, she wasn't actually angry at his gaze and demeanor.

In fact, she was rather pleased, interpreting it as her own charm having an effect on him (or so she convinced herself).

Then, hearing Godou speak in Japanese, the blonde girl frowned in clear displeasure at his tone.

Even her annoyed expression was like something out of a painting. This girl was truly something else!

The vivid red of her long dress made her look stunning. While the dress itself was somewhat simple in style, she wore it with the grace of formal attire.

Her excellent taste made the whole ensemble effortlessly elegant. Perhaps it was her peerless beauty and figure that elevated the clothes she wore to a whole new level.

"...'All roads lead to Rome,' 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do'... such tiresome sayings. To come here without understanding a single word of Italian—you two are utterly foolish, aren't you?"

The irritated girl spoke again. Though her words were just as rude as before, this time they came out in fluent, natural Japanese.

She was probably in a bad mood because her dramatic entrance had been completely undermined.

"I am Erika Blandelli, a Great Knight of the 'Copper Black Cross' from Milan. Even in this remote southern backwater, our order has members. You were the one wandering around town with a grimoire earlier, correct?"

"Huh?!"

"Who are you, really? It's not immediately obvious, but are you a magician? Or perhaps a priest or deacon of some religion? If that's the case, then it wouldn't be strange if you had somehow managed to summon a 'Heretical God.' Is my assumption correct?"

Erika smiled with immense pride, but her tone was so natural that it strangely didn't feel out of place at all.

This time, since she was speaking Japanese, Kusanagi Godou finally understood what she was saying.

The elegant young man standing to the side also now looked with interest.

"A gr-grimoire? You mean this?"

"Correct! That stone slab you were holding earlier."

"You mean this thing?"

"Yes, that's it. Hand it over. Now!"

"Huh?"

Finally understanding what Erika meant, a puzzled Godou pulled a rectangular stone slab, about B5 size, from his backpack. On it was a rather crudely drawn image.

It depicted a man with his hands and feet bound by locks. Around the edges of the drawing were patterns of birds with spread wings, a sun, a moon, and stars.

The slab was heavily worn, with black, burn-like marks scattered across its surface, as if it had endured countless years.

Just as he produced the slab, the elegant young man who had been watching the scene unfold couldn't help but glance at the object in Godou's hands.