— — — — — —
Her golden hair shimmered like silk. She had a childlike face, looking no older than twelve or thirteen in appearance, yet Ryo knew she had lived for at least a century.
Seeing this version of Guinevere, Ryo couldn't help but mutter, "This world really has an unhealthy obsession with little girls."
Honestly, he was amazed the Campione author wasn't in jail.
But then he remembered this was a country that openly spread hentai, with tags like NTR, loli, and even wife-swap. Yeah, no surprise there.
Stepping gracefully, Guinevere smiled and answered: "As a Mother Earth Goddess, the primeval form of divinity is a child, tender yet captivating, full of life's beauty."
"This appearance, this body, is merely the manifestation of that concept."
She stopped about twenty meters ahead, lifted her skirt in a practiced curtsy, and said with elegance: "Do you find this miko acceptable, Yagami-sama?"
"Huh? So I got played?" Ena Seishuuin smacked her forehead with an exasperated look.
Her memories were buzzing—fragments resurfacing under Guinevere's influence.
It seemed to have happened only half a day ago.
While training deep in the mountains, Guinevere had found her and cast a memory spell, making her believe she had received an order from Susanoo himself to "test Ryo Yagami."
"Wow, I really got swindled."
Ena scratched the back of her head, then blurted out cheerfully: "But since things turned out this way, nothing I can do now. Anyway, King, you're fine with me pledging loyalty to you, right?"
"You're surprisingly easy about it." Ryo chuckled at her, then turned his eyes back to Guinevere.
"So, a free gift for me, huh? Is that it, Guinevere—you switching banners to pledge loyalty to me?"
Guinevere. Known as the wife of King Arthur in legend, she cheated with Lancelot and triggered the downfall of the Round Table.
But in the world of Campione, she was far older, the forgotten White Goddess of Brittany, once worshipped as Mother Earth.
And more importantly, she was a sworn servant of the King of the End, Rama—a woman who had devoted her whole existence to his cause.
"I appreciate the offer, but I already have a master."
Her smile didn't waver.
"I came here today to discuss cooperation. I want to confirm whether the Monkey King and Susanoo are my lord's incarnations."
"And surely you, a Campione yourself, must be curious about the King of the End." Guinevere lowered her skirt and smiled knowingly.
It was an open-handed scheme.
No Campione could resist a challenge from a god—least of all when that god was the King of the End himself.
After all, Campiones were fools by nature.
Ryo arched a brow at her words. "Is Rama really that charming?"
Guinevere's pupils shrank, then she broke into a delighted smile. "Thank you for revealing my lord's true name, King Ryo. This kindness, Guinevere will never forget."
Ryo's expression turned complicated. "…You mean you didn't even know who your master was?"
Guinevere gave an embarrassed little laugh.
"Due to certain… circumstances, when I reincarnated, I lost all memories of my lord."
Just then, a cold, clear voice cut in from behind: "So that's it. Your master erased even his loyal servant's memories of him? What a vile man."
Without turning around, Guinevere's spirit sight caught the figure behind her: a young girl with cool silver hair, wearing a knitted cap with blue cat ears.
Athena, the Heretic Goddess.
Or perhaps—not a complete Athena? Metis? Guinevere hesitated, but in the end she addressed her as such: "It has been too long, Lady Athena. Meeting you again in the modern world fills me with joy."
Athena floated in midair, raising her hand slightly.
Black serpents coiled around Guinevere's limbs.
"Seeing a traitor like you, my mood worsens."
"You cast aside the pride of the Mother Earth, bowed to steel, and even sacrificed your status as a goddess."
Her voice was sharp with disappointment. "You've fallen. Completely fallen."
"...You wouldn't understand."
Guinevere's expression softened into one of longing, even faint adoration.
"Even as Mother Earth, I am still a woman. To yearn for a hero—isn't that only natural?"
She smiled and looked straight at Athena. "Just like you and Yagami-sama."
Athena's face twisted, as if tainted by something filthy.
The serpents sank their fangs into Guinevere's limbs, black miasma swirling over their venom. Athena's power—death itself.
Expressionless, she clenched her hand.
The serpents bit down, pumping death into Guinevere's frail body.
"Don't you dare compare Ryo and me to you."
Guinevere coughed weakly, spitting black blood. "It seems I've offended both you and Yagami-sama."
"In that case, let this body of mine serve as apology."
As she spoke, her body dissolved, melting into a pool of black blood.
Ryo, standing nearby, raised his brows. "Still alive? Guess your survival tricks aren't bad."
Guinevere's voice drifted through the air. "Thank you for the compliment."
"As payment for revealing my lord's name, here's what I know about Susanoo and the Monkey King."
A piece of parchment covered in intricate markings drifted down from the air.
Athena floated closer, watching silently as Ryo caught the parchment. She narrowed her eyes, waiting.
Finally, she said calmly. "She's gone."
Ryo nodded, then smirked. "So? How was my performance?"
"Convincing."
Athena's lips curled slightly. "Especially when you 'accidentally' mentioned Rama's name. That sealed it."
Her smirk turned into a cold laugh.
"Who would've thought that foolish woman would lose all reason at the sound of it? Never even considered it might be a trap."
Ryo rubbed his chin. "Guess I just look really trustworthy?"
"Wait—so you told her Rama's name on purpose?" Ena gasped, covering her mouth.
Both Ryo and Athena turned their eyes toward her. She instantly clamped her lips shut.
Ryo shrugged at Athena. "Even so, it's not enough. Unless the Monkey King reveals himself, Guinevere could search for centuries and never find Rama."
Ryo turned toward the elevator. "Come on, let's grab dinner. Tomorrow we prep, then head straight for the Temple ."
Athena landed, watching his back as he walked away.
"You don't plan to thin out the number of Campiones before waking Rama? The more Campiones exist in the world, the stronger he'll become—his power will multiply manyfold. I suggest caution."
Ryo didn't look back. His tone was playful. "Funny. My power also doubles every ten seconds."
Athena froze, then sighed as he disappeared into the elevator.
"…Stubborn, reckless man."
But a faint smile tugged at her lips as her form dissolved into the air.
If her Saint had that much confidence, she'd let him be. Worst case, they'd share life and death together.
.
.
.