We find ourselves in the 2010s—a decade rather unfamiliar to Amber, and Italy in 2010 felt all the more foreign.
Still, no matter how unfamiliar it was, she had seen far too many customs and landscapes, too many grand structures.
Even though many Chinese at the time viewed Italy through a rose-tinted lens of "the grass being greener abroad," Melusine didn't find it particularly captivating once she actually set foot there.
Inside the black sedan, Erica tried to strike up conversation and gather information by introducing local sights, all while closely observing the young woman's expression.
She couldn't help feeling a bit deflated.
Right after getting into the car, Melusine had cut straight to the point, stating her desire for information on Heretic Gods. This immediately put Erica in a cold sweat.
Looking for intel on Heretic Gods… meant she was planning to pick a fight, didn't it?
But refusing now would only make things worse.
With that in mind, Erica made a call right in front of Melusine to the head of the local branch, explaining that she was bringing "the goddess" over and instructing him to have the shrine maidens with strong spiritual sight prepare accordingly.
After finishing the call, she thought maybe—just maybe—once things kicked off, this goddess might show some consideration for the city.
So she began enthusiastically introducing Milan: a UNESCO City of Design, a hub of history and culture, the center of fashion and art.
She had half-expected a Heretic God to show at least a little curiosity toward modern sights… but no such luck.
That left her doing all the talking, with hardly any chance to learn more about the other.
Would they really have to wait for the shrine maidens to use their spiritual sight to uncover this goddess's true identity?
Yes, Erica had accepted that the young woman before her was a divine being related to Lancelot, but she didn't believe this goddess was only Lancelot—or that Lancelot was her sole identity or manifestation.
It was hard to imagine why a goddess opposed to steel, guarded by dragons and serpents, would have a steel incarnation.
And she couldn't pinpoint any goddess that matched Lancelot's "true form."
It couldn't be Elaine, Lancelot's wife, could it? Guinevere was even less likely. Honestly, the Lady of the Lake who raised Lancelot seemed more plausible.
There were only a handful of women connected to Lancelot worth mentioning…
With no leads whatsoever, Erica didn't dare reveal she was just fishing for information. She stubbornly pressed on, describing interesting aspects of Italy before the other showed clear displeasure.
It wasn't that Melusine didn't want to respond—it was just that, in her current "Fairy Knight mode," she wasn't exactly in the mood for a seminar.
She could only offer occasional polite, somewhat detached replies.
Amid this awkward tension, the car finally stopped in front of a vast, ornate estate. Erica stepped out first, intending to open the door for Melusine, only to find the other had already gotten out on her own.
"This is one of the Bronze Black Cross's bases. Ruben, the magician here, is in charge. He should be preparing the ritual for you right now, which is why he couldn't come to greet you personally," Erica explained as she led the way, worried Lancelot might find their reception lacking.
They passed through the gate and the front garden, entering the enormous mansion.
Along the way, everyone in sight had clearly been informed in advance. Upon seeing Melusine, they each offered a deeply respectful half-kneel.
To be honest, Melusine wasn't very comfortable with this sort of treatment.
Although after Amber became God, she'd received even more devout prostrations from believers, Amber had genuinely helped save the world and maintain its peace and balance.
These people were meeting her for the first time, yet they acted like this… It left a somewhat unpleasant taste, so she could only stiffen her expression further.
"Were our gestures of respect still not enough?" Erica's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly she was sweating.
Fortunately, the remaining distance wasn't long. After crossing the hall and entering a corridor, Erica channeled her magical power.
A seemingly seamless wall suddenly opened, revealing a passage leading underground.
The basement was lined with various catalysts to enhance the ritual.
Three young women in uniforms knelt in prayer around the center, while a man who looked about fifty guided the completion of the magic circle beneath them with his own energy.
Sensing Erica and Melusine's arrival, the older man immediately stopped and bowed to Melusine. "Please forgive me for not greeting you in person, Lady Lancelot!"
"It's fine, no need for formalities. You wanted to get things prepared first—that's more efficient than superficial gestures, and I prefer it that way," Melusine reassured him.
"Understood! Then, with your permission, I shall continue?" Ruben straightened up, awaiting instruction.
Melusine gave no further response, only nodding casually.
He then turned back to his work.
"Magician Ruben is quite accomplished in ritual magic," Erica chimed in, fully embracing her role as an attendant knight.
"Even shrine maidens with ordinary aptitude can greatly expand the range and effect of their spiritual sight with his assistance."
"Hm."
Melusine's reply remained noncommittal. Erica suggested, "Lady Lancelot, even at the fastest pace, the ritual combined with the maidens' use of spiritual sight will take several hours. Once everything is complete, Mr. Ruben will report the results to you."
"Until then, would you like a place to rest?"
Seeing how perceptive she was, Melusine gave her silent praise. As expected of someone who handled the protagonist so deftly in the original—she really knows how to read the room.
Outwardly, however, Melusine furrowed her brow. "It'll take several hours?"
"My deepest apologies… Our preparations were insufficient…" Erica quickly offered a plea for forgiveness.
"No need for that… If anything, the fault lies with me for having excessive expectations." Melusine's expression softened again.
Though her tone was flat and she sincerely admitted her mistake, the arrogance in her words wasn't concealed in the slightest.
"Human beings are inherently weak creatures—this much I have long understood."
Erica naturally had nothing to refute, since it was the truth.
"Moreover, this was a spur-of-the-moment request I placed on you."
Melusine promptly shouldered the blame herself.
Not having to bear a god's wrath, coupled with the goddess's apparent leniency, eased Erica's mind considerably—though it also left her feeling a little guilty.
After all, it seemed clear this goddess was looking to fight a god, and summoning one would obviously be faster than searching for one.
Erica didn't voice this, though. Since the other hadn't brought it up, there was no reason not to play dumb.
Caressing her faintly aching conscience, Erica decided to demonstrate her reverence in other ways.
"Even so, the fact remains that we failed to meet your expectations. If Lady Lancelot does not mind, please allow me to host a welcome gathering in your honor, as an apology."
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.