Chapter 58: Erica Blandelli

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Milan, a cosmopolitan metropolis in northern Italy. It was widely known as the center of Italian culture, economy, fashion, sports, and more.

In Italy's magic circles, those who knew Erica Blandelli recognized that she was the embodiment of Milan's essence.

The eldest daughter of the Blandelli family, a prestigious Milanese lineage for generations.

Beautiful in appearance, with a noble bearing, she had received a thorough aristocratic education from a young age. She was a brilliant and intelligent girl, as beautiful and radiant as a rose.

Erica smiled gracefully. But her smile, rather than that of a rose, resembled the smile of a lioness on the savanna.

She exuded the aura of a proud and powerful queen of beasts.

Seated before her was her uncle – Paolo Blandelli.

With a face as stern and dignified as a sculpture, he emanated intellect and authority. His body, honed to steel-like strength beneath his black suit, befitted his title of highest-ranking knight.

Italy's strongest knight was undoubtedly the King of Swords – Salvatore Doni.

However, it was Paolo Blandelli, her uncle, who held the title of the highest-ranking knight.

No magician would dispute this fact. While Paolo always humbly denied it, the other party involved, the King of Swords Salvatore, simply smiled and acknowledged the truth.

They were currently seated in a corner of a Cafe in Milan.

Family members who should have been living together in the Blandelli family mansion were separated recently due to Paolo's busy schedule. After a month of relentless work, Erica contacted Paolo, and they agreed to meet here today.

"Uncle, have you heard about the incident in Sardinia?"

"Yes. According to the reports, there's a high probability of a Heretic God's descent. Since our leader, Lord Salvatore, is currently on an expedition in South America, it will be a while before he returns. For now, the Society will focus on gathering intelligence and investigating the local situation."

"Then please grant me the duty of reconnaissance. Uncle – no, Supreme Commander Blandelli, leader of the Copper Black Cross, Knight Erica hereby petitions you."

Terrifying surges of divine power had been detected in Sardinia, the southernmost island of Italy, suggesting a possible battle between gods.

This report had reached the Copper Black Cross two days ago. It was top-secret intelligence, submitted by a member who happened to be on vacation there. As a result, the incident remained unknown to the public, with only the Copper Black Cross, among Italy's powerful magic societies, privy to the information. 

This was why Erica had come up with this idea – to request permission to go to Sardinia.

Paolo shook his head sternly. "You are my treasure, Erica. I acknowledge your potential as a genius who will one day lead the Society. But personally, I hope you will refrain from such reckless behavior. You haven't encountered a god before, have you?"

"That's true, but precisely because I haven't, I need to gain experience this time," Erica interrupted, stating her case firmly.

It was precisely because she had absolute confidence in her abilities that she could speak with such conviction.

Since she was young, her uncle had personally trained her in martial arts, teaching her techniques from ancient Rome, medieval Europe, and various modern schools – a wide range of combat magic inherited from the secret rituals connected to knighthood. 

These skills had been completely absorbed by Erica, who was only fifteen years old. In all of Italy, the only person she recognized as her equal among her peers was a girl named Liliana Kranjcar.

"Uncle, you gained recognition for your deeds alongside Princess Alice, ruler of the Council, when you confronted the Black Prince Alec. That's how you earned the title of 'Red Devil.' If I want to inherit your title, I need to demonstrate my exceptional abilities."

"I was twenty-five at the time, ten years older than you are now, and I had been honing my skills for years. So don't be impatient. There's much more for you to learn. It's not too late to approach a god even a few years from now." Paolo, always thinking ahead, spoke sincerely.

However, Erica did not accept her uncle's kindness.

"That would be too late. If I don't achieve something now, the title of 'Red Devil,' which you have guarded, will be inherited by that uncouth, vulgar Genaro. I absolutely refuse to hand over that noble title, the symbol of the strongest knight of the Copper Black Cross, to that man."

Genaro was a young knight who was competing with Erica for the title. He was a young talent selected from the Italian countryside.

Paolo Blandelli had earned the title of "Red Devil" twenty years ago.

It was the second title held by the knights of the Copper Black Cross, the other being the exclusive title of the Supreme Commander. Therefore, there was only this one title for the members of the Copper Black Cross to compete for.

Three months ago, when Paolo finally ascended to the position of Supreme Commander of the Society, the Italian Magic Alliance ordered him to relinquish this title. 

After all, the same person couldn't hold both positions: the "Red Devil," the leading knight of the vanguard, and the Supreme Commander, who oversaw the organization from behind the scenes. In other words, Paolo had to retire from his active knightly duties and move behind the scenes.

While Erica was considered a prodigy, she was still too inexperienced. She lacked the achievements and the reputation to convincingly inherit the title.

However, if she achieved something remarkable against a Heretic God – the greatest disaster to manifest in the world – the outcome would be different.

Paolo pondered for a moment. "...Erica, do you… want to become another Godslayer?"

"I'm not that conceited. Of course, if the opportunity arises, I wouldn't mind becoming someone like Sir Salvatore or Sir Kasugano, but that's just wishful thinking… However, I do intend to seal a god, or at least subdue him."

"Honestly! Since you've put it that way, you must have already made preparations!"

Erica nodded matter-of-factly in front of her uncle. "Thanks to meeting those two Lords four years ago, I had the opportunity to learn the Art of David from Lady Raffaello, and now I have finally mastered it!"

"You learned the Words of Holy Annihilation at your age? Almost ten years earlier than I did. You're a terrifying child, aren't you?" Paolo sighed as he spoke, but then his expression suddenly changed.

It was a fierce, lion-like expression – the true face of Paolo, who stood at the pinnacle of knighthood.

"Since you've made your bold claim, go for it, Erica!"

"As you command. Erica Blandelli will investigate the true identity of the Heretic God on Sardinia. And I will seal that god as much as possible, restoring peace to the island. Just wait for the good news, Uncle."

Paolo sighed. "It seems that living in a peaceful era is too much for you to bear. I wish you would learn to distinguish between courage and recklessness. I hope you succeed this time, and I hope you'll let me rest easy afterwards."

'I just want you to come back alive, Erica.' Paolo didn't utter these final words.

He had seen too much in his life. Too many brilliant individuals like Erica charged headlong, believing they could fight and slay gods. But in over 190 countries, with billions of people over 200 years, only seven Devil Kings had emerged.

This was proof of the fate that awaited those who were too clever.

Paolo stood up and walked away from Erica. 

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