Arriving at Erica's room a few minutes earlier than the appointed time was Satsuki's habit. She disliked keeping others waiting, and with her spatial abilities, there was no such thing as being delayed by traffic.
Erica's new residence was a high-end apartment along Honda Road, about a five-minute walk away. They lived on the tenth floor of a twelve-story building, in a two-bedroom suite.
As agreed, Satsuki first familiarized herself with the place before figuring out how to use the intercom at the entrance.
"Yes, may I ask who it is?"
The voice belonged to Anna, Erica's maid.
"Miss Anna, it's Satsuki. I've arrived as agreed."
"Ah, Miss Satsuki. I'll open the door for you right away."
As always, her voice was bright and cheerful. If she didn't drive or cook and only handled receiving guests and opening doors, Anna would undoubtedly be an exceptionally competent assistant.
Passing through the entrance and taking the elevator to the designated floor, entering and exiting this high-security luxury apartment with its strict automatic locks—it felt as though there were half a century of technological difference between here and the slightly old-fashioned mansion where Satsuki lived.
Sometimes, that was simply how the world worked.
It wasn't that productivity couldn't reach a certain level, but rather that, for various reasons, problems arose in how resources were distributed.
She pressed the doorbell outside Erica's room, and the door opened immediately.
"Good morning. Please come in."
The one who greeted her was Arianna Hayama Arielti.
Later, through conversation, Satsuki learned that she too was a trainee mage of the magical association Copper-Black Cross, serving as both assistant and personal attendant to the Great Knight Erica Blandelli.
She lived in the smaller of the two rooms in this 2LDK apartment and handled all the household chores.
However, the moment Satsuki stepped inside, she heard two men arguing loudly—and one of the voices sounded familiar.
"It's been so long, my most precious Andrea! I was so worried about you!"
"You're the worst scoundrel and the biggest idiot, Salvatore Doni!"
Salvatore Doni—the King of Swords, one of the Seven Godslayers and the leader of the magical associations in Southern Europe—why was he here?
Satsuki removed her shoes at the entrance, revealing her delicate feet wrapped in black stockings as she walked inside.
Perhaps noticing the question on her face, Arianna explained while tidying Satsuki's shoes, "His Excellency the Leader said he has an important announcement to make, so Lady Erica informed you and asked you to come."
"An important matter?"
A thoughtful expression appeared on Satsuki's face as several possibilities flashed through her mind.
"An alliance?"
Before she even finished speaking, the King of Swords' bright voice rang out from the room. "As expected of the confidante most highly regarded by the new Campione. Not only do you possess rare strength, but such keen insight is equally uncommon."
"Satsuki, you're here?"
From the other side came Erica's delighted voice. Though she constantly reminded herself that she was now a Campione and must maintain her dignity before another Campione, the moment she heard Satsuki's voice, she relaxed considerably.
After all—facing her former supreme leader still carried no small amount of pressure.
Satsuki ignored the King of Swords' flattery and walked straight inside.
Then she saw the two foreign young men staring at her—and falling into stunned silence at the same time.
The woman before them had glossy black hair cascading down like a small waterfall, flowing past her luxurious kimono. The collar of the kimono hung open at the front, exposing the smooth line of her collarbones and the upper curve of her chest.
Most striking of all were her eyes. Within her golden irises, six-petaled patterns rotated endlessly, scattering specks of starlight that shimmered with dazzling brilliance.
"...W-What noble aura and beauty is this? Doni, you bastard! Not only did you conspire with that witch to abduct me, you even dared to lay hands on such a beauty? I... I challenge you to a duel!"
Andrea Rivera spoke in a voice filled with outrage.
He was known as the King's Butler—in plain terms, the King of Swords' steward and overseer.
Under normal circumstances, he fit the typical image of a butler: meticulous in everything he did, always dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. Perhaps because he had been arguing with the King of Swords earlier, his collar was loosened, revealing his collarbones.
"I... I was only focused on the fight at the time..."
The King of Swords said, blushing. He had never been interested in men or women—only in battle.
He had nothing to do with asceticism; it was simply that his way of courting was through combat.
Satsuki was the first woman to defeat him in the swordsmanship he was most proud of. Now, appearing before him in such breathtaking beauty, she naturally drew his attention.
It was hardly strange that the King of Swords would react this way.
However, faster than either of the two men was Erica.
Like a streak of crimson flame, she stepped between the three of them and reached out to wrap an arm around Satsuki's, pressing her body tightly against her.
Satsuki felt somewhat unaccustomed to the closeness, yet it was awkward to show that on the surface.
Erica narrowed her eyes and addressed the King of Swords in a dangerous tone. "Lord Salvatore, Satsuki is my most important family. I advise you to discard any thoughts you may be entertaining."
"Er... Lady Erica, I believe you misunderstand. I merely lost my composure for a moment. Just a moment. As for Doni, though, he surely has all sorts of improper thoughts in his head. If you don't mind, please allow me to scold him thoroughly."
Andrea, keenly sensing the dissatisfaction in her words, hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over.
And among those present, only he could speak to the King of Swords in such a manner.
After all, before Doni became a Campione, the two of them had already been close friends. Even now, they maintained a relationship where they could speak on equal footing. Incidentally, many rumors even claimed the two shared an unusual bond.
Judging from today, that rumor was not entirely accurate.
"Then, what would you all like to drink? Or would you prefer to take a drive?"
"Drive..."
The moment that word left Arianna's mouth, everyone present displayed an unexpected unanimity in choosing the former.
"Miss Anna, I suddenly feel quite thirsty. Any brand will do—please bring me a glass of whisky..."
In their haste, the King of Swords and his butler spoke in perfect unison.
"And Lady Satsuki?"
"Tea will be fine."
Satsuki replied instinctively.
Though tea was not a common beverage in Southern Europe, Erica had prepared a large supply here after learning that Satsuki preferred it.
"Very well. Please wait a moment."
Humming contentedly, Arianna picked up several trays and headed toward the kitchen.
The remaining people collectively let out a breath of relief, as though they had survived a catastrophe.
In terms of sheer intimidation, Miss Arianna seemed in some ways no less formidable than Erica herself.
At last, the atmosphere returned to normal.
Satsuki and Erica sat on the sofa beside the coffee table. Yet Erica remained pressed close against Satsuki, showing no intention of moving away.
Across from them, Andrea adjusted his clothing before speaking directly.
"Just as Lady Satsuki suggested—I propose that we form an alliance. What do you think?"
"An alliance?"
Since it was Andrea, acting as the assistant, who had raised the proposal, it naturally would not be answered personally by a Campione on this side.
In theory, the one to take on that role should have been Miss Anna...
But at this moment, all three parties present directed their gazes toward Satsuki.
This alone proved that not only Erica, but even the King of Swords acknowledged Satsuki's strength and standing.
—Though, considering Satsuki's power, it was hardly something worth making a fuss about.
"An alliance is built upon the premise of equal strength. I believe you both understand that clearly."
Satsuki neither expressed agreement nor rejection. Instead, she adopted a probing tone.
It was her usual approach.
"I agree with that view." Andrea nodded.
"And when it comes to strength, I do have some confidence."
Perhaps shrinking back in front of ladies did not suit his sense of style, but the King of Swords even stood up and began unbuttoning his shirt as if to show off his physique. Fortunately, the foresighted Andrea immediately covered his movements with one hand.
"Doni, behaving like that in front of ladies will invite divine punishment."
"How could that be? Every time I walk down the street, crowds of people scream."
"This isn't Milan, you idiot. Get a grip on the situation!"
Blocked from continuing, the King of Swords sat down in slight dejection.
In terms of build, he hardly resembled a typical European. Instead, he was closer to the more compact physique common in East Asia.
Judging by appearance alone, one could hardly tell how much power he possessed.
Satsuki and Erica were already accustomed to this. Compared to the King of Swords' impulsive personality, the man beside him—the butler—was the true one in charge.
How many magical associations existed in Southern Europe? How many members did they have? What was their level of capability? In which regions were they distributed?
It was safe to assume the King of Swords had absolutely no interest in such information.
Thus, presenting this sort of "paper strength" naturally fell to Andrea.
"The magical associations Old Dame, Female Wolf, and Lily City... Each of them commands dozens to over a hundred mages and knights. Including the family powers and political influence backing them, as well as subordinate organizations and unaffiliated personnel under their jurisdiction—if we count sheer numbers, the total could easily reach into the thousands."
Thousands.
That was no small figure. Even if ninety percent of them were as insignificant as the rabble who had once attacked Satsuki, magic was not merely about brute force—it was about overturning and exploiting the rules of the modern world.
They could, for instance, hypnotize a political entity through magic and manipulate the power of an entire nation for their own use.
Viewed this way, the strength of thousands of mages was far from a simple addition of combat power.
From a certain perspective, it was indeed formidable.
However—Satsuki's response left Andrea momentarily stunned.
"If that is the extent of your strength, then forgive my bluntness... I fail to see the value in forming an alliance with your organization."
"What?!"
This time, Andrea himself could not remain seated. He abruptly turned to Erica. "Is that also your opinion?"
As the King's Butler, he had never encountered such a direct rejection while appearing alongside Doni.
Moreover—her statement did not question the Campione's personal strength or leadership charisma. If she had questioned those, he would have found no grounds to refute it. But to doubt the power of the Southern European magical alliance that possessed a Godslayer?
What kind of arrogance was required to utter such words?
Before Erica could answer, Satsuki seemed to find the provocation insufficient and added another line.
"If you're interested, the King of Swords could join us as a security squad captain. As for Mr. Andrea, he could serve as a driver or perhaps a cook."
...
The moment those words fell, the surrounding air tightened instantly.
The King of Swords' expression froze like a sculpture. Beneath his golden hair, his blue eyes flickered faintly with a surging sword intent, like waves building before a storm.
Andrea, the King's Butler, had already crossed his hands before his face, his eyes gleaming with cold light.
Under such pressure, Erica—though momentarily uncertain why Satsuki had spoken this way—was prepared to act. The instant they lost restraint, she would summon the Golden Sword.
She understood the King of Swords' capabilities very well. With that knowledge, she could immediately unleash the Persian war god's ultimate move upon him.
The confrontation crackled in the air like tangible sparks. Conflict seemed imminent.
Then, after several seconds—
"Hah... hahaha... hahahahaha!"
Suddenly, hearty laughter burst from the King of Swords' mouth, utterly mismatched with the heavy tension.
"Excellent, truly excellent! I told you they were worth cooperating with, Andrea. Now you have to admit it too."
"Indeed."
For once, the King's Butler agreed with the King of Swords.
At this point, he was fully convinced that the two before him were allies worthy of cooperation.
In truth, that brief exchange had been nothing less than a mutual probing of each other's strength.
Andrea's earlier statement had seemed perfectly reasonable at first glance.
But in reality, it implied something more—their forces included a vast amount of what could be categorized as "mortal power."
Subordinate organizations, political influence, even the ability to interfere in national affairs through such means—all of it fell under the umbrella of mortal power.
Satsuki was no stranger to this concept. In the world of shinobi, she had once manipulated the daimyō of various nations through ninjutsu. It was a game she had long since grown bored of.
Such forces might appear intimidating, but at their core, they were merely a low-tier method of play—something only organizations lacking sufficient strength would regard as crucial.
Once one's power reached a certain threshold, the quantity of such influence became irrelevant.
For example—after Satsuki acquired the Tenseigan on the moon and stepped into the realm of the Six Paths, her focus had long shifted away from controlling ordinary human forces, except in rare cases requiring technological or ninjutsu collaboration.
Even leaving aside her Six Paths level—consider merely a Kage-tier existence, like the members of the later Akatsuki organization. To beings of that caliber, ordinary human powers held little meaning.
Without opponents of comparable level, whether they could annihilate a village or destroy a nation was never a question of capability—only of desire and efficiency.
Thus, Andrea's deliberate emphasis on "mortal power" had been a test—whether they possessed sufficient confidence in their own strength to disregard such forces entirely.
And so, Satsuki's seemingly arrogant and provocative reply was, in fact, precisely the answer the two guests had hoped to hear.