"…"
Before she left, Erica subconsciously glanced at Karen and Arianne—both of them still wearing expressions of bliss at the corners of their eyes, drool refusing to stop slipping from their lips. Without thinking, Erica tightened her plump thighs, wrapped in brown skintight pants.
With her strength, she shouldn't end up too miserable when facing Akuto… right?
Erica had already felt Akuto's nasty sense of humor and sheer power. Even though she was already a Grand Knight, she still didn't dare claim she could withstand Akuto's "assault."
So…
Arianne and Lily were absolutely necessary.
With a sigh, Erica pulled the blanket back over Arianne—who had absolutely no sleeping manners—then hurried after Akuto as he left the scene.
…
An hour later.
After finishing his meal, Akuto left the mansion with Erica, Saint Raphael, Lucrezia Zola, and Diana Militō.
As for the other three—although Akuto had already bestowed Extraordinary Pieces on Karen, Arianne, and Alesa—their natural foundations were simply too weak. They still hadn't recovered, so Akuto could only have them rest inside the mansion for now.
As "compensation" for letting Erica add extra stimulation for him, Akuto deliberately asked her to link arms with him in front of everyone.
Outside the mansion, Paolo Brantley noticed how intimate Erica and Akuto looked, and his eyes lit up.
Hisss—had his decision yesterday been too rash?
The new king, Akuto, might indeed have many women… but Erica seemed to be the most favored among them.
Zamparini also noticed how Erica couldn't suppress the curve of her lips, and silently resolved to hurry the family descendant he'd already selected to arrive as quickly as possible. Clearly, Zamparini believed he'd already established a good relationship with Erica—and that relationship might become useful after his family's chosen girl entered Akuto's harem.
Beside Zamparini, old Kronniechar's eyes flashed with a trace of displeasure. He stepped forward on his own initiative and greeted Akuto.
"My king, Liliana will arrive in ten minutes. There's no need for you to be here so early. For a ruler to personally welcome a subject… to the subject, that would be nothing but discourteous."
On the surface, old Kronniechar sounded like he was urging Akuto not to care too much. But everyone present was sharp. For Kronniechar to speak like this was also a reminder: Liliana was valued by Akuto as well.
Akuto could sense it, of course, so he replied unhurriedly.
"Old man Kronniechar, I know what you're thinking. I can tell you clearly: I do like Liliana, and Liliana is destined to remain by my side in the future, just like Erica."
"As for anything else… I'm sure a smart man like you doesn't need further explanation. Right?"
Just like that, in front of everyone, Akuto both acknowledged Liliana's standing and lightly "tapped" old Kronniechar into line.
Receiving an answer he hadn't expected, old Kronniechar bowed slightly—then his expression instantly lit up with delight.
"Yes. To receive Your Majesty's favor is Liliana's honor."
This was a step old Kronniechar had considered for a long time before taking.
If the new king hadn't shown up today holding Erica's hand, he might not have cared much. But since Erica now had the look of someone poised to rise above the other women around the new king, then as Liliana's family, he had to fight for Liliana's position as well.
Of course, what old Kronniechar didn't know was that Erica herself didn't particularly want this "honor."
Because this "treatment" was something she'd only earned after two straight days of visual and psychological shock.
And besides—out of everyone here, Erica was the only beautiful young woman who still hadn't formed a real, substantive relationship with Akuto. If she could be happy about it, that'd be a ghost story.
…
Over the next few minutes, Akuto expressed his concern and "condolences" regarding the work of several of Italy's major mage societies. He affirmed their efforts and issued instructions on portions of their work.
A few minutes passed, and most of the nearly ten leaders of the mage societies were sweating cold.
They hadn't expected that even while indulging in debauchery inside the mansion, the new king still had an exact grasp on what was happening outside.
Just as Akuto finished summarizing, a silver-haired girl wrapped in a gigantic silver-blue blade descended from the sky.
Boom!
With a heavy impact, the silver-haired girl landed along with the massive Goddess pillar.
Her landing kicked up dust—but almost the instant it rose, a soft wind burst around Liliana, swiftly pressing it back down.
When she noticed Akuto in the crowd, Liliana's eyes instinctively brightened.
Then she seemed to realize something. She dropped her gaze at once, forcibly hiding her excitement.
Slowly, Liliana knelt on one knee and performed the most standard knight's salute.
"Liliana Kronniechar, acting under orders, has brought 'Hera's Pillar' to audience with Your Majesty."
Even though she liked Akuto very much—even though she'd already written a clichéd romance novel that didn't even cast Akuto as the male lead—given Akuto's current status and power, Liliana still chose to treat him with full knightly formality.
Because truthfully, Liliana was feeling a little guilty.
She and Akuto had only met once or twice. She really did consider him someone important…
But what about Akuto?
If she brought up the past and Akuto replied with, "Who are you?" she'd be so ashamed she'd want to crawl into a crack in the ground.
So, to avoid that kind of awkwardness, Liliana chose to greet him with a knight's salute instead.
On Akuto's side…
Akuto naturally noticed Liliana's gaze—bright at first, then restrained.
"Long time no see, Liliana. Between us… do you really need to speak so formally?"
As he spoke, Akuto lifted a hand slightly and tucked the "Hera's Pillar" behind her into his sleeve, storing it away.
Truthfully, if Akuto wanted "Hera's Pillar," he could've taken it himself in one step.
The reason he'd had Liliana transport it was mainly to keep her occupied.
Because Liliana was the kind of delicate, easily influenced girl who was prone to being swept along by other people's opinions. So, to prevent her from overthinking and getting hurt, Akuto decided—
He would bring the people around Liliana into his harem first.
That way, Karen and Diana would go from potential explosive uncertainties… to Akuto's allies.
After one night—under Akuto's absurd stamina—Karen and Diana were both pushed to their limits, and both accepted Akuto's "request" that they help him "capture" Liliana. Well, "capture" wasn't quite accurate. In a sense, Liliana was already halfway captured.
The reason Akuto wanted Karen and Diana's help was simply to make it easier for Liliana to accept the reality.
Because if Liliana had to take the first step herself, she'd likely be the least brave of them all—just like in the original plotline, where Erica pinned her down completely.
This was when you needed someone like Karen—a black-bellied maid who could fan the flames.
In fact, in the original plot, it was only under the dual pressure of a god descending and Karen's assist that Liliana dared to make a move.
But the results of that move were… less than ideal. In the end, Liliana still chose to hide those thick, unmistakable feelings of romance under the excuse of "a knight serving her lord."
Of course, Akuto's situation was nothing like the original plot.
Kusanagi Godou was the type who wouldn't take the initiative. When neither party would strike first, all you could do was wait and let time grind things along.
But Akuto?
His offense had always been fierce and invasive—like wildfire.
…
When she heard Akuto's words, Liliana jerked her head up.
"Akuto-sama… you… you still remember me?" Liliana's sapphire-blue eyes trembled without stopping. For so long, she'd been afraid Akuto had simply treated her as a passing stranger in his life—afraid she'd been the only one taking it seriously.
Akuto's words were a shot of adrenaline straight into her heart.
"Of course I remember you, Liliana Kronniechar. You're the silver-haired girl who was with Yuri back then, right?"
"Actually… I've always cared about you. I've always liked you. Otherwise, when I went to rescue Yuri, I wouldn't have brought you out as well."
"But if you truly like this whole 'knight' vibe, then I respect it. I accept your way of thinking."
"If you're willing… then from this moment on, you're my knight."
Akuto directly granted Liliana the status of "knight."
"Eh…?"
Happiness hit so suddenly Liliana couldn't process it.
She… just became Akuto's knight?
She'd wanted to become Akuto's knight first and then draw closer, but wasn't this progress way too fast?
And—what did Akuto just say? That he'd always cared about her, that he'd always liked her?
Thump—thumpthumpthump!
A violent heartbeat thundered in her chest. Liliana's vision went white, and she almost passed out on the spot.
Luckily, Erica helped her.
Erica stepped forward, took Liliana's small hand, and said with a smile, "That's wonderful, Lily. As Akuto-kun's lover and knight, I welcome you."
"Eh…?"
Erica's words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing the flames of love burning fiercely in Liliana's chest.
Huh?
"Akuto-kun's lover and knight"…?
Akuto-kun? Lover? Knight? Erica?
Erica's provocation was brutally effective. Liliana snapped awake instantly.
On Akuto's side…
Akuto clearly noticed the change in Erica's approach, but he didn't say anything. He simply tossed Hera's Pillar toward the land-vein convergence point he'd already prepared.
Whoosh—
Hera's Pillar flew out—
(End of Chapter)
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