Sardinia, right when the sun had just reached its zenith at noon.
Under Liliana's guidance, Aslan descended the plane stairs.
At the bottom of the stairs were members of Bronze Black Cross in Sardinia. There weren't many—just Diana, responsible for scheduling and driving in Sardinia, who was also Liliana's mentor.
After all, Liliana wasn't that generous.
(Since you thought of abandoning your disciple to secure your own safety, don't blame me for dragging you into this.)
(My dear mentor.)
Diana Milito.
With a childlike face, fond of wearing intricately ruffled clothing that still emphasized youthfulness, her actual age was untraceable. She was a witch.
As an executive of Bronze Black Cross, she was sent by Liliana to Sardinia to carry out this mission.
But when she drove to the airport, her mood was foul—especially seeing the expressionless Liliana in front of her.
(Liliana, is this how you repay your beloved mentor?)
(Pushing your mentor into the fire pit!!!)
Diana thought furiously, but her surface etiquette was flawless.
She only silently communicated with Liliana through extremely "friendly" eye contact.
(Even if I accidentally set you up once, isn't this a good thing?)
(Look at you—now you're the King's Knight!)
(Who cares if he's a Devil King who slays Gods or the King of the End who saves the world—just say it, haven't you latched onto a big thigh?)
(And this King looks extremely handsome. It's exactly like the novel you wrote, you know.)
(You think I haven't read that romance novel you wrote? There was one about Arthur being reborn, right?)
(Believe it or not, I'll show it to the King?)
As if seeing the threat in Diana's eyes, Liliana glared back in anger.
But she couldn't do anything to her mentor, only sulking on the side.
If the novel she wrote were actually seen by Aslan, what face would she have left to live in this world?
This was social death more severe than actual death.
Not afraid of being shattered to pieces—just must leave her purity in this world!
(Ahem~, want to compete with me, Lilli? You're still too green.)
Diana's expression suddenly became much brighter, and even her driving became far more stable.
The car was a specially modified vehicle. Besides Diana in the driver's seat and Liliana in the passenger seat, Aslan, Guinevere, Athena, and Lancelot all sat in the back.
Bronze Black Cross members provided comfort along the way and cleared out irrelevant people—for example, local prominent nobles trying to pay visits.
But Aslan had no interest in dealing with those nobles. Just like Witenagemot, if he really had to choose, just wipe them all out.
Witenagemot and the Royal Family now only had Alice, James Hark (Witenagemot Chairman), and Ericsson (Alice's personal tutor and attendant) remaining.
The rest? Alec would teach them what a King's majesty truly was.
In modern times, the last thing lacking was talented people eager to climb upward.
Of course, Bronze Black Cross was also very wise. Upon learning that Liliana had "voluntarily" become Aslan's knight maid—
Without the slightest hesitation, even without meeting Aslan, they were willing to pledge loyalty to him.
Most importantly, they acted quickly, cleanly, and didn't disturb Aslan.
They simply gave Liliana authority to mobilize all Bronze Black Cross resources.
Their wisdom left Aslan at a loss for words.
All he could say was—worthy of being raised under Marquis Voban? Truly wise.
Before Sword King Doni became a God Slayer, Italy was Voban's territory.
Marquis Voban had made great contributions in upholding the dignity of God Slayers.
"…"
Athena suddenly looked up, gazing far through the car window.
"There seems to be a Divine Beast roaming above the city center?"
"It seems one of the unified God's bodies has been destroyed. A God with many Divine Beasts as symbols—is that the War God?"
Aslan leaned back on the sofa, slightly opening his eyes, and said: "The King of Gods Melqart is also severely injured and recovering in the temple on that island. You can take this chance to capture him."
"Considering testing needs, it's best to capture both Verethragna and Melqart alive."
Athena nodded slightly, agreeing.
She didn't seem uncomfortable or displeased seeing Gods of equal rank treated as lab rats.
As an oppressed Earth Mother, Athena held no goodwill toward oppressors.
Whether Verethragna or Melqart, Athena only felt their methods weren't cruel enough.
Now was the time for Steel Heroes to sacrifice themselves for them.
"Athena, which one do you want to capture? Melqart or Verethragna?"
Aslan asked with a smile. He left the choice to Athena.
Athena thought for a moment, then decided on her target.
"Just the Mediterranean King of Gods. The Divinity in his body is the sky—this servant hates it most. After all, this servant and the War God both wield Victory Divinity. Compatibility isn't good."
Athena wasn't arrogant and analyzed the situation seriously.
Diana and Liliana beside them suddenly trembled in fear.
Was this the King of the End's attitude toward Gods? Treating them like white mice—capture whichever you want.
But wasn't this a bit wrong? Why was the King of the End capturing Gods?
Diana felt she might have heard a terrifying truth—she didn't dare think further.
She suddenly felt a bit panicked.
At this moment, Athena seemed to remember something and calmly said.
"This servant suggests capturing just one is enough. The War God should just be killed. Don't you want to research that witch's Circle of Usurpation?"
Witch? Diana and Liliana were slightly confused.
Did she mean existences like them? But what right did they have to be mentioned by Athena?
Aslan immediately understood Athena's implication.
Pandora!
The mother of all God Slayers, and likely the one who provided aid in the mythology usurpation process. She might offer Aslan no small amount of help.
But she only blessed those who created the miracle of the weak defeating the strong.
This was somewhat troublesome.
But only slightly troublesome. Aslan thought of his Magecraft Displacement and nodded.
"Alright, I'll become a 'God Slayer.'"
Though in a certain sense, he already was a God Slayer—even the cruelest type.
One activation of Last Trial of Mankind cleansed Gods in units of millions. Though he hadn't yet purged an entire pantheon.
If not for the Underworld being a parallel world connecting countless realms and being too vast, he would've long pulled Pandora out.
(Becoming a God Slayer?) Liliana was slightly confused by Aslan's words.
But at this moment, the car had arrived at the square in front of Sardinia's Old Church.
"King, we've arrived."
Liliana respectfully opened the car door. After stepping out, she stood respectfully by the side.
At this moment, Aslan stepped out of the car. As soon as he stood, he turned and looked at the highway from the church to the sea.
Two young men stood in the middle of the road. One, a youth in a tattered white robe with beautiful features, even grinned, showing a mad smile.
"What's wrong? Suddenly not talking?"
Godou looked at the overly handsome youth before him.
To return a stone tablet left by his grandfather's friend in Japan, he came alone to Sardinia. Then, while asking for directions, he met this youth.
Though the other's speech was a bit pretentiously old-fashioned, making him slightly annoyed, seeing that extremely beautiful face, Godou unexpectedly didn't feel irritated—instead, found the other unexpectedly intriguing.
But through conversation, he seemed to hear that the youth before him had lost his memories.
But seeing the youth staring unblinkingly into the distance, Godou asked with slight surprise.
"Did you meet someone you know?"
Godou turned and saw three people who had just gotten out of a car.
One was clearly a European with blonde hair and blue eyes, extremely handsome and giving off a very charming feeling.
Another was a very cute silver-haired young girl.
As for the old aunt beside them clearly trying to look young—she didn't need to be acknowledged at all.
For some reason, Diana felt disgusted in her heart and glanced at Godou. For some reason, Godou felt a chill.
After all, Diana was a long-renowned witch. When facing ordinary people, her Spiritual Vision was enough to perform actions like mind-reading.
Of course, no one would think witches were easy to get along with.
Diana said nothing, only silently casting a few curses on Godou that would make him suffer a little.
"No, no, no. This is an extremely foreign existence, and also an unimaginably powerful enemy!"
The youth said loudly, holding back excitement in his heart, as if wanting to cheer.
"It is an unprecedented powerful enemy. Stronger than Azi Dahaka, stronger than the ancient Persian Gods, stronger than the Semitic King of Gods. An unbelievably formidable archenemy!"
"But, King from a foreign land, will you tell me your name! I will challenge you and once again seize victory in my hands!"
Verethragna stared at Aslan, but his focus wasn't on Aslan—rather on the thin yet terrifying Divinity wrapped around him.
Though Aslan clearly wasn't a God Slayer, he gave him the feeling of a natural enemy.
The feeling of a superior existence in the food chain—like an eagle that eats dragons and serpents.
God Slayer? God Eater who devours Gods!
"No, no, no, you're wrong. It should be me who will challenge you with all my strength!"
At this moment, the corner of Aslan's mouth curved, and he said with a playful expression.
"Unconquered Persian War God, Bahram, Vishnu who upholds the world, ever-victorious Indra… I, Arthur, challenge you here!"
Aslan drew Excalibur, pointing it at Verethragna.