Melusine had no objections. In fact, one could say she hadn't been in much of a hurry from the very start.
Having lived for so long, she no longer dwelled on the passage of time measured in years.
To someone like her, who was never short on time, as long as she continued moving toward her goal, it would eventually be fulfilled—one way or another.
"Please, Sir Lancelot."
A young maid with a ponytail, dressed in a maid uniform, held a tray with one hand while placing the black tea and pastries from it onto the table before Melusine and Erica, who were seated in the rooftop garden of the manor.
Being on the top floor, sunlight poured freely onto the earth and flowers below.
Yet, thanks to magecraft, it wasn't uncomfortably hot; instead, the temperature remained pleasantly mild.
"Thank you." Melusine gave a slight nod, appearing neither particularly enthusiastic nor displeased.
Erica had never stopped observing the goddess before her, every gesture carrying its own subtle test.
Now, having treated the other as a guest—which could imply hosting a superior, a friend, a neighbor, or simply someone dropping by—and seeing no sign of dissatisfaction, Erica finally let most of her guard down.
After all, the fact that Melusine allowed her to sit and be served by her maid, rather than requiring Erica to serve her, spoke volumes about their standing.
"This is Darjeeling tea from India, renowned worldwide as the 'Champagne of Teas' for its rich layers and elegant aroma. I hope it pleases you, Sir Lancelot." Erica introduced with a smile.
Initially, she had considered serving the famous English brand 'TWININGS,' the royal tea supplier for over three centuries, even personally praised by the Queen, to this most celebrated knight of Britain. But...
After giving it some thought regarding British history and legends, Erica decided against it.
"Human black tea, huh..."
Melusine picked up the teacup, examining it briefly.
Her movements carried the effortless elegance and familiarity born of countless repetitions, yet they only reinforced Erica's impression of her as a noble lady.
Unaware of Erica's thoughts, the silver-haired girl took a sip and showed a hint of surprise.
"This... is quite good."
"I'm glad you like it! By the way, the tea pairs wonderfully with these pastries. The interplay of flavors enhances both~"
Erica's smile widened as she recommended, treating the other not so much as a deity but as an honored guest.
Her attitude remained respectful, yet much of the initial subservience had faded.
At the same time, she kept a close watch on the other's expression, ready to offer a profound apology at the slightest sign of displeasure.
"My deepest apol—"
"I am not some clueless tribal fairy..." Melusine began with a frown, only to see the blonde girl immediately rise and kneel before her.
Belatedly realizing her mistake—the frown hadn't been directed at her—Erica broke into a cold sweat.
She had overreacted. The goddess before her, though frowning, wasn't about to reprimand her!
"Um, Sir Lancelot, I..."
"It's nothing. Your reaction is only natural."
Melusine's expression turned utterly placid, making Erica feel as though they were back at their first meeting.
"Humans fear the unknown and the powerful; such is the way of the world... Not just humans, all living beings are alike."
The silver-haired goddess's noticeably cooler tone sent a chill down Erica's spine.
Part of it was fear from misstepping, but more importantly, she felt the stark contrast in the other's demeanor.
Thinking back, although she had remained on high alert and ready to apologize during her gradual probing, the goddess's attitude had seemed to grow slightly more animated as Erica ventured further.
They had only met an hour ago, and this subtle shift was easy to overlook.
But Erica, who had been intensely focused on the distance between them, was now startled to realize how much Lancelot's attitude had changed compared to an hour ago.
Moreover, though the goddess called it "only natural," her suddenly aloof manner betrayed her true feelings.
What should she do now?
Trust her judgment—that this goddess preferred a more casual atmosphere over excessive reverence—or stick with the safe, utmost respect befitting a deity?
Having just made a misstep, most wouldn't dare take risks now.
But Erica was far from ordinary. A prodigy praised since childhood, a great knight who had reached the pinnacle of human ability at a young age, the elite-educated young lady of the Blandelli family flawless in every aspect—she couldn't afford to doubt her own judgment.
If she couldn't trust her own assessments, what could she trust?
She chose to gamble again.
"No, even if it's natural, please allow me to apologize." Her fists clenched, heart pounding with tension, back drenched in cold sweat, yet Erica maintained her composure and earnest expression.
"I prejudged you, Sir Lancelot, as a deity who resorts to violence without thought. That mistaken assumption was my error!"
"You, really..."
Melusine looked genuinely surprised again.
Erica felt a slight relief but pressed on with even greater sincerity. "Sir Lancelot, I am truly sorry."
"I already said... fearing me is only natural."
Melusine's expression softened once more, her words losing their earlier chill.
Then she added, making Erica's eyes light up: "Therefore, Knight Erica, you who have overcome the instinctual fear of a living being—you are undoubtedly a true knight."
"Thank you for your forgiveness and praise!"
Erica's spirits lifted completely. She had gambled correctly, and Melusine's attitude gave her a newfound confidence.
Resuming her seat, Erica no longer maintained an overly reverent posture.
While still respectful, she occasionally adopted a more conversational, almost friendly tone as she introduced Melusine to the Bronze-Black Cross, interesting human sights, and the Godslayers.
None of this was classified information.
If a Heretic God were interested, they could easily obtain such details through magecraft—the difficulty of gathering intelligence was virtually nonexistent for deities; it was merely a matter of whether they cared to.
Besides, the information Erica could share was hardly critical.
She knew neither the Godslayers' Authorities nor the identities of the gods they had slain; she could only recount the anecdotes and rumors circulating among magical associations.
With Erica skillfully keeping the conversation lively, the atmosphere remained quite pleasant.
Time passed gradually until a knock at the door interrupted their discussion.
Soon, Arianna led someone over—the mage Ruben, whom they had met earlier.
He was visibly startled by the casual manner in which Erica and Melusine were interacting, though he didn't show it outwardly. Instead, he reported the results of his divination to the two.
"Sardinia... a Heretic God has descended there."
--+--
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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.