Chapter 8: Pandora's Ritual
As Shirou's consciousness entered the Netherworld, a young girl named Erica Blandelli arrived at the outskirts of the Colosseum, near the Via Flaminia.
"Over there... what on earth happened?"
The girl had lilac eyes and wore a wine-red Gothic dress. Her flowing golden hair fluttered freely behind her as she moved, emitting a charming luster under the sunlight.
Compared to most of her peers, Erica was undoubtedly far superior. Not only had she reached the rank of Great Knight at her age, but her strength was also among the top tier of all witches. Due to her overwhelming power, she was feared by many magi as the "Crimson Devil."
Just yesterday, Erica had received news of Liliana's departure for Rome, which left her deeply puzzled. Liliana, who had been on a magical holiday in London, had traveled first to Naples and then hurried to Rome without pause. Given Liliana's personality, something extremely important must have happened in Rome to cause such haste.
As both a friend and a rival, Erica naturally kept a close watch on Liliana's status and movements. Although they had a good relationship, the magical associations they belonged to were rivals; thus, she hoped to surpass Liliana and place her own association in a higher position.
However, upon arriving in Rome the following day, Erica happened to witness the black dragon that blotted out the sky—undoubtedly the most colossal monster she had seen in her life. Its body alone was 120 meters long, and its unfurled wings plunged the city into darkness. Then, as the black dragon opened its massive maw, a black mist began to permeate the city, followed by the rampage of six twenty-meter-long venomous serpents.
Erica had already summoned her beloved sword, Cuore di Leone, intending to battle the serpents when she suddenly saw the surrounding space undergo a violent change. Then, she saw a figure. That person sprinted at an incredible speed and then leaped fiercely into the sky, seemingly heading straight for the black dragon coiled in the heavens.
In that instant, azure lightning like thunder shattered the sky, and deafening explosions crushed the earth. The oppressive black dragon in the sky vanished, and the serpents terrorizing the civilians in the city faded away as well, as if they had never existed.
This incredible scene left Erica's lilac eyes filled with doubt and astonishment; she found the current situation difficult to comprehend. It clearly seemed like a "Heretic God" had appeared, plunging the entire city into terror and chaos, yet it vanished with the appearance of that figure. It was truly baffling. However, since they had disappeared, at least it seemed no one else would be harmed for now—which appeared to be a good thing.
Erica stood on guard for a while. Finding no further anomalies, she left to contact the local magical association to clean up the aftermath.
Erica likely could never have imagined that, at this very moment, her friend Liliana was witnessing an epic battle.
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Listening to a laugh as pleasant as silver bells, Shirou slowly opened his eyes. His brown eyes immediately reflected a beautiful face.
It was a face as cute as a porcelain doll, slightly youthful. Curiously, while she looked no different from a teenage girl, she gave Shirou a peculiar sense of enchantment.
"You don't seem like a pure human; there's something in your body I don't understand... but you are indeed an excellent child, and you even defeated that arrogant black dragon.
However, to not die even after a battle of that scale... it seems I won't have to go out of my way to resurrect you."
The girl's voice carried a hint of surprise and relief, seemingly pleased by Shirou's strength. As her gentle voice echoed in his ears, Shirou realized he was currently lying flat. His spirit, slightly fatigued after the high-intensity battle, was recovering at an extremely rapid pace.
Feeling the softness behind his head and noting the girl's position in his vision, Shirou realized he was currently resting his head on the girl's lap.
Having a lap pillow after a big battle isn't bad at all.
With that small thought, Shirou began to observe the girl. Judging by her cute doll-face and slender frame, she looked like a girl around ten years old. Though she appeared young, the combination of that face and her emerald-green eyes gave her a seductive beauty. She wore a thin white dress on her petite body; he could tell she was likely very light.
Shirou had actually guessed her identity the moment he saw her.
Pandora.
The goddess who manages the reincarnation ritual of the Godslayers.
Anyone who battles a Heretic God and emerges victorious will come to this "Boundary of Life and Immortality." Through the reincarnation ritual, Pandora transfers the Authorities of the defeated god and a body comparable to a Heretic God as a reward to the human victor, turning them into a Devil King—a Campione!
That being said, all Campiones who have come here and undergone the ritual have, without exception, lost their memories of the Netherworld. This is due to the unique nature of the reincarnation ritual, which causes them to forget the Boundary upon their resurrection.
Though Shirou knew her identity, he felt it was better not to recognize her actively to avoid unnecessary trouble. If Pandora refused to perform the ritual because of some unforeseen complication—denying him Nidhogg's Authority and the physical enhancement—then all his hard work would be for nothing.
With this in mind, Shirou immediately channeled his Oscar-level acting skills, a look of confusion appearing on his face.
"Who... are you?"
Hearing the inquiry from the confused Shirou, Pandora's face flushed with excitement. she reached out to cup Shirou's cheeks and replied in a gentle tone:
"My name is Pandora. This place is the 'Boundary of Life and Immortality.' Because you slew a god, the ritual here sensed it and transported your spirit directly. Now, you are my seventh 'son'~ Come, call me Mama~!"
Shirou looked at the goddess, who was watching him with incredibly expectant eyes, and found himself speechless. Seeing her in person, Shirou realized that no matter how one looked at it, this goddess lacked divine dignity; she was more like a lively, flighty child. However, to obtain the Authority, Shirou decided to satisfy her small request.
"'Mama'... why exactly did you bring me here?"
Upon hearing that title from Shirou's mouth, the girl's face immediately surged with excitement. Even her green eyes seemed to glow.
"Wonderful~! You are the first child willing to call me 'Mama'!"
Hearing this, Shirou's expression froze.
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