Sora bounced over as well.
"Master, we're practicing for a summer pool party! You can't have summer without playing in the water!"
Saki's face flamed scarlet at the sight of those swimsuits; she froze on the spot.
Yukino, wearing her habitual air of faint exasperation, sighed. She'd grown used to the casual, uninhibited ways of the multiverse residents who now lived in the house.
Emilia emerged from the kitchen, mixing bowl in hand. "You twoat least wait until the guests leave before sprinting around dressed like that."
Sakurajima Mai pressed a palm to her forehead in silent despair.
Meanwhile Futaba came over to help Rei Ao off with his coat.
"Welcome home, Rei Ao-kun," she said with the gentle air of a little wifeearning a second, curious glance from Yukino.
Thru twirled unabashedly, rhinestones on the bikini sparklingand her assets bouncing.
"Who cares? We're all girls here~"
Saki mumbled, "I-I'll just go clean the guest room," desperate to flee the awkward scene.
Sora's earlier words suddenly sparked an idea in Rei Ao. He clapped his hands.
Rei Ao: "Since everyone wants to swim, why not plan a beach trip? We can go togetherand invite our friends from the chat group too."
"Really? Awesome!" Sora jumped so high she nearly hit the ceiling.
"Beach! I need sunscreen and a floatie!" Thru was already drafting a packing list.
Yukino: "Are you sure you want to organize something that big?"
Rei Ao opened the group chat with a grin.
"The more the merrier. Everyone's busythis is a rare chance to gather."
Rei Ao: Planning a beach holiday next Saturday. Who's in?
The chat exploded at once.
Machida Sonoko: "The beach? Isn't that a bit sudden? I'll need the right swimsuit and sunblock"
Hiratsuka Shizuka: "Why the sudden seaside idea?"
Rei Ao: "Perfect summer weatherand Sora and Thru inspired me. More than anything, I want to spend time with all of you."
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Ehhh, I believe everything except the part where you don't want to see us in swimwear."
Yuigahama Yui: "E-eh?!"
Miura Yumiko: "Pfft. Hard to disagree."
Eriri: "What's wrong with swimsuits? Hmphif you're unwilling, don't come. I'll take Rei Ao-kun on a private getaway, heh-heh-heh~"
Utaha: "Oh please, plain as cardboard; Rei Ao-kun wouldn't know where to look."
Eriri: "??? Mom, you see this?!"
Sawamura Sayuri: "Dear me, I don't know why Eriri turned out so ordinary. She had a perfectly balanced dietperhaps lack of breastfeeding?"
Eriri: "MOM!!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka: "Hahabeer on the beach sounds perfect. Count me in."
Yuigahama Yui: "Heh-heh. Yukinon, you coming?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "I'll go."
Yui: "Then me too! Mom makes amazing bent~"
Yuigahama Yuiai: "If you don't mind, I could make some food."
Rei Ao: "We'd love that, Yuiai. And yescome along. I miss you."
Yuiai: "Mm I miss you too, Rei Ao-kun."
Yui: "Hey! I miss Rei Ao-kun too, you know~"
Rei Ao: "Haha, all right, YuiI miss you and your jumbo dango."
Miura Yumiko: "Is the dango the key point here?"
Sakurajima Ai: "I'd like to join, if that's okay, Rei Ao-kun?"
Rei Ao: "Of courseMai and I would love that."
Mai: "Mm."
Rio: "Need to calculate UV index and optimal sunscreen intervals"
Kato Megumi: "Sounds fun. I'm in. @Kato Hiromi, what about you?"
Hiromi: "Uh well, if Megumi-chan insists, I'll take the day off."
Yukinoshita Haruno: "Mother, we're going too, right? @Yukinoshita Fuyuka"
Fuyuka: "Yes. I'd like to meet everyone."
Miura Yumiko: "Waitthe Yukinoshita mother is coming?!"
Yuigahama Yuiai: "Getting livelier by the minute."
Kobayashi: "I planned to rest, but since Shin is going"
Hyoudo Michiru: "Cough and Kanna too."
(The chat continues racing by)
Rei Ao watched the flood of messages, lips curving upward.
His iridescent eyes swept over the room: Thru and Sora animatedly debating swimsuit styles, Emilia setting out fresh tea, Yukino quietly unwilling yet clearly not objecting.
He closed the chat.
"This will be an unforgettable beach party."
Yukino sighed softly, though excitement glimmered in her eyes.
"Let's just hope nothing goes wrong."
Rei Ao slipped an arm around her shoulders and murmured in her ear,
"Not while I'm around."
Then his gaze moved to Saki, still quietly tidying up.
"Kawasaki-sancome with us."
"Eh?"
Saki looked up, startled. She'd seen the chat but hadn't spoken; in her mind she wasn't really one of them.
Rei Ao smiled.
"The more the merrierand you deserve a break."
Saki stared at him, speechless.
After a long moment she lowered her eyes, brushed a strand of hair behind one ear, cheeks faintly pink, and nodded.
"Thank you I'd love to."
~~~
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Chapter 725: Bronze-Black Cross, Liliana!
God-Slayer World
Sunlight poured through floor-to-ceiling windows into the top-floor suite of the Copper-Black Cross headquarters, gilding the marble floor with a warm, golden sheen.
Athena lounged lazily on a leather sofa, curling up like a cat.
With slender fingers she popped a grape into her mouth and closed her eyes in contentment.
Silver hair, bright as moonlight, spilled down to the floor.
She wore only an oversized white shirtthe one Rei Ao had left behind the last time he visited.
"Food in this era is so much richer than back in ancient Greece," she murmured to herself.
She reached for a piece of chocolate, nibbling it carefully; the sweet flavor melted on her tongue, and her expression turned blissful before she promptly took a much bigger bite.
Ever since Rei Ao had restored her triform divinity and severed the curse-link with the earth, Athena had discovered an unexpected fondness for these idle days.
A goddess of wisdom and war should have been ever vigilantyet now she more resembled a languid cat enjoying a rare moment of peace.
She found herself almost envious of human life.
After a while
"Athena, did you skip breakfast again?"
Erica pushed the door open, golden hair drifting behind her. She carried a tray piled with an extravagant meal.
Athena didn't even lift her head; she stayed focused on the handheld game console that had recently become her newest obsession.
"Human breakfast is too early. It doesn't suit my schedule."
Erica sighed and set the tray on the coffee table.
Since Rei Ao had left this world, taking care of this headstrong goddess had become one of her daily chores though the two got along well enough.
"At least try the tiramisu. Milan's best ptissier made it especially for you."
At that, Athena looked up. Interest flickered in her violet eyes.
Abandoning the game without hesitationfood clearly held higher priorityshe accepted the small spoon Erica offered, scooped a bit of cake, and tasted it.
Her eyes lit up at once.
"Delicious," she declared succinctly, then dug in with a much larger spoonful.
"Humans never cease to create things that surprise me."
Erica couldn't help smiling. Who would have thought the dreaded war goddess of myth could look so adorable over a slice of cake?
"Speaking of which,"
Athena said suddenly, licking cream from the corner of her lips, "aren't you planning to make Rei Ao come back for a visit?"
Erica's smile froze.
"The King hasn't given a date. He still has affairs in other worlds."
Athena snorted softly and kept enjoying her dessert.
"Sounds more like you're afraid. Who was it that murmurs his name even in her sleep? Anyone would think you were"
"I-I do not!"
Erica flailed for composure, cheeks crimsonutterly betrayed by her blush.
She was about to retort when
BOOM!
Outside, a deafening peal of thunder shattered the calm.
"Hm?"
Both women turned to the window.
In mere seconds the clear sky had been swallowed by pitch-black clouds.
WHOOOOSH!
A howling gale battered the glass; daylight vanished as though night had fallen in an instant.
"This is"
Erica's expression grew grave.
Athena set her spoon down; the lazy air around her evaporated, replaced by razor-sharp alertness.
"A god-slayer has come."
On the streets
Panic erupted.
Pedestrians scattered; shop signs creaked and swung in the wind. A bolt of lightning struck the fountain in the central plaza, sending water exploding sky-high.
Children screamed for parents; old folk crossed themselveschaos consumed the city.
Erica stood before the window, blond hair whipping in the storm.
"A phenomenon on this scale could it be"
"The oldest God-Slayer, Marquis Voban."
Athena rose. The hem of the white shirt fluttered in the draft as she padded barefoot to the glass, gaze piercing the tempest.
"He's come for me."
At the storm's heart a figure appeared: a tall, imposing old man.
A black coat flapped madly around him; his eyes gleamed like a predator's.
Each step seemed to tread on the very air as he advanced toward Copper-Black Cross HQ.
"Hand over the Heretic God."
Marquis Voban spoke softly, yet his words cut through the storm and echoed everywherean order admitting no refusal.
Erica felt a crushing pressure the aura of the most ancient god-slayer.
She almost dropped to her knees, but Athena flicked her hand; the weight vanished.
At that moment another silhouette appeared on a nearby rooftop: a silver-haired girl in knight's garb, sword in handLiliana Kranjar of Bronze-Black Cross.
"People of Copper-Black Cross!"
Liliana's voice rang clear even through the gale.
"By order of the King, surrender the Heretic God Athena at once!"
Erica instantly recognized her rival: silver single ponytail, blue eyes, famed as the "Fairy Knight," eldest daughter of the prestigious Kranjar clanloyal to Bronze-Black Cross.
Erica flung the window open, projecting her voice with magic.
"Liliana! Has Bronze-Black Cross lost its mind? Do you forget whose territory this is?"
Liliana's expression tightened, yet her reply was resolute.
"Erica it is the King's command. We have no choice."
"You align yourselves with Marquis Voban and dare provoke our King?"
Erica's tone turned icy.
"He will not tolerate such insolence!"
At the mere mention of "the King," Liliana's face went a shade paler.
She knew well that behind Copper-Black Cross stood the seventh god-slayerthat mysterious, formidable Devil King.
Everyone understood how dreadful a clash between two Kings would be something to avoid at all costs.
But still she did not lower her sword.
They had pledged themselves to Voban; now they had to stand firm on his sideno matter how terrifying the consequences might be.
~~~
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Chapter 726: Trip to Campione! Who wants to come along?
"Enough!"
Marquis Voban impatiently cut the conversation short.
He glared coldly down at Erica.
"Little girl, I have no interest in your so-called 'King.' I came only for the Heretic God."
Find the god, slay the god, steal the god's Authority
that was the entirety of Voban's intent, and he would annihilate anything in his way to do it.
A pressure even heavier than before slammed toward Erica.
Even with the ward Athena had raised earlier, her chest tightened and her legs went weak.
At that critical instant Athena flicked her wrist, placing a silver-white barrier in front of Erica.
"..."
Erica drew a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.
She whipped out her phone, dialed several numbers, and fired off rapid-fire ordersevacuate headquarters staff, raise the defensive barrier, contact the other magic societies for aid.
When she looked outside again, Athena was already hovering in mid-air, facing Marquis Voban.
The standoff between two ancient beings whipped the storm into greater fury; lightning laced the clouds around them.
"Athena" Voban sounded faintly surprised.
"You're stronger than I expected. For a Heretic God, your aura is astonishingly pureno trace of madness."
"Because I have regained my full divinity, God-slayer," Athena replied serenely, violet eyes shining with wisdom. "Leave this city. I do not wish to fight here."
Voban laugheda harsh, mocking sound.
"A Heretic God worrying about a human city? How amusing."
"I said: I will not fight in this city." Athena's voice turned icy. "If you insist on battle, follow me."
She became a lance of silver light and shot toward the distant sea.
Puzzled by the god's uncharacteristic restraint but utterly confident in his own power, Voban gave chase.
The two figures vanished into the heart of the storm.
Erica finally managed a full breath.
Casting a glance at Liliana, she opened the group chat:
Erica: @Rei Ao, Your Majestyemergency! Marquis Voban has attacked Copper Black Cross HQ. Athena-sama has been forced into combat. Requesting backup!
The chat erupted.
Saeko Busujima: What's going on?
Frieren: Details, please. I recall Athena is the triple-aspect goddess Rei Ao once helped. And who's Marquis Voban?
Erica: He's the oldest Campione
Sasha Dejanstahl Vobanthe most ancient God-slayer alive.
He holds the greatest number of Authorities and wields them with terrifying finesse, hunting gods for sport.
He may look like a scholarly gentleman, but inside he's all wild instinctwolf-like stamina, a body honed for battle, and an insatiable lust for combat.
Inori Yuzuriha: Sounds incredibly dangerous.
Shinoa Hiiragi: So he's after Athena?
Erica: Yes. He wants to kill her. I don't know what else we can do.
Rei Ao: Don't panic. Today's Athena is not the same as beforeshe's very strong. No need to worry too much.
Erica: My King!
Rei Ao: On my way. How is Athena holding up?
Erica: She's moved the battlefield out over the sea, but Voban's depth is unfathomable and he's brought Bronze Black Cross magi with him. We have only a handful of Copper Black Cross members here.
Rei Ao's response made Erica exhale in relief.
If he was coming, even Marquis Voban wasn't unbeatable.
She looked seaward again. An immense cyclone was forming above the waveslightning flashing as the two ancients clashed.
"Athena please hold on," she whispered, clenching her fists.
Miyuki Shiba: If Athena's that strong already, are you really still going, Rei Ao?
