Just as the leaders of the Italian "Seven Sisters" Mage Association Alliance were in heated discussion, suddenly... everyone felt the temperature in the room begin to rise, at least doubling in intensity.
The abrupt change made all present pause their discussions, casting wary glances around the chamber.
"Your gathering here saves me the trouble of seeking each of you individually. I am pleased by your considerate arrangement."
"Yet... why have you ignored my commands to convene this unauthorized meeting?"
A cold, arrogant voice resonated throughout the conference hall, its origin indiscernible. Only when the six major leaders noticed a figure occupying the previously empty seat at the head of the table did the source become apparent.
The sight of this newcomer caused every face in the room, including those of the Mage Association leaders, to shift in unison.
This was an Easterner of striking youth, appearing only slightly older than Erica. At sixteen or seventeen years of age, she wore peculiar attire that, though complex in design, showed no hindrance to movement or combat readiness.
Anyone with even a basic knowledge of ancient China would recognize this as a traditional Han costume from that era. Unlike the "I alone am supreme" Demon Cult leader from the East, this wasn't a Qing dynasty garment but rather a Ming dynasty woman's attire.
The girl already possessed an ethereal, immortal-like aura, and the Han costume transformed her into a living embodiment of an ancient celestial palace's fairy.
Her peerless presence and appearance alone, without needing to perceive the bottomless curse power radiating from her, would make her instantly recognizable to anyone.
Though everyone present was seeing her for the first time... they all knew her identity.
"The Campione... the New King..."
The seventh Campione, who had slain two Heretic Gods in her very first battle.
The Campione had materialized in their midst like a specter. Were it not for her sudden warmth and words, none would have noticed her presence at all.
But now that the New King's existence had been acknowledged, all present began to tremble inwardly. This was especially true of the youngest leader among them—the Purple Knight of the Capital of Lilies—whose cold sweat glistened on his brow. His parched lips parted slightly as his body shook uncontrollably. For the first time, he truly understood the terror of a Campione.
Only the leaders of magic societies like the "Olden Dame," "Bronze Black Cross," and "Female Wolf" remained present. Their life experiences had allowed them to maintain some semblance of composure, but even they gradually grew more solemn as the situation unfolded.
Phoenix didn't invoke any of her own powers or the Valkyrie's might. Yet the immense cursed energy she'd acquired through slaying gods - a force so alien it could be described as 'otherworldly' - was enough to make these knights and mages tremble.
"Everyone, why so silent?" Phoenix placed her hands on the table, calmly surveying the leaders of the magic societies. She carried herself with the ease of someone in their own backyard, showing no trace of being an outsider.
"Greetings, esteemed King. It's an honor to meet you."
In response to Phoenix's composed address, the leaders exchanged cautious glances before rising with difficulty to bow to the Seventh King.
None of them had anticipated the Seventh King would come in person, leaving them utterly unprepared.
"Truth be told, I understand your reservations and hesitations. Salvatore Doni is the leader of the Southern European Magic Alliance. Though you haven't sworn allegiance to him, nominally you remain his subordinates.
Humans possess an instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm. Naturally, you would choose to align yourselves with the stronger power. I commend this wisdom. You're grappling with who between Doni and myself is more formidable, and whether your choice might provoke retaliation from the other. These are all reasonable concerns."
"Moreover, should you choose to submit to me and pledge your loyalty, there might be rumors of betrayal. This could severely damage your reputations."
After observing the leaders of the magic societies clearly bearing significant pressure, Phoenix continued calmly.
The leaders immediately sighed in relief upon hearing Phoenix's understanding. If this New King were like Marquis Voban or Luo Hao - both Campione - it would undoubtedly be terrifying.
But it seemed the New King possessed a deep understanding of human nature.
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. To pledge allegiance to you is our greatest honor. However, Lord Salvatore is the leader of the Western European Magic Alliance. If we were to swear fealty here, even ten thousand lives would not suffice to bear the wrath of that great lord."
"It's not that we're unwilling to pledge allegiance to you, New King," the Female Wolf leader hesitated, gazing at Phoenix before her. "But the King of Swords delights in battle. Once he returns to Southern Europe, he'll undoubtedly challenge you to combat."
"So... might we request that the New King demonstrate his magnificent strength and prowess? That we might..."
"Hmph..."
Hearing the Female Wolf leader's words and seeing the identical expressions on the other leaders' faces, Phoenix suddenly let out a cold laugh.
An overwhelming aura of authority instantly forced everyone present, including the several leaders and commanders, to their knees.
Facing the New King's sudden outburst, the leaders' faces turned pale, panic rising in their hearts. They felt like small bamboo boats in a storm-tossed sea, at any moment in danger of being crushed to pieces.
"You may have misunderstood. I'm not making a request! I'm... issuing an order."
A frigid voice emerged from Phoenix's lips, sending a chill through everyone's hearts.
The sudden shift in Phoenix's temperament made all the mages present retract their previous assumptions. A Campione was indeed a Campione, and the New King proved equally unpredictable. What had been mutual understanding moments ago now turned into a raging storm.
"If you doubt my power, I have no interest in performing like a circus monkey for your amusement. But you can certainly experience it firsthand with your own bodies."
The magic societies pledged allegiance to the Campione solely for protection. For this, they could offer both manpower and material support.
Yet anyone familiar with the original story knew that after becoming a Campione and gaining the power to rule the world, Godou Kusanagi found himself manipulated by Erica and the Italian magic society.