"Well now, they weren't kidding when they called you the Crimson Devil of Milan," the ancient witch sighed, stroking her left cheek. "You've seen right through me. In order to protect myself on that battlefield, I had to use magic that surpassed my limits. Thanks to that, my magical power is completely depleted. It will likely take three months to recover, and until then, I can't use any large-scale spells or even move my body. It's truly a bother."
Despite her words, there was no trace of sorrow in her expression.
But Erica, sitting upright before her, suddenly became energized, a cunning smile appearing that contradicted her usually stern exterior.
"My lady, might I ask you to disclose the identity of the god who has manifested on this island? In exchange, we will take responsibility for your personal safety during this time."
This girl really was a self-centered one. Seiya hadn't even agreed to an alliance, yet she had already unilaterally included him as part of her 'we'.
But Erica had her own calculations. This witch, who had witnessed the descent of a Heretic God and survived, possessed crucial intelligence that was of the utmost importance to her.
"That's no problem. However, Lady Erica, surely you've learned something about the god's identity during your time on the island as well."
Erica glanced at Seiya beside her and nodded slightly. "For the most part, he is a Heretic God who manifests his mythological aspect through storms and ferocity. Judging by the natural disasters that have occurred on this island recently, he should be a war god. Based on the history of Sardinia, in the context of the cultural fusion during the era of Alexander the Great, a portion of his subjects migrated to southern Italy under the guidance of Pompey. The one who has manifested here should be the chief god of Semitic mythology—Baal."
After saying this, Erica stared intently at the alluring witch lying on the bed. A smile touched Lucretia's lips, but she suddenly asked a completely unrelated question. "As expected of the young lady from the prestigious House of Blandelli, so knowledgeable about the mythological origins of various regions. Are you planning to replicate the miraculous feat of your ancestors? To become... a Godslayer."
The moment those three words were spoken, Erica's breath hitched, almost imperceptibly. She looked directly into the witch's eyes and puffed out her ample chest with frankness.
"I am not so conceited. Of course, if the opportunity arose, I wouldn't mind becoming someone like Sir Salvatore. But that is merely a fantasy... However, the thought of sealing a god, or at least suppressing him, has certainly crossed my mind."
"What a wonderfully arrogant thought. It seems you've made your preparations," the witch sighed softly. "But only when you truly stand face to face with a god will you know for sure if you possess the necessary essence."
"I will take your teachings to heart," Erica nodded.
"I know young people like you never listen. But since you are Sir Paolo's granddaughter, the most I can do is tell you as much as I know about the god who has manifested here." A nostalgic look appeared on Zola's face. "While what you said earlier was correct, there is something that needs to be amended."
"The name," Erica stated.
"Such keen wisdom." At this, the witch Zola suddenly turned her gaze to the young man beside her, Seiya. "And what about you, my dear little master? What is your judgment?"
"Melqart," Seiya answered.
"Melqart? Impossible," Erica retorted coldly, crossing her arms. "Don't take me for some sheltered young lady. Before I found you, I had already investigated the youth traveling with you."
Seiya smiled faintly. He had, of course, noticed the goodwill Erica had shown him, as well as her very subtle sense of rivalry. She likely saw him as an ally in their fight against the Heretic God, but also as a competitor for the miracle of becoming a Godslayer.
But it was just as Marin-san... well, he probably shouldn't call her that anymore... and just as the witch Lucretia Zola had said. Only when you truly stand face to face with a god can you determine if you have the talent to achieve a miracle—
—and such talent was one in ten thousand.
And among those who possessed such talent, only a tiny fraction could achieve the great feat of slaying a god.
That is why it is called a miracle.
"A name itself holds mystery. In the ancient Far East, there's even a saying that a name is the shortest of spells," the witch began to explain softly. "Although Ba'al, Baal, Beelzebub, Hadad, and Melqart all point to the same deity, a god manifesting under a different name also represents a different, corresponding aspect of their myth."
Melqart was the king who presided over the ancient Phoenician pantheon. If he manifested under this name, he would more fully embody his aspect as the king of the gods, a great warrior, the strongest of hunters who slew dragons. His form should be that of a stout, middle-aged giant.
But if he were to manifest as Baal, he would be the first of the 72 demons, a shapeshifter who sometimes appears as a man, and other times in different forms. His voice is harsh. In legend, he appears holding a great hammer in his right hand, a ball of lightning in his left, wearing a conical crown with two horns, and riding upon the thunder itself. He is the king who rules the East, and he possesses the power to make men invisible.
But if it were under the name Ba'al or Beelzebub, it would be the New Testament aspect, a figure demonized during the struggles between monotheism and polytheism in the Mediterranean as the Phoenicians plied their maritime trade.
And if it were Pallas, it would symbolize Greek mythology, representing the chief god Zeus.
"Supreme gods and sky gods like these, depending on the time and place, on the collision of different cultures, almost always possess many qualities: supreme god, king, god of wisdom, god of life, war god, god of the underworld, and so on. Baal is a classic example of this."
Manifesting under different names means embodying a different aspect of the myth, leading to changes in even personality and appearance. Because Erica had confirmed the existence of the young god, she mistakenly assumed he was Baal, manifesting as a protean demon lord.
An appearance like the white-robed youth was perfectly normal in that context. Even a purple-skinned woman pulling a lightning katana from her cleavage wouldn't be entirely out of the question.
"But unfortunately, Seiya was still correct. It was a few days ago that I witnessed the god Melqart manifest in that very form," Zola answered.
"How is that possible, Lady Lucretia? I observed the white-robed youth's form myself. If you don't believe me, I have a copy of the surveillance video on my phone."
The elder witch spoke unhurriedly to the interrupting Erica, "Your observation was correct. But how can you be so sure that only one Heretic God has descended this time?"
_____
Greetings! ✨ Walnut here with another translation! Saint Seiya united by their strength!
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