Chapter 37 The Beard is Gone
As Hikigaya Hachiman stepped into the house, he immediately saw a black cat crouching at the entrance.
Apparently, magicians referred to creatures like this as familiars.
Hikigaya stepped past the cat and proceeded deeper into the house.
A lingering magical energy filled the corridor—it was obviously left behind by the house's owner. Following the traces of this residual energy, he made his way to a room that appeared to be a bedroom.
Even before entering, the scent of herbs washed over him.
Hikigaya lifted the curtain hanging at the door and stepped inside.
The interior of the room was in disarray. By the window was a bed, on which a woman lay on her side. She was only dressed in underwear, with long flaxen hair cascading down her body. Her eyes were unfocused, and her languid posture exuded a powerful feminine allure.
The magical energy was emanating directly from her body.
"I did not expect to be graced with a visit from a king. I've exhausted my strength, and thus can only greet you in this state. I hope you can forgive my impropriety," she said, in fluent, standard Tokyo-accented Japanese.
On the surface, this Sardinian witch looked like a young woman in her mid-twenties.
But in reality, by human standards, she was of a rather advanced age. In this world, magical power had a much more pronounced youth-preserving effect on women than on men. Even God Slayers followed this rule.
"Are you Lucretia Zola?" Hikigaya asked.
"Yes. You must be Lord Hikigaya Hachiman. To be honest, I had expected the grandson of an old friend to come seeking me instead, so I've been waiting here all this time."
Kusanagi Godou, huh? Yeah, that would've made more sense originally.
"And who are these two young ladies?" Lucretia asked suddenly.
"I'm Erica Blandelli, a Great Knight of the Copper Black Cross. I came here to investigate due to matters related to a god," Erica replied, her sharp gaze fixed on the witch still lying in bed. "Miss Zola, you appear to have sustained serious injuries. Was it something to do with a god?"
"So you're Sir Paolo's niece. I've heard the rumors about you. It seems you've already encountered the god that manifested on this island. What an unlucky child you are."
"Madam, may I ask you a few questions?" Liliana suddenly interjected.
Lucretia gave her a warm smile and replied, "You don't need to call me Madam—just use my name. As you can see, I'm still young. It wouldn't suit me to be treated like an old woman. Judging by your attire, you must be the other prodigy of the Bronze Black Cross? I can feel it—you and I share the blood of witches. You may call me 'big sister.'"
In Japan, such women were called "hime-miko" (princess priestesses). In Europe, they were known as witches. This title didn't come from learning magic—it was because they weren't fully human in the strictest sense. They carried the blood of ancient earth goddesses—divine beings who had fallen from their thrones and wandered the world, stripped of divinity.
Liliana Kranjcar was a genuine witch. In terms of magical talent alone, she actually surpassed Erica Blandelli.
"Then, Lucretia, you may call me Liliana," she said, maintaining a steady expression and using the elder's name directly—though clearly with no intention of calling her "big sister." "The Heretic God that has appeared this time—if I'm not mistaken, you've already made contact with them. Could you share the information with us? My lord is a benevolent king who cares for the people. If he were to end this calamity rather than Lord Salvatore, it would be a much better outcome for this island."
"So adorable, yet so merciless with your words," Lucretia responded with a charming smile. "Also, you refer to this gentleman as your lord. So… is he your master?"
"I am a knight. I follow the oath I have sworn," Liliana said calmly—though she then glanced nervously at Hikigaya.
Hikigaya, on the other hand, was utterly confused.
Master? I didn't do anything like that to these girls… did I?
Clearly, he had completely forgotten that Voban had once "gifted" these two to him.
But that was only natural. The pre-transmigration Hachiman Hikigaya had been a perfectly ordinary person, someone who'd never experienced the bizarre concept of people being handed around like property. It wasn't something he'd have any reason to remember.
"There's no problem sharing intel on the god. But I must say—this is only speculation on my part."
Lucretia watched Liliana's expressions with interest, before casually dropping a piece of information none of them could ignore.
"Roughly five days ago, I sensed an unusual divine power gathering in Olbia. I went there to investigate and witnessed two deities locked in battle."
She paused briefly, seemingly to organize her thoughts, and then continued:
"One of them manifested in the form of a warrior, wielding a golden sword. The other—I called him Poseidon."
"Wait a minute," Hikigaya raised his hand, interrupting. "Are you sure it was Poseidon? Not someone like Melqart?"
"Melqart, you say…" Lucretia wore a thoughtful expression, then shook her head with certainty. "If you mean the god-king worshipped by the Canaanites and Phoenicians, those Semitic peoples—then no, I'm certain it wasn't him. This god is not a sky deity, but one of the earth."
…The hell? What happened to the bearded dude? Are you messing with me again, World?
Hikigaya scratched his head.
In Greek mythology, Poseidon was a powerful god, lord of the seas, second only to Zeus. But originally, he evolved from an earth deity. In the original story, the one who was supposed to appear here was Melqart—also known as Hadad—one of the sources for Zeus's mythological archetype, and historically one of the true identities of Baal. In other words, these two gods were completely different beings.
Hikigaya had been expecting Melqart all this time. All his preparations were based on that assumption…
The frustration of having done all that work for nothing was very real.
"You said they were fighting?" Erica's excited tone contrasted sharply with Hikigaya's disappointment.
"Yes. Poseidon wielded a golden whip, while the other used a golden sword. They both landed a final blow on each other, suffering severe injuries. Poseidon turned into wind and disappeared, while the god of the sword's body split into separate incarnations and flew off toward the sea or sky. As for me, witnessing that scene and seeking to preserve my own life, I ended up in this current state."
Well then… this plot twist? The world just fed Melqart to the void.
"Poseidon, huh…" Hikigaya rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
This deity, second only to Melqart in mythological stature, was no easy opponent to deal with…