Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

David chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"You must not touch this 'holy basket,' unless you are a priest or hold the name of Levi. Be prepared to become a sacrifice to death."

“Those are the Ten Commandments, blessed by the cherubim, a testament to faith given on Mount Sinai!”

"David, defeat the king of Goliath, and here you will see the mercy of God—the Ark of the Covenant."

The man declared this, and then continued.

In the distant past, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle until King Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred object symbolizing the presence of Jehovah. According to the Mosaic Law, only Levites who were priests could carry the Ark of the Covenant, but no one else was allowed to touch it.

"You, Hercules, suffer—"

As the light of the sacred relic gently enveloped the world, in the next instant, everyone present felt as if they were in the center of the azure sky, or above the surface of a lake, but in that instant, they all understood that the scenery before them was the pure Azure World.

"How can this be……"

David's mutterings also revealed his bewilderment at this change, as the holder of the Ark of the Covenant.

Because the Ark of the Covenant was a sacred object, containing the Ten Commandments of Moses, and possessed absolute power, he did not know why such a bloody scene had occurred.

With just a slight turn of the head, one can see on the other side of the tranquil lake, filled with foul, viscous blood and a thick aura of yin energy. It is the voice of the dead, stained with hatred, envy, and resentment, that clings to a city that is faintly visible.

This might be a bit confusing for Ritsuka and the others, but it was all too familiar to David—

Jerusalem, the holy city.

At the same time, the light illuminating the holy city was red. The sky, which should have been freed from darkness, seemed to be burning fiercely, locked in red.

And like a proclamation of destruction, raging, extinction beams of light emerged incessantly, like cloth dancing in the air, just like the thunderclouds and thick fog of Mount Sinai in the past.

Such a scene is worse than hell, not to mention in comparison to a scene of peace and tranquility.

It gives the impression that something terrible is about to appear from Jerusalem. In the Old Testament, karmic fire descending from heaven would burn those who do not obey God's will to ashes, leaving not a drop of blood.

In that instant, Ritsuka suddenly felt the previously unconscious Melsin jump down. Turning around, she saw that Melsin was staring at the holy city of Jerusalem with a very expectant look, as if she was looking forward to it.

Melusin took a deep breath to calm her mind, then exhaled, pointing the sword tips that appeared in her hands at Jerusalem.

The sword, now imbued with a sense of power, shone with a silvery brilliance, roared, and unleashed its boundless inner strength, revealing a sharp yet elegant shape resembling the tip of a spear—this was the will of Albion.

The holy city that stands majestically before us also points to this supreme goal.

So when the bloodshed ended, the holy city of Jerusalem was filled with light and collapsed, as if to say that collapse is a blessing.

Or perhaps, it is out of fear of the sacred aura.

Then, the light focused on the city gate, and the scene before Ritsuka and the others disappeared—

Nothing happened...? No, Hercules, who was once incredibly terrifying to everyone, has disappeared.

And the Ark of the Covenant, which was originally considered to be unclaimable, was taken by Novia with a smile on her face, holding Jeanne Alter Lily.

"Luckily, we're actually on the same island."

The New Testament does not record the final whereabouts of the Ark of the Covenant. It is generally believed that it was destroyed after the Neo-Babylonian Empire conquered Jerusalem. However, historians after the first century AD generally believe that the Ark of the Covenant was destroyed along with the Temple by the first Pope Novia in the 'Great Revolt of Judah' in 52 AD.

Gudako.jpg.

Chapter 373 I like it too...

"Captain, you said you would bless me."

"One thing at a time, Kiyohime. The weak should obey the strong. I am number one. You should wait."

The midday sun and the heat of midsummer baked the ground.

The swaying heatwave, the humid smell of the air, the sound of the crashing waves on the sea...

After successfully defeating the terrifying enemy Hercules, Ritsuka finally relaxed, a welcome relief. However, even though it was only a short rest of ten minutes, the orange-haired girl felt as if it were an eternity, because of the scene before her.

Kiyohime and Melsin, who used to have an excellent relationship, are now at odds because of Novia, who is holding Jeanne Alter Lily in the middle.

It wasn't until Kiyohime saw Melishin rush up and hug Novia that she realized the lover the captain was talking about was the same person as her own.

So the two immediately began a verbal exchange.

As for Ritsuka, who had been watching the two girls bicker the whole time, she belatedly felt a stuffy heat on her body, a roaring sound that drilled into her ears and went straight to her brain, and an uncomfortable sweat that wouldn't go away. She didn't know if it was a side effect of her desperate escape or because of the scene in front of her that she couldn't get into.

and so--

"...It's a bit hot, I'll go outside to cool off."

The girl had a clear, refreshing voice and a cheerful demeanor tinged with enthusiasm. Her eyes, like moist crystal balls, quietly observed the people in the room, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Why don't you rest a little longer? After all, Ritsuka is a great hero who just beat the Greek champion."

"it does not matter."

Ritsuka understood what Novia meant. It was amazing that an ordinary person with little training could outrun the great hero of Greece. At the same time, she was worried about whether there would be any aftereffects. After all, she was the last Master, so it was not surprising that she said such a thing.

But it was you who said it.

Ugh, really, there are still two people bothering you here... I should just blurt it out anyway.

Perhaps feeling that staying here was just superfluous, merely continuing to watch this stalemate, Ritsuka decided to leave the makeshift room.

However, in the girl's heart, she still hoped that Novia would shout "Don't go" at this moment.

Even though I know this attempt to keep you is unreasonable, I still have such high hopes.

At that moment, Ritsuka suddenly remembered a question that her junior, Hibino Hibiki, had once asked her.

"Last time, Ritsuka-senpai, who was the boy you were interested in?"

If Ritsuka hadn't known that Hibiki's father was Novia, she might have boasted, but since she already knew, she could only evade the question... However, in special circumstances like this, little one—

No, that's definitely wrong. I shouldn't have done that.

No, what should I do? Even though I know I'm settled down and have a family, I still want to express myself.

Actually, I started to care about you after we first met.

No, I don't want to do something that goes against morality.

But, but, it's so annoying, I'm starting to not understand myself anymore...

There was a clang.

In the instant the door opened and closed, Ritsuka secretly glanced at the situation inside the room. She saw that the three dragon maidens had already wrapped themselves around Novia in different places: Kiyohime was holding her left arm, Melisandre was holding her right arm, and Alter Jeanne d'Arc (Lily) was riding on her neck.

Ritsuka's breathing became more and more rapid, her feet made a sound as she took a step forward.

Once outside, neither David nor Mashu were there, so she leaned back in her chair, and a numbing sensation spread throughout her body, her strength rapidly draining away.

Great, Novia didn't try to stop me. That means I won't have any unrealistic expectations. That's the answer, the right answer, the right thing to do, the thing I should do. As for taking photos, let's talk about it another time. Yeah, that's it.

despite this--

"I like it too..."

Quietly, without a sound, faint words echoed in the heart of the girl named Fujimaru Ritsuka.

……

Earlier, outside, David calmly looked up at the sky.

For some reason, Romani, who was communicating with David, always felt that David was watching him.

What's going on? Could it be that my identity has been discovered? Is that why he's looking at me like that? No, not necessarily, maybe he's just looking at me... Don't worry about it too much, yes, that's it.

"Doctor, what kind of person do you think can pick up the Ark of the Covenant, which is 'untouchable'?"

"Yes Yes!"

David's sudden voice made Romani, who was trying to comfort himself, stand up abruptly, drawing the attention of everyone in Chaldea. He coughed a few times and then sat down again.

"It might be a special situation caused by the burning of human reason. After all, the situation of Novia's advisor is very special. Her job is a bit strange, and according to what she said, there are many similarities."

"Is it really just that?"

David's tone became somewhat harsh for some reason, but thankfully David didn't recognize his Romani and didn't pay much attention.

"That should be the case. After all, you can't expect Novia to really be that person, right? If he is, considering the situations of Meloshin and Kiyohime, he can't possibly still be Raymond and the nameless monk from Mirokuji Temple, can he? The former is fine, but the latter is a Buddhist..."

At this moment, based on the attitudes of Kiyohime and Melsin, the Chaldea members unanimously believed that the shadow of the Novia advisor should contain the spirit origins of 'Raymond' and 'the nameless monk'.

Because Melosin calls herself Melosin and has never mentioned Albion, Chaldea can easily learn from this name that she is the ancestor of many European royal families, such as the Holy Roman Empire's Luxembourg dynasty, the British Plantagenet dynasty, the French Lusignan dynasty, and so on, and that her husband is Raymond.

As for Kiyohime, it's even simpler. According to the "Konjaku Monogatari," Kiyohime fell in love at first sight with an unnamed monk at Miroku-ji Temple when she went there. However, the monk left and did not return for a long time. Kiyohime was helpless but unwilling to give up waiting, so she turned into a "giant serpent" and burned the deserted temple and herself to ashes.

"...Doctor, what you said makes a lot of sense."

Indeed, what Romani said made a lot of sense. If he hadn't seen Novia holding the Ark of the Covenant, he might have agreed with it. After all, Buddha was a different system, and he didn't think the one in heaven would be so good-natured.

However, David didn't know how to explain it to Romani.

Well, since this guy already has his own plans, there's no need for me to think about it anymore or bother him.

"I knew it!"

"By the way, doctor, what did you think of my posture just now? Pretty cool, right?"

"...If Novia hadn't intervened in time, you probably would be dead."

"So you're saying he's not handsome?"

"……Do not."

Romani seemed a little embarrassed even through the blue chat box, and could only scratch his head before whispering after a few seconds, "Although I don't know why you suddenly asked about this, King David, I still think it's quite handsome, but it's a bit dangerous. It wouldn't be good if something happened..."

"Haha, not bad, after all, my purpose is to let someone who isn't here witness my handsome side."

"Yes, really..."

"That's right, it's my cruel and wicked son, King Solomon."

"Huh? How can you say that? That's King Solomon, the very powerful King of Magic, but—"

Romani suddenly stopped talking halfway through his sentence, probably realizing that his attitude was a bit strange.

"I didn't expect you to react so strongly, doctor. Hmm, I understand."

Amidst Romani's worries, David let out a faint laugh.

"Doctor, you're a fan of King Solomon, aren't you?"

"Haha, that's right, I didn't expect you to find out, David..."

"hehe."

David smiled with satisfaction. "After all, you and Solomon are very different. Although that guy is stupid, he is a very straightforward person. If he were to become someone like you, doctor, it would only be if all ten of his secret lovers betrayed him. Only then would he become a gentle type like you, doctor, right?"

Romani fell silent, unsure of what to say.

"Alright, it seems I should say goodbye now."

"...Huh? You weren't injured at all..."

"Because it's time to leave, you and everyone in Chaldea, do your best!"

David narrowed his eyes and smiled at the doctor again, "...not David as king, but David fighting as a heroic spirit, defeating the enemy. If this can become your memory, that's enough."

"...King David?"

"It's nothing, doctor, it's nothing. Look at me, I actually said something I shouldn't have."

The smile on David's face as he spoke the last words, in Romani's eyes, carried a hint of joy and was also full of pride.

This was the greatest sincerity that the incredibly intelligent yet seemingly cold-blooded King David could offer.

"What nonsense are you talking about..."

Only after David had completely disappeared did Romani, who was in Chaldea, lie down on his chair, cover his eyes with one hand as if he were about to cry, and mutter to himself softly.

"Where would I get ten secret lovers from...?"

However, Romani still had an undisguised smile on his face.

……

Soon after, taking advantage of the fact that Hercules, the strongest of the Argonauts, had disappeared, Chaldea decided to launch an attack, intending to take advantage of the situation to defeat Jason and Medea, the last remaining Argonauts.

However, as they approached Argo's ship, they saw the sky change, and even the position of the light band changed; in short, they were teleported.

"Hahahaha, foolish humans and damned Melusin, this is a graveyard, a terrifying purgatory scattered in the deepest part of this sea, where meaningless deaths devoured by desire are piled up, a volcano that belongs only to me!"