A Certain Multiverse's Holy Right

The emergence of the seventh Campione.

According to the self-proclaimed king, his name is Roy Crowley. However, investigations of individuals sharing this name worldwide have yielded no prior records, suggesting it may be an alias.

The first confirmed sighting of the new king occurred near Mount Moriah, the heart of ancient Jerusalem, where a magician affiliated with the Greenwich Assembly encountered him.

Based on findings from a clandestine Jewish magical workshop near Mount Moriah, it is believed that the god slain by the new king was the Archangel Michael.

Michael is one of the most renowned angels in the Abrahamic religions. Revered in the Tanakh, the New Testament, and the Quran, he stands at the right hand of God, a symbol of fire, victory, and warfare, commanding the heavenly host as its supreme general. As the sole archangel, Michael embodies divine justice and triumph.

Given Michael's illustrious nature, it is impossible to speculate on the Authorities acquired by the new king.

(Note: Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to test the new king's Authorities. He is one of the devil kings who stands above all others.)

—From The Greenwich Assembly Report on Roy Crowley, the Seventh Campione

Vatican City, Rome—the stronghold of Christianity.

Roy sat within the Vatican's vast library, leisurely flipping through books containing two thousand years of Christian secrets and magical texts. As the heart of one of the world's most influential religions, the Vatican housed knowledge far beyond the reach of other magical societies.

"Of the six other Campione, some are magicians, but none have devoted themselves entirely to the path of magic. A few were of humble origins, their god-slaying feats purely the result of luck."

"This only proves that the relationship between magicians and Campione is tenuous at best. Yet it also shows that most Campione are shortsighted fools, blind to the potential of this knowledge."

Closing the book in his hands, Roy spoke with a hint of mockery.

Dressed in an ornate red cardinal's robe, Roy exuded an air of authority. A silver cross hung from his chest, and the garment itself was woven with gold and silver threads, bearing intricate Christian symbols. Subtle micro-engravings depicted scenes from biblical tales.

The robe was custom-designed, with a hidden pocket on the right side lined with the Shroud of Turin. Roy frequently kept his right hand tucked into it, using the relic's sacred properties to suppress the strange phenomena associated with his hand. The elegant attire added to his commanding presence, giving him the aura of a holy ruler.

"Still, I understand their logic," Roy continued, his tone contemplative. "No amount of mortal knowledge can truly match the might of a Heretic God. To these Campione, magical tomes are useless scraps.

"They fail to realize that even Pandora's ritual which uses the divine tool called Circle of Usurpation is essentially a grand magical ritual deeply tied to the world's essence."

Though he seemed to be speaking to himself, Roy was conversing with Aiwass, the Holy Guardian Angel floating unseen behind him. Aiwass, ever the observer, rarely indulged in lengthy dialogue, preferring instead to silently monitor the world.

…

After leaving Jerusalem, Roy had wasted no time storming into the Vatican. He had anticipated resistance, expecting the Church to stand firm against him, forcing him to subjugate them by sheer force.

To his surprise, the Church not only refrained from opposing him but welcomed him with open arms. Upon learning that the god he had slain was none other than Michael, they even bestowed upon him the title of "Holy Son."

It was then that Roy fully grasped the reverence afforded to Campione in this world. For most magical societies, serving a Campione was not a humiliation but an honor. Even the Vatican, with its two-thousand-year history, was no exception.

The Church, despite its vast influence, was weak in this world due to the existence of Heretic Gods. The gods' presence undermined the monotheistic doctrine of "One True God." Even when the Church rallied all its resources, it struggled to contend with the gods of rival religions. Only Campione, the slayers of gods, could protect them.

"The Church isn't as powerful as it appears," Roy mused. "Their reliance on a Campione's protection makes sense. With Michael's Authority, I'm their embodiment of divine providence."

The Vatican, possessing unparalleled access to intelligence and knowledge, had quickly divulged a wealth of secrets to Roy. Among them was a tale of the oldest Campione, Marquis Voban, who had wreaked havoc on the Vatican two centuries ago.

The Marquis had ultimately left out of boredom, finding nothing of interest to him. But his rampage had underscored the Church's vulnerability. Without a Campione's protection, even an institution as grand as the Vatican could only tread carefully, avoiding the ire of the devil kings.

…

The tranquil silence of the library was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps.

Sitting in an ornate chair, Roy placed his book aside and lazily gazed at the sunlight streaming through the glass ceiling.

"...What is it?" he asked, his voice calm but commanding.

This library was his sanctuary, and only urgent matters warranted an intrusion.

"Holy Son, there is news of the heretical Archangel Metatron," a young priest reported, standing at the threshold of light and shadow.

Roy's expression shifted, and he stood. "Where is Metatron?"

The priest hesitated briefly before responding. "According to our sources, Metatron has been sighted within Italy."

"How bold of a Jewish archangel to enter the heartland of Christianity," Roy sneered. "Tell me his exact location. Italy is too vast; I need more than that."

The priest hesitated, sweat beading on his brow. Though Roy's tone was measured, the unpredictable nature of Campione was well-known. This "Holy Son" embodied both the divine and the devilish, his whims dictating the fate of those around him.

"Do not be afraid," Roy said, his words an odd mixture of reassurance and menace. "I am not a devil of hell. Speak plainly, and as long as your reasoning satisfies me, I will not hold it against you."

The priest swallowed nervously and finally spoke. "Although the Vatican is located within Rome, the most influential magical faction in Italy is the Seven Sisters alliance. To pinpoint Metatron's location, their assistance may be necessary. The Church can confirm his presence in Italy but lacks the means to narrow it down further."

Roy frowned. This was one of the Church's weaknesses in this world. Despite its global reach, it struggled to exert deep influence within individual countries due to the dominance of local magical societies.

"Very well. Inform the Seven Sisters to meet me here," Roy commanded.

The priest opened his mouth as if to object but immediately silenced himself upon meeting Roy's piercing, double pupil gaze.

"...Yes, Holy Son. I will notify the Seven Sisters at once."

With a bow, the priest retreated to carry out his orders, leaving Roy to prepare for his next move.