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Erica stood before him, clad in a striking red gown that hugged her curvaceous figure, accentuating every graceful curve. Her dazzling golden hair cascaded down her back, paired with an aura of unshakable confidence, making her look like a vibrant rose in full bloom.
According to the original story, Erica was a rare genius in this world, a prodigy of unparalleled talent. Born as the eldest daughter of the prestigious Blandelli family, a renowned name in the magical society, she carried a legacy of power and prestige.
She was a proud member of the Italian magical association known as the Copper Black Cross. From a tender age, Erica had immersed herself in rigorous study, mastering the intricate magics passed down through a lineage tied to the Knights Templar.
By her youth, she had already earned her place as a remarkable magical prodigy. Within the Italian magical community, only one rival matched her skill: Liliana Kranjcar, a fellow genius from Milan, known far and wide as the "Sword Fairy." Erica acknowledged no other as her equal.
Yet now, this handsome Eastern boy, his features sharp and striking, didn't even bother to turn his head to acknowledge her presence. For Erica, the Crimson Rose, who carried herself with unshakable pride and confidence, this was an affront she couldn't ignore. Her temper flared, and she let out an annoyed shout.
"Hey, don't pretend you didn't hear me! I won't go easy on you. Hand over what you're holding, now!"
For reasons she couldn't quite grasp, watching the boy blatantly dismiss her sent a surge of anger through her. 'If I can subdue disobedient gods,' she thought, 'surely I can handle a mere ordinary person like you!'
…..
Just half an hour earlier, Erica had been patrolling the city streets when she encountered a sight so terrifying it would haunt her forever. Beside a grand cathedral, steeped in silence and reverence, stood a colossal black boar. Towering over 50 meters high, its ink-black skin gleamed with an unnatural hardness. Its massive tusks jutted out like giant axes, though its limbs were oddly short and stumpy. Still, its sheer size rivaled the small buildings nearby.
The mix of overwhelming fear and shock rooted Erica, the child prodigy, to the spot. She couldn't move and didn't dare to breathe. Yet the mountain-like beast paid no heed to the tiny human below. With a furious roar, it pawed the ground, lowered its head, and unleashed its pent-up power in a single, devastating burst. Like a war chariot magnified a thousandfold, it charged forward in a straight line, smashing the cathedral ahead as if it were a toy made of paper.
When its hooves struck the earth, the ground trembled violently. The shockwave alone whipped up a storm, tearing through the air with ruthless force. Recalling this humiliating scene only darkened Erica's already sour mood. But her resolve didn't waver. Following the lingering aura of the disobedient god, she tracked it down, only to find Yuto standing there, calm and composed.
She was certain of it: the stone tablet he casually held in his hand was no ordinary trinket. Her gaze sharpened like a honed blade, and in her slender hand materialized a magical sword: Cuore di Leone (Heart of the Lion). Step by step, she advanced toward him.
...
Yuto, however, remained unfazed, even as she mistook him for an ally of the disobedient god. This beautiful girl was no mere decoration. Far from it, she was a master of communication, with a sharp mind for strategy and leadership. In the original story, Liliana had dubbed her a "vixen" more than once, a testament to her cunning. To her peers, Erica was the Crimson Queen, a blend of brilliance and ambition.
For a woman like her, who revered strength above all else, Yuto knew the simplest approach to take. He could follow the path of Godou Kusanagi, the protagonist of the original story. He could become a mighty Campione, a god-slayer, and wait for her to seek him out willingly. Or, perhaps, there was an even quicker way.
Boom!!!!
A terrifying force erupted, as if summoned from the depths of the underworld. A spiritual pressure, vast as an ocean and dark as an abyss, crashed down upon Erica without end. In an instant, the unprepared knight was overwhelmed, pinned to the ground by its sheer might.
"Ugh!!!"
"You… how dare you!?"
Humiliation burned within the disheveled girl. Instinctively, she reached for Cuore di Leone ready to chant a spell and strike back. But the next moment, she froze. The power radiating from him was immense and divine, on par with a Campione.
"This… this power," she stammered. "Who… who exactly are you?"
"Could it be… the fierce battle from earlier was your doing?"
The reality of his strength outweighed her pride. Under such overwhelming power, even a fool would bow and Erica was no fool. This proud, lioness-like girl lowered her head in submission.
"Who I am isn't important," Yuto said coolly.
He stepped closer, gazing down at the beautiful girl before him. Her alluring figure was clearly visible to him, especially the expanse of fair skin revealed by the neckline of her red dress, a sight impossible to ignore.
"But you can think of me simply as someone here to slay gods."
"Here to slay gods?" Erica echoed, her voice tinged with confusion.
'A Campione, perhaps? But there are only six Campiones in the world right now, each ruling their own domains… Italy belongs to Salvatore Doni, the Sword King. He's carefree, but he wouldn't tolerate an unknown rival in his territory… Every Campione's rise has brought chaos and upheaval through god-slaying since ancient times. If he's a Campione, why have I never heard of him?'
Erica froze, her mind racing. Yuto's origins were shrouded in mystery, so much so that even she struggled to believe it.
Buzz!
The crushing divine pressure lifted, and Erica rose slowly, rubbing her aching body. The answer seemed absurd, yet somehow logical. Only someone with such power would dare to hunt gods in Italy.
"Since you provoked me first," Yuto said, "it's only fair you face the consequences of your defeat."
Unaware of the whirlwind of thoughts spinning in her head, he lifted her delicate chin with an indifferent air and declared, "Until I slay a god, you are my personal servant. Any objections?"
His cold gaze swept over her, and Erica, realizing her misjudgment, swallowed hard and nodded slowly. After what she'd just experienced, defiance wasn't an option. This mysterious boy might well become the seventh Campione. Should that happen, she and her Copper Black Cross might end up begging for his favor.
In this world, Campiones reigned supreme. Success in god-slaying brought wealth, fame, and power; gifts that came to them out effortlessly.
"Very good," Yuto said, satisfied with her obedient nod. "While that war god recalls his incarnation, I'd like to meet the owner of this stone tablet and learn its secrets. Her name's Lucretia Zola, I believe she is living in a place called Orlena inland. So, my dear servant, your first task is to take me to her."
Erica didn't dare ask why Yuto sought Lucretia Zola or how he knew her whereabouts. The mention of the war god made her brow twitch. The more he revealed, the deeper her fear grew. A strange premonition stirred within her. His tall figure seemed to carry an aura of slaughter and blood, a harbinger of storms and despair that would shake this world.
…..
Orlena, home to the witch of Sardinia, was a picturesque town brimming with exotic charm. Its natural beauty was breathtaking, surrounded by lush forests and natural hot springs, a perfect retreat.
"The scenery's nice," Yuto remarked.
Perched atop the speeding car, he took in the island's vibrant, sunlit landscape, savoring the moment.
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