Sardinia International Airport.
Sardinia is a tourist city, especially during the summer when the number of visitors is particularly high.
Yusei and Erica got off the plane. If they hadn't arranged for a car beforehand, Yusei felt they might not even have been able to get a taxi.
In the car, the driver was a girl dressed in a maid outfit, her eyes filled with curiosity and respect towards Yusei.
"Erica-sama."
"Mhmm. Yusei-sama, let me introduce you. This is Arianna. Of course, she can also serve as your maid."
Yusei glanced at the girl, showing little interest, and simply nodded.
"Alright. Find me a place to rest now. Let me know when the Heretic God appears."
"Understood."
The car drove on.
Yusei sat with his eyes closed, feeling the rhythm within his eyes.
Having inherited Takemikazuchi's Sword Authority, Yusei was mentally simulating combat.
How to coordinate the Sword Authority with the Sharingan? He was currently pondering this question in his mind.
His Sharingan's Ocular Power had also recovered. He was eager to experiment quickly.
After being enhanced by Takemikazuchi's Thunder Authority, just how powerful would his Susanoo Armor become?
He... was somewhat impatient to battle a Heretic God.
…
Time flew by, and a week passed.
For these seven days, Sardinia had beautiful weather with a constant stream of tourists, showing no signs of an impending disaster.
Yusei had been staying in the villa arranged by the Copper-Black Cross for a week.
He wasn't particularly anxious, but after a week without any movement, he was starting to feel a bit restless.
Erica truly fulfilled her duties perfectly as a knight.
Well, to be precise, she handled all of Yusei's daily affairs. Of course, regarding the duties of a Queen, Yusei hadn't asked her to perform those.
These past few days, he had been mastering Takemikazuchi's power. He was almost there now.
At the same time, during these days, Yusei had been sparring daily with Erica to better understand how magicians in this world fought.
But Yusei felt that even magic was just like that. With absolute power, those seemingly tricky methods were ultimately useless.
Today was the seventh day. Erica had been sent out by Yusei to buy dessert from a famous local shop, while he sat meditating in the courtyard.
A sword was placed beside him. It was this world's divine artifact, Futsu no Mitama. He had conveniently taken it when he left the shrine.
As for his own Futsu no Mitama, it was stored within his body, always in a state of automatic counterattack.
Improving Sword Intent wasn't just about technique. More importantly, it was about elevating one's state of mind… one could call it the Sword Heart.
After obtaining the Sword Authority, Yusei had many insights. But having the Authority didn't mean his Sword Heart was instantly maxed out.
It could only be said that he had reached the pinnacle of sword technique in this world.
However, one must admit that the Sword Authority was very helpful for the Sword Heart. Yusei was currently seizing these insights to diligently elevate his Sword Intent.
However, at that moment, Yusei's eyes snapped open. A fleeting, sinister crimson glow flashed before returning to their usual black.
He looked straight ahead. On the lawn of the courtyard, in the shadow of a large tree not far away, a little girl with white hair stood, gazing indifferently at him.
Unbeknownst to him, the surroundings had transformed into a dark world formed by cursed power, isolating them from the outside.
The little girl wore a wool shirt and a short skirt, with a hat featuring cute edges on her head. She looked like nothing more than an elementary school student.
However, the moment Yusei saw the girl, he could sense it, through the Campione's perception of cursed power, that this little girl was different.
Moreover, upon seeing her, some dust-covered memories stirred within his mind.
'Athena, child form.'
This information surfaced in Yusei's mind immediately.
Athena looked calmly at Yusei. Yusei also looked calmly back at her. Neither spoke.
After a brief standoff, Athena was the first to break the silence. She spoke indifferently, "Commendable composure."
"You're not bad either. You're Athena, right?" A slight smile appeared on Yusei's face.
"Oh? You recognized this one's identity upon our first meeting? Then, clever and young Campione, what is your choice?" Athena showed a hint of surprise.
"Choice about what?" Yusei asked.
"To prevent this one from reclaiming the [Snake]. Or not to prevent this one."
"The Snake?" Yusei thought of Athena's goal: to regain her true form, which required the Gorgoneion, currently in the possession of the Copper-Black Cross.
"Are you referring to the Gorgoneion?"
"Correct. Clever, young Campione, make your choice. This will influence this one's decision regarding how to deal with you." Athena's cute little face remained expressionless, her tone utterly flat.
"Hah, such arrogant words. Come to think of it, the [Snake] you want might very well end up in my hands. So, want to fight for it? I'm looking forward to it." Yusei looked at Athena with great interest.
"So this is your choice? To prevent this one from reclaiming the Snake."
"Of course. You are also one of my targets. Not to mention trying to take my property from me." Yusei shrugged.
"Your property? Foolish Campione. Then let us wait and see." Athena showed no expression.
Suddenly, a breeze swept through the courtyard, rustling Athena's clothes. When the wind passed, the little girl had vanished without a trace.
After Athena left, the surroundings seemed to return to their original state, still a moment of fine weather and gentle breezes.
Yusei withdrew his thoughts, closed his eyes again, and re-entered a meditative state.
Today's gains were quite substantial.
His target list had gained another entry: Athena.
Putting it that way, besides the two gods on Sardinia, adding Athena made three potential [Authority Crystals].
This way, the girls back home, Shiro, Asuna, Kaguya, could all obtain the power of Campiones.
As for Susanoo, who wasn't included in this count, Yusei naturally planned to personally defeat and claim him.