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Although this mission was issued by Luo Hao, once he killed this world's god, he wouldn't just receive her reward—the chat group would also grant him an extra bonus.
"Rest well. Tomorrow, once you slay Verethragna with your own strength, you'll have truly graduated."Luo Hao patted Alex on the shoulder as she spoke.
After that, she left the room. Esdeath shot him a meaningful look before following her out.
Only Hestia was left in the room, still chatting away in the group chat.
Judging by her posture, she clearly wasn't planning to leave.
Alex couldn't be bothered dealing with her. He lay down, pulled the blanket up, and went to sleep.
Hestia chatted for a while longer before finally quieting down.
Seeing that Alex had already fallen asleep, a sly glint flashed in her eyes.
She turned off the lamp—then slipped under the covers herself.
The next morning, Alex woke up feeling something small and soft in his arms.
When he lifted the blanket, there lay Hestia.
Looking at her beautiful face, he couldn't help smiling. He leaned in and gently kissed her forehead.
Moving quietly so he wouldn't wake her, he got up and began dressing.
That was when the door opened and two girls walked in.
Erica Blandelli of the Copper-Black Cross, and Liliana Kranjčar of the Bronze-Black Cross.
Before Alex could say anything, both girls knelt on one knee.
"Greetings, King!"
"…What are you two doing?" Alex's expression went odd.
Sure, he was a Campione now, but both factions served under the King of Swords.They were supposed to be respectful—not kneeling on sight like this.
Erica lifted her head, meeting his gaze."King, on behalf of the Copper-Black Cross, I offer you my loyalty."
Liliana followed immediately."And I, on behalf of the Bronze-Black Cross, offer our loyalty to the King."
Alex rubbed his chin."Is this your idea… or my sister's?"
Both girls froze, unsure how to answer.
"Speak. I won't blame you." Alex released a faint wave of pressure.
Erica hurriedly replied,"Both. The King of Martial Arts hopes the Seven Sisters Alliance can become one of your forces, and we also… wish for the same."
"So that's how it is. Very well—your loyalty is accepted." Alex nodded.
The so-called Seven Sisters Alliance publicly claimed allegiance to the King of Swords, but that was something they had said themselves.The King of Swords never cared about them at all.
That battle-crazy idiot only looked for fights and wouldn't bother with trivial matters.The alliance had long felt helpless about it.
Now that a new Campione had appeared, it was the perfect time to switch allegiances.And since Luo Hao herself ordered them to serve Alex, they now had justification even if the sword idiot complained later.
Besides, Luo Hao was already the strongest among Campiones.Now her younger brother had also become one.With two Campiones together, who in the world would dare stand above them?
Seeing that Alex accepted them, both Erica and Liliana showed delighted smiles.
They quickly stood, stepped to Alex's side, and said,"King, allow us to help you dress."
Alex didn't refuse.If he was going to be a king, may as well enjoy the treatment.
Erica clapped her hands, and several attendants came in carrying piles of clothes—all custom-tailored overnight to his measurements, and all top fashion.
Since Alex was Chinese, they had also prepared several sets of traditional Han clothing.
Erica and Liliana both had excellent fashion sense.They selected a black imperial-style robe embroidered with dragons.
When Alex checked himself in the mirror, it actually looked pretty good.Only his hairstyle felt off, so he used magic to accelerate his hair growth.
In moments, his short hair lengthened into a long, inky-black mane.
Erica's eyes lit up. She took out a hair ribbon and a coronet.
She tied his hair into a high ponytail, fixed the coronet in place, then adjusted his bangs.
With that change, Alex's entire aura shifted.
He now looked like a true emperor.
Erica and Liliana were completely mesmerized, their eyes practically turning into hearts.
Too handsome. Too domineering.
They escorted him out of the room, helped him wash up, and then to the hotel restaurant for breakfast.
The chefs had freshly prepared the best dishes with the freshest ingredients.
Alex felt speechless.It was nice, sure—but too excessive.Honestly, it felt a little uncomfortable.He preferred a freer, more casual kind of comfort.
After breakfast, he returned with the girls to the suite's living room.
Hestia was already awake, drinking tea with Luo Hao.Esdeath was nowhere to be seen.
Both women brightened when they saw Alex.
Hestia's eyes sparkled."Alex, that outfit is ridiculously good on you!"
Luo Hao nodded in agreement."An emperor's bearing."
Alex smiled and asked,"Where's Esdeath?"
Hestia replied,"She went to the Copper-Black and Bronze-Black headquarters. Seems she wants to study magic."
Alex shook his head."If she'd drop that pride and stubbornness of hers, her strength would've already gone through a qualitative leap."
Hestia agreed."If she joined my familia willingly, she'd be level three or four by now."
Luo Hao countered calmly,"Learning on her own is fine. Now that the chat group's商城 is open, she can buy anything from any member's world as long as she has enough points. Her future potential won't be low."
Alex nodded."True. With the group as a cheat device, none of us will end up weak."
Hestia huffed."Not necessarily. Esdeath dies in the original plot, remember? If she can't get strong enough before the protagonists kill her, she might end up dead the same way."
Alex sighed."Yeah… and no one in the group's willing to help her right now."
"Enough about her. Are you ready for your second god-slaying?" Luo Hao changed the subject.
"No problem. Becoming a Campione boosted all my magic and skills. I can hurt a Heretic God now. And my body is stronger than most Campiones—probably the effect of that sacred flame purification."Alex clenched his fist.
After becoming a Campione, the holy-fire-purified body underwent a beneficial reaction, making his "god-slayer physique" even stronger than the norm.
His body was incredibly resilient, his bones denser than orichalcum from the Danmachi world, and his skin carried top-tier resistance to magical attacks.
Not only that—his natural healing speed had skyrocketed.Even a deep cut could close up within seconds.
That was the terror of a god-slayer's body.
"Then let's head out. That kid from the Sakura Country should be arriving at Sardinia too. With the Prometheus Tablet in his hands, your odds will be even better." Luo Hao stood.
"Alright. Let's go." Alex rose as well.
"I haven't had breakfast yet!" Hestia yelped.
"Then hurry. We'll wait at the entrance." Alex sighed, amused.
"No worries, I'll be quick!"Hestia dashed toward the restaurant.
Alex and Luo Hao left the hotel. A luxury business van was already waiting outside—arranged by Erica and Liliana.
Once the two got in, they waited a moment before Hestia joined them.
The three sat in the back while Erica and Liliana took the front seats.
Another car followed behind, carrying their personal attendants—Arianna Hayama Arialdi and Karen Jankulovski.
Sardinia wasn't big. Soon, both cars reached the port.
After waiting a little, their target finally appeared.
A Sakura Country boy stepped off a passenger ship, tablet in one hand, phone in the other.
This was the protagonist of the Campione world—Kusanagi Godou.
Alex gave Erica and Liliana a look. The two understood instantly.
They got out and intercepted Kusanagi Godou.
Godou, who didn't understand Italian, introduced himself in English and asked what they wanted.
Neither girl answered.Their eyes were fixed on the stone tablet in his hands.
Godou immediately panicked and began backing away.
But suddenly, someone blocked his path from behind.
Ariana and Karen.
Surrounded by four beautiful girls at once, Godou didn't feel happy—only terrified.
No helping it. Their pressure was overwhelming.
"W-what are you trying to do? I don't have any money!"Godou clutched his backpack tightly.
Erica spoke in Japanese."Hand over the tablet."
Godou froze.So they were after the tablet?
But the tablet wasn't his.It was his grandfather's keepsake, and he'd come to return it to its rightful owner.
"I can't. It doesn't belong to me," Godou said, shaking his head.
"You're brave to refuse. Do you know that tablet belongs to the King?"Erica's eyes sharpened, a faint killing intent rising.
"..."
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