Everything is Anime! Chapter 89: Reception? Still Going... (Patreon)

Hikaru’s decision caught everyone off guard.

All these people had lined up for a grand reception. A welcome banquet, a cleansing banquet, the best hotels – they’d even prepared an indulgent “wine pool and forest of beauty”: at a single command, countless women would strip naked and frolic in a pool.

They simply didn’t know Hikaru’s personality at all, and though the Bronze Black Cross’s prodigy, Liliana, was closest to him, she wouldn’t divulge a single detail about the New King.

So, the only safe bet was to get ready with the things young men typically liked. Young men tend to have hot blood, and Campiones especially so. Having more beauties on hand to “cool his fire” seemed like a decent idea.

After all, they had long experience dealing with all sorts of eccentric Campiones and had built up their own methods. There’s an old saying in the East: “He who suits his actions to the times is a wise man.” Another says “One does not strike a smiling face.” Every Campione has their own rules; as long as you don’t violate them, you should be fine.

They hoped to use this chance to gauge Hikaru’s temperament, then decide how best to get along with him.

However, to their surprise, Hikaru didn’t follow the script at all. He had zero interest in the hospitality or preparations, insisting on heading straight for Sardinia.

But why was Hikaru so decisive about it? Could there really be a Heretic God on Sardinia? He’d flown in from New Delhi, thousands of kilometers away, and the rumors about a divine beast on Sardinia had only appeared in the last couple of days.

The major mage associations had just now sent people to investigate and found no sign of any god so far. Yes, divine beasts and demigods were spotted far more often than Heretic Gods, but they were nowhere near as big a deal.

Could this Campione be so fired up from slaying his first gods that the mere mention of a divine beast made him rush over in excitement? They hadn’t even informed the Marquis Albaron or the Sword King Doni about Sardinia yet, fearing it might just be a false alarm and they’d force those Devil Kings to make a pointless trip.

But Hikaru’s orders were absolute. They tried advising him:

“The intelligence on Sardinia is still unclear. There’s only a sighting of a divine beast. We’ve got no news of a Heretic God’s aura. No one can confirm there’s a Heretic God there.”

They were just covering themselves, so they wouldn’t be blamed if Hikaru found nothing on arrival.

“If there isn’t one, I won’t hold it against you,” he replied blandly.

But was there a Heretic God on Sardinia? Of course there was. The disturbance came from Verethragna and Melqart.

One claimed the title of King of Gods, the other the Invincible Warrior God. Neither would yield; they fought until their heads practically burst, while ordinary people (unable to perceive a Heretic God) assumed it was terrible weather.

Sardinian mages had only sensed the presence of something “divine beast–like.” None of that mattered to Hikaru. He was sure, and that was enough. He had no desire to tangle with these magic societies unnecessarily.

Thus, they quickly arranged a cruise ship for him. Apart from essential staff, only a few sorcerers and Liliana went along. As the large vessel made steady progress at sea, Hikaru stood at the bow, taking pictures of Est in his arms. Behind them, Liliana watched, entranced. Compared to other Campiones, Hikaru seemed the only one who felt…human.

…

Around the same time that Hikaru set off, Paul Blandelli, Commander of the Copper Black Cross, got on the phone with his niece investigating Sardinia.

“What is it, Uncle Paul?”

A young girl’s clear, bright voice answered—a girl whose smile shone like the morning sun. She wore a vivid red top and black mid-length pants.

Though the outfit was simple, it looked smart and stylish on her. Slender waist, eyes fierce like a lion’s, and youthful features radiating energy and charm. As Milan’s renowned beauty, Erica was born into a high-status family and had already earned the Great Knight rank before turning sixteen.

In a few more years, if she polished her skills, she might well inherit both the title of “Crimson Devil” and leadership of the Copper Black Cross from her uncle.

That’s why she’d volunteered to investigate Sardinia: if she found a divine beast, she’d try to seal it. If it were a Heretic God…she’d at least see how she might handle it.

But Uncle Paul’s news still startled her.

“The seventh Campione arrives on Sardinia in half an hour? That soon?”

“We’ve sent you information on him. If you encounter him on the island, don’t act rashly like you usually do.”

“Is that how you see me, Uncle? Relax. I’m not so stupid as to oppose a Campione,” Erica said with a nod. “By the way, Liliana Kranjcar is with that seventh god-slayer. If possible, try to gather some information on the King.”

Paul ended the call. Erica mused, “Liliana…never expected her to be with the seventh.” She’d planned to lie low if a new Campione showed up, but now her curiosity was piqued.

…

As scheduled, Hikaru’s cruise ship reached Sardinian waters. But within a few dozen kilometers of the island, the weather turned foul—crashing thunder, pounding rain, and lightning galore.

Waves several meters high battered the hull like a rollercoaster ride. Most of the crew had strapped themselves down; even Liliana had fastened on a safety harness.

But when she looked back, she saw that despite the ship rolling nearly forty-five degrees, Hikaru still stood calmly on the deck, perfectly steady.

Is he really…human? she wondered, stunned.