Everything is Anime! Chapter 96: Extraordinary... (Patreon)

Under the bright morning sun, his crimson figure etched a deep impression on everyone’s mind.

The streamlined armor reflected the sunlight; to onlookers, he looked just like a blazing sun. The sudden end of the downpour made ordinary folks look upward without thinking. Thus, everyone in Sardinia witnessed that scene.

Unlike Heretic Gods, a god-slayer’s battles can be seen by mortal eyes.

Like the sun in the sky—regardless of whether you pay attention, it’s simply there.

“What’s that red figure?”

“Looks like the sun, but how could there be two suns in the sky? Am I dreaming?”

People off in the distance murmured to one another, while those closer got a clearer view. Among them were the mother and child Erica had earlier taken to safety. The little girl pointed at the red figure above, excitedly tugging her mother’s sleeve.

“Mom, look—that’s…that’s the sun who saved us.”

She had seen Hikaru’s face before, but not the “Juggernaut Drive” transformation. Even so, her intuition told her that this silhouette was indeed their savior. Locals snapped photos on their phones and cameras. If not for government intervention, this incident would likely go viral online in no time.

Erica and Liliana, having witnessed everything, stood in a stunned hush, hearts surging with shock. Fighting two Heretic Gods at once and winning—this was vanishingly rare even in the long, storied annals of god-slayers. Though Liliana had already seen Hikaru’s might firsthand, she was no less impressed now.

Compared to the bewildered Erica, though, the silver-haired knight—once her initial surprise ebbed—quickly found composure.

“For Lord Hikaru, maybe this is just routine,” she said softly. “He’s always given me the impression of being extraordinary—those Heretic Gods that mortals dread might be no more than stepping stones to him.”

After all, even before becoming a god-slayer, he was able to handle two divine foes at once. Now that he had obtained new powers in addition to everything else, subduing Heretic Gods was that much more effortless.

Erica stayed silent, but her heartbeat quickened. It seemed Liliana was right: this seventh god-slayer was fundamentally different from the rest. Plenty of Campiones disliked being called “king,” but few possessed a self-awareness so unique as his.

“Heh, Liliana, you’re starting to think like me,” came a lighthearted voice from behind them. Startled, the two women turned to see Hikaru standing there at some point. The figure in the sky had vanished, the crimson armor still gleaming seductively. Right before their eyes, it rippled away like a tide, revealing his full appearance.

“Gulp…”

Both women swallowed. No matter how many times they saw that face, it always took their breath away. This was simple human biology at work—an instinctive attraction. Ordinarily, a young woman might be unable to suppress that feeling. However, with their rigorous knightly upbringing, they could at least hold back the urge for now.

“Lord Hikaru!” Liliana’s voice trembled with excitement. She was overwhelmed by worship and adoration, roots that had taken hold in her heart. Initially, she’d assumed Hikaru was just another Campione, terrorizing local people once he’d slain his gods.

Yet he’d proven quite the opposite. Just look at how he rescued that mother and child—even if it wasn’t specifically his intention, the fact remained that he saved them. Like the sun, generously shining on everyone. Compared to someone like Marquis Voban—who abducted people on a whim—this young man was much closer to her ideal of a “king.”

Liliana wanted to say something, but Erica swiftly cut in:

“Congratulations, Lord Hikaru, on achieving yet another mighty feat of god-slaying! Your radiance covered all of Sardinia in its glow!”

Erica planted her “Lion’s Heart” rapier in the ground and dropped to one knee in a formal knight’s salute, voice ringing with cheerful admiration. Unlike the more reserved Liliana, Erica excelled at reading the situation and offering precisely the right words.

“Lord Hikaru, I am—”

“You’re Erica Blandelli of the Copper Black Cross,” he said flatly. “Liliana mentioned you. Please rise. We can talk later.”

Erica stood at once. “Yes, Lord Hikaru. I’ll immediately arrange somewhere for you to rest.”

He nodded. He truly did need a break. Even with his monstrous stamina, two intense battles in a row were wearing him down. After all, he’d had to ensure he harmed the enemy effectively while keeping himself unscathed—and his opponents were Heretic Gods.

The transformation into a Campione bolstered his defense and magical resistance, but it didn’t add much raw endurance. Maintaining the Juggernaut Drive state along with multiple layers of power boosts burned massive energy—like Goku using Kaioken for too long.

So he decided to pause his path of god-slaying for now. Before heading to his next stop, better to fill up his belly, take a hot bath, maybe get a professional massage. He also wanted time to assess the gains from his latest conquests.

Overjoyed by his agreement, Erica phoned in orders at once. In less than a minute, all the luxuries fit for him were arranged, and a convoy raced over to pick him up. Soon, Hikaru sat in a spacious car, while Erica poured wine and peeled grapes for him. Only then did Liliana snap out of her thoughts.

She realized with a start:

Wait, I’ve just become the stand-in?