Sardinia—
The second-largest island in Italy after Sicily, floating in the heart of the Mediterranean.
A land of plains and granite mountains, blessed with dazzling beaches and the distinctive Mediterranean climate. Every summer, tourists from all over the world flocked here, turning it into one of Europe's most famous vacation destinations.
Izumi and Kanase Kanon arrived on Sardinia aboard a private jet arranged by Erica Blandelli.
The moment they stepped out of the airport terminal, Izumi spotted a familiar figure—and froze for a split second.
"…Kusanagi Godou?"
What an absurd coincidence.
The black-haired boy walking out of the airport wore a troubled expression, clearly lost and unsure of his surroundings. Seeing him, Izumi couldn't help but smile.
Beside him, Erica also noticed the boy—and instantly tensed.
A faint yet unmistakable ripple of divine power lingered around Godou's body.
"That's… a divine artifact?" Erica muttered, her eyes sharpening.
"Why would someone bring something like that here? Is he trying to provoke something?!"
She was just about to step forward and stop him when—
Izumi casually reached out and pressed a hand against her shoulder.
"Relax," he said lightly.
"No need to interfere."
"Just stand back and watch."
With that, Izumi began walking after Godou.
At the same time, he cast a perception-disruption spell over the three of them—one that caused others to subconsciously overlook their presence.
And so, quite openly yet completely unnoticed, they followed behind Kusanagi Godou.
Erica frowned, confused.
"Izumi-sama… why are we doing this?"
"Don't ask," Izumi replied lazily.
"If you ask, the answer is 'I don't know.'"
Erica choked back her questions, choosing silence.
Ahead of them, Godou wandered about cluelessly, asking passersby for directions. Watching him, Izumi felt a headache coming on.
So this really is the original protagonist…
While following him, Izumi extended his senses across the island.
Moments later, the corner of his lips lifted.
Found you.
Melqart was already here.
Just like in the original story, the Phoenician god was resting and recovering at a seaside altar—still wounded from his previous clash with Verethragna.
If nothing changed, it wouldn't be long before those two gods collided once again.
As that thought crossed Izumi's mind—
A purple-haired youth suddenly appeared in front of Godou.
Izumi's smile widened instantly.
Erica, however, nearly screamed.
"A Heretic God—!"
Damn it.
So this really was the destined stage.
Godou stopped abruptly, startled by the sudden obstruction. But the purple-haired youth only spared him a brief glance before shifting his gaze elsewhere.
More precisely—
His eyes locked onto Izumi.
He glanced at Kanon as well, lingering for a moment, but most of his attention remained fixed on Izumi.
Godou looked between them, utterly confused.
"Uh… excuse me—"
Before he could finish—
Izumi stepped forward, reached out, and casually took the Prometheus Grimoire from Godou's hands.
"Alright," Izumi said calmly.
"Your role is finished."
"You can leave now."
Verethragna watched the scene with clear amusement.
Godou, meanwhile, froze in shock.
"H—Hey! Are you trying to rob me?!"
BAM.
Izumi's elbow struck his abdomen without warning.
"—Gah!!"
Blood sprayed from Godou's mouth as his body was sent flying.
His vision went dark before he even hit the ground.
Unconscious.
Izumi turned back as if nothing had happened.
"The nuisance is gone."
He looked directly at the Heretic God.
"Verethragna," Izumi said evenly.
"Retrieve your power."
"And then fight me."
Verethragna's eyes gleamed.
"You wish to challenge me?"
Izumi nodded and tossed the Prometheus Grimoire toward him.
"Take it. Recover your incarnations."
"I'll be waiting by the sea."
"Oh—and while you're at it," Izumi added casually,
"Kill the other one too."
With that, he turned around, taking Kanase Kanon with him as he headed toward Melqart's location.
Erica followed behind them, trembling.
Another Heretic God…
What kind of nightmare did I walk into…?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Verethragna watched Izumi's retreating figure, his entire being brimming with exhilaration.
"Hahahaha…!"
"What a magnificent human!"
"I look forward to our battle!"
His body dissolved into a gentle breeze, scattering across the land.
He had incarnations to reclaim.
And then—
A battle worth savoring.
From that brief encounter alone, Verethragna had felt it.
The suffocating pressure emanating from Izumi.
Not a Campione—
Yet far more terrifying than one.
As the god of war and victory, he longed for such opponents.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Not long after Izumi left—
A gigantic boar rampaged through the area.
One of Verethragna's incarnations.
The divine beast crushed buildings beneath its tusks, reducing the streets to rubble.
And Kusanagi Godou—
Still unconscious from Izumi's strike—
Was impaled and flung aside by the boar without mercy.
Death was instantaneous.
The protagonist of Campione!
—fell just like that.
Izumi saw it all.
And felt nothing.
A protagonist or two dying…
That's hardly unusual.
Erica glanced back, unease written all over her face, but she couldn't bring herself to speak.
Instead, it was Kanon who spoke up softly.
"Izumi-senpai… is this really okay?"
"A lot of people could have died…"
Izumi shook his head.
"It's fine."
"The area was already evacuated."
"You don't need to worry."
Then he added gently,
"Kanon… you're too kind."
"That kind of compassion isn't always necessary for someone strong."
"As a king, there are times when kindness only becomes a weakness."
Kanon smiled helplessly.
Izumi said nothing more.
She was still too pure, too gentle.
Perhaps that was why Gabriel had chosen her—why she had been suited to become a saint.
If I want her to truly change…
It's going to take time.
He led them onward toward the sea.
Suddenly, Erica stopped.
Her legs refused to move.
The oppressive pressure in the air was overwhelming.
If she took another step—
She knew she would die.
Izumi didn't look back.
He continued forward with Kanon.
Ahead of them—
A massive silhouette awaited.
At that moment, Kanon felt it.
Her blood began to boil.
Her heartbeat thundered.
Her fighting spirit surged uncontrollably.
She wanted to fight.
No—
She needed to fight.
An enemy was waiting.
This sensation—
Was something she had never experienced before.
And it sent a shiver straight through her soul.