In the end, with Satsuki taking full control of the situation—and with the dual "blessings" of the living (Professor Takamatsu) and the dead (Grandmother Chiyo), along with the subtle suggestion magic she herself released—Ichirou Kusunagi entrusted the stone slab to her. Three days later, she arrived alone near her destination.
Sardinia.
This was Italy's second-largest island after Sicily (the birthplace of a certain organization), covering an area of 24,090 square kilometers and home to approximately 1.656 million people. The island featured plains and granite mountains, dazzling beaches, and a Mediterranean climate. It lay twelve kilometers south of France's Corsica and two hundred kilometers north of the African coast.
Its capital was Cagliari. In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II of the Kingdom of Sardinia was crowned King of Italy, and the island became part of the unified Kingdom of Italy. Located west of Italy and about two hundred kilometers from the Apennine Peninsula, Sardinia possessed an ancient and rich cultural heritage, with Italian as the common language.
The capital, Cagliari, was a southern port city originally built by the Phoenicians in the eighth century BCE.
Because Europe in ancient times followed a standard feudal system, the number of preserved old capitals far surpassed anything Japan could compare to. Even so, streets that exuded such an ancient and lingering aura were still relatively rare from a historical perspective.
However, none of this stirred any particular awe in Satsuki.
After all, the ancient and eternal existences she had witnessed far surpassed these.
Due to its geographical proximity to the Mediterranean, Cagliari possessed numerous ports. Most wealthy locals owned one or two yachts, leisurely relaxing along the nearby beaches whenever they pleased.
Moreover, Italy's social welfare system was well developed. The overall pace of life here was unhurried. People did not live merely for survival, but strolled about in a state of enjoyment.
Tourists from various regions could also be seen everywhere along the streets.
"The town where the witch named Lucretia resides is still a train ride away. Since this is such a scenic and renowned destination, it would be unreasonable not to linger for a while."
Seeing how relaxed her host was, the system residing in her mind could not help but mutter inwardly, ...There are no enemies yet, but is it really wise to be this at ease?
Satsuki paid little heed to the system's concern. If an enemy were powerful enough to trouble her, vigilance in advance would be meaningless. And any enemy she could prepare for in advance posed no threat at all.
After a single glance at the map, her Tenseigan recorded the entire surrounding terrain within her mind.
As for learning Italian, that was hardly a difficult matter for her.
Thus, she smoothly located the hotel room she had reserved earlier.
Though it was only a small three-story hotel, the facilities were complete. The rooms, intended specifically for travelers, were reasonably priced. Without a prior reservation, securing a room would likely have been difficult.
In most of the worlds Satsuki had experienced—aside from FATE—the societies were either agricultural civilizations with underdeveloped technology or industrial societies still in their infancy.
If one spoke of beautiful scenery, most of it had been natural landscapes shaped by the world itself. Seeing a tourist destination developed by human hands felt entirely different.
As for which was superior, it was difficult to say.
She glanced at the clock hanging in the room. It was just past one in the afternoon. Outside the window, the sun shone brilliantly beneath a cloudless blue sky. In Tokyo's Bunkyō Ward, where every inch of land was worth a fortune, such a view was rarely seen.
It would be a waste not to step outside and appreciate the scenery.
In truth, Satsuki had long since eliminated the biological need for rest. Finding a hotel was merely a lingering habit.
Leaving the hotel, she followed the map etched in her mind and walked along the streets toward her destination.
Perhaps due to the peculiar influence of the saying, "All roads lead to Rome," no matter how she traversed the town, she would inevitably arrive at a place known as Via Roma.
And—more interestingly—she discovered multiple individuals here whose bodies contained traces of magic power.
The figure standing before her was one of them.
Moreover, it seemed the other party had come specifically for her—or more precisely, for the stone slab Satsuki was deliberately holding in her hand.
"You there—"
The other party spoke in clumsy Italian. It was hard to imagine such an accent coming from an actual Italian.
The corners of Satsuki's lips lifted faintly before smoothing away. Her golden eyes settled upon the other's figure with amused interest.
By European standards, she was not particularly tall—just over 160 centimeters. Yet there was an undeniable air of authority about her. Like a queen, she stood proudly and dignified.
Her long golden hair fluttered in the sea breeze.
Dressed entirely in red, the color seemed even more vivid under the orange sunlight and against her golden locks.
The fiery red of burning flames combined with her golden hair gave the impression of a warrior crowned in splendor.
Yet more important than all that—was her beauty.
Delicately sculpted features, more refined than any sculpture, more vibrant than any model or actress. She radiated nobility and confidence—a face impossible to forget after a single glance.
However, the words that emerged from her mouth were anything but "noble." Instead, they carried a distinct underworld flavor.
"Miss, hand over the grimoire you're holding."
Perhaps because Satsuki was a woman, this queenly highway robber did not immediately draw a weapon. Even so, the look in her eyes made it clear that any suspicious movement would be met without hesitation—even in the middle of a crowd.
"A grimoire? Are you referring to this?"
Satsuki replied in even more fluent and standard Italian than the blonde bandit. If not for her black jacket and satin-like black hair, she might well have been mistaken for a local.
"Don't play dumb. I am Erica Blandelli, the Great Knight of the Milanese association Copper-Black Cross. Do you think I wouldn't recognize what you're holding?"
"So, Knight Erica intends to take this grimoire from me? I must say, that is quite an imaginative proposal..."
Satsuki casually slipped the stone slab into her sleeve before raising a single elegant finger.
"However, clearly, now is not the time—"
Because—something far more interesting had appeared.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom!!
As her words fell, an intense series of explosions erupted in the distance.
Accompanied by an abnormal force, the sky above shifted in an instant from azure blue to a vivid green. The streets became completely deserted.
Following Satsuki's gaze, the knightly bandit also froze in shock, turning her eyes toward the distance—
There stood a colossal creature that could never appear even in dreams.
A gigantic boar over fifty meters long materialized in a flash of light. The bristles along its back burned like flames. It landed with overwhelming force and, after unleashing a ferocious roar, began smashing the surrounding buildings one by one.
That was a Heretic God.
If such a spectacle were to suddenly appear before ordinary people, no matter who they were, they would likely widen their eyes in utter shock.
That much was evident from the maid in a frilly uniform sitting inside the red taxi parked by the roadside.
However, the woman who called herself a knight of the Copper Black Cross displayed proper knightly conduct at the critical moment. She cast a conflicted glance at Satsuki before decisively saying, "Run. Hurry."
The lady who moments ago had been acting like a bandit blocking the road now transformed into a proud knight. In the next instant, despite wearing high heels, she leapt upward with physical prowess completely at odds with her appearance, landing atop a red car by the roadside. Like a streak of lightning, she sped toward the location where the gigantic boar had appeared.
"Host, aside from the boar's avatar, I have also detected activity from the main body of the Heretic God..."
"Seems you've finally learned to grasp the key point for once."
"..." (The system enters self-imposed silence.)
After teasing the system in her mind, Satsuki walked unhurriedly downhill along Via Roma toward the harbor.
Between two shattered buildings, she found the presence she had sensed.
Leaning against the wall of what looked like a warehouse stood a boy, watching the colossal boar roaring at the sky.
At first glance, Satsuki realized he was anything but ordinary.
Calling his attire shabby might be impolite, but that was precisely the impression it gave. What had once likely been a white coat was now a dirty brownish hue, worn and slightly torn. Rather than something suited to a port town, it looked more appropriate for an oasis in the desert.
Judging by appearance alone, he seemed fourteen or fifteen years old. Shoulder-length purple hair. Ivory-colored skin. Green eyes. And on his forehead, a peculiar rune-like marking.
Divine radiance naturally emanated from him—though ordinary people would be unable to perceive it.
Although the Tenseigan had allowed her to peer into destiny itself in the FATE world, within this Divine Arena that ability was suppressed by a higher authority. She could no longer discern everything about her opponent with a single glance.
Perhaps this was meant to preserve a degree of fairness in the competition.
After all—
A god's power is most formidable when it remains unknown.
Before Satsuki could speak, the androgynous being addressed her first.
"Several peculiar scents coil around your body. You are no ordinary human, are you?"
"Unlike locals who enjoy drenching themselves in perfume, I have no need for unnecessary fragrances to decorate or conceal anything. So I imagine that is merely your misconception."
"Is that so? Then consider it my rudeness for asking something so strange."
Though a fleeting trace of astonishment crossed the boy's face at her beauty, he quickly regained composure and said clearly, "Forgive me. I bear no ill will."
By human standards, his appearance was exceedingly beautiful. Yet his tone carried an undercurrent of arrogance—the habitual perspective of a superior addressing an inferior.
"In circumstances like this, to converse so calmly without regard for your surroundings—you are no ordinary being either, are you?"
Faced with Satsuki's question, the boy admitted it openly.
"Indeed. I am the victor. The strongest. The one who defeats all enemies. Victory is always in my grasp. That is my essence. No matter the battle, no matter the foe—my victory cannot change. It cannot be shaken..."
"Pfft—"
The boy's supremely arrogant declaration echoed in Satsuki's ears, while in her mind the system struggled to suppress laughter. It was a rare occurrence indeed.
"System, is this the sort of opponent you arranged for me?"
For a moment, Satsuki even questioned the seriousness of this Divine Arena. Had divine trials devolved into competitions of rhetoric rather than strength?
Yet the boy continued, unfazed by her silence.
"That is why I have long wished to taste defeat. Thus I seek to awaken the ancient kings of the gods and battle them one by one..."
At this, he sighed softly.
"Alas, I have yet to lose."
Within her consciousness, the system conjured a tiny hand and fanned it frantically before its nose.
"Host, the air here reeks of overwhelming self-admiration. I'm suffocating."
For once, Satsuki agreed.
"Next time I travel abroad, remind me to bring a mask."
"Understood."
At that moment, overhead, the blonde woman who had introduced herself as the Great Knight of the Copper Black Cross flashed across the rooftops. Propelled by magic and physical prowess, she moved agilely across the buildings. Her attire had changed into combat gear.
"Oh—so she's a witch. Troublesome woman."
The boy also noticed the passing figure before turning his gaze back to Satsuki.
"You are no ordinary being either. To remain so composed before a Heretic God... Judging by your attire, you seem to be from Japan. A member of the Committee for the Compilation of True History, perhaps?"
Satsuki shook her head.
"I am not Japanese."
"You do not lie... It seems my vision has grown dull indeed, that I cannot discern your origins."
Interest flickered across his face as dazzling light erupted around him.
"Let us end our conversation here. I have another battlefield to attend to. As for the stone slab, leave it with you for now."
With that, he vanished within the strange radiance.
"A teleportation?"
Satsuki pondered briefly.
In the next instant, the colossal boar charged forward from several streets away.
The fur of the enormous beast was black as darkness itself.
Each time its massive hooves struck the dockside pavement, the ground trembled violently.
Roar roar roar roar roar!!!
Each time it bellowed, windows shattered under the vibration.
Each time it surged forward, buildings and warehouses were smashed like fragile models.
Yet before this mountain-like boar, there stood a "small" obstacle.
The red-haired knight radiating crimson magic.
She had already shed her long skirt, now clad in long boots and trousers for battle. Extending one hand forward, she began summoning.
"Steel lion and ancestor of lions, Lionheart King—heed the oath of Knight Erica Blandelli..."
With her incantation, a magic circle unfolded before her in crimson light. From within it emerged the head of a silver lion gleaming with metallic sheen, roaring at the knight.
In the next instant, Erica dashed forward, plunging her right hand deep into the steel lion's throat. Amid dazzling red brilliance, she drew forth an object.
A rapier—seemingly elegant, suited more for ceremony than combat. Yet the overflowing magic made clear it was no trivial artifact.
Holding the enchanted blade, Erica stood before the gigantic boar god, utterly unmindful of the vast difference in size.
"Now—let the duel begin, Lionheart (Cuore di Leone)."
By some peculiar rule, the distant boar simply watched, unmoving. Even as Erica unleashed a crimson slash toward it, the massive Heretic God remained standing in place, its eyes glowing red.
But—
In the next moment, the god proved why it was a god.
A massive golden barrier enveloped the boar's entire body, effortlessly blocking the surging crimson sword light. Then, resisting the force head-on, it advanced step by step toward Erica.