Veneration

by Valorant

In a world where gods are calamities, its up to Campione to stand against the chaos. None of them of heroes though, each one acting according to their own desires. The newest of Kings is no different, yet he finds himself having to forego his cynicism and truly play the part of champion. AU Campione! (Discontinued)

11. Chapter 10

Disclaimer: The works of Campione(!) and any other used licensed series belong solely to their respective owners. No money will be accepted for this project, as it would be against doing this as a work of passion. Also potentially illegal.

I thought long and hard about it, read the feedback you all have given me, and reached my decision.

I will be rebooting Veneration.

As such this will be the last chapter in this iteration. I will be leaving this iteration up though, at least until the rebooted version gets past where this one ended. After that? I'll play it by ear. I'm not ashamed of this version of Veneration, I think it's a rather decent first attempt if I can have some pride. So, I'm likely to leave it up.

Any further update will be solely to convey information about the new version of Veneration.

I want to thank everyone who has reviewed, followed, and just read my work so far. It's given me not only motivation to continue to write, but helped me grow as an author. If you will not be continuing to stay along for the ride, I understand and still thank you for you investment so far. For those of you who will be following me into the next version of this story, you have my gratitude. I can't promise to produce chapters more frequently or that it will be a masterpiece, but I can promise I will continue to strive to conduct whatever project I work on, to the best of my abilities. Thank you.

As for when the reboot will be up an running, I can't say. I have to do some hard thinking on how I chose to present characters, themes, and the general direction of the story. Fortunately it won't be a complete rewrite from scratch, so it wont' take forever.

As always feel free to suggest new ideas, express your thoughts, or just ask questions, whether it be in a review or a PM.

Spoilers:

No doubt the first question on many people minds. Yes, Doni essentially has a laser sword. It's not my original concept though, it's part of Campione! canon.

This is a gripe I have not with the Campione! author Jo Takesuki, but the producers of the Campione! anime. They completely skipped the canonical content that cements Erica's feelings for Godou. Without it her affection and devotion toward Godou are baseless or lead people into thinking she's only into him because he's a Campione. Both are which are a disservice to her character. Granted, I get they were working with only twelve episodes and didn't know if a second season would even happen (it did not) but they sacrificed way to much of Erica's motivations just to get all of Godou's girls in. Which in my opinion failed because Ena was shoehorned in at the end and we barely get a handle of her personality. Anyways. The pace at which Erica developed feelings for Jace is not to dissimilar to canon Godou. She's a passionate girl and when she wants something she goes after it. I added in the bit about her parents to give more solidity to her thought process. Jace for his part has no desire for a romantic entanglement, especially due to the intimacy it involves. Something which he struggles with. I have to say this was a fun element of the chapter to write, even if it was tricky. I had to balance the core characterization of Erica and Jace, while keeping in mind the growing respect Jace has for Erica, and her minor changes in Veneration.

As for those of you wondering if this romantic matchup would have borne fruit, I cannot confirm nor deny it. I intend to use this as a character development mechanism in the rebooted version, so I have to refrain from giving a definitive answer.

Regarding Doni's capacity to 'enhance' his Authorities, I hope it didn't come across as dumb. Depending on the type of Authority, some can be strengthened to higher levels if more mana is spent to empower it. Not all. The [Boar] or the [Golden Sword/Warrior] can't be strengthened by simply pouring more mana into them. To balance those that can, I decided to make the amount of mana needed to do so large, so they can't be infinitely imbued. Even Campione have limits to their mana pool despite having such large reserves. Doni by the way was running close to empty at the end of the fight, so he couldn't have activated much in the way of a spell or Authority. Doni by the way has four Authorities at this point in Veneration. One of them was completely useless in regards to the fight and the other was simply not practical to use as Doni can't even control the last Authority properly.

Regarding Doni's lack of attempt to reinitiate the fight, even the battle nut thought it was over. Not that he thought he lost, as the option to continue fighting was present for both parties, so it's more of a draw. Doni simply understood that at the moment neither of them was able to defeat the other due to being to evenly matched. Granted Jace still had [Archaic Flame], but using it would have killed everyone else present, so it wasn't an option.

Look out for updates as to when the reboot will be up. I'll post an update sometime later as to what the new name of the reboot will be so everyone can find it easier.

Valorant out.

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Veneration

Human Rising Arc

Chapter 10: Helping a Friend

Friendship can achieve great things.

() Blandelli Residence March 26th, 2024. Shortly before the duel between Jace and Doni

"What?!" Erica not quite screeched into her cellphone.

A pause as a man was visibly heard wincing, then the man on the other end of the line began speaking. "It is as I said Erica. Lord Armell has gone to do battle against Lord Salvatore. He intends to free you from captivity." Paolo stated with the utmost seriousness.

Erica nearly asked again for confirmation but refrained. Asking again would not change the answer. It was that she just couldn't accept what she was being told. First, the Seventh Campione, in a completely out of character moment, states he intends to confront the Sixth Campione on her behalf. Later, her trusted uncle reaffirms that Jace Armell was going to fight Doni Salvatore for her freedom. It was completely against the taciturn Campione's nature.

Erica didn't say anything for a moment, simply processing everything. Once she finally regained her composure, her first question was, why? Why would Jace go to such lengths for someone he might have slightly respected but did not seem to like that much. The man had made it clear he did not do such things out of the goodness of his heart. What had changed in the short span of a few days to cause this?

"Zio, did he say why he was doing this? I just can't comprehend his intentions." Erica numbly asked.

"Lord Armell did not say a word as to why he is doing this. I believed it would be improper to ask myself. That seems to be more of your responsibility Erica." The Paladin stated sternly, as if lecturing a child.

Erica's brow crunched up in confusion. "My responsibility? Zio?"

Paolo shook his head. Erica was very mature for her age, wise as well. But she was still only a teenager. She still had some room to grow and learn. "My precious niece, what do you intend to do right now? Lord Armell is fighting for your freedom. Do you intend to let him fight alone?"

Erica's eyes widen in sudden realization. What was she doing?! Currently sitting on her butt, doing nothing to help the man who was risking everything to help her. That was not Erica Blandelli. She still had questions, but right now she needed to get her act together.

"Knight Erica Blandelli will do no such thing! Zio I'm sorry but I'll have to cut our chat short. I have a Campione to assist." Erica stated with conviction.

A pleased smile spread itself across Paolo's face. In a still stern but concerned tone he said, "I understand. But promise me one thing Erica. You will be careful."

A smile cracked itself across Erica's beautiful features. "I promise Zio."

"Good. Please come back in one piece my precious niece. This old man's heart would break if he had to arrange a funeral for one so young." He could not keep either the raw concern or pride out of his voice.

"I promise Zio. Wish me luck." Erica hung up.

Now that she had a plan of action, she just needed to find the dueling Campione.

() Immediately after the duel between Doni and Jace

Jace had just barely managed to barrel through to the hallway that connected to the main floor, when the roof completely collapsed. The ear shattering sound of the tons of steel and concrete slamming into the earth reverberated for several moments in the enclosed hallway. To Jace's fortunateness the hallway survived the roof's collapse, standing firm. Once the din finally died down, and he was sure the King of Swords was buried beneath all that rubble, Jace made his way outside.

Jace scanned the environment and did not see a single person. Good. Now he did not have to worry about being detained by the police. Though he doubted he'd be detained for long. Paolo had made it clear that any attempts at interdiction by the local authorities would be handled by the Copper-Black-Cross.

Jace was roughly thirty meters away when he felt it. It was not a warning of danger, but it was an unwelcome feeling anyways. Jace felt the surge of divine power coming from behind. Turning around he was something ridiculous. A giant laser beam. Said beam was the color of silver. Jace almost did not believe it. Jace watched as the beam of divine energy started cutting through the collapsed roof. The first thought in the Seventh's Campione mind once he had overcome his shock was 'Bloody shit.' He seriously doubted roof collapse would kill or even wound Doni. But he had hoped it would at least entrap the King of Swords for a while. Apparently not. Jace made a mental note to seriously practice with his Authorities after all this was over. There was a lot to learn apparently.

Jace shook his head, he needed to stop gawking and get moving.

Jace began running ignoring the pain of his wounds, just trying to get some breathing room to recuperate.

() Slightly later

Jace was not sure if Doni had so far freed himself from the rubble by now, but he strongly suspected it to be true. When, not if, the King of Swords was free, he would surely give pursuit. Jace needed to be ready by then. Unfortunately, he was not healing as fast as he'd like. Granted the fact Jace was regenerating at all in the first place was a miracle. It was something no human could do. Yet, as glad as Jace was needed to heal faster. The wound in his abdomen seemed to be mostly healed over already, as he was able to flex without pain. The new shoulder wound was still mostly a gaping hole. As for his missing hand, the palm was only partially restored, the fingers not yet even yet possessing a base. Jace could only assume replacing bone was more taxing for the [Camel] to mend. It would explain why those two wounds were taking longer to heal.

As it was Jace only had partial use of his right arm until both wounds healed. This was honestly the worst position he'd found himself in, to date. Jace chastised himself for not going straight for the kill. He had wanted to examine another Campione in combat, in order to learn everything, he could from a senior Godslayer. Well, that conservative approach had bit him in the bloody ass. The King of Swords had proven as lethal an opponent as Verethragna or Melqart.

As it stood the Seventh Campione was currently hiding in another industrial building. It was non-descript, just another warehouse, even smaller than the prior one. But it was his refuge until he was ready to fight.

Jace sighed, an unusually melancholic expression on his face. Part of him still wondered if it was worth all this effort. Even now he was unsure as to why he had chosen to take this path of action. He had nothing to gain and no one, not even Erica herself, had asked him to do this. It was just not natural for him. He blamed Godou. The earnest Kusanagi heir's insane desire to help others seemed to have infected him. There was no point in complaining about it now though. He had to lie in the bed he made.

A sound caught Jace's ears. The sound of footsteps. Jace listened intently. It was the tell-tale thud of a boot, but light, as if the wearer had little weight. It did not sound like Doni's sandals, but that did not mean Jace could relax. This interloper might be a mage, searching for Jace on orders from the King of Swords. Even if it was just a mundane human, if they found Jace they'd likely call the police, on account of his trespassing and wounds. That risked tipping off the King of Swords if the man was smart enough. Doni might have been a fool, but he was also cunning, so it was possible.

Jace needed to neutralize them, just to be safe.

Moving behind stacks of pallets, the Seventh Campione maneuvered to the center of the warehouse. Judging from the sounds of steps, the interloper was moving straight down the middle of the warehouse. Jace stalked his way to the side of a pallet stack, and then waited. If the interloper kept their current direction, they would pass right by Jace. Once they moved past the pallet Jace would detain them.

The world slowed down to Jace as the interloper slowly approached his position. Three steps.

Two steps. Jace could hear their breathing, with his keen hearing.

One step. Jace held his breath, to not tip off the interloper.

The interlopers silhouette emerged from the other side of the pallet.

Now.

Jace surged forward just as the figure began turning toward him. In the split second before the figure in the shadowy light saw him, he observed their height. Jace's good arm shot out, the dull ache from his shoulder ignored. Jace's strong hand clasped around a delicate throat. Jace heaved as he heard a strangled gasp. He slammed his captive against the closest pallet.

"Okay, this is how this is going to work. I'm going to send you to-." Jace roughly began only to stop mid-sentence. He finally saw the individual captive in his grasp.

"Blondie?" Jace uttered with extreme shock. The interloper was Erica Blandelli.

"Lord Jace!" Erica managed to gasp through the strangle hold Jace had on her throat.

Realizing it was Erica Jace released the hold on her neck. The Seventh Campione watched on in befuddlement as Erica tenderly massaged her sore throat. Once the Great Knight had recovered Jace asked the obvious question. "What are you doing here?"

Erica straightened out her outfit, a dark red shirt, with what was nearly a red and black cape, the material hanging on from round her chest and upper back. Black leather pants that hugged her graceful legs. Topping it off was a white choker, with a purple gem atop her collarbone. Once satisfied, the Great Knight fully faced the Seventh Campione.

Her features turned stern. "I believe that is my question. Considering I explicitly told you I did not need your aid."

Jace nearly sighed, the combative blond was already at it. "Yeah, and I decided that I should help you. Why are you complaining anyway? Don't you want to be free?" Jace turned the tables, on the blond knight.

Erica's response lost her earlier recrimination, becoming almost… concerned. "Of course, I do! But not at another's expense. Look at those wounds, what happened to your hand!"

Jace raised his still regenerating hand. He shrugged. "Yeah, Salvatore surprised me a bit. That sword of his really is sharp." Jace stated casually, as if the loss of a hand was not a big deal.

Erica's for once seemed to be at a loss, her expression one of pure bafflement. Quietly she asked a single question. "Why?"

Jace frowned, understanding the unsaid portion of the question. Instead of answering he deflected. "Does it matter? Just be happy I'm doing this. You'll be free once I defeat Salvatore."

Erica's expression turned angry. "No, it does matter. You of all people don't just help others. Why are you doing this? Answer me." The blond knight's words were full of emotion, part anger, part concern, and part something else even Jace couldn't read.

Jace for his part was out of his depth. Emotional women were not something he was used to. Raising his voice just slightly he said, "I don't know."

Erica exploded. "That's not an answer! Why are you going to such lengths? You don't owe me anything. Why are you doing this for me?!" The emotional blond stepped into Jace's personal space, shouting at him. She continued yelling at him, demanding an answer.

Jace…. Finally snapped. "Because I don't think you deserve this." He said loudly.

Erica stopped, everything. She just looked up at Jace as he looked down at her.

After a pause that seemed to last an eternity, she repeated what Jace said to her. "You don't think I deserve this."

Jace sighed, deeply, and tiredly in response. He backed up against the pallet behind him, and slowly sat down on the ground. Once he was fully seated, the Seventh Campione looked up at Erica who was waiting for him to say something. Jace sighed again. When he finally spoke it, he stopped holding back the uncertainty he had felt about this entire endeavor.

"Erica. I honestly don't know why I'm doing this. All I know is that when I think of you just rotting away against your will, it just… doesn't seem right. Especially, if it's because of me. So, I decided to do something. That's it. No other reason." Jace said confidently, making it clear that this was his honest thought.

Erica was silent for a while, not saying or doing anything. Then slowly she knelt in front of Jace. The Seventh Campione, wondering what she was doing, made eye contact. What he saw was an expression he would never forget for the rest of his life. The deep blue eyes of Erica Blandelli were filled with curiosity and wonder. Erica bore the expression of someone who had found something wonderful, life-changing, and fulfilling. It was all directed at Jace.

Her deceptively delicate looking hands to Jace's growing confusion, gently clasped both sides of his face. Erica used her thumbs and index fingers to gently explore the captive face. Jace was in too much shock to worm his way out of her grasp. The blond knight took her time canvassing every inch of Jace's face. When her thumbs smoothed under his eyes she said, "Your eyes are so intense, it's like they see right through me." When her index fingers traced over the contours of his lips she commented. "Mhhm. They're a little rougher than I'd like. But that makes them more interesting." She ghosted over Jace's jawline with a phantom touch, tenderly exploring the underside of his chin. "Such a strong chin. It gives you a rugged quality." She gently giggled. Jace had to admit it was beautiful.

Her hands wandered down to the giant of a man's neck. She squeezed firmly, but softly, testing the muscle within her grasp. "So, strong, it feels like steel." Erica softly uttered. Finally, her hands rested on Jace's muscular chest, fingers spread to cover as much of his as possible.

The blond knight looked pensive. "You're not what I imagined at all." She stated slowly. "But that's not a bad thing."

Jace, thoroughly uncomfortable and confused at this intimacy he was being subjected to finally spoke up. "Blondie what are you talking about?"

Erica's smile, which had been present since she knelt, grew wider. Then without warning, the blond knight leaned forward, their heads about even height. Jace felt the softness first, then he felt the warmth.

Erica was kissing him.

It wasn't the first time she'd done so. They had shared a kiss during the battle with Melqart. But that had been business. A necessity so they could survive the ordeal. Erica had been professional in a sense, the kiss had been cool, distant, and without warmth.

This was the complete opposite. Erica was passion this time. Her kiss was full of warmth, gently caressing Jace's own lips. They left no inch of his lips untraced.

Once Jace's brain finally kicked back into gear, he immediately opened his mouth to ask what Erica thought she was doing.

He was rewarded with her sticking her tongue in his mouth.

Okay. That was enough, Jace thought. He pushed the blond back with his good hand, dragging her tongue out of his mouth.

Once there was sufficient distance, Jace demanded an answer. "Okay, explain what the bloody hell that was about. Because that came out of nowhere."

Erica smiled, giggling at Jace's confusion. Once she saw the irritation sprouting on the Seventh Campione's face she finally answered. "Isn't it natural for a woman to kiss the man she loves."

Blink. Pause. Blink.

"Come again, I swore I just heard you love me." Jace knew he had to have misheard Erica. There was no way she had just said she loved him.

"I love you." Erica stated with certainty.

Or she had.

If Jace was a less well put together kind of man, he would likely have become a stuttering mess. But since Jace was composed enough, rather than do that, he instead interrogated Erica.

"Okay. You love me. Why? And since when?" Jace demanded, wanting to get to the bottom of Erica's strange behavior.

The blond knight's smile turned sly as her voice gained a teasing edge. "Oh, don't pretend you don't know."

Jace deadpanned a stare at her. "I don't." He said, utterly emotionless.

Erica looked at Jace oddly. A sudden realization came to her, followed by a frown. "You truly don't understand. I thought you were just playing with a poor maiden's heart." The ardent blond's expression turned gentle again. "Jace." The lack of title, and the intimate way Erica used his name did not go unnoticed by the Seventh Campione. "You came to my rescue, risked your life, and did so because of how much you care for me. How could I not be ensnared by such bravery."

Jace objected, the way Erica was talking made it sound like he loved her. "Slow down there, blondie. I admit, I respect you. But let's make this clear, I don't love you." Jace intended for the bluntness of his words to snap Erica out of her daydream.

Erica gained a serious expression, her conviction shining in her voice. "I know you don't love me. Yet. But I swear I'll make you fall in love with me. That's the oath of Erica Blandelli." The blond knight went as far as poking a finger into Jace's chest over his heart to emphasize her point.

One word came to Jace's mind to describe Erica's declaration. Crazy. "Blondie—"

Erica cut Jace off. "Erica." She demanded the Seventh Campione use her name.

Jace, defiant, resisted. "Blo—"

Erica pecked him on the lips to shut him up. "ER-I-CA." The blond knight tapped Jace on the lips after calling out each syllable.

Thoroughly uncomfortable and realizing she was not going to drop the matter, Jace gave in. "Fine. Erica. Bloody hell."

Erica giggled, pleased at her victory.

Suddenly becoming serious, Erica brought Jace's hand mangled hand up to her field of view. "It's healing well, but I'd much rather we heal this faster. It's painful to see you hurt." Erica's somber tone made Jace squirm on the inside. The declaration of love and all the affection was too much for the taciturn man.

Latching on to the hopeful lifeline, Jace inquired as to how they could speed up the healing process. "So, got any magic that can fix this?"

Erica dutifully nodded. "Yes. I'm no expert, but I should be able to speed up the process."

"Good. Go ahead and cast it." Jace ordered.

To his chagrin, Erica leaned in, to kiss him again.

"I said heal me, not kiss me." Jace protested.

"Remember a Campione's magical immunity blocks all spells, except for those cast within." The blond knight informed.

Jace remembered now. Erica was telling the truth. Normally he'd just say do it, not worry about the kiss. But the intimacy Erica was projecting on the act of kissing now, was making the prospect an uncomfortable one. He did not want to feed the blond knight's delusions. But he needed his wounds healed as soon as possible in case Doni found them.

Seeing Jace's indecision, Erica gained a sly smile. "What scared of a little kiss?" She taunted.

Jace knew she was taunting him and hated it. If he refused, she would take that as he was scared of her. The only way to save face was to accept. Jace made a mental note to get her back for this later.

"Fine. Do it." Jace relented.

Erica did not hesitate. She cupped Jace's cheeks and passionately kissed the Seventh Campione. After a moment of the kissing going on, Jace felt Erica's lips part open, and what had to be her tongue brush against his lips. He sighed internally, but knew she needed access to his mouth for the spell to work. Reluctantly he opened his mouth. Erica, sensing Jace's reluctance slowly danced her tongue inside, to avoid overwhelming him. As she did, she began forming the spell work. As Erica took the opportunity to explore her new love's oral cavity to her heart's content, Jace felt her warmth. He did not say it, but Erica was an excellent kisser. If the giant of a man was less jaded, he might have openly enjoyed the kiss, returning it. But Jace was Jace. He refrained from returning the affection.

The spell did its work. Jace could feel the damage done to his body start healing faster as Erica's spell worked in conjunction with the [Camel]. Once the flow of mana ended Jace broke the kiss off, not wanting to give the ardent blond the wrong impression.

Jace looked down at his hand. The fingers were mostly back, with only some of the tips still regenerating. The same went for the whole in his shoulder.

Jace begrudgingly gave Erica a compliment. "Good work. I should be all healed up in a couple of minutes."

Erica preened under the compliment. "You're welcome. Now. We should leave. You're in no condition to fight Lord Salvatore. I suggest we head back to my family estate."

The blond knight stood up, offering a hand to Jace once fully stood up. The Campione took the proffered hand, Erica's smaller stature made it somewhat difficult to help Jace up. But she managed anyway.

"As much as I hate to admit it. You're right. I'm going to need a plan to beat him. Going in headstrong won't work." Jace agreed, recognizing the precarious situation he was in.

The King and Great Knight headed out.

() Later that afternoon, Blandelli Estate

After reaching the Blandelli villa, Jace and Erica spent a few minutes discussing their situation. Erica confirmed her intention to fight alongside Jace when he confronted the King of Swords again. Jace did not warn her against doing so. He understood it was her decision, besides he knew the stubborn blond would not listen to him anyway. Erica, not expecting the additional guest, went to make the arraignments.

Leaving Jace with a butler. The elder man, somewhere in his sixties, was tending to the last dregs of Jace's wounds. Mainly cleaning up the blood that had dried to his person. Currently Jace was shirtless, both to better aid the butler's work and because his shirt was being mended by a maid.

The butler finished removing the remaining crusted blood. Unnecessarily, the older gentleman dabbed some anti-septic over the now flawlessly healed wound. "There your Maestá, the wounds are cleaned."

Jace nodded from his seated position. He gently flexed the newly whole fingers of his left hand. Unable to detect any stiffness, Jace nodded satisfied. "Good. I'll be ready for Salvatore as soon as I devise a plan."

The butler stepped back to give Jace some personal space. The elder man did not immediately depart as Jace expected him too. Instead, the butler did something surprising, asking permission to speak. "Maestá, if I have your permission, may I speak with you?"

Jace was admittedly curious. Aside from Lucretia, Paolo, and Erica, anyone with knowledge of magic had displayed fear of Jace as a Campione (Jace had forgot about Cappozi). This man though, while more deferential than all three, was equally unafraid of Jace. "Why not. Go ahead."

The butler bowed in thanks, then once straightened up spoke. "Forgive my impertinence, but do you truly intend to free milady?"

Jace of course understood he was referring to Erica. "Yeah, I do. I mean I've already got cut up, so it's kind of late to back out now." Jace affirmed his intentions.

A calm smile spread across the butler's distinguished face. "In that case your Maestá, allow this humble butler to express his sincere thanks. I had lamented Signora Blandelli's fate when I heard of Re Salvatore's command. I cannot express my gratitude enough for your actions on her behalf."

The butler's honest thanks made Jace as uncomfortable as when Paolo had done it. He was not doing anything special. He was just fighting an admittedly dangerous battle nut. Why they felt the need to thank him so profusely he did not understand.

"I take it you care about Erica." Jace was stating, not asking.

A nostalgic look crossed the elder man's face. "I've known the young lady since her birth. It's been a privilege to aid in her upbringing all these years. Though I lament, there was little I could do to ease the passing of her parents at such a young age. Yet, she stood strong, holding onto the knightly ideals her parents taught her."

Jace nodded along. It seemed Erica was actually liked among her servants.

"Yeah, she's pretty strong. Most people, that kind of thing breaks them." Jace had seen it all too well, what the death of parents did to someone at such a young age. He remembered his own.

"I'm glad you agree. Now is there anything you require your Maestá? I imagine you're parched after your fight, perhaps a drink? Water, soda, one of the family's vintage wines?" The butler offered.

"I'll take you up on that offer. Anything's fine. Expect wine. Just… no alcohol." Jace made it clear he did not want anything alcoholic. The butler did not question the Seventh Campione's condition. Instead, he bowed and went to fetch a beverage.

A short while later the door to the sitting room opened, but instead of the butler it was Erica.

She'd changed into a purple dress with gold highlights. Jace had to admit it suited her, especially the way it complimented her eyes. Not that he said that. That last thing he was going to do was feed her delusions.

Jace noticed she had two beverages in hand, he raised an eyebrow. "Where's the butler?" Jace asked, hoping the man was just delayed. He really did not want to be alone with Erica right now.

"Ricardo is seeing to dinner, he insisted on making sure it was perfect for you." Erica helpfully stated, informing Jace the butler would not be back any time soon.

Jace sighed internally. Fine he thought, was not going to run away just because of the blond knight. He waited for Erica to hand over one of the beverages. Instead, she simply sat down on a sofa and looked at Jace expectantly.

"What?" Jace asked, unsure of what Erica was waiting for.

Erica sighed as if disappointed. Invitingly she spoke "Come sit with me."

Jace's eyes narrowed. Oh, that was what she was at. "I'm good over here. Just hand me that water." Jace attempted to keep some distance between himself and the blond knight.

"No." Erica refused to negotiate.

Jace flashed a frown. Of course, Erica was being difficult. Getting up, Jace slowly walked over to the blond knight. Once he was in front of her, he held out his hand, expectantly. He hoped she would take the hint.

Erica did not hand over the beverage. All she did was look down at the open spot beside her. It was a small sofa, big enough for two average side adults to side by side comfortably. But with Jace's mass they would be forced to sit shoulder to shoulder. No doubt that was part of Erica's plan.

Jace was not ready to give up and made to grab one of the waters. Erica did not let him have it. Jace growled, reaching for the water again. Again, Erica pulled it just out of reach.

"Seriously? Is it that important?" Jace asked, fully irritated.

Erica looked unperturbed by the sight of an irritated Jace. "Yes. I want us to get closer, sitting apart won't help that." The blond knight's sincere tone made Jace realize it was pointless arguing with her.

Jace hung his head sighed, then relented. "Alright. Fine. On one condition. No touching." Jace locked eyes with Erica to make it clear he was not asking. It was a take it or leave it deal.

Erica seemed disappointed. But she agreed anyway.

Jace sat down, leaning his bulk against the back of the sofa. He held out his hand. Erica, satisfied, placed one of the waters in his hand. Jace read the bottle, he didn't recognize the brand, so he assume it was an Italian exclusive. But the label did say it was mineral water which Jace did appreciate. He uncapped the bottle and took a long draught to quench his thirst. It was cool and refreshing, exactly what he needed after the battle. When he looked over it was to find Erica staring at him, with intense eyes.

"Need something?" Jace asked, hoping Erica had something to say.

"Just admiring you." Was what she said in response.

Jace made a strange face, unused to being admired. "Okay." Jace decided not to comment on her behavior. He'd rather not go down that rabbit whole again.

Erica helpfully moved the topic to the upcoming battle. "Jace, do you have a plan to fight Lord Salvatore?"

"Yeah. Get him into someplace secluded and roast him with [Archaic Flame]." Jace told his bloody intentions with a cold tone.

Erica, surprisingly, was the voice of lesser violence. "You can't kill Lord Salvatore."

Jace raised an eyebrow "Why not? It's the safest plan and the one most guaranteed to work.

"Lord Salvatore may have imprisoned me, but even I don't want him dead. No, despite him being a colossal and dangerous fool, Lord Salvatore is still Italy's protector. He's saved us from Heretic Gods and other horrors several times now. Killing him would be a mistake. Please don't." Erica explained.

Jace normally would have told her how unreasonable she was being. Doni was dangerous and had come close to killing Jace. Jace did not hate him for that but recognized the threat the King of Swords posed. In any other circumstances Jace would simply ignore the petition. But this was not any other circumstance. While Jace did not care about the faceless people of Italy, even he was not so heartless as to take away their protector without a second thought. And it was Erica asking him. He could not simply dismiss the blond knight's plea. Especially because it was a plea.

"Let's say I don't use [Archaic Flame], what then? I still need to circumvent [Rippling Silver Arm] and [Man of Steel]." Jace laid out the issue.

Admittedly it was a difficult question. Fortunately, Erica was intelligent, very intelligent. She laid out her proposal, a plan that was solid yet flexible. It was honestly, Jace had to admit, genius.

"Risky. Very risky. But if it works it'll definitely put Salvatore out of commission." Jace stated.

Erica smiled; glad her proposal was being seriously considered. "Then do you agree?"

Jace leaned his head back, deep in thought. The plan was solid on paper, but it carried a moderate caveat. Jace would have to trust Erica for the plan to work. That begged the question, did he?

Jace did respect Erica. She had proven brave, reliable, and extremely helpful under pressure. He'd already trusted her in the prior battles as a new Godslayer and those had worked out to his favor. Jace realized to his own surprise he trusted the brave blond knight.

"Alright. We'll do it your way." Jace agreed. The two discussed the finer details of the plan, with Jace adding in his own measures to increase its possible success.

() Several Hours Later

As Jace had expected of the Blandelli family villa, everything carried the connotations of belonging to a noble family. That included the main bath. It was far more modern than the one in Sardinia had been (Jace still couldn't remember Cappozi's name). But it was equally opulent. He was fairly certain the whole thing was made of marble. At the very least it was a pleasant experience bathing in the bath's warm water. And on the bright side he was certain no maids were going to be sent to seduce him.

Just as Jace was lathering his arms with soap he heard the door to the bath open. He assumed it was the butler. Ricardo was supposed to be tending to him right now. Imagine his surprise when turning around he saw none other than Erica Blandelli.

Erica was naked, with only a large towel to preserve her modesty. It hung neatly tucked around her from armpit to her upper thighs. Erica's beauty had of course been apparent to Jace since he met her. Her curvaceous body filling out whatever she chose to wear. Now it was only emphasized in a more salacious manner. Most men would have been mesmerized.

Jace though was more concerned with her presence in the bath. At first, he had been worried the King of Swords had found them. But seeing the towel around her shot the theory out of the air. If the situation was dire the blond knight would be dressed for combat. That though, made him curious as to what Erica was doing.

So, he asked. "Why are you in here?" Jace asked with an edge of confusion.

Erica walked closer, stopping at the edge of the bath. She looked down at the Campione, who pointedly kept his back to her. "I wanted to spend some time with you. And bathing together is an excellent way to bond." She said without a hint of an ulterior motive.

Jace believed her. Though that didn't mean he wanted to do as she pleased. Having finally caught up with Erica's newly found feelings, Jace was no longer too shocked to respond properly. He kept his back to her, not because he wanted to avoid flashing her, but to keep some boundary between them. Jace wasn't shy about his body, nor about women. But he didn't want to feed Erica's expectations.

Jace shrugged, "Do what you want. Just don't expect anything out of me." He said to make his position clear. He would have ordered her out, but rightfully suspected she would refuse to leave.

It was not the response Erica had been hoping for, but she did not make an obvious sign of her disappointment. She had been hoping her beloved would ask her to join him or compliment her on her looks. Though she tempered her disappointment with patience. Erica understood her feelings were sudden and it was obvious the taciturn Campione was not on the same level of affection. Yet, she also knew if she was not important to Jace he would not have come to her aid. In a way the stoniness of Jace was reassuring. If he was too eager for her, she might chalk it up to him only wanting her body. The thought, while not unpleasant by itself, was not Erica's aim for now or for the future. She wanted a deeper relationship than mere carnality.

Erica, sensing Jace was tense, opted to sit on the edge of the bath, rather than step into the water. Jace, seeing this, went back to washing his arms.

Erica was content with the silence for a few moments. But as much as she was enjoying watching Jace's muscular form flex before her, she did want to fulfill her purpose for coming here. Therefore, she started asking Jace questions.

"How many girlfriends have you had?" Erica asked the personal question without a hint of restraint.

Jace stopped moving, as the question registered. It was not the most invasive question. If he was lucky, he could satiate Erica's desires and get her to leave him alone. "None." Jace answered.

A pause. "You said you slept with a woman. Did you not have a relationship?" Erica posed another question. Her tone was not reproachful but rather surprised.

"No. I only met the woman on the day it happened. It was to celebrate my sixteenth birthday. And you'll remember how that ended." Jace darkly finished.

Erica grimaced. Being stabbed by a woman you just slept with was probably not a good experience to endear a man to the fairer sex. Still, even though Erica was disappointed she wouldn't' be Jace's first sexual partner, she did understand the wider implications. Jace had no prior or current flames. So, she did not have to worry about competing for his love.

"I'll be your first love then." Erica stated resolutely. As much for herself as for Jace.

Jace just shrugged saying "Sure." Noncommittedly.

Jace decided if he was being interrogated, he might as well ask some questions of his own. "Your turn. How many men have you slept with?" Jace hoped the shock question would piss Erica off enough she'd leave.

It didn't quite work. "None." There was no anger or tones of deceit in Erica' voice.

A pause. "Huh, surprising. Most of the women I know didn't wait too long. You must have high standards." It was true, though most of the women Jace had associated with her those that lived on the streets. Doing so had been as much for pleasure as for practical reasons.

Erica crossed her arms, her expression stern. "Let me be clear mister, I do have high standards. The only man I'm concerned to have passed them is you, and even if another man met them, the only one I'm interested in is you."

Jace snorted. Erica did not know what she was talking about. "Erica if you knew the first thing about me you wouldn't be looking to me as a lover."

Erica's expression turned into one of a challenge. "Oh, then pray tell what it is about you is I should know." Erica, contrary to her challenging demeanor, was curious about what Jace was talking about. The man was still a mystery to her.

A bitter smile came to Jace's face, oh the arrogant blond had no idea, he thought. If there was ever a moment to disabuse the woman of her ridiculous notions, it was now. Jace talked and talked and talked. He told her everything he'd told Godou. And even a few things he hadn't. Such as the times he killed people, aside from the cultists. Technically the law would have considered it manslaughter at worst self-defense at best. Too Jace it was irrelevant, he had stilled killed people without remorse.

Once he was finished, he expected Erica to be severely upset. Perhaps even vomit, as she realized exactly who she had 'fallen in love with'. But much like Godou, Erica had a knack for subverting his expectations.

Instead, her beautiful features grew stern. When she spoke, it was the most commanding tone anyone had dared use toward Jace in many years. "No more. I'll forgive your past because you had little choice. But that all ends today. From here on, you're going to rely on me and walk the path of a King." Erica even had the audacity to point a finger at him like a naughty child.

Jace summed up his response thusly, "The bloody fuck?!"

Erica's features softened, her tone becoming nearly tender. "I can't judge you for what you did to survive. It's horrible enough a child had to go through all that. That's why starting from this moment you're to rely on me. I'll show you there a different side to the world. One where it's not about just taking from others. Jace you can be so much more. I know you can be the greatest of the Kings of the World."

Jace had nothing to say. He literally had nothing to say. This was way out of his depth. Jace was used to people hating him or being afraid of him. Having someone believe in him was… different. In fact, the only person aside from Erica to do so was Godou. Both of those were so recent Jace had no idea what to do with that.

Well, Jace did know one thing to do. He grasped the brow of his nose and started rubbing it in consternation. "Your insane as Godou. Seriously what is with you two." Jace leaned his head back and spoke towards the ceiling. "I give up. Do what you want." Jace proceeded to ignore Erica for the moment and went back to bathing himself.

Erica refrained from giggling, simply basking in her victory. Jace was no longer pushing her away, even if he was not accepting her with open arms. She was beginning to understand it would be a matter of steps with Jace and not leaping bounds. That was fine. Romance could be slow and savored as much intense and heated.

After an appropriate time, Erica spoke again. "Jace, would you like me to bathe you?" Erica made the question innocent. There was no seductive edge, nor wanton promise of more. She simply wanted to engage in physical bonding exercise as part of their heart to heart. Her mother had always said her father loved it when they could bathe together, sex aside.

Jace stopped moving. He had no doubt Erica had asked because she noticed him struggling to wash his back. The blond vixen was too crafty to not have. The worst part was, Jace could honestly use the help. The burden of being this big was difficulty in reaching one's back, long arms or not. Jace debated it. He knew the offer wasn't as simple as it might seem. The blond would take it as positive affirmation for her thoughts of romance. Part of him did not want to go any further down this path with the blond knight. The other part of him also did not want to engage in any more vulnerable positions. But. A third part of Jace, even one he did not consciously acknowledge, was of a different mind. It had been a long time since Jace had received any kind of affection. He was starved for it in fact. The only affection he'd received in ten years was Godou's offer of friendship. But that was a whole different kind of affection compared to what Erica was offering.

But like with Godou's it was the first Jace felt confident was genuine. Jace also understood it was emotional intimacy as much as physical intimacy. He seriously doubted Erica would offer unless it was under that understanding. The blond knight valued her chastity too much otherwise. Therefore, the question was not, did Jace want the ardent blond to bathe him, it was, did he want the ardent blond.

Godou's inroad aside, Jace was still an extremely jaded person. He still expected his new friendship to fail completely once Godou realized Jace was not going to miraculously live up to his expectations. It was even worse with Erica. Godou could bounce back after they separated, but Erica? He had a gut feeling the blond would take it poorly if a serious romantic relationship failed between them. Strangely enough, Jace found he did care, slightly, about not hurting the woman.

But the question remained. What did Jace want?

…

Jace just wanted to be left alone. Starting what would be a romantic relationship with Erica was not something he was keen on. As much as he respected the blond knight, at that moment the Seventh Campione did not want a more significant relationship.

"No. I've got it." Jace said with finality.

Erica's disappointment was palpable, yet the blond knight did not argue. In another world with another man, she might simply do as she pleased, aggressively asserting her whims. But it was not another world, with a different man. Erica had chosen Jace Armell, a man who needed a delicate touch. Not because he was fragile, but because pushing too hard would push him away. If Erica wanted the Seventh Campione she would need to adapt to him. Patience would be a virtue.

They sat in silence after that. Jace bathed himself, while Erica contemplated everything, she had learned about Jace. Once Jace was done Erica departed, letting Jace dry off and get back into his clothes. Afterward Erica bid Jace a good night. The two got some sleep, Erica's mind filled with dreams of the future and Jace's filled with thoughts of battle.

() Blandelli Residence, March 27th, 2024

Jace surveyed what was to be the field of battle. The rolling grass field was part of the estate set up for horse riding. That gave it plenty of space to avoid any damage to the main compound. In fact, the only thing breaking up the grassy terrain were the occasional trees set up for shade and the adjacent lake. Jace walked over to the lake, standing just short of its lapping waves.

The blue water of the lake gently lapped at the sandy bank Jace was standing on. The lake was of fair size, easily stretching over tens of kilometers to the shore opposite Jace. According to Erica the whole lake belonged to her family. Jace just shook his head at the opulence. Coming from the streets had given him little experience with such wealth.

"Jace!" Erica's voice called out from behind Jace. The Campione turned and saw the blond knight. Erica was dressed much the same as when he'd run into her yesterday. Apparently, it was her preferred combat garb. How she managed to move in pants that tight was beyond him. But at least the blond knight had the good sense to wear boots, instead of something ridiculous like heels.

Once Erica was within speaking distance Jace asked her if the preparations they discussed this morning were ready. "Is everything set?"

Erica nodded in confirmation. "Yes. The spell work has been prepared. It will activate as I explained."

"Good. What about Paolo? Has he given the message to Doni?" Jace inquired about another segment of the plan. A key linchpin of the plan required Doni to engage them here at the Blandelli estate. If the King of Swords refused, Erica's plan would be useless. No, the battle needed to be here.

"The challenge should have reached Lord Salvatore a little while ago. I imagine he's on his way here right this moment." Erica stated seriously. A thought seemed to occur to her. "Oh, Zio will be here too by the way. He would have joined us earlier but was busy handling reports of a certain warehouse being mysteriously destroyed." Erica gained a teasing tone.

Jace shrugged, not particularly aggrieved by the damage he caused. "Hey, it was that or die. I'd rather live. As for Paolo, he's welcome to watch. Honestly, I doubt Salvatore is going to care." Jace made a face as he remembered the carefree attitude of Doni Salvatore. A more solemn expression made its way onto Jace's face. While they had a plan of battle it was still risky, facing off against the King of Swords would take all the skill he had, not to mention a little luck.

Erica, seeing Jace's expression, decided to reassure him. With a reassuring smile, she stood in front of him. "Don't worry, you'll win. As long as we fight together there isn't an opponent in the whole world that can defeat us. This will be another victory worthy of song."

Jace smirked, the confidence exuded by the blond was palpable. He still did not understand her decision to place so much faith in him, but he was glad all the same for her support. It was… refreshing he found to have someone to rely on. "Who said I was worried? Just imagining me kicking Salvatore's bloody ass. He won't know what hit him."

Erica sweetly giggled, a sound Jace begrudgingly internally admitted he could get used to hearing. Externally he said nothing of the sort, not daring to feed the blond knight's ego.

"So, what do you think?" Erica posed a question.

Jace initially thought she was referring to the upcoming battle. "Like I said, I'll defeat Salvatore, it's just going to take a little work."

Erica shook her head in the negative, indicating that was not what she meant. "No, no. I meant about the family estate."

Jace raised an eyebrow unsure of what Erica was getting at. "Definitely, the most expensive place I've ever stayed. I'm just glad I'm not paying for a night here.'

Erica exhaled a huff of air, apparently unsatisfied with the response. "Let me be clearer. Do you like it? Is there anything you'd change?"

"It's nice, I could get used to staying at a place like this. Don't know if I'd change anything. I've only seen a quarter of the villa and this strip of ground. Why?" Jace was unsure of why Erica wanted his opinion on an estate that was centuries old.

"Because you'll be the Padrone of this place soon enough. You'll also need to tour all the other family estates once were married. I'm sure you'll find them fitting, though I would say they could use some improvements myself." Erica said as if everything she'd just stated was perfectly natural.

Jace just deadpanned at Erica. He had hoped the blond knight would come to her senses once the emotional high she was riding was over. Nope. If anything, she was more fixated on 'advancing' their relationship, as Erica took to calling it. Now marriage of all things had gotten into the blond knight's head.

Jace looked Erica dead in the eye, when he spoke. "You're not going to give up are you." It was less a question more a statement.

"No, I'm not. When Erica Blandelli sets her mind on something she gets what she wants." Erica spoke with unshakeable confidence. Her expression turned a little softer, her voice becoming sweet. "Mio Amore, I know you don't love me right now. But you will, I'll show you that our life together will be wonderful." The blond knight reached out for the Seventh Campione's hand.

Jace did not slap away her hands, but he did withdraw his own. It was a clear statement. Erica took it in stride. Like she realized earlier it would be a step-by-step process. That did not mean she would refrain from using a little bit of cunning help the process along.

"Jace, don't you think we should redo the ritual?" Erica asked innocently.

"Again? Should have more than enough knowledge to empower the [Golden Sword]. I can feel it's ready to go." Jace refuted the proposal.

"Jace. We should take every opportunity to ensure your victory. A small bit of knowledge received may mean the difference between success and failure." Erica lectured, attempting to impart the weight of the matter.

Jace mulled it over for a second. Erica was completely right. From the little understanding Jace possessed of the [Golden Sword] from his initial use of the Authority, he knew roughly how it operated. The Authority severed Divinity, nullifying the very essence of Gods and Authorities. To work though, it required knowledge of the Divinity in question. Using that knowledge the [Golden Sword] cut apart the opposing Divinity at its origin point, sundering the entire concept from which the Divinity sprang. It was an extremely potent ability, essentially able to counter any and all Divinity. On the flip side it was completely useless if not enough knowledge was known about the target. Or if the target was not divine. So, having enough knowledge of the target was of utmost importance.

Erica knew this as Jace had explained it during their talk last night. Yet, Jace had a sneaking suspicion that the blond knight had ulterior motives for the proposal. Oh, she was absolutely worried over Jace's chances of victory. Still, Jace understood Erica just enough to know she was looking for intimacy. Jace really did not want to feed her ambitions, it would only make things worse.

Jace consented in the end. Regardless of Erica's or his own feelings, Jace wanted to win. He was not going to pass up victory because of some unwanted romantic endeavor.

The sheen in Erica's eyes did not go unnoticed, as the ardent blond threw her arms around Jace's neck, once the giant of a man bent over. "I wish I could kiss you a little more easily, but I do think it's more romantic this way. Now, Mio Amore, shall we begin?"

Erica began with a light peck on Jace's lips. Then she brought them together in a proper kiss, her own soft lips overshadowed by Jace rougher ones. Erica was once again the aggressor, though to her delight Jace was not completely inactive. He was the one to initiate a deeper kiss, parting her lips with his tongue. Jace was simply getting impatient with the blond knight's attempts to savor their kiss and decided to speed things up.

Now that they were connected, Erica activated the spell work to transfer the knowledge needed for the [Golden Sword]. Jace felt that familiar warmth of ethereal mana, followed by the knowledge of the spell being imparted. Erica meanwhile was enjoying their embrace to her heart's content. The knight and King parting from their embrace only to breathe, then back to it again. So, it went until the spell work had finished its task.

Feeling no more knowledge being transferred, Jace broke off the kiss, to Erica's disappointment. "Jace, no need to be shy. Just a little more." Erica breathily said, her voice temptation.

Jace was about to reply, when he saw a flicker of motion behind Erica. Focusing on the figure, Jace saw who it was. "Paolo." The Seventh Campione uttered calmly.

Erica looked over her shoulder to see if her uncle was truly behind them. Seeing that he was, she turned around fully, with a smile and greeted him. "Ciao, Zio!"

Paolo stood a little bit away, a look of pure disbelief on his face. "Ciao Erica." He returned uncertainly. "Now. Could you explain what you're doing kissing Lord Armell?"

Jace was about to respond to explain the situation, but Erica beat him to the punch.

"I'm just wishing Mio Amore good luck for the battle ahead. Afterall isn't it tradition for a woman to kiss her lover good luck before he heads into battle." Erica stated as if it was natural, while leaning back into Jace. The position emphasizing familiarity between the knight and King.

Jace nearly choked on air. That might be a truthful statement, but it would only serve to convince the Paladin, Jace was also enamored with the devilish blond. "Oi. The whole point of that was to empower my Authority. Don't give people the wrong idea." Jace pushed the blond knight off himself, to make it clear there was no deeper relationship between them.

Erica pouted. "Oh, you were so much warmer last night when we shared a bath. We even talked about our future together."

While Erica spoke no lies, she was distorting the truth a fair bit. Jace was about to set the record straight, when Paolo began chuckling. The Paladin, evidently full or mirth, let loose several guffaws despite the looks of curiosity directed at him. Once he managed to reign his mirth in, Paolo spoke warmly. "Your mother always said you would settle for nothing less than a Campione. I don't think she was being literal though. So, how did this come to pass, Erica?" Paolo inquired, curious how his niece had become smitten with a Campione.

Erica, under a watchful eye from Jace, recanted her version of events. "When I found Jace wounded and alone, I could hardly believe my eyes. How could such a cold man even begin to risk his life for someone he barely knew. Yet here he was exclaiming I deserved better. How could a maiden not fall for such gallantry? It might be a little sudden, but it's perfectly natural how I feel. Was it not the same for mother, when she met father?"

Paolo stroked his beard as he took in everything Erica said. A wistful smile appeared on his face after a short while. "Indeed. I still remember the day when your mother exclaimed her intent to marry Abele. It was the same day when they worked together to rescue the hostages from some rather nasty devils." A short chuckle escaped the Paladin despite the serious nature of the conversation. "My little brother hardly knew how to handle such a passionate declaration of love. Regardless it was the start of an unshakeable romance."

"Exactly Zio. It's the same for us. Though Mio Amore is a little shy right now." Erica teased Jace.

The Seventh Campione looked less than happy with the barb. "I'm not shy. It's called I'm not in love with you. I just decided to help you out. Nothing more, so stop giving people the wrong impression." Jace refuted adamantly.

Paolo watched the two argue, with amusement twinkling in his eyes. Despite the severe difference in tone between the two, it reminded him of when his younger brother and sister-in-law would argue. The old Paladin wryly smiled, the scene both heartwarming and saddening. After sufficient time watching them argue back and forth, Paolo decided to intervene.

"Now, now Erica, Lord Armell. There will be plenty of time for lover's quarrels later. For the moment, you should focus on the matter at hand. Lord Salvatore is drawing near no doubt." Paolo chided, semi-sternly.

Jace frowned, unpleased with Paolo's addition to Erica's delusions. But he acknowledged the Paladin was right about priorities. "Paolo's right; about Salvatore that is. He should be here soon, if how fast he arrived at the warehouse is any indicator."

Jace's prediction was accurate, as it took only a few moments for that indescribable feeling when he first confronted Doni, to surge again. Jace looked toward the South-West, seeing a faint outline of a fast-moving object. The object turned slightly, as it followed the dirt road leading to the estate's villa. Jace could see clearly it was a car, and whoever was driving was in a hurry. A dust cloud was being kicked up behind the car as its tires churned up the dirt road. Jace's sharp eyesight picked up a mess of spiky blond hair in the driver's seat.

Doni was closing in fast.

The car swerved as it came within range of Erica, Jace, and Paolo. While it did not come quite close enough to hit them, they all took a few steps out of caution; a natural response to being nearly run over. The car came to a sliding stop roughly five meters from the group. A car door opened, but instead of Doni it revealed a well-dressed man. The man slid out of the car, well saying slid would imply some measure of control over the exit. It would be more appropriate to say the man fell out of the car onto all fours. The man looked positively green and sickly, groaning like he was experiencing extreme discomfort.

"Signore Andrea?" Paolo exclaimed, recognizing the man as Doni's butler.

Andrea's head moved up at the sound of Paolo's voice. The well-dressed butler looked like he was about to say something, when his face scrunched up into an ugly expression. He then proceeded to vomit, spewing the contents of his stomach onto the ground.

Once Andrea finished voiding his stomach, he gave a low groan. "Ughhh. Doni you bastard, you know I get car sick if you drive too fast." Andrea clutched his sides, as he cursed the Sixth Campione.

"Oops. Sorry buddy, I forgot." Doni said shamelessly from the opposite side of the car. The King of Swords walked around the car, till he was facing Jace directly. An eager smile played itself across his face.

"You know I thought for a moment you didn't want to fight anymore; with the way you ran away. I was really surprised to get your message. I'm glad you're still up for it." Doni good naturedly said, despite his initial insult.

Jace did not let the insult phase him, keeping his cool instead. "Just needed to catch my breath. Don't worry I'm still going to kick your bloody ass." The Seventh Campione assured. Jace rolled his neck muscles, getting warmed up. "Don't expect to catch me off guard with you tricks either, I saw what that sword of yours can do."

Doni's smile stayed on his face, even growing at Jace's words. "Glad to hear that. I assume you've got a plan now. I can't wait to see what you come up with." Doni squared up with Jace, as he slowly pulled out his sword from the duffel bag in his grip. Once the sheathed sword was clear of the bag Doni began unsheathing it. Erica, Paolo, and Andrea's eyes widened as Doni, attempted to engage Jace with them in the line of fire.

Fortunately for them, Jace was one step ahead of the King of Swords.

"Hold on." Jace did not order Doni, but his voice was strong and clear, garnering the Sixth Campione's attention.

Doni halted, his curiosity winning over his battle thirst. Barely. "Something wrong?" The King of Swords called out.

"Not exactly. Just thought we could walk over there first." Jace hiked a thumb over his right shoulder, indicating a spot roughly hundred meters back.

Doni cocked his head to the side in a manner reminiscent of a dog. "Why?" Doni asked.

"Thought you might want to give your friend some breathing room. Unless you don't care if he gets killed in the crossfire." Jace gestured to the recovering but still doing poorly Andrea.

A sheepish look crossed the otherwise normally jovial King of Swords face. "Sorry Andrea got a little carried away." Doni apologized to his friend. Addressing Jace once again, Doni looked more determined. "Sure. Lead the way."

Just as the two Campione were leaving for the chosen site of battle, Erica fell in beside Jace. The blond knight's move made both Doni and Jace raise an eyebrow.

"What are you doing?" Jace asked suspicious of the blond knight.

"I thought I'd watch the battle up close." Erica airily said. Her expression dropped a little, he as she quietly said "I'm not leaving you to fight alone, Jace. We're in this together." The blond knight's tone relayed a conviction that Jace found strangely reassuring. He said nothing of the sort of course.

Jace looked ahead, unwilling to look the blond in the eye, lest he feel moved by her own convictions. "Do what you want. Just don't get yourself killed. I'd hate to go to all this effort for you to die on me." Jace had meant for the words to make the blond knight think that Jace was more concerned with wasted time than herself.

Erica promptly took it in the opposite way. Her smile lit up, becoming a beautiful sun in its own right. "To be so worried about me even before the battle. You really do care, Mio Amore." Erica's statement made Jace want too facepalm. The blond knight was on another level of delusion if that was how she interpreted his statement, he thought.

Doni merely watched the interaction with confusion. He wondered when the two of them got so close.

For the last fifty meters they walked in silence, only the gentle whisper of the wind accompanying them. Jace stopped, Erica and Doni halting as the giant of a man did.

A fair bit of distance separated the two parties. Doni had halted out of curiosity when Jace had indicated to stop at a certain position. It was foolish to do so, but Doni felt like playing along, so he did as he was asked.

Jace and Erica turned around, the two of them staring straight at the King of Swords who returned the favor. Doni spoke, eager to begin the duel anew. "Ready?"

Jace answered. And when he did the air stilled. "For this is the decree of the King." The symbol that represented the God of Victory spun within Jace. It spun till the spoke representing the [Boar] was at the top.

"All who bare animosity must be crushed." First came the weight of its presence, the silent pressure that signaled a great beast was present. One capable of destroying anything in its path.

"Let nothing remain standing, demolish all in our way." Then came the great [Boar] in all its terrible majesty. Its great bulk overshadowing its master, his ally, and their foe.

"Unblunted and unapproachable, unstoppable and undefeatable" Its fiery mane flared, as if its wrath was so great it could not be contained within its vast body. The [Boar]'s baleful, blood red eyes focused in on Doni.

. All who raise their hand against me shall be purged!" With a final shout Jace released the hold he had on the [Boar], unleashing its barely contained wrath. The Incarnation of Verethragna charged the ground shaking in its wake.

Doni, seeing the monster coming straight for him, had the audacity to smile as if well pleased by the circumstances. Calmly the King of Swords awoke his own Authorities, his aura surging around him as he did so. His sword arm gleamed silver, the translucent material seeping over his blade. In the short distance the [Boar] needed to travel to assail the King of Swords, Doni had already become sturdier than a vessel of steel.

It just barely saved his life.

The [Boar] trampled Doni, smashing him into the earth. The Authority began its attempt to annihilate the King of Swords. Ripping into him with tusk, trampling him with hoof, and doing its utmost best to demolish its master's foe beneath its bulk. Had Doni not activated [Man of Steel], even with his enhanced Campione body, he would have died. Crushed beneath the [Boar]'s rampage. As it was Doni was surviving, just barely.

The [Boar] was a powerful Authority, fitting for a God of Victory. Its' might could level a mountain and that brought to bear on Doni was enough to harm even his steely body. The tusks of the Divine Beast cut open fissures on Doni's body. Each stomp threatened to break Doni, he could feel the strain on his bones as they came close to fracturing. The Sixth Campione needed to do something now, or he was going to lose.

Fortunately for Doni, and unfortunately for Jace, the Sixth Campione knew exactly what to do. He just needed to increase his durability so the [Boar] could not hurt him. Normally such a thing would be impossible even for magic, as there were hard limits to the rules of what magic could do. Authorities however were not magics. They were the divine essence of Gods. The characteristics and abilities to supersede reality. And Campione possessed not only these Authorities, but the will to use them.

Doni, therefore focused on [Man of Steel], channeling its [Steel] nature. Doni fed it magical energy, revving the Authorities divine 'engine'. This was a costly procedure, as an Authority was Power, itself. Boosting one raised the cost proportionally to utilize it. A normal human had none of the mana to fuel this cost. Even the greatest witches like Lucretia Zola, likely did not possess enough mana to activate a minor Authority at its base cost. Campione, however, were not human, not anymore. Their mana reserves were colossal, enabling them to fuel their Authorities at will. So, Doni could afford to not only activate [Man of Steel] but enhance it as well.

As a result, Doni's body became an even sturdier bastion of steel. What was once an attack that could pierce his skin, now failed to so much as scratch him. The [Boar] struggled to crush the King of Swords beneath its bulk. Doni though could barely feel the weight pinning him down.

No longer being crushed to death, the King of Swords found himself able to swing his sword. It was at an awkward angle, as Doni was on his back, but he did not let that stop him. He channeled more power into his all-cutting sword, willing it to extend beyond its natural physical limitations. The blade grew, reaching up to the [Boar]'s belly. Doni swung, his sword making contact with the hide of the Divine Beast.

[Rippling Silver Arm] caught on the [Boar]'s hide, the two divinities clashing, one attempting to cut through everything in its path, the other attempting to resist wounding. Unlike Jace, the [Steel] nature of the [Boar] rendered it resistant to attacks, including Doni's sword. But as thick and durable as the hide of the [Boar] was it was not inlaid with the concept of being invincible. Durable yes, indestructible no. So, when it was matched against the all-cutting principle of Doni's sword, the hide of the [Boar] could not withstand.

[Rippling Silver Arm] cut a huge gash in the Divine Beast's hide. The [Boar] grunted in surprise, unprepared to be wounded. Once it realized what had happened, the Divine Beast roared, not in pain, but in rage. It bellowed, the sound reverberating through the air, like a clarion call of violence. Enraged beyond its normal state, the [Boar] renewed its efforts to trample Doni. Verethragna's Incarnation gored, trampled, and unleashed a melee of violence on the King of Swords. Doni smiled the whole while, instead of being scared he was enjoying the onslaught. In his delight the King of Swords unleashed another strike, carving into the [Boar]'s hide once again. The great bleeding fissure spewed divine ichor, staining Doni and the ground below.

Jace and Erica could only watch on as Doni met the rampage of the [Boar] with his own assault. Erica grimaced, she knew the Incarnation of Verethragna was not invincible, but to see it so easily matched was a troubling sight. Jace regarded the ensuing battle with indifference. He had rightfully expected the [Boar] to be unable to crush Doni. The King of Swords was too strong to be defeated that easily. To him it was all according to plan.

The battle raged between the King of Swords and the Incarnation of Verethragna. It was a clash worthy of song. The [Boar]'s great wrath unleashed shook the very earth, as it attempted to crush the King of Man beneath its bulk. Doni's all-cutting sword bifurcated everything in its path, leaving no part of his opponent unscarred. The two opponents gave it their all to annihilate the other. That said though, the battle was clearly in Doni's favor.

The King of Swords could actually wound his opponent, the [Boar] for all its might, was unable to gore Doni due to [Man of Steel].

It took some time. The [Boar] was a hardy beast, strong, and full of near unmatched vigor. But all that together could only forestall the inevitable for a time. Doni's divine sword cut the Incarnation of Verethragna till it was forced to kneel from the sheer scale of wounds inflicted on it. Any mortal creature would have fallen long ago, but the Divine Beast withstood punishment enough to destroy a mountain.

Doni paused his assault, as he examined his handiwork. The [Boar] was a living mass of wounds, ichor spewing from the numerous cuts across its body. He had to admit, not even Heretic God Seigfried had withstood the keen edge of his sword this long. Just as Doni was about to comment on the state of the [Boar], the Incarnation of Verethragna gave a roar. Surprising even Jace, the Divine Beast rose, howling as a maddened beast. Its wrathful eye's focused on the King of Swords, the [Boar] pushed forward, unwilling to lay down and die.

Doni felt a cold sweat roll down his back for a moment as the utter rage of the Divine Beast, propelled it to ignore the unbelievable amount of damage inflicted on it. Doni unconsciously swung his sword in an overhead strike, bringing the extended magical edge of the blade cleaving into the skull of the [Boar]. The Incarnation of Verethragna struggled forward, despite the sword slowly cleaving its way through its skull. It would either carry out the will of master or die trying.

Doni's aura surged as he channeled more power into [Rippling Silver Arm]. The additional magical energy sharpened the already impossibly keen edge of Doni's sword. Doni gave a shout of exertion, forcing his sword downward.

Then.

[Rippling Silver Arm] cleaved through the [Boar]'s skull. Only then did the [Boar] pause. It stood stock still, looming over Doni. Its baleful red eyes fixed in on the King of Swords. But it moved forward no more. Slowly the [Boar] began dissipating, its body unable to hold together any longer as it had been 'killed'. The vast bulk of the Divine Beast dissolved into motes of magical energy.

It was over. The [Boar] had been defeated.

Doni was breathing heavily. While he had exerted a large deal of mana, it was not for that reason. Rather it was because Doni was feeling the exhilaration of life. It had been over a year since he last fought an opponent on an equal level (a Heretic God or Campione). To feel that special thrill that one only experienced during real combat, not the arrogant streak of demolishing weaker opponents. No, the struggle to emerge victorious over a capable opponent, putting one's life on the line to achieve victory, was the experience Doni sought out with every ounce of his being. The [Boar] had been, no, Jace Armell was quickly proving to be the challenge Doni lived for.

In other words, Doni was happy. Extremely happy. The only thing on his mind right now was seeing what else the Seventh Campione could muster to challenge him.

"JACE!" Doni shouted with unbridled enthusiasm, an almost fond tone in his voice. With that cry, the King of Swords began a sprint toward Jace and Erica.

Jace stood unmoved by the approaching figure of the King of Swords. "Get ready." Jace quietly commanded Erica. The blond knight nodded.

Doni closed in too twenty meters.

"Now." Jace ordered, spurring the blond knight into action. The King and knight to Doni's confusion covered their eyes.

"Illuminare: Flash!" Erica cried.

The terrain enveloping Doni, Erica, and Jace, burst in a flash of light.

()

It was only once Doni couldn't see a thing; he realized what had happened. Jace and the blond knight (Doni still could not remember Erica's name), had laid out a preprepared spell. To the obvious effect of blinding Doni. How the King of Swords did not understand. He should have been immune to any form of blinding inducement from a spell/curse. It was part of a Campione's inherent magical resistance to be essentially immune to all mortal magics. Except for magic cast from within. So, Doni was a bit thrown off now that a mortal spell had blinded him. The question that was concerning him was why?

"Heed the power of my words, let justice reveal itself, under the strength and eloquence of this incantation."

Doni understood now. As the Words of Power sounded out like a trumpet call, Doni understood that the [Boar] had not been an attempt to defeat him in its own right. It had been a distraction for this moment. Doni could not help but grin again, pleased by the cleverness of his opponent.

"For strength is ever victorious."

Doni raised his sword into a guard position, wanting to be ready for the inevitable attack. An attack it would certainly be, the thought that Jace would retreat at this moment did not even cross his mind. Doni felt too certain that Jace Armell was going to see this battle out to the end this time.

"For strength is the answer to all things."

Doni felt the surge of divine power that accompanied so many Authorities. Though this one felt different. It was almost as if Doni was being surrounded by the Authority. The strangest thing though was the distant sound of chanting that seemed to permeate the space around him. As if a thousand supplicants were speaking at the same time.

Unable to see Doni reached out his sixth sense, sensing for any danger. It was then Doni felt it.

To the left!

Doni swung his sword out to meet the oncoming threat. His sword collided with whatever it was. Doni of course expected his invincible blade to cut through the attack. So, the King of Swords was more than a little surprised when his sword met resistance. Resistance it could not cut.

Doni instinctively turned his hips, turning the incoming attack to the side, away from his body. Doni could not see it, but he could hear the impact as an object, of some kind, smashed into the ground.

"Of course he managed to turn it away. Why am I not surprised." Jace's deadpan voice crossed the divide. The Seventh Campione had not expected the attack to do any real harm to the King of Swords. The first golden sword lacked the keen edge to actually sever [Rippling Silver Arm]. Which was why Jace needed to feed his Authority knowledge.

"The name of this god is Nuada. Nuada was known as a skilled hunter and warrior. More than that he was known as wise. His great skill in combat and wisdom led to his elevation as high king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. It was as the king that Nuada led his kin to the Emerald Isles, the land now known as Ireland."

Five golden swords spun in the air, orientated toward the King of Swords. With a flourish of the sword in his hand, Jace sent the waiting blades at Doni. They rocketed forward, homing in on their target. The first blade was deflected as Doni went from attempting to slash through the golden swords to redirecting them. The second blade went the same as the first, as did the third. It was testament to Doni's skill over the sword that he was able to deflect the blades even though he still did not possess use of his sight still.

Yet, when it came time for the fourth blade, the King of Swords met an unexpected situation. The golden sword did not slip past Doni's guard, nor was he unable to deflect it. Instead, to Doni's rising surprise he felt the power of [Rippling Silver Arm] dip. It was not by a large degree, but Doni knew that his invincible blade had just degraded in ability to cut. The O forming on his mouth, only grew larger when the phenomenon repeated itself when the fifth golden sword connected with his own sword.

Jace on the other hand smiled slightly. He could feel the [Golden Sword] beginning to sever the King of Swords own Authority. It was just a little bit, but it was working. Jace was pleased that he had a counter for the broken power of [Rippling Silver Arm]. It wasn't enough though, not even close. Jace knew he needed to completely neutralize the opposing Authority or victory would be out of reach.

"When the Tuatha Dé Danann reached Ireland, they did not find a land ripe for the taking. It was inhabited by the fierce Fomorians. The Fomorians would not give up Ireland without a fight, thus Nuada led his people to war. Nuada was a fierce warrior slaying many of the Fomorians in the first battle. He did so with one of the four treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danaan; a sword renowned for being unstoppable." Jace voice carried over the divide, calling to the countless golden swords laying between him and Doni. Those golden swords answered the call.

A new wave of golden swords convened, in greater numbers than before. The golden swords launched forward, not one at a time, but as a host of blades. As one, the golden swords targeted Doni, intending to bury him beneath a tide of blades.

Doni's instincts warned of the oncoming tide. Doni to Erica's surprise, but not Jace's, charged to meet the blades, instead of attempting to evade.

"Is Lord Salvatore attempting to charge through the swords?!" Erica cried out, seeing something so ludicrous throwing her off.

Jace's eyes narrowed. "No. He's attempting to reach me. Must have figured out the [Golden Sword] was severing his Authority. He wants to close the distance so he can cut me down. It's the logical thing to do." Jace refuted, as if charging through a mass of swords was indeed logical.

"Can he actually do such a thing?" Erica asked, frowning as Doni was about to collide with the golden swords.

Jace shrugged, calmly stating "If Campione can kill a god, why the bloody hell not."

Jace's deduction proved all too accurate.

The King of Swords met the oncoming tide of golden swords head on. Doni then as all Campione were prone to do, did the inconceivable. He started hacking his way through the golden swords. It was slow going, the [Golden Sword] had been sharpened sufficiently that Doni could not just swing and destroy every blade arrayed against him. He was forced to deflect the incoming blades. If Doni had use of his full sight, he could likely have made faster progress. While his sight was recovering rapidly due to his Campione constitution, Doni could only see blurry outlines so far. Thus, the King of Swords was forced to tank blows he could not parry. Doni could feel the strain on [Rippling Silver Arm] as the Authority was facing, ironically, complete severing. Each sword Doni deflected chipped away at his Authority, even worse was the swords he tanked on this invulnerable skin. While they could not cut him, as the [Golden Sword] was attuned to [Rippling Silver Arm] instead of [Man of Steel], the swords still imparted their divinity severing ability.

Yet, Doni's smile never dropped. If anything, the pressure only made him more ecstatic. Doni was having the time of his life.

Regardless of his enthusiasm, the King of Swords needed to change the flow of battle. The [Golden Sword]'s divinity severing ability was beginning to show its effect. Doni could feel his Authority beginning to fracture. If he had time to look down on his sword, he would have noticed minute fractures in the otherwise pristine silver. If this kept up Doni would lose [Rippling Silver Arm].

That just would not do.

"O arm of Nuada, grant me the sword of victory!" Doni chanted his Words of Power, channeling more divine power into his sword. It would be improper to say this reinforced [Rippling Silver Arm]. As the damage inflicted by the [Golden Sword] was neither repaired nor negated. What it did do though was increase the cutting principle of Doni's sword, not unlike he'd done with [Man of Steel]'s invulnerability. With a shout of exertion Doni channeled the divine power of the Sword, and alongside it his desire for victory. For a normal human this would have been a figure of speech, nothing more. But for a Campione, the willpower to achieve victory was so much more. In Doni's case it meant [Rippling Silver Arm] heeded the call of its master to cut through all obstacles. And it did just that.

A golden sword flew at the King of Swords, leveled straight for his chest. Doni, sensing the encroaching danger brought his sword to bear. The two blades collided. For a tense moment the air squealed as the two Authorities clashed. The battle was on more than just a physical level though. The conceptual natures of both Authorities were pitted against each other. On one hand, Doni's [Rippling Silver Arm] should be able to cut through all in its path, no matter what stood in its way. On the other hand, Jace's [Golden Sword] was designed to negate divinity properties. Refute the conceptual nature of [Rippling Silver Arm]. Winning came down to the weight thrown behind each Authority.

In this instance, [Rippling Silver Arm] had been sharpened more than the [Golden Sword]. As a result, Doni's sword managed to break the golden sword clashing against it. The blade broke apart into golden motes, as Doni cut through it.

"Jace." Erica warned, seeing what the King of Swords had just done.

Jace understood the warning, he needed to kick it up a notch or he'd lose.

"The blade of Nuada was renowned for being able to cut through all in its way. Yet, even with such a fierce weapon, Nuada did not emerge from the battle unscathed, a champion of the Fomorians severed his sword arm. Without the capacity to wield a sword Nuada was unfit as both a king and a warrior. But not all was lost to the former champion of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His brother gifted him a sacred silver arm, earning him the title Nuada Airgetlám. His sword arm restored the warrior Nuada returned as the High King, once more leading his kin into battle against the Fomorians."

The tide of golden swords swelled as Jace spoke the incantation, more and more blades answering the call of their master. Doni saw them coming, his sight finally restored. The King of Swords found his advance slowed, the power in each blade opposing him rising. Doni was not going to give up though. The Sixth Campione channeled more mana into the engine of [Rippling Silver Arm], attempting to force his way through. Doni knew that if he could just get past the tide of golden swords, victory was in reach.

Doni's simplistic tactic worked. He found his advance regaining momentum. Albeit at a cost. [Rippling Silver Arm] was becoming unstable, the [Golden Sword] doing its job, severing the very nature of Doni's Authority. If this kept up, more power fueled into his Authority or not, Doni would lose his sword. So. Doni pushed and pushed hard to reach his target.

Doni kept closing in, the distance shortening slowly but surely.

Jace, seeing the King of Swords closing in, redoubled his efforts to sever [Rippling Silver Arm]. The Sword necessary to sever the Authority derived from Nuada was nearly complete, he just needed to hone it a little more.

"Nuada slew many Fomorians on that fateful day. Fateful for he knew it was to be his final day. For it was prophesized that Balor the Evil Eye would slay Nuada. Despite this Nuada Airgetlám, fought courageously, till he met his final opponent. Balor the Evil Eye slew the king of the Tuatha Dé Danann cutting off his head. But his death was not in vain, it allowed his successor the youth Lugh, to strike down Balor. This is the legacy of the deity known as Nuada. This deity is renowned as a god of kingship, war, battle, and cunning. These traits are the essence for the deities known as Gods of Steel. This is the essence of Nuada, a god of Steel!"

A final wave of golden swords launched toward Doni. Imbued with the concept of Nauda, they pressed down on the King of Swords, seeking to sever completely [Rippling Silver Arm]. And sever they did. Doni could his Authority slipping away from him, as in became inert. Knowing his time was growing short Doni forced all the power he could into his sword. With a mighty heave, Doni pushed against all the swords bearing down on him. The swords resisted, for a moment. Then they were slashed apart as the cutting power of Doni's swords destroyed them.

Then Jace and Doni saw each other, with only a meter keeping them apart. Both were heavily panting, both having pushed the other to the brink with their respective Authorities, forcing them to pour more and more magical energy into their attacks. Yet neither seemed ready to quit. Each knew that it would only take one more clash, then victory would be at hand.

Doni charged, Jace braced himself. Doni's gleaming silver sword came in, a deadly instrument of battle, ready to slice Jace in two. Jace responded with his own gleaming golden sword, a splendid instrument of deity slaying. The two swords crashed into each other, the air surrounding the two Campione blasting away as the opposing blades collided.

They stood locked in that position, neither able to force past the other. Both grinning like madmen. The thrill in their veins reaching a crescendo.

They were just one tiny push away from winning.

"I shall cut down all in my way! / I sever this Authority!" Doni and Jace shouted with unabashed excitement.

The Authorities dueled for supremacy, a moment that seemed to last for an eternity.

Then.

It was over.

A blinding flash erupted from the gleaming swords.

()

When Erica's vision cleared what she saw elated her heart.

The King of Swords invincible sword… had been defeated.

The fragments of Doni's swords lay at his feet, where it had broken from the strain placed on it. The formerly unstoppable sword was no more.

Jace had done it!

"Jace, you did it! You defeated [Rippling Silver Arm]!" Erica exclaimed, her joy palpable. The blond knight wanted to hug her beloved. Yet she did not. The battle was not over yet.

Doni was still standing.

A look of disbelief was written across his face. He had sensed the damage being applied to [Rippling Silver Arm] but could not believe his Authority had been defeated. The look on the King of Swords face though, was replaced with one of thoughtfulness, as he gazed at his opponent.

Jace was unharmed. The [Golden Sword] sufficient to negate [Rippling Silver Arm] from wounding him in its destruction. But the [Golden Sword] had too been pushed by that final exertion to its limit. The sword in Jace's hand was now nothing but a dull handle, the blade diffused.

"Looks like our swords were an even match." Doni commented on the situation. "Guess that means we're going to have to do this the old fashion way." Doni airily spoke, nodding his head.

Jace grunted in confirmation. "Guess so." Jace assumed a combat stance, Doni doing the same a moment later. Erica stepped back, her part in the battle over.

The two Campione remained like that for a few moments, a step within striking distance, just examining the other. Looking for weak points.

Doni, naturally impatient by nature, was the first to attack. He stepped forward, bringing his right fist into a punch aimed straight at Jace's chest. Jace sidestepped the blow, by a small margin.

Normally this would be where the Seventh Campione would unleash a vicious counter. But Jace knew Doni's body was nigh indestructible due to [Man of Steel]. Fortunately, the Seventh Campione had already faced an opponent with a similar ability, so he knew exactly what to do.

"Strength brings victory, victory requires strength." The Words of Power flowed from Jace's lips, but not fast enough. He needed to speak the full incantation.

Doni, unaware of the nature of the Authority Jace was invoking, had to make a split-second decision. He could fall back, form some distance between him and Jace. This would give him time to hopefully observe the Authority, understand its properties. That approach was reasonable. A hasty attack often left one open to a counterattack, which might very well be the form of the Authority Jace was invoking.

Or.

Doni could attempt to rush his opponent, crush the Seventh beneath his increased mass. The benefit of that approach was that Jace could be prevented from unleashing the new Authority. It might just very well be a game changer, able to put the flow of battle in Jace's favor.

As for what Doni decided to do.

Well Doni wanted to win. And he was naturally impatient.

The Sixth Campione attempted to blitz the Seventh, hoping to score a finishing blow.

Jace grimaced, hard pressed to defend. Doni was quickly proving the most skilled opponent in hand-to-hand combat Jace had ever faced. Some of the humans Jace had faced in the past had been talented combatants. They had pressed him hard. Melqart had relied on brute force more than skill yet had possessed keen combat instincts. But Doni was on a whole different level. That said the King of Swords wasn't as good in unarmed combat as he was with a sword.

Jace was actually on level ground in term of combat prowess.

That made all the difference in this stage of the fight.

Jace sidestepped a combo of punches, using the opening from Doni being out of position to grab the King of Swords. Jace was attempting to yank Doni off balance and sweep his legs out from underneath him. Attempt being the key word.

Doni did not budge at all. It felt like trying to move a concrete barrier. Doni grabbed Jace by the same forearm holding him, and pulled in. The sheer mass behind the pull made it so that Jace, even with his own prodigious might, was yanked downward. Doni swung a vicious uppercut, solidly connecting with Jace's jaw.

Jace's head snapped upwards, as his body arced backward.

The Seventh Campione's vision swam.

Doni smiled, thinking he'd just scored a knockout punch.

Jace slammed a foot down, bringing his head back down level.

"Therefore, I must be the strongest: For I am the one holding all victories." Jace uttered staring straight at Doni, his own, more vicious, grin in place.

Jace did not show it, but he was fairly certain that his jaw was cracked, from how badly it hurt. It did not matter though. Jace had fought through the pain of a samba match with a broken kneecap and won. Oh, it hurt, but the pain was manageable. Jace was used to pain after all. He would deal with it. That said he needed to avoid taking any more direct hits like that. That was fine, he didn't plan on taking anymore anyway.

Doni had paused for a second or two, surprised Jace had taken that hit so well. A normal human would have been out for sure. Then again Doni reasoned, he and Jace weren't normal humans.

Unwilling to stand around forever Doni renewed his assault. But instead of a punch or a kick, Doni went for a straight tackle. Jace did not have the room to dodge it, so he was forced to absorb it. Doni smashed into Jace's abdomen, sending the larger man skidding. Jace grunted from the impact, his insides jostled from the force behind the tackle. Doni kept pushing, trying to bowl Jace over. Jace was fighting just to remain upright against the weight of Doni's steely body.

He could not.

His legs buckled under the strain. Doni shoved harder, forcing Jace backward. They fell, Jace on the ground, Doni lying on top. Doni wasted no time in taking the mount position. Doni raised his right fist into the air, then brought it down.

Jace caught the fist, his arms nearly pushed out from their sockets from the impact. While Doni's strength had not increased, preventing him from applying more force into his punch, the additional mass imparted by [Man of Steel] added enough weight to significantly up the momentum, thus force behind the King of Swords strike.

But Jace's Campione enhanced constitution held.

"All challengers shall be crushed by my peerless might!" Jace roared. The avatar of Verethragna spun, the symbol representing the [Bull] taking its place atop the pyramid.

Jace grinned as he felt the might of the [Bull]. Doni's face slipped into uncertainty, unsure of what Authority Jace had just invoked and the consequences of it.

Jace heaved against Doni, throwing the older Godslayer off of himself. Doni landed on his back, several feet away, processing the fact he'd been flung like he weighed nothing.

Jace rose slowly, as did Doni. Both looked the other over.

"Hey, Salvatore." Jace called out.

Doni cocked his head. "Yeah?" The King of Swords responded.

Jace's smile returned full force. "Ready to get your bloody ass kicked."

Doni made a small o, before his own smile formed on his face. "Careful now, I'm starting to love the way you talk."

Jace quirked an eyebrow at the way Doni phrased that but determined it to be innocuous enough. "Whatever motivation you need Salvatore. Now." Jace gave a shout of battle, charging at Doni. Doni responded in kind, rushing Jace, eager to continue the battle.

The two collided. Doni spun, turning his whole body in a circle. He brought his fist up in a backward motion, adding the momentum of his spin to his back fist. The unconventional attack was perfectly executed well, reaching out to Jace just as the Seventh Campione was in range of the strike. It was angled to hit Jace's face and would have reached. Would have. Jace's instincts were keen even without the use of the [Camel], so he rightfully guessed the approach of Doni's fists. Jace caught it, the [Bull] granting enough might to do so with ease. With his fist stopped cold, Doni tripped as his forward momentum was altered. Jace kindly caught Doni with his free hand. By the face.

Jace yanked upward, pulling Doni off his feet. Once Doni was slightly airborne, Jace adjusted the angle of the Sixth Campione, then… rammed Doni downward into the ground. Doni's body indented the earth, Jace pushing him down in a good three inches.

Jace looked over the seemingly stunned King of Swords. Jace though knew better. The sudden leg sweep Doni performed was evaded with a short jump. Once his feet were back on solid ground, Jace lashed a foot out, planting his boot onto Doni's now upright chest. The strength of the kick, while not as impressive as one backed by the [Camel] nonetheless slammed Doni back into the earth.

It was at this juncture that Erica decided to speak, the first she'd done so since the new phase of the battle. "Jace now's your chance!" Erica cried.

Jace merely responded with "I know!" The Seventh Campione knew this might be the only moment he was in such a perfect position. It was now or never to enact the final phase of the plan Erica had suggested.

Jace grasped Doni by one of his legs, then pulled upward. Doni, confused by the action paused in his struggle to rise.

That decision decided the rest of the fight.

Jace instead of slamming Doni into the earth again, which was what the King of Swords suspected briefly to be the course of action Jace was taking, began to pivot on the balls of his feet. The Seventh Campione spun, turning faster and faster. All the while swinging Doni through the air as he did so. Doni still did not understand what Jace was attempting to do, but knew he needed to do something. Unfortunately for the King of Swords, he was unable to do much. While his mass had been greatly raised, it worked against rather for him. As his physical might was not augmented to carry the extra weight, he lacked the brawn to overcome the forces at play on his own body. Namely centrifugal force. It kept his body forcibly away from the direction of Jace, preventing him from attempting to kick his way free. As a result, Doni was forced to move in the path of motion Jace was setting.

That said Doni was not entirely helpless. After a few rotations of being airborne, he had a thought. If he increased his mass further Jace would be unable to swing him around, as he would become too heavy to move. It was a simplistic plan, but simple was best for Doni. It had not failed him yet.

"O, this body, forged in dragon's blood, become an invincible bulwark of steel!" Doni shouted into the air, increasing his durability, his mass, and as a consequence his weight. The rotations propelling him slowed. Doni could see the world stilling as his inertia was altered, forcing him to come to a rest.

Just when the King of Swords was about to dig his hands into the dirt to free himself, Jace gave a shout of exertion, and the speed of rotation accelerated again.

Unbeknownst to Doni, and the on watching Erica, Jace had discovered a 'new' feature of the [Bull]. The moment Doni had increased his mass, Jace had felt the [Bull] surge. It was as if the Authority had sensed Doni increase his weight and the Authority had taken it as a challenge. Jace felt his muscles swell with might, upping the power contained in them. Jace could only conclude that if an opponent that outmatched his own natural physical might appeared, the [Bull] would grant the strength necessary to overcome them. Apparently, that was not a singular boost either, as the Authority granted enough might to manhandle a heftier Doni.

Jace spun faster and faster, swinging the King of Swords in an accelerating rotation. Once Jace felt the peak of the acceleration, knowing he could spin no faster he executed the final action of his and Erica's plan.

Something Doni had failed to realize was that Jace had kept them close to the lake of the Blandelli residence. The two Campione were practically within spitting distance of the shoreline. Exactly where Jace wanted to be.

The Seventh Campione gave a wordless shout of exertion, heaved with all the enhanced might in his shoulders and arms… and threw the Sixth Campione. Doni went sailing over the lake, realizing he had just been tossed like a hammer throw once he was over the water. Doni went fifty meters over the lake before splashing down in a huge spray of water.

Jace, breathing heavily, stared at the spot where Doni went down into the water. Any moment, the King of Swords would pop up, with [Man of Steel] deactivated. It would be the only way to swim, as Doni's density would be so great for it be impossible for him to do anything but sink in the water.

Which was why Jace was greatly surprised when Doni did not surface when expected.

In fact, Doni did not surface at all. "Where the bloody hell is he?" Jace questioned aloud, wondering where Doni was.

Erica moved to stand beside Jace, herself wondering where Doni was. "I—I don't know. Lord Salvatore is not known to possess any Authorities that focus on movement or teleportation. Nor is he gifted in magic aside from physical enhancements." Erica started off uncertainly. Her confidence though increased once she began remembering Doni's abilities. It was a fact Doni Salvatore was a poor mage, aside from the use of his magical reserves to pour mana into a spell.

Jace frowned slightly, understanding where Doni was at. "Then, he's at the bottom of the lake. Must be."

Erica grimaced. If Doni was still at the bottom of the lake, then that meant…

"Hah, all that work for nothing. Might as well just have burnt him to a crisp and been done with it." Jace sighed, more displeased with the wasted effort to keep Doni alive, than the fact that the King of Swords was dead anyways. Jace though did not let it bother him too much. He had achieved what he came all the way to Italy to do.

Jace shifted so he was facing Erica, the blond knight did the same when she felt his gaze upon her. Jace spoke slowly unsure of what to say exactly. It was surreal for him to go out of his way to help someone, let alone risk his life in doing so. "So. Salvatore's gone. You're free now."

Erica's eyes sparkled, a winning smile lighting up her features. "Indeed. All thanks to you Mio Amore." She began to close the distance between herself and Jace, coming to a stop just before him.

Jace refrained from grimacing, refusing to let the blond knight see his discomfort over her feelings for him. "Yeah. I'm… glad… I could help. You're welcome." Jace slowly drawled, way out of his comfort zone.

Said discomfort only increased, when Erica tried to embrace him. Yeah, no. Jace stepped back out of the blond knight's reach. "Oi. I told you, I'm not into you. Knock it off."

Instead of getting upset at being rebuffed, Erica giggled. She tilted her head to the side as if indulging Jace's mood. "For now. One day you'll fall in love with me." Erica serenely stated.

Now Jace frowned, realizing actually winning her freedom had only deepened Erica's feelings for him. He had a dread weight in his gut, that told him the blond knight's emotions were going to be headache someway, somehow. "Sure." Jace said with no small amount of sarcasm. Jace turned on his heel motioning for Erica to follow him. "Come on, lets go tell Paolo I kicked Salvatore's bloody ass. After we do that, we're getting food, I'm starving." Jace rumbled out.

Erica, smiling happily, fell in beside Jace.

()

It was roughly two hours later that Erica, Jace, Paolo, and Doni's butler Andrea, found themselves eating lunch at the Blandelli residence. Erica, Paolo, and Andrea were eating at a human pace. Jace was devouring his food like a starving wolf.

He tore the flesh from a pheasant leg, savoring the exquisite taste of the meat. Once he cleaned the bone off, he put it down on his plate. He felt like going for another leg but refrained. It was about time he addressed the elephant in the room.

"Yo Riveria. Why exactly are you sitting with the people that killed your lord?" Jace narrowed his eyes as they focused in on Andrea. Instead of railing against them for killing the King of Swords, the butler seemed oddly relieved. Stranger still the man had accepted Paolo's invitation to dine with them. Jace wanted to know why the man would do that.

Andrea finished chewing the piece of bread he had torn off, placing the remaining hunk down on his plate. After dabbing at any crumbs he found on his person, the butler humbly locked gazed with Jace. "Lord Armell, while Doni was indeed my King and friend, he was a colossal idiot. He brought this on himself, for no other reason than he was bored. I can hardly fault you for resisting his whims, especially since you took care to actively avoid killing him." The butler placed both his hands in palm down on the table, his expression growing more somber. "I've known Doni since before he became a Campione, and I've had to constantly endure his whims and childish need for adventure." The butler's expression slowly grew frustrated. "You cannot begin to understand the depth of my gratitude for beating his senseless self with the hammer of consequences." Andrea's expression turned furious. "That asshole actually tied me up once for a whole day so he could fight a Heretic God! Do you know the worst part?!" Andrea loudly spoke.

Before Jace could respond he did not care, the butler continued. "He actually ended up saving an entire town. It only made him sure such thuggery is justified!" Realizing how emotional he'd become, Andrea swallowed then spoke much more calmly. "Suffice it to say you have done that idiot and me a favor for finally showing him he can be wrong."

Jace smiled slightly, as if amused. "Heh, guess Salvatore's a pain in the ass for everyone."

Andrea sagely affirmed. "Indeed. Indeed, he is." After a moment passed the butler spoke again. "One thing of note though. I sincerely doubt you killed Doni."

Jace's eyes narrowed. "You sure? Because I'm fairly certain he drowned."

Andrea nodded solemnly, certain of what he said. "Positive. It's not well known, but [Man of Steel] doesn't just render Doni's body absurdly durable, it turns him into living steel. He doesn't need to breathe in that state. He's probably dragged himself out of the lake by now."

Just as Andrea finished speaking, and before Jace was going to call bullshit, the Seventh Campione felt it. A rival was approaching.

Jace's head snapped too the direction of the sensation. What he saw he could not believe.

Doni was walking down the hallway that led to the main foyer. The Sixth Campione was walking as if he hadn't just been through an exhausting fight or literally drowned. The thing that irked Jace the most though was that Doni had a huge grin plastered across his face.

Once he reached the threshold, Doni spoke up enthusiastically. "Jace! That was awesome! I mean I figured there was a reason you wanted to have that match here, but I didn't think you were thinking that far ahead. And that golden sword of yours. That has to be the second-best Sword I've ever seen."

Doni slammed his hands down on the table where everyone else was seated, surprising Erica, Paolo, and Andrea.

Jace scooted his seat back, ready to fight at a moment's notice.

The next words out of Doni's mouth weren't a challenge to fight surprisingly though.

"Let's be rivals." Doni stated seriously.

Jace blinked. Erica blinked. Paolo blinked. Andrea sighed.

Jace, knowing he and Doni weren't about to get into another fight, asked the obvious. "What in the bloody hell are you talking about?"

Doni's grin turned sympathetic as if he understood Jace's confusion. "It's clear you're the man I've been waiting for. The man who can set my heart aflame. Not once has my sword ever been defeated… until you. It's clear you're the man of my destiny. The man who will fulfill my soul." Doni was unusually solemn as he spoke, a rarity for the Sixth Campione.

Jace was more than a little concerned with how Doni was stating his admiration. It sounded like he was in love. The last thing he needed was two stubborn blonds gunning for him. "Just to be clear you're only asking to be rivals not lovers, right?"

Doni tilted his head in confusion as if that had been obvious. "What else would I be saying?" the King of Swords stated as if Jace was speaking nonsense.

Jace felt insulted by Doni's pitying stare. But before he could go reprimand Doni, Andrea spoke up. "Doni you dense idiot, you need to think about how you speak. You'll give people the wrong impressions."

Doni frowned, feeling off put by his friend's rebuttal. "But I was speaking from the heart. What else am I supposed to do?"

Andrea sighed, turning to Jace as he apologized in Doni's stead. "I apologize for his lack of common sense. He means well."

Doni's frown deepened. Jace just made a strange face, shook his head as if clearing his mind, then shrugged. "Know what, over it." Jace readdressed Doni. "You want to be rivals. You know what fine. That battle was pretty fun. We can be rivals. Just ask next time you want to fight." Jace made air quotes to emphasize him and Doni being rivals.

Doni's smile returned in full force. He grabbed a seat from the other side of the table, and swung himself next to Jace, on the side not occupied by Erica.

"I knew you'd say yes." Doni exclaimed. He motioned for a present butler to bring him a plate. "While we eat, how about I fulfill that promise I made."

Jace blinked, then it hit him. "Oh, yeah, the one in the warehouse." Jace gave his full attention to Doni. Now the King of Swords was speaking about something worth listening to. Maybe being rivals with Doni was going to be worthwhile after all.

"Now to use two Authorities at the same time…" Doni began recanting various bits of knowledge he picked up about being a Godslayer during his longer existence as one.

Jace raptly listened, understanding the value of the information he was being given.

After the talk concluded, Doni and Andrea left so Doni could recover from the battle. Erica attempted to persuade Jace to stay longer in Italy, but he refused. Jace was not eager to indulge the blond knight in her ambitions towards him. The Seventh Campione booked the next available flight back to Japan.

As the plane began taking off from the airport, Jace couldn't help but wonder what else was in store for him in the future. If the track record since becoming a Campione kept up, it wouldn't be long before adventure found him. Oddly enough, Jace found himself looking forward to it. It at least kept things from becoming boring.

()

()

Authority Highlight

Doni Salvatore

1. [Rippling Silver Arm]: Authority Usurped from Heretic God Nuada. Grants Doni an silver arm capable of transforming any object with the capacity to cut into an invincible blade, cutting anything in its path. Magically reinforced objects or divine abilities/constructs can resist the cutting properties of the sword. Doni can pour more magical energy into the blade to enhance its concept of cutting, enabling it to cut through previously uncuttable objects. The edge of the sword can be extended beyond the physical reach of the original blade. The reach of the invincible blade can reach lengths equal to multi-story buildings.

2. [Man of Steel]: Authority Usurped from Heretic God Siegfried. The Authority simply grants Doni a nigh invincible body of Steel. Normal physical based attacks will not affect him. Divine based attacks will be weakened unless a sufficient amount of power or natural counter is inherent in the attack. Does not protect against mental attacks. As a side effect of being living steel Doni no longer needs to breathe or eat so long as the Authority is active. Also increases Doni's mass, can be increased to heighten his durability; does not slow him down no matter how proportionally increased his mass is.

Jace Armell

1. [Boar]: Summons Verethragna's incarnation of the [Boar]. An exceptionally hardy Divine Beast owing to it's an incarnation of Verethragna rather than a Divine Servant. Can be summoned at any time. If defeated must wait a period of (?) before it can be summoned again. ?

2. [Warrior/Golden Sword]: Authority that enables the severing of divinity (Authorities). Only may be activated against divine opponents. Sharpens itself by incorporating knowledge of a deity, to slice apart their myths at the origin point. Manifests as a separate space that overlaps reality. ?

3. [Bull]: Grants strength great enough to overcome an opponent. Target may be in the form of a stronger enemy or large incoming mass. If the strength or mass of the target increases beyond the current level of the [Bull], the Authority boosts Jace's might again to overcome the target. ?

Language Highlight

Italian

Zio: Uncle

Mio Dio: My God

Maestá: Majesty

Signora: Lady

Mio Amore: My love

Padrone: Master

Ciao: Hello

Signore: Sir

Illuminare: Luminate

Gaelic

Airgetlám: Silver arm/hand

Acronyms

MBT: Main Battle Tank