3

I don't own Campione it belongs to Jō Taketsuki.

After a week on the road, a strange sight greeted the duo. A young woman wearing a nun outfit was sitting on the ground. She stood up abruptly only to trip on her dress and greet the floor again.

After a new attempt to stand the nun tripped on air seemingly and fell.

[Oi oi she fell again. A clumsy nun, hee when I finally stopped believing in this world being an Isekai and I met a character like that.

What is next, a group of fallen exorcists trying to use her power for themselves. ] Subaru jokingly though little did he know that he was right on this point.

"So what are you doing alone on the road miss?" He asked the downed nun while giving her a hand, helping her stand up.

" Oh Thank you" she replied happily smiling."I'm on a sacred quest assigned to me by the Church of Volcanica."

" The Church of Volcanica ?" Subaru asked distractedly [ Huh I felt something strange when I touched her hand. I must have imagined it].

The silent Great spirit observing the scene chose to intervene.

" In fact, this church worships the divine dragon Volcanica; it is the main religion approved in this country, I suppose." The blonde loli answered his query.

" Indeed our mission is to spread the church teaching to the world!"

Melty could no longer feel Subaru Campione's reserve due to Death's shroud. Yet she was quite certain that the one who stood before her was the Campione she was searching for.

[He fits the description Black hair is rare in Lugnica. It must be him] the nun thought with trepidation.[ I must make a good impression] this thought filled her with apprehension.

Standing straighter the nun presented herself.

" I am Melty. It is a pleasure to meet you Subaru-sama."

" Huh, how do you know my name? " Subaru exclaimed, surprised.

" You are quite famous and few match your description black hair and black na... slanted eyes are quite rare in Lugnica." The nun corrected herself with hast.

[ She was totally going to say nasty eyes wasn't she] Subaru thought to himself.

[ Nice going Melty what kind of good impression is that?!] Melty thought in panic fearing that this slip of tongue would cost her, her mission.

Subaru noticing the nun's inner turmoil took pity on her.

" Ah, no matter it's the truth. My name is Natsuki Subaru. It's nice to meet you Melty. Thought you didn't answer my question." Subaru spoke while thinking that the situation felt strange.

" Ah, my mission is to offer my service to you, the third Campione," Melty answered at last.

" What?" Subaru was confused.

" Betty's Subaru seems confused. It is to be accepted Betty shall enlighten you I suppose." Beatrice started" Subaru became a Campione in this country where no Campione rule, after ascending you left in hast your previous country higher up must be scared about your reaction and decided to sent a peace offering, I suppose.``

" A peace offering ?" Subaru asked, still confused.

" Indeed, in fact, that would be the nun over there I suppose. Thought her utility has yet to be asserted." Betty suddenly turned toward the silent girl in askance.

" I am skilled in healing and possess [Spirit Vision] and um I also possess [ Disaster purification]" the nun hasty announced recognizing the Great spirit inquiry.

" What is this? A job interview ?" Subaru muttered.

" This one is quite useful in fact, few possess these talents she'll be useful in Betty's Subaru future clash with god I suppose" the loli declared determining that the nun could be a good ally.

" Beako I got no idea about what [ Spirit vision] or [ Disaster purification ] are. A description would be appreciated."

" Ah allow me to describe my ability then! " The nun exclaimed with renewed vigor. [ Interest is good for me] she thought.

"Disaster purification allows me to destroy any curse I can even affect divine curse to a far lesser extent. Spirit vision allows me to discern a Heretic god presence and origin " the nun described her ability. " I can also heal your wound as I am a Water magician."

" Oh? Like Felix then "

" My healing is far lesser than sir Argile one, I fear." She answered meekly.

" Still those are good abilities. You want to " serve" under me what does that imply? Why would you do that?" Subaru fired his question in succession, his intense gaze fixing the nun.

[What could she win from this? Sure the Church sent her that doesn't mean I should trust that easily. I got betrayed enough time already.] The thought had him narrowing his already slanted eyes giving an even more intense look.

Seeing this Melty gulped and involuntary took a step back. [ Ah, scary! No, wait this is your chance you can't afford to fail! ] The thought of the horrible fate that awaited her at Mama's hands gave her enough courage to answer.

" To serve a Campione is an honor" she started only to be interrupted.

" An honor How so ?" Subaru asked. Truly he could not understand this mindset. Getting the Campione's treatment mystified him.

" By slaying Heretic god you preserve this World's order. As a resident of this world and as a nun, I must assist you in your fight against those calamities." The nun finished her spiel with vigor, her eyes shining with determination.

[ Huh phrased like that it makes sense. Still once burned twice shy. Trusting her that easily would be stupid of me. These Church guys obviously want something from me. In all isekai or medieval settings these guys are corrupted as hell.] Subaru thought. Once again he was right in this case. After all, Lust's agent infiltrated the Dragon church.

" Beako what do you think?" Subaru asked his partner, being unable to come to a decision.

" Betty thinks that this nun can be a good ally. Betty's Subaru needs more retainers. That one could be a good pick."

" Retainer you say. That's strange for me you know?"

" Betty's Subaru is now a King to have more serve under you is necessary, I suppose"

The Great spirit noted.

" Betty will do her best to assist you in any case still against a Heretic god all advantages are appreciated. That girl could give you priceless information about the foe you will face."

" Ah true, knowledge is key. " Subaru nodded ."Well then Melty I welcome you aboard " he declared while extending his hands toward the nun intending to give her a handshake.

" Truly I thank you deeply for this chance!" The nun declared after bowing low.

[ Ah oh awkward] He thought while lowering his hand.

[ Well I got a new party member I guess.]

As Beatrice predicted the Sage council was in great turmoil.

A Campione was born in this country protected by the [Divine Dragon] Volcanica.

None knew the right course of action to take currently the country does not possess the Dragon God protection as such many were eager for the Royal selection to end.

Protection against Gods and Campione offered by the pact was priceless after all.

And now against all thought possible, a Campione was born.

Moreover, it was a strange foreign boy who in a matter of days changed his reputation from a useless fool to a legendary hero who slew the White whale and Sloth and now a Campione.

" Truly none could anticipate that boy's action even before his ascension that one is truly a Campione."

" Indeed and yet the most concerning matter is the course of action the boy took after becoming a God slayer."

At that, the council went deep in thought.

That boy who declared his support to the half-elf and did the impossible for her, left after becoming a Campione.

Many feared what could have led to this situation.

Did the half-devil charm this boy who upon ascension found himself free from her spell?

This question weighed heavily on the mind of the council.

And yet none knew what to do. This country was never ruled by a Campione protected as they were by the [ Divine Dragon] no Campione was born in Lugnica in centuries.

Should they try to get on the Campione good grace or prioritize recovering the pact with the [ Divine Dragon] it was quite a delicate situation.

" Still we cannot afford to antagonize Subaru-sama"

At that many nodded.

" The Church already took action and sent an envoy and peace offering to him."

" What did they send?".

" A talented Hime Miko to serve under him. Currently, the third Campione possesses only one retainer, the Great spirit he contracted. To send an agent to curry his favor may be a good course of action."

After that, the debate restarted with no conclusion achieved.

A certain mauve-haired merchant was panicking.

After all, it was her knight who humiliated the new Campione.

[ Ah how awful there's nothing I can do about it everyone already knows.]

While it was known that The Best knight and the newest Campione collaborated to take down Sloth many were hesitant about the nature of these two relationships.

As such some feared to associate with the Hoshin trading company whose leader's knight humiliated the newborn Campione.

Many feared retribution.

Trade was diminishing.

And there was nothing she could do.

[ Ah truly what an awful situation if only I could find Natsuki-sama to diffuse these rumors. And yet he left the Mathers Household far too quickly. I need more time and him to resurface for my agents to find him.] Anastasia thought while biting her finger.

All she could do now was run damage control.

Till she finds the Campione in question.

A certain healer was fearing for his life.

He did try to brainwash the newest Campione while healing his gate after all.

His lady could feel his fear, yet he could not give her an answer.

How could he? Hah, he was truly worthless. His action could bring upon his lady destruction.

All he could now was pray.

She was prideful and such was to be accepted. After all the world was for her enjoyment.

And yet even at the height of her pride, she could not antagonize a Campione.

Those who defied fate itself and did the impossible. Those people were far greater than herself.

Even she could admit to it.

And yet that foolish half-elf wasted an amazing opportunity.

Had she responded to the boy feeling for her she could have won the crown in a matter of seconds

A Campione backing was nothing to scoff at.

Yet the Campione in question left a few days after his ascension.

After doing the impossible thrice, twice for that half-devil sake.

[ What in the world could that imbecile have done?]

The baroness could only shake her head at her fellow competitor.

Reinhard was conflicted. All his life he was feared and revered.

As a demigod he was able to use [Divine possession], he was without a doubt the strongest mortal.

And here laid the problem. Even with all the power he possessed and a direct connection to a God he was still a mortal.

Unable to confront a Campione or a Heretic god for long.

Oh, he could put quite a fight but could he win that was the question.

Imagine his surprise when he learned that Subaru, the boy who approached him with no fear or reverence became a Campione.

[In hindsight that was obvious. A Campione does not possess common sense. Subaru was like that since the beginning.] The Sword saint mused.

In Lugnica a wind of unease blew.

After the loss of the pact fear reigned in the mind of many of its inhabitants.

The descent of a Heretic God created a wave of panic countrywide, all felt the shock of power born from [ Death] 's descent.

Many prayed for the Divine Dragon to come to their rescue.

Only for the Heretic God to be slain moments later.

In the beginning most thought that the Divine Dragon heard their plea and rescued them.

Only for the wave of power announcing the Birth of a Campione to crush their hope.

The identity of said Campione did not reassure them.

The Boy seeking retribution for the wrongs committed against him was thought to be a given to most.

After all wasn't he beat an inch away from his life? Insulted and mocked?

Uncertainty plagued the mind of Lugnica people.

In Alram though said concerns were not shared by the villagers.

All held their Hero in high esteem. For him to succeed at the impossible wasn't that surprising.

To them, he was an angel who rescued them from a terrible death, at the hand of Mabeast for their children and from the Archbishop of Sloth for the whole village.

They wished him all safe travel within their hearts.

Subaru and his companion continued their journey with no destination in mind.

[ Perhaps going only forwards isn't a good course of action. Still, I don't know where to go. No place calls to me.]

While thinking about a destination he reminisced.

[ I wanted to run to Kararagi with Rem. Perhaps I should visit there. I miss Japan and their culture is supposedly similar to it. Hoshin was definitely Japanese.]

After a few minutes, Subaru made his mind and turned toward his companion.

" Hey, Beako if I want to go to say Kararagi would it pose a problem? " He asked.

" Betty's Subaru can go anywhere he wants. Kararagi doesn't possess a Campione, their military power lay in their ninja. At the exception of [Admirer] who is said to rival the current Sword saint there is no one of renown."

[ Ninja it's really like Japon then] Subaru thought excited till the rest of the sentence hit him.

" Wait, someone who rivals Reinhardt won't that be a problem?"

" Um Subaru-sama as a Campione, this shinobi can not do you any harm. He is said to specialize in curse and yin magic, his magic will not be able to affect you in any way." The nun shyly answered.

" Yin magic you say that's interesting. It'll be cool to meet him then." Subaru mused while his two companions were trading looks.

"Betty's Subaru cannot be stopped in his travels though it'll be better to release Death's shroud when you reach the frontier like you will not be stopped. They'll be honored to have you in their country I suppose." The Great spirit noted.

As a Campione who has yet to claim any nation as his own Natsuki Subaru is a person of great interest to any country with no protection against Gods like Kararagi or Vollachia.

" Then let's make way to Kararagi !" Subaru announced joyously.

Their destination decided the three slowly made their way towards the greatest trading hub in the world.