The replenishment of powers like a Campione's magical energy or fighting spirit basically relied on waiting for it to naturally refill.
Souta figured there must be some special free-floating energy in the atmosphere that Campiones or spirits could automatically absorb.
That was the so-called "mana recovery method."
But this only worked in their own world.
After all, the mana of the Campione world couldn't possibly exist in other worlds.
Souta could use mana to perform transformation spells, like turning himself into a lizard.
Thus, mana here was even more unique than magic energy in the Type-Moon world — and to recover it, you had to come back to this world.
As for magic energy in the Type-Moon world... it could be regenerated from life force, which gave it incredibly strong versatility.
Unfortunately, pure magic energy was just raw energy; to actually cast magic, you needed a "magic foundation" supported by the ley lines of the Type-Moon Earth.
Simply having magic energy didn't mean you could do anything major.
In short—unless you got your hands on a truly universal power system, it was best to find ways to grow stronger within your own world.
"You really need creativity, like Kurumi did," Souta muttered, giving up on his plan of "mass-producing Campiones."
His divine powers were still far more convenient.
"Right," Souta said, glancing at the silver-haired goddess wearing a cat-eared hood, "Athena, is there a chance Verethragna will sense you?"
"Not at all. Gods don't react to each other the way they react to Campiones.
As long as I hide myself, my presence won't be exposed."
Athena looked southward and continued:
"Verethragna got noticed because he's too high-profile.
He has no intention of hiding."
The silver-haired girl withdrew her gaze and said to Souta:
"I won't be coming along with you. Otherwise, that battle-hungry war god would lock onto me too and drag me into the fight."
"Alright, go handle your own affairs," Souta nodded.
He knew Athena wasn't afraid of fighting the war god—she just didn't want to mess up their god-slaying operation.
"Then I shall take my leave," Athena said as she began sinking into her own shadow to teleport away.
As the Queen of Darkness, slipping into shadows to move around was second nature for her.
But just before she disappeared, Souta suddenly called out:
"Wait."
"Hm?"
Athena tilted her head slightly.
Souta said,
"You might want to check out Antioch.
I remember the 'Gorgoneion' a relic discovered by magicians was found in ruins there.
Maybe you can find your 'Snake' ahead of time."
"My 'Snake'... in Antioch?"
Athena froze, then a clear smile bloomed on her face:
"Thank you, Souta.
I shall go retrieve my 'Snake' now. Farewell."
"Goodbye, Lady Athena," Nezuko said respectfully, bowing.
Athena glanced at her, a little surprised.
Seemingly pleased by Nezuko's manners, she floated closer and gently patted the girl's head:
"Good. I wish you success as well."
After those words, her small figure melted into the shadow and vanished.
Souta turned his gaze southward, toward the coast.
A sacred aura drifted from that direction.
"Nezuko, are you nervous?" he asked, looking at the girl beside him.
"I believe in you, God-sama!" Nezuko, in her shrine maiden outfit, responded with determined eyes.
She was about to face a god — saying she wasn't nervous would be a lie.
But she trusted Souta's plan.
"Relax. Even if something goes wrong, I'll keep you safe," Souta reassured her.
"Don't pressure yourself too much.
Just think of it as facing a stronger demon."
While speaking, he removed the spear of Indra from the system space.
A golden trident materialized in his hand.
"Take this. It's your trump card to defeat the god."
He handed the spear of Indra to Nezuko and explained:
"I'll nullify the mental suppression gods naturally impose.
That way, you'll have the most basic trait of a Campione—fearlessness.
The war god will probably take an interest in you.
When that happens, challenge him and ask if he dares face your strongest attack."
He chuckled suddenly:
"The gods in this world are incredibly stiff.
The war god will answer your challenge directly.
That's when you hurl the spear at him."
"And then?" Nezuko asked.
"And then the god will die."
"..."
Nezuko froze, suspiciously asking:
"Is it... really that simple?"
"Yeah. It's like riding a dragon straight into his face.
How complicated could it be?"
Souta patted her head:
"Come on, let's go."
Souta wasn't worried about Kusanagi Godou showing up to "steal the kill."
According to the original timeline, Godou would only arrive in Italy a few days after Verethragna and Melqart's first battle.
By then, it'd be way too late.
And Souta didn't feel guilty about "stealing the kill."
He had already decided to help Athena grow strong enough to handle both the King of the End and Bearer of Fate.
Even without Godou, the world wouldn't fall apart.
If anything, fewer Campiones might actually make things more stable.
"God-sama, are you there?" Nezuko asked while walking south along the coast.
Souta had gone invisible, completely erasing his presence, so she wasn't sure if he was still nearby.
"Don't worry, I'm here," Souta's voice answered from behind her.
Nezuko instantly felt more at ease.
She had the distinct feeling that a god was silently protecting her—and it made her a little giddy.
It was just after 1 PM.
The Mediterranean sun blazed down from a cloudless blue sky, the vast landscape stretching endlessly—something she would never have seen in Japan.
Nezuko admired the foreign scenery, chatting with Souta as she walked.
Thanks to her shrine maiden outfit, she drew curious looks from passersby.
But the closer they got to the shore, the fewer people there were.
By the time they reached the coastline, no one else was around.
Souta's voice sounded in her mind:
"This is it. Right in front of you."
Nezuko instinctively looked ahead.
There, a boy stood barefoot in the sand, letting the sea water wash over his ankles and soak his long, ash-gray robe.
Souta reminded her:
"That's him.
Stick to the plan.
Follow the script."
"From here on, it's all on you.
I'll be watching from underground.
Remember—don't be afraid. Even if you fail, I'll protect you."
Nezuko didn't answer, just nodded firmly.
Souta's voice went silent—he must have slipped underground.
Nezuko glanced down, suddenly wondering:
God-sama wouldn't peep at me from underground, would he...?
No, no! How could I think such disrespectful things?!
God-sama is noble! He would never do something so indecent!
"Hm? A human?"
The boy on the shore turned around.
He had a beautiful face, shoulder-length black hair, and looked like a work of art.
But the godly aura emanating from his slender body was overwhelming.
The war god studied Nezuko with interest:
"To approach me without fear...
Fated one, you are truly... hmm!?"
His words were abruptly cut off.
Because a flash of golden light suddenly shot straight toward him—
like a shooting star!
Underground, Souta watched with a stunned expression.
Wait, wait! This wasn't the plan!
Where's the pre-battle banter?!
Why did you just throw it immediately!?
Even as he reeled, the spear of Indra accelerated into a time-manipulated field.
In an instant, the 20-meter distance vanished.
Before the war god could even react, the trident's sharp tips pierced his chest.
The impact blasted the sea into a swirling vortex, scattering sand everywhere.
The war god stumbled back several steps.
Before he could even be shocked that a human's weapon had punctured his divine body—
his entire vision exploded into blinding lightning.
"What—!?"
He barely had time to cry out.
Then, intense burning and crushing force engulfed him.
PS: A bit tired, so I'll update 3 tomorrow. Stable 2 chaps/day still...