When Luo Guang told Koneko he would be leaving for a while and that she should come stay with Asia, Koneko immediately agreed.
Koneko also happened to pass on news about the two Church members. After a day and a night of rest, Xenovia had accepted the fact that God was dead. Of course, "accepted" was just a word for her giving up on her faith, and she accepted Rias's Rook piece, becoming a devil. Irina Shidō, however, did not follow suit. She had simply received orders from the Church to bring the Holy Sword back and had not spoken a word since. Just as Luo Guang had guessed, the two girls' experiences were following their original trajectory. He saw no need to interfere with this not-so-good, not-so-bad situation.
"By the way, where are you going, Luo Guang?" Koneko asked over the phone.
"Somewhere a bit challenging. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be back soon," Luo Guang replied. "I won't be going to school for a while either. Just have Rias approve my leave."
"Unexpected? Is it a dangerous place?" Koneko's voice grew tense.
"An 'unexpected event' isn't danger, it's just part of the process of getting to a result. I can't predict the process, but the result is already decided for me."
Even through the phone, Koneko could feel his intense confidence and certainty. It was as if his words were indisputable, both in heaven and on earth. Hearing his familiar tone, Koneko actually relaxed a little. Considering everything that had happened so far, she felt she should give him her complete trust.
"Should I tell the President?"
"Do as you wish."
Despite his words, Luo Guang was already planning to use the Trans-Dimensional Portal to go to the Campione! world. After hanging up, he told Asia the news that Koneko would be coming over. The timid little blonde nun didn't ask a single question. She only had one.
"Mr. Luo Guang, will you come back?"
After receiving an affirmative answer, Asia asked no more questions. She just nodded seriously. "I will wait for you to come back." Even without saying anything more, Luo Guang could feel the young girl's attachment to him. He didn't say much, just stroked her hair.
After receiving a message that Koneko had left, he activated the Trans-Dimensional Portal's teleportation function.
Luo Guang had two distinct memories of crossing dimensional barriers. The first was when he first arrived, and the second was after his awakening when he used the portal to cross over for the first time. Both times, the feeling afterward was like being drunk, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. But that was to be expected. At that time, he was just a regular person. He knew no magic or special abilities, having only trained his body to human perfection through sheer effort.
Luo Guang found himself standing on the soil of another world for the second time. The scorching sun enthusiastically baked the earth, and the heat rising from the distant horizon distorted the air. He raised his wrist to shield his eyes from the sun, looking around with a hint of curiosity. Although it had been a few years since he first entered the Campione! world, his memory was still clear. Luo Guang was certain that this was not the same location he had left from.
"Was it a random teleport, or because I've been gone for too long?" He didn't dwell on the question for long. It didn't matter where he was sent; his goal was simply to usurp a god's power.
Compared to his past self, Luo Guang was much more mature and stable. He was in a bustling city. He could see towering buildings, but also countless low-slung shacks and brick houses. People came and went on the bumpy streets, and stagnant water pooled in the crevices. By listening to the language of the passersby, Luo Guang quickly figured out where he was.
New Delhi. The largest city in India, its cultural and economic center, and the second most populous city in the world.
Luo Guang walked casually along a narrow street, but it was hard to describe the so-called exotic scenery as "enjoyable." Even though this was the capital, the distinctly Indian environment was evident. If it was just the chaotic appearance, that would be one thing, but the smell in the air was incredibly complex.
Luo Guang's immaculate clothes and foreign appearance quickly attracted attention. His physique and looks, which seemed almost impossible for a human, captivated everyone regardless of their race. Women's gazes lingered on him, drawing hostility from the local men. But Luo Guang's powerful aura, a product of his strength, kept most locals at a respectful distance.
He finally ended up on top of a high tower. Looking down at the ant-like crowds, Luo Guang was a little confused. "Did the portal bring me here specifically because there's something I want?" An Unconquered God? But when Luo Guang spread his power to sense his surroundings, he felt nothing.
So there were only two possibilities. One, there really was no Unconquered God here. Two, the Unconquered God had not yet appeared. It seemed the former was more likely. After all, although this world was called Campione!, many people went their entire lives without seeing an Unconquered God. Perhaps due to the ironclad rule that "mortals cannot gaze upon a god," an Unconquered God could be present and no one would notice if they chose not to reveal themselves. Generally, the Unconquered Gods who appeared did so because they were summoned by magical societies or certain Campiones. Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for a wizard to even catch a glimpse of an Unconquered God in their lifetime.
Luo Guang now had two choices. One was to go directly to Sardinia, Italy, where in the original story, the conflict between Verethragna and Melkart took place. The other was to continue investigating his current location. Considering he had just arrived, Luo Guang decided to try his luck nearby first.