While the international competition was in full swing due to the addition of Victoria of the Underworld, Hades had been using Uranus in the Hades Temple to observe an entirely new world.
Just after the world of "Zenless Zone Zero" appeared, a brand new world unfolded before him—a world of mixed colors.
"Why is there a familiar aura?" Hades approached that new world and remarked, feeling an aura that was familiar to his own divinity.
In an instant, Hades was drawn into that new world.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself on an Italian-style island, standing on a main road.
Due to his divine appearance, he attracted the attention of countless people. Especially in Italy, where the local customs are very open, Hades was soon surrounded by many enthusiastic and bold older women who were pinching and prodding his body, and things were even getting a bit out of line.
Hades really couldn't stand the local enthusiasm and vanished from the spot with a flash, leaving behind a group of bewildered women.
"Phew... this appearance is too outstanding; I'd better change into another look first." Hades breathed a sigh of relief in a small alley and then decided to alter his appearance and aura.
After a while, a new figure walked out of the alley where Hades had been. He wore black clothes with gold patterns, his night-like hair had turned gold, and his deep green eyes, like the bottom of a lake, had turned blue. He carried a painting box in his hand.
He looked exactly like Alone, the human vessel of Hades from Lost Canvas.
Hades arrived at a crowded square, opened his painting box, and began to paint, while simultaneously using his omniscient and omnipotent power to gather information about this world.
God Slayers, disobedient gods, magic associations... "It seems I've come to the world of 'Campione!'" Hades said, and as he finished speaking, the painting in his hand was complete.
The painting depicted a bustling square where Italian dancers were dancing with passion and abandon, accompanied by men playing concertinas. Everyone had happy smiles on their faces, as if a lively moment had been frozen on the canvas; the expressions of everyone in the painting were portrayed vividly.
"This painting is truly excellent."
"Indeed, I didn't expect such great painting skills from someone so young."
"Young man, could you please paint a portrait for me?"
The passersby who gathered around were stunned by Hades's painting, praising him endlessly and asking him for portraits.
Treating it as a way to pass the time, Hades agreed to their requests. His portraits were not only as accurate as photographs but could also express the person's inner temperament.
As a result, Hades's paintings received high acclaim there.
At this moment, Hades held his brush and painted a background of blue sky and Roman-style architecture on the canvas. Upon it, he painted a beautiful woman wearing a stunning red dress. Her right arm was bent with her right hand on her waist, and her left hand rested on the sapphire ornament around her slender neck. She wore a charming smile, her long golden hair dancing in the breeze, and her blue eyes sparkling like lake water under the sun; her snow-white skin was mesmerizing.
Her temperament was like a large camellia flower blooming magnificently in a garden, outshining all others.
'She's here.' Hades, who was painting, felt the aura behind him and thought to himself.
"My, that's a very good painting. However, Mr. Painter, this counts as an infringement of portrait rights." At that moment, the woman from the painting stepped out from the crowd. The person in the painting appeared before him, like a goddess descending.
"Erica Blandelli." Hades packed up his painting tools, stood up, turned around, and looked at the beautiful woman behind him.
Erica Blandelli, the first heroine of "Campione!", belongs to the Italian magic association "Copper Black Cross." She holds the rank of Great Knight and the alias "Red Devil." Her beloved sword is "Cuore di Leone." She is proficient in "Iron-Refining Magic," which allows her to freely manipulate steel objects, and she excels in creation, transformation, destruction, and strengthening magic. Her ancestor was a Campione Demon King.
Erica stepped forward to admire her portrait, then leaned close to Hades and said:
"It's a wonderful painting. I am curious, though—how is it that you've never met me, yet you've captured my essence so perfectly?"
Hades picked up his painting box, walked up to Erica, placed a finger against her lips, and said with a mysterious smile: "You maintain your beauty, and I'll maintain my mystery."
The mysterious smile and aura Hades carried were like a treasure chest with unknown contents, making women want to gradually get to know him.
After saying that, Hades took his painting box and prepared to leave, but he left his easel and the portrait of Erica behind.
"If you like this painting, you can have it." After saying this, Hades had already departed. Erica stepped forward and picked up the painting; the more she looked at it, the more she liked it, unable to put it down.
"Alone," Erica read the signature left in the bottom left corner of the painting.
Afterward, Hades walked around various parts of the island. On one street, he saw a person holding a slip of paper, who had the appearance of an East Asian male, distinct from the local residents.
He was the protagonist of "Campione!", Kusanagi Godou.
Currently, he was holding the slip of paper and asking people for directions, but because of the language barrier, it was quite a struggle.
"You're Japanese, aren't you? What brings you to Italy?" Hades walked over and spoke to Kusanagi Godou in Japanese.
Hearing a familiar language, the disappointed Kusanagi Godou instantly regained his spirit. He looked at Hades and asked, "Excuse me, which way should I go to get here?"
Hades took the slip of paper from Kusanagi Godou and said, "For this location, you'll need to take the tram. If you show this paper to the staff at the tram station, they'll know."
"Is that so? I understand," Kusanagi Godou said, taking back the paper.
"Wait a moment, you over there! (Italian)" A voice called out, stopping Kusanagi Godou and blocking their path.
Hades and Kusanagi Godou turned to see Erica. She was holding a small silver knife pointed at Kusanagi Godou and said:
"Hand over the grimoire in your hand. (Italian)"
"..." Because he couldn't understand Erica's words and saw a sharp weapon, Kusanagi Godou raised his hands and didn't move an inch.
Seeing the two of them like this, Hades had no choice but to act as a mediator. He stepped forward, lowered the knife in Erica's hand, and said:
"Alright, Miss Erica, please don't be like this. This doesn't fit your so-called ladylike poise or the spirit of chivalry."
"Also, this person doesn't understand Italian. Speak Japanese."
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