I am Humanity's Last Hope?

After leaving the training grounds, Adam walked slowly through the bustling streets of Berlin, his mind focused on his next steps. He didn't feel the usual exhaustion, like the other warriors who trained alongside him, since, as a Campione, his physical endurance was beyond normal. His body was immune to wear and tear, capable of regenerating quickly. There was no need to rest like the others; he was always ready for whatever came next.

As he walked, the streets of Berlin seemed immersed in a unique atmosphere, with a balance between modernity and the rich history that pulsed in every building and square of the city. The air was cool, the sky clear, and the shadows of the trees stretched long on the sidewalks. The sound of hurried conversations from passersby and the noise of cars mingled with the distant ringing of bells, creating a vibrant melody. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and fresh bread that filled the city air was comforting, yet also charged with a sense of constant movement.

It was the city's rush hour.

Adam didn't let himself be distracted by the scenes around him. Even with Berlin being a center of action and life, he continued towards the hotel where the Millennium had accommodated him.

His mind was focused on one thing: finding a moment of tranquility. He knew that soon he would have to resume his plans, but now he needed a space to reflect and find some inner peace.

Upon arriving at the hotel, he quickly went up to his room. He didn't care about the formality of the situation, but something in the environment seemed to demand a bit more seriousness. Adam removed his training clothes and, after taking a refreshing shower, put on a dark suit. His hair was still slightly damp, falling softly over his forehead, which gave him a relaxed air.

He observed himself briefly in the mirror.

The suit fit his body well, creating an impeccable silhouette, and, for a moment, he allowed himself to put aside the constant tension of being a knight, a Campione, and simply be… himself.

He was doing quite well in this new reality due to the [Authorities] he had usurped from the Heretic Gods. He realized that one of them, received from Lugh, had a very interesting passive effect: it gave him the perfect demeanor to charm people, persuade them, and make them trust him naturally. It was because of this Authority that he handled the situation of having subordinates so well; he learned about this in the recent days. It wasn't something natural for a Campione.

The Authority was called [Primordial Light], derived from the myth of Lugh being the God of light and his associations with other Gods like Apollo. This Authority allowed him to create, manipulate, and shape light in its primordial state, representing the dawn of creation, the most primitive, hot, bright, and powerful aspect of creation's light. It gave him this passive "Charm" effect. Obviously, it still had some uses beyond that…

Anyway, thanks to this Authority, he became more confident in talking to people and it became easier to charm them. But for someone who lived the last few years in a hospital, this was something he wasn't used to; it was tiring.

Something he decided not to think too much about.

Just enjoy it.

Leaving the room, the hotel library was on his mind, as it housed all the knowledge of the [Millennium]. He knew that it was the perfect place to unwind, to find some comfort among the shelves filled with ancient books and wisdom accumulated over the centuries. The floor was silent, and the calm atmosphere brought a sense of welcome.

When Adam entered the library, the silence was almost palpable, interrupted only by the soft sound of his footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

He approached a bookshelf and, unhurriedly, began to observe the books, gently touching the spines with his fingers, as if looking for something specific. Picking one, he sat down at one of the tables and began his study.

This was what he had done for the past week: wake up, train, and then come to study. In the afternoon, he would look for ideas to use his Authorities and simulate battles in his mind for this purpose.

He couldn't help but think that this was an alternate universe to the one he knew from the manga due to several differences, especially the existence of Lavinia Reni.

She was a High Priestess, the highest in Germany, and frequently went to ancient temples to pray to the Gods.

This was something he couldn't comprehend. Perhaps it was because he was a Campione, perhaps because of the nature of the things he faced, but he simply didn't believe in the Gods. They hadn't manifested when he was in a hospital bed, on the verge of death, fighting a cruel and relentless disease. The hours of agony and loneliness had been endless, and, while he was lost in a sea of pain and fever, the prayers and appeals he made went unanswered. The Gods weren't there, as they always had been for others…

Despite this, he couldn't deny that this woman had been very helpful to him during this week.

Lavinia Reni wasn't just an ordinary priestess, but a Hime-Miko, a descendant of a former Earth Goddess, with powers and abilities that seemed to defy nature itself.

From what he knew, each Hime-Miko had their own talents, innate abilities, but Lavinia Reni was an exception, having all the possible capabilities for a Hime-Miko. She possessed [Spiritual Vision], which granted knowledge of the Memories of the Void. This allowed knowledge of the past, and those who possessed it could use this knowledge to make subconscious predictions of the future.

She also possessed rare abilities like [Disaster Purification], which allowed her to cancel and negate magical effects and powers, and even affect Authorities to a certain extent. Also, she could use [Divine Possession], channeling the power of a God through her body.

But most importantly, she had the characteristics of a Witch, allowing her to use dozens of spells, even offensively.

This sparked Adam's interest, and the question persisted in his mind, echoing: how could such a talented person, with such rare abilities, never have been mentioned in the original story?

According to Mr. Goldberg, Lavinia Reni had powers on par with the White Princess and the Witch of Sardinia, the two greatest magic users in the world. How could someone with such power, someone so unparalleled to the legendary figures who shaped people's destinies, be ignored in history?

"If I'm not mistaken, her parents were killed when she was nine and she was raised by her grandfather, the High Priest?" Adam murmured, thoughtfully. He had investigated Lavinia Reni, a fascinating and mysterious figure who brought him a lot of familiarity; he was almost certain he had seen her in some internet forum in his past life.

But anyway, what he discovered wasn't anything special. Lavinia was born in Italy, gifted with much talent, and therefore had always been treated like royalty since childhood, her life surrounded by privileges and attention. Served hand and foot, with her wishes meticulously fulfilled, she wore the most beautiful dresses and received a first-class education, appropriate for someone of her position.

However, when she turned nine, her life took a tragic turn. Her parents were killed, and Lavinia, with the pain of loss, found refuge with Mr. Goldberg, her grandfather, who at that time had not yet ascended to the position of leader of the [Millennium].

Old Goldberg, with his deep knowledge and wisdom, welcomed Lavinia, educating her with care and dedication, teaching her magic over the years, transmitting his vast knowledge of the arcane arts. Under her grandfather's guidance...

He thought the old man had some intention in having Lavinia serve him, but the girl seemed somewhat clueless about her attractiveness to the opposite sex. In fact, she was a mystery, a fascinating contrast of innocence and wisdom that seemed to defy any simple explanation.

During this week, when he went to look for her in her room, he found her almost naked, wearing only a dress shirt. Lavinia didn't seem to realize the impact that situation could cause. Her attitude wasn't that of someone who treated nudity as something trivial, but rather of genuine innocence, as if she simply didn't see any malice in it — it was quite a sight; her body was something that would drive any man mad with lust. She was incredibly hot; he had to calm himself down to prevent his hormones from taking over.

For her, it was a natural circumstance, without intention or ulterior motives. Her calmness in the face of everything left him as bewildered as he was intrigued. He obviously took the opportunity to peek; she almost changed in front of him.

On the other hand, Lavinia was surprisingly wise. Adam remembered the times she offered him advice that seemed simple at first glance, but carried a depth that he only understood later. Her kindness and gentleness were evident, but there was also something more: a quiet strength. Lavinia knew how to be serious and cold when the situation demanded it, showing that, behind that innocence, there was an unwavering determination.

Adam sighed, feeling drawn to the paradox that was Lavinia. She challenged his perceptions and awakened in him an ever-growing curiosity.

It was in this moment of tranquility that the library door opened and Lavinia Reni entered. Her presence was like a breath of fresh air in the environment, her graceful and serene figure filling the space with an energy of its own. Her blue eyes sparkled when she saw him, and she walked towards him with soft but determined steps.

Lavinia didn't seem to care about the formality of the moment; her presence was like an antithesis to the calmness of the library. She looked at Adam, noticing his formal attire and the slight trace of moisture in his hair. A slight warmth rose in her face as she saw his imposing figure, the suit further enhancing his elegant presence and the underlying strength in every movement.

"My king," she said, with a soft smile on her lips. Her voice carried something more, an intention that Adam couldn't yet identify. "I came looking for you."

"Oh…" Adam, who had noticed her arrival, closed the book and placed it on the table. He looked at her and asked, "Do you need something, Lavinia?"

"We found a Heretic God…" Lavinia replied. "As you commanded, my king…"

"A Heretic God?" he repeated with evident interest in his tone. "Where?" He thought it would take longer to find a Heretic God, but apparently not…

Lavinia took a few steps forward, offering him a sheet of paper. "About an hour ago, in Norway, Bergen. Our information network noticed the descent of a Heretic God in the mountains. Disastrous phenomena have begun to occur there…"

As Adam unfolded the scroll, his eyes scanning the information with precision, Lavinia observed him with more attention than she intended. She couldn't help but notice how perfectly sculpted his features were, the intensity in his green eyes as he analyzed the situation. There was an aura of confidence and calmness about him that she found captivating, almost hypnotic.

"What else do you know about him?" Adam asked, his firm voice bringing Lavinia back to the present.

"Not much," Lavinia admitted. The mages who were investigating ended up being killed; she only got the information because one of them sent a familiar with the report.

Adam nodded as he stood up and placed the paper on the table. He said, "That's enough, I'll find out his information myself and kill him afterward. Thank you. I'll leave right now, let the others know for me…"

Lavinia felt a mixture of relief and admiration for Adam's quiet determination. He always seemed to know exactly what to do; his presence was a beacon of safety amidst the chaos. Her heart sped up slightly. There was something about him that drew her in irresistibly. It wasn't just his appearance — although he was undeniably handsome — but the way he carried the weight of his responsibilities with a quiet strength. He was someone you could trust, someone who didn't hesitate to protect those around him.

She nodded, trying to ignore the blush that threatened to rise in her cheeks. "I'll inform the others."

As she turned to leave, something made her stop at the door. She looked back, her eyes meeting Adam's once more. "Adam… Be careful."

A slight smile appeared on his lips. "I always am."

With a final exchange of glances, Lavinia left, her heart still beating fast.

Adam watched the girl leave; he also quickly exited the library. But this time, through the window, channeling the incantation through his voice: "O golden sun, O running hooves, O chariot, the traces of the path of the heavens. Come to me for battle and victory, come to me so that all may fall before the sun's brilliant glory."

When he finished speaking, the air around him seemed to vibrate, and a golden light began to form in front of the window. The Brilliant Chariot of the Sun slowly emerged from the ether, its golden form shining with a majesty that seemed to defy time itself.

The two golden stallions, with their silver hooves and manes, neighed softly, ready to obey their master's command.

Without hesitation, Adam stepped forward, climbing onto the window's edge. With an agile and graceful leap, he launched himself into the air, landing softly on the chariot's platform. His feet found instant balance as he grasped the reins, the feeling of control filling him. He positioned himself in the center, his hands firm on the reins that glowed with mystical energy.

"Let's go, friends," Adam said with a determined smile, tugging lightly on the reins. The golden stallions launched themselves into the sky, their silver manes waving like a river of stars. The chariot accelerated, cutting through the air with fluid grace, as Adam took full command, guiding the Brilliant Chariot of the Sun through the clouds.

The wind roared around them, but Adam felt invincible. Every movement, every pull on the reins, was part of an ancient dance, a deep connection between him and the divine vehicle. Beneath his feet, the chariot vibrated with power, an echo of the force he had invoked. Adam smiled as the horizon opened before him, knowing that, with the Brilliant Chariot of the Sun at his command, there was no destination he couldn't reach.

He would face his next challenge in this world.