After leaving Heaven, Rod teleported back to the Vatican.
He made sure no one saw him as he returned quietly to Rome and checked into a hotel.
Now that his mission was complete, Rod found himself curious about Asia's fate, would she be expelled from the Church like in the original storyline?
Still, that wasn't something he could influence right now.
After a long, luxurious nap, Rod finally woke up on his king-sized bed, stretching with a yawn.
Back before he transmigrated, he had always imagined that life as a reincarnator would come with at least a dozen maids, and that he'd wake up every morning flanked by a couple of busty anime heroines.
But ever since he met Griselda, he'd been kept busy non-stop. There was hardly any time to flirt.
At least today was a rare free day.
Rod decided to roam around Rome and take in the city.
A bit of relaxation, and maybe… just maybe, he'd stumble upon a hidden quest or two.
After all, it was like those games with evil devs who hid treasure chests in unreachable corners just to spite you, and reward the truly persistent.
Maybe this world wasn't that different. Maybe he just hadn't found the right corners yet.
After getting up, he grabbed a lazy breakfast at the morning market and then wandered aimlessly through the streets of Rome.
Rome was a beautiful place.
It always reminded Rod of those famous kings from history.
Like a certain saber-wielding king with a distinct "Umuu" catchphrase.
The city was also teeming with beautiful women, bold and expressive, very different from the reserved grace of the East.
Plunging necklines were practically the default.
"Tsk."
Rod glanced around with a mix of appreciation and disappointment.
So close… yet so untouchable.
The thrill faded quickly.
The day passed without much incident.
By nightfall, Rod found himself in a modest restaurant in central Rome.
He'd explored all day and found nothing. He was ready to call it quits and sleep, until a pleasant surprise walked right into his line of sight.
Rod's eyes locked onto a woman across the room:
Hot body, sharp dress, like a B-movie blonde bombshell straight out of a pulp flick.
It wasn't lust that caught his attention, though.
It was the red tag hovering over her head in his system.
"Species: Vampire."
At her table sat a well-dressed, silver-haired British man in his fifties.
His wrist peeked out of his tailored sleeve, bearing a Rolex Submariner, hinting at serious wealth.
The man's eyes were glued to the woman's chest.
The woman, however, was far more interested in his neck.
Rod chuckled to himself.
This place really was a breeding ground for chaos.
Not just demons, vampires, too.
Eventually, the blonde leaned into the man's arm and led him out of the restaurant.
Rod tailed them.
She took him through winding alleys like she'd walked the route a hundred times, eventually leading him into a dive bar tucked away in some forgotten corner of the city.
Rod followed.
Two massive bouncers stood guard behind a rusted iron door.
His system informed him that they were vampires as well.
A vampire den, huh?
Classic under-the-lamp trick. Hide in plain sight. The most dangerous place is often the safest.
Rod wasn't worried.
He'd killed his fair share of rogue bloodsuckers before.
The two bouncers sized him up.
Rod wasn't wearing his official exorcist gear, just casual clothes. With his foreign features, they probably assumed he was just another curious tourist.
"Don't cause trouble."
Like typical movie goons, they gave him a gruff warning and let him in.
As the soundproof door opened,
Booming death metal slammed into Rod like a fist.
The place reeked of sweat, booze, and unwashed desperation.
Rod instinctively rubbed his ears.
This was… not his scene.
The entire vibe was off.
Any place this grimy had to be up to no good.
The music was deafening.
The neon lights barely cut through the haze.
People smoked and slumped in shadowy corners, others grinding against each other in states that bordered on legally actionable.
None of it fazed Rod.
But when he saw someone literally taking a dump in the corner?
That was it.
He'd seen a lot, demons, monsters, even a guy who tried to mate with a vending machine.
But this?
This was new.
Thankfully, he wasn't the only one disgusted.
Two vampire bouncers soon dragged the man away. Rod could guess what kind of "discipline" awaited him.
[Griselda has issued a new mission.]
[Quest: Midnight Hunt – Vampire Edition]
[Objective: Eliminate all rogue vampires inside the bar. Reward: Randomized.]
Rod had been hoping for a hidden quest.
To have one trigger automatically? Even better.
He scanned the room.
Vampires outnumbered humans three to one.
The humans, clearly lured in, were obliviously dancing in the pit of the beast.
Rod was just about to make his move when something caught his eye.
A special marker appeared in his system.
"Jeanne?"
That name… felt familiar.
He double-checked the map.
Her name was highlighted in a different color than the others.
Given the current High School DxD-centered universe, that could only mean one thing.
This girl was likely a member of the Hero Faction within the Khaos Brigade.
So what's she doing here?
Rod stood by the entrance, hard to miss with his striking looks and foreign features.
Naturally, he caught the attention of a sultry brunette who swayed over with calculated hips.
"Hey handsome, you here alone?"
She leaned in, breath tinged with alcohol and perfume.
"Wanna come with big sis and explore a whole new world?"
Rod was just about to play along when,
A flash of blonde forced its way through the crowd.
"Cousin! There you are!"
It was her.
Jeanne.
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