“Hey Godou, you should look up the difference between similar and the same again. Because you're like that even Shizuka is affected,” their pig-tailed childhood friend advised them.
She was unyielding and direct as always.
“I keep telling you, don't act like I don't have any common sense.”
“That's right, Asuka-chan. Onii-chan is having no effect on me. I can confidently say I'm the only proper human being in our household.”
When Godou refuted Asuka's accusation, Shizuka also complained a little.
No, for the sensible and humble older brother, the one more likely to transform into a monster was his sister; she just completely hid it.
During all of that nonsense, the three of them had arrived at the restaurant.
The two high school students and one middle school student stood in front of the entrance of a somewhat high class restaurant.
The restaurant’s signs and decorations had style without being showy, and the lighting was dim as well. However, the restaurant’s food and wine were top grade and as a result dining here was quite pricey.
“Usually it's beyond our means, we came here to celebrate a birthday and we secured support for the funding. It's okay once in a while.”
Godou was reasoning in front of the restaurant. Right beside him, Asuka frowned.
“You're really going to say something like that? With all the money saved from New Year's gambling, you can even have a feast for a king.”
“Th-those savings didn’t end up in my hands!”
His childhood friend knew many secrets that could not be said out loud.
Godou knew full well how problematic that was. Recently, the number of situations where he had to spend his “hidden assets” had increased quite a bit. Situations like when there were no family members to accompany him during his trips out of the country.
In the end, the three of them still entered the restaurant.
Although it looked like a high class restaurant, the Kusanagi siblings were actually very familiar with the place.
Their grandfather or their mother would take them here from time to time. Plus the host, who is the shop owner and the chef, was not only a close neighbor they were well acquainted with but also their mother’s drinking buddy. Occasionally, when the Kusanagi household held a drinking party, he was in the kitchen utilizing the skills of his specialty.
This was why the three of them didn’t show any nervousness and just sat down after being led to their seats.
When calling this place for a reservation, they used a “do whatever you want” kind of attitude when ordering. As a result, many dishes were coming without interruption. White asparagus salad, Spanish-style egg rolls with plenty of potatoes, oil-grilled shrimp, beef tenderloin cooked in red wine. Paella[1] filled with lobster and other seafood.
The three of them were handling these delicious dishes while chatting about something that wasn’t of importance.
At this moment, the store owner uncle came out of the kitchen and asked “Would you like to order some wine? We have some very interesting ones.” It wasn’t until “Today everyone here is a minor” was mentioned, “Ah I see I see” that he finally understood what they were trying to say.
While reaffirming the absent-mindedness of their mother's acquaintance, the banquet continued smoothly.
Shizuka’s and Asuka’s face both had a look of satisfaction as the pudding served for dessert disappeared into their mouths.
Godou on the other hand preferred the bitterness of coffee over the sweetness. However, that was when he noticed. Rather nearby two people that he knew were sitting down.
“So Erica, what is the reason for calling me out today?”
“I just told you on the phone, didn’t I? Lily, us two girls should occasionally get together to gossip, that’s all. Recently I fell in love with that female novelist.”
“Uugh, in other words you just want to threaten me, right!?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. I just have a sudden urge to discuss literature...……Hey, for example I've had my thoughts about those short stories beginning with ‘I'd like to convey these feelings to that person’."
“S-s-s-stop looking down on people! Even if those kinds of storylines might be overused or not, my heart will not waver for one bit! Just, just no matter what you say I’m not going to listen!”
“Hehe Lily, your voice is trembling.”
Like music, the elegant voice and the cold yet lovely voice continued their discussion.
These were two people who never exposed this side of them at school. As a side note, their conversation was in Italian. It must be because they were old friends conversing in a relaxed manner.
Godou felt very apologetic, as if he was stepping into other people’s personal matters.
But leaving without even greeting or saying a thing didn't sit well with him either. What to do... just as he was thinking it over, the girls noticed Godou.
Erica Blandelli suddenly had a look of tension on her face, her smile disappeared. An anxious Liliana Kranjcar maintained the stern look of a knight.
In order to “monitor” the god-slaying devil king, these girls had been dispatched from Milan. Due to this task's importance, the girls put forth their full attention towards monitoring him.
“Wait a minute, Onii-chan, what's with that lecherous stare?”
“I admit they really are very beautiful foreign young ladies, but your staring is rude.”
He was suddenly accused by his sister and childhood friend.
“I-Idiots. They are just girls from my class. I was only surprised running into them here.”
Godou only told them part of the truth. Shizuka let out an “Aaah” as if she remembered while Asuka gasped “eh”.
“I've heard the rumors about those two…… so they were in Onii-chan's class.”
“They are from high-level schools overseas and came to study here.”
On the other hand, pretending to not have heard Godou’s conversation, Erica, who was sitting at the other table raised her hand.
She called an employee to come over to her table (That said, the restaurant was run by the owner along with his wife and his mother, just the three of them).
The person who came to Erica’s table was the owner’s mother.
She and the blonde haired beauty had a brief talk. After the owner’s mother nodded her head she left the table. Though she might have gone back to the kitchen, who knew that she would instead come to Godou.
Furthermore, she also had a very profound smile on her face.
“Those two ladies over there said they want to dine with Godou-kun no matter what. Ha ha, you and your grandfather are indeed alike, these kinds of situations happen a lot, don't they!”
Actually, this woman was a great fan of his grandfather.
That’s why I said, please do not refer to grandpa and grandson together like that. Godou was muttering to himself while looking at the other table. Erica and Liliana were both giving him a dignified and sharp expression.
No matter what, anything would be fine as long as it didn't develop the way the owner's mother envisioned.
“Onii-chan, what is going on?”
“Godou, your bad manners offended someone!?”
“What are you guys getting so worked up about!? They are just students from my class sending an invitation. You two should go home first. I’ll chat with them for a little bit.”
Therefore, he switched tables and dinner once again continued.
After they were done enjoying the food, the two European girls silently drank some coffee. It was a stressful situation for Godou, who wasn't used to girls.
“I do feel that disturbing your family time was me being unaware of your general interests…”
Erica was the first to speak.
“But since we met up with someone that has the imperial title of Campione, if we were unable to make a greeting then that would harm the reputation of the Copper Black Cross. Le
t me say once more that it is an honor to meet someone of your status."
“No, let me say something.”
Godou cut off Erica’s endless display of etiquette.
“I believe I've said this many times before. Because this kind of formality numbs my back, talking like ordinary people would be just fine. Behave like you would before I turned into this type of person.”
“Ok. I know clearly that if I do this again, it will become annoying.”
No longer needing to use honorifics, Erica let out a smile.
The type of smile wasn’t filled with affection, but rather like the smile of a lioness before going hunting.
“I am truly grateful to have met you before you became a god killer. If I had to bestow respect to you every time then I’m afraid I might not be able to converse with you."
His relation with Erica dated back to the spring of this year.
All the way back to before Kusanagi Godou slew the ancient Persian Warlord Verethragna.
Nevertheless, their relationship could not be described as close. Erica had always fearlessly displayed abrasive behavior towards the Campione.
“Erica... Hold on a sec. Even though he is young, Kusanagi Godou is still a Campione. Also, he is Sir Salvatore's ally and a dangerous -- excuse me, a most influential person. Only through appropriate speech and manners will you display the way of the knight.”
Naturally, the one reprimanding her long-time friend was Liliana. Her attitude was quite stiff and formal as well.
Very likely, she too, had no intention of developing personal friendship with Godou.
“Please do not say that idiot Doni and I are good friends.”
Godou tried to correct mistaken facts.
“I would be greatly troubled if you girls keep grouping us together.”
“...Furthermore, the two of you destroyed Castello Sforzesco and caused a great commotion from your fight in Naples. Clearly there will be many opportunities for the two of you to fight as a united front.”
Liliana eloquently voiced her objections.
“That kind of retort has many flaws in it so let’s not talk about it. I have pretty much accepted the subtle and complicated relationship you two share.”
“Complicated and subtle, what do you mean?”
“In short, it is like this. Your feelings for Sir Salvatore transcend the affections of friendship. Rather than a male friend, he is a person you love.”
“L-Love!?”
Godou was stunned by these deductions which sounded like some famous detective's pontification.
“Of course, these kinds of immoral feelings cannot be discussed in front of other people. Furthermore, a young person like you could hardly admit to such an unusual sexual disposition. As a result, you firmly insist you hate Sir Salvatore yet you are deeply troubled over your inability to cut off your feelings of longing for him.”
“It never occurred to me like that, but actually, it's quite reasonable and well thought out.”
“No way is that reasonable! Don’t make up my feelings ok!?”
Because Liliana's reasoning actually impressed Erica, Godou immediately denied it.
“All in all, it is a fact that no mere shallow relationship exists between you and Italy’s powder keg and alliance leader in the world of magic.”
“What powder keg... Stop talking nonsense.”
Caught by Liliana's unexpectedly acute accusations, Godou muttered in response.
“But, me and that guy... or rather I should say, I am different from the other Campiones. If possible, I would like to continue living a peaceful life. Passing away on a tatami mat would be good enough for my satisfaction. Actions like this monitoring must be stopped.”
Erica and Liliana were said to be renowned and promising talents.
They were young knights from their respective magic associations, the [Copper Black Cross] and the [Bronze Black Cross]. To think these kinds of talents were dispatched simply to monitor Kusanagi Godou in Tokyo.
This was done in order to inspect the movements of the Campione allied to Salvatore Doni.
“What are you talking about, Kusanagi Godou? ‘Monitoring’ a godslaying devil king would be disrespectful and forbidden conduct.”
Erica distorted her lips and self-deprecatingly said.
“Indeed, were you to start some kind of incident, there exists the likelihood of unexpected effects propagating to Europe. If that were to happen, we may have to contact our associations' headquarters. However, our purpose in Tokyo is simply studying abroad, in order to experience Eastern Asian culture.”
“To experience Marco Polo's[2] orient travelogues[3] is a hard earned experience.”
Even Liliana spoke knowingly.
“Exactly as she says, my king. Please do not mind us and just continue to live your life normally.”
Hmm. Godou frowned. If this type of situation persists, then there would be no way to improve their relationship.
Regardless whom the other party was, if they were going to hang around by his side for long durations, he would prefer to establish friendly relations.
Part 3
Kusanagi Godou is a godslayer, also known as a devil king Campione.
Due to this title, he always encountered things that an ordinary high school student would be unable to.
The most extreme example would be two people from Italy sent to monitor him. Although, even in his home country of Japan there is an organization keeping an eye on him.
This group supervises Japan’s internal incantation, magic, and other supernatural stuff.
That would be the Japanese official History Compilation Committee. Even this secret organization that employed ninjas from the olden days, seemed to have members concealed at Godou’s side. However, it is not certain to what extent their operation has reached.
But, there was only one person in contact with him that has her identity completely revealed.
It was on the way to class where he saw her figure from behind. While taking the usual path heading to school, he saw her walking in front at a distance of seven meters. Thanks to her tea colored and beautifully long hair that had slightly dense odor, she was immediately recognized.
Her name was Mariya Yuri. She was addressed as a Hime-Miko, an ability user.
This was how the Official History Compilation Committee treated people that had nobility status. These noble people cooperated and accepted many kinds of requests.
The nickname "Hime" was actually just a facade. At this moment she was wearing a deep blue duffle coat over her uniform, giving the appearance of a female student with a serious disposition. But her posture was very upright, her footsteps were orderly, and she gave off a temperament that was hard to offend.
Godou remembered his conversation with Erica and Liliana last night.
Even though their position is just to monitor him, Godou wanted to improve their relationship. He wanted to give it a try by being slightly more energetic. Once he made up his mind, Godou went up to greet her.
“Good morning, Mariya.”
“-----!? Good morning, Kusanagi-san.”
Yuri stopped in her tracks and looked back.
However, at that moment for a split second she let out an “uh” sound while her shoulders shuddered a bit. It was probably because she suddenly heard Kusanagi Godou—the Campione’s voice which startled her. Can’t say for sure if she was scared.
But, the expression on her face was calm when she turned her head.
The Yamato Nadeshiko's beautiful dignified face gazed at Godou continuously. That stern look had the potential to melt ice and snow into pure water. Plus, it was also very rigid.
At that time, the godslayer raised in Japan regarded her as an exceedingly dangerous person. This caused him to be on alert and stiff.
“I-I say. Being a little more relaxed is absolutely no problem.”
“You are one of the world’s seven godslaying lords. Our mission is to show proper respect when dealing w
ith someone of your rank. Please do not mind it.”
Like that, Yuri replied to Godou while deeply bowing her head.
Her use of words and sentences were good, her manner was good, this kind of etiquette was totally devoid of any rudeness. However, Godou and Yuri are actually going to the same school and are in the same grade. It would be correct to say that their type of etiquette should be different.
In short, the concept of sensible etiquette is much different from the current one.
But Godou pretended not to care and attempted to casually talk to her.
“Well, let’s just maintain this and converse a little. After all our destination is the same.”
“Staying together with Kusanagi-san!?”
“Uh huh. Until we arrive at school, let's converse while we walk for the time being.”
There were still about five minutes left until they reached the school gates. Even though the amount of time was short, it was always better than not saying anything at all.
Godou contemplated over this, but Yuri for some reason felt unexpectedly flustered.
“Y-Yes. Since this is the command of a king there is no way I can refuse. Although conversing with my humble self might not be able to satisfy you, I will at least accompany you.”
Feeling like her time was being wasted on something insignificant, she solemnly accepted to seriously converse.
---Can talking with me really cause others to be afraid? Godou had a guilty state of mind.
A couple years ago Yuri was captured by Marquis Voban who had a reputation for being vile. As a result she was left with terrible memories. Perhaps she was influenced by that experience.
In any case, the two of them started walking on the path towards school.
So, what would be some good things to say? Godou tentatively proposed the first topic.
“By the way, the end of term exam results already came out. How did you do on the tests?”
“Y-Yes. Still about the same as my previous grades.”
That’s it. Yuri replied with little to say, leaving Godou with no way to smoothly expand on the topic.
The two of them continued to walk in silence. This was simply just walking side by side. This will not do!
Campione 12 Page 2
