It had the same form as the one from a couple days ago with the sailcloth covering its entire body.
During the follow-up at that time they found out that a few minutes prior, Amakasu was within Tokyo near the Aoyama district and had encountered the Grey One and pursued it. However, right at that moment was when the Grey One appeared in front of Godou as well. His pursued target had suddenly disappeared.
“Did this guy get resurrected over this period of time? Or did another similar guy appear? Which one is it......”
Godou grumbled while investigating what its true identity was.
The Grey One was walking on top of the branch while touching the divine tree’s trunk. Following that, its sailcloth covered hand sank into the tree’s epidermis!
Soon after its hand was buried inside. Even the elbow and shoulder were eventually engulfed.
In the end its remaining head, body, and feet were completely submerged inside the divine tree. The Grey One had completed its assimilation. Furthermore, Godou noticed something.
“It’s withering......?”
Up until now it had been a thriving lush colossal divine tree.
The delicate green tree leaves instantly dried up. The appearance of the tree branch and trunk seemed water deprived, dried up, withered. Shortly after, the small tree branches started to fall off one after another. The splash created foam on top of the water as soon as it crashed into the sea.
Furthermore, it was similar to the Grey One who committed suicide before——.
The divine tree slowly crumbled like a building made of sand. Its remnants drifted towards the sky as parts of it were carried by the ocean breeze.
What remained was the bird emblem floating on the surface of the ocean. It still remained motionless despite the force of the ocean waves as if it was rooted firmly on the ocean surface.
“This time did the Grey One kill the divine tree......?”
“It intentionally slaughtered its ally after meeting a Campione? Understanding the reasoning behind this is impossible.”
Liliana and Erica both spoke with a perplexed expression. Godou tried to ask Yuri.
“What do you think Yuri? Since this has happened, do you believe the disturbance will settle down?”
“W-What will happen......? I just have an uneasy feeling in my chest. If it continues like this, the same thing will happen again——no, I feel this situation may worsen.”
Godou nodded as if indicating “yes” towards Yuri’s worried declaration.
Had the large divine tree attacked a moment ago, the summoning of the Boar would probably be enough to comfortably kill it. But without having to do any of that, those guys had already vanished by themselves.
Perhaps this was the critical point in time——.
Part 3
Once the unexpected evening cruise at Tokyo Bay was over, Godou returned home at one in the morning.
However, he did not go to sleep right away. He sat seiza-style on his sheets and continuously pondered over the situation for about two hours.
Afterwards, morning came around with Godou waking up at six o’clock. On a notepad, he wrote that he did not require breakfast and then departed from the house before Shizuka woke up.
He then immediately snuck into the empty classroom and continued to contemplate over the situation. Ever since yesterday, he became really concerned over this matter. After reflecting about it without interruption all the way till fifteen minutes before class started did he finally arrived at an answer. Godou let out a heavy sigh.
In the end, it was going to end up like this wasn’t it? This answer was one that he could somewhat accept.
It was braving the risk of Shizuka saying “Why did you leave the house so early in the morning!? Are you trying to stealthily hide something sinister from me?” later on. After evaluating in solitude he had arrived at this conclusion.
Soon after, he returned to his normal state of mind.
Liliana arrived at school and briefly conversed with the others. She received an elegant greeting and a sneer from Erica as well as an invitation by Nanami and the three idiots which went as followed, “The maid coffee shop is already outdated, let’s enjoy the winter special at the frequently visited maid slushie shop, the large strawberry slushie”.
During this time, before he knew it class had begun.
Today was December 21st. It was the day of the end of term ceremony. After the ceremony concluded without a hitch, Godou welcomed the end of school.
Winter break was currently underway. Of course, the insides of the classrooms and school were still permeating with energy. There were students who went out to play directly after school as well as a group who discussed about the scheduled activities during break. However, Godou chose not to participate in this kind of fervor.
He immediately left the classroom and seized Yuri from the adjacent classroom.
Moreover, he repeatedly pleaded to her to inform him of the state of affairs regarding the post-event processing for the event from yesterday night.
“Everyone in the committee were discussing whether or not we could shut down this phenomenon......However, I’m afraid it was a god who created that divine artifact. I think the probability of a human creating it is extremely low......”
This was what Yuri anticipated.
After thanking her for providing this information, Godou headed towards the gym.
“What’s the purpose for asking me to come to this kind of place?”
Erica, who had come to this location, spoke with a commanding tone.
Whether slinging criticisms with polite sarcasm or acting mysteriously ill-tempered, Erica's recent attitude towards Godou carried elements of both. No, even before that he had always felt this way......
In short, the reason was probably because she wished to avoid having a friendly conversation with him.
However, Godou wanted to converse with Erica right now. Even though this was the case, he felt if he just brought up the topic upfront he would easily be evaded in a graceful manner just like before.
So he thought of a plan which involved using an email to call her out.
After the end of term ceremony I’ll be waiting in the sports field. P.S. Don’t run away——.
“Recently the amount of exercising I have been doing isn’t adequate. I would like to give my body a bit of a workout.”
It was the baseball field for the academy’s high school section. Godou stood at the field’s home plate as he spoke. Placed by his feet were baseball bats, gloves, and balls taken from the sports storage room.
“Accompany me for a bit. You’ve played prior to class before so it should be no problem right?”
Godou spoke as he grabbed a glove and baseball.
“Even if you are my opponent, I will still pitch an unhittable ball.”
“You sure know how to flatter yourself. You ought to know that I, Erica Blandelli, am a girl who can do more than just wield a sword right? There are very few weapons that I can’t utilize as I please.”
Even though the provocation was unremarkable, it appears that he had provoked her fighting spirit.
Unable to resist letting out a small burst of laughter, she picked up the baseball bat. Simply just this behavior alone was like part of an agile dance routine, a picturesque action.
Was this thanks to being born with athletic aptitude and a Latin sense of rhythm?
“I was still thinking about the recent touchy feely business going on between you, Lily, and Yuri and that you should receive a suitable punishment. You asking for trouble like this actually really makes me happy.”
“W-What punishment? Hey.”
What was her reason for being that easily provoked? Godou started to complain in response.
“I didn’t do anything to them. Our relationship only improved just a bit.”
“Do you think only an improvement in relationship would result in a love triangle? I can’t believe this would happen unknowingly. Being as fooli
sh and unwitty as you, you wouldn’t know how to read the mood and cower away from girls. Also, during those times you always act carefree. Just what I would expect from Kusanagi Godou’s personality.”
“D-Don’t act like you can see through my personality!”
“See through you? Matters regarding you I always seem to——eh?”
Erica revealed a perplexed expression. Godou also had a feeling of uneasiness. They were currently conversing during their pitching competition. The communication link to their dialogue seemed to have been severed by scissors......
“Forget about it. In a moment I will have you experience my supremacy!”
Erica brushed aside any hesitation and proceeded to put her hand on the uniform’s dress.
She tore it apart without any hesitation, making a tear on each side to give herself more mobility. Furthermore, she raised the baseball bat in an upward slant. She made this posture predicting she would hit a homerun.
Overall her appearance was like a drawing. However, that posture was composed of gorgeousness. Even the aura of a slugger emanated from her.
After being separated for so long, he once again experienced Erica’s talent and beauty. Godou felt inconceivably upbeat. As expected, without this kind of behavior it would not be her.
Godou felt the corners of his mouth rise as he proceeded to the pitching mound.
“Let’s start with five pitches ok? If you are able to send a ball flying then you win.”
“Ara, giving me such advantageous conditions, are you sure about that?”
“Haha, it’ll be fine this time. Here I come.”
Following that, Godou pitched five balls in a row. Erica’s baseball bat was unable to even graze one ball. No, she actually didn’t even swing once.
“Hey Godou......aren’t the balls you just pitched overlooking the premise of baseball?”
Within the words of the red colored devil carried a tone of criticism as she muttered.
“The balls should be pitched directly towards me with the outcome of whether I hit it or not being the competition in progress right? However, the balls you pitched were all excessively too high or to the sides.”
Precisely as Erica said, Godou’s pitches were atrociously thrown.
The balls that Godou pitched staggered either too far to the side or went above the blonde beauty standing in the batter’s box. Because he considered the scope of Erica’s arm length and the length of the bat, he implemented his plan to pitch in the places where she was incapable of reaching.
“It’s fine like this. Since my objective was to only avoid letting you hit the ball, I never intended on issuing a fair competition.”
As expected, baseball related sports are not mainstream in Italy.
Not even the knowledgeable Erica had heard of the concept of walking the batter so Godou explained the intention behind this course of action.
“......So it’s like that. This time I’ll bear with the loss. Basically it’s the same as what you said before.”
“Are you referring to the objective of avoiding attaining victory or defeat upfront?”
With only this degree of explanation, a tint of understanding gradually emerged from Erica’s pupils.
We were easily able to converse. Maybe my relationship with this girl really wasn’t that bad.
Godou felt this was unbelievable as he took it another step further and said:
“The divine tree, the grotesque Grey One and so on, I feel like the goal of those guys is to prevent me from fighting. Isn’t that why every time I get close those subordinates would commit suicide?”
Ever since the divine tree located at Tokyo Bay crumbled, he had always——.
After taking another look at the reason why those grey guys were that suspicious, he had come to a decision. It was to listen to Erica’s opinion concerning this matter since he didn’t understand the reason why.
If he wanted to find someone knowledgeable to help him, then Kaoru would suffice. If a magic savvy knight was mentioned, Liliana demonstrated even more flexibility. Compared to Yuri who is the kind of person who possessed an abnormal spirit sensing ability, no other diviner could be as good of a conversational partner.
However, despite all of this he still wanted to get Erica’s opinion.
Why would he do that? Kusanagi Godou had already overcome many battles to the death. However, due to her frequent support in many instances during those battles——Erica also appeared to have a sense of importance.
Without any basis for it, this was how he felt.
“If it’s like this then there would only be one reason.”
Once she heard Godou’s opinion, Erica spoke in an imposing manner.
That clear cut tone gave Godou an indescribable feeling of reliability.
“To buy more time. It’s hard to believe that their actions would serve for any other constructive purpose.”
“So I’m right?”
“Yeah. In short it’s the equivalent of protecting a city. The soldiers in the city surrounded by a large army will desperately try to defend to the death, striving to engage in a defensive battle. By doing this, they are waiting for allies to come rescue them.
Godou nodded while saying ‘I see’ towards the reasoning behind the battle tactics Erica described.
The reason for buying time was uncertain, but based on her description it would make sense.
“Except, if we were to account for non-constructive reasonings......”
“Are you saying there is a possibility that it isn’t a constructive plan?”
“Yes. For example, since the enemy is closely pursuing them during the defense of a city, situations where there are a loss of judgment occur quite frequently. Without reinforcements they would blindly fight to the end. There is also the situation right now with the intriguing actions done by these guys......it could also be possible that it has ties to a religious ceremony.”
“Uhh”
In that case, there existed the possibility of it being irrational as well?
Upon hearing Erica’s point of view, Godou suddenly felt a flash of insight.
“Then in that case, what you are focusing on could precisely be the breakthrough to the nucleus of the problem. Being able to elaborate to that extent is quite interesting.”
“That’s really flattering of you.”
Giving an obvious praise would undoubtedly be good, but why does she need to be so tactful?
However, this was typical of Erica so Godou forced a smile.
“As a noblewoman, I should at the very least reward a gallant knight. Please be my temporary opponent once again.”
After she finished speaking, Erica extended her hand towards the area where the baseball equipment laid.
This time she picked up both the glove and baseball.
“Let me crush your ego as we decide a legitimate winner this time.”
“Wait a second. You definitely mentioned giving a reward, how come it feels like you want to defeat me?”
“The best reward is to simply enjoy the moment together where you and I, Erica Blandelli, can decide on the outcome of a battle. Also, if you want to win, a man would do it with his own two hands right?”
Erica had a fearless smile as she spoke. Sure enough it was her lioness smile.
Fighting till the end? Godou also gave a heartfelt smile. For the moment, backing down was not an option when his dignity as a man was called into question.
This time Godou picked up the baseball bat.
Afterwards the two of them agreed to the ambiguous rule that if he missed the ball then Erica wins, if it is hit then Godou wins. This was not so much a competition, but rather them having fun playing ball.
Part 4
In the end, the two of them played ball all the way till the sun was about to set.
Godou was currently walking along Nezu street where a section of it was dyed in an orange hue by the sunset. Erica was by his side and the two of them walked all the way here
together.
Godou’s reasoning for this was that it unknowingly happened.
Once the unresolved competition had concluded and the equipment had been put away, Erica very naturally followed him after he said “well, it’s about time to go home".
Although, if he wanted to refuse walking together with her, there were many reasons he could have come up with. However, overall he felt a ‘this is pretty good’ kind of feeling.
Why does Erica want to follow him? Perhaps it unknowingly happened for her as well. Superseding all this was an issue regarding......
“I feel pretty hungry after that thorough exercise.”
He spoke of his animal-like desires in this manner. Erica was unfazed as a result and instead ignored all the ensuing reasons for it.
“Same here. There’s still some time before dinner, let’s just find some other place to hang out in the meantime.”
“You’re still the same as before, completely ignoring the necessity of having a balanced diet.”
“Those portions had already become the calories for daily consumption. I haven’t overlooked the intake and expenditure calculations in regards to this aspect.”
The two of them walked in jest to the Nezu Sanchome shopping district. There were still a few minutes before arriving at Godou’s house.
Just as Godou thought it was about time to say goodbye, Erica suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“Actually, this has been on my mind for quite a while now. You could say that I’ve been restraining myself like someone enduring the passage of time, but there really is an indescribable flavor permeating the air here.”
The place Erica was looking at was a Chinese restaurant that Godou recognized.
To put it politely, a shabby looking restaurant would be a suitable description. Indeed, its style, making the place known as the “town’s China shop”, refers to the shop’s structure that had been maintained all the way since the Showa period. The restaurant was covered in oil stains and dirt.
The outer appearance would compel any teenage girl to immediately distance herself from this establishment.
However, Erica was instead attracted to this decrepit and filthy place. With that said, could it be that regardless of the restaurant’s style and cooking that were completely devoid of personality, as long as the disgusting food still honored its characteristic flavor it would fit Erica’s dietary lifestyle?
Campione 12 Page 12
