Campione 12

by Transient Holy Night

  “So it’s that one. Well, if it’s Erica then she wouldn’t mind” said Godou.

  After all, he was a native inhabitant so the type of restaurant was very clear to him. There was a provocative advertisement pasted on the glass door entrance that had the words ‘mud wonton, mud dumpling, mud ramen’ printed on it.

  “It’s a pretty interesting restaurant, I like it a lot. Well, goodbye.”

  “Godou, please hold on for a sec.”

  Just when he was about to take his leave, Erica grabbed his arm.

  “You intend to provoke the expectations of I, Erica Blandelli, solely so you can head back by yourself first?”

  Erica spoke in a fearless manner while having dragged Godou to her side.

  “If it turns out that it isn’t as interesting as you guaranteed, I will hold you accountable. So please accompany me a bit longer.”

  “Eh eh! ?”

  I was undoubtedly close to home, why must I go with her? Godou displayed an intention to decline her.

  However, there was probably no way to overpower the intensity exerted from Erica’s strong muscles. In the end, he was dragged into the restaurant by her.

  After that, an hour had passed.

  “I see, it’s just a restaurant with freshwater fish cuisine containing a muddy aftertaste.”

  After sampling practically all of the dishes on the table, Erica appeared to speak with profound admiration.

  The cuisines consisted of snakehead fish plus wonton made with celery, carp repeatedly fried in oil, a steamed dish with eel and tofu, and there was a dish they were attentively staring at named ‘catfish mud dumplings with sweet vinegar stuffing’.

  “How should I put it? It makes people cast doubts on the original meaning of a cuisine. It seems like they wanted to conceal the muddy odor by using spices and specially grounded freshwater fish paste mixed together. However, this will never fool me. So that’s why they added a filling so sweet that anyone would get tired of it.”

  “As expected, you really like those kinds of dishes that are difficult to eat and the taste of anything crudely made.”

  Godou sighed in sorrow as he spoke to Erica who was analyzing the cuisine’s taste with vigor.

  After glancing over the restaurant’s menu and ordering many dishes, Godou immediately gave up on eating at home. He already called Shizuka to let her know he was going out to eat.

  As a result, Godou maneuvered his chopsticks without worry.

  After taking a bite off the carp fried in oil, he felt the texture of the crunchy and flaky skin to be very well done.

  It was not just some crudely made food, this place actually specialized in freshwater fish cuisine.

  “The father of the restaurant’s owner seemed to have gone to China in the past in order to go to school. As a result, he became fascinated with a dish made out of a fish caught in some sort of Yangzte River tributary. He had previously said that he generally studied authentic Cantonese cuisine. Although, this restaurant’s flavor isn’t true Cantonese style.”

  This restaurant however was a place where the owner often carried out his own culinary creations.

  Especially items such as the catfish dumplings, it is doubtful whether or not it even exists in China. This was why Godou had initially refused to enter the establishment. Erica then cheerfully said:

  “Since it’s like this, let’s also call Lu Yinghua at some later point in time and let him have a taste. That kid was raised in Hong Kong——the cuisine there originated from Cantonese cuisine. The Lu household in Hong Kong should also have a Cantonese restaurant in business.”

  “Eh? Yinghua?”

  Hearing this familiar sounding name gave Godou a jolt.

  However, why is it that up until now I had forgotten this name? Lu Yinghua. A name with Ying, a friend of the same age......? Where would I have encountered this guy?

  And right now there was this equally important matter.

  Within his name was actually the word ‘Ying’. On the confusing warning email, the name Ying also appeared in the email sender’s name——. Could this be considered purely coincidental?

  “Where is that guy and what’s he doing right now......?”

  “Ara, now that you mention it where did he go......?”

  When this seemingly familiar person of importance was mentioned, Erica, who was much more adept at gathering intelligence compared to any other person and was frequently capable of grasping other people’s movements, felt perplexed.

  Due to her uncharacteristic reaction, Godou couldn’t help but put pause his chopstick movements for a bit and began to ponder.

  “If you don’t mind, would you like to come to my house for a bit? You are welcomed to have some tea.”

  Godou asked as soon as they exited the Chinese restaurant. Why does he feel a bit reluctant to part ways with Erica?

  Also, doesn’t she feel the same as well? It was very intuitive to believe this was the case.

  “I suppose so. I don’t want to be like some sort of vulgar person who overstays......Even though I really want to say something along those lines, perhaps it will be fine this time.”

  The foul-mouthed Erica avoided saying it straightforwardly like she would usually do. Plus, it was obvious there was an unfathomable change happening within her, something made her feel indecisive.

  “However, I can’t go. There’s a place I need to pay a visit. This matter is probably more important than your invitation.”

  After only saying a few words, Erica quickly took off.

  Godou sighed. Even though he felt they got along during those past few hours, maybe his belief was wrong? Well, there is nothing he can do about it. Furthermore, Godou had some matters to carefully reflect on.

  There was the name Erica previously said, Lu Yinghua, as well as the email notifying him that there will be something revived during the winter solstice. The sender was Lu Yinghua.

  The so-called Ying was probably Lu Yinghua. In addition, what exactly is the resurrection that was mentioned——?

  “Onii-chan! What is up with you going on a dinner date with that blonde haired study abroad student living near our house!? There’s no use pretending to be stupid because I was notified by a number of people who saw you two at that restaurant!”

  As he returned home and began thinking through things, Shizuka suddenly started interrogating him.

  Godou ignored her and returned to his own room on the second floor. Where could he meet Lu Yinghua? After checking his cellphone for an address, he realized that the number was registered on his phone.

  He immediately called him, however he was unable to reach him.

  Godou felt very anxious. Up until now he had been feeling a very intense sensation of being trapped. The feeling was akin to being enclosed in a maze.

  However, the structure of this maze seemed to be pretty simple. Even if he was trapped, couldn’t he just pulverize the walls of the maze? If only there was something to give him a push, he would clearly be able to do so!

  While he was feeling extremely anxious, the cellphone displayed an incoming call.

  The display screen showed Seishuuin Ena as the incoming caller. He recalled that she was the Hime-Miko of the Sword, Yuri’s friend, and she was someone whom he had seen many times before.

  Nevertheless, their relationship is not at the point where they could exchange personal contact info......right?

  His memory was really vague so he was unable to think very much in detail. In any case, he might as well press the talk button first to receive the call.

  “Ah, Your Majesty? It’s been so long since we last saw each other! Right now Ena is at Mount Mitsumine. Has the party’s location been determined yet?”

  The voice coming from across the phone had a blunt, cheerful, and optimistic feel to it.

  Godou was at a complete loss towards her candidness and questioned her in response.

  “What do you mean by party......?”

  “You know, the Christm
as one. Ena would always go to the mountains during these times so this kind of thing would actually a first for me. Everyone will be eating an entire bird right?”

  “Christmas party......?”

  It was his first time hearing about this activity. No, was this really the case? Didn’t everyone go over this before?

  ——Even though it’s a bit bold, I might as well take responsibility for the task of hosting it.

  ——Well, incidentally holding a gathering within the house sounds pretty nice.

  ——However, is a miko normally allowed to celebrate Christmas?

  ——I guess the level of strictness isn’t to that extent. Furthermore——.

  ——Every year around this time Kaoru-san would become very ferocious. Starting from around the 20th, every day she would be going out with the girls. With a person as difficult to deal with as her, even the nagging from her senior would prove to be useless.

  ‘This year we will do it precisely as Your Majesty suggested. I will be done with these religious practices before Christmas. For the time being Ena will be staying here. Everyone wanted to go watch the New Year's sunrise together. Would it be ok if we viewed it from Mt. Fuji?’

  The vivid conversation and memory transferred through the phone was enshrouded.

  “My suggestion......”

  ‘Of course, did you forget? Ah, well then, how’s it going over there? Your Majesty and cult leader-sama had just met. If you are still alive right now, does that mean everything went alright?’

  “........”

  She kept on saying things that he could not recall, puzzling Godou.

  As a result, on the other side of the phone, Ena whispered ‘Your Majesty is behaving really strange today’.

  ‘Uh, what? Eh......so it’s like that. It turned out like this huh.’

  She suddenly started saying some strange things.

  “What are you mumbling about, what’s the matter?”

  ‘Just then, the Ama no Murakumo updated Ena on the most recent situation. It seems quite chaotic, but there is no need to worry. If Your Majesty wishes to battle, call out the Ama no Murakumo. An action of that degree should be able to easily break the curse.’

  “Did you say curse! ?”

  ‘Yeah, uh……my batteries are running out. Ena will immediately head to Tokyo. As expected I must accompany Your Majesty in order to avoid boredom!’

  After leaving some brief words, the line was suddenly disconnected.

  With that said, it was rather troublesome that Ena’s cellphone would always lag due to insufficient battery power. Furthermore, she was able to use the cellphone as a medium to communicate with a guardian god.

  An example would be with Susanoo. This time it was basically communicating with the Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi lodged within Godou’s right arm!

  “——Oh yeah! Me and Seishuuin are both utilizing this guy aren’t we!?”

  Godou finally recalled bond he had to the Miko of the Sword.

  In addition, he even comprehended the meaning behind Ena’s words. The Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi was a divine sword under the possession of Godou. For the most part he avoided using it as a blade, instead he used this sword’s treasure trove of useful functions.

  One of which was the ability to break apart magic. Although, its abilities appear to have no effect when used against gods and Campiones. Nevertheless, against these comparatively weak forms of wizardry it was easily able to absorb the effect, rendering it useless.

  Godou directed his attention towards his right arm. The words ‘awaken!’, which were directed to the hibernating sword, resounded within him.

  Being among those with the blood of [Steel], he lacked interest in anything other than combat matters. That was why other than in critical moments, the Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi would hibernate.

  Ena appeared to be capable of engaging a sword of this disposition in casual conversation while Godou was incapable of doing so.

  ——Are you calling for me, King?

  Upon hearing that haughty reply, Godou immediately issued out an order.

  “If you notice anything out of the ordinary, be sure to promptly give a warning!”

  ‘Didn’t we go over this before? My demeanor is that of a faithful sword god. There would be no harm in showing off a bit if you wanted to engage in battle.’

  “If it's a battle you want then be quiet and mind your own business.”

  Godou was conversing with the Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi lodged within his arm while hurrying towards Nezu station.

  Fortunately it was already the dead of night. After 2 A.M. the number of pedestrians present around Nezu were scarce in number so he didn’t have to bear the befuddled expressions of others.

  “Hey, in order to disturb the area around me, he used a curse which had messed up our memories. Can other people break free from the curse as well?”

  Just then, I was referring to the removal of the curse that altered my usual behavior.

  The results were quite significant, right now Godou had already returned to his normal self.

  Kusanagi Godou was the Campione residing in Tokyo. His partners included Erica Blandelli, Mariya Yuri, Liliana Kranjcar, and Seishuuin Ena——.

  However, the only one with him today was the person of steel located within his right arm.

  ‘You could just have me out in front but there is no point in doing so.’

  “Why?”

  ‘This curse is from the heretic god of bountiful harvests......no, I bet he is still plotting to have his newly born priest do something. Under all circumstances when the one serving as a priest is present, even when the curse is broken a new one will be reapplied. Unless you sever the root of its cause there is no point in doing anything else.’

  “Basically you’re saying my entire surroundings are being enveloped by the curse.”

  ‘Of course. A priest’s power is to guide the people. Engulfing one or two metropolises with this power that manipulates the minds of the masses shouldn’t be a surprise right?’

  Rather than calling this mental manipulation, it would be better to say this was the power to manipulate the masses.

  Godou recalled Verethragna’s Goat incarnation, a priest’s power to minister the hearts of the masses. This kind of psychic sensing previously enveloped Tokyo’s Hibiya district as well as the Nikkou district.

  With that said, the psychic sensing utilized by Yuri was also capable of being spread across a pretty large-scale area.

  “In other words, the scope of this type of power is quite vast......”

  To think we actually possess these types of troublesome powers.

  Godou included himself within the concerning group of people who had superpowers beyond belief.

  “Well, since it’s like this, having the range subjected to just being within Tokyo is actually quite good.”

  So that was why Ena, who resided in the Chichibu mountains, was able to evade being affected.

  The curse this time was targeted towards Kusanagi Godou. This was so the relationship of the Campione Kusanagi Godou and his partners would drift apart, rendering them incapable of operating effectively. The objective of those guys who brought about this matter was precisely as Erica had predicted, they wanted to buy time.

  For the sake of reviving the heretic god Saturnus!

  “Overall we made a breakthrough. Now to figure out how to retaliate......”

  ‘Hahaha very well, King. You can use this momentum to raise your fighting spirit and battle recklessly.’

  “I-Idiot! If the enemy were to avoid battling and retreat that would be the best case scenario right? Don’t always talk about these outrageous matters!”

  Having his desire to battle apprehended, Godou tried to cover up the truth in a panic.

  Godou rushed onto a tram towards Shinjuku. He had to meet up with Lu Yinghua as soon as possible——It was imperative to first contact the nephew of the mischievous sworn elder sister who had imposed a certain m
ission on him.

  Through the JR subway interchange route, he had arrived at Shinjuku station.

  Rushing past the vast station area, he headed towards the streets during the evening. His destination was Kabukicho, a sort of high class downtown area that most high school students should steer clear from.

  Lu Yinghua was a young cadre leader representing the Lu household located in Hong Kong——.

  They have a maid related business establishment operating at Akihabara. However, that is merely something experimental. It seemingly was meant to try and establish a stronghold presence within the redeveloping Electronic Street.

  They were one of the so-called Chinese gangs. This group had a stronghold located in Hong Kong.

  In Japan, it should be said that their original sphere of influence was in Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. Godou wanted to visit the place previously known not too long ago as the Shinjuku business that sold beds of Japanese variety.

  By virtue of memory, Godou navigated through the Kabukicho crowd.

  His destination was a certain rundown multi-tenant building. Heading inside, Chinese restaurants, massage centers, mahjong parlors, and acupuncture clinics etc. could be seen as he walked towards the flight of stairs within the building to get to the uppermost floor.

  The moment he entered the reputation lacking and brandless business, Godou said:

  “Pardon my intrusion, I wish to speak to the young master——would it be ok to address him as such? I would like to speak with Lu Yinghua, can you help me reach him? Perhaps you guys already know, I’m Kusanagi Godou.”

  Within the firm’s spatial arrangements were some cheap chairs and tables for the business.

  At first glance, this seemed to be the office of some small or medium enterprise. However, the people on duty here seemed to be bald men who were two meters in height and have tattoos pierced on their foreheads. These casanovas wearing their gaudy suits clearly did not look like honest people.

  Furthermore, no matter how you look at them, there were people who looked like short guys with thin, white beards, holding divine inscriptions. They appeared to be nonreligious people engaging in soothsaying. There were also effeminate men who were currently doing their makeup after just opening up their makeup products.