Campione 12

by Transient Holy Night

  “The Crown of Saturnalia. The divine artifact giving rise to Heretic Saturnus is presently located at that place.”

  In accordance to Yuri’s guidance, Amakasu quickly drove off to Kasai Rinkai Park.

  The place where it took root was reportedly located not too far from here on the surface of the sea——.

  Actually, currently it was the night of December 11th, the day after Godou visited Lushan by himself.

  “Within such a short time frame, we were able to arrive at the designated location right away.”

  Godou muttered with mixed feelings while riding on the patrol boat borrowed by the History Compilation Committee through their connections to the Japanese Coast Guard.

  Thus, the need to issue such inconsiderate orders towards Lu Yinghua might arise again.

  After depressingly thinking over this, Erica, who had a facial expression indicating this was as it should be, exaggeratedly said:

  “This is just Kusanagi Godou enhancing his formation. Even if you carefully selected six or seven of the most elite figures in all of the magic guilds from around the world, you won’t find any place that can match us right? Our battle strength, investigation ability, spirit vision, magic power, negotiating skills, and intelligence gathering are all very outstanding.”

  Erica, Yuri, Liliana, Ena, Amakasu, Kaoru, and Lu Yinghua were all considered as part of his group.

  Godou thought about these friends of his that he had grown accustomed to and nodded his head.

  After surveying each of the aforementioned people, everyone was clearly not some type of superhuman (although there were many who possessed a high likelihood of becoming that sort of person). However, it is worth mentioning that the comprehensive strength of entire group was probably at a very high level and balanced.

  “Well, nevertheless you will be subjected to danger when your opponent is a god......”

  “In our case, we practically had no confrontations with strange occurrences or magicians.”

  Liliana wryly smiled as she replied to Godou’s thoughts.

  The scene consisted of Godou, who was the leader, and the knights from Milan. Plus, there was another member in the patrol boat who was a friend of theirs.

  “But Godou-san, is it ok to not inform Ena-san about this situation?”

  “Uh huh, this isn’t some auspicious matter, we don’t even know what will happen.”

  “W-What do you mean?”

  “If something unexpected were to happen to us, there would have to be someone else to deal with the aftermath......the most appropriate person would probably be Seishuuin right?”

  Godou felt his own words were a meaningless assurance as he spoke.

  This was of course the worst outcome. However, if in the remote chance it did happen then it would be all over. In fact, for this very reason, Amakasu and Kaoru were not with them on the patrol boat. Relevant members should take precautions so they are not all wiped out......

  “Based on how she is, even if you request her to wait for the perfect opportunity over there, she will follow her own authority and come down from the mountain. For the time being we shouldn’t let her know.”

  “S-So it’s like that......”

  She must have remembered the personality of her childhood hime-miko friend.

  Yuri’s expression seemed to have suddenly tensed after reluctantly agreeing to that statement.

  “I sense the aura of the previously envisioned Crown. Everyone please be careful.”

  It looks like they were quickly approaching their destination. Not only did Godou nod in response, but Erica and Liliana did as well.

  Afterwards, everyone was finally confronted with the Crown of Saturnalia.

  Rooted in the surface of the sea near Kasai was an emblem made out of stone. The shape of it only resembled a sizable bird with its wings spread open.

  Suddenly, what appeared to be a parasitic tree grew on top of this bird.

  Furthermore, it was progressively increasing in size. In the blink of an eye, a 1000 year old giant tree——no, a divine tree emerged.

  The divine tree’s trunk and branches permeated with hostility towards the Campione.

  In addition, it began releasing a very powerful incantation. It clearly wanted to combat Godou.

  “I never would’ve thought the day I would have to fight a tree would arrive......”

  Moreover, it was on the surface of the sea in Tokyo Bay. There really must be a limit to the absurdity that occurs.

  Looking up at the majestic sight of the ferocious dignified colossal tree from the deck of the patrol boat, Godou calmly whispered.

  “Is this basically the sprout of that heretic god Nee-san mentioned?”

  “Who knows, there’s barely any viable data to make a judgment.”

  “In that case, it would be best for the person who can determine what it is to examine it. Hey Yuri——Yuri? What’s wrong?”

  Liliana kept to her own judgment. Erica on the other hand intended to entrust the evaluating to another person.

  Godou and the others noticed it. The body of the hime-miko stiffened as she stared at the thing in front of her. Standing on a branch of the divine tree was something wrapped in a grey sailcloth!

  For the time being it could be said its stance had a human-like appearance. Resembling a blanket or coat, the grey sailcloth was wrapped around his entire body.

  Just as its name implied, the Grey One had absolutely none of its flesh exposed.

  “A spirit......no, don’t tell me it is a divine spirit!? Is it a divine being who served a god in the past......?”

  Did she sense something? Yuri gazed at the Grey One in astonishment.

  After receiving the hime-miko’s attentive gaze, he dramatically rotated his body and hollered:

  ‘Oi oi. Miko from the island of the world's farthest reaches! I beseech you to stop gazing upon my unsightly fall from grace!'

  A very coarse ear piercing sound was made. It would give people the impression of an indescribable, artificial way of speaking.

  ‘It was humiliating, a history full of defeat. In ancient times, I retreated in defeat as I was chased from the throne. However, now there emerges a new king as a replacement!‘

  The words he spoke simply looked like it was for self-entertainment.

  “You are the strange crown——the divine artifact’s willpower, a guardian spirit. You intend to retaliate against cult leader Luo Hao right?”

  Godou tried calling out towards the Grey One who was sitting on a branch on the divine tree.

  ‘True! True! My latest defeat was bestowed upon me by that beautiful godslayer. I sent an invitation to that person. I challenged her to battle once again!’

  The Grey One shouted as he leaned back and squirmed.

  Erica and Liliana both sent an eye signal to each other. Yuri on the other hand unsteadily gazed at him. At first glance his appearance would seem quite comical, however the other party was the embodiment of a supernatural existence! The girls couldn't help but feel nervous.

  ‘However, this is a complete surprise! My challenge had been declined. Instead, I get a young godslayer as a substitute! That would be you, Kusanagi Godou. My new challenge is now directed towards you!'

  "No thanks. As far as I am concerned, I hope you can leave immediately."

  Godou felt awkward as he spoke.

  "Any battle arrangement with me is just Nee-san's doing.”

  'Incorrect. I was comfortably overseeing the gathering of the people's essence and energy to build up power, thereby allowing my sprout to awaken as the new Saturnus!'

  The Grey One hinted at the colossal tree he was sitting on.

  This tree's sprout——is the sprout of a heretic god? Godou's gaze intensified.

  'Please, in the near future go to my divine heir, heretic Saturnus, and do battle, Kusanagi Godou!'

  Perhaps this is the first time a god related member has issued a request.

  Godou frowned while being astonishe
d at the same time.

  'Ever since that defeat in the distant past, I have become a degenerate god. However, during this festive occasion, I can still gather divine power with this deteriorating body——. Ha ha ha, a grand festival is needed to awaken this ancient frenzy so it can challenge you godslayers! Furthermore, more time is required!'

  "What the hell, after all this......"

  Godou sighed as he gazed at the Grey One who revealed an evil smile.

  Requesting a godslayer to let it finish its preparations in peace, the Grey One appeared to be an underling to that divine artifact. Based on his frivolous manner of speaking, he doesn’t seem very bright. Instead, a dunce would be a suitable description.

  However, since it’s like this——. Godou took a deep breath.

  He might as well display his own strength to make him quickly leave Tokyo.

  "The one unblunted and unapproachable! Smashing covenants, sinners be purged by the iron hammer of justice!"

  Suddenly the Boar was summoned. Its target was the gigantic divine tree right in front of them.

  Even though there was naturally some hesitation due to the potential destruction, this supernatural event quickly happened within a couple seconds. Overcoming his guilty conscience was a very easy thing to do.

  As a result, a swirling flame of darkness immediately appeared in front of the divine tree. The flames turned into a giant black boar.

  Aaaaoooooooooooh!!

  The Boar let out a frightening roar as it suddenly charged towards the divine tree. Like a spear, the tusks penetrated the tree bark and smashed the tree trunk apart with relative ease.

  As expected, the Grey One, who was located on the tree branch, lost his foothold.

  He gracefully lept into the air. To one's surprise, he remained suspended in midair.

  ‘——Oi Oi. Well done godslayer. Such a show of might, absolutely marvelous. However!'

  After the Boar crushed the divine tree and returned, the Grey One commended him without any worry at all.

  Immediately after that, the area surrounding him was suddenly permeated with a mist as he was hovering in the air. His sailcloth enwrapped posture was hidden.

  ‘Due to my power restriction, I believe I had no means of dealing with that!'

  A beam of light appeared from within the mist. Once again, a giant tree started to emerge from the emblem on the surface of the sea.

  Just like that, a new divine tree was grown within a matter of seconds!

  'Even if you dismember the new sprout, I’ll just continuously revive it. Please put this savagery on hold till the arrival of the grand festival!'

  Once the mist dissipated, the figure of the Grey One once again became visible. He gently hopped onto a tree branch from the gigantic tree.

  "Is it possible that this guy can't be killed......?"

  Godou was in an incomparable state of shock as he saw how easily the tree was revived.

  Up until now he had many encounters with immortal deities. The goddess Athena was among those who possessed this trait.

  Is it possible that the underlings of the undying god of earth, Saturnus, are also immortal? Contemplating over this topic, Godou immediately sought out his female counterparts.

  "Those who possess the chain process of dying and then being revived are related to the deities associated with the snake goddess."

  "Let's first not concern ourselves with whether or not the divine beast and other such existences of a heretic god can really display this reincarnating ability. There must be another explanation for this successful resurrection."

  "There’s no way to clearly see due to the mist masking it......However, I can sense that his power is being drawn from the Crown of Saturnalia. I'm afraid the mystery to this resurrection lies within there."

  Erica and Liliana immediately stated their perspective deductions while Yuri replied in a quiet tone.

  "Godou, for the time being let me deal with the divine tree."

  After hearing the hime-miko express her thoughts just now, Erica proclaimed as such.

  The Cuore di Leone suddenly appeared in her hand.

  "Please go with Yuri and Liliana and allow me to be the opponent for this strange person. If we could figure out the mystery between him and that divine artifact, we won't have to wait till heretic Saturnus's revival to solve this."

  Godou did not object. Yuri and Liliana also nodded.

  On the other hand, after careful deliberation, the Grey One said:

  "Oh......Kusanagi Godou, it appears you have plenty of intelligent members around you. If I don't destroy this, then I most likely won't be able to buy enough time......'

  "Eh?"

  Godou could not help but ask in response towards this troubling statement. What did he want to destroy?

  However, the other person didn't respond. Facing him, the Grey One whistled at him. Following that, the divine tree started to shake its branches and leaves.

  Rustle......Rustle......Rustle......Rustle......

  Like playing an instrument, an indescribable sound came out of the divine tree's tree branch.

  'The festival of the fruit deranged the citizens, causing intoxication. Providing consolation. Bringing celebration. Slaves will have their moment of glory. Kings will abandon their thrones for shackles. This dream is the one bestowed by the god who heralds the spring......'

  Furthermore, the Grey One started to sing along to the melody of the divine tree.

  The tones and lyrics effectively became an ensemble that carried a strong incantation which could be felt all over the place.

  ——Immediately after that, Godou saw a bizarre scene.

  He was currently walking along the city streets. Speaking of which, they were quite outdated. He was located in an unknown city. The era he resided in was also a mystery. In short, Kusanagi Godou walked on unsteadily.

  The people around him were all merrily partying. They sang, they danced, and drank alcohol throughout the night.

  Godou, who was amongst the crowd, kept his gaze down and silently walked on.

  Wrapped around his hands were handcuffs and shackles. Wrapped around his feet were chained leg weights and fetters.

  Moreover, both of his arms had been branded by a branding iron. The imprint demonstrated his new status. Yup, Kusanagi Godou was not a king anymore, heck he was not even a free person. He was a slave——.

  "That, what was that just now! ?"

  Godou suddenly raised his head in astonishment. That incantation was probably the combined efforts between the divine tree and the Grey One. However, it still wasn't able to break through a Campione's magic resistance. Looks like he does not have the power of a heretic god.

  That was why Godou only saw those strange images, he was not actually harmed.

  His body suddenly tensed as he was forcibly tossed away.

  "Guah!?"

  Godou was basically hurtled to the ground like an evildoer being punished. Following that, his body was pressed and held down.

  He looked towards the attacker——to his surprise, it was Liliana.

  She stared at Godou with a hollow gaze. Erica also had an identical eye expression as she closed in on Godou. No, even Yuri who was behind her was the same.

  'During this time before Saturnus is revived from the sprout, there’s no way I can successfully accomplish my task due to my power restriction. Since it is like this, you......a male godslayer, should downgrade to a slave.'

  The voice of the Grey One came from somewhere.

  'However, during this period of time I'll disrupt your status, rendering you from using your original authorities. By doing this I'll be able to buy some time, Kusanagi Godou.'

  The faces of Erica, Yuri, and Liliana all closed in on him.

  Unable to freely move, Kusanagi Godou was powerless in preventing the girls from seizing his lips.

  'It goes without saying that you are a godslayer. Should you have the heart to do battle, then it should be child's play for you to br
eak my curse with your tempestuous fighting spirit. Should our paths cross in the near future, I shall flee. At the same time I shall also uproot the new sprout should you encounter it. Our ill-fated encounter shall be set aside for now!'

  Through the lips of the girls, the mysterious curse was transferred inside through oral intake.

  Immediately afterwards, Kusanagi Godou lost the bonds of camaraderie he had built up with his comrades over the course of almost a year. Even the task instructed by his sworn elder sister was forgotten. The ambiguous position he was caught in prompted the predicament he was in before winter break——.

  Part 5

  After reflecting back on what just happened, he understood that the altercation between him and his opponent lasted for quite a long time.

  Within the business office of the Hong Kong based Lu family in Kabukichou, Godou emotionally counted the number of days. The first time he encountered the Grey One was on December 11th. Going out to eat with Shizuka and Asuka took place on December 15th.

  Furthermore, today was December 21st, the final day of the second semester. Unexpectedly, he had already covered a ten day period.

  "Plus with that email, the resurrection or whatever it was talking about, that was actually in regards to Saturnus......"

  Then did Lu Yinghua actually send the report? I must check just to be sure.

  That said, this year’s winter solstice was set to take place on December 22nd. There was no time to waste——. The anxious Godou appeared to be inside a reception room. He went towards what was probably a sofa meant for receiving guests and sat down.

  In front of him on the glass table was the cordless handset of a fixed-line phone. He had already waited around an hour for a call from Lu Yinghua. Looking at the time, twenty-two hours had already passed.

  "I-I’m very sorry. I should’ve used Mailing magic to send the letter to young master at the sacred mountain. We can only helplessly wait for them to reply."

  Opening the door, the male host apologized. He bowed his head while in constant panic, probably because he feared that Kusanagi Godou was the same type of person as Luo Hao.

  "For now I’ll wait another ten minutes and see. After that, if there is no news, then I should probably get going. I apologize for the inconvenience I have caused you."