Campione 12

by Transient Holy Night

In addition, dozens of vines emerged from the ent's bulky legs. All of the vines were lengthy, thick, and possessed a curved body similar to a huge, lively snake, creating a whip-like appearance.

  Moreover, a radiating green sphere of light glinted at the end of the two pronged tip. The sphere of light went into the sky——ascending towards the golden coffin!

  Furthermore, it wasn't just a single shot. It felt like one after another were being continuously released.

  Erica wasn’t naive as to perceive this bubble blowing-like action of creating those spherical bodies as some sort of exotic spectacle.

  It was practically guaranteed that this was to impede the two people ascending into the sky.

  "Hikari."

  "P-Present, Erica-neesama."

  "Leave this area with Yuri and find refuge."

  "Me and Ena-san are heading out to deal with this, during that time I won't be able to protect you and your sister."

  "——! I understand. This is in order to help Onii-sama and Liliana-neesama."

  Although she was learning on the job, she truly deserved to be called a hime-miko. She was well-disciplined and thoroughly educated.

  She sensed what Erica's intentions were and promptly nodded. Despite her young appearance, she was quite awe-inspiring and focused.

  Hikari, who was still supporting her dazed older sister Yuri, departed from Erica and the others.

  Speaking of which, during the battle with the Great Sage Equaling Heaven she was requested to do something similar as well. Remembering this, Erica let out a faint smile. In these various situations, Mariya Hikari might also become one of the members of the round table that follows Kusanagi Godou.

  "Well then Erica-san, your move. Prior to this I felt those vines were similar to the Yamata no Orochi, making Ena fight an array of heads."

  "Ara, the honor of being tasked with the objective of infiltrating the enemy's headquarters is of course mine."

  "No matter, letting Erica-san have first crack at battling the army of heads is fine as well. However, if you can't exterminate them then Ena will have a lesser workload."

  The Hime-Miko of the Sword fearlessly spoke. Erica followed with a smile in response.

  Immediately after they jokingly agreed to share the task, the miko and knight speedily rushed in towards the ent demigod who was releasing those abnormal spheres of light into the sky.

  Erica and Ena both dispensed spells that raised their body's agility and running speed to explosive levels.

  The two of them kept rushing forward with incredible speed until they were in close proximity to the ent, around ten meters or so away. However, dozens of vine creatures emerged from the ent's leg and started maneuvering themselves in order to block their path.

  Ena wielded the Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi to combat these vines head on.

  Soon after, there was an opening——Erica plunged in without hesitation towards the ent’s chest.

  Charging forth quickly in a straight line, she thrust the lance forward as if carrying out a knight's duty.

  Erica displayed this sort of vigor as she suddenly charged in with a ferocious pace and thrust the lance infused with divine annihilation privileges forward, intending to jam it straight through the ent’s body.

  It blocked the lance with its unexpectedly nimble left arm. However Erica didn't fret about this. She immediately began chanting spell words.

  "Cuore di Leone! Bestowed with an archangel’s added protection, drive him away!”

  Breaking down the obstruction, gnawing apart the enemy, it was the lion of steel.

  The transformed barbed lance, which received Erica's orders for a surprise attack and the applied spell words, shot through the wooden ent's right hand. Penetrating through was the embedded privilege of annihilation.

  Boom! The ent's right hand was blown off simultaneously with the sound of the explosion. The ent was gracefully blown away.

  On the other side, Godou and Liliana were currently closing in on the golden coffin.

  Before the silver-haired female knight took off using her most well-versed witchcraft, she inspected the golden coffin floating in the sky.

  Then after she checked its location, she approached right next to Godou and utilized her flight magic.

  The two of them were surrounded by a blue ray of light as they took off into the sky.

  This was probably the fastest flight magic that humans could utilize. It was said that the flight distance was also pretty far. Assuming they were at the border of Europe, they could even traverse the entire continent.

  Only witches like Liliana could apply this type of magic.

  Except the user could not fly to a place they were not familiar with or cannot visualize......

  Godou unintentionally looked down and began to regret this. Below him was the capacious sea that was as dark as the night. At this far distance the nightly scene of Tokyo was still visible.The view was akin to standing on the 40th floor observation deck of a highrise surveying the scenery.

  As of right now, a bizarre magic light was propping up his feet.

  Flying like this was very harmful to the heart. Before taking off, he had asked Liliana if it was her first time reaching this high of an altitude through flying magic. She replied that in the past she would play around like this all the time.

  "Kusanagi Godou, I can see it!"

  Liliana controlled the blue light soaring in the sky as she spoke.

  As for the golden coffin hovering in the sky——they were gradually approaching the dazzling bright oval-shaped light. At this moment, Godou realized this oval was much larger than he had anticipated when he was on the ground.

  This elongated oval was about the size of a track and field stadium.

  Well, now the real show begins.

  Just as Godou licked his lips, he noticed the sphere of light attacking them from below. The sphere had a radiant green shine and was about four meters in diameter.

  Furthermore, this radiating green light sphere had a speed that was noticeably faster than Liliana's flight magic. At a quick glance, there were about twenty or thirty spheres flying towards them right now!

  Out of those spheres, the one leading the pack was about to catch up to the flight magic——

  Pop. The spheres split apart like a bursting balloon, releasing a blast wave. The blue light from the flight magic maintained by Liliana shook. Godou's body also violently jerked.

  "Guah......!"

  "As expected, it wasn't going to be easy getting there."

  Liliana clenched her teeth as Godou mumbled to himself.

  In truth, he was previously concerned that they would be obstructed while in the sky which is why he was hesitant in asking Liliana earlier. However, there were no other options besides giving up so he had no choice but to request her assistance.

  The flight magic was only able to travel in straight lines.

  If they were to come under attack in mid-air, it would seem like nothing could be done besides praying that the enemy misses.

  Since it was like this, Godou, who was unable to avert his gaze away from the golden coffin, contemplated for a moment. After making Liliana bring him to this point, he seriously had considered the idea of descending into the coffin by himself. Then he would proceed to see with his own eyes what was actually within the coffin.

  However, even if the situation had already turned into this, leaving Liliana by herself in the sky would result in her being harmed first.

  There was an option that allowed the two of them to charge into this dangerous situation together. However, if that was done, it will result in her being exposed to another danger——

  "Kusanagi Godou, do I have to repeat that statement once again?"

  "Eh?"

  "I believe what I previously said should already be enough. That said, don't you feel that we have already overcome many dangers together up until now? It’s far too late for this kind of concern."

  Godou couldn't help but look at Liliana'
s face. Compared to her serious statement, the fairy-like girl had quite a mischievous smile.

  "It's already too late......right."

  "Yeah. Too late."

  Godou felt deeply ashamed after she immediately replied like that. Perhaps this really was the case.

  Think about it, Liliana and the other girls would always encounter many dangers because of Kusanagi Godou. Furthermore, they always stayed by his side even though he would always incite these situations. And in the end, they would fight together, shoulder to shoulder, charging into the face of danger.

  "Liliana, continue heading in that direction. Rush into that ray of light!"

  "Got it!"

  Immediately after, the two of them surrounded by the light of the flight magic dashed into the golden coffin.

  Chapter 7 - Arrival of the Winter Festival

  Part 1

  The oval of light possessed a radiant glow.

  After entering inside this oval, the very first thing he experienced was a bright golden light that overwhelmed the eyes.

  There was a hard to describe floating feeling. Then all of a sudden, there was a sense of falling. These experiences seemed to be cycling through him. After repeatedly undergoing this state of mind, Godou's vision was restored.

  "What the hell? Where is this?"

  What laid in front him was actually a wheat field glinting in golden light. There was a bumper harvest with piles and piles of wheat heads, as if the magnificent brightness of treasure had been brought onto the farmland. The boundless farmland went as far as the eye could see.

  It wasn’t really an unlimited expansive universe, but rather it was simply an endless wheat field.

  Furthermore, a reddish-hue from the sunset could be seen by looking up into the sky. The setting sun over the golden wheat field dyed everything orange, making the coloring increasingly luminous.

  To him, who viewed the Tokyo night sky not too long ago, there was an excessive feeling of uneasiness.

  "This place is within the coffin right?"

  "I'm afraid this place is the inside of that divine artifact, the Crown of Saturnalia, and was probably created through some kind of curse or the power of a god was used to construct this space."

  Right by his side, Liliana appeared to be surveying this wheat field with an investigative look.

  "I sense the aura of a sacred domain within this space. However, I’m not completely certain that this is the shrine.”

  "It can be anywhere for all I care. Anyway, we probably barged into that grey bastard's abdomen."

  Indeed they were located at the core of the opposition. It was impossible to call this a safe place.

  "I'm sorry for dragging you into this kind of place."

  "I don't mind. Didn't we already go over this before? We are king and knight. A relationship like lovebirds, like conjugated branches, or one equal to that of an affectionate couple’s covenant.”

  Liliana pledged with the expression of a stern female knight.

  "And besides, I feel like this is definitely my duty."

  "Duty?"

  "To stay by Kusanagi Godou's side and never stray."

  Liliana looked directly in Godou's eyes, speaking as if she was making a vow.

  "When overcome with difficulties, you are someone who would select to charge right into the enemy ranks first. Furthermore, even with your ordinary lifestyle, you possess this exceptional talent of already being caught in danger before you know it."

  "T-That counts as talent?"

  "If the position was a butler or a maid, most likely anyone could fill that spot. However, frequently accompanying you, becoming your sword and shield to support you, there is probably no one other than me that could undertake this duty."

  She spoke in a calm manner that projected her ego and beliefs.

  The art of fighting, magic, knowledge, she was adept in each of these aspects. She even possessed the spirit vision ability, allowing her to correspond to every situation. Furthermore, she also possessed the physical strength and agility to keep up with Godou. Because she was a witch who was proficient in understanding natural and supernatural phenomenons, no matter what the situation was, she had this quality of always playing a significant role.

  Her statement was perhaps in the form of a testimony.

  Or maybe she really does have the highest qualification to become the personal adjutant for a guy like Kusanagi Godou.

  In this light, Erica, Yuri, and Ena definitely did not.

  Kusanagi Godou was appreciative of Liliana's generosity, but at the same time, he tried to cover up his embarrassment and said:

  "Even so, I'm old enough that I don't need to be protected to this degree."

  "If that’s the case, then let's call it monitoring personnel instead. In this instance, I stepped aside just for a bit and now look, you were already caught in this kind of disturbance."

  Liliana joked around with a smile and then took out her cellphone. Attached to the top was the female bear strap they had won in Odaiba some time ago.

  "However, there have been quite a lot of annoying events occurring. The opportunity to do that kind of thing with you will probably be limited to just that one occasion."

  "S-So it's like that......?"

  After Liliana abruptly said that, Godou could not help but become speechless.

  After recalling their interactions at Odaiba from this conversation, he felt a different kind of awkwardness. He involuntarily tilted his head. Liliana, who for some reason had a very jubilant expression as she narrowed her eyes, gazed towards him.

  It was getting increasingly awkward. Godou, wanting to conceal the embarrassment, surveyed the surrounding wheat field.

  "We should probably start heading out. Where should we go?"

  "Let me do a quick investigation."

  Liliana closed her eyes. She seemed to have used witchcraft to transfer her vision into the air. After a few minutes, she reported back to Godou.

  "There’s a building in that direction. It appears to be an abandoned shrine."

  The direction Liliana pointed to was straight north. It just so happened to be in the opposite direction of the setting sun.

  Well, who knows if the sun in this realm also sets towards the west......

  In short, the two of them began moving north. However, this place was still the enemy's headquarters. Soon after, a person appeared to block their path.

  It was the same guy that was previously seen a couple of minutes ago, the sailcloth enwrapped divine spirit.

  "Godslayer, you’ve actually entered here——"

  The Grey One's manner of speaking consisted of half praise and half amazement.

  'It is time for me to stop wandering in a corner of the stage. Quickly return to the surface. Go battle the newly-sprouted divine Saturnus that I have bred.’

  "No, what happens on the surface no longer matters because we are going to settle things here."

  Godou calmly spoke.

  Back at Rinkai Park where they had their reunion, in his mind he held back the impatience of wanting to confront the Grey One.

  However, right now he no longer has that state of mind. Even he could not fathom why. On the contrary, at the moment he was still able to calmly engage in what will probably be the last bit of conversation between the him and the divine spirit.

  "I'll get straight to the point and ask, do you have any intention on giving up reviving the god? If you have this sort of motive, we can discuss the question of where you can take shelter after taking care of this disturbance."

  'You ask too much. I am a shadow that only strives for the revival of Saturnus, the god of bountiful harvests.'

  As the Grey One twisted his body substantially, he muttered:

  'I don't know what you are conspiring by trespassing on my sacred domain, but for the time being I shall use whatever strength is left in this body to obstruct your path. This is because my sprout is close to becoming an actual god!'

  Multiple black c
olored crosses emerged from the golden wheat field basking in the sunset.

  Each cross had a length of around two meters and there were approximately more than fifty in quantity.

  Relatively speaking, these crosses were being overly produced at a rapid speed compared to the crops in this sacred field.

  Moreover, these crosses then floated up into the skies overlooking Kusanagi Godou’s position and then rapidly descended with lightning speed.

  "And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts. And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses."

  Following Liliana's chant of the knightly holy spell words, she fired an arrow of blue light.

  The magic sword she wielded, Il Maestro, also transformed into a silver longbow. The fired arrow was infused with the sacred privilege of extermination.

  Right after the arrow left her hand, it immediately split into ten separate arrows.

  These arrows pierced through all of the crosses which numbered over fifty, instantly vanquishing them. Following that, Liliana immediately kicked the ground and sprinted towards the Grey One. Her movements captured the gracefulness of a swallow as she closed in on him while changing the shape of the silver longbow into a sabre.

  In a flash, Liliana's sword elegantly sliced the Grey One's body.

  Following that, the divine spirit's body dissipated into black sand. However——.

  'Hahahaha, do you really think an attack of this degree would ever destroy me? I am immortal. I’ll continue accompanying you guys.'

  The intermittent laughter of the Grey One echoed from the black sand.

  Even though there was no wind at the wheat field, the scattered sand began floating up on its own and assembled into a human-like shape. At the same time, there were black crosses continuously emerging from the ground.

  "There won't be an end in sight if this keeps up."

  Liliana muttered this line and then sent an eye signal to Godou.

  Realizing her intentions, Godou converged by her side. Subsequently, the girl who was a personal knight and witch used her well-adept flight magic, escorting Godou into the air with her.

  Liliana used her flight magic to send Godou inside a certain building.

  It was probably the building that was previously described as an abandoned shrine. However, Godou was unsure whether or not Liliana's idea was the correct one.