Campione 03

by Tale of the Beginning

  Nimbly weaving the ball through his opponents, assisting his teammates near the goal by passing the ball through the narrowest of openings, and personally scoring spectacular goals. Though he called it 'my first time' let's just ignore that. Anyway, that was the kind of performance he gave.

  In the endgame, the youth took the ball past five defenders and ended the match with a perfect curve ball shot at goal. His figure was like a god's.

  "Fantastico! Fantastico! Figlio Del Sole!"[13]

  A most emotional youth cried out.

  Ending the match without any regrets, the group surrounded the youth, cheering with smiling faces and emotional tears. Lavishing him with Latin style praise such as calling him a genius and born of the sun.

  Soon, the sky gradually darkened.

  The slowly setting sun gave the harbor a shade of orange, and the two of them bid the Italian youths farewell. (In the end, they showed no signs of getting back to work, so it was pointless to ask.)

  The youth traded glances with Godou, and they smiled at each other.

  "...Though it was a strange day, but I was very happy. How about you?"

  "I too am happy. Such games are not bad once in a while."

  Godou who never thought himself the sociable type, was surprised to find himself getting so familiar with the youth in such a short time, without even knowing his name.

  However, it was not an unpleasant feeling.

  It felt like the days when he was still playing baseball and getting along with this team mates...

  That was the kind of friendly feeling he got from this youth.

  "I will be travelling inland tomorrow. What are you going to do next? If you plan on staying here for a while, let's meet again when I come back."

  "Yes, I too have things that I must do..."

  "Didn't you say you lost your memory, what are you planning on doing? What's the matter, just play football with those people just now. Or maybe even a proper baseball game with nine players on each side, but a much wider space than this pier would be needed."

  "Oh? Thou hast lost the match, yet thou hast not learnt thy lesson?"

  The two chatted and laughed together.

  Sunset on a harbor street.

  A little sea side road illuminated a bright shade of orange.

  The day was about to end. If possible, Godou really wanted to spend more time with this youth. Consumed with that thought, he became even more talkative.

  Which was why he failed to notice the shadow in the road ahead.

  This shadow was in the shape of a beautiful young lady.

  By the time Godou noticed her, she had already begun the conversation.

  "Excuse me, the person who is walking there—I'm very sorry for the sudden intrusion, but I have something to ask."

  It was being said in Italian.

  Of course, Godou completely failed to understand, but at that moment his attention was completely drawn by the girl who appeared before him.

  Just barely over 160cm, her height was not especially tall for European standards. However, there was a certain sense of dignity, how should one put it? Proud like a queen, standing there with such an imposing presence.

  Her long blonde hair fluttered against the sea breeze.

  Dressed in red, under the glow of the orange sunset and in contrast to her long blonde hair, the impression of the red color was especially intensified.

  Red like a burning flame and hair the color of gold, it was like the crown of a warrior, majestically perched upon her head.

  However, all this aside—the most important feature was the girl's beauty, from which Godou could not tear his eyes away.

  Beautiful features as if the result of delicate craftsmanship, better proportioned than any doll, livelier than any model or actress, and completely saturated with nobility and self-confidence, it was a face one could never forget after seeing once.

  "Please tell me all about the god that has appeared on this island. My name is Erica Blandelli. Consider it a return gift, as there is no need for you two to report your names."

  After a few days, it finally occurred to Godou.

  If he knew she would say something so arrogant, he would never have let himself be attracted to her.

  Part 4

  "...Hey, what is that girl saying? She looks very serious."

  "She wanteth us to confess everything we know. Simply put, it is a threat."

  "Threat?"

  This dialogue between Godou and the youth, took place in Japanese of course.

  Hearing that, the blonde young beauty frowned with displeasure.

  For even this kind of expression to be beautiful as a painting, this girl was very amazing.

  Wearing a red top with black shorts, her clothing was a little ordinary despite her great beauty. However, due to the tasteful combination it felt very natural and unfettered, perhaps it was her unparalleled beauty and figure that caused one's opinion of her attire to improve.

  "...All roads lead to Rome. Do as the Romans do. What regrettable sayings. You are too foolish to come here with clearly no knowledge of Italian."

  The girl spoke again, a little furious.

  Ignoring the rather rude content, this time she spoke with very fluent Japanese. Perhaps she was in a bad mood because her cool entrance was spoiled.

  "I would like to ask you about the [Heretic God] incidents that appeared all over the island of Sardinia about three days ago. Bosa, Orgosolo, Barumini... You were sighted in all the places where divine presences were confirmed. This cannot be coincidence, right?"

  The girl finished speaking and looked at the youth beside Godou.

  The places she mentioned were most likely locations on the island of Sardinia. Then that 'you' she was referring to must be that youth.

  Then again, what did she mean by [God]? Completely baffling.

  "I am Erica Blandelli, Great Knight of the magic association Copper Black Cross of Milan. Even in this remote place in the south, there are members of our association, and the person sighted I mentioned just now is him."

  Magic association and god. Hearing these strange terms, Godou felt troubled.

  However, her tone of voice was too natural, and surprisingly there was no sense of dissonance.

  "—Who on earth are you? Though it isn't apparent, could you be a mage? A priest or deacon of some religion? If that's the case, there is nothing unusual about successfully summoning a [Heretic God] by chance. Anything wrong with my speculation?"

  Erica Blandelli was smiling with great arrogance.

  This was the first time Godou ever saw such a conceited smile on a woman. How could she be so haughty, yet so glamorous at the same time? Godou couldn't help but sigh at those two points.

  "Ah, I've waited for you for so long, and yet you respond with silence? No other way then, peaceful negotiations end here and it's time for battle. Trying to talk sense into people who cannot communicate is like casting pearls before swine."

  With such instigating tones, how was it ever peaceful in the first place?

  And then Erica continued:

  "Come, lion of steel. The one carrying the spirit of the lion, the steel that carries the essence of battle! Respond to my hand and voice! Your name is Cuore di Leone... The warrior inheriting the name of the lion-hearted king!"

  What happened in the next instant, completely overturned Godou's common sense.

  "The knight Erica Blandelli swears thus, I will return your loyalty with my valor and chivalry!"

  The sword that suddenly appeared.

  The silver body of the blade was slender and elegant, like a beam of clear light bathed in the rays of the setting sun.

  "If you are someone involved with gods, you must have heard of the mighty names of Erica Blandelli and Cuore di Leone? I have no wish to use the red and black techniques against a nobody. Hurry up and tell me all you know with efficiency, swiftly and obediently."

  And then, Erica thrust forward before her the sword that was like a pie
ce of art.

  Of course, it was targeting Godou and the youth who showed a faint smile.

  "...What was that just now? Is that a parlor trick?"

  "Thou mayst consider that level of magic a parlor trick. It is not a particularly amazing spell."

  Sword, god, knight, magic, mage—! Come on, what were all these terms.

  Godou was very surprised. This was twenty-first century Italy, not medieval Europe during the dark ages. How could all these unreal terms appear?

  "Thou art an unruly little lady. To point a sword at me, even for warriors in the past, none have dared such barbaric acts towards me. The ignorant are truly terrifying."

  "Ah, so confident in your own abilities?"

  Towards the wryly smiling youth, Erica proudly puffed her chest.

  The tip of the sword was waving about like the tail of an animal. Even someone like Godou who knew nothing about swordsmanship could tell that it was the motions of an impending attack.

  "If you'd like, I can prepare a sword for you. I, Erica Blandelli, will never let anyone escape from a duel of the sword. What do you say?"

  Hearing her conceited words, Godou swallowed a mouthful of air.

  From the sword stance of this beautiful girl, she should be very skilled.

  Only someone who had reached a certain level of mastery could have such elegant poise, a functional beauty resulting from eschewing all of the unnecessary. Godou could feel that this level of cool and imposing presence could not be simply the result of a beautiful appearance.

  "Thy proposal interests me, but sadly enough, I have no leisure to spare."

  "I see. There has never been a person who refused my invitation. To think I would have a first experience of rejection in such a place, how insulting."

  "Hoho, thou shouldst not say it so, I shall play with thee one day. But now—"

  The youth said to the elegant but regrettable Erica:

  "A more troublesome fellow is coming!"

  A sudden development occurred immediately afterwards.

  BOOOOM!!

  An extremely loud explosion was heard.

  To Godou who was already greatly shocked by the events so far—

  He was now doubting his own sanity, but who could blame him?

  A gigantic [Boar] roughly fifty meters in body length had suddenly appeared in the sea, and was landing on the coast in a very strenuous manner, knocking over the surrounding buildings.

  This kind of scene was appearing before his eyes.

  Not only Godou, but the sword-wielding Erica was also frozen.

  What was this? Could a scene seemingly from a monster movie be reality?

  Totally at loss, Godou found his hand being grabbed at that instant.

  "Hey, boy, runnest! Makest haste and escapest!"

  The youth yelled as he ran, pulling Godou by the hand.

  In order to numb his thoughts, Godou followed and ran without thinking. So when he finally became aware of the dreadful conditions they were running towards, he broke out in cold sweat.

  "W-Wait! That direction you're running towards is too dangerous!"

  "No matter what, our escape route was blocked by the sword. This is the so-called tiger at the front door, and something at the back. Makest thy decision quickly! Only by charging into danger can there be chances of survival."

  Even under these circumstances, the youth was yelling joyfully.

  The place where Godou was being led to was exactly where the [Boar] was rampaging.

  Probably the most dangerous place in Cagliari at the moment.

  "W-Wait up! I have unfinished business—"

  "If fate allows it, we will meet again! Goodbye!"

  Miss Erica seemed to be yelling something, but the youth continued pulling Godou's hand as they ran.

  The fur and hide of the gigantic [Boar], was as jet black as darkness itself.

  Whenever the black giant beast stepped upon the ground of the harbor, the earth shook violently.

  "Roar!" Every time it howled, windows in buildings vibrated, and then shattered.

  Whenever it charged, multiple buildings or warehouses were demolished like small scale miniature models.

  From somewhere a fire started.

  Probably flammable oil kept in some storage.

  The disastrous fire gradually spread, and the harbor looked as if it was being licked by crimson tongues, then swallowed. Slowly the fire grew to a point where it looked like everything was going to be burned down.

  "...Thanks to this great fire, that troublesome woman probably gave up."

  Godou stared at the burning blaze as he spoke with a bitter face.

  The girl called Erica had disappeared in the smoke about ten minutes ago. Seeing that she has not followed, perhaps it was time to head towards a safe direction.

  Currently, Godou and the youth's location was at a corner in the harbor surrounded by fire.

  Though there was no immediate danger, the fire was gradually spreading.

  Furthermore, a couple hundred meters forward was the most terrifying [Boar].

  All surrounding buildings that could be destroyed were already gone, but the beast did not charge over here. If it were to do so, Godou and the youth would probably have their lives snuffed out like candles in the wind.

  "If this continues, we are going to be burned to death. How could we have escaped to such a place?"

  "If we escape before the flames devour us, there is no problem—that is the truth."

  Retorting against Godou's complaints, the youth was surveying the surroundings.

  Annoyingly, the guy's handsome face still carried a relaxed expression.

  Despite the massive fire burning away so near, the youth did not have single drop of sweat. In contrast to Godou who was soiled by sweat and ash, the youth maintained his pure and pristine look.

  "Starting from just now, what are you doing? It looks very strange, did something happen?"

  "Yes. Actually I heard cries for help, it should not be my imagination."

  Godou perked his ears but could not hear anything similar.

  "I can't hear anything like that. You must be mistaken."

  "No, impossible—I see!"

  Suddenly the youth began to take action.

  The direction he was heading towards, was exactly the place the giant [Boar] was destroying.

  "Where are you going? That place is dangerous."

  "Haha, if thou art afraid, pray returnest first. Forcest thyself not!"

  The youth smiled as he charged forward.

  Godou hesitated for an instant, and then ran in pursuit.

  If they separated now, very likely he would not see him again. Most importantly, he had to carefully witness the reckless actions of this youth, thus Godou decided.

  Running after the youth, Godou strove to move his footsteps.

  Weaving through debris, kicking away stones, avoiding the scorching flames, coughing and tearful from smoke inhalation, and overcoming many difficulties, they ran for about five minutes.

  The youth finally stopped.

  His path ahead was blocked by many collapsed piles of construction materials.

  About an hour ago, these construction materials were piled in neat stacks up to roof height along the rows of warehouses.

  However, it was now a mountain of debris, and the intense fire was devouring the surroundings. The present challenge was most difficult to overcome.

  Without appropriate equipment, there was no way to advance.

  At this time, Godou noticed there were human voices on the opposite side, crying and calling for help.

  From the sound, it was probably not just one person, but several or even a couple dozen.

  "Hey, boy. Thou recallest this location? This was the place where we were playing."

  The youth's sudden question made Godou instantly remember.

  It was just as he said, this was the empty field where they had been playing football with the young men near the pier several tens o
f minutes ago. The warehouse had collapsed, mostly due to the [Boar]'s rampage. Then it later caught fire, resulting in the current situation.

  "Those fellows likely failed to escape in time, and could only cry for help in sorrowful voices."

  "Those fellows? ...Could it be the ones we were just playing with at the pier!?"

  "Yes, the same. The ones we met are crying for help, and their voices have reached mine ears. This is one of my abilities, no mistake about it."

  Beyond the massive pile of debris, something like Italian voices could be heard.

  Of course, the meanings were unknown, but it was easy to imagine them as cries for help.

  Godou tried to find an alternate path around the debris, but was unsuccessful.

  Godou tried to find a path through the debris, but was unsuccessful.

  Godou tried to find a way to avoid the burning heat, but was unsuccessful. Complete failure!

  "What should I do?! How can they be saved?!"

  He couldn't help roaring in anger.

  Disregarding the burning fire, there was also the [Boar] several dozens of metres ahead, engaged in destruction. Godou felt indignant. Due to that monster, how many people have been sacrificed?

  Thinking that, his heart lit up in anger.

  Watching Godou, the youth smiled smoothly.

  "Thou seekest to save others before securing thy own safe escape. Thou art a boy with admirable qualities. Thy sense of justice is worthy of ten poems of praise bestowed by me."

  "Idiot, is this the time and place for something like that? Don't joke with me!"

  "I jest not. I shall save those fellows, restest assured... Boy, though the duration was short, but I am happy. Thou hath my thanks."

  The red flames illuminated the handsome face of the youth.

  Noticing a sense of solemnity, Godou was silent. What on earth, what was going on with this guy? Why was there such a sudden feeling of greatness? —It was very strange.

  "Hoho, to have amused myself so much with a brat amongst the mortals, was truly unexpected. On a whim, I could not help but lead him around for fun, but it is almost the end. I must finish my mission. If fate willeth, let us meet again. May peace be with thee."

  The youth who should be shorter than Godou, was somehow looking downwards at Godou.

  However, there was no sense of dissonance.