"Is that so, I can't really see that, from appearance he just looks like a harmless youth."
Lucretia gave her own opinion which ran contrary to Erica's malicious commentary.
Godou objected by saying 'Do not make such baseless judgments!' from the side, but Erica ignored him completely, continuing:
"So it's true that he is the grandson of your friend—which means that Godou really came to Sardinia by chance, and came to possess the grimoire by chance as well?"
"Basically, his grandfather is a scholar, an ordinary person completely removed from the world of magic and gods."
Hearing Lucretia's words, Erica's shoulders sank in disappointment.
"How could this be, to have wasted so much precious time on an insignificant commoner, how embarrassing. For me to have done such a thing!"
"...Let me clarify beforehand, I did not tell you a single lie!"
Before he gets blamed, Godou wanted to emphasize the fact to Erica.
And then, Lucretia smiled as she spoke.
"You don't have to be that dispirited, Miss Erica, if you wanted information about the [Heretic God], then coming here was the right place. As a reward for your efforts getting here, I will tell you."
"—Lucretia, could it be that you know which god it is this time?"
"To be precise, I am not sure. My information has only confirmed that it is some war god. Originally I thought it was a deity like Melqart, but then it turns out to be a little more than that."
Lucretia smiled faintly on the bed.
Melqart. Hearing the name of that god for the first time, Godou's mind was full of questions.
"Oh, you don't know, young man? It can't be helped, though a deity with historical significance, he is no longer famous in modern times. No, to be precise, that should be the true name."
Lucretia continued her explanation smoothly:
"The divine king worshiped by Semitic tribes such as the Canaanites and Phoenicians... Baal. Originally the god of storms, lightning and the sky, his power continued to grow until he finally possessed many authorities. Amongst the Indo-European languages, Zeus and Odin are the most similar. You've heard of those two, right?"
"Yes, that I know."
The Greek chief deity Zeus, as well as the Norse chief deity Odin who often appeared in operas.
Even for Japanese people like Godou, there were few who haven't heard of their names.
"These kinds of sky gods, basically all possess many different characteristics. Top god, king, god of wisdom, god of life, god of war, god of the underworld, etc. Baal is also one of these archetypes. With many faces comes aliases. This is very natural, right? ...Melqart was the title honored by the people when he protected the city of Tyre."
It sounded like a name he had heard before.
Godou prided himself on studying history seriously. Lucretia smiled faintly.
"Tyre was the city built by the Phoenicians. Its defenses were so great that it took Alexander the Great a year to conquer it. It was also the naval headquarters of the Phoenicians, masters of the ancient seas. Reaching Sardinia, they became the rulers of this island."
Thus, Melqart was a god with deep ties to the island of Sardinia.
Having said that, Lucretia made further additions.
"Around Greece, Melqart was depicted as a giant man wielding clubs—a few days ago, I witnessed the god Melqart appearing as such a figure."
"But Lucretia, didn't you begin by saying this was unrelated to Melqart?"
The elderly witch responded to Erica's interruption, unaffected.
"Yes, aren't there column-like stone formations in Sicily? Five days ago, my spirit vision indicated an anomalous gathering of divine power there. To observe the situation, I personally went there."
Spirit vision—was it something like clairvoyance?
Hearing these words, Godou could no longer deny she was a witch.
"Over there, what I saw was the sight of two gods fighting. One was Melqart, the other took the form of a warrior, wielding a golden sword. The result of the fierce battle between two gods was mutual injury and defeat."
Lucretia sighed.
As if very tired, Godou worried about her condition and came closer to her bed.
"Don't worry, young man. The conversation is about to end—Melqart with his club and the other god with the golden sword, they struck each other on the final blow, causing heavy injuries to both sides. Melqart transformed into lightning and flew away, while the god of the golden sword was shattered."
"Shattered? So he lost form?"
"No, the body of the sword god was divided into pieces, and each piece took on a new form. One was a boar, the other a hawk, as well as creatures such as a horse or a goat. These avatars immediately flew across the ocean or into the sky."
In other words, the massive beasts appearing all over the island, were born from the fragments of the god with the golden sword.
Godou felt things were getting more and more ridiculous.
"Then the [Wind] god that defeated the wild beast, was that Melqart's incarnation?"
"Who knows, whether Melqart or the sword god, neither could have recovered in such short time. If they recovered, my spirit vision should have received premonitions, but so far there has been none. It is also possible that they have left Sardinia."
Towards Erica's question, Lucretia only answered "who knows?" and shrugged.
Though Godou didn't know anything, he could tell that the situation was very unusual.
"Does that mean you were caught in the battle between gods, and exhausted your magical power?"
"Yes. In order to protect myself on that battlefield, it was necessary to use magic that exceeded my limits. Thanks to that, my magic has been completely exhausted, and would probably take three months to recover. No major spells for the meantime, or even moving my body. How troublesome."
Though she clearly said troublesome, her tone of voice was rather leisurely.
Godou suddenly thought of the stone tablet held in his hand all this time.
"Then once again, I hand this over to you. Please accept it. Didn't Lucretia-san use this to suppress a god before? Perhaps it might be useful this time."
"...Wait a minute, Godou. How could you have withheld such an important detail from me?"
"This is something belonging to Lucretia-san, what reason do I have to reveal everything to you?"
Ignoring the frowning Erica, Godou extended the stone tablet forward.
"Hmm..." Deep in thought, Lucretia looked at the young man and woman. What was she thinking?
"Young man, what I did with the [Secret Tome of Prometheus], you have already heard from Ichirou?"
"Yes, though... I still don't quite believe it."
"Miss Erica, did you come here for the purpose of sealing the [Heretic God]?"
"That's right, I have to overcome this challenge, in order to prove that I can become the foremost talent of the Copper Black Cross. For that, I have accepted this difficult mission."
"Which is why you are interested in the whereabouts of gods, how troublesome!"
Lucretia was complaining in a frivolous tone of voice, furthermore—
"I know. Young man, I entrust this to you, use it carefully."
She spoke to Godou.
"Ah!" Godou was greatly shocked, and Erica likewise.
"Lucretia Zola! What are you thinking! To give a precious grimoire from the mythical age to this clueless idiot, there must be limits to stupid decisions!"
"Having that said, it is actually quite troublesome for this thing to be brought here now—or rather, it is useless in my current state. You can see how my body is now. Who could have expected it to return to my side at such a time, sometimes the will of fate is rather ironic."
"Then you should give the grimoire to me instead! That's called using the right person for the right job!"
"But that's too reasonable, totally uninteresting. I prefer the fun choice."
"Please don't jo
ke around in such depressing tones!"
Though this unexpected development shocked Godou, he decided to interrupt.
Taking a casual glance at the bed she was lying on—he noticed, beside the pillow was an old video game console with a game cartridge inserted on top.
_____ Quest? Was it that RPG? Must have been a very old fantasy RPG?
"Wait a minute, you want to refuse? Let me first state that I am not influenced by that game I've been playing, to have made that proposal. Still, for a Level One young man to set off for adventure to complete the mission, it really is a staple of the adventure genre. Doesn't that make your blood hot and boiling?"
"Not hot blooded at all, I am completely unmotivated!"
Ignoring Godou's objection, Lucretia continued:
"By the way, of course as a Great Knight of the Copper Black Cross—Paolo Blandelli's niece and apprentice, you won't attempt to rob this ordinary youth of this grimoire by force, right?"
"How could I do such a thing?! Don't look down on me!"
"Good. Miss Erica, only those who overcome great hardship can be called knights. If you want others to witness your magnanimity, do not complain about this level of hindrance—as for you, young man!"
"Yes?"
"Just as you heard, I look forward to your performance. How this grimoire should be used, everything will be left to your hands. Help the girl, run away, use it in a way I cannot imagine. Show me some fun."
Lucretia finished, and added one more sentence.
"Also, I entrust you with this girl, please take good care of her."
"Take care of me? What a joke! For someone like that to take care of me, please don't treat me like a fool!"
Angrily finishing these words, Erica made her way to the entrance with elegant yet crude footsteps.
Looking extremely furious, she walked out directly.
What should he do?
As Godou puzzled, Lucretia waved her hand as if ushering him out.
Looks like the meeting was over. Troubled, Godou shook his head and walked outside to catch up with the blonde beauty.
Chapter 4 - Secret Tome of Prometheus
Part 1
Having bid Lucretia goodbye, Godou and Erica were silent as they walked out the door.
What should be done next?
Just as Godou sighed lightly, a lively ringtone was heard from Erica's cellphone. Immediately taking out a red cellphone from her pocket, Erica answered in Italian.
Godou watched her from the side.
Erica's expression and tone of voice were very serious. Could there be an emergency?
She hung up after about five minutes, and suddenly glared at Godou.
"Godou, didn't you say this morning? About this morning's embarrassment, you will make amends even if it means ritual suicide by seppuku?[19] Were you lying to me?"
"Of course I was lying, who would want to commit seppuku for that!"
"Hmph, then I'll regard it as just an expression—listen well, you have to come along."
"Ah? Why?"
Godou questioned, seeing Erica giving him orders in a matter-of-fact manner. In the next instant, her gaze aimed at Godou carried the same derision as if watching a fool.
"Though you yourself are a useless amateur, but that grimoire—the [Secret Tome of Prometheus] is different. Though Lucretia did not tell us its functions, there is no harm in bringing it along."
That's right, the power of the grimoire was not revealed to us after all.
When we asked the original owner, the only answer we got was something like 'Shouldn't you find out the hidden powers of an item yourself? Asking about it would be just as tasteless as reading a strategy guide for an RPG.'
Recalling Lucretia's levity in attitude, Godou couldn't help but feel depressed.
Or perhaps, it was a decision taken under careful consideration?
"So, why don't you carry my luggage for now? Serve me as a sign of your sincerity to make amends. Do you understand?"
"...You're not going to point a sword at me, then rob it?"
"As a Great Knight of the Copper Black Cross, I have sworn not to do such a despicable thing! If such an oath were to be broken, I would be a laughingstock!"
Erica spoke with great emotion. To think that oath sworn would have such important significance.
So, what should Kusanagi Godou do? Obediently tag along with Erica, or escape? Or simply stuff that whatever grimoire into her hands and go directly back to Japan?
Godou picked the fourth option.
"I'm going back to see Lucretia-san, please wait a bit for me!"
Without waiting for Erica's response, he turned around and went back to the witch's home.
This time he opened the door by his own hands, and entered Lucretia's room.
"How disappointing, young man. Intruding into a woman's bedroom uninvited. Complete failure. Quickly close the door, and calm down."
Lucretia Zola was lying on the bed, gazing at Godou with eyes which were about to fall asleep.
Wrapped under the blankets, this time she did not raise her body to speak.
She really was very tired. To watch a battle between gods in proximity, and survive—probably a task more difficult than Godou could imagine.
"Having said goodbye ten minutes ago, and then returning so soon. Could your heart be stolen by my beauty, and you came back for a love confession? Oh well, can't blame you. When a boy in puberty meets a beauty like me, such passionate behavior cannot be helped."
"No, that's completely wrong."
Godou replied swiftly, he won't let her control the flow of the conversation.
Due to the extremely broad range of friends of the sociable grandfather and mother, Godou was well accustomed to dealing with this type of strange person.
"You clearly look so similar to your grandfather, but I don't see any verbal gift in pleasing women. Still, I'm quite interested in you. What do you wish to speak with me?"
Lucretia finally opened her eyes.
As if scrutinizing Godou's face, she stared straight at him.
"Weren't Lucretia-san's words just now a bit too strange? Like Erica said, giving her the stone tablet would definitely be better than the current situation."
"Hohoho, but I also said, I picked the more interesting choice."
"That was absolutely not a lie, I understand. But I feel that—it's not entirely your true intentions, otherwise I wouldn't get the feeling I was playing along."
"Hey, so you think I have other motives, young man."
Hearing Godou's words, Lucretia giggled with laughter.
"Yes, before I get tired of the whole incident and dump this stone tablet in the trash can, please tell me the truth. That would be a great help."
"Threatening me instead! Excellent, that's more like Ichirou's grandson. Stubborn like him, but in a completely different way. You can't be underestimated. Yes, otherwise, there would have been no point in handing things to you."
Lucretia looked very happy and was laughing on the bed.
"Fine, I will explain directly. It's actually nothing important, but I just want you to act as that little lady's restraint. Take her down a notch. If you give the [Secret Tome of Prometheus] to her directly, she will immediately take it for duels against gods, that genius!"
"...She is someone that amazing?"
"Yes, Erica Blandelli is said to be the treasured prodigy of the Copper Black Cross, but that's not the dangerous part. The danger lies in the fact that she has yet to understand the terror of [Heretic Gods]... In fact, I did consider the option of retrieving the grimoire and hiding it."
"Then why not do that?"
"Because that thing will definitely come in handy. So, I wish to hand it over to some mage. And then when Sir Salvatore arrives, pass it over and let him use it effectively—that was one of the plans I conceived."
"Sir Salvatore?"
Another character addressed with title "Sir", Godou tilted his head in puzzlement.
Was
he a famous person knighted over in Britain?
"Yes, that's right. Perhaps he is the one who can resolve this incident in one fell swoop. A great and important man who is impossible for an unaffiliated mage like me to approach, so it's better to hand the grimoire over to Erica-san who is from a prestigious family. Can you accept it now?"
"Got it, yes... In other words, you hope I can be a hindrance to Erica?"
"Correct answer! So young man, what do you plan to do?"
Realizing the intentions of this elderly witch, Godou began to ponder.
Knowing Lucretia's intentions now, should he follow her wishes?
What should he do? He was truly displeased with the witch's intentions, but this island has been met with a situation beyond human knowledge, and people's peaceful lives were being disrupted.
He didn't think he could resolve the issue himself, but he can't stay out of it and do nothing.
Godou sighed, if he didn't see this through to the very end, he wouldn't be able to return to Japan with a peace of mind.
"I know, as long as there is no danger to my life, I will follow and act with that fellow."
"Yes, that would be a very great help. Let me toast to you another day in recognition of your courage and meddlesome ways."
"Don't call me meddlesome! It could very well turn out to be life threatening!"
He had witnessed divine power at Cagliari.
Godou was not so naive that he would believe himself to be safe, having witnessed that scene. In front of that kind of threat, humans were as insignificant as grains of sand.
"Hohoho, don't be angry. For you to successfully reach here in a country with a language barrier, that indicates luck is on your side. If it gets dangerous, run away, I won't blame you. I pray that good fortune be with you."
Finally, Lucretia smiled peacefully as she gazed at Godou's face.
Like an old lady watching a grandson, or an older sister blessing a brother on his journey of growth. It was an ambiguous expression.
Part 2
"What, Godou. You've finally finished your secret talks with that woman? ...How shameless."
Seeing Godou step out of Lucretia's home once again, Erica murmured to herself.
"Who are you calling shameless?! I just have some things to confirm with that person."
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