Campione 03

by Tale of the Beginning

  "Shameless enough to do something behind my back. If it's nothing shameful, then you would have done it openly? Fine, whatever. Hurry up and go, the next destination is Dorgali."

  "Why are we going there? Have you found news of that guy?"

  Erica had indicated their next destination was an hour away by car as Godou questioned her.

  It would be great if the youth he last saw in Cagliari was safe and sound.

  "No, but his chances of appearing are quite high... Our spirit vision users at the Copper Black Cross have discerned the gathering of magical power in the area around Dorgali."

  "Magical power?"

  "Correct, and very powerful. The reason why I went to Cagliari, was also because spirit vision found a similar concentration of magic there, and then the boy and the [Boar] appeared."

  Come to think of it, Lucretia also mentioned spirit vision.

  Spirit vision users had talent like prophets, and the phone call just now, was apparently a report from them.

  "To predict something like this, how amazing, can they see everything?"

  "It's not like that. The content of their spirit vision is very limited, like now, we still have no idea of the identity of the deity on this island—however, it would be different if a spirit vision user of the highest level were here. Unfortunately, people possessing that kind of talent are exceedingly rare."

  A spirit vision user's powers were predominantly determined by inborn disposition.

  Come to think of it, if people with clairvoyance were common, it would actually be quite horrible.

  Accepting that, Godou changed his mood. Hearing that the youth might appear, he suddenly began to feel anxious and wanted to know as quickly as possible whether he was safe.

  "How are we going to get there? Train or bus, which one?"

  "Neither, get a car and driver!"

  Still, to expect a taxi cab in this town in the countryside—

  In the end, compared to calling for a cab from a taxi company in Nuoro, it would be faster to take a bus directly. Having concluded that, Godou and the unhappy Erica got on the bus.

  Dorgali was a little town on the coast.

  It had valleys near the sea, as well as steep river valleys around it. Erica had mentioned that Dorgali was surrounded by abundant natural resources, and has been designated as a national park.

  Along the bumpy undulating mountain road, the bus quickly sped.

  "—Hmm? It's raining?"

  Watching outside the window, Godou suddenly found the sky darken.

  Soon grey clouds appeared and covered the sky like a heavy curtain.

  "Raining? No, that's not it."

  Hearing Godou mutter to himself, Erica turned back to face him. (By the way, even though the seat beside Godou was vacant, she ignored it and took the seat in front.)

  "It almost never rains in Sardinia this time of the year, you didn't even know that?"

  A Mediterranean climate. Warm, dry, very little rainfall. This island, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, obviously belonged to that climate region as well.

  "Then, could it be..."

  "Exactly as you imagine. Perhaps some strange incident will happen—most likely the omen of divine presence."

  A few minutes after Erica's prophesy, the short bus trip ended.

  Dorgali was a very small town at the foot of a mountain.

  There were only a few shops and a police station along the main road where the bus stop was simply marked by a sign. Getting off, the first things Godou and Erica noticed were the dark clouds in the sky. Compared to what they saw on the bus, the clouds were clearly more numerous.

  Making the cloudless clear sky an hour ago seem like an illusion, the first overcast skies Godou saw in Sardinia was giving him a great ominous feeling.

  "—It's here."

  Erica suddenly spoke.

  And then, rain drops began pelting Godou's face. It finally began to rain.

  Heavy rain like a sudden shower, but this was probably not what Erica was referring to.

  Just as Godou thought that, a golden light suddenly flashed.

  Crash!

  As the sound of thunder roared, lightning struck, and the wind began to pick up rapidly.

  —A storm.

  Without any warning signs, the storm arrived just like that. And then Godou noticed something.

  Casually flying amidst the storm was a four-legged giant beast—a [Goat] in the middle of the sky.

  Like a Chinese dragon hovering in the air, a giant [Goat] with neither feathers nor wings, leading the wind, clouds and rain, dancing with the thunder in the sky.

  Since it was very far away, its precise size could not be determined.

  Still, it couldn't be smaller than the [Boar] sighted in Cagliari. Its furry hide was white, and there were two long horns extending from its head.

  Roar!

  The [Goat] roared loud and sonorously, and blew a sudden gust of strong wind.

  Calling out again, this time it was thunder and lightning descending upon the ground.

  This town was virtually all built with wood, but since it was raining, it was fortunate that one did not need to worry about a fire hazard.

  Even so, it did not change the fact that there was a disaster. With lifeless eyes, Godou watched the heroic form of the [Goat].

  "Is that also an incarnation born from the sword god?"

  "Probably, if possible I really want to use the [Secret Tome of Prometheus]'s ability to stop it, and then make direct contact, but it can't be done."

  The feeling he got from Erica suddenly changed, and Godou was very surprised.

  A feeling of splendor like fire and gold, an extremely brave and intense will exuded from her beauty and her eyes.

  It was a majestic and unapproachable figure, like a top class participant just before a competition began.

  "Come, my sword, Cuore di Leone. Blade that guards the throne of the lion! I beseech the predecessors of red and black. Grant your protection to my body and my chivalry!"

  And then Erica began chanting the words like a spell.

  Immediately following, the slightly familiar slender sword and a red cape, never seen before, appeared out of the air. Wielding the sword in her right hand, Erica majestically wrapped the cape around herself with her left.

  The cape had a bold design with black stripes on a red background, and particularly suited Erica's beauty and blonde hair. In an instant, Godou felt deeply attracted.

  "I will approach that [Goat] to investigate. Godou you should find a place to hide. We will meet up later."

  "You plan on fighting against that thing?"

  "Of course not! I am just investigating. No matter where you are, I can find you with magic. Be my guest, find a place to hide!"

  Leaving those words behind, Erica rushed forth.

  Speeding like an arrow through the raining streets as if she was flying, this speed was completely beyond human limits.

  Could this also be magic? As Godou reacted in surprise, he watched as she receded in the distance.

  "...This is not a leisurely situation, I'd better find a place to hide quickly."

  Checking out the situation in the streets, Godou was shocked.

  The sudden storm and thunder.

  And then, the giant monster flying in the air.

  With so many massive anomalies, Dorgali finally began to have a commotion.

  There were those who opened their windows to check out the storm conditions, only to be shocked by the scene in the air.

  Cries of terror, screams of surprise, chaotic disturbances, the public was wailing as if fallen into hell.

  The storm blew timber and light objects like cloth into the sky. Lightning periodically lit up the darkness of the overcast skies, while thunder descending from the heavens torched the earth and demolished buildings.

  Who could have thought such a massive uproar could happen in a little town of several thousand in population.

  "—Running a
way recklessly would be even worse, what should I do?"

  Seeing the chaos in the town, Godou couldn't help muttering to himself.

  Since Godou already knew part of the reasons why this was happening, he was able to maintain his natural calm. Watching the people in chaos—he was able to notice.

  Like himself, there was another youth calmly observing the panicking crowd.

  A handsome youth so outstanding that one could never forget his face having seen him once.

  The two exchanged glances.

  One smiled nostalgically, while the other showed a troubled expression.

  Godou had wanted to see him, wanted all along to confirm if he was safe.

  However, faced with this sudden encounter, he had a feeling of doubt. Whenever the god's incarnations appeared, the youth was also witnessed. Wasn't this just as Erica had described?

  Part 3

  Running.

  Erica Blandelli was using the [Leap] technique to make her body lighter as she ran at full strength.

  Running towards the numerous buildings that were struck by lightning, all sorts of objects that were blown away by the violent wind, and the heavily damaged little town corroded by the rare rainstorm.

  In fact, Erica was so fast she might as well be flying.

  The stone paved streets were breaking apart, and she leapt between roofs, streetlights, and all sorts of footholds on buildings, her feet rarely if ever touching the ground.

  It was difficult to build high rise buildings in Europe, particularly Italy.

  Since there were many cities possessing iconic sights like the Tower of Pisa or the Coliseum, in order not to affect the scenery, there were many legal regulations preventing the construction of high rise buildings.

  Erica thought it was a shame.

  —If there was a taller building, she could get a lot closer to the [Goat].

  Dorgali's buildings were five or six stories max, while the [Goat] was flying leisurely a couple tens of meters above in the sky.

  Though Erica was called a genius in magic, she did not know the techniques of flying.

  Her specialty was [Iron], the ability to manipulate iron and steel like her own arms and legs for the purposes of offense and defense. Flying, spirit vision and the preparation of potions belonged to the domain of true witches like Lucretia Zola.

  Finally reaching the top of some tower, Erica took a deep breath as she halted her steps.

  Even though her goal was investigation, watching from such a far distance was not very useful.

  Nothing ventured, nothing gained—

  She needed to take a gamble now. Though she had never used it in real combat, that spell—the secret technique mentioned in the report to her uncle, it was time to try it out.

  Agonizing for about ten seconds, she immediately made her decision.

  She will first make the venture, then decide when to advance or to retreat as the situation dictates.

  "Eli Eli lama sabachthani? Oh Lord, why hast thou forsaken me?"[20]

  Erica chanted in a loud voice.

  The Golgotha spell words were an incantation of fury and prayer, calling forth hate and regret.

  "O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel."[21]

  Pointing Cuore di Leone towards the sky with her right hand.

  This sword was paired with Il Maestro, the magic sword of her rival Liliana Kranjcar.

  In the past, these were two precious swords forged for the sake of two great knights bearing the titles of the Lion King and the Fairy King. Erica and Liliana had discovered the two swords in the catacombs beneath Florence, and each claimed one of the pair as their personal weapon.

  "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet."[22]

  This was the disastrous song of despair, carrying anger at the Lord who withheld salvation even at the verge of death.

  "But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of wild oxen!"[23]

  This was a hymn of prayer, containing the absolute will pledging allegiance to the Lord in the face of certain death.

  "I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee."[24]

  The name of the spell was [Oh Lord! Why hast thou forsaken me?]

  Of all the techniques passed down by the Copper Black Cross, recognized as one of the most difficult of the secret arts.

  —Feeling the chill of the icy cold air, Erica knew she had succeeded.

  From her lips came the proud smile of a lioness.

  Clearly not the result of the storm, the surrounding temperature was gradually falling.

  Erica's spell words, has summoned bone-chilling cold.

  The hill of Golgotha, the same air as the place where the Son of God perished, this same freezing air was now filling Erica's surroundings. Simply bathed in this cold air would cause an ordinary person's heart to go numb.

  Then for a god—or a similar divine existence, of course it would still be extremely uncomfortable.

  And so the [Goat] lowered its gaze.

  It slowly descended towards Erica's location.

  Provocation successful, Erica smiled as she leapt to a neighboring rooftop.

  She began to observe the [Goat].

  Extremely intelligent eyes. Goats were fundamentally very smart animals, though they resembled stupid sheep in appearance, they were exceptionally alert and clever. So this was only natural.

  When she met the [Boar] at Cagliari, the [Wind] god had appeared before she had a chance to get near like this.

  Though she saw the battle between the black boar and the tornado from afar, she could not get close to observe. However, at this close range she could now see that the [Goat] did not have intelligence like a divine beast.

  Probably only animal intelligence—that was the likely level.

  —Let's test it.

  "Cuore di Leone, I grant to you the weeping cries of the son of God and the Holy Spirit, become the spear of Longinus!"

  Using the magic of [Transformation] on her beloved sword, she changed its form to a spear.

  Infusing it with the spell words or despair, this gave Cuore di Leone the same magical power as the holy spear that pierced the son of God. Thus a magical weapon was born, capable of harming gods and making them bleed.

  "Saint Thomas, share your martyrdom with others!"

  Accompanying the new spell words, Erica threw the spear forward.

  Granted the curse of never missing its target, even a god could not escape the thrown spear, let alone existences beneath gods—like divine or sacred beasts.

  The spear left a deep open wound on the lower abdomen of the [Goat].

  Roar! The giant beast's painful cries reached up into the heavens.

  Erica recalled Cuore di Leone using magic, having confirmed her hunch, that the divine beast born from the [Heretic God]—an opponent of that level can be handled with her power alone!

  However, her opponent was not so weak as to allow an easy victory without preparation.

  As Erica analyzed the battle potential of her enemy, the [Goat] roared noisily.

  Lightning continually descended from the sky.

  The target was clearly the insolent one who had injured the divine beast. Instinctively, Erica began running before the thunder and lightning could burn her into charcoal.

  Crash!

  Lightning flashed, while thunder roared.

  Intense lightning struck the place she had been standing only two seconds ago.

  Feeling the impact and
the hot breeze that shook her skin, she decided it was probably time to retreat.

  Even if the fight continued in this manner, she could only maintain the current situation at best. Having decided to retreat, Erica leapt once again, moving to the next rooftop, and jumped repeatedly.

  If she stood still, she would be immediately burnt to ash by the [Goat]'s lightning.

  Erica glanced up at the sky.

  Running across the air—no, hovering in the air was the giant [Goat].

  Up until now, all the divine beasts that appeared had been defeated by the mysterious tornado, but what about this [Goat]? Will the opposing deity appear?

  As she pondered over these things, Erica calculated her escape route.

  Jumping down directly and mixing herself amongst the crowd would be the safest, but that would also bring great tragedy.

  Erica went 'hmph' and quickly abandoned the notion.

  As a proud knight, how could she possibly choose such a despicable manner of retreat? Of course it was rejected resolutely.

  Then, there was only one path to pick.

  The direction towards the steep mountains that could be seen from Cagliari.

  Erica continued to jump and make her way towards that direction. By doing so, at least she could lead the [Goat] away from the streets, giving people more time to escape. That was what she concluded.

  "Thou art still alive, boy, looks like our lives are very tough to extinguish."

  Getting out of the fleeing crowd with great difficulty—

  The two met once again and those were the youth's first words, spoken with his usual casual tone.

  "Yes, let me say first, I was very worried about you... Though I've been travelling from place to place, your safety weighed heavily in my heart all along."

  Looking over the youth's appearance in detail, Godou replied.

  As before, the youth was wearing a tattered coat. His face was very delicate and proper, with a kind of fleeting charm that remained unchanged from the time they first met in Cagliari.

  But there was a certain sense of dissonance.

  Godou felt strange, this guy was different from before. There was no change in appearance, but something was obviously off. What was it?

  "Hoho, thy instincts are excellent. With the proper education, perhaps thou wilt become an amazing priest."

  Watching the puzzled Godou, the youth smiled.