Campione 03

by Tale of the Beginning

  Though he possessed the power of ten incarnations, this was his most normal state.

  Not simply a human, but the form of a fifteen-year-old youth.

  Whenever he set forth to correct the wrongs of the world, tasked by his master to conquer opposing enemy gods, he liked to take on the appearance of a youth.

  A glorious fifteen-year-old youth.

  According to the precepts of the religion that he guarded over, it was the symbol of the 'hero.'

  Just like last night, the branches of the trees distorted themselves like snakes to block his path.

  Faced with such obstructions, he simply gave the command of 'dismissed.'

  The spell words of blessing and domination, this was the authority possessed by the youth incarnation as the hero. The trees of the forest instantly returned to normal plants, and opened up a path.

  Next was the attack of the locust army.

  For one who was a match for the divine king himself, divine beasts or messengers of god like locusts were no match at all. He instantly used the spiritual power of the eighth incarnation, the [Goat].

  This intelligent divine beast was worshiped by nomadic tribes as the embodiment of lightning.

  Releasing a lightning strike from his hand, the entire locust army was completely incinerated.

  "King Melqart, dost thou believe such obstructions can stop me?"

  Roaring towards the sky.

  There was an instant reply.

  'Of course! God who slays gods, the great god of the warrior. Those fellows are merely guards. For that level of guards, how could they halt the advance of the war god?'

  What appeared next was a violent windstorm blowing forth from in front.

  Melqart was also a god of storms, even for the powerful [Wind] that could blow away cities where humans lived, it was a draw. Wind was unable to blow apart wind.

  ...After that, they used all sorts of divine power.

  Such as an army of the dead summoned from the underworld, violent waves that could wash everything away like a flood, or thousands of thunder-strikes that flew like spears in the sky.

  The youth god defeated all these attacks, and finally arrived at the Nuraghe sa Bastia.

  'Ch... Still capably fighting by switching forms. How vexing!'

  "By the power of transformation, I hold victory in my hands no matter what battlefield. Hahaha, King. I can feel thy presence before me. Art thou not coming out? It seemeth, thy divine power hath yet to fully recover!"

  He surveyed the surroundings of the ruins as he conversed with Melqart's voice.

  The original location of the entrance to the underground temple was now under a massive rock.

  'Even for your divine power, this rock cannot be easily destroyed. This is the ultimate palace I ordered the craftsman Kothar-wa-Khasis[27] to construct in the past. In order to stop you, I used this defense. Remember to thank me!'

  "Yes... I see, though very crude, it is not bad!"

  The youth god was admiring this sturdy rock. As expected of the ancient divine king and god of war, he did not take defense lightly.

  However, this was the warlord who could defeat any god or demon.

  In terms of pure skill of the warrior, he was a deity surpassing Melqart. His praising of the rock did not imply he couldn't smash it—just as he made his decision, he noticed.

  It was only a minute presence.

  For a powerful god, it felt like the owner of minuscule magical power.

  "Thou hast come. I already stated, the next time thou obstructest me, I shall reward thee accordingly, dost thou remember?"

  The youth god turned around and received a smile from her in return.

  The beautiful blonde witch wielding Cuore di Leone, the girl was standing there in her red battle outfit.

  "I remember your words clearly, but I am a knight, and cannot let you do as you please in this world—if I am not moved despite my knowledge, it would be a taint to my honor."

  Erica retorted quietly.

  The youth god had decided on the moment of dawn himself.

  In order to pursue him into the forest, Godou and Erica had come to the ruins. As agreed beforehand, Godou concealed himself, preparing to use the [Secret Tome of Prometheus].

  Waiting for Erica to draw the attention of the youth god.

  If the grimoire was used directly, he would likely dodge it. The blue flames that stole divine power—though it struck the [White Stallion] directly, the youth god easily evaded. If Godou tried it again, the result will be the same.

  Thus Erica must force him to show an opening.

  "Do you still remember our first promise the first time we met?"

  Erica asked with a smile as beautiful as spring.

  Like a noblewoman happily chatting away at a salon, she had very elegant smiling expressions and mannerisms.

  However, maintaining this state was hard work. Her opponent was a god, one misstep and it would turn into a repeat of what happened with Melqart. Erica did not want to suffer that kind of humiliation again.

  Wishing to resist a god and counterattack, one definitely could not lose in spirit. Erica Blandelli will never bow down to an enemy without a fight! She will put her life on the line to make her opponent listen.

  "Hoho, what promise?"

  "Didn't you say, one day you will challenge me to a duel of swords? So, let me make a gamble—if I obtain victory by the sword, you must leave this island, please."

  Bowing her head respectfully, Erica made her request. How would the youth god react?

  Accept or ignore? If the latter, then she would be forced to try the next option. What would be the result?

  "Haha! Thou darest to use a sword to challenge me, the war god. Yes, very well! Thy will is truly courageous, a rare specimen of a witch with a warrior's spirit!"

  As expected, the war god agreed, just as she heard from Godou.

  Erica laughed to herself. I, have long sought defeat. No matter what kind of opponent, I will never be defeated. From all his grand statements, his overconfidence was glaring, and the provocation succeeded!

  "So, I must prepare a sword... Ah, this will do."

  Looking over the ground, the youth god picked up a tree branch.

  The same length as Erica's Cuore di Leone, but very slender, even a child would likely snap it in two with ease.

  "Yes, perfect in length. This will do."

  The youth god laughed in mockery as he swung the branch.

  A simple ten centimeter slash, but the sword-like wind was like a tornado despite the fact it was such a thin and light branch.

  This must be what are known as divine skills. Just from that one attack, Erica understood the youth god's skills.

  Once martial arts reached the highest pinnacles of skill, the size and weight of the weapon no longer mattered.

  To use a massive weapon perfectly, one must learn the techniques to wield it with speed and precision. In order to use a small and light weapon perfectly, one must learn how to make strong and heavy attacks with it.

  "Cuore di Leone—steel possessing the name of the lion king. I now command you. Cast off the disguise I bestowed upon you, and reveal your true form. Appear before me as the lion, and fight by my side!"

  Erica chanted the spell words, unsealing her beloved sword.

  The previously slender sword was a temporary form chosen for Erica to train herself. A self-applied restraint to develop hard hitting attacks with a light and slender sword.

  Cuore di Leone began to expand.

  The heavy body of the blade like an anchor, its length was roughly double compared to before.

  A wide single-handed sword that did not match the girl's slender wrists.

  This was the original form of the lion's magic sword.

  Then Erica summoned in her left hand a circular infantry shield made of steel, its red surface carved with the crest of a black cross.

  If Erica did not use magic to enhance her strength and explosive force, she would be un
able to use these heavy armaments.

  "Good. It looketh like thou art ready. Let us begin!"

  The youth god announced cheerfully with a smile.

  Erica charged without hesitation.

  Using a light and slender sword all along was to develop a sense of heavy impact in her sword skills. Then conversely, what was the secret to using a heavy sword? —Speed as well as steady control.

  Erica lightly waved her right arm.

  From the shoulder to the elbow, and then combined with the force from the wrist, she swung that heavy and solid Cuore di Leone, slashing towards the youth god horizontally.

  From her shoulder to the tip of the sword, it was like a whip.

  For a human opponent, even a first class swordsman, this sort of move would be very difficult to figure out when seen for the first time.

  It was also extremely powerful. In its true form, Cuore di Leone was sharp enough to cut through concrete, not to mention the additional impact produced by the overwhelming weight.

  —But even against such an attack, the youth god easily blocked with the slender branch.

  Not only that, he slashed back... Correction, the youth god simply swung the branch lightly and Erica took the impact with the steel shield on her left, but the impact of the twig actually made her left hand tremble.

  Enduring the pain, she smashed the shield towards the body of the youth god.

  A rough tactic combining offense with defense. Erica aimed at the armor on the youth god's feet, stepping hard with her left foot! Her talents were not limited to the magnificent motions of her skill with the slender sword.

  The real techniques of the Copper Black Cross, were not only magnificent in appearance, but had many practical tactics in real combat.

  Driving these moves, Erica rapidly attacked without pause.

  But the youth god simply evaded these attacks by stepping left and right.

  And sometimes he would use the little branch to make counterattacks to weaken the momentum of Erica's offense. He was almost dancing like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.

  "Little lady! Thou hast trained well! If thou continuest, one day thou wilt become a strong warrior. Amazing!"

  He was even able to praise his opponent like that.

  Completely treating it as a game, but no matter, Erica had expected he would act like that from the start.

  Erica fought as she waited for the opportunity.

  Deliberately choosing a competition of swords, and using Cuore di Leone's true form to fight at full strength, these were all in preparation for the next step.

  She prayed that the youth god did not have divine powers of prediction or mind reading.

  And then Erica finally used her ultimate move.

  "Magic sword of the lion, abandon your sword body and transform into binding chains!"

  As the sword and the twig clashed repeatedly, Erica suddenly jumped backwards.

  At the same time chanting the short spell words, her beloved sword began to transform.

  Not into knight's weapons of sword and lance, but an iron chain roughly three meters in length. This iron chain also had a heavy weight on one end, and Erica swung it at the youth god's ankle.

  Intending to entangle his two feet and make him fall down.

  "Hahaha, to think thou hadst some kind of plan."

  Towards such a move, the youth god only smiled and jumped to evade.

  But Erica threw out the second chain, this time transformed from the shield in her left hand.

  It was deflected by the twig.

  However, in that instant Erica had closed the distance and approached the youth god.

  The chain in her right turned back into the massive sword—Cuore di Leone's original form, and slashed directly. In midair about to land, the youth god was hit by her full attack.

  Fresh blood instantly flew all around.

  Previously infused with spell words, the lion's magic sword had hacked off the god's right arm.

  —At that very instant, the blue flames of the [Secret Tome of Prometheus] blew forth, as if devouring Erica along with the youth's body.

  Part 3

  Diverting the youth's attention with a sword challenge.

  And then using the [Secret Tome of Prometheus] at this time, was the battle plan proposed by Erica.

  "...In other words, an attack that you will be caught up into? That's no longer a fight but suicide tactics."

  Godou felt deeply against it.

  "You're nagging too much. This kind of deception is the only way to battle a god. Since the [Secret Tome of Prometheus] steals a god's power, it won't have any harmful effects on me. Amongst all the strategies I came up with, this is the best choice."

  "But, if you lose in about ten seconds, then everything is over."

  "Of course I know that! But there is no other way, aiming the grimoire at him directly will never hit!"

  In the end with no other method, Godou could only follow Erica's instructions.

  Then she fought with all her might. The youth god underestimated her and fought with a cavalier attitude, resulting in getting his arm hacked off.

  In that instant, Godou had already held the [Secret Tome of Prometheus] in his hands without thought.

  The heat from the stone tablet was already testing the limits of his endurance. The blue flames shot out all at once, successfully capturing the youth god.

  Rushing forth, as if flying straight to the heavens, the mysterious blue flames that burned spectacularly.

  Erica walked out of the vortex and stood beside Godou.

  Asking if she was fine, she immediately answered 'no problem.' But from the pallor of her face, she was clearly forcing herself. The swordfight with the god must have been more mentally taxing than expected.

  "I'm fine here, Godou, you have to watch the flames carefully. Steal power from that deity quickly, and absorb his divine power to the maximum limits of the grimoire!"

  "Ah, yes." Hearing Erica's directions, Godou nodded.

  To be honest, he didn't even know how much divine power could be stored in this strange tool, and it kept feeling like it could absorb more.

  Then Godou began gazing at the flames, but at the instant he noticed the youth god within them—

  "Using the mystic stone of Prometheus, as expected."

  The youth god's voice sounded, still relaxed and composed.

  "You guessed it?"

  "Yes, is this not inevitable? The one trump card ye possess, effective against me, is this mystic stone alone. What remaineth are simply the questions of how and when."

  "Even if it was expected, it's too late, unless you have a way to escape that cluster of flames—"

  Conversing with the youth in the flames, Godou gradually felt unsettled.

  If he had a way to escape.

  Last night, Erica seemed to have mentioned. He was the war god who smashed every obstacle.

  If that was truly the case, could it be—

  "I now decree in my name, ancient sage Prometheus."

  The youth spoke in gentle tones:

  "Fearest me, and quickly dismissest thyself, Prometheus. I am the one who shall defeat all obstacles, whether the mighty or the unjust, neither can conquer me."

  Suddenly, the number of lights increased.

  Shining with golden splendor were ten, twenty spheres of light—close to a hundred were flying in the surroundings of the flames.

  Furthermore, the blue flames began to die down.

  The slender youth's figure appeared once more, illuminated by the golden light surrounding him.

  "Fearest me, Prometheus! Fearest me and my mighty name! My name is Verethragna! The guardian of light and the holy land! Fearest Verethragna, Prometheus!"

  It was finally said. The name finally appeared.

  The name meaning 'the one who smashed obstacles,' the sacred name that could not be uttered carelessly, and the name that Erica and Godou deliberately avoided as a god's taboo.

  Wind, bull, w
hite stallion, camel, boar, youth, raptor, ram, goat, as well as the human warrior wielding the golden sword.

  The ever victorious war god who possessed ten incarnations—his name is Verethragna.

  "Speech is light. Spell words are light. So light and spell words, become my sword, form into my blade!"

  Before dawn, Erica had mentioned.

  The ancient Persian warlord, the protector serving the god of light, Mithra.

  Called the protector of the light in western Asia, he had the same origins as Indra the thunder god in India.

  In Japan there was Vajradhara[28], and had links to both eastern and western civilization. Also thought to be Heracles by some, Verethragna's current battle against Melqart can be considered the showdown between ancestor and descendant.

  Yes, he was a war god without the distinction of being oriental or occidental, the ultimate war god descended upon the earth.

  Verethragna was surrounded by a vast amount of light, giving off spectacular radiance.

  "I recognize thee, Prometheus. Thy place of punishment, is the summit of the Caucasus. Thou art the god of fire once; thou art the god of theft once; thou art a hero once!"

  As Verethragna spoke softly, the dancing lights multiplied intensely.

  At the same time, the flames disappeared.

  "I, Verethragna am the sword—the hero of might. However, thou art the hero of wisdom, granting fire to the foolish humans—the sage who taught civilization, the prankster who deceived gods through wisdom, the sun and shadows watching over the human race, similar to Amirani[29] of the Caucasus and Loki of the far north."

  The golden light seemed to surpass the sun's brightness.

  The grimoire's flames completely dissipated.

  "How could this be... The golden sword's true form actually consists of the spell words for severing a god's power."

  Erica explained beside Godou with a face full of surprise.

  "Spell, spell words?"

  "Yes, wasn't Verethragna describing what kind of god Prometheus was just now? Those are not simply explanations of knowledge, but spell words carrying magical power—basically a weapon to slash apart another deity once he understands what kind of god he was up against. In other words, it is a spell that can be called the sword of wisdom."

  In other words, this was probably the true identity of the shining light that sliced up the [Boar] at Cagliari, and the golden sword that defeated the [Goat] and the [Raptor] at Dorgali.