Campione 05

by Miko of the Sword

  Instead, she happily closed her eyes, smiling as she leaned closer to Godou, pressing her body weight against him.

  At that moment, this girl entrusted her heart and body entirely to Godou.

  Understanding that, the anger in Godou's heart reached new heights. He let go of Erica's hand and stood up to glare at the sky. Perhaps far away on the other side, gods really existed and yet they still dared to create this tragic fate as if toying with humanity.

  Glaring at those supernatural existences, his anger continued to burn.

  Crying because someone precious will be leaving him forever? Impossible. Mourning for a period of time, and then using the rest of his existence to live life fully and sing praises of love? Impossible. Living a life of regret and anger with despair and a broken heart because his lover passed away? Completely rubbish!

  These were not actions fit for a [King]. A god-slaying Devil King was not going to act this way.

  Most importantly, he himself could not accept living in such a manner!

  Godou's savage eyes gave off light. Previously, this happened only when his heart was fired up and he smiled with the joy of battle during his struggles against gods or other Campiones, but he was not in that kind of mood this time.

  No matter what comes along, be it god or Buddha, he will slay them all!

  If fate was unacceptable, he will use his will and authority to crush fate beneath his feet.

  If he could not even do something like that, then how could he call himself the Devil King? Who dares to take Erica away? Whose woman do you think you are taking!

  "...Godou? What is going on with you? Why is your expression so horrible? Why are you different from usual?"

  Next to him, Erica felt intimidated and questioned.

  However, he ignored her. Comforting and showering this girl with affection was something to be done later.

  What needed to be done now was to intercept unreasonable Fate and anything else trying to take her life! Where to go? Who needs to be beaten?

  Where is the opponent I need to defeat? I will absolutely not let him out of my grasp—!!

  In that instant, he was struck with pain.

  His brain suddenly felt like it was burning, and was hurting intensely.

  This was the same pain as when he obtained knowledge of Susanoo, the burden brought by spirit vision.

  Why was it appearing now? The previous time was because of using the [Warrior]—activating Verethragna's incarnation and injecting knowledge of the god into the [Sword], right?

  But at this time there should not be an incarnation that he could make use of. No...

  Or perhaps there actually existed an incarnation that could save Erica and protect her?

  The instant he thought that, the change occurred.

  He saw it. Replacing his headache was spirit vision, which showed him how to use the new power.

  The feeling he felt when fighting Voban resurfaced, an incomparable sense of omnipotence that filled his body and mind. Now I hold everything in my hands and have obtained everything!

  "Erica... I absolutely will never let you go, so please swear to me."

  Having mastered Verethragna's fifth incarnation, Godou spoke the spell words.

  "Hurry up and swear! Stay by my side no matter what... Even if life is coming to an end, even if the world itself is coming to an end, even if it means battling all the gods, stay by my side forever."

  This was not ordinary speech but holy words infused with power usurped from the gods.

  At the same time, this was an arrogant king's sacred decree that demanded an everlasting oath.

  Gazing at his majestic splendor from beside him, Erica's beautiful expression turned joyous and trance-like.

  "Could you have awakened that incarnation? You finally mastered the entirety of Verethragna!?"

  "Quit the useless words. Do you want to make an oath? Now hurry and decide!"

  "Of course I swear! Until the day the world is destroyed, I will always stay by your side, giving everything I've got!"

  Erica immediately yelled in response to the stern scolding.

  Accompanied by the most beautiful and most obedient smile from the bottom of her heart that she had ever shown.

  Hearing her oath, Godou nodded deeply.

  The fifteen-year-old youth who shone with light.

  This was the appearance chosen by the war god they met on Sardinia.

  As the hero and the saint, Verethragna's fifth incarnation that leads the people and watches over them.

  Mastering this power, Godou definitely could protect this girl. Thus, Erica must now obtain the mark of the protector, Godou, and receive his protection and blessing.

  Godou pushed Erica's slender body down upon the grass.

  Though it was done roughly, neither of them minded. The two of them were now the king and the protected, the dominator and the dominated.

  Godou laid himself over the girl's body, and once again took her lips.

  "—Mmm, mmm~~"

  He greedily savored the lips of the panting Erica.

  It would have been more appropriate if he showed concern for her weak body and treated her gently instead—

  However, it was too late to stop, Godou advanced without resistance, his lips pressed upon Erica's, his tongue licking her thin lips and then reaching deep into her mouth.

  His tongue probed for Erica's tongue, finding it and entangling together. She responded in turn and yielded to his entanglement, and the two of them tangled together without pause.

  ...The sound of mucous membranes harmoniously engaged in exchange could be heard.

  Pressed under Godou's weight, Erica's body breathed heavily. Though her build was very delicate, her body was extremely voluptuous in all the right places.

  Warm and full of elasticity, her body gave an incredible tactile feeling, and felt hotter than anything.

  The pleasure of intimate contact with her, as well as the feeling of intoxication produced by an uncountable repetition of kisses.

  The intense heavy breathing of both sides gave Erica an intense feeling of being alive.

  Seeing Erica's state of disarray, hearing her delicate breathing, smelling her fragrance, tasting the flavor of her tongue and saliva, feeling Erica's warm skin—

  The five senses, the mind, and the entire body were overcome with pleasure as if drowned in honey.

  However, Godou's intention was not to seek such intoxication.

  "Erica, starting now I will transmit my power—Verethragna's to you. You will likely suffer, but you must endure. Can you do it? Will you bear it?"

  "Yes, I know, I will definitely endure... Please, Godou."

  She struggled to nod and affirm her oath despite her weak condition, and Godou kissed her lips once again.

  Lips and tongue, saliva and teeth, Godou left nothing untouched.

  As he did so, Godou felt as if a channel opened up between Erica and him.

  An invisible wizardry channel through which the strongest [Protection] could be transmitted from one to the other.

  Godou's consciousness transmitted to his lower abdomen.

  It was the energy center termed by Chinese medicine as the dantian[40], in other words, the deepest part of the body.

  From there he began to raise his magical power and in the process distilled pure magical power into [Protection].

  From the lower abdomen to the abdomen, then to the chest, and finally through the throat and transmitted to the mouth.

  Magical power which rose up as if following the backbone was poured into Erica's mouth through the lips.

  What converted this power into [Protection] was his feelings for her—the wish to protect her and the hope to grant her power. Kusanagi Godou prayed so in his heart.

  "Godou... I can feel what you are giving to me."

  Fascinated, Erica murmured with her eyes closed.

  Speaking as they kissed, each vibration of the lips, soft and sweet, everything could be experienced.
>
  However, this was simply the opening, and the climax had yet to be reached.

  In order to hasten the pouring of distilled [Protection] into her body, Godou increased the flow rate.

  "—!?"

  Erica briefly moaned in discomfort.

  Letting go of her lips for an instant, tears could be seen in the corner of her eyes as she gasped for breath.

  "Erica, if you cannot bear it..."

  "No, it's fine. Continue. It was the sudden increase in speed that gave me a fright. This time I will endure; hurry up with the next step...?"

  She was clearly putting up a front, but Godou pretended not to notice.

  Erica Blandelli's affections and body were all Godou's possessions. Forcing actions of pain and tolerance upon this girl was his exclusive right and privilege.

  He will not permit anyone else to cause any pain and suffering to Erica.

  Now in direct proportion to the pain she received was the strongest [Protection].

  Godou looked at her once again, and Erica returned with a passionate gaze. The two of them nodded in assent, and began another deep kiss...

  "Mmmm—! No problem, continue..!"

  Erica painfully tensed her body.

  Godou embraced her body tightly as support, holding her hand to provide encouragement, and Erica gripped his hand in return. From the strength of her grip, one could imagine the level of pain she was feeling.

  Godou was no longer able to attend to her, and could only continue the outpour of Verethragna's [Protection] in one breath.

  "Ah, aaaaaaaah!"

  Erica cried out, but Godou did not stop. He could not hesitate.

  Finally, the [Protection] reached the deepest part of her body, the important energy center in the lower abdomen.

  "—!"

  Erica's cries became hoarse and unrecognizable.

  As she tightly gripped Godou's hand, her other hand that was embracing him had left deep and bloody scratches along Godou's back. While enduring the pain, Godou continued to press his lips upon Erica's.

  She should be in much greater pain than me, so this is nothing.

  The holy war god's protection.

  The seal of the victor bestowed by the glorious hero.

  The pulse of magical energy delivered by Godou had temporarily strengthened Erica's body and mind.

  A Campione had the tenacity to adapt to the environment of the Astral Plane in a short time, the boundless life force to heal immediately from any damage within a certain level, and the battle instincts to enter their strongest condition during battle. All these qualities were now infused into Erica's body.

  Erica's body went limp.

  Her entire body drenched with sweat, but no signs of pain could be seen on her beautiful face any more.

  She tightly held Godou's hand and smiled quietly.

  Her smile carried a sliver of fatigue, but it was a very agreeable sense of tiredness.

  Godou separated from her, though he felt a slight reluctance to leave Erica's burning hot and lithe body. However, if this posture continued it could get problematic...

  Erica also got up immediately.

  Her face full of smiles, she pounced upon the unwary Godou. Her weight felt rather comfortable.

  However, Godou's rationality told him, this cannot continue.

  "W-Wait a minute! The ritual's over, and Verethragna's protection is already within your body, so it doesn't need to continue..."

  "Of course I am aware of that. This is my return gift to Godou's love. Accept it obediently."

  This time it was Godou's turn to be pushed down by Erica.

  Looks like once she recovered, she immediately reversed their top-down positions.

  "I-It wasn't love, more like friendship and concern—"

  "No, it's love, I understand."

  Her lips drawing near, it had been quite a while since he last experienced a kiss initiated by Erica.

  In order to escape the situation, Godou was going to resist with force, but before he finished his thought, he gave up... For some unknown reason, he suddenly lost that compulsion. Might as well continue with this position for now.

  Eventually letting go of his lips, Erica showed a smile that said, "Pass."

  Chapter 7 - Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi

  Part 1

  Banchou Sarayashiki.[41] The original setting for the legend of the dish-counting ghost who kept muttering to itself, "one is missing."

  In the special Tokyo ward of Chiyoda, the Banchou area was a very high class residential neighborhood where high ranking warriors[42] and lords[43] lived since the Edo period.

  The home of the Sayanomiya family in Sanbanchou was quite close to the Tokyo Imperial Palace.

  Hidden in a very inconspicuous location on the roadside amongst many offices and luxury apartments, the Sayanomiya residence was a western style mansion built in the Taisho era.

  Based on its physical location, the property value should have been quite high, but the house did not leave a good impression on people.

  Not only was it extremely old and decrepit, but it was also dark like a haunted house and felt like there were ghosts and monsters.

  Arriving here in Amakasu's car, Yuri began to feel a sense of unease.

  As if something ominous lurked there—a most unpleasant presence. By the way, this was her first visit to the Sayanomiya residence.

  "I've already informed the other side beforehand, so let's go. Please walk over here."

  Before them, Amakasu pointed to the entrance. Yuri and Liliana followed his direction.

  It took two minutes to walk to the front door from the parking lot through the front yard.

  "The house is smaller than expected... As the leader of the family that commands the History Compilation Committee, is this not too cramped?"

  Liliana surveyed the house.

  "Considering the land prices of this neighborhood, this house is a bargain. Actually, there's a bigger house at Setagaya. This is just a secondary residence and the current owner Kaoru-san is the next family head."

  With a great sense of familiarity, Amakasu opened the front door.

  The one who greeted them was a young man in a formal butler uniform.

  This man displayed highly trained skills of a hotel attendant. Amakasu engaged him in whispers before walking inside.

  Yuri and Liliana followed behind him and reached a room that seemed to be the study.

  "Kyoko, how is it going? Calling me so suddenly. Tomorrow? Sorry, something is scheduled already. Hahaha, how can that be possible? It's not a date of course. Don't have strange suspicions."

  This pleasant voice was familiar to Yuri.

  In the study, Sayanomiya Kaoru had just hung up her cellphone.

  Noticing Amakasu, Yuri, and Liliana, Kaoru was just about to greet them when the cellphone rang again. Glancing at the LCD, she said "sorry" and picked up the call.

  "It's been a while, Haremi. Yes, I am fine too. Sorry, I have some things to discuss right now. May I hang up? Oh... I remember next week's promise very well, then goodbye."

  Finishing the call with simplicity, Kaoru hung up, but then it rang again.

  "Who is it this time... Kiyoko?"

  "No, it's Ayano, but I'll pick it up later since everyone has gathered."

  Watching the next Sayanomiya family head shrug her shoulders, Amakasu nagged in earnest.

  "Kaoru-san, what are you planning if you don't reveal your gender to all these girls who have fallen for you? To be tricked and left completely in the dark, aren't they pitiful?"

  "But even if I told them the truth, there are many girls who would go 'it does not matter.' I was very surprised."

  In a different way, this Hime-Miko was no less a troublesome character than Ena.

  Numerous girls admired Kaoru and fell head over heels in love with her. However, she seemed to enjoy this and actively socialized with them.

  "Let me introduce for Liliana-san. This is Sayanomiya Kaoru-san. The Tokyo Branch
Chief of the History Compilation Committee and next Sayanomiya family head, plus a member of the Hime-Miko."

  "...Did you say Hime-Miko?"

  Liliana stared in surprise.

  She must have been greatly shocked. Kaoru was wearing a white shirt and tie with men's dress pants. Though very pretty, it was an image too far removed from that of a delicate young girl.

  With an elegant smile and refined airs, Kaoru greeted her European guest.

  "A pleasure to meet you, Liliana Kranjcar-san. My appearance may suggest otherwise, but I am still Yuri and Ena's colleague, though I've heard countless times that it is impossible to imagine me wearing a miko's outfit."

  Kaoru made a gesture towards the sofa couch, and Liliana and Yuri each took a seat.

  As they sat down, Kaoru took a seat opposite them while Amakasu stood ready behind her.

  "I already heard Yuri and Liliana's request on the phone just now. Let's start with the conclusion. If you agree to our conditions, then assisting you is not a problem."

  "Is this okay, Kaoru-san? The previous previous generation will have objections."

  "There will be troubles from that side, but provided equivalent value is exchanged, I will not be stingy. Of course, it still depends on the terms of the agreement."

  As the master and subordinate conversed, Liliana interrupted.

  "Do not forget we still have the option of seizing by force."

  "That's not good, you've met Ena right? Amongst those involved with the Committee, there exist talents who rival the martial and magical abilities of the Great Knights. My honest advice is please do not act recklessly."

  Liliana scoffed in disdain but backed down from her declaration.

  Regardless of the outcome of starting a fight here, if she were to be pursued by several elites she had little chance of winning. Liliana understood very well that as long as it was within this country, the other side had the home field advantage.

  "Even if I am attacked here, Amakasu-san will take the knife for me, right?"

  "Sorry but I must refuse, please do not expect loyalty that exceeds my pay grade."

  "Uh... fine whatever."

  Kaoru coughed at Amakasu's response that left her hanging in embarrassment.

  "Liliana-san and Yuri, let's get to the main point."

  Yuri prepared herself, for she understood well the extreme craftiness of the cross-dressing miko before her eyes. Even Ena, who always did things her own way, described Kaoru as "very troublesome!" If possible, it would be best to minimize contact with her.