Campione 05

by Miko of the Sword

  "Yes, let me give an example, if our condition for providing the ingredients is to request that Liliana-san return to her country... Is this acceptable?"

  "I will never accept such a condition!"

  Liliana angrily refused while Kaoru laughed "hoho."

  A very likable and open smile. This was one of her weapons.

  "Ah, if the number of Europeans around Kusanagi increased, it won't be good for him. Like this time, it was Ena's excuse for getting involved. Disregarding the [Copper Black Cross] for now, I hope you, Liliana-san of the [Bronze Black Cross], can exercise some self-discipline."

  "Why is it fine for Erica but not me?"

  "Yes—perhaps if I put it this way, you will be angry... Because you are a girl who doesn't know adult ways of communication."

  Kaoru spoke with profound meaning in her words.

  Her beautiful face, resembling both a young man's and woman's at the same time, was shrouded by a mysterious sense of melancholy.

  "If I were to negotiate with Erica, I'm sure a deal could be reached via a very interesting discussion. But after hearing about your exploits in Japan since your arrival, I don't think you are that kind of person, Liliana Kranjcar."

  Striking directly at the other party's vulnerabilities and instigating a battle of words. Kaoru was getting serious.

  "These past three months, we have acquiesced to Erica-san's existence because she has accepted us—in particularly accepted coexistence with Yuri who was sent by us. Take the trip to Sardinia for example, if Erica-san wished, she could have left Yuri alone in Japan."

  Now that it was mentioned, she apparently had a clear grasp of the latest developments of Godou and Yuri (plus the History Compilation Committee).

  Yuri recalled the summer holiday and the way Erica said 'I want to let you and Godou deepen your friendship' while she expressed her acceptance of Yuri through her attitude.

  "However, Liliana-san is not like that... As soon as you arrived in Japan, you have stuck to Kusanagi-san like glue and treated Erica-san and our Yuri with hostility. You have given us sufficient cause to eliminate you."

  "Eliminating hazards to the master is part of a knight's duty!"

  Liliana responded with a warrior's style, causing Kaoru to elegantly force a smile.

  "However, Kusanagi is not just your master. At the same time, he is also Erica-san and Yuri-san's master, as well as the [King] of all magi in the world. If you can't understand what I'm getting at, then Liliana-san is just a knight bodyguard at best. Am I correct?"

  "Is there anything wrong with being a bodyguard? That is part of a knight's duty in serving the king!"

  "Yes, nothing wrong with that, but while you are toiling away doing a guard and a servant's job, Erica-san and I are already fighting for the prime minister's position. Also, either Erica or Yuri, whom I recommended, could become his first lady. Is this fine as well?"

  Under the mischievous questioning of the cross-dressing Hime-Miko, Liliana's eyes began to show signs of consternation.

  "The History Compilation Committee is already planning on pledging their loyalty to Kusanagi Godou!?"

  "I am just saying that this outcome is very likely, but it is still under review... Just kidding. Were it true, those troublesome elders would not be a problem any longer."

  Kaoru pretended to be joking, but Yuri understood. Since the words just said—especially the last sentence, did not feel like just a joke.

  "Even so, why must I return to my country?"

  "It was just an example. Seeing as we will all eventually serve the same [King] as our master, I propose we cooperate. If possible, could you look after Yuri a bit? From your standpoint, having us as an ally should be advantageous, right?"

  "What you mean is... for me to ally with the History Compilation Committee?"

  "You don't have to answer straight away, but give it careful consideration. Also, though this is just my personal opinion, if you want to resist Erica, it'd be best to do some preparatory work first."

  "Umm... Fine, I will consider whether to ally with you or not."

  Kaoru resumed her friendly smiling face as a result of Liliana backing down.

  In truth, she never even considered getting rid of the knight from the [Bronze Black Cross].

  Even a strong competitor could be turned into a chess piece under her control. This was Kaoru's style. The preceding conversation was planned exactly for this result. Yuri realized with a fright. After Liliana's turn, she was going to be next.

  "Next, Yuri. I hope you can make a few clarifications."

  Indeed it came. Kaoru explained calmly.

  "So far, we simply requested that you play the role of Godou's lover in name only. But as you probably know, as soon as Ena was sent here, the situation changed drastically."

  Yuri began to consider her options as she listened to Kaoru's fluent explanation.

  Her spirit sense activated to inform her the gist of Kaoru's demands.

  Ena and Erica were currently absent. More importantly, Godou was not here either. Yuri could subtly sense the intentions of the History Compilation Committee and Sayanomiya Kaoru. How should she answer in such a situation?

  "I don't like tasteless acts and have no intention of forcing a loveless relationship on someone. So it's probably time for you..."

  "No problem."

  Determined, Yuri interrupted Kaoru with steady confidence.

  "The feelings between Godou-san and I will not end in simple friendship."

  With an expression of decisiveness, Yuri looked straight into the face of the androgynous beauty.

  Kaoru showed a rare expression of seriousness. Liliana went "Eh!?" followed by Amakasu making a "oh~~" expression from behind the sofa.

  "I-I am not sure if I can become that great one's wife, but I will definitely achieve the closest position to that."

  "Is this what your spirit vision told you? Or your own wish?"

  Faced with Kaoru's sudden question, Yuri blushed and replied:

  "Both... probably. The first time I saw Godou-san, I had a feeling that I would form an extraordinary relationship with him. Even now, whenever I think about his safety... I am full of unease."

  From the start, before meeting Kusanagi Godou.

  The thought of meeting the brutal Campione had terrified Yuri in the past.

  But after the first meeting, she was able to relax her nervous emotions, and all her worries disappeared. In fact, she started lecturing the world renowned Devil King.

  From that moment, she felt that she could get along well with him.

  Now, whenever she thought about him who had gone missing and his current safety—

  Unease and fear precipitated in the depths of her heart. He must be saved, so Yuri must change herself and prayed to see him back safe and sound.

  As these thoughts and feelings melded into one, an incredible idea came to mind.

  Entrusting herself to this idea and working hard towards it within her ability, Yuri made her decision.

  "I see. Then you will offer your chastity to Kusanagi, is that correct?"

  "S-Sayanomiya! W-What are you saying!?"

  "C-Correct. I cannot give it to him right away, but in the foreseeable future, it will likely be inevitable..."

  "Mariya Yuri, stop joining in this farce, what on earth are you saying!?"

  Yuri ignored Liliana's protests and declared her will. Kaoru smiled wryly and said:

  "Well, now that everything has been spelled out to this extent, I have nothing more to say. It's sufficient, Yuri."

  "T-Then, may I add something?"

  Enduring everyone's gaze focusing on her, Yuri spoke:

  "I will follow Godou-san to the corners of the world, and even if the Committee commands me to harm him, I will never comply. If he decides to distance himself away from the Committee, then I will leave the Committee in order to follow him. Please do not forget this!"

  Riding on her rising emotion, Yuri made the above declaration.


  Kaoru and Amakasu looked at each other after going "Hey, this is really..." and "She's quite something." Then a mischievous expression crossed the master's face before she resumed seriously:

  "I will bear that in mind, Hime. Then Amakasu, as the wedding gift, go take that out."

  "Ah—I really have to go to the storeroom after all? No other way around it..."

  As soon as the word "storeroom" was spoken, the tables in the study began to shake, and so did the bookshelves.

  It did not seem like an earthquake. From the corner of the room, the sharp noise of something breaking could be heard.

  Yuri and Liliana exchanged glances, as a witch she sensed it—here in this building existed an inhuman resident.

  "You two already realized? Amazing, how very sharp of you. The herbs you need are kept in my family's storeroom. In it are the collections of the ancestors over the ages. Whenever anyone wants to touch them, great-grandfather gets very naggy and will even make a troublesome commotion."

  "Kaoru-san's great-grandfather—the previous previous Sayanomiya family head!"

  Sayanomiya Koremichi. The founder of the History Compilation Committee who went to Europe to study foreign magic. Born in the Meiji period and passed away in the fortieth year of the Shouwa period.

  Recalling his biographical details, Yuri fell silent. This meant...

  "All the heads of the Sayanomiya family, throughout the ages, were avid and compulsive collectors. Even after their deaths, they would watch over those collections. Other than Amakasu receiving a few near death experiences on his way to retrieving things from the storeroom, there is no real danger, so don't worry."

  "That is why I said. Please do not ask me to do things exceeding my pay grade! I just can't stand this!"

  "What's wrong, shouldn't a ninja serve the public selflessly?"

  "That ridiculous description is what binds us to labor under extremely hazardous working conditions!"

  Yuri and Liliana's eyes widened with surprise at the revelation of the haunted house from the little argument between the superior and her subordinate.

  In any case, they were now properly prepared to save Godou and the rest.

  "Then let us start preparing the ritual for entering the Astral Plane... To be honest, I have only used this kind of high level magic once, so I cannot be completely confident."

  Liliana seemed to be trying to chase away her doubt.

  "But I will try my best, and I hope everyone will assist me."

  "If that's the case, I have a suggestion. Due to spell specializations, even though you are both miko, letting Yuri handle the aspects of the Astral Plane will allow much faster progress."

  Kaoru spoke as she glanced over.

  Yuri also agreed, since her spirit vision was what western magi called extracting [Memories of the Void]. In that case, the one most suited to taking action on the other side was—

  Part 2

  Meanwhile, the two trapped in the Netherworld could do nothing but take it easy.

  Their location was still the same. Amongst the empty streets and within the empty park, Godou sat on the grass while Erica lazily used his thigh as a pillow to lie on.

  "Is it really okay for us to do nothing like this..."

  "It can't be helped, because there is nothing we can do."

  Compared to the worried Godou, Erica was very relaxed.

  "Knowing we have disappeared, Yuri and Liliana will surely start searching, so all we need to do is wait for them."

  "Can we be found?"

  "It's not impossible, given the combination of Yuri's spirit vision and Liliana's magic... But it could take a while. The only concern is how long the [Youth]'s protection will hold out for."

  Erica analyzed calmly as she pressed her cheek against Godou's lap pillow.

  "Probably quite a while, but the protection cannot sustain itself indefinitely... So, the only thing we can do now is affirm our love for each other."

  "How did it come to this!? We should be using our time for something more constructive!"

  "With my knowledge and magic, nothing can be done about the current situation. Same for Godou's authority. Look, there's nothing to do but wait. So, let's do something that neither of us will regret."

  Lying on Godou's lap, Erica turned to face him.

  Seeing her happiness and satisfaction, incomparable to past expressions, Godou's heart began to race.

  "Godou was great just now... That savagery, and even ordering me around... Hoho, injecting some freshness like that once in a while is not bad."

  "I-Is that so? Whatever, if you didn't mind, it's fine."

  Godou suppressed his anxiety.

  The way he lost control just now was probably under the influence of Verethragna's authority.

  During the ritual, he and Erica seemed like they were caught in a very abnormal state.

  "Yes, about the protection obtained just now."

  Unfazed by Godou's anxiety, Erica caressed her abdomen.

  "Right here, there seems to be a very warm and vigorous mass of life energy. Just feeling this spot makes me feel very happy... As if our child was in my womb."

  "What—!? Y-Your description is too inappropriate!"

  "Ah, but I am the one feeling it, so your objection is overruled. By the way, can I have a real baby with you?"

  "No! Please save your dream speech for when you are sleeping!"

  Resolutely refusing Erica's request, Godou made a decision.

  When someone precious was caught in a crisis, the [Youth] could be used to protect that person. But using that technique required engaging in certain activities...

  Forbidden. He must seal the [Youth] and never use it ever again.

  "Really, can't you continue to show me that manliness from just now?"

  Erica was beginning to have fits like a spoiled child.

  But given the vulnerable expression on her face as she rested on his thigh, she was so cute that it must be cheating.

  If the two of them continued being isolated like that, how much longer could he endure? Who could have thought it was so difficult to ignore the cries of "just give in to temptation" in the depths of his heart?

  Godou was going mad from unease and anxiety.

  "—Godou-san, Erica-san!"

  A familiar cute voice.

  Lifting his head, he saw Mariya Yuri appear in her miko outfit.

  Finally. The familiar face he missed. However, Godou felt rather embarrassed to be caught in such a posture in the middle of that kind of conversation!

  "Yuri! You found us after all!"

  Changing her pleading attitude, Erica went back to her usual cheerful voice, finally getting up from Godou's lap.

  "Yes, yes. But what were you two doing in that kind of posture... Too shameless!"

  Yuri scolded loudly.

  Godou bowed his head in shame. It was just as she described, and he could not bear to face her in that kind of situation.

  "What's the matter, it's been a while since I got some alone time with Godou. However... Fine, I did take advantage of the situation, so I will speak to Godou and let you have him next time. Does that work?"

  Just as Erica responded to Yuri with a beautiful smile that was impossible to refuse, Godou's heart yelled out "That clearly won't work!"

  "N-Next time for me... Erica-san, please do not say that. B-Because I... still have not prepared myself yet..."

  Yuri spoke softly and was blushing as if she had a high fever.

  She even stole a glance at Godou but quickly shifted her gaze away. What was going on? Godou felt troubled, for Yuri was acting a bit differently from before.

  "M-Mariya what is going on with her..."

  "I think she has accepted certain things, and made many preparations. Since she always had that intention, it's probably time for you to be prepared."

  As Godou muttered, unable to grasp the situation, Erica whispered in response.

  Prepare? Intention? What does it all mean?

  "
Did Lily send you over here? Who could have thought she even got the potion."

  "Yes, thanks to the assistance of the History Compilation Committee, we finally reached this place. Liliana-san, who performed the ritual, actually wanted to come herself... But since it would be more convenient for me to travel to the Netherworld..."

  "Yes, with powerful spirit vision, Yuri can easily obtain information from this world."

  Seamlessly, the two of them transitioned the conversation to practical matters.

  More convenient for Yuri to be here? Seeing Godou's incredulous expression, Erica immediately explained.

  "You must have experienced it already. If you want information, you can obtain it through spirit vision. When Yuri came to this world, she immediately found us using spirit vision and easily used that image to fly here instantaneously. Am I correct?"

  "Yes, but just to be safe, it is best to avoid using spirit vision here as much as possible."

  Yuri surveyed the surroundings as she spoke with apprehension.

  "Yes, compared to the real world, my power becomes stronger here. However... if any minor mistake is made, it could become dangerous—this is the kind of unpleasant feeling I am getting."

  Godou recalled Ena who went too far with divine possession.

  "If so, then the faster we get out the better. Actually, Seishuuin already returned to earth, and just like the way Mariya described, she has become abnormal. The power of Susanoo and Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi has invaded her body, and we must save her."

  "Eh!? Something went wrong when Ena performed divine possession in the Netherworld?"

  After showing great surprise, Yuri became serious.

  "If that is the case, then we cannot dally... Everyone, please come to my side."

  Godou and Erica approached as Yuri directed.

  As if praying far away to the other side, Yuri closed her eyes and was surrounded by blue light.

  Was this the marker to bring them all back to earth?

  As the thought crossed his mind, Godou's body was pulled up high into the air. The surface of the Netherworld he had been standing on became very distant almost instantly.