Campione 16

by The Stirring of Heroes

  "In other words, Alessia, you were taught by a mage descended from the lineages of the Templar Knights and he lived in this monastery."

  The stone-built ancient monastery. Thus spoke Erica in the front yard.

  Godou and Erica were already dressed in clothes that Alessia had taken from her own home for them. After that, they had traveled from the river Arno over to this monastery.

  "Templar Knights...?"

  "It refers to medieval European knights and monks who mastered swordsmanship and magic. Both your master and I are their descendants. Hoho, it's fine if you don't understand yet."

  Erica smiled as Alessia displayed complete surprise.

  Along the way here, the blonde beauty had conversed with the young girl in a gentle manner, successfully finding out from the girl "how she learned magic."

  There was also a reason why they had come here with Alessia. At the riverside just now, she had made a request.

  'Please! If it is not too much trouble, could you come over and let me discuss something with you!? It is very important!'

  It seemed to be a case involving magic. In order to thank her for the favor of lending the clothes, Godou and Erica had come to this place.

  "Then what did you want to discuss? But let me first say I have no idea about stuff like incantations and magic. On the other hand, this Erica here is an expert so I'm sure she can help you."

  Erica nodded as if saying "Well, no problem" in response to Godou.

  Then Alessia spoke with an awkward expression—

  "Yeah. In actual fact, there is a possibility that a deity is about to wake up underground below this monastery..."

  A shocking report. Erica went "well" and stared with widened eyes as she smiled slightly wryly.

  On the other hand, Godou simply emotionlessly went "Eh" in a mutter.

  Just a few hours earlier, he had been fighting against what was known as a deity's servant...

  Seeing him like this, Erica burst out into laughter beside him. Godou was slightly miffed by her frivolous attitude. In stark contrast to the reactions of her elders, Alessia remained clueless.

  Erica began an investigation that concluded roughly two hours later.

  First, she browsed through the documents and resources left behind by the deceased monk. Then she went to the chapel and gazed at the statue of the Virgin Mary that was painted black.

  Finally, she opened the door hidden behind the statue of Mary and went underground. Then ten minutes went by.

  Seeing Erica return, Godou asked her casually:

  "Then how is it? Is there really a god down below?"

  "In terms of the verdict, there is none."

  Hearing her say so, Alessia's eyes lit up with hope, but Godou knew it was not so simple.

  He noticed that Erica still had more to say.

  "Even though there is no deity here, there is a servant—a divine beast—in the process of awakening. In roughly three or four days, it will awaken completely and start being active."

  "Another one!"

  The monsters known as "divine beasts" were sacred creatures that served gods. Just a few hours earlier, Godou was fighting one of them. Hearing this explanation, Alessia leaned towards Erica.

  "Are the servants of the great gods really dangerous!?"

  "Yes. A divine beast sleeping underground is more than likely the underling of Artemis, the goddess of the moon and the land, the queen of the beasts. If it awakens, let alone this village, it would not be ridiculous for the entire region of Tuscany to be destroyed."

  Erica glanced at Godou's side profile as she spoke.

  Rather than informing the girl, she was trying to make Godou understand.

  "Destroy—!?"

  Alessia gulped. Meanwhile, Godou was gnashing his teeth.

  If that was the case, a fight was unavoidable after all... With such despair, he spoke to Alessia.

  "C-Could you go out and leave us for a bit? I have to hold a strategy conference with Erica."

  "This is what's known as an adult conversation."

  Erica added. To think she would use such a suggestive description.

  Godou glared at her but Erica smiled in feigned ignorance.

  Once the two of them were the only ones remaining in the ancient chapel, Erica spoke with great delight:

  "Hoho. Fate is surely working hard to solidify the love between Godou and me. Well then, let's enjoy another passionate kiss?"

  "T-That kind of fate, who could endure such a thing!"

  "Well, you can also call it simple luck. Doesn't change the fact that we have to kiss."

  Erica smiled with a chuckle as Godou hung his head.

  "The god you defeated on the island of Sardinia was the ancient Persian Warlord Verethragna."

  Ignoring Godou in his dejection, the blonde beauty spoke melodiously as if singing a song.

  "As the strongest of the strong, he is the god of victory who defeats all enemies. His trump card is the 'brilliant golden sword.' Kusanagi Godou has already usurped that sword..."

  The term Campione referred to Devil Kings, warriors who had usurped the authorities of the gods they had slain. Namely, monsters who transcended mankind's limits as humans who fought gods.

  "For beings on the level of underlings that serve gods, a single strike of the golden sword would be enough to vanquish them. However, you are unable to use that sword so easily."

  Erica murmured as she dragged her knees while she leaned close.

  Godou's sense of morality was pleading with him to move away. But it was futile.

  At this moment, Godou was sitting on a bench in the chapel. Erica was sitting on his knees and leaning tightly against him.

  Her skin felt so warm and tender, with an amazing sense of substance and elasticity. These two sensations were rapidly increasing.

  Stimulated by such tactile sensations and an appropriate sense of weight, Godou could feel a sense of pleasure and rising climax rushing through his entire body.

  Then Erica smiled joyfully and lightly kissed Godou on the cheek, bringing her lips near his ear.

  "In order to forge the sword's blade, you require detailed knowledge about the enemy deity. Knowledge and wisdom the normal Japanese student, Kusanagi Godou, is not equipped with. Knowledge that you may not master even with years of study..."

  Erica spoke softly. Her voice was so tempting and seductive.

  While treating his wounds just now, she had forcefully taken Godou's lips. But this time was different. She had no intention of doing the same.

  She was waiting. This time, she was enticing Godou to issue a request to her on his own.

  "However, if a mage such as I were to use the spell of [Instruction], the required knowledge can be transmitted to you instantly. Although it is temporary knowledge that only lasts for a day or so, for the purposes of ending a battle it is quite enough, right?"

  Kiss. Erica lightly made contact with Godou's earlobe using her lips.

  "Hey Godou, as one of the Campiones, you are a Devil King who fights gods on behalf of humanity. I will not make irresponsible remarks regarding your fights, so please issue your orders. Say it, 'Transmit knowledge to me, and offer your lips to me, Kusanagi Godou.' "

  Based on this line of thinking, there was more or less a sense of tyrannical behavior, and yet she voiced it with such a straight face.

  But these tiny whispers lit up a roaring flame in Godou's heart.

  Currently there was a divine servant that was about to rampage. And the only one who could oppose it at this moment was himself alone. Erica had spelled things out to this point. As if reluctant to fall to her charms, Godou was now in a struggling state on the verge of being conquered.

  Given such sufficient conditions, there was no other recourse but to give in to his fate—

  "...P-Please. Teach me everything I need to know."

  Hearing this, a flourishing smile appeared on Erica's face like a blooming flower.

  Without saying a word, she kissed
Godou's lips. She held still, their lips pressed together for ten-odd seconds. Then Erica slowly opened her lips and spoke softly:

  "Of course. Since it is for your victory, I will offer everything of mine no matter how much it would take. No matter how many times, I will forge the sword for you, Godou!"

  Erica was smiling with a rapturous gaze.

  It was a smiling face of happiness that was completely devoid of her usual glamor and devilish mischief.

  "Hoho. I knew it, compared to kissing you on my own accord, kissing you by your request feels very different. I enjoy both regardless, but being able to indulge in both kinds today is truly wonderful."

  Erica embraced Godou tightly as she spoke.

  Then the two of them gazed silently into each other's eyes. Once again their lips pressed together and they kissed each other repeatedly in turn.

  "Artemis is the great mother earth goddess who rules over life and death. The goddess of the hunt. Not only does she hunt prey, but she is also the mistress worshiped by the myriad beasts and birds of the forest, with the bear as the foremost..."

  As she kissed, Erica softly recounted knowledge about the goddess.

  "As a master of transformation, she has the ability to take on the forms of all sorts of beasts. Furthermore, her body possesses hundreds of breasts. This stands as a symbol of Artemis as the mother of life. Understand? This goddess is the mother of all creatures, yet at the same time, she is also the slaughterer who hunts down the life she nurtured..."

  As Godou heard these words through his ears, images of the earth mother goddess Artemis were also transmitted to his mind.

  Such were the effects of the [Instruction] magic used by Erica.

  What occurred after that could hardly be called a battle.

  Because Godou simply went underground, advancing to the depths of the cave and destroyed the divine beast of indeterminate form with a mere "light stab with the sword."

  The divine beast sleeping underground was rather terrifying.

  Most of its body consisted of a gray slime. An amorphous and viscous fluid. This slime was continuously rising from all over the ground. The liquid appeared to be boiling with what resembled bubbles popping all over its uneven surface.

  Furthermore, those bulging body parts transformed themselves into the forms of all sorts of beasts and birds.

  Bears, dogs, cows, deer, horses, pigs, boars, sheep, goats, owls, bees... etc. These transformations occurred at the same time at various places on the body. Simply watching the sight was disgusting enough to lose one's appetite.

  After destroying this thing, Godou returned to the surface with Erica.

  "I-I never knew even those kinds of things can be a divine servant..."

  "Compared to ones holding exceptionally beautiful forms, the servants of the gods are more commonly ugly to a sublime level. This happens to be a case of the latter."

  Even when giving such a description, Erica showed an uncharacteristically disgusted expression.

  In any case, the job was done and the pair returned to the outside of the monastery to meet up with Alessia.

  "Thank you for your patience. The underground divine beast has been destroyed by Kusanagi Godou here."

  "Destroyed!?"

  Alessia's expression seemed to be saying "Unbelievable!" as she looked at Godou.

  She was trying to articulate such feelings into words. Just as Alessia was about to speak, Erica smiled mischievously and placed her index finger on her lips.

  "Just a friendly warning, suspicions regarding a Campione—the power to slay a god—cannot be uttered in any situation. That is, if you wish to continue surviving in the world of magic."

  Taking Godou's arm, the blonde beauty declared as if she was taking pride in her lover's power.

  "They are conquerors, Devil Kings, royalty as well as warriors. Bearers of absolute strength who fight on humanity's behalf when [Heretic Gods] bring disaster to the earth. Though they look no different from us humans in appearance, their bodies are actually monsters completely removed from humans!"

  "W-Who the heck are you calling a monster!"

  "Of course it's you, Kusanagi Godou. Even for an incident like this, it would take dozens of magi, risking their lives in a desperate struggle to seal away the divine beast in a massive severe crisis, you know?"

  Casually ignoring Godou's protest, Erica winked at the young girl.

  "In the near future, you will take pride in the fact that you have encountered us. One day, the world of magic will tremble before the great name of the seventh Campione, Kusanagi Godou. As well as his premier knight, Erica Blandelli. Because you have met these two!"

  Just as Erica predicted at the time, the pair continued to take part in numerous victories henceforth.

  Rather than a heroic legend, this particular little interlude could be considered as more of an insignificant and easy favor.

  Chapter 2 - Roman Holiday, Late Night Edition

  After Kusanagi Godou finished taking part in the imposed duel Erica had invited him to at the ancient capital of Rome, it was night time.

  Surviving a deadly crisis as usual, Godou ended up causing severe damage to the ancient battlegrounds—the Colosseum.

  But in any case, the battle that was full of all sorts of dangers finally concluded.

  Godou departed from the tragic(?) scene of the Colosseum and parted with the three association representatives who acted as witnesses to the duel.

  Next he returned to the hotel. After a bath, he would go to bed immediately. That was what Godou had decided.

  Then after a good night's rest, he was going to carefully reflect on tonight's incident in the morning. In order not to make "this kind" of mistake ever again...

  Whenever he turned his gaze in the direction of the Colosseum, the terrible result of his "moment of carelessness" would enter his view.

  With a great sense of shame, Godou deeply regretted his actions.

  The sounds of police and firefighting sirens could be heard coming from the direction of the Colosseum. This noise caused Godou to be assaulted by further reprimands from his conscience.

  In spite of all this, Erica looked rather delighted as she walked beside him.

  "Hoho. Tonight's duel has completely publicized the mighty name of Kusanagi Godou. This is the result of various preparations readied beforehand."

  Erica explained as she strolled along the late night Roman city streets, prompting great surprise in Godou.

  "W-What do you mean by preparations?"

  "Hmm. Basically the three VIPs you met at the duel just now. Inviting all three of them certainly took substantial effort. Although there was a suitable excuse, they are rather busy people. In actual fact, I also invited three additional leaders, but they were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts."

  "You expressly prepared that much for the sake of letting others witness my power?"

  Godou frowned.

  "Why would you do such a thing? There's no need to gather all those people for a person like me, right?"

  "Don't be nonsensical. In the world of magic, did you know that there is no event more suspenseful than the birth of a Devil King? Sending invitations out would actually exhibit our congeniality instead."

  Erica listed out the seven prestigious magic associations recognized in Italy.

  The three witnesses of tonight's duel belonged to the [Olden Dame], the [Female Wolf] and the [Capital of Lilies] respectively. In addition, there were the [Bronze Black Cross], the [Eagle of the Blue Sky] and [Aegis].

  "Last but not least is my [Copper Black Cross]. Godou, you've already met the commander-in-chief of the association I belong to, my uncle—Paolo Blandelli. Hence, tonight was an opportunity for the other six associations to send representatives to have an audience with the seventh Campione."

  Godou never expected that meeting those witnesses actually held such significance—

  Realizing the surreal happenings surrounding him, Godou sighed.

&
nbsp; "However, Godou, you performed even better than expected. Not only did you show off that level of destructive power to the representatives of the three prestigious associations, you even completely silenced their doubts on whether you were a fake or not."

  "I-I wasn't showing off, I simply went too far in a moment of carelessness!"

  "It doesn't matter which. What's important is the result. Hoho, let us raise a glass to toast and celebrate tonight."

  "Why do we need to toast!?"

  "Tonight commemorates Kusanagi Godou's first appearance on the European stage."

  Informed by Erica with complete nonchalance, Godou was greatly shocked.

  "In actual fact, I prepared a camera beforehand. Godou, your destruction of the Colosseum just now was recorded on video. Currently, the video is being prepared for broadcasting to those involved in the magic world all over Europe. The three VIPs you met have already become witnesses, so the great name of Kusanagi Godou will spread to all the corners of the European world of magic within days."

  To think she had prepared things to such an extent. Godou's mood was instantly down in the deeps.

  Seeing his reaction, Erica chuckled and displayed a devil's smile.

  "Stop making that kind of face, stick your chest out. You currently don't look like a god-slayer at all. Do know that your status will keep rising from now on as the Devil King."

  "I have no wish to possess this kind of title that cannot be written on resumes. Neither do I want to raise my status in this manner!"

  Objecting loudly, Godou yawned.

  It was now late at night. Perhaps due to fatigue from the whole mess at the Colosseum or jet lag, Godou was struck with sleepiness all of a sudden. Getting some rest as early as possible seemed like a good idea.

  "In any case, let's hurry back to the hotel for some rest. It's so late already."

  Godou had heard earlier that Erica had prepared a place to stay.

  Hence he proposed they head back. However, the girl in his company replied:

  "That's right, we must open a bottle of wine or champagne to toast and celebrate properly together. Then after that, we should slowly descend upon the bed, to affirm our love for each other."