Campione 16

by The Stirring of Heroes

  Apparently the short girl was quite perceptive.

  "E-Even now he's playing with girls like some devil king, and you talk about him adding the wiles of that unbelievably popular grandfather? Wouldn't that turn him into a genuine monster?" Sawa-san tensely added.

  "Not only I, but his little sister Shizuka and his deceased grandmother have also been worried about this since long ago."

  Sawa-san and Miyana-san had realized a fear about the near future Tokunaga Asuka and a part of the Kusanagi family's women had borne for a long time.

  Thinking about where Kusanagi Godou had gone over the long weekend, the girls let out long sighs.

  Chapter 6 - Extra Story: The Illustrious Sage, True Lord Erlang

  Part 1

  "Great misfortune huh..."

  Looking at the strip of fortune telling paper he had drawn on a whim, Godou muttered.

  Since he was not a superstitious person who believed in fortune telling, Godou's only response was to smile wryly.

  This happened on his way home from school, when he visited the Nezu Shrine by chance.

  "Oh dear. Something interesting is written here."

  Erica commented beside him as she looked at the fortune in his hand.

  In contrast, Erica, who had also come along for her fortune, had drawn the impeccable outcome of "great fortune."

  "The one who keeps watch, the nemesis is coming. Matters of conflict, evasion would be good fortune. —Isn't this predicting a desperate situation in the next battle?"

  "That so?"

  Godou replied nonchalantly and shrugged.

  "I believe that avoiding conflict with any kind of god would be considered good fortune. That's definitely correct."

  Less than half a month had passed since the battle against the heretic god with the monkey appearance in the land of Nikkou—on the plains of Senjougahara.

  The invincible war god with vast divine powers and carrying the attribute of steel. In terms of pure combat power, he was the most powerful opponent Godou had ever fought to date.

  However, Godou had also faced off against deities on the likes of the ancient Middle Eastern divine king as well as the goddess of wisdom who concealed a true serpentine nature.

  Oh well, they were pretty much all the same in the fact that every single battle was very difficult.

  In other words, a seven-hundred-story building looked pretty much the same as a seven-hundred-and-fifty-story building when viewed from the ground. Something like that.

  In response to Godou's sloppy perspective—Erica simply went "You're not incorrect" but supplemented:

  "However, I am very interested in the one described as Godou's 'nemesis.' Although your nemeses seem to number many, in actual fact, that's not always the case."

  "Well, after all, most heretic gods simply do as they please, so their crimes eventually catch up to them."

  Realizing what Erica was getting at, Godou answered.

  As a Campione, the authority Kusanagi Godou wielded consisted of Verethragna's transformations, the [Ten Incarnations]. Each incarnation had its own stringent usage conditions, such as requiring the target to be a great sinner who had caused the people to suffer, etc.

  Moreover, in general, most [Heretic Gods] committed atrocities repeatedly without being self-conscious of them.

  Furthermore, Godou's source of power, Verethragna the guardian god of justice, could be described as the nemesis of such evil.

  In terms of compatibility, one could conversely describe Godou as the nemesis of heretic gods instead.

  In particular, both the white stallion that destroyed the people's enemy with scorching flames as well as the warrior who wielded the sword of light for tearing apart evil gods could be considered powerful trump cards against the majority of gods.

  But Godou realized at this moment that the other girl in his company looked like she wanted to say something.

  Namely, the girl who had drawn "middle fortune."

  "What's the matter, Mariya?"

  "No, nothing much, just something slightly concerning..."

  The prim and proper Yamato Nadeshiko answered vaguely as if feeling rather troubled.

  However, Godou encouraged her to speak, casting a glance that said "Go on and tell me." Yuri timidly spoke up:

  "After listening to your exchange just now, I keep getting an uneasy feeling. I wonder if Godou-san might in the near future encounter an opponent with rather unfavorable natural advantages—an existence akin to a nemesis..."

  The Hime-Miko Mariya Yuri possessed the power of [Spirit Vision].

  Compared to drawing great misfortune, the fact that Yuri felt something "concerning" meant far more to Godou. Falling into silence, Godou exchanged glances with Erica beside him.

  Was yet another troublesome battle coming in the near future...?

  In hindsight, this was perhaps the incident's starting point.

  The next day after the fortune drawing—

  Godou and Yuri were heading to the Arakawa ward together after school.

  They were both in uniform because they headed straight from school. This was not some personal matter. Otherwise, the blonde and silver-haired girls would probably have followed along.

  However, those two girls had matters they had to attend to separately today.

  The girl who had appointed herself as Godou's grand chamberlain was set to meet up with them slightly later. But before that, Godou and Yuri were alone together. Godou could not help but feel quite shy. After switching to the train, they reached the station closest to the destination and finished the journey on foot.

  Although Godou did not ask, he felt that Yuri must surely be feeling the same way.

  Walking side by side, they exchanged few words, most probably affected by the mood. Both Godou and Yuri were unaccustomed to the opposite sex. This was obvious from the current atmosphere.

  However...

  Very incredibly, Godou did not feel uncomfortable in spite of that.

  Walking shoulder to shoulder, the distance between Godou and Yuri was slightly too intimate if they were merely fellow students from the same school.

  Separated by only centimeters, all Godou had to do was reach out slightly if he wanted to touch Yuri's hand.

  "I-If little children were in this situation, perhaps they would hold hands..."

  Yuri suddenly whispered softly, bowing her head shyly.

  Were Erica in her place, she would probably have taken Godou's hand directly as she spoke.

  However, the Yamato Nadeshiko beside him was probably not going to do something like that. Instead, she smiled with a shy expression on her face. Godou smiled gently in response.

  This was enough. Somehow, he always felt a sense of mutual connection in their thoughts and feelings.

  Ever since the commotion at Nikkou city, this feeling persisted between Godou and Yuri.

  Despite talking little, there was a sense of solace as they walked casually together, their destination entering into view.

  This was a certain shrine not far from the Sumida River.

  There were a few dozen people gathered on the visiting road beyond the entrance torii.

  It happened to be the day of a temple fair, hence the many stalls present.

  One could find the usual stalls selling takoyaki, roasted sausage, fried pancakes with assorted vegetables, cotton candy, chocolate bananas etc.

  "This sight makes me a little nostalgic. I feel like buying something to eat."

  "Is that so? In that case, let us go check it out later."

  Yuri suggested in response to Godou's unintentional mutterings.

  Godou immediately nodded to concur. But compared to a temple fair, they had more pressing matters to deal with first. Yuri proceeded to walk in front, leading Godou to their destination.

  The pair left the lively and bustling visiting road and passed through the protective forest.

  Entering the confines of the shrine, Godou could not find any signs of the priests a
nd shrine maidens who were supposed to be present. Perhaps they were busy with various tasks and managing the temple fair.

  However, there was probably an additional reason why the shrine personnel could not be found.

  Namely, they voluntarily stayed away, knowing that the Devil King Campione was visiting on this day—

  "I've been waiting for you, Onii-sama!"

  Coming out from within the shrine to greet them was a young girl dressed in a miko outfit.

  Mariya Hikari. Despite being a sixth grader, she was an apprentice Hime-Miko who possessed the special power of [Disaster Purification]. In addition, she was Yuri's younger sister.

  "All the preparations are ready. Please come this way."

  Hikari was a precocious girl, wise beyond her years.

  Smiling cheerfully, she displayed affection as she nimbly led Godou and Yuri towards the worship hall. Godou nodded and followed behind her together with Yuri.

  The interior of the worship hall was quite vast but rather dimly lit. Naturally, it was of wooden construction.

  Furthermore, there were a few strange objects here—rather, there were dozens of them lined up.

  White statues bearing human form.

  Upon careful examination, these solid shapes were made of salt.

  All were male with ages ranging from twenties to forties. The expressions on the salt statues' faces displayed surprise or fear. Most of them were dressed in suits.

  For an instant, they felt like living humans. Such was the realism exhibited by the exquisite detail of these salt statues.

  "These people, could they all be members of the History Compilation Committee...?"

  "Yes. They were the ones who were transformed into statues of salt by the Marquis' authority when Marquis Voban came to Japan back in June..."

  Yuri answered Godou's question.

  The most ancient Campione, the Marquis—Dejanstahl Voban had visited Japan for the purpose of obtaining Mariya Yuri's rare and exceptional spirit vision.

  After Godou fought him to a "draw," the Marquis had returned to Europe—

  These salt statues before Godou's eyes were his parting gifts.

  Pierced by the demonic gaze of Marquis Voban's glowing eyes of emerald, everyone was transformed into salt.

  This was the authority that the elderly Campione had usurped from a certain demonic deity.

  "The Eyes of Sodom... That was what the Witenagemot named this authority."

  The History Compilation Committee's Amakasu Touma had explained this yesterday.

  "According to reports, all it took was one glare to turn living humans entirely into salt... Furthermore, if the Marquis felt like it, he was capable of turning thousands or even tens of thousands of people into salt instantly. All the people who witnessed the city of Sodom's destruction by God's flames were transformed into pillars of salt—This authority was named in reference to its simple ability to recreate the story recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible."

  Amakasu normally displayed a inexplicably delighted expression whenever he said anything profound of this sort.

  However, he was speaking with a helpless tone of voice when he delivered the explanation yesterday.

  Furthermore, he was the one who made the request to Godou, asking him to attempt neutralizing the effects of the demonic gaze.

  "I seem to recall it being said that it was a power usurped from the deity Balor?"

  "Is that it...? Somehow, that is not the feeling I get..."

  Godou muttered as he looked at the salt statues standing haphazardly before him while Yuri whispered cautiously.

  "Could it be, you saw something?"

  "Y-Yes. One-eyed... Body clad in armor. I think it should be ancient—a divinity from European lands. A one-eyed war god...?"

  Yuri stared behind the salt statues.

  The miko with exceptional spirit vision should be able to discern the appearance of the deity who supplied the authority that had been applied to the salt statues. Speaking of which, Godou recalled something in particular.

  Marquis Voban was synonymous to the authority of "wolves."

  This was a power that appeared to stem from one of the monstrous wolves of Norse mythology, but in actual fact, it was an ability usurped from the Greek god of the sun, Apollo.

  "That old gramps was already a Campione before the Witenagemot's founding, so the information back then might not necessarily be accurate..."

  On the other hand, Yuri's vision powers, which were capable of catching partial glimpses of the truth despite a total lack of clues, should be praised greatly instead.

  If that was the case, perhaps Yuri might be able to discern more important information?

  As Godou cast an inquiring gaze at her, Yuri shook her head apologetically.

  "That is all I can currently see. The sacred name of the god who created this authority still eludes..."

  "I guess Verethragna's [Sword] can't be used after all."

  "However, I can indeed see that the curse placed by the Marquis has weakened compared to before. In that case, perhaps the method Amakasu-san suggested might succeed in lifting it."

  Godou nodded at Yuri's comment.

  Did the effects of Campiones' authorities weaken with the passage of time?

  With this question in his mind, Godou decided to test things out.

  During the period after the battle against Voban, Godou had obtained a new power despite the fact it was not his intention.

  "Hikari, after we absorb the power as much as possible, the rest is up to you."

  "Yes. Leave it to me, Onii-sama!"

  Mariya Hikari agreed cheerfully.

  The spirit power she wielded, disaster purification, was the special ability to neutralize all magical power and wizardry. Even the authorities of gods or Campiones could be nullified in part.

  Naturally, it did not have the power to erase Marquis Voban's authority.

  But if they did it this way...

  If this curse of salt which had weakened for some unknown reason was further drained by Godou, then—

  "Ama no Murakumo, please."

  Godou spoke softly to his right arm, where the divine blade Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi resided.

  This was the "partner" he had obtained after the commotion in the Netherworld. After surviving the battle at Nikkou, Godou had come to a basic understanding of how to use it.

  This divine sword, with its long history, possessed the trait of magical power absorption.

  Using this divine sword to absorb the magical power applied by the Marquis' authority, the curse of salt transformation could very well be weakened substantially.

  Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi suddenly manifested in Godou's hand.

  It took on a form that could just barely be considered a Japanese sword. The gently curved blade was quite similar to that of a katana, but was in actual fact the recreation of an ancient Japanese blade called the Warabite-tou.[6]

  In addition, Ama no Murakumo's blade was an ominous jet-black color—

  Godou casually made a thrust with the dangerous-looking "partner" known as the divine sword.

  "Let me absorb the power remaining from that old gramps!"

  "Efficacious signs of the bearer of Fortune, I implore your manifestation!"

  As Godou gave orders as he wielded the divine sword, Hikari also chanted spell words to use her spirit powers.

  There was a reason why the people who were turned into salt statues had been transported to this particular shrine. Reportedly, this place worshiped as its main deity Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi's guardian—Haya Susanoo no Mikoto.

  Apparently, going to suitable lands was necessary to increase the divine power of Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi.

  It was mentioned earlier that members of the History Compilation Committee had gathered at this place to perform wizardry rituals. As the divine sword's blade released its power, Hikari also applied her spirit powers.

  In the next instant, Yuri's eyes widened with surp
rise.

  Although the current time was before five in the afternoon, the sky had already begun to darken.

  Having completed their task, Godou and Yuri were walking along the shrine's visiting road.

  People were gathered around the fair stalls in bustling crowds.

  Wandering aimlessly among them, Yuri turned towards Godou with a gentle smile on her face.

  "It went quite smoothly for now. Quite a relief."

  "Oh well, hopefully there won't be any lingering side effects in the future."

  Combining Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi and Hikari's spirit powers, the intended result was achieved.

  After receiving a phone call from Amakasu who was currently absent due to handling other tasks, they were informed that he was coming to settle remaining matters once he became free later.

  Before he arrived, Godou and the girls decided to tour the shrine festival first.

  Hikari went off to change from her miko outfit to casual clothing, thus leaving Godou and Yuri alone together.

  "I'll simply go buy some food from the stalls to take care of dinner. I think grandpa and Shizuka both said they were coming home late tonight."

  "Shizuka-san? But there are no activities at the tea ceremony club today."

  "She said she had some kind of promise to fulfill."

  Godou and Yuri conversed as they strolled through the festival at a leisurely pace.

  Whenever their gazes met, Yuri smiled calmly.

  Without saying much, they simply enjoyed each other's company with a sense of inexplicable delight. Surely Yuri was feeling the same thing. Speaking of which, since they had come directly from school, both of them were still in uniform.

  Taking a detour on the road home from school to spend time peacefully with pleasant company.

  This was precisely the lifestyle of ordinary—or rather, normal students. Just as Godou was struck by this realization that a high school student was not supposed to experience...

  Yuri tugged at the sleeve of his uniform.

  "G-Godou-san. Over there is..."

  "What's up, Mariya... Uh, why on earth would she be here?"

  Godou shifted his gaze in the direction indicated by Yuri.

  A fried noodles stall.