Campione 10

by War God of the Lance

  "On the contrary. As long as we give the Princess a justified pretext, it's good enough."

  Unexpectedly, Erica refuted Yuri's statement of moderation.

  "Recently, the renown of Kusanagi Godou has increased greatly, which is good. Godou, I will inform her of our plans, so you can go ahead and put on a good show."

  She had clearly thought up some kind of troublesome plan.

  Oh well, this is for the purpose of seeing Alice, no other way around it. Godou sighed as he nodded, resigned to his fate.

  "We'll have to get up early for the busy day tomorrow. Let's all hurry and get to bed."

  "Speaking of getting up early, the one with the biggest problem is definitely you, Erica."

  Seeing Erica beginning to issue orders haughtily, Godou could not help but retort.

  Erica Blandelli was unable to get out of bed in the mornings unassisted. It had reached the point where someone had to take her to school every day. Nevertheless, the girl with the devil moniker smiled seductively:

  "Oh my? That won't be a problem at all."

  "How can you be so sure? For someone like you, even if the hotel's morning call service was used, you'd simply ignore it and keep sleeping."

  "What are you talking about? Getting me out of bed in the mornings is obviously your duty."

  Erica suddenly embraced Godou.

  That elastic and amazingly voluptuous bosom and gorgeously supple body were tightly pressed against Godou.

  "This is an uncommon chance to stay in a hotel on a rare trip. Naturally, we must share the same bed and enjoy a passionate night together as lovers should, right?"

  "......W-What?"

  Godou shuddered with extraordinary fright. By the way, this kind of situation—

  Even though he had just noticed, was this not a desperate predicament? A notion suddenly flashed across Godou's mind. Think about this. A single male traveling with three girls, and in foreign lands as well. The trip last week to Kisarazu was similar, but at least there were History Compilation Committee members present at their lodgings.

  This was totally a four-person expedition. Besides, the whole thing came out of his own planning.

  Haven't I grown way too accustomed to these strange situations?

  Godou began to fear the situation he had personally created.

  "...Traveling with everyone, but the only guy is me? Whether Amakasu-san, Kaoru-san, Yinghua, or people from the Committee, none of them are here, which means I'm the only one traveling with the rest?"

  "Yes. Isn't that what you proposed in the first place, Godou?"

  Hugging Godou's arm, Erica whispered in his ear.

  Godou abruptly turned towards Yuri, making the quintessential Yamato Nadeshiko bow her head with a blush. She was embarrassed.

  "I-Indeed, that is the situation. Godou-san. Invited by you, I could not possibly refuse..."

  Mustering her courage, she murmured in a delicate and charming voice.

  An ordinary group trip... Even with that description, there were too many sensational aspects. Godou suddenly felt like he had received a blunt knock on the head.

  Then he turned his gaze to Liliana. The silver-haired knight showed calmness indicative of universal acceptance.

  "I have sworn to assist you for a lifetime. No matter how unreasonable, I will put forth all my effort into fulfilling your orders... By the way, Erica. Is it not time for you to separate from Godou? That is about enough."

  "Ah Lily. Embracing each other like this, affirming the touch of each other's existence, shouldn't that be allowed without any restriction? Don't say something so insensitive."

  Staring back directly, Erica was unfazed by her childhood friend and rival's cold glare.

  "Regardless, it is Godou himself who proposed taking us along with his expedition. Should I not act in accordance as his lover? Without a satisfying personal life, he won't be able to concentrate on work."

  Feeling Erica's lips on his cheek, Godou began to curse his own stupidity.

  It was not too late, act safely and cautiously! The first priority would be struggling free from Erica's tight embrace, for continuing to stay this close would be...

  However, he could not even budge against Erica's magically enhanced arm strength.

  Furthermore, Liliana was glaring reproachfully at her childhood friend and rival while casting admonishing gazes at Godou, filling him with apprehension.

  If this continued, Yuri would probably start lecturing...

  Even though the sensations of Erica's passionate embrace were very pleasurable, Godou felt like he was hugging explosives. Turning his gaze to Yuri, he was surprised to find the Hime-Miko deep in thought with a serious expression. Then she spoke slowly:

  "This is not the first time for Erica-san to act in this manner... Perhaps it is a good opportunity after all. I have a suggestion for everyone."

  What kind of situation is this? Godou felt uneasy.

  "Before we left, I was worrying this would happen and it would develop into another argument like the time at Nikkou."

  Yuri spoke with concern as she recalled what happened a few months ago.

  A commotion had indeed occurred when Erica wanted to sleep with Godou. In order to deter her, Yuri and Liliana ended up staying with them in the same room...

  "I feel that entering another disagreement over similar issues would be extremely foolish. After all, opportunities for us to travel together with Godou-san will only increase from now on... Hence, I think we should handle things in the following manner."

  Yuri lifted her head with determination and swept her gaze across the group.

  Hime-Miko — true to the title of "Hime," Yuri displayed a most solemn expression.

  She was right. Godou felt relieved. Senseless commotions would only waste time and energy, so everyone needed to be reminded to act with propriety. This was very helpful of Yuri.

  "Whenever we go traveling, everyone needs to stay in the same room... I think that should be established as the rule. Is this not the best method to eliminate contention?"

  Oh my god, what happened to propriety...?

  Godou was flabbergasted by the radical proposal which was the furthest thing from propriety. Nevertheless, to his utter surprise, Erica and Liliana began to ponder Yuri's proposal in earnest.

  Part 2

  Ah, the sunshine is so bright...

  Watching the rising sun through the hotel window, Godou was using the sofa as a bed. Having maintained his reason and sanity throughout so many crises, Godou was a bit impressed with himself...

  Liliana had made a booking at the hotel.

  But thanks to Erica's meddling, the booking had been changed.

  Originally, there was an additional room as proper for separation by gender. As a male, Godou was not going to spend the night in the same room with three girls. However, that booking was cancelled. Instead, a spacious room with only a single large size double bed had been arranged for the whole group...

  And so, one night passed—

  Currently, three beautiful maidens were deep in their dreams, lying on the double bed.

  Obviously, they were Erica, Yuri and Liliana. The extra size bed was more than ample for the three slender girls. Seeing them get along so well, it was a sight that brought a smile to one's face.

  However, Godou only glanced briefly before averting his gaze immediately.

  The girls' uncouth sleeping postures were so troubling he could not bear to watch.

  Even though Yuri and Liliana were wearing nightgowns, the lower hems had been displaced by random movements in their sleep, revealing bare legs in their dazzling white glory.

  Naturally, Erica was the same as usual, sleeping in her underwear, wrapped in a blanket.

  Her sleeping appearance was not very graceful, but being able to see her in such a vulnerable and honest state was quite a treat.

  Cornered by such a scene, Godou felt his sanity being assaulted. With three beautiful girls, their attack power was trip
led, or rather, cubed.

  "Thanks... Thanks to that, I woke up this early..."

  Watching the morning sunshine, Godou muttered to himself.

  Last night, after hearing Yuri's proposal...

  "Indeed... Though it sounded rather radical at first, it is in actual fact quite a reasonable idea. If everyone is gathered in one place, we can keep an eye on each other."

  That was Liliana's response as she glared at Erica who continued to embrace Godou.

  "Well, it's true from the perspective of equal opportunity. This idea is not bad."

  Erica consented with a slightly bored expression, still tightly pressed against Godou.

  Despite the adamant protests of the leader Godou, all the girls ignored him. Thereafter, nothing noteworthy occurred.

  Besides the likes of Godou trying to flee but being foiled by Erica's casting of [Locking] magic on the door.

  Or the intense heart racing caused by the girls taking baths or changing.

  Or being exhausted by the long journey, only to find the bed occupied by three sprawling girls.

  Or things like Erica's tempting "why not sleep together?", Yuri and Liliana's profound gazes, being embroiled in various arguments. In the end, Godou slept by himself on the lonely sofa couch. Unable to enter slumber, he suffered lying awake until late into the night.

  Completely unnoteworthy, right?

  In any case, morning came to the hotel at Heathrow Airport.

  "Coffee... Let me find something to drink."

  Getting up from the couch, Godou muttered.

  "If you wish, let me prepare it? ...Godou-san?"

  "Since we came to England, how about some tea? The equipment is here."

  Voices came from behind.

  Godou turned to find Yuri and Liliana getting up from bed.

  "I'm sorry, was I too loud?"

  "Do not be concerned. Today will be a busy day and I had intended to get up early."

  "Yes, same for me."

  Yuri nodded in agreement with Liliana. The two began to prepare tea together using the teapot and tea ware provided in the room.

  Like Japanese hotels, most English hotels were also equipped to make tea.

  Looking at the girls' appearance, Godou felt rather worried.

  The two of them were still in their nightgowns. Yuri's usually meticulously combed hair was slightly ruffled by sleep while Liliana's long silver hair was unbound from her usual ponytail.

  In other words, this was a sight normally reserved for family.

  Except maybe close friends for occasional sleepovers, or intimate couples...

  "By the way, Mariya Yuri. I really like your idea, it is a bit unlike your usual style."

  While brewing tea, Liliana suddenly spoke.

  "Ah, yes. In actual fact, it occurred to me when Ena-san was telling me about what happened during the time we were turned into stone."

  "Ah, that time."

  The silver-haired knight nodded at Yuri's answer.

  It was a completely natural conversation, but Godou somehow felt uneasy. Perhaps it was the mention of the unaware troublemaker, Seishuuin Ena.

  "During the incident last week, Godou-san and Ena-san spent a night together under the same blanket in the same room at the same inn... Ena-san told me with great embarrassment. As all sorts of thoughts and feelings converged, I came up with this proposal..."

  "......Hmph. Is that so?"

  Hearing Yuri's mournful confession, Liliana muttered monotonously.

  Then she brought the readied tea over to Godou.

  "It is ready, drink up while it is hot."

  "T-Thanks. Looks delicious."

  "No. These are not quality tea leaves so I expect the taste to be average. Anyway, Kusanagi Godou, now that I think about it, I have forgotten to hear your detailed report about the events during our petrification. As your premier knight, this is an inexcusable oversight. My utmost apologies."

  Liliana's apology felt very business-like and imposing. Godou steadied himself.

  "...In order for me to reflect thoroughly, please do enlighten me. Tell me the details of what transpired during the night Mariya Yuri and I were petrified. Is that fine?"

  Godou turned to glance at the clock. There were still two or three hours until breakfast.

  During this time, there was apparently no way to escape Liliana's interrogation. A crisis indeed.

  On the other hand, Erica remained sound asleep despite the current atmosphere.

  The sight of her face in peaceful slumber made Godou incredibly jealous.

  After enduring the exhausting morning, Godou finally managed to appease Liliana's wrath.

  The group went for breakfast once Erica slowly crept out of bed.

  The traditional English breakfast was known for its sumptuous abundance. The hotel where Godou's group stayed was one which maintained such a custom.

  Offerings included fried eggs and crispy bacon, grilled tomatoes, hash browns, baked beans with mushrooms, sausages, thinly-sliced toast, etc...

  A morning meal with a wide assortment of food.

  Yuri could not finish everything with her small appetite, but the other three made an excellent display of their bottomless stomachs, clearing everything out without wastage — not simply due to the quantity, for the taste was rather good as well.

  After breakfast, the group left the hotel and took a taxi cab.

  The ride from Heathrow to London took a few dozens of minutes. As planned originally, Godou's destination was Greenwich in the suburbs rather than the tourist attractions in London's city center.

  Without needing to drive towards the usual tourist attractions, the taxi made its way rather quickly.

  "A rare chance for me to visit England, what a pity."

  Godou muttered to himself as he sat on the passenger side next to the driver.

  As his first visit to this foreign capital, it was only natural to want to go for a sightseeing tour.

  However, he was alone in that regard. Whether Erica, Liliana or even Yuri, all of them had been to London too many times in the past.

  Very soon, the raging currents of the River Thames came into view.

  Godou had heard of the famed river numerous times. Greenwich was a little town next to the Thames.

  Getting off the taxi, Erica led the way at her usual familiar pace.

  Everyone followed.

  Greenwich was the little town known for the famous Royal Observatory. Established in the seventeenth century as the zeroth degree longitude, the observatory was the basis for Greenwich Mean Time.

  There were other worthwhile attractions such as the National Maritime Museum and Greenwich Park. This was also the location of the organization where Princess Alice once served as the spokesperson — the Witenagemot's headquarters.

  "Unlike our respective organizations, the [Bronze Black Cross] and the [Copper Black Cross], the Witenagemot of Greenwich is not a magic association. An extreme description would be something like a mutual aid society."

  Liliana explained as they walked in the little town.

  "Mutual aid society?"

  "Yes. It was originally a simple organization where members exchanged occult knowledge, thereby obtaining insight from one another. Whenever a member's research stagnated in progress, the others would offer financial or academic assistance."

  I see, so it's really like a mutual aid society. Godou understood now.

  "As time went on, the Witenagemot established many independent research organizations one after another, and became a great authority especially with the founding of the Academy, thus engendering its current unique position... Furthermore, the Witenagemot was established in the nineteenth century during England's Victorian era. At the time, they were forced to continually strengthen the organization in order to survive."

  "In order to survive... Sounds quite dangerous."

  Godou puzzled over Liliana's explanation.

  Standing beside him, Yuri shuddered slightly as she spoke: />
  "Back then, London was where that person — Dejanstahl Voban lived. Reportedly, he was enjoying city life in the rapidly developing capital of the British Empire..."

  "Eh, that old gramps?"

  The demon who viewed gods as prey and caused other Devil Kings to tremble before him.

  The memories of the old Marquis who maintained a facade of intellect over his true "bestial" nature were still extremely vivid.

  "Back then when he was still a young man, he reportedly went to pay a formal visit to Queen Victoria just for fun."

  "In order to protect England and the queen from the Marquis' threat, the Witenagemot began to devote serious resources to researching the Devil King Campiones. This is actually quite a famous incident."

  Liliana recounted it as a legend, but Yuri unexpectedly knew the inside story.

  Staying in the same city and living under the shadow of that monster must have been suffering. Godou offered his condolences to Alice's predecessors.

  "Great, we've arrived. Hurry and get ready."

  Erica called out to everyone as she stopped before a certain pub.

  So this was an English pub? Godou was a bit impressed as he followed Erica. Naturally, Yuri and Liliana came along as well.

  The pub was rather ancient but kept very clean and tidy.

  There was a wondrous relaxing atmosphere inside the dim interiors. The evenings were probably filled with nearby men gathering for fish and chips, drinking beer, chatting, and watching soccer matches.

  However, it was currently morning.

  There were no other people apart from the middle-aged man who was preparing to open the place.

  Greeting Erica cheerfully, he welcomed Godou attentively with a fearful gaze as he led everyone inside.

  "Was the guy just now one of Erica's comrades?"

  "He is a member of the [Copper Black Cross] who is stationed at Greenwich. My association has personnel distributed all over Europe in this manner to receive the latest news on the Witenagemot... So Godou, please act in the manner you have agreed to."

  Opening the lid of a notebook computer at the cashier, Erica replied.

  "It can't be helped... Fine, I will try."

  It was too late to back out. Godou's voice was low and gloomy.