Campione 10

by War God of the Lance

  "Guah!"

  The "ship" summoned by Guinevere via magic.

  As Godou fell back onto the deck of this ship, he moaned in pain.

  What happened just now? Godou stared in shock at Alec. The tall Black Prince in his stylish black jacket did not seem to have moved.

  Godou could feel the back of his head hurting. Sharp pain could be felt all over his body.

  "I too cannot be considered human, what with this supernatural resilience. Falling from that height, ordinary humans would probably die, or at least suffer who knows what kind of sequelae even if they survived."

  In the instant Alec spoke, Godou was surprised to find himself falling again.

  "Guah!"

  Falling on the deck once more, his whole body felt the violent impact.

  It was true. Were he an ordinary person, dying instantly would not come as a surprise. But Godou endured the intense pain from his entire body as he pushed himself up. Struggling, he got up on his feet.

  Godou himself was also a user of god speed. Even though it was only speculation, he seemed to have caught a rough idea of how the attack was conducted.

  He could probably find a method to counter it. Watch how I intercept it...!

  "Just lie down obediently. It'd be a great help if you could save me some effort."

  "Give me a break, it's just a few throws. I fully intend to finish the job."

  Alec smiled at Godou's retort with a "Hmph."

  Godou believed his guess was right. Using divine speed, Alec charged forward and stopped just in front of Godou, grabbing him and jumping into the air. Then at the appropriate moment he threw Godou down while he landed splendidly himself.

  If Godou unleashed god speed to the max, he could probably achieve the same feat.

  Using that particular ability would make his body exceptionally light, making the weight of a single human feel like nothing. Hence it was a skill that could accomplish the same thing.

  "I'm far too stubborn in the fact I never want to enjoy fighting while moving at that kind of speed. This manner is highly efficient, not bad right?"

  "That I can agree..."

  Godou had faced the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's continuous god speed attacks before.

  Nevertheless, he had no intention of imitating Alec. Given the ridiculous defenses and endurance of gods and Campiones, causing sufficient damage via this method would take way too much effort. During the entire time, he would need to suffer great strain while trying to attack continuously using god speed that was difficult to control.

  At this point in time, he did not think it would be a wise decision.

  Besides, the Great Sage's divine speed was probably fundamentally different from Godou's god speed.

  "...Well, this does make things all clear."

  Godou secretly muttered to himself.

  Even though they both held the same weapon, their levels of familiarity were completely different. Alec had completely mastered the power of god speed. If Godou tried to fight in the same manner, he would only lose pitifully.

  Godou activated Verethragna's fourth incarnation, the [Camel].

  The power that could only be used when heavily injured, it was the incarnation which possessed beast-like combat ability, leg strength and endurance.

  --He's coming!

  The [Camel]'s instincts sensed Alec beginning to make a move.

  Rather than seeing through the attack itself, the beast-like instincts sensed the enemy's decision to attack -- the aura of killing intent. In the instant Alec proceeded to disappear, Godou kicked with his right leg as if trying to shatter the chin and skull of an enemy standing before him.

  At the same time, something moving at abnormal speeds approached then evaded this kick -- that was what he sensed.

  Alec reappeared where he was standing originally.

  "A skill to capture my speed... Who knew a guy like you was able to achieve something like that?"

  "It's because others have mercilessly done the same to me before..."

  Alec appeared rather amused while Godou endured his pain as he responded.

  The ones who could see through god speed and even reverse the situation to their advantage were Luo Cuilian as well as Salvatore Doni.

  The [Camel] incarnation held combat potential approaching those superhumans. Even if Godou could not do the exact same thing, a rough imitation was well within his ability.

  "Hmm... Well, it's only an imitation after all. I think if I were to attack continuously, you will soon reveal openings."

  Sharp indeed. Godou nearly choked in response to Alec's perceptiveness.

  Even though he did it successfully by chance, from the feeling just now Godou surmised he would probably get hit one in three times. Even so, this level of hindrance was enough to prevent his opponent from attacking at will.

  This probably counted as making effective use of things.

  "That said, I don't particularly like engaging in a trade of blows with enemies. Let's change things up a bit."

  Alec smiled as he declared. In that very instant...

  Crash! The magical sailing ship began to shake intensely as if pitched by an earthquake. Some sort of massive object was lurking in the sea, clashing violently with the bottom of the ship--

  Crash! Another quake. The underwater assault continued.

  What had arrived from the sea? Leaving the puzzled Godou behind, Alec nimbly jumped up, landing lightly on the ship's mast.

  "My apologies. Trading blows like in boxing doesn't suit my style! I decided to bring an escort expressly for times like this. It's slightly disgraceful but it should be enough to satisfy a hot-blooded one like you!"

  True to his word, Alec stood back and watched coldly from above as he called out.

  An escort!? It was this guy's doing!? Godou tried to maintain balance on the rocking ship as he ran along the edge.

  Looking down at the sea brought a great surprise. There was a massive silhouette deep in the water, in the shape of a gigantic humanoid.

  The thing resembling a giant was apparently attacking the ship, causing it to rock intensely. The shadow had long hair as well as a feminine physique. The protrusions on its back were evocative of wings. The lower torso did not have legs but resembled a fish tail instead. Godou recalled the information on Alec that Alice had shown him.

  Indeed this must be the [Faceless Queen].

  In all likelihood, that man possessed five authorities. [Black Lightning], [Judging Furies], the [Labyrinth], [Wandering Avarice], and finally, [Faceless Queen].

  This was the queen bound by a single absolute rule, her "face" must not be exposed. Apparently if anyone catches a glimpse of her face, she is immediately unsummoned. Nevertheless, her powers included flying in the sky, swimming like a fish in water, and destructive power that could shatter a tower of steel. Not only could she appear and disappear elusively, her body size could also be adjusted at will.

  Disregarding the restriction requiring her face to stay unseen, her powers were all-purpose indeed--

  Crash! The ship rocked again.

  It was going to sink if this continued. Once a hole was opened at the bottom of the ship, it would be game over.

  Alec was described as a mage in addition to possessing the power to fly through the air as lightning. Even if the ship sank he could probably escape without problems. On the other hand, Godou would have no choice but to swim once forced into the sea.

  --In that case, I'll have to summon that guy!

  Godou instantly made his decision.

  "The one unblunted and unapproachable! Oath-breaking sinners be purged by the iron hammer of justice!"

  Yelling the spell words, Godou called upon Verethragna's fifth incarnation.

  From the surface of the sea, a pitch-black and majestic [Boar] was summoned, its size no less massive than the queen. The incarnation which could only be summoned for the purpose of pulverizing a massive object. Naturally, the target this time was the queen.

 
Aaaaoooooooooooh!!

  The divine beast's roars reverberated across the vast sea.

  Truth be told, if this guy turned out to be unable to swim, we'd really be in trouble. Godou secretly worried.

  But that was not the case. Floating on the sea, the black [Boar] suddenly charged forward, as if jet skiing or like a torpedo piercing through the water, slicing through the sea and moving straight towards the goddess to collide at high speed!

  On the other hand, the goddess, only visible as a silhouette, was rather agile.

  Nimbly turning her body in the sea like a fish, she evaded the [Boar]'s straight charge.

  However, the [Boar]'s competitive spirit was greatly roused. After the attack missed its mark, the [Boar] quickly made a U-turn and charged at the queen again.

  Thus began the water battle between gigantic monsters.

  The faceless queen somehow conjured and tossed massive spears in the water to attack as she evaded the charging [Boar].

  As the [Boar] engaged the amorphous shadow in close quarter combat, its tusks could occasionally be seen piercing into the enemy.

  At the same time, the queen's thrown spears also tore open the pitch-black hide. Out spewed otherworldly black blood, dying the seawater an inky color.

  "Now I see, you too are an owner of a ferocious beast. Haha, it's not really necessary to compare the ferocity of our pets in the sea!"

  The moment Alec's laughter was heard, the queen's figure disappeared from the sea.

  Having lost its target, the charging [Boar] fruitlessly parted the waters as it charged around.

  In that instant, Godou suddenly noticed. He felt an extraordinary sense of danger.

  Relying on instinctual warnings, Godou jumped forward as if diving into a swimming pool, not even glancing at Alec who was supposed to be standing on the ship's mast. Had he diverted his attentions to look, it would probably have been too late.

  At the same time as Godou's jump, Alec appeared at the position where Godou had just been standing.

  Stabbing suddenly with weapon in hand, the attack missed thanks to Godou's leaping escape.

  "Didn't you say exchanging physical blows was not your style!?"

  "What? As long as it's a one-sided affair that I can end in one or two hits, I suppose it can be accepted as a guise."

  Godou's blunt criticism was casually dismissed.

  Even so, for that guy to deliberately choose that kind of object as a weapon -- Godou was quite impressed by the tool held in Alec's hand. What a truly strange man.

  The stabbing object turned out to be an antique fountain pen. The type of pen which required ink to be filled in from the tip. Even as a writing tool it was out of fashion, let alone being used as a weapon.

  "Hoho, this? I just happen to have no interest in carrying crude fighting implements. Well, this thing suffices for emergencies."

  Noticing Godou's gaze, Alec threw the pen like a dart.

  The pen sliced through the air with a whistling sound, causing Godou to evade by jumping to the side.

  Missing its target, the pen embedded itself into the ship's deck. Not just the pen tip but even half of the shaft was buried into the deck. Apparently magic had been used to increase damage.

  ...It's really a first time for me to fight this type of enemy.

  Godou marveled to himself as he stood back up. Using so many tactics of conspiracy and deception, Alec virtually eschewed conventional upfront battle. Using all sorts of ways to evade the enemy's attacks as he searched for openings to land a decisive blow, that was how he concluded his battles.

  Dance like a butterfly, sting like a bee -- no, rather he was like a devil spinning a chessboard.

  Victory was definitely beyond reach if he allowed Alec to control the pace of battle. Godou was struck deeply by this revelation. As feared, was the decisive ultimate technique the [Raptor] after all...?

  To be used as a tactical tool instead of relying on its speed.

  Godou understood now was the time to use his trump card.

  Part 5

  Lancelot and Guinevere advanced towards the labyrinthine Devil's Sea.

  Overlooking the vast sea beneath them as they spurred the flying white divine horse. Sitting on the saddle, Guinevere entered a stance in front of the knight who held the reins.

  "Beloved child, it is almost time to summon Fake Minos."

  "Understood, Sir Knight."

  Guinevere nodded in acknowledgement to the protector who was once again fully armed.

  "O Holy Grail! O Fountain of Life, legacy of the white goddess! I beseech you to answer to her daughter the goddess' descendant!"

  The golden urn appeared in front of the flying divine horse.

  That was the Holy Grail which had absorbed all of Athena's essence. Suddenly manifesting from empty space, it hovered in the air.

  "King of Crete, father of the minotaur, His Royal Highness the priest of live sacrifices. Guinevere implores the sky, praying to the earth, petitions the ocean for Your Royal Highness to grace us with your presence once more. Please listen to a young girl's pleas, and send forth your fragments to the earth!"

  Guinevere used the spirit power of [Divine Summoning]. This was the secret technique unique to Divine Ancestors, for manifesting minions which once served them when they were still goddesses -- divine beasts of water and land.

  However, the spell Guinevere was currently using involved an additional step.

  Spell words for summoning a beast on the level of the gods, were enveloping the Holy Grail. Next the golden urn began to change in form. The head of a ferocious bull with the nude figure of a man below the neck. Standing tall at ten meters or so.

  This was the likeness of the god Minos whom Alec had slain on Crete eight years ago.

  Using the Holy Grail's magical power to manifest a fake god -- required turning the Grail itself into a god. During this time, the Grail's original functions were lost, thus disabling the divine lance Excalibur which relied on the connection with the Holy Grail.

  Fake Minos leisurely flew through the sky, next to the soaring divine horse.

  They were advancing towards Avalon which had been raised by Alec. Furthermore, the Devil's Sea which sealed this island away -- that was the authority which Alec had usurped from the god Minos.

  Even if this sea that had been turned into a labyrinth was openly contested from the air, it would still take days to break through.

  However, if power was borrowed from Fake Minos who possessed the same authority--

  Under the guidance of Fake Minos, Lancelot and Guinevere finally entered the territory of this Devil's Sea. Avalon, along with the 'King of the End' who supposedly slept there, was the goal!

  In the current battle, Black Prince Alec held an absolute advantage through his divine speed.

  Even someone other than Kusanagi Godou would have reached such an instant conclusion. But Godou's observations of his enemy went a little further.

  Black Prince Alec was a man who loved to show off his wits. Rather than using divine speed as a "weapon for battle," he most likely viewed it as "a tool to establish tactical advantage" instead.

  He held an overwhelming speed advantage over his enemies.

  As a result, offense and defense relying completely on speed -- were not used. Instead, he used speed as an advantage to maintain dominance in battle.

  Through the use of speed, action could often be taken faster than the enemy.

  Movement times could also be shortened greatly, allowing near instantaneous mobility and the option to disengage from the battlefield.

  Incoming attacks could be evaded using divine speed with absolutely no chance of being countered.

  Grasping this dominance firmly in his hands, battles could be ended in one fell swoop. This was Alec's usual method and path towards victory. He took great pains to shorten the time spent moving at divine speed, as if trying as much as possible not to squander it.

  Probably because divine speed was a difficult authority
to control, it was being used in this manner.

  Experienced with the same ability, Godou understood this point. First of all, simply using it placed the body and mind under great strain. Particularly in Godou's case, this burden manifested in the form of a time limit.

  In addition, precise movements were very difficult.

  Learning to switch between fast and slow moves had allowed him to fight effectively. However, each time Godou accelerated or decelerated, he had to divert a substantial amount of concentration...

  Regardless of which manner of usage, it was readily apparent that Alec was an expert in divine speed.

  Godou had no hope of winning a battle decided by speed alone. Nevertheless, the [Raptor] -- the incarnation of god speed was still necessary.

  The opponent's advantage was obvious indeed, but looking at it the other way, was it really impossible to expose an opening--

  Just as Alec made a thrust with his fountain pen again, Godou activated the [Raptor]. Like his opponent, he only applied god speed for an instant, evading the pen tip as quickly as lightning.

  As a result, the [Boar] rampaging in the sea disappeared.

  "I was wondering when you'd finally use this. Now is the time, I see."

  Witnessing Godou's god speed, Alec commented with great interest.

  At last, Alec raised his speed to the maximum and began running across the deck. Godou also sped up to the same speed to pursue after him.

  Once he tangled with the Black Prince, he would probably be able to imitate that "efficient manner" of attack.

  With this goal in mind, Godou ran after Alec. But he could not catch up. Though it was true that their speeds were equal, their skill in speed adjustment differed too greatly.

  Alec had been running with divine speed fully unleashed. Godou pursued at the same speed.

  Then Alec suddenly shifted from high gear to low gear, causing Godou who continued at top speed to overtake the decelerated Black Prince.

  This resulted in a reversal in position with a huge gap of separation.

  Next, Alec jumped into the air.

  Godou ran towards the place Alec was poised to land. But Alec reduced his god speed, thereby ignoring the existences of free fall and gravity, and descended at reduced speed.