Campione 02

by Arrival of a Devil King

  Godou felt his nerves tense, and at that instant.

  "...Please stop! Great Marquis, if you do not withdraw, then including me and Kusanagi Godou, as well as the others, blow us all away!"

  Angrily glaring at the two [Kings], Yuri yelled.

  For some reason she looked extremely weak, and was held in Erica's arms. The Hime-Miko totally drenched in rain, was placing her life on the line to such an extent.

  "As long as I am gone, you will have no reason to battle, so please make a decision."

  To think that Yuri would speak such words.

  As if scolded lightly by Yuri's awe-inspiring expression, Godou was going to speak, but Voban responded first.

  "Are you serious, miko? Are you meaning to say it is fine to kill you right here?"

  "Correct. If the residents of the city are dangerously threatened because of me, then I have no other recourse but to sacrifice myself."

  Seeing Yuri speak with such a stern expression, Voban was speechless for a second.

  "Little lady, one who doesn't understand the joy of hunting, you just killed the mood... Fine, to have reached this point, I will now declare in the name of I, Dejanstahl Voban."

  Voban's eyes—the evil eyes burning like the irises of a tiger.

  Unable to suppress rage and boiling passion. Are we finally fighting? Godou pushed his body forward.

  "Brat! Kusanagi Godou, victory is yours! This time, you win!"

  Declared the victor by such hateful tones, Godou was surprised.

  "You're saying I won?"

  "I already said before this hunt. The only rule was I will kill you and catch the girl! However, I misjudged your power. I am now tired at this stage... If I continued fighting you like this, I won't have excess power to guarantee the safety of the little lady. Thus, you have won."

  Voban explained impatiently.

  Come to think of it, he did say something like that. Realizing the old man had been treating the current deathmatch as just a game, Godou felt rooted to the spot.

  "If I cannot even abide by the rule I set myself, then I have lost! I underestimated your power, I was defeated by my own naiveté! ...I may have gone senile, failing to see through what kind of fellow you were, the first time I laid my eyes on you."

  At those forward staring evil eyes burning with emerald light, Godou glared back without backing down.

  He felt that he would not lose even if the fight continued, but if the other side wanted to stop, it was fine. It was almost time to settle things.

  "Next time we encounter each other, I will hunt you with all my strength. Be prepared for that day. Hone your skills, experience more adverse battles. I won't be so easy to handle if I were serious."

  Turning his back to Godou and the rest, the old Campione strode forward.

  The roadside was tinted with an orange glow by the Tokyo Tower fire, and the depths of darkness were breached by swirls of wind and rain.

  "Keep this in mind, between [Kings] like us, there can only exist one of the following relationships—ignoring each other, pacts of nonaggression, or eternal enemies dueling to the very end. And now, you will be my enemy!"

  These were the last words left behind by Voban.

  Once his figure disappeared, the [Dead Servants] who had re-materialized turned back into dust, and truly started their journey towards eternal peace.

  May they rest in peace, however—

  At the same time as he prayed, Goudou lost strength, it was really tiring after all.

  Though he did not know about the future, but at least they all survived. However, this did not mean everything was over.

  "That tower sure burns well, this is a unique scene."

  "You are talking like a devil as usual. Such style certainly makes one want to sigh."

  "That should be made of steel, right? Since it's raining, I guess it won't be burning for too long... Ah, I did something bad again..."

  As Godou held his head in his arms, Erica and Liliana also went limp.

  They were also at their limit, and with their hazy consciousness, the three of them looked out at the red and white Tokyo Tower that was burning most spectacularly.

  The Tower's height was 332.6 metres.

  Originally built as a communications tower, it later became a Tokyo landmark and famous tourist attraction. Built over fifty years ago, it was a very familiar milestone to local residents.

  "In that case, is Mariya ok? ...What happened, you look very tired?"

  Godou asked the very lifeless looking Yuri.

  Mentally it was obvious, but she should not have been exerting herself physically. This level of fatigue was incomprehensible. At that point, the three girls sighed all together.

  What is going on, they were very surprised, Godou had this feeling.

  "Godou, have you noticed what you have done?"

  Erica was the first to respond, and then Yuri and Liliana began to explain to him the side effects brought upon by the [Goat] form.

  Hearing that he had been empowering himself with the life force of everyone around him, Godou was struck with intense shame and worry.

  "W-will someone die because of this? What's the situation? What a dangerous form...!"

  "I think that probably will not happen. After all, even weak as I am, I only collapsed slightly as if with anemia... Maybe just report it a bit. When Godou-san let loose that final lightning attack, it felt like my consciousness was blown very far away, and then I fell."

  "A-a-a-are you ok, Mariya? I hope others are fine too—"

  Godou frantically tried to search the illuminated surroundings of the Tokyo Tower.

  ...On further thought, he hoped that any people in the Tower were also fine. Though it was night, it was impossible for there to be no one.

  "When Voban was summoning the storms, the Tokyo Tower seemed to have issued a thunder and wind evacuation warning already. I had Amakasu-san confirm just now, so it was most fortunate in spite of everything..."

  Yuri's words relieved Godou's self-reproach slightly. But still, knowing he was responsible for a disaster, he still felt very uncomfortable.

  Every time was like this, and this time was no ordinary scale.

  Watching the depressed Godou, Yuri sighed and walked over.

  "Godou-san, the responsibility of this incident does not rest solely upon you. I am your accomplice, so please cheer up. If there is any problem, I will gladly accept punishment together with you."

  "Mariya..."

  "Did I not say that wherever you go, I will follow? Have you forgotten?"

  Gazing directly at Godou's face, Yuri's eyes were more gentle than any goddess. Caught in such a gaze, Godou could not help being mesmerized, but at that moment...

  Cough.

  Hearing a light cough behind him, Godou turned around to look.

  It was Erica, who had lowered her head and coughed lightly.

  "What is it!? Are you ok, was it because of me!?"

  "Perhaps... Yes, Godou. Come over a bit. My chest is not feeling well..."

  Seeing his partner in a rare state of apparent weakness, Godou went over completely gullible.

  ...Thinking back, that was his greatest blunder that night.

  "Is there anything I can do? Let's go to the hospital, pull yourself together!"

  Completely drenched by the rain, Erica's body felt rather cold, at the same time she was quite exhausted.

  While he gently stroked her back, Godou leaned closer to support her slender body. At that moment the attack came.

  Erica reached out with her hands in a well-trained manner, and lifted Godou's face.

  He felt a seductively beautiful and moist gaze looking at him.

  "Kusanagi Godou—from what I understand, even Mariya is fine. How could you possibly believe that this devil woman, who is even healthier than an ox, would be weakened? Looks like you are still too gullible..."

  Liliana commented with a critical tone.

  It was exactly as she said, Godou who was no
w caught in Erica's clutches completely agreed, but there was no helping it. After such an intense battle, anyone would let down their guard...

  "S-so Erica, could you stop the pranks! This is too indecent!"

  "Since the atmosphere between Yuri and Godou changed completely, I felt worried and had to act... Hey, what did you two do exactly?"

  Showing a witch's smile whose beauty shook one from the core, Erica kept asking.

  Her gentle hands were lovingly holding Godou's face and caressing his head, as if trying to locate and retrieve some hidden code with her delicate hands.

  If he didn't answer properly, these slender hands could probably crack his skull open in an instant.

  Suddenly worried for an inexplicable reason, Godou felt himself retreating, while Yuri on the side seemed to have her head bowed as if guilty.

  "What I am slightly concerned of is how you prepared the [Sword] against the Marquis. Ah, though I already asked on the phone, but could you tell me once again? It's just a small thing, right?"

  Erica was whispering in Godou's ear.

  And then she began to kiss his ear lightly, and moved on to his lips. It began with a light touch between the lips, but it soon evolved to Erica's lips licking Godou's, and then beginning to suck, and proceeding to boldly extend her tongue to entangle—

  "Y-You have no shame..."

  Liliana was watching from the side with her face bright red.

  Despite saying that, she seemed to be watching with great interest and displayed no intention of diverting her gaze. What could one say? Godou was filled with chagrin, but given the way he allowed Erica to toy with him all the time, he was not qualified to comment on others.

  Just like idiot couples in a brazen display of public affection, with a lover on his lap and engaging in intimacy without regard of others.

  That was the only way to describe the current state of affairs, but Godou felt like a frog within the sights of a snake.

  His heart was full of fear and terror, as if he was going to be killed any moment now.

  Even Yuri, who used to reprimand such situations instantly, was speechless.

  Though her blushing face looked like she wanted to say something, she quickly bit her lip and swallowed her words. She was probably feeling the same sense of terror and guilt.

  "Aya, good job everyone. So anyway, just leave the firefighting and other clean up to us. Your drenched bodies must be cold, right? Let's all get a good rest—hey, what happened? The atmosphere feels a little strange."

  Amakasu suddenly appeared and remarked casually.

  Even so, Godou and Yuri were still silently supporting their stiff bodies, while Liliana was watching things unfold with indignation yet laced with heavy interest.

  On the other hand, Erica was skillfully balancing herself on Godou's lap doing as she pleased.

  Epilogue

  "Hahaha, so that's how it went. Godou punished the old gramps. Congratulations, this is really something to celebrate, very good."

  —Tuscany, Italy.

  In the countryside of the little town Siena, known for its beautiful gothic architecture, the king was [having an audience].

  Looking into the distance, the rolling hills stretching across the landscape were covered by the lush green of early summer.

  One could probably call this a beautiful green wonderland. However, this scenery of scattered wilderness was unique to southern Tuscany.

  On the hillside bank of a small stream, a certain [King] was idly holding a fishing rod.

  "Could it be that you thought he could not win? How sad, I should have made a bet from the start... As expected of my rival... My good eternal rival."

  Muttering to himself with excitement, he pulled in the dangling fishing line.

  A tall, slim, handsome man with blonde hair.

  His body, flexible as a whip, was dressed casually in a short-sleeved shirt and pants.

  Sitting on the bank, he had a long rod by his side that was heavily wrapped under many layers of cloth.

  —Liliana Kranjcar knew. Wrapped in that package was the [Sword] that was like forged steel. Italy's proud [King] Salvatore Doni never went anywhere without a sword by his side.

  It was his pride, ego, and privilege.

  "It does counts as a victory, but to have proceeded in that manner, you really cannot call it a beautiful victory at all..."

  "Whether flawless or scraped off the ground like rubbish, a victory is a victory."

  Doni answered Liliana's accusation with one closed eye.

  The one who made such an expression was the good humored youth who was extremely friendly and loved to joke around.

  "Yes, yes. I have contacted the Bronze Black Cross and the grandfather who caused you such grief. Offering my beloved knight to that unsavory old man, I will never allow it."

  "Be-beloved!? I am Sir's...!?"

  Liliana asked greatly surprised, when did it turn into something like this!?

  —Erica Blandelli had advised her before the return trip back to Italy. To have a meeting with Doni prior to returning to Milan.

  The course of action taken by Liliana in this incident, needed approval by the [King] of this country.

  This was due to the grandfather who was an important figure in the Bronze Black Cross. It was necessary to explain the incident properly.

  It was three days after the duel of the two [Kings] in Tokyo.

  Liliana was visiting Siena, Doni's base of operations, in order to call on and report to him.

  "Let's spin it that way. It should be easier for them to accept, right? —Anyway, it would be quite troublesome if I actually fell in love with girls, but it makes a good cover story."

  Softly spoken words which one cannot pretend to have never heard, were disclosed from the [King]'s mouth.

  I will pretend I never heard it. Liliana bowed her head with such determination.

  "What I am most interested in, is still Kusanagi Godou. How that child will rapidly mature, I am really looking forward to it. Will it take two years or one? Half a year would be pushing it? When he really masters Verethragna's authority, that will be our next rematch. I have been eagerly anticipating ever since that day, really..."

  The Campione of the Sword was muttering as if looking forward to a day of blessing.

  Liliana's body shook.

  Perhaps, it was mistaken to think of Salvatore Doni as Kusanagi Godou's ally. His eagerness to fight was so overwhelming, even greatly surpassing Dejanstahl Voban, and would be a frighteningly formidable opponent.

  This unsettling thought entered her mind.

  It was lunch time on the roof at Jounan Academy's high school section.

  The duel with Voban was three days ago, and all the wounds from the battle had been healed. Godou and his group were just about to have lunch.

  Familiar faces—Godou, Erica, Yuri and Shizuka, the four of them.

  "Hey Shizuka, it's not good for you to be coming in and out of the high school building all the time, right? What would people think?"

  Godou tried to advise his younger sister.

  During lunch, Shizuka had come to Godou's classroom with an unhappy expression.

  Occasionally after school, she would also come over and went home together.

  Thanks to her, strange rumors of 'Kusanagi's sister is a bro-con' have surfaced recently. Amongst the boys in the class, the most incomprehensible one was classmate Soramachi who spoke things like 'I have 108 younger sisters in 2D' and kept asking 'Must be a stepsister, right? It has to be a stepsister!?'

  These problems were all caused by Shizuka's suspicious actions.

  "About that, Onii-chan, I don't actually want to do this, but in order to supervise my unruly older brother and prevent him from doing suspicious things, I have no other choice. Do not misunderstand."

  Shizuka's words were full of barbs.

  Dear sister, when have my actions been indecent? But Shizuka only snorted and ignored Godou's protest.

  "No indecen
cy? No suspicious acts? Where did you find the confidence to declare such rubbish! The current situation—compared to four days ago, what happened!?"

  Shizuka pointed with her finger at the other three.

  In the center, Godou was sitting cross-legged on the picnic cloth on the ground. To his left was Erica sitting sideways on her legs while Yuri sat very straight and proper on his right—the three of them in a neat row.

  "I don't find anything strange?"

  "Yes, what is it, Shizuka-san, what do you find amiss?"

  "I think I know what you are getting at, but there is nothing that needs to be changed, isn't this great?"

  Godou and Yuri were puzzled with their heads tilted, while Erica simply shrugged.

  To the little sister, their responses only added fuel to the fire, and her cute face tensed further as she roared loudly.

  "Then let me ask you, why is Mariya-senpai sitting so naturally right next to Onii-chan? To have two girls waiting on you on each side, are you some kind of king? And look, why is Mariya-senpai pouring tea into Onii-chan's cup? You should do these things yourself!"

  Ice cold green tea was being poured into the water bottle cap used by Godou as a cup.

  As Godou listened to his sister while he finished the tea in his cup, Yuri sitting beside him naturally picked up the water bottle on the side, and poured for him again in one flowing motion.

  Witnessing this scene, Shizuka's glare became even more dangerous.

  —As a side note, this water bottle was brought by Yuri herself, and cold tea brewed by someone like her with knowledge of the tea ceremony, was much tastier than canned tea.

  "Mariya-senpai! Even if you were a newly wedded wife, you don't have to go so far! For this kind of idiotic brother, that tasteless tea from the self-serve area is good enough!"

  "I am Godou-san's—n-newly wedded wife? Please do not say something so embarrassing..."

  Described so by her junior from the same club, Yuri replied with her face all red.

  "Damn it, to be responding to the word 'wife' and even suddenly changing her way of addressing him."

  This kind of scene happened on a daily basis during the recent lunch breaks.

  Today after school, Godou was invited by Erica to the Blandelli home.