Campione 13

by Princess Goddess of the South Seas

  "I didn't think there existed something it couldn't destroy..."

  'Fufufufu. Rather well fought, Lord God-slayer!"

  As Godou listened in surprise, the goddess' voice was coming from overhead.

  She was still talking like a confident princess. At the same time as its mistress' appearance, the divine eagle in the sky also flew towards the sea. The goddess' silhouette that manifested began to glide on the sea, but it did not seem like she was intending to defeat Godou's group all at once.

  'Truly awe-inspiring in your stand against the Fire Goddess and her servants. As expected, you do possess talent worthy of my attention!'

  Her lovely voice sounded like a child's. Godou stared at the goddess' silhouette.

  It was a giant figure appearing in the night sky over the Pacific.

  Located at the easternmost point of the Kantou region, Cape Inubou was quite a popular place for watching the first sunrise every New Year's. But currently, the goddess' shadow was dominating the view instead of the sun.

  Nevertheless, this was obviously not her original size...

  "What is your name?"

  'It cannot be disclosed at this juncture. The Fire Goddess, yes. Fufu, please consider that my name for now.'

  Godou's question only elicited a jestful answer.

  Clearly the goddess did not plan on revealing either name or her true appearance, despite the fact that out of all the gods Godou encountered so far, the majority of them possessed extreme egos and loved making grand appearances—

  As he frowned, Godou's companions gathered by his side.

  Erica, Yuri, Liliana and Ena. Nodding to them all, Godou motioned to Yuri with his eyes. The Hime-Miko mournfully shook her head in response.

  Yuri was apparently unable to discern the identity of this "Fire Goddess." It could not be helped.

  This meant the [Sword] could not be used to tear apart this divinity!

  'After so long, I finally find another hero god-slayer. This must be guided by the stars... Fufu, I feel the hand of destiny in our encounter. O hero, please indulge me with your exalted name.'

  "Just call me insect. I don't want to tell my name to someone who won't even introduce hers."

  Godou felt slightly annoyed by this strange noble lady's use of "destiny" as a description.

  It sounded like something a lovestruck adolescent girl might say. Feeling like this would be troublesome to deal with, Godou refused.

  'Well, what an unsympathetic gentleman you are. But no matter. If I wanted to, I could instantly find out for myself. —Right, you are Kusanagi Godou-sama.'

  What!? Godou was shocked. He never expected his name to be read so easily!

  'Fufu. All objects and living things existing between heaven and earth... Knowing all their names is a woman's accomplishment. Please do not underestimate me!'

  "I-Is that how it works?"

  "Are you an idiot, Godou? Accomplishing something ridiculous like that takes a goddess, not a woman!"

  "Hmm. We witches and miko also have the power of spirit vision. She must possess eyes with far greater powers than that!"

  Erica and Liliana explained independently in response to Godou's shock.

  How ridiculous. As Godou recovered from his surprise, Yuri declared solemnly:

  "This goddess is a deity of magic... A goddess possessing myriad transformations, making use of a variety of spells to produce all sorts of miracles and mysterious phenomena. Please be careful, for this goddess bears similarities to the Great Sage Equaling Heaven in this regard!"

  Come to think of it, that monkey had also skillfully employed all sorts of spells in a flexible manner.

  Godou turned his gaze up towards the goddess' silhouette again. Compared to the Great Sage Equaling Heaven who was also a member of [Steel], she was vastly inferior in martial prowess. Even so, naive optimism was unwarranted.

  What skills and abilities she concealed were still unclear. Most prominently of all, Lancelot was a perfect example.

  No matter how few the number of authorities, sharply honed powers could easily surpass a hundred authorities—

  Powerful beings of that sort existed in the world. Godou raised his wariness to the maximum level.

  'Fufufu. Please rest assured, for I have no intention of harming you, Kusanagi-sama. I am simply extending an invitation to you, Kusanagi-sama, for a delightful conversation.'

  "You not only sent an invitation but also monsters to attack."

  'Because Kusanagi-sama is someone worthy of being called the peerless warrior, a rejection of my invitation would be disastrous. I cannot rest assured unless one or two limbs of yours are twisted off for good measure!'

  What kind of reason was that!? Godou was dumbstruck. This goddess was completely different from all the deities he had encountered so far.

  Approachable and open to conversation on a superficial level, but communicating on a subtly different wavelength in actual fact. Truly a challenge to handle.

  "Doesn't twisting off an arm or a leg count as intention to harm...?"

  "Or perhaps from the perspective of an immortal goddess, that level of injury isn't really considered as harm...?"

  Hardly surprisingly, Ena and Erica were whispering to each other as they covered their faces.

  However, the "Fire Goddess" was unconcerned with the private whispers of lowly humans. Sonorously, she chanted:

  'O one who derives enjoyment from flames, please bestow your pleasures upon us.'

  Sparks flew down from the sky again.

  This time, the receiver was the divine eagle flying leisurely above the sea. Then the bird's massive body together with its fifteen-meter wingspan was suddenly engulfed in flames.

  Flapping its wings powerfully and majestically, the bird flew in a beeline straight towards the shore where Godou's group was located.

  This was literally the flight of the "firebird." Swiftly, Liliana shot using the bow of Jonathan.

  "Go—!"

  The arrow of blue light flew towards the flaming bird and split itself into five.

  The sacred arrow traced out five trajectories in the sky, striking the burning body of the divine eagle—

  But all the arrows were incinerated by the flames and disappeared. The enemy was apparently protected by the flames.

  The burning divine eagle continued to fly towards Godou and his group's position. Even if not scorched by the flames, they were going to be ripped apart by the divine eagle's beak and claws directly.

  With the [Boar] currently immobilized, Kusanagi Godou had no available means to intercept the attack!

  The instant Godou realized he was out of options, Ena suddenly sprang into action. Raising Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi up high, she yelled out spell words.

  "O divine sword that has long protected Japan through the ages! Leave my hand for now and may the curses of foreign nations be infused in this sword. Bestow upon us your protection. —Erica-san, please use this!"

  Ena proceeded to stab the divine sword into the beach before them.

  These were desperate words of permission. Brilliant beyond compare, the red knight gradually displayed an expression of understanding on her beautiful face. Erica nodded immediately.

  "Allow me to express my gratitude for entrusting things to me. —Senatus consultum ultimum!"

  Erica began to invoke magic for constructing the most secure defensive barrier.

  Beside her, Liliana also swiftly spoke up.

  "Erica, I will help too! For the sake of maintaining order in Rome, the Senate decreed the suspension of imperium!"

  The blue knight recited an incantation to assist her childhood friend's spell.

  The two knights' spell words and magical power were channeled into Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi that Ena had relinquished to use as a "catalyst."

  Although only for a few minutes, this defensive spell had managed in the past to resist the attack of divine messengers sent by the sky god Melqart.

  The jet black divine sword's co
ld blade was infused with this protective power.

  A barrier of black light was released from Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, covering Godou's group like a canopy. At the very last moment, the incoming attack of the flying firebird was blocked!

  SQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWK!!

  The divine eagle cawed with frustration.

  The giant bird, enveloped in roaring flames, spread its majestic wings and struck with its beak from the air, trying to shatter the black canopy. However, the barrier constructed by [Senatus Consultum Ultimum] still managed to repel the attack.

  Strengthened by the goddess' spell, the flaming bird's power far surpassed ordinary divine beasts.

  Ama no Murakumo's divine might. Liliana's assistance. Erica's own progress.

  Combined with the two-second window of opportunity, this barrier was the result achieved.

  This was only possible thanks to the progress made in the girls' teamwork after all.

  However—

  'Fufufu. The source of this child's fire has yet to extinguish. Now please start burning once more!'

  The goddess' spell words and sparks once again descended upon the divine eagle's back.

  A "fire" was lit up in accordance with her words. An explosion of fire was swiftly released from the giant bird's wings. The roaring flames spread over the black canopy, swirling all around it.

  The temperature instantly rose inside the barrier protecting Godou's group.

  On this seaside that was clearly in midwinter, the feeling was like being baked in a sauna. The heat of the divine flames were finally invading the barrier's interior!

  "O exalted god of Susa, please grant us tempestuous wind!"

  "May lawful justice be meted out to the traitorous enemies of Rome!"

  Ena used the power of divine possession to summon a tornado in an attempt to blow away the divine eagle overhead. On the other hand, Liliana infused the barrier with greater magical power for reinforcement. But in spite of their efforts—

  All they managed to do was slightly shake the divine eagle's massive body. The temperature continued to rise.

  "Guh...! Godou, we can't hold for long!"

  If this continued, the heat was going to vaporize them.

  Erica called out, her face drenched with sweat. Currently, she was bearing the greatest strain as the one who invoked the barrier. Nevertheless, she remained as glamorous as a rose.

  Confronted with Erica's Blandelli's wonderful quality and true worth, Godou gritted his teeth.

  Ever since his companions were creating the barrier, he had been busy preparing "a certain task." For this purpose, he was trying his best to raise his magical power to the max.

  But it was still insufficient—

  Clearly with just a little more, I could rouse that guy to the limit!

  Are we going to vaporize just like this? Or crushed along with the black canopy by the flaming divine eagle? —Just as these two worst possible outcomes were about to materialize before his eyes...

  Yuri walked over to Erica's side.

  Without any combat ability, she was always the Hime-Miko who waited quietly in the back in battle situations.

  "Mariya!?"

  As Godou called out to her in surprise, Yuri brought her hands together before her chest and closed her eyes.

  It was a motion akin to offering a prayer. Immediately, the elegant Hime-Miko's entire body emitted white light.

  "A prayer offered to the gods, Kami-musubi, Takami-musubi, Iku-musubi, Taru-musubi, Tamatsume-musubi, Oomiya-no-me, Oomeketsu-no-kami, Kotoshironushi. Pacify the spirit in response to the diviner, may tranquility manifest...!"

  SQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAWK!!

  Bathed in the white light released by Yuri, the fiery bird cawed in discomfort. At the same time, one could feel what seemed to be a gust of cool wind. Although it was not much, it still managed to suppress the heat.

  "Godou-san. Even if it only amounts to a brief while, I shall endure! So please—!"

  The Hime-Miko declared with a look of desperation.

  The white light was apparently a new spirit power the Hime-Miko had acquired. Bathed in the white light, the divine eagle looked as if it had been tamed slightly.

  This divine favor that suppressed a minion of the gods, was it an application of psychic sensing?

  In any case, there was no time to ponder this matter. Rather, Godou intensified his thoughts. Now was the time to focus his concentration on completing the "task" at hand.

  The precious time bought by his comrades could not be squandered so easily!

  "Come on, surely you can't be satisfied with things ending like this..."

  Godou had been firing off taunts repeatedly in his mind.

  Now he spoke aloud, directing his words towards the [Beast] whose wrath was seething like boiling magma.

  "If that's what you really want, I'm not going to summon you ever again. Show me your spirit right here!"

  Although these were rather ungracious words, they were still spell words. The goal was to infuse the maximum amount of magical power into the black beast—the [Boar].

  Immobilized by the rubbery sea serpent, Verethragna's fifth incarnation was disgracefully disarmed. Godou's taunts served as the detonator to further raise the [Boar]'s power.

  Then came a response.

  Still imprisoned by the sea serpent, the [Boar] released a sound from the depths of its throat.

  ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

  A low groaning noise. It was unlike the [Boar]'s usual strenuous roars that exploded with power.

  ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

  It squeezed a little more out. Into these bellows the [Boar] channeled the rage it felt towards the sea serpent binding it.

  ooooooooooooooooooooooo...

  The [Boar] stopped groaning. This meant the prelude was over. Starting now, a climax was going to start instantly. The black divine beast opened its mouth wide.

  "Everyone get down! Cover your ears!"

  Godou immediately yelled out.

  The trio, Liliana, Ena and Erica swiftly did as ordered. Then Yuri frantically laid herself down on the beach. After checking that everyone had covered their ears with their hands, Godou issued the command: "Go for it!"

  ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

  The powerful roar and shockwave was released from the [Boar]'s mouth.

  Releasing shockwaves that accompanied its cries had always been part of the [Boar]'s repertoire. This time, due to the rage from its immobilized state, the power output had sublimated to the greatest possible.

  First, the sea serpents body imprisoning the black giant beast was ripped apart and sent flying instantly.

  Next, in the manner of a fire-breathing monster, the [Boar] unleashed the strongest ultrasound and shockwave it had ever produced.

  Struck directly by this attack, the fiery bird was blown away high into the sky.

  The fire enveloping its body also dissipated. The [Boar]'s attack had clearly caused the bird substantial damage, to the point of losing the will to fight. Like a crashing jet plane, the divine eagle flew unsteadily towards the southern sky.

  Then the [Boar] twisted its body as if throwing a tantrum, firing shockwaves in all directions.

  Struck by this wave of attacks, the goddess' silhouette also disappeared.

  The [Boar] was also unexpectedly(?) a sacred beast. Although the extent of the effect was unknown, its voice was apparently capable of blowing apart and scattering divine power.

  'Well. How truly ferocious! Now that is truly a display worthy of my Kusanagi-sama!'

  Despite the silhouette's disappearance, the goddess' voice continued to offer jestful commentary.

  Most likely she did not receive any injury. On this front, the [Boar]'s howls had even scattered all of the dark clouds hanging over the night sky.

  Then once the echoes of the extra strength roars finally died down—
>
  Peace and quiet returned to Kimigahama and Cape Inubou at last.

  'How truly splendid, Kusanagi-sama! You have exhibited your might very clearly. Fufu, you are the hero who slew glorious Victory to usurp his authority, I see. In that case, I do have a corresponding strategy. I look forward to our next encounter, Kusanagi-sama!'

  These whispers were even mixed into the sea breezes blowing across the shore.

  But this was a troublesome declaration of a subsequent encounter. Godou exchanged glances with his companions successively and sighed.

  Part 4

  After the skirmish at Kimigahama, a night had passed and it was 8am the next morning.

  After the battle, Godou and the girls had returned to the hotel to rest. All of them agreed that the goddess most likely would not attack again in rapid succession.

  Naturally, if any emergency arose, they were always ready to head to the scene immediately.

  Fortunately, the night went by without incident, allowing them a peaceful sleep until morning.

  Currently, Godou, Liliana and Yuri, the three of them were gathered in the hotel's dining room, having breakfast.

  Arranged on the dining table was food such as flavored seaweed and fermented soybeans called nattou. A proper traditional Japanese inn breakfast. Currently absent, Erica was sleeping in as usual. As for Ena, she was still resting from the fatigue sustained from the use of divine possession.

  Her roommate Yuri had taken care not to waken her sleeping childhood friend when leaving their room quietly.

  "By the way, Mariya Yuri, is your condition really fine?"

  "Ah yes. Although I was tired from overuse of power, I am now finally fine after a good night's rest."

  Yuri answered Liliana's verification with a calm expression.

  Last night, this Hime-Miko had used a white and glowing spirit power to buy them precious time. After the battle ended, she had told the others about this type of power known as [Spirit Pacification].

  Bringing one's level of psychic sensing to the maximum, a spell to radiate the Hime-Miko's tranquil soul—

  That was how she explained it. Using a heart of harmony to pacify fervorous magical power, all sorts of mysterious and supernatural phenomena could be calmed. Since this ability proved effective against the "firebird," it could be considered a trump card on the same level as Erica and Liliana's [Smiting].