Nevertheless, it was apparently quite draining. After the battle, Yuri collapsed, completely depleted of strength.
Godou was only relieved after seeing her get up this morning without any ill effects. Liliana probably felt the same. The trio proceeded to finish breakfast leisurely.
"Finding a hero... That was what the goddess mentioned."
Liliana spoke as she drank the tea served after the meal.
As a side note, she was currently dressed in a yukata. Despite being a Caucasian girl of Eastern European descent, the look suited her unexpectedly well.
"If that's the case, it explains why she had that arrow shot into Tokyo. Flaunting her servant's archery to provoke 'someone with power,' thereby luring them over."
"In actual fact, that was how Godou-san arrived here."
Similarly dressed in a yukata with a short coat called the hanten draped over on top, Yuri nodded in agreement.
Pouring hot water into the green tea powder in two cups, she passed one of them to Godou. Drinking the tea gratefully, Godou found the taste quite agreeable.
More than likely, this delicious taste owed more to Yuri's skill and care than the actual flavor of the green tea powder.
"There's probably no special reason why the Tokyo Tower became the target... It just happened to be a tall structure and particularly conspicuous, right?"
If Godou had not made his way here, would all the tall buildings in the Kantou region be sniped one after another?
The Tokyo City Hall at Shinjuku, or skyscrapers at various places such as Roppongi, Ikebukuro, Shibuya... Godou muttered as he imagined.
"Seriously. Yet another troublesome deity appeared."
"Yes, indeed." "Quite a serious situation..."
Yuri and Liliana concurred with Godou's conclusion without objection. Nevertheless, they seemed to be casting a gaze towards him as if they had something to say.
"Hmm, what's the matter with you two?"
"Well no, regarding that, I believe there is more than an element of chance in you being the 'someone with power' the goddess encounters. A sufficiently strong ability to 'attract' those sorts of things..."
"Really, drawn in as if by fate every single time..."
Attracting what? Drawing in what? Neither Yuri nor Liliana were explicit.
However, their eyes secretly conveyed a cold and critical attitude. Somehow feeling uncomfortable, Godou shrank back from their gaze.
At this moment, a savior appeared. Amakasu had returned.
Dressed in a suit rather than a yukata, he had not returned to the hotel last night but was busy handling the aftermath instead.
"Ah, good morning everyone. Last night sure was tiring."
Hearing this from someone whose labors vastly surpassed their own, Godou felt rather apologetic. At the same time, Yuri suddenly stood up and bowed her head deeply towards Amakasu.
"I am truly sorry for last night. I cannot believe we did that sort of thing again... I am certain we must have caused a great deal of trouble to everyone. Please forgive us."
He really had been too careless last night. Recalling this, Godou also bowed his head.
Back when the [Boar] had released the extra strength shockwave, a portion of it had flown towards the cape like a stray bullet, thus demolishing the Cape Inubou lighthouse.
This was where the sun rose earliest in the entire Kantou region, an extremely popular tourist spot for watching the sunrise on New Year's day. And very soon, New Year's Eve was approaching...
After discovering the atrocious act he had committed, Godou began scratching his head.
Erica went "Oh well" and expressed admiration while Liliana simply closed her eyes silently. Yuri was quietly going "Godou-san..." with worry whereas Ena exclaimed "Ooh—" instead—
"No no, this is part of my job."
On the other hand, Amakasu was answering in a frivolous tone of voice to the Hime-Miko who bowed her head and apologized sincerely.
"Currently from the way it looks, this level of damage is no different from that caused by inserting an advertising leaflet in a book. It's akin to mechanical defects which unflatteringly lie on the boundary of quality control standards despite high performance production. But anyway, since we are relying on your assistance, Kusanagi-san, please don't let it weigh on your mind."
Poking fun at what Godou had done, Amakasu smiled briefly.
"But the apology just now really sounded like a wife apologizing desperately for a hopeless husband's misconduct. No, perhaps that really is the case."
"W-Wife—Please do not say something so bizarre!"
"Indeed, Amakasu Touma. P-Please pay more attention to your frivolous words!"
Yuri began to get flustered while Liliana angered somewhat.
Being the main culprit, Godou tried to dispel the awkward atmosphere by changing the subject.
"B-By the way, those monsters arrived by crossing the sea, right?"
"Yes. Via the Kuroshio Current."
The special agent had most likely collected intelligence from the surrounding area starting last night.
Relying on his decidedly competent talents, he was able to answer immediately.
"Because it was a long distance expedition undertaken by divine beasts, interested parties related to the Committee and those in the wizardry field were able to sense them. After that, ideas such as 'Attack of the Mysterious Giant Monsters!' were conveyed to organizations including the Maritime Self Defense Force and the coast guard. Thanks to that, we were able to track down the basic route traveled by the divine beasts."
"I think the goddess yesterday said she came from outside of Japan."
"A stalkerish [Heretic God] who has her sights set on Kusanagi-san. Yes, this aspect is rather fitting. Oh dear, that group of monsters happens to have a stronghold."
Hearing unexpected news, Godou stared with his eyes wide open.
Yuri and Liliana reacted the same way. Stronghold. This was a term quite removed from [Heretic Gods] who wandered incessantly.
"The serpentine divine beast rode the Kuroshio Current while the bird-like divine beast flew in the sky. That should have been how they reached Cape Inubou from their stronghold. We are currently collecting information about that area."
"Stronghold huh..."
Godou began to ponder. The enemy's target was himself. If he continued living in Tokyo, the next time they showed up, it might really turn into a scene from a monster movie.
During times like these, perhaps he should cast aside notions of pacifism for now and take action instead—?
"Kusanagi Godou. Are you actually intending to head towards that location?"
Liliana asked. She had apparently noticed what Godou was thinking.
"If we let those things invade Tokyo, severe destruction will likely occur. That's why I don't think we can just simply wait around quietly."
"Indeed, perhaps we really should take action..."
Yuri whispered softly with an expression of contemplation.
"It felt like the goddess was quite keen on concealing her true appearance. I believe that is why I could not discern her sacred name and origins."
"If that is the case, then we have no choice but to enter enemy territory to seek clues..."
Liliana also nodded. In this regard, it seemed as though this goddess was similar to Lancelot whose true appearance was hidden behind armor.
Having made his decision, Godou cut straight to the chase and asked:
"Amakasu-san, where is her stronghold?"
"Well said. It is in the region known as the South Seas."
Godou nodded at the geographic name revealed by Amakasu.
Although Yuri and Liliana both widened their eyes, they were not excessively surprised. Since they were dealing with a goddess, it was a completely plausible scenario. Oh well, it did not require any profound prediction in the first place.
A few nights more and the year was going to end. However, Godou was apparently left with no choice but to
spend New Year's overseas.
Chapter 4 - Call From the Demonic Realm
Part 1
December 31, New Year's Eve.
Japanese citizens considered it a great event marking the changeover to a new year.
Nevertheless, on this commemorative day, Kusanagi Godou was currently exposed under the sun. This was intense sunlight one would absolutely not find on the islands of Japan during winter.
Scorching sun. Air filled with heat and humidity. The familiar taste of midsummer.
The city of Tokyo was approximately 35 degrees in latitude. Shifting south from there by roughly 30 degrees, Godou's current location was practically on the equator.
Geographically speaking, this was Borneo's northern shore, a city called Kota Kinabalu located in Malaysian territory.
"I never imagined I'd spend New Year's in a place like this..."
Godou muttered with deep feeling.
Kota Kinabalu was the largest city in the region.
This ocean-facing city contained beautiful beaches. Resort hotels could be found everywhere.
Godou was currently situated downtown where quite a few shopping centers and food courts were concentrated. It was a crowded and prosperous place.
"It feels nothing like New Year's Eve here."
"It feels strange for me. Ever since childhood, this is the first time I am not busy with miko duties this time of the year..."
Yuri commented from beside Godou with a slightly concerned expression.
It was currently after 2pm and the group was taking a short break at an open-air cafe.
Godou ordered iced coffee while Yuri had iced milk tea. In this tropical zone where the weather was like summer all year round, it was only natural to thirst for iced drinks.
There was one more item on the bill. Fresh avocado juice with condensed milk.
This viscous drink, thick enough for a straw to stand upright in the middle, was of course Erica's order.
"Indeed, only someone like Godou would be visited by troublesome matters all the time."
The discussion held with Amakasu at the Cape Inubou hotel occurred two days ago.
After Godou declared a direct assault on the enemy's stronghold, the History Compilation Committee member immediately set about gathering information.
While that was proceeding, Godou and his companions returned to Tokyo and prepared to travel overseas.
Once everything was ready, they boarded a flight late at night on December 30.
After a night's sleep on the plane, they landed in Singapore in the morning. Then taking a connecting flight from there, they arrived today—the morning of December 31, at this city of Kota Kinabalu.
In Godou's company were the four girls, Erica, Yuri, Liliana and Ena.
The one who organized this trip was surprisingly the girl known as the [Diavolo Rosso].
"The History Compilation Committee is simply an organization controlling a single country—Japan, without branch outposts or influence in foreign lands... Hence, this time they are 'backing us up but not officially,' acting entirely as sponsors who happen to be on site."
Shaking the light green juice as she drank, Erica explained.
"But even for you, the [Copper Black Cross] doesn't have branches everywhere, right?"
"Not everywhere, but the [Copper Black Cross] happens to have permanent staff posted here. This provides the credibility for us to be introduced to a local person of influence. Since the [Heretic God] has been causing them hardship, they are greatly looking forward to Devil King Kusanagi Godou's arrival."
"W-What Devil King's arrival, it's not supposed to be like that..."
Godou's face twitched in response to hearing Erica's way of phrasing things.
"By the way, Erica-san. What kind of person is this person of influence?"
Taking a sip of her iced milk tea, Yuri inquired.
Erica had selected Yuri as one of the people accompanying Godou on their visit to the local person of influence. "Because Yuri's power is probably needed" was her explanation.
"I heard that this country has neither an organization like Japan's History Compilation Committee nor large scale associations like the ones in Europe... But among the commonfolk there are those who live by fortune telling and wizardry."
"Indeed it seems to be so."
Erica nodded and continued:
"In this part of Southeast Asia, there aren't any intelligence agencies or associations with outstanding power and influence. But you see, wouldn't former yakuza or mafia have quite a bit of prestige and influence in a place like this?"
"Y-Yaku—!?"
"Come to think of it, that feels like a pretty good description of Yinghua's family..."
"Yes, Hong Kong's Lu family is a classic example of cartel operations in Southeast Asia and other places. A gathering of proudly competent talent, spellcasters and even the poor, using them to operate various legal and illegal enterprises."
The trio conversed in these matters as the drinks slaked their thirst. Then they left the cafe.
Godou was dressed in a short-sleeved shirt and hemp cargo pants which he had not worn for quite some time ever since the weather cooled.
Erica had a red camisole and ankle-length black pants. Yuri, on the other hand, was wearing a refreshing one-piece dress in white.
Leaving from Japan in midwinter, they were plunged into a land of summer heat all at once.
Although it was a little sudden, the hot weather felt quite nostalgic after months of absence. Indeed, there was an unexpected sense of freshness and delight.
Furthermore, Liliana and Ena had gone out shopping for this "expedition."
Indeed, the streets of Kota Kinabalu was not their final destination. This was merely a place along the way.
Godou and Yuri followed Erica as she walked. Along the way, the sky suddenly gave rise to a downpour of rain. A shower brought by a squall.
As expected of a tropical zone. Apparently, chances of sudden showers were quite high during the afternoon.
The trio frantically sought shelter in a food court.
After buying food to one's liking from a row of food vendors, one could sit down and eat at an empty table. This type of sheltered food court was quite common throughout the city of Kota Kinabalu.
"It really rains quite heavily here."
The pitter-patter of raindrops striking the rooftops and road surface was quite intense.
Godou's clothes were completely drenched. Nevertheless, this unexpected inconvenience was actually enjoyable, for it offered the experience of a climate and culture completely different from Japan's. A very real sense of concreteness.
"Anyway, since the weather is so hot, our clothes will dry soon enough..."
Carrying this sort of joyful mood, Godou turned to his two female companions only to be rendered speechless.
Erica and Yuri were dressed in flimsy summer clothing. Due to being drenched by the sudden rain, their clothes now clung tightly to their bodies.
Consequently, their bodies' lines of curvature became particular clear to view.
Furthermore, Yuri's one-piece dress was white. Even her drenched underwear was visible beneath her dress—
"G-Godou-san. Could you please stop staring like that?!"
"Oh my, what a rare act of initiative. Does this stem from the liberating feeling of traveling overseas?"
Reacting to the girls' comments, Godou frantically turned his gaze away.
While Godou focused on directing his gaze elsewhere until the girls' clothes dried, the trio strolled around the food court that provided shelter from the rain.
Seeing all sorts of food displayed at the food stands, Erica narrowed her eyes.
"Just as I thought, Asian places like this are the top choice for a chaotic culinary experience. Although Japan is a country of comfort, it hasn't lived up to my expectations in the area of food."
A bunch of total nonsense.
But Godou could understand. He could tell from
a single glance. This was indeed the type of place Erica would enjoy.
Representative of Malay cuisine was the spicy fried rice dish of nasi goreng, made with chicken resembling yakitori meat and a sauce prepared from peanuts and coconut milk. That could be considered the basics. Then there was the Malaysian burger containing a hamburger patty wrapped in an omelette.[18] This type of food could be considered the applied version of Malay cuisine.
Chinese cuisine prepared by ethnic Chinese also added much variety and color to the offerings.
There were also Indian curry shops as well as all sorts of global fast food chains, etc.
There were even seafood shops where one picked fish from a tank to be barbecued. Furthermore, tropical fruit varieties were sold, such as the king of fruits, the pungent durian.
Other than pork which was conspicuously absent in Islamic areas, this was truly the place for a chaotic culinary experience.
"It'd be nice to look for and have a fill of food to my liking..."
"Let's not eat now since we have an appointment later. How about we wait until dinner time, okay?"
Stopping Erica, Godou gave Yuri a glance to seek her agreement.
To his great surprise, the Yamato Nadeshiko was unexpectedly staring at a food stand with great interest.
"Mariya... Could it be, you're hungry?"
"Ah, no. Not at all. I am just curious."
Yuri answered shyly as she looked back.
"In the past when traveling in Vietnam with my family, I only tried noodles from this kind of shop once. Thinking back, the food was really quite delicious. Fufu, I remember we were eating it on the go."
"In that case, Yuri, you may count on me, Erica Blandelli."
The blonde devil winked at the sheltered young lady who was smiling calmly.
"Back when I was in Hong Kong, I ate at stands like these every single day."
"Really!? If I may, then I shall count on you!"
"Indeed. That looks about right, undoubtedly so."
Godou began to smile wryly in response to Erica and Yuri's enthusiasm, seemingly sharing some sort of strange motivation.
Despite being clearly well-educated girls, they did not seem particularly bothered by these vendors' hygiene.
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