"Enough of this. I want to meet your true person."
"In that case, please accept my invitation this time, Kusanagi-sama."
Godou stepped in front of Yuri to protect her. The figure, apparently the goddess' alter ego, proceeded to reply:
"Although you have used your authority to destroy my territory, Kusanagi-sama... I still have another island that once served as my master bedroom. Please allow me to take you there."
Another island huh? Godou frowned. Could this goddess really be that obsessed with islands?
"Fufu. For a stay spanning decades long, I suppose a house needs to be built there."
"Not needed at all. I will simply blow the entire island away like last time."
The black blade exhibited astounding destructive power.
But since Godou could not control it properly, its practicality as a weapon was limited. In fact, he did not even succeed in injuring the Fire Goddess. Nevertheless, it could still be used as a threat.
The goddess had already witnessed the level of power. Was it enough to pressure her—?
However, the goddess' snickers shattered Godou's hopes.
"Indeed I could sense exceptionally terrifying power from that sword. Nevertheless, it is a sword forged from a dragon's remains, controlled via a woman's wisdom... I can tell that you do not possess the knowledge, my dear."
Two glints of golden light shone from the depths of the figure's hood, sinister as a pair of witch's eyes.
"Next time that sword appears, how about I inject my wisdom as the witch who stands as the Fire Goddess? I think it will do just what I want it to."
Godou had not expected her to see through the crucial fact that this was a "weapon wielded by a goddess."
He frowned deeply. Perhaps the Fire Goddess was bluffing, but were that not the case, the situation would instantly plunge into a worst case scenario.
"Come, let us not discuss such uninteresting matters. Very soon, we will arrive at the island that serves as my mattress."
"What on earth are you talking about? I have no intention of accepting your invitation—"
Just as Godou retorted with annoyance, he found someone tugging his t-shirt from behind. This could be no one but Yuri. He also heard the Hime-Miko's whispering voice behind him.
"...Godou-san, please look outside."
What? At her behest, Godou glanced out the window—And was shocked.
The view outside the window was an expansive ocean in the night. At the same time, Godou noticed the ground shaking beneath him, like a ship's hull getting rocked by the waves...
Godou and Yuri exchanged glazes and frantically ran over to the window.
—They were on the sea. The cottage where Godou and Yuri was living was now floating on the vast, pitch-black ocean like a boat!
Overhead, the sky was filled with twinkling stars. Were he to try searching, Godou could probably locate the North Star which had guided sailors since ancient times. But of course, Godou was not going to do that. He simply glared angrily at the Fire Goddess—or rather, her alter ego.
"Since it is quite a challenge to invite you to come willingly, please excuse me for this type of surprise method. Fufu, please relax and enjoy the boat ride along the way to my island."
"H-How could I possibly enjoy this..."
Godou never would have expected a voyage in the South China Sea, traveling in a cottage rather than a seafaring vessel.
This was far more serious than the time he crossed the Mediterranean together with Athena. Godou clicked his tongue disapprovingly. The goddess must have taken advantage of his diverted attention caused by her appearance. Moving this cottage across the sea, magic was probably used to make it substitute for a boat.
Finding himself completely caught by surprise, Godou concluded that the goddess was still such a tough enemy to handle.
Turned into a boat, the cottage was now sailing in a certain direction. The speed was unexpectedly fast and Godou could see that the lights on the island were already tiny. Accepting it as a done deal, Godou sighed and plopped himself down on a chair.
By this point, there was no choice but to follow along obediently.
Godou communicated to the worried-looking Yuri with his eyes, prompting the Hime-Miko to immediately walk over to his side.
"I got it. Then I'll come to this island to pay you another visit. But don't you even think of doing anything to this girl. Should you dare... I will use that black sword once again."
"Fufufu. Like I already said, I will just—"
"You may have said so, but who knows if it's true or not."
The Fire Goddess had said something implying she would be able to use the black blade very well.
But this magical technique was Heretic Athena's legacy for Kusanagi Godou. Fire Goddess notwithstanding, could she really seize control completely?
Yuri nodded from beside Godou. She seemed to have seen something that reinforced his skepticism.
Precisely because of her, Godou was able to glare at the goddess with confidence. Even if she took half the control privileges, he was still going to fight to the very end with the remaining half.
"Wow, how scary. But no matter. It is only commonplace for a hero like you to be waited on by maidservants. For something so trivial, I could still consent, you know?"
"Don't use words like 'maidservant' or 'waited on.' This girl... Mariya is my companion."
Despite occupying the same room, the goddess treated the Hime-Miko as the god-slayer's possession.
Godou frowned in response to this typically god-like arrogance as he made himself clear:
"She comes with me wherever I go. We will always be together. If you dare lay a finger on her, I will absolutely tear you into a million pieces. Even if it means pursuing you to the ends of the earth, I will make you pay."
Godou seldom voiced threats, but he was completely serious now. He was clearly the one who had brought Yuri to this dangerous place and kept causing her trouble. Although he would rather have his mouth torn open than declare "I will protect you" or the like, conversely, Godou had no trouble swearing revenge openly.
Were Yuri to fall to any misfortune, he would avenge her at the cost of his own life.
Godou felt that this was a distinction of his own, affirmed once and for all. In his mind, Godou was quite surprised to discover himself as a man capable of saying such terrible things—
"Godou-san..."
Yuri gazed at Godou, her eyes clearly conveying how touched she felt. She leaned her shoulder closer to him.
For a noble young lady like her, was she not supposed to be fine with abandoning a recalcitrant like Kusanagi Godou?
Although this was about himself, Godou really believed that.
On the other hand, the goddess reacted strangely to his threats.
"In other words, Kusanagi-sama... This girl is your spouse?"
"S-Spouse!?"
"Based on your words just now, is there any description more apt than that?"
Cold words delivered in monotone. The goddess' excessive princess-like impression felt diminished.
However, Godou's reason for being surprised was not limited to that alone.
"Uh, no, like I said, we're companions. Always together... No matter where I go... Huh?"
In that case, describing her as his spouse did fit after all?
In front of the shocked Godou, the body of the goddess' alter ego gave off a screeching sound and raised its arm.
From the sleeve of the long coat, an arm suddenly reached out. A doll's arm, made of gold. Its index finger pointed straight at Yuri.
"Lowly servant who hinders my search for love... It is only natural that you shall be punished accordingly."
The goddess' fingertip was about to fire something nasty. Without even confirming what it was, Godou instantly reacted.
"Ama no Murakumo!"
He summoned the partner that finally woke up this morning.
The jet-black divine sword instant
ly appeared from Godou's right arm and flew towards the goddess' alter ego.
Before the golden fingertip could release anything, the divine sword pierced the body clad in the long coat.
The alter ego collapsed on the floor with a crash. From the fallen open coat, the doll wrapped inside was exposed, made of gold shaped into a woman's form. This was the object that had moved like a living human to converse with Godou in the goddess' place.
"Are you okay, Mariya!?"
"Yes. Thanks to Godou-san, I am completely... Kyah!"
Yuri screamed briefly because of a sudden impact felt from the floor.
Then the motion calmed down completely. Up until now, they had been swaying in tune with the boat-like rocking motion as the cottage floated amidst the waves of the South China Sea.
Looking outside, Godou was shocked. The cottage had somehow drifted onto a beach.
'Welcome to the sanctuary that serves as my hall of dreams, Kusanagi-sama.'
The night sky reverberated with the Fire Goddess' cold voice.
'Please make your way into the depths of this island. I will make preparations of hospitality to welcome your arrival. However, as the price for receiving my love, please hand over this girl—the one considered Kusanagi-sama's spouse! In order to obtain new love, one must forsake the old wife. This is what is known as etiquette between men and women!'
"What kind of utter nonsense is this goddess talking about..."
Godou was stunned by the absurd terms of exchange she proposed.
The midwinter incident that began at Cape Inubou was now reaching its climax through unexpected developments.
Part 4
This time, Godou was truly located on an uninhabited island no one knew about.
He had a feeling this was still somewhere in the South China Sea, except it was unclear which country's marine territory this was. Was it still Malaysia, or maybe somewhere like Indonesia or the Philippines?
Yuri used the spirit power of psychic sensing to explore the island.
According to her report, this place was not as large as the island of the demonic realm. Compared to the city of Tokyo, this island was roughly the area of Yoyogi Park at Shibuya.
In addition, the island lacked greenery and the sparsely growing shrubbery made the rocks particularly conspicuous.
Furthermore, the island's center was filled with an intense divine aura.
"Even my attempts to explore further with tendrils of sensing were deflected. The goddess is surely there..."
"Supposing this island has no water source, it's not a place we could stay for long..."
Godou muttered in response to Yuri's report.
He looked up to find the South Seas' clear and unobscured night sky. Even this type of small tropical island would be prone to sudden showers so they could not afford to waste time. It was necessary to leave as soon as possible.
However, the goddess who would surely interfere was nearby. Without a deity on this island, Yuri probably could have done something using psychic sensing and wizardry—
Godou simply pondered for a brief while to make his decision.
"Mariya, I will go settle things with the goddess."
"Eh? Immediately right now!?"
"Yeah. I think it needs to be done as quickly as possible. Letting it drag any further won't be a good thing."
This was a place where the availability of freshwater was not guaranteed. Hence, victory should be sought as quickly as possible before his stamina waned.
Yuri responded with an expression full of worry for Kusanagi Godou.
"Godou-san, just as the goddess proposed, there is the option of handing me over..."
"No. Do not mention that kind of nonsense again."
Godou sternly cut her off as if refusing to hear the rest of her words.
Yuri answered "Very well" with a delighted expression. Then her face instantly showed tension and she said with a serious voice:
"In that case, please allow me to accompany you. If I venture forth with you, Godou-san, I will surely be able to see the goddess' name and origins."
"But so far, you haven't been unable to, right?"
After asking his question, Godou realized that the usually modest Hime-Miko had declared firmly using the word "surely." Could it be possible!
"Could it be possible, Mariya, you're planning on doing that!?"
"Yes. I intend to use the spell that allowed me to see the origins of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven. Extracting knowledge of the gods from the Netherworld, to see with these eyes of mine... If I use that spell, I will surely be able to see the goddess' true name."
"Don't talk nonsense. Last time, you almost died because of that!"
"But you saved me, Godou-san."
Godou could not find any words to refute Yuri's calm response.
As the power of a hero and savior of the world, Verethragna's sixth incarnation, the [Youth], was able to heal those whose lives were on the verge of death for the sake of Kusanagi Godou and bestow protection upon them. However, even if he could save her, Godou did not want Yuri to take the risk. He continued to ponder how to dissuade her.
The Hime-Miko suddenly exhaled and her expression relaxed.
"I want to follow Godou-san to the end, to be together forever. However, this implies a life never far away from danger."
A gentle smile naturally surfaced on Yuri's lips.
"Ena-san, Erica-san and Liliana-san... Everyone knows this very well. They have all fought with their lives on the line for Godou-san's sake. I am the only one who is so weak, always powerless in times like these. But I also wish to make the most of my abilities in hopes of helping you obtain victory, Godou-san. This sentiment is the same."
Faced with her heartfelt words, Godou hung his head.
Aware of the extent of his incompetence, he did not feel worthy enough to deny her steadfast resolve.
"I want to become your power. Please allow me to do what I can for that purpose."
Indeed. If it were not for himself, she should not have to say something like this.
Godou sighed. After a brief moment of hesitation, he had no choice but to answer in the following manner:
"I am truly sorry that you had to get involved with an idiot like me."
"Not at all. Ever since a long time ago, I have been fully aware that you are a person who causes trouble for others, Godou-san."
Godou lamented how useless he was, unable to say anything apart from apologizing.
Furthermore, Yuri was exceptionally adorable, the way she smiled cheerfully as she offered herself to him.
At the very least, he must obtain "victory" for her and all the girls. Godou lifted his head resolutely.
"Mariya, if you[25] can assist me, I will absolutely put that troublesome goddess in her place. Will you lend me your strength?"
In actual fact, Godou had never used such a rude form of second person reference as omae to address Yuri before.
Although Godou could casually use omae to address the fearless trio of Erica, Liliana and Ena, telling himself "Oh well, it's fine to treat them as if they were guys," Yuri was the one and only exception.
No matter what, she was the most gentle and feminine girl among all the girls around him.
Yet he naturally addressed her in this manner at this time.
"Yes, naturally!"
Godou had no idea if she figured out what he was thinking, but Yuri answered without hesitation. At the same time, she awkwardly added the following as if she had something too embarrassed to bring up:
"Umm... But Godou-san, since this is a spell for prying into Netherworld knowledge through one's own will... It is quite dangerous after all, so I should not attempt it except as a very last resort. After seeing the goddess' name, it would also be quite problematic if I were unable to pass on the information to Godou-san immediately."
Godou nodded in agreement. It was a reasonable assessment of the situation.
"Actually, I have another method I
would like to try. It occurred to me spontaneously during your earlier conversation with the goddess, Godou-san..."
One should not underestimate the things that occurred "spontaneously" to this exceptional user of spirit vision. Godou was well aware of this fact.
What kind of secret plan was it? Godou's sense of curiosity and anticipation was piqued.
Taking Yuri with him, Godou walked across the beach for roughly twenty minutes.
Finally, they reached the destination at the center of the island where even Yuri's psychic sensing could not reach. Marble steps covered the ground here.
Perhaps another structure once existed here apart from these steps.
But currently, nothing remained but these steps of stone. Furthermore, there was a ferocious beast present. A lioness.
"Ara... What an unexpectedly early arrival."
"Because nothing will be accomplished even with more time."
Godou was not surprised to hear the goddess speak through the lioness' jaws.
More importantly, his body was now filled with power and his heart naturally became excited. Achieving such a state, Godou could tell that the lioness was the [Heretic God].
This lioness was transformed from the goddess rather than something like a manipulated puppet.
"The girl is here with you, I see. Come, Kusanagi-sama, please bestow this maidservant to me."
Godou deliberately ignored what she said and replied:
"Hey. In the past, did you try to trap that Gascoigne guy, a peer of mine, on this island?"
Godou asked bluntly in order to provoke a response from her.
It was about time to clear up the nature of that man's relationship with this goddess.
"Fufu, of course. His Highness Alexandre is also a present-generation warrior among the god-slayers. A man worthy of a goddess' love. I first met him back when I was liberated."
"What do you mean by liberated?"
"Yes, His Highness was the one who woke me from my long slumber. Together, we searched for the wandering hero."
Hero. A word one could not ignore.
That Gascoigne really did explore this region as expected... Or more accurately, he was probably embroiled in some kind of nefarious affair here. More than likely, it was during the time when he busied himself nonstop because of Guinevere. Godou nodded.
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