by Heretic God
That Erica was currently not doing this, was probably because she wanted to draw out all of Godou's strength, and so purposely toned down her attacks.
"Craftiness is written all over your face. The intelligence of a fox and the ferocity of a lion —— now that is the Godou I love! Give me all you've got, I accept your challenge!"
Hearing Erica say this, Godou momentarily flashed a grin.
Then, he smiled grimly.
Whatever he said before, he couldn't deny that dueling was very exciting. That there was an opponent willing to handle his attacks could only make him feel happy. Because of this thought, he inadvertently grinned.
Which should he choose? The forms with the greatest destructive power were either the [White Stallion] or the [Boar].
He currently was unable to call on the [White Stallion]. But he could probably use the [Boar] ——
"Thou hast violated the pact, and sinned on earth. The Lord hath spoken —— The sinner must be punished. May his spine be crushed, may his bones be broken, his tendons torn, his hair ripped from his skull— may his blood, spilled over the earth, be churned into a bloody froth. I shall become one who buries fangs into the sinner's flesh, that the will of the Lord be followed— Thou shalt be purged!"
Originally, this was an oracular verse from the sacred texts.
The verse was suddenly turned into an incantation, and flowed from Godou's mouth.
"The Boar shall ravage you! The Boar shall exterminate you!"
This was the Campione: "This is my boast of victory over the gods, the paean of my strength!"
This was the man turned into a devil: "This is my taunt at the gods, who are my foes!"
This was the victor: "This is my declaration of defiance, in order to grasp my godslaying strength!"
"O aethereal[1C 10] Gods, ye all who hath heard this verse of mine, rage at the death of your brethren!"
"O chthonic[1C 11] Gods, ye all who hath heard this verse of mine, wait uselessly for the day when my sacrilege returns for me!"
"O marine gods, ye all, who hath heard this verse of mine, mourn with adirge at your own helplessness!"
"I am the foe of all gods! I am the usurper of divine strength!"
Compelled by his devil-like ability, Godou unknowingly chanted these verses.
"What is the cause of this earthquake?!"
"He just uttered the name of the [Boar], thus it should be an ability of that Lord... Verethragna's fifth incarnation, a boar with wickedly sharp tusks. Legend has it, that it could crush any object with one blow ——"
The wall on which the commander [Female Wolf] and the [Purple Knight] stood began to shake.
The previous incantation of Godou's was exactly that: a hymn to summon the divine beast called 'the bearer of ruin'.
Perhaps it was because one felt as though the beast would really descend from the heavens, the sky shook while gathering storm clouds and the earth trembled while rumbling with minor earthquakes.
"To, to come to this... To use even the [Boar] when dueling with an opponent as weak as me, how heartless are you! If you mess this up, not just the hill and the Roman Colosseum, but even the Forum Roman will be completely flattened!"
Erica gave off a rare emotion; that of worry.
Seeing this atypical anxious look, Godou felt a great sense of satisfaction.
"If I used conventional methods against you, I would have no chance at victory. So, I decided to use the strongest attack which was available to me at this moment."
In the air above Godou and the others, a distortion of space appeared. Between the 'real' world and the 'imaginary' world – which was not meant to exist – appeared a path accessed through the cracks of both. There appeared a huge, ferocious beast, wrapped in dark black fur, fighting to escape from the distortion.
Its body was even larger than the lion Erica had summoned. Twice its size, in fact.
Its entire length was at least 20 meters.
At the moment only the nose to the neck could be seen, along with two huge, sharp tusks.
Just a few more minutes, and it would completely enter the 'real' world.
This gigantic bulk couldn't yet be fully seen, and it couldn't yet be definitively called a 'ferocious monster', but the features, especially the nose and tusks, were definitely those of a boar's.
Godou and Erica had seen the awesome strength of the monster themselves before.
Underneath the dark fur of the [Boar], was a chilling amount of muscle.
Originally, this was a manifestation of Verethragna's desire to vanquish the enemies of his patron deity, Mithras. The burly, divine beast which Godou called forth was exactly the manifestation of the [Boar].
He didn't know why, but the conditions for enabling this ability were very broad.
As long as Godou 'had a huge object as a target, and was determined to crush it', the condition was satisfied. He had never tested before exactly how large or small the object needed to be, but as long as it looked heavier than ten tons, it could be specified as a target.
And, the [Boar]'s manifestation was not only concerned with immensity of size.
"I knew Godou was anything but normal— all that talk of peace was just some platitudes... Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani![1C 12] My God! Why hast thou forsaken me!"
Erica raised her sword to the heavens, loudly singing the sacred hymn.
Erica raised her sword to the heavens, loudly singing the sacred hymn.
He had heard this many times before, the incantation to release her most powerful magic.
"O Lord! I wail and beg through the day, yet you forsake me— I cry and pray through the night, yet you ignore me. But you remain the most holy, you that have the praise of Israel as your throne!"
The despondent incantation shook the air, and began to freeze over the whole earth.
Godou's body began to tremble faintly.
That was because the surrounding temperature was decreasing at an alarming rate.
...In the end, she still used this technique. Because Erica never restrained herself in her attacks, it was easy to predict her overall plan; actually, it was probably because she thought it didn't matter if someone saw through her plan, as long as she crushed the enemy.
Godou momentarily glanced down at the grass near his feet.
A good chance to get one last confirmation on his target.
"Though each bone of my body is shattered, my heartache melts like a lit candle. You shall bury me in the dust of dead earth! Wild dogs surround me, Evil Company hems me in!
God sits aloof in heaven, unwilling to lend aid.
To be alone is to despair, difficulty gives rise to curses."
This incantation, filled with negative emotions, suffused the earth, and Erica, being the current spellcaster, was focusing all that negative energy.
The temperature continued to plummet, and was now at the point where even bones started to ache from the cold.
"O Lord my Savior, I beseech you— aid me! Snatch me away from the weapons of the enemy, snatch me from the jaws of the lion, snatch me from the horns of the bull!"
The instant before the Messiah's death, this was both a funeral dirge and a paean of exaltation which he sang, despairingly and longingly.
Simply hearing the words themselves, the average human would be blinded; the physically weak would even collapse. If the spellcaster wanted to, this incantation could even kill off everyone then present.
Godou threw aside his spear, and suddenly bent down. He grabbed the pebble which he checked was there, lying in the grass just a moment ago, and immediately flung it outwards. This was an action he had performed countless times in basketball courts.
What he aimed at was Erica's chest.
Godou was supremely confident in his arm strength and accuracy; from this distance, there was no way he could miss.
Although this was merely a pebble, one should not underestimate it. Since antiquity, a thrown stone was the simplest and cheapest weapon, yet posse
ssed sufficient deadliness to kill a man. Even the Christians have it, the weapon which David used to kill Goliath was the stone.[1C 13]
——But Erica shot it down with Cuore di Leone.
"My God! Why hast thou forsaken me!"
The overwhelming strength of this incantation required the full concentration of the spell caster. This was a minor error in judgment that made the difference in a life or death situation. For Godou, his chance for victory rested in this very moment.
Erica did not consider Godou's master plan, so she casually used her blade.
Godou didn't summon the [Boar] in order to crush Erica.
That was only a feint —— encouraging her to momentarily relax her pinpoint accuracy.
Seeing the instant when the sword moved, Godou began his attack.
When manifesting the [Boar], Godou himself gained a boar-like charging ability.
...But it was just a mad dash in a straight line. If he used this in rugby or a sprint it might not matter, but in a duel facing a sword wielding foe, it really didn't appeal to him.
However, if an opponent's stance fumbles, it was possible to seize the gap in his defence to batter him down.
If his opponent was a regular swordsman, his plan of a sudden attack would probably have the opponent easily defeated.
The problem was that this enemy was a monster far beyond the common man.
Erica instantly corrected her weak posture. One could say this was her scariest aspect; she had an extraordinary sense of balance.
Cuore di Leone flashed, and cut downwards at Godou, back bent to pierce Erica.
'Thank goodness the [Boar]'s speed was just that much faster.'
Only the end of the blade, near the hilt, scored Godou's arm.
The cut was very light, and was probably only skin deep.
Even if one was an expert, there was no way to use that part of the weapon to kill someone. If Godou's attack had been any slower, the sharpness of the blade and the speed of his charge might have split him in two...
Meanwhile, Godou heaved a sigh of relief, while grabbing onto Erica and pinning her to the ground.
"——!?"
Even if it was Erica, there was no way to face the [Boar]'s charging speed.
Godou had her completely pinned, sitting on top of her body.
Of course, he immediately restrained the hand which held Cuore di Leone.
Part 3
The two stared at each other for a time.
"...If it's possible, I'd prefer to be in this position when we're alone together, on a bed."
"Sto- Stop cracking jokes like that— anyway, is this enough? I've already checked your movements; this duel should be my victory, right?"
Facing a stubborn Erica, Godou retorted coldly.
"That last move was somewhat underhand. You didn't attack from the front, it wasn't elegant at all."
Godou knew very well what Erica was trying to say.
No matter how good his plan was, to force Erica to prepare her strongest move as the decisive blow, yet deciding victory before she could use it, was a pretty pathetic strategy. To use sumo wrestling as an example, it would be as though a Yokotsuna master[1C 14] challenged you to a match, yet attacking you by surprise with a distraction.
"It's not enough that I defeat you, but I have to do it elegantly? With you as my enemy, there's no way I can do such an amazing thing. And anyway, whether it's dirty or despicable, a win is a win, right?"
"Geez... It's because you think this way, that you have no chance at winning a beautiful victory. Forget it, it's because you're just this sort of guy that you've managed to keep winning till now... Fine, I admit defeat. It's my own fault that I fell for that trick. But this is the last time, you hear? This is the last time it'll happen!"
"... I get it; don't pout like a primary schooler just because you lost."
Erica's unhappy expression was just like a child throwing a tantrum. Those watching couldn't help but smile inside.
But, Godou changed his mind two seconds after.
Erica suddenly smiled with a wicked look on her face.
Only when she found it interesting to tease Godou, would that devil-like expression show.
"Godou, it's been so long since we hugged each other so tightly like this——"
"Ah, no, this isn't another one of your awkward, steamy situations, is it?"
When he found out the danger, it was already too late.
Erica wrapped her empty left arm around Godou's neck.
"This is perfect. Let me give you a victory kiss. It's a man's job to take the lead in these moments, you know?"
Those luscious, cherry red lips, whispering those sweet words, looked so fresh and filled with desire.
"Stop playing around, didn't I just tell you to stop with your antics?"
"What? I don't know what you're talking about, sorry. Because of the shock I suffered from my lover's betrayal, I don't remember anything."
Usually, Godou made sure to not pay attention, but Erica's figure was dangerous.
Her figure was as slim as a cypress tree, but the parts which were meant to be full, were full to the point that it was hard to know where to look.
Her heavy and ample breasts seemed just like luscious fruits, and from the slender waist to the perfectly curved back, this was arousing enough to be considered criminal.
And now this same maiden was pressing her body so close to him, even now feeling her warmth, even now tempted by her sweet kisses.
'I can't let Erica lead me by the nose!'
This was a completely different sort of battle from before, now the duel was between him and his reason.
The wafting perfume on Erica's body, her warmth and her softness to the touch, had Godou dizzy with sensations, but he continued to remind himself of his purpose.
"Erica, these sorts of things should only be done by couples who are properly going out, so I don't think we should do this. Besides, there are people around us, so please stop!"
"I want to do this, what's wrong? As long as Godou is interested, and we both agree, then there's no problem. If you're that worried about other people looking on, why not just switch locations?"
Perhaps it was because Erica could already see that Godou was becoming affected, but when she smiled again, it was most suspicious.
You might compare it to how the sun encourages travellers to take off their clocks. She too revealed that wicked grin. 'I've got to escape from this devil's clutches, the sooner the better!'
Having decided, Godou stood up fiercely.
It was only then that he noticed the ground was still shaking.
And shaking fiercely, at that.
Probably around a three on the Richter scale.
"Kusanagi Godou, I have now indeed witnessed your strength, which, if I may say, exceeded my expectations."
"That you would even be able to tame a divine beast of this sort, the powers held by a lord are truly worthy of praise, and truly command the greatest reverence."
"Hence, in accordance to the pledge of the Lady Erica, We here thus acknowledge and confirm you truly as a Campione, this I pledge as representative of my corps."
The knights laboriously walked across the shaking ground towards them.
The [Purple Knight] and the commander [Female Wolf], along with the [Old Dame] who suddenly appeared, meant that everyone was present.
"But there is one thing which we would request from you, is it possible to for you to end this horrendous rattling?"
"Yes, if you do not send the beast home soon, I fear the results will be grave..."
Hearing the [Purple Knight]'s plea, Godou nodded his head and agreed.
Since victory had already been decided, there really was no need to keep the [Boar] on earth. Godou concentrated for a moment, then thought,
'That's enough, you can go back now.'
This way, the huge animal would disappear, and he could go back to sleep... but things like that never go to plan.
> The [Boar] didn't disappear.
'Oi! I came especially at your summons, and now you just send me back just like that?' Partway materialized, the animal gave of an unwilling gleam in its eye, and was struggling about.
"Sorry, but he doesn't seem to want to go back..."
"But that will be disastrous! A divine beast of that sort really rampaging around Rome would be the worst outcome possible."
"That is certainly the case. Whatever it is, we must stop matters from ever getting that bad."
Both the [Purple Knight] and the Commander [Female Wolf] looked extremely uneasy.
Added to that, the [Boar] overhead was now almost fully materialized.
If it was let out, it would definitely fall to the ground, and happily destroy everything.
"The last time you summoned it, after the target was destroyed it returned by itself. Did you ever ask it to go back before that?"
"Yes. It wasn't very happy about it, but it went back obediently."
After Godou answered Erica's question, he hit upon a probability.
"About my control over the [Boar], perhaps I still haven't achieved complete obedience. Even if I gave an order, it may not comply."
"If so, all we can do is let the celestial beast quickly destroy the selected target, and send him back at the soonest opportunity? I think this is the best method of reducing damage."
The leader, [Old Dame], gave her advice with a grave tone.
It was the most appropriate suggestion.
The only problem was, the target itself —— as to what it was, Erica had long already worked it out from Godou's gaze.
"Godou, you couldn't have selected me as the target to summon the [Boar], I'm not large enough to be considered a valid target."
"...Yeah, I did choose something else as its target, yes."
Because Godou didn't want to be questioned carefully, he unknowingly started to sound evasive.
But Erica saw her chance, and precisely pin-pointed it,
"The only thing here that could attract Godou's attention, should be 'that'. 'That' is the most distinctive thing around here, and also the largest. But someone who's always preaching about common sense wouldn't choose something like that, right? Even though it is a really dirty tourist attraction, it's still a world heritage site, right?"
