"No, let's not do that yet. If you go all out like previously, the time required for Sir Knight to recover will be further delayed."
With roughly ten more days before Lancelot would recover his true power, there was no point in overexerting themselves. After all, other heroes were available to battle the goddess —
"Stay hidden for now. Today is definitely not the right time to meet Athena."
Guinevere activated her magical powers of a Divine Ancestor.
Dissociating her witch's body, she became one with the air, and flew away riding on the wind.
Erasing her trail as she ran away in this manner, even Athena would have difficulty tracking her down.
"Tsk, was one a step too tardy?"
Clicking her tongue in disapproval, Athena was standing on a seaside cliff in the form of a young girl.
Her gaze pointed towards the white waves crashing upon the cliff. There had been a minute remnant of Guinevere's lingering presence. However, it had now vanished —
"Forsooth, 'tis the Holy Grail within one's body... Alerted the prey."
Athena murmured to herself.
Thanks to swallowing the Grail, she now understood its nature fully.
"As long as this object remaineth in one's body, 'tis impossible to approach the descendant of its creator?"
Guinevere was the witch born from the white matriarch deity's reincarnation.
She had apparently fled as soon as she sensed Athena approaching. If nothing changed, this situation would only repeat time and again.
"Is there no way to send that witch to her grave, and stop that man's revival...? Hmm, 'tis one's destiny to defeat Kusanagi Godou. But as things stand, he cannot defeat that man. For no god-slayer can prevail against that man once he awakens."
If that was the case, what could be done? What could Goddess Athena do?
"— Fu. One had wished for a ripened opportunity, but the time for harvest hast arrived. One shall have a decisive showdown against Kusanagi Godou here."
If this life persists after the duel concluded, then Lancelot will be forced to pay back his dues at that time...!
Her remaining time was not abundant.
Having made her decision, Athena displayed a brave and fearless smile.
The goddess' battle spirit roused, the waves beneath intensified in turn. Violent winds blew across the sky to answer to the goddess' raging spirit.
"Superbly done, war god Lancelot. As befitted proper [Steel] inheriting the ways of ancients. Desecrating one's immortality in this manner!"
The swallowed Holy Grail continued to erode her life from within.
The immortal goddess's life was gradually absorbed by this divine artifact. Slowly but surely, Athena was approaching death.
"Hohoho. Were one to take this Holy Grail and crosseth over to the [Boundary of Life and Immortality], perhaps this life may persist indefinitely..."
There were occasional [Heretic Gods], tired of endless wandering, who chose to live secluded in that world.
It could very well be Athena's one and only path of survival.
"Nevertheless, one is not obliged to take that path. Letting the riotous spirit rage in war, and choosing the path of battle is what befits this goddess. One shall first defeat Kusanagi Godou, then Lancelot shall be vanquished. If this life lingereth still, justice shall be met upon that maidservant, and vengeance brought to that man...!"
Precisely because she had transcended mortality, she was not one to struggle for the sake of prolonging her life.
Death was welcome as long as all those unaccomplished tasks could be settled without regret. When the time comes and her power is fully depleted, she will lay down upon the earth and pass away as if entering eternal slumber.
Athena was not only the tripartite goddess, but also the goddess of war.
As the end drew near, would it not be particularly meaningful to embrace death as the goddess of war?!
Standing before the turbulent eastern sea, Athena felt exhilaration as her emotions rose to new heights.
Part 2
On the Friday after the school festival had ended, Kusanagi Godou was going to Chiba Prefecture. The day before, he had received a phone call from Seishuuin Ena.
"Hello, Your Majesty, please! I hope you can help!"
It was the first time ever for him to receive a call from Ena. This was the girl who seldom used modern tools of civilization with their intended purpose.
"Sure, if it's within my power... Is it something troublesome?"
"I'm afraid so. Ah, but Amakasu-san said Your Majesty once accepted a similar request from Erica-san, so it shouldn't matter."
"Something Erica once requested..."
Godou was reminded of all sorts of unreasonable demands she had forced upon him before.
They all pretty much sowed the seeds for future conflict with gods.
"The worst time was when she forced me to bring back the stone medallion which drew Athena to Tokyo."
"Yes yes, that's exactly it. There's a medal-like thing that we want Your Majesty to safeguard for us. It's still being dug out of the ground, but it'll probably be ready tomorrow or the day after."
Last time he had been entrusted with the unforgettable Gorgoneion. It was a medallion with the mother earth goddess' wisdom engraved on it.
Well, it can't be helped. Godou sighed.
This was like volunteering himself to finish the job. It meant helping Ena, Amakasu and the rest of them even more in the future. Starting around spring earlier this year, he had been completely sucked into involvement with the supernatural world—
Godou lamented to himself as he answered.
"Understood. I'll help. What do I need to do first?"
"We will welcome Your Majesty here tomorrow. Ena is currently at Chiba, oh?"
The next day after that phone call was a bright and sunny Friday.
After returning from school, Godou lied about staying at a friend's place for the weekend before setting off from home.
Having arranged a ride with an acquaintance beforehand, he waited at a nearby main road. A common silver domestic car stopped briskly before Godou on the roadside.
Godou was shocked to see the person at the steering wheel.
It was the androgynous Hime Miko, Sayanomiya Kaoru, who resembled both a handsome youth and a beautiful lady at the same time.
"Actually I just received my driver's license, so let me be the chauffeur for today."
She winked and explained as he sat down on the passenger seat beside her.
Come to think of it, she (often feels like a he) was in her third year of high school.
Even if she had just reached eighteen years of age, it was sufficient to get a normal official license.
"Thank you for your efforts... But Kaoru-san seems to be quite familiar with driving?"
"Yes. I 'just happened' to get my license recently. On the other hand, having a car is a lot more convenient when going out with girls to various places for fun. In the past, I sometimes carried authorization under another's name, and it often proved to be useful."
Kaoru's control of the steering wheel was very steady. Somehow, Godou felt like verifying if she might drive recklessly like a novice...
"It feels quite incredible when I realized recently just how many amazing people are around me, leading normal lives..."
"Hmm, this could very well be called 'birds of a feather, flock together.'"
Kaoru replied cheerfully to Godou's exclamation.
Furthermore, she was suggestively grouping herself with Godou and his other strange companions together.
"Well, from this moment on, I will be the proud driver in charge of our journey. Do you want to go for a spin and pick up girls? I'm sure if Godou-san partners with me, we're in for quite a catch!"
"I'm not used to hitting on such a large number of girls!"
Kaoru continued to drive steadily as she made her unsettling suggestion.
Along the way they picked u
p two girls. Mariya Yuri and Liliana Kranjcar.
Both of them in casual dress, Yuri was wearing a one-piece dress with a matching knitted top while Liliana was dressed in a short-sleeved blouse, jeans and a halfcoat.
"So, now that everyone is here, I will briefly explain the situation."
Kaoru spoke slowly as soon as they got on the Shuto Expressway.
The Hime-Miko and History Compilation Committee executive revealed an incredible legend.
Queen Oto Tachibana-Hime, jumped into the sea with sword embosomed. Sea currents carried her sword to a landless location, whence a floating island subsequently appeared.
"Now that it's mentioned, Kazusa and Awa are certainly places with deep ties to Yamato Takeru no Mikoto and Oto Tachibana-Hime."
Yuri the Hime-Miko was the first to nod in agreement.
"Is that so, Mariya?"
"Yes. Godou-san should probably know already—"
Yuri proceeded to recount the last moments of Oto Tachibana-Hime. It was a most familiar story.
"The place where Takeru no Mikoto and Hime set off to sea, called Hashirimizu, still exists in Kanagawa Prefecture. Shrines were built in worship of Oto Tachibana-Hime as a deity on both sides of Tokyo Bay in Kanagawa and Chiba."
It was the story of Yamato Takeru that Godou knew from childhood.
For Tokyo Bay to be involved in that setting... Godou was honestly surprised.
"The interesting thing here is that the surfacing rumors always involve Oto Tachibana-Hime. Even the discontinued version had a part about Yamato Takeru and Hime."
Kaoru provided supplementary details.
"The prestigious sword and its owner the Noble One sank into the sea, floating towards 'the island where there was neither land nor sea.' When the sword reappears on earth, the Noble One shall reawaken... That is what was said."
"In that case..."
Liliana suddenly interrupted.
Since the conversation topic had been about Japanese myths which were outside her expertise, she had remained silent until now.
"What this fantastic legend is really trying to convey, is not the final moments of Hime, but the whereabouts of the sword... Is that not correct?"
"That could very well be true. At least, that was how Amakasu-san and I got our hands on this matter."
Kaoru expressed agreement as she continued to drive.
"Regarding this issue, I have a whole list of questions I'd like to ask the Elders. Originally, a policy of absolute secrecy was enforced over that place for a very long time, most likely over a thousand years. But since an explosive situation is definitely unavoidable, we thought, why not just add Kusanagi-san to the mix to detonate it."
"It is a rather helpless situation, Sayanomiya Kaoru."
"Well, not exactly. As a secret matter related to gods, there is always a high probability that Godou-san will be involved eventually. In that case, why not call him in from the very start?"
"I see. If you put it that way, I certainly agree."
Liliana nodded in agreement with Kaoru who had just described Godou as if he was a walking bomb.
Godou was about to object with indignation.
"That said, is there actually a Noble One in eternal slumber with the sword? In this world, there is no such thing as an island in a place with neither land nor sea. The description is virtually the same as King Arthur and Excalibur sleeping in Avalon the land of the fairies."
The silver-haired knight mused further, surprising Kaoru.
"As befitting of Liliana-san. Amakasu-san had also made the same observation. Yamato Takeru, King Arthur, and the war gods of steel are all implicated in this legend."
Thus, a dangerous statement was made.
The car carrying the group entered the Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway from the Kawasaki-Ukishima junction.
Passing through Shuto Expressway that was illuminated by a shade of dusk, they entered the tunnel that traversed Tokyo Bay. Continuing forward would reach the parking area of the Umihotaru artificial island. From there, the Bousou Peninsula could be reached via the Kisarazu link route.
As the stage where a myth took place, this sea could be traversed in dozens of minutes.
"The so-called floating island is commonly believed to be the 'Palace of the Floating Island' where Yamato Takeru's father, Emperor Keiko held his banquets when he was visiting his sons in the Kantou region."
Kaoru explained along the way.
It was almost dark by the time they reached Kisarazu. Kaoru stopped the car somewhere near the coast.
"I've been waiting for everyone!"
"Ah, a very great welcome to our special guests from far away."
Two familiar faces approached as they got off the car.
Seishuuin Ena and Amakasu Touma. Ena was wearing her usual uniform while Amakasu also had his usual sloppy suit. In that regard they were a rather good match for each other. Along with Kaoru who was impeccably dressed in a winter jacket, this notion of usual attire was further reinforced.
"Eh, Erica-san didn't come?"
"She said she was busy and had to return to Italy."
Ena muttered "hmm" in response to the simple explanation.
A frantic expression flashed across her face. But Ena ignored Godou's gaze of curiosity and went on to greet the others.
Yuri smiled in response to Ena's usual enthusiasm, while Liliana greeted generously.
"By the way, can we talk for a moment?"
Amakasu called out, not to Godou, but to Yuri and Liliana.
"An object called the Heavenly Reverse Halberd is currently being excavated. To be honest, it's impossible to guess at this point what the thing will look like. Therefore, we hope you two can lend your eyes of wisdom."
Basically they wished for assistance from the power of spirit vision.
In response to the request to "view" the excavation site, Yuri and Liliana replied in the following manner:
"I cannot be certain if anything will be seen, but let us go to its vicinity for now."
"I see. Perhaps as a witch, I might be able to assist the investigation."
"...Do I have to go along?"
Without thought, Godou asked. Because he was slightly intrigued.
"Oh, Kusanagi-san, all things considered, you still have many other matters to attend to."
"Umm, yes, can Your Majesty accompany me for a bit?"
—? Godou found it rather strange. The laid-back special agent had many hidden interests. Be that as it may, his tone of voice was slightly different from usual. This time, it was a serious tone of voice.
But before Godou could voice his doubt, Ena held him by the hand and dragged him away.
"Then I entrust all matters to everyone. Especially you, Kusanagi-san, please handle things appropriately."
Amakasu, Yuri and Liliana on one hand. Godou and Ena on the other.
As the two groups departed for different destinations, Kaoru bid them farewell with a strange remark.
Part 3
"So Seishuuin, what do you want me to do?"
Walking along the beach at night, they were on the Kisarazu shore facing the sea of Edomae.
Godou spoke to Seishuuin Ena's back as she walked ahead of him.
"Why do we have to come here? I feel like there's nothing to see here."
The coast at night was completely devoid of people.
The two of them had walked for close to ten minutes along the beach. The only light sources were street lamps from roads in the distance, starlight and the white glow of the half moon.
Well, there were no inconveniences since Godou had excellent night vision.
Ena was probably the same. But then again, what was the point of taking this walk in the night?
"Probably about time? Actually Ena has a request to make of Your Majesty."
"Request?"
"Yes. Actually, Ena only found out about Your Majesty's school festival after it had ended."
Ena stopped and turned around. Facing Godou, she stared
at him with a nervous expression.
"I see. I tried calling you, hoping you could come in case you were free, but couldn't get through."
"Umm, it's like this... But anyway, Ena thinks it's quite a shame."
Though gloomy for an instant, Ena immediately recovered her spirits.
"I missed a rare chance to enjoy a festival together with Your Majesty. Because of that, I asked Yuri and Liliana-san to let me have today to enjoy with Your Majesty. Starting now."
"So that is what you mean by request?! Which is why we deliberately came to the beach..."
Godou felt like surrendering.
"I knew it. Then Amakasu-san and Kaoru-san's unnatural attitudes were because they were part of the conspiracy!?"
"Yes. Those two knew about the school festival but remained silent about it. I threatened them to make up for it, or else I'd withdraw my assistance. Luckily Erica-san isn't here, so we won't be disturbed."
It had been mentioned before that the Hime-Miko were not subordinates of the Committee. They were honored guests who provided assistance through invitation.
Nevertheless, it was probably unnecessary to lean on authority for a matter like this.
Ena acted even more coyly towards the stunned Godou.
"Hey, Ena would sometimes like to have some private time with Your Majesty, may I?"
Now that it was brought up — it finally occurred to Godou. He had never spent any time alone with Ena. Almost every time there were others present.
"...Well, occasionally should be fine."
Intentionally avoiding someone for the sake of being with someone else was not Godou's preferred way of doing things. But it was true that he had very little opportunity to spend time alone with Ena.
He certainly could not bear to turn down her openly expressed good will.
"As expected of Your Majesty, it's exactly what Ena wants!"
"But how are we going to enjoy ourselves? There's nothing here."
A beach in early winter. Furthermore, it was night.
During daylight hours on a warm day might have been fine, but the current conditions were really not quite suited for amusement.
Well, the winter constellations shining in the sky could be thought of as a backdrop, while the rustling of breaking waves could count as background music. Alone with just the two of them. The stage was set for a romantic and dramatic scene. But what terrible casting of actors!
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