Campione 09

by Return of the Goddess

  Athena asserted suddenly.

  Even though she was in the form of a young girl, her frowning expression was one which belonged to a haughty queen.

  "Thy expression and thy heart, both lack the determination of a warrior prepared for death on the battlefield. As a god-slaying warrior, thou art ludicrous."

  "Shut up. Stop imposing your Iron Age style of thinking on modern humans!"

  Godou retorted at the goddess standing on the road beneath.

  That unbridgeable gap in culture. From the current standoff, it was clearly the reason why Godou could never build a good rapport with Athena.

  "Regardless, I can't believe you went to such lengths. If you cause trouble to human society, then I can't remain silent. I will do everything I can to drive you out of this country."

  "Even if thou sayst that, 'tis not enough."

  God and god-slayer. The gulf between them was far too wide.

  Athena looked up at Godou from the road. Godou looked down at Athena from the observation deck.

  "Drive out? Fool! Why canst thou utter words like slaughter and wipe from the face of the earth!? In the face of such a crisis, hast thou not learnt the determination of a warrior!?"

  "I have my own ways of doing things! Whether you are a goddess or a queen, you have no right to complain!"

  The physical distance between them was nothing.

  There was a consensus between the two. What separated them was the distance known as issouku-ittou no ma[21] — the battle could begin any moment by taking a step forward. That was the situation.

  Godou gestured to the girls, giving an order of "stay back."

  Liliana, Yuri and Ena immediately obeyed and retreated to the depths of the observation deck, preparing for changes in the battle situation. That was their assigned mission.

  "By the skills with which I wield spell words, may justice of the world manifest!"

  "Bearers of lingering life, all shall cease activity completely! Ye shall be vanquished here!"

  Chanting spell words at the same time, Godou used the [Warrior] incarnation while Athena unleashed the divine power of [Petrification].

  "A cold tombstone that befits ye. That shall be this goddess' blessing bestowed!"

  The snake goddess' song brought forth temporary death.

  A change started from under her feet. She had been standing on a road constructed from thick concrete.

  However, the man-made road instantly changed in appearance. Becoming a rocky plain covered by natural gray stone. No, not only that — even the ocean was turned into stone.

  All the waves on the surface of the surrounding waters of the Umihotaru artificial island had been frozen into stone.

  Liquid seawater had been turned into solid rock. Athena had petrified all the seawater within a two or three kilometer radius around her.

  "Now then, sleep. Simply wait to awaken at dream's end. However, one shall imprison ye in an eternal dream!"

  How ridiculous! This meant defeat was not an option!

  Godou began to chant the spell words of the [Sword]. In order to create the blade of knowledge that could sever Athena's divinity.

  "As the one who holds all victory in my hands, I am the strongest. The mighty and the indomitable one!"

  Godou was standing atop Umihotaru's observation deck.

  The god-slaying weapons appeared over his head in the form of spheres of light.

  They were like thousands of stars hovering in the night sky. One by one, the bright spots of light sliced through Athena's divinity, paring away at her divine power.

  "I shall vanquish all evil-doers!"

  Godou first used the [Sword]'s spell words to surround the entire artificial island of Umihotaru.

  This parking rest stop area had now become a ship in distress, floating on a sea of stone. Probably hundreds of people were unable to seek refuge within the ship? That included Godou himself, Yuri, Liliana and Ena. Furthermore, quite a fair number of cars must have been in mid-route, driving towards Kisarazu.

  Athena's [Evil Gaze] prohibited them from reaching their destination.

  With unshakable willpower, Godou began controlling the [Sword]. The divine power of petrification from the goddess' eyes began to be cut, severed, slashed, and pierced by the blades of light surrounding Umihotaru.

  It truly was defense as solid as rock. Godou's [Sword] had turned the artificial island of Umihotaru into a fortress.

  "Hohoho. Thou art too careless, Kusanagi Godou."

  Athena began to smile.

  Her lips shaped themselves into an instigating smile, full of mockery.

  "Thy [Sword]... Verethragna's god-slaying blade. One hath seen it once already. Dost thou believe one would not prepare a counter, knowing one shall face it again!?"

  "What did you say...!?"

  "Hohoho. Thou shouldst know, the Greek legends of one's [Aegis]. Having slew Medusa, Perseus offered her head as a gift to Goddess Athena. Athena afixed Medusa's head onto her shield to become the [Aegis]."

  Godou recalled the sculpture of Goddess Athena.

  In Greek sculptures, she was often depicted bearing a shield. That shield was engraved with a design bearing the snake-haired monster Medusa's likeness. It was said to protect Athena using its magical power to turn everything into stone.

  "For the sake of countering thy [Sword], one hath imitated the classic story of the [Aegis]. Indeed, Medusa was one of the many names of this goddess. Having retrieved the Gorgoneion, one's many names had been reunited once more."

  Godou saw it —

  Standing behind Athena, another Athena manifested.

  He had seen her before. It was the goddess' teenaged appearance when she matured from her pubescent form.

  Pubescent Athena. And mature Athena as an eighteen-year-old maiden.

  Both goddesses were appearing in splendor at the same time!

  " "Only at this moment, have the goddesses been separated once more." "

  " "Namely, Athena and Medusa. Medusa and Athena. Kusanagi Godou, thou hast severed the divinity of Athena, but what shalt thou do about Medusa?" "

  The two goddesses spoke together softly in perfect unison.

  —Oh no! Godou instinctively knew what was about to happen.

  In the past, Godou had also done similar things himself. Changing the [Sword]'s target during battle. This strategy was a direct counter to it. Athena was intentionally splitting apart her divinity!

  " "One is Athena, Goddess representing Darkness. Master of the Underworld as Queen of the Night." "

  " "One is Medusa, Goddess blessing the Land. Master of the Stone Chamber as Queen of the Earth." "

  " "As such, humbly acceptest the curse bestowed by this goddess. Kindly turnst into an ice-cold corpse and layst thyself in the Underworld." "

  " "As such, humbly acceptest the blessing bestowed by this goddess. Kindly turnst into an ice-cold statue and returnst thyself to ash and dust." "

  The spell words from the two goddesses attacked Umihotaru.

  Athena's [Death]. The grim reaper's curse that dragged everyone towards the afterlife.

  The use of such a contemptible power greatly infuriated Godou. A way must be found to deal with it. Accelerating the [Sword], he completely slashed apart the pulse of [Death].

  However, the evil gaze of Medusa's [Petrification] could not be eliminated. No way to defend, no way to counter!

  The entire interior and facilities of Umihotaru directly below him were completely petrified.

  Kusanagi Godou was not going to fall to this petrification. Even though it was a divine authority, as long as he made use of the power flowing throughout his body, a Campione's body was able to endure.

  But what about everything else?

  Amongst them were other living things, vehicles, machinery, plant life, as well as his companions.

  With no way to resist.

  "Mariya! Liliana! Seishuuin!"

  Godou yelled. He yelled as hard as he could. However, before his eyes,
Mariya had been turned into a beautiful stone sculpture.

  Liliana had also turned into a fairy-like stone sculpture.

  But there was one sole exception.

  "Your Majesty, please! That one —to use as Ena's power —!"

  In the instant she was turning into stone, Seishuuin Ena shouted and reached out with her hand.

  Towards Godou. Seeking what Godou possessed, her partner.

  "Please, Ama no Murakumo! Go protect Seishuuin!"

  Godou ordered the divine sword dwelling in his arm. To reach her in time no matter what.

  The one-meter-long sword manifested in Ena's hand. Its blade was black as the darkest night. This was the divine Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi that appeared in the form of a sword.

  As Godou's partner, the sword was entrusted to its other partner.

  Divine possession — the act of bringing down divine might upon one's body, was an ultimate skill that only Ena could use.

  "I shall swing this divine blade like the wind! My body shall be one with the divine metal of destruction!"

  Instantly promoted to a superhuman existence, the Hime-Miko swung Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi.

  The jet-black blade captured the goddess Medusa's petrification pulse, absorbing its power, thereby protecting the wielder's body.

  "Damn it, it doesn't help the others!"

  "Ah, thou lookest plenty more spirited than before, Kusanagi Godou!"

  The beautiful goddess pounced upon Godou as he gnashed his teeth. From the road far below, she made a great leap and flew like a bird, reaching the observation deck in a single bound.

  "Thy courageous pupils burn with fury and vengeance. Now that is a true warrior, forsooth!"

  Athena and Medusa were reunited as one again.

  The pubescent girl and the teenager had merged into an eighteen or nineteen-year-old maiden.

  Savagely attacking Godou in this form, she slashed with her hand repeatedly. Athena's slender hand was deadly as a lance wielded by a death knight.

  "Gwah —ah!"

  Godou screamed as the flank of his abdomen was sharply sliced open.

  Flesh severed, innards ruptured, blood spewed forth. This was on the level of incised injuries caused by bladed weapons.

  Against such an avatar, the [Sword] was no longer effective. Godou immediately switched to the [Camel] incarnation, counterattacking Athena with a sweeping kick!

  "Hohoho. Very well, one's blood boileth, burning inexhaustibly!"

  Jumping to evade the kick, the goddess bore a fearless and terrible smile.

  With absolute fury, Godou glared severely at that beautiful face.

  Part 4

  Verethragna's fourth incarnation, the [Camel].

  Using this incarnation required severe injuries beyond a certain level.

  In return, it conferred bestial combat abilities, kicking power to send gods flying, resilient endurance to pain, and exceptional healing.

  Godou felt the pain on his flank subsiding as he prepared to continue the battle.

  "Thou hast been hiding such a power! As expected from the authority usurped from the warlord of the everchanging forms, how marvelous, a sight to behold!"

  Athena guffawed as she began swinging the giant scythe she had summoned to use as a close combat weapon.

  Swinging the scythe with both hands, the sight was reminiscent of the grim reaper's signature weapon. The blade was black as the darkest night.

  Relying on the [Camel]'s gifts, Godou evaded successfully.

  Verethragna's fourth incarnation, the [Camel].

  Such combat skills were beyond human ability. Rather, these skills were swift as a savage beast, controlling his perceptive body, striking out with kicking attacks.

  Kicks that could shatter stone. Nevertheless, Athena managed to block using the jet-black scythe's shaft.

  Was it successful due to being a god's supernatural weapon, or was it due to Athena's own divine skills? Struck by the [Camel]'s kick, the wooden shaft did not shatter but absorbed the impact instead.

  "Damn it, didn't work, huh —!"

  Godou endured the pain in his flank as he desperately engaged in close quarter combat.

  Evading Athena's swinging scythe, counterattacking with kicks, avoiding her counters with beast-like movements, attacking in return.

  Godou had no knowledge of martial arts.

  But a Campione's warrior instincts told him, the [Camel] was ridiculously strong. Even someone extremely talented as Lu Yinghua would be knocked out in one hit. It could gain the upper hand over Doni, and even fight Luo Cuilian to a standstill. That was how it was.

  Perseus was the same. And now Athena too.

  Their martial arts could be considered the human pinnacle by default.

  Few geniuses could reach that divine realm even if they endured pain and suffering, madly training themselves until they coughed out blood. Because the level of the divine was completely ridiculous.

  Rather, one should express the highest praise towards Doni and the sworn elder sister who managed to match gods with their human bodies.

  "Nevertheless, Kusanagi Godou."

  The goddess swung her scythe with absolute might. Even Verethragna's [Camel] could not completely stand up to it. Cuts and incisions multiplied across Godou's body, bleeding away.

  As a result, Athena calmly declared:

  "Didst thou think that one would compete with thee like a human? Using mighty authorities to vanquish foes, now that is the way of one's kind!"

  "—!"

  Godou trembled. If that was case, he might not last.

  He had rushed in for a battle of close combat because the [Camel] was only suited to an exchange of physical blows.

  That was how he managed to maintain an even battle. However, if magic was mixed into it —

  "O Shadow, submergest."

  Athena softly spoke the spell words.

  Behind her, a black shadow was squirming like a snake.

  "Becomest fangs that tear iron apart, makest haste!"

  At the same time, Athena slashed with her scythe from the side!

  "Danger, Your Majesty!"

  Ena instantly squeezed her way in between.

  Ka! The Hime-Miko of the Sword blocked Athena's scythe using Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi while Godou desperately lurched sideways to escape the black fangs.

  "...Miko? Dost thou intend to intrude our sacred territory as a lowly wench?"

  The first time —

  Athena glanced at Seishuuin Ena for the first time.

  She entered the goddess' view for the first time. However, there was no acknowledgement.

  "Desperately throwing thy human life away, merely relying on divine grace, this pittance of power cannot compare to one's kind. Knowest thy place."

  "Even if it's a god's orders... Ena will not listen!"

  Ena raised Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi before her.

  She had apparently been waiting for an opportunity to intervene.

  "Kusanagi Godou is my husband! Seishuuin Ena has decided to guard him with her life. Even though I know you are the queen of the Mediterranean — Ena will not back down!"

  Muttering softly, the Hime-Miko's body was brimming with Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi's divine power.

  Divine possession. Even on a very small scale, it was a mystic technique that conferred divine might.

  "How's that, Your Majesty? Ena can fight by your side. Surely I will prove my worth!"

  "Ah yes. I definitely can't win this goddess by myself. Thanks."

  Godou immediately answered affirmatively.

  Humans who could fight alongside Campiones were virtually nonexistent.

  In previous battles against gods, everyone had been providing support from the back. The only exception was probably Erica when she was under Verethragna's protection. However, what about Ena under divine possession—

  "By the blessing of bows and arrows, bestow honor upon this great sword!"

  Ena chanted spell words and raised h
er beloved sword up high.

  Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi. The jet-black blade slowly began to curve. This was a technique for increasing slashing power.

  The heretic divine sword that vanquished foreign invaders since ancient times.

  "Sing of death, guide death, dance to death — Become Athena's servant, the underworld messengers of death!"

  Athena also chanted a song of disaster in turn. Behind her, the black snake resumed its posture.

  There was not only one. Their heads, shaped like scythe blades, rose one after another.

  Two, three, four — a total of nine snakes finally manifested behind Athena's back. Their bodies were long, reaching 10m or so in length.

  These black snakes extended from Athena's back like the petals of a carnivorous flower, writhing as they moved.

  And then the battle resumed. While the goddess advanced, brandishing her other weapon, the iconic grim reaper's scythe, the nine black snakes also attacked together.

  Baring their fangs, lifting their scythe-shaped heads, seeming as if they would devour everyone on earth.

  "Seishuuin! Don't attack recklessly, let's establish a solid defense first!"

  "Got it! This situation is becoming really bad."

  Keenly aware of Godou's voice, Ena instantly replied.

  As befitted the Hime-Miko of the Sword, she understood his intentions from a simple instruction.

  Since Athena was holding the upper hand, the correct approach would be to endure the crisis patiently, waiting for the opportunity to reverse the tide of battle to their favor!

  Godou and Ena cooperated, coordinating with each other to face the goddess.

  Shoulder to shoulder at times, back to back on other occasions —

  The [Camel] defended by kicking away Athena's scythe.

  Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi slashed apart the gaping jaws of the black snakes.

  Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi deflected Athena's scythe.

  Godou used the [Camel] to send a black snake flying with a kick from his heel.

  Even though their teamwork was improvised, they coordinated extraordinarily well.

  Ena did not try to show off and single-mindedly served as a "shield." Whenever Godou faced an attack he could not handle alone and showed an opening, the divine sword went to the rescue.