Chapter 1 - Augury of the Hero
Part 1
Winter rain.
"Hmm..."
Prompted by the sudden shower, Luo Cuilian looked up at the dark sky.
Her residence was situated at Mount Lu in China's Jiangxi province. On a moment's whimsical fancy, she had decided to take a leisurely stroll deep in the mountain.
The accumulated snow had dyed the mountain scenery with the color of white.
Whether totally bare or still holding onto lingering leaves, all trees were enduring against bone-chilling wind and the weight of accumulated snow.
Melting and dripping, the snow solidified again as ice, forming transparent ice columns in various places. Snowflakes and mist drifted in the sky, adding a color of fantasy to this world of white and silver.
Standing in this snowscape that could be called a wonderland was the transcendent beauty, Luo Cuilian.
Her attire was traditional Han clothing of silk. The lapel was tied using ribbons, contributing to elegant airs as well as an image similar to the kimono's. The sleeves of her upper garment were wide and loose while the skirt hem was long enough to drag on the ground. Furthermore, it was currently raining.
Nevertheless, Luo Cuilian's clothing was not wet in the slightest.
Having reached the pinnacle of Daoist arts, it was mere child's play for her to employ a rain-blocking spell. In addition, the snow-covered ground showed no signs of either footprints or a trail from the dragging of her Han clothing's hem.
Tarnishing this land of white and silver were only the footprints of hares.
As though having turned the weight of both herself and her clothing into nothingness, she walked, jumped, dashed and demonstrated martial arts.
Were one unable to overcome an environment of this extent, how could one even claim proudly to have reached the pinnacle of the martial path?
...Hence, upon Mount Lu on a winter's day, nothing existed that could confound Luo Cuilian's beautiful face whose clarity and magnificence was akin to the moon's.
"Who could have expected rain on this very day...?"
Luo Cuilian's Daoist arts were even capable of summoning wind and rain through prayers to heaven.
Just by looking up at the sky, immersed in the wind, she could tell what weather would arrive the next day. Deciphering the climate of the deep mountains was no challenge to her.
Nevertheless, she had completely failed to sense the arrival of today's sudden shower.
"Some kind of monumental calamity manifesting between heaven and earth... Is that an augury?"
While she murmured to herself, the falling rain suddenly ceased at the same time.
The gray clouds dispersed with astounding speed as the winter sun was hung in the sky once more.
Thereafter, Luo Cuilian immediately had a vision.
Suspended in the sky, a white halo pierced the sun—This was the ominous sign witnessed. Luo Cuilian was also blessed with outstanding sensitivity in divination. This ability was able to call forth the oracles of spirit vision.
"The sun pierced by a white halo..."
Murmuring thus, Luo Cuilian turned around to make her way back.
There were things she must do as ruler of the martial realm and supreme [King].
In the middle of February, Kusanagi Godou finally returned to his homeland.
After arriving at Narita Airport from distant Italy, he then took an express train from the airport to Tokyo.
As it so happened, he got back to Japan on the last day of the vacation after the third term exams.
Although it was a brief trip on the calendar, for Godou and his companions, this was a great expedition spanning multiple months, traversing between the past and contemporary times.
"This journey sure makes one's heart resonate with emotion..."
Staring out at the scenery of the Bunkyou ward's streets, Liliana Kranjcar remarked emphatically.
Concurring "you can say that again," Godou smiled wryly. Having visited Tuscany in winter, ancient Gaul and the island of Sardinia, they had finally returned to Nezu's Area 3 in downtown Tokyo. One could call this a wholly intractable journey.
Driving the car to send the whole group here was Amakasu Touma of the History Compilation Committee.
They first made a trip to the Mariya residence at Toranomon in order to drop off the two sisters, Mariya Yuri and Hikari, along with Seishuuin Ena. Right now, Godou and Liliana as well as Erica Blandelli were getting off at Hongou Street.
"Well then, everyone, first get some rest today. If any emergency comes up, please contact me immediately."
"You're heading over to Kaoru-san's place next, Amakasu-san?"
Standing in the road, Erica asked Amakasu who was sitting in the driver's seat. The sun was almost about to set. Soon, a winter dusk was going to arrive.
"In that case, could you take me along? I have matters I'd like to discuss with her too."
"Unfortunately, I still have things to do, so I have to go to the library. That's the one the Committee manages in Aobadai. There's a few things I want to research."
"Is it about the 'King of the End'?"
"Yes, that's right. I'm very concerned about the spirit vision that Yuri-san received after hearing about the revived Athena's attack."
"Are you referring to this?"
Liliana nodded and interjected.
"An evil dragon in the sea. The dragon summoned wind and clouds to blot the sky and sun. Lightning flashed to illuminate the sea. The king shot an arrow, piercing the dragon's chest—That was how it went, yes?"
"Yes. I think I've seen these words somewhere before."
Not expecting Amakasu to speak so candidly, Godou was surprised.
"So those are the poetic lines that Mariya said?"
"If that is the case, it could be a massive hint to unraveling the mystery of the 'King of the End.'"
"A segment from a certain land's heroic legend... This is the kind of impression I gathered from the passage."
Liliana leaned forward while Erica expressed her interest.
...In yonder days, there was an evil dragon in the sea. The evil dragon summoned wind and clouds to block the sun, causing violent lightning to descend upon the sea. The king immediately drew his bow and shot an arrow, wounding the dragon right in the chest—
That was roughly the content. A story about a hero vanquishing an evil dragon.
However, the History Compilation Committee's special agent smiled wryly and shrugged.
"I totally can't recall anything specific. Neither can I reject the possibility that I remembered wrong. So let me do some research first. As soon as I figure out anything, I'll call you guys."
"We will also contact you as soon as we receive news about the earlier incident."
Liliana sighed with worry after saying that.
"However, we really were too careless... I can't believe we let those two escape."
One was the gentle noblewoman who was staying in a remote village in the Italian region of Tuscany.
The other was the frivolous Italian young man who had been traveling with Godou before he left Sardinia.
Possessing both ridiculous powers and troublemaking ability, these two Campiones had shaken off surveillance personnel half a day earlier, suddenly going missing.
"That idiot Doni aside, I can't believe even Madame Aisha did the same."
Godou muttered in worry.
"I just hope she won't cause a mess."
"Godou, hoping alone is futile when pertaining to Madame Aisha. This disappearance is tantamount to pulling the trigger to a massive disturbance in the future... That's the kind of feeling I get. Want to have a bet?"
"I agree fully with what you said, so there's no bet."
"These words can just as easily apply to Sir Salvatore too, right? Definitely unmistakable."
Godou nodded to agree with Erica's opinion while Liliana murmured as well.
Everyone was making rather blunt comments about the two terrifying Devil Kings.
"However, who we truly need to stay on guard against isn't those two. Rather, it's Pallas Athena... As the reincarnation of Athena, resurrected as a Divine Ancestor, and of course there is—"
Erica deliberately omitted the name, but Godou knew what she meant.
The king manifesting at era's end. The Devil King-exterminating hero. The "King of the End." The pale-haired aristocrat whom he had battled in ancient Gaul. The ultimate warrior whom the Divine Ancestors had spent a thousand years to locate.
Liliana also said to the silent Godou:
"According to Prince Alec's deductions, the 'King of the End' is sleeping in Tokyo Bay or perhaps somewhere in the surroundings. Even Pallas Athena should not be able to find him quickly... However, I am actually quite worried."
"What do you mean?"
"A giant disaster is approaching us with unimaginable speed—That is the feeling. It started slightly before we returned to Tokyo."
"..."
Godou sighed. Liliana was a witch with powerful spiritual senses. Furthermore, having experienced the journey to ancient Gaul, her spirit vision powers had increased further.
Perhaps that aristocrat was going to appear before Godou soon.
"But in any case, Athena and her companions' final destination is here, Tokyo Bay in Japan."
Godou summed up in a relaxed tone of voice.
Before the situation reached a state of emergency, there was no need to be on excessive alert.
"We will make preparations for intercepting the enemies when they arrive, so standing by for now is fine. If possible, I don't want to make a big deal out of things. Let's just recover our energy while gathering information from various sources."
In that case, resting in his own home was the best choice—
Seeing off Amakasu driving off in a domestic car and parting ways with Erica and Liliana at Hongou Street, Godou began to walk in the shopping district of Nezu's Area 3.
A used bookstore that had closed for business, located somewhere in this district, was Kusanagi Godou's home.
This shopping district, preserving the vestiges of Tokyo's traditional downtown culture, was still quite prosperous in contemporary times. This place was both the home of his family as well as his childhood friend. Also, there were many neighbors whom he had known for a very long time.
Standing at his hometown after what felt like an absence of several months, Godou took a deep breath.
The day of the inevitable battle—No, that was wrong. For the sake of the imminent battle, he must give his body and mind sufficient rest.
This was Kusanagi Godou's top priority at the moment.
Part 2
The state of Tirol in western Austria was where alpine skiing originated.
Naturally, the Alps would bear the onslaught of blizzards whenever winter arrived, turning the mountains into a pilgrimage site to where skiers flocked, professionals and amateurs alike. After all, this was a land where people could have fun at skiing grounds set up on mountain glaciers even during the summer.
On this day, a girl was visiting the alpine valley of Ötztal in Tirol.
This was a region of deep snow surrounded by the Alps.
Naturally, settlements were concentrated in the lowlands of the valley. However, the girl's destination was neither a village nor a town of that sort.
From the municipality of Umhausen, she set off on a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
After an hour's drive, she reached a snow-covered forest and alighted on her own. Putting on the skis she had brought, she switched to traveling on foot.
"Thank you for bringing me here. Please send my regards to everyone in town."
"Are you really sure it's okay for me to leave you in this kind of place?"
In response to her cheerful gratitude, the middle-aged man, who was running a forestry business, asked with slight worry.
He was one of the frequent customers at a small cafe at the town of Umhausen. She recalled that there had been six or seven others there. She was on excellent terms with each and every one of them.
Using her customary smile, she had conversed with them, becoming friends within five minutes.
Asking "could one of you please drop me off somewhere close to that place?" at an opportune moment, she was brought to the mountains where only skiers and locals could enter.
Parting ways with the worried middle-aged man, she made her way to her destination alone.
Actually, it would be much easier if she could be dropped off at the destination itself, but that would incur the displeasure of the master there.
His forgiveness was only afforded to a single exception—In other words, it was okay for her to arrive alone. He was a problematic character who subjected others to violence and cruelty except for her.
Thus, she traveled along the snow-covered ground without roads for dozens of minutes.
In contrast to her frail appearance, she was quite outstanding in both stamina and athletic ability. Effortlessly overcoming the arduous journey, she finally arrived at the mountain villa that was her destination.
Built with a stylish design using a great quantity of white timber, it was an elegant building embodying the style of a winter mansion.
"Excuse me, is anybody home?"
Arriving before the entrance and knocking with the door's knocker, she called out in an adorable voice.
Five minutes later, the wooden door opened with a heavy creaking sound. Out came an old servant who worked at the mountain villa.
"Please pass this message along to Onii-sama. Recalling nostalgic feelings of the past, I have come to pay a visit."
"...Understood, Milady Aisha."
The old man knew her identity without her saying so.
Presumably, he had been present the last time she visited this mountain villa.
On the other hand, Aisha did not remember his face. However, she recalled that it was something like the 1980s on the western calendar. Most likely, his face must have changed greatly in the meantime.
Hence, Madame Aisha was taken to a great hall with a fireplace.
"Onii-sama" was currently next to the fireplace that was crackling with flames. Sitting on a wooden armchair crafted by a famous artisan, he had his legs crossed arrogantly.
Furthermore, hanging on his pale face was what could only be described as a scowl.
"...I must have said so before. Don't visit my residence for no reason."
"If you insist on such words, no one will come here to play. After all, you don't have many friends to begin with, Onii-sama."
"...And I have said this too: Don't shamelessly claim to be my friend."
"What friend? Nonsense! To you, Onii-sama, am I not your 'precious little sister'? Like family♪" replied Aisha to the old Devil King who kept uttering cold words.
A smile akin to a spring breeze adorned her face throughout.
Always clad in a solitary shadow, even though he had subordinates and worshipers, he had neither family nor friends. He should feel happy from the bottom of his heart for a reunion with Aisha. Probably.
He—Dejanstahl Voban—shook his head in annoyance.
"...To think you knew the location of my abode."
"I only found out after visiting so many people who used to serve you, Onii-sama. The third one happily told me."
"You used your charm authority. Happily my foot."
The Marquis addressed as "Onii-sama" replied with irritation.
Despite his intellectual appearance as an old gentleman, his propensity to speak discourteously remained the same as always.
To Aisha, Marquis Voban the oldest Campione had already been her ally since
days past—Right, before the twentieth century.
During these past decades, he kept moving his residence between hotels and secluded locations in Europe.
Marquis Voban had been a wanderer since childhood. Like Aisha, he was unaccustomed to a settled life.
As the Marquis' temporary residence, this mountain villa was one of the assets managed by a subordinate of his.
"...I have said this before too: there is nothing to be gained in a protracted conversation with you. Hurry and be done with it. What brings you here today?"
"Oh fine. There is something I wanted to tell you, Onii-sama."
Finished with introductory words, Aisha immediately spoke:
"A great event is about to happen. It's a long story and various reminiscences are in order too... Please allow me to stay over, Onii-sama."
"Didn't I just ask you to hurry and be done with it?"
Onii-sama responded with a face of irritation, but Aisha still smiled with delight.
"Don't say such cold words. Actually, there are currently three heroes of steel on the move to revive the 'king who manifests at era's end'."
"Hoh."
As expected, a sharp gaze flashed in the eyes of the old man who stood as the most vicious godslayer.
"Naturally, although I do not regard you as a sister or a friend at all—"
Then he sat up slightly. Sitting steadily on the chair, his posture leaned forward a bit towards Aisha.
This was a fierce motion very similar to the way a crouching wolf slowly got up.
"Would it be possible to tell me, Aisha?"
"Certainly. Oh, excuse me. My body is a bit stiff from the cold, so could you get me something warm to drink?"
Aisha spoke to the old servant who was waiting on hand in a corner of the great hall.
"Also, please prepare comfortable heating in my room."
"...Do as she says," said Voban rather unhappily.
The old servant cautiously bowed his head and retreated out of the room.
Now with that, she had secured the night's lodgings and Onii-sama's curiosity. Feeling happy that her desire for a good long talk was going to be satisfied, Aisha beamed radiantly.
"Did you hear about it, Iceman?"
Campione! - Volume 17 - The Hero's Name Page 1
