Campione! - Volume 17 - The Hero's Name

by Taketsuki Jou

  This was just a random guess, but it was probably not far from the truth.

  Pallas Athena was not Athena. It was impossible to imagine her employing a pack of divine beasts back when she was a goddess. There was probably a trick in there somewhere.

  Hence, Amakasu smiled wryly on the other side.

  'You noticed it too huh, Kusanagi-san? Actually, our members made the same speculation. However, the previous goddess landed at Cape Inubou, but this time, it'll probably be—"

  Tokyo Bay. Perhaps the destination was the sea where the "King of the End" was sleeping.

  In response to the History Compilation Committee's special agent's announcement, Godou replied quite calmly.

  "Umm, I'm sorry but could you pick us up near the school? Also, it'd be best if you could bring Seishuuin as well."

  'Roger that. It will be done as the king decreed.'

  Making a joke that did not sound funny to Godou at all, Amakasu ended the emergency conversation.

  Godou hung up and gazed at his companion beside him.

  The two of them were traveling together by chance along the way home from school. Tossing her head of red-tinted blonde hair, Erica Blandelli smiled, dressed in school uniform.

  It was as though she found the conversation just now quite funny.

  "Godou, you've become quite reliable. Even though you've been a Campione for less than a year."

  "It's currently the latter part of February. The first anniversary happens to be a month away."

  Calculating the time just for kicks, Godou muttered.

  "How rare to have a year of such hardship."

  "For me, Erica Blandelli, I'll have you know that this was a year of many joyful happenings. I really ended up dragging quite an amazing character onto the world stage."

  "How does it count as you dragging me along, Erica?"

  Godou shrugged at his companion who had provided mutual support ever since the beginning of everything.

  "It was reaping what I sowed and going with the flow that made me walk the path I have trodden so far."

  "Naturally, I intend to accompany you till eternity, because I am Kusanagi Godou's first knight and at the same time, the most beloved lover. You ought to understand that, right?"

  Naturally. That was why Godou had asked Amakasu to pick "us" up.

  But Godou did not voice these thoughts, instead nodding to respond. This alone was enough to make Erica smile with satisfaction, bowing her head gracefully. This was a knight's etiquette.

  "Yuri and Lily are probably still in the school's vicinity. Let's call them over."

  "I've already asked Amakasu-san to pick up Seishuuin. Although I feel bad about it every time, once again, I'll be counting on you all as always."

  Even Godou felt that this was quite an irresponsible demand.

  But there was no helping it. Before the decisive battle, it was hard to predict what was going to happen. In Kusanagi Godou's book, there was no policy apart from "going with the flow and adapting to changes."

  The quick-witted female knight smiled lightly.

  "I feel truly fortunate for possessing the talent and capability to compensate for your flaws, Godou. I really hope you can express sufficient gratitude to me."

  "Of course. I've always appreciated you."

  These were his honest feelings without any pretense at all.

  Thus, the adventure surrounding the "King of the End" was now off to an official start.

  Although Kusanagi Godou had survived many battles since becoming a Campione, the upcoming fight was going to be the most difficult trial. This was the truth beyond a doubt.

  Chapter 2 - Return of the Gods

  Part 1

  Pallas Athena had originally decided to head to the Far East directly.

  The eastern end of the continent. A land comprising many long and narrow islands in the shape of a serpentine dragon, the humans apparently called it the islands of Japan. A place gathering cultures and ethnicities that had crossed over from the mainland.

  However, while making preparations for the imminent battle, before landing—

  A thought occurred to her. The Wind King and the three heroes were all reliable warriors.

  Nevertheless, it was difficult to rely on them when facing a critical moment. Also, there was a traitor in their midst.

  Hence, raising a Divine Ancestor's spiritual senses to the max, she fortuitously discovered remnants of divine power floating on the sea to the south.

  The name of the deity was Circe. The witch goddess who had lost her life at this place several months earlier.

  Seeing this through a spirit vision, Pallas Athena smiled valorously.

  The goddess had lived in seclusion with divine beasts together on a mysterious island in a corner of the vast South Seas. If these sacred fragments of divine power could be gathered—

  Hence, Pallas Athena landed on this tiny remote island on the South Seas.

  Using the magic of the Divine Ancestors to perform a ritual over several days and nights, she gathered the remnants of divine power as though extracting salt from seawater, then injected temporary form and life into them...

  Then on the night of a full moon, the ritual was complete.

  Seven divine beasts were born, all in the form of giant sea serpents.

  "Although impossible to sustain for long... 'Tis no matter."

  Pallas Athena was not a goddess. Her former divine powers were already lost.

  Be that as it may, having merged into one mind and one body with the Magic Holy Grail, she was more powerful than any Divine Ancestor throughout the ages. Even so, she still could not reach the domain of the gods.

  Although divine beasts were created, they could only last two or three days at most.

  Still, this was enough. Enough to be used in Pallas Athena's task.

  Satisfied, she transformed into an owl to set off towards the islands of Japan from the South Seas. Towards the blue sea shining under the sun.

  Needless to say, her current form was obviously that of a nocturnal bird of prey rather than a seabird.

  However, this was a magic bird transformation using a Divine Ancestor's secret arts.

  Even traveling from a tiny island in the middle of the vast ocean to the islands of Japan thousands of miles away, it would only take a couple hours of flying time.

  Moving at the same speed as the south wind, Pallas Athena flew at low altitude near the sea surface.

  The seven serpents also swam on the sea at the same speed, following along. Their target was in the northeast direction. The promised land where the "King of the End" slept.

  Now, all preparations were complete.

  Feeling satisfied, Pallas Athena suddenly sensed the Wind King's presence.

  The war god, whose identity was hidden behind a mask and the strips of cloth wrapped around his entire body, was flying beside her in the form of an air current.

  Athena laughed fiercely in her owl form.

  "Be thou at ease. One shan't forget the mission one must accomplish as a Divine Ancestor. The king manifesting at era's end shall verily descend upon the world once more."

  Meanwhile, she also delivered a strong declaration.

  In order to actualize Pallas Athena's dearest wish, there were things that must be done.

  After receiving the report of Pallas Athena's incoming invasion, Godou and his companions quickly gathered.

  Godou, Erica, Yuri, Liliana, Ena and Amakasu.

  As a side note, Ena was still wearing her usual uniform, but the other girls had already changed. Yuri was dressed in her miko outfit while Erica was in sporty attire with a black blouson and black pants. On the other hand, Liliana had a black blouse with skinny jeans.

  Of course, the two knights did not forget to put on their usual capes.

  Their capes were striped in the rossonero and nerazzurro colors of their respective associations.

  All members of the group were already familiar with one another. They all knew o
ne another's personalities well and there were no issues in distributing roles and responsibilities.

  Arriving as the driver as usual, Amakasu brought Godou and company to an unexpected place.

  At a university hospital near Jounan Academy—

  Just as he was taken to the roof, Godou finally realized Amakasu's intent.

  "I arranged for this because I thought it'd get us there in the shortest time!"

  Amakasu was yelling over the noise of the spinning rotor.

  A helicopter used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force for transporting supplies had landed on the helipad on the hospital's roof. After taking a seat in the cabin, Erica instantly urged:

  "In any case, let's first fly over to Tokyo Bay, shall we?"

  "No..."

  Liliana shook her head.

  "I feel like I can sense where Pallas Athena will be coming from. Amakasu Touma, can you fly in the direction I am going to indicate?"

  "Of course. Did you receive a hint through spirit vision?"

  The silver-haired female knight nodded firmly.

  Indeed, Liliana's spirit vision powers had grown even sharper than before. And on further thought, Liliana had also made close contact with Athena during the Naples incident. Perhaps it was an effect from that experience.

  Hence, the helicopter took to the skies above Tokyo. The sun was already beginning to set in the west.

  "By the way, Yuri-san."

  Amakasu suddenly spoke to the Hime-Miko.

  "Speaking of oracles from spirit vision, if I borrow your assistance, is it possible for you to peer into the literature I read in the past?"

  Yuri was taken aback by this unreasonable request.

  "Are you referring to the literary source for the verses I saw in a spirit vision last time?"

  "Yes, that's the one. Oh my, I've been re-reading all the ancient texts and research reports I've read before at home and in the library. But I couldn't find it in any of them."

  In yonder days, there was an evil dragon in the sea—The source for this excerpt still seemed unclear.

  "Something so convenient is probably impossible. My spirit vision powers are very unpredictable, which is something you ought to know very well, Amakasu-san?"

  "Sure, if it doesn't work, never mind."

  "Oh, but then again..."

  Taking the place of the ninja descendent who was putting on an insincere smile, the other Hime-Miko grinned as well.

  "Although Amakasu-san's feelings are understandable, even though Yuri always says 'impossible,' it's true that Yuri often manages to see various things through spirit vision. Why not try it out with a shred of hope?"

  "To hear something like that even from you, Ena-san..."

  Sitting on a simple seat in the helicopter, Yuri shrank back in embarrassment. Meanwhile, Ena watched her friend with a pleased smile then said in a joking tone of voice:

  "By the way, Ena does have some idea where Liliana-san wants to go. That being said, it wasn't an oracle."

  "Eh, really?"

  Godou felt surprised, not expecting such an announcement from Ena who did not possess the power of spirit vision. However, even Erica, who was equally lacking in this type of ability, nodded as well.

  "I can make a rough guess too. You still haven't figured it out, Godou?"

  Hearing her say that, Godou looked out from the helicopter.

  As though tracing the Aqua-Line connecting Tokyo to the Bousou Peninsula, the helicopter was crossing Tokyo Bay.

  Ahead of them, a beach could be seen, dyed orange by the setting sun.

  Speaking of the area next to the Aqua-Line interchange at the Bousou Peninsula, Godou remembered it should be Kisarazu.

  "Oh I see, it's that place."

  Although slightly late, Godou finally understood.

  After arriving at Kisarazu, Liliana ordered the helicopter to land on the beach.

  Godou got off the helicopter alone on purpose.

  Carrying the others, the helicopter ascended into the sky again. They were planning to wait on standby at a sufficiently distant location, so as to provide Godou with support at the right opportunity.

  If the same lightning of salvation were to fall like last time, a scorched plain would be created on the beach again.

  It was only natural to take precautions against that. Godou swept his gaze over the Kisarazu beach again.

  Several months prior, this was the battlefield that had witnessed the goddess Athena's final moments. The beach that Lancelot's Divine Sword of Salvation had devastated back then was a couple kilometers up ahead.

  Then an hour or two passed after Godou's arrival.

  Just as the dusk sky was about to turn into the darkness of the night, Godou finally saw his enemy's figure.

  An owl flying from the other side of the Pacific Ocean like a seabird—Pallas Athena landed on the beach while transforming into a silver-haired girl.

  Pallas Athena touched the ground not far in front of Godou.

  And then giant snakes—seven serpents, each almost twenty meters long—crawled out from the sea, surrounding Godou and Pallas Athena.

  HIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

  The seven serpents howled acutely while raising their scythe-like necks at the same time.

  However, this dangerous encirclement was absolutely not drawn in closely around Godou and Pallas Athena's location. Instead, there was roughly a fifty-meter radius from the center where the two of them stood.

  "One was informed by a vague premonition."

  Pallas Athena smiled courageously—a courageous smile identical to Athena's.

  "Mine enemy of ill fate, Kusanagi Godou. By coming to this place, one would encounter thee here."

  "I'm glad I raised your hopes. However, this really is a place of intersecting fates."

  Could it be that something engraved deeply in her soul told her, despite her loss of memory?

  Deciding not to dwell upon the thought, Godou fixed his gaze upon Pallas Athena. Now that they were meeting again here in this manner, that sort of thing would be nothing more than a trivial detail.

  "I owe a debt to your late incarnation, but frankly speaking, I've no intention of paying it back immediately. Still—"

  Godou muttered.

  "If you're thinking of waking up a dangerous guy like the 'King of the End,' I will temporarily put aside my pacifism and do everything I can to stop you."

  "Then one shall answer immediately, if that is the case."

  Athena gazed haughtily at Kusanagi Godou and spoke quietly.

  Despite her petite stature, Godou felt as though she was staring down at him from the heavens.

  "Ushering the great hero's return to the earth is one's mission as a Divine Ancestor. Kusanagi Godou, thou shalt see if thy godslaying authority could kill one. Furthermore—"

  A medallion suddenly appeared in Pallas Athena's right hand.

  The divine artifact made of iron and gold—the [Arrowhead's Discus]. Godou entered a stance in preparation. His opponent was going to summon the three heroes at last, thereby summoning her full forces. However.

  "O Wind King. Thou shalt take them and follow the plan."

  Pallas Athena tossed the medallion behind her.

  Manifesting with a whirlwind, the Wind King caught the medallion, his entire body still wrapped in strips of cloth, his face hidden behind a mask.

  Then with the medallion in hand, the Wind King soared through the sky.

  Rising up rapidly in an instant, he was flying towards an altitude even higher than the clouds floating in the dusk sky.

  What exactly did she want that enigmatic god to do?

  Filled with doubt, Godou asked a question.

  "Is this really okay? If that guy and the medallion aren't here—this may sound rude—but you can't defeat me on your own, right?"

  A Divine Ancestor was not a goddess. Pallas Athena was not Athena.

  Even in command of an army of divine beasts, she could not possibly defeat K
usanagi Godou the godslayer.

  Nevertheless, Athena scoffed at this accusation.

  "That is thy misconception. This technique also belongeth to the Divine Ancestors..."

  Then Godou was shocked. He had not expected this development at all.

  Pallas Athena underwent a change again. Instead of turning into an owl, her body became more mature. From looking twelve or thirteen years of age, she now took on the image of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl.

  Glimmering like moonlight, her silver hair extended down to waist length.

  Then her silver hair turned into snakes. Pallas Athena had turned into the female monster with countless tiny snakes growing from her head—Medusa.

  Furthermore, Pallas Athena's lower body transformed into a snake's thick torso, coiled up on the beach.

  Her height even increased by three fold, allowing her to physically look down upon Godou.

  Taking on the form of a giant serpentine monstrosity, the Divine Ancestor released a pulse of sacred energy. This solemnity was undoubtedly a goddess' aura.

  A Campione's instinct told Godou that a deity was right before his eyes.

  Godou's body and mind became filled with power. Power to fight the [Heretic Gods].

  "You removed the seal of dragons and snakes...!"

  This was the trump card used by former Witch Queen Guinevere and Asherah who had appeared at Nikkou.

  Abandoning eternal life and youth as a price to regain the divinity of their past lives—as goddesses. Nevertheless, they would soon perish after using this move.

  Confronted with this situation, Pallas Athena had used her trump card without hesitation.

  Faced with the opponent's excessively unexpected action, Godou was filled with terror.

  Regardless of Pallas Athena's true intent, this was a crisis without any avenues of escape. Not only was he facing the snake monster of a goddess, but also the seven serpentine divine beasts under her command, currently encircling them.

  A beast's savage grin naturally surfaced on the corners of Godou's lips.

  Part 2

  Having transformed into a goddess, Pallas Athena had turned into the snake monster Medusa.