"Great Sage, Perseus, gentlemen."
Lancelot interrupted, her beautiful face clouded with worry.
"This type of fruitless discussion would be nothing more than a waste of time. One shall hereby take on the leader's role as the Amazonian queen as well as the superbly renowned Lancelot du Lac. Each of you may apply yourselves with utmost dedication as knights to serve the queen. Gentlemen, would that be agreeable?"
"Agreeable, not... Rather, I can't believe what a shameless woman you are despite having such a cute face."
"Although I don't dislike this sort of bronco, I still believe I am the one most suited to be king, do you all agree?"
The great heroes of exalted renown were having a completely futile dispute.
At this moment, an acute metallic sound was heard. The three heroes turned their heads to see that the Wind King had flicked his finger against the Discus to make the sound.
"..."
The war god with the concealed identity expressed his feelings of disapproval through his gaze from behind the mask.
The Great Sage Equaling Heaven shrugged in response to that gaze.
"There's no need to hide your voice, y'know? I've already seen through your identity."
"Hoh."
Perseus laughed and openly expressed his impressed feelings.
"In that case, Lord Monkey, perhaps I, Perseus, might have misjudged you as a man. I still have yet to discern that wind god's true identity. Your eyes truly bear outstanding wisdom."
"It's the smell, the smell. One whiff of his odor and I figured it out immediately."
The Great Sage sniffed through his monkey nostrils.
He was visibly pleased after Perseus praised him despite their dispute.
Then the three heroes' gazes gathered on the Wind King, waiting for him to speak. However, the mysterious war god of steel and wind simply extended an index finger, pointing to the divine sword stabbed in the center of the floating island.
"What a stingy dude."
Despite complaining, the Great Sage still steered his cloud towards the floating island.
Perseus shrugged whereas Lancelot simply followed the king of monkeys nonchalantly. The Wind King also flew leisurely in the rear.
There was not the slightest greenery on the floating island. It was like a barren hill with only soil and rock.
They landed on its surface, roughly the size of a baseball field. Apart from the Wind King, the rest all traveled without walking by either riding their beloved steed or cloud. With that, the four heroes arrived before the rust-speckled divine sword.
"Well then... Let's begin."
The Great Sage muttered.
Just prior to arriving at Japan, Pallas Athena had summoned the three heroes to give them certain orders which were meant to be executed as soon as the time was right.
Gathered at this place were sword gods—Warriors carrying the attribute of "dragon and serpent slaying."
As a result, everyone noticed. Several hundred kilometers down below their location, Pallas Athena had released the seal of dragons and snakes to launch a frenzied offensive.
As queens and former deities, dragons and serpents were precisely the monsters which these mother earth goddesses manifested into.
For heroes of steel, they were targets to be vanquished since the age of the myths. Sensing her aura, the four heroes felt their bodies and minds surge with power in preparation for combat.
"Hey you, Divine Sword of Salvation."
The Great Sage spoke to the rust-speckled steel sword that had lost its splendor of days past.
Not only was he a monkey and a hero, but he was also a user of the immortal arts with vast and varied powers—In other words, a god of magic. Hence, he was going to preside over the revival ritual as well.
The other warrior heroes took a step back, observing from behind the monkey king.
"You sleepyhead must have sensed the presence of our long-time enemy, the serpent, haven't you? The hero's destiny engraved on the bottom of your soul should have made your body boil with hot blood, hasn't it?"
The Great Sage sounded like he was chatting with an old friend.
No answer. However, the rusted divine sword's blade began to shake.
Storm clouds were suddenly gathering in the lower realm far below with thunder and lightning. From this vantage point on a satellite orbit, even the sea of clouds looked like nothing more than distant specks in the world below.
"And that's not all. A number of contemptible godslayers have been born in the current era. There's the old Devil King who's like a ravenous wolf and the queen who shamelessly calls herself peerless under the sky. Then there's the witch with no talents other than bringing calamity to the world. Plus four other youngsters—A total of seven godslayers, extolling the present era as their springtime..."
While he was speaking softly, a sphere of light appeared above the Great Sage's head.
The sphere was as big as a clenched fist. After manifesting, it ascended rapidly, shining above the group of heroes like a miniature sun.
"With these godslayers gathered upon the earth, this would be the so-called end times. Now is the time that could be considered the end of the world."
The rapidly rising sphere of light suddenly expanded.
Within the blink of an eye, its diameter surpassed a hundred meters—roughly the size of the floating island that had kept the divine sword concealed for a millennium. Furthermore, this giant ball of light was suddenly releasing lightning, giving off electrical sparks all over the place.
"To slice apart the darkness of the end times, to eradicate the godslaying Devil Kings, we hereby pray for the sword's rebirth. O most exalted sword of swords, blade of blades. Thou art the blade of Devil King extermination. Thou art the white light of salvation. Thou art the one born to kill all of the Rakshasa!"
The Great Sage pointed his furry index finger up at the sky.
Then he slowly lowered his finger to point directly at the divine sword. A moment later, the ball of light overhead, which kept discharging electricity, produced a continuous stream of thunder and lightning.
Rumble—!
Rumble—!
Rumble—!
Falling lightning and thunderous roars repeated over a hundred times. The flashing light and energy were all absorbed by the Divine Sword of Salvation.
Not only was it not blown away from the force but it also did not move the slightest from its position.
Confronted with this divine sword that remained unfazed to a slightly annoying degree, the Great Sage invoked the final summons.
"O sacred king manifesting at era's end, I hereby beseech thee to descend!"
This was both a prayer and a petition, as well as spell words imbued with power.
The episode of falling thunder and lightning finally ended—The Divine Sword of Salvation also recovered its shine.
Having stood for over a thousand years, originally decrepit and all covered with rust, the 100cm blade was infused with blindingly bright platinum radiance, shining with sacred glory and splendor.
Seeing this light, someone other than the Great Sage Equaling Heaven finally spoke.
"O king—O 'King of the End.' Although it is most unbelievable."
It was Lancelot. While her honey-colored hair fluttered in the wind, the Amazonian deity spoke:
"Have you forgotten this knight's visage?"
"No..."
A hero suddenly manifested next to the divine sword.
Long pale hair. A handsome man featuring a young face with exquisite features.
However, etched upon his handsome, prim and proper face like rust was a sense of irrecoverable weariness and battle-hardened ferocity. He was wearing a simple blue tunic with pants of the same color and a cape of pure white on top.
Slowly, as though touching something repulsive, he gripped the hilt of the divine sword.
"Of course I remember you, knight of the lancea. To think the day of our reunion would arr
ive... Destiny is truly difficult to predict."
"What a nostalgic name. Lancelot du Lac is currently this knight's name."
"Is that so? I see you have finally gained a new name."
A refreshing smile surfaced on the aristocrat's weary and handsome face.
In that instant, the rust-like expression was put away, replaced by elegant airs as befitted one of highborn nobility. This was how he expressed his joy towards the extraordinary fate binding him with Lancelot.
However, this change soon ended. The "King of the End" withdrew his smile.
"Hello to you, Hero of Salvation."
The Great Sage spoke in a giggling manner.
"It's said in the human realm that those who arrive late to the banquet must gulp down three drinks as punishment. You should descend upon the land like thunder to greet that nation's godslayer, how 'bout that?"
"..."
The monkey king continued to talk enthusiastically to the completely nonchalant aristocrat.
"Naturally, it feels quite a shame to me as a warrior to relinquish the vanguard position to someone else, but seeing as I owe my resurrection to you, I'll endure without making a fuss—"
"Not necessary."
The 'King of the End' shook his head, giving a curt answer to the chattering resurrected hero.
"The way I see it, making such a move immediately after my return would be an act of imprudence."
"Hah."
"Great Sage Equaling Heaven, although the value of your counsel may be worth its weight in gold... Let us eschew that for now."
"I see."
Finding his enthusiasm met with instant rejection, the Great Sage whispered to Perseus beside him in hopes of eliciting someone else's reaction.
"...I didn't expect him to be so lacking in hot-bloodedness."
"...Despite being rumored to be the man who exterminated all godslayers."
The Greco-Roman hero scrutinized the 'King of the End' while showing a smile of interest.
"On the other hand, recklessly rushing headlong into battle would be rather boorish. I find the Savior's thoughts understandable. Well then, shall we take a break for now?"
"Yes, thank you."
Answering Perseus in the affirmative, the "King of the End" focused his gaze on a certain person standing in the back.
The Wind King whose true identity was hidden behind cloth and a mask. This war god, who had been serving the Devil King exterminating hero even before the era of ancient Gaul, silently stepped up and presented the [Arrowhead's Discus].
The master shook his head silently and communicated with his eyes.
It was as though he were saying "you hold onto it for now." The masked subordinate nodded in acknowledgement and stepped back again.
This communication took place between master and subordinate linked by deep bonds, requiring no speech to convey their thoughts.
Then the Great Sage and Perseus turned into particles of light which were sucked into the medallion.
Their revival stemmed from the authority of the 'King of the End,' which mean that they must merge with the [Arrowhead's Discus] regularly to recuperate in order to sustain their manifestations.
The Wind King also took a leap.
With that, he turned into wind and left his master, leaving only Lancelot du Lac behind—
"You have grown weary of battle indeed."
The female knight's quiet words conveyed sorrow while pity inhabited her eyes.
Listening quietly, the 'King of the End' showed a weary smile and nodded to the ally whom he was meeting after a separation of fifteen hundred years.
Then Lancelot turned into light too and was sucked into the [Arrowhead's Discus].
Left on his own, the 'King of the End' took up the Divine Sword of Salvation once more. On his back was a scabbard for carrying this mighty sword whose blade measured 100cm long.
Putting the divine sword away, the Devil King exterminating hero sighed.
"What now?"
Suddenly, the floating island's surface was struck by violent shaking.
Not just once but continuous shaking. A small island flying on a satellite orbit could not possibly have an earthquake. The "King of the End' noticed instantly.
"Falling...?"
Someone was summoning the floating island to the ground—making the floating island fall. This was shaking the entire island.
Noticing the anomaly in the sky, Godou frowned.
"...?"
While clashing Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi's blade with Athena's long-shafted scythe, he was also releasing magic power to the [Boar].
Without warning, the winter night sky was filled with storm clouds and the continuous roaring of thunder.
Suddenly, a flash of white—no, platinum-colored—lightning sliced through the darkness.
"The return is finally accomplished, yes?"
Pallas Athena spoke softly.
"So you mean the 'King of the End' finally awakened!?"
Godou questioned the young Divine Ancestor who was overcome with emotions.
Pallas Athena did not answer but her eyes shone with seductive and ominous light. Her eyes glowed red. Godou felt a sense of petrification throughout his entire body. The Eyes of Medusa!
"Guh...!"
To resist the evil eyes of petrification, Godou further increased the magic power permeating his entire body.
Not only was he using Ama no Murakumo and the two incarnations of the [Boar] and the [Bull] simultaneously, but he must also squeeze out more magic power in desperation, just barely managing to defend.
His lower body only turned into stone for an instant before returning to flesh immediately.
"True to the name of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven... He hath completed the revival sooner than expected. In that case, one's duel against thee must be adjourned for now. One must now proceed to the next stage of preparations."
The young Pallas Athena smiled discreetly and issued a lengthy howl towards the sky.
The Pallas Athena in the distance—engaged in a melee battle with the [Boar] in the form of a giant Medusa—sprouted a pair of black wings from her back. With a forceful flap of her wings, she floated up in the sky.
ROOOOOOAAAAAR!?
The wingless [Boar] howled with displeasure at the enemy that had suddenly flown into the air. However, with its right front leg and left hind leg turned into stone, the [Boar] was unable to jump in pursuit of its opponent.
Holding the scythe, the petite snake goddess also sprouted wings on her back and soared into the sky.
The two Pallas Athenas, one big and one small, finally met side by side in the air.
" "O gods of the sky with Father Zeus first and foremost, one hereby draweth all creation back to the motherland with mine authority of an earth mother goddess. Ye shall not obstruct one's will!" "
The two Pallas Athenas, one big and one small, chanted spell words simultaneously.
Then—A meteor crashed down from the dark sky blotted by storm clouds.
No, this was no meteor. From the sky above Tokyo Bay, a small island was crashing down on this Minamibousou region that included Kisarazu.
"Is this the floating island...?"
Godou realized it. Pallas Athena's authority had summoned this island to the ground!
"Can you release that!?"
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!
Responding to his frantic command, the [Boar] unleashed a supersonic howl at maximum power towards the two Pallas Athenas.
But the attack did not work. The supersonic pulse and shockwave was supposed to pulverize the two Pallas Athenas in the air, big and small alike, but was blocked by the shield.
Using the bodies of divine beasts as its material, the shield with Medusa's face carved on it—The divine shield, Aegis.
It was the defensive armament that had been hovering next to the large Pallas Athena, protecting her. This time, it also served as the protective barrier for the two goddesses, shattering into frag
ments on its master's behalf.
" "Go, go over to the 'King of the End'!" "
The two Pallas Athenas shouted together and suddenly vanished.
They had probably gone to pursue the "King of the End" and the floating island that had fallen somewhere in the Bousou Peninsula. Godou could not leave those two alone. He must pursue no matter what!
"Kusanagi Godou!"
It was Liliana's voice. Looking back, he found the silver-haired knight hurrying over with the rest of his companions—Erica, Ena and Yuri.
"Leave it to me. I will take you to Pallas Athena."
"Flight magic, right? But I thought you can't use it if you don't know the destination?"
Godou asked Liliana who spoke first to make the offer.
Flying spells, exclusive to witches, were extremely convenient but had many limitations conversely. However...
"F-Fear not."
Arriving last and out of breath, Yuri spoke up.
The others had probably conserved their energy and were far from strained. But for the Hime-Miko who lacked physical stamina, this was quite intense exertion already.
"I have already used the spirit power of psychic sensing to capture the location where the floating island crash landed. There should be no problem once I transmit the imagery to Liliana-san..."
Although still trying to catch her breath, Yuri also offered to help.
Everyone was so reliable. Godou nodded and transmitted his thoughts to the [Boar], your help is no longer needed for now.
Dragging a pair of petrified legs, the [Boar] stared at the empty sky above the beach.
It was exuding an aura of raging frustration, having failed to destroy its target. But since the targeted prey had already vanished, the [Boar] had no choice but to disappear obediently.
Godou also returned Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi back to his right arm. He also released the [Bull]'s monstrous strength.
The strain from using concurrent incarnations finally vanished, leaving his body much relieved. Ena and Erica walked over to Godou's side.
"Hey, Your Majesty, do you still remember the revival of the 'King of the End' in Gaul?"
Ena suddenly brought this up.
"Back then, the goddess Artio offered her life as energy for the 'King of the End,' right? Just now, Erica-san and Ena were discussing—"
Campione! - Volume 17 - The Hero's Name Page 5
