Chapter 4 - The Vagabond Sword God
Part 1
"Truly what a shame. In the end, I missed the show..."
Princess Alice sighed and voiced her feelings.
She was currently in the Kantou region of Japan. This was her first time visiting again, several months after the incident involving Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong. Like last time, she was only visiting in the form of ectoplasm.
Princess Alice was highly experienced in using the spirit power of psychic sensing.
This special power was extremely rare. Only a small fraction of miko were capable of learning it. Through this type of spirit power, one could separate ectoplasm from the body and send it to faraway places.
Naturally, eating was not possible in this form, thus reducing the pleasure of traveling by half at least.
However, other pleasures were gained in exchange. Like now, Alice was making flexible use of ectoplasm's advantage, being able to move lightly through the air to enjoy a voyage through the sky.
While flying in the sky above the city of Minamibousou in the prefecture of Chiba, she looked down at the relatively low-altitude mountains below.
Mountains filled her entire field of view. Only scattered homes dotted the landscape sparsely. Population density was probably low in this area.
"I want to confirm the legendary hero's whereabouts, at least."
There were extremely few people who could personally savor the scenery from 500m in the air.
While enjoying this privilege, Alice was greeted by the morning glow.
Several hours had passed since the battle between the revived "King of the End" and the two godslayers, Kusanagi Godou and Luo Cuilian, hence it was now morning.
Following news of Pallas Athena, Alice had entered the Philippines last night.
As for news regarding the Divine Ancestor's intention to land at Japan and the arrival of the "King of the End," she had already received reports from the Witenagemot staff stationed in Tokyo.
Upon learning of these major events, she hurried over to Japan but the battle had already ended.
No helping it, she thought, at least I'll use this sky journey as an opportunity to scout while I'm at it.
"I must meet Kusanagi-sama as soon as possible. I'll contact Erica as soon as the sun rises completely. As for Her Eminence Luo Hao... No helping it, I'll just have to brace myself and take a gamble."
Alice had never met the godslayer hailing from southern China.
The other party probably did not recognize Alice either. The level of the Witenagemot's chairperson only reached so far in the eyes of the peerless Luo Cuilian.
I must use this opportunity to establish deeper relations—Just as Alice was thinking that...
Suddenly, she felt a gust of terrifying, bone-chilling air. As ectoplasm that was not supposed to feel cold in the first place, what was happening abruptly?
Her body shook and started falling towards the ground of Minamibousou.
Instead of lowering her altitude intentionally, this was happening because she suddenly became unable to fly with stability.
"Power is being—sucked away...?"
Alice noticed that magic power was continually sucked out from her ectoplasm.
At this rate, let alone flying, even the state of spirit body separation would be hard to sustain. She must return to her body as quickly as possible—Alice's own body sleeping in the Greenwich mansion!
"Ominous... wind?"
Feeling the stimulation of spirit senses, Europe's supreme Miko-Hime whispered.
The wind was especially strong this morning. Alice had been enjoying the feeling of strolling through the air amidst strong gales.
However, her consciousness was starting to grow a bit hazy. She was almost at her limit.
"I-I must return right now. But with such an interesting—no, important—incident happening, I absolutely cannot remain uninvolved..."
Despite being a princess of noble birth, she was also driven by a sense of morbid curiosity.
While whispering these determined words of tragic affectation, Princess Alice started focusing her concentration to have her ectoplasm make an emergency return to English soil.
Part 2
The revival of the "King of the End" last night had brought a good many news stories to Japan.
First was the meteor crashing in the southern part of Bousou Peninsula. Many people witnessed it—the trail of a mysterious flying object falling from satellite orbit.
This had apparently caused a commotion in the areas of Chiba, Tokyo and Kanagawa surrounding Tokyo Bay.
Then immediately, the media discovered and reported about the crater left behind, deep in the mountains of Minamibousou. This also unsettled the people of Japan quite substantially.
Nevertheless, this was merely the prelude.
After the floating island crashed but before the "King of the End" awakened, a golden aurora was shining in the night sky.
This phenomenon was not confined to the sky above Godou and the others. Its scale was wide enough to cover the entire sky above the Kantou Plain. This included the entire region of Kanagawa Prefecture, Tokyo City, Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture as well as portions of the prefectures of Tochigi and Gunma—
Furthermore, strong winds had been blowing since early this morning.
Especially in the center of Tokyo City, one would easily get knocked over by high-rise winds if one failed to pay attention.
"By this point, normal information control won't be possible."
Godou sighed.
Classes were not cancelled the next day after the extraordinary phenomena. Since morning, classmates and teachers had been distracted and unsettled. After spending a whole day's lessons with them, it was after school for Godou.
Next to him, Liliana nodded.
"After all, the supernatural phenomena were witnessed over quite a large area."
"What transpired last night also resulted in major news outside Japan," Erica informed them.
Since it was after school, everyone was in uniform.
Furthermore, they were traveling together to the Tokyo Skytree in the Sumida Ward, on their way to the observation deck by taking a high-speed elevator.
"However, it's also thanks to the current situation that sealing off the Skytree hasn't caused a commotion..."
The elevator stopped and the doors opened just as Erica finished.
Godou stepped into the observation deck with the two knights.
This floor was 350m above ground level. In place of walls, a 360-degree glass window offered a full view of the Tokyo metropolis' skyscrapers. Godou had been here before.
But today, the observation deck was completely different.
Laid over the floor was a soft red carpet that felt as though one's heels would sink into them. All the tables and furniture at the reception counter, the official souvenir shop, the cafe and the restaurant etc had been either moved away or cleverly camouflaged to avoid attracting attention.
Moved here as a substitute was a minimalist set of furniture including a sofa and an exquisitely designed desk.
Elegant and relaxed, the interior decor's resembled that of a hotel lobby subscribing to a style of subtlety. Well, only if one were to ignore the detail that their location was 350m above ground with an expansive view.
Next to a window of special glass, five meters thick...
The demonic cult leader Luo Cuilian was sitting in a meditation pose with Tokyo's blue sky as the backdrop.
Currently, the Skytree's observation deck as well as the galleria above had been commandeered to use as her accommodations.
Last night, the History Compilation Committee had issued a commandeering order and applied emergency redecoration.
'She's probably not going to obediently check into hotel suites or state guesthouses. Even if we give up the entire National Diet Building or the Tokyo City Hall, I fear that Her Eminence still won't be satisfied...'
Amakasu had offered these comments the previous night.
Furthermore, Luo Cuilian had frowned with boredom after being brought here, but at least "the view from the tallest structure in Japan" seemed sufficient to placate her pride. She did not express rejection coldly.
Currently, the Tokyo Skytree was completely sealed off, only allowing authorized personnel to enter.
"How's your condition, Nee-san?"
"Not especially good. I have been practicing neigong throughout the entire night until morning, trying hard to recover my lost energy... But progress has been limited."
The sworn sister replied grimly to Godou's question.
She was apparently sitting cross-legged in the lotus position, similar to Zen meditation, for the sake of practicing neigong, a set of Chinese breathing, meditation and spiritual disciplines. In addition, a mixed-gender group of ten-odd people were standing in a line some slight distance from Luo Cuilian, awaiting orders like palace attendants.
Some were dressed in suits while others had open-collared shirts and work clothes.
This group was presumably assembled from staff of the History Compilation Committee as well as subordinates from the Lu Family of Hong Kong. All of them were standing motionlessly at attention, so nervous that their bodies were stiff. They probably knew that any mistake in front of Her Eminence, no matter how small, would entail harsh punishment.
However, there were also others present in addition to this group.
Seishuuin Ena and Mariya Yuri, as well as Amakasu Touma. These three could be considered Her Eminence Luo Hao's closest acquaintances. In order to help the guest hailing from the neighboring country "feel right at home," they had been standing by at the Skytree since early morning.
The Hime-Miko were all dressed formally, in other words, as shrine maidens.
"I'm sorry for making you two miss school because of Nee-san."
Of course for Ena, the very fact of being in Tokyo was equivalent to skipping school already, but let's skip that.
While talking to them, Godou noticed that the usually cheerful Ena was glaring angrily at her fellow miko in a rare display.
Also, Yuri's face was frighteningly pale. She looked like she was suffering.
"Are you two okay?"
"Listen to me, Your Majesty. Yuri has been hiding her high fever. She said she'd be forced to rest today had she confessed the truth."
"I-It does not count as high fever... Right now, I can still move."
Confronted with her friend's angry words, Yuri replied timidly.
She was definitely unsteady on her feet. Godou walk over to her side and reached out.
"Seriously, this fever is quite high."
"G-Godou-san!?"
Godou examined her face while touching her forehead, startling Yuri.
The girl, who could not be considered hardy in the first place, had also ruined her health recently. As the Yamato Nadeshiko with a strong sense of responsibility, was she overexerting herself at a time like this?
Worrying about this fact, Godou felt heat on his hand akin to that of hand warmer's.
"Sorry, Nee-san, I want Mariya to take a break. You won't mind, right?"
"She is the miko who serves you. Just do as you wish."
Even at the risk of refusal, Godou intended to insist on letting Yuri rest. However, the sworn sister nodded generously. Yuri bowed her head in embarrassment.
"U-Umm... It ought to be time for your hand to... Everyone is watching."
Only after she stammered did Godou realize. His hand had been touching the Hime-Miko's forehead the entire time.
He frantically withdrew his hand. Although he worried whether his sudden act of impropriety would displease Yuri, her face was red for reasons apart from the fever and she also seemed a bit happy.
"My, how sudden the changes some people undergo, Godou. Even the act of holding my hand used to make you so flustered."
"In the end, his female relationships have successfully progressed by making the most of uncorrected mistakes..."
"Although it's a bit inappropriate to say this, but Ena feels a bit jealous of Yuri!"
Erica remarked with displeasure, prompting Liliana and Ena to concur.
Faced with his companions' reactions, Godou timidly led the embarrassed Yuri over to the sofa and made her sit down.
"...By the way, where did Yinghua go?"
"To scout. I ordered him to 'use your legs and your eyes to find the hiding place of the King of the End, then report to me.' Then declaring 'I shall accomplish this even at the cost of my meager life,' my young eagle rushed out."
Godou had asked his question to change the subject. The excessively strict master replied immediately.
Lu Yinghua was probably rushing all over the vast Bousou Peninsula right now. Or perhaps, this honorary nephew, an expert in handling delicate situations, was off somewhere at the moment, in search of a chance to slack off.
While Godou was imagining this scene, the sworn elder sister spoke up, completely unaware of her disciple's hardship:
"Speaking of which, how very considerate of you."
"Me? What do you mean, Nee-san?"
"You brought her to serve me in my young eagle's place, didn't you?"
Luo Cuilian's words betrayed her firm belief that she was the center of the world.
Able to interpret everything to her own benefit. Godou followed her gaze to see the "her" referred to by the demonic cult leader—the blonde Italian girl, Erica Blandelli.
"It already struck me on our previous encounter, that Japan's king, Kusanagi Godou, is served by a very thoughtful retainer. Of all the people I have met, she could be considered rare talent with outstanding intelligence. Someone very qualified to be my, Luo Hao's, chamberlain."
"C-Chamberlain?"
"Your Eminence, I am overwhelmed by your kind praise."
While Godou was greatly surprised by the unexpected appointment of duties, Erica immediately bowed her head.
"Forgive my unworthiness, Your Eminence, but if it should please you, I am most willing to offer my services by your side."
"It is agreeable. Girl, if memory serves me correctly, your name ought to be Erica."
"I am most honored that Your Eminence could remember this name of Erica Blandelli's. Pray forgive me for my numerous counts of impudence towards you in the past. How truly impertinent of me."
"Extenuating circumstances. I do not mind."
Erica did not fear this self-unaware tyrant, Her Eminence Luo Hao. Rather than extreme deference, it would be more accurate to describe her as facing off against the cult leader with candidness and polite elegance.
...Despite her opponent being someone who might possibly scold "Insolent!" and order a person's eyes gouged out for making eye contact.
Observing their interaction, Godou sighed "I see now."
Yinghua had reminded time and again that "Master instantly gets angry if she finds our speech lacking in manners, but if one were to treat her with maximum humility and attentiveness, she would also fly into a rage at us for groveling too submissively... It's a total pain."
However, mastery of intricate balance was precisely one of Erica's talents.
The way she was treating an important guest would be a textbook-perfect example of traditional Chinese values. Most likely, Erica's intelligence must have left Godou's sworn sister a deep impression during their previous encounter at Nikkou.
"Lily, may I trouble you to prepare a cup of tea?"
"Y-You want me to do it?"
"Our important guest here could be considered quite powerful even among the Devil Kings, Campiones. On top of that, she is Kusanagi Godou's sworn elder sister as well. Even if it's merely a simple cup of tea, I do hope for her to enjoy flavor of the finest quality."
"Good point..."
Erica was elegantly issuing orders like the queen of a palace.
Despite grumbling nonstop, Liliana still walked over to the full set of prepared tea ware.
>
As a result, the staff standing in a line on the observation deck clearly breathed a sigh of relief. They were relieved that they no longer needed to serve the demonic cult leader with their lives on the line.
...Naturally, there were no accommodation facilities built on this observation deck.
Accommodating the stay of a VIP here was quite inconvenient. The staff on stand by were trying their hardest to provide her with every convenience possible.
The only lucky thing was that Luo Cuilian was someone who made her residence in a convent deep in the mountains to begin with.
She did not seek livability or comfort in her accommodations. In contrast, she would be greatly concerned about "location and style worthy of her identity and stature." The advantage of Japan's tallest structure proved to be quite effective as a means to placating her demands.
Ten-odd minutes later...
Godou and the others began to drink black tea.
The one sitting at the place of honor in leisurely composure, alone on the sofa, was naturally Luo Cuilian.
Seated on the sofa on the right was the sworn brother Godou with Yuri. On the left sofa was Erica, named directly by Her Eminence.
Liliana, Ena and Amakasu remained standing on the side.
This was the observation deck 350m above ground. Furthermore, winds were particularly strong today. Let alone the floor, even the Skytree itself was creaking. However, not a single person cared.
Something far more dangerous was wandering somewhere in Japan right now.
"Actually, I heard Lucretia-san mention this before. If the true identity of the 'King of the End' could be found, my—Verethragna's—sword can become more powerful than normal."
Godou spoke slowly.
He also repeated the hint of "Once upon a time, at a certain place—" from Lucretia Zola.
"This is the standard opening line in Japanese legends. But there are far too many folk stories... I really wish we could figure out which legend it is."
After listening to the highly uncertain news, Amakasu was muttering to himself.
"The core legends related to heroes of steel would mainly include demonslaying tales such as Momotarou, Kintarou, Shuten-douji... If we also consider other demons and spirits, there's also the Fire Man hyottoko, the One-eyed Monk hitotsume-nyūdō, the Mountain Hag yama-uba, the Heavenly Dog tengu..."
Campione! - Volume 17 - The Hero's Name Page 11
