Campione! - Volume 17 - The Hero's Name

by Taketsuki Jou

  Jumping onto the chariot with his sworn sister, Godou commanded. This mode of transport could be freely controlled by thought alone. Furthermore, the passengers were exposed to neither heat nor cold nor the effects of wind and air pressure. An unmatched and supreme riding experience.

  Needless to say, Verethragna's seven holy swords flew and followed the chariot.

  The seven holy swords lined themselves next to the chariot with four on the right and three on the left, practically like a pair of wings.

  Neither did they neglect to guard the chariot and the passengers with a defensive shield. Thanks to that, even when struck by lightning or arrows, the chariot did not shake in the slightest. Given the way things were now—

  "Get rid of those glowing things! Do it!"

  The four Divine Sword Mandalas happened to be hovering just above Godou and Luo Cuilian.

  Unimpeded by the released lightning of salvation, the chariot flew at high speed, charging straight at the first mandala.

  Then the seven flying holy swords shredded the mandala's design. Thus, one of the Divine Sword Mandalas was destroyed. After repeating this type of attack three times, the chariot carrying Godou and Luo Cuilian finished eliminating all of the lightning sources.

  By this point, of the holy swords lined next to the chariot, only three remained on the right and two on the left.

  The counterattack had consumed the power of two holy swords. Godou hoped to find a replacement weapon.

  "Ama no Murakumo. Can the black sword be used?"

  Godou asked about the [Storm Bringer].

  "Like last time, using the method of underground preparation... Although it's probably difficult without Athena, it'd be great if you could do that."

  'Even with that earth mother present, it is still impossible. Have you not noticed?'

  "What do you mean?"

  'Fly higher. You shall see.'

  Listening to the divine sword in his right arm, Godou mentally ordered the chariot to rise rapidly.

  The chariot soared as though gliding, instantly climbing to a higher altitude.

  Soon, they were three or four hundred meters off the ground. Even so, the ride still felt extremely comfortable. There was no floating sensation that often came with traveling on planes or the like.

  Next, Luo Cuilian sighed.

  "To think... A trick of this sort."

  Only now, for the first time, the two of them saw the full view of the "city" that Rama had summoned.

  It was a circular city, possibly with a radius of fifteen or sixteen kilometers. Although there were stone towers, houses and orchards scattered sparsely throughout, most of the land was empty.

  Towering in the center of the circle was a pillar of gold. It was the tallest structure in this entire city.

  Furthermore, this giant city—was flying in the air.

  The ocean was below. Most likely Tokyo Bay. Looking afar, Godou could spot what appeared to be the Aqua-Line, a road crossing the sea as well as the cityscapes of Chiba and Kisarazu in the distance.

  This was the "city" that had suddenly appeared under Godou and everyone else.

  This city most likely flew up silently from the mountains of the Bousou Peninsula, then went west to arrive above Tokyo Bay. Godou and Luo Cuilian had felt no signs at all during the fight in the city which had kept flying in a smooth ride.

  Naturally, it was impossible to prepare the Storm Bringer underground. Because they were not over ground at all.

  Through his knowledge of Prince Rama, Godou immediately figured out this city's true identity.

  "An enormous flying ship, as big as a city... Pushpaka Vimana!"

  Part 3

  After Rama defeated the demon king Ravana...

  Kubera, the god of riches and treasure, praised Rama for his accomplishments and bestowed a certain gift on him.

  This was Pushpaka Vimana. A giant ship of the heavens, capable of flying according to the owner's will, the hero Rama's royal ship.

  Despite being a vimana, the same class of vehicle as the sky chariot, it was much greater in size and grandeur.

  That being said, the sense of comfort when traveling was equal to that of the small chariot. In this regard, one could tell that it was an object of supreme luxury.

  "I would feel most apologetic if the kingdom on the ground were to get caught in our battle."

  A sudden voice. Rama had caught up, driving his chariot.

  "However, this Pushpaka is my ship. I am free to do with it as I please. Also, this should qualify as the venue for our battle."

  "So you're saying you want to go nuts without holding back...?"

  Looking down at the giant ship below, Godou muttered.

  Their earlier location was apparently somewhere near the circle's outskirts. The buildings around that area had already been destroyed by the lightning of salvation, turned into a wasteland.

  Using this type of attack in urban areas would surely cause horrific disasters.

  Even deep in the mountains, tragic marks of destruction would be left on nature and the land.

  These were all situations to avoid for the kind and gentle Rama. After all, he had chosen a relatively low-power arrow back when he first awakened fully from the great ritual of the covenant.

  Precisely because he possessed an excessively powerful arsenal, Rama hoped to use this ship as the battlefield.

  "The same goes for both sides. Victory is undecided yet."

  Godou's lips twisted, displaying a savage grin.

  Since the battlefield was not on the ground, this suited him perfectly too. Right now, he was less than twenty meters away from the man who must be defeated.

  All he needed to do next was strive forward as hard as he could. Godou issued orders to attack.

  "Go!"

  Verethragna's five holy swords were waiting ready on the left and right of his chariot. Three on the right and two on the left, flanking the chariot like a pair of wings.

  Right now, one of the swords from the right wing went for Rama's chariot, flying like a javelin.

  Hence, the aristocrat of salvation immediately extracted an arrow from his quiver and threw it without using his steel bow.

  "O arrow of Lord Shiva!"

  The arrow thrown by Rama clashed violently with Verethragna's holy sword in the air.

  The holy sword was the weapon for slicing through the hero Rama's divine power. Even if it were an arrow capable of turning the entire Tokyo area into scorched earth, so long as it was launched by Rama, surely it could be dispelled.

  However—

  "O Shiva, great incarnation of darkness, god of destruction. I beseech you to bestow protection upon Rama, son of King Dasharatha of Ayodha, the one who extols your virtues!"

  The aristocrat's lips composed a prayer of spell words.

  Immediately, the arrow conferred by Shiva was infused with divine power not of Rama's.

  The supreme god forming the Hindu trinity along with Brahma and Vishnu, Shiva was the three-eyed god of destruction. Mahākāla, Maheśvara and others were the names given when he was imported into Buddhism.

  Rama's divine power could be sliced apart using Verethragna's holy sword.

  But it would not work on Shiva's power. This was the countermeasure that a number of gods, with Athena first and foremost, had used several times in the past to block the spell words of the sword.

  Rama had rapidly blocked the holy sword. But even so, Godou still yelled:

  "I am the strongest, holding all victory in my hands. Man and devil, all enemies, all who harbor enmity will be vanquished!"

  Despite having lost three of them already, the eight holy swords were created specifically to surpass the spell words of the sword after all.

  How could they be countered by such a petty trick—Absolutely forbidden! Godou poured magic power and Verethragna's spell words into the sword that was clashing violently with Shiva's arrow while focusing his thoughts on breaking through the obstacle.

  This
intent succeeded.

  Crushing Shiva's arrow, Verethragna's holy sword flew straight at Rama!

  "Hmm—!"

  Standing on the flying chariot, Rama frowned.

  Just as the holy sword was about to stab into his chest, a metallic "clang!" was heard.

  Hanuman, the white monkey god, had intervened as fast as the wind, using a fist of steel to shatter Verethragna's holy sword.

  Hanuman was the wind god Vayu's son. Riding the wind, he had flown here swiftly.

  "It's you!"

  "Certainly. Protecting His Highness is my responsibility."

  Showing a face of intellect despite being a monkey, Hanuman declared boldly to Godou's chagrin.

  "I won't be allowed to succeed so easily, huh..."

  Godou muttered quietly from the charioteer's perch.

  He was separated from Rama and Hanuman by roughly twenty meters.

  Hanuman was staying close to his master, staring sharply in Godou's direction. Even if Godou were to attack with the four remaining holy swords of Verethragna, Hanuman would probably smash them all in an instant.

  How could he make a move faster than white monkey god with unparalleled ferocity...?

  Hooh. He inhaled deeply. Swiftly generalizing his ideas, he looked to the side.

  Standing together on the charioteer's perch with Godou, Luo Cuilian had her arms crossed in a conceited manner that did not quite match her pubescent appearance, staring obliquely at the Devil King exterminating master and servant.

  "Nee-san. About what I mentioned earlier, can I rely on you to do it now?"

  "Fufufu. If you say so."

  This tacit understanding was probably possible only as sworn siblings.

  The instant Godou issued thoughts to attack, the first to move was one of the holy swords on the chariot's left wing, shaking its blade with a "clang!" The sharp Hanuman turned his eyes slightly, diverting some of his attention to the holy sword. At the same time, the sworn sister dashed out.

  "O north wind, sweeping across the vast lands, flying over countless miles!"

  Chanting spell words, she invoked Daoist arts. Surrounded by yellow light, Luo Cuilian's tiny body flew in a straight line. Towards Hanuman's white fur-covered body.

  "What!?"

  Tackling the white monkey god, the sworn sister flew towards the far side of the sky.

  Even with a young girl's body, she could still draw out monstrous strength, peerless in the entire world, using the Divine Might of Vajrapani. Even Hanuman was unable to struggle free and could only watch helplessly while taken away from his master.

  Godou made a stance to use his holy swords to attack the hero who had lost his bodyguard.

  However, the opponent was no pushover either—

  "Catching Hanuman by surprise huh. You siblings have made a splendid showing."

  Offering praise, Rama extended the [Arrowhead's Discus] forward in his right hand.

  He had apparently received it from his loyal retainer without anyone noticing. Godou gulped.

  "In that case, I have no choice but to borrow everyone's power. —Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Perseus and Lancelot du Lac. Now is precisely when I have need of your assistance."

  The illustrious hero Rama was driving a flying chariot.

  The three heroes suddenly manifested in front of him. The short-haired female knight, the white-robed handsome man with carefree and flippant airs, as well as the monkey king dressed in leather armor—

  The three heroes were already riding their respective flying mounts.

  To think that the [Arrowhead's Discus], whose power was sealed earlier, had already recovered. Facing the disappointed Godou, Rama called out to the three heroes of steel.

  "Now that you have all gathered in response to my summons, I hope you can serve as my bodyguards in the absence of the Wind King—my right hand man, Hanuman. What are your thoughts?"

  "Oh man, that ain't a good plan."

  The Great Sage Equaling Heaven shook his head at the dignified aristocrat's request.

  "We are all heroes who were born as swords. Swords are not shields. Our talents lie in offense. What don't you let us attack this Kusanagi brat in your place, Savior?"

  "—All this chatter conveys nothing more than your desire to take the spotlight, doesn't it?"

  Perseus remarked sardonically next to the objecting monkey king.

  Then he glanced at Rama, the leader of what could be called an alliance of heroes.

  "However, attacking in splendor is what a warrior does. Perhaps that would not be wrong. Although it is absolutely not my intention to accommodate the Lord Monkey, I do hope to switch to offense myself as well."

  The Great Sage Equaling Heaven and Perseus were living up to their reputations. Godou could not help but marvel.

  As absolute protagonists in their own respective myths, they were extremely driven to showing off. They did not have the slightest desire or disposition to obey orders like Hanuman.

  Rama smiled wryly in exasperation at the two heroes' suggestions.

  "Acknowledged. Now that I have fought the opening round, the three of you will take to the field. The formidable foe, Kusanagi Godou, must be defeated. However—one of you needs to stay as my bodyguard. Would that be agreeable?"

  Generously yielding to the two heroes' willful demands, he pulled at the reins. In addition to benevolence, virtue and generosity, Godou could catch a glimpse of Rama's leadership as a king.

  The Great Sage Equaling Heaven and Perseus nodded in agreement, meanwhile glancing sideways at each other.

  "Legend tells of a great accomplishment where you served a certain exalted monk as a long-term bodyguard, so how would you like to take on this job again?"

  "Oh? Then what would be the proper job for the great hero who's suited to rescuing beautiful maidens?"

  "Gentlemen, you are like squabbling children."

  Surprisingly, it was Lancelot du Lac who interrupted at this time.

  "Surely the heroes of the world would be astounded to learn of this. No helping it. This knight, Lancelot du Lac, shares a long history with the 'King of the End.' One shall take on the guardian knight's role."

  " "Hoh." "

  "Unlike the likes of you, this Lancelot is a knight bearing the virtue of humility."

  "Heh, now that's really generous of you."

  "However, seeing as you're doing me a favor by accepting this utterly uninteresting of a role, I shall not pursue the matter any further. Allow me to enjoy this battle with gratitude."

  After the Great Sage muttered, Perseus asserted boldly.

  Perhaps Lancelot agreed to take on this task because she was the deity of knights who could put their lives on the line as bodyguards of noblewomen. In any case, with Lancelot's compromise, the enemy faction finished preparing their simple formation.

  The two heroes began to advance towards the chariot-riding Godou.

  "Hey, are you guys trying to avenge old grudges!?"

  "I never expected a rematch with you in this manner, Kusanagi Godou!"

  "Damn it! I'd better escape first, full speed ahead!"

  But then, where exactly should he escape to?

  Godou felt very lost while ordering the chariot to fly again. Moving in some unidentified direction, the vimana flew as fast as it could.

  Living up to its name as Rama's ride, the chariot instantly reached top speed.

  However, the enemy mounts were also gradually increasing their speed. The top speeds probably did not differ very much. Furthermore, as the master archer, Perseus instantly shot an arrow from his steed.

  Naturally, he did not stop at one. Instead, it was in rapid fire—the ancient Roman hero kept nocking arrows to the bow, swiftly and precisely, drawing the bowstring and firing the arrows at Godou's back.

  Furthermore, Rama also picked up his quiver with its inexhaustible supply of arrows.

  "Evade!"

  Responding to Godou's thoughts, the chariot zigzagged.

  Thanks to th
at, he managed to dodge the large number of arrows chasing from behind. But due to the extra movements he made, his pursuers were gradually closing in. At this rate, they were ultimately going to catch up. Just at this moment...

  (Godou-san...)

  He heard a very familiar girl's voice.

  Godou felt very surprised by what she told him. The opportunity for counterattacking had arrived. However, he must make sure matters proceed smoothly. At the end of the day, the three resurrected heroes were merely extras in the show. Was there some way he could obtain victory while consuming as little energy as possible?

  Godou glanced at his right arm—where the black sacred sword resided.

  Although he had no idea whether it was going to work or not, it was definitely a dead end if he did not even try. Nodding, he pictured a new destination in his mind.

  "Fly quickly! Rush over to that place!"

  The vimana responded immediately.

  While maintaining top speed, it turned rapidly in a very fluid motion. Tracing out a U-shape in the air, it changed course all at once.

  However, Godou's destination was neither land nor sea. The place he wanted to go was Pushpaka Vimana, the giant flying ship that he had rushed out of earlier.

  Chapter 7 - The Annulus of Devil King Extermination

  Part 1

  Carrying the monkey god of wind in her arms, Luo Cuilian flew.

  She was making use of unparalleled strength the whole time, suppressing the monkey god Hanuman, whose mighty strength was universally extolled in the Ramayana. Using a pubescent girl's right hand to grip Hanuman's white face, she injected the Divine Might of Vajrapani into her fingers continuously. It was causing Hanuman to groan.

  "Guhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

  In professional wrestling terms, this would look similar to the Iron Claw hold. However, the resemblance was merely superficial.

  Gripping Hanuman's head with adamantine strength, the five fingers were also exerting force on pressure points on the head, sealing the target's bodily motions.

  However,this monkey god of pure white was supposed to harbor more terrifying abilities in contrast to his intellectual appearance.

  —He will not remain subdued indefinitely. I must leave the battlefield as quickly as possible to reach a location to fight him at leisure.