Campione 08

by Trials of the Devil Kings

  The two of them arrived at the entrance to Erica's flat.

  The mistress and her personal maid lived on the tenth floor of this high-rise mansion.

  But when Godou and Liliana crossed the threshold as usual, they were welcomed by a girl who should be completely unrelated to this flat whatsoever.

  "Good morning, Kusanagi-sama. It's been a while, Liliana-sama. Would you two like an espresso?"

  A beautiful girl sat at the living room table, bringing to her lips a cup that overflowed with the fragrance of coffee.

  That was none other than Karen Jankulovski.

  Liliana's maid and apprentice witch for the [Bronze Black Cross] magic association.

  "What do you mean, 'it's been a while'... We were at home together until I left this morning. Karen, when did you come here to Erica's place?"

  "While you were meeting Kusanagi-sama of course, Liliana-sama."

  Questioned by her silver-haired mistress, the maid in her early teens smiled nonchalantly.

  Dressed in casual clothing instead of her maid uniform, it meant she was here in private.

  "Not too long ago, I advised Liliana-sama to investigate Kusanagi-sama's past, but actually conducting it proved to be rather time consuming... However, thanks to Liliana-sama acting proactively with such vigor lately, I finally have some free time to myself."

  Karen smoothly made a momentous confession.

  Was that it? Those details that precipitated the wager the other day? Godou remembered.

  Godou glanced at Liliana to find her face twitching a little. So that's the reason. Liliana directing her attentions to investigate such a weird subject turned out to be Karen's suggestion.

  "Today being my day off, I thought it'd be nice to pay my friend Anna-san an occasional visit. Ah, it never occurred to me that I could peep into how Kusanagi-sama's and Liliana-sama's honeymoon play would go, not in the slightest. Don't get me wrong."

  She sounded like she had confessed her ulterior motive, but Godou decided to let it go.

  The other maid came out from deeper inside.

  "I am terribly sorry. Since Godou-san arrived, I went to check on Erica-sama, but... Again, she is still in bed."

  Arianna Hayama Arialdi, nicknamed Anna, was very apologetic.

  "Well, it's just the usual. By the way, you and Karen are friends?"

  "Yes. We became acquainted auspiciously by chance. Really, Karen-chan is so much younger than me and she's already so reliable."

  Smiling cheerfully, she answered Godou's question.

  This typical cheerful and trusting naivety, was not only characteristic of Miss Arianna but also her greatest distinguishing feature. Well, ignoring the fearsome existences of her pot-stewed cooking and dangerous driving skills for now.

  "Alright, I'll go wake her. You don't mind, do you?"

  "Of course not. I'll leave Erica-sama in your care, thank you."

  Even though this had become the daily routine, Godou still felt it would be improper to enter a girl's room directly without consent from a member of the household.

  Immediately after Godou had followed his good sense and received the OK from Anna:

  "No, Kusanagi Godou. Leave this to me. She may be like a devil, but a man should not set foot in a woman's bedroom so easily. Do not forget that I serve by your side for occasions such as this."

  Godou was taken aback when Liliana called him to a stop.

  Right. He had been swept up by the flow and gone to rouse Erica from bed every morning, but that was really improper after all. Liliana's objections had made him recognize that once more.

  "I see...! Can I trouble you to go instead, Liliana?"

  "Most certainly. Even at the cost of my life, I shall fulfill your imperial decree without fail!"

  This conversation resembled a king ordering the extermination of the devil king and a hero responding in return for loose change.

  Anyway, on Godou's orders, Liliana set off on her expedition to Erica's bedroom.

  Their sense of morality and justice was really similar. That made her easy to get along with.

  He had felt this ever since the fight with Perseus in Naples. As long as her thought processes did not derail, her affinity with him was outstanding.

  --They waited for a moment.

  Before long, they could hear voices from Erica's bedroom.

  "Lily!? How insolent of you, coming to wake me up instead of Godou! Know your place! I won't forgive you for interfering with my sweet morning moment with Godou!"

  "No, you know your place! I have never heard of a knight who needs her lord to rouse her from bed every morning! And you still call yourself an honorable great knight, a descendant of the Knights Templar?!"

  "I am the special exception, for I'm Godou's lover! So you stop interfering!"

  "Ha. I, Liliana Kranjcar, am Kusanagi Godou's premier knight and also his grand chamberlain. Even if you are his lover, I have the authority to put you in your place should you be impertinent. Therefore my interference here is exceedingly justified! Will you stop grumbling about these trivialities?"

  "Oh really, premier knight and grand chamberlain? Why don't you add another title, third mistress?"

  "W-What!?"

  "Understand, Lily? Since times immemorial in China, eunuchs have managed the emperor's sexual life. They were given this right and permitted to frequent the premises of the harem because they were not 'women.' Yet you want to wield power over other girls while being one of Godou's women yourself? My, what a great deal you have going there."

  "N-No, that is not what is going on here. Ultimately that is just a historical similarity..."

  "Yes, but history proves the rational justification of such an existence. I can accept the outcome of Godou's foolish wager, and even approve your management of his private affairs, Lily. But you won't interfere in his lovers' relationships! If that's what you really want, you must first give up being his woman. How about it?"

  "Uh, no, that is, uhm, what should I say, ehm..."

  Erica had partially acknowledged Liliana's argument, but refused to concede any further beyond that.

  It was one of the basics and the pinnacle in the art of negotiations. Although she was no morning person, she was still able to verbally subdue Liliana immediately after getting up. Erica's wits were just that impressive.

  Nodding next to Godou, Arianna was going 'my, my' in amazement as she witnessed the knights' battle of words.

  With an impish expression that seemed to be saying 'just as expected, developments stemming from the Nikkou trip are truly worth looking forward to,' Karen secretly laughed to herself. Godou deliberately ignored her.

  Anyhow, it was a lively morning.

  Kusanagi Godou's days always started in such a turbulent manner.

  Part 2

  In the end, Godou, Erica and Liliana headed to school together.

  The three walked together on the well-trodden way to school. As evidenced by the many passersby who kept staring at them, it was apparently highly conspicuous for a highschool boy to be accompanied by blonde and silver-haired beauties. Nevertheless, he had already gotten used to this.

  Kusanagi Godou was so adaptable it even surprised himself.

  After all, he had also grown accustomed to his more-than-unnatural constitution as a Campione after around a week.

  "Well, I actually had many objections to the details of how Lily became your grand chamberlain."

  Erica was muttering with a displeased expression.

  "Gradually I've come to think it might not be too bad an idea. If I cling to you all the time, it would be more difficult to expand the roster of Kusanagi Godou's 'Round Table.'"

  "...My Round Table?"

  "Exactly! You know it, right, the legend of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table?"

  England's legendary king. The daring knights who had gathered from all the directions to join under his banner.

  The big, circular table where they sat around was the Round Table. The 13th
century king, Edward the First of England, was the one who "discovered" the original and had a replica made as decoration for Winchester Castle...[9]

  "Over the past six months, the name of Kusanagi Godou has spread among the magi and wizards throughout the world. It's time for you to take the next step."

  As Godou recalled historical trivia in his mind, Erica explained further.

  Hearing that, Liliana interjected.

  "In short, you are saying that Kusanagi Godou should take you and me, as well as Mariya Yuri, Seishuuin Ena and others to form his independent group or association?"

  "Yes. The more Godou's power and influence rise, the more people trying to gain favor will appear. Of course, there will also be those who show up out of paranoia or overreaction. Even amongst the upper echelons of my [Copper Black Cross] or Lily's [Bronze Black Cross], there should be some who are trying to make use of Godou's power somehow."

  "So to ward off that chaos in advance, you want to unite the followers bearing Kusanagi Godou's flag. From now on, we should also maintain a certain distance from the associations we owe allegiance to."

  Liliana sided with Erica's proposal with well-matched additions.

  At times like these, the red and blue knights made for a good combination.

  "But you know, if I want to live peacefully all along, do we really need to go so far?"

  "Godou, even if you insincerely put on airs as a pacifist, it's completely unconvincing whatsoever."

  "Refusing to face your own disposition and true nature... I must point out to your face that bad habit of yours, Kusanagi Godou. Hypothetical situations with no hope of coming true are meaningless."

  Even when trashing him they coordinated with perfect timing.

  Damn them, how could they describe him like a beast starved for blood! Erica ignored Godou's teeth gnashing and continued.

  "Then here's a question: From here onward, someone needs to lay down the groundwork in various areas, to enter diplomatic negotiations with the former organizations of girls who choose to follow Godou, and to build an organization characterized by discipline and ambition. I believe that aside from me, Erica Blandelli, there is no other suitable candidate, is that correct?"

  The question held unshakable conceit.

  Of course, neither Godou nor Liliana could find words to refute her.

  "Now, in order to maximize my full potential I will need to travel all over the place. In that case, leaving Lily who excels as both a bodyguard and a housekeeper to support Godou by his side is not a bad choice of personnel deployment."

  I see, so that's the idea. Godou nodded.

  "So, Godou, you don't mind if we proceed in that direction, do you?"

  "I think nothing bad will come off it if I leave matters in your hands, so no. But that Salvatore Doni doesn't have a faction either, does he?"

  The Campione who was the 'alliance leader' ruling over the magic associations of southern Europe.

  Using soccer as an example, that role would be something close to a national coach.

  Without a subordinate association, he was served by at most a handful of private staff. However, he was able to summon important magi and knights during times of emergency. Regardless of affiliation, all were under his command.

  Usually, he neither controlled nor commanded. He was the [King of Swords] ruling southern Europe's world of magic by laissez-faire.

  Couldn't things work like that for Godou too?

  Ruling over those who admired him in order to form a faction. Doing things in such an ostentatious manner felt repulsive to Godou.

  "Imitating that person should prove difficult. Sir Salvatore achieved his position by refusing to aid any individual person or faction. Nor does he form emotional ties with anybody. I don't think you could do the same, could you, Godou?"

  Godou had to agree with Erica.

  Certainly. Given his personality, 'not helping anyone' was impossible. Just like the path he had taken so far, he would continue to meet various people, get close to them, become comrades and they would help each other out, no doubt about it!

  After attending a full day of classes as usual, it was now after school. Erica was apparently busy and hurried out of the classroom first. Godou, on the other hand, fell into deep thought as he looked at the message he had received on his cellphone.

  The content of the message was as follows:

  From: Koudzuki Sakura Title: 'Godoh-kun, help me!'

  Body: Please! There's another thing I want you to help me with regarding that great devil king from the other day. Could you assist me?

  "...What should I say, this stinks of trouble."

  Godou guessed as much simply from experience rather than a Campione's intuition.

  A month earlier, he had gone about with his second cousin, Koudzuki Sakura, to search for the great devil king. Amakasu had passed the baton to Liliana and, lost as for what to do about it, Godou had suggested 'How about we say... Liliana suddenly had to make an urgent return to Milan,' to roughly bring matters to an end.

  When he passed the word to his naive cousin, she believed him in blind faith. Since then, Sakura never brought up the topic of Liliana again.

  "What is the matter, Kusanagi Godou?"

  "Well, the truth is..."

  He briefly explained the situation when Liliana came to his desk.

  As one of the people involved and familiar with Sakura's temperament, the silver-haired grand chamberlain frowned lightly.

  "...This smells of trouble."

  She voiced the same impression. Well, it should be the right guess.

  "That's how it is, so I'll go check up on her. Let's split here for today. Since we said you aren't in Japan, it'd be troublesome if you came along."

  If it was going to be trouble anyway, he should just take it in stride.

  Liliana pondered Godou's decision for a bit, then said:

  "No. In that case, why don't we do this..."

  Godou nodded at the knight's plan and they immediately went into action.

  About an hour later, Godou arrived at Akinomizu Women's college.

  It was a famous ladies school in the Bunkyou Ward. A place where a first year high school boy would be intimidated by the mere thought of approaching it.

  He entered a fast food restaurant near the school and instantly found the one who was waiting for him.

  Godou quickly headed towards her table.

  "Ah, Godoh-kun! Over here! Long time no see!"

  Sakura called out to him while waving energetically.

  Due to her lovely, childish face and diminutive stature, she was often mistaken for a middle schooler.

  However, the girl next to her was even shorter and had an even more childish face.

  ...Was she in fifth or sixth year of elementary school? Her graceful features could probably pass for an artiste. Her long hair was apparently naturally curled and she was wearing a fluttering one-piece dress. Lovely as a doll, the young girl stood out excessively.

  "Ah, Godoh-kun, let me introduce. This is Renjou Fuyuhime-chan, the first friend I made in Tokyo."

  The introduced elementary school(?) girl snorted with derision.

  Then she closely scrutinized Godou and said piercingly:

  "You meant this guy when you mentioned that relative's child who could be of service? He seems conceited."

  Renjou Fuyuhime's manner of speaking was unusually aggressive.

  For some reason, her sharp and severe gaze was focused somewhere above Godou's head.

  "Uhm... do I look that conceited?"

  "Of course! Why do you tower so high even though you're younger than Sakura and me! Are you trying to tire out my neck, forcing me to look up at you, is that it!?!"

  Her complaints were like an outburst of anger delivered with all her might.

  The girl called Renjou Fuyuhime seemed to possess a complex over her lack of height. And while only sixteen years old, Godou stood almost 180cm tall. Was that the reason for the unreasonable remark
just now?

  No, wait, there was one more important remark. 'Younger than Sakura and me'?

  "Are you perhaps the friend in the same year that taught Sakura about magic...?"

  "Ah, you remembered? That's right. Fuyuhime-chan is my magic teacher. She's sooo knowledgeable and teaches me new things all the time!"

  Godou looked at Fuyuhime in astonishment. He had never expected to meet anyone more child-faced than Sakura. The wonders of nature never ceased to amaze.

  Come to think of it, Miyama-san in the class next door also looked like a little child. But rather than being of the same age, Fuyuhime was older instead... At this point Godou suddenly noticed.

  Her family name was "Renjou." That meant she wasー

  "Hey! What are you doing, staring at people!"

  Fuyuhime suddenly told him off.

  Without conscious intent, Godou had been staring at her doll-like face.

  "Ahhh, you weren't thinking something impertinent, were you!? Like, you're so short or midget or shorty or something!"

  "Calm down, Fuyuhime-chan! Godoh-kun may be tall, but he would never make fun of you."

  Godou ignored Sakura and the fuming Fuyuhime and went straight to the point.

  "Leaving that aside, Sakura-san, what did you want my help for?"

  "Ah, right. Uhm, actually Fuyuhime-chan finally decided to tell me the name of the fearsome great devil king. Previously, she had been agonizing in fear of getting me involved."

  Godou's wariness heightened. He hadn't been found out, had he?

  Had the overly naive cousin found out Kusanagi Godou's secret?

  "Around a week ago, news was received that Toushouguu in Nikkou had started repair work, right? Apparently the one who destroyed that place was also the great devil king, so Fuyuhime-chan got really scared. That person might also do something horrible to her."

  "But Sakura said she'd accompany me to visit that great devil king who commits every evil imaginable."

  As Sakura nestled closer to her, Fuyuhime face's brimmed with resolve.

  Godou became even more nervous. If she belonged to the "Renjou family," she would know his name for sure. She wouldn't say it, would she!? She wouldn't say that name in front of the very campione in question, would she!?

  "That's why I have made my decision! I won't run anymore and before I fall to his evil grasp, I'll go to him first and give him a good piece of my mind! I will resist that hated enemy of womankind, 'Kusasagi Goroh'!"