Campione 08

by Trials of the Devil Kings

  Kusasagi Goroh...?

  Godou felt like he was completely drained. Who the heck was that!?

  "So you see, Godoh-kun. Fuyuhime-chan has already investigated the people close to Kusasagi-san. We decided we will now go around and demand his location from those people... Would you please come with us?"

  Sakura asked him with those subconsciously pleading eyes.

  As the saying goes, if eating poison don't forget to lick the plate. But was this also part of it...?

  While exhausted, Godou nodded and agreed to go along with Sakura and Fuyuhime.

  They got rid of the trash as was customary in fast food restaurants.

  While the two college girls were gone with their trays, Liliana whispered into Godou's ear.

  'I wonder what the deal is with that Renjou girl? I believe she belongs to one of the four families, Sayanomiya, Seishuuin, Kuhoudzuka, and Renjou, that have deep ties with the History Compilation Committee.'

  "Yeah, I thought so," Godou whispered back.

  Liliana was using [Concealment] magic.

  Last time, she had used the same spell to become invisible on the grounds of Nanao Shrine. That was how she had been following Godou secretly.

  "But it's strange how she remembered my name like that... Come to think of it, Amakasu-san said something about using memory tampering magic to confuse her. Could that be the reason?"

  That night after Godou had gone to Aoyama with Sakura, Amakasu Touma had mentioned over the phone.

  At that time, he had said something about using hypnotism magic.

  'Really? That would be worrisome. If you use that kind of spell on someone who understands magic, their memories could come back at the slightest chance impetus.'

  "Eh!?"

  If that was true, the deception wasn't really reliable at all.

  'It seems better if I confirm matters with Amakasu Touma first. If possible, I will also confirm with Sayanomiya Kaoru at the History Compilation Committee. I will take my leave here and visit those people. Is that all right?'

  "Yes, thanks. I'll continue keeping an eye on the situation with these two for now."

  Godou felt Liliana's presence fade away.

  Having gotten rid of their trays, Sakura and Fuyuhime returned shortly. Rather than full of motivation, it would probably be more accurate to describe their faces as fulfilled looking.

  Part 3

  Under Fuyuhime's leadership, Godou and Sakura came to Akihabara.

  Rather than an electronics district, it had evolved in recent years into more of a town for niche hobbyists. Fuyuhime entered a store located in the outskirts away from the main street, Chuuoudoori.

  The building before their eyes was a hub of a multitude of businesses.

  The signboard was obvious to the eye.

  'Maid Cafe - CurePure' 'Innocent Maid Tea House - Disruption' 'Maid Yum Cha Chamber - Peerless Statesman' 'Maid Relaxation - Go To Heaven' 'Maid Dispatch Service - Plutonium Thermal' ...

  Apparently they were all shops and businesses with the concept of maids.

  Godou then remembered his three classmates Nanami, Sorimachi and Takagi. Those guys had suggested for the class to do a 'school swimsuit maid cafe' during the next school festival. Needless to say, the girls rebuffed them.

  "Could you tell me why we came to such a place?"

  "Apparently the disciple of the great devil king, the campione, frequents this place."

  Fuyuhime replied to Godou with great emphasis in tone.

  He didn't remember having a disciple, so what was this about?

  "I-I wonder, a disciple of the devil king would be a magic practitioner, wouldn't he?"

  "That's not what I heard. At the mere age of three, he made a splendid display of his unarmed skills in front of a kungfu-type Campione who proceeded to remark 'This child is truly a prodigy, most gifted and showing great promise!' and thus accepted him as a disciple."

  Hearing Fuyuhime and Sakura's exchange, Godou thought to himself.

  He had an idea of the woman who would attach undue importance to such lines.

  Are they referring to that particular guy? Given that eccentric misogynist, how could he possibly be a regular customer at a maid cafe... but before his thoughts could finish.

  A boy passed before his eyes and entered the multi-tenant building.

  Unmistakable. Staring at the profile of the boy's face, Godou really knew him. However, the shadow of obstinacy and arrogance disappeared from his handsome features as soon as he spotted Godou.

  "If it isn't my Honored Uncle! What brings you to this place?"

  The moment he noticed Godou, the boy called out with a surprised expression.

  The only person in the world to call Godou 'Honored Uncle,' his name was Lu Yinghua. He was the young master of Hong Kong's Lu family and also the personal disciple of the Demonic Cult Leader Luo Cuilian.

  "The reason I am in Japan, and Akihabara at that, is for business and business alone."

  Lu Yinghua told them as he brought a cold oolong tea to his lips.

  After their sudden reunion, he had led Godou's group to the Maid Yum Cha House 'Peerless Statesman.' With that, they occupied a table and began the conversation.

  Furthermore, once everyone had taken a seat, maids immediately served drinks to them.

  "My Lu family has already established bases in Japan at Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, you know. In order to expand into the prosperous district of Akihabara, we started running this building."

  "...Could your family be behind all the maid-whatevers here?"

  "Yes. We entrusted things to my boys stationed here and it ended up like this. At the time, I mentioned it might be better to sell cheap PC parts or doujinshi[10] to attract customers, but my boys got all excited about the maid theme park, so, yeah, I thought it wouldn't hurt to try and gave the okay."

  He sounded more like the boss of a new venture than the triads.

  So that was the kind of business his family dealt with in such a place. And apparently, people like the Three Idiots existed everywhere...

  While Godou was impressed by Lu Yinghua's explanation, Sakura interjected.

  "Hey, hey, Godoh-kun. This boy calls you uncle. Is he maybe part of our clan? Although I've never met him at New Year's..."

  The Kusanagi family had a custom to get together every New Year's to catch up and renew old friendship.

  Not only the main family, but even the branch families gathered there from all over the country. This enabled one to remember the names and faces of essentially all the relatives, whether by blood or marriage.

  "There are all kinds of delicate circumstances. Please don't probe any further, Sakura-san."

  "...Ah. I see. It must be Grandpa or Aunt Mayo or Uncle Genzou... Your side of the family is also quite complicated, isn't it? Alright, I understand!"

  Sakura accepted Godou's half-baked excuse with a nod.

  At times like this, Godou was amazed he could actually feel thankful for the notorious reputations of his grandfather and both his parents. On the other hand, on hearing this exchange, Lu Yinghua turned to Sakura for the first time.

  "What, you're one of my Honored Uncle's relatives? Excuse my rudeness. Hey, somebody, get some food over here!"

  He had ignored the girls, Fuyuhime and Sakura, so far, but as soon as he learned of Sakura's identity, he immediately became extremely courteous.

  Very soon, a maid came over with a tray carrying some dim sum.

  Xiaolongbao[11], shrimp dumplings[12], pork dumplings[13], mini-sized steamed buns with pork filling, steamed peach-shaped buns filled with custard cream...

  These colorful and exquisitely shaped articles of food were laid out all over the table. Godou picked a shrimp dumpling as a test. Delicious. The fresh and springy texture of the shrimp was out-of-this-world. In contrast to the maid uniforms, the taste was authentic Chinese.

  "Godoh-kun, he is such a good boy, right!"

  Sakura was overcome with emotion from being treated to the supe
rb dim sum.

  On the other hand, Fuyuhime was harshly glaring at Lu Yinghua all the while.

  "Enough of this trivial stuff, tell us where Kusasagi Goroh is! I already investigated beforehand, you are that Campione's disciple, no doubt about it!"

  "...What?"

  Lu Yinghua narrowed his eyes at Fuyuhime's domineering attitude.

  Godou did not fail to catch the shadow of killing intent that flashed for an instant.

  "Miss, you said something strange right now. I am who's what? And with that conceited tone of yours? Since you're in my Honored Uncle's company, I'll let the first time slide. Should there be a second time, prepare yourself for the consequences."

  "...Hya!"

  The rather quiet warning sent Fuyuhime cowering back in fear.

  Lu Yinghua relaxed his dreadful glare after Godou casually winked at him.

  "...Well, let's leave it at that. I have some mundane business to attend to, so please excuse me. Honored Uncle, I hope to speak to you alone on a separate occasion. I would like to rely on your extraordinary insight for a certain matter. Now, take care."

  Lu Yinghua stood up from his seat and departed after performing a martial arts salute.

  After that, they waited for the shivering Fuyuhime to recover and left the shop together.

  Outside the building, the petite yet domineering girl finally opened her mouth.

  "H-He was more difficult than expected. Let's ignore this place and proceed to the next destination."

  "Fuyuhime-chan, are you alright? Stay strong!"

  Sakura directed words of encouragement at Fuyuhime who had set out towards a new goal.

  "O-Of course I'm alright! I am still the heiress to the Renjou family of distinguished pedigree. As if I'd lose to that gangster from Hong Kong!"

  Hong Kong's Lu family was reputedly in the business of heroic outlaws (Chinese triads), and hence a clan who operated extrajudicially.

  Fuyuhime's words revealed that she also knew his background. Right, wasn't she also the one who had instructed Sakura in ancient German?

  Equipped with such knowledge, should she be treated as a member of the four families after all?

  Blissfully unaware of Godou's evaluations, Fuyuhime led the group to Toranomon station.

  Their destination was a shrine not far from there.

  Entering the grounds of Nanao Shrine required a climb of 300 stone steps. It was the place where Godou's acquaintance worked as a miko -- Looks like Fuyuhime really checked up on me beforehand.

  Next to the nodding Godou, Fuyuhime explained to Sakura:

  "Located here are two miko that Kusasagi Goroh has made into his playthings. Furthermore, they are sisters and the younger one is still in elementary school! Can you believe that!?"

  "Heh!? That's so dirty, such a thing! As a person, that is no, no good!"

  Don't comment. Don't inject unnecessary emotions.

  Godou desperately tried to keep his feelings in check.

  While complaining about the man-eating demon who wore the skin of a man, the two college girls entered the grounds. Godou followed wordlessly.

  Along the way, Fuyuhime repeatedly tried to call out whenever they met a Shinto priest.

  But the priests quickly left after greeting with a nod. Even when Fuyuhime called them to stop, they did not stay.

  "Th-th-the-th-the daughter of the Renjou has arrived! How can these people be so rude!?"

  Fuyuhime was angry, but her anger was ill-judged.

  The priests were actually running away because they saw Godou... In fact, this was the usual reaction. Unless Godou himself called to them, they would never approach on their own initiative.

  In the meantime, the group arrived before the oratory hall.

  The precinct was entirely covered with gravel.

  Two girls in miko attire were standing around. Naturally, they were the Mariya sisters.

  "Ah, Onii-sama! Welcome! What brings you here today?"

  "Well, if you were going to come, you should have said so... I will prepare tea right away."

  Mariya Hikari waved to him with a cheerful, dazzling smile.

  Mariya Yuri welcomed him with a graceful, refined smile.

  The sisters showed their affection for Godou each in her own way. It was a thing to be treasured.

  Lately, the little sister Hikari often said 'One day, I will also join Onii-sama by your side, so when the time comes, please love me like the others without distinction.'

  It sounded a bit strange, perhaps that was her own way of expressing attachment?

  When the older sister heard that, her face turned troubled, but remained beautiful and gentle as always. Ever since the conclusion of the battle with the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Godou felt the bonds between him and Yuri had mysteriously strengthened.

  The atmosphere was just right, or they had gotten used to each other...

  Even without saying much, just by being in the same room, they felt vaguely fulfilled. That was the feeling.

  But, that aside, there was the current problem of his two fellow travelers.

  "Oh? They are also friends of Godoh-kun's? Somehow the coincidences keep continuingー"

  "Ah, yeah. There are days where you meet friends one after another like this, aren't there? I'm quite surprised too."

  When Sakura pointed it out, Godou could only make a lame excuse.

  His naive cousin innocently laughed 'Yepyep. Because you're always doing good deeds, the gods must have rewarded you.' The beauty of her soul was magnificent.

  Renjou Fuyuhime, on the other hand, kept quietly shooting doubtful stares at Godou.

  "Ahh... I'm not here today for anything in particular. These two said they had business here so I'm simply accompanying them. Apparently, they're looking for someone."

  The Mariya sisters nodded "huh?" at Godou's explanation.

  With that, Fuyuhime recovered her original vigor and sharply declared:

  "You are the Mariya sisters, huh? I am Renjou Fuyuhime. You should know of me, right, the daughter and heiress of the Renjou family, a position even higher than you hime-miko, right? Listen, I must meet that brutish devil king, that campione, Kusasagi Goroh. Call him here at once!"

  As always, her manner of speaking was meaninglessly self-important.

  However, the Mariya sisters were not impressed. They simply inclined their heads and looked at Fuyuhime in wonderment like some sort of rare beast, then proceeded to glance at Godou.

  Indeed, the Campione in question was standing right beside them. One would not normally make such a demand.

  The sisters were probably perplexed as well. Godou made a troubled face and shook his head.

  Thereupon Hikari instantly replied.

  "Ehm... I'm sorry, but that is forbidden."

  Although she was in the sixth year of elementary school, she was admirably smart. She had already grasped the situation.

  I'm saved... Just as Godou thought so, Hikari pressed on.

  "And I'm sorry again. I believe the Renjou family has not yet named their successor. Some time ago, Ena-oneesama from the Seishuuin said so."

  What? In that case, Fuyuhime was not a wizard related to the Renjou family...?

  Godou was surprised. Fuyuhime on the other hand looked angry as her lips began to twitch.

  "Th-that's not true! I will become the next head of the Renjou family! What's the deal with you anyway, just because that dirty campione has been a tiny bit affectionate with you, you belittle others? Listen, the Renjou are one of the four families, we're not someone you can make funー"

  Although she spoke faster and faster with greater intensity, she had lost all momentum by the end.

  With an awfully scared look on her face, she gulped down her jeers.

  She looked as miserable as a dog with its tail between its legs. But she was not the only one scared. Mariya Hikari was also looking in terror at the elder sister next to her.

  "The successor to the Renjou family - is that what you said
you were?"

  Mariya Yuri was whispering calmly, with the beauty of sagacity itself.

  "Then I shall converse with you as if you were an informed descendant of the four families. Your current behavior is an affront to the devil king whom our nation has addressed as the Rakshasa monarch since ancient times, as well as to those who serve him with reverence. Showing the appropriate respect in regards to him is the foundation of manners, it is a custom. One who cannot comply to that is not qualified to be a member of the four families. Know some shame!"

  As Yuri reprimanded, her beautiful face displayed the imposing intensity of a yakshini.[14]

  Godou reflexively ducked. Only Sakura was tilting her head in puzzlement. Completely unfazed by Yuri's pressure, Sakura's inability to read the mood was truly magnificent.

  "Furthermore, your inability to show respect to us miko who have inherited the title of Hime constitutes impudence unbecoming of the four families. Leave. You are not qualified to stand on the holy grounds of Nanao Shrine."

  She flatly deported Fuyuhime.

  As expected of a Hime-Miko. She possessed solemnity and sublimity beyond any normal young lady.

  At some point, Fuyuhime was on the verge of tears. Although she had been so domineering in attitude, she turned out to be not that courageous after all. Godou decided to step forward and offer her an escape route.

  "I'm sorry for my companion's weird demands. She'll come apologize another time, so we'll take our leave now. Come on, Sakura, let's take your friend and go. See you later!"

  The forcible goodbye brought down the curtains.

  Patting his cousin on the shoulder, he prompted her to take Fuyuhime along.

  Along with the two girls, Godou left the Mariya sisters behind. He decided to send them a text message later to apologize and explain the situation...

  "Fuyuhime-chan, if you ask the way you did earlier, anyone would get angry~. You need to do it gently!"

  "I-I know! B-But those hime-miko earlier were just too rude!"

  The group of Godou, Sakura and Fuyuhime was on the move.

  This time they were on the way to Aoyama.