Campione 08

by Trials of the Devil Kings

  "Give me a break! Do I really have to overcome that chunk of metal!?"

  Alec's follower was Sir Iceman, a Dutchman named Denis, age twenty-five or six.

  Nicknamed the Iceman because of his resilient and calm personality, he was a mage who had been knighted in England and obtained the title of "Sir."

  Furthermore, he was also called the "Unflying Dutchman" due to a severe phobia of flying.

  "I will gladly take on a hundred, no, a thousand men in battle, and even follow you into a fight against gods. However, that lump of garbage metal suspended in the air is the only exception. That thing is... the symbol of human stupidity. Mankind should not challenge the skies..."

  With meandering words, he tried to justify his stance.

  On the other hand, Sir Iceman was a valiant warrior. His power made him one of the few people who could stand toe to toe with the forces of Italy's greatest hero, Paolo Blandelli.

  Humans are never perfect. Alec shook his head.

  "Well, it couldn't be helped. There were only thirty minutes left before the last flight for the Dover Strait was going to take off, and yet you were hiding in the washroom reluctant to come out... I believe a majority of people would agree it wasn't my fault."

  "Refusing to admit your faults, how cruel. Fine, I'll forget about it. ...Anyway, Alec, you already fought, right?"

  "What?"

  "Yesterday there was a report of a [Heretic God] manifesting on this island of Crete."

  He knew it would happen sooner or later but to be discovered so soon? Alec shrugged his shoulders.

  "Can you give me the details of the god fight? Don't deliberately do a lazy job of reporting again just because it was your own battle."

  It was unacceptable no matter what. Besides, the other side also had reasons that could not be disclosed.

  Alec simply raised his glass for another sip.

  God speed — which the Witenagemot had named the authority of [Black Lightning]. Due to this being Alec's trump card, there were very few comrades who were capable of supporting him.

  Very few people could keep up with his speed. Rather than wait for back up to arrive at the front lines it was easier to just fight alone.

  "The sense of helplessness, from finding out they did not have the ability to help, is always a painful experience. Thoroughly impressed we may be with our king's sense of worry/concern, I still hope to know if you are safe or not. As much as possible, please keep this in mind."

  Alec silently slid the wineglass over to Iceman.

  Though he had no intentions of apologizing, buying him a drink was acceptable. Iceman in turn caught the wineglass without saying a word, and poured the amber-colored liquid into his own glass.

  "By the way, please allow me to add a few words."

  "What is it?"

  "Since we came expressly to Crete, why are you having a shot of Bowmore? I love drinking too, and that aroma of the sea is simply marvelous. However, that's still not enough reason to drink a cold climate country's alcohol when we're in the Mediterranean, for goodness' sake."

  The trusted subordinate was talking about a type of Scotch whisky produced in Scotland. This strong liqueur was filled with the local flavor of the tides of the Irish Sea.

  "What's wrong with faithfulness to one's preferences? No matter what, the most important thing is what one desires."

  "Still, this place is really too hot. How about having some local beer to wet our throats?"

  Iceman calmly suggested in the face of Alec's response.

  On the calendar it was currently the middle of May. However, for the Mediterranean island of Crete, it was already very hot, enough to wear short sleeves.

  Alec licked his lips, intending to retort.

  In truth, I cared little for vacation sense or awareness of seasons. However, I hate downing beer in massive gulps like some kind of glutton. It is truly imperative to maintain one's style and aesthetics.

  Alec was just about to speak but he stopped —

  A young Caucasian beauty was approaching.

  She was rather young in age, about twelve or thirteen or so. Clearly not an age that should be coming and going in a bar like this.

  However, none of the staff or customers in the bar reprimanded her. Everyone ignored her as if she did not exist at all.

  "It must be a [Concealment] spell. She hid her appearance from everyone apart from us."

  "Probably. This is a spell that certain fairies and witches are talented in."

  As Alec and Sir Iceman exchanged glances, the girl walked over to them.

  "Salutations for the first time, [King] known as Prince. Allow me to greet Your Highness."

  The girl in the white summer dress was stunningly beautiful. The very image of a classic doll made by a master craftsman.

  Alec felt an unusual sense of intangibility from the young girl.

  Definitely not an ordinary person no matter how you look at it. Very likely no ordinary mage.

  Though only based on instinct, it should not be far from the truth.

  "If you have something to say, be quick with it. I am enjoying a private moment and have no interest in a suspicious fellow like you."

  Alec was a handsome man with a tall and slightly slender build. Though he was not actually a noble, his natural poise and dignified airs earned him the nickname of "Prince."

  Sir Iceman was also quite outstanding in appearance with solemn facial features like a carved sculpture. He was even taller than Alec and looked more strongly built with his wider shoulders. Even when wearing a ruffled suit there was an air of masculine charm.

  Whenever they sat together they were frequently accosted by women. Standing out amongst the crowd was everyday life for them. However, this young girl was clearly different from those women.

  — How troublesome. Alec summed up curtly in his mind.

  No matter how extraordinary a person, she was decidedly less than a god. Completely uninteresting.

  "Then I shall get straight to the point, Prince. Your Highness arrived at this location in order to ascertain whether the god Minos of Crete was [Steel], is that correct?"

  Oh? Alec's curiosity was piqued.

  Could this passing girl have seen through his intentions from a glance?

  "I feel that Your Highness' body contains a presence similar to the Chinese [Steel], the bull-headed iron-bodied war god Chi You[19], or Japan's Susanoo who is also known as the Bull-headed Heavenly King."

  Sir Iceman instantly signaled with his eyes, asking if he should handle it. But Alec shook his head

  "Wrong but close enough. It was a war god with the [Bull] attribute, probably the evolved form of a god of the land like Minos — I was only investigating when I suddenly encountered it."

  Well, choosing to go traveling on a whim and encountering a battle with a heretic god was an unexpected bonus...

  Rather than that, there were more interesting questions to interrogate this girl.

  "So, could you answer my question in return? Why are you asking me about the subject of [Steel]? I am more commonly known as a seeker of the Holy Grail. But there should be virtually no one who knows that I am interested in the connections between war gods and the Holy Grail."

  The following year after becoming a Campione, Alec had gone searching for the [Magic Holy Grail].

  At that time, he had declared war on the English magi centered on the Witenagemot. Furthermore, the gathering of high level magi in England from all over Europe to become either Alec's enemies or allies erupted into a great conflict — the Battle for the Magic Grail.

  Anyone involved in the world of magic would have heard of this great incident.

  "The only ones who know about the connections between war gods and the Holy Grail are a very small number of Templar Knights and witches. ...With no smell of iron from your body, you are unlikely to be a knight. But you are no ordinary human — someone known as a Divine Ancestor, right?"

  Outstanding senses of smell and taste beyond
normal humans were several of Alec's little-known talents.

  As well as a mind that maintained a delicate balance with calm and insightful instincts.

  Through logical thinking and analysis of instinct, the term Divine Ancestor surfaced in memory.

  The girl before his eyes should not be an ordinary witch or knight. Assuredly.

  "As befits the one known for being particularly wise amongst the god-slayers, the truth really was discerned from my greeting. Very likely it reflects development as a result of Your Highness' growth. I beg forgiveness if I, Guinevere, have given offense."

  "A mere greeting?"

  "Yes. Knowing Your Highness has slaughtered three gods, I felt that I had to pay my respects no matter what."

  Then I shall take my leave — Leaving behind a smile and a greeting, the young girl disappeared.

  Taking only an instant, it was as illusionary as mist dispersing. Some sort of transfer spell must have been used.

  "That person called herself Guinevere."

  "Ahah. I wonder if that name was chosen as a joke or with special meaning behind it, how mysterious."

  Once the witch vanished, Sir Iceman muttered as Alec shrugged.

  "Hmm... By the way, Alec, I had a thought."

  Planning on making some kind of proposal, the trusted subordinate bore a serious expression. However, somehow there was a detestable sense of premonition.

  "Regarding the one calling herself Guinevere, why don't we ask the most accomplished witch about her? Particularly outstanding witches are connected to special networks transcending associations and countries. It is very likely that the 'Princess' knows something."

  The most accomplished witch! Alec showed displeasure in his expression.

  He understood Sir Iceman's reasoning, but he did not want to do as suggested.

  "Since you two are so closely bound by destiny, I think it's best to prepare beforehand when something like this happens."

  "Stop the nonsense! There is nothing but ill fate between us! There is no other significance!"

  Part 2

  The Witenagemot's headquarters were situated in Greenwich, London.

  A four-story Victorian building constructed with red brick, very similar in likeness to the government offices of Scotland Yard in Westminster.

  The office of the Witenagemot's spokesperson was located in the depths of the building's first floor.

  In truth, all the past spokespersons had their offices on the top floor of this building. However, the incumbent declared a relocation as soon as she assumed her position, and the office was moved.

  It was rumored that she said something like this:

  'The highest floor in a building with no elevators? Unacceptable!'

  The graceful and gentle young beauty.

  The Princess regarded as Europe's most aristocratic lady.

  Unexpectedly more outspoken than what her appearance and title might suggest, the current spokesperson was ignoring the words of her subordinate who acted as both secretary and governess.

  "What is the [Magic Holy Grail]? It is the greatest treasure sought by the Templar Knights — the successors of the twelfth century Crusaders who attempted to take back the holy land Jerusalem from the Muslims. It is commonly believed that it is an item that was born with the great land, and stores a massive amount of magical power."

  The one speaking was Patricia Ericson.

  Hair tied up, wearing a thin-framed pair of spectacles, thirty years of age or so.

  "Since ancient times, appearances of the Holy Grail in this world have been very rare. Records placing great importance on the 'miracle manifested when the Holy Grail is found by the Sacred Chosen One' have been left behind by many magi and seekers of the Holy Grail."

  Miss Ericson's stiff manner of speech lacked feminine gentleness, and simply listening to her was tiring.

  However, the Witenagemot's incumbent spokesperson listened silently without a single comment, until she finally smiled calmly and spoke:

  "Yes, I know. And it is still unclear what the 'Sacred Chosen One' refers to. ...Hey, Miss Ericson, I don't really need to revise knowledge on the Holy Grail, am I a bad student if I don't want to learn about things I already know?"

  Yes, Alice Louise of Navarre was an outstanding honors student.

  Nicknamed Princess Alice.

  Though the highborn daughter of a Duke's family, she was also a miko with boastworthy spirit powers.

  Becoming the spokesperson of the Witenagemot by recommendation at the tender age of sixteen, she was extremely well-learned.

  Perhaps it would be apt to say that she was a world-class authority on the subject of the Holy Grail.

  "In terms of knowledge, true... But not in terms of putting into actual practice."

  Miss Ericson spoke coldly as she pushed up the rim of her glasses.

  These actions embodied the quintessential 'strict and upright female private tutor.'

  Precisely because of this, she had secretly registered herself as a member at a marriage agency. Humans were truly interesting beings. (As for how Alice came to know of this, she was using spirit powers when she peeked into Miss Ericson's heart by chance.)

  "Concerning the miracle of the Holy Grail, Princess, did you know there is another legend passed down the ages? Another important element for initiating the Holy Grail miracle, the 'valiant and foolish child of heaven' of rumor."

  Pertinently, Alice responded with "is that so?"

  Of course, she was fully aware but feigning ignorance. Furthermore, it needed no mentioning that the "fool" was a veiled reference to the Devil King Campione.

  "With all that said, in the end what are you trying to get at, Miss Ericson?"

  "To sound the alarm against the multiple contact incidents between 'that man' and you, the most suitable 'Sacred One' recognized by the world."

  It turned out to be this after all. Alice sighed.

  "The miracle brought upon by the Holy Grail... No matter how conservatively speculated, the effects of its manifestation must be no different from the disasters brought by [Heretic Gods]. Disregarding 'that man' as the disastrous heavenly child, please do not forget you are the spokesperson of the Witenagemot who is responsible for maintaining order in the activities of the magical world. Please be a bit more mindful of your identity."

  "But it's very interesting. Oh my, I've got to go."

  "Princess!"

  The highborn Princess had a weak constitution. Due to this reason, Alice was unable to leave the house casually as she desired.

  However, when a 'major incident' involving the Holy Grail and the Black Prince occurs, she just could not help but rush to the front lines to see how the problem would be solved.

  It was a bit unfair to Miss Ericson, but let's hope her anger will only be temporary — no, rather, she could control her anger semi-permanently.

  Besides, if this spirit power of flying all over the place could be reinforced, perhaps the frail body might also be strengthened at the same time...

  Clinging to the belief of opportunism, Alice pondered.

  It was again time to meet that poker-faced and unfriendly Prince and sow new seeds of discord. This young man passionately devoted himself to work, vigorously applying himself to the job of threatening the world as the great devil king.

  There will definitely be a response —

  With this thought, a letter appeared on the office desk.

  This was something sent over by the magic of [Mailing]. It was emergency communication sent by a spy trained since childhood.

  Trying to suppress the excitement in her heart, she quietly picked up the letter.

  'Black Prince Alec slew a god in Crete.'

  One short sentence.

  However, Alice was crying out with delight in her heart.

  It's here! The expected person came at last. Also, this time it is the long time unseen Campione. This was the perfect excuse for a long duration business trip!

  "Sorry, Miss Ericson,
I express my utmost gratitude to your kind advice. However, I must leave due to some urgent matters. If I were to become sickly and unwell again, please take good care of me then."

  She made her request with a noblewoman's smile.

  However, she did not wish to hear an objection. This was in reality an order.

  "What on earth is this emergency, Princess!?"

  "Same old, a world crisis!"

  Alice activated the power of spirit body separation.

  Separating from her material frame, the astral body flew towards the sky. Rendered an empty shell, the real body slumped over but was caught by Miss Ericson.

  Well done. As expected of my private tutor.

  The White Miko-Hime offered praise as her spirit body flew out of the Witenagmot's headquarters.

  Part 3

  Thinking back four years ago —

  Letting his body rock freely with the vibrations of the running train, Alec reminisced.

  As a side note, he was alone. Whenever he crossed seas, Sir Iceman was always left behind to take a ship.

  However, this time he was directly informed beforehand.

  The other party also agreed with Alec's suggestion that having two battles against gods within a week should be impossible.

  ...Come to think of it, the last time he enjoyed a train ride so casually like this must have been how long ago?

  After becoming a Campione, every single day of these four years had been exceptionally busy.

  Everything began four years ago.

  Growing up in a town in the Cornwall countryside, Alec was introduced to magical knowledge from a young age.

  However, compared to magic he was more skilled in gambling and tricks.

  Of course, he was not outstanding enough to be recruited by powerful magic associations or the Witenagemot.

  The one who taught the knowledge of magic to Alec was his father, someone who most people would call an occultist. The occult that he sought until the day he died was the Magic Holy Grail.

  His obsession with seeking the occult was the reason why his wife abandoned him. As a result, he had to raise young Alec as a single father.

  When Alec was sixteen, his father's dying words revealed to him a secret code.