Campione 08

by Trials of the Devil Kings

  Thus began his adventures. Through good fortune and sharp instincts, he faced off against the fallen angel Ramiel, obtaining the authority of divine speed in the first battle...

  How nostalgic to recall all these memories.

  Soon after, he was embroiled in the battle for the Holy Grail. In order to face the difficult battles arising from continued seeking of the Holy Grail, he established [Royal Arsenal].

  If none of this had happened, he most likely would not have met that girl of taboo.

  The "Princess" four years his junior bearing a delicate sense of hostility towards him.

  Alec smacked his lips.

  Why would the face of that annoying girl he was about to meet suddenly appear? It must the result of recalling those unpleasant memories.

  "Yeah, I already know that popping up anywhere unannounced is your special skill. But I hope you can learn to behave a little. In a situation like this, it would be proper manners to greet first before taking a seat."

  "Oh well. When the terrifying Great Devil King starts explaining manners, it must be an omen for a world-shaking cataclysm."

  Princess Alice's spirit body spoke nonchalantly.

  There were no other passengers in Alec's train car.

  This was exactly why the spirit body of England's most accomplished miko as well as one of Europe's rare witches had sneaked into the seat opposite to him.

  Did she detect my location as usual through magical information networks?

  Speculating thus, Alec frowned.

  ...What ill fate, the bothers of this woman never end.

  "Rumors say that you have successfully slain your third god at Crete. The god dormant on that island... turns out to be the divinity of Minos after all?"

  "I have no obligation to answer you. What a boring question."

  "There. Your habit of twitching your right eyebrow the instant someone guesses correctly. It is Minos as expected... So what kind of authority is it this time? It must be one suited to you, a power that is extravagant and convoluted at the same time."

  A troublesome woman who always talked back with every sentence.

  Their first meeting was when she was twelve. But even back then she was not the least cute: a frail and sickly princess who proposed to the Devil King terms of bribery and negotiation at the tender age of twelve.

  Recalling the details of their unpleasant first encounter, Alec clicked his tongue.

  "...Come to think of it, historically there have been many members of the English royal family originating from fabricated claims of kinship, thus producing incompetent kings."

  A sudden change in conversation topic.

  There was a need to make this troublesome encounter into something slightly more constructive.

  "That's an affront to England's hero of the Red Dragon...[20] Though I can understand what you are getting at. Disregarding the earlier half of his life, he became rather amazing in the latter half."

  The girl with the graceful manners but surprisingly sharp tongue began to launch into a speech.

  "The legendary King Arthur of England united Great Britain along with the Scots who were suffering from invasions from the Saxons and the Picts, defending them resolutely. He was the immortal hero who could slaughter a hundred enemies with a single swing from the magic sword Excalibur... Leading the Knights of the Round Table into battle, he obtained victory after victory."

  "However, being unaware of the immoral relationship between his wife and the trusted subordinate, he was responsible for the fatal wedge that drove apart the unity of his men."

  "Aware but feigning ignorance... This kind of explanation may work in fiction, but for a legendary monarch of war, it is nowhere sufficient. Likewise for the reason of the country's ruin, the result of suppression's failure."

  Alice smiled radiantly as she spoke with a satirical tone.

  "Exceptional as a warrior and a commander on the battlefield, but the absolute worst whether in terms of being a politician, king, or husband..."

  "I don't know why anyone would wish for such an inept person to revive. I definitely would not."

  Having said this, Alec continued.

  "However he became an authoritative hero in England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland... even France and other parts of Europe. A man that cannot be understood with common sense."

  "Yes, as befits the 'Once and Future King'."

  Alice was quoting from the famous work that stood as a symbol of the Arthurian legends.

  The tomb inscription recorded in Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur.

  HIC IACET ARTHURUS REX QUONDAM REXQUE FUTURUS — Here lies Arthur, king once, and king to be.

  It implied that the legendary king was not a ruler who would remain in the past.

  Awakening in the future world to descend as king once more. Yes, after being fatally injured at the Battle of Camlann, King Arthur sleeps on the fairy island of Avalon to heal his wounds, waiting for his time to reawaken! Hence he is the "Once and Future King."

  "...I remember now. About a year ago, was it? The two of us were investigating the legends of King Arthur as part of seeking the Holy Grail. What about it, are you doing that again?"

  Hmph. Alec sneered, declining to give an answer. It was still too early to disclose, and he needed to continue deceiving this woman a little while longer.

  "Oh my, what are you thinking now? Fine, I will accompany you for a while. Alexandre, you once said before, the truth of King Arthur's legend can only be uncovered by transcending history and literature."

  "Ah yes. From a historical perspective, it's not very accurate. As literature, it's a mess. Those are the traits of the legend."

  Alec slowly nodded at Alice's query.

  "First let's confirm the historical Arthur. This goes without saying, it's just a fictional character. However, there could very well exist an actual person who was the prototype."

  "Yes, if such a person really existed, then it must have been in England during the fifth or sixth century."

  Regarding specific details in this area, there were many people who knew even more than the Devil King and the White Miko-Hime.

  The answer could probably be obtained immediately from them.

  They were known in England as Arthurians, a group of King Arthur fanatics.

  Starting from the latter half of the sixth century, there was a sustained increase in the number of people named Arthur in Great Britain. As fame grew from outstanding people bearing the same name as the legendary character, popularity increased amongst the commoners and resulted in a rapid rise in children named in their honor.

  "However, even if a real person existed as the prototype for King Arthur, he definitely was not a king."

  "Britain at that time... was not an independent country. Still considered a province of the Roman Empire even though it was written off as abandoned frontier territory, calling oneself 'King' would not have been tolerated."

  For this reason, there were many who believe King Arthur's prototype to be a Roman general.

  In particular, figures bearing the name Artorius (which would be Arthur in English) were the strongest candidates. However, there are no historical documents recording English history at the time, hence a candidate could not be narrowed down.

  No matter what, Great Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries was in a state of political turmoil.

  Furthermore, the original inhabitants of England back then were the people referred to modernly as Celts. Modern Englishmen are the descendants of the Saxon invaders who drove the Celts out to flee to what were now modern Wales and Ireland.

  Besides, the ones who wished the most to acquire the prestige of King Arthur were the members of English royalty.

  Starting with the House of Plantagenet in the twelfth century, this tendency became more and more pronounced.

  Ever since the Norman conquest in the eleventh century, most members of the English royalty belonged to the clans of foreign invaders.

  Their justifica
tion for ruling England was to declare themselves the descendants of the "Once and Future King," fabricating family trees in the process.

  "However, in the end not a single location remains as evidence of the historical King Arthur. It would be more correct to consider the phenomenon of the fabricated legendary king as an achievement of literature."

  As the train shook and rattled on its way, Alec continued to 'chat.'

  He was merely speaking out loud as he organized the questions in his mind. The incident of the girl he met a few days ago came to mind.

  "Yes. In the tenth century's Chronicles of Cambria, King Arthur was just an ordinary general. However, by the time of 1135's Historia Regum Britanniae, he appeared as king instead, along with the wizard Merlin as well as becoming the owner of the magic sword Caliburnus."

  Alice's pupils shone with a mischievous luster. However, rather than the subject of conversation, her interest lay in interacting with Alec instead.

  "This Historia Regum Britanniae is exactly the origin of literature on King Arthur. After being translated and published in France, where many additional stories were added by court bards, it was imported back into England and republished..."

  "Thus the essential framework of the King Arthur legend was formed."

  The bards on the continent were also the ones who renamed the king's sword to Excalibur and added the characters of Queen Guinevere and the Knight of the Lake, Lancelot.

  The story of pulling out the sword in the stone to become king also originated there.

  "So with that, there are too many artificial changes to King Arthur's story, making it more creative fiction than anything else... Still, this man continued to exist as a hero in legend and was passed along the ages. In reality, he also clearly displays the attributes of the war gods of [Steel]. A completely incomprehensible existence!"

  Alec finally cut to the main point.

  "The 'Sword in the Stone' is a symbolic theme of the war god of the equestrian Scythian tribe. It was due to obtaining this that the young Arthur became king. Also, the scabbard of Excalibur carried the magical power of immortality."

  "Immortality on the battlefield. This is also a characteristic of [Steel]."

  God of the military, god of might, god of war, god of battle.

  Gods born to fight belonging to the category known as [Steel].

  Their existences were metaphors for [Swords], and as living [Swords] never yielded to outsider enemies.

  "Well, let's put this topic aside for now. Ever since seeking the Holy Grail last time, I have been considering the problem of the hero's prototype. The one who set me along this path was no other but you."

  "Eh, me?"

  "Do you still remember? You once said that Lancelot of the Lake is [Steel]."

  Lancelot du Lac.

  Also recorded as Sir Lancelot or Launcelot, etc.

  He was King Arthur's dear friend and premier knight. Honored as the strongest of the Knights of the Round Table, he was a paragon of virtue. However, tainted by the crime of his adulterous relationship with King Arthur's wife, Queen Guinevere, he was unable to obtain the Holy Grail that only manifests before "pure knights."

  "The comrades appearing in the earliest Arthurian legends... Sir Kay, Sir Gawain, Sir Bedivere and others, all of them can be confirmed as being modeled on Celtic deities. The river god Kai, the battle god Gwalchmai, and the one-armed war god Bedwyr. However, Lancelot who first appeared in the twelfth century is still unidentified."

  Sitting before Alec who recounted fluently, Alice cast a curious glance to the side.

  After a long while, she appeared to have realized the key point.

  "There are also theories that suggest Lancelot's prototype is the Celtic deity Lugh the long-armed master of all arts.[21] However, the truth of this claim is tenuous at best. Rather, it would be more convincing to say that Lancelot was created deliberately by bards as a lady-killer character to cater to noblewomen and their preference for romance."

  As a side note, Alice had been rather adamant in her declaration back then.

  Lancelot as a war god of [Steel].

  "On the other hand, Lancelot's mother is the Lady of the Lake, who happens to be quite similar to Thetis who dipped her son the hero Achilles in the River Styx in Hades to give him an immortal body. A symbiotic relationship with a water-related goddess is also a characteristic of [Steel]."

  As [Steel], gods of living swords had deep roots with the water used for cooling freshly forged swords.

  "Conversely, Lancelot has no other characteristics other than this one as [Steel]."

  Alec showed a knowing smile as he continued his recollections.

  "If this was really the case, then he is simply a war god and there's no need to have a separate category of [Steel]."

  "..."

  "However, I actually agree with you. Determining Lancelot as [Steel] is based on a certain report, the one that you Witans handed over to the British Library and had been collecting dust ever since. That thing was mixed in together with the other documents I stole."

  It was the report of a researcher who came to Greenwich to study for a semester and then moved on to Asia to undertake field studies.

  "Your mind remains sharp as ever, you fellow! Even though you are clearly a devil king!"

  Alice began to throw a tantrum.

  "Judging from your reaction, Lancelot must be equivalent to what witches — top level witches keep amongst themselves as a secretly communicated divinity?"

  "Fine, yes. You really are the worst, Alexandre. You've always been like this! Always setting verbal traps to make me reveal the truth to you! Using methods of deception makes you the worst kind of man completely failing as a gentleman! And not only failing as a gentleman, you are also devoid of chivalry!"

  "What's the point of saying all this? Just as you said, I am truly a Great Devil King."

  A satisfying victory.

  Alec gloated over his successful turn of the tables, but at the same time he wondered if it was a bit petty to have brooded over an opponent who was a girl four years his junior...

  "Ah. Really! So that is why you came to this island! Even though there might be some kind of unexpected occurrence, I believe it will surely be overcome!"

  "As I've already said before, you are too optimistic. You should always calculate beforehand the worst possible situation."

  "Mind your own business!"

  Not long after, the train they were riding had stopped.

  Carrying his baggage, Alec got off the train with Alice following him with a displeased expression.

  "Hey Alexandre. There is still quite the distance from here to the destination. Why don't you just use [Black Lightning] directly? In that case you can get there instantly, right? I think it's better to arrive earlier. I don't want to take the train any more..."

  "It is a good opportunity to train the endurance of a willful little lady like you. If you're complaining then don't come along."

  Replying with icy coldness, Alec began searching for the bus stop.

  It was true that he was able to use the authority of divine speed, but he could never use it casually: because activating that authority had many troublesome aspects...

  The quiet little town they had reached was Nuoro, a city located on the Italian island of Sardinia. Like the Greek-governed island of Crete, it too, faced the Mediterranean Sea.

  Reaching their destination Oliena would take a bumpy bus ride of several dozens of minutes.

  Part 4

  The little town of Oliena was situated in the interior countryside of Sardinia.

  Although there were no particular tourist attractions, it was a beautifully scenic location.

  The scenery included quiet forests and vast farmland, with a sense of delight that could not be found in a bustling metropolis.

  Alec knew very well where he had to go.

  Walking briskly with no hesitation at all, with Alice's ectoplasm following behind, the two of them soon came befor
e a little house.

  The exquisite house and garden revealed the owner's indifference to horticulture, for the yard was full of weeds. On the other hand, the flowerbeds were filled with all sorts of herbs and flowers.

  Overall, the entire compound gave off a suspicious atmosphere, as befitted the home of a witch.

  As Alec nodded to himself, the Princess behind him spoke:

  "Did you make an appointment? What if she's not at home..."

  "No problem. It was all arranged beforehand."

  "You haven't changed at all. Still paying attention to all the details."

  That's because compared to your sloppiness, everyone else is meticulous no matter who.

  Alec was just about to chatter away with his retort, but it looked like the lady of the house was coming out the door.

  "Finally, visitors to my home, if I am not mistaken. Otherwise, please accept my apologies. My name is Lucretia Zola. You two are — oh my, isn't this an old acquaintance?"

  The lazy-looking gaze belonged to an outstanding beauty in her prime, wearing a comfortable fluffy dress. Nevertheless, it was readily apparent that she possessed a sexy body.

  Lucretia Zola indeed.

  Called the Witch of Sardinia, she was one of the highest ranked witches. She seemed to be gazing with interest at her fellow witch friend.

  "It's been quite a while, Madam. Two years since we last met."

  "...Ah, time sure flies. You are still as rude as the little child back then. Or perhaps the status of a princess makes you too good for manners? Calling a young beauty like me something like 'Madam'..."

  "Calling someone 'Madam' is etiquette for expressing respect to elders."

  Alice and Lucretia chatted away affectionately.

  Truly, the connections between top witches since ancient times remain useful even in the present. As Alec nodded at his own deductions, Lucretia turned her gaze to him.

  "I don't really think your identity needs confirmation, but a greeting is due as a matter of courtesy. You are Alexandre Gascoigne — the Campione known as the Black Prince, yes?"

  "Indeed. It is my honor to meet you, Exalted Witch."

  "The pleasure is all mine. However, Prince, let me say something first."