Campione 08

by Trials of the Devil Kings

  She would definitely never wear pajamas. In a tank top and underwear, and occasionally wearing nothing at all (!), she would go straight to bed. However, this morning, it looked like she was wearing sleep-wear.

  Where the futon did not cover, he could see that she was clad in a black and white garment.

  ...... More importantly now, there were other pressing issues he had to catch up on.

  "E-E-E-E-E-E-E-Erica, why are you in such a place? N-no, rather, why am I in such a place!?"

  "...... Ara Godou, early as always, aren't you."

  He was told, in a half-awake voice.

  Ambition, courage and beauty, possessing all of the above was the girl named Erica.

  However, only in the morning were those traits clouded. Replacing that with a lovableness that stimulated one's want to protect and a certain innocence. Really, what a girl.

  "Fufu. If you've woke up, I'll be glad if you could have woken me up earlier...... Even though I dislike waking up early, it'd be a different story if my love would whisper sweet nothings to me in my ear...."

  Erica was giving off a charm different from her usual self, causing Godou to be in discomfort.

  Honestly, letting him see this side of her was unfair. She was overflowing with charm that was hard to resist, even under normal circumstances. Furthermore, strengthening it was foul play. He wanted to raise the white flag and surrender.

  "..... Hey, Godou..... is it fine if I beg you?"

  Lazily pulling the futon over her head, Erica leaned in close.

  "Beg!?"

  "Yep. For the first time in a while, it's a morning that I've welcomed together with you. With the proper etiquette, we ought to commence the necessary actions. Essential to a pair of lovers who love each other, is the morning rite."

  A whisper, sweet like honey. Almost like a lover's talk.

  "I-If you tell me something like that, how am I supposed to respond...."

  "Fufu. The same obtuse man as always. If I don't spell it out for you, you wouldn't understand?"

  Erica whose face was almost in contact with his, smiled tenderly.

  It was not a smile of a devil that entrapped people. Nor was it the face of the lioness that reveled in hunting and strife.

  Filled with feminine tolerance, he felt a faint sense of womanhood from her. It was the first time he had seen this expression.

  Not good. His heart was starting to beat furiously.

  He wanted to enjoy his time with Erica forever.

  Godou was jolted by a strong urge, and then, he realized the truth of the situation, in utter shock.

  What happened to the distance between him and her? And then, before he had realized it, he was glued to Erica. The sheer volume of indescribable extravagance that she was proud of, her soft chest. He could feel that sensation pushing against his arm! Even pressing on top of his hand, and she whispered straight into his ear, asking him!

  Godou was usually to the extent of being on guard against any further contact with Erica than was necessary.

  However, this time, he did not go against being glued to her tightly, with no vigilance whatsoever. Surely, it must have been because he could feel absolutely no bloodthirst from Erica.

  She was perhaps, under the assumption that Godou would not run away that she had drawn this close.

  Because of that, he had naturally accepted it ――

  "I think that it's appropriate to grant me a compensation of this degree, don't you think so? After all was said and done, I did as you had commanded, going so far as to put this on for you.... Aaah, come to think of it, I went to sleep wearing that. Fufu, do you want to see it again?"

  Erica shook off the futon that she was covered with.

  Looking straight at the black and white outfit she was clad in, Godou was taken aback. This was the so-called apron dress, and wasn't this Arianna's favourite garment, the maid uniform?

  "You, really do demonstrate a majesty and forcefulness that is hard to resist, at times. Making me do that too, last night..... If the person who ordered me wasn't Kusanagi Godou, I, will certainly turn them into rust on my sword."

  With a seemingly drowsy expression, Erica started to behave like a spoiled child.

  The apron dress was open at the chest area, and an abundance of cleavage could peek through the opening. Godou looked away, flustered.

  "Sheesh..... Do you intend on teasing and toying with me this time? My King, really is a terrible person."

  Her words were coated in honey, and he was kissed by Erica.

  Godou was terrified by the comfort.

  In the beginning, it was a quiet contact, suited for the refreshing morning. Before long, their lips were damp with saliva, their mutual mouths stuck to the other. Slushing sounds could be heard from where his lips met with Erica, as she wrapped her lips around Godou's. What came next was, of course, her tongue ――

  Not good. Right away, Godou shook himself off, away from Erica.

  If this continued, he would not be able to hold himself back. Entrusting things to her entreaty, and running swiftly away to somewhere else, even he himself did not understand what he should do. Only escape remains!

  Jumping off the bed, Godou ran to the door.

  Heading towards the outside of the bedroom, his consciousness had a momentary blackout. Just, what is this ――

  Cheep, cheep. The chirping of baby birds could be heard.

  Soft sheets. Shafts of sunlight shone through the windows, it was a calm morning. In the middle of a complete awakening, he was still dozing off hazily ―

  While fully enjoying all of the comfort, Godou listened to that sound.

  "...... Breakfast has been prepared. Please wake up."

  It was the voice of Liliana Kranjcar.

  Some time ago, it was Erica, this time it was Liliana....... Feeling uneasy, Godou got up.

  It was a Western style bedroom. He was on top of a bed. A little distance away was a table, and on top of it was coffee and orange juice, onion salad, bacon and eggs, and lastly, freshly toasted bread.

  It resembled an American style breakfast.

  That was fine. The problem was, the female knight standing at the bedside.

  With her beautiful silver hair tied in a ponytail, for some reason Liliana was wearing a maid uniform. Her slender, fairy-like body was clad in a black and white apron dress.

  To say whether she looked good or not in it, she did look very good in that.

  Truly, a splendid dress. But, why was she dressed like this?

  "...... Won't you tell me the meaning of that cosplay?"

  "Cosplay? You seem surprised by that."

  To Godou's question, the dignified female knight (or rather, a maid now) raised her eyebrows.

  "In the first place, the one taking a look at the uniform meant for Karen that had come in the wrong size, and then suggesting to me to wear it was.... you. Furthermore, the other day, when Erica had fickly worn it, it had considerable effect, which was unfair."

  Hold on a second. What, was that thought of imprudence?

  While facing the Liliana who was raising a complaint, Godou felt as though he was swooning.

  "For others to know of my wearing of garments like this, will affect my reputation and honor as a knight. To me, it is a difficult order to accept. But, as your number one knight, and the steward of the King, I cannot fall behind Erica, and as such, I have no choice but to wear this ― "

  Her skin, which was as white as snow, was dyed a deep red till her nape. It must be due to her embarrassment.

  Liliana's appearance was awfully cute, and yet gallant.

  "To be able to appreciate this form of mine, is a special privilege exclusive to Kusanagi Godou...... I, thinking that, will bear with this disgrace, and pray silently for the swift ending of this pain! And yet, you had said things like, 'You sure look good in that', with a nonchalant air, giving a commentary...... !"

  That was the tone which condemned what was evidently the wrongdoings of a tyrant.r />
  That being said, Liliana, with her face a deep red, and her eyes slightly moist, she implored for Godou's response.

  It was not the expression of the dignified female knight. No doubt, that must have been the cuteness of a [girl].

  "H-Having been told that, I had no choice but to wear this. Kusanagi Godou..... at times, you become a surprisingly sly and ruthless human!"

  ..... He was blamed for something he did not remember doing.

  Godou became deeply puzzled. Did I really say that?

  "We-well now, please have your breakfast while it is still warm. While doing that, I will give you a breakdown of your schedule for today..... Firstly, at noon, you have a lunch meeting at Hotel Turin."

  The female knight and steward, but right now the girl was also a maid.

  Godou was puzzled by the report from she who had also changed the topic. A lunch meeting at a hotel?

  "With whom, for that lunch meeting? It seems extremely exaggerated."

  "The Campione Kusanagi Godou, will be interviewed by Saint Pintoricchio. Establishing a proper reputation is merely natural, don't you agree?"

  "Saint Pintoricchio?"

  "The mentor of that Lord Salvatore, and also the legitimate disciple of Saint Raffaello. The new leader of Turin's association, [The Olden Dame]. One generation above both me and Erica..... Among the young people who have attained the title of Great Knights, the most powerful person of them all, on par with Rome's Lord Francesco."

  While politely informing him, Liliana, however, raised her eyebrows again.

  "I've told you this last night, haven't I? Have you already forgotten? ...... Or, could it be."

  Her expression was one of being taken aback as she fixed her gaze on him, and Godou's heart started to beat faster.

  Was it the garments that he was not used to seeing on her, or was it the overflowing allure, which was different from usual, from her beautiful face, that he was troubled by.

  "Like last night, are you planning to play pranks on me again? Like, ordering me to do something unreasonable in the middle of a serious conversation."

  He had totally no memory, if he had really done something like that.

  The him from a few hours ago, Godou had wanted to say something. Liliana too, no wonder.... Eh?

  "You really, do hide a helpless side of you underneath. But, Kusanagi Godou is a godslaying Devil King. Even so, that is indeed..... as your retainer, perhaps I ought to be able to take something like that."

  Liliana's eyes were burning with enthusiasm. While still in that state, she leaned in closer.

  The flow of this situation, isn't it weird? Wasn't it a scene where she had been complaining harshly to me?

  "...... Thus, as your woman, I had inexplicably and sweetly felt that kind of willfulness from you. Yes, should you wish for it, I would not mind if you asked me to wear yet another different garment, again....."

  Liliana's lips drew near.

  A conservative kiss..... or so he thought, but suddenly her tongue had entangled with his.

  The excitement felt as though all the thoughts he had been holding back had been released in one breath.

  A-Aren't there are various problems with this!

  Flustered, Godou shook himself off, away from Liliana. He then ran towards the door, looking as if he were flying from the bed. I have to get away fast! The instant he reached the outside, his consciousness blacked out ―

  Cheep, cheep. The chirping of baby birds could be heard.

  Godou pulled the futon over his head and raised his level of wariness. Was it the same pattern as the previous times?

  Once again, confirming the situation..... From the opening in the futon, he surveyed the condition of the outside. He could see the tatami floor, and it looked like a Japanese-style room.

  This futon was not on a bed, but was rather laid out directly on the tatami floor.

  "...... It looks like you've woken up, your Majesty."

  It came! The voice of Seishuuin Ena, descended on him from above his head.

  "Actually, I've specially tailored the clothes that your Majesty has been into recently. That's why, I thought to let you have a little look.... so I came."

  Clothes. Vocabulary that provoked his sense of wariness.

  And furthermore, [so I came]? In other words, implying that there was no prior appointment, and no schedule to meet up?

  "Sheesh.... I can hear you breathing, so I already know that you've woken up. Your Majesty, look here properly!"

  Suddenly, he was stripped of his futon. The culprit was of course, Ena.

  This place was a single detached house with a garden ―― Moreover, it looked like he was in a room of genuine Japanese style architecture, the inside of a Japanese style room.

  He recalled the time he had stayed at his relatives in the countryside, their house and the hot springs. However, in the interior of the room were many things that looked out of place. There was a maid with an attractive figure and face.

  The frills complimented the look of the apron dress in a lovely way.

  The black haired hime-miko Seishuuin Ena, was clad in that.

  Being a Yamato Nadeshiko and a nature's child, she was the owner of a complicated profile, but now she was a maid.

  "..... You, why are you dressed like that?"

  "Don't say that your Majesty, haven't you been into this recently? I've obtained intelligence that you had occasionally enjoyed yourself with this when you had gone to Europe."

  While slightly blushing, Ena said.

  "That's why Ena has done so too, because I didn't want to be different from everyone, and tried it out...... But, although I'm totally fine with just wearing it, coming to your Majesty's side to show it to you was dreadfully embarassing ―― "

  "I-If it's e-embarrassing, you don't have to make yourself wear it."

  "That's even more irritating! At great pains, I was taught what your Majesty liked, doing so would render that all meaningless.... Ena too, wants to do something for your Majesty, so please don't say something so cold-hearted!"

  Ena said, stating her pure feelings.

  Even though she was a free spirit who always walked her own path, at times she was surprisingly sweet.

  Well, this must be that something that was restricted during the contact of a guy and girl, a rare emotional side that practically cannot be seen in daily life.

  " ―― Ena-san!? Why is Ena-san here!?"

  Abrupting opening the fusuma[28], and an all-too-familiar girl entered the room.

  She was Mariya Yuri. While having hair a strong light brown color, one could sense a strong feeling of being [Japanese style] from this beautiful girl. She was also another staunch Yamato Nadeshiko.

  Seeing Yuri's get-up, Godou was a little shocked.

  It was not the uniform he was used to seeing, nor was it the miko costume. Above the simple Japanese clothes that were worn, was an overall apron. That, on the girl who was more family-oriented than anyone else, despite being an ojou-sama, it did suit her very well.

  However, was it for the purpose of standing on the same level as Ena who was dressed as a maid, or was it some sort of fancy dress.....

  "With regards to this place, though I have been told that we were the only two here, Godou-san and I, have you invited her on purpose?"

  The eyes of the sagacious hime-miko, were slightly shaken with sorrow.

  Godou was startled. According to her personal statement, it seemed Ena had came at her own personal convenience. Truly, he could not remember, and his guilty conscience was non-existent.

  However, curiousity and feelings of guilt were awakened in him. It was probably due to Yuri's beautiful face and pitiable cuteness ――

  Nevertheless, it would not do for him to remain silent. I have to appeal for my innocence!

  "N-no, that's not the case. It's just that Seishuuin had come here at her own convenience."

  "Doing that expressly, Ena-san did? Then, what exactly is that appearance......?"<
br />
  "Sorry, I wanted to show these newly tailored clothes to his Majesty, no matter what. Umm, you know, his Majesty has been into this recently."

  In response to the puzzled-looking gaze, Ena had said indifferently.

  It looked like she did not display the sweetness that she had shown to Godou, to her hime-miko comrade. Yuri was shocked by that explanation, and her facial expression was frozen stiff.

  "No way ―― A maid costume like that, was it!?"

  "Yep. Erica-san and Liliana-san too had worn it with pleasure, and the Seishuuin house from Europe had provided me with this information. Look, it was from Liliana-san's maid."

  "T-then, those clothes are also from her!?"

  "Nope, this was prepared by the young master of the Lu family. They are deploying a Maid Palace in Japan, and actually, it looks like its sponsored by his Majesty. When I requested it of the young master, he had said that, 'My Honored Uncle pretends as though he has no interest most of the time, but he does actually like it, surprisingly.'"

  While listening to the conversation between the hime-miko, Godou was crestfallen.

  Karen had this kind of part-time job (Though for her, it should not be free of charge). And that Yinghua guy, had said something that produced misunderstandings..... again.

  The Yuri who did not understand Godou's despair, stiffly and imposingly glared at him.

  "What are you planning to do, Godou-san?"

  "W-What do you mean?"

  "Even as a joke, you, who is called a [King], is always enjoying making girls wear different kinds of clothes..... Immersing yourself in a perverse hobby of that sort, is unbecoming. What will be harmed is you yourself, the reputation of your majesty, you know? You ought to be maintaining your standards more!"

  For the first time in a while, he was shouted at in a thundering voice.

  Noble and dignified, the rebuke from the girl. Godou drew his head back.

  "Be-besides, if you were really that into it, I wish you'd have said something even earlier, it'd have been better that way, wouldn't it?"

  Eh? Suddenly, the rebuke taken a rather sharp change in direction.

  Before the surprised Godou, Yuri had said, while being bashful and embarassed.

  "E-Even I, will not spare any effort for the sake of contributing something for you to feast your eyes on. That is, um, I think it is a little perverted, and not a hobby that one can make public with a loud voice, but, considering whether I have the capacity to accept that side of you is.... troubling."