Chapter 1 - A Devil King is Born...?
Part 1
By the time he realized it, Godou already found himself imprisoned -- as for the cause, perhaps it was rather out of the blue.
Now that he thought about it, everything started four days earlier.
It was during the spring break when he was about to enter high school, Godou visited Italy's Sardinia in his grandfather's place. There, he encountered the handsome amnesiac youth, Erica the knight and mage, as well as the witch Lucretia Zola--
All individuals possessing strange and incredible powers.
Furthermore, Godou encountered "gods."
Meeting a god, conversing with a god, fighting a god, obtaining victory... Something like that.
After using the [Secret Tome of Prometheus], his consciousness had gone fuzzy and he could not recall what happened afterwards.
However, he could still vividly recall his friend, the youth standing amidst flames. His joyful smile, his sharp eyes carrying an expression of regret, and those parting words.
"Kusanagi Godou, I grant my blessing to thee who has been reborn as the new god-slaying king!"
Even on the verge of death, his voice was very clear and distinctive.
The youth's entire charisma as a "hero" was overflowing there.
"Thou art the first person to usurp mine -- the authority of the god of victory! Becomest stronger than anyone else! Until the day I shall fight thee again, possessest my undefeatable body!"
Even though I didn't quite understand, that was what he told me.
He displayed such mettle and battle spirit for a rematch, even as he lay on death's door.
Indeed that was his true nature. This Persian Warlord of old, using the ten incarnations to fight, protecting the people, worshiped as the undefeated victorious hero, only Verethragna could have fitting final moments like these.
Hence.
Kusanagi Godou's life was in peril. Then he lost consciousness.
Several hours passed.
Even though the battle against Verethragna took place around the hours of dawn, Godou took until noon to wake up. Erica immediately came to his side.
Erica told him they had left the ruins that had been used as the battlefield and come to a nearby village. Erica fortuitously found a four-room inn, gotten a room, and placed the unconscious Godou on the bed.
"Acting so reckless, and yet he's still alive... Recovering so quickly in such short time, sure enough--"
Hearing Erica mumbling on the bedside, Godou was puzzled.
Severely beaten up by Verethragna, and even struck by the decisive lightning attack. Due to using the [Secret Tome of Prometheus], both his body and brain had felt scorching hot as if on fire.
Dying then and there was only natural.
Getting up from bed and examining his body, Godou began to mutter.
"I've really recovered. I, could I be dreaming?"
Blunt trauma, broken bones, abrasions, bleeding, burns, rupturing of internal organs, high fever, etc.
Unable to find any trace of the unbearable pain, Godou only found a completely healthy body instead. Furthermore.
"...Eh."
Swinging his right arm unintentionally, he found the feeling slightly strange. Godou had injured his right shoulder last summer, forcing him to quit the sport of baseball to which he had devoted himself for many years.
"Strange..."
Moving his right shoulder back and forth, he could not feel anything unusual. It moved very smoothly.
In addition, he noticed something else.
He was extremely hungry.
His stomach was growling and rumbling, causing a commotion, demanding food and nutrients.
"Hey Erica, you got anything to eat?"
"If there are restaurants nearby, I can order takeout. But Godou, weren't you on the verge of death? In my opinion, you shouldn't eat anything that could strain your stomach."
This was most sensible advice, but Godou declared loudly.
"No problem! I currently feel like I could even digest my own shoes! Bring it on!"
Thirty minutes later. Godou was wolfing down all sorts of food that Erica had brought.
There were several paninis made from pork, chicken and spring vegetables. Boiled sausage. Prosciutto ham.
Thick slabs of horse meat steak. Steamed vegetables topped with hand-made mayonnaise style sauce.
Rabbit meat stewed with vegetables. Mineral water. Orange juice. Wine. Etc.
Grabbing food continually and stuffing them in his mouth, Godou chewed with relish, swallowing in huge gulps. At any rate, seeking nourishment was first priority--
Erica stared at Godou as if he was driven to eat and drink by some unknown force. An expression like she was observing some newly discovered rare species, deep in thought...
"By the way, I forgot to do something. I'll be right back."
Staying no longer, Erica left the room.
Godou simply gave a quick nod in response and continued his quest for nourishment, sweeping all the food away. Greatly satisfied, he lay on the bed once more.
Now that nutrients had been replenished, it was time for rest, sleep --
Sensing the entreaties of the body, he did as told without hesitation. In any case, it was time for sleep and recovery of energy. For the sake of a battle-ready body...
Having slept for who knows how many hours, it was time to wake up.
Godou found himself imprisoned.
"You're awake."
"Well then, let's begin with the interrogation."
A quiet gloomy voice suddenly spoke.
Godou found himself lying on something soft, with both his hands and feet restrained.
"Hey, hey! What is this? What do you intend to do to me!?"
Godou complained as he surveyed his surroundings.
He seemed to be inside a barn of some countryside farm. Stacks of hay were lying all around, and in fact, Godou had been sleeping on one of them. Both his wrists and ankles were bound by iron shackles.
In addition, looking down at Godou were two men in cosplay, each dressed in a gray robe.
They resembled actors from a blockbuster movie, like Jedi Knights in some kind of space odyssey or magi from a fantasy movie.
Since their hoods were pulled down completely, the men's faces could not be seen.
"I am a Japanese tourist and I don't think I deserve to be treated like this. Are you people sure you didn't get the wrong guy!?"
"...No. You are the right one."
One of the men answered quietly to Godou's protests, in fluent Japanese.
However, what little of his face that could be seen in the depths beneath the hood, was clearly a Caucasian face.
"You must be 'Kusanagi Godou,' right? We already received the news. Erica Blandelli the knight of Milan and the youth named Kusanagi had been wandering all over Sardinia."
To Godou's surprise, they even knew about Erica. The man turned his somber gaze towards Godou.
"...Trying to get to the bottom of our affairs is pointless. All I can say is that we are members of an ancient magic association. For the past week or so, we have been investigating the 'god' which had suddenly manifested."
Godou was greatly shocked. God. Did they really mean Verethragna?
"Erica Blandelli and the youth from Japan. Apparently traveled all over the place in pursuit of the god's trail. Then finally this morning, the god's presence suddenly vanished, and stability returned to the island..."
So the battle really happened after all.
Befriending that youth, having a battle to the death, and finally parting in such short time.
Recalling this incident, Godou felt a scorching sensation in his chest. The men suddenly continued:
"Und
er such conditions, we feared one possibility. Perhaps, the god who manifested on Sardinia had been defeated by Erica Blandelli, and she would be reborn as a 'Campione!'"
Erica defeated a god? And became what?
"Now that I think about it, that girl Erica did mention something similar--"
Just before the impending battle against Verethragna, he had a conversation with Erica.
Godou remembered clearly the word "Campione" being mentioned then.
"Oh, looks like you've got a clue. We hope you can explain carefully in detail..."
One of the hooded men said to Godou softly.
"The [Heretic God] manifesting on Sardinia on this occasion is a very important divinity for our [Church of the Eastern Magi] and could bring about revelation. Very likely, it is the god of victory, Verethragna..."
These people are associated with Verethragna!? Godou was shocked.
"If Miss Erica slew the war god we worship, it would be a very serious situation. We will have to bear the full force of our association down on her in order to avenge the god!"
"So, boy. This is the situation. Tell us where Erica-san is located right now!"
"If you decide to be stubborn, we have ways of making you talk!"
Noisily talking at the same time, they threatened.
"Y-Yes I know about that alright. But by the time I woke up I was already your captive. Besides, even if I knew why would I tell you people!?"
Godou yelled.
It sounded like they were seeking Erica for revenge. Of course he was not going to cooperate with them.
"I see. Then there's no choice... In the name of Mithra the god of contracts, I hereby command, truth be thy only law, honesty be thy only speech, prohibited are all falsehoods."
One of the men muttered suspiciously.
Godou reacted with a feeling he never experienced before. The man's words felt like they carried "power" which turned into something formless and colorless that began to entangle Godou's body.
Spell words!? This term entered his mind vaguely.
If spell words truly existed, perhaps they really took effect in this fashion.
But why could he sense such phenomena, why him!?
"Hmm. This youth, he deflected my magic?"
However, not only Godou but also the man who employed the spell words were surprised.
"He probably has some sort of protective magic guarding his body, right? Like spells for preventing the extraction of information for example, there are various ways to handle them."
"How befitting for the companion of a great knight of the [Copper Black Cross]..."
Protective magic? Obviously, Godou had no idea how to use that, so it must have been Erica who did it, right? But where on earth did she run off to -- just as he felt anxious.
"Then we are left with no other choice. If a reasonable methods fails, we must resort to barbaric ways."
One of the men made a very disconcerting statement.
"As a show of respect to the prestigious [Copper Black Cross], we will reveal our most vicious secret technique. A curse that boils the brain like a seal of death... Will be our offering to you. Even protective magic cannot stop this curse."
"If you don't want to die, you'd better be a good boy and tell us everything you know."
"Come, be out with it. Do it now before it's too late!"
Godou swallowed hard.
These people did not sound like they were joking. Magi were always doing these crazy ridiculous things. He already experienced enough of that over the past few days. However, he could not betray Erica.
Godou suppressed the surfacing fear of death as he glared angrily at the men.
"Hmm. Preparing yourself to die for the sake of friendship -- what a pity. Deprived of my blessing, whether the righteous or the bestial, all shall be bereft of luminance, and evil shall prevail!"
These spell words carried "power." That was the feeling.
Even though he felt it again, Godou did not know how to defend no matter how hard he pondered. There was nothing he could use as a shield. Furthermore, there was no time left to bluff and stall for time. At this point of no return, it was too late to regret.
It was too late. Godou could feel the onslaught of the deadly curse.
Clearly he had survived a battle against a god, but now he was going to die here? Really?
"Even our most vicious curse has been deflected!"
"Unbelievable... Who is this boy...?"
The two hooded men muttered in shock.
It was only natural. Even though he did not know the reason, the moment the spell words of the curse made contact with Godou's body they instantly vanished.
Then immediately.
"This is it, folks. To think that there actually existed people who dare attempt the foolish deed of kidnapping and confining my companion, Erica Blandelli's. Such utter lack of foresight is truly impressive indeed."
Suddenly, the door to the barn flew open.
Bathed beneath the rays of the setting sun, it was the gallant entrance of a beautiful girl whose fluttering reddish blonde hair adorned her like a crown. That beautiful face of hers, lustrously radiating such dominance and intellect, caused the gloomy robed men to cower back.
The one who appeared was Erica Blandelli, of course. The girl whom everyone sought.
Part 2
"Looks like I have no need to announce my name for a duel... I apologize for resorting to violence, but please return this person to me."
Smiling with a chuckle, Erica suddenly summoned a sword into her hand.
Cuore di Leone. Possessing a slender blade shining with clear luster, the magic sword of the lion. Godou clearly recalled the magic sword that had been used to great effect in the battle against Verethragna.
"Wait a minute, Erica Blandelli. Did you really slay a [Heretic God]?"
"The god-slaying Devil King -- did you become a Campione!?"
"Hoho, why don't you confirm the answer through battle?"
Completely unconcerned with the doubts of the retreating men, Erica smiled glamorously while she swung her sword. One flash, two flashes.
Godou was rendered speechless to see her wielding her sword without any hesitation at all.
This is no historical drama, are you really trying to kill these men!? Fear and unease welled up within Godou. But fortunately, these worries were unfounded.
What Erica sliced with her sword was the "power" surrounding the two robed men.
An unbelievable presence that protected them. Cuore di Leone sliced through it, causing the "power" to dissipate immediately.
"You don't even know how to use swords, and now that you've lost your protective spells, you two are no match for me."
"Tsk!" "Damn you!"
Their power severed by Erica, the two men traced complicated patterns with their fingers.
The patterns inscribed in the air produced "power," carrying some kind of deadly attribute. Sensing this presence, Godou was surprised again. Again. Why would I know something like that?
In spite of Godou's hopeless confusion, Erica did not stop moving.
She already took action before the men's "power" took effect. A gracefully delivered high kick.
Striking one of the men spectacularly in the back of his head, she knocked him out in one hit. The other man was struck in the chest by Cuore di Leone's hilt and he fainted from the pain.
The battle ended effortlessly with Erica's victory.
"There, it's done. Their fates will depend on luck."
Erica had found a rope somewhere in the depths of the barn and tied up the unconscious men.
The sky at dusk was visible through the open door. Night was fast approaching.
"These guys are probably from somewhere in the orient... Maybe affiliated with some religion. Probably Zoroastrianism? Verethragna belongs to that religion, right?"
Godou inquired. The restraints on his hands and feet had been released.
"These guys are nowhere near
that level of respectability. After all, they were using the magic of forbidden curses. They're worthless magi, probably from some sort of ancient cult that worships the Persian pantheon."
"Cult... Like those newly risen religion... That's the kind of impression I get."
The word "cult" was a rather fitting description of the two men's demeanor.
"Probably some association of evil alignment. I can't believe they used [Brain Destruction] magic without any hesitation."
"Of evil alignment -- an evil cult, basically. Well said... But wait a minute."
Looking down at the unconscious men, Godou realized.
"Erica, I can't believe you stood back and watched them do all those things to me!?"
"I simply wanted to confirm to what extent you remain human."
"R-Remain human?"
"Yes. Congratulations, Godou. Today marks the day of your rebirth as a 'monster.' Think of it as a second birthday."
Erica smiled sweetly. With such unforgettable loveliness, it was a glamorous smile as befitted Erica Blandelli.
But to Godou, it felt akin to the smile of the devil Mephistopheles when he restored Dr. Faust's youth. Like a so-called elegant devil...
"If you want an explanation, it's because I already know. I am completely unworried that the magic used by humans -- even mystic techniques of the highest level, could harm you in any way."
"What do you mean? But actually, I did have this really strange feeling starting from a while ago."
During the scene just now, he had sensed "power" -- ?
Could it be, that was magic? Stuff like magical power or spell words? Realizing that, Godou trembled with fear as Erica asserted with all smiles.
"How should I put it? Yes... You are no longer an ordinary human. Kusanagi Godou has become a god-slayer, a Campione. That's basically it."
"G-God-slayer? Campione?"
"Right, didn't I tell you before the battle against Verethragna? That there were only six god-slayers in this world. Devil Kings who usurped the authorities of gods. Campiones. You have officially become the seventh."
"Whaaaat -- !?"
The robed duo had crept into the room at the inn while Godou was snoring away soundly. Erica happened to be away at the time. In order to obtain information, they tied up Godou and brought him to a barn in the outskirts of the village. Upon discovering the situation, Erica hurried over, thereby resulting in the rescue drama that occurred just now.
Campione 11 Page 1