Godou gave up and nodded indifferently.
After all, the one doing the fighting was himself. Always thinking of relying on others for victory would not be conducive to handling split second changes during intense confrontations. In this era of junior cultivation from the ground up, Godou had no objections as a baseball player and a mighty athlete.
No matter how many comrades stood by his side, ultimately the one fighting to the very end was himself.
In a team -- obviously he had to trust in his comrades to back him up. However, were he unable to fight alone, he would be useless in a team anyway. Hence, it was imperative he put forth all of his own effort first.
As these thoughts crossed Godou's mind, Pandora watched him with an amused expression.
"Hehe. No matter what kind of past life they led previously, the vast majority of children who became god-slayers already knows how to fight. Godoh is no exception. So let me skip that part and tell you something useful."
Hearing unexpected words from the stepmother, Godou straightened himself in full attentiveness.
"Even considering the entire history of mankind, you are a unique god-slayer. There is no point for you to emulate any other person. It would be utter stupidity. Consequently, please, always stay true to yourself."
"...In other words, do things my own way?"
"Yes. Follow your heart and let instinct guide you. Fight smartly with craftiness. Only by doing this will you become the strongest warrior on earth. There is no need to worry yourself too much!"
Like she said, if he could emulate someone else, things would be much easier...
Casually advised to undertake a challenging direction, Godou could not help but smile wryly.
"Anyway, I guess I'll start learning how to use my powers flexibly."
"My, how hardworking of Godoh! However, it's best if you don't do that, because it's useless."
"Eh?"
"The grand enchantment for a person's rebirth as a god-slayer... There are many strange aspects to it, probably because it is such a preposterous process after all. For example, the condition of 'no matter what, only actual combat works☆' or the like. Since god-slayers only resemble humans in appearance but are actually more like demonic beasts inside, it's only natural to progress like wild beasts, no?"
"In other words, earnest effort is useless?"
"Yes! God-slayers' authorities can only be honed on the battlefield through actual combat. But that's totally fine, after all, ancient warriors were the same. As long as you kill enough enemies, you will become powerful♪"
"Please don't use such a disturbing analogy!"
Seeing Pandora winking with a thumbs up sign, Godou could not stop himself from screaming.
"By the way, Godoh, your authority is a bit unreliable. It might be a little dangerous if you try to do things alone, so please be careful."
"What do you mean by unreliable?"
"It seems like you need the assistance of friends in order to satisfy certain activation conditions. Isn't this a power that can only be used when someone is trying to beat up Godoh?"
"Come to think of it, there is also a condition of 'only when facing strong enough opponents.'"
"Godoh's heart is only roused when threatened by true battle. This is probably what limits you from using your authority. Ultimately, a rampaging soul is necessary to hone a god-slayer's power."
Tension levels and the rousing of emotions were the most important? This fact seriously needed careful attention.
"So if you ever need to fight, just shout 'Come and kill me with everything you've got' and everything will be fine♪"
"I'm definitely not going to do that!"
It looked like the future will be filled with trials and tribulations. Even so, had it been any different--
When Godou came to, he found himself lying on a simple bed in a room surrounded by white walls. There was an odor of medicine. Along the bare white wall was a practical-looking sideboard. This was apparently a hospital room.
Also, Erica was sitting on a chair beside the bed.
Godou pushed against the bed to raise his upper torso. He had died during the battle with Melqart but managed to resurrect. For some reason, he was sure of that.
"I have something to say first, so please listen carefully."
Erica declared immediately. Even though she tried her best to stay calm, she could not hide her irrepressible rage. It was a voice that seemed to shake the air.
"If you can come back from death, then please say so before dying...! You are truly a fool beyond help!"
"D-Don't say something so unreasonable. I was suddenly thrust on stage without any preparation."
Severely chastised by Erica, Godou muttered in response.
"This power to revive from the verge of death, cannot be used unless I am actually about to die. If I die completely, it's meaningless... Anyway, I admit I'm at fault, sorry."
Getting up from bed, Godou bowed his head.
"It seems like I made you worry, I'm really sorry."
Erica was angry because she was really worried about him, right?
This apology resulted in provoking an unexpected response from the defiant blonde beauty.
"What idiotic nonsense are you talking about! As if anyone would worry about you!"
Saying that, Erica's face was entirely flushed red. However, if she was not worried then there would be no reason for her to be this angry.
As Godou felt skeptical, Erica shouted more and more emotionally.
"I am only telling you this because I cannot bear the sight of your stupid behavior. Do not get any strange and mistaken ideas!"
Apparently, this declaration was her attempt to cover up the reason for her anger.
In light of Erica's outspoken habits, such words clearly showed her loss of composure.
"The only thing I'm worrying about is at most my own reputation! I even sacrificed my purity for the sake of helping you. If you died just like that, that would be truly shameful!"
Saying that, Erica turned her face away in disgust, refusing to admit anything.
Godou suppressed the urge to laugh wryly and waited for Erica to calm down.
"By the way, how long did I sleep for?"
"It was during daytime when the battle with Melqart occurred, just before 1pm. It is now evening at 7pm. You've slept continuously for six hours or so."
Erica swiftly replied in response to Godou's change of subject.
"This is a hospital?"
"Yes. A little hospital roughly 2km away from the Soluntum ruins. It was not easy but I managed to bring you here for sanctuary after you collapsed."
"You did well to save me from that god..."
"Remember the lion figure I gave you beforehand? It was actually Cuore di Leone, altered by [Transformation] magic."
Godou was surprised. The lion-shaped item was actually that magic sword?
"I originally planned to watch your battle from afar, but later on I saw you were almost dead. So I hastily used a [Magnet] spell to summon Cuore di Leone back to me. That was what you were carrying."
"Melqart didn't pursue?"
"No. Just as I already said, you were almost dead."
"Eh?"
"Blunt trauma all over your body, numerous broken bones, internal hemorrhage, ruptured internal organs, damage to the brain and spine, burns covering over 80% of your skin area. Naturally, your heart also stopped and you were unable to breathe on your own."
"I-It was that serious..."
"Under such conditions, even I thought it would be hopeless, even when you are a Campione."
Erica's manner of speaking made it seem like she was very angry.
"Your current body is truly ridiculous. Not long after that, you resumed breathing and your body kept healing while you slept. It has already recovered completely."
It was ridiculous indeed. Even though he was the subject in question, Godou nodded vigorously.
"By the way, what about Zamparini-
san?"
"Currently missing, after being blown away by the storm. However, since he completely failed to enter Melqart's view at the time, I think his chances of survival are quite high. The magi of [Panormus] are currently searching for him, but due to the current weather, they haven't made much progress."
Godou looked outside the window.
Enduring the roaring wind and pelted by the massive raindrops, the window had been rattling noisily all this time.
"The storm has continued all the while?"
"Yes, just like this all along. However, the storm zone only covers the northwest region of Sicily centered on the city of Palermo. Also, Soluntum Archaeological Park... was sunk earlier into the sea, at dusk."
"What did you say!?"
"Those ruins were located on a hillside facing the sea, right? Having weakened its foundations using the pouring rain, Melqart attacked the ground with Yagrush and Ayamur, causing a massive landslide which swept the ruins from the hillside into the sea."
Godou recalled Melqart's announcement.
Every day at sunset, he would sink a city from his former territory into the sea--
Although the ruins of Soluntum attracted tourists, it was fortunate that visitors were few in number. However, tomorrow's target was Palermo, a city with a population of one million.
Erica nodded as if she read Godou's worries and changed the subject.
"By the way, no matter how overabundant a Campione's vitality is, this resurrection performance was way too dramatic and miraculous. What's the secret to this trick?"
"Is there any sheep amongst Verethragna's incarnations?"
"Of the ten incarnations, the eighth is the ram."
"That's the one. When I was struck dead by Melqart, a sheep came to mind. It felt like it could help me escape death, so I tried entrusting my wish to it. So that's what happened. However, I still don't understand."
Godou sat on the bed, bewildered.
"Amongst the ten incarnations, the bull gives monstrous strength, the camel gives kicking attacks, the boar is a monster, and the bird gives extreme speed. I can understand all of those. But why would a sheep bring recovery?"
"Perhaps it's because sheep have been a symbol of bountiful harvests and vitality since ancient times."
Erica's fluent answer rendered Godou dumbfounded.
"As a type of wild beast that is easily tamed and kept, sheep have been domesticated since very early times as a source of food to support human life. Eventually, it became a sacred beast."
"Sacred beast..."
"The sheep is a sacred beast with deep ties to royal authority. In ancient times -- particularly amongst nomadic societies, livestock numbers were directly correlated with reliable food supplies, wealth, as well as the population that could be supported."
So sheep had this kind of significance? Godou widened his eyes.
"Godou, the ten incarnations you usurped, probably recreates Verethragna's powers piecemeal -- the different abilities unleashed by his transformation into various forms."
"Indeed, that guy was able to do a lot more. And he wasn't restricted in the number of uses."
"Number of uses?"
"I've felt it ever since the first time I used this power. Whenever I used an incarnation, it felt like it was no longer available for a period of time. That's right... It's just intuition, but I think it takes a day to reset."
Erica sighed lightly in response to Godou's words.
"Well, it's not surprising to have this kind of restriction when you have ten different transformations. Next, there are the conditions for using each incarnation."
"Yes. I can use the bull when fighting strong enemies, the camel when I'm injured, the boar when I want to destroy a massive target, the bird when the enemy's speed is astounding, and the sheep probably when I'm about to die... W-What about that weapon of light, how do I use it? Yeah, Erica, that bright and shiny thing."
"It's the [Golden Sword] Verethragna was using, right?"
Erica was the first to utter the description that had suddenly occurred in his mind before he died.
"I thought of it while you were recovering. And stop using such a crude description like 'bright and shiny weapon.' You should call it the [Brilliant Sword of Light] instead. Pay attention, Godou, you're probably lacking in poetic talent."
Criticized, Godou began scratching his head.
"Well, I can't disagree at all... In any case, can we think of a way to find out how the [Sword] can be used?"
"Why not do the same as before, figure it out on the fly?"
"In a battle against a god, it's not gonna work."
Godou declared in no uncertain terms as Erica pondered.
"How should I put it... Right, as a first step, I have to follow my heart and let instinct guide me. Also, I feel like I'm not supposed to forget about being smart and crafty. I don't think I could have done this before I went to the ruins."
Godou muttered as if reciting words of warning that had been carved somewhere in his heart.
After Erica listened with great intrigue, she offered new information.
"Understood. Let's think again later. By the way, Lucretia of Sardinia has woken up. I obtained her contact through a Cagliari association. If you have anything to ask, Godou, why don't you give her a call?"
Part 2
'Hmm, I suppose words of congratulations are in order, young man. An instant job change from commoner to level one Devil King... In any case, it's great to know you are safe. It is truly worthy of celebration.'
In an idle lobby of the little hospital, Godou and Erica were using a public telephone in a corner to contact a female acquaintance.
'I've already been informed of the basic situation by Miss Erica. Having to duel the divine king Melqart immediately after your rebirth as a god-slayer, your life is truly one filled with stormy drama.'
Lucretia Zola spoke with nonchalant airs as usual.
'I'd really like to help you, but given this dreadful weather, neither ship nor plane are allowed to depart, while flight magic has its dangers. Basically, all I can do is cheer for you wholeheartedly. Well, do your best.'
"...Thank you very much."
Such encouragement was far from reassuring, but Godou still expressed his thanks through the telephone.
"By the way, Lucretia-san, the gold and shiny [Sword] that Verethragna was using... It seems like I can use it too, right, so what conditions would it require?"
A question that went straight to the point. Given she was one of the top witches in all of Europe, one should hope she was capable of offering useful advice.
'I wouldn't necessarily know.'
"That's very true."
'Indeed, when Verethragna understands the detailed origins of an enemy god, he is able to slice apart the opponent's divinity -- No, wait a minute...'
Lucretia suddenly stopped and began to whisper.
'Learn. In order to understand the enemy and forge the blade of wisdom.'
These sudden instructions caused Godou to go "Eh?" in response.
'Fufufu. I suddenly received a divine revelation. How fortunate of you, young man. Or rather, it must be the divine presence of Melqart filling the Mediterranean which stimulated my inspiration. Anyway, it's your lucky day.'
"What does it mean though?"
'Well. The enemy's mighty stature has given you an advantage instead. It's best that I leave the detailed explanations to Miss Erica. I pray for your victory, Your Majesty the Devil King.'
"As expected of the top ranking Witch of Sardinia."
Sitting in the back seat of the BMW speeding its way across the stormy streets, Erica expressed admiration after listening to Godou.
The hospital where they had stayed earlier was located in a town near the Soluntum Archaeological Park. But since Godou had already recovered, there was no reason to stay any further. After contacting [Panormus], they were picked up.
The driver was one of Zamparini's subordinates.
"Her
spirit vision really revealed something important. This could very well be the key to victory."
"Spirit vision -- that's something like clairvoyance, right?"
"Yes. Verethragna's final incarnation is the [Warrior] wielding the golden sword. We've already seen it before, how it was used as spell words for slicing gods apart. Godou, you probably need to understand the enemy's divinity in order to forge the sword. Let's try it immediately!"
Erica spoke with great enthusiasm.
"Melqart is the king ruling over the Phoenician realm of the gods. His original name is Baal, which he also mentioned before. His myths later spread to Greece where they became the prototype for the hero Heracles."
Erica repeated again what she had said before.
"Baal is a sky god with very ancient origins. Did you know his name was also clearly recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible? Baal was considered the greatest enemy of the [God] of Judaism and Christianity. At the same time, he was also a divinity which greatly influenced those monotheistic religions."
"Eh, is that so!?"
"In the Old Testament of the Bible, those who did not follow monotheism mostly engaged in idol worship of demonic deities. In many cases, this was Baal because he was the most popular god worshiped by inhabitants of the ancient region of Canaan in the Bible's Old Testament... What's the matter?"
"Hmm... I have a feeling like something is accumulating... That should be the description, right?"
It felt like a tiny drop of water had fallen into the pool in his heart--
That was the impression Godou received after listening to Erica's profound words.
"It feels like we're going in the right direction."
"Good. Then let's make the most of our time as I explain Melqart's origins to you. I think it'll probably take two to three hours or so, please pay attention and listen carefully!"
While the car raced along the roads at night, amidst howling winds, splattering rain and roaring thunder, Erica continued to teach with her clear tones and melodic voice.
Arriving at the Zamparini mansion in its master's absence, they continued in the bedroom where they had spent the previous night.
Erica was highly talented whether it came to speaking or teaching. With great clarity and organization, she conveyed "what kind of god Melqart was" in simple and easily understood terms even when interjected with random chatter.
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