Campione 11

by The Second Tale

  Godou was gratified by her unexpected thoughtfulness, but he expressed his objections.

  "Let's eat first. I'm famished."

  "A statement characteristic of simple animals on the verge of death. Well, since I haven't eaten either, I shall second the motion, however --"

  "However?"

  "This area has no shops that stay open this late."

  Godou went "Hmm" softly. Come to think of it, this was Italy. Even though there should exist restaurants that remain open for business during midnight hours, there seemed to be none in the area as suspected from Erica's words. Supermarkets and grocery stores would all be closed by now.

  "I haven't seen twenty-four-hour convenience stores or the like in this country..."

  "That's right. But they exist in Hong Kong. I thought it was a joke when I first heard about stores that stayed open for business twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty-five days a year nonstop."

  "Well, it can't be helped. We'll just have to borrow without asking."

  Discovering there was a space resembling a kitchen, Godou muttered.

  ...Twenty minutes later, the two of them had discovered instant noodles, a kettle and a pot so they started boiling water using the gas stove.

  Available in both cup and packet variants, they decided to take both.

  "I knew that a workshop like this would stock some kind of food. But finding Japanese manufactured food sure is surprising."

  The noodles Godou discovered were all imported products from Japan. Although the language on the packaging was Italian, the designs were identical to products in Japan so he recognized them instantly.

  "As expected, demand for this kind of food exists everywhere."

  Even though Italy was a great nation renowned for slow food, its supermarkets did carry frozen and instant foods. Even multinational fast food chains flourished in business.

  Godou muttered as he was struck deeply by this revelation. Erica watched him from the side in amusement and said:

  "Hmm, so it's ready to eat once you pour in the boiling water? I've heard rumors about this before, but I'm only seeing it for the first time."

  "You've never eaten fast food? You're really a sheltered high class lady."

  Once again, Godou experienced the difference in upbringing between himself and Erica.

  As a side note, the tasks of pouring hot water into the cup noodles and boiling the packet noodles in the pot were all performed by Godou. They also found biscuits and candy in the cupboard.

  Despite the haphazard menu, at least the meal was prepared within expectations.

  "...This is unexpectedly tasty. That's not very fun."

  "If you believe having these products taste bad would be interesting, then they won't be popular all over the world."

  The cup noodles were flavored with consomme.

  The packet noodles were packaged with soy sauce flavored powdered soup, the same as in Japan. While preaching to Erica the deliciousness of various instant and junk foods, Godou ate everything.

  Also, while they were eating, the two of them discussed their plans for the future.

  That said, the exchange did not amount to much.

  "So Godou, regarding your counterattack against Sir Salvatore. Do you intend to return to Milan next?"

  "Not yet. It'd be a little reckless. Continuing to fight that idiot on the battlefield he prepared would not be a wise choice."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I've been too passive. I think it's better if we start taking action from our side. We have to take back initiative in offense, right? Well, maybe it's a matter of feeling, but let's regroup here and do things my way."

  During the daytime battle, Godou had been pressed so far as to be unable to strike back.

  That kind of image must be vindicated. In order to take up the next challenge with renewed spirits, Godou intended to start the battle only when he firmly held initiative.

  "In that case, I have a suggestion. I'll explain it after the meal."

  "Great, I'll be relying on you."

  Thus ended the discussion. However, it was sufficient. At some point in time, the two of them had developed the kind of relationship where they understood each other without much being said.

  Part 3

  After finishing this late meal, the two of them spent the night at the atelier.

  Since there was a bathroom as well as blankets prepared for naps, there were no inconveniences as temporary shelter. Sleeping under the same roof was no longer an issue that Godou and Erica harbored much objection to.

  The next day, Godou and Erica waited until the time for shops to open before venturing out for new clothes.

  The bloodstained clothing had already been taken care of, but Godou did not really want to be wandering the streets in work clothes.

  They visited the men's corner in a three-story department store. Without much deliberation, Godou bought a white shirt and well-fitted pants. Originally, that would have accomplished his objective.

  However, for some unfathomable reason, Erica was also picking clothes in the women's corner.

  "It feels uncomfortable to be wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday. Since we're already here, I might as well have a look. But so far none of the styles are to my liking."

  That was Erica's response when Godou wanted to leave.

  Girls took forever to shop. That fact had been drilled into Godou's head through his countless experiences, forced to accompany Asuka or his little sister in their shopping. It could very well take an hour or more... Godou had this ominous feeling.

  But Erica finished her purchases in ten minutes or so. However.

  "Can you wrap this all up for me? Oh, this one I'm going to change into right now, but please send the rest to this address here."

  Most casually, she selected five or six days' worth of clothing before ending her shopping with those instructions for the salesperson.

  "Hey you, didn't you leave your uncle?"

  Godou asked Erica as she returned from the fitting room. She had changed out of her red long-sleeved t-shirt and was now dressed in an elegant black jacket and matching lower garments of the same color.

  "In other words, you're running away from home, right? Where are you planning to send these clothes?"

  "No problem. The delivery address is a place registered under my own name. It's part of the estate I inherited from my deceased parents."

  "Eh, really!?"

  "Yes. Even though I lived at the Blandelli main residence in Milan because I'm still a minor, I do have a number of houses in my possession. As long as I don't spend too extravagantly, it's enough to live comfortably."

  Come to think of it, her clothing bill just now had been settled through the transparent accounting practice of the bank debit card.

  Or should he say, as expected of Erica? Godou was deeply impressed.

  Despite being a sheltered high class lady who did not even know how to prepare food, she possessed ample sense of economy. Even if there was no need for her to deal with the problems of balancing a home budget, she was probably not negligent in the management and application of wealth.

  "I mentioned yesterday a stage for your decisive duel with Sir Salvatore. That place is located near a villa in my possession. The clothes were also sent there, so don't worry."

  Finished outfitting themselves, the two head to the station. Even though they were wanted figures, they did not try to hide themselves or display any furtiveness. Instead, they openly walked along the main streets.

  "We only hid last night to prevent Godou from being attacked by Sir Salvatore while you were unconscious. Now that you've recovered, Godou, there's no need to do things in a sneaky manner."

  "Really? Wouldn't it be bad if another attack happened on the streets?"

  This conversation took place earlier in the morning.

  "Don't worry, you won't be attacked. Even if anyone from the [Copper Black Cross] discovered us, they won't make a move so readi
ly now."

  Why? Godou's question made Erica burst into laughter.

  "Sir Salvatore's orders are to track you down, not to capture you. Hence, the foolish act of a deliberate attack is not a command that would be issued, whether by my uncle or Clarens -- my former colleague. It would be dangerous and meaningless to them."

  "I see. So all they're going to do is report our movements back to that idiot Doni."

  "So let's send a 'Duel Invitation' to Sir Salvatore, exactly the way he likes it. Tell him to meet you at a certain place in a few days time. If we do that, I believe our chances of being attacked along the way will be essentially zero."

  Since discovery only meant being monitored, the two of them openly walked to the station and took the train.

  Before they went to catch the ride, they had already sent letters to Doni's hotel and the [Copper Black Cross] headquarters.

  Erica had used a [Mailing] spell. It seemed to be a kind of magic that could deliver a sealed letter to a specified location as long as the exact destination was known.

  The letters contained a message along the lines of 'Wait for me on the shore of Lake Garda tomorrow after dusk' and signed with the name of Kusanagi Godou.

  The train ride took about an hour and a half.

  Lake Garda was located right on the border between the region of Lombardy, where Milan was located, and the region of Veneto, which contained ancient cities such as Venice and Verona.

  Italy's largest lake, Lake Garda, was elongated in shape, extending 50km in the north-south direction.

  Godou and Erica arrived at a town on the southern shore of Lake Garda.

  They decided to have lunch before taking a taxi to their destination.

  "Somehow it really feels like I'm at the seaside..."

  Sitting on the backseat of a taxi as it raced along the lakeshore, Godou muttered to himself.

  Lake Garda's surface area seemed to be roughly half that of Lake Biwa in Japan. Along the lakeshore were scattered towns and villages that welcomed travelers as vacation spots. These towns all had a kind of seaside feeling to them.

  The lakefront had a port where many yachts and ferries were moored at the pier. Although it did not really count as a beach, there was a lakeside cove covered with gravel.

  "You can go swim, go yachting, and even windsurf, so it's not much different from a sea."

  Godou nodded at Erica's comment. The lakewater here was amazingly clear and pristine. For sure, he could enjoy a good swim here.

  A little while later, the scenery outside the taxi changed. The classic lakeside tourist destination scenery up until now gave way to lush green mountains overlooking the lakeshore. This seemed to be a place offering a picturesque mountain and ocean view.

  After about thirty minutes, the taxi arrived at the destination.

  The Blandelli residence -- or more accurately, the lakeside villa belonging to Erica.

  On normal days, cleaning and inspection was entrusted to a caretaking company. This elegant log house, most suitable as a villa, offered a wide view of beautiful Lake Garda.

  Erica used the key she had obtained from the real estate office in front of the station to unlock the door.

  "How should I say it... This is essentially a rich man's villa."

  Godou's mutterings reflected his commoner mentality.

  That was his conclusion after a cursory tour of the villa, as he finally exited the garage.

  The log house itself was neither very large nor was it especially luxurious. However, two vehicles, a small car and a motorcycle, were kept in the garage as if they naturally belonged there.

  The car was a mini 4WD vehicle while the motorcycle was a 400cc mid-sized scooter.

  "Is there also a boat on the lake?"

  "Oh my, how knowledgeable of you."

  "Given how well equipped this place is, I thought it wouldn't be strange to have that as well. Since there's no need to do any cleaning, how about we prepare some food?"

  This was proposed by Godou who had experienced group training camps during his days as a baseball player.

  As an ordinary commoner, especially one raised by a mother who subscribed to hands-off parenting, Godou always did everything personally by himself. If the occasion demanded, he was capable of performing decent cooking.

  Besides, he did not naively expect this "partner" to contribute in this area. As expected, Erica, who had been acting completely like a sheltered high class lady since morning, asked incredulously:

  "If you want to get food, there are restaurants and eateries nearby, you know?"

  "Since visiting this place is a rare opportunity, preparing food by my own effort fits the mood better. Tomorrow will be critical, let's eat as healthy as possible."

  "Oh... I'm rather confident in my ability to handle most situations flexibly."

  Erica spoke with a serious expression as if deep in thought.

  "As for the area of cooking per se, it is completely foreign territory to me. Oh well, a situation like this, which challenges the possibilities of me, Erica Blandelli, sounds rather interesting... To be honest, I've always wanted to create new tastes that have never existed in this world."

  "It's simply outdoor cooking, there's no need for that kind of dangerous resolve."

  Godou said no to the beautiful young lady who was more interested in tastes marked by individuality compared to safe but mundane tastes.

  "Don't worry, I don't need your assistance. I can handle this alone."

  "That statement makes me subtly angry for some reason..."

  "By the way, who uses these vehicles here? Or heaven forbid, Erica, you can drive?"

  "No, but if you need a horse, it's not a problem. Do you want me to bring one over from the ranch nearby?"

  If someone could drive the motorcycle or the car, buying things would be a lot easier. Which was why Godou ventured to ask, but the result was an oblique answer. Since this was Erica, her answer was probably not a joke and should be half serious at least.

  Riding a horse on the main road would be a bit too much, so Godou turned to the bicycle in the corner of the garage.

  "So, let's use that..."

  Hence, Godou biked his way to the nearby shops.

  After shopping for ingredients, he set to work preparing dinner. Once complete, he went to the terrace which offered an expansive view of Lake Garda. The guest had already arrived -- Erica was enjoying the lakeside scenery.

  "So, let's first discuss tomorrow's duel. It should be quite a severe challenge, but do you have a plan yet?"

  Erica suddenly asked at this time.

  Part 4

  "Well, you can't really call it a plan, but through yesterday's battle, I figured out which powers don't work against that guy. That's kinda important, I think."

  "Are you talking about the [Raptor] incarnation you used at the end?"

  "Yeah. Totally ineffective. It doesn't really work when we're exchanging blows and sword strikes. Yes, its excellent speed is great and all, but Doni seems to be able to see through it. Also, my movements are severely off target."

  Godou recalled what happened yesterday and explained to Erica.

  Trying to punch but Doni easily evaded his fist. This was most likely due to Godou's excessive speed. After that, Godou had tested things out while he was running away using divine speed.

  When the target was stationary or Godou was moving slowly, there was no problem.

  But as soon as he tried to attack a moving object while he was going at those kinds of speeds, his eyes always judged incorrectly. For example, if he reached out to catch a dove flying in the sky, he would grab nothing but air, dozens of centimeters off target.

  "Now that you brought this up, Princess Alice also touched upon it before... When Black Prince Alec was just starting out, His Highness was also in a great conundrum over how to control [Black Lightning]'s speed."

  Erica spoke as she seemingly recalled something. Godou nodded.

  "That's also speed on a level
that's like cheating. If it could be used freely with perfect control, then that whatever prince would have become some kind of invincible monster, right? But that kind of thing should not be possible. From the way I can't hit anything with this sort of speed, that should be proof enough."

  "Well said. But His Highness the Black Prince has succeeded in controlling his lightning speed to some degree."

  "Since my power is different from that man's, it doesn't mean I can do the same thing just by copying. I think it's best not to place too much hope on it."

  Godou felt neither fondness nor attachment to a Campione's authority.

  Hence he could completely disregard his own powers -- in other words, analyze calmly and objectively.

  "Anyway, first show me the stage for the duel before it gets dark."

  Shelving the most pressing problem for now, Godou made his suggestion.

  Erica's villa stood solitarily on the lakeside. But slightly further away, there were other houses and villas, little shops as well as piers with moored yachts.

  Also, even further back in the distance, there was a mountain with a flat ridgeline.

  Lake Garda was a glacial lake -- a lake created from meltwater gathering in a valley when glaciers retreated at the end of the Ice Age, resulting in encirclement by mountains.

  Following Erica, Godou reached the top of the mountain.

  "This hike is really pleasant... But I'd imagine it'd start feeling like a hassle if I had to do this every day."

  Godou commented as he enjoyed the sudden outing.

  This was a smooth and gentle mountain path full of lush greenery. Even though it demanded little physical exertion, the time spent hiking could be better used elsewhere.

  "That's exactly the reason why my parents abandoned this villa."

  Erica spoke as she walked in front of Godou.

  She had told him that the stage for the duel would be an abandoned villa that belonged to the Blandelli family. Not only was it no longer used, but even the electricity, gas and water mains had been dismantled. She promised that it could be destroyed without any concerns.

  "Not only is it extremely old and decrepit, it's also huge. A massive inconvenience, all things considered. But this kind of remote mountain villa happens to be my preference too."