Campione 11
Page 27
Thanks to the [Camel] incarnation, his ability to endure hits also seemed to be strengthened.
Hence, once the incarnation was gone, Godou was at his limits. Just before losing consciousness, Godou naturally used the [Ram] incarnation in preparation for super recovery. Then the next morning arrived.
At the log house villa, Godou regained consciousness under Erica's care.
Then he found himself dying of hunger. Consequently, he went outside accompanied by the blonde beauty, going to the lakeside cafe to fill his stomach--
"Yo, you guys are here too? What a strange coincidence."
Inside the cafe, they met Salvatore Doni, bright red as if sunburnt.
Clearly it was still spring but his skin was fiery red. Erica almost fell down with surprise for an instant. Shrugging her shoulders, she said:
"It's been a day -- or rather, a night, Sir Salvatore. You have returned safely."
"Yes. I almost thought I was a goner, but I survived after all. Ah, your name is Erica Blandelli, right?"
"...Yes. May I ask how you came to remember my name?"
"Because you are my beloved Godou's attendant. I still remember."
Doni smiled nonchalantly as Erica displayed great surprise. The acuity and valor he exhibited at the endgame of the duel last night had all vanished.
Godou frowned as he interrupted the exchange between a king and a knight.
"No, we didn't think you'd die like that either. But how did you survive? Shouldn't there be limits to absurdity!?"
"Hohoho, listen well. I was thinking it might get dangerous if I continue to be scorched like that. So I actually entered a state of suspended animation to avert the brunt of the flames. After that, I used my steel body to run, climb and jump across the bottom of the lake, finally reaching land!"
"A state of suspended animation, are you really a tardigrade!?"
Discovering his opponent's surprising mode of life, Godou could feel a headache coming.
"Indeed, a body of steel cannot float on water, but there's no risk of suffocation or hypothermia either. The only troublesome thing is, once I enter a state of suspended animation, this temporary death persists for a while. Which is how I spent a night at the bottom of the lake. I finally managed to wake up this morning."
Smiling cheerfully, Doni recounted his ludicrous survival story.
Wait a minute, since Godou also possessed similar survival abilities, he could not comment as if it did not apply to himself as well.
"After all, even someone like me would be tired as hell. I'm hungry and covered with wounds. Indeed, I don't have the strength to fight you right now. Let's call our duel yesterday a draw?"
"I don't mind at all... But I don't see any injuries on you?"
Other than sunburnt in appearance, Doni's body looked completely the same as before.
Godou questioned with an expression of suspicion.
"Well, look here. I'm afraid my skin might become rough or have skin cancer or something, so I never neglect my UV care. But to think I'd get scorched to this degree... Well done, Godou."
"Stop saying that with such a serious expression!"
Doni's face in a tense expression, Godou naturally took a seat opposite him at the same table.
An almost subconscious act. Erica also sat down beside him.
After ten-odd minutes, they began to eat the food that arrived.
Breakfast in Italy was usually a simple affair. A foundation of croissants and bread with jam combined with espresso or cappuccino coffee.
However, this morning was an exception.
There was cream cheese made from goat's milk blended with black pepper, as well as a large plate of pasta.
Godou and Doni wolfed down all this food as if they had not eaten for days. Also, Erica ordered a sweet cream croissant for herself.
"Hey you, don't take so much. Shouldn't you think about leaving some for others!?"
"Hey hey Godou, a ceasefire on the dinner table does not exist. This should be universal. Survival of the fittest is the biggest rule here!"
"Damn it, in that case, I have my own methods!"
Wielding a fork on their right and holding a plate in their left, Godou and Doni competed over the abundant plate of pasta. With complete seriousness, they started a contest to see who could eat faster and more.
Seeing them act in such a manner, Erica exclaimed emphatically:
"What should I say... You've become reliable in very short time, Godou. Standing up to Sir Salvatore and not losing in any way. Is this a Devil King's disposition...?"
"Don't compare me with this idiot!"
"Please don't say something so cold. After all, aren't we similar in many ways?"
"In no way are we similar!"
This scene concluded the final act of the duel drama between Kusanagi Godou and Salvatore Doni.
After separating from Doni who had called for a ride from his subordinates, Godou and Erica decided to return to the villa.
The two of them walked along the beautiful lakeshore.
It was a warm morning in spring. The blue sky was clear and sunny while the blowing breeze felt leisurely and comfortable.
Happiest of all, he had a thoughtful and understanding "partner" by his side.
Godou felt a sense of fulfillment in his heart that he had never experienced before.
Furthermore, he felt as though no reasons were needed.
Erica must have been thinking the same thing -- glancing at her as she walked beside him, Godou witnessed the beautiful smile of the most gorgeous girl he knew.
"Although many things need to be said, let's start with 'Congratulations' okay?"
Saying that, Erica leaned over matter-of-factly.
With her arms wrapped around Godou's right arm, they looked completely like a pair of lovers. Erica proceeded to bring her lips near Godou's blushing cheeks and gave him a light kiss.
"E-Enough. I don't think this is very appropriate. We should get along as friends in a more wholesome manner!"
If things really continued this way, he felt like he would be swept along naturally by the flow.
However, Godou desperately appealed as much as possible to his reason. Once their relationship became too intimate, there would be no way out.
In this respect, perhaps this was the tragedy of a man whose age equaled the number of years without a girlfriend.
"Hohoho, you're really cute when you're shy. However, please take a good look around. There's no one here who would mind our behavior. We can openly express and affirm our love for each other, you know?"
It was just as Erica stated.
The occasional passerby was completely unconcerned with their horseplay. For a passionate Latin country, this level of bodily contact was considered only natural instead.
Kusanagi Godou was the only one in doubt, hesitating, faltering.
He could not think of a single reason why he could not take the next step forward. This was the beginning of a mystery that troubled Godou until Lucretia pointed things out frankly.
"In any case, the incident has ended. Erica, you should go back and apologize to your uncle. Say sorry for the trouble you've caused. I'm sure he'll forgive you, Erica."
Godou struggled to calm his heart and spoke out about what he worried the most.
For his sake, she had left her association and bid farewell to her only blood relative. He could not return to Japan without resolving this matter. Luckily there were still a few days remaining in his Golden Week vacation...
In order to be responsible for her to the end, Godou spoke with utmost sincerity.
"Ah, that's over already. Completely resolved."
Erica answered in an awfully frank manner.
"Just now when Godou and Sir Salvatore were indulging your gluttony, I already called Uncle in Milan and reported to him the conclusion of the incident and my contributions in the affair."
Come to think of it, Erica did leave her seat at the breakfast table for a brief wh
ile.
Godou had speculated that she was frightened by Doni and his appetite, but that was not the case.
"1) Kusanagi Godou is a man with the potential to fight Sir Salvatore to a draw.
2) He and Erica Blandelli have established a personal relationship of lovers.
3) If I can make good use of my position, then provided that the [Copper Black Cross] does not come under Kusanagi Godou's command, it is not difficult to obtain his protection.
4) Due to these achievements, I am allowed to return to the association, and he will even bestow upon me the premier knight's title of the [Diavolo Rosso] -- basically, that's what Uncle said."
"S-So what's up over on that side?"
"A complete understanding has been reached. My return, Erica Blandelli's, has been approved. Thank you, Godou, this is all thanks to you."
Erica smiled. This was a devil's smile of which he unwittingly caught sight.
A smile more gorgeous than anyone else's. A lioness' smile. A lady's smile. An innocent maiden's smile. Gaining amusement from other people's misfortune, this face like a devil's suited her quite well along with her various expressions.
Godou recognized this point once again.
"Even though we ran into all sorts of troubles, big and small, and you completely used me, I don't really mind at all. B-But what is with that lovers relationship!?"
Give and take, aligned interests.
Due to his association with many strange relatives and acquaintances (foremost being his grandfather and mother), Godou was very open and tolerant of such things.
However, there was only one fact he could not ignore.
"W-Won't it have a bad effect? What should I say, it's bad for respectability."
"That's no problem. It's just slightly unwholesome on first glance. Normally, calling yourself 'lovers♪' feels kind of salacious, but it also sounds more convincing to the listener."
"But it's not the truth at all."
"Well, would you simply call it a relationship of mutually passionate kissing?"
"Guh."
"Hoho. It's a little late, but I've already reported to Uncle everything that happened at the Zamparini mansion. That night, we've witnessed each other's naked forms, had intimate skin contact, slept in the same bed, and our lips have already pressed together in a frenzy uncountably."
"W-Why do you have to use such an easily misunderstood description!?"
"Misunderstood? On the contrary, it is to express our relationship properly. As a result, Uncle sighed deeply and said things like 'I never expected to feel like a bride's father so soon...' He even grumbled quite a bit."
Godou suddenly noticed Erica had increased the force she was using to hold his arm.
He wanted to pull out but could not move at all. Did she use magic or something to raise her arm strength?
Looking at Erica's face, he could see her smile admitting to his suspicions.
"It's really wonderful that you proposed going to Milan, Godou. The first thing you'll do is meet Uncle, and it'd be best if you expressed official congratulations for my assumption of the [Diavolo Rosso] title."
"If it's for that kind of stuff, no way. I'm returning to Japan!"
"What are you talking about? You haven't even obtained your plane ticket yet."
"I'll stand by for cancellations. In the worst case I'll ask Zamparini-san for help!"
"Don't say something so heartless. Actually, there's this great river coursing through the wide open plains of Tuscany, but lately a giant eel monster has been sighted. As soon as it approaches Milan, we can try capturing it."
"You can go on your own for something like that, right!?"
"This monster appears to be a creature of divine beast class. Maybe it's not an eel but a serpentine divine beast. In that case, it's an opponent that no one can defeat but a Campione like Godou."
"I don't want to fight anymore! I've had enough of this!"
"What are you talking about? You were clearly fighting with such intensity of vigor. Besides, there shouldn't be any divine beasts that could take on a Campione. In terms of risk, the only issue is the fact that Tuscany falls under Sir Salvatore's territory, so he'll be sure to join in the fun."
"No matter how you look at it, that's the most dangerous risk factor!"
Kusanagi Godou and Erica Blandelli.
The seventh Campione and the premier knight of the [Copper Black Cross].
Thus concluded the story of their beginnings, to be followed by the start of endless adventures.
Translator's Notes and References
Golfo degli Angeli: the Gulf of Angels, large bay in southern Sardinia, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea.[1]
Geomancy(地 相術): literally "earth divination," a method of divination that involves interpreting markings on the ground or patterns formed from tossed handfuls of soil, rocks, or sand.[2]
Physiognomy(観相): an assessment based on the outer appearance of a person, object, or terrain.[3]
Fuoriclasse: Italian for unrivaled or unequaled.[4]
Wide show: a type of current affairs and entertainment program on television.
A reference to the Latin phrase "Memento mori," meaning remember your mortality. An artistic theme dating back to antiquity.[5]
Senatus consultum ultimum: Latin for "Final decree of the Senate," a decree of the Roman Senate during the late Republic passed in times of emergency.[6]
Gelato: Italian ice cream made using milk, cream, sugars and flavorings such as fresh fruit or nut purees.[7]
Sanzu River(三 途の川): the River of Three Crossings, believed in Japanese Buddhism that the dead must cross on their way to the afterlife, similar to the River Styx in Greek mythology.[8]
Yam: a god of the sea popular in ancient Egyptian times.[9]
Kothar-wa-Khasis: a Canaanite craftsman god who aided Baal in his battles. Considered the equivalent of the Greek god Hephaestus.[10]
Special effects presentation(特 撮): Tokusatsu is a Japanese term referring to live-action film or television programmes which feature superheroes and often giant monsters. Godzilla is one such example.[11]
Word of Abandonment: quoted by Jesus from Psalm 22, it is the only saying that appears in more than one gospel (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34).
Psalm 22:2
Psalm 22:22
Senatus consultum ultimum: Latin for "Final decree of the Senate," a decree of the Roman Senate during the late Republic passed in times of emergency.[12]
Dogeza(土 下座): literally "sitting right on the ground," an element of Japanese manners by kneeling directly on the ground and bowing to prostrate oneself as touching one's head to the floor.[13]
Locked room mystery: a sub-genre of detective fiction where a crime is committed under seemingly impossible conditions.[14]
Tuatha Dé Danann: Irish clan of deities. Later they moved underground and became fairy-like beings.[15]
Cool Biz: a movement in Japan to lower electricity consumption by limiting the use of air-conditioning. Consequently, workers were encouraged to dress down and wear short-sleeved shirts without jackets or ties.[16]
Tardigrade: a small, water-dwelling, segmented animal with eight legs. Tardigrades are able to survive in extreme environments that would kill almost any other animal, such as temperatures of close to absolute zero, temperatures as high as 151°C, 1000 times more radiation than other animals, and almost a decade without water. Tardigrades have also returned alive from studies in which they have been exposed to the vacuum of space for a few days in low Earth orbit.[17]
Psalm 18:6-7
Shin Buddhism(淨 土真宗): literally True School of Pure Land Buddhism, the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan, with 20% of the population of Japan identifying membership of the sect.[18]