Campione 03

by Tale of the Beginning

  By the way, it's you yourself who wanted to compete.

  Though not stingy, but surprisingly childish, Erica's next words shocked Godou:

  "Apparently, a second round of competition is necessary. A victor needs to be decided."

  —Inhale, exhale.

  There were birds chirping outside the room.

  Waking up on the bed, Godou vaguely recalled the events yesterday.

  After dinner at the ristorante, without any reservations, they were fortunate enough to find a room at a bed and breakfast (B&B) on the roadside.

  And then he went with Erica as they bought a large amount of alcohol and snacks to go along.

  It would be too unsightly for two youngsters to drink at a bar, so that's what they decided.

  Battling on the verge of collapse, spurred by their sense of competitiveness, the two of them downed glass after glass in order to prove their superiority to the other.

  And then what happened?

  That part of his memory was completely blank. Oh well, best not to think about it.

  And then, amidst a feeling of something not being right, Godou could also feel a slight sense of warmth and softness, what could it be? With a very appropriate suppleness, a warm object very comfortable to the touch was lying beside him.

  As Godou battled his urge to sleep, he struggled to open his eyes and laid them beside him.

  ...In that instant, his mind went blank.

  Erica Blandelli was sound asleep beside him.

  Why on earth was this fellow here?

  Could he have committed the same mistake that all men are liable to make?

  No, impossible. I think not, probably not. Let's hope for the best from my rationality and Erica's caution, but if something did happen...

  As he struggled to calm his panicking heart, Godou took a serious look at Erica at the same time.

  Peerless beauty that still caused his heart to race, she now had a calmly sleeping face. Currently she was a beautiful girl who looked just like an angel. Wearing only lingerie, the color was blue, and a two-piece set with a high class design. Other than that, she was wearing nothing else.

  Truly a great figure, no, that kind of description was not enough.

  As a European female, though she was slender and not very tall, but what was with that extreme voluptuousness? Long slender limbs, tiny face, a figure with proportions like a model, but in spite of all that, a bountiful bosom that looked as if it would overflow from the brassiere, just like ripened fruit such as apples or peaches.

  The curve from the waist to the buttocks was also very perfect.

  Such artistic beauty, if viewed directly, would seem especially erotic.

  Even in swimsuit photo collections, one was hard pressed to find a girl with such a great figure. Right now she was sleeping holding onto Godou's side, and unwittingly resting her spectacular bust against his body.

  (—!)

  Godou felt extremely unsettled.

  The first experience of pleasures of a lifetime lay before him in close proximity, this was bad, totally bad, absolutely bad.

  A sense of fullness that made the brain go numb, was rapidly increasing the feeling of criminal immorality.

  He had to escape fast! As he made his decision, Erica suddenly woke up.

  "...Who is it? Arianna? Come on, how did I get the bed wrong..."

  "...Ummm, actually... it's me."

  The two of them stared at each other, speechless.

  Erica's eyes were originally unfocused but quickly restored the brightness of rationality.

  Rubbing her eyes, she got up from the bed, grabbed a shirt and covered her underwear-clad body. Extending her hand, the sword from two days ago appeared in her hand once more.

  Without hesitation, Erica's sword pointed straight at Godou's head.

  "To dare taint my purity, surely you must die right here!"

  "Wah, wait! I haven't done anything strange! Probably..."

  As the sword was thrust forward, Godou panicked.

  Simply facing her, he felt his spirit suppressed. A sense of despairing oppression came from her body, and her eyes were filled with icy coolness. Was this what they called murderous intent...?

  "Right, you probably didn't do anything shameful to me, because you are just as harmless as a castrated dog. Wonderful."

  "Yes, that's exactly right. Haha, it really was just a misunderstanding..."

  "Yes, to you. If you really had the nerve to do anything funny, even completely asleep, I would have decapitated you. It's your lucky day."

  "...Yes that's right."

  Erica's cold response, was likely not a lie, and Godou felt relieved in his heart.

  "But you have engraved upon your mind the image of my, Erica Blandelli’s, body—one that no one is allowed to see. And to have even touched my skin—you still deserve death."

  Deserving death for that! Though Godou felt that he should be loudly protesting, but he was so afraid that he couldn't even make a single sound of protest.

  Intimate contact with her skin was undeniable, there was no way to refute that.

  "Anyway, why don't you calm down first? We can discuss this once you calm down."

  "Ah, your sense of recognition is too superficial. I am currently calmly considering whether I should first gouge your eyes out, or decapitate you and parade it on the streets first? Can you not treat me like a fool?"

  "How can you call that calm?! Anyway, we should both settle down and discuss peacefully."

  After a short ten minutes.

  Godou was taxed to his wits persuading Erica to pause her actions, while Erica with her merciless glare, her body wrapped by a single piece of clothing, the two of them stared face to face once again.

  "First of all, let us confirm how this situation arose and where responsibility lies. No matter what, it is our fault that we drank too much last night. For that we have to reflect."

  Not only was the stomach feeling unpleasant, the throat was also very parched.

  These were common symptoms the next day after heavy drinking, and Godou was now feeling uncomfortable.

  Even so, he felt impressed that he wasn't hungover. Like his grandfather and mother, perhaps this was the Kusanagi pedigree, a bunch of people with extremely strong liver functions, all grand drinkers.

  Looking closely, Erica was not hungover either.

  It made sense, if either of them couldn't hold their liquor, then they wouldn't have binged so much.

  Compared to drinking alone, or a large group gathered together for a banquet, drinking only goes completely out of hand when it was two people. Godou understood the nuances of that.

  If another activity required him to drink like a bull again, Godou would not want to repeat this experience again.

  "To think that someone of the same generation could match me in alcohol intake. If it was Lily, she'd get drunk in a short while, and then I'd have some good fun with her..."

  Probably extremely confident in her alcohol capacity, Erica murmured to herself softly.

  "Anyway, drinking too much is both our fault, not sending you off earlier is my fault, but spare me the eye-gouging and decapitation. Is there a more peaceful way to appease your anger?"

  Godou apologized in a Japanese way, bowing his head in penance.

  An option existed before it became late at night, to send Erica away since this room was rented by Godou. Which is why he was reflecting, why he didn't do that?

  "Do you think such an apology can let you off for my humiliation?"

  Erica stared with icy cold eyes.

  There was a merciless murderous intent, making Godou break out in cold sweat. However, some words still had to be said. Taking a deep breath, he tried to argue:

  "Say, can you just treat this as having slept with a pet? Do you have to be so concerned?"

  "Of course! To have shared a bed with a male other than a marriage partner, this is an embarrassment that can never be wiped away!"

  A completely di
fferent upbringing compared to his own, Godou was deeply reminded once again.

  Towards Erica's complaints, Godou thought once more.

  However, he couldn't think of anything—no solution. At this time, there was nothing to be done but push the problem aside for now.

  "OK, I get it. Bickering here over this incident won't get anywhere, so why don't we leave first, since we must find Lucretia-san's house. That is our goal, right?"

  Godou didn't dare say any more as he waited for Erica's response.

  Though extremely furious, she had quick wits and should instantly recall the original goal—that was what Godou hoped in his heart.

  "...Correct. As a knight, the current priority is to finish my mission first."

  Erica spoke softly.

  Appearing calm once more, she nodded, expressionless like a Japanese mask, though this actually looked even more horrifying than her loud tantrum. Her current state of resolve was actually more terrifying.

  "So, let's hurry to the Witch of Sardinia—after that, I will make you truly regret your crimes. I will find a suitably harsh punishment for a sex maniac like you."

  To be called a sex maniac! Godou wanted to sigh at the heavens.

  And so the turbulent journey of the two, continued on its second day.

  Part 3

  Beneath the cloudless sky, Oliena was a beautiful and scenic little town.

  Nearby were refreshing green woods as well as beautiful springs. For a town with less than ten thousand in population, its facilities were very well equipped.

  "If it's such a small town, then Lucretia-san's home shouldn't be that tough to find... It's only the fact that I haven't contacted her beforehand, that worries me—"

  Godou spread out the map of the small town, and began searching near the home his grandfather had described.

  They were currently at a cafe near the place they spent the night.

  Godou muttered to himself as he ate breakfast. Though Erica was beside him, they haven't exchanged a single word after the incident that morning. Having finished breakfast, it was finally the time to search for their destination.

  Godou asked for directions from passersby.

  Using clumsy English to tell them where he was going, and then taking out the map to inquire how to get there.

  Due to the language barrier, there was no way to convey small details.

  Even so, the approximate direction could be gleaned, and then they set off. If they got lost, the same method was repeated with other passersby.

  Having repeated it four times, it was now the fifth—

  "Ah, come on, this is exasperating! Give me the map, I'll show you the way."

  Silent until now, Erica finally erupted.

  "What, took you long enough. It's not like I have to accept your help."

  Godou replied coldly.

  Yes, it was partially his fault for making Erica angrily silent from this morning till now, but was it really necessary to be so offended!

  "I am not helping you, I just want to meet Lucretia Zola faster! What on earth are you doing, the passersby already explained in so much detail, yet you are still clueless!"

  "I can't help it! I don't know any Italian!"

  The people who Godou asked had explained in particular detail.

  However, Godou completely didn't understand Italian. Even when he wanted to communicate seriously in English, his verbal ability was rather lacking, so he was unable to understand the details. This was why they were progressing in such an inefficient manner.

  Erica grabbed the map and first led them forward.

  Apparently, she remembered all the routes explained so far, and was able to walk towards their destination with no hesitation at all. Despite his great anger, Godou had no choice but to follow her.

  From then on, everything went smoothly and they arrived at their destination twenty minutes later.

  Lucretia Zola's home was located near a forest on the edges of town.

  A stone house in the middle of the garden gave off a very ancient atmosphere. From the overall feeling of the house, combined with the absence of nearby houses, it felt very solitary.

  The witch's residence. Though it was a small house, its appearance matched this name particularly well.

  Glancing over the garden, it was full of weeds everywhere. The owner either had no interest in gardening, or was too lazy to care.

  Anyway, the whole point of coming all the way to Sardinia was to reach this place.

  Godou stepped in front of Erica, walking over to the entrance and pressed the button to the doorbell.

  —After waiting for a while, there was still no response.

  "Not here... If that's the case, let's wait until she returns—hmm?"

  Godou suddenly stared with his eyes wide open.

  With a scratching heavy sound, the door opened automatically.

  Carefully scrutinizing the surroundings, there was no one before or behind the door, and the old wooden door did not seem like it was automated. What happened?

  "Probably this means please enter. You've already arrived at a witch's home, don't be taken aback from this kind of simple trick."

  "Damn it, this is magic too. What a suspicious house..."

  Lectured by Erica from behind, Godou muttered to himself.

  Stepping into the house with apprehension, Godou found a black cat waiting for him at the entrance.

  Meow~~ It was calling out with indifferent tones.

  For such a slender and elegant body with soft sleek fur, the cat didn't look cute at all.

  The black cat suddenly walked into the depths of the house. On the way it stopped and waved its paw, going 'meow' as if calling someone, then continued on its way.

  "It's really telling us to follow?"

  "Of course, this is a cat familiar—even for you, something so classic can be understood, right?"

  Of course Godou realized it already, but he just didn't want to accept it.

  Godou shook his head, casting the cultural shock aside. To falter at this point would be a waste of time, so it's best to catch up to the cat.

  They were taken to what appeared to be a bedroom.

  It was medicine—no, full of the aroma of herbs. The room was very disorganized, and reclining on the bed was a woman who only half sat up.

  The cat just now was huddled in a corner, yawning in a bored manner.

  "Welcome to my home, my old friend's relative. Whose relative are you? I can see from one glance, you must be Kusanagi Ichirou's grandson. I am Lucretia Zola."

  Suddenly, the woman on the bed was speaking in perfect Japanese.

  Godou was so surprised he jumped backwards.

  Before his eyes was a beautiful woman in her underwear, greeting her guests while reclined on her bed. Her glazed over eyes gave off an incredible sense of charm, while her flaxen colored hair was also extremely beautiful.

  A beautiful woman at her prime, her apparent age was in the latter half of the twenties.

  Even if she dressed young on purpose, she was thirty at most, which completely didn't fit calculations. If so much happened between her and grandfather, she should now be an old lady, advanced in age.

  "Ah young man, have you been entranced by me? Is there a problem? Hohoho, perhaps this appearance might be too stimulating for the young ones. Something troublesome happened lately, so I've been unable to get up from bed... Besides, you must be very happy inside? Men are always like that."

  "Sorry to interrupt. You are Lucretia Zola-san?"

  She nodded to confirm Godou's question.

  "Ah, yes. You are Kusanagi Godou, right? Ichirou already sent me a letter explaining everything and letting his grandson to come in his place, so I've been waiting for you."

  —!?

  Godou suddenly let out a horrific scream.

  Gods, magi, the occurrences these three days have brought Godou's common sense to the brink of collapse. Struck with the final blow, his mind finally halted.

  "You've
already gotten this far, what is there to be surprised about? Maintaining a youthful body is a privilege unique to witches whose magic has reached the highest levels. Compared to that, I consider [Heretic Gods] far more shocking."

  "Oh, to have met the gods appearing on this island, what an unfortunate youth. By the way, girl, who are you? You don't look Japanese."

  "Erica Blandelli. Great Knight of the Copper Black Cross. Due to various reasons, I am currently travelling with him."

  "Sir Paolo's niece eh, I've heard rumors. So it looks like you've come to this countryside because of that [Heretic God], what strong initiative."

  By the time he noticed, Erica and Lucretia had begun a conversation between women.

  Finally calm, Godou took out the stone tablet from his bag.

  "Anyway, this thing... was originally what my grandfather intended to bring over—the object that Lucretia-san left in Japan. Please accept it."

  The stone tablet depicting the childishly drawn chained man.

  Giving it a glance, Lucretia said:

  "...[Secret Tome of Prometheus], as expected. A long time ago, I found it in the depths of the Caucasus mountains, how nostalgic."

  "Signora, may I ask a few questions?"

  In Italian, 'Signora' was equivalent to addressing someone as 'Madam.'

  Lucretia smiled at Erica who was trying to explain her intentions in a cautious manner.

  "It's fine even if you call me by name. As you can see, it won't be appropriate to treat a young beauty like me as an old lady. So, Sir Erica, why are you following this youth from Japan?"

  The two witches gazed at each other.

  Beside them, Godou felt uncomfortable as an ordinary person.

  "Then Lucretia, you can just call me Erica. Actually someone related to the [Heretic God] appearing this time has been in contact with Godou. Furthermore, he was even carrying a grimoire from the mythical age, so he might be involved in this incident. I was suspicious whether he had ill intentions in coming to see you."

  Erica threw Godou a glance as if she had seen something insignificant.

  "After spending some time with him, he was clearly a guy who knew nothing, lacked manners, failed in comprehension, and is very shameless."