Campione 03

by Tale of the Beginning

  Looking straight into the depths of the forest, he advanced with a powerful pace.

  However, at that instant—

  The tree trunks suddenly swayed, and the trees in the forest fell down one by one, blocking the path of the youth god's advance.

  With originally no road leading to the depths of the forest, it was now even harder to get there.

  From the palm of the youth god, lightning was suddenly released.

  Under normal conditions, his single attack should have burned a tree to ash.

  But the tree was completely unharmed. The tree barrier that blocked entry into the forest, did not show a single trace of being burnt, and continued to bar the way.

  "King Melqart's barrier, looketh like he is very wary of me. Without any preparation, impossible to barge right in."

  The youth god smiled wryly and began to yell at the depths of the forest.

  "Fine, ancient king! I shall wait for thee until dawn! Once I store enough power to slice through thy city walls, I shall return!"

  Finishing the strong declaration of war, his form dissipated.

  Transforming into strong wind in the air.

  The last Godou heard was the youth's loud laughter of "hahahahaha!"

  Chapter 6 - His Name is Verethragna

  Part 1

  Not far from the Nuraghe sa Bastia.

  Though there were public infrastructure roads, it was basically an uninhabited wilderness.

  It was after midnight, and after encountering Melqart and the youth god, Godou and Erica did not return to town.

  "Prometheus is a god appearing in Greek myths—the last of the Titans. His name means 'one who considers the future,' in other words, he is a sage with forethought."

  Godou listened carefully to Erica's recounting of the myths.

  The two of them had made a fire for warmth. Perhaps the surroundings were too quiet, so the only sound was the cracking sound of wood burning.

  "He's called Prometheus, right, the god who shared fire with humans?"

  "Yes, Zeus the king of the gods did not want to give too much wisdom to humans, but Prometheus felt compassion for their foolishness, and stole fire from the heavens."

  This god gifted fire to humans. Obtaining fire, human civilization advanced rapidly.

  "As punishment, Prometheus was chained high on the peak on the Caucasus, and had his liver eaten by an eagle. As an immortal god, his body restored itself every sunset, and then the eagle came the next day to eat his liver again. In other words, he must suffer eternal torment."

  "What sick torture..."

  "In the end, Prometheus was saved from suffering by Heracles, and then became the trusted advisor of Zeus, so it looks like he didn't want any more hardship."

  Godou seems to have heard this myth before.

  "By the way, Heracles is also a god closely linked to Melqart."

  "Why? Isn't Heracles a Greek god... or should I say hero?"

  "Didn't Lucretia mention before, on this island not far from Greece, Melqart was depicted as a giant wielding clubs."

  The Greek hero, who completed the twelve tasks, was intimately linked to the Phoenician divine king.

  To elucidate the confused Godou, Erica continued explaining fluently:

  "Greeks who knew the myth of Melqart combined their hero with the guardian god of Tyre. No, more correctly, it was due to the myth of Melqart and Baal that the legend of the hero Heracles was born. By the way, Baal's weapons are the magic clubs named Yagrush the Chaser and Ayamur the Driver."

  Wearing a lion's pelt and wielding a club was the great rough hero Heracles.

  Wielding magic clubs with vigorous battle spirit was the hero god Melqart.

  Ancient Mediterranean peoples named the promontories flanking the Strait of Gibraltar as 'Pillars of Hercules.' Other than the Phoenicians, there doesn't seem to be anyone else who could have reached there...

  "That's so amazing, to think myths were related everywhere."

  Towards Godou's exclamation, Erica said:

  "Well, no matter what, these are just framework stories born from mankind—fabricated, everything is born from the most primitive stories, and then stealing or be stolen, taking form from all sorts of influences, finally crystallizing into myths."

  "I see—then back to the topic of Prometheus, so this stone tablet's advantage is the ability to steal a god's power?"

  "He is the god who deceived gods—in other words a master of trickery, there is also a myth like this."

  Seeing Godou take out the [Secret Tome of Prometheus], Erica quietly answered.

  Dividing a sacrificed ox between gods and humans, Prometheus prepared two plates. Concealing the meat and the entrails within the stomach on one plate; masterfully decorating the bones with glistening fat to make it appealing on the other. He then had Zeus choose—

  The result was Zeus chose the bones. After learning he was deceived, Zeus was very angry.

  "So, Godou, when the [White Stallion] disappeared just now, it was clearly the divine power of Prometheus. In other words, you activated the grimoire at the time. Do you have any idea how?"

  "About that, I think it was just by chance."

  He was able to take the divine power of the [White Stallion] even faster than the youth god—no, one should say that the one who stole divine power was [Secret Tome of Prometheus].

  The one who doubted Erica's suggestion was the one who did it himself.

  "Fine, then let's confirm it?"

  Erica took out a cellphone from her shirt pocket.

  "—Lucretia? I am Erica Blandelli. Can you tell us about the grimoire? Don't play dumb any more, Godou has already activated its power. Sigh, why would I deceive you, why don't you confirm with him directly?"

  Godou was just wondering who she was calling, and never expected the conversation to be passed to him.

  When did she ever ask for Lucretia's phone number? This made Godou very surprised, or did she make use of the investigative abilities of the strange secret associations, obtaining personal information without consent?

  The latter was most likely. Just as Godou imagined rude behaviors, Erica suddenly handed the phone to him.

  No other way. Prepare yourself and pick up the phone.

  "I was really shocked. I didn't expect a Level One newbie to notice how to use that item."

  "Actually I didn't notice it. It seems like when I wanted to use it, it happened, but Lucretia-san, you are clearly a witch, haven't you been contaminated by modern civilization?"

  "Choosing convenience is human nature, that's not my fault. In my home I have a computer to go on the internet, and most of my shopping is done online. I also use air conditioning and refrigerators. My digital camera is made in Japan. What else would you like to complain about?"

  Though the dialogue content was extremely mundane, Lucretia Zola's voice remained aloof.

  "I already know it is a stone for stealing divine power. However, I am completely baffled why I can use it. Can you explain this point in greater detail to me?"

  "Oh that, the reason is nothing special. A grimoire related to deceit and theft, the only people capable of using it are those who have had longer contact and frequent conversations with the target god."

  "Deceit?"

  "Yes, when I used that grimoire in Japan, I spent a whole night chatting with the god who was causing trouble. I had to listen to him complain about his hate and suffering, so I seized the opportunity and stole the guy's divine power as soon as possible, turning him into an empty shell. However that was only possible because he was a comparatively weak deity. Thereafter, I had the grimoire venerated there, to prevent the god from reviving."

  "So that's why..."

  The chance to successfully steal divine power from the youth god and Melqart was extremely small.

  Godou nodded in agreement with Lucretia's words.

  "By the way, I wanted to remind you. It's best if you do not use the stored divine power. For humans it is far too powerf
ul. If used, it could cause the brain and the entire body's blood to boil. An extremely painful death. The user before me also died like that. I am not deceiving you."

  "Yes... I will definitely not use it. Thank you for your valuable information."

  "Oh, one more thing, opposing gods of Melqart's caliber is impossible with just the power absorbed in the grimoire, so do not do anything rash!"

  To think this kind of warning would be said.

  However, Godou did not thank her for this warning. Perhaps because he had already made his decision, he could not utter insincere thanks as that would betray her concern for his safety.

  ...Lucretia was more sensitive than imagined.

  "Young man, are you or both of you considering something? I will repeat myself, do not act too rashly!"

  "To be honest, that is impossible. There will be a great disaster if we let things develop without taking action. If I didn't act, my conscience will definitely hound me."

  "You don't have to reproach yourself, nor do you have to risk your life approaching them. That is survival wisdom."

  "I know. Meeting gods repeatedly these two, three days, have left me with deep impressions. When I encountered Melqart, my legs lost strength."

  "Even so... You still want to take part in this matter? That's foolish!"

  "It's OK, I am fully aware I am doing something foolish. Neither I nor Erica will object to such an assessment."

  "You are much more foolish than Erica-san! No matter what, she is a mage and you are just a powerless commoner. The two cannot be compared."

  Directly criticized.

  However, Godou shrugged and accepted it, she was right.

  "However, I don't hate fools. Clever minds will only act according to my calculations, but a fool will sometimes exceed my expectations. Besides, there are fools who displease others, and fools who bring joy. Please don't become the former."

  "Yes..."

  Though Godou didn't quite get what she meant, it was a sort of compliment?

  "Kusanagi Godou, through this incident, you have made me hold you in high regard. I feel you will become a most interesting toy, so do not die in such a place. Same for Erica-san, please do not miss the opportunity for retreat, hear that?"

  Lucretia hung up the phone.

  It looked like she was finally acting like an elder, and wasn't just someone with a personality problem. Godou felt gratitude towards her, and then briefly reported the conversation to Erica.

  "...So that's the situation. Looks like it can't be used as a finishing move."

  "However, this is still the only tool that can affect gods—besides, if a battle between gods begins, what will happen to this island?"

  Melqart who had declared he will sink the island.

  The youth god whose fragments of power easily demolished cities all over the place.

  If they had a serious duel, it wasn't something that could be finished in half an hour. Using the entire island as a stage for their deathmatch, this place will likely end up as a wasteland once the match concluded...

  As these thoughts entered his mind, Godou clutched his head, feeling a headache.

  "However, even with me plus the [Secret Tome of Prometheus], and all the magi on the island, nothing can be done... So the only remaining choice is to stall for time."

  "Stall for time? Isn't that something you do when there are reinforcements?"

  Seeing Erica's confidence, Godou was confused.

  "Actually there is no problem there. In fact, the magi of Sardinia have already contacted Sir Salvatore, who will be arriving in a day or two. We just need to hold out until then."

  "Sir Salvatore...?"

  Godou remembered, come to think of it, Lucretia also mentioned this name before.

  "Yes, the great Salvatore Doni, the strongest knight of our Italy, the Campione possessing the authority of the magic sword. Didn't I mention before? When miracle is piled upon miracle, humans have the possibility of obtaining victory over a god—"

  Campione was the title bestowed upon a god-slayer.

  Slaying a god and then usurping the god's authority, they become the devil kings of the human world, fighting against gods.

  Hearing that, Godou felt greatly surprised.

  That youth and Melqart could probably kill a normal person with just a little finger. To encounter a god and live was already extremely lucky, defeating a god was absolutely ridiculous.

  "Gods are such strong existences, are there really people who have fought and won!?"

  "These people are rare of course. In fact, there was a period over a century long when no Campiones were born. However during the nineteenth and latter half of the twentieth centuries, a number of people emerged, concentrated during this time, and there are now a total of six. With the increased frequency in the current period, it kind of feels like the coming of the end of the world."

  "Uh, this isn't winemaking, to have these kinds of periods..."

  Sir Salvatore who was mentioned, was the sixth Campione born a few years ago.

  Since the entire affair was too far removed from common sense, Godou was stupefied.

  "Anyway since that has been prepared, we just need to focus on stalling. Even for me, I'm not stupid enough to want to become the seventh Campione."

  Godou nodded at Erica's words.

  Definitely an idiot. Fighting a god was truly stupid behavior, and for a devil king Campione to win in such a match, how strong a monster could they be?

  "However, buying time is also very difficult, what do you have in mind?"

  "The current target is the sword god. Since that deity's power has recovered ninety percent, if we can lower it to seventy or eighty, he will be forced to fight Melqart with caution."

  "How did you get numbers like ninety and eighty?"

  "Because the war god has a total of ten incarnations. One of them, the [White Stallion] is already captured in the grimoire, so it's ninety percent. Isn't that a simple calculation?"

  "Right... That guy's name, can you tell me?"

  Godou suddenly raised this question, for he had become very bothered by it from a while ago.

  Erica calmly said a name lightly.

  Hearing this incredible name for the first time, Godou could only wonder, what country does the name come from?

  "That's mostly likely the god's name. From the strange occurrences on this island, combined with the information from you, I deduced that, so there should be no mistake."

  "...The god with that name, I've never even heard of him."

  "Well, most people would think that. Though very trivial, he is still a guardian god of a surviving religion. Amongst the faiths in western Asia, a powerful god with many strong feats—then next is..."

  A sword suddenly appeared in Erica's hand.

  Just as Godou wondered what she was going to do, the sword pointed directly at him.

  "At this stage, you don't have to carry my luggage any more. Leave the grimoire here and return to Japan obediently. I don't need someone to drag me down any more. If you dare say no, I will take care of you directly with this sword, hear that?"

  Suddenly threatening him, but this was just her show of concern. An act to protect Godou even if it meant breaking her oath as a knight. Which is why Godou could not obey.

  "A person who hasn't spent enough time with him cannot use the stone tablet. Didn't Lucretia-san say that? I don't think you will be able to use it successfully, so it's best that I stay here."

  "This kind of problem always has a solution, you don't have to worry."

  "How can it be done?! No matter how I think about it, the next time that guy returns will be to duel with Melqart. You absolutely have no time to spend chatting with him."

  "If there's none, I will create an opportunity. Anyway, I have no need for an amateur like you to stay and help me."

  No matter what, she would not agree.

  If it was the second morning after encountering the [Boar], had she threatened him like this, God
ou who feared swords would likely have given her the [Secret Tome of Prometheus].

  But now was different, he could not do that.

  Though Erica was a willful and unreasonable girl, she was also chivalrous, talented at socializing, and unexpectedly considerate of others. On the other hand, she was also a girl who despaired when met with setback.

  Having understood her, it was impossible for Godou to return alone.

  Since there was also a guy straying from the right path and causing great chaos, Godou cannot leave that guy alone either.

  The two of them faced each other silently for quite a while, until Erica finally shrugged and sighed:

  "Fine, if you are prepared to follow me wherever I go, then accompany me. In return, I will really use you, so be prepared!"

  Of course, this was exactly what Godou wanted.

  Part 2

  The rays of dawn began to appear in the eastern sky.

  Bathed under the light, the [Wind] incarnation transformed into the figure of the [Youth].

  The black-haired youth god landed lightly on the ground, at the moment of dawn just as he promised. He possessed divine qualities with deep ties to light.

  Before his eyes was the green forest surrounding the ancient ruins.

  As the rays of sunlight bathed the deep green trees in the forest, a rose colored glow was given off.

  —Belonging to the faction of goodness, having the god of light as his core, the youth's divine power was raised to the maximum when bathed under the rays of dawn. In this state, it was possible to break the forest barrier.

  Actually Melqart was also a deity controlling the sun, but his responsibilities ruled over too many things.

  Due to that, he couldn't raise his divine power even when the sun came out, so the youth prepared to make use of this advantage.

  —Perhaps it was acceptable to make things simple and wait for the divine king to recover completely.

  However, he dispelled this notion as quickly as it surfaced, deeming it too disrespectful.

  As the one who held all victory in his hands, it would be a most special occasion to fight the great and ancient divine king, and win. With utmost respect, he will make the most of this opportunity.

  The corners of his lips slightly rising, he walked towards the forest with the youth's form.