A sweet and loving voice could be heard near Godou's ear, gently caressing his head.
Who was the owner of this voice? Was it Erica?
"Then let everyone present grant their blessing and their hatred to this child! The seventh Campione—possessing the destiny of the youngest devil king, please bestow the sacred spell words upon this child!"
'Shut up, witch! Your newborn child, I will bury him immediately.'
"Hoho, very well. Then Kusanagi Godou, I grant my blessing to thee who has been reborn as the new god-slaying king! Thou art the first person to usurp mine—the authority of the god of victory! Becomest stronger than anyone else! Until the day I shall fight thee again, possessest my undefeatable body!"
The healing magic still had not taken complete effect.
That was why Erica Blandelli could only drag her painful right leg to the ruins. Clearly she would have been healed after ten-odd minutes, but she couldn't wait.
"—Godou!"
Seeing the Nuraghe sa Bastia which had become all wrecked by the battle between gods, over there lay a Japanese youth deep in slumber.
Erica breathed a sigh of relief as she saw him safe and sound.
The intense pain from using the divine power stolen by the [Secret Tome of Prometheus], combined with the shock from Verethragna's full strength electric strike, Erica couldn't imagine just how painful it was.
But now, Kusanagi Godou—
Wrapped in tattered clothes, his body had all sorts of injuries including bruises, broken bones and burns, however—
He was sleeping peacefully.
That satisfied and sleeping face no longer had a single wound. As for the other injuries, they would all recover in time... His vitality and recovery had already surpassed humans and approached a level similar to the gods.
"You killed the god, right, Kusanagi Godou... The seventh Campione is born!"
Erica's legs lost strength and gave way as she murmured to herself in a trembling voice.
Watching the sleeping Campione—the face of the youth who lorded over the fate of the world, and would one day become the [King] of the magi and be worshiped, she said:
"You probably don't know, right? The secret ritual to be reborn as a Campione, came from Prometheus' younger brother Epimetheus and his wife Pandora, the incident when the box containing all disasters and a shred of hope was opened."
Hesitating only for a moment, Erica lifted Godou's head.
Normally she would never do something like that, but this was a special reward, because to his credit, he was now the one who has defeated a god.
"Prometheus' name means 'one who thought ahead,' in other words, the sage with foresight. Conversely, Epimetheus means 'one who thought afterwards,' in other words, the fool who only regretted in hindsight after taking action first."
Erica was letting her knees act as a pillow for Godou to lie on, and also took the opportunity to wipe with her handkerchief the blood, sweat and soil from his face.
Erica spoke on the subject of gods.
"Only a fool like you could receive the grace of Epimetheus. A smart person will never fight a god one on one. I should have explained that to you just now. Therefore, Campiones are also known as 'Epimetheus' illegitimate children.' In other words the son of the fool, a most fitting title, you big idiot."
She should take this chance to scold him as much as possible.
Afterwards, were he to become a harsh tyrant, even reproaching him like this would be impossible.
...No, if such a day did arrive, she will definitely be responsible for resisting, for he became born as [King] because of her.
However—
This was an impossible future.
From now on, he will be facing a life of unimaginable conflict and hardship.
Even if he desired peace, but whether the world or the magi, and especially the gods, none of them will leave him alone.
"Fine, this is enough, when the time comes I will accompany you a little longer. I am responsible for your gaining this kind of body, and I am a bit concerned about your affairs. Of course, it also depends on whether you plead for my assistance with sincerity or not."
Erica was talking to herself.
Of course she knew he could not hear, but beginning just now she had a sort of unbelievable feeling, and she didn't want to stay silent.
"So, Kusanagi Godou, hurry and wake up. The Great Knight of the Copper Black Cross, the peerless Erica Blandelli is waiting for you to awaken, oh? I won't forgive you for making me wait, oh?"
However, this voice was extremely soft.
The [King]'s slumber cannot be disturbed. Of course Erica knew it was pointless to do this, but she somehow had an incredible feeling.
Why was she wasting time doing these things?
Whatever... After all, they were just on a whim.
On the long road of life, taking a small detour should have no significant effect on the whole. So the birth of the youngest [King], she will continue observing for a while.
It was at the moment she made her decision.
The triangular hole at a corner of the ruins—the entrance to the underground temple, Erica stared at it with wide open eyes.
The defensive wall of rock erected by the divine king of the Phoenicians had vanished.
On the other hand, appearing in the sky over the hole was a mass of black clouds, surrounded by flashing lightning, and the wind was blowing vortices.
"King Melqart, you have appeared?"
'Hoho, exactly. That brat's rebirth, seems to have concluded peacefully. I can feel the Campione's presence. His body exudes the presence of my enemy, the ancient warrior!'
The divine king's voice could be heard coming from the black shadow.
"So king, are you going to fight the new Campione now?"
'Foolish words! I am the king of the gods, the great warrior, the strongest hunter who slays dragons! How could I possibly do something so despicable towards a newborn little brat!'
Seeing Erica face the black shadow proudly, Melqart's voice began to announce loudly.
'Pass these words to him when he wakes up! Your first enemy was the war god Verethragna, the second one is me—Melqart! Very soon I will recover all my power. When that time comes, take the place of that war god, my spears of fury will be aimed at you! Polish your sword and wait for my arrival!'
Boom! As a gust of violent wind began to blow, the black shadow flew away like lightning.
King Melqart had left the premises.
"That's right, you sure have it rough, to be targeted by that crude god."
Erica shrugged and continued to watch Godou's peaceful sleeping face.
"No other way, I will guard you for a while then. You owe me, and I will make you pay me back well. Even if you are a [King], debts have to be settled. Be prepared, Kusanagi Godou!"
And that concludes the story of the beginning.
The story of the youth who obtained power due to his destiny to slay a god, as well as his encounter with his young lady knight.
Thus ends one scene of the saga. What begins next, is the story of all sorts of commotions brought forth to the world by the devil king and his knight.
Epilogue
In the latter half of July, it was the peak of summer.
For southern Italy, beginning in May was already the warm season for short-sleeved clothing.
So during the peak of summer, the sun's heat was especially intense, and because of that, the seaside resorts were packed with people every single day.
"Young man, after you became a Campione, I had given you my honest advice—"
Under the cloudless Sardinian blue sky.
A beautiful beach, as well as the deep azure ocean extended before his eyes.
This was not a place where he had visited with Erica during spring. Instead this was on the north-western part of the island, a beach near the abandoned silver mines.
Though it was located close to Alghero which had the airport, the be
ach was not recorded in travel guides.
Currently present were Kusanagi Godou and Mariya Yuri, their host Lucretia Zola, as well as Erica Blandelli with her assistant and maid Arianna.
"Your greatest flaw is that you don't suspect your friends. As a young man, this is admittedly adorable, but you are a real and proper devil king-sama. As both a king and a warrior, how could you be so careless? This is why this happens to you."
The one who explained with such an attitude was Lucretia.
The nostalgic Witch of Sardinia, the chief culprit who caused Godou to become a Campione, the old lady who looked like a beautiful girl in the prime of life.
She was now lying on a mat on the beach, elegantly having sun tan lotion applied on her.
The one applying the lotion was Kusanagi Godou, yes, that's him.
As a side note, the two of them were wearing swimwear, though Lucretia's bikini top had been untied, in other words, she was lying there half-naked.
Applying lotion to her back, Godou had lifeless eyes, and remained silent without speaking a word.
"When backed into a corner, your judgment and decisiveness can be frightening, but I hope you learn to think ahead a little."
As a side note, Lucretia's body was rich with the voluptuous feel of a mature woman.
A bosom possessing overwhelming oppressive presence, a narrow waist despite a very decadent lifestyle, every voluptuous curve of her body surpassed those of Erica's.
Besides, at a height of roughly 160cm, Erica was considered somewhat short amongst Italian women.
By Japanese standards, her figure rivaled swimsuit models, but in her home country, Erica only stood out as a particularly slim and slender girl. However, Lucretia was completely different.
With a height of 170cm plus a bit, and a body that exploded with the sensual beauty of her curves.
That kind of sexy litheness, was like a show girl appearing on European or American television, or comparable to a celebrity sex symbol.
"The first thing you should have suspected, was whether the crafty Erica-san was provoking your wariness on purpose by that kind of proposal. From that moment on, you should have pondered whether it was the beginning of a conspiracy, hey... Keep your hands moving, you need to apply the lotion more thoroughly."
"By the way, Lucretia, isn't it time to return Godou to me?"
With a joyful voice, Erica started a conversation with the half-naked beauty in the middle of her lecture.
Dressed in a black bikini with red patterns and designed for activity, Erica generously exhibited her well-proportioned limbs and tender skin.
"Because you helped out, I lent Godou out for you to command. But the purpose of this trip is to hasten the development of my relationship with Godou, right? That's about enough."
...Kusanagi Godou and Mariya Yuri had arrived at the Alghero airport.
Welcoming the pair were the three of them—Lucretia and Erica, with Arianna standing behind them as their maid.
That's right, everything was conducted within Erica's grasp.
From inciting Godou's sense of emergency with the travel plans at the very beginning, to making the cornered Godou seek help from an acquaintance who was already complicit in the conspiracy.
And just like that, Godou rushed towards a summer vacation island, to this open location.
The plan designed by Lucretia and her secret ally Erica, was perfectly executed to success.
"Godou-san... Did you not say this was your host and savior? Then you should serve her even more earnestly, and with full sincerity, right?"
As Godou serviced Lucretia as she lied down, Yuri's cold voice was warning him.
She was wearing a blue one-piece swimsuit with a mini-skirt design. Even so, the pale complexion of her shoulders clearly gave off a feeling unique to young ladies.
Though a lot of places were covered, it was still a swimsuit.
Yuri's graceful figure was unambiguously displayed. Though her curves lost to Erica and Lucretia by a step or two, they were still extremely pleasing to the eye, and her air of nobility was something wonderful that the other two lacked.
"...Lucretia-san. Umm, it's about time to stop, right?"
Yuri's glance of derision caused Godou piercing pain.
They had been caught at the airport then kidnapped to this beach. Subsequently, Godou was forced into manual labor by the pretext, 'you were invited here specifically so that you must repay the favor using your body.'
Just as he was about to refuse, Lucretia deliberately looked at him from afar.
'I see... By the way, you are a man, so it is natural you would not service an old lady like me, but would prefer the fresh young bodies of Erica-san and the girl you brought here. Hohoho, a fellow who would ditch his friends for his lovers, a fellow who doesn't return favors, you sexual predator... By the way, if you don't agree to my demands, from now on, I will be calling you sexual predator all the time.'
Due to this convoluted threat, Godou had no choice but to serve her.
"Godou-san. If you don't mind, let me substitute for you?"
The one speaking beside him was Arianna Hayama Arialdi with her very long name. Though she was Erica's assistant, she was basically her maid.
By the way, she was currently wearing an apron over her swimsuit. In a certain sense, it felt like something was reversed.
When Godou asked her 'why wear an apron,' she immediately answered with something like 'but when serving others, don't you have to wear this?' As long as one avoided her driving or any cooking involving stewing, she was a naturally healing female presence.
"Please do give me a hand, Anna-san!"
"Wait a while, young man, this is no good. Arianna, don't get impatient."
"Ah, Lucretia-san, why is that?"
"It feels great to know that the young man serving me hates it. So, young man, do your work with ever more loving care. Besides, this should be nice for you, right? To openly and legally caress the skin of a beauty like me."
"...The one who called herself old was yourself, Lucretia-san!"
Godou protested loudly.
It is almost time to stop, for I am next. Godou knew Erica was thinking that as she laid beside him, and wanted to escape from her. More importantly, the silently watching Yuri's cold sharp glares were like those of a demoness[32], making Godou very terrified.
"How can I harbor such strange thoughts against an old lady from the same generation as my grandfather?! Please do not say these kinds of strange things."
"Hoho, your mouth denies it, but your body is honest. I can feel your fingers trembling on my back, it's OK to be a little more daring, eh? Ah... That's the way, your technique is good, you've already figured out the sensitive spot on my shoulder. Yes, now gently, slowly just like that, don't hurry—ah..."
A seductive atmosphere and subtle sounds were deliberately released from Lucretia's lips.
Unable to stand it, Godou could only surrender.
"I beg you, please could you spare me."
Anyway, that was the seaside in the peak of summer.
Godou casted his mental fatigue aside. Whenever he started playing, he automatically felt full of passion.
Hearing that the locals were gathering for a beach football tournament, Lucretia suddenly suggested joining in.
"I don't mind, let's have fun."
"I see. So, you guys come as well."
Lucretia was ordering him with a matter-of-fact tone of voice, and Godou shook his head.
"Why do we have to join as well?"
"It's a tournament where the winning team gets the luxury prize of a fully automatic washing machine. There is no meaning unless I form a team with our group. For the sake of bolstering the ranks of my household appliances, you all must help!"
"Because I have a bad premonition, I must refuse. Besides, we can't possibly win in a sports event with our roster of team members."
Godou, Erica, Yuri, Arianna and Lucretia. Five of them.
Ther
e was absolutely no sense of balance. How could such a team possibly function normally? Godou was certain of that.
"You've been spoiling your lover, but now you ignore me, your local wife[33]!?"
"W-Who is my local wife?"
"I, Lucretia Zola, am the local wife of you, Kusanagi Godou. How could you possibly not know that?"
The Witch of Sardinia declared nonchalantly.
Watching the frowning Godou, Yuri showed a terrible expression that seemed to say 'It really was like that!? To think I believed in you so much!' Really, please spare me and don't play these kinds of jokes.
"I have completely no idea. You cannot just decide on your own."
"No, I also want to experience it, how it feels to be Erica-san, who became the lover of the recently born Campione and won the title of [Diavolo Rosso]. And coincidentally, my dear friend you came along, so I have to make you spoil me."
"Please don't have such thoughts. How old are you, what good is there in relying on others?"
"Despite how I look, I am actually a very stubborn woman, oh? If you doubt my words, you can ask your grandfather."
"Don't describe those things in such vivid detail!"
Losing to Lucretia in spirit, Godou had no choice but to participate in the competition.
If it was a normal football match, five people were definitely not enough. But since there was a lack of participants, it suddenly became a beach football tournament that five people could play.
With such unfettered rules of typical Italian style, the competition began—
Godou's worries became reality.
Yuri and Arianna were incompetent at sports, while Lucretia was sports capable but too lazy.
Those three could not be counted on at all, so it was up to the remaining two.
As the trump card, Erica charged before the opponents' goal and scored alone. On the other hand, Godou ran everywhere, taking possession of the ball, passing, and was a total manual laborer.
With this sort of team, how could victory be sustained, and they were defeated in the third match.
After the tournament ended, Godou walked alone towards the beach.
Finding something that was either a coconut or a cycas tree, he leaned against the tree trunk to alleviate the fatigue from the beach football. Looking out towards the sky, the direct sunlight made his eyes narrow to a slit.
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