Chapter 1 - Tuscan Prelude
Part 1
A hectic journey running all over the place—
That was how one could summarize Kusanagi Godou's expedition to Italy's Tuscany.
Basically, Godou had battled the divine beast at the end of his journey although his memories of this segment were rather vague. Conversely, the matter of "traveling to so many places in such a short time" left a far greater impression on him.
Not long after Kusanagi Godou became a godslayer...
Shortly after he dueled his kin, Salvatore Doni, by the shore of Lake Garda in northern Italy...
On that very morning, after parting ways with Doni, Godou was confronted with Erica's invitation.
'Hey Godou, let's go slay a divine beast after we reach Milan, how's that?'
Godou began a journey in order to decline this invitation.
More accurately, he fled. His destination was northern Italy's ancient city of Verona, the stage where the story of Romeo and Juliet was set.
This town not only neighbored Lake Garda but also possessed an international airport.
As soon as he entered Verona, Godou dashed his way straight towards the airport.
An ancient city with a long history, Verona was the site of the Roman amphitheater, the Verona Arena, which remained in use for activities even in the modern day. The city also had deep connections to the great writer Dante. Furthermore, there were many astounding churches, cathedrals and other architecture.
Despite being a town where one could hardly resist a quick sightseeing tour, Godou resolutely rejected temptation.
Were he to stop here, he would surely be caught by Erica.
Then with his personal freewill completely ignored, he would be forced to accept this amazingly attractive girl as his lifelong partner—
Come to think of it, that would certainly be a sweet and blissful future.
Nevertheless, it was only natural for a student to have doubts over committing his future by the May of his first year in high school. Without even listening to the details of the "divine beast slaying," Godou went directly to the airport. This was an instantaneous act he undertook just as he was about to be devoured by Erica's overwhelming charm.
In any case, after escaping fortuitously, Godou finally managed to board the last flight scheduled that morning.
However, he still could not let down his guard before the plane took off, in case Erica tried to prevent him from leaving the country.
Nevertheless, Godou's plane managed to take flight without incident, lifting off successfully.
"All that worrying for nothing..."
Seated on the plane, Godou muttered to himself.
With this, that Erica girl would probably have no choice but to give up. What an absurd itinerary. To go slay an unidentified monster the next day after fighting the Campione who stood as Europe's strongest swordsman? That would have been way too much no matter what.
Besides, Kusanagi Godou was a pacifist. He would rather keep a respectful distance away from such meaningless combat...
While Godou was contemplating these affairs, the plane reached Switzerland's Zurich Airport. He would then take a transfer flight to Tokyo from here.
Since there were three hours until his next flight took off, he had to find a way to kill time.
Hence, Godou ordered a coffee at a cafe in front of a duty free shop. A long-missed moment of peace—
Then Godou was greeted with a sudden reunion.
"Oh dear, to think I would run into you in a place like this, Godou. What wonderful serendipity!"
Approaching this way, Erica deliberately emphasized the element of luck in her exclamation.
The smile appearing on her lips was like the devil's through and through.
"Hoho. Surely this must be the gods rewarding me for my many benevolent deeds."
"Hold it right there, Erica. This feels as though you took the same flight as me. If that were not the case, your presence here cannot be explained."
Certain imaginings surfaced turbulently in Godou's mind.
Such as a passenger poisoned for the sake of obtaining a seat on the fully booked flight, followed by a scene of a blonde beauty nonchalantly sitting down on a vacated seat.
These were delusions. Nevertheless, Erica was perfectly capable of doing that.
"I didn't do anything illegal or immoral, okay? I asked an old acquaintance for a favor and borrowed a private jet, that's all."
"I-I see."
Godou was relieved to hear this unexpected answer.
However, Erica put on a smile with deliberate affectation.
"Be that as it may, should you happen to continue ignoring my myriad entreaties, Godou, the flight to Tokyo might very well run into some trouble. The pilot might suddenly feel unwell, for example."
"!?"
"Should that be the case, Godou, you'll be trapped here. Oh dear, so many people will be inconvenienced."
"Are you threatening me!?"
"Of course not. I would consider this a lover's willful request."
Sitting down beside Godou, Erica suddenly leaned over.
Godou could feel her astoundingly attractive body tightly against him. Separated only by the reddish blonde hair, her face also pressed close. Godou could even smell the fragrance of her perfume.
Faced with this helpless and lamentable situation, Godou could feel himself unsettled greatly. His heart was pounding like mad.
For a high school boy whose age equaled the number of years without a girlfriend, this was the absolute unbearable limit.
"Moreover, I am actually quite willful, you know? How could you leave your lover behind without a single hug or farewell..."
"......"
"For someone like me who is merely using radical measures to hold back her beloved, impatient for their next reunion, I'm certain the sympathy of most Italians would side with me, wouldn't you agree?"
"B-But the fact is, you're calling us lovers on your own accord."
"True, when clearly our relationship has reached the point where we have brought our lips madly together in the past, and even shared beds for the night?"
"B-But that was necessary for fighting gods and that idiot Doni."
Godou knew it. The awareness of sharing "no ordinary relations" with Erica still lurked somewhere in the back of his mind.
Consequently, the resolution behind his objections was compromised.
Furthermore, his inability to push away the passionate body she was leaning tightly against him stemmed purely from a difference in arm strength.
Using mysterious magic to strengthen herself, Erica was able to command monstrous strength even beyond that of heavyweight wrestlers.
"Then there is the latest news I obtained merely by chance."
Hearing Erica's low whispers in his ear, Godou's body stiffened even more. His cheeks felt hot.
But after listening to the news she recounted, he immediately tensed his expression.
"An eel-like monster surfacing in Tuscany... Previously, it was only sighted in the depths of mountainous forests, but last night, it made an appearance at the ruins of a medieval fort and apparently went on a rampage."
"Did it attack humans!?"
"No issue there for now, for it's a desolate site akin to historical ruins. However, there are towns nearby so it does pose a risk."
"This is not as simple as a mere ordinary giant beast..."
A divine beast. A type of creature similar to the [Boar] summoned by Verethragna's authority. Godou was completely surprised to learn that a creature resembling an UMA could live quietly, making its residence deep in the mountain woods.
"Since Doni lives near there, I'd rather have him handle it."
"You're
not wrong on that point, no doubt about it. But do realize that it could develop into a serious situation. If you really leave it to him, Sir Salvatore's existence itself is a great source of trouble."
"That's totally ridiculous. You mean he's a double-edged sword, huh..."
Rather than taking care of problems, Salvatore Doni was clearly more adept at causing them.
Realizing what Erica meant, Godou nodded.
"Currently, the magic associations of Florence intend to handle the situation. However, if this monster really is a divine beast-class creature... They cannot be allowed to shoulder the responsibility. They are incapable of shouldering it..."
Erica was currently sitting on Godou's lap quietly. While feeling the sensations of her weight and body temperature, Godou recovered his calm.
"The only ones capable of facing off against the gods and their possessions are the Campiones. Namely, only you and your kin, Kusanagi Godou, understood?"
Faced with this notification which sounded like a challenge to his magnanimity, Godou had no choice but to accept his fate.
Kusanagi Godou was a pacifist. One who kept a respectful distance from pointless combat. But at the same time, he was also a man with a greater sense of responsibility and aspirations to serve the public good than ordinary people.
Thus, Godou's third emergency trip to Italy was decided.
The flight from Zurich to Milan was roughly one hour long.
Part 2
"Worse comes to worst, should our opponent really turn out to be a divine beast, we have two options available. Either we put our lives on the line in an attempt to slay the enemy or put our lives on the line to stall for time."
These words were spoken by Clarens, Erica's colleague. Sporting a shaved head, he was a Dutchman of African descent.
"Let me clarify beforehand. These options are only available provided we form a hit squad consisting only of multiple Great Knight-class magi like us. Unless this condition is fulfilled, evacuating and praying to God would be the only course of action."
"In short, our enemy is totally absurd."
The current location was a lounge in the headquarters of Milan's [Copper Black Cross], reserved for members of the core leadership.
The room exuded an air of luxury. Not only were there everyday furnishings such as couches but it was even equipped with a private bar and a billiards table. This was where Godou currently faced three other people.
Since Erica had gone off to another room to get changed, all the people present were male.
One of them began to discuss the challenge of fighting divine beasts.
"Yeah. Furthermore, the Campione is precisely the transcendent existence that this kind of divine beast cannot hold a candle to."
"Isn't the description, 'transcendent existence,' a bit too exaggerated..."
"Oh no, it's only because you've repeatedly engaged in absurd battles of that sort, your senses are getting warped."
This time, the speaker was Gennaro Gantz.
Despite his short stature, he was quite a brawny young man. With a head of black hair and a bearded face reminiscent of a pirate's, he looked like he was in his latter thirties. In actual fact, he was only twenty-odd years old. He carried an unrefined air about him.
"Disregarding the various Campiones who stand as kings, the only person belonging to the human realm and capable of soloing a divine beast is probably Paolo. Even so, it would still be a great battle where one must be prepared to accept the possibility of death."
Paolo—Paolo Blandelli. Godou had heard that he was Erica's paternal uncle and legal guardian.
Godou turned his gaze towards the third person present whose name was just mentioned. The man was smiling wryly.
"Allow me to object to the accuracy of that statement. Aside from me, there are plenty of others who have reached that level of power."
"But purely in regards to expertise in combat against divine beasts, you are considered the indisputable master, right?"
"That's only because I've grown accustomed to it. Due to some personal ties to one of your kin, the Campiones, I ended up encountering divine beasts relatively often."
While speaking, Paolo turned to face Godou halfway through.
Godou was surprised by the gaze of Paolo's clear eyes of blue. After the flight from Zurich landed at Milan's Marpensa Airport, Godou had arrived at the [Copper Black Cross] headquarters half an hour earlier.
This was his first time meeting Erica's dear uncle.
As expected of a man whose niece was such a beauty, his face was quite handsome too.
His stately demeanor was coupled with a refined manner of speech. Long hair draped gently over his shoulders while a bit of stubble had gathered about his mouth. In addition, he was quite strongly built.
Even dressed casually in a long-sleeved t-shirt with a parka, his muscular body, steeled through and through, was quite conspicuous.
But more than his appearance, it was Paolo's comportment that held Godou's gaze of fascination.
Paolo was very dignified. Despite his slightly rough appearance and casual attire, nothing could detract from his inborn sense of dignity. Rather, it helped to serve as a foil for contrast.
Gallant, intellectual, handsome, noble—
Until Paolo, Godou had never met anyone who embodied the "knight" concept so thoroughly.
"Please, everyone, there's no need to show excessive respect to someone like me. Not to mention, I'm also the youngest person here. Please converse with me normally."
The three men present were different from Salvatore Doni.
Feeling particularly uncomfortable about the privileged treatment he was receiving from Paolo, Godou suggested. For the high school student who was the youngest present, this type of worry was only natural. As a result, Gantz suddenly straightened his back.
"Eh, is it really okay? That would be absolutely splendid. I'm really glad to know that the seventh Campione is someone easy to get along with, oh my."
"Gennaro, even if His Majesty makes a personal request, please do pay a little attention to your behavior."
On the other hand, Clarens frowned in response to his colleague's reaction.
"Thank you for your considerate offer, Your Majesty. Respect for the various Devil Kings is the requisite attitude displayed by those involved in the realm of magic. Rather, a candid chat would present difficulties. However."
After deliberately offering this respectful explanation, the bald black man finally smiled.
"By a stroke of good fortune, I, Clarens, am not so lacking in the talent of adaptability as to be unable to accommodate your request. Indeed, I shall bear your request in mind henceforth. Let us get along well together."
Saying that, he elegantly bowed his head as he remained seated on the couch.
Godou could only smile awkwardly in response to Clarens' rigorous style of speech and elegant mannerisms.
An exchange as befitted Erica's colleagues, that was Godou's heartfelt impression.
Smiling wryly at the sight of his subordinates' reactions, Paolo responded in the following manner:
"Kusanagi Godou, you are a king. It is only natural for us to take utmost pains to respect your wishes as much as possible. It is also a king's duty to accept the respect we offer as knights. Nevertheless, your intentions of practicality are greatly appreciated."
"R-Respect?"
"What we offer to all Campiones is the greatest reverence and awe. No matter what temperament they may display, they are the ones with experience, great achievements worthy of the godslayer title."
Paolo continued to gaze straight into Godou's eyes as he spoke.
Drawn by the sincerity and power in Paolo's gaze, Godou nodded involuntarily.
"Furthermore, even disregarding the respect offered to all Devil Kings, from a personal standpoint, I would still provide Kusanagi Godou with maximum support. This goes for Europe without saying, but also extends to anywhere around the world."
"Eh!?"
Paolo smiled gallantly in response to Godou's shocked reaction to the unexpected declaration.
"There are multiple reasons for this. First of all, I have heard reports of your character, a splendid youth just as I expected. Additionally, there is the matter of gratitude. Without Kusanagi Godou, my niece could not have returned to Milan, safe and sound."
"No really, all I've done is receive Erica's help."
Ever since their encounter on the island of Sardinia, Godou and Erica had been supporting each other. Moreover, Erica probably did the lion's share of helping.
Considering the issue of gratitude, Godou felt that he was the one who should be returning favors.
But seeing Godou shake his head, Paolo suddenly seemed to be at a loss for words.
After a brief moment of hesitation, he coughed dryly. Then he spoke rather slowly.
"In that case, let me add another reason. Well, basically... In the place of Erica's deceased parents, I believe I am bound by duty to provide the best for this daughter's partner. As the uncle who acts as her custodian."
"P-Partner—"
Come to think it, on further examination, this current situation could very well constitute Godou's visit to the parental home of the girl with whom he shared "no ordinary relations."
Isn't this basically meeting the parents...?
"Consequently, whether stemming from official or personal reasons, I am bound by duty to pledge my support. Goodness knows if this is a mixed blessing or not, but you are surely unprecedented in regards to placating the stubborn surrogate father that I am."
By suddenly addressing Godou with the patronizing kimi form of saying "you" in Japanese, Paolo's mixed feelings were readily apparent.
However, Godou naturally had no objections. Instead, he was quite impressed with this forthright awkwardness coming from a man unaccustomed to his surrogate paternal role.
"Indeed, she is a girl who is sometimes too smart for her own good. Currently, I am sincerely grateful and relieved that her chosen partner is a shrewd and able man on her level instead of a free spirit like Sir Salvatore."
"It really helps to hear that coming from you."
Gazing at each other for a moment, Godou and Paolo Blandelli then smiled wryly simultaneously.
Unlike his cunning niece, Erica's uncle seemed to be an upfront man of common sense.
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