Campione 14

by The Eighth Godslayer

  "Let me think. For example, when I was sent to nineteenth century London, I took a steamboat for a return trip to India. If my starting point was ninth century Samarkand[11], I would cross the Pamir Mountains and the Tian Shan mountain ranges by camel to head towards Chang'an[12] via the Silk Road—"

  "Even if you can make trips to the past, could you stop indulging yourself in adventures!?"

  Unlike her contemporary Devil Kings, Madame Aisha's personality and eccentricities were quite different.

  However, Godou would always find ridiculous things that compelled him to retort during the various topics they conversed on. In particular, whenever she talked about her own personal experiences, Godou would notice a change that ran counter to her appearance of a graceful beauty's.

  As a side note, Madame Aisha had currently taken off her white overcoat.

  She was wearing a female tunic beneath. An outfit resembling a t-shirt secured with a belt, reaching down to her knees.

  Because she was so lightly dressed, Godou could clearly see that the Madame's slender figure was quite voluptuous in all the right places.

  "But isn't it kind of tough to be wandering around everywhere? Don't you often meet xenophobic people who'll reject foreigners?"

  Godou recalled what his grandfather, Kusanagi Ichirou, had mentioned before.

  His grandfather was a folkloristics scholar whose research themes focused on traditional culture and arts in Eastern Asia. Godou had heard stories of Ichirou's youth when he had visited towns and villages all over various Asian countries to conduct interviews and research without pause.

  It was quite common for foreign strangers to be ostracized by the locals, although Ichirou had overcome this challenge as easily as though he were a master of deception.

  On the other hand, Madame Aisha's appearance was even more striking than Godou's grandfather. And she was also a woman as well. That would have caused more troublesome experiences, right? Despite Godou's worries, she replied calmly.

  "Oh, that's not a problem. Because I have an authority that causes everyone to like me."

  "I see."

  "It's the authority that I was forced to usurp from a certain Catholic saint in the Catholic religion. Thanks to its blessings, no one troubles me no matter what time period I visit. I consider it one of my important treasures."

  "So that's how you blended harmoniously into this town so easily. By the way..."

  As Madame Aisha gratefully counted her blessings, Godou asked philosophically.

  "Since it's a deity's authority, it should be capable of something more dangerous than 'making others like me.' That's quite a subdued way of using it."

  Godou recalled what Ena had mentioned back when they had first arrived in Gaul.

  In actual fact, hypnosis magic was capable of similar manipulation of people's impressions.

  Madame Aisha looked troubled in response to what Godou had pointed out.

  "O-Of course, naturally. This power can easily create a cult of fanatics who would lay down their lives for me without hesitation. But of course, such unruliness must be prevented at all costs..."

  "Why does it have to be these kinds of powers!?"

  Random creation of gates, leading to the past or the otherworld. Miraculous powers of recovery, capable of healing many heavily injured people in an instant. Charisma resembling a devil's charm.

  The person possessing these powers also had an altruistic personality and liked to help others. Furthermore, she was a person with the initiative to keep embarking on adventures even in eras without cars or planes.

  Godou could now understand clearly why Saint Raffaello wanted to avoid Madame Aisha like the plague.

  For such a character to be wandering the past world incessantly, one would not be surprised by any changes in history at all.

  "Upon further thought, it really was quite incredible... When Uldin visited earlier, the soldiers were fighting fearlessly against the monsters."

  "Oh, because everyone was in a complete state of panic, I did a little..."

  Most likely, she had offered encouragement to the soldiers directly.

  Godou knew quite well the charisma displayed by heroic gods. Just as he nodded in acknowledgement of this surprising skill, he went "Hmm?" because he realized something.

  Among all the authorities the Madame had talked about so far, none of them were related to combat.

  Then how did she fight gods and her kin, the Campiones? Just as Godou was about to ask, he stopped himself in the middle of the process. He could not imagine a future where he would have to fight Madame Aisha.

  Instead, he asked:

  "By the way, how can we get back to the modern age? Could you please tell me?"

  "There are two methods."

  The Madame answered immediately. Perhaps she felt apologetic about getting Godou and the girls caught up in this incident.

  "First of all, you can wait for the existing entrance to open up in this time period. The cave naturally opens during nights of the full moon when the sky is clear."

  "In other words, there's a chance every month, but it's affected by the weather as well?"

  "The second way is to gather a group of accomplished magi to open it. If you gather a sufficient number of excellent witches and people knowledgeable in the ways of fairies, using their knowledge and magic, it can probably be prepared in half or maybe a full month's time."

  Madame Aisha explained what she had done in the past. However, Godou sighed in response.

  "This can't be done immediately. Simply gathering all the people would be a challenge already."

  In that case, he would have to fall back on the first choice—

  Then how should he deal with godslayer of this time period, Uldin?

  Just as Godou pondered the problem that had remained unsolved throughout these past few days, Madame Aisha suddenly leaned her face near.

  "W-What's the matter?"

  "I came to visit you today for a reason. Actually, I wanted to ask you, regarding whether those rumors circulating among the soldiers are true..."

  "There are rumors about me?"

  "They say that you've prepared a house outside the stronghold, Kusanagi-san, for two girls to wait on you there and live together under the same roof. These two girls are said to be your wives and concubines, Kusanagi-san."

  "Wives and concubines!?"

  The armies of ancient Rome did not permit soldiers to marry during their time in service. Marriage and having children had to wait until a soldier was discharged—Such a rule existed. At least, nominally.

  In practice, the rule was already long dead. Soldiers would cohabit with unregistered wives and children near where they were stationed and would even have "secondary residences" in nearby villages at the same time.

  In order to live and share meals together, Godou's trio had also arranged a secondary residence.

  "Although I guessed that you share quite close relationships with those two girls you keep by your side, Kusanagi-san, I never thought you would indulge in the pleasure of romancing both of them simultaneously..."

  "W-Wait a minute. Those rumors are wrong in all sorts of ways!"

  "But it's true that you have the two girls serve you in that home, right?"

  "Of course not. We're just 'living together' in the same place, that's all!"

  Madame Aisha gazed intently at Godou's panic.

  Then her eyes looked as though she were a nun listening to a sinner's contrition as she spoke slowly:

  "Kusanagi-san, please do not find excuses for yourself. You were lying just now. As soon as I saw the darkness in your pupils, it was obvious."

  Indeed, Godou did have many memories he was ashamed of. Hence, he went "!?" and panicked.

  "Despite how I may look, I am a woman who has visited all countries, ancient and modern, oriental and occidental. I do have some confidence in my ability to judge people. Why don't you come clean and confess everything honestly?"

  "Aisha-san, wha
t good would listening to all that do for you!?"

  "No. Excuse me but let me offer a little simple insight."

  Like a female sage who had acquired total wisdom, the Madame explained in a sharp tone of voice:

  "Universally, no matter the time period or location, all women enjoy certain topics of conversation. Namely, other people's scandals, love-hate disputes, love triangles... Of course, I am no exception!"

  "Doesn't that just mean you love gossiping!?"

  Seeing the Madame gradually leaning in closer and closer, Godou retreated the same distance.

  While this conversation was occurring, one of the girls in question entered the reception hall.

  "So you're here, Your Majesty. And Aisha-san's here too."

  Ena smiled candidly as always. Madame Aisha smiled back gracefully in her usual manner, displaying great cordiality.

  Meanwhile, Godou noticed the object in Ena's hand. She was holding a scroll.

  Since they were in ancient Gaul, the scroll was probably made of papyrus or parchment.

  "Erica-san wanted to show this to Your Majesty. Uldin-san was flying above the town on his dragon just now. This was the invitation letter he threw down."

  "Invitation letter, you say?"

  "Yes, to be handed over to Your Majesty. The words seem to be saying that Uldin-san is holding a welcoming banquet at his castle and that he hopes Your Majesty would grace him with your presence."

  Taking the letter, Godou found the texture a little smooth.

  The letter was written in a horizontal script with the Latin alphabet. Probably ancient Latin? How should he handle this troublesome opponent?

  While staring at the invitation letter, Godou began to come up with a plan.

  Part 4

  The historic ruins of Augusta Raurica apparently survived to modern times.

  These were the biggest ancient Roman ruins existing in Switzerland, according to Erica. In fact, the city of Raurica was so well-developed that one would not expect it to be an ancient border city.

  The population was estimated at twenty thousand. With many stone-built homes, there was a network of paved roads that weaved back and forth throughout the urban area.

  Aqueducts provided an abundant water supply to the citizens. There were theaters, amphitheaters, temples, Christian churches, forums where senators gathered, public baths, etc...

  This was a typical ancient Roman colonial city.

  Compared to medieval cities slightly further in the future, life here must be in much greater comfort.

  When evening came, Godou left the stronghold and made his way towards the "secondary abode" in the high-class residential neighborhood. Naturally, Erica and Ena were together as well.

  Along the way, they had a simple dinner at a plebeian-run restaurant.

  "You two, compared to food that's good for your development, you really eat anything, don't you?"

  "Because there isn't any food that is too strange, so it's fine."

  "If only this were a coastal city, we would get to try moray eel cuisine, a staple of ancient Roman diets... What a shame."

  The night's menu included salad flavored with salt, vinegar and olive oil; stew, made with beans and various vegetables; omelets with roasted sausages; plain bread; etc.

  Ignoring Erica's dangerous murmurings, Godou and Ena ate with their hands.

  Although this was an era without knives or forks, most of the food on the dining table was quite familiar.

  Vegetables included cabbage, garlic, broad beans, onions, etc. Meat was dominated by pork. Poultry actually had goose more commonly than chicken, but Godou had not tried it yet.

  Since most of the flavorings were salty, the taste was delicious to the modern palate.

  After dinner, they made a visit to a bath along the way.

  Ancient Roman-style public baths were quite famous. These facilities not only contained massive baths but also a sports arena and swimming pools. Naturally, men and women were separated in this place. After a solitary bath, Godou met up with the two girls.

  By the time they returned to the residence, night had fallen completely.

  Since it was a house prepared by the army, it was not only spacious in design but also luxurious.

  Originally, a group of slaves were supposed to be living here as well. However, the idea of being served felt repugnant to modern sensibilities, so they had all the slaves dismissed. Thus, the trio currently lived by themselves.

  After a change of clothing, Godou and his companions gathered in the house's great hall.

  They were going to discuss the "invitation letter" that Uldin had delivered.

  "Well, he must have some motive behind the invitation."

  "At the same time, it's a chance for us to gather intelligence from the interior of the other side."

  Erica and Ena instantly began the conversation.

  Perhaps because of the earlier agreement to "prohibit stealing ahead," neither of them tried to tease or play around with Godou. Instead, they discussed the situation in earnest harmony. Godou considered this to be a good thing from his perspective.

  On the other hand, their location and attire was quite problematic.

  Erica and Ena were both on top of a spacious couch. They were lying casually on the couch in opposite directions with a map of the surrounding area spread out between them.

  Furthermore, they were both dressed in ancient attire.

  First of all, there were the silken tunics. Due to how low the hems reached, they did not need to wear lower garments such as pants.

  Their bare legs were exposed completely.

  Then there were the long shawls they wrapped around their waist and threw over their shoulders.

  Dressed in this manner, Erica and Ena were lying casually on the couch.

  Pairs of dazzling white thighs and bare legs were jutting out from the couch. Clad in sheer clothing, the massive bulges of bountiful bosoms and the seductive curves of their posteriors as they lay on the couch, the sight of all this was driving Godou's sanity to the very edge.

  Furthermore, Erica and Ena had returned straight from using the public baths.

  Hence, there was a reddish flush to their bodies, and the two girls were quite relaxed.

  "So, I guess it's time for me to go to sleep..."

  Finding an exotic allure in the unfamiliar sight of their current clothing and feeling an irresistible attraction towards the girls' relaxed and unguarded bodies, Godou intended to leave his seat.

  Only earlier at noon, he had just told Madame Aisha that they were simply "living together."

  Hence, Godou tried as hard as he could to avoid easily misconstrued situations. However, he was prevented from leaving.

  "No Godou. The conversation hasn't ended, has it?"

  "That's right, Your Majesty. You've been silent all along."

  "Well... Seeing as I'm the only man here, it's really quite difficult to stay calm..."

  Feeling like surrendering, Godou confessed with honesty.

  However, Erica and Ena giggled and brushed his argument aside.

  "What are you talking about? This is a place for family members to gather and chat happily."

  "Yes yes. As the saying goes, do as the Romans do, so hurry over here, Your Majesty. Let's all lie down together for a chat."

  This room was a great hall for holding banquets.

  Members of the family would gather for reunions here or invite guests over for dinner. Chatting. Drinking. On the other hand, lying on this full-length sofa that resembled a bed was quite comfortable.

  For a modern person, this was quite hard to get used to. However, this was the ancient Roman lifestyle.

  Teased by the two girls, Godou felt his heart waver slightly.

  The worst of it was trying to tear his gaze away from the attractive bodies of the girls who were lying down.

  With much difficulty, he had arranged for the three of them to sleep in separate rooms. The current situation was rendering his effor
ts naught.

  If he were to be overcome with rash impulse—This sort of "possibility" terrified Godou.

  "No, look here. If some weird change occurs in my mood, then the agreement you two mentioned would be voided... This is for preventing that as well."

  Godou expressed his thoughts honestly, hoping they could understand the legitimacy of his retreat.

  However, Erica and Ena simply answered nonchalantly.

  "Of course it won't be voided, because no one is stealing a march by making a move in advance."

  "Yeah, because Ena and Erica-san want to conquer Your Majesty's heart together."

  "Conquer!?"

  "By the way, we won't lock our doors when we're sleeping."

  "So please feel free to sneak in during the middle of the night."

  "Wha—!?"

  These shocking words caused Godou to feel as though his head had been struck by a hammer.

  In the face of Godou's shock, Ena continued:

  "Whether Your Majesty chooses Erica-san or Ena, neither of us will complain. That is what we agreed already."

  "We are dressed the same way in order to create a level playing field. With this, the decisive factor boils down to our own attractiveness."

  "Yes yes. Ena and Erica-san discussed already... So neither of us are wearing underwear or the like."

  "Hold it right there, Ena-san!"

  Seeing the Hime-Miko shyly make a shocking confession, the blonde female devil angrily expressed rare disapproval towards another person's unruliness.

  "It is quite unladylike to reveal such matters so overtly. Of course, due to the possibility of Godou's overflowing lust, we needed to make this sort of preparations beforehand..."

  "Oh sorry. But Erica-san, you are acting bolder than usual right now."

  Ena apologized with forthrightness and laughed "Ehehe" in embarrassment.

  "Seriously, stop making fun of me. Behaving like a lady or a noblewoman, as well as enjoying love boldly are equally important, you know? So, Godou."

  Erica suddenly got up and walked over determinedly.

  Grabbing Godou by the arm, she pulled him towards the couch. Ultimately, Godou could not resist the magic she had used to augment her arm strength.

  Godou sat down on the couch in an immobilized predicament. Then Erica took a seat by Godou's right and leaned her seductive body tightly against him.