Campione 14

by The Eighth Godslayer

  As the hind legs landed with a "clang," the two wings shrunk back into the short front limbs. The dinosaur divine beast maintained its crouched posture to allow its rider and Godou to dismount.

  A black-haired man approached with a smile on his face.

  "You've finally arrived! Hahaha, let us drink heartily throughout the night until dawn!"

  Naturally, the man proposing such nonsense in broad daylight was the godslayer Uldin.

  "I asked you to tell me your name the next time we meet. Come, comrade, time to fulfill that promise!"

  "Kusanagi—Godou."

  Uldin's cheerful temperament was unconcerned with formalities and his magnetic personality felt rather charismatic.

  Admitting to himself that the man did possess a certain charm, Godou briefly introduced his own name.

  Uldin ordered a long table to be brought out to the plaza.

  The Hunnic godslayer Uldin declared generously:

  "Today we have a special guest here! Bring out all the food and wine!"

  The people who appeared to be servants began to work efficiently upon hearing his orders.

  A table was moved outside and chairs were arranged neatly with a clatter. Then with highly experienced motions, they laid various objects onto the dining table: jugs of wine; plates of meat; bowls of fruit such as pomegranate, peaches and figs; wheat bread; large amounts of cheese; roasted onions; etc.

  Did they hold banquets like this often? These people worked with great familiarity.

  The men and women working as servants numbered roughly thirty. When Godou tried asking Uldin, the answer he got was that "Rather than selling them, I think it's better to have these guys work for me."

  Confronted with the fact that this man's occupation was "invasion and plundering," Godou frowned.

  Then he asked about something that occurred to him by chance.

  "So, is this forest the place used to raise these dragons?"

  "Yeah. These beasts don't live too long. They mostly die after one or two years. I need to constantly replace them."

  Supposing Uldin was not lying, he had just divulged a major secret.

  The so-called equestrian tribes were nomadic peoples after all. Since they were apparently steeped in the ways of raising animals, Godou tried to ask—

  "So, there may be cases when they might run away unnoticed..."

  "Well, occasionally. Roughly a month earlier, two of them went missing. They probably died somewhere in the forest."

  Godou's prying attempts ended up obtaining information from Uldin that could not be ignored.

  Weren't there two Deinonychuses that had appeared in modern Tuscany?

  This did match the facts. Godou secretly nodded to himself.

  While chatting over this and similar topics, the banquet's preparations were ready. Godou and Uldin sat together at the center of the long table. Waiting on them, the servants stood quietly in the surroundings.

  "This isn't lively enough. Whats-your-name over there, go fetch those other fellows!"

  Uldin called out again.

  Several minutes later, fancily dressed beauties had gathered. There were blue-eyed blondes, those bearing the Roman characteristics of black hair and brown eyes, silver-haired women, and brunettes. There were even black ladies and oriental women of Uldin's ethnicity. It was like a great racial melting pot.

  The beauties poured wine into two cups and handed them to the two godslayers.

  Taking the cup, Uldin took a great gulp in one breath. Godou declined the wine and asked:

  "Are they all your servants? They're all quite beautiful."

  "No, they're not servants. They're all my women, get it? Basically what people call lovers."

  Uldin's matter-of-fact answer caused Godou to go "What!?" and almost fell over in his seat.

  "Don't openly ask about this obvious-as-heck stuff, comrade. Isn't it a bit awkward?"

  "W-What is the meaning of this!? You mean every single one of these girls is your lover!?"

  "Yeah, of course. All twelve of them are my women. Well, I can understand how you feel. You must have many questions."

  Nodding, Uldin finished his wine.

  One of his lovers instantly refilled his empty cup with wine.

  "For a man like me, this harem is a bit lacking in scale. That must be what you're thinking, comrade? However, I don't want to be tied down too much."

  Uldin's unexpected answer caused Godou to be flabbergasted.

  With a serious expression, Uldin continued:

  "Rather than increasing their numbers meaninglessly, these women represent the very best I've picked."

  "What kind of joke is this!? Twelve people are more than enough in scale!"

  Godou tried as hard as he could to retort against this tyrant who kept downing wine, cup after cup.

  Furthermore, wine during this time period was usually prepared by diluting with water. However, judging from the intensity of the color and fragrance of the wine, Uldin was clearly drinking undiluted wine.

  He was apparently quite a drinker. On the other hand, Godou simply drank water.

  Although he was currently in ancient Gaul, Godou had no intention of contravening modern Japan's underage drinking laws.

  Next, one of the many lovers brought forth skewers of roasted pork.

  Feeling it would be rude to decline this as well, Godou ate some as appropriate. Although the pork was roasted with only salt for seasoning, the taste was actually quite good.

  Uldin continued to speak as Godou stuffed himself with food.

  "Hmm, well, to be honest, I do have other wives apart from these girls. Comrade, now is a good opportunity for me to make introductions."

  Other wives apart from these twelve lovers? As Godou watched in surprise, Uldin waved his hand.

  The one who approached was—Clotilde.

  She was gallantly clad in armor, leather and a feathered helmet. Her beautiful countenance carried nobility and elegance. All this, combined with her tall physique, contributed to airs like a queen's.

  Godou had only had a brief conversation with her, but her personality was probably the very serious type.

  It was quite surprising to find out that such a person was Uldin's wife.

  Clotilde bowed to the surprised Godou, then spoke to her husband:

  "Uldin-sama, it's probably time I should..."

  "Yeah, sorry my bad. I'll leave things to you."

  Was she entrusted with some kind of task? Clotilde departed the venue.

  Mounting the pterosaur she had just ridden with Godou, she took to the skies once more. The banquet continued leisurely for almost an hour.

  "By the way, comrade. I've got an important request for you today."

  Eating a pomegranate as he listened to the banquet's host, Godou began to get nervous.

  This was because of Uldin's personality. Although Godou felt that Uldin's welcome banquet might not have any ulterior motives, the opposite was also possible as speculated.

  However, Uldin's request was completely unexpected.

  "Are you willing to become king as my proxy?"

  "K-King!?"

  "I have this fun little idea. To set up proxies as kings on occasion and let them take over the country. Then I'll send them off to conquer other lands to further increase the number of countries under my control."

  Uldin casually proposed "taking over the country."

  If a normal person had said this, one would simply regard these words as delusional.

  However, this man was a Campione who commanded an army of dragons. Furthermore, this was currently a tumultuous era in the ancient world. The entry requirements for becoming a king were much lower than in the modern world.

  Considering Uldin, it was possible indeed—

  "I established a country not too long ago in the east and even lent my name to the chieftain I established there as my proxy. However, that guy isn't very reliable so I foresee the country heading towards ruin on its own in the near f
uture."

  Uldin was talking about the rise and fall of countries as though he were talking about developing business ventures.

  He looked quite young in appearance. However, given the examples of the sworn elder sister and Madame Aisha, a Campione's outward appearance was not a good indicator of actual age.

  Perhaps this man had accumulated decades of experience—

  Godou stared intently at Uldin, causing him to smile in the end.

  "Indeed, if my proxy does not possess the requisite mettle, great things cannot be accomplished. Hence, I want to entrust this role to you who are my fellow godslayer. Become king as my proxy!"

  "I can't possibly agree to such a request. Besides, why me?"

  Godou refused cautiously with a displeased expression at the same time.

  They had only encountered each other merely by chance. Why would things come to this?

  "I am completely certain, because your taste in women is similar to mine."

  "Women!?"

  "Yeah. The two girls you had by your side previously, they both looked like indomitable broncos without exception. Despite your young age, you have excellent taste, comrade. In fact, I love that type of women too. Women who only obey subserviently are no fun at all."

  "......"

  Erica Blandelli and Seishuuin Ena were exactly as he described.

  To be able to discern that simply from their faces and appearances, Uldin truly had an extraordinary ability. Could this man possess astounding skills in the realm of female-related matters?

  Godou felt impressed at the same time as being surprised. Then he took a deep breath.

  This was for accelerating the gears of his mind and body. Although Godou had no intention of entering an argument with Uldin, he was prepared to respond with force if the other side picked a fight. Godou prepared himself for that.

  "I understand your well-intentioned invitation, but I'm sorry. I have no intention of agreeing to your proposal."

  "Don't decide so quickly. Please enjoy yourself at this castle for a couple months and consider my offer carefully. Despite appearances, I'm actually quite a patient man. I'll give you plenty of time to think over things."

  "No, it's not necessary. Let's talk again some other time."

  Seeing Godou stand up, Uldin waved his hand lightly.

  Understanding his wishes from this single motion, the lovers and servants all swiftly left the area. They must have smelt a fight brewing.

  "You probably can't understand even if I tell you, but I'm a pacifist. I don't like unnecessary conflict. Will you allow me to leave?"

  "Hey hey, this is getting better and better."

  Uldin partially closed his eyes towards Godou the pacifist.

  "I, too, am a person who subscribes to a philosophy of avoiding unnecessary conflict as much as possible. For that purpose, I prepared something that has now arrived."

  Saying that, he looked up into the sky. As a member of an equestrian tribe, did his sharp vision capture something?

  All Godou could see was a black dot flying in approach. After a while, he could see it was a pair of winged Deinonychuses.

  The two Deinonychuses each carried a rider. One was Clotilde while the other was a black-haired woman.

  Godou focused his gaze. Apart from the dragon riders, there were additional passengers. Sitting in front of Clotilde on the saddle was Erica, tied up in ropes. In a rare moment, she was biting her lip in an expression of chagrin.

  In addition, the black-haired rider was carrying Ena.

  Naturally, Ena was also tied up, displaying a strange expression like a playground bully who had lost a fight.

  In actual fact, Godou had set off to Uldin's forest with two companions. Their plan was to provide support to Godou, who was inside the castle, regardless of whether he decided to negotiate peace, run away or fight.

  "As expected of my wives. Looks like it went off without a hitch. So that's that. Why don't you enjoy your stay a while longer?"

  Declaring arrogantly, Uldin cast his gaze towards Godou again. Clearly, the other side had captured hostages. Naturally, Godou could not refuse.

  "Just to be on the safe side, I resorted to a petty trick."

  Uldin motioned with his eyes. Clotilde jumped down from the back of the pterosaur.

  The tall, blonde beauty approached Godou as she drew out a small, bladed tool—a razor.

  Godou was surprised. He could sense divine power from Clotilde's razor. Was this also something related to the gods?

  While he stared in shock, Clotilde had already arrived before him, swinging the small blade in a flash.

  Confronted with the mysterious razor, Godou perceived its incredible sharpness...

  Part 2

  It was the next morning since Godou was stranded in Uldin's castle.

  The accommodations arranged for him here also consisted of quarters for military officer. However, the quarters were surrounded by several guards. Hence, Godou was currently under house arrest.

  Furthermore, Godou was the only one detained here. His two companions were not by his side.

  Godou had no choice but to kill time on his own. At noon, Erica came by to visit.

  "We were taken out by those two women."

  Erica explained to Godou with a face full of resentment.

  They were the only two occupants of the reception hall in the quarters. There were no guards inside. Superficially, Godou was a guest and not a prisoner, hence he was still given the freedom of such meetings.

  "Uldin's wives huh..."

  "Yes. Without a doubt, they are powerful warriors who can rival those of the Paladino rank. Even if my uncle or Saint Raffaello were here in support, chances of victory would still be slim."

  Godou had already expected Clotilde to be a female warrior.

  Furthermore, Erica pointed out that she was apparently a master of "this era's rune magic." In a direct confrontation of sword and magic, Erica and Ena were apparently defeated in quick succession.

  Moreover, they were clearly defeated in a merciful manner, unharmed with only their weapons struck down from their hands.

  "Is the other woman powerful too?"

  "That's Ruska. She... I'm not sure of the details but she's probably a witch. She apparently discovered our location effortlessly."

  In the face of such terrifying events, even Erica was showing a frightened expression.

  "If Lily and Yuri were here, perhaps we could still offer some resistance..."

  Were those two girls here, perhaps they could have discovered the enemy's assault using spirit vision and psychic sensing. Then using witchcraft's disorienting effects to counter the enemy's strength advantage, they might have escaped successfully.

  Two were currently missing from the five-member team.

  Feeling deeply the effects of that through this incident, Godou and Erica sighed heavily.

  "What about you, Godou? Are you still unable to use your authority?"

  "Yeah. I never knew a tool like that existed in this world."

  Touching his severed bangs, Godou muttered.

  Yesterday, Clotilde had swung the razor to cut off a little of his bangs. Immediately after that, he was unable to invoke his authority.

  Even when he tried to summon Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, it did not appear in his right hand.

  Despite his mental orders for the [Boar] to "destroy this castle," there was no response whatsoever.

  "I believe that razor should be a divine artifact related to Samson[13], the biblical judge from the Old Testament. However, discerning the artifact's origins isn't going to recover your power, Godou. How truly vexing."

  "How about you and Seishuuin? Did they do anything unusual to you?"

  "Things are fine in that regard. We've been offered grand hospitality. Clotilde, Ruska and the other women have been very cordial. Oh well, at least from my perspective as a hostage."

  Erica replied in a slightly sardonic tone of voice.

  Godou felt reliev
ed. If the two girls were to suffer inhumane treatment, he would never forgive Uldin.

  "That guy Uldin seems unexpectedly considerate in this area..."

  "A description of daring would not be enough to encapsulate who he is. I believe he is surely a man possessing the disposition to become a great king. Hey Godou, you must know the name of Attila, right?"

  "Hmm? Yeah, that's the king who would unify the Huns later."

  Godou knew the name from his World History textbook. Erica explained about the man in great detail.

  He was reportedly born in a barbaric equestrian tribe. Not only was Attila skilled in war, he was also a great diplomat. He also employed talent based on merit regardless of race.

  His Hunnic Empire stretched from the Caspian Sea all the way to the Danube River—covering the areas of western Russia, Eastern Europe and Germany in modern terms.

  However, his empire fell apart due to his sudden death. And with that, the Huns disappeared into the annals of history...

  Recounting the name of the great king of the barbarians, the Italian girl spoke with a gloomy expression.

  "This is what I suspect. In a few decades' time, Uldin will probably help Attila succeed the throne to establish the unified empire of the Huns."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Didn't he propose to you, Godou, to 'become king'? If Uldin continues to survive, this enterprise will likely come into fruition."

  Making a rather bold hypothesis, Erica continued:

  "Furthermore, there is a factual consistency that cannot be overlooked. In the early fifth century, the Huns did indeed have a chieftain named Uldin. In addition, there is also this legend about Attila, which calls him the bearer of the sword that brings victory to its owner, the divine sword of the war god Tyr..."[14]

  "......"

  Uldin had mentioned that he had lent his name to a man who was currently king.

  Furthermore, Uldin's nickname was [Tyr's Sword]. However, Godou still had yet to witness the Hunnic godslayer draw his sword in battle—

  Just as Erica had pointed out, there was a consistency in facts that could not be attributed to coincidence.

  "Although Attila's active period was quite short, he left extremely deep marks on European history. Whether his existence should be considered good or bad, he was undoubtedly a super important figure in history."