Their gazes met. The monkey repeated a series of brief cries of "kiii~~ kiii~~" as if making a greeting, and then carried on in its original direction.
That direction was towards a crossroad.
Anyway, Godou had already been informed beforehand that the ordinary citizens of Okunikkou City had all turned into monkeys. With an uneasy feeling, Godou began to run.
Chasing the monkey just now, Godou reached the intersection. Even though it was just a normal road, there was a massive red torii situated there. Compared to the traffic lights at the crossroad, it was roughly double in height.
This was one of Lake Chuuzenji's sights, the Red Torii.[55] Clearly a road like any other, except with a huge red torii over it, facing the tourist souvenir shops, eateries and all sorts of stores lined up on the main road.
Looking into the distance at such a scene, Godou sighed. It really was like a monkey kingdom.
—kii! kiikii. kikikii, kii~~!
—ki? kikiikikii, ki! ki!
The cries of monkeys came from all directions, and Lake Chuuzenji's hot spring street was full of people who had transformed into monkeys. Furthermore, there was a great abundance of species including Japanese monkeys, macaques, gibbons, baboons, chimpanzees, orangutans, mountain gorillas, etc.
There were even some that Godou couldn't tell what type they were. Like city pigeons that were accustomed to humans, they did not make loud noises or scatter when they saw Godou.
The monkeys dominated the shore of Lake Chuuzenji, and behaved very much like humans.
Some were taking photos with digital cameras (except holding them upside down with the lens facing the wrong direction). Some were working in shops doing something similar to what the staff did (except taking fistful of bills from the cash register and stuffing them in their mouths to chew). Some were ordering food (but poking their fingers into the soba noodles in the bowl, and eating directly with their hands), sort of.
The monkeys imitated humans, like a scene from a satirical play.
It might be considered interesting for a circus act, but Godou became angrier and angrier as he watched. As soon as the thought that they were originally humans entered his mind, it was no longer funny at all.
"It is possible that they retain memories from when they were human."
A voice came from behind.
It was Annie Charlton, who was walking over.
"Looks like you have recovered, Godoh..."
"Yes, after a good nap, I'm fine now."
Godou nodded. His body felt very light and free without any sense of discomfort.
But how did this happen? Annie's eyes showed a vicious expression of extreme disgust.
"That cannot be the only reason... Just now, your girlfriends were competing to apply healing magic to you. In order to determine who was going to kiss you, they even broke out in argument. In the end, it was Ena who seized an opening, kissed you in your sleep, and applied the magic—"
"Something like that happened?"
Godou felt embarrassed that Annie witnessed what had happened.
"With magical power that can defeat divine beasts with ease... I can at least acknowledge your power as a king. But Godoh, for you to use the authority you usurped from a god to make so many girls into your candidate partners — no, treating them as playthings to satisfy your lust... It is truly shameless!"
Playthings!? Such unilateral thinking was too biased in perspective. Godou immediately objected:
"Please don't take Seishuuin Ena's words as the truth! They are just my companions and my friends. We are not in some kind of inappropriate mess of relationships."
"That sounds exactly like the explanation of politicians when scandals break out."
Annie's gaze and expression were as cold as ice.
"Although you have been in denial all this time, please bear in mind I already witnessed what happened at the resort just now. Your attempts to find weak excuses are futile."
"W-What are you talking about!?"
"W-Who could have thought such orgiastic gatherings existed in this world, I used to think they were simply rumors... I never expected someone I know to engage in such behavior. I was so shocked that I was driven away from the resort. To think there were five young adults, male and female, gathered in a bath, doing things completely naked..."
Oh my god. To think that Annie was aware of the commotion in the open air bath.
She knew about the shameless mixed bath and the inexcusable licentious behavior.
"P-Perhaps it was a bit noisy just now. But please, you must believe me! There is nothing inappropriate between us and we have never done anything crossing the line!"
"You dare say you have not done anything? Please give me a break. For you to engage in prurience all the time and offer such ridiculous excuses now, you are truly terrifying! T-That sort of ridiculously licentious behavior was something that I thought only existed in television drama series!"
The ethereal beauty was clearly shaken — Annie Charlton turned out to have surprisingly low immunity in such an area.
In the end, Godou had to wait for almost five minutes before she calmed down.
"There are still many things I must admonish you for such immoral acts, but I will put it aside for now. By the way, Godoh, I am very surprised that you are a king who acts quickly to handle situations."
Annie's tone of voice returned to the usual coldness, though the feeling of icy sharpness exuded from her beautiful face was still gone. It was apparent that she was still recovering from the shock just now.
"Ordinarily, do you Campiones not delay until the crux of the matter comes into play? All the devil kings in Europe do things in that manner."
It seemed like Annie's true nature was a clumsy person in contrast to her capable appearance.
Godou pretended not to see her efforts to recover her composure. This was the so-called grace of the warrior.
"It was just coincidence that an incident occurred right next to me this time. I'm not going to risk my life and throw myself at a situation without understanding the cause and circumstance. If the opponent is a god, caution is essential, which is why I don't want to be slacking off."
Godou continued to feign ignorance and clarified his principles.
Come to think of it, that fellow Doni really did nothing but fight gods. Compared to that idiot, Kusanagi Godou was truly industrious.
"What about Annie-san's companion? If he only sent his collaborator over here, then he must be a lazy and willful fellow too?"
"Pretty much... Though I believe he can still be considered hardworking."
Annie shrugged.
"He is a man who always says things like 'As long as I appear at the right time' or 'As long as there is a good end result.' But no other way around it, that is John Pluto Smith's style."
"Looks like his personality isn't very compatible with mine..."
"Who knows? You are very alike in your lack of common sense. You might get along very well after all. Anyway, rather than worrying about such issues of American-Japanese diplomatic relations, you should be concerned with the future of these people."
Annie complained as she nonchalantly chastised both devil kings of Japan and America.
Her gaze was directed at the group of monkeys that used to be humans, the ones now engaged in crazy acts.
"The population in this area is roughly a thousand. These people, along with the tourists from outside, have all been turned into monkeys. In fact, similar incidents have occurred in the past."
"Incidents caused by gods?"
"Yes, a few years ago in a national park at Los Angeles, there was an incident with the appearance of Artemis, the goddess of the moon and beasts. At the time, the goddess transformed hundreds of people into deer, bears, boars, wolves and birds, but Smith finally prevailed over her."
At this point, Annie lowered her gaze and she whispered in a worried voice.
"But the people that transformed were unable to return to norma
l. They had no choice but to give up their human identities and continue living as wild beasts. I fear such a possibility might exist this time as well."
Discovering a new potential issue, Godou became speechless.
He had believed all along that the monkeys would turn back into humans once he defeats the Great Sage Equaling Heaven. Was this only wishful optimism?
Chapter 4 - Enter the Black Hero, the Great Sage Exhibits Steel's True Worth
Part 1
It was 6pm on the second day after their arrival at Nikkou.
Godou had re-entered the resort and was now in the men's bath. Previously, his mood to enjoy a good soak had been ruined completely, and this time he made sure to give the girls an express order of 'forbidden entry.'
"Come to think of it, those fellows' behavior was completely out of hand..."
Though the men's bath was not the open air type, the beautiful scenery of the shore of Lake Chuuzenji could be viewed through the window. However, night had already fallen and the scenery was no longer visible, so Godou watched the starry autumn sky instead.
...In a daze, he even recalled images from the mixed bath just now.
"D...Damn it, I have to dispel these unnecessary thoughts. Form is no different from emptiness, and emptiness is no different from form, prajnaparamita, gate gate paragate...?"[56]
In order to drive away those erotic memories, Godou began reciting fragments of scripture he could still remember.
"Isn't this the Heart Sutra translated into Chinese by Xuanzang the Monk? In a certain sense, you are currently reciting a divine spell intimately linked to the origins of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, one that seeks as its goal the realm of the void — hohoho... It's not a bad idea."
This wonderful voice, like a yueqin[57], surely belonged to no one else but that particular person.
Turning his head back, Godou found the transcendent beauty sitting on the edge of the bathing pool.
"For me to come this close without you being aware, you still have far to go. Reflect well on this, King Kusanagi!"
The one gazing at him with eyes of superiority was Luo Cuilian without a doubt. One couldn't possibly make a mistake in recognizing that unparalleled beauty.
The Leader of the Demonic Cult was wearing something like a yukata, whose fabric was so sheer that one could virtually see the jade-like skin glistening with beads of sweat underneath!
"Your Eminence!? How did you come here!?"
"Of course I escaped from the stone prison... King Kusanagi, Luo Cuilian is not one of those fools who make claims they clearly cannot fulfill. Are you trying to insult me?"
Seeing her severe glare, Godou felt himself breaking out in cold sweat.
"No, that's not it. I'm just very surprised that you were able to escape in such short time."
"In that case, that would be a more appropriate thought. In actual fact, I have yet to destroy that prison utterly. All I did was find a weakness and escape through it to the outside."
"A prison escape, in other words? ...You didn't destroy it?"
Godou simply said what he thought, but Luo Hao frowned.
"What shallow thinking. I am the Ruler of the Martial Realm. It is my policy to smash a prison completely at the moment of liberation from the humiliation of imprisonment, and walk out the front gates openly. Escaping from a prison like a rat is completely unacceptable! Today my only purpose is to see your face, and I shall be returning to the stone prison in a short while!"
Come on, this person seriously had way too much pride!
Godou couldn't help gazing at Luo Hao with eyes of concern.
"I can't agree completely, but I get what you mean. Anyway, why did you come to the bath?"
"Is there a problem? I already said I came to see you. If you are in the bath, then it is only natural for me to be here."
"That's not really right. You should wait outside until I finish my bath. Besides, why are you dressed like this...?"
Luo Hao was wearing a garment as light as gossamer. Rather than obscure, it heightened the sense of voluptuousness from her bountiful bust and hip measurements despite her very slender appearance.
"What kind of stupid question is this? Do people who enter baths in heavy clothing actually exist? King Kusanagi, are you taking me for a fool? Or are you—"
Watching Godou's face, Luo Hao appeared to have noticed something.
With an ominous feeling, Godou was quite sure that Luo Hao did not interpret his thoughts accurately.
"Your eyes seem to be looking down on me. You must be trying to say something like 'Ha, I am standing here completely unarmed and unclothed. If you don't do the same, you are a coward and weakling who lives by deceiving the world with the king's title.' That must be it!"
"Not even for one second did I consider something so stupid!"
"Hmm... You cannot stop looking at me in this manner? Fine, I, Luo Cuilian will show you proof that I have reached the pinnacle not only in martial might, but also courage and magnanimity."
Luo Hao reached to her sash and untied it after some slight hesitation.
With the sound of clothing sliding off bare skin, Luo Hao's sheer robe fell to the ground.
"Y-Y-Y-You! What do you think you're doing!?"
"Now that both sides are completely vulnerable, let us proceed with complete honesty and openness. Isn't this kind of interaction known as skinship in Wakoku?"
Saying that, Luo Hao stepped into the bathing pool.
With the orchid-like[58] beautiful body right beside him, and completely open to view without reservation, Godou entered a state of panic. Looking at her slim and slender figure, it was difficult to imagine where in her body that overwhelming might was stored.
In addition to a visage as beautiful as a flower and a waist as slim as a willow, the gracefully shaped breasts constantly flaunted their existence.
The cherry-colored flower buds in the forefront were also adorable to the extreme. The body, from the narrow waist to the full and round buttocks, gave off a certain seductive sensuality, reminiscent of a tiger lily[59] blooming in the depths of a secluded mountain, alluding to the intoxicating fragrance of nectar hidden deep within.
Uncontrollably, Godou swallowed hard several times at the sight of naked Luo Hao's otherworldly and absolute beauty.
"...King Kusanagi, I have no intention of harming you, so you have no need to be wary of me. In order to show your magnanimity in return, please divert that sharp gaze of yours."
Luo Cuilian covered her bosom in the water with her right arm. A slight shade of pink entered her ivory-like complexion. Most probably, water temperature was not the main cause.
"...Please be more considerate towards a maiden like me. Your intense gaze is quite lacking in propriety."
"S-Sorry, I understand!"
Reproached by the naked beauty, Godou fixed his gaze outside the window.
"Ah... The natural spring water here is not bad."
Bathing as she looked into the distant starry night, the demeanor of the Ruler of the Martial Realm gradually relaxed. Her voice felt even calmer than usual, and carried an additional sensual feeling.
"B-By the way. Thank you for your help at Toushouguu."
"Not at all. I already explained at the time, I have my own plans. Anyway... The Great Sage seems to have released himself from the bonds of the [Keeper of the Horses] spell."
Luo Cuilian stood at the pinnacle of Daoist mastery.
As befitting of her stature, she noticed such developments immediately. She was no sheltered greenhouse flower after all.
"Yes, it also seems like he summoned helpers like Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing. Things are getting more and more troublesome."
"Eh? One never expected the Great Sage to reach this stage so soon... So, King Kusanagi, do you still wish to fight as my representative? Perhaps you may feel that the caliber of your enemies have exceeded your capacity? I, Luo Hao, allow you to beg with crying eyes for me to save you."
"What do you m
ean... by that?"
"Hohoho, I may have saved you earlier for the sake of my honor, but the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, this peerless heroic god is my mortal rival after all. It seems a bit of a shame to miss the opportunity to finish him myself."
Should she be described as too tactless, or honest?
What she meant was, it would be a pity for her to give up the chance to show off, all because of a careless mistake. Realizing Luo Hao's intentions, Godou shrugged. This was his opportunity to get out of a fight against gods.
Let Luo Hao take on all of the risk and responsibility, and then leave this place — but what of Hikari? What about the people who had become monkeys? Most importantly, what about Godou himself? Could he allow himself to flee in the middle of a battle? The answer was obvious.
"I am grateful but I cannot accept your good intentions. It is too late for such words. This is my fight and I will handle that monkey. Please await the outcome of the battle from within your prison."
"...Oh? In other words, I, Luo Hao, no longer have a chance to shine?"
The impression given off by Luo Hao suddenly shifted, and acute battle spirit seemed to have made its way into her beautiful visage.
She no longer tried to cover her breasts, and her pristine body was revealed without reservation. Suppressing embarrassment with overwhelming will of battle, she stared at Godou directly from the front.
"Yes, during that time in the prison, you already yielded to me the right to this battle. If you must take it back no matter what, then defeat me first."
Of course, Godou knew full well the horror of Luo Hao from the memories deeply carved into his body.
However, this was not a time to back down. That's right, Kusanagi Godou wanted to fight the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, and for this he will put in everything he had.
"You are truly an incredible king. I originally thought you feared battle, and your usual speech and behavior made you look so weak. However, on the battlefield, you not only possess the courage and ferocity of a lion, but also the cunning and shrewdness of a fox or a wolf."
Luo Hao smiled tenderly.
"You possess dual qualities of uselessness and great promise that cannot be ignored. These opposites will be mixed together one day. Towards a young man with such an uncertain future... How should I, Luo Cuilian, respond?"
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