Campione 07

by Great Sage Equaling Heaven

  Issuing her ultimatum to Godou, Erica was like a queen who challenged the devil king.

  The other three watched this scene unfold with great interest. How did it come to this? Just as Godou stood there in shock, Yuri unexpectedly stepped forward.

  After leaning close to the window and looking outside diagonally, she slowly turned her head back.

  "...The Great Sage Equaling Heaven has awoken. I believe he will be descending here very soon."

  Yuri informed everyone the oracle she had received through spirit vision.

  Hearing the news, Godou quickly recovered his senses, dispelling the feelings of intimidation from Erica and the girls that was overwhelming him. The swiftness of the change came as a surprise, even to himself.

  "I've decided to check out the Great Sage's condition. Everyone get ready."

  "Are we going to fight now, Kusanagi Godou!?"

  Godou shook his head at Liliana's question. It was still too early for that.

  "No, I have no intention to fight yet, since the required weapon against that monkey hasn't been prepared yet... So Mariya, there is something I must rely on you."

  "Yes, very well."

  "I hope you can use spirit vision to discern clearly what kind of deity the Great Sage Equaling Heaven is. The earlier the [Sword] can be used, the better."

  Yuri answered 'yes' to Godou's instructions and shyly lowered her gaze.

  "In other words, after capturing the Great Sage's divinity with spirit vision, Godou-san and I will be..."

  "Yes, that included. I will do everything I can to escape and prepare a counterattack for the second round. As for your question this morning, I will take this opportunity to answer it. I will persevere and always have you by my side, as long as you don't mind the kind of fellow I am."

  "Yes!"

  Yuri's expression brightened immediately.

  As he pondered over these things, Godou walked towards the entrance of the inn. In the end, the matter with the girls was cast aside once again as a battle with a god approached. Just as usual, for the sake of battle, in other to obtain victory, he was forcing them again.

  Perhaps this personality of his would persist until the day he died.

  The answer to Erica's sudden question was no longer important. Squarely facing the personality flaws he had always been vaguely aware of, Godou stepped outside.

  Part 3

  On the peak of Nantaisan, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong jumped up to a start.

  As things stood, his figure was still in the form of Mariya Hikari. Gazing up, the vast heavens was filled with twinkling stars. He must have slept for roughly half a day.

  Despite the hard surface of the mountain being used as a bed, he had rested soundly. After all, he was the divine monkey born from stone and a sturdy soldier, with few demands in everyday comforts.

  "Now, what should I do with my kingdom next?"

  Even if he didn't use clairvoyance, the Great Sage could survey the entire Okunikkou area with normal vision as he looked down from the mountain.

  At the foot of Nantaisan were the wide streets around Lake Chuuzenji.

  North from there were the plains of Senjougahara, and even the hot spring street of Okuyumoto could be seen. There were also the streets next to Lake Yunoko, and the villages gathered all sorts of different monkeys, carrying on their lives with a hint of human feeling. The might of the Great Sage's divine power apparently reached that area too.

  Even so, the Great Sage was not in the least amused.

  "This is a bit too quiet. Things need to be more lively, what should I do?"

  The Great Sage twisted his head, trying to come up with things that could be accomplished with monkey intelligence. Nothing came to mind so he stood upside down, and with no ideas still, he made a somersault. Finally after a while, he clapped his hands.

  "Thinking over again and again, the people of my past kingdom were prepared for battle against the heavenly armies with great enthusiasm and hot-blood. What these guys lack is ambition and the spirit of conquest."

  What a great idea, let's run with this. The Great Sage Equaling Heaven immediately summoned a golden cloud.

  Somersaulting onto it, he rapidly descended to the ground surface. That sort of speed was like lightning, and all mortal eyes could see was a flash of golden light.

  Despite all their powers, Devil King Campiones were neither omnipotent nor invincible.

  Especially those young fellows, they often had weaknesses. Feeling that Kusanagi Godou was the same, Annie left the resort. After all, she had little interest in finding out the secrets of other kings.

  Annie casually strolled along the shore of Lake Chuuzenji, but suddenly saw a flash of light descending from the sky, landing in a central street where the bulk of the monkeys were gathered. Annie instantly ran towards the location.

  Concealing herself as she approached the scene, she was met with a very repulsive sight.

  "All day long the superior man is creatively active. At nightfall his mind is still beset with cares. Danger. No blame. Wavering flight over the depths. Flying dragon in the heavens. It furthers one to see the great man. Arrogant dragon will have cause to repent. There appears a flight of dragons without leadership!"[64]

  The one reciting spell words was a young girl standing on a golden-colored cloud.

  The cloud was hovering about 10m above the ground, overlooking all sorts of monkeys gathered in the streets near Lake Chuuzenji.

  "The Creative works sublime success / Furthering through perseverance!"

  It was the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong, the one who was occupying the body of Mariya Yuri's younger sister.

  The monkeys on the ground knelt in prostration and worshiped the monkey god like a goddess, but as the Great Sage's spell words worked their effects, the underlings began to undergo changes.

  The monkeys with origins from all over the world, gathered here without any organization or sense of principle, began to transform in appearance. Their eyes twisted with ferocity and they bared their teeth.

  Wrath and apprehension, as well as murderous intent, all appeared on their faces. At the same time, there were also subtle changes to the monkeys' body. For example, the Japanese monkeys' claws became like sharp knives, while the gorillas expanded several times in size to become giant brutal gorillas.

  Some of the chimpanzees' mouths gaped wide open, and out flowed saliva dripping on the streets that dissolved the asphalt as if it was strong acid.

  All the monkeys were full of murderous intent and had become very violent.

  Threatening their neighboring companions, they even began to fight! Biting, scratching with their claws, spitting things like acid or flames from their mouths.

  Like a tragicomedy, the peaceful monkey kingdom transformed into a realm of bloodthirst in an instant.

  Furthermore, at this time, one of the monkeys came before Annie who had concealed herself.

  It was a gibbon with claws as sharp as blades.

  Kisyaaaaaaaa!

  Making such a terrifying noise, the violent gibbon made its attack. Could it be possible that the monkeys were given orders to attack people on sight!? As Annie leaped back to avoid the attack, she began to chant spell words.

  "Pentacle of the ages! Grant unto me thy protection!"

  The gibbon made cries of fear and reluctance as it crashed into the invisible barrier.

  As a mage, Annie was around upper average in ability, but purely in terms of magical power, she surpassed the most elite of magi by far.

  This number of enemies was nothing to worry about.

  Annie continued observing, protected by the invisible shield.

  The gibbon in front, as well as monkeys nearby which had begun to close in on Annie's location, charged at the invisible barrier with great determination and bloodlust.

  It seemed like they were especially aggressive towards humans.

  Chanting spell words in the air, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven gave
Annie a side glance. Gods were always arrogant and viewed humans as mere toys. No matter how much the world had changed, even though the human world existed for humans to live in, it was all just a playground to them in the end.

  Should I get changed? And transform into the black-clad demon who saves the people and protect the powerless.

  Annie abandoned such thoughts.

  It was too early. Laziness was not the reason why John Pluto Smith sent his assistant to investigate first. In a battle, he had two main authorities — metamorphosis and the magic gun, but both of them were accompanied by restrictive conditions.

  Using these authorities without consideration would quickly attract attacks from all directions. It was necessary to get a handle on the situation first.

  At this time, Annie's cellphone made a noise. It was a text message.

  This was a cellphone rented from a shop at the airport for usage in Japan. The message came from the other Campione, for they had exchanged numbers when the decision to team up was made.

  Annie returned to the resort and met up with Kusanagi Godou's group.

  Through the results of spirit vision and investigative magic, they already knew the Great Sage had appeared.

  Thereafter, they all began to advance on the main road where the Great Sage had descended — National Route 120.

  Along the way, they were met with attacks from berserk monkeys, but the group easily reached their destination without peril.

  Around the monkey king, the violent monkeys began to riot, jumping up and down, creating quite a commotion.

  Hidden behind a building, Annie and the rest began to scout.

  "How is it, Mariya Yuri? Have you obtained some kind of hint?"

  "No, not yet. Perhaps this distance is too far away as feared..."

  Yuri replied to Liliana's question with melancholy.

  This team's primary objective was to analyze the divinity of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven. This appeared to be related to Kusanagi Godou's powers.

  "Whenever Yuri discerned a god's origins with spirit vision, she was always closer to them than this. To expect a result by spying from far away is too naive after all."

  "The phenomenon known as spirit vision will not occur when it comes to matters of personal interest or benefit."

  Met with the problem raised by Erica, Ena answered in a matter-of-fact manner.

  "Nothing ventured, nothing gained..."

  As the Campione and the king, Kusanagi Godou muttered softly to himself.

  "No other way, I will pay the Great Sage a visit. When gods like these catch sight of kings like me, they usually ignore ordinary people, right? Let's take advantage of that."

  "It's too dangerous, Godou, I will come along."

  "Even if Erica comes with me, it will still be dangerous. Think of a better plan, there must be better ones? If I run into trouble, I will be relying on you all."

  After Kusanagi Godou finished the discussion with his lovers, their plan was put into action.

  He stepped headfirst into danger alone, and expressed great care and concern over the girls who were his lovers. Such behavior was completely opposite to the predictions of John Pluto Smith — or in other words, the collaborator Annie.

  What was he going to do next? Annie felt herself greatly piqued with curiosity.

  Part 4

  Godou slowly walked towards the divine monkey that held dominion over Hikari's body.

  At least he wasn't completely unarmed. In his shirt pocket was Cuore di Leone which Erica had transformed into a metal plate the size of a card.

  This was the intersection of main roads at the shore of Lake Chuuzenji.

  The monkeys gathered in the area began to rouse as they spotted the human Godou.

  Ferocious stares, threatening expressions and gestures, and even appetites for human flesh were conveyed through their eyes like stabbing knives.

  One would not have expected such brutality from monkeys that originated from leisurely humans.

  "Sigh, too noisy! Shut up and be quiet, and scram!"

  Standing on a golden cloud, Hikari gave a great shout from midair.

  The monkeys scattered instantly, fleeing in all directions. This was going to be one on one. The Great Sage Equaling Heaven manipulated the apprentice miko's body, and nimbly landed on the ground.

  "My kingdom is built, and I also had a good nap. I want some exercise next, and here comes a godslayer... How gratifying!"

  The Great Sage declared using Hikari's voice.

  Godou's body and mind were prepared for battle, and power flowed continuously from within.

  ...However, it was strange. Godou quietly tilted his head in puzzlement.

  Earlier at Toushouguu, the Great Sage displayed immense divine power that far surpassed all the gods he had ever met, but now nothing could be felt. Of course, there was no doubt that the Great Sage was a very powerful god...

  "Hahaha, you also look like you have fully recovered. I will use the legend of facing off against the heavenly armies at the Mountain of Fruit and Flowers as a model for our duel here. Even if you object, you will not be able to escape."

  "Don't joke around, who wants to fight that kind of battle with you!"

  Godou answered, casting all concerns aside. His current objective was to stall for time.

  "You've already released that whatever Keeper of the Horses spell, right? If that's the case, you no longer require the power of the miko you possessed — Hikari, right? It's time you give her back to me!"

  The Great Sage began to smile using Hikari's face.

  Though she was already twelve years old, she bore an even more immature looking smile as a result of the god residing in her body.

  "You really are infatuated with this miko, oh? If that's the case, you cannot escape as long as I keep this fellow in my clutches. Hehe, if you want to take her back, make your point with the fist. So then, let the blood-boiling, muscle-twitching games begin!"

  A steel staff suddenly appeared in the Great Sage's hand. No mistake, it was the Ruyi Staff!

  "Master of the Water Curtain Cave in the Mountain of Fruit and Flowers, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong announces his presence! Speak your name!"

  "Kusanagi Godou! Let me tell you beforehand, I don't have a title as long as yours."

  With the sound of rushing wind, the Ruyi Staff was casually swung over. Sigh, it really turned out like this after all.

  The staff of steel smashed heavily towards Godou who jumped to evade.

  "I, Wandering Monk Sun's Ruyi Staff was forged from precious divine iron. The iron staff that shakes the heavens and the earth, terrorizing the blue sky, savor it well!"

  The first strike was quite fast, and the speed likely exceeded a 160kmh fast ball pitch.

  However, the staff became faster and faster, and its motions were like lightning as the Great Sage wielded it with a combination of monkey-like agility and lightning speed.

  I can't see it! Godou recalled his earlier battle with Perseus.

  The current speed matched that of the glorious hero who displayed movements like flashes of white lightning. Faced with an opponent whose motions were impossible to capture visually, Godou began to use the [Raptor] form.

  The power of god speed and jumping ability was unlocked only when facing high speed attacks.

  Furthermore, Godou had discovered a new way to use it when he tested it in the battle against the beauty who had just become his sworn elder sister.

  In the process of using the [Raptor], Godou's senses and reactions were accelerated as well, and there was a wondrous feeling as if the surroundings were being played back in slow motion.

  In this decelerated world, Godou was the only one who could move normally. That was how the [Raptor] was used normally.

  However, this time Godou suppressed his speed as much as possible while making movements.

  As the Ruyi Staff was slowly thrust forward, the tip inched its way towards Godou's throat, but Godou remained comp
letely motionless, shutting off the [Raptor]'s speed. He reactivated the [Raptor] when his throat was one or two centimeters from being pierced.

  Super acceleration. The [Raptor]'s speed was infused in his body, but only employed for an instant.

  This was sufficient, and good enough to evade the Ruyi Staff's attack. Godou was missed by 10cm, and the attack was evaded splendidly.

  "...Oh?"

  The Great Sage grumbled and instantly raised his attack speed.

  The Ruyi Staff roared and sparks flew as it went through a series of attacks.

  Tracing out arcs in the air as it approached Godou from all sorts of directions, it was like one of those martial arts movies from Hong Kong where Shaolin monks displayed staff skills, except several hundred times faster.

  The series of attacks continued like a barrage of wind and thunder, but Godou dodged them all with the same principle as before.

  The importance of rhythm was realized during his battle with Luo Hao. It was not necessary to use super speed all the time. During that time, he discovered the defensive technique of applying godly speed only at critical moments of need.

  "Yes, you are defending well against Old Sun's Ruyi Staff! That's what a true devil king is about!"

  The one who gave such praise was the Great Sage who was also the second daughter of the Mariya family. Her ankle had also connected with Godou's right leg at the same time.

  Godou kept the speed of the [Raptor] suppressed, and releasing it only when he was 10cm away from striking his target. This was a most excellent sweeping kick.

  "Uh, this splendid kicking is quite scary. Hahaha, nice!"

  Though he wasn't swept off his feet, the stumbling Great Sage laughed.

  The success of the attack also owed itself to using speed judiciously. In the past when under high speed, Godou was unable to make precise movements and often missed his enemies by 50cm when he tried to attack.

  Now, he attacked using normal speed and only accelerated at the very end.

  Using this method, he was now able to make highly precise movements that had previously eluded him.

  However, the Great Sage's confidence gave an ominous feeling. As Godou continued to face off using godly speed, Hikari's expression gave a heavy impression of 'I haven't gone all out yet.'