Campione 07

by Great Sage Equaling Heaven

  Of course, even if the target was hit, it was not going to knock out the opponent. After all, the enemy possessed a body of steel, and it was likely that Godou's own kneecap will be shattered by the impact instead.

  Due to the sudden attack, the Great Sage's aim deviated slightly...

  Godou's gamble paid off.

  Instead of piercing Godou's heart and killing him immediately, the Ruyi Staff penetrated the flank of Godou's abdomen.

  Though injury was inevitable, instant death was avoided.

  As the staff was pulled out, Godou collapsed forward onto the ground.

  Looks like I've reached my limits. Please, I will rely on you girls for the remainder.

  In the instant of Godou's prayer, Lake Chuuzenji's water surface suddenly exploded.

  As a mage, Erica was most talented in iron alchemy.

  This was battle magic that originated from alchemy, belonging to the magical domain of manipulating metal and infusing magic into objects.

  In addition to spells bearing metallic attributes, Erica was also talented in the highly compatible area of fire magic.

  Rather than techniques of fire and steel, the witch Liliana's talents concentrated in the areas of potions, communicating with plants and animals, and spells related to water, earth and sky.

  Thus when they decided to control massive amounts of water, the main spellcaster was Liliana.

  "Behold, I shall send forth a great flood to the earth, extinguishing all terrestrial creatures, wiping all life from the face of the earth."

  The knight who was also a witch began chanting the spell words on the shore of Lake Chuuzenji.

  "Water, rise from the depths, flooding the earth, submerging all land and mountains."

  Erica also stood by her side, silently supporting Liliana as if trying not to disturb her.

  "The terrestrial creatures, birds, beasts and livestock, insects that crawl upon the ground, mankind, all shall perish. May death come to all who breathe the air to live, and all who reside upon the land."

  "All the creatures of the surface, humans, beasts, reptiles, flying birds, all shall be exterminated!"

  This was the magical ritual, a technique that required multiple spellcasters to cooperate and manifest the same spell.

  This was a technique that was used whenever a highly difficult spell that required long casting durations or magical power beyond one person's capacity.

  "Behold, I shall destroy them together with the land!"

  As the silver-haired maiden yelled out the completed incantation, Lake Chuuzenji's water surface started to form ripples. At first there were only tiny waves that lapped at the shore, but they doubled in strength when rebounding, and this continued repeatedly.

  Very soon, towering great waves that seemed like they would smash the shoreline were created as if a typhoon had arrived.

  The wrathful waves swept over the northern shore of Lake Chuuzenji and even some of the roads slightly further away. As Godou and the Great Sage Equaling Heaven carried out their high speed battle, Godou finally heard the signal he had been waiting for so long — the sound of the revolver firing.

  "Now, Lily! Let's go all out!"

  "I do not need you to remind me. Lady of the Lake, please grant your blessing to the witch as your descendant!"

  In the instant that Liliana responded to Erica's instructions, the lake surface rose in one rapid motion, and the lake water rushed towards the shore in the form of giant waves.

  Along the main streets stretching across the north shore, the rows of shops, hotels, eateries and public facilities were instantly swept away. It was said that legendary surfers rode giant waves roughly 25 feet in height.

  Since a foot was about 30cm, that meant 7m or so. However, the current giant waves were humongous walls of water about 15m in height, and they were rushing furiously inland.

  That area included the Great Sage who had just pierced a godslayer, as well as the collapsing Kusanagi Godou.

  The iron plate slid out from Kusanagi Godou's shirt pocket, exactly as planned beforehand.

  Chapter 5 - Suffering of the Ladies, Alliance of Two Kings

  Part 1

  Gods and Campiones were essentially immune to human magic, but there existed secret ways of circumvention such as working effects through the mouth. The method that Erica and Liliana just used was one of them.

  Magically created giant waves were sweeping away the busy streets around Lake Chuuzenji along with the Great Sage Equaling Heaven. If these waves were directly controlled by magic, the attack would have been nullified. Hence that was why Erica and Liliana left the waves to take their course without interference. Instead of specifying a target, they let the indirect effects of their magic engulf the Great Sage. This was one such technique that could bypass magic resistance.

  The rest was up to luck, but the effects of the method could be predicted beforehand.

  Erica and Liliana almost flew as they ran, westward along Lake Chuuzenji towards the car waiting for them that Annie had prepared.

  The mission of rescuing Godou had been entrusted to Cuore di Leone.

  Erica's magic sword carried the injured Godou away.

  In the instant the giant waves swept over them, Cuore di Leone transformed from a card into a chain with an anchor on one end and attacked the Great Sage like a snake.

  Its targets were the Great Sage's ankles, as well as the Ruyi Staff he had just pulled out from Godou's abdomen!

  "W-What!?"

  The Great Sage was quite surprised. At the instant he successfully delivered a decisive blow to the godslayer, even the monkey king was caught off guard.

  At that very instant when Cuore di Leone chained the Great Sage's ankles together, Godou displayed his unrelenting will.

  "Aaaaaaaaah!"

  Even though his injuries were severe, they were not fatal. He ran at full speed using the [Raptor] while Cuore di Leone continued to entangle the Great Sage who was trying to chase him. The divine monkey anxiously tried to sever the chain, but just as he chopped with his knife hand, the giant waves arrived.

  "Oooooooooh!?"

  The massive waves devoured the Great Sage Equaling Heaven.

  That should buy some time. Godou ran west with godly speed.

  There was no need to worry about retrieval because Cuore di Leone was the indestructible magic sword and could be re-summoned by magic.

  Thankfully, Godou's godly speed had some remaining stamina and he was able to run at full speed for a good many seconds. His shoulder and the flank of his abdomen hurt immensely, and the heart pain was gradually beginning to intensify.

  "Are you all right? Kusanagi Godou!?"

  At the meeting point, Liliana was the one who came out to receive him. Ena who had been in charge of firing the signal gun, also arrived with Yuri supported on her arm. Yuri looked completely exhausted, and her consciousness was in a clouded state.

  "Your Majesty! Yuri has successfully completed the mission, you must praise her well later."

  The Hime-Miko of the Sword reported to the king.

  Meanwhile, Erica was staring at the silver SUV with a severe look in her eyes.

  "W-What's up? Something happened?"

  "Annie-san, who should have arrived first, is not here. Also..."

  Hearing Godou's query, Erica gestured to the vehicle.

  The seat and door on the driver's side were stained red with blood, and the reddish-black color was smeared over the body of the car.

  If all this blood came from one person, he or she must have been critically injured to leave behind such stains.

  As Godou noticed the car key that was still in the ignition, his cellphone began to vibrate.

  "I-It's my phone, can someone pick it up for me? There seems to be an incoming call."

  Godou felt worried by the timing of the call. Since his body had started to paralyze, Godou asked Liliana who was closest to him to pick up the phone.

  "It is a text message from Annie Charlton."
>
  The knight showed the cellphone screen to Godou. On it was written the curt message of 'Annie has been hurt in an accident, and I have retrieved her. Do not worry. JS.'

  "Though we can speculate all sorts of things from the content of this message, discuss it later. Let's get out of here first and find a place to heal Godou and treat Yuri."

  Erica spoke after reading the text message.

  I rely on you for now, leaving everything in your hands. You must find a way to escape... Godou communicated with his eyes to the blonde female knight who had guaranteed absolute success for her plan.

  "Can anyone drive? By the way, Ena can't."

  Placing the exhausted Yuri and Godou on the back seats of the car, Ena asked the rest.

  "No one here has reached the legal age for a driving license... Fine, I will think of a solution."

  "Wait a minute, you can drive!?"

  Seeing Erica make her way into the driver's seat, Liliana questioned as she sat on the passenger seat beside her.

  "If you know how to drive, why do you leave things to that maid all the time!? T-Thanks to her, I have had so many near-death experiences!"

  Clearly, Liliana had received rides from Arianna before.

  Hearing the valid criticisms of her rival and longtime friend, Erica smiled glamorously.

  "Oh my, isn't that an exceedingly simple question? First of all, I don't have a driver's license. Furthermore, such a crude means of transport is not fit to be a knight's beloved mount. Finally, today is my first time driving this thing."

  After her most intimidating confession, Erica stepped on the gas pedal.

  Carrying the group, the silver SUV began to rush forward madly with frightening momentum.

  Fortunately, there were no cars in front or moving in the opposite direction. Otherwise, a car crash would likely have resulted.

  "Don't worry, I've been watching Arianna and other people drive all the time. Stepping here is the accelerator, that one is for slowing down, and turning this will control the... Yes, I've basically understood it all."

  In just a few minutes, the car began to move smoothly and steadily under Erica's driving.

  Erica drove with such a graceful posture that one would not have trouble believing she had five years of driving experience. Truly, Erica Blandelli was no ordinary person, to be able to grasp the essentials of driving just by casually observing others without deliberate intent. Absolutely, she was an exceptionally capable and talented girl.

  (However, she was clearly unfamiliar with traffic regulations, though it would be unfair to insist on judging her on this requirement.)

  With that, the original worries concerning their method of escape were dispelled.

  However, a new sense of worry and anxiety surfaced with the pursuer who had appeared.

  "Wow... What is going on, this is too unbelievable!"

  Turning her head back, Ena could not resist exclaiming.

  Chasing the car from behind was a gigantic hand that was connected to a densely fur-covered monkey's arm. Looking back, an enormous version of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven blotted the entire night sky.

  'Hahahaha! Godslayer, to think you are over there! Watch me and see how I will prevent your escape!'

  A very cheerful-sounding voice came from the sky above.

  The voice was no longer Mariya Hikari's, but the same one used by the monkey divine monarch.

  Now his title was the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, and the one-of-its-kind divine monkey had blown up in size. Currently, his head was high enough for direct contact with clouds in the night sky, and he extended his massive arm, trying to grab a hold of the car in which everyone was riding.

  Erica skillfully swerved the car left and right, evading his efforts to capture them.

  The Great Sage Equaling Heaven continued to make attempts again and again. Extending his arm, missing; extending his arm, missing.

  However, at last his fingertips touched the rear lights of the vehicle.

  The car was sent off course and lost stability, and just as it was about to hit the sidewalk railings, Erica turned the steering wheel to correct the course and finally slammed on the brakes.

  The left side of the car had a collision and the impact shook the entire vehicle along with the passengers.

  Luckily a serious frontal crash was avoided, but the car continued to spin for a good many revolutions before it finally stopped.

  During this time, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven had finally caught up.

  After some minor preparations, Annie concealed all traces of herself for the time being.

  She watched as Erica, Liliana and Ena left, escorting the two incapacitated members of the team. In order to chase after them, the Great Sage had deliberately transformed himself into a massive form that towered into the clouds.

  "Other than being ostentatious, that kind of size offers no actual benefit in real combat... Simply stated, he is a vain god that loves seeking attention."

  Discerning the nature of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong, Annie could not help but shrug her shoulders.

  She wanted to collect more information first, but the current situation no longer allowed her to do so.

  Though her principles were important, it would be placing the cart before the horse if she abandoned those girls to their fate.

  "...Birth, death, and the infinite—"

  Annie quietly chanted the spell words.

  This was the spell for her to summon her outfit and magic gun, thus achieving an instant change of appearance.

  Her face became covered by the black mask, along with the characteristic visor that resembled an insect's compound eyes. The black cape fluttered in the wind over the elegant and noble blue-themed outfit.

  In the waist holster was a steel-colored large caliber revolver. The feet wore iron-tipped black leather boots.

  The devil king who lorded over the darkness of Los Angeles — John Pluto Smith had made his entrance.

  In that instant, Annie Charlton's existence vanished. This man was the masked hero, and though he saved the citizens, he was also the tyrant who enslaved them to do his bidding. Without any sense of punctuality, he was a nobleman who loved pretension and acting mysteriously.

  Somehow, this had evolved into Annie's second personality. It was completely baffling.

  With audible footsteps of leather boots, Smith walked along the scenic roads of the countryside.

  His target was neither the Great Sage up in the clouds nor the direction where the car drove off to.

  Instead, he approached the central streets of the Chuuzenji hot springs, the area devastated by the tidal wave caused by the Great Knights.

  It was now night, and the perfect time most suited to John Pluto Smith. The new moon and the twinkling stars shone in the autumn sky as the curtains of the dark night were lowered. Illumination in the streets came from street lamps and domestic lighting.

  "By my name as the king of the underworld I hereby decree. Make offerings to the legs of the beast traversing the dark night. O Light, thou needst only illuminate my path towards conquest!"

  Chanting the spell words, Smith activated his authority.

  This was the power named [Metamorphosis] by the Witenagemot.

  This was the authority that granted the black-clad hero the supernatural ability to transform into other avatars in exchange for various [Sacrifices]. When artificial lighting was sacrificed, Smith transformed into a jaguar!

  Smith's body took on form of a jaguar, its entire body covered by yellow fur with brown spots. Its emerald green eyes flashed in the darkness.

  It ran. Just as the car took off just then and the Great Sage Equaling Heaven chased after it, the jaguar ran full speed along the asphalt paved road, traversing several hundred miles in just a few dozens of seconds.

  This was one of the magical powers possessed by the [Jaguar] transformation.

  Luckily it caught up just as the car carrying Godou and the rest was forced to stop, appar
ently having hit the railing. The Great Sage, whose giant body blocked the view of the sky, also suddenly stopped reaching out with his arm.

  He must have noticed. Whenever a devil king approached a god, they instinctively sensed each other's existence.

  Their bodies and minds would automatically enter a battle-ready state.

  Smith released the jaguar transformation and returned to the black-clad, black-masked appearance.

  "To think I would encounter two godslayers here... No, the smell is different from the other fellow. One would never expect a third was hidden here! Hahaha, having no lack of opponents sure will be fun!"

  "If you already know it, then shut up with the meaningless chatter."

  There was never any need to take the trouble of disguising herself as a man. Originally, it was a deliberate choice to play a different persona.

  However, starting at some point in time, her personality automatically shifted as soon as she put on the mask.

  "Great Sage Equaling Heaven... All deities who cower secluded in my homeland know of my name. If possible, you would do well to remember the name of John Pluto Smith."

  Introducing herself, she pulled out the steel-colored revolver.

  Since a new moon had passed after the battle with Asherah, the six bullets had already been replenished.

  'Yes, you do possess the power to back up your words. And for that thing to be filled with such a repulsive aura, it is clearly a weapon designed to annihilate my kind.'

  After seeing the magic gun, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven commented with great interest.

  As expected of a monkey god, his sense of smell was exceptionally sharp. Also, the Great Sage began to shrink his body.

  Back to a height of 160cm or so, rather than a monkey, he was more similar to a human covered with dense fur, with the Beijing opera costume and wielding the Ruyi Staff.

  Massive creatures lacked agility and so the giant body would have been unable to evade the bullets.

  Hence he chose to shrink his size. Anyway, how was the condition of the other Campione? Smith glanced at the back of the car where Kusanagi Godou's body was lying against the seat.