—Shivering, she felt even her back shaking.
Terrifying magical traces were discovered.
Liliana also seemed to have felt it, and she narrowed her eyes, focusing on the school wall.
"Mariya Yuri, can you see the problem here? Regrettably, a great power was applied here, and I cannot gather any clues..."
Liliana spoke with great dismay, and Yuri closed her eyes.
Not sight, but "vision" that focused spiritual disposition surpassing the five senses. At this instant, the vision appeared.
—The sun, which dominated the sky, completely darkened like in a solar eclipse.
—Holding the great sword of steel, the storm god appeared, causing the land with the bountiful harvest to wither into a gray wilderness.
"It was Susanoo after all..."
Ever since the Marquis Voban incident, she had not experienced any visions for months.
From the images shown before her eyes, Yuri seemed to have found out what happened.
"I know the method used to take Godou-san and the rest away and also saw where they went."
Yuri explained as she endured her over exhausted body.
Liliana displayed great interest, but Amakasu looked tired for some reason.
"Perhaps you already have an idea, Amakasu-san?"
"Amongst the ones capable of kidnapping a Campione, I already have a very good idea. Requesting your spirit vision was just to obtain concrete proof. Since this is an internal affair, I still hope the outsider can be dismissed."
"No, Liliana-san's wisdom is truly needed for what comes after."
Yuri cast an apologetic gaze at Amakasu.
Then she turned towards and bowed her head at Liliana who had been excluded from the conversation and was showing signs of displeasure.
"I beg you, please tell me the method to save Godou-san, Erica-san and Ena-san from the Netherworld—the Boundary of Life and Immortality."
After listening to the gist of the situation, the witch and Great Knight showed a troubled expression.
"A deity who used to be a [Heretic God]? This country is harboring such a monster!"
"If possible, I also wish he would hurry up and pass on, but that's not going to happen. He's been hanging around for over a thousand years. To be honest, we are also very troubled too."
"Amakasu-san, your description is a bit..."
Yuri scolded Amakasu for his imprudent comment as she waited for the witch's response.
Since they were now aware that Godou and Erica were trapped in the Netherworld, they had to go over to bring them back. Now the only one capable of using that kind of spell was the silver-haired witch.
"In order to transfer to the Astral Plane, the magical ritual and the required medication are needed. I already know the ritual, but the problem is the potion..."
Liliana's expression darkened as she continued to speak.
"I know the recipe, but I don't have the ingredients. A few precious herbs are essential, but I don't have them on hand and must send for them from back home."
"Then what if we go buy them right now? I've heard that shops selling those kinds of things exist in Tokyo."
Yuri had heard from Amakasu and others at the History Compilation Committee.
They occasionally monitored shops that secretly sold wizardry tools and catalysts.
However, Liliana showed an 'oh no' kind of stiff expression.
"Actually... I have no idea where those shops are located."
"Eh?"
"Because... I have been busy taking care of Kusanagi Godou, so I have not spent the time to familiarize myself with people and places in that field in Tokyo..."
Liliana bowed her head and confessed, embarrassed.
Her fingers twiddling, the blush on her face was especially cute. It was completely different from Liliana's usual awe-inspiring appearance. Then Yuri suddenly thought of the adage "putting the cart before the horse."
"No, no, just ask Amakasu-san to lead the way."
Tentatively, she first tried a relatively safe solution. Unfortunately, reality was cruel.
"Uh, no can do, I'm afraid. Any ingredient or catalyst required by high level magic, above rank E in difficulty, has to be ordered in advance. Using online shopping parlance, it's under the category of 'delivery time unknown.' Even if we rushed over right away, we won't get it."
"T-Then they must have logistics problems!"
"Actually, I think it's even stranger for the Kranjcar family to keep those items lying around the house!"
Liliana felt furious at Amakasu's tactless honesty.
There was no time to wait for a delivery from Italy. In that time span, the worst situation could develop.
Just as Yuri was about to consider other options.
A suspicious presence could be felt... from Amakasu's body.
She once read a mystery novel that someone recommended to her as guaranteed to be interesting.
She had the exact same feeling of suspicion towards a character that appeared around the tenth page or so. As she paid attention to that character and continued reading, it turned out the person was the final culprit.
Henceforth, Yuri avoided the genre as much as possible. Very calmly, she said:
"Amakasu-san, what are you trying to hide?"
"Uh... I don't know what you're talking about. Could it be your imagination?"
The History Compilation Committee special operative was subtly averting eye contact.
Undeterred, Yuri continued to ask, determined to speak her mind.
"Since the name Sayanomiya suddenly appeared in my mind, could it be... that family is involved?"
"Sayanomiya? What is that?"
"The History Compilation Committee is an organization run under the direction of the Sayanomiya family. They are steeped in the traditions of wizardry, and several generations ago, their family head had gone to study in Europe and learned knowledge about magic over there--"
As she explained to Liliana who interrupted with a question, Yuri recalled a certain incident.
During the Marquis Voban incident, at the time when she visited the secret library at Aobadai.
That facility stored grimoires collected and confiscated from all over Japan by special operatives like Amakasu. Come to think of it, the Committee surely must collect more than books.
"Perhaps, amongst the various items Amakasu-san and your colleagues confiscate, there are the items that Liliana called ingredients? Those are probably kept in the Sayanomiya residence..."
"Hahaha, how can that be possible, please don't guess randomly."
"Whether or not it is a random guess, everything will be cleared up by an investigation."
Liliana drew her beloved sword in front of Amakasu who was playing dumb.
The magic sword Il Maestro was personally forged by a top blacksmith and mage.
"I will go directly into that residence and search. If it is not there, then I will search all the facilities belonging to your Committee."
Discerning Yuri's thoughts from the dialogue just now, Liliana declared with great awe-inspiring impact.
Although from an ethical standpoint, this kind of behavior was not very appropriate. However, she still made her declaration openly.
Yuri was very impressed. Threats should be made in such a manner? A lesson learnt.
"Sigh... As expected, calling her here was trouble. Fine, I confess, I know how the required ingredients can be obtained. The Sayanomiya residence does have these things, but due to various reasons, they cannot be moved arbitrarily, so it would be best not to go there."
Amakasu finally spoke the truth amidst sighing tones.
Knowing she was now able to save her dear friends, Yuri could not help but feel excitement in her heart.
Part 4
Netherworld, Astral Plane, Boundary of Life and Immortality.
In this space with many different names, Godou was caught in a dilemma.
Ena, under Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi's co
ntrol, had escaped a while ago. Though his body felt like an hour has passed, Godou knew such impressions were unreliable because the flow of time in this place was unlikely to be the same as on earth. After some rest, Godou's headache had also recovered almost completely. However—
Erica's condition was taking a turn for the worse.
Her face in pain, she was breathing irregularly and sweating profusely. Godou tried to touch her and found her body temperature unusually elevated as if under high fever. She also had no strength left and could not even turn herself over.
Completely drained, she was lying in the shade of a tree beside the river.
"Given the current situation, I guess the only way is to return to the mountain just now..."
Godou muttered to himself. Since he did not have the knowledge or skills to help Erica, he must ask for help. And in this mysterious space, he only knew three "people," if they could be called that. Susanoo and the mummified monk aside, perhaps the benevolent princess might extend a helping hand.
"May I ask: how is this world structured?"
Worrying about Erica's condition, Godou asked.
In order to save her and leave, he needed information.
There was a beautiful river here that flowed somewhere.
As well as a seemingly limitless plain.
This scenery extended to the horizon without any change.
The little house in the mountain where Susanoo was located seemed to be in one direction, or perhaps not. To have suddenly jumped out here in an instant, even Godou could not believe his eyes.
"...Susanoo's location is a different space from here. If I'm not mistaken, the Astral Plane is composed of many disconnected worlds and spaces. You must have performed a spatial transfer between them..."
Erica quoted from what she had read in books and explained to Godou.
Without her usual flair when speaking, it seemed like her stamina had been draining continuously, and Godou nodded to her, frantic for a solution to the situation.
"In other words, this is very similar to an apartment building, you know? Though you live under the same roof, homes are separated by walls and floors, but you can still move about using corridors and stairs."
A broad world that contained countless independent spaces and linked together like a spider's web.
Even for the storm god Susanoo, no matter how much he summons violent storms, the only affected area was the "room" he occupied.
Which explained why [Heretic Gods], whose mere existence brought disaster to the world, could live secluded in this realm.
"...But you just used the [Warrior] form so the [Sword] is no longer available for now. If we're going to Susanoo's place, shouldn't you wait first?"
"No, if this continues, your body will not last."
Verethragna's ten incarnations.
Godou's authority, usurped from the ancient Persian Warlord, had many restrictions.
After each use, an incarnation could only be reused after the passage of one day.
The [Sword] was already invoked when he met the old god. As much as possible, Godou should avoid direct conflict against Susanoo without a trump card. However, Godou shook his head at Erica's suggestion.
"I will find a way. Even though there are a few distasteful fellows, someone nice is also there."
Godou quietly picked up Erica in his arms and laid her on his back.
Attempting the method just now, his mind imagined the little house in the mountain and the surrounding beautiful scenery, and then wished to go there.
—And then, Godou and Erica were suddenly transferred to a beach.
Before their eyes was a beautiful deep, blue sea. Waves quietly broke against them.
"H-How could this happen!"
"Looks like your imagination is lacking... Though Godou is a Campione, you never received special training... Perhaps without a certain level of magical competence, the transfer will not succeed..."
"But I just went to where you were without any issues!"
"...That was surely because you could see the scenery... A scene before your eyes compared to one recalled purely from memory, there is a huge difference in difficulty."
Erica explained from his back.
However, she spoke slowly and paused many times. Godou began to enter a state of panic. If this continued, her life will be threatened, the next attempt must succeed!
Once again, he secured the scenery in his mind. It is a mountain. He must reach Susanoo's mountain this time.
But where Godou and Erica arrived was a totally bare and barren mountain.
Brown rocks, dry wind, blue sky. It would not be surprising to find eagles and vultures circling in the air. It was a completely opposite scene from the lush green mountain.
"Damn it, one more time!"
The third attempt at imagination and third transfer, but this was not even a natural habitat.
It was a white space. The surroundings were entirely white.
A space where the whiteness extended from one horizon to another.
Ticktock, ticktock. There was also a strange sound, the sound of clocks running.
Carrying Erica on his back, Godou looked around him.
Very soon, an ancient clock appeared in his sight, but then the clock ticking was also heard from behind him. Turning around, he found a silver pocket watch. As the left side sounded as well, a massive clock tower could be seen in that direction...
As soon as the clock ticking was heard, a new clock would appear. This repeated dozens of times.
"Godou... this isn't working, you are completely lost..."
Erica protested in a barely audible voice.
Godou let out a huge sigh. Looks like he is running into dead ends. One more time, try again, a steady image. This time he must transfer to the place in his heart.
"...Not working after all..."
Hearing Erica's tired voice, Godou was speechless.
The two of them had arrived at a stone paved street.
A simple gothic street, one could have mistaken it for the Italian countryside.
Little houses linked by the eaves of their roofs, roads and squares paved with brick. If this place was Earth, the scenery would most likely be classified as a world heritage site.
But there was not a single soul here. Looking around, no other person could be spotted. It was an empty street.
He could feel Erica's breathing quicken as she lay on his back.
Her breaths spaced apart by shortening intervals, it appeared that the multiple transfers had taken their toll on her body.
Finding a little park nearby, Godou laid Erica on the grass and sat down beside her. He felt so bad about things that he would have kicked a trashcan had there been one.
"Damn, I am out of ideas. If this continues, then this really is the end."
"By the way... Godou, I have a request."
Godou jumped in surprise. Erica was speaking in rare innocent tones.
She essentially never used this voice except in the mornings when she just woke up. Currently, she was in an even more vulnerable state.
"I feel like death is near, could you give me a final passionate kiss or embrace...?"
"Y-you stop saying such foolish words! Don't say something so unlucky!"
Neither half of the statement was acceptable, so Godou immediately scolded her.
But Erica shook her head lightly.
"This future is very likely... I am already unable to heal this body with my own power, and I have no method to leave the Astral Plane. Furthermore, I have no way to reach a third party who can rescue us from here... This is the end."
Godou swallowed words of denial.
His own stupidity was the reason why they could not return to Susanoo's place.
"So, let's start preparing for the future. If I am no longer here, you must follow my instructions..."
"Come on! Stop joking as if you're leaving final words!"
"I am not joking. Weren't you the one who just
said this was the end?"
His words picked apart, Godou fell silent.
Just as she said, he understood very well that he was powerless to do anything unless they returned to Susanoo's location. Even if Erica did not spell it out, he knew.
"T-Then I will ask one more time, kiss me, embrace me tightly... If possible, treat this as a continuation of that time in Sicily, no? You still can't decide?"
She asked with a mischievous tone of voice.
Erica placed her hand over Godou's hand, but did not use the usual unnatural strength. She no longer had spare strength or magic to increase her arm strength.
However, her sincere expression was adorable to a heartbreaking degree.
"At least tell me, how do you really feel about me... Do not dodge the issue like usual, you have to be clear...?"
How he felt about Erica? Wasn't this already obvious!
Perhaps death really was near as she said. But Godou did not want to admit it. How could he let something like that happen? Still, Godou's rationality told him it was true.
Godou's heart was invaded by fury and anxiety, as well as terror at the thought of losing her.
Godou tightly held Erica's hand.
Then he drew his face near, his lips slowly approaching her thin yet seductive lips. Then pressed upon them—
Kissing each other.
They repeated this motion for quite a while.
"Godou... This is your first time kissing me on your own initiative."
Tens of seconds later, their lips separated, and Erica spoke softly.
Despite the crisis they were trapped in, her face was filled with satisfaction and happiness.
Seeing her expression, Godou's heart was greatly shaken.
The feelings of tender affection for her, the fear of losing her, the anxiety over finding a solution, the agitation and anger. All sorts of emotions assaulted Godou simultaneously.
But the most intense emotion was anger.
Anger at the circumstances taking her away from him, and anger at his own incompetence.
"Ah... it hurts. Godou, please be a bit softer..."
Unwittingly he had held her even tighter, causing Erica to plead.
Instead Godou held Erica's weak and slender hand, not lightly but gripping harder. Erica accepted this action without any rejection.
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