Campione 10

by War God of the Lance

  Feeling puzzled, Liliana questioned with a surprised expression.

  "N-No, I'm fine, don't worry! It's just something that makes me slightly concerned!"

  "Something makes you concerned? If you don't mind, you can talk it out with me."

  "It's my own problem, so mind your own business! Anyway, you have to put some thought into Shizuka-chan's present! There's not much time left!"

  As soon as she switched to speaking with Godou, Asuka's state seemed to recover instantly.

  What on earth was going on? It felt like the childhood friend was watching Erica as if she was some kind of exceptionally bright object.

  "So, we'll be going. Are you waiting for someone?"

  Recalling the first thing she had said, Godou asked.

  Unexpectedly, Asuka shook her head.

  "It's done. And just so you know, I was waiting for you."

  "Eh, me? Why?"

  "Someone who knows you is waiting at our shop. I used to think the only foreigners you knew were Erica-san and Liliana-san, but never expected such a handsome foreign gentleman to be your friend."

  "...That guy, could he be blonde?"

  The shop mentioned by Asuka was the family business passed down for generations, the sushi shop "Sushi-Toku."

  Someone considered a handsome foreigner. Godou immediately recalled the retarded Italian. Did that guy finally come around to my neighborhood? However...

  "No, he's tall and black-haired. Half an hour ago, he was standing here, drinking canned coffee. Seeing as he was a foreign stranger, I went up and asked if he was lost."

  She probably started a conversation with a clumsy mixture of English and Japanese.

  An ordinary girl would never act in such a friendly manner but Asuka always seemed so fearless. Precisely because of that, Godou felt it was rather jarring that she displayed such apprehension only in front of Erica.

  "His Japanese was very fluent. 'I am waiting for the man called Kusanagi Godou' was what he said. So I told him it was someone I knew but had gone traveling abroad. Then he asserted 'He'll be back immediately, I'm absolutely certain' just like that."

  And so Asuka had advised him "In that case, why don't you wait in our shop?"

  Hearing this exchange, Godou immediately signaled to his two companions with his eyes.

  "Could it be possible, even that person has...!?" Liliana's eyes seemed to be saying.

  "Even though unexpected, it is very possible--" said Erica with her eyes.

  Godou immediately broke into a run.

  Running straight to the sushi shop he had known since childhood.

  Crack! The slide door flew open with great momentum. On this Sunday night, within "Sushi-Toku" that was bustling with customers, a black-haired young man with eyes of black was sitting next to the cashier. A handsome man with a pale white complexion, tall physique, and wearing a stylish black jacket.

  He was drinking sake from a cup as he dined on a sashimi platter to go with the alcohol.

  His sharp gaze turned towards the entrance. As their eyes met, Godou and the man glared at each other head on.

  As this was not an encounter with a god, there was no sense of overflowing battle spirit or power. However, Godou was certain beyond doubt. This guy was Alexandre Gascoigne, the English Campione who had been playing Godou for a fool.

  Part 4

  "The one I'm waiting for finally arrived. Later than expected."

  Alec grumbled as he laid down several 10000 yen notes at the cashier.

  He immediately stood up without waiting for the change.

  "Thank you for the hospitality. Should there be another opportunity, I shall enjoy a longer stay. Ah yes, sorry for all the trouble."

  Alec had just reached the entrance to the shop.

  At that very moment, Asuka arrived from behind Godou, panting nonstop. She looked like she had been chasing after the childhood friend who suddenly ran here.

  "...You two are friends, right?"

  Asking with a bit of worry, she seemed to have sensed the tense atmosphere between Godou and Alec.

  "Rather than friends, more like acquaintances... No, a bit different from that."

  "Ah yes. Kin, two of a kind, birds of a feather. Such descriptions should be appropriate."

  Godou and Alec simply gave Asuka a quick glance.

  Neither of them shifted their gaze away from the other Campione. Or more accurately, they could not shift their gazes.

  Based on the fact that neither of them was supposed to be the type of person who rampaged recklessly, they should be dealing with each other in a more calm and composed manner. Nevertheless, Godou did not take his eyes off Alec and neither did Alec shift his gaze from Godou.

  "Go for a quick walk?"

  "Sure."

  Godou responded curtly to Alec's suggestion and the two exited the sushi shop.

  Continuing to stare at each other was not a solution. Godou deliberately walked beside Alec, as if trying to avoid seeing his face. The other guy seemed to be thinking the same thing.

  Godou and Alec walked side by side without saying anything.

  This probably made them look like a pair of friends. Realizing that, Godou instantly felt displeased. Alec was definitely feeling the same thing.

  Erica and Liliana had been waiting outside the shop.

  Godou motioned with his eyes and the knights followed silently.

  "Looks like you can't even take a walk without female company."

  "Better than someone who doesn't even tell his subordinates and companions where he's going."

  Standing shoulder to shoulder like friends, but bickering with vitriol.

  Why? Godou began to feel anxious. This was his first time -- no, this was the same sense of anxiety he felt when he met Salvatore Doni.

  A completely unfounded sense of competitiveness against the man before him. A rising sense of hostility had been aroused.

  "I already advised you not to return for now, and yet you deliberately came running back..."

  Alec entered the main topic without even bothering to introduce himself.

  Godou did not mind. As humans, an appropriate level of manners was desirable, but for us two right now, it was unnecessary.

  "Could you do as the letter suggested?"

  Leaving the commercial street at Nezu Sanchoume, the two of them walked into the area of Nezu Shrine.

  Luckily there were no other people around. Godou replied without holding back.

  "Looking at it the other way, anyone would consider that a challenge."

  "Useless and redundant competitive spirit. For me to revive 'Avalon' and cause this incident at this time, you should have understood my goals and intentions."

  As if anyone would understand! Godou was amazed as Alec continued to harangue.

  "Why not stand back and watch? You should wait until things have settled before venturing out. If I were in your shoes, that's what I'd do without any hesitation. It would be the most relaxing and efficient way. And you don't waste unnecessary power."

  "As if anyone would do that! On the contrary, they'd come back to check out the situation instead, right?"

  "Hmph, you really are a Campione. A savage who acts on impulse instead of reason. What good are you if you can't even do something as simple as sitting back and solving a locked room mystery?"[8]

  "Completely unnecessary. Instead of guessing randomly about the identity of the murderer, just do things properly by looking for clues at the scene!"

  It was turning into a childish argument. Even though the witch had seemed like a sheltered lady oblivious to the real world, her assessment of character was perhaps rather accurate.

  Kusanagi Godou and Black Prince Alec, were indeed rather incompatible...

  "By the way, aren't you the one who stole the artifact we unearthed? Shouldn't a thief get off his high horse?"

  "Only borrowing. I already wrote clearly on the letter I'd return it as soon as things are settled."

  "I've heard th
at you have borrowed many times without returning. Tsk, you really are the worst amongst Campiones. What a weirdo who never considers the trouble you bring to others."

  "You're in no place to say such words. You savage who causes destruction everywhere you go. With the things you do all over the world, you are just a terrorist no matter how conservatively you estimate the damage. How carefree of you to ignore your own issues."

  As they argued against each other, Godou's lips were distorted by rage while Alec's face was filled with fury.

  What was this feeling? Both knew so much about each other's weaknesses and the ugly truths they did not wish to face.

  "Basically, I still don't understand what goal you're talking about. What are you planning by making that island in Tokyo Bay?"

  Godou abruptly changed the subject.

  "If you don't understand, then enjoy the show until the matter is over. Anyway, I've already used my authority to turn that island into a labyrinth. Approach at your own risk."

  "Alexandre-sama, may I ask a question?"

  Walking with Liliana behind them, Erica suddenly spoke up.

  "Call me Alec instead. Whether writing or pronouncing, that name is such a pain."

  "Then Alec, may I confirm a fact. The so-called king who manifests at the end of eras, is the god who descends for the purpose of exterminating the Devil Kings when a number of Campiones appear on earth...?"

  "Indeed. The god for exterminating all the Devil Kings... Though I still have a few doubts in this regard."

  Apparently, his enmity towards Kusanagi Godou did not extend to the knights.

  "After seeing that Great Sage Equaling Heaven who appeared several months ago, my opinion changed. For that monkey to be so powerful, it seems to be the same power used by the 'King of the End' as part of his Devil King-exterminating authority."

  "Furthermore, the 'King of the End' disappears from earth as soon as all god-slayers are eliminated, entering deep slumber until the time when multiple Campiones appear again--"

  "An acceptable description. However, seven Devil Kings have already appeared and yet he remains asleep."

  Black Prince Alec replied rather cautiously.

  Godou was somewhat surprised. Despite his arrogant personality, this man did not mind instructing others. In actual fact, he was probably someone who was good at looking after people.

  "What I suspect is, a few centuries after the 'King of the End' battled in England, he descended somewhere in Asia. At that time, he also exterminated the god-slayers and went to sleep. That somewhere in Asia is indeed Japan, in the region of Tokyo Bay."

  After questioning, Erica suddenly proposed her speculation. Alec simply answered "Oh" in acknowledgement.

  "The little island that surfaced in Tokyo Bay must be where he sleeps. But as luck would have it, Japan has its elders -- the group of guardians centered around the heroic deity Susanoo. Seeing the 'King of the End' as a threat, they sank the 'island' into the sea using some kind of wizardry. The key to this wizardry is the Heavenly Reverse Halberd. Thereafter, Alec discovered how to use this halberd and made the island surface again. Is that correct?"

  The Heavenly Reverse Halberd. The same name as the divine artifact used to create the islands of Japan.

  So in the past, Susanoo and his group did not create an "island," but sank it into the sea instead?

  It was an imaginative but reasonable hypothesis. Erica's speculation seemed bold but the logic was sound. How would the Black Prince react?

  "...That's rather sharp of you. Though it's not exactly correct, you've managed to outline a rough picture of the truth."

  Alec looked at her as if impressed by an excellent student.

  "Let me tell you a hint, that of the name of the so-called 'Leech Child.' The rest is left as an exercise for you people. For Guinevere, that island is a final destination she cannot disregard. However, I have prepared a trap there to send that witch to her grave."

  "...You're planning on taking out Guinevere?"

  Alec immediately nodded at Godou's question.

  "That woman owes me. The likes of making counterfeits of the Holy Grail has incurred multiple debts. It's about time to make her pay. Though she's cautious and good at running away, with Avalon prepared, she will surely fall into the trap."

  Alec's facial profile displayed unshakable willpower as he spoke.

  This man was a god-slayer after all. Even if he had a few idiosyncrasies, he was still a natural born god-slaying warrior. That type of ferocity of his was now clearly displayed.

  "I see... However, Lancelot who guards Guinevere is my enemy."

  If Alec wants to defeat her, just leave it all to him. As a pacifist, unnecessary battles should be avoided as much as possible. Even though the idea clearly crossed his mind, Godou did not give voice to it.

  "I can't let you have them. Besides, you don't lose anything by retreating now."

  "I could say the same to you. After all, Lancelot is just an enemy you fought once, right? Stop acting like you own the place."

  Glaring at each other, both refused to back down.

  Emotions of hostility and resistance were starting to get fired up. Unbelievable. Was it because these two Campiones were rather close in age? Or was contention over the Heavenly Reverse Halberd the root cause?

  Godou and Alec could feel ferocious battle spirit from each other that had been absent when they first met just now.

  "May I offer a suggestion to you two?"

  Liliana suddenly spoke.

  She had been watching the situation silently until now, so why was she entering the fray? Godou nodded in puzzlement as Alec answered "Sure."

  "Alexandre-sama, or rather, Alec's target is Guinevere. Then there is Kusanagi Godou's wish to fight Sir Lancelot. In that case, since both sides wish to fight against their respective opponents, it would seem appropriate to form an alliance."

  "...Oh?" "...Hmm."

  That's right, this should have been the first topic of discussion from the very start.

  The two pondered for a moment, but quickly reached a conclusion.

  " "Impossible!" "

  Without any coordination beforehand, Godou and Alec gave the same answer simultaneously. Going "tsk" and smacking their lips at the same time, they looked away and turned their backs on Erica and Liliana.

  (Hey, are those two not a perfect match for each other after all?)

  (That's so true. Even though their personalities are clearly incompatible and their rhythm is supposed to be off, right?)

  (Their personalities are supposed to be completely different, but there seem to be subtle similarities in certain areas.)

  (Whether Godou or the Black Prince, both are incredibly vain. They both insist "I am different from other Campiones.")

  (I see. It is akin to looking at a distorting mirror and seeing a distasteful reflection of oneself.)

  (They must be aware that even though the other person's character was opposite to themselves, similarities exist. Hence the resulting intensity of revulsion. Most likely, that kind of feeling is like listening to your own recorded voice.)

  Erica and Liliana could be heard whispering behind his back.

  Godou secretly cursed them a thousand times for their gossiping ways. Alec also frowned, most likely feeling the same thing. The two Devil Kings pretentiously faced each other once again.

  "I have said everything I wish to inform you about, Kusanagi Godou. If you still want to interfere, prepare yourself for the consequences."

  Alec declared, speaking the name of Kusanagi Godou for the first time.

  "You're the one who should be careful, Gascoigne. If you do anything to harm where I live, I will not remain silent."

  Godou responded with a tone of warning that he seldom employed.

  The two knights watched as the Black Prince sneered and left. Whether the Devil King of Swords, the old Marquis of Eastern Europe, the sworn elder sister who commanded the Chinese martial realm, the hero of North America, any o
f these so-called peers who had recently appeared one after another, none of them seemed possible to establish friendly relations with.

  Part 5

  While Kusanagi Godou and the Campione of divine speed were having their verbal dispute...

  The war god in white armor was silently staring up at the moon.

  Lancelot du Lac. The one known as the Knight of the Lake. Wielder of the divine lance Excalibur and protector of Witch Queen Guinevere.

  Protected from head to foot by white armor. Helmet, breastplate, gauntlets, greaves -- Nowhere was any skin exposed.

  He was at a beach, basking in the moonlight.

  Having gazed at the distant full moon, he turned towards the ocean before him. Avalon was floating straight ahead. This was the island where his master, the hero once known as "Artos" in the land of Britain, lay sleeping.

  The enemy Alexandre Gascoigne had made this island surface. Surely it was to summon Guinevere as well as her protector Lancelot.

  Furthermore, Kusanagi Godou, who had promised a second battle, had apparently returned as well.

  --Alas! Lancelot lamented.

  The day of battle was drawing near, but he had yet to fully revive. This must have been due to the recent battle against Athena and Kusanagi Godou which had delayed the recovery of divine power.

  Fighting in the current state will result in premature depletion of power again.

  He had never liked prolonged battles or wars of attrition. It was Lancelot's true style to gallop at maximum speed for a full-powered attack, sweeping all his enemies away.

  But in his current state, a single charge would deplete his strength.

  For the sake of battling without reservation, he had to prepare well for the second and third charges. Time was needed. Time for retrieving divine power.

  --No. Lancelot realized that was surely not the case.

  "This Knight's wish is to reach a conclusion with that youth without being burdened by any restrictions..."

  Discerning his true wish with clarity, he gained a new sense of self understanding.

  Not even a fortnight had passed since the previous battle. Kusanagi Godou -- the details of the intense battle with the young god-slayer were still vivid in memory.

  "Kusanagi Godou... The name of the foe this Knight shall vanquish. Hohoho, what a sound to be cherished."