Watching Guinevere's awkwardness and embarrassment, Godou commented.
A girl who brought to life the fantasies of many boys, of course she was very cute.
But only now did Godou realize this contrarian fetish of his. It turned out Godou had a thing for girls who possessed a difficult side -- examples included Erica, Yuri, Liliana and Ena.
Come to think of it, his little sister Shizuka and the childhood friend Asuka also had such facets in their personalities.
Realizing this, Godou unbelievably found them even cuter than before.
"K-Kusanagi-sama, you're the worst!"
On the other hand, Guinevere abruptly turned her face away.
Apparently she could no longer endure Godou's smiling gaze. But even turned away, her head was still held up high, secretly watching Godou's movements.
Her feelings had not been hurt, rather it was probably the opposite.
Even though this was very cute of Guinevere -- Lancelot's next move was completely unexpected.
"By the way, Kusanagi Godou. These two here are not the only ones being stared at by the crowd, eh? There seem to be many girls gazing at you with passion in their eyes."
"Really? I don't feel it."
In spite of Lancelot's remark, Godou did not feel anything special.
"Maybe you're mistaken? Guys like me are a dime a dozen. I may be standing out of the crowd due to being with you two, but whether it's really 'passion in their eyes' is up for debate."
"Hoho. Not at all. In actual fact, you are rather manly."
Before he knew it, Lancelot's face had drawn near -- towards Godou's face.
In front of him was the refreshingly cool face of this beautiful girl. Separated by mere centimeters, her lips were about to make contact with Godou's. From a different angle, it probably looked exactly like a kiss.
At this moment, the girlish cries of "Iyaah!" could be heard from behind.
Turning his head back, Godou found a pair of girls, who looked like first year middle schoolers, staring at him in an apparent state of panic. They looked like they had been frightened by something.
Godou smiled silently and waved.
This was not a forced smile but one that carried the message of "my bad." A momentary smile. The two girls immediately smiled back and waved.
Compared to before, Godou no longer kept his distance from girls as much.
After receiving Lancelot's enchantment, Godou seemed to have broadened his horizons. There was a sense that redundant common sense and preconceptions had been abandoned as he acted in accordance with his heart's desires.
"Don't act so strangely all of a sudden. It could cause an uproar, you know?"
After responding to the girls, Godou grumbled to the beautiful knight.
"What? This Knight only worked mischief in an effort to please the girls who were gazing at you. Pray forgive this Knight. But what one said was true, is it not?"
"Open to question. All you did was scare those unfamiliar girls with strange behavior, right?"
Retorting to Lancelot, Godou noticed something.
"You, it's rather rare for gods to recognize ordinary humans."
"If you compare it to the way humans gaze upon ants crawling all over the floor, the ants do enter their view after all. Whether they are truly understood is a separate matter. Anyway, that is the truth of things."
Narrowing her sky-blue eyes, Lancelot continued.
"Accompanying you through the world of humans, one simply tried to look upon them briefly. That's all. However, the one who truly gazes at this Knight, there is but one human with whom our hearts are linked as one. That is you -- Kusanagi Godou, dear sir, alone. Please do not forget that."
"As if anyone could forget. I'm the one who's gonna defeat you."
"No, this Knight shall defeat you."
The two gazed into each other's eyes, their faces drawing closer, muttering in conversation.
Godou and Lancelot's behavior yet again drew girlish cries of "Iyaah!" from behind. However, Godou did not turn around this time. Nothing was currently more important than the "enemy" before him.
"Sir Knight and Kusanagi-sama, displaying such mutual love..."
Guinevere suddenly whispered.
There was no tone of sarcasm but an honest remark straight from the heart.
"Nothing that prosaic. Rather it should be better described as rotten fate or the like?"
Saying that, Godou withdrew his face from Lancelot's.
From an onlooker's perspective, this might have looked like a "lady on each arm" but the truth was nowhere near that kind of bliss. This was merely a makeshift alliance of enemies for the purpose of defeating Alexandre Gascoigne.
The second duel once matters were settled, was what Godou truly anticipated in earnest.
Thereafter, Godou and the two girls left the cafe and went towards the sea.
Out of sight of others, he commanded Guinevere to perform flight magic. Enveloped by a flash of white light, Godou and the Witch Queen, as well as the beautiful war deity, took flight.
Their destination was the territorial waters of the Devil's Sea.
Godou had earlier instructed Guinevere to prepare a "ship" there.
Godou quietly filled with excitement. After defeating the Black Prince, Godou will have his second duel with Lancelot du Lac as an eulogy for Athena.
Of course I will be the victor--
Battle spirit twisted Godou's lips, manifesting in a savage grin on his face. This was probably due to the curse, right? Godou focused his mind on battle without any hesitation.
Next time a crisis arose, he would probably go with the flow and enter battle readiness instantly.
However, there was currently no need to be led by the flow. Godou thirsted for battle from the depths of his heart, giving his soul free rein to indulge in excitement, arousal and belligerence. Such freedom, what sense of liberation!
Kusanagi Godou was no longer hampered by doubt. He had become a pure warrior, a tyrannical king.
Part 3
Taking the form of lightning, Alec flew across the sky above Tokyo Bay.
Leaving Cecilia behind in Chinatown, he took action alone. Even though many people considered this a bad habit of his, it could not be helped. After all, few existed in this world who could keep up with his speed...
Viewed from the Yokohama Chinatown, the sky was clear and sunny.
But now, where the avatar of lightning streaked across, the sky had become dark and cloudy.
The weather changed -- no, this was the effect of divine or similar existences. These clouds must have been summoned by Lancelot, Guinevere or something under her command.
"Well I never."
Maintaining his lightning avatar, Alec muttered.
Hard to believe, but there was a "sailing ship" cruising on the ocean below.
The wooden ship was reinforced by iron plating in various places and equipped with several cannons. This was a product from the Age of Discovery -- when the British Empire had been expanding its colonies all over the world.
Those white sails, raised up high, caught the incoming wind and drove the ship smoothly forward.
The ship had three masts and its length was less than twenty meters. However, no crew was visible. Even though manpower was normally essential for operations, the sailing ship seemed to be moving along like a fully automatic machine.
This was due to the fact it was a "ship" summoned and moved by magic.
The sailing ship advanced across the ocean beneath the dark and cloudy sky which heralded a storm's coming. Overall, it gave off a terrifying solemnity like a ghost ship.
Alec could feel his body and mind in high spirits, filled with power for battle.
A [Heretic God] lurked somewhere in that ship!
"Thunder of the blue sky!"
Chanting the brief spell words, he instantly unleashed his authority.
Immediately, the light burst forth from the lightning avatar's body with a thund
erous crash -- forming thunder and lightning, striking at the ship on the ocean beneath. A wooden ship would probably have ignited as a result, but the magic ship remained unharmed.
The [Heretic God] riding on the ship had used magical power to deflect the lightning.
Alec smiled with a chuckle. After all, the ability to fire off electrical strikes while in lightning avatar form was simply incidental to the authority of divine speed. Unable to cause significant harm to gods, it was simply an opening shot to signify "Alec has arrived."
The flying lightning descended onto the deck of the sailing ship.
Landing, he regained his human form. Alec surveyed his surroundings to seek signs of his enemies.
"Over here, Alexandre-sama."
Guinevere's familiar voice called out to him.
The blonde Divine Ancestor who resembled an antique doll was stepping out from the cabin along with Lancelot the knight in white armor.
"Have you finally steeled yourself for a decisive conclusion, Guinevere? It happened faster than I expected."
Having dealt with and competed against this Witch Queen for the past eight years, Alec had come to understand Guinevere's personality and way of thinking completely. Consequently he was rather surprised that she would decisively risk everything on an all-in gamble within a matter of days.
"Yes. Despite all sorts of concerns, Guinevere managed to muster her courage and overcome hurdles, all thanks to Your Highness' advice of 'Rely on yourself.'"
"What about Lancelot? As a [Heretic God], he definitely would be a troublesome opponent."
Alec addressed Guinevere who had nodded in approval.
The white armored war god wielded Excalibur -- the lance made by polishing and sharpening the decrepit Divine Sword of Salvation, and stood silently beside the Divine Ancestor on standby.
Ever since the encounter eight years ago, Alec always spotted him hanging around like her guardian angel.
But now he had become a true [Heretic God], wielding the divine lance Excalibur as his new weapon, for the Holy Grail that absorbed Athena's essence had revived. In actual fact, Guinevere's faction currently held rather formidable power in their hands.
And for the sake of weakening them, for obtaining victory--
Alec had prepared "Avalon" using his labyrinth authority. This was for the purpose of shaving off a portion of Guinevere and Lancelot's battle potential.
"No, Gascoigne. The one who agreed to assist the beloved child Guinevere is not this Knight. One simply stands guard over her, requiring neither promise nor request."
"...Oh?"
Hearing Lancelot's manly voice sounding out from the helmet, Alec frowned.
He had suspected such a possibility. In fact, he already had a premonition the moment he selected Japan as the stage for the final battle.
Discovering embers that should not be discovered, igniting fires that should not be lit--
Precisely because such a guy existed, Alec truly understood this principle deeply.
"Yes, that person is a ruffian who doesn't mind his own business, nor does he know how to treat a lady. Nevertheless, he does seem more or less reliable. Things are in his hands."
Guinevere's cheeks blushed slightly as she spoke.
Alec went "Hmm?" in puzzlement.
What was going on? This girl who always acted so high and mighty ever since our first encounter, was now getting flustered over meeting a boy, being at a loss over that wonderful feeling of heart racing... Was this what people called charm?
For him to have managed to make this witch display such expressions and behavior of girlish inexperience--
The displeasing premonition was turning into absolute certainty.
"In other words, your faction still retains yet another trump card, is that right?"
"Ah yes. That's me."
The third person came out from the cabin. Alec was not surprised to hear his voice.
The other guy was the hypocrite who always insisted he was a pacifist. From Alec's perspective, that kind of belief was completely worthless. Spouting those kinds of words from one's mouth brought only shame, simply trying to sugarcoat one's own crimes.
A few months ago, Alec already had a feeling they would fare poorly in compatibility.
Consequently he looked at Kusanagi Godou's face and said:
"Well... The moment I decided to battle in Japan, I already expected it would come to this."
Alec simply shrugged.
When two Campiones were present in the same country, it was common for them to become unwitting centers of commotion, arbitrarily rampaging separately.
Entering confrontations with each other was another common occurrence.
"What surprises me is the fact that you, the hypocrite, would actually take Guinevere's side."
"Actually, this was Lancelot's suggestion."
Watching Godou giggle, Alec was completely certain.
Compared to last time, Godou was far more resolute -- such was the impression Alec garnered.
"I have to reach a decisive conclusion with that Lancelot without distractions. You are a hindrance. I will first take care of this interloper in my way before I have a satisfying duel with Lancelot. Gascoigne, fight me here."
"Would you mind if I refused?"
"Sorry. Regrettably, cancellation is out of the question."
Kusanagi Godou's rapid change in this short time. Was that the key? Alec secretly nodded to himself.
In actual fact, the Campione of Japan and the Black Prince stood in stark contrast to each other.
Troubled by his own true desires, unable to take a step forward. This, together with hypocrisy, were equally outstanding traits of Kusanagi Godou. Now that time spent on hesitation was reduced, his actions taken after committing to a decision showed extraordinary initiative. Was this why his indecisiveness was not so visible now?
In contradistinction, Alec never showed a moment's hesitation towards seeking what he desired. Immediate action was always taken.
The hypocrite and the one who posed as a villain. The indecisive man and the man who never hesitated.
"On a certain level it is quite a solid partnership you have here. Very well, I accept your challenge. However, I'm one of those who are fleet of foot. If you can't keep up, I will leave you behind without a thought."
"Sure. I will keep up with everything I've got."
"In spite of everything, I never expected you to join forces with the Divine Ancestor. No, rather than you falling under the witch's charm, it appears that Guinevere has been charmed by you instead."
Alec kept getting the impression that Guinevere was looking at Godou with eyes of concern despite making preparations with composure.
Witnessing this scene, Alec sighed.
"Ch-Charmed--!? How rude! Please speak with greater prudence, Alexandre-sama!"
"No need for prudence. This is simply the result from objective observation."
"No one has been charmed by anyone. This is simply a temporary alliance until my battle with Lancelot. It's about time to start."
Godou gave a slanted glance towards flustered Guinevere and calm Alec, then said:
"Lancelot, Guinevere. Leave matters to me here. You two go first."
The Divine Ancestor and the war god immediately responded to his command.
Lancelot whistled once and the white divine steed descended from the sky. It was the flying divine horse seen before.
Deftly mounting the horse, the knight lifted Guinevere's pubescent body and sat her on the saddle.
The white divine horse soared across the sky. Their destination was obviously the Floating Island.
"Sorry, I personally have no reason to stay here and fight."
Alec instantly turned into lightning. Even if Kusanagi Godou could move at god speed, he had no way of flying.
Getting rid of him by flying was the easiest solution. However --
"Ama no Murakumo, please."
Kusanagi Godou raised his right arm.<
br />
Alec's body of plasma was released and sent back to human form. Turning into lightning made him especially weak against counter magic. That arm over there must hold some kind of ability to dispel spells and spirit powers.
"Looks like you have something handy there."
"Ah yes. Quite an ingenious thing, here. It absorbs power from magic, thereby dispelling it. I was wondering if absorbing some of your power might force you to revert, so I tested it out."
Hearing Kusanagi Godou's reply, Alec got serious.
Looks like there's no easy way out after all. It can't be helped -- Standing upon the deck of the sailing ship the Divine Ancestor had summoned through magic, he faced off against the Japanese Campione. The battle was about to begin.
Part 4
The enemy was the Black Prince, Alexandre Gascoigne.
Challenging another Campione to a duel on his own volition, Godou recalled all information he had received regarding this enemy's authorities from Alice, Erica, Liliana, and last night from Guinevere and Lancelot.
The Devil King of divine speed who manifested as lightning.
Though reputed to possess other troublesome authorities, his greatest distinguishing characteristic was "speed."
"You really do have a power similar to mine..."
Alec spoke. He also seemed informed about Kusanagi Godou's authority.
He probably watched the fight against Lancelot, and he did mention the Great Sage incident before. It would be prudent to assume he already had a firm grasp of Godou's capabilities.
"Did you know, so-called powers of 'lightning speed' are unexpectedly difficult to control. Particularly during chaotic situations such as this."
Indeed. Godou nodded in wholehearted agreement with Alec's description.
Regardless of maximum speed, it was extremely difficult to move the body according to the exact image in the mind.
"However, once you get used to this skill, it does turn out to be a rather useful. Like this."
Completely unable to see the immediate attack, Godou found himself flying through the air by the time he noticed.
--I'm flying!? Somehow Godou was hovering in midair. Naturally, he immediately crashed back down onto the deck.
From the sensations of the body, it felt like he had fallen from a height of ten-odd meters.
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