Campione 10

by War God of the Lance

  Once heroes suffered loss, they did not wallow in nostalgic attachment. This twisted sense of competitiveness, truly belonged to a [Heretic God].

  Exactly the same as when Godou had befriended the war god Verethragna.

  "So, what are your plans now?"

  "No further words are necessary. There is no lack of familiarity between dear sir and this Knight. Surely dear sir's purpose is the same? In order to play the symphony of an intense duel, to mourn the goddess Athena!"

  Lancelot smiled delightfully as she spoke.

  She was already completely certain. Godou nodded silently.

  "Naturally, this Knight would never be so rude as to challenge dear sir with an exhausted body! This Knight shall curse oneself, for the sake of vanquishing Kusanagi Godou, one shall risk all with this body!"

  In the instant she called out, Lancelot's immense divine power was restored.

  These were words of magic. The curse of [Insane Rush] which had been applied to Godou previously. In the same manner that it had replenished Godou's power after the battle against Alec, the white war god now used it to recover herself!

  Then the familiar lance descended from the heavens.

  This was the ultimate weapon that created the white star which had made Godou and Athena suffer so much. Gripping it tightly in her hand, Lancelot announced as if chanting:

  "Come, Excalibur... The sacred lance born from the Divine Sword of Salvation! Now then, Kusanagi Godou, this Knight has already shown dear sir one's true face. In that case, there is no point in hiding the remainder!"

  Lancelot's white armor flew apart.

  That honey-colored hair was most suited to her cool and refreshing facial beauty.

  Fully exposed was her tall and slender physique, with an astoundingly voluptuous bosom and exceptionally mesmerizing hips. As the body of a mature woman, it was completely flawless.

  In addition, her attire changed.

  Chain mail protected her upper torso. The helmet no longer had a visor to obscure her beautiful face. The divine lance Excalibur was wielded in her right hand, while an iron bow was strapped to her back. The saddle of the white divine horse now carried a quiver of arrows.

  Furthermore, the armor which had been protecting Lancelot till now--

  The white steel that flew apart now shattered and scattered noisily, turning into countless pieces. These pieces further fragmented, expanding and transforming as they scattered. Unbelievably, each fragment became a knight and horse combination.

  The style of each knight's armor, was very similar to what Lancelot used to wear.

  On the other hand, the color of their steel was a deep gray like an overcast sky. With the same majestic appearance of the white knight, they lined themselves up in a row.

  Numbering roughly three hundred or so, the knights were all flying on their horses in midair, rapidly gathering around Lancelot. They were like a perfectly disciplined flock of birds.

  When birds of prey gathered to hunt collectively, they most likely moved in such a fashion.

  A squadron of heavy cavalry had appeared to guard the beautiful war deity.

  "Hohoho, it has been so long since this Knight last commanded these subordinates. This Knight shall lead these soldiers into battle as their monarch, to fight as a simple warrior to settle the duel with dear sir. To decide the victor through ordinary battle!"

  This was Lancelot du Lac's completed state.

  He was still in an abnormal state last time -- Recalling Athena's warning, Godou was terrified.

  In that case, he could not hold back any more.

  "As the one who ought to be the knight amongst knights, why are you female!? The greatest clue to unraveling this mystery, lies in Greek mythology!"

  Erica, Yuri and Liliana -- the knowledge they taught was being yelled out.

  Godou activated Verethragna's final incarnation, the [Warrior], and summoned the sword of spell words.

  "You are no ordinary [Steel]. As sword gods born as heroes of steel, all were male warriors who shared intimate symbiotic relationships with mother earth goddesses. Nevertheless, you exist within the realm of the heroes of steel as a female instead. An extremely rare existence with dual identities as both a goddess and a member of steel."

  "Oh? You intend to direct that weapon at this Knight? The spell words for slicing gods apart!"

  Lancelot smiled with relaxed composure. If she had been watching his battle against Athena, it was only natural for her to know about the [Sword]. Godou continued unfazed:

  "Rare, but not nonexistent. One of them was Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons. Widely known in Greek mythology as the daughter of the war god Ares. The queen of the female warrior tribe! The prototype for the war god Lancelot is either her or a goddess corresponding to one of her sisters. Am I right!?"

  Appearing in the sunny and clear sky above Godou's head were the spell words of the [Sword].

  Tiny spheres flashing with golden brilliance. With dozens of them twinkling, they were reminiscent of the stars in the sky. Each sphere of light was a weapon for severing Lancelot's divinity.

  "Hohoho. You have mentioned a nostalgic name!"

  "The Amazons were a ferocious all-female equestrian tribe descending from the war god Ares and a naiad. Inhabiting the coastal areas of the Black Sea, they were ruled by two queens. One who administered internal rule while the other commanded in battle. Amongst them were queens, such as Hippolyta, who were also daughters of their ancestor Ares!"

  The formation of shining swords of light was being arranged in the air above Godou's ship.

  Immediately in front, the "Squadron of Dark Gray Knights" lay in wait, with Lancelot in the center of their formation. Every one of them were pointing their lance tips at the spell words of the [Sword].

  Then a frontal conflict commenced--

  "The reason why Hippolyta and her sisters are [Steel], originates from their father Ares. For he is a corner of the most primitive source -- the purest incarnation of the sword which fights in total compliance with its duty. Hence, he is violent and inconsiderate, a war god symbolized by a sword stabbed into the earth!"

  Godou was stunned as he continued to compose the spell words.

  The squadron of knights, roughly three hundred of them, had deployed half their numbers as a vanguard and charged into the [Sword].

  Was Lancelot really choosing her own defeat!?

  "If the battle ends with dear sir as the only one swinging your weapon, it would be this Knight's dishonor as a warrior. So let one's subordinates raise some havoc!"

  In spite of the situation, the beautiful war god was truly feeling joyous. Was there some kind of trick?

  It was like sending birds of prey into a net. These shining golden spheres of light were the blades for slicing Lancelot apart. The dark gray knights should also be valid targets as well--

  Godou puzzled as he continued chanting spell words. His first priority was to increase combat potential!

  "The ancient historian Herodotus recorded in his narrative, The Histories, that the equestrian Scythians worshiped a divinity equivalent to Ares from Greek mythology and even treated him as a special deity. But unlike other gods for whom they built altars, the Scythians worshiped Ares through his symbol -- the sword stabbed into the earth!"

  The golden sword easily slashed the dark gray knights to pieces.

  The spell words' blades sliced helmets in half and pierced chain mail as the knights and their horses were noisily shattered into fragments as easily as glass sculptures.

  The fragments disappeared in an instant. In the blink of an eye, the squadron of knights had its numbers thinned out by half.

  Nevertheless, Godou did not feel a sense of victory. Instead, it was anything but reassuring.

  "In addition, Herodotus also recorded this: intermarriage between the equestrian Scythians and the female warrior tribe gave rise to equestrian Sarmatia. This nation is precisely the key to how the Black Sea's goddess and queen of war took on the appear
ance of Lancelot the knight!"

  "No truer words than that! This Knight was once worshiped by the people as the queen of war!"

  Lancelot's forthright admission only served to bring bone-chilling terror. But Godou could not stop now.

  Spreading out the [Sword] in a giant ring shape, Godou surrounded the remaining half of the knight squadron.

  The knight squadron guarding the beautiful war god, was indeed akin to a dark gray flock of birds of prey. A golden net encircled them, preparing to down them in one fell swoop. At this moment, Lancelot also chanted spell words.

  "A decree to the valorous knights. Falter not, fear not. For you are all knights, undaunted and unrelenting. You are only permitted to advance. Forward! Think nothing but charge forth to crush the enemy!"

  Then she tossed the iron bow on her back to the sky.

  This time, the bow shattered and scattered, its fragments forming dark gray knights. The newly born knights numbered roughly a hundred. The squadron of knights whose numbers had been halved, once again bolstered its ranks!

  "Eh, are you actually...!?"

  "Hohoho, as befits the one who is Knight's destiny, how observant! Have you discerned one's intentions?!"

  Lancelot had revived the squadron of dark gray knights.

  The knights made another charging attack at the encircling net weaved from the golden sword. Repeating the same scene as before, the knights were continually slain by the [Sword].

  However, Godou trembled in fear once he figured out Lancelot's goal.

  'King, this is another tactic used by immortal [Steel]!'

  Godou nodded to acknowledge the warning given by Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi residing in his right arm.

  Lancelot's immortality did not simply manifest itself as the power to turn into mist. She also held the power to resurrect the minions who served her.

  'Undaunted by your spell words, aiming for victory by openly contesting via frontal charge. Be they snapped or crushed, she polishes and sharpens these sword blades anew.'

  Sounding extremely impressed, the partner's voice was filled with praise and admiration.

  'How befitting of one who shares my origins of [Steel]! Granted, showing off little tricks for running away was never in a sword's nature!'

  "I get the principle, but being unable to do anything but react passively is infuriating!"

  Godou remarked with surprise and admiration. This apparently suicidal tactic, was one which would threaten Godou if repeated enough times, for the sharpness of the [Sword] would dull after each use.

  If it turned into a battle of attrition, the sword would become useless sooner or later...!

  "That Lancelot, is using the weapons and armor on her person as the materials to create those knights?"

  'Hmm, indeed.'

  "In that case, whether she uses up her armaments first, or my [Sword] vanishes first, isn't that the key to victory?"

  While the conversation with Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi occurred, the dark gray knight squadron's numbers were cut down by half again.

  This time, Lancelot tossed her quiver into the distance. It contained two arrows or so, each fitted with an arrowhead of iron. Once again, these objects shattered and scattered, giving birth to a hundred new knights who regrouped with the squadron again. In Godou's past battles, there had been other gods who had countered the [Sword]--

  But the way Lancelot achieved it through this foolishly straightforward and simple manner was something new.

  "So, Kusanagi Godou. Are you enjoying this spectacular battle!?"

  "Give me a break! As if anyone would enjoy this annoying battle of attrition!"

  Contradicting his words, Godou's lips were smiling savagely.

  Very well then. Since you are replenishing your knights over there, I will chant spell words to sustain the [Sword]'s power as much as possible!

  "The Sauromatae were later known as the Sarmatians. They initiated a conflict with their kin, the Scythians, and obtained victory. Both the Scythians and the Sarmatians were equestrian tribes. However, the Sarmatian's heavy arms and sturdy iron armor allowed them to crush the lightly armed Scythians!"

  "Hmm. Using even sturdier steel was the style of the Sarmatians, for it was the victory of their predecessors!"

  Flying all over the sky, the [Sword] formed a golden net of encirclement.

  Surrounded, the dark gray knights prepared for a defensive battle to the death.

  This was the beginning of a foreseeable battle of attrition. Using the greaves and gauntlets from her arms and legs as materials, Lancelot created knights once again. In opposition, Godou also weaved more spell words together.

  "The Sarmatians in the myths, were also a nation which inherited the customs of female warriors. It was said that the women of Sarmatia were well trained in martial arts, and prohibited from marriage unless they gained the experience of killing a man!"

  Godou wished to strike at Lancelot herself while the [Sword] was still sharp.

  With this intention, Godou controlled the spell words. However, the decimated squadron of dark gray knights continued to guard her with their lives, preventing Godou's [Sword] from reaching her.

  Lancelot proceeded to toss away her helmet to replenish her knights.

  "The kings and queens spoken of in the myths are equivalent to 'gods.' Your past identity as the queen of the Amazons, as either Hippolyta, Penthesilea, or Antiope... Was a goddess as Ares' daughter. Hence, you, as a goddess, must have inherited the female warrior customs of the Sarmatians!"

  The [Sword]'s overwhelming advantage against the knights was gradually eroding.

  The knights who were destroyed in the beginning simply by being struck by the golden spheres of light, were now offering continued resistance. Soon after, the situation evolved into a stalemate.

  In a direct confrontation, the [Sword] and the knights were mutually annihilating.

  This was because the [Sword] was becoming rather blunt. Lancelot began to smile with a chuckle.

  Other than the divine lance in her hand, her only remaining armament was her chain mail. Immediately, the chain links constituting this piece of defensive gear also shattered and scattered in the surroundings.

  The numerous chain links turned into dark gray knights as her final reinforcements.

  "Go forth, knights of the wilderness! Become this Knight's second lance, to vanquish Kusanagi Godou!"

  The queen issued her orders.

  The gray knights arranged themselves in a spindle-shaped formation in the air. She must have judged the encircling net of the [Sword]'s spell words to be breachable at this juncture.

  Godou's breathing quickened. Now was the decisive moment for victory.

  Acting passive will lead to defeat. He must switch to offense instead!

  "Due to becoming soldiers of the Roman Empire, the Sarmatians and their culture were spread all over Europe. During that time period, you must have been known as the goddess of [Steel], the queen of the Amazons!"

  Chanting spell words, Godou transmitted his thoughts to the remaining portions of the [Sword].

  Gather together. Do not fight while scattered in the sky like stars at night.

  Concentrate in one location to create an organism. Yes, faced with the knights who serve Lancelot, fight them like a ferocious beast!

  "It was during an age when the heavy cavalry culture of Sarmatian origin was transforming into medieval European chivalry. Nevertheless, Sarmatia fell into ruin and its culture changed. In stark contrast to the flourishing of the majestic 'knight' on the battlefield, the names and myths of the Amazonian queens gradually entered obscurity!"

  Thousands of flashes of light gathered to create a golden outline.

  This could be compared to the light of a galaxy. A shining nebula illuminating the darkness of space. Concentrating light together to become mighty power, to pave the road to victory--

  "Before she knew it, the goddess as the Sarmatian queen of war was wrapped in heavy armor, becoming Lancelot t
he god of knights. Consequently, she carried a sense of insanity and savagery unsuited to a knight's nature... Nevertheless, she was still the ultimate knight closer to the primitive source than anyone else!"

  Manifesting over Godou's head was a [Snake]-shaped nebula shining with golden brilliance.

  The form of a massive and slender [Snake] composed of thousands or even tens of thousands of light spheres. The head portion was an inflated oval shape, which proceeded to split open as if opening its jaws.

  For convenience in battle, Godou had ordered the [Sword] to take the form of a living organism.

  In the likeness of a divine beast, as a symbol in tribute to the goddess who had passed away due to the involvement of Lancelot.

  "Hohoho. Are you going to challenge the dragon-slaying and snake-slaughtering war god with such a formation, god-slayer!?"

  Glancing at the golden [Snake], Lancelot laughed heartily.

  Rather than a mocking laugh, there was an authentic sense of exhilaration. It was the sound of someone who enjoyed battle from the depths of their hearts.

  "This mettle of yours in bringing such elegance to the battlefield, truly caters considerably to this Knight's liking. True to form, dear sir is precisely the great opponent one had always sought! You are the man of destiny to whom this Knight offers absolute adoration!"

  Queen Lancelot raised the lance in her hand towards the sky.

  "Since dear sir has entrusted your destiny to the shadow of Athena, this Knight shall reminisce the divine splendor of the master of old, to display the unyielding might of the man who once stood as the one bearing overwhelming strength!"

  The lance tip shined with platinum brilliance. Excalibur was the name of its blade. This divine sword had been swung in the past for the sake of world salvation, by the hero who became the source of King Arthur's legend.

  "O Divine Sword of Salvation, steel slices apart the planets! Lend power to this Knight!"

  The platinum-colored star suddenly manifested behind Lancelot and the knight squadron.

  Its size and brilliance made it seem like a second sun had descended upon the earth. The destructive power of this star, capable of firing blades, was no joking matter.

  Godou found it difficult to breathe as he directly faced the brilliance of the burning white star.