Swept away by this attack, the divine horse disappeared as well. Furthermore, having lost her mount, Lancelot's white descent was nullified, and at that moment the black metallic boar came charging--
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!"
The enormous divine beast crashed straight into Lancelot.
Even the war god was sent flying high into the air as screams reverberated all around.
The black [Boar] fell back into the sea, tracing out a parabolic trajectory. The impact created a massive pillar of water, rising almost to the clouds.
Furthermore, Lancelot's body fell down onto the shore of the Floating Island.
Godou and Alec immediately approached her. Even fallen upon solid rock, the war deity's gorgeous figure did not lose its form, and continued to display absolute beauty.
Nevertheless, this did not mean she was unharmed.
Lancelot lay on the ground in that manner, smiling at the god-slayer who had brought her death -- Kusanagi Godou. Courageously, she said:
"Ho, hohohoho. Truly a wonderful battle. One cannot thank you enough, god-slayer. Whether Athena or dear sir, both responded splendidly to this Knight's millennium-long thirst for battle. Ah yes, Gascoigne, even though it would be nice to fight you after Kusanagi Godou, it looks like such a wish cannot be realized. This must be fate."
These were Lancelot's final words.
In the next instant, her body turned into stone and immediately crumbled.
Thus vanished a [Heretic God] who had manifested over a thousand five hundred years ago. Were Lancelot the war god to manifest upon the earth again, it would most likely be a male knight completely different from her. Such was the change her myths had undergone.
Such a formidable foe, but she will never be encountered again.
Thinking that, Godou could feel a sense akin to loneliness overflowing in his chest.
Epilogue
Part 1
It was after the deadly battle and Lancelot du Lac had passed away.
On the shore of the conspicuous Floating Island, covered with rocks, Kusanagi Godou and Alexandre Gascoigne stood facing each other.
"Looks like the curse was lifted."
"Pretty much."
Answering Alec's question without paying attention, Godou began to ponder.
On this occasion, he had made trouble for this guy. The guy was a rather problematic character, and their temperaments felt strangely incompatible; nevertheless, Kusanagi Godou's behavior was definitely in the wrong...
Playing dumb and not apologizing was a possible option.
But Godou was not shameless enough to pursue such a course of action. Instead, he apologized properly.
"I've really troubled you this time. You told me so clearly to act cautiously and not take rash action, but I added to your woes instead... How should I say it, I'm really sorry."
Godou bowed his head deeply. Seeing that, the Black Prince smiled with a toothy sneer.
Was he surprised by Godou's honest apology? Prior to smiling, he had shown a perplexed expression.
Even though he loved to put on airs, it was very possible that he was quite a shy person underneath. However--
"Don't be concerned. As I've said, this is all within expectations. I am not suffering any negative emotions such as anger or the like. But once again, I have confirmed it, you are truly a Campione."
His words struck Godou exactly where it hurt.
"When encountering other Devil Kings, I have met many similar incidents in the past. I'm used to this kind of trouble, so you have nothing in particular worth apologizing for."
"I see. But Gascoigne, I don't consider myself as lacking in common sense as those guys."
Deliberately trying to maintain calmness in his voice, Godou spoke up.
"Why are you lumping me together indiscriminately with those unruly existences?"
"No, after calmly observing, I've discovered reasons to group you in the same category. There's no problem at all. Kusanagi Godou, you should start considering the problem rationally."
"Consider rationally... Then you're in the same category too."
Replying, Godou somehow felt extremely annoyed by this pretentious man before him.
These words brought instant effect. Alec frowned as he tried to suppress his anger.
"Wait a minute, I cannot tolerate such a statement. Let me make a correction."
"No, Gascoigne. Indeed, other Campiones frequently rampage around without consideration. Unlike them, you plan strategically and set the stage beforehand. To be honest, the style might be different -- but then, there's not much difference in outcome between you and those others who rampage. In any case, you are all enemies of world peace."
"Shut up. You're the one who hides behind hypocrisy while causing chaos in the world!"
What on earth was this feeling?
While he carried out this fruitless conversation with Alec, Godou realized with heartfelt intensity.
There was a faint sense that they were poking at each other's vulnerabilities, exposing ugly truths each was unwilling to face. Even though their personalities were completely different, the two of them acted out according to instinct--
Their conversation was terminated by the sudden feeling of massive magical power in motion.
Godou and Alec cautiously turned to face the same direction. This Floating Island was covered with solid black rocks everywhere they could see. Located in the center of the island was a protrusion of rock like a small hill. That was precisely the direction.
"Alexandre, Kusanagi-sama, we have a situation!"
Princess Alice was literally flying in the sky. Using the advantage of a spirit body, she hovered lightly in midair. Pointing at the hill of rock, she said:
"Guinevere-sama has invoked upon herself a revival spell, and her body has recovered!"
The instant he heard the report, Alec transformed into lightning and flew over.
Godou on the other hand, was carried by Alice's flight magic. Arriving at the peak of the hill of rock in this manner, they found a decrepit iron sword speckled with rust was being thrust.
The sword being thrust towards Alec, was a set of remains known as the Divine Sword of Salvation.
A young beauty was wielding the rusted steel. That beautiful face, resembling an antique doll's, was clouded intensely by a dark shadow heralding her death.
Even so, or rather, because of this, she was muttering as if in a trance:
"O Master -- please watch. Guinevere is about to use the last of her strength. Sir Knight too, has exhausted his duties as a [Heretic God], perishing upon the battlefield. We have exhausted all ammunition, our weapons broken. Hence, we are left with no recourse other than Your Highness' mercy!"
Naturally, this was Guinevere.
Dead once already, turned into sandy debris, she had apparently used magic to revive herself. But now, her pubescent body was crumbling into sand, like the final moments before a sand sculpture's collapse.
"I beseech you, please descend before Guinevere. Before my life ends, I beg you. At least, even if it is only seeing your divine visage, or hearing your voice, it would be fine -- !"
Using the decrepit sword for support, the Divine Ancestor prayed. All this time, the sand grains continued to collapse.
Guinevere gradually dimmed and lost color, turning transparent. Immediately after that, she disappeared. Even revival magic, which had the power to extend a dying patient's life, could only sustain the spellcaster's life for a very limited period of time.
Thus, Alec, Alice and Godou, the three of them gazed at the Divine Ancestor's passing.
Guinevere desired neither revenge nor battle, but instead wanted to spend her final moments speaking to the "King of the End" she had sought all this time. Consequently, she did not even give her enemy a single glance.
From that sense of despair it was readily apparent she was aware of the futility of her wishful act.
"......"
Alec's lips moved slightly, but
Godou could not catch what he was muttering.
Immediately, a strong gust of sea breeze blew. Completely collapsed into grains of sand, Guinevere's body was scattered across the sky and the sea as it rode the wind.
Retrieving the decrepit divine sword, Alec walked down the hill of rock.
Godou tried to ask him what he was muttering about.
"Nothing much. 'Even if you embrace that thing and cry, all will be in vain so you might as well save the effort' -- was what I was thinking, but I didn't say it aloud."
"Alexandre, I never knew you could actually show some tact on occasion."
Offering praise in response to Alec's confession was Alice who had known him for so long.
"How touching! You're always saying insensitive things to hurt girls' feelings. Now that was acting like a gentleman for once!"
"Please refrain from making comments that make me sound like a person with sensitivity problems."
Alec responded to the Princess' praise with a face of suffering.
"But isn't it so mean to say all will be in vain? Even Divine Ancestors have feelings. Perhaps the crying pleas of a past companion might actually summon sympathies?"
Godou tried to defend Guinevere.
Just very slightly, but Godou felt sympathetic to Guinevere. It was true that she was a dangerous witch but she did have her own tragic wish, sacrificing everything she had for the sake of the master she had loved since her previous incarnation. It should not be wrong to view things this way.
"Perhaps. If the 'King of the End' also recognizes Guinevere as his own companion."
"What?"
"While immersed in researching the connections between King Arthur and the Holy Grail, I discovered a number of trails left behind by the 'King of the End.' I began to wonder, why would those Divine Ancestors fail to find them? That said, I do consider myself more skilled in unraveling mysteries than Guinevere."
Alec shrugged at this point.
"Nevertheless, the Divine Ancestors have immense amounts of time and magic on their side, as well as knowledge beyond humans. Which is why they should logically have an edge. However, in the search for the 'King of the End,' they have lagged behind us humans instead. The Witch of Sardinia, Lucretia Zola, also discerned that the 'King of the End' transcended oriental-occidental continental boundaries... Or rather, it would be better to say that he is closer to an oriental god, and Lucretia has already grasped clues to a certain extent."
Hearing a familiar name in this unexpected context, Godou was surprised.
"There's also this hypothesis. The 'King of the End' does not actually wish to be revived. It's as if he was sleeping somewhere and deliberately ignoring the Divine Ancestors' search, preventing them from obtaining clues."
"Plausible indeed."
Alice murmured, half-convinced. Godou thought the same. A [Heretic God] who did not wish to be revived?
"In fact, the reason why I brought the remains of the divine sword to Japan here, was based on considerations of that possibility. Even if the location was correct, if the one she sought didn't wish to be found, Guinevere was still doomed to failure."
"Location was correct? What do you mean?"
Godou questioned Alec's offhand comment. This caused Alec, who was walking in front, to turn his head back and answer in a matter-of-fact tone of voice:
"Regardless, the location where the 'King of the End' sleeps definitely gives rise to legends about warriors and divine swords. Even though this Floating Island is a trap, it is impossible to believe the legends are false. Because they are born due to the 'King of the End.' In that case, one would naturally think there was an authentic Floating Island somewhere in Tokyo Bay."
Engaged in these conversations, the two Devil Kings and the Princess reached the foot of the hill of rock.
Receiving them were Kusanagi Godou's companions.
"From your appearance, looks like you haven't been injured much, Godou."
"Safety is more important than anything."
Erica's cheerful words came first while Yuri smiled as she supported herself on Erica's shoulder.
"What's wrong, Mariya? Did you actually get hurt somewhere?"
"No, just a little tired. Please do not be worried."
The Hime-Miko's face continued to smile as she spoke. Godou felt concerned because she could not stand up by herself.
Godou gave Erica a quick glance. The blonde girl seemed to saying "She really is okay" as she laughed to herself. Looks like Mariya really was fine and not trying to act brave.
As Godou felt reassured, Liliana gave him a subtle smile.
"Congratulations, Kusanagi Godou. You have finally realized your long time wish."
Godou was bewildered at the congratulations. Then the silver-haired knight said:
"Have you not noticed? Even though you messed up in all sorts of ways, no part of Japan was destroyed this time."
"...Ah yeah, now that you mentioned it!"
Godou got it. He had always wished to cause as little trouble to the world as possible. When fighting gods and Campiones, the surroundings always suffered tragic destruction and even severe incidents of widespread petrification on occasion.
Perhaps they were so fortunate this time because the battlefield was in the center of Tokyo Bay.
What a cause for celebration -- just as Godou was about to leap with joy, he felt like he had forgotten something.
"What's the matter, Kusanagi-sama?"
"Ah, nothing really. It just feels like I forgot something..."
Just as Godou replied to Alice's puzzlement.
A flash of yellow light approached, flying across the sky. It must be flight magic. Clearly a witch other than Alice and Liliana. Could it be a Divine Ancestor?
As Godou signaled through his eyes, Erica and Liliana nodded in response.
The yellow light landed before the knights on alert. Appearing before them was a glasses-wearing oriental girl. Even though her face was cute, she gave off a rather unfashionable impression.
"Alec, what on earth could you be thinking to use that kind of monster...?"
The girl's first words interrogated the Black Prince with nagging tones. Apparently she was Alec's friend.
"What's the matter, Cecilia?"
"Stop playing dumb. It happened almost ten minutes ago. I, along with Daoist priests in Chinatown, sensed an object with great magical power moving underwater near this island. After investigating using the technique of ghost sight, we discovered a massive gigantic boar monster. Its entire body is wrapped in black steel..."
Godou was shocked by Cecilia's report.
"Even though the boar's body is covered with wounds, it continues to swim in the sea. Furthermore, it is advancing towards Yokohama and looking very excited. At the current rate, it will land at Yokohama in twenty minutes or so to destroy the city. What is going on...?"
"What makes you think it is my doing?"
"No one but you can command that kind of monster. It is a simple fact."
"Stop with the nonsense. Besides me, there is another person here who is a candidate as the monster's owner. And in this particular instance, he is not simply the candidate but the actual proper owner."
Alec protested and turned his sardonic gaze towards Godou. Actually, other than Cecilia, everyone's gazes had turned to Godou.
Erica went "Well, what an oversight" and shrugged her shoulders.
Yuri was saying "W-What should we do!?" in shock.
As for Liliana, she went "As expected, you really are quite difficult to manage" and closed her eyes.
"Well, true to form as always, Kusanagi-sama. The future sure feels exciting!"
For some reason, Alice was the only one who offered praise as if expressing approval.
"Let me guess, something happened in the following manner?"
Erica began to deduce with an air of superiority.
"Even though you needed the [Boar] in the duel against Sir Lancelot, there are no massive objects nearby yo
u could target. So Godou began thinking about things on the shore, to use as a target for destruction in order to summon the [Boar]. Then the charge began on a trajectory in a collision course with Sir Lancelot..."
"Well, I was thinking that guy would not have much strength left to go anywhere after a direct confrontation against Lancelot..."
Godou's face began to twitch. The [Boar] and the divine sword's partnership turned out to be unexpectedly solid.
"S-So Godou-san, where is the target!?"
"Yokohama... Bay Bridge, because I heard Gascoigne had gone to the Chinatown over there, I couldn't help but think of that place..."
"Wait a minute, don't blame things on me just like that!"
"A-Anyway, we must contact the Committee's Sayanomiya Kaoru as quickly as possible to warn them. A-At least there are cellphone antennas here... Damn it, no good. It is not connecting!"
Godou replied to Yuri's question, Alec grumbled while Liliana frantically tried to make a call from this remote island far out at sea. The third witch, Cecilia, muttered "Please seal off the Bay Bridge" as she departed using flight magic.
"Results show that people do not change their ways so easily. As long as Godou is involved, extraordinary things will happen."
Erica exclaimed emphatically, unsympathetic to the surrounding commotion.
Furthermore, there was still another person who did things as she pleased. Princess Alice.
"By the way, it is rare that Alexandre's aura of misfortune did not activate this time."
"What aura of misfortune?"
"Whenever he eagerly makes his plans, he easily stumbles over obstacles due to disputes with women. Unable to understand women's emotions, obsessions, unconditional love or anything of that sort, he is left with no choice but to improvise and adjust his plans. But this time, it did not happen... Somehow, it feels less amusing."
Black Prince Alec clicked his tongue in response to Erica and Alice's exchange, while Godou did not care.
In any case, the adventure involving Divine Ancestor Guinevere and the war god Lancelot had finally reached a conclusion.
Part 2
'Queen Oto Tachibana-Hime, jumped into the sea with sword embosomed. Sea currents carried her sword to a landless location, whence a floating island subsequently appeared.'
Campione 10 Page 25