Campione 02

by Arrival of a Devil King

  How could one face a monster who defeated a god like that?

  Yuri could only feel despair, like a heavy burden weighing on her body—then she suddenly remembered the words he said yesterday.

  'If something like that ever happens again, please call me earlier...'

  The sincere and kind words from the youth whose existence was similar to the old man before her eyes. He possessed the authority which allowed him to fly to those in need who called upon his name.

  —But, no way.

  Yuri thought he did not have a chance of winning.

  Kusanagi Godou cannot defeat Sasha Dejanstahl Voban. Yuri understood deeply since she had made contact with both kings. Though both belonged to the level of Campiones, their difference in power was overwhelming.

  The old man had already mastered his special powers, but the youth was still unskilled.

  It would be like a kitten challenging a tiger, Yuri's spirit sense declared. If Kusanagi Godou fought with Sasha Dejanstahl Voban, the old Marquis would be the victor without a doubt.

  In order to avoid getting Kusanagi Godou killed, Yuri did not call out his name.

  Part 2

  It was around dusk, and droplets of rain gradually began to fall from the cloudy sky.

  Kusanagi Godou and Erica Blandelli were leaving Jounan Academy, and on the road home.

  A few days ago during gym class, when Erica was playing baseball—rather, Erica had awakened her love for baseball by striking out all the boys. And then today after school, dragging the unwilling Godou along, she made an assault on the baseball club.

  "—Come make a bet and see if any of you can hit a ball pitched by me!"

  Erica challenged the official players of the baseball club loud and clear.

  Godou pitied from the bottom of his heart the baseball club members whose curiosity was roused by the challenge.

  Furthermore, the famed starting catcher of the baseball team was going to act as Erica's assistant today. In other words, Erica could pitch as much as she wants. The weak baseball club, which always lost in the first match in the qualifying rounds of the National High School Baseball Championship, had zero hope of winning.

  Godou decided it would be safer to accompany Erica rather than go off to do something by himself.

  Finally, he decided to step in by the time he witnessed Erica successfully striking out the eighth player in a row.

  "Substitution! I will replace the next batter!"

  Godou shouted at the ninth batter who was walking towards the batting position with tears in his eyes.

  "Oh my, Godou, I feel like you are plotting something."

  "Your atrocities stop here. Let me show you that an amateur is nothing but an amateur!"

  Smiling on the pitcher's mound, Erica fearlessly faced Godou who picked up a metal bat.

  The one-on-one battle between the pitcher and the batter—

  First was a foul. Second was a strike. The third was caught by the catcher. The fourth was a ball.

  Erica who had insisted on throwing straight pitches till now, suddenly threw an outcurve pitch. Furthermore, it was a high speed outcurve pitch as fast as a straight pitch!

  Even a baseball club pitcher who set their goal on the National Championship would not be able to throw such a curveball so easily.

  Though he was surprised by Erica's atypical athleticism, Godou still hit the ball. A sharp hit sending the ball flying beautifully between the third base and the shortstop.

  ...In reality, Godou had already predicted such a ball midway.

  This morning, lying beside the pillow of the sleeping Erica, was a baseball comic based on real techniques. In addition, the comic was opened on a page which described the outcurve pitch in rigorous detail.

  —Still, what if she really succeeded in that kind of pitch...

  If she entered sports seriously, she would probably reach world class levels. What admirable talent.

  Godou thought as he watched the dissatisfied face of Erica.

  "Godou you broke my hard earned winning streak, can't you read the mood?"

  "For someone who has played baseball seriously for nine years, I couldn't tolerate watching that any further! Even though I fully understand you are an amazing fellow, but please behave yourself."

  The two of them held an umbrella each as they walked home under the rain.

  Before, they were only acquaintances during a visit to Italy, but it had become much different now. By the time Godou noticed, it had already progressed to a relationship where they saw each other throughout the day and walked side by side. The feeling of ill fate was clearly increasing.

  Lately, Godou had many secret worries.

  There were times when Erica's presence had a kind of femininity which exceeded all other girls from the same age. This feeling only happened when Godou was by her side.

  As light as wind, without a single worry, a feeling that being together was the most natural thing in the world.

  This was a bad omen. Perhaps if this situation with Erica became even more intimate, without warning there will come a day when Godou would no longer be able to refuse her advances...

  "What is it now, Godou, you suddenly look so distracted, did you discover my new allure?"

  Erica smiled all of a sudden.

  A gorgeous and charming smile like a blooming flower of Japanese Camellia. It's true, such frequent close contact isn't going to work. Godou took a step to the side and decided to keep his distance away from Erica.

  "No, it's nothing. Don't make random guesses."

  "Oh, nothing huh? Ah, that's right, I just thought of something nice."

  Erica gazed as Godou as if she had ulterior motives, and suddenly spoke. Closing the umbrella held on her right hand, she snapped the umbrella with both hands.

  "Oh no, the umbrella is broken, what shall I do?"

  "Hey! Didn't you just break it yourself, what are you talking about!?"

  Erica was trying to lean close to Godou and take shelter from the rain under his umbrella.

  Godou wanted to push her away, but realized it would be impossible to accomplish by strength alone. Desperate resistance would be futile. Erica hugged his left arm tightly and whispered in his ear.

  "Isn't this great? Two lovers sheltering from the rain together like this is quite nice? Unless you actually want to see me wet?"

  "I'll lend my umbrella to you! Go away quickly!"

  "But in that case, wouldn't you get drenched? Please hold the umbrella properly. Ah, the rain has dripped on my shoulder, could you come a bit closer?"

  Without waiting for Godou's response, Erica leaned even closer.

  Godou felt desperate as the warm and soft body pressed upon him.

  Those proportions like a goddess and the stimulating sensations from the shape of the body transmitted through the school uniform. Furthermore, the breath blowing at his ear hinted how close her lips were.

  Under such an atmosphere, Erica could very well be aiming for something like a kiss. Godou must escape as quickly as possible!

  "Hey, stop it, Erica. This is in the middle of the road and there are many observers. Don't you think it's inappropriate for high school students on the way home from school?"

  Since force will not work he had to try some other method, thought Godou as he frantically spoke.

  "For lovers, this kind of behavior is perfectly acceptable. Ah, a kiss in the rain, it will be my first time. Same for Godou, right?"

  An opponent that cannot be handled by little tricks.

  Erica approached with her lips as she ardently spoke in a soft voice. Just as Godou made the decision to struggle from this witch and escape with all his strength.

  "If you don't have enough umbrellas, how about I give you a ride? In return, I do hope you two can listen to my request."

  Interrupted by a calm voice, Erica immediately separated herself from Godou's body.

  A battle stance—Godou felt surprised that Erica had switched to a high state of ale
rt. It greatly contrasted with her appearance of a girl who might cook while humming a tune.

  Her gaze was directed towards a young man standing before them.

  "My name is Amakasu Touma—have you heard of the History Compilation Committee? I do errands for that organization, pleased to meet you."

  A man wearing a creased suit and carrying a black umbrella.

  Wearing glasses, he gave off a 'good-for-nothing' kind of feel.

  "Actually, we have a working relationship with Mariya-san. Last time during the incident with Athena, we provided a lot of help and support from the background."

  Godou nodded.

  The battle with Athena had plunged Tokyo into darkness and destroyed many public facilities. Godou had heard from Yuri that the History Compilation Committee had been busy throughout and after the incident, trying to control the spread of information.

  "Uh, what do you mean? I don't quite understand, however, what is it that you want to ask me?"

  "Godou, please don't act so friendly, he is probably one of those people who want to make use of your power."

  "Well, that goes the same for you and me. We're both birds of a feather. Also, this time our interests are aligned."

  Amakasu forced a smile at Erica's accusation. However, his expression became serious immediately.

  "It's an emergency situation and time is of the essence. We wish to borrow your power—Mariya-san has been kidnapped and the culprit is Sasha Dejanstahl Voban. Are you aware of this?"

  "...What!?"

  Godou felt deeply shocked by this unexpected news. The name he heard mentioned yesterday and the fact that Yuri was kidnapped.

  "Marquis Voban? I can hardly believe it. It would be plausible for him to go to China where his enemy Luo Hao was located. But coming to this island nation in the Far East, isn't that too strange? And what reason does he have to kidnap Yuri?"

  Erica's tone of voice was contemptuous and clearly full of suspicion.

  "It's not entirely without cause. That young lady actually knew the Marquis Voban from a long time ago. There was once an incident... Anyway, it is urgent right now, can you please put aside your doubts and come along with us?"

  "Ok, where are we going?"

  Godou answered immediately to Amakasu's humble request, without an instant of hesitation or pondering.

  "Yes, I hope you can understand this sudden and suspicious request—the only one who can battle with a Campione is another Campione."

  "I will help, so let's go to Mariya's location immediately."

  "Uh, it's really ok?"

  Amakasu felt surprised by Godou's immediate answer, as he was prepared to continue his words of persuasion.

  Godou nodded, but Erica beside him frowned.

  "Godou, please don't take in such lies so easily. Would you show a little bit of wariness please."

  "I know. But how can I stay calm knowing that a friend is in danger?"

  Erica's warning was correct. Though he didn't admit it, Godou agreed with her.

  No matter what, he also had the 'news' provided from last night.

  "Actually last night Salvatore Doni that brat called me. That busybody told me about the Marquis Voban coming to Japan, and though he was talking like an idiot the whole time, I'm sure Erica knows he is a guy who doesn't lie, right?"

  "Sir Salvatore?"

  Though he was a problematic character, but Salvatore Doni was not a man who lied.

  A man who was totally useless when faced with deceptive situations. A complete failure of a man who would try to solve every problem with a sword.

  "Well, if that's the case, then there should be no mistake. If that person revived then who knows when he might be coming to trouble Godou, don't be careless..."

  "Yes, Erica. It might be troublesome if you got caught up in another conflict with a Campione, why don't we part ways here?"

  Godou made a suggestion to the companion chattering away.

  Last time the fight with Doni seemed to have brought Erica much trouble.

  After all, he had become enemies with the Campione who was known as the [Chief] in Italy. The Copper Black Cross she belonged to had ordered all assistance provided to Godou to be terminated, but Erica ignored it.

  The issue was not resolved, and the relationship with Doni entered a stalemate.

  It could end up being another huge issue. The Balkan Devil King probably had a strong influence over the Copper Black Cross as well.

  That place was unexpectedly close to Italy. However, Erica shook her head.

  "Godou do you plan on abandoning me this number one knight and going to meet a Devil King? I will not follow such a stupid order. You are still unfamiliar with these matters, so why don't you just accept my help honestly?"

  Godou scratched his head at that arrogant face.

  Whenever Erica spoke like that, it was usually feigned stubbornness that stemmed from consideration for him. These feelings contained shyness and gratitude.

  "Amakasu-san, right? So this is the plan, take us both to where that old man and Mariya are located. We will try our best."

  "Thank you, King. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!"

  Amakasu glanced at Godou and Erica separately, and lowered his head in a very pretentious manner.

  It was almost like the motion of a comedic actor.

  Part 3

  Amakasu drove Godou and Erica to Aobadai.

  A library located in a quiet residential neighborhood.

  Godou felt perplexed that Voban and Yuri were at such a place. Why would it be a library—was his honest feelings about the matter.

  Deciding to let Amakasu stand by in the parking lot, Godou and Erica stepped into the library.

  —A sudden attack.

  A figure clad in tattered clothing slashed at them with a sword.

  "An enemy!"

  "Leave it to me, Godou you go ahead."

  It was the entrance to the library.

  To be attacked at such a place by some weird swordsman, Godou felt that his life was still full of trials and tribulations. Godou smacked his lips as he tried to discern what kind of enemy it was.

  Erica summoned her beloved sword Cuore di Leone and elegantly chopped down her opponent.

  It was a man wearing some kind of long-hemmed clothing on his upper torso with a cape-like jacket. He was using a broad longsword skillfully like a master, but the face under the helmet completely lacked spirit and ambition.

  Almost like a dead person—this thought made Godou shudder with horror.

  In reference to games and movies, 'zombie' might be an apt description. Having thus named the new monster—

  Another swordsman appeared before Godou.

  "Oh, another one!?"

  Wearing the same attire as the first, another corpse-like swordsman was charging towards them.

  Erica only gave a glance.

  When she knocked down the first one, Erica held the advantage, but she did not expect things to end so quickly. As expected, another one came along attacking.

  She successfully dodged using pure reflexes, but could not evade the second strike of the tachi[11]!

  Godou believed so as he kicked forwards.

  Godou used the essential actions of a forward kick to send the (clearly) dead person's body away. As he faced the second attacker, Godou felt disgust at the increasingly powerful defensive and offensive capabilities of his own body.

  "Godou, please hold on for a while, I will take care of them soon enough."

  "Then I'll thank you beforehand... To be honest I don't think I can take any of them alone."

  Godou answered with a troubled expression to Erica's encouragement. This was because the authority obtained from the god of war Verethragna could not be used without numerous troublesome conditions.

  A sword master far beyond his own capabilities, but was not someone with unnatural strength like a brown bear, or several tons of heavy body mass, and definitely not an evil criminal oppressing the populace.
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  In such a case, Godou had no chance of victory.

  Godou hurriedly retreated, planning on maintaining a distance.

  Only a few steps away from the sword. The instant deciding whether to wait or to go on the offensive.

  "Death knight who possesses an extraordinary history, please forgive my pointing my blade at you—however, that important person there is the king we magi respect, and no amount of insolence will be tolerated."

  The girl's awe-inspiring voice resounded.

  A cute but non-seductive voice full of sweetness, it reminded one of quality steel—tough yet flexible.

  "The crownless king engaging in suspicious investigations, please listen to the pledge of the knight Liliana Kranjcar."

  The owner of the voice was a young maiden, approaching with casual footsteps.

  She possessed a silver ponytail, and a rigid beauty like a western doll. Furthermore, her slim figure was like a beautiful fairy. A girl who carried a surreal atmosphere around her.

  "I am the inheritor of the berserker's stone tablet, the descendant of the crusading knights. My heart speeds across the sky. Winged king of the knights, appear in my hand with the essence of dreams!"

  A silver sabre appeared in the hand of the girl who introduced herself as Liliana.

  The sword was slender and elegant, drawing gentle curves.

  "Come, the foundation of my might, Il Maestro!"

  Wearing a cape with blue and black vertical stripes, her blue and black battle outfit greatly resembled the red and black upper garments worn by Erica.

  Liliana exhaled and stepped forward.

  Holding her sword she cut her way into the space between the second death knight and Godou.

  "Ah Lily, when did you come to Japan? It's been so long!"

  Erica seemed to know the girl armed with the sabre.

  First using a feint with her sword to confuse the first death knight, Erica casually sent a second horizontal slash at her opponent's body.

  After receiving such a blow, the death knight's body turned into ash and scattered upon the ground.

  "Do not act so friendly, Erica Blandelli, I am not your friend, and there is no reason for you to call me like that."