Campione 06

by Flying Phoenix of Divine Mountain

  After ten-odd seconds, she very carefully rushed to her sister's body, and attempted to use [Transfer].

  Instantaneous movement from one place to another, it was a method of mobility that could only be used in the Netherworld.

  It was not possible to escape the barrier imprisoning the monkey divine monarch. This was already confirmed a while ago, but she could target the palace visible outside, in other words, the place where Kusanagi Godou was currently in a crisis.

  Originally, the power of spirit vision could not be used freely.

  But in the Netherworld, it could be freely controlled.

  Connecting her consciousness to the Memories of the Void in this world, using spirit vision to capture the situation in the surroundings of the stable, and performing a transfer towards the image obtained...!

  The result was a success, Yuri and Hikari's bodies began to transfer instantaneously.

  Her eyes dull, the younger sister was silent, staring motionlessly in her embrace. What a relief, Yuri finally relaxed and took a deep breath, having successfully escaped.

  "Ah, you're planning on escaping? Fine, my body hasn't regained its freedom yet. Do whatever you want for now, I am looking forward to the game of hide-and-seek later."

  Just as they disappeared, Yuri heard the monkey god's words.

  She heard the declaration of the [Heretic God] who loved playing jokes on others and causing havoc in the world. Furthermore, Hikari's hand had lost strength and let go of Zanryuutou, leaving it behind in the stable of the stone monkey.

  Part 4

  After flying high through the air, obviously one would eventually fall towards the ground.

  Even in a mysterious realm like the Netherworld, gravity still existed. Clearly there was no need for gravitational attraction in such a place, Godou could not stop cursing.

  At his current height, he could see the full view of the city.

  It was even wider than he imagined. Rather, too wide. The city was enclosed within the city walls, approximating a square with each side roughly one kilometre or so. Within the walls were all sorts of buildings, large and small.

  There seemed to be three or four buildings that could be called palaces, and very likely had names like something court or whatever palace.

  There were a countless number of smaller buildings, probably numbering over a hundred.

  The city walls were very tall, over ten metres, and there were watch towers built on the walls.

  --As he watched this magnificent cluster of buildings, Godou began to fall.

  "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?"

  This all happened within the span of a few seconds.

  Returning to the surface at last, Godou had fallen onto the stone paved ground of something like plaza.

  And then he had a great surprise. It didn't hurt much! He had scratches all over, but that was due to crashing through the roof.

  Falling from a nightmarish height onto hard ground without any injuries, it was impossible. Besides, humans should be falling headfirst due to the distribution of weight, and Godou could not help but shiver.

  A judo master could control the damage when throwing an opponent, but that was a technique that was only possible while the thrower continued to hold on to the opponent's body. Luo Hao had completely let go and directly tossed Godou into the sky.

  --"The pinnacle of martial arts" was what the cult leader had said.

  In other words, she was a master who could easily perform such miraculous feats that went beyond common sense!

  "After all, a spar should take place in a wide open area. King Kusanagi, I hold no grudge against you. This is just a one-time minor punishment. Once you admit how foolish you are, I shall forgive you."

  Cult Leader Luo Hao declared as she landed from the air.

  "How am I foolish, you tell me instead! I don't have anything that requires your instruction!"

  "Opposing Luo Hao's decree, if not foolish then what kind of behavior is it? Small knowledge does not reach to large knowledge, and small years do not reach to large years. The dawn-to-dusk fungus does not know the compass of a single month, the one-season cicada cannot know both spring and fall. Is that not just pitiful?"[73]

  Admittedly, Godou's upbringing was inferior to hers, and being called foolish was not wrong, but there were some subtle parts that he couldn't understand.

  And then, by the time Godou realized it, the transcendent beauty was already standing right in front of him.

  Hmm--? When did she approach? He completely failed to react.

  Luo Hao's crystal-like hand grabbed his shoulder, and flung him high into the air again, Godou felt like he was swimming in the sky once again. Then he fell, and this time it hurt more than the last.

  A third grab. Thrown, swimming, falling, the more powerful impact than the last made him feel out of breath.

  The fourth time. The same action was repeated again, and the pain in his back increased. This time, the back of his head was also hit.

  As the injuries gradually piled up on his body, Godou realized she had complete control! Terrified, Godou was certain he would really be in trouble if he doesn't escape from this endless cycle.

  While being thrown, he also noticed something --

  Godou activated Verethragna's authority -- the [Bull] form, the special ability which granted mighty strength when facing opponents with monstrous strength.

  Luo Hao caught him for the fifth time.

  Lowering his stance, he stepped hard against the ground. In order to prevent himself from being thrown, Godou released his mighty strength.

  "Oh... Hohoho, looks like you have a bit of a backbone."

  The cult leader showed a gorgeous smile. Her icy cool beauty remained the same, but once she began to rampage, a certain sense of charm appeared in her demeanor.

  What was with this person, Godou was speechless as he tried hard to struggle free.

  Godou became aware the [Bull] could be used when he was being thrown. Cult Leader Luo Hao had used uncommonly monstrous strength to fling Godou into the sky, and made use of spectacular martial arts to skillfully control the damage.

  Realizing that was why Godou decided to resist.

  Now he knew for certain, the cult leader's crystal-like hand that grabbed him by the chest, possessed exceptionally frightening power.

  Only the [Bull]'s strength had the power to resist her, and avoid being thrown.

  The battle of monstrous strength. Resists. Incredibly, Godou was able to block her throwing technique.

  But in the next instant, he was swept to the ground by her leg.

  The landing impacted his back and the back of his head, but at least he didn't fly an outrageous distance. The attack just now was probably pure technique.

  "On further thought, you are one of the god-slayers... Having a corresponding ability is only to be expected."

  "You're out of control! That monstrous strength must be your authority!"

  Godou believed so.

  The enormous strength inconsistent with the slender beautiful girl. But whenever he tried to ponder her true identity, his head began to hurt.

  Just like the time when obtained knowledge about Susanoo, it was the process of spirit vision, but it would be impossible to fight with that kind of intense headache, so Godou decided to stop thinking about it.

  "Correct, this is the authority [Divine Might of Vajrapani][74] that I usurped from the Om[75] pair of Benevolent Kings[76]... Martial arts can make the powerless strong, but when mighty strength is paired with peerless martial technique, the results are extraordinary. Now I shall show you what is meant by the martial pinnacle."

  "Martial arts master plus a monster's strength? Becoming very powerful is normal! That's cheating!"

  Ignoring Godou's protests, a large amount of magical power flowed out from Cult Leader Luo Hao's body.

  What powerful and densely concentrated magical power.

  Could the output of monstrous strength be in direct proportion to the magica
l power released? Godou was watching the current scene and speculating as if he was reading a shounen manga.

  "The way of the heavens is bright and clear, the way of the earth is untroubled and tranquil, the way of mankind is empty and serene! --Ho!"

  Roaring with an intensely imposing manner, Luo Hao took a step forward.

  In the vast plaza the two were standing on, cracks started to appear on the floor radiating from the spot where she stepped. The stone paved plaza was virtually smashed.

  Just from a single step!

  Of course, the paving stones beneath Godou also shattered. This was a situation like a dream or a joke.

  "W-Wait a minute! I have a question for you! Have you met Salvatore Doni!? Compared to that guy, who is more amazing? In the areas of swordsmanship and martial arts."

  "Salvatore...? Now that you mention it, there is a [King] with that name."

  Hearing Godou's question, Luo Hao replied politely.

  Even when faced with Verethragna's authority, she was not pressured to go all out. This was obvious, anyone could see that Cult Leader Luo Hao was a million times stronger than Kusanagi Godou.

  "I encountered him a year ago. In terms of skill with the sword, his technique approaches mine, but his other martial arts completely failed to match me, I should describe him as totally immature."

  To label as immature the heretical genius swordsman who was admired and feared by the knights of Europe.

  Ah, this kind of answer was expected, Godou sadly agreed.

  In battle, a Campione can muster exceptional concentration, and thanks to that, Godou's dynamic vision could even capture clearly the fastballs from major league baseball.

  He could even feel the moving presence of Salvatore Doni's sword.

  However, Cult Leader Luo Hao's attacks gave off no presence at all. This was probably the skill of a master, and not within the realm of Godou's understanding, rather, it should be a very advanced mystic technique of martial arts...!

  What to do? Which incarnation should be used now?

  If possible, Godou wanted to use the [Camel], but would he be able to survive one direct hit from that monstrous strength?

  How about the [Raptor] -- no, this one definitely cannot be used. If Salvatore Doni had once defeated this incarnation, then there is no way it could be effective against Cult Leader Luo Hao.

  ...No other way, Godou made his decision.

  He should not seek victory through a confrontation against an opponent skilled in direct combat or exchanging blows, because it would be quite dangerous and pointless in terms of tactics. After becoming a Campione, this was something he learned from experience.

  Be prepared to fight and make as much of a ruckus as possible.

  When using Verethragna's second form, the power of the [Bull], the target of monstrous strength was very important. If well used, it was a power that could turn a majestic church in Naples into ruins.

  The power of the earth flowed into Godou's body through this feet.

  This time, the target was -- Kusanagi Godou's body!

  "Heyaaaaaaaah!!"

  Godou roared meaninglessly as he took action, jumping with all his strength.

  Like doing track and field or physical tests, he used the principles of the long jump to vault over Luo Hao's head, landing ten-odd metres away.

  The [Bull]'s monstrous strength adjusts itself depending on the target. Against a four-ton truck, one could lift it with two arms. On the other hand, used against the seventy kilograms of Kusanagi Godou, the effect was small but still noticeable.

  From the perspective of the [Bull], the benefit was very small.

  But for the purpose of escaping from Luo Hao right before her eyes, it was sufficient.

  "--Hmm!?"

  The beautiful brows frowned as the cult leader turned to look back.

  At this time, Godou took the next step. Run, just ignore everything and run. His destination was the luxurious palace, but the walls of the palace garden blocked his path.

  Roughly five metres in height. His destination was just ahead -- Godou held onto the wall with both hands.

  Using the [Bull]'s monstrous strength on the entire wall, causing it to make a shaking sound, and then pushing hard. The mighty power of the great earth filled Godou's body.

  "Oooooooooooh!"

  Yelling from the depths of his throat.

  At the same time, Godou collapsed the standing wall with his two arms.

  "--Oh!? What powerful arm strength... King Kusanagi!"

  Luo Hao's praise could be heard from behind.

  It seemed like every time he displayed his strength, her approval of him increased... Could Cult Leader Luo Hao have some sort of muscle fetish?

  As he pondered this kind of stupid question, Godou continued to run.

  He took a quick glance behind.

  Smiling with satisfaction, the cult leader was following with leisurely footsteps.

  She clearly did not see Kusanagi Godou as a threat, but having noticed her opponent possessed some ability, she casually pursued. Very good, if that's the case, Godou still had enough strength in reserve to reach his destination.

  Thanking Luo Hao with behavior like a Sumo Yokozuna[77], Godou finally entered the interior of the palace.

  The next step was to find a wide open space and wait quietly, then he was set.

  A few minutes later, Cult Leader Luo Hao had arrived. The shoes worn on her dainty feet made no sound at all, and like a gentle breeze blowing through the trees, the beauty was approaching.

  Godou was speechless, she arrived much earlier than expected.

  This palace should be quite large, but he didn't expect to be found by her in such short time.

  Did she use magic to determine Godou's location, or was it the senses of a martial artist? Regardless, she was someone that could not be judged by common sense.

  "King Kusanagi, are you planning some kind of trap?"

  Luo Hao was looking down from high above, while Godou looked out from afar.

  "The glimmer in your eyes already betray your intentions. I, Luo Hao, will neither flee nor hide, be my guest and try out your secret plan!"

  "I understand, then I'll be making my move now?"

  "Of course, how could a martial arts master like me be defeated by a young junior, that is absolutely impossible. This is simply martial arts common sense, you are welcome."

  Luo Hao casually issued her order, and Godou accepted with great gratitude.

  If she wanted to go easy on him, then he might as well go with the flow. When an overwhelmingly strong opponent offers an advantage, there was no need to stick to principles of fair competition.

  Godou switched to another incarnation, the [Boar], and the ground beneath his feet turned black.

  This black color immediately turned into pitch black fur and hide.

  Solidly built in appearance, giant and strongly majestic, the narcissistic [Boar] had arrived!

  "The one unblunted and unapproachable! Oath-breaking sinners be purged by the iron hammer of justice"

  With the roar of the spell words the divine beast was roused.

  The ground he was stepping had become the [Boar]'s back, and Godou clung onto the black fur with all his might. Now that preparations were complete, go all out with the attack!

  Ooooooooooh!

  As the palace was filed with the roars of the [Boar], the divine beast broke through the ground beneath the giant chamber, and its body slowly emerged.

  The incarnation that can only be used for destroying massive objects, Godou picked the palace as the target. After all, it wasn't a building in human society, smashing it to dust was not a problem.

  "This time you'd better follow my orders properly!"

  Ooooooooh!

  A very daunting answer(?), did it actually understand?

  "Summoning an avatar? It looks like your authority is not limited to mighty strength."

  Seeing the grand and solidly built massive body of the [Boar],
Luo Hao commented elegantly.

  Apparently she did not feel threatened.

  As befitting a Campione, her senses were not normal. Fine, whatever. After all in such a situation, the point of summoning this fellow was to avoid a direct showdown against her.

  Ooooooooooooooh!!

  The [Boar] and its roars began to get to work, crushing the floor, smashing columns, and beginning to charge.

  After tens of seconds, the black divine beast demolished the palace as it charged outside.

  Leaving Cult Leader Luo Hao within the collapsed building.

  ...Hopefully she didn't die. Observing the disaster zone, Godou thought to himself. Though he was the one being targeted, he still felt some guilt.

  After all, she was a Campione and definitely would find a way to survive. Godou had total confidence in the immortality of deities and his fellow peers.

  (Actually, Godou was unaware that this was a mentality he had unwittingly picked up through his various battles over the past few months.)

  Having reached the outside, the [Boar] still did not stop taking action.

  The destruction was not enough, so it began to charge at the destroyed palace, demolishing walls, breaking beams and pillars, soon transforming the ruins of the palace into a complete wasteland.

  "Y-You idiot! At least make sure I don't fall off!"

  Godou was yelling on the back of his unruly companion(?), and almost bit his own tongue. Next time he should be more careful. Grabbing the black fur with all his strength and lying on the body of the boar, he was working hard not to fall off.

  This was a life-gambling rodeo show, but at least it prevented a direct battle against Cult Leader Luo Hao.

  And he was still safe. A desperate plan of action because he deemed a direct battle too disadvantageous. In that case, just flip the proverbial table and destroy the battlefield completely.

  --Speaking of the [Boar], this guy unexpectedly turned out to be compulsively obsessive about cleanliness. The fur was soft and smooth as if washed with hair conditioner, and there was no unpleasant odor usual of wild beasts.

  Having confirmed the habits of the black [Boar], Godou began to ponder.

  For now he escaped the challenge of Cult Leader Luo Hao, but things have not ended. He must hurry and meet up with Yuri and Hikari to get out as soon as possible.