Campione 06

by Flying Phoenix of Divine Mountain

  "It's been so long since someone peeked at me, you fellows cannot get in my way, right? Just suck your thumbs and wait patiently. What? I'm not so small-minded as to go seeking trouble from you in revenge. As long as you don't do anything strange, I will leave you all alone!"

  He spoke happily as he smiled.

  To those who used him in the past and sealed him with the spell of the [Keeper of the Horses].

  Seishuuin Ena's sudden visit, happened on the afternoon of this day.

  "I say, Ena, do you really understand your situation?"

  "Of course I do, that's why I came here, Kaoru. Please, could you release Ena from house arrest?"

  The location was the Sayanomiya residence in Area 3 of Tokyo's special ward of Chiyoda.

  It was a conversation in the study.

  "...Knowing you are under house arrest, and yet you went out so openly."

  Ena refuted Sayanomiya Kaoru's reproach.

  "Ena did not walk out openly, but left home sneakily. Along the way, I even made sure there were no ninjas on my trail."

  After the Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi incident, the premier Hime-Miko had been staying home all this time. Her long black hair was extremely soft and smooth today, and even though she clearly didn't need to go to class, she still wore her student uniform. Most likely because she was too lazy to pick her clothes.

  Also, Ena's home, the Seishuuin ancestral home, was located at Chichibu in Saitama prefecture.

  "Begging someone on the phone is too rude, so Ena came here to negotiate directly."

  "That's very much your style, I should say... Is that the only reason?"

  "Let me think... Also it'd be nice to have a walk? You see, being cooped alone at home is really boring."

  "It is your own doing that caused you to be confined, come on, it's your own responsibility."

  Normally watching all sorts of developments with amusement, it was rare for Kaoru to speak so seriously unlike her usual self.

  The unprecedented premier Hime-Miko acted extremely rashly on occasion. In these cases, it was the organization leader's responsibility to warn her seriously.

  To the cheerful and sociable Kaoru, this was not a pleasant job.

  "I should tell the Seishuuin family so that they will be more alert."

  "If Ena had the intention, you cannot catch me without sending people on the caliber of Amakasu or Shuto masters. Kaoru, let's not talk about this for now, and go back to the topic just now!"

  "No, though I am very impressed with your prison break skills, I must deny your request."

  Kaoru replied coldly.

  As a side note, Shuto was short for Shuto Ancient Style, the name of the martial arts practiced by Hime-Miko and members of the History Compilation Committee. Her master was also a sword fighting instructor.

  "Could you please find a way to handle this here. It's about time for Ena to show up at Kusanagi's place. My grandmother back home also said, hurry and get intimate with His Majesty, and bear his child."

  "Yes, how easy going to say such words to her granddaughter, true to the name of heroine."

  The elderly heroine was the head of the Seishuuin. This kind of granddaughter was only made possible by the existence of such a grandmother. Kaoru truly understood now.

  "Which is why I said, this sort of method of pursuit should be withheld for now? Considering Kusanagi's character, it is for the best."

  "Uh, is that so? Doesn't His Majesty like girls a lot?"

  "As long as they are not homosexuals, the vast majority of youths in that age are basically like him. But due to the influence of his family environment, his attitude towards male-female relationships are overly serious, so he would feel more relaxed going out to have fun with male friends."

  Calling herself the "lover" of Kusanagi Godou, Erica Blandelli was the one representing the Milanese magic association Copper Black Cross. This news had spread far and wide within related circles, because it all started from the women attracted to him.

  In the beginning, the History Compilation Committee also viewed Kusanagi Godou in such a light, but Kaoru and Amakasu revised their perspective because Godou was not as lustful as rumored.

  "Except for us, it is very easy for others to get the wrong impression, so I haven't recklessly tried to correct it or prevent others from misunderstanding him... Still, his own behavior is also a major reason behind this type of misunderstanding."

  The last clarification made Ena nod with satisfaction.

  "Kusanagi is very manly. Yes yes, that is Ena's husband."

  "For a man of his type, you can't be too hasty, it is better to conquer him slowly. First start from friends and gradually make him lower his guard, then cross the finish line in one fell swoop."

  "If that's the case, wouldn't Erica take the lead? That person is very proactive."

  "Ena, how can you be so inflexible here, what does it matter if she gets there first?"

  Kaoru smiled cheerfully.

  The playboy who targeted the same gender, bore a faint smile of pride.

  "Reality is not like those love simulation games that Amakasu likes, eh? It's not a world where you can build a wonderful loving family and give birth to eternal love within the span of one or two months. Even if someone gets there before you, it is fine if you take it back for yourself. Even if marriage is an obstacle, there is always the solution of divorce."

  "Wow, I don't really understand the first half, but the second half really fits Kaoru's style, how devious!"

  "Hahaha, don't praise me like that... So, it's it time to talk about the punishment for sneaking out of house arrest?"

  "Kaoru is the devil! Demon! Two-faced!"

  Ena yelled out in protest.

  Suddenly, her expression changed.

  Hearing the ephemeral voices of certain gods, she showed an extremely serious expression. Ena listened quietly as she stared at the ceiling of the study. Having known the premier Hime-Miko for so long, Kaoru also noticed and realized something had occurred, and so she only watched quietly.

  "Hey hey... What is going on? How rare for you to take the initiative to call from that side."

  Ena took out her cellphone and placed it against her ear and mouth.

  She began to chat with this powered-off cellphone. Just by listening to the conversation—no, communication—Kaoru basically understood what had happened. This was one of the strong points of the observant and acutely wise Hime-Miko who cross-dressed.

  After hearing Ena's report after the communication, things were even more clear to her.

  Kaoru took out her cellphone, and called the trusted subordinate whose name was mentioned just now.

  "Hello, Amakasu-san. How does it feel to be on a business trip to Nikkou? Actually, I was wondering if a troublesome situation has arose, so I called you."

  'If that's the case, please tell me the secret to your clairvoyance.'

  Admitting to the unexpected situation, Amakasu replied.

  'I was just about to call you and report, it is total chaos out here.'

  Listening to her subordinate's brief report for close to ten minutes, Sayanomiya Kaoru received news of the cataclysm at Nikkou. Having finished, she sighed.

  "It's true after all, Kusanagi-san has disappeared."

  '"After all" are not words I can ignore, did your clairvoyance see that too?'

  This time, after hearing Kaoru's explanation, Amakasu went 'hahaha, that is really...' and responded with a frivolous smile.

  "Because of that, there is no need to worry about safety over there for now. I was wondering about the mastermind behind this commotion. Amakasu-san, what's your opinion?"

  'I just happened to have identified a suspect, and started surveillance. However...'

  "Is there a problem?"

  'If the photo from my information is correct, that person should be the young master of Hong Kong's Lu family.'

  Hearing her subordinate sigh casually, Kaoru could only shrug.

  "If so, then that es
teemed one from China must be the true suspect."

  'Yes, no one would expect her if deducing without proof. But if it really is that one, then things are really bad. I will continue investigating covertly, and try to come up with a plan for the snake deity.'

  "Go find Erica-san and Liliana-san first. Handle this incident well, I give you full authority."

  'Understood, I will try my meager best.'

  "No no, in situations like this, you have to bet your life on it to accomplish the mission, just like a ninja."

  'No can do. Applying for work injury benefits requires too much red tape, and the compensation for dying on the job isn't particularly generous. Safety comes first.'

  Once Kaoru finished her call, Ena spoke to her:

  "Kaoru-san~~ Please, let Ena go to Nikkou, I will definitely be useful there."

  The premier Hime-Miko had excellent hearing, and was listening to Amakasu's voice clearly.

  Kaoru shook her head decisively.

  "No, denied, although I can temporarily release your house arrest, but you must obediently stay by my side."

  "Why!? If I go as reinforcements, I will definitely be able to assist His Majesty!"

  "You are part of reserves in case of emergencies. I have to carefully judge the right timing for your participation."

  Even after losing Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, Ena was still a divine messenger.

  For example, by summoning her guardian deity Susanoo's power, she could control storms which no other wizard can control, and wreak incomparably deadly destruction. Though it was not enough to fight a real god, this level of combat ability was strong enough to handle the likes of divine servants, and thus it was imperative not to waste her on unnecessary battles.

  "When your divine summoning power is truly needed, I will send you over."

  "Then why don't I go to the scene first for standby! Ena will go there directly and cheer for His Majesty!"

  "Of course we will go over to the vicinity of Nikkou in preparation, but we will not go to the scene immediately. When a [Heretic God] first appears and the nature of the disaster is unknown, one must calmly observe and assess the situation."

  Kaoru calmly warned Ena, and then made staffing arrangements to send over there. Who knew if earthquakes or floods would occur.

  Even without these destructive phenomenon, contact could very well be lost. At this time, caution was the most important.

  "On the other hand, once this incident is resolved, your house arrest ends. So Ena, first come with me and observe how things develop."

  Calmly giving orders, one must never be anxious in a chaotic situation. Well, she didn't have the ability to use the Hime-Miko of the Sword as a trump card either. So, how could this unfavorable situation be reversed—

  Part 2

  Erica and Liliana were now within the territory of Saitenguu.

  A few minutes after Leviathan began bleeding, Amakasu Touma had also arrived in full composure.

  "Ladies, it's only been a short separation, but you two are beautiful as ever."

  "How unlike your usual speech, is there some bad news you want to discuss with us?"

  The young man was calm as usual, and Erica smiled elegantly at him. One could not expect any good news when the special agent talented in ancient Japanese espionage arts made an appearance at times like this.

  "Don't talk like I always bring bad news, instead let's say we are on the same boat now."

  "Ah? I have never treated Amakasu-san as an enemy though?"

  "Hahaha, is that so—Putting that aside, I have something to report. Right now that youth called Lu Yinghua is on standby at the Okusha inner shrine of Toushouguu, as if waiting for someone. Perhaps you may not know, this shrine right here is what you call the door to the Netherworld, and the warlord of [Steel] is sealed there."

  Said in one breath, Erica could only smile wryly in response.

  Amakasu had hit all the crucial points, one must never be careless around this man, but it could also be said that he was dependable in emergencies like this.

  "Amakasu Touma, is it really fine for you to share such important information with us?"

  Liliana gave a slight warning, and Erica signaled with her eyes.

  "Let's not keep secrets between us as much as possible, and solve the matter together."

  "So I see. In addition, I have obtained news of Kusanagi-san's position from my boss. With this info, there will be lots of advantages to our working together."

  Amakasu told the most crucial news to them again. Having heard the content, Erica murmured softly:

  "We haven't even parted for two hours, and he already flew to that kind of place. Should my beloved be described as surprising or dependable..."

  "In other words, for some completely unknown reason, he went to that kind of place."

  Liliana showed a subtle expression. Kusanagi Godou not only went to the Astral Plane but also that particular place. Once again, Erica bore witness to his surprisingly frightening ability to stay alive.

  "So, we will take the frontal attack this time. The name of that snake deity is Leviathan. Causing great trouble in Los Angeles, the witch—no, divine ancestor—restored her ancient form to become a [Heretic God]. The secret mastermind manipulating her should be the master of Lu Yinghua."

  "Haha, one of those names is completely unexpected while another is just as imagined."

  "Just now did you say a deity of [Steel] sleeps in this place?"

  Liliana watched the misty rain of blood falling from the snake.

  "That Leviathan is almost like bait for [Steel], revealing a near dead body and looking like a sacrifice."

  "Your choice of the word sacrifice is quite apt, and in fact that is the truth."

  Amakasu nodded and agreed with the witch's opinion.

  "The name of the spell that seals [Steel] in this shrine is the [Keeper of the Horses]. In order to release it, a dragon or snake deity is required to appear on earth. Though I've speculated on what kind of enemies may appear for breaking the seal, it was unexpected that a sacrifice of a snake deity could also fulfill conditions."

  Amakasu's comments were suddenly interrupted.

  The gridded door to the shrine opened abruptly and strong wind blew out from inside.

  Out flew a transcendent beauty, who proceeded to soar in the sky like a celestial maiden.

  Like a celestial maiden wearing a robe whose fabric seemed as light as a feather, she looked down upon Erica and the rest from the sky above the shrine, with an expression of complete disinterest as if seeing bugs. Her body was flowing with magical power that far surpassed the best of magi.

  Just as she was about to fly away, Erica yelled.

  "Please wait a moment, Your Eminence Luo Hao! What happened to my lord Kusanagi Godou!?"

  These words had an effect. The celestial maiden stopped gliding and hovered in midair to answer her question.

  "Just in this special case I shall answer you, blonde girl. Today should be our first encounter, how did you come to know the imperial appearance of I, Luo Hao?"

  Completely beautiful, but the jade-like voice was full of resolution that seemed to reach into the depths of the listener.

  Erica knelt on one knee and answered with a knight's etiquette.

  "My name is Erica Blandelli, a great knight of the Copper Black Cross. Today is also the first time for me to be graced by Your Eminence's presence. Based on the current situation, I deduced there could be no other but Your Eminence Luo Hao."

  The sacrificial snake deity, the young master of the Lu family, and the missing Kusanagi Godou.

  And then the supernatural demoness appeared before their eyes, leaving only one answer to be deduced. Of course, Erica's response time was excellent, which is one of the reasons why she reached the answer.

  In fact, Liliana and Amakasu were just staring at the cult leader in shock.

  "King Kusanagi sure has a subject with excellent vision. In recognition of your wit, I shall answer you—
that King was subdued by my martial splendor in the Netherworld, and has escaped to some other place. However, there is no shame in retreat, a staple in the art of war, and the manner he escaped from me, Luo Hao, was commendable."

  Which is why he fled to that kind of place. Hearing the musical voice, Erica could not help feeling impressed. To have already battled against the demonic cult leader, Kusanagi Godou and trouble are truly inseparable.

  "Then Your Eminence...!"

  "Great Knight, the question and answer session ends here! I am on my way to conquest, and have no time for you!"

  A shout that made one's body tremble.

  No, it wasn't just trembling. Erica and Liliana, as well as Amakasu, everyone who heard Luo Hao's reproach were blown away as if struck by a storm.

  Erica crashed into a cedar tree. Was that a shockwave just now? By the time she endured the pain and stood up, the Cult Leader had gone, flying towards the air above Toushouguu where Leviathan was located.

  "Ah, let me just say that that person is very shocking, in all sorts of ways."

  "Who could have thought that Cult Leader Luo Hao was a woman... And could use flying magic, could she also be a witch..."

  The other two were also quite shaken.

  "What should we do next? Go pick up Kusanagi Godou and the Mariya sisters, or confront Cult Leader Luo Hao and Leviathan? Or split up to do both?"

  "Yes, if possible, I want us to split up too."

  Erica was pondering Liliana's suggestion.

  If possible, it would be best if both options were pursued, but it was important not to make the mistake of dividing their strength and getting taken out in isolation. Whether facing off against Cult Leader Luo Hao or searching for the three's location, both tasks required maximum manpower. If a choice wasn't made between the two, both could very well fail."

  "We will pursue Luo Hao, since handling the current situation is a priority... Besides, entering the Astral Plane requires a great deal of preparation and there's no time for that now."

  "Yes, this decision is quite appropriate. I understand."

  Amakasu responded lightly as Liliana gazed towards the shrine.

  "However, that means we ignore Kusanagi Godou and the Mariya sisters for now?"