Campione 13

by Princess Goddess of the South Seas

  "Something to drink?"

  Just when Liliana made her suggestion, Erica suddenly spoke up.

  "Lily, let's go over there. Come together with me."

  "What?"

  "Although there is no longer any need to publicize the name of Kusanagi Godou, it is a different matter for us. Now is a perfect opportunity to let it be widely known that the god-slayer is accompanied by the knights from Milan."

  "I dislike this sort of method."

  Liliana frowned as she replied to the childhood friend in the crimson dress.

  "It is enough for the name of Liliana Kranjcar to spread naturally through the passage of time. Promoting oneself is counter to a knight's modesty, and as a person..."

  "It matters not for this once. It's also Godou's first time to attend this sort of occasion."

  Despite Liliana's refusal, Erica still continued.

  "Having more acquaintances and contacts apart from Kaoru-san and Amakasu-san would facilitate getting things done. Besides, if we attract more attention, Yuri and Ena-san will feel more at ease, and so will Godou, obviously."

  "...I see."

  The female knight in the blue formal dress acted as usual and nonchalantly surveyed the surroundings.

  Without a doubt, their group was attracting the most attention. Among them, the most striking one was naturally Kusanagi Godou himself.

  As advised earlier, Godou tried to maintain a "calm" state of mind.

  But it was also true that he found it impossible to calm down. Even doing something so trivial as getting food to alleviate his hunger brought forth numerous stares.

  Eating under everyone's watchful gaze really did lead to indigestion—

  "This is also part of a knight's duties, I suppose... Well then, Kusanagi Godou, I shall go with Erica."

  "Are you really okay with it?"

  Godou asked. Liliana smiled with a chuckle.

  "Yes. Although it is not particularly to my liking, I have experienced these sorts of occasions several times before. On further thought, if I leave Erica alone to publicize her name only, it would be a taint to Liliana Kranjcar's reputation."

  Hence the red and blue knights parted with Godou.

  They moved about in gorgeous formal dresses rather than their usual combat capes.

  This fact alone made them quite striking in appearance. Red and blue. The blonde and the silver-haired Caucasian beauties. Individually, they already attracted a great deal of attention. It went without saying that the effect was magnified when they stood together in stark contrast against each other.

  Leaving strong impressions on others was only inevitable.

  As the two girls walked about, the gazes of the crowd were drawn along with them.

  Perhaps this was exactly why Erica chose to take Liliana along with her—

  Godou suddenly noticed Yuri and Ena's absence from his side. Taking a further look, he found them by the buffet table, filling their plates with plentiful food.

  However, a few nearby Hime-Miko seemed to be engaging Yuri and Ena in conversation. After greeting their fellow Hime-Miko, Yuri and Ena returned with their plates full of food. Godou inquired:

  "What were they talking about just now?"

  "Hoho, regarding whether the gentleman over there was a certain someone from somewhere."

  Yuri smiled mischievously in a rare moment while Ena grinned like a naughty child. They were suddenly inspired with a mood of playfulness. The name of Kusanagi Godou had clearly been mentioned.

  "Since we took quite a lot of food, let us share and eat together."

  Yuri put down her plate on a neighboring round table.

  She had taken one plate while Ena had carried two, one in each hand. Mini roast beef sandwiches, carpaccio, seaweed rolls, dainty little snacks, etc. It seemed to be an unrestricted cocktail party combining Chinese, Japanese and western cuisine.

  The two girls, who originally agonized over the prospects of attending this event, currently seemed quite relaxed instead.

  This fact alone probably made it worthwhile for him to come. Just as Godou secretly felt gratified, a familiar face approached. It was Hikari.

  "Onii-sama, although it's only been a couple hours, I feel like it's been quite a while since we last met!"

  Hikari greeted with a joking tone of voice.

  She was dressed in an adorable light pink dress. A few hours earlier, after the Great Purification Rite ended, Hikari had left the ceremonial site together with the other Hime-Miko in preparation for the garden party.

  "I'm so glad that all my Onee-samas are attending. From the way it looked earlier, I was worried you two would skip out."

  "Well, that was what we thought originally..."

  "Somehow or other, we were taken here."

  Yuri made a faint, wry smile while Ena responded to Hikari as if grumbling.

  "But Ena-neesama, it's really great you came together with Onii-sama."

  "Really?"

  "Yes. Actually, after the Great Purification Rite, everyone was asking me, 'Could the gentleman we saw at the ceremony who just left really be...!?' It was quite troubling. Everyone was so concerned with Onii-sama's true identity..."

  Godou felt intimidated. Come to think of it, Erica and Liliana were accompanying him back then at the time.

  For those informed about the god-slayer, Kusanagi Godou, but did not know his appearance, guessing his true identity based on the situation was not particularly extraordinary.

  "Everyone asked Onee-chan and Ena-neesama all sorts of things with great excitement. All the people were quite shocked that Onii-sama came personally to the venue."

  Hikari smiled as she explained.

  Part 2

  Then an hour passed—

  Godou was truly experiencing firsthand the cocktail party effect.[6]

  Finally getting used to everyone all dressed up at the garden party, Godou retreated to the edge of the venue. All sorts of conversations about him drifted into his ears.

  The attendees were in excitement over the Devil King's sudden appearance—especially among the young Hime-Miko girls.

  After calming down somewhat, they started to converse, perhaps a bit too loudly.

  "So I knew it, that person is..." "Kusanagi Godou-sama..." "An outstanding Devil King despite such a young age!" "Oh my." "Neither the Roman Colosseum nor the Yokohama Bay Bridge could stand before his splendid might." "Wow, amazing!" "I knew it, those who become Campiones are all extraordinary." "But, the infamy of his lust is known all over the world..." "Those two Italian ladies are said to be Kusanagi-sama's lovers." "Maybe even I too could... It's troubling, but if the great Devil King wishes... Hoo." "Fufu, someone like you will definitely be ignored." "Yuri-san and Ena-san have been serving the king all this time, right?" "Reportedly, they even accompanied him into battles against gods." "How amazing." "Kusanagi-sama looks so kind and gentle on the surface..." "Despite a Devil King's true nature that leads everything towards destruction, seething and boiling in his heart like magma, he manages to conceal it skillfully!" "Wow, so amazing!"

  This was the unusual scene of upper class society known as the garden party.

  Godou had previously heard that the Hime-Miko were quintessential highborn ladies.

  (After all, as a former house of nobility, the Mariya household was an atypical world, far removed from the "mundane.")

  Consequently, Godou was very concerned about the whisperings and lady talk between the Hime-Miko. But oh well, most of the content was like that.

  None of the Hime-Miko voiced it directly, most probably in fear of the god-slayer's mighty name, but they were greatly excited to find Godou matching their expectations from rumors.

  "This is making me unexpectedly uncomfortable..."

  "I-I am truly sorry..."

  By Godou's side, Yuri apologized. Ena had taken off ten minutes earlier, saying "I see some people I know!" Thus turning the pair into wallflowers.

  "But why does everyone seem so informed about my
affairs?"

  "That is the obvious result of your position. Furthermore, it stems naturally from your everyday behavior."

  Yuri answered Godou's question with a mournful tone of voice.

  "It pains me to say this... But I believe the greatest reason why rumors spread far and wide is rooted in yourself, Godou-san."

  "R-Really?"

  Feeling the slight sigh in the Hime-Miko's words, Godou became flustered.

  "As the saying goes, a rumor lasts seventy-five days, but Godou-san always creates new headlines within thirty days, causing all sorts of problems..."

  Before one rumor could die down, seeds for another were already sown.

  In response to the criticism, Godou went "Ooh..." while feeling mentally exhausted. Recently, it was true that peaceful days never stretched longer than a month. Godou became slightly self-aware.

  "Moreover, despite the way you are, Godou-san, as the ones by your side, we not only failed to stop you but even went as far as to assist you with full support..."

  Yuri sighed gloomily at her inappropriate conduct.

  With her serious personality, Yuri was perhaps rather troubled by the current state of affairs, burdened by Kusanagi Godou's "persistent" perpetration of various atrocities. Godou frantically responded:

  "I don't think it's your fault, Mariya. Since all rumors start because of me, therefore all responsibility rests on me too."

  "No, as someone who accompanies you along your chosen path, I cannot accept such excuses for myself."

  Yuri shook her head with a stern expression.

  "We are bound together by one shared fate. Hence, were any incidents or problems to arise from Godou-san's excesses, I feel I must shoulder a portion of your culpability."

  "...I'm sorry."

  Bound together by one shared fate. Perhaps indeed that was the case.

  Since Godou had recently experienced what things would be like without comrades to assist him, he could not help but apologize pensively.

  As she watched Godou apologizing, Yuri's facial expression and tone of voice softened.

  "Like I said, please do not say it is not my fault, okay? If you do not rely on me, it would imply that I do not belong by your side, Godou-san. And I would hate that."

  Yuri looked straight into Godou's eyes and declared quietly:

  "Even if it means bringing trouble to all sorts of people, I wish to become Godou-san's source of assistance. In fact, I do understand this kind of wish is quite improper..."

  "Mariya..."

  Unlike Erica and Ena, Yuri was an extremely serious young lady with a strong sense of responsibility.

  Seeing her pledge her support in spite of all that, Godou was touched and overcome with gratitude. Gazing passionately at her, Godou proceeded to smile for some reason.

  Feeling the concreteness of the bonds between Yuri and himself, Godou was filled with sincere happiness from the depths of his heart.

  On further examination, the Hime-Miko was also smiling in return, presumably experiencing the same feeling. Just as Godou and Yuri nodded at each other, inexplicably certain of each other's thoughts and feelings—

  (Wow, look over there, Yuri-san and Kusanagi-sama are gazing passionately into each other's eyes!)

  (Fufu, they've completely entered a world of their own!)

  (As expected of the world famous Devil King of lust, completely unfazed by our gaze, passionately whispering sweet nothings regardless!)

  The private gossiping between the nearby Hime-Miko entered Godou's ears.

  Speaking of which, they were still present at the garden party, but Godou and Yuri had unwittingly forgotten.

  Suddenly embarrassed, the two of them shifted their gaze away from each other's eyes.

  "...E-Everyone was watching us all along."

  "...Y-Yeah, that's right. But I don't like having girls staring at me and gossiping."

  "...U-Umm, I think this is another result of your usual behavior. A-Although us getting caught up in the moment here on site is also problematic, Godou-san, the real reason stems from your extraordinary displays in female relationships after all."

  "...W-Where have all the others gone!?"

  In an attempt to prevent the conversation from drifting towards a dangerous direction, Godou asked frantically.

  Erica and Liliana had not yet returned. Taking a further look, he found the knights together with Kaoru who was dressed in her usual suit. They were apparently introducing themselves to those related to the Committee and the Four Families, to publicize their names and appearances.

  Erica chatted amiably while Liliana stood sternly beside her. Even from a distance, the scene was quite striking.

  On the other hand, Seishuuin Ena was—

  "Oh look, Ena-san is over there talking to people."

  Turning his gaze towards the direction Yuri indicated, Godou was surprised to find Ena conversing with an all-male group.

  Their ages ranged from young to old with all sorts. The majority sported short haircuts. Given the positive attitudes displayed, Godou felt that they carried themselves with an air of martial artists.

  All members of the group seemed familiar with Ena and they conversed with bright smiles.

  Discovering Godou's gaze, Ena smiled back at him and going "Well then, time's up I guess!" to take her leave from the all-male group.

  Finally, Ena bowed her head reverently towards the oldest man in the group.

  This elderly man resembled Bodhidharma in both appearance and in his slightly chubby build.[7] There was an incredibly dignified air about him. While the rest of the group were dressed in suits, he was the only one wearing a kimono.

  When their gazes met, Godou nodded as a greeting. This prompted the old man to greet in return, bowing his head deeply at a right angle.

  Rather than being influenced by the notorious infamy of the god-slayer and Devil King, it seemed more like it was his own nature to attach great importance to etiquette and respect. Indeed, a man pursuing the martial path?

  "I'm back. I saw some acquaintances so I went over to greet them."

  "That's what I figured. Who are those people?"

  Godou inquired as Ena returned, who smiled and answered:

  "Instructors of swordsmanship. They taught Ena and Amakasu-san all sorts of things. Normally, they are active over at the History Compilation Committee or the police. Sometimes they serve as acting masters at dojos. All kinds of different situations."

  "Oh just as I guessed. So these people came as well..."

  "The instructor who resembles Bodhidharma is especially amazing. Limited to swordsmanship alone, he is probably around the same level as Her Eminence in China."

  "On Nee-san's level!? That's really amazing."

  If the Miko of the Sword judged so, it was probably true.

  Seeing Godou greatly impressed, Ena went "Anyway, that aside..." and remarked:

  "From what the instructors said, there's a place to rest upstairs where few people go... Don't you feel it's about time we leave?"

  Ena made her suggestion with a mischievous look.

  Godou exchanged glances with Yuri beside him and nodded quietly.

  Ten-odd minutes later.

  Godou, Yuri and Ena were taking a break on the third floor.

  Not only were there sofas here but also long tables. Having suitably refilled their plates with food on their way out, they would be able to rest here for quite a while.

  Finally, there was some peace and quiet to enjoy their food. Taking up their chopsticks and forks, Godou and Ena began to eat without needing to be concerned about manners.

  Yuri's appetite was nowhere near as vigorous as those two, but still she ate from time to time.

  "I knew it... Eating as usual feels the best..."

  Godou exclaimed emphatically. Smiles blossomed on Yuri and Ena's faces.

  "Oh right, by the way, Your Majesty, about that matter."

  Godou was puzzled by Ena's unexpected words. That matter? He had no i
dea at all.

  Ena pouted with displeasure in response.

  "I knew it... You forgot after all because too many things happened? Think back. About what you said regarding when Ena returns from recuperating at the ancestral home—and I requested so explicitly too."

  "!" Godou recalled with alarm, feeling as if his body had been struck by lightning.

  Just before the battle against Lancelot, he had made a promise in order to compel Ena to stay at the hospital. Unable to refuse her at the time, Godou had bid Ena farewell after responding vaguely.

  After going through the commotions of Alec and the war god of the lance, the issue was brought up again—

  "S-Seishuuin, umm, how should I say this?"

  "Ena mentioned before, I'll wait for as long as it will take. That's why I tried as much as possible not to say anything, waiting for Your Majesty to bring up the subject first."

  The Miko of the Sword was speaking with an expression like an angry child. Listening on the side, Yuri was tilting her head in puzzlement.

  "What kind of promise did Godou-san make with Ena-san?"

  "Oh Yuri, you should really listen to this. His Majesty is so terrible, well..."

  Saying that, Ena began to whisper in her childhood friend's ear.

  "K-K-Kiss!? Godou-san, why did you make that kind of promise!?"

  "B-Before I could come up with a good way to refuse, it was time to depart for London... Then I forgot about it."

  "This is a huge issue. There are no excuses for excessive thoughtlessness!"

  Oh well. This was yet another common scene.

  For the most part, the trio passed their time happily and leisurely—

  "Ah, so you guys are here. Looks like you managed to find sanctuary."

  The new arrival was Amakasu.

  He was dressed as usual in his creased suit, a sight rather unsuited to the grandness of the occasion.

  "Ah yes, we are taking a break here because there are apparently no other people. Hoho, it does feel a little strange."

  Having calmed down from her ferocious indignation earlier, Yuri smiled. Amakasu grinned wryly.

  "That's because the great Devil King has taken two beautiful ladies to this place for some fun, right, so all the people will not dare approach. Because they know Kusanagi-sama and his girls are here."