"Eh? Is that the reason why!?"
Yuri displayed shock while Godou and Ena were also surprised. As the three stared with their eyes wide, the wryness in Amakasu's expression deepened.
"Indeed. But oh well, even if you three are not present, Erica-san and Liliana-san downstairs have taken the spotlight tonight. Isn't that great?"
Saying that, Amakasu sat down on an empty sofa as well.
He was holding a tablet PC in his hand, a rather inappropriate device at a banquet. Noticing Godou's gaze, Yuri and Ena followed suit. Amakasu began to operate the tablet's touchscreen.
"Just as you noticed here, I'll cut straight to the chase. —Yuri-san, as usual, we need to borrow your spirit vision powers again, so please lend us your assistance."
"Of course, no problem at all... But it is possible I might not see anything."
Despite Yuri's commendably fantastic spirit vision powers, she always maintained a conservative assessment of her abilities.
But precisely because she always remained humble and modest, the spirit power of clairvoyance could be maintained at the highest level. Conversely, one could probably take her current disclaimer as evidence of her powers.
"Yeah, that would be enough already. After that, I'd like to invite Kusanagi-san..."
"Me too?" Godou widened his eyes. Amakasu laughed.
"Don't you want to try out Cape Inubou's famous New Year's specialty, the anglerfish hot pot?[8] Of course, not just Yuri-san, everyone else is invited together."
Saying that, Amakasu showed the tablet's screen to Godou and the rest.
A news program on One-Seg[9] television was starting. Entering into view was—The Tokyo Tower. Several months earlier, this red and white tower of steel had caught fire as a result of Godou's battle against Marquis Voban.
This matter was about to lead Godou and his group towards the ocean, to begin a new journey.
A tumultuous curtain raising was taking place just as the new year was rolling in around the corner.
Part 3
The following morning after the garden party, Godou started preparing to go on a journey.
Shizuka had already left the day before to spend New Year's at their father's place in the Caribbean, leaving Godou completely alone this morning. Carrying his luggage—a sports bag—on his back, Godou set off from home at nine o' clock sharp.
Today's place for meeting up was Nanao Shrine at Toranomon Station.
But Godou did not head there directly. Taking the subway, Godou first went to the Tokyo Tower at Shiba Park, the place where he had battled a fellow peer and Campione back in June.
The Tokyo landmark, which had been enveloped in flames by that battle, was repainted red and white over the various scorched and blackened portions to match its original appearance. There was a certain atmosphere hanging around like that of a building destroyed by war.
For Godou, this was a fateful location he was obliged to visit in contrition.
Today, there were quite a lot of people around the Tokyo Tower as though there was some kind of temple fair. Extremely crowded and lively. Many of these people probably came specifically for the view just like Godou.
All the people were looking up. Originally 333m tall, the Tokyo Tower's current height was clearly shorter than that.
The antenna and the top of the tower originally found above the special observation deck at 250m had been destroyed, resulting in the current abysmal state. All the people gathered here, including Godou, were staring at this tragic sight.
"Despite that ridiculous ordeal the old gramps and I put the Tokyo Tower through, it still managed to keep its original shape huh..."
Of the surrounding people, some were rendered speechless while others took out their digital cameras. Fear, anger, all sorts of reactions could be observed among the crowd.
Out of all of them, Godou was the only one sighing as he left the Tokyo Tower. This time, he actually made his way to Nanao Shrine. As a side note, the antenna and the pinnacle portion of the tower were destroyed yesterday at noon during the Great Purification Rite.
'Without any warning, vanished without trace like magic. Please take a look because headlines like "Sudden Collapse Incident!?" are being reported through mass media.'
Last night, Amakasu had explained while showing the evening news through the tablet PC.
'Although a terrorist demolition was suspected at first, no sounds of collapse or explosion could be confirmed. Neither were any fragments found near the Tokyo Tower. It's almost like it was "disintegrated" completely.'
'Through the investigations conducted by us at the Committee, the actual cause was determined to be a particular incident.'
'A sniping attack.'
During the instant of occurrence, cameras were fortunately able to capture something. Something had flown from the east and embedded itself into the topmost part of the Tokyo Tower, then during the instant when the antenna and the top of the tower disappeared—
Godou recalled Amakasu's words as he stepped into Nanao Shrine. Everyone else had arrived already—Yuri and Ena dressed in miko outfits, as well as Erica and Liliana. Amakasu was absent because he was already dispatched to the scene the night before.
"We have been waiting, Godou-san. Please come this way."
As the Hime-Miko protecting this shrine, Yuri did not need to perform that role on this rare occasion.
The whole group made their way into the depths of the shrine to find a mysterious "arrow" laid on a blue tarpaulin. A two-meter long arrow made of steel—a steel arrow.
"This thing... There really is some sort of divine quality residing in it."
Liliana murmured as she looked at the long and massive steel arrow. Possessing both the power of spirit vision and the knowledge of witches, her appraisal ability far surpassed typical magi in situations like the current one.
"This is the arrow that struck the Tokyo Tower?"
"Yes. Investigators discovered it when they tracked down the immense magical power lingering behind. Although I have no idea how much I can see, I shall make an attempt to 'have a look.'"
Yuri answered Godou's question solemnly.
Meanwhile, Erica and Ena commented as they looked at the steel arrow.
"It carries a divine quality just as expected. This is yet another fairly troublesome incident."
"Well, it is definitely impossible for a human to snipe from the location Amakasu said, no matter what kind of spell was used. So this time, a bow-wielding deity appeared?"
Ena's unintentional comment gave Godou a shock for some reason. He recalled an old unexpected enemy—the name of Perseus. Because that man also used a bow and arrows, right? Unaware of Godou's reminiscences at this time, Yuri lifted up the iron arrow in her pale white hand.
In possession of excellent spirit vision powers, she closed her eyes and began to speak in broken sentences.
"Bow and arrows forged from steel. The brave warrior who carries this bow. Peerless arm strength... Relentless, unyielding... The one shouldering a fate of wandering."
As expected of Yuri, her spirit vision was successful.
"Traversing the great sea and hundreds of islands, finally returning to his homeland... Piercing his enemies with arrows, recovering his beautiful wife... His name... His name is..."
Could it really be Perseus? Godou could feel his emotions roused in turmoil.
Did that flashy and conspicuous guy come to Japan to seek revenge? However, if it were really him, he would have made a more direct entrance instead—
As Godou pondered while he waited for the oracle, Yuri opened her eyes.
"This is apparently all there is to it. Spirit vision did not succeed in revealing the god's sacred name hidden in the arrow."
"You've done very well already. A lot can be imagined based on the many things you saw through spirit vision."
Ena comforted her fellow Hime-Miko who hung her head in disappointment.
"That's right... Ena is reminded of 'Yuriwaka Daiji
n,' what about you, Yuri?"[10]
"I cannot say. Although a lot can indeed be deduced, but if these eyes of mine really cannot see it through spirit vision then..."
Apparently, Yuri insisted on capturing the deity through feeling rather than knowledge and deductive logic.
Impressed with the answer of the miko who possessed excellent spirit vision powers, Godou spoke up:
"I'm sorry, but what kind of god is that whatever 'Daijin' guy?"
"It's not unusual for ordinary people to have never heard of him. He used to be quite famous as the protagonist of a legend, which was even made into a kabuki drama."
Yuri immediately supplemented Ena's answer:
"Yuriwaka Daijin's legend is an amalgamation of all sorts of beliefs from all over Japan. Not only is the eagle serving him worshiped, but even his bow and arrows are venerated in shrines as divine treasures."
"Just think of him as a mythical hero. Yeah, similar to Sun Wukong from before."
And so, the two Hime-Miko briefly recounted the legend of Yuriwaka Daijin.
'Yuriwaka Daijin was the provincial overseer at Kyushu Tsukushi, renowned for his bravery and mastery of the bow.
After participating in an overseas military expedition, he was betrayed by his subordinate along the way home and abandoned on a desert island in the middle of the ocean. Upon returning to Yuriwaka's territory, his subordinate took over and did as he pleased unchecked.
And even married Yuriwaka's wife Kasugahime by force.
But Yuriwaka escaped from the desert island and endured years of long travel, finally returning to his homeland. Using his bow to shoot and kill the traitorous subordinate, he recovered his wife and territory...'
It was apparently an epic story of great tumult.
Furthermore, it matched the content of Yuri's spirit vision.
"There are many legends about the great Yuriwaka at Kyushu. Also at Gunma Prefecture, there used to be stories passed down about how Yuriwaka opened up a huge cave in Mount Myougi by shooting an arrow from a great distance. Quite similar to this incident, I'd say."
Ena added, prompting Godou, who was completely unaware of these legends, to express his sincere admiration.
However, Erica and Liliana were contemplating the matter with a subtle expression.
"Wait a minute, is it really correct to consider Yuri's spirit vision within the context of Japanese deities? I've got the name of another candidate hero who matches the current oracle."
"You too, Erica? As I thought, it does resemble that hero greatly, does it not?"
The European knights exchanged glances and Erica suddenly began to recite:
"Tell me, O Muse, of the man of many devices, who wandered full many ways after he had sacked the sacred citadel of Troy."[11]
This was probably an excerpt from some story? As Godou wondered, Liliana swiftly followed up.
"His guile and brilliance recognized by the people on earth, his renown even reached the heavens. His name is—"
Godou, Yuri and Ena, the three Japanese, stared with their eyes wide at the sudden performance of harmony as the knights' voices sounded in perfect unison:
" "Odysseus." "
"The Greek leader who devised the Trojan Horse to capture the city of Troy, the king of Ithaca, the indomitable hero. The main protagonist of the Odyssey which stands together with the Iliad as the two major ancient epic poems of Greek mythology."
Godou had heard of the title that Liliana revealed. Perhaps the book was buried somewhere in the library of the Kusanagi home. Then Erica continued:
"It's virtually identical. Like the Japanese hero who returned home after years of wandering to display his valor through the bow... Odysseus did the same."
"Eh?"
Having already heard numerous stories about how all sorts of myths and legends spread throughout the continents, Godou was convinced this could not be mere coincidence.
Could the current perpetrator be a deity related to both Yuriwaka and the Greek myths—
The two Hime-Miko looked at each other in surprise. In any case, since the spirit vision obtained from the iron arrow did not elucidate the name of the perpetrator, there was no choice but to head to the scene of the crime.
"First of all, let us converge with Amakasu-san..."
Last night, the History Compilation Committee member had revealed the name of the location, Cape Inubou at Choushi City in the Chiba Prefecture. On the tip of the Bousou Peninsula, it was the easternmost part of the Kantou region. From this location, an arrow was shot magnificently to snipe the top of the Tokyo Tower... That was what Amakasu reported.
Using wizardry to investigate, the Committee had narrowed down the position from where the sniping attack was launched. Cape Inubou was a hundred kilometers away from the Tokyo Tower. What kind of divine skill could possibly accomplish such a feat—?
So many troublesome facts, thought Godou with a frown.
Part 4
The usual chauffeur, Amakasu, had already left for the destination first.
Although they could have asked for another driver, Ena had suggested "Wouldn't it be nice to try out convenience store lunchboxes at the train station once in a while?" Furthermore, Erica and Liliana both felt rather interested in her explanation that this type of food on the go was part of the "Japanese traveling experience."
Finally, there was Yuri:
"To think this type of lunchbox existed, I have never heard of it before."
She accepted the idea with an expression of resolve as she spoke. Thus, the means of transport was decided.
Departing Nanao Shrine to reach the Tokyo train station, the group then boarded the express train to Choushi City.
As expected of the homecoming season around New Year's, the trains leaving the Tokyo station were completely packed.
Fortunately, they already had a train compartment reserved in advance.
"So, how should we sit?"
"What you mean is where Godou should sit and who will take the seats beside him... Right?"
"Ena and Erica-san, regardless which of you brought up this topic, do note that you are causing trouble for others."
"But since seats need to be taken anyway, why don't Ena and Yuri just sit next to His Majesty?"
"Oh my, Ena-san. To say the least, I have no intention of relinquishing the position on Godou's right hand side."
"Kusanagi Godou, pardon my intrusion, but would you allow me to arrange the seating?"
Sighing, the silver-haired housekeeper directed the seating arrangements. First of all, Erica, Godou and Ena were seated together while Liliana and Yuri sat opposite to them.
Then the journey began. Lunch consisted of the lunchboxes they had bought earlier at Tokyo Station along the way.
As a side note, the one who suggested the whole idea, Ena, had bought a tangerine gelatin dessert, quite a rare product in recent times. She was now enjoying it with a satisfied smile. Confronted with station lunchboxes for the first time, Yuri had compared them with great seriousness and consideration, finally deciding on kamameshi rice with assorted ingredients.[12] She was now eating it blissfully.
Godou had made a suitable choice among the Makunouchi style lunchboxes at the station, with Liliana following suit and picking the same.[13]
"As the one in charge of the king's personal affairs, personally verifying what enters the lord's mouth is also part of the job... Also, I think sharing 'the same taste' would be nice."
That was Liliana's explanation.
All serious and business-like to begin with, but subtly shifting in tone halfway through...
Finally, never one to miss out as a food adventurer, Erica was savoring her unusual lunchbox selection of the "Okinawa Product: Seagrape and Bitter Melon Sandwich" with a subtle expression.
After two hours or so, the journey concluded. The five had arrived at the terminus station of Choushi.
This train station was still a short distance from Cape Inubou. A local staff member of the Committ
ee was arranged beforehand to pick them up by car.
Godou and his group made their way from Choushi Station towards the rendezvous point.
Here at this fisherman's harbor and fishing village, distribution was about to stop due to the upcoming New Year's holiday. Hence, those employed in the fishing industry were supposed to be in a leisurely state.
But as expected of the winter break and tourist season, the streets were rather lively.
With many tourists all over, the local specialty stores, fishmongers and places selling and serving seafood were quite busy. The lively atmosphere was wonderful with all the nodding and greeting going on.
"—!?"
Liliana suddenly jumped with surprise as she passed by a fishmonger's store. Various winter catches were displayed at the storefront, such as chunk-sliced marlin, winter mackerel, winter yellowtail, red bream, etc.
"Eh, I didn't know that Liliana-san had an aversion to fish?"
"Of course not, I eat the vast majority of seafood."
Ena's suspicious question brought forth Liliana's swift answer.
As a country in Southern Europe, Italy was blessed with the Mediterranean's abundant fishing yield which formed a mainstay of Italian cuisine. Being used to seafood was only natural.
But Liliana was timidly looking at the storefront as though she were searching for something. On display was a massive deepwater fish, an anglerfish roughly one meter in length. An old man who seemed to be the shopkeeper was standing beside it, yelling out to peddle his catch as he sliced up the fish to sell in smaller pieces.
It was a dynamic demonstration of the selling style of fishmongers in fishing villages.
"Then what's wrong?"
Liliana was making a troubled expression as if frantically pondering.
"N-Nothing... But just now, the name the shopkeeper called out was probably a certain name. It reminded me of the fish that Amakasu mentioned yesterday that he was going to treat us to..."
"I think it's called the anglerfish hot pot."
After talking to Godou yesterday, Amakasu had extended the same invitation to the knights. From beside Liliana, Erica proceeded to smile and speak:
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