"You are not mistaken. Indeed, Amakasu-san did ask us yesterday to look forward to that hot pot dish. Hoho, it looks like it will be quite an exciting new experience, Lily."
Erica smiled matter-of-factly like a witch full of malevolence.
"That slippery undulating gelatinous body... Sloppy, sticky, flaccid, an organism with jaws like the entrance to a dungeon. That is the dish we shall savor tonight. Let us prepare ourselves, everyone."
Erica warned as she gazed at the deepwater fish's appearance with a mysteriously solemn expression.
A description that evoked imagery akin to a bastard child born from evil deities manifesting as cosmic horrors. Turning her back to her childhood friend's gaze, Liliana sternly declared:
"W-What are you talking about? Even without prior preparation, this is nowhere near my threshold of fear. No matter what kind of ingredient, you cannot judge how it tastes without trying it once."
Thus Liliana quickened her pace and leaped out in front of the group, walking away rapidly. Chasing after her, Godou and the three other girls whispered among themselves.
"Liliana seems rather helpless against disgusting looking food."
"But due to her serious personality, she will try anything at least once."
"Erica-san, since you already know that, please refrain from pranks of this sort."
"Oh well, but anyway, this is commonplace whenever people try out seafood they've never had before. The person who first discovered kuchiko must be a strange one indeed."
"That seems to be the ovary of the sea cucumber..."
After that, they met the Committee member at the crossroads which served as the rendezvous point. Expecting Amakasu, they were surprised to find instead a man they had never met before.
He reported that his acquaintance, the History Compilation Committee member serving directly under the Sayanomiya family (Amakasu, in other words), had spent a hectic night running around to handle various matters. Godou and the girls pitied Amakasu's laborous plight as they got on the car to head towards the destination—Kimigahama.
This was a beautiful beach located quite close to the lighthouse on the easternmost point of Cape Inubou. It was also a park enclosed by a beautiful pine forest.
The place was currently sealed off by members of the History Compilation Committee and the local police. Godou and the four girls were led past the yellow tape to enter the restricted area.
Watching from Kimigahama, the Pacific Ocean in winter seemed quite desolate. The waves were quite tall here and swimming was prohibited even in summer.
Then there was the object in question—a steel crafted bow embedded in a corner of the beach. At five meters long, its dimensions were impossible for human use.
The steel bow was stabbed into the beach like a sword. This Kimigahama beach was the place the History Compilation Committee narrowed down as the sniping spot.
The steel arrow was shot towards the Tokyo Tower from here. Then the Committee members dispatched to this location on emergency investigations had discovered this bow.
"Indeed I can feel a similar divine quality as that arrow..."
Liliana murmured with a pondering expression as if she was sensing something through spirit vision.
"It does not have power on the level of a divine artifact. The divine aura is far too weak to be something a war god used."
"Maybe a bow and arrow wielding divine beast or demigod descended here?"
Liliana's longtime friend and rival, Erica, concurred and offered an explanation. Meanwhile, the other spirit vision user stared at the long and massive bow, then looked in surprise towards the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
"What's the matter, Yuri?"
"Ah yes, I saw it just now, the sacred image of a wandering hero—Wielding something that feels similar to this bow. However, the feeling is not the same."
Yuri answered her fellow Hime-Miko's query in trepidation.
"Something shining with brilliance—I should put it this way. It is just a little bit, but I sensed a divine quality with the attribute of light."
"Could it be light from the east... A deity who possesses a sun god's divinity?"
Erica spoke with a keen gaze. Speaking of which, Yuri was looking out towards the Pacific Ocean in the east.
"On further thought, this incident does have many elements connected to the sun. The Tokyo Tower was sniped at noon with the sun at its peak, whereas this beach is the easternmost location in the Kantou region..."
"Then there is the matter of Yuriwaka and Odysseus."
The blonde knight nodded and agreed with Ena's observation.
A Japanese folk story that greatly resembled the tale of the Greek hero. Godou recalled Erica and Liliana's casual conversation from during the train ride.
'Odysseus, the Achaean military leader who captured the city of Troy.
Suffering the wrath of the god of the oceans, he was stranded on an isolated island. Meanwhile, his subjects back in his territory of Ithaca had run amok, taking over his wealth and property, trying to force Odysseus' wife Penelope to remarry after her husband's presumed death.
Thereafter, Odysseus received divine protection and finally managed to leave the island. After a long and wandering journey, he returned home in the end to slaughter the depraved and violent suitors, recovering his wife and territory—'
Something similar to that. Staring at the five meter bow of steel, Erica mumured:
"Come to think of it, there's Odysseus' bow—the rigid bow that no one could draw apart from Odysseus with his mighty strength. The other warriors tried as best as they could, but none of them could wield it."
Godou's cellphone rang in his pocket at this time. It was a call from Amakasu.
I seem to be getting hungry. Staying at this beach probably won't yield any further progress, so it's probably time to decide our next step with him... Thinking that to himself, Godou reached for his phone.
Godou suddenly felt a sense of revulsion, as if someone was watching him—
Surveying the surroundings, Godou found the girls in his company simply looking around in disbelief while the members of the Committee and the police were positioned quite far away. No one was looking in his direction. Was he imagining things?
Shaking his head, Godou reached for his phone again.
Part 5
Amakasu was waiting at their accommodations while Godou and his group were being taken there.
As soon as they encountered him waiting at the hotel lobby, he began to explain.
This was the seaside of Cape Inubou, the easternmost part of the Kantou region. Nearby, large scale hot springs and entertainment facilities were famous for their view of the ocean.
"Since it's New Year's, let's simply have a stay over. Truth be told, I'm rather attracted by the prospects of the relaxation corner where Thai, Korean, Tunisian and Guam style massages can all be enjoyed."
That was what Amakasu appended at the end.
During the night of the garden party, he was suddenly dispatched here to Cape Inubou and had been busy with investigations and directing information control ever since. Consequently, the special agent looked even less energetic than usual.
Godou immediately answered "No problem" in response to Amakasu's suggestion.
Thus, they decided to check in for now.
From a super large bath facility offering a view of the Pacific, one could see the ocean, dyed red by the setting sun.
It was exactly sunset right now and Amakasu sighed with blissful relaxation.
"It seems to be telling us the stage is already set and waiting for you all."
"What did you say, Amakasu-san?"
Godou was baffled by the mutterings of his fellow hot spring occupant.
Naturally, both of them were completely nude right now.
"I had this feeling that bad things would follow if I didn't get a good soak in the hot springs to relax... But putting that aside. 'Is Yuriwaka Daijin Odysseus?' Ahah, that's Tsubouchi Shou
you."
After listening to Godou recount the girls' daytime conversation, Amakasu mentioned a certain person's name for some reason.
"Tsubouchi... The famous writer who lived during the Meiji period?"
"Yeah, that's him. He was the first person to point out the similarities between the Yuriwaka legend and Odysseus' story. He proceeded to propose 'Homer's epic poetry was spread in Japan during its early modern era and modified, thereby giving rise to the Yuriwaka legend' as a theory."
Steeped in vast knowledge, Amakasu explained leisurely as he immersed himself in the water of the hot spring.
Forced to take off his glasses on such an occasion, Amakasu proved to have unexpectedly clear and slender eyes. Furthermore, readily apparent from his state of nudity was Amakasu's well-trained and muscular body.
Virtually devoid of body fat, his physique reminded one of a boxer's. Looking from this perspective, perhaps he really did have a "master ninja" side to him.
"The academic community back then apparently bought this idea and there were many supporters."
"...Back then?"
Godou listened to Amakasu's subtle statement.
"Yeah, the theory was later rejected after being tested. After all, no one could prove that the Odyssey had reached Japan before the early modern era. Well, someone like missionaries could have spread it by boat via China or the Maritime Silk Road but that's just considered wild fancy."
The knowledgeable special agent smiled wryly as he explained.
"Besides, there exist even more logic-defying routes of transmission. Kusanagi-san, you'd probably agree with us, but if you consider the example of Yuri-san, obtaining that sort of information is possible, right..."
Amakasu made a bitter face, prompting Godou to feel unsettled.
"Doesn't that have terrible implications?"
"Bad or terrible regardless, it would not be unbelievable. Let's talk about it in detail during dinner."
"Okay. Then regarding tonight... Can I rely on your help?"
In actual fact, Godou had prearranged to room with Amakasu.
This was his condition for assisting in the incident for Godou had no wish to repeat the same mistake from the London trip. In order to preemptively rule out any chance of rooming with the girls for no apparent reason, so that he could have a peaceful night during his travels.
Hence, the girls were divided with Erica and Liliana in one room while Ena roomed with Yuri in another.
"Ah yes, well, Kusanagi-san."
Godou cocked his head incredulously in response to Amakasu's vague nodding.
"About this matter, you don't really have to be so uptight by this point, right? Just hurry up, cross the finish line and you'll look all the more manly for it, you know?"
"Oh come on, since you're the only adult here, Amakasu-san, could you please worry a little about these issues!"
The two males took a relaxing break in the spacious bath facility.
Meanwhile at another location—
The resort facility was equipped with an outdoor hot spring that provided an expansive view of the Pacific Ocean, illuminated red by the setting sun. Although the open air and wind were a little chilly, the hot spring's heat prevented the body from feeling cold.
"Phew..."
Soaked in the hot water, Erica exhaled deeply. The four girls were currently gathered here.
"An outdoor bath by the sea turns out to be rather nice."
Erica crossed her beautiful, long and slender legs under the hot water.
She was currently relaxing her body and mind, leisurely enjoying a healing moment.
The waves broke noisily against the walls of the cliff, filling the air with the smell of salty spray. Whether the beautiful sunset or the sea view dyed red—both were scenery one could not normally witness during a bath.
"It's quite warm even for winter and there's a great open feeling to this."
"Last time, we all tried out the Nikkou hot springs at Lake Chuuzenji... But since it was a lake by the mountains, the atmosphere was completely different!"
Ena concurred with Erica's commentary.
Italy and Japan, Southern Europe and the Far East. These two girls were comrades born in countries separated by vast geographic distances.
Nevertheless, they were both equally outstanding in the physical maturity of their figures. Well, perhaps Erica held a slight edge in all respects.
However, that was going strictly by the numbers, a question of what the measurements suggested on first sight.
Based on visual impressions, they were essentially "evenly matched."
Whether in the bulging voluptuous bosoms, slender waists or the round full curves of their hips, Erica Blandelli and Seishuuin Ena had met their match in each other's prodigious natural gifts.
"The Nikkou hot springs... Really was quite disastrous."
Immersed in the hot spring, Yuri's face went red. Rather than caused by the water temperature, it seemed more likely the result of her recalled memories.
"Th-That sort of behavior was really too inappropriate back then. Completely beyond the bounds of decency. Whether Ena-san or Erica-san, please do not engage in such bizarre competitiveness again..."
Yuri's sense of embarrassment made her realize.
Compared to those two girls, her own figure gave off less of an impression of volume.
Be that as it may, it was not an image of paucity. Rather, it was the opposite. Whether in her bust or hip measurements, Yuri's physical development was in full bloom. As a female, her body was flawless in its curvaceous and supple figure.
Despite her voluptuous body, Yuri's figure gave others a delicate impression at the same time.
From a female perspective, Erica and Ena's bodies were more seductive in the sense of volume whereas the undulating curves of Yuri's slender figure probably left others with a stronger impression.
"Well, rather than asking those two to practice self-restraint..."
Liliana lamented with great feeling. Her pale white skin, corresponding to her Eastern European heritage, was flushed red by the hot spring's high temperature.
"It would be far more constructive for us to keep our eyes wide open to prevent the same mistakes from recurring, Mariya Yuri."
Among the four girls present, Liliana was the slimmest of them all.
On the other hand, she possessed a fairy-like charm instead. Rather than womanly, it would be better described as a delicate and slender figure of "adolescence." Crystal clear and flawless, her pale white skin was like a doll's.
An unripened taste of dream-like attraction.
Nevertheless, she was completely unaware of her own charm. Moreover, this seductive quality of hers was increasing without her conscious intent—
In any case, the four girls each had their respective advantages.
Enjoying the winter hot springs by the sea, this year they were rejuvenating their exhausted bodies while accompanying the man who always insisted on membership in the common sense faction despite being prone to perpetrating terrible atrocities.
Suddenly, Ena spoke up.
"By the way, Yuri, if possible... Even if it's just tonight, let's sleep together with His Majesty, the two of us—wanna try that?"
"That? What are you referring to?"
Yuri cocked her head in puzzlement in response to the vagueness of the key point.
"Yeah, that. Bring your ear closer and I'll tell you."
"Oh okay—Eh!?"
Ena's discreet whispers caused Yuri's expression to freeze.
"A-An affair!?"
"Yes, that's right. Something like that. As I mentioned before, His Majesty refused last time."
"Oh you mean that, when Mariya Yuri and I were turned into stone, what you forced Kusanagi Godou to do..."
Liliana made a suffering expression while Erica frowned.
"...Ena-san."
Erica spoke elegantly in her usual tone of voice but with a subtle difference.
Standing in star
k contrast against Erica, Liliana was, of course, the first and foremost opponent as part of the red-blue pair. But recently, it felt as if the approaches of the new formidable rival of Seishuuin Ena threatened Erica's brilliance on occasion.
She was another formidable opponent as Erica's foil with different characteristics from Liliana. Ena was the type of person whose words managed to occasionally disrupt Erica's inner composure.
"But afterwards, I thought over it."
On the other hand, Ena did not notice the subtle changes in her competitor's inner thoughts and continued ruefully:
"Indeed Ena was refused back then... But I said I'd continue to wait. Waiting for His Majesty."
Erica understood the attitudes towards love presented by Ena's heartfelt words.
"If an opportunity comes along for even more heightened emotions, and Ena and Yuri were to seize it deftly, perhaps success might occur with unexpected ease."
" " "..." " "
Listening to Ena, the other three girls pondered silently.
"Indeed, because he is Kusanagi Godou."
"Yes, Godou-san is that kind of person."
"After all, he is the type who casts his prior words to the wind when caught up in the moment, only acting in accordance with his roused spirits... The scenario is quite probable."
"Well, so long as he is not together with unknown women, it will be fine."
"Agreed... Clearly he is not someone without self-control, yet he is completely unstoppable when engaging in shocking behavior..."
"It's true, His Majesty is really a strange person. But this aspect is what makes things fun."
Reaching consensus, the four girls nodded together.
Also, meanwhile over in the male hot spring, Kusanagi Godou was sneezing in a classic textbook manner, completely unaware of this conversation—
Then the scene shifted once more.
To Kimigahama, dyed a shade of red by the burning sunset.
Standing embedded in the beach, the iron bow underwent a subtle change. The massive steel bow's string was shining and giving off light.
This unnoticeable level of brightness was easily overwhelmed by the light of the setting sun.
Consequently, none of the personnel of the History Compilation Committee, the police or the fire department noticed. Furthermore, a dramatic change was also underway somewhere far from dry land.
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