The Kuroshio Current flowed along the western edge of the Pacific towards the islands of Japan.
Riding along this ocean current, a massive object the size of a coral reef was moving north from Okinawa.
Northwards, northwards, it sought its unseen target.
Naturally, this was happening unbeknownst to Kusanagi Godou's group at this point in time.
Chapter 3 - Bow, Arrow, Divine Beasts' Arrival
Part 1
After a good soak in the hot springs, Godou and everyone else returned to the hotel.
Dinner commenced an hour later. As meals were allowed to be brought up to the rooms, everyone had gathered in the room for the men—Godou and Amakasu's room.
Due to the Japanese style of the hotel, all members of the group had changed into yukatas provided by the accommodations.
The long table was laden with various dinner dishes, with seafood comprising the majority as expected.
Assorted sashimi, salt roasted mackerel, boiled red bream—the various fish dishes brought a myriad of vivid colors to the dining table. On the side was a bucket filled with cooked rice, ready to be served.
However, the main dish occupying the most table space was something else.
An earthenware pot was bubbling and simmering on a gas stove. This was the anglerfish hot pot that Amakasu had booked in advance. The fish market at the town of Ooarai in the Ibaraki Prefecture was quite famous as the place of origin for this type of fish. Anglerfish could also be caught at Choushi City, apparently.
"Speaking of winter hot pots, the most common ones use pufferfish or cod, I like those too."
Amakasu commented.
"It's almost ready."
Observing that the boiling pot was almost ready, Yuri lifted the lid, thus releasing a very fragrant aroma.
A great deal of steam drifted up, carrying with it the appetizing flavor of miso. The Japanese trio of Yuri, Ena and Godou naturally began to smile.
Indeed, gathering everyone together for a hot pot meal was a unique pleasure.
On the other hand, the foreign duo were displaying vastly different expressions. Liliana seemed to be racking her brain as though she was facing a trial of a lifetime.
As for Erica, despite maintaining her usual noble airs like a lady, her overflowing anticipation could not be suppressed. Her eyes were glimmering brightly.
"Ever since I saw the real thing this morning, my curiosity was piqued greatly, so this can't be helped. What sort of astounding taste might come from a fish with that kind of appearance, how could I possibly not confirm it..." She seemed to be murmuring randomly.
Erica was very particular about her food, always making all sorts of demands in her everyday diet. But with regards to non-everyday food, Erica was a girl who placed greater emphasis on impressions than taste.
But was this "famous specialty" really going to meet the Diavolo Rosso's expectations in this regard?
Godou had his doubts but he refrained from voicing them.
After all, things would become all clear as soon as she tasted the food. On the other hand, he turned his gaze towards Liliana. Normally taking charge of adding the ingredients sequentially to the hot pot during times like these, she was currently staring at the pot instead.
"There is other food here, so you do not have to force yourself..."
Yuri tried to lighten the mood. Liliana answered in a stern voice.
"N-No. Avoiding food without even tasting it once is unfitting behavior for a knight. Mariya Yuri, please be sure to serve me a proper portion."
Asking Yuri to serve her instead of doing it herself, Liliana was a bit of a sore loser.
But she resolutely accepted the food served by the industrious Hime-Miko. Watching the gelatinous substance quivering in her bowl with an expression of great determination, she finally took her chopsticks and brought the morsel to her mouth—
"H-Hey, the taste is not bad after all."
Liliana remarked with relief and began to chew and eat as usual.
"By the way, although the liver is very popular, Ena prefers the cheeks. On such occasions, a cup of a certain boiling hot beverage would really hit the spot."
"Let me be clear, Seishuuin. Amakasu-san is the only one allowed to say sake would be nice in this kind of situation..."
In response to Ena's bold admission to underage drinking, Godou preemptively blocked the notion.
Before these two, Yuri was ladling the pot's contents into their bowls. Taking the so-called seven organs—the liver, the meat, the stomach, the skin, the ovaries, the gills and the fins, her earnest efforts at equitable distribution for everyone stood in testament to her care and concern. Simply watching was enough to feel it.
This was a natural gesture of considerate care, very true to Yuri's style.
Meanwhile, Amakasu was eating the gelatinous substance at his own pace. Judging from the emptied state of his beer bottle, he probably had no intention of working tonight.
Finally, there was one more person.
With a complicated expression, Erica was savoring the delicious cuisine made from Choushi City's deep sea catch.
"The taste is quite agreeable, but it's a little different from what I expected."
A mediocre rating given to delicious cuisine, it resembled a food critic's statement to a certain extent.
Then the dinner continued. Having renewed her vigor midway through, Liliana put down her bowl and chopsticks to help Yuri replenish the pot's assorted ingredients. Then she served everyone to savor—
When dinner was just about finished, Godou raised an issue.
"By the way, Amakasu, about our conversation just now."
"Ah yes, various matters about Yuriwaka and Odysseus."
The special agent, drinking sake brewed locally in the Chiba Prefecture, muttered as he poured himself a full cup. His voice and mannerisms remained the same as usual even while he was drinking.
"Ultimately, stories similar to Odysseus' tale of adventure do exist on the continent."
Also just as usual, he was speaking in a knowledgeable tone of voice.
Clearly a bottle of beer and two bottles of Japanese sake were not enough to make him drunk.
"I already know that in various places in Europe, there exist stories similar to the epic poem about Odysseus... But the same goes for Asia too?"
Erica inquired. Amakasu chuckled "Hoho" as he responded.
"There's Japan's Yuriwaka Daijin, China's Xue Pinggui[14], as well as a prince who went through something similar in a Buddhist story. Then there's Korea, Southeast Asia and India which all have similar heroes."
Amakasu slowly poured sake into his cup as he made a statement on a grand scale.
"Odysseus—His prototype must have been a heroic story that spread throughout the continent via tribal migration and cultural interchange. A Pan-Eurasian myth, one could say."
Erica frowned at this explanation.
"In other words, a hero who straddles the continent, both oriental and occidental."
"This is one of the characteristics of the 'King of the End' as mentioned by His Highness the Black Prince. Hoho, I was reminded of it during Yuri-san's oracle. Perhaps it really could be him."
So the Devil King-exterminating hero was finally returning?
Although Amakasu had raised an unsettling possibility, he immediately shrugged and smiled wryly.
"That said, this is merely speculation no matter what. It is highly likely that our fears are actually unfounded. At this juncture, worrying over everything won't be of much help. Simply based on the epic poem, Odysseus doesn't really have the characteristics of [Steel]."
"Indeed, now is still too early a stage to be discussing the 'King of the End'..."
Liliana grumbled with her arms crossed.
"Yeah, so in any case, we'll take things easy tonight then start investigating seriously tomorrow."
"Well, Amakasu-san, although this might be a little sudden, may I discuss something with you?"
/> Erica smiled suspiciously.
"For example, perhaps you could be so kind as to disappear from your room tonight or something like that?"
This exchange caused Godou's heart to skip a beat while Amakasu muttered "Hoh."
"In other words, something like room arrangements favorable to couples during school excursions."
"It's wonderful how well you understand."
"But this time, Kusanagi-san explicitly requested me to room with him. This was demanded directly by the peerless Devil King himself. Opposing it would take substantial boldness of heart."
"Then would you consider a return gift in accordance with Japanese tradition, I remember it's called the year-end present?"
"Oh my, it really is."
"If you wish, I'll treat you to a week's vacation in Europe, how about that?"
"I just happened to have accumulated enough paid vacation days."
Amakasu and Erica were akin to a pair of sly foxes, one old and one female.
Just as their conversation was reaching a high point, another person interjected.
"Ah, what about this? Amakasu-san, do you prefer the mountains or the sea? If that's the case, Ena can provide you whichever one you choose. I also saw many year-end presents delivered back home."
"Oh I see, goods from the Seishuuin home. One would really look forward to them."
With even Ena was joining in, Godou decided the situation was moving in a terrible direction...
Right when Godou was about to frantically interrupt, Liliana issued a warning before he could do so.
"Amakasu Touma, please do not get ahead of yourself. Considering these two people here, they are not really offering you benefits in earnest."
"No, but the task is welcome in its own right."
Amakasu smiled wryly as he turned his gaze to the girl who had not spoken.
"If we don't stop soon, Yuri-san is going to scold us... Eh, what's the matter, Yuri-san?"
Taking a closer look and finding Yuri staring out the window mesmerized, Godou called out:
"Mariya?"
"...Ah, my apologies, what were you saying?"
Suddenly brought back to her senses, Yuri apologized. Then Ena inquired:
"Did you actually see something?"
"Y-Yes. Just now, I felt an ominous presence from the sea."
Godou also turned to look at the window. Due to the heating in the room and the hot pot, the temperature difference between indoors and outside had covered the window glass with dripping condensation.
Like the hot spring spa earlier, this hotel also faced the ocean.
A view of the Pacific from each room was apparently a selling point. The ocean was outside right next to the window.
"Ominous... What did you see in particular?"
"Good question... Just a feeling that something exceedingly dangerous was approaching by riding the ocean current from the south—"
As Amakasu confirmed the situation with an increasingly serious expression, Yuri answered without confidence.
But Godou could feel his body tense up. Of all the people present, no one would dismiss Yuri's "just a feeling" as inconsequential.
Part 2
"Just in case, I'd better return to the scene..."
In response to Yuri's coincidental oracle, Amakasu muttered in contemplation.
"That way, I can get a hold of the latest news faster. Well then, Kusanagi-san, since I believe I might return very late, please feel free to go to bed first without waiting for me."
Godou went "Eh?" in surprise at the sudden news.
"V-Very late? How late is that?"
"Well, it could very well last until morning. Worse comes to worst, I'll just have to take a nap directly at the scene."
This meant that Godou's male roommate plan was wrecked. Erica began smiling elegantly in response to Amakasu's words.
Feigning ignorance, the special agent smiled at Godou as if cheering him on.
"You're over thinking things. Compared to thinking, making babies is much easier."
"W-What's that supposed to mean?"
"Perhaps an opportunity might arise for babies to be conceived tonight, four of them all at once—In any case, we of the Committee pledge our full support in helping raise the children, so don't worry about needing to hold back."
"What nonsense are you spouting? Of course I'm coming with you!"
Hence, an hour later—
Having changed their clothes, Godou and his entourage returned to the beach of Kimigahama.
This time, Amakasu accompanied them as well. As a side note, because the only person with a driving license had been drinking, the Committee sent someone else to pick them up.
The time was after 9pm so night was well underway.
Entering the sealed off coastal area, Amakasu immediately headed off to the location of his colleagues and Committee staff. Meanwhile, Yuri murmured "Ah—" as she stood beside Godou.
"The feeling is stronger compared to during the daytime... Yes, unmistakably so."
Asserting thus, the Hime-Miko broke into a run.
Godou glanced at his companions and started chasing after her along with Erica, Ena and Liliana. Yuri was heading towards the place where the steel bow was embedded.
—The metal bow of steel standing upright on the beach.
As the four caught up, Yuri was already out of breath and staring seriously at the steel bow.
"The divine presence has strengthened...?"
The instant Liliana whispered softly, Godou experienced a repulsive feeling. Someone was watching?
Come to think it, the same feeling happened this morning too.
He could feel with greater certainty that someone was staring at him—rather, it was definitely an "enemy" existence. Owing to a Campione's sense of danger, keen as a wild beast's, Godou discovered something in the long and massive bow of steel. Unmistakably, "something existed" inside the bow.
"Carrying this bow is the hero who shoulders a fate of wandering..."
Yuri suddenly murmured, for she too had seen the "enemy."
"Firing an arrow from the bow in a show of his mighty arm strength and valor to the people—Godou-san!"
Immediately, a humanoid shadow suddenly appeared behind the bow.
Lacking a well-defined outline, a vague blue figure—Standing roughly five meters tall, it rivaled the steel bow in size and was clearly no ordinary person.
Yet Godou's body and mind did not switch to a Campione's combat ready state. Even if this was the user of the divine bow and arrows, it was clearly not a [Heretic God].
Using a body part resembling the left hand, the figure grabbed the steel bow in a simple manner.
Then an arrow appeared in the right hand, two meters or so in length. Like the one discovered at the Tokyo Tower, it was a long and massive steel arrow resembling a spear.
The figure slowly positioned the steel arrow on the bow, drawing it and aiming towards Kusanagi Godou.
The distance was less than ten meters. For an archer capable of sniping from a hundred kilometers away, this arrow was clearly not going to miss its mark.
Erica and Liliana sprang into action instantly.
"Yuri, stand back please!"
"Kusanagi Godou, you be careful too."
Erica summoned the magic sword of the lion as she directed Yuri. Liliana also called forth Il Maestro.
Nodding at her voice, Godou began to run.
Fiercely, towards the mysterious figure, Godou moved as if ignoring the warning. But this would do well enough.
In actual fact, Godou alone could handle the situation with the [Raptor] even if shot at—
The figure finally drew the bowstring to its limit. The arrowhead, resembling a spear's tip, was aimed at Godou's forehead.
"Ama no Murakumo, I entrust His Majesty's safety to you!"
At this moment, Ena called out from behind.
Immediately, the divine sword Ama no Murakumo from Godou's right arm suddenly manifeste
d, presumably taking emergency action in response to Ena's call.
At the same time, the figure released the arrow from its fingers.
Woosh, the arrow of steel flew at Godou, but he—or rather, Ama no Murakumo in his right hand moved by itself and chopped it down.
A sharp metallic clang rang out. This act of defense was not a move Godou could originally perform, being completely unversed in swordsmanship.
But of course, it was a different matter with Ena controlling Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi from a distance.
Saved through his comrade's assistance, Godou relaxed his right arm and went "I'll leave things in your hands" to inform Ama no Murakumo his intention to attack.
Hence, the "partner" flew out from Godou's hand, hurtling towards the bow-wielding figure.
An eye for an eye. The divine sword counterattacked in vengeance for the "arrow." The battle was decided with unexpected ease. Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi's tip pierced the figure's chest quite splendidly.
The sword's attack caused the figure with the poorly defined outline to vanish.
As the figure dissipated like mist bathed beneath the morning sunlight, a metallic clang was heard. Due to the wielder's disappearance, the giant steel bow fell down on the sand of the beach.
"What the heck, that's..."
Watching the steel bow fall down so simply, Godou muttered.
In terms of strength, the feeling was similar to that from a divine beast. However, the enemy was rather fragile... Godou turned to face Yuri.
"The one just now was not a deity. I think it is a a god's shadow—an existence of that sort. A portion of some great divinity, manifesting on earth..."
Perhaps this was the reason why spirit vision was unable to discern the deity's identity, Yuri concluded.
"When something incomprehensible happened so suddenly, how should we seek to understand it?"
Just as Erica was murmuring with a frown—
Amakasu approached, a cellphone in his hand.
"As expected, once a Campione gets involved personally, things progress immediately... I'm glad that everyone is okay. Although I just received some terrifying news—"
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