Just as Godou was about to enter the water for a light swim, Ena called him.
"Oh my, since Your Majesty is in a position of waiting for the enemy to arrive at this encampment, Ena thinks Your Majesty should make a display of solemn dignity. Yeah, something that feels suited to a king's position."
"Say, Seishuuin, I don't think sea bathing has anything to do with position."
"Okay okay. Come, let's sit here for a bit."
Invited to a patch of cool sand next to the sea, Godou did as he was told.
As Godou puzzled over Ena's intentions, the Hime-Miko of the sword swiftly took a seat by his left. Then she pressed her body close to him, leaning with all her weight!
The tender supple sensation caused Godou to shudder in surprise.
But unlike Erica, this did not convey the kind of alarming feeling as if the posture would progress into something even more intimate. Perhaps this was actually what made Ena so perfect?
"W-What are you doing!?"
"Ena saw this in a foreign teledrama once. Like a mafia boss guy sitting by the poolside with two ladies waiting on him, drinking cocktails. Your Majesty should do that too. Yuri, come over for a while!"
Ena called to her childhood friend who was a short distance away. Over there, Liliana was floating casually in the water, sitting on a lifebuoy that served as a piece of the boat's lifesaving equipment. Yuri was also wearing a lifebuoy and the two girls seemed to be playing together happily.
Called by Ena, Yuri turned her head to look and hence discovered the situation.
"W-What are you two doing over there!?"
"Fufu, you should hurry over here, Yuri. The two of us will play the roles of His Majesty's lovers together."
"You two, please do not engage in this type of behavior during the daytime, especially outdoors."
"Guh... What a situation of utter depravity! Even Kusanagi Godou could not possibly do that!"
"It's not like that, Mariya and Liliana! Seishuuin decided this all on her own—"
"I-In that case, Godou-san, you should hurry and separate from her."
"O-Oh yeah."
Conditioned by past scenes of being held captive in Erica's forceful grip, Godou had forgotten that Ena did not possess the same kind of monstrous strength. Godou immediately stood up, forcibly struggling free from the Hime-Miko's body.
However, someone else immediately pounced on him from somewhere.
Godou could feel an elastic and supple sensation on his back together with a sense of volume.
More conspicuous than anything else was the immense strength of the arms embracing Godou from behind, wrapping tightly around his neck—
"Godou. Do you intend to engage Ena-san in loving intimacy, neglecting me on the side?"
The voice whispering in his ear was, of course, the usual familiar one.
"Ah, what happened? Erica-san arrived faster than Yuri. But no matter. We two will play the role of His Majesty's lovers, how's that?"
"Role playing is redundant. Because I am truly Kusanagi Godou's lover. However."
Erica declared proudly to Ena who listened nonchalantly. But a fearless lioness' smile immediately surfaced on Erica's face while she and the Hime-Miko of the Sword nodded at each other.
"Perhaps this is not such a bad idea. For a stubborn someone who obstinately clings to his opinions, this is a good opportunity to let him realize the unparalleled extent to which his behavior is the antithesis of being human."
"E-Erica-san. Since we are simply relaxing in preparation for battle, is this not contrary to what you were saying just now!?"
"She is right, Erica. Besides, these matters should be the job of the grand chamberlain, in other words, me. K-Kusanagi Godou, you should not make a lustful face just because you are sandwiched between those two!"
"Of course I'm not! Could you please direct your sight to my attempts to resist!?"
Dazzling sunshine. A white beach. And also the sea.
In any case, Godou's entourage was enjoying these conditions while "waiting" on standby without being excessively off guard.
Then roughly two hours passed—
The first person to look up was Yuri.
Both yesterday and today, she had deployed her psychic sensing to cover the vicinity of the beach so as to discover any emergency immediately.
Liliana also narrowed her eyes, casting her gaze towards the air.
Ever since last night, she had been using a spell that gave warning as soon as powerful magic was sensed.
This was to avoid repeating the same mistakes as during the divine eagle's attack and to prepare against the goddess who could arrive at any time.
Noticing Yuri and Liliana's reactions, Erica smiled courageously and Ena nodded forcefully.
Back on the beach, the girls were currently dressed in their swimsuits with a light parka and t-shirt to avoid getting cold. Godou had also put on a shirt.
While having fun, all of them had remained alert. Then it finally came.
'Kusanagi-sama, I cannot believe you are frolicking with these lowly girls!'
As the goddess' voice thundered, the originally sunny sky suddenly darkened.
Dark clouds filled the sky with frightening speed. A gigantic silhouette of a woman floated up onto this dark canopy of the sky. Slender as a juniper, this was the shadow of the mysterious goddess.
Her head almost reached the clouds. Such was the size of the gigantic silhouette.
'Fufu, only the tasteless would choose the company of such lowly girls. A hero like you should love a suitable partner!'
"On the other hand, I'm pretty sure you're not the suitable one..."
Feeling that a rebuttal would be futile, Godou simply muttered softly.
However, he renewed his spirits and looked up, yelling with a loud voice:
"Are you still refusing to come down here today!?"
The goddess' figure looked as big as a rainbow hanging in the sky, but she was definitely far away.
She was watching Godou and his group from up high in the distant sky.
When having a close encounter with a deity, a Campione's power would be roused intensely. Due to the current lack of that effect, Godou instantly understood. Was the goddess highly wary because she was cut by Ena once?
'Hmm. Kusanagi-sama, you have apparently summoned all your subordinates. This time, I as the queen shall send troops to challenge you, the king.'
"It's not just this time. Haven't you been sending your subordinates every time?"
The enemy called herself the Fire Goddess. Godou felt that she must be hiding something else apart from her name.
Although he wanted to keep questioning her, to probe the matter more thoroughly—
'Fufu. A weak woman and a heroic warrior differ completely in their ways of doing things. Kusanagi-sama, considering the courage it takes for a mere woman to challenge a manly god-slayer, please show generous leniency.'
Things were not going well, The Fire Goddess was messing up all his plans.
Godou had no idea whether it was on purpose or unintentional. However, he was beginning to harbor certain suspicions at this point. Could she be the "most difficult" opponent he had met so far?
No matter how bad they were, all of his past foes had upfront personalities.
The kingly warriors, Melqart and Athena. Heroic Perseus. The Great Sage Equaling Heaven who simply loved being the center of attention. Lancelot's cool charging spirit.
Drawing a clear line between herself and those warriors, this goddess' behavior often made a display of femininity.
"Oh yeah, it was mentioned she is a witch goddess."
'Come, please let me treat you as a guest this time, Kusanagi-sama.'
While Godou could not help but mutter, the goddess' voice resounded in the sky.
'Fufufufu. I have prepared valuable assassins. After all, the power of divine beasts seems unable to capture you!'
A glorious sacred beast descended from the sky amidst the dark c
louds.
It was a white and unruly stallion, its entire body shrouded in golden flames. Unlike the previous divine beasts, its body size was not abnormally large. Although its build was robust, the size was still within common sense for a horse.
Kicking its hooves in the air, the stallion flew nimbly through the sky. As soon as he saw that sacred majesty, Godou instantly realized.
"Godou-san! That is Verethragna's incarnation—the [White Stallion] stolen by the goddess!"
Yuri also knew from spirit vision. This confirmed Godou's instincts.
Not only did she steal, she could also make use of them...
'Due to a lack of time, I was unable to make all of them my servants... Kusanagi-sama, please enjoy a battle with your own kindred!'
Informed by the goddess, Godou frowned.
The girls also looked up at the [White Stallion] with grim stares.
They too must have noticed the powerful godly powers residing in the flying divine horse. A troublesome foe had appeared, one vastly surpassing the "firebird" that had received the goddess' protection.
Part 3
"Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city. And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword."[22]
Erica chanted the spell words of smiting in order to wield the [Sacred Privilege of Extermination].
In response to her spell words, Cuore di Leone transformed from a slender longsword into a barbed lance. Simultaneously, an oval shield also manifested in the red knight's left hand.
"They warred against the Midianites, as the Lord commanded Moses; and they slew all the males! And they slew the kings of Midian!"[23]
It went without saying, this was Liliana's smiting.
Her magic saber, Il Maestro, transformed into a silver crafted longbow, a deadly weapon for firing sacred arrows of extermination.
These were the secret arts of combat magic that stood as the trump cards of European knights.
Nevertheless, their target was Kusanagi Godou's oft-used [White Stallion], the symbol of Verethragna as the heaven-sent child of the sun.
'Very well, Kusanagi-sama, the heavenly horse that transports the sun—Savor its power well. Fufu, even if its hooves of scorching flame happen to incinerate you completely, my secret drugs can still revive you from the ashes!'
"This is going beyond twisting my arms and legs off!"
Godou angrily retorted from the ground in response to the assertions made by the goddess' silhouette.
From the ashes—Godou was suddenly struck with a thought; immortal deities did indeed exist. In that case, gods capable of reviving the dead might actually exist.
Hopefully not to prove this point, the [White Stallion] charged straight towards him from the sky.
"Everyone, please do as we decided earlier. Hurry and run!"
Godou instantly yelled.
In his current condition, only one incarnation was actually available. In order to fight the most effectively under such restrictions, Godou had already discussed with the girls their battle plan for today.
Although contrary to expectations was the enemy's use of existences surpassing divine beasts as her servants—
But the fact remained unchanged that their plan was the best and only solution. Only that the risk of the "bait" role had vastly increased...
Erica, Yuri, Liliana and Ena all scattered according to plan.
This was to distance themselves from Godou. Just before she left, Erica seemed to be yelling something but Godou could not catch her words clearly.
The incoming [White Stallion] from the sky kicked Godou using its front legs. To him, it felt like being sent flying by a collision with a giant dump truck.
Godou felt pain from his body as if it was broken all over. He was blown high up into the air. In addition, the burning flames enveloping the [White Stallion] had spread over to his body.
Turned into a tumbler toy on fire, Godou flew through the sky.
The kicking attack did not kill him instantly, probably because he crossed his arms at the last moment to protect his head. In that case...
His remaining move could now be unleashed—!
"All evil-doers, tremble before my strength..."
Now awakened in Godou's body was combat power and endurance obtained in exchange for heavy injuries.
"Upon my mighty self, I shall bear the symbol of the raging camel!"
Falling down on the sand, Godou felt pain all over, but the [Camel] was the ferocious and stalwart incarnation with immense pain toleration. Thanks to this blessing, Godou could endure and stood up immediately.
Increasing his magical power at the same time, he dispelled the [White Stallion]'s flames on his body.
The golden flames he received had been scorching Godou's body until now.
An ordinary human probably would have burned completely, without even a bone remaining. However, these flames were not powerful enough to overcome a Campione's magical resistance and hence disappeared instantly.
Despite suffering burns all over his body, Godou was able to endure the current level of pain.
However, an ominous voice descended from the sky above.
'Fufufu. The show has only just begun, Kusanagi-sama. —O guardian of the righteous, I offer sacrifice and invite you. The one who grants victory and grace, I will perform justice, please direct me towards the light and the righteous path!'
Godou was greatly stunned. To think she was capable of using these spell words!?
Ignoring Godou in his state of shock, the [White Stallion] galloped through the sky once more. In the next instant, the white bronco transformed and expanded in the air.
Unbelievably, it became a gigantic beast measuring ten meters long!
A goat with jet black fur. As if swimming freely in the water, it flew leisurely through the air.
"It changed form...!?"
As Godou watched in shock, the black goat overhead—the [Goat] incarnation began to bleat.
BAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Instantly, the goat's giant body released an extra large bolt of lightning, striking mercilessly at Godou on the ground and his surroundings. Fortunately, Godou had already raised his magical power just now.
Even divine lightning should not be able to defeat a Campione so easily.
"Guh—huh!?"
Suffering the terrifying lightning strike, Godou found himself sprawling paralyzed on the beach.
Although pain was only natural, his entire body felt numb. During winter, one's fingertip often suffered pain from the shock of static electricity. The current feeling was now a thousand times more intense than that.
And the numbing pain was experienced throughout his body.
Godou surmised he had been bathed in quite a powerful electrical current. A throbbing pain now attacked his heart.
Incredibly, the lightning breached both a Campione's magical resistance and the [Camel]'s endurance, wrecking Godou's body to such an extent. The lightning's power had completely surpassed expectations.
However, the [Goat] flying in the sky had also exhausted almost all of its magical power.
The lightning just now should have depleted the majority of its usable power. In that case, a second strike was not coming—just as Godou concluded, yet another transformation took place.
The black goat turned back to the form of the [White Stallion].
Enveloped in golden flames, the white bronco flying in the sky—Fiercely kicking the air as it flew, the horse swiftly rose in height. Its figure vanished amidst the dark clouds covering the sky.
Immediately afterwards.
Wrapped in a golden explosion of flames, the [White Stallion] was crashing down like a burning meteorite.
The target was obviously Kusanagi Godou on the ground. Without any remaining strength to evade, Godou was currently lying collapsed on the beach. Furthermore, the [Ram] that had saved him numerous times from th
e verge of death was already stolen!
An unprecedented crisis. The two paladinos intervened at this very moment.
"Midian's destruction, hereby effected!"
Accompanied by spell words of destruction, Liliana shot an arrow of light.
Sniping at the [White Stallion] that was crashing towards the earth's surface like a meteor, the sacred silver bow shot an arrow that instantly split into eight, tracing out separate trajectories towards their prey. Since the [White Horse] was galloping towards Godou in a straight line, there was no way for it to evade the arrows.
All eight arrows found their mark.
The pure white body of the horse, beautiful and strong, was tragically pierced in eight separate locations, two each on its forehead, neck, chest and torso respectively. But in spite of that, the white stallion's descent did not slow down.
Enduring the severe injuries, it galloped towards Godou, bringing its flames along!
Just as the horse's fiery hooves were mere meters away from shattering Godou's with their kicks, Erica struck the horse of flame from the side.
"O horns, collapse the walls of Jericho!"
Sacred exterminators were briefly granted the ability to fly.
Using this power, Erica flew in a straight line, charging decisively. Striking the airborne [White Stallion] from the side, she stabbed with the tip of her lance.
A full-powered thrust with the lance. Even the [White Stallion] was blown away by this attack.
NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIGH!!
The white bronco fell and rolled on the beach, bringing Erica along with it as it neighed shrilly. It was a cry of pain. The blade of sacred extermination had buried itself into the [White Stallion]'s body, inflicting heavy injuries.
Erica swiftly stood up and brandished the lance.
She intended to make a final decisive thrust. However, another transformation took place.
First of all, the flames enveloping the pure white horse turned black in color.
Next, the slender face of the horse transformed into a sturdy bull's head. However, its torso was human—a human body covered with bulging muscles. Moreover, its size was expanding.
Immediately, the white horse had completely transformed into a five meter tall giant.
With a stalwart bull's head, this was a bull-headed giant. Furthermore, a layer of short, dense, black fur covered its entire body.
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