Campione 13

by Princess Goddess of the South Seas

  The mortal enemy in the form of a pubescent girl with silver hair and eyes of night.

  The goddess bound to him by a strange twist of fate. How nostalgic to recall the opponent who vexed him by escaping after her victory, it was a lonely feeling. Heretic Athena—

  'Farewell is unneeded. One day, this goddess shall return, reincarnated, to seek you for revenge. Because no matter when, the only one allowed to defeat Kusanagi Godou is this goddess!'

  The bold declaration uttered at the point of farewell.

  Her fighting spirit was completely opposite to the "femininity" displayed by the current goddess Godou was fighting. Rather than bold, one would prefer to describe her as noble. And there were her words.

  The one and only parting gift she had given...

  —the [Gate] had opened for but an instant.

  Creation of heaven and earth. The death and birth of stars. The blade forged through the goddess' wisdom.

  That was it. They had also banked on Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi back then. The steel that greedily devoured the enemy's power to assimilate as its own. That characteristic was essential for a drastic move.

  If you are in need of strength at this time, why not infuse me, the divine sword, with the most powerful wisdom—?

  "Godou, what's with you?" "Kusanagi Godou!?" "Your Majesty...?"

  The voices of his companions sounded distant.

  However, what occupied Godou's field of view was neither the sight of the girls in their swimsuits nor the emerald-green sea. It was a pair of eyes. Owl eyes shining amidst darkness.

  Godou also sensed it. He sensed a "certain secret technique" dormant within his body.

  "Godou-san... Please pull yourself together!"

  Suddenly, he felt someone touch his hand. The tactile sensation caused Godou to return to himself.

  Brought back to his senses, Godou found Yuri by his side. She had placed her hands over Godou's hands that were holding Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi.

  Erica, Liliana and Ena watched with a face of wonderment.

  Godou shook his head hazily. He seemed to have caught a glimpse just now. Heaven and earth's creation, the technique embodying destruction and creation. The wisdom of the universe left behind by the goddess of earth and darkness—

  "...Ugh. What on earth is this..."

  Carved into the depths of his heart and mind, a powerful secret technique in the abyss.

  A relic left behind by the deceased rival. The gate was currently opening. However, this wisdom was far too colossal. Given Godou's capacity instead of a goddess', comprehension should be impossible regardless.

  No good. It was impossible to control no matter what.

  Precious long-awaited power was obtained yet it was going to be wasted... Just at this moment.

  "Godou-san. Please look at me. Do not worry."

  Once again reminded by Yuri's voice, Godou jumped in surprise.

  The Hime-Miko was staring directly into Godou's eyes. Her adorable and beautiful face was pressed rather near. It was almost like past times when she transmitted knowledge about gods.

  Finding himself at this type of close separation, Godou began to panic. But thanks to that, his sense of self returned.

  He was also greatly surprised by Yuri's murmuring whispers.

  "Steel embodying the birth and death of stars... The dark blade of heaven and earth's creation. The flames of the scorching jet-black divine sword... I saw them too."

  Yuri spoke solemnly. She was having a spirit vision.

  The other girls were staring at the Hime-Miko with amazement. Moreover, Yuri's eyes had changed to the color of glass at some point in time.

  Godou realized at this time.

  Eyes the color of glass. Radiant flaxen-colored hair. These characteristics belonged to the Princess of Glass residing in the Netherworld.

  Yuri's current appearance was the splitting image of the Netherworld's noble one. Speaking of which, Yuri's hair color was heavily shaded brown for a Yamato Nadeshiko.

  Godou began to wonder for no apparent reason. Suppose the Princess of Glass was the root of the Hime-Miko bloodline.

  Then the Hime who most strongly displayed the inherited blood and spiritual powers of the distant ancestor—wouldn't that happen to be Mariya Yuri?

  "The secret technique the goddess left behind in Godou-san's body... I think it is probably through the opened gate that I am able to see it... Let us forge it together."

  Godou was rendered dumbfounded by Yuri's resolute proposal.

  "Let us forge. To forge the sword of the beginning and the end. I shall guide you."

  Part 5

  Over the sea in the cove, the [Boar] finally finished materializing.

  A stalwart black boar's head, chest, front legs, torso, rear end and even hind legs were already manifested, surfacing on the sea like a giant whale. The only remaining body part still shrouded in flames was the tail.

  "Let us take this opportunity to make an attempt."

  Liliana suggested softly and drew her sacred bow of silver.

  Injecting the privilege of extermination, she shot an arrow of light.

  Although the beach where she stood was roughly two hundred meters from the [Boar]'s location on the sea, the arrow from a paladino's arsenal flew straight across this distance instantly.

  The target was the [Boar]'s eyeball. But the instant before the splendid shot would meet its mark...

  The arrow of light was deflected as if it had struck an invisible barrier.

  oooooooooooooooooooo...

  The [Boar]'s low growl sounded like gloating over a victory.

  "I knew it, this level of attack is not going to work."

  "It's acting like it's taunting us... Rather than an incarnation of Godou's that was stolen, the [Boar] looks more like a rebel. Why is that?"

  Standing by Liliana, Erica nodded her head as she frowned.

  The two knights' mission was to stall for as much time as possible, until Godou, Yuri and Ena's Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi completed the necessary preparations.

  As the two knights stood ready on the beach for this purpose, the enemy finally started to move.

  ROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAR!!

  Most familiar to the knights, the howling resounding.

  The black [Boar] had materialized completely. Like a beached whale, the twenty-meter body of brawn was charging towards the land!

  Like a speed boat racing across the water, the [Boar] rushed with astounding speed and vigor.

  "Lily. Let's concentrate everything on the first strike!"

  "Why!?"

  "Not just limited to size and appearance, the [Boar]'s personality could very well be the same as before, right?"

  "I see. Tactics for dealing with a child's temper tantrum!"

  A brief battle conference.

  For the longtime pair, the exchange was quite sufficient.

  Immediately, Liliana transformed her weapon.

  Earlier, it had taken the form of bow and arrows to apply the sacred privilege of extermination. Now, it was changing forms to a long-shafted weapon with a saber's blade, the naginata.

  Then it came—

  ROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAR!!

  With speed that a gigantic monster should not possess, the [Boar] reached the beach and began roaring as soon as it landed.

  Then it flashed its ferocious gaze as it glanced about its surroundings, searching for its prey—the god-slayer Kusanagi Godou whom the Fire Goddess had designated as the target.

  It completely disregarded the two paladinos. Liliana took flight at this time.

  "O wings of Artemis!"

  The exterminator form conferred powers of flight. At the same time, Liliana was already a witch skilled in flying.

  Enveloped in blue light and tracing a trajectory even smoother than Erica's, Liliana flew towards the air above the [Boar].

  While in mid-flight, she slashed the [Boar]'s back.

  However, the blade could not cut. In the instant of co
ntact, the black monster's body gave off an invisible shockwave, blowing away the sacred blade and Liliana.

  "Guh!?"

  Struck by the shockwave while in flight, Liliana lost balance.

  But she nimbly adjusted her posture and resumed flying. Several seconds later, she took up a position overlooking the [Boar]'s muscular back and hovered motionlessly in the air.

  Meanwhile, the [Boar] continued to head towards the island's interior with an expression of derision.

  From its perspective, Liliana was probably recognized as just a little flying bird.

  "So what deflected the arrow just now was this..."

  Liliana turned her gaze towards the ground. Erica had already completed preparations to charge.

  Enveloped in red light, she readied her shield and barbed lance.

  Liliana smiled smugly. The slash she performed just now was like a reward in passing. The "first strike" mentioned by her longtime friend and rival referred to what was coming next.

  Next, the two knights chanted spell words simultaneously, from the air and from the ground respectively.

  "O Saint Manuel, play the music of the heavens, manifesting angel's wings on my arms!"

  "O Archangel Gabriel, bestow blessings in protection from the lion's tyranny!"

  Erica and Liliana's weapons carried the sacred privilege of extermination.

  These spell words composed a blessing for a one-time amplification of their abilities through a massive infusion of magical power. Although it could not strike the enemy with equal might, this was sufficient.

  Their goal was not the [Boar]'s defeat but simply to attract its attention. All they needed to do afterwards was leave the rest to the [King]!

  " "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!" "

  The two knights yelled as the charged towards the [Boar].

  Erica kicked the ground and flew up towards the black divine beast's face.

  Although she could not perform agile turns and hover motionless in midair on Liliana's level of aerial mobility, the red knight was clearly much faster when traveling in a straight line.

  Aiming at the [Boar]'s face, she made a thrust with her lance towards the eyeball on the right!

  Furthermore, Liliana was descending rapidly as if tracing out an arc. Likewise she slashed the blade of the naginata towards the right eyeball!

  —Huff. The [Boar] snorted violently, releasing shockwaves from all over its body.

  These shockwaves were supposed to blow away the two sacred weapons together with the knights. However, Erica and Liliana were able to withstand them, having amplified the privilege of extermination.

  The two of them put all their strength into the attack!

  GROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAN!

  Painful roars were emitted from the [Boar]'s gaping jaws, causing the sky and the air to vibrate.

  Erica's lance tip was buried deeply while Liliana's blade also severed the eyeball sharply.

  This was not simply destruction of the eyeball. Using sacred might capable of slaughtering even divine subordinates, they thrust their weapons through the eyeball and into the depths of the [Boar]'s skull, to the location corresponding to the brain.

  Even a divine beast should have suffered a fatal injury—

  However, the [Boar]'s remaining left eye began to swivel vigorously, glaring at the two knights before its eye with clear wrath.

  Then immediately, it emitted an intense roar.

  ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

  This time, the knights could no longer withstand the impact.

  Erica and Liliana were both blown away by the roar's shockwaves and sent crashing towards the ground.

  Falling on the sandy beach, they kept rolling. Were they not protected by the privilege of extermination, they would probably have been smashed to pieces.

  "What an irate fellow as expected. We are nothing in its eyes, but that's exactly how we landed the first strike successfully as planned—"

  "Undefeated even by this, it has completely surpassed the rank of ordinary divine beasts!"

  "It's probably as strong as when under Godou's direct control. The goddess must have infused her power into it!"

  Barely managing to stand up, Erica and Liliana nodded at each other.

  Turning their gaze, they found the [Boar] glaring viciously down at the two of them, its remaining left eye seething with wrath and hatred.

  In addition, the black divine beast had forgotten its original goal.

  "Just as we had hoped, we now have its attention. An irate fellow indeed."

  "Then we just need to continue attracting its attention. Until Godou and Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi arrive. Time to fly like a butterfly, Lily."

  "I would not harbor much optimism for stinging like a bee... It's coming!"

  ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

  The [Boar] finally rushed towards them, accompanied by a thunderous roar.

  Displaying the same intense furor it directed towards destroying giant structures, it seemed to be charging straight to crush Erica and Liliana.

  Its roars rocked the ocean and shook the land as shockwaves.

  The two knights' mission was to buy time for the [King]. The telling blow was inflicted in hopes of the [Boar]'s tendency to get carried away on whim. This led to the [Boar] attacking them, forgetting its initial target of Kusanagi Godou.

  The plan went off smoothly, but there was still a problem.

  One could probably consider powering up on whim a trait of those who get carried away easily. Moreover, the [Boar] was clearly one who possessed such tendencies.

  Powered by wrath and vigor, the black divine beast displayed more savagery than usual. Dancing like butterflies, Erica and Liliana engaged the enemy in a desperate battle.

  Meanwhile, the Hime-Miko of the Sword was—

  Her irreplaceable "partner," Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, was stabbed into the ground.

  "I implore you, Ama no Murakumo. Drain the divine spirit of heaven and earth to become His Majesty's new power!"

  Ena prayed as she yelled.

  Although she was unable to fight any further, she was still able to act as the divine sword's manager.

  While retreating to the back of the beach as she watched the red and blue knights battle the [Boar], she completed her task.

  The jet-black steel standing majestically on the beautiful beach of pure white—

  Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi was now absorbing everything. Absorbing the essence of the water and the earth in this island. Absorbing the life nurturing blessings of mother earth goddesses.

  One more thing.

  "Due to being in this situation, even that English prince's authority can also be absorbed!"

  Even the labyrinth's magical powers apparently left behind by England's Campione were being absorbed.

  This authority originated from Minos, the bull-headed god of the land. Its divine power carried the same qualities as what Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi hungered for.

  In that case, it would be wrong not to take these powers. Ena's actions were quite appropriate.

  As Godou relied on his companions' efforts, the preparation of Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi was almost complete.

  Godou watched Ena from behind as she concentrated on her task, then turned his gaze towards Erica and Liliana's battle with the [Boar] in the distance as he asked the Hime-Miko standing beside him:

  "So Mariya, tell me. What should I do next?"

  "I saw the technique of heaven and earth's creation—I will use the power of psychic sensing to transmit the contents to you, Godou-san. After that, just use the imperial blade of Ama no Murakumo to perform it."

  Yuri explained eloquently.

  "However, I can only transmit knowledge within the realm of understanding provided by my spiritual senses. Furthermore, you will likely suffer all sorts of discomfort. Please prepare yourself mentally before proceeding to receive."

  "You mean I won't be able to perform it if it's incom
plete?"

  "Not only that. This should be wizardry accompanied with immense risk and danger, as only befitting for the technique created by the goddess Athena, using the Divine Sword of Salvation for reference."

  Yuri was talking about wizardry no human body could withstand.

  Nevertheless, Godou had to go through with it. If this battle continued as is, defeat would likely be the final outcome. It was time to stake everything he had.

  For the sake of defeating the mysterious Fire Goddess, to let everyone leave the island.

  Turning his gaze, Godou found Erica and Liliana running all over the place, chased by the [Boar]. Their aim was not to defeat the beast but simply divert its attention away from Godou and the two Hime-Miko.

  However, the [Boar] was not simply a monster with a gigantic body.

  It possessed terrifying power combined with astounding speed and acceleration.

  It could instantly close distances even up to a hundred meters, raising its front legs to trample everyone on the ground. It was even capable of firing shockwaves as a ranged weapon to attack a wide area.

  Trying to keep this kind of monster pinned down in such a narrow beach—

  The ground's foundation could not possibly hold. The instant Erica and Liliana stopped moving, the [Boar] was probably going to take their lives.

  "Okay, let's do it. I think it's great that no one on the island is a stranger. After all, I can't act this reckless in other places."

  "Yes. If this was happening in Tokyo, I could not help you."

  Godou's heartfelt comment was met with Yuri's answer in the same tone of voice.

  This was a feeling Godou could never resonate with Erica and Ena. Presumably thinking of the same thing, Godou and Yuri smiled wryly simultaneously.

  However, their expressions tensed immediately and they turned to face each other again.

  "Well then, Mariya, I am relying on you, do it!"

  "Y-Yes, Godou-san. L-Let us do it together!"

  " "......" "

  The sudden discrepancy in meaning compelled the pair to gaze into each other's eyes.

  What Godou meant was for her to apply psychic sensing and "do it." But Yuri's answer seemed to imply that they "do it together." Was the spirit power of psychic sensing not something that the Hime-Miko applied on Godou?