by Heretic God
What she really hated was the sun.
The glowing rays, the dazzling brilliance of his aethereal throne; this was the real irritant to this queen of the night.
However, it was just an irritant. At least it was nothing truly threatening.
The sun was also the flame of the spirit, an essential part of both life and death, graciously enduring this brilliance was also part of being a queen.
—— No.
This way of thinking was wrong in propriety, and even wronger in rectitude. Because she was still the [Heretic Goddess] Athena, because she still had not recovered her position of the tripartite queen.
Wafting in the remnants of her memory were the sighs of the mother, the rebukes of the queen, and the wisdom of the crone.
Inside this shattered body, once glorious, only remained the thought of striking against her father – the king of the heavens, controller of the sun, Zeus.
Just a short while longer.
All she needed was to take back the ancient representation of the [Serpent], the Gorgoneion, and she would truly become 'Athena'.
Standing above the wind and the waves, she was seeking any scent of the [Serpent]. Where was it? Where was it waiting for her? In the east? In that far off land to the east, was it with that person?
She gave a shallow smile.
The Gorgoneion was indeed near the scent of a familiar person.
In the end, it was him who stole the [Serpent]. The last time she had met a Campione was such a long time in the past; it was probably hundreds, no, thousands of years ago.
Facing her mortal enemy, Athena, in her aspect as a war goddess, erupted in a bloodthirsty shout.
——————————
"Ahh… Anna-san, thank you very much."
Godou unsteadily crawled out of the back seat of a very scarily driven car.
How fresh was the air outside!
Returning from the brink of death, anyone would believe the same thing.
'I never expected to sit in that mad, suicidal automotive ever again. No, I'll probably be in it a few months down the road.' – Godou had already resigned himself to his fate, but never expected 'The Terror' to come for him after just a few days.
The look on his face had to be horrible.
Even Erica, who just came out after him, was also very pale; an uncomfortable look on her face truly was a rare sight.
"Not at all, being of service to Godou-san and Erica-sama is my pleasure."
Arianna's smile bloomed across her face, and got out of the driver's seat.
She was able to act so nonchalantly after driving like a maniac. So she was abnormal as well.
—— After they found out about Athena.
Godou literally flew out of Nanao Shrine,
Of course, it was to go searching for the goddess. Besides, Erica had probably already found out her location. Asking her, Godou was not disappointed.
As he was about to leave with the Gorgoneion, Yuri shouted after him.
"How can you bring the one thing that Athena is looking for straight to her!? What is going through that skull of yours! Please leave it with me for the moment. Geez… I just don't know what to do with you!"
Yuri sighed in exasperation, and took the Gorgoneion from Godou.
However, what she said was true.
Godou suddenly realized how little real planning he had done for this, and felt extremely bad for Yuri, who was trying to help him.
Leaving the temple, Erica immediately phoned Anna.
'… I guess it was to be expected, huh?'
Of course she would bring someone fluent in Japanese with her.
Godou could accept what was going on up to that point. What broke down was that Anna appeared in a huge four-wheel drive car.
"… We don't have any time. If I had a choice, I wouldn't sit in that death machine either, but the only way we'll get to Athena quickly is by car."
Erica whispered just loudly enough for Godou to hear her. The rare expression on the face of the [Diavolo Rosso] was that of consternation.
"Does Anna-san even have an international license…? Forget that— there must be something wrong with the Italians, giving her a license in the first place!"
"In case you were wondering, apparently, she got her license in Japan."
And so the both of them foisted the blame onto each other. Sadly however, there was no point crying over spilt milk.
So Godou and Erica consoled themselves with the old adage, and entered the back seat. The moment when both put on their seatbelts, the unassuming vehicle suddenly became a flash of lightning.
They were probably in there for about an hour?
Perhaps it was even shorter, but their bodies felt as though they had suffered for that long.
In addition, although this was an automatic, the speed felt no different from Godou's previous experience.
The car, going at almost a hundred kilometers an hour, managed to safely go round the roundabout without causing any accident, and for that Godou almost cried in joy.
'It's been such a long time since I've smelt the ocean air.'
At least, that was what Godou thought as he looked at a nameless stretch of sand that was far removed from Narashino city.
"Athena is somewhere near here. Godou, come with me. Arianna, wait here."
Erica spoke, while taking a chain from the end of a small pocket watch.
Then she wrapped it around her middle finger, and then shook it around the area.
It looked like some form of investigative magic.
Whenever she wanted to find something, Erica would often use this sort of spell; in fact, she probably did the same thing to find Godou at Nanao Shrine.
"I understand. Please be careful, okay?"
Anna bowed deeply, and watched the two leave.
Erica walked towards the coastline, and Godou simply followed behind.
She strode with a definite sense of purpose; it seemed as though she was very sure where Athena was.
"Hey, does Anna-san always drive like that?"
Godou asked when he made sure Anna was out of sight.
It was already past five o'clock.
The two walked on the orange, tousled scrub near the sea.
Although wave-breakers were sticking out into the water and seawalls on the beach so that you couldn't simply jump into the sea, the view was still quite amazing.
"Of course! Arianna is amazing— someone who drives like that and yet has never had an accident or hurt anyone, is in a sense a natural genius at driving."
"I feel the same… although you don't see it at first, isn't she a little bit too airheaded? She has absolutely no idea of it herself."
"There's nothing wrong with that. Arianna is intelligent, dedicated, hardworking and even funny— she's basically perfect. Although she has four flaws, they are only small problems."
… Let's not get into 'intelligent', what do you mean by 'funny'?
When the word 'funny' comes out of Erica's mouth, it means the equivalent of 'deadly poison' to the average person.
"Just out of interest, can you tell me what these four flaws are?"
"Her driving is extremely dangerous, she had no aptitude in martial and magical arts, her stews and soups are bad enough to make a child cry just from their smell, and although her work is regularly perfect, a big accident will occur every three days —— these are the four points."
'…These flaws are things that a knight and a maid can't afford to have, right?'
'But Erica always preferred (at least, that's how I see it) entertaining and funny things over the simple and practical. If it's that way, it makes more sense.'
The two discussed this completely irrelevant subject as they walked along.
The meeting with the silver haired girl —— the [Heretical Goddess], was about ten minutes after that.
They had no idea how she got it, but she wore a thin wool jacket, a miniskirt and knee-high socks, and above her silvery h
air she wore a knitted cap.
The sea breeze wafted up her hair which sparkled, as though reflecting the brilliance of the moon.
—— There was no doubt about it.
This little goddess always made Godou think of 'darkness'.
"It has been some time, Campione. I am delighted at our reunion."
The girl spoke the antiquated phrase with a clear, feminine voice.
Godou replied unhappily, even coldly:
"Well, I'm pissed, because you guys go around disturbing people's calm and happy lives for no apparent reason. To tell the truth, you're a pain in the ass."
"For a divine child of Epimetheus to take such a moral tone, thou art truly a unique Campione."
She narrowed her eyes in reply.
Although Athena didn't give off an air of combat, it didn't mean that they could now relax. The actions and thoughts of the gods are not fathomable by man.
"Let us first make assay. One carries the divine title of Athena— thou wouldst do well to remember it."
Finally, the name came from the person herself.
Forget Greece, even amongst the states around the Mediterranean it was the greatest amongst the goddesses there. If only she gave another name…
"Campione of the East, reveal thy name. Before our contest of supremacy for the relic of the [Serpent], one requires to know the name of one's opponent."
Dark eyes which were devoid of any feeling.
Athena spoke without emotion.
"I should have no reason to fight with you."
"Thou have taken the Gorgoneion from its ancient metropolis. Those… conjurers set you up to it, didn't they? Whoever takes the [Serpent] away from oneself, qualifies as one's enemy. Our fight is inevitable."
Although Godou was quite sure she was referring to mages, Athena didn't even glance at Erica.
While she had some idea of magical organizations, she didn't care in the slightest who they were; in her eyes, only Godou was of any significance.
"One graciously awaits thy nomenclature."
"Kusanagi Godou, and she is Erica Blandelli. Even if you are a goddess, it's still extremely rude to ignore someone completely."
Godou looked at Erica, and then gave his name.
"Kusanagi Godou— what an unfamiliar name. A masculine title of foreigners, is it? One shall remember it well."
Unsurprisingly, Athena simply disregarded any mention of Erica.
The girl at Godou's side understood, of course, and she slowly but surely created a gap, so that she would not be in the way of Godou and Athena, while softly muttering to herself ——
Godou could see that she was definitely not getting along well with the goddess.
Her gaze was saying, 'stop chatting and just beat each other up already!'
Naturally, Godou ignored it, and glanced around.
No one was around. Even though there was nothing stopping people from coming here, without the exception of Godou and Erica, there were no other humans around —— was this because of Athena?
Perhaps she didn't want unnecessary attention.
A divine aura needs only a thought to affect humans.
As long as Athena was here, people would never come here. As long as gods were around, they could and would change the actions and thoughts of the humans around.
Of course, most divinities would not be in the human realm, but there were obvious exceptions.
Those familiar with the gods called them [Heretical Deities].
"And if it please thee, Kusanagi Godou, one shall ask of thou again. Where does the Gorgoneion now lie?"
"Please… do you think that I'll actually tell you?"
"Nay, but it was necessary to make confirmation. Part of one now yearns to clash arms, confirms thee to be a foe, thirsts to slake the battle-lust. But another part of one, the goddess of wisdom, wishes to make this warning."
Athena's dark eyes spiraled into the abyss, but seemed to flash alight in amusement.
Godou thought he remembered seeing a gaze like that before… where was it?
"Thou truly art a distinctively different Campione, The strength thou seized from one's compatriot ought to be paltry, yet one's wisdom tell one that thou art an exceedingly dangerous foe, and one might suffer surprisingly deep wounds… just as a trap causes one to feel menaced."
An owl.
Godou suddenly had that thought.
Athena's eyes seemed very similar to that of an owl.
The Goddess in human form and the nocturnal avian of course have completely different eyes. Yet, his instinct as a Campione told him that the two were the same —— but why?
"So, one will ask you a question. How thou doth reply shall determine our relation henceforth. One is Athena, the goddess of both martial and intellectual pursuits. Thou may surrender or take up the challenge. Tell one, what is thine reply?"
"If I could, I'd like to solve this peacefully too, but…"
Although it was a surprising compromise, he couldn't just hand over the Gorgoneion.
Godou desperately decided to try another option.
"I refuse both. I have another idea— just give up on the Gorgoenion, and go back. Rather than making us both suffer, this is the more humane option."
One cannot measure the strength of a god.
One cannot describe the power of a god.
Even in the form of a human, the strength Athena kept contained in her body was unfathomable. Even just meeting a god, just talking to one, could cause the hearts and minds of humans to fluctuate.
Facing Athena who was already this powerful, Godou was determined to avoid making her use even stronger abilities.
Even so, Godou still wished to avoid a fight; could everyone find some leeway in their hearts, and come to conclusion without harm for anyone? Facing such a (surprisingly) reasonable goddess, he sincerely presented this idea.
…This was bad.
Facing a constantly nearing Athena, Godou still let down his guard.
"Thou speaketh the truth. Battle between gods and Campione can only bring both to grief— there can be no real result. However, there is yet another way to settle this matter."
They were now an arm's length from each other.
"One's deepest apologies, Kusanagi Godou. Thou art a most compassionate and loving man, for a Campione. However, 'tis undeniable that you are a warrior, and even more sadly, also a king. In thine defense, someday thou might emerge to be a great hero, though it is a day that will sadly never arrive —— please forgive one."
Before she finished speaking, she wrapped her arms behind his head.
What was she trying to do? Godou didn't even have the time to form that thought, when Athena rose on her toes and, with her cherry-red lips, planted a kiss firmly on Godou's own.
Athena rose on her toes and, with her cherry-red lips, planted a kiss firmly on Godou's own.
"——?"
He was too shocked to even respond.
"One seekth the Gorgoneion. Restest in repose, Kusanagi Godou. Thy breath, thy very life has been grasped by Athena. Go thy lonely ways to the dark recesses of the earth, the cold, empty halls of the dead."
The moment she kissed him, Athena began her incantation, and with it a deathly chill seeped through Godou's body —— damn.
This was an incantation of death.
He felt his every limb grow cold, and the flame of life began to pall.
No, hang on.
Why would a goddess of battle and wisdom know such an incantation?
Even though gods were a pretty messed up lot, they were all very scrupulous in keeping to their specifications. For example, gods who had nothing to do with fire or mountains couldn't get volcanoes to explode, while those who were not affiliated with water and the sea were unable to flood places.
So did that mean that Athena was some sort of death god?
"Just as the famous trick before the walls of Troy[1E 7], thou truly doth have no defense… Hmm? Even though thou hast received one's g
ift of eternal sleep, yet thine eyes are so interesting."
Forcing his knees from bending, Godou kept glaring at Athena.
A goddess of wisdom and war, closely affiliated with the [Serpent], a dweller in darkness; Godou could only wonder what the real face of the goddess was.
…That said, he remembered reading something at home before (when he was bored).
In the West, the owl was the sign of wisdom, the messenger and symbol of the goddess of wisdom Minerva, and there was a saying that "the owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of dusk." [1E 8]
And this Minerva was the Roman appellation given to the Greek Athena.
This goddess related to both snakes and owls —— just who was she?
"A gaze filled with wisdom. How stubborn— or is it determination? But 'tis a pity. Even with thine determination, without the will to take arms all comes to naught. Determination without force is useless on the battlefield."
Athena's tone of voice displayed the entertainment she found from Godou's useless struggles.
…His sight was getting increasingly blurry.
And just as death opened its gaping maw, Godou faintly heard Erica's voice.
"Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani! My God! Why hast thou forsaken me!"
Erica loudly proclaimed that dirge-like incantation, that strongest of spells.
"Though each bone of my body is shattered, my heartache melts like a lit candle. You shall bury me in the dust of dead earth! Wild dogs surround me, evil company hems me in!"
'She really is an amazing woman.' – Godou couldn't help but respect that.
Even if Erica was a mage, she was in the end only a human, yet she still planned to take on a god.
"O Lord my Savior, I beseech you— aid me! Snatch me away from the weapons of the enemy, snatch me from the jaws of the lion, snatch me from the horns of the bull!"
Even if Erica was a very intelligent person, there was no chance of victory against a god.
And there was no need to ask what her reason was; it was obviously to save him. 'So, I can't die here. I can't let Erica risk death for nothing!'
—— For I am strongest amongst the strong. Truly, I am one that holds each and every victory.
—— I care not whom challenges me, whether man or devil; I may face all my foes and all my enemies. Regardless, I shall crush all those who wouldst stand in my way!