Campione 09

by Return of the Goddess

  For the current two people present, this situation was a bit too inappropriate?!

  "Look, an empty can over there. Let's play kick the can?"

  "It's no fun with only two people, right? Or maybe it's not that fun anyway."

  Just as expected, the conversation quickly became awkward and meaningless.

  If the other person was Erica, Liliana or Yuri, she would likely have taken other measures to get intimate.

  Nevertheless, Godou felt reassured.

  Although he had gained some familiarity, he still did not have much confidence in getting along with girls.

  "Ah, there's even a soccer ball here. Back when Ena was a child, I'd mix myself into the boys' games and defeat them completely."

  "But then again, beach soccer isn't something for two people to play..."

  Ena recalled her childhood memories of personal athletics.

  She must have been the type to dribble the ball alone, repeatedly penetrating the defense to score.

  He already had one of those super athletes amongst his companions — Erica, who relied on individual performance even in team matches. Ena was probably the same kind of player as her. If they played baseball, they would probably be trump card fourth hitter material.

  "Well in that case, it finally comes to this? There happens to be two, just the right number."

  Ena bent over to pick up two branches, each less than a meter long. Most likely driftwood brought to the beach by the waves.

  "This is a duel between two people. Ena versus Your Majesty one on one would be nice."

  "Nice? I can't defeat Seishuuin that easily."

  "Ah, come to think of it, Your Majesty doesn't know any swordsmanship or martial arts. If other people went through the same experiences as Your Majesty, they'd probably rush off to learn some self defense in a last ditch effort."

  "Really? But I don't think it'd be particularly fruitful."

  Godou was reminded of Salvatore Doni.

  That man's existence was proof of the fruitlessness of that course of action.

  For idiot Doni, only training in swordsmanship was meaningful. First of all, he was an unorthodox genius, and secondly, mastery of swordsmanship would enhance the power of that guy's authority.

  In contrast, Kusanagi Godou was not a genius. Even if he trained for fifty years, he would probably not develop martial arts to a level that could match gods or Doni.

  In that case, he should figure out how to use his own advantages to match those monsters instead —

  Because following the same path as that guy is definitely not the way to defeat him.

  ...No no, wait a minute.

  Could it be possible that as a Campione, Godou himself had already been deeply influenced by that idiot?

  Godou began shaking his head in an attempt to dismiss the unpleasant possibility.

  "Anyway, let's first decide how to play with this thing... How about this?"

  Godou received a branch from Ena.

  Using the tip he drew a large tic-tac-toe grid on the beach, and marked the center with an "O."

  "Your Majesty wants to play this... If that's the case, Ena will follow suit."

  Ena drew an "X" on another spot.

  Finally, the two competed in games of tic-tac-toe.

  "Together with the kids who played baseball, I used to play this a lot."

  "Ah, I know it. As a child, I only had occasional free time. Though many children had handheld games, Ena did not."

  "Seishuuin always played outdoors when you were a child like me?"

  "Uh huh. Probably until third grade or so. Very naughty, right? But very soon, swordsmanship and Hime-Miko training began. And there were other things to learn too. Often traveling to the mountains, Ena no longer had time for those kinds of pastimes."

  "Ah... So Seishuuin had all sorts of responsibilities. You must have been quite busy."

  The child of nature who took pride in her swordsmanship. The talented girl equally well-versed in classical learning and martial arts. As a Hime-Miko, a Yamato Nadeshiko skilled in various areas.

  Her complicated experiences could not have been cultivated in one day. Godou's childhood achievement was improving his baseball ability. Overall, he felt he could empathize with the great sacrifices Ena had made for the sake of building up all those accomplishments.

  "I can't come to Your Majesty's side very often these days, which is why I wanted to see you at the school festival. Now that I think about it, I have never gone out for fun with Your Majesty and the rest of the group."

  Ena continued to talk as she played tic-tac-toe.

  Rather than an intensifying competition, it was more like a game for killing time as they chatted.

  "If that's the case, just come next time."

  "Eh?"

  Godou's expression naturally became very warm and gentle.

  Without really knowing how to express her femininity, Ena's personality was rather simple and laid-back. There were a couple unnecessarily stubborn aspects and occasions when she was very hard to get along with. But they could all be attributed to her unusual upbringing, which likely gave her little chance for normal social contact.

  "I still have two more years before I graduate. Even if you missed this time's, Seishuuin, you can still come next year. So like I said, there are more chances. I will gladly accompany you any number of times."

  It was hard to believe, but Seishuuin Ena was a very easy girl to get along with.

  There was no other girl that he could spend time like this as if she was a male friend. She would be most welcome to visit any time she wanted.

  Concluding with such a feeling, Godou smiled reassuringly.

  "Ah okay. Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm very happy to hear that coming from you."

  "You don't have to thank this kind of thing. That's too polite."

  "Ah, but then again, isn't Your Majesty frequently in danger? Isn't it a concern whether you'll live to see this time next year? But don't worry, no matter what, Ena will always guard Your Majesty with her life!"

  "Don't say something so foreboding. I still intend to live a good life and die peacefully!"

  The two chatted casually, joking around. But Ena suddenly frowned.

  She threw away the branch and stood up. With a wary gaze she surveyed the surroundings. Without asking "what's the matter?", Godou also stood up silently.

  It was at this very moment that the intruder's identity was revealed.

  "It's here, Your Majesty. Please be careful."

  Ena whispered softly. The Hime-Miko of the Sword directed her gaze towards the other side of the beach — near where a boat was parked.

  A young girl was approaching from there. The familiar face of a beautiful pubescent girl. Nevertheless, that power and solemnity emanating from her body definitely belonged to no ordinary human.

  "...It's her."

  Godou felt his body brimming with power, having entered a state of battle.

  He had already sensed immediately that the one approaching was a god, the mortal enemy of every Devil King Campione. However, her identity was most unexpected, even to Godou.

  The young goddess slowly made her way over. Heretic Athena was her name.

  Part 4

  "How fares thee? Kusanagi Godou!"

  The goddess called out loudly. Her eyes were entirely focused on Kusanagi Godou.

  She completely ignored Seishuuin Ena beside him. To Goddess Athena, even the premier Hime-Miko's existence was akin to weeds or pebbles on the roadside.

  On the other hand, the Hime-Miko of the Sword took out her Japanese sword from its bag.

  She entered a battle stance — But Godou signaled with his eyes, ordering her to stand down. This opponent was out of her league.

  "One arriveth once more, to ascertain thou fulfillest thy promise of past."

  "Promise... That one?"

  In the battle against Perseus, Athena had bestowed upon him the hint to deciphering the mysterious divine hero's iden
tity.

  Without a doubt, he had a made promise then. He definitely had to return the favor and accept one request from the goddess.

  "One hath but a single wish. A duel, Kusanagi Godou."

  Athena's eyes were infused with golden light.

  Fluctuating with a seductive brightness, those serpentine eyes flashed brilliantly in the dark night.

  "Like blazing fires which die down and burn out before long. Like wind strongly swirling into a vortex, gone quickly like the passage of a hurricane. Thou shalt fight with one and scatter the beautiful sparks of battle!"

  "What!?"

  Even though he had been instantly bewitched by the snake's seduction, Godou immediately yelled out.

  "I should have said so at the time. I will not accept requests that bring trouble to others. Have you any idea how much destruction will result from a battle between us!?"

  "When a god dueleth a god-slayer, 'tis only natural for the people to be sacrificed."

  Such incomparable stupidity — was what Athena's eyes of despise seemed to be saying.

  "Certainly there will be sacrifices if we fight. Dost not forget, thy fellow humans trample grass and flowers beneath their feet as they walk the earth. 'Tis the same principle."

  Sigh. Realizing what the goddess was trying to convey, Godou had nothing more to say.

  After all, gods were all identical in this regard!

  "Such are the constant ways of heaven and earth. Worryest not thyself, Kusanagi Godou."

  Gods were set apart by their mentality of not caring for any individual human.

  All humans on earth were indiscriminately grouped together as simply "humanity." Even if half of the world population were to die, it would only feel like "oh, humanity still survives" to them. This must be why the concrete thought of "people died, cities destroyed, trouble caused everywhere" never occurred to them?

  That was what Godou reckoned.

  "Our battle shall cause people to collapse, the earth to suffer, and the heavens to sigh. But no matter, humanity and nature constantly endures suffering for endless repetition. We only need to rouse our hearts in excitement and rage on."

  "How can that be acceptable! Stop talking nonsense!"

  Godou could not stop himself from shouting gruffly.

  To this goddess of wisdom perhaps it would come as a surprise or be regarded as desecration.

  "Anyway, I don't want to hear such a wish. Choose a new one!"

  "Nay, those words cannot be taken back."

  Athena coldly rejected Godou's refusal.

  "As a god-slayer, thou art still an immature brat who hath hardly lived as a Devil King. As a result, one had hoped to wait until the fruit ripeneth. One wanted to rely on this immortal life, patiently waiting for the proper time of harvest. However, the leisure for that, no longer existeth..."

  The goddess' appearance remained the same, that of a beautiful young girl's.

  However, that beauty was certainly like a great serpent standing before its prey. Staring with serpentine eyes, baring snake fangs hidden deep within those red lips. Violent and ferocious as a snake!

  Noticing Athena's fighting spirit, Godou secretly trembled in fright.

  "So, dost not hold back and fight. Tonight shall be our final duel."

  "Damn it, no other way..."

  Faced with Athena's fierce advances, Godou made his decision.

  Battle was unavoidable. In that case he must come up with a plan to handle it. He must find a way to minimize human casualties and property damage. He must stay as far away as possible from city streets, and contain the goddess with all his power. Though he could not be certain if that was possible, that was the only way —

  "Hmph, those are irrelevant concerns, god-slayer."

  But suddenly, Athena whispered softly to Godou as he racked his brains.

  Cold as a snake, but also with a slightly disappointed tone of voice. She was like a senior looking at a junior from far above, worrying about his immaturity, hoping he would show dramatic improvement and growth.

  "A hero destined to become a fierce tiger, but merely a tiger's cub right now. Thou mayst carry a warrior's instinct, but a warrior's mettle is still lacking by far."

  Godou gradually became intrigued.

  Why? Why did she change her tone of voice after those fierce words earlier?

  "Fu— In that case, one shall mercifully do thee a favor once more. Forgetst the request for now. Kusanagi Godou shall be shown his foolishness!"

  The goddess bore a fearless smile, and turned to leave.

  In the direction she had come from. Step by step, she walked away from Godou.

  "To prepare the proper stage for our unfavorable destiny. When the time cometh, thou shalt display thy mettle to this goddess. Only then shalt thou be worthy of bargaining with one!"

  So she means she will be back?

  Listening to those words of farewell, Godou stared blankly at Athena's departure.

  "She's gone, Your Majesty. That was the one who came to Tokyo earlier in spring this year..."

  "Ah yes. The great snake goddess..."

  Godou replied hoarsely to Ena who had kept a stance ready to draw her sword.

  Without a doubt, that was Heretic Athena.

  However, something did not feel right. Godou could only feel there was something, but could not express into words...

  Part 5

  With the passage of night, it was now Saturday.

  Godou and friends stayed at a nearby hotel arranged by Amakasu.

  Athena's reappearance had been reported. Both Liliana and Yuri, who had faced the ancient goddess before, paled as soon as they heard the news. Amakasu scratched his head as if extremely troubled.

  "In case something happens, we need to prepare countermeasures..."

  In a rare moment, even the elegant Kaoru was musing solemnly for once.

  Anyway, their original purpose here was to safeguard the Heavenly Reverse Halberd.

  The excavation had completed around daybreak. Hearing that the work had completed while they were sleeping, Godou and his group went to take a look as soon as they finished breakfast.

  The solitary torii stood near the Kisarazu shore.

  The massive digging operation undertaken for "a certain object" buried beneath it.

  Over the course of many days, the underground barrier was carefully removed as the heavy machinery continued to dig from the surface.

  After 8am, Godou arrived at the excavation site.

  "I have some mundane business to handle, so I'll leave Amakasu-san in charge for the remaining proceedings."

  Having said that, Kaoru left for Tokyo.

  Most likely to make all sorts of preparations in light of Athena's reappearance.

  The remaining members of the team, Yuri, Liliana, Ena and Amakasu accompanied Godou to the site.

  The excavation site had already been sealed off by tape. Around ten-odd local policemen were standing on guard, making it seem like some sort of murder crime scene.

  "These are real policemen here, but the majority of them are affiliated with us. If you count the ones who are not visible right now, there are even more of them."

  Amakasu casually explained.

  With that, Godou and his group were like criminal investigators entering a crime scene for inspection.

  "...This is the Heavenly Reverse Halberd?"

  The "object" dug up that morning had been placed on a blue plastic sheet.

  On first glance it appeared to be a very ordinary stick. Roughly the length and thickness of a pencil.

  The material was unidentified, with a beige color like carefully varnished timber. It felt very solid to the touch, though not as hard as stone, but much harder than plastic.

  "Last night, Mariya Yuri and I tried to investigate this object while it was still being excavated."

  Liliana reported.

  "There is no doubt that it is a divine artifact. Just like the Gorgoneion you were entrusted with last time. The o
bject you see is only its surface, but hidden within it is the crystallization of divine wisdom and power, a symbol of the immortal and indestructible."

  It was going to turn into a conflict with gods again.

  Godou concluded with certainty as Liliana continued.

  "Had it been made of the essence of the earth like the Heraion, then there would be the possibility of destroying it before it becomes the object of contention. However, this type of divine artifact is indestructible. Very likely, even a [Heretic God] would not be able to fully destroy it."

  "That's why it was buried underground, and secretly guarded..."

  Godou sighed.

  Things would be so much easier if it could be destroyed...

  "Fortunately, spirit vision about the Heavenly Reverse Halberd had been received."

  It was Yuri's turn to report.

  "This is likely a divine artifact related to earth and rock. I can sense the power of Izanagi no Mikoto[16] and Izanami no Mikoto[17] used to give rise to the primordial sea and Yamato[18] country."

  "...Izanagi and Izanami?"

  "Yes. The legendary gods who created the land of Yamato and founded the country."

  This was the extent of Yuri and Lilana's findings.

  Godou examined the Heavenly Reverse Halberd once again. What should he do with this thing? It did not feel safe to carry around personally, but there was no other way. Besides, it happened to be the size of a pencil —

  "I'll just keep it in my shirt pocket for now."

  "Even though this is a treasure that can shake the world, but I guess it's an appropriate measure. I can't think of anywhere safer than the bosom of Kusanagi-san."

  Godou felt rather sad that he could not bring himself to openly disagree with Amakasu's inauspicious comment.

  He pocketed the divine artifact. Had it been a lucky charm for traffic safety, it would probably be treated differently.

  "Actually, I tried reaching grampsy just now."

  Ena suddenly spoke up.

  Ena's grampsy — the Old One, namely, the ancient god Susanoo who lived in the Netherworld.

  "Ena was hoping to get some information about this halberd-thing, but it didn't work. The 'sound' should have been transmitted to the other side, but there was complete silence with no response."