Campione 09

by Return of the Goddess

  However, was she able to do that at the same time as she handled these fierce attacks?

  During the battle against the Great Sage, she had much more magical power at her disposal thanks to Verethragna's protection. But now was different. Nevertheless, she still had to —!

  "Moreover, it's probably about time for reinforcements..."

  Erica spoke softly as if encouraging herself.

  Furthermore, she smiled as she anticipated the arrival of the arrow of blue light.

  It was for this express reason that Erica had distanced herself from the rest of the girls. In order to wipe the other knight's existence from the Divine Ancestor's awareness.

  "People, listen to David's song of mourning! How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"[40]

  Liliana chanted spell words as she watched Erica's desperate battle from afar.

  She had expected this all along. That mystic rite could not have been mastered within a single week — Liliana shrugged helplessly at her rival and long time friend's bluffing.

  "From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty!"[41]

  One hundred meters ahead on the road surface of the Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway.

  Enveloped in red light, Erica swung her sword, bearing her shield. The white water dragon attacked from midair, blowing its tempestuous and icy breath, flashing its claws and teeth.

  The weapon that Liliana chose for this moment, was that one naturally.

  "O Bow of Jonathan, the warrior's weapon fast as an eagle and strong as a lion. Come forth to my hand immediately!"

  The bow and arrows composed of blue light.

  Manifested in Liliana's hands were the weapons that could even cause injury to gods. And of course it was applicable to divine beasts as well! Just as Liliana closed one eye and was planning to aim at her target...

  "Ena-san, you cannot move yet!"

  "It's okay... But if I need to use the sword again, I will be relying on Yuri..."

  Yuri was trying to persuade Ena as she tried to stand up, using Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi as a crutch.

  The Hime-Miko was trying her hardest to cast recovery magic on the divine sword user who had exhausted her strength.

  This was not a spell for healing external wounds but one for healing internal injuries. There were also quite a few types of recovery magic which temporarily restored lost strength.

  Repeated use of divine possession would eat away at the user's life.

  Liliana recalled what Ena had told her before. Yuri surely understood the frightening toll Ena's body had taken from using divine possession two days in a row and even going berserk.

  "Lilana-san... If it's just one strike, Ena can still do it, barely."

  "If that is the case, then get it over with quickly and meet up with Kusanagi Godou. There is no time to dally."

  Knowing it was useless to try stopping her, Liliana readied her bow and arrows once again.

  The target was the water dragon in the distance that was giving Erica a hard time. Two arrows of light should be sufficient for cover — no, this was an attack meant to strike on target. Liliana shot the two arrows with determination.

  Ena also launched Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi as if throwing a javelin.

  An ordinary sword could not have been used in this manner, but thanks to some mysterious blessing, the legendary sword flew straight as an arrow.

  Liliana had fired the Bow of Jonathan. Plus there was Ena's Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi.

  The white water dragon that had been tormenting Erica became aware of these attacks and conjured defensive magic. A pattern of white light appeared before the water dragon, blocking the blue arrows. Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi was also deflected by a swipe of the dragon's tail.

  These were not martial techniques that ordinary divine beasts could use.

  As befitted the dragon inhabited by a Divine Ancestor. Erica smiled bravely as she admired the sight.

  This was the lioness' smile, certain in victory.

  Even though she had not expected the attacks just now to be defended, Erica could not give the opponent any respite.

  Deeply — She drew in a deep breath.

  Erica let this breath diffuse throughout her body. All her cells began to produce scorching heat as if incinerating. This was magical power, producing strength that concentrated in the body's centre. In oriental medicine, this spot would be the dantian below the navel. In terms of chakra, this would be the Swadhisthana.

  Then she made it explode.

  In the instant of activation, all magical power was poured into the mystic rite.

  Guinevere had shown a slight opening as a result. This became the final step for completing the smiting...!

  "Soldiers! Now is the moment to blow the horns at Jericho!"

  Spell words were promptly added to facilitate the technique's activation.

  Smiting — the [Sacred Privilege of Extermination] inhabiting Erica. From her body came red light that turned into physical force that sent the white dragon flying.

  "What!? How could this be possible—!"

  "Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

  Roaring sounds and Guinevere's voice came out of the dragon's mouth simultaneously. She was shocked to be suddenly repelled by the red light.

  Ignoring these noises, Erica manifested the Privilege of Extermination into a visible form.

  Armor. First of all, her upper torso was wrapped in chain mail. Next there were the breastplate and pauldrons with the dull color of steel. There were also sturdy gauntlets and greaves.

  Covering up Erica Blandelli's beautiful face on the battlefield would probably be classified as a crime. Consequently, this form was chosen. Applying the Privilege of Extermination to the sword and the shield, Erica's armaments were complete.

  "Fear not, tremble not! Leading all the warriors, go attack the city!"

  Erica released the spell words and flew into the sky.

  Flying instead of leaping. The Sacred Exterminator was granted the ability of brief flight.

  Erica instantly flew up a hundred meters and looked down. The water dragon carrying Guinevere had spread its wings, intending to take off in flight.

  Trying its hardest to pursue and attack. But it was too late.

  "I hereby display the heart of the lion! Hence all knights shall fear me, singing praises unto me!"

  The heart of the lion implied indomitable courage.

  Using these spell words as a trigger, Erica was shining with red light as she charged downwards in descent. Like the constellation of Leo, descending from the heavens, attacking —!

  Crashing violently into the white dragon, the enemy's massive body was blown away.

  Aiming at the throat, the sword was thrust. Slice, slice, slice, slice!

  "Guh... What savagery! Looks like a retreat might be in order!"

  "Gwooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!!"

  As Guinevere yelled out, refusing to admit defeat, the dragon gave off mournful death cries.

  Like the Kraken before, the divine beast's body reverted to water and collapsed. At the same time, a white light flew out of its body, up towards the sky.

  Guinevere had fled — But Erica did not have any remaining strength to pursue her.

  Exhaling deeply, she watched the white witch flying in the sky. At the same time, the mystic rite had also ended. Both the red light and the armor had vanished while fatigue and exhaustion swept across her entire body.

  Her mind also felt dazed and unable to think properly.

  Apart from when rising out of bed, who could have thought there existed other circumstances that could lower Erica's intellect?

  "This counts as a pass for today, but more training is definitely needed..."

  Erica shook her head as she murmured to herself.

  Reportedly, her uncle Paolo Blandelli had used the same attack to crush the ancient city of Lancaster. Furthermore, a mere day a
fter using the Sacred Exterminator's form, he achieved the legendary feat of liberating the sleeping Princess Alice who was under the guard of six divine beasts unleashed by the Three Furies, the Erinyes.

  As his successor, Erica could not lag behind.

  Nevertheless, the current priority was to catch up to Kusanagi Godou. Erica endured the torments of her exhausted body and resolutely walked towards her companions.

  But every step proved to be most taxing.

  Be that as it may, Erica could not expose her weakness when all eyes were watching. After all, Erica Blandelli was glamorously graceful and beautifully radiant at all times!

  Chapter 7 - Farewell My Mortal Enemy

  Part 1

  "Ho... Thy vassal apparently clasheth with that man's maidservant."

  Alone on this beach, just the two of them. Athena suddenly smiled.

  Indicating that her duel with Kusanagi was about to begin.

  "Maidservant? You mean Guinevere?"

  "She hath a name like that? She is the witch of the ancient matriarch deity, the inheritor of the Holy Grail."

  In response to Godou's question, she gave a proper answer.

  Athena was probably using some kind of clairvoyance to spy on Guinevere's whereabouts. She probably wanted to guard against rude interlopers from intruding on their fight.

  Godou had expressly ordered Ama no Murakumo to inform him if the other partner ran into any danger.

  He had also reminded Ena to call the name of Kusanagi Godou in case of a desperate situation, so that the [Wind] incarnation could be used to save them. Currently, neither of them had given any notice.

  Ena seemed to have put forth all her efforts to halt Guinevere's advance.

  "Isn't calling her 'maidservant' going a bit too far? Besides, who do you mean by 'that man'?"

  "He is the hero who standeth as the mortal enemy of god-slayers. One knoweth not where he lieth. Be that as it may, he apparently sleepeth somewhere on this island."

  "...Could it be that guy, the strongest [Steel]?"

  Godou recalled what he heard before from that old bunch.

  "Thou knowest? From that earlier attack, thou seemest to have matured well."

  "That's not maturing, it's called 'stepping deeper into the puddle.' Anyway, to think Guinevere was actually hiding a side like that..."

  Objecting to Athena's approval, Godou continued:

  "So all her conspiracies and schemes to this date, were all for the sake of reviving that guy?"

  "Forsooth. Thou shouldst pay attention. That man is the warrior fated to destroy all god-slayers. Were he to awaken, a war to exterminate the Devil Kings shall begin. If that happens, surely thou shalt perish."

  Godou could not help but object to this sudden declaration.

  How could anyone be sure without trying? I may be a pacifist, but if the other person comes murdering on his own initiative —

  But then again, Athena's pubescent face had never shown such a severe expression.

  Faced with such solemnity, Godou had nothing to say. And so, the corners of the goddess' mouth began to rise with delight.

  "No matter, such words carry meaning only if thou art able to win our duel... Didst thou know? Virtually no god-slayer hath ever come to a peaceful end. The vast majority dieth on a battlefield somewhere. Thou only needst to follow in the footsteps of thy kin of past!"

  "If that's the case, I will become one of the few exceptions. Let's go!"

  Their fighting spirit was quietly rising.

  In that case, Godou will rely on these heightened spirits to engage in battle. Athena glared sharply with her serpentine eyes once more as Godou readied his battle stance. Just at that moment, a crash of thunder was heard.

  "Tsk! Thy arrival was expected, Lancelot du Lac!"

  Athena smacked her lips as she gazed up into the sky.

  Thunderclouds were rapidly filling the sky and furthermore, a flash of white lightning came flying from the direction of the Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway.

  'Beware! This fellow is pure [Steel] like me!'

  Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi warned from Godou's right arm.

  The lightning carried all sorts of omens, announcing the extraordinary visitor, mounted on his flying divine horse.

  His body was wrapped in white armor. The helmet's lowered visor obscured the face. Furthermore, wielded in his hand was a lustrous lance with a platinum blade —

  That kind of color and brightness had been witnessed the day before. Was that not the same brilliance as the white star of [Swords]!?

  "Hey, isn't that the...!?"

  "Yes. Yonder fellow is indeed the war god Lancelot. As that man's subordinate, the white maidservant's guardian. Furthermore, the wielder of the [Sword] that seeketh to tear us into pieces!"

  Athena nodded with displeasure as she answered Godou's immediate query.

  Lancelot. Isn't he the guy from the Knights of the Round Table?

  Shocked, Godou heard an awe-inspiring manly voice from overhead.

  "Athena. It is most pleasing to encounter you once again before your life depletes. And god-slayer Kusanagi Godou. Though the goddess has already introduced it, let this Knight's name be heard once more. Lancelot du Lac. Commonly known as the Knight of the Lake."

  "...I don't remember telling you my name."

  Godou responded to the mighty self introduction with displeasure.

  If this guy and Guinevere were the masterminds of the current incident, there was no reason to trust him at all.

  "Apologies. This Knight had no intention of insulting you... Even though forgiveness is unwarranted, apologies will still be expressed. For the act of ambushing you from the dark, taking advantage of your conflict as a third party. This kind of behavior is indeed an affront to chivalry. Most regrettable."

  What the heck was up with this guy? Godou was intrigued.

  An extremely forthright disposition. A kind of wondrous charisma similar to Verethragna when he had lost his memories—

  "Hmph. Doth not be deceived. Even though yonder fellow is indeed a soldier of upright principles, he is merely a fool who displayeth might and valor for the maidservant's sake!"

  "Perhaps. But all things considered, swords are that type of tool."

  Lancelot agreed to Athena's accusation as he lightly kicked his beloved steed's belly.

  The white divine horse began to slowly descend to the beach.

  "The so-called heroes of steel, are sword gods who express the sword's attribute of living for battle only. Furthermore, this Knight has sworn to offer one's blade to beautiful women only."

  Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi called Lancelot its kin.

  Expressing nothing but an obsession with battle. This was likely the trait of purebred steel.

  "Fufufu. The knight indulges in rainstorms of bloodshed on the battlefield, tempered by a dash of womanly charms. Unfazed by mockery from others."

  Despite his words, he did not give off the same impression as those useless men that were infatuated with women. Rather, he seemed like the type who demanded women of great quality, a Casanova who deliberately sought challenging conquests.

  Perhaps this was only fitting for a god's prestige?

  "But who knows if either of you two would approve..."

  Lancelot's divine horse descended, its four feet landing on the beach.

  Wielding the lance in one hand, Lancelot held a short pewter staff in his off-hand. Shaped like a twin-headed snake, it was being fiddled around lovingly as if it were a little flower.

  "The Holy Grail's function has completely halted. Hmm... Even though the beloved child already preserved the power taken from the vessel, it is meaningless like this."

  "In that case, war god, what dost thou wish to do?"

  Athena displayed a goddess' solemnity as she spoke.

  The child-like beautiful face glimmered lustrously with dignified battle spirit. She issued an obvious challenge.

  On the other hand, Lancelot muttered liberally.

&nb
sp; "Hmm, no other way then. Your chest shall be cut open so that this Knight can retrieve the Grail and do everything possible to awaken this mighty unparalleled divine artifact."

  An indifferent declaration of slaughter. True to form as a [Heretic God], a fellow who could not be underestimated.

  Godou tightly gripped his fist and glared at Lancelot.

  "It seems like you two are having a duel of honor. Intruding in such a match would be unbecoming of a knight. However, this Knight has grown weary of waiting."

  The white knight raised the lance's blade towards the sky.

  His valor was apparent from this action. His rising battle spirit was impossible to suppress.

  "Guinevere had warned this Knight before getting involved. To wait until you were both exhausted before killing either. However, a man in possession of lance and horse should never have to act in such a manner. Athena, this Knight's lance wishes to greet you with a cordial welcome once more!"

  "Very well! One shall exact from thee what thou owest, before taking on Kusanagi Godou!"

  Athena's sharp serpentine eyes turned to Lancelot. Lancelot faced her in turn with his white helmet.

  Godou swiftly inserted himself between the two of them.

  "Your opponent is not just Athena. Please let me participate in this battle."

  "Oh?"

  "What dost thou wish, Kusanagi Godou?"

  The white knight was shocked, while Athena questioned. Unfazed, Godou continued.

  "This is Athena and my duel after all. There's no rule preventing me from helping drive out the intruder. Or rather, it can be said that this is only natural."

  "Natural? Hahaha, your words are truly interesting indeed!"

  Lancelot's helmet shook in laughter in response to Godou's declaration.

  It was not mockery. His tone was clearly overjoyed and he was laughing sincerely from the depths of his heart.

  "God and god-slayer — irreconcilable foes fighting in cooperation, how could that be called natural!? Be that as it may, one cannot help but think as a warrior, it is impossible to reject. This Knight welcomes you to the fray."

  Lancelot nonchalantly accepted the two versus one battle.

  Truly the war god, such magnanimity. However, his opinion was actually not that important.