Campione 04

by The Hero

  "Although, I really did want to try my best..."

  Some things were out of one individual's control, left to fate. If it had been within his ability, then he would have done the most he could to find that chance at victory, but - reality was not so kind, Godou thought deeply.

  In the end, if he did not have the assistance of Erica or Yuri, he was only a half-assed Campione.

  He was called a 'King', yet he was powerless.

  "You yourself should know what you need to do, to give me a command is all that is required. Perseus - the serpent-slaying hero that came from the east, Mithras. Just a 'bestow on me the knowledge of his secret' will do."

  Mithras.

  Just only hearing the name and a few bits of his background, was insufficient to understand his divinity.

  Not knowing that would mean not being able to fight, he understood this very well. Even so, Kusanagi Godou could not bring himself to do it.

  "I do not intend on doing so. It's true that I've obtained an inexplicable power from a god, but I am not someone who likes using that power, nor do I want to order others around to do things for me."

  Godou finished saying, but Liliana shook her head.

  "I've already said this before, the duty and responsibility of a [King] is only to do battle with the gods - the you of now is someone who is preparing for battle against a [Heretic God], fulfilling your responsibility, hence it is you whom we must obey, the possessor of our loyalty."

  "It's fine even if you don't take that kind of thing seriously now. I'm only taking up this troublesome task because I'm the only one here who can."

  If there were someone else willing to do it, Godou would happily give up his spot, there was no need to over elevate himself.

  "Because there's no one else willing to, that's why I am, that's how simple the reason is, and the situation now is because of my own willfulness, although I also don't really like being called a 'King' - "

  In the past, Kusanagi Godou had denied the fact that the Heretic God Verethragna was a hero.

  After that, for some reason, he himself was told that 'You are a King', it was truly ridiculous. What that delusional youth god had said that time, right now, Godou was feeling the same way as he did then.

  If someone said he was a King, then a King he was.

  A King, isn't that a title for someone who had accomplished exaggerated amazing feats? The him of now was living in an environment where he was called that.

  "For someone like me, I definitely do not wish for people to recognize me as a King. Nor would I want to be treated as one. I know very well what kind of person I am, no matter what others call me, I have no intention of changing myself!"

  To call him 'stubborn' would not be wrong, to call him 'childish', that would not be wrong either.

  Godou had that degree of self-knowledge, why does he not display it - Liliana almost said that out loud. She froze for a moment, then emitted a small sigh.

  "Honestly... You're such a hopeless person. A big idiot."

  It was as she said.

  He had nothing to say in defense, Godou felt a little guilty.

  "Because you're so fixated over that, that's why you're hesitant about giving me an order?"

  "Well, yeah... no matter how vital it is, being forced to do that kind of thing with me, you won't like it, right? Giving you an order to do that, is definitely a mistake."

  Godou was a little embarrassed.

  He was not the type of person to force others to what they did not want, but rather someone with a spirit of steel, nor was he an insensitive guy. The confident and brave him, had such a good-for-nothing side to him - Liliana was a little surprised.

  "You leave me no choice... Then, let me tell you the method to solve the problem."

  With a light sigh, Liliana slowly said.

  She revealed a shy yet gentle expression to Godou.

  Like this, she no longer seemed the fairy she usually was. With her softened-down chivalry and her beautiful face, she seemed just like a normal, gentle girl.

  In that moment, Godou felt his heart being stolen by that expression. Immediately, he regained his composure.

  What kind of method is that? He quietly awaited her answer.

  "That is...." Liliana lightly whispered, her voice so small that he could not hear, and when he moved his ear closer, then - Godou had a big shock.

  At the next moment, a warm feeling could be felt from his lips.

  .... Liliana had kissed him, and when he returned to reality, it had been a few seconds.

  "In other words, we'll just have to do this... I only have to kiss you."

  After their lips had parted, Liliana said, blushing.

  "Be, because you had said that there was no one else besides you who could battle against a god that you volunteered yourself, if that's the case, then I am the same, besides me, no one else can support you, that's why I have decided to lend you my aid to the best of my abilities.... And I don't dislike it."

  "Eh?"

  "That is... what we just did."

  Is that true? Are those her true feelings, from the bottom of her heart?

  Looking at the embarrassed face of Liliana, Godou was at a loss.

  "It is a situation where even if you become an inhuman tyrant, you will be forgiven, and yet you still worry about the surroundings. Also you are careless at times, I feel that is a positive point, on the contrary."

  No, the part about becoming a tyrant, it's better if there isn't a possibility of that happening.

  Godou was a little guilty, if he misused the authorities of Verethragna, he would become just like those madmen Doni and Voban.

  "It is because of me that we have fallen into this misfortune, but yet you did not blame me, not even a word. What's more, to protect me, you sacrificed yourself, in front of Athena...."

  Misfortune, huh.... Objectively, that was not wrong.

  However to Kusanagi Godou, misfortune like this was like bread-and-butter, he would not even spare a worry for it.

  "Choosing someone like Erica to serve at your side, I feel that you don't have an eye for people, but as you are still young, it is difficult to fend off the wiles and tricks of that vixen. If you start to change now, there wouldn't be any problems... I shall help you!"

  Eh? She didn't deny the rumor of me being a philanderer?

  This was something he did not want to be accused of the most - at Godou who was thinking that, Liliana's face tensed up.

  "The knight of the [Bronze-Black Cross], Liliana Kranjcar, swears that from now onwards, you shall be the master of my sword, and to you I shall offer my body and loyalty. Will you accept my oath?"

  "To the extent of offering your loyalty, I'm not that kind of awesome person."

  Hearing her declaration of her decision, Godou thought.

  Regardless, if he did not give her a proper response, he would not be fit to be a man, and thus he nodded his head without any hesitation.

  "If you will help me, and become my comrade, I'll be the first to give you a warm welcome... though I'm sure that I'll be causing you trouble, often - even so, is that fine with you?"

  "I don't mind. I've already made up my mind, to endure the troubles."

  The two of them gazed at each other.

  Godou and Liliana finally went back to being able to look each other in the eye.

  "I'm sure that you'll become a master worthy of my troubles, I look forward to it."

  "Don't look forward to that too much, but I'll try my best.... Although that's a hard promise to keep."

  "It would be best if there were results to show, but if you're willing to do your best, that is already enough. Areas where you are lacking, I will help you, lend you my assistance... With this blade, I will protect you, if you have need of knowledge on the gods, I will pass them over to you."

  "Ah, aah."

  The moment passing of knowledge was mentioned, Godou started to feel embarrassed.

  In other words, he was going to do that
with her.... he was thrown off by the surprise attack earlier, but still, that would not be good -

  Sensing that Godou was wavering, Liliana let out a panicked voice.

  "D, don't misunderstand, I'm doing it out of my duty as a knight, only that! I'm not like Erica. I won't become your lover in order to take advantage or something like that!"

  "T, that's right. Of course I understand!"

  "That's right.... Kusanagi Godou, I have a request to make as a knight. From now on, in order to lend you my aid, I plan on staying by your side as much as I can, so please rectify the people around you, and restructure your attitude, is that ok?"

  "Ah - Ok. I don't think that'll be a problem."

  "From now on, our relationship as a knight and a King will be like a pair of birds flying wing to wing, branches of the same tree entwined together. There will be times when our opinions diverge, times that we do not place our faith in each other.... but we will overcome these hardships, allowing the bonds between us to grow even stronger - let us become a pair like that. That is our oshidori's pledge."[26]

  "... I understand. Anyway, let's get along well, from now on."

  Liliana's oath earlier, there were many unsuitable terms and phrases that were used with regards to the current situation -

  Although Godou thought that way, he felt that it did not really matter, so he just let it slide.

  There were no problems in conversation and communication, but after all, they came from drastically different cultures, hence if he pointed out each and every one of her mistakes in the language, it would be too uncool of him.

  "Then, my master - I have a request.... Please, kiss me."

  "Eh?"

  The world around Godou froze.

  The female knight stared unhappily at her nonreactive master.

  "Surely you don't expect me to kiss you one more time!? Actions like this, are initiated by the male party!"

  ".... Th-That's not it. How can we be doing it on the street?!"

  "We only just did it earlier, what are you talking about. Pl, please look around you.... If it's just kissing, no one will pay us any heed in this vicinity."

  Liliana explained shyly, Godou looked to and fro around - he finally understood.

  The lively coastal street. At night. Full of couples.

  And, the closer it was to the sea, the darker it was. With these conditions, couples would naturally gravitate towards those areas, and engage in activities like kissing -

  "W, we've already gone that far, are you still going to hesitate over it!?"

  "What hesitate, rather you should say that the Ethics Committee inside my heart won't give me the permission to do such a thing!"

  "If it's permission you need, I'll give it to you... I, I feel that you have the right intentions, and furthermore you are my master. Also.... I don't want to see you lose, nor do I want to see the sight of you falling to the ground, pierced by Perseus' arrow once more."

  Unknowingly, Liliana had gotten closer.

  She moved her slender body close to Godou, and then tightly glued her body onto his, looking upwards at him with teary eyes.

  "For my sake... and for the sake of victory, please do your best. I'm begging you."

  Liliana asked, her slightly pale lips trembling.

  - For the sake of victory.

  The meaning of that, was something, Godou had no resistance against. Yes, he had already, by Perseus - the god with the name of Mithras which he had never heard of, been defeated.

  Liliana in a soft voice, told him that she wished for him to triumph over that man, and she was a beautiful girl herself.

  To the point that people would wonder whether she was a human or a fairy, a slender and beautiful appearance, but was surprisingly serious, easy to talk to, and at times come up with very strange delusions, she was a cute girl like that.

  When he had a real feeling of that fact, he had already sealed her lips with his.

  Their lips met.

  When their lips parted, Liliana looked displeased, as if aggravated.

  "T, that's not enough. More... please do more."

  Having come this far, there was no other way but to continue.

  It was the first time that he had, out of his own volition, initiated a kiss. Having steadied his resolve, he kissed her once again, tightly embracing Liliana.

  This moment, the knowledge flowed.

  - That is the incarnation of the sun, the hero from the east.

  - The sword god of serpent slaying steel, as the Invincible Emperor, the King that reigns over light.

  It connected.

  Between Liliana and Godou, the constructed truth was connected.

  Their lips parted once again, but this time Liliana was silent. The two of them nodded at each other.

  "The god that you had defeated, Verethragna, was a divinity that had an extremely complicated background."

  Liliana who seemed as though she was kissing Godou's neck, spoke as she drew closer.

  "Before being a Yazata of Zoroastrianism, he hailed from ancient Persia, as a god of light and contract, Mithra, the war god."[27]

  Liliana who was softly speaking into his ear caused him to feel at ease.

  Just by doing that, he felt the connection strengthen.

  "There was also this myth.... When Mithra punished the sinners who defiled their code, he would take the form of a pitch-black boar, crushing them, and the boar is one of the ten forms of Verethragna."

  The cool, chivalrous female knight spoke in a dream-like, gentle voice.

  She placed the entire weight of her body onto Godou, and peacefully closed her eyes.

  "The reason they share the same appearance - because Mithra is the root divinity of Verethragna, and Mithra who was originally a war god, with the passing of time, the divine nature of being a god of light and contract intensified, and the one which continued his increasingly weakening nature of being a war god was Verethragna."

  A quiet voice that only one could hear.

  Like a lullaby, or the pillow talk of a couple, slowly penetrating into Godou's ears.

  "From the violent aspect of Mithra's soul, Verethragna was created, and at the same time inheriting the divine nature of Indra. Indra was an Indian storm god that was regarded in Persia as a demon, and only the divine nature was inherited by Verethragna."

  Mithra, Indra. Sacred names that somehow seemed nostalgic.

  It might have been the memories that were awakened by the sleeping divine power of Verethragna that was inside Godou's body. Without a doubt, after that he had merged with Hercules that was from the east, becoming an undefeatable war god.

  "Tracing the roots of Mithra and Indra, would lead you back to the Indo-European ethnicity in the east - the war god that was born from the Aryans, specifically that Mithra's old name was Mitra, who was regarded by the Aryans as the most important divinity, alongside Varna. That god was the origin of Mithra, the god who came to the west."

  At this point, Liliana was suddenly silent.

  What happened?

  Puzzled, Godou looked at the silver-haired girl who was tightly hugging him, and she immediately lowered her head shyly, avoiding his gaze, and said in a small voice,

  "L, let's continue. What we did earlier... was not enough... that, um, if you do not kiss me more - "

  Her fair skin had turned red, from her face to her neck, and she asked in a trembling voice.

  Seeing Liliana in such a cute attitude, Godou's doubts in his heart were chased away, it would not be good to let her say those things to him again.

  He moved his face closer, and stole her lips once more.

  An awkward but forceful kiss.

  At the start Liliana's body stiffened up, but soon she relaxed, and accepted Godou's unskillfully moving lips, and opened up her cherry-colored lips as though she was about to swallow the other party.

  Single-mindedly assaulting Godou's lips, unceasingly kissing each other, their feelings deepening.

  ... For the purpo
se of catching their breath, their lips separated.

  Godou saw that Liliana was looking at him drowsily, perhaps he might have looked the same. Her embarrassment and ecstasy causing her body to tremble, with her tearful eyes and tender lips, before she could say a word, Godou sealed her lips again.

  - A military genius, from a combined alliance of Pompey and Caesar.

  - It was said that when he suppressed the pirates of Asia Minor, he had witnessed with his own eyes strange customs and practices.

  - The pirates had to make offerings to Mount Olympus in Lycia, held unbelievable secret rituals, and this practice had survived till the present times, with the worshippers of Mithras.

  "This was a record left by Plutarch in [Hero's Legends], something that migrated from the east to the west, from the hero that came from Persia, this is the divinity of Perseus, he who was called the Invincible Sun arrived in England, a rarity of a hero that crossed the lengths of the world."

  Through their overlapping lips, Liliana's knowledge was passed on to Godou's mind.

  Perhaps she was a little shy, she would occasionally withdraw her lips and whisper softly, but Godou did not let her speak, and pressed his lips on hers continually.

  "Yo, you can't... If you do that, I'll...."

  Had he been too forceful? The troubled Liliana resisted slightly.

  However, with those moist trembling lips, even while feeling embarrassed, she accepted Godou's all the same.

  Liliana, as though wanting to suck in Godou's lips, opened up her own.

  "This is a magic ritual.... Preparation in order to battle a god, so please take this more seriously.... don't fool around..."

  The saliva from the Liliana's mouth, moistened Godou's lips.

  She seemed to be troubled by the sound of the saliva, sucking slowly on Godou's lips, and she moved her tongue as though wanting her saliva back.

  The saliva that flowed from Liliana's lips, were sucked into Godou's mouth.

  Through their tongues, the exchange of saliva, and both a feeling of sweetness and knowledge filled their minds.

  - The chains that tied Perseus and Mithras together. The appearance of the hero from the east.

  - From the east, came not only the hero, yes, so did the Sun, rising from the east.