by The Hero
"O' mighty bull that possesseth the horns of shining gold, grant me your aid!"
As one with Godou's determination, the pain in his body gradually left him.
At times like this, the adrenaline that rushes through the Campione's body, is roughly a hundred times higher than that of a normal person. Because of how haphazard their bodies are, in battle, even if their bones break, inner organs get pierced, they can endure the pain.
"Oo, using a new power? With the divine power of transformation that you obtained from that war god, what kind of power will it be this time!?"
Perseus grabbed hold of him again, while shouting.
Does he intend on throwing me again? However, my strength won't lose out to his this time.
The activation condition for the [Bull] was for the opponent to possess superhuman strength. If the foe was Perseus, then there would be no problem - !
Godou grabbed onto Perseus body while bending back, and flung him backwards splendidly.
This time was the beautiful hero's turn to be sent flying through the air and smashing into the stone pillar.
"Hahaha, you do understand after all! Magnificent, come, give me another attack!"
Perseus stood up, laughing in a loud voice.
The look in his eyes started to get more serious, perhaps the attack had done no damage.
Godou went 'hmph' with his nose.
Though he was slightly disappointed, but Godou did not plan on fighting with the hero of the myths for too long. Because he had a more efficient and realistic battle plan, Godou held back his thoughts of shame and touched the stone pillar.
.... The him of now possessed a superhuman strength.
A strength that was not generated by muscle, but a strange, supernatural power.
When using the incarnation of the [Bull], he only needed to place his feet on the land, and a burning hot power would flow from his feet to the rest of his body, that should be the source of this strange power.
Godou used both his arms to hug the white stone pillar of San Francesco di Paola church.
The pillars crafted of beautiful stone in the front of the church were about four, five meters tall, of pure limestone. Of course, they were firmly fixed into the ground, and onto the church above.
"O, OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
In sync with his roar, his mind focused.
The power of the [Bull] had one absurd characteristic, that is when the target of this authority is heavier, the strength also increases in proportion.
In a direct comparison of strength with Perseus, he could probably be thrown away for a distance of roughly over ten meters, but right here in front of the church, with his full strength -
... Creak... Crack... Unpleasant sounds could be heard from the pillar.
Cracks began to appear at the top of the pillar, and Godou felt that it was almost ready. In one breath, he plucked out the pillar - no, more accurately, he broke it off.
It was such an unbelievable sight, even though that he was the one who did it, Godou still felt dumbfounded by it.
Like Popeye, the one who gained superhuman strength after eating spinach, or Judge Samson from the Old Testament who pulled down the pillars of the Temple of Dagon, that kind of feat.
(By the way, this church was designed in the early nineteenth century by the famous architect Pietro Bianchi, which the Pope recognized as a building of historical significance. The act of damaging this building would probably incur divine wrath.)
Without thinking, Godou swung that pillar back and forth -
With a heavy impact, he struck Perseus.
No, to use the verb [struck] would be a gross understatement, it was like using those industrial cranes with the gigantic steel ball used for demolition to attack Perseus.
"Ngh! What terrific strength!"
Perseus used both his hands to protect his face, and Godou forcefully pummeled him flat out on the ground.
The stone pillar being used as a weapon of brutality was made of limestone, hence it broke into pieces after a short while. Shaking off the dust on his body, the hero then glared at Godou with a sharp gaze.
It was neither hateful nor angered, but rather a look of determination and appreciation of the aggression shown.
"You too are a man known as a King, and I feel that you should use a more fitting weapon - But this is fine too, although I still wish for your actions to be more beautiful!"
While still speaking, he spread out his arms, and Perseus kicked off the ground.
A tackle with a lowered body. It might have been a technique from wrestling or pankration[30]. However, they were not competing in their fighting skills, but rather this was a free style, no holds barred deathmatch.
- Therefore, Godou threw the remains of the stone pillar.
Taking only weight into account, the weight of the pillar in this situation must have been at least a hundred kilograms.
He threw, with the supernatural power of the [Bull], and with Kusanagi Godou's past experience as a skilled baseball catcher, he had confidence in his throwing power and control.
Puuun!!
What was formerly a stone pillar gave off a terrific noise from the air turbulence as it moved through the air.
Perseus jumped aside, dodging the stone pillar, and on where he had stood moments ago, near the stone steps, the remains of the stone pillar missed its target, smashing onto the ground and then rolling aside.
"I'm sorry, but using improper methods to obtain victory is my favorite thing to do. I don't intend on listening to your request, like having another magnificent and grand duel."
"Is that so... Fine, then you may use your own preferred methods to display your strength."
Perseus' favorite sword appeared in thin air, and his hand firmly grasped it.
"It's not fair if only you use a weapon, so let us do battle, with this sword in my hand."
The words this time marked the start of a magnificent fight.
Godou broke off yet another pillar from the San Francesco di Paola church.
With that he swung, he threw, he struck, and he threw down.
His foe, Perseus was moving like a white panther on flatlands, running, jumping, dodging. And then, with his body that was as solid as steel, he ventured to withstand a blow from the stone pillar, causing it to shatter into pieces.
Whether it was the offensive or defensive side, this was a battle between extraordinary supermen.
.... On a related note, the audience, upon seeing the tragedy of destruction unfold, finally regained their senses, screaming, shouting, sighing, breaking out into chaos. The crowds began shouting and yelling, scurrying away into the surroundings, and the situation had become a state of panic.
I hope no one gets hurt -
However even as Godou looked onto their panicked states, he grew worried.
No one was foolish enough to stumble into this plaza that was a battlefield between supermen, but in their jostling and shoving in that chaos, might cause someone to be injured, and that caused him to worry.
Before the start of the fight, Godou was constantly troubled over that. By now, he had already fought with all his might for roughly ten minutes -
Piazza Plebiscito had been reduced to a vacant land, like ruins.
On the stone pavement of the plaza, pieces of limestone had been scattered all over, in the form of small pebbles or rubble.
The church, with the white pillars like a cloistered corridor now destroyed, any trace of resemblance to its original self had vanished along with them.
Most of the pillars having been removed by Godou, and thus, the exemplary historic building that used to be the Roman church, became a scene of devastation.
It had been such a huge sacrifice, and yet Perseus remained relatively unhurt.
"Hahaha, well fought. However, it's about time to end this!"
Tightly gripping his sword, the hero shouted.
With the nimbleness of a white panther, with speed that made him seem like a
meteor, Godou could not even see his figure.
His foe was fast, and there was also a massive gap between their melee combat capabilities.
Although Godou could still hold on with the range of his weapon and his own reflexes, the odds were heavily against him. The pillars were almost fully smashed up, and with that his sources of weapons ran low.
.... Godou remembered about Liliana.
Should he call her here, and leave the defense to her? After considering that, Godou immediately shook his head.
Against someone who had that level of speed, even if the two of them attacked at once, it would not make much of a difference.
Before the battle, he had heard from her that her trump card - was on par with Erica's [Spell Words of Golgotha], and he wanted to make use of it at a better time.
- He would have to rely on his own power to get out of this situation, and grit his teeth, withstanding the blows he was going to take.
Godou steadied his resolve.
His lips twisting to the side, he revealed a grim smile, and threw aside the stone pillar in his hands.
"All of the enemies before me, fear me."
From his mouth escaped words of power.
Perseus sped towards him, thrusting his sword out in a direct piercing attack.
Unleashing a thrust of certain kill, it seems - just the right timing.
Godou took the attack head on without dodging. One of the reasons for that was that the attack had been simply too fast to evade.
"Every sinner shall tremble before my power. Now is the time, that I obtain the toughness of ten mountains, the strength of a hundred rivers, and the power of a thousand camels! Upon my mighty self, I shall bear the symbol of the raging camel!"
While chanting the words of power, he was penetrated by the sword.
His chest was pierced into by the thick, heavy blade.
Perseus wanted to run him through completely, devastate his body, and rip him open from the back - !
"What?"
Perseus murmured, with uncertainty.
As expected of the serpent-slaying hero, his senses were impressive, as he had noticed the unusual circumstances that had happened to his opponent.
Even with the sword pierced into his body, Godou raised his left leg, and kicked out sharply. He had, with his unsteady body, kicked forward directly at Perseus' chest, sending him flying.
Godou was an amateur at martial arts. However, this kick was at a level that surpassed those of every human martial artist.
An awesome kick, as though he were swinging a steel hammer.
If it had hit a concrete floor, most likely the floor would be smashed into pieces.
" - Guh!?"
It was the first time he had heard Perseus let out a pained gasp.
His sturdy, strong body was kicked away, sending him flying back over twenty meters.
At the same time, the sword that was embedded in Godou's chest was pulled out, flying back with the hero.
" - Gah!"
This time it was Godou who let out the gasp of pain. The blade was removed from his body suddenly, and fresh blood began to flow out from the wound.
It hurts, ithurtsithurtsithurtsithurts, itsoutrageouslypainful!
The pain from the stab wound began to fade slowly, and though it was still very painful, it was a degree that was more tolerable, and the blood had clotted.
This was the ability of the [Camel] incarnation, retarding the sensation of pain, and gaining an abnormal endurance.
On top of that, the strength and power of his legs skyrocketed. If he were to challenge a Muay Thai master at a battle of kicks now, he was confident he would easily win. Furthermore, the destructive power was -
... In Godou's field of vision, he saw a white meteor accelerating towards him.
With such terrifying speed, perhaps it was moving more rapidly than a straight fastball from a Major League ace pitcher.
However, before he even realized it, Godou's right leg had already entered a defensive motion.
An excellent high kick. It was impressive that Perseus had somehow managed to defend against it, but his defense was smashed right through by the kick.
... The body of the hero soared through the air once again.
The distance travelled in flight was roughly fifty meters this time, and Perseus flew from the devastated building of San Francesco di Paola church all the way to the opposite side, the wall of the royal palace of Naples.
"Guah!?"
The walls of the royal palace had been constructed with dull orange bricks.
A gigantic hole like that of a volcano crater was created, and with a heavy thump, the body of Perseus fell onto the stone floor of Piazza Plebiscito.
Part 3
.... Even he himself thought that the destructive power was absurdly shocking. Although he wanted to follow up the attack, Godou lowered his knee.
The pain from the stab wound was still hard to bear, and Godou winced in pain.
However, the pain was an exchange for the power of the [Camel], it could not be helped.
The condition for using this form was to have taken a certain degree of damage. One or two punches would not be enough to activate it. It must be something at least to the extent of being stabbed by a sword.
At any rate, he was already thanking the heavens for the fact that he survived.
Godou felt relieved from the bottom of his heart. The power of reincarnation of the [Ram] was meaningless if he suffered an instant death.
"Kusanagi Godou!"
The cool voice of the girl's voice could be heard, and Liliana ran to Godou's side.
"A, are you alright!? You had suddenly stood still frozen, and then purposely took his blade, what were you thinking!"
"S, sorry that I made you worry... Liliana, watch out!"
Noticing the status of Perseus who he had kicked away, Godou let out a warning.
He had picked himself off the stone floor, as though unhurt.
"Hahahahahaha! I had originally wanted to just kill some time before my battle with Athena, but Kusanagi Godou, you've granted me some happiness! Fufu, the brave girl has come back? Very well, allow me to end this godslayer, and rescue the maiden!"
Perseus proclaimed, trying to boast of his honor.
"God Perseus, I'm very sorry, but please do not make such terrible jokes. I am the knight of Kusanagi Godou, there's no need to rescue me - !"
"Ho, you're brave indeed, I like that personality!"
Seeing the summoned magic sword Il Maestro, Liliana who was donned in a black and blue battle dress, the hero smiled in return.
"However, for a maiden held by a demonic entity to submit to me, it would be the same as the lovely Andromeda. To say nothing of your being a miko - a virgin maiden serving the great goddesses of the land. All the better for me."
The words that Perseus spoke held powerful magical energy.
Words of power, and it seemed like he had heard this before - feeling strange, Godou immediately realized.
Verethragna, the rebellious war god, had once bound Godou and Erica, using the exact same magic art on the island of Sardinia.
"The hands of a graceful maiden are ill-suited for holding a blade, it would be good to throw that kind of thing aside and await my victory."
"Don't listen to him, Liliana. That is a strange power that compels others to do his bidding, even if you resist it with all your will, you will not be able to resist!"
Godou warned her immediately.
Having fought with gods on numerous occasions, Godou someway or the other understood how to counter it, even if he were a normal human he would be able to resist the spell, it should not pose a problem -
However, Liliana only stood there motionless, blankly looking at Perseus.
"It's futile, Kusanagi Godou. It's a little different from what you think. If one has the will to resist a god to the end, then it is possible to remove our spell, but in actual fact it's hard. That girl, she is a mage, hence fr
om young, she had been aware of the existences of gods, and inculcated in them the superiority of the divinities. For someone to lose the many years of brainwashing, it would require a long time at the very least."
Perseus nonchalantly explained.
The smile, aggression and inability to define good and bad was a little different from his initial impression of the hero. Now, he had started to talk about the truths of the world, the true face of a god.
"Furthermore she is also a miko. If you understand my origins, then you should know the role that they play, with regards to me? After I slay the serpent, they become my bride, something akin to spoils of war, that is their origin. Are you not aware of this?"
Godou found the answer from the knowledge given by Liliana.
The tradition that dragon-and-snake-slaying heroes become husband and wife with the maidens they rescue originated from [The Myth of Perseus and Andromeda].
"The goddesses of the land, after doing battle with the hero and being struck down, were passed down in history and myths as dragons or serpents, this was for the purpose of praising the deeds of the heroes, glorifying their valor."
"Mm. That's right."
"Then, to act as proof, the defeated goddesses were forced to submit, which is to say the heroes took the fallen goddesses as their brides, this way it became a [defeated the monster and even saved the maiden] story, a happy ending. Your wife - Andromeda is in fact the great goddess of the land Tiamat, possessing the same divinity as the giant serpent which took her away!"
Godou looked straight at the handsome hero, the look in his eyes sharp and focused.
It was frustrating that he did not use this as part of the [Sword]. The hero who rescued the maiden. Behind their tales, such truths were hidden, Godou found this infuriating and unbearable.
"Indeed, you know of this. The points you had stated were accurate, hence you should understand, the reason why that girl cannot disobey me. As a hero of steel, the great goddesses of the land are targets of conquest, the same goes for the miko. For them to go against my will, it is too difficult a feat."
He said it as though the witches were his own belongings.