Campione 04

by The Hero

  By Perseus who was acting as if this was common sense, Godou was annoyed.

  "Whether it's futile or not, we'll only know after we try it."

  ".... Mm. To disregard a pact between human and god, and even fight back? Fufufu, what a likeable guy you are. If I didn't know I was a god, I might have said the exact same words as you."

  Perseus revealed a slightly sorrowful smile.

  An unlikely expression from the beautiful and ferocious hero, seemingly lamenting over the flaws of the world.

  "Regrettable it may be, but I am a hero that became a god. I understand your mistake. The miko who will obey, one could say that it is destiny, thus it's best if you gave up."

  "Who's going to give up!"

  This guy was the same as Verethragna. Godou was very certain.

  Though he was a hero, he could not become a hero. If he were a true hero, he would realize the mistake in his words!

  ".... Liliana, it's as you heard. Is it really fine to blindly follow the gods? I'm not willing, and I will never accept you being manipulated by that kind of guy."

  "It's useless. Young maiden, throw aside your weapon and come to my side. This is something you must do."

  Hearing the words from both her king and the god -

  Unnoticed, Liliana had closed her eyes, and seconds later, she reopened her eyes and then her mouth.

  "Hear the sorrow of David, people! Alas, may the heroes fall! Alas, may the weapons of war be destroyed!"

  The singing voice resounded through the plaza.

  "O' mountains of Gilboa, I pray that dew and rain will not fall upon your peaks! I pray that your lands grow infertile, unable to flourish! There, the shield of the hero was cast away! The shield of Saul, unpolished with oil, was cast away over yonder!"

  The surrounding air slowly began to grow chilly.

  This bone-chilling cold was extremely similar to the [Spell Words of Golgotha] that Erica used.

  For Erica's, the atmosphere was heavy with despair and hatred, that kind of sensation. As for Liliana's, it was the anguish of the terrible melancholy of regretful departed spirits, an exclamation of warriors who tired of battle.

  This description was fitting for the situation, an unbearable feeling that made one want to flee.

  "... You actually broke out of my control?"

  Perseus was shocked.

  The usually grand, magnificent and handsome hero, was confused for the first time.

  "Undrinking blood of murderers, the unretreating bow of Jonathan! Unconsuming oil of the brave soul, returning the sword of Saul in vain! Alas, the heroes, fallen in the midst of battle!"

  In Liliana's left hand, blue light began to gather, and a longbow as long as she was tall was formed.

  In her right hand that was also glowing with blue light, appeared four arrows.

  "O' bow of Jonathan, with eagle's swiftness and lion's strength, a hero's weapon. Go forth in assault, upon my fleeing enemies!"

  From the longbow that was a shade of rare blue, the four arrows were released, seemingly like comets.

  The arrows flew in an unnatural arc, aiming directly at Perseus.

  The targeted Perseus displayed his superb speed, a brilliant white meteor that jumped aside at blinding speeds, dodging all the blue arrows.

  However, one of the four arrows pierced into his left shoulder.

  "Ku - !"

  A visible look of pain could be seen on Perseus' face.

  His left shoulder that was hit by the blue arrow suffered major damage, his clothes dyed red by his flowing blood, and his left arm rendered useless.

  This was Liliana's trump card, [Spell Words of David], Godou could not help but be in awe.

  The summoned bow of Jonathan that could pierce a god, the secret art of the sword of Saul that could slay a god, it was indeed impressive. Perseus had suffered from it.

  "Are you okay, Liliana!?"

  "Of course, weren't you the one who taught me how to break out of it?"

  "No, although that is... aren't witches unable to turn upon the heroes - "

  "Not 'unable', but rather 'difficult to'. However, carved upon my heart, are feelings of burning flames. Even when facing a god, I cannot allow these feelings to be trod over... When I thought of that, the spell was instantly broken!"

  "Fe, feelings of burning flames?"

  "Yes. My bonds with you... Yes, we are like a pair of birds flying wing to wing, branches of the same tree entwined together, no matter in life or in death, our hearts will be as one. Naturally, I felt that I could not let you fight alone."

  Liliana's face had turned a deep red, revealing an extremely cute expression.

  The power of friendship, or something like that? A little unsatisfied, Godou nodded his head, and then looked towards the Perseus who looked euphoric for some reason, while raising his sword.

  "Then, shall we clean him up, the two of us? That skill earlier, can you still use it?"

  "Yes, one way or another. One more time is the limit."

  "Got it. Then, use that last time and pin that hero-sama on the ground."

  ".... But, if I simply shoot him, he'll just dodge it just like last time."

  "I'll go hold him down! Take the chance to attack then!"

  If it were Erica, they should be able to convey their intentions to each other, heart to heart.

  With Liliana, they were not a combination of that level yet.

  However, this will be resolved, with time. For sure, he'll be able to achieve an extraordinary level of rapport with this girl, and Godou who truly believed that, dashed towards Perseus.

  "What have you done to that Miko, Kusanagi Godou!"

  "I didn't do anything! It's just that the bonds between us have triumphed over your abnormal powers!"

  "Is that so! Hahaha! As I thought, since ancient times, the power of love has always been the strongest weapon! I, Perseus, had actually forgotten that truth! I must be getting too old!"

  For some reason he was laughing really joyfully. The hero brandished his sword with only his right hand, his left arm, due to the damage from being pierced by the bow of Jonathan, was unable to move.

  Godou and Perseus both gritted their teeth, each confronting the other.

  The area around the stab wound was unbearably painful, but he only had to endure for a while longer -

  A slash. The sword was swung towards him.

  Godou wanted to jump aside to dodge, but the movements of the wounded body had become sluggish.

  His posture had already fallen apart, at this rate, he'll be directly hit. Since he was moving forward, left or right were not an option, Godou could only dodge by falling towards his back.

  Godou laid down flat on the floor, facing Perseus who was in an assault stance.

  He maintained the posture on the floor, and kicked out forward, like a move from the Brazilian martial art Capoeira, an attack from a lower position.

  The target was Perseus' arm that was holding the sword.

  If he could break that area - the hero noticed his intentions, and raised his arm high accordingly, and Godou's leg hit only air.

  What followed was a downward slash. Godou quickly rolled aside to evade it.

  The blade embedded itself deeply into the ground - it was time.

  "O' bow of Jonathan, with eagle's swiftness and lion's strength, a hero's weapon. Go forth in assault, upon my fleeing enemies!"

  The chance had come. While he was thinking, Liliana's words of power filled the air. As expected of my new partner, you've properly answered my expectations!

  The awaited four comets came from upwards.

  Perseus, whose gaze was on the stone floor, had reflexively tried to pull out his sword.

  "Ooh, is it coming - !"

  As expected, a white meteor! He managed to dodge three of the comet-like arrows.

  The last remaining one pierced his left leg completely, embedding itself deep into the stone floor, nailing him to the ground splendidly.

  In order to
regain his mobility, Perseus who wanted to pluck out the arrow, stretched out his right hand.

  Taking advantage of this opening, Godou ran away from Perseus.

  "Thus speaketh Lord Mithra. The sinful shall be met with justice."

  If he used this method, he should be able to defeat Perseus once and for all.

  - That's why, get here faster. This time round, surely, I'll let you go on a rampage as much as you like. Anyway, just come out faster!

  Chanting out the words of power, Godou ran with all his strength. Because the [Camel] form was being removed, his body no longer had a superhuman endurance, and the pain from the stab wound grew, becoming more intense by the moment.

  Even so, he moved his legs through sheer willpower, and recited the last words of power.

  "May spines be crushed, may bones be broken, tendons torn; hair, brains, and blood mingled and trampled together with the earth! The one unblunted and unapproachable! Oath-breaking sinners be purged by the iron hammer of justice!"

  A distortion appeared in the air, the doorway between reality and the 'imaginary' world.

  This time, it appeared above the stone floor - not on it.

  In the plaza where Godou had lain down, and had been diced up by Perseus' sword - in the air above, twenty meters long roughly, estimated from the ground.

  From the doorway appeared the pitch-black visage of the [Boar].

  Savagely glaring downwards, it was restless. Yes, the target this time was Piazza Plebiscito - the place where Perseus was pinned down on.

  RUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

  The divine beast's roars boomed forth, resounding throughout the whole of Naples.

  That massive black body, descending from the air - though the elevation was rather low, it was still considered as 'descending from the air'.

  "Mu - Ooh!!"

  While looking upwards at the massive body of the [Boar] in astonishment, Perseus yelled out.

  Immediately after, the massive pitch-black body rapidly fell onto the ground, trampling and rampaging on the hero's body, along with the stone floor of the Piazza Plebiscito.

  Part 4

  As the pitch-black [Boar] used its powerful body and rampaged through the plaza and on the [Heretic God], Godou also fell on the ground.

  It seems that he had finally reached his limit, and he lost consciousness.

  Liliana who had hurriedly rushed over to him, almost burst into tears upon seeing his condition.

  The abdomen area that was wounded by Perseus was stained deep red, and the amount of bleeding was severe. Even if it were the body of a devil king Campione, it would definitely not hold out for long.

  "A-Ah, why did it turn out like this, please get a hold of yourself, Kusanagi Godou! My lord!"

  Liliana who had instantly fallen into a state of panic, calmed down just as fast.

  At any rate, she had to get him to the hospital. The body of a Campione had a tremendous vitality, but she still had to get medical treatment for him as soon as possible.

  Liliana closed in on the [King]'s body, checking for palpitations.

  At that moment, she remembered the magic art of healing, [Recovery].

  Thinking that, she thought that she should use that magic first. Because of the fixed idea that Campione's bodies are resistant to magic, she did not think of using it at first, but now, she knew how to bypass that.

  "T, this is for the sake of treatment, hence I'm ki-kissing you, there won't be any problems... no, or rather, this should be my duty...."

  Embarrassedly murmuring to herself, she looked at the [King]'s lips.

  Her heart was beating furiously.

  For the heavily injured person lying on the ground before her, she had to do her best to save him.

  She wanted to cook for him, wanted to knit something and give it to him during winter, and also taking care of his daily life, cleaning his room and other things...

  At any rate, he had to get better first, and then she would slowly nurse him back to health afterwards. Just as she made up her mind to kiss him....

  "... Hm, some way or the other, he succeeded? Though still inexperienced, at least the ending has met the bare minimum standards."

  Suddenly the voice of a girl could be heard, and Liliana turned around in a panic.

  Standing there was a young girl with the majesty of a Queen.

  She had silvery hair that shimmered even in the night, and pupils as black as darkness.

  - Heretic Athena.

  "I had personally made a special trip to inform him not to let down his guard after victory, only to find him in such a state. Such an inexperienced brat... But well, to have fought that troublemaking god this far is already pretty good. After all, that guy is a hero that had defeated me - "

  Though her tone was strict, Liliana still sensed that the goddess that looked at the [King] with a little praise in her gaze.

  "However, as a warrior that is also King, one must also prepare for moments of weakness like this. I have told him this before, but apparently he has not fixed this problem at all. Tsk, what an unexpected fellow."

  Athena approached Kusanagi Godou, and then bent over in front of him.

  Realizing the goddess' intentions, Liliana cried out, 'Pl, please wait!' attempting to stop her...

  It was too late.

  Athena had already kissed Kusanagi Godou, using those small lips of hers.

  "Take this as a compensation for involving you in that battle, and also as a prize that you won. Your wounds have healed... but next time, do fight better!"

  Haughtily proclaiming that, Athena stood up.

  After that, she threw Liliana who was standing at the side a glance, and ordered with the majesty of a Queen,

  "Girl, take good care of your master. After some rest, his body should fully recover. Also, remind him not to forget that promise - someday, Athena will appear once more, before your eyes!"

  With those words, Athena disappeared from the streets at night.

  (Though one might call it a 'street', but Piazza Plebiscito and the surrounding area had been destroyed thoroughly, it would be an understatement to even call it 'ruins'.)

  The remaining witch who was also a Great Knight, because of that missed good opportunity, was kneeling on the ground in disappointment, her shoulders drooped unhappily.

  The pitch-black divine beast in the distance offered a roar of victory to the heavens.

  In an alley of Naples from where the roar of the divine beast could be slightly heard, particles of light shone, gathered, forming into the shape of a human.

  The light became the handsome man, the hero - Heretic Perseus.

  "Seriously, by such a savage and unbeautiful method, I was done in by such a method of this degree. Not even in the myths has such a thing occurred!"

  Panting heavily, Perseus was trembling with excitement.

  Before he was almost smashed by the divine beast, he became light, and succeeded in rebirthing. The sun that set in the west would rise again in the morning, this was the grace of light's life-force.

  Because he had used up all the remaining divine power of the [Sun], he could no longer use this method to escape from a crisis. However...

  Perseus looked in the direction of Kusanagi Godou while smiling.

  "If I return right away, perhaps I might be able to continue our duel... would it be a good time? Fufu, to sheath my blade like this, indeed it would be a waste."

  Although he was a divinity, taking that kind of intense attack was still very exhausting.

  To be honest, he had already reached his limits, though that may be the case, he still wanted to continue battling. To be in the physical world that he had not been in for a while, to have finally fought a worthy opponent, his spirits were roused.

  "Eeh - I think that it's about time. If it's pro wrestling, it'll take three counts, if it's boxing, then ten counts, for the match to end."

  The male voice of someone approaching slowly reached his ears.


  Not a human nor a god. A godslayer. Feeling that presence, Perseus immediately summoned his sword.

  The footsteps did not cease. It was a youth of a godslayer.

  Perseus sensed from the way he had moved that he was a highly skilled martial artist. The longsword of steel that he had gripped in his hand, was obviously a normal longsword, but it felt indescribably threatening in his hands.

  The secret behind that most likely laid in that arm glowing with silver light.

  He did not know what kind of authority it was, but that arm was the usurped authority.

  "Yo, nice to meet you. My name is Salvatore Doni. My relationship with that guy... what was it... lifelong friends, as well as rivals, and you should be Perseus?"

  "I don't mind if you call me that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you going to fight in order to protect your friend?"

  "Hm~m, that doesn't sound quite right."

  The blond godslayer smiled happily.

  "This time, it seems I've gone a little overboard in my games. If I don't put in some effort on my side, I might get severely rapped on by Andrea."

  "Ho. Then, you intend on doing battle with me?"

  "That's right, but I don't really like fighting with the wounded. Even if you flee, I will not give chase. I'll make this clear, if you cross blades with me right now, ten out of ten times, it will be a crushing defeat for you."

  Salvatore Doni smiled like a 'good guy' while saying that.

  A carefree smile of a youth, but in his eyes burned a dark flame.

  Doni was a person of rare abilities, his talent was simply shocking.

  Faintly smiling, Perseus saw through his true skill. If he were a human, he would not be that different from any other person, but if this kind of person was a godslayer -

  For sure, this youth was a one-in-a-billion heroic figure.

  The godslayers of this generation sure are interesting. Superb.

  "I understand what you're saying. But if I say that I want to fight, what will you do?"

  "Of course, I'll show no mercy."

  Two swordsmen with identical views, raised their weapons, facing off.

  Salvatore Doni relaxed his body, loosely holding his weapon. A neutral stance, with unparalleled versatility, able to shift to any posture to unleash any kind of sword art. The result of the uncountable amount of hours he had put into training.