Able to list out a whole series of candidates in spite of that, the special agent's breadth of knowledge remained impressive as ever.
According to him, legends possessing the vital elements of demons, mountains, fire, one-eyedness, one-leggedness not only originated from towns and cities but also in the oral traditions of the iron-smelting populace living deep in the mountains as well as mining populations.
"A hero of steel is the personified existence of an 'iron sword.' I'm guessing that this legend came from some tribe holding knowledge and skills related to iron."
After listening to Amakasu, Liliana entered deep thought as well.
"The 'King of the End' who remains shrouded in mystery so far, his characteristics include: using a bow, wandering at length. Legends along the same lineage are widely spread east and west throughout the Eurasian continent, its source seeming more likely to be Asia rather than Europe. And considering the connection to Japanese folklore... This is getting more and more intractable."
"Then there's the oracle Yuri received."
An evil dragon in the sea. The dragon summoned wind and clouds to blot the sky and sun. Lightning flashed to illuminate the sea. The king shot an arrow, piercing the dragon's chest—
Ena recited these verses before throwing a glance at the grumbling master ninja.
"Hey Amakasu-san, can you remember what book you read this passage from?"
"No, I'm very sorry. I might've been mistaken."
At this moment, a text message alert was heard. Ena's cellphone.
Seishuuin Ena normally cared little for this tool of modern convenience, frequently leaving it uncharged.
"Oh, it's Shihoko from Kamakura. Wonderful, she'll reach Tokyo Station soon."
"You deliberately called the Hime-Miko of Sagami over too? Forgive me for being rude, but under the current conditions, it's not like she can help much, right...?"
Amakasu commented to Ena who was checking her cellphone text. However, the Hime-Miko of the Sword simply smiled.
"Don't worry. Shihoko is planning to use an 'anonymous' spirit power on you, Amakasu-san."
Suddenly hearing his own name, Amakasu was so startled that he fell backwards a little.
This did not seem like a usual reaction from the agent who had failed to be of help this time. Godou felt slightly puzzled.
"What kind of power is it?"
"Shihoko is currently the only Hime-Miko capable of using it. It's a special spirit power for manipulating and rewriting someone's memories. Apart from rewriting, it could also be used to search someone's mind, to locate past memories that the subject has forgotten—"
"H-Hold on a sec!"
Amakasu interrupted in a panic.
"I recall that there are very few successful cases when using 'anonymous' for memory search! And putting the mind through this and that, there's a possibility of causing memory disorders in the subject!"
"How knowledgeable of you, Amakasu-san. However, the probability is only about one out of twenty or thirty... It should be fine. Probably fine."
"Please don't expect me to be optimistic about probabilistic effects!"
"But Kaoru-san already agreed."
"Come on, this is something where the search subject's wishes must be considered first. In response to this kind of unreasonable administrative order, I can only protest through unexcused absences at work or by handing in my letter of resignation—"
"The Sutra of the Six Paramitas."
While the dispute was heating up, Erica suddenly uttered a few sentences quietly.
"An ancient Buddhist text... The Sutra of the Six Paramitas. This is one of the stories collected within it. When an evil dragon appeared at a certain kingdom in the past, 'the king shot an arrow, piercing the dragon right in the chest'—There is also one theory that the king was the noble and virtuous reincarnation of a bodhisattva..."
Under everyone's gaze of surprise, the blonde girl spoke lightly.
As a mage hailing from a prestigious house, Erica Blandelli was a genius who had received an elite education.
However, she was born and raised in Milan and should not have memorized Buddhist classics from the orient. Just before Erica spoke, the peerless beauty on the adjacent sofa, whose smile was worth countless riches, had apparently motioned with a nonchalant wave of her hand before whispering a few words to Erica.
Right now, these quiet words spoken by Erica consisted precisely of the knowledge imparted by Her Eminence, the valorous and intelligent Luo Hao.
Part 3
Ākāśagarbha's Esoteric Doctrine Method.
This was one of the mystic techniques practiced by Luo Cuilian. Practitioners gained complete mastery of the contents of Buddhist texts, memorizing each and every word after a single reading.
This was a spell for obtaining superhuman memory by chanting the Ākāśagarbha's incantation with single-minded devotion.
"A book recording a dragonslaying story identical to this passage... To my knowledge, there is only the Sutra of the Six Paramitas. Unmistakably."
"The same technique that Grand Master Kuukai was rumored to have mastered? Nothing less expected from Her Eminence..."
After hearing Luo Cuilian's assertion, Ena could not help but feel surprised.
Godou felt the same way. Even when not in peak condition after depleting her qi, Luo Cuilian was still displaying many kinds of outstanding talents. All one could do was feel awed and impressed.
Furthermore, Godou felt quite surprised about the fact that this story originated from Buddhist literature.
"I was thinking this kind of scripture only recorded Buddhist doctrine or proverbs. I didn't know there were legends and myths too."
"From the standpoint of cultural diffusion, Buddhism was perhaps quite a powerfully influential tool."
Showing off vast knowledge at this time was still Amakasu again.
"Using the opening line of 'This story happened in the past'—myths from all over Asia were turned into Buddha's proverbs and recorded. In fact, that's how many Buddhist texts were written."
"There are that many?"
"Yeah. And don't forget that in the ancient world, the status of Buddhism used to be quite different from now. Everyone would study it with extreme fervor."
Quite happily, he revealed his knowledge. As usual, another Amakasu Minute started again.
"For example, after the Three Kingdoms period and the rule of the Jin Dynasty in China, it became the era of the Five Ethnicities and the Sixteen Kingdoms—the rise of kingdoms ruled by equestrian tribes. A tumultuous period of war far surpassing that described in the Records of the Three Kingdoms. Towards the end, it produced a yearning for inner tranquility which became the prevailing tide in mindsets. Back then, the various kings of violent military states conferred respected status on Buddhism, a foreign religion, thus Buddhism was spread and promoted everywhere all at once."
"What about Japan?"
"In Japan's case, Buddhism arrived together with advanced technology from the continent and was seen as advanced religious ideology and knowledge. The educated and privileged classes, taking great pains to bring in Buddhism, did not disappear rapidly either. Those among the Japanese who were educated in Chinese culture were also able to read and interpret Buddhist texts from China that had been translated into Chinese."
Amakasu continued at a faster pace.
"The 'King of the End' probably originated somewhere in Asia. His myth first began as a pan-Eurasian hero's legend, spreading east and west throughout the continent in altered forms through the movement of trade and migration. Then proceeding from there, it became known to educated people in various Asian nations in the form of a Buddhist parable, spreading even farther with minor amendments to the foundational elements of his myth. It's possible that his story is rooted even more deeply all over Asia than we imagine..."
Amakasu was gradually sinking into his own world. However, no one stopped him.
If the truth could not be seen instantly
through spirit vision as usual, then the correct answer would only be found through intelligence and knowledge. Furthermore, perhaps...
Perhaps right now, Amakasu was the closest person to the answer—
"Let's organize the key points. He is the man who vanquished dragons or demon lords. The vanquished targets could also be substituted with monster or evil ogres. There's also the wandering part—He's a traveler. No permanent abode... Or perhaps he was in the middle of a journey to some destination..."
While listening to his monologue, Godou suddenly noticed.
At some point in time, Luo Cuilian had started to gaze at the face of the knowledgeable special agent who was often playing dumb.
"The goddess Circe said he was related to the Argo's genealogy. Traveling on that ship was a group of heroes who had set off to sea in search of a golden fleece. They were seafaring adventurers. Heroes on a sea journey. An evil dragon in the sea. Buddhist texts. Chinese books. Spreading to Japan. Vanquishing ogres. The island of ogres. In other words, if that's the case..."
Then after several minutes of deep thinking...
Amakasu Touma spoke a name quietly.
It was Godou's first time hearing this name. Erica, Liliana, Yuri and Ena did not seem to have a clue either. Perhaps it was not a particularly famous character.
However, someone nodded solemnly.
"I see, it is precisely as you say. I agree wholly."
Standing at the pinnacle of wisdom and martial might, Her Eminence Luo Hao approved.
"It is a massive embarrassment seeing as I, Luo Hao, should not have overlooked this hero's name. However, you, too, definitely possess a pair of eyes with outstanding wisdom. —Erica."
"How may I be of service, Your Eminence?"
"Bestow upon him a reward in my name. His accomplishment is worthy of commendation."
"Understood. Your will shall be done."
After replying tactfully, Erica smiled and winked at Amakasu.
"Amakasu-san, it's time for me to offer you praise of the highest level. To receive a personal commendation from Her Eminence herself, it could very well be a once-in-a-century feat?"
"Well, umm, I'm truly overjoyed."
Towards being praised, Amakasu reacted with a bitter face instead.
"Although Her Eminence has offered her approval, this might sound weird coming from me, in the end, we still lack conclusive evidence. This is different from Yuri-san's spirit visions."
"Indeed. And it is not limited to the inability to confirm the name."
This time, it was Liliana's turn to murmur with a troubled look.
"There are still many incomprehensible aspects to the 'King of the End.' The overwhelming power from the great ritual of the covenant. The duty of exterminating all current godslayers. These are characteristics that none of the other gods share. I think that... Just figuring out his name is not enough to get a clear picture of his true identity."
Perhaps this was a hint from spirit vision.
After listening to the discussion, Godou made his decision.
"In the end, the best method is still to go get confirmation."
"Your Majesty, where are you going to confirm?"
Ena asked in dumbfounded surprise, prompting Godou to answer:
"Have you forgotten? Your grampsy—Susanoo in the Netherworld—and his gang should know the true identity of the 'King of the End.'"
"Oh, that's right. But they surely won't tell."
Speaking of interacting with a god, there was no one closer than this Hime-Miko. She immediately asserted:
"The true name of the 'King of the End' definitely cannot be disclosed to humans. The top secret belonging to the realm of the gods. Although grampsy seems very easygoing, he is also a proper god. He's very strict in this area."
"Fair point. If the name could be revealed, I'm sure Athena would have said it long ago."
Godou agreed with Ena's correction, but changed the direction of the conversation.
"However, at Susanoo's place, I've actually met someone else apart from a certain god, multiple times. I have a feeling that... this person might tell me. Of course, this is the one point that's the most impossible to prove."
The princess in the Netherworld whom he had met several times, led by mysterious fate—
For some unknown reason, the view of a grassy plain under the moonlit night was surfacing in Godou's mind together with her beautiful face.
Godou had an impression that he had met the princess with eyes as clear as glass at this location and even listened to the exotic sounding music of a foreign instrument, despite having no idea at all when exactly this scene had happened.
But right now, Godou was filled with confidence.
The Princess of Glass had offered a hint to the true identity of the "King of the End" back then.
Currently, the hero had awakened and he was already prepared to confront this major emergency. If he were to ask her again, perhaps—
Godou said to his companions at hand:
"I need everyone's power to reach that place. Perhaps I might need to trouble Mariya even more, can I rely on you?"
"Y-Yes. Of course there is no problem. So long as it is within my power, I am willing to do anything!"
Mariya Yuri had kept silent until now.
This was partially due to her staid personality in addition to her high fever. However, it looked like she had been listening seriously to everyone's discussion. In addition, she instantly understood Godou's invitation and stood up straight away.
Just at that moment...
"Ah..."
Yuri grew unsteady on her feet and immediately fell down again.
Part 4
Waking up, he found a yellow flower in full bloom in front of his eyes.
It was supposed to be winter at the moment, yet spring had already arrived prematurely at this mountain in the wild. Realizing this fact, the pale-haired aristocrat—the one known as the "King of the End"—smiled.
Last night, he had fought Kusanagi Godou and his sworn elder sister, even going as far as to use the great ritual of the covenant.
Afterwards, he had left the devastated crater and come here.
To wait for the heat from his entire body to dissipate, he had leaned against a random tree, falling asleep while holding the Divine Sword of Salvation against his chest.
Wandering nonstop throughout his entire life, he had also spent long periods in uninhabited places.
He did not mind sleeping in the wilderness like this at all. In addition, there was a lovely sea of blooming flowers the moment he opened his eyes. This was a pleasure of nature one could not experience when sleeping on a soft bed in an opulent palace.
In the depths of the Minamibousou mountains, being able to admire early blooming rapeseed flowers in the latter part of February—
Naturally, he could not have known this type of information.
He was simply admiring this beauty of life, blooming quietly in the mountains of the wild.
"...The heat has pretty much dissipated."
While sleeping from last night till now, the heat had almost subsided completely.
Nodding, the "King of the End" stood up and walked through the field of yellow flowers. He was just about to get a closer look at the loveliness of wild flowers when—
"Alas."
He lamented in sorrow.
Instantly, the yellow rapeseed flowers withered.
A sudden heat wave had incinerated them utterly. In an instant, they were sucked dry of life and moisture.
—There was no turning back. Shaking his head, he resumed walking.
The grassland wilted from simply his footsteps. Just the act of passing by was making trees loose their vitality, turning into dry and withered wood.
"I must hurry..."
Currently, the "King of the End" was reaching critical point in heat and power.
Things would be bad at this rate. Just as what had happened many times in the ancient past, numerous
calamities were going to bring harm to this world soon...
To be precise, his name was the "king manifesting at era's end."
The man who descended upon the end times when many godslaying Rakshasa Kings vied for supremacy, thereby pacifying the world.
Although that was significance carried by this name, he understood very well. His existence itself could very well be the trigger for "the end of the world."
To prevent this conclusion, there was only one solution.
Namely, by paying each of the present generation's godslayers a visit, to engage in deathmatches repeatedly. That was all.
"Godou-san, today's weather feels much warmer, does it not?"
"Definitely. It's only February yet it already feels like spring."
It was the evening after Godou had met his sworn sister at the Tokyo Skytree.
Godou and his companions were visiting the Sayanomiya mansion. Instead of the usual study, they were meeting in the guest room so as to let Yuri sleep comfortably after collapsing from her fever.
Liliana and Ena were by the bedside, accompanying the sleeping Hime-Miko.
Godou and Erica were standing face to face with Sayanomiya Kaoru in the center of the guest room, a couple steps away.
"Actually due to the Siberian cold front, considering the distribution of pressure zones, today is supposed to be the coldest day for the Kantou region all winter."
"..."
"In spite of that, the actual weather turned out to be this warm. I have also received reports of a persistent rise in Tokyo Bay's water temperature. On the same day, Yuri also started having a fever."
"Well, I think Yuri simply collapsed from exhaustion."
After Kaoru, it was Erica's turn to speak.
"If only it were coincidence. But just an hour earlier, the Witenagemot at Greenwich—Princess Alice also sent a notice."
"From Princess Alice?"
"The princess had been tracking Divine Ancestor Athena earlier, coming to Asia from Europe. And tonight, she originally planned to visit us here... But she was forced to abort."
Campione! - Volume 17 - The Hero's Name Page 12