This was the magic sword they had just forged using a number of magical ingredients.
The ingredients used were respectively: a former iron sword that was now a piece of metal all covered in rust, a pottery fragment unearthed from ancient Libyan ruins, salt, mercury, a blue lump of solidified lava, etc.
Made in an emergency rush after all, this sword would probably last for no more than one or two uses. However, that ought to be sufficient.
Ever since Kusanagi Godou and the two Hime-Miko departed last night, the two knights had been working nonstop on this task without resting.
Fortunately, it was Saturday so they did not need to be excused from school.
"I wanted to go along to the Astral Plane originally..."
"No helping it. Although it doesn't matter who are the ones making this, you and I are the most adept, after all."
"It does not seem like your personality to accept things so readily."
"Oh my, didn't you know that I am the woman who can sacrifice everything for Godou any time? But now that you brought it up, Lily, aren't you the one who is accepting things with unbelievable readiness?"
Erica put the lead-hued short sword into a leather sheath and placed it on a table in a corner of the garage while Liliana cleared away the fragments of ingredients leftover from the forging magic.
While their hands were working away, the two girls started testing each other.
"Lily, lately it has come to my attention that you haven't shown the slightest hesitation towards becoming Godou's woman."
Erica was still speaking with a noblewoman's elegance as usual.
"Stealing credit whenever certain circumstances arise to allow you time alone with Godou, having tasted pleasure and satisfaction multiple times, your heart has grown confident... Perfectly spot on, am I right?
"You are the one I must denounce, the sly vixen through and through."
Liliana did not change her strict demeanor of a female knight's either.
"Absolute refusal to miss any opportunity. The recent visit to Sardinia with Kusanagi Godou was a rare and excellent chance. Precisely because you accomplished results accordingly, that is why you are so calm—Am I right?"
The two girls have always been prodigies from magic associations in Milan as well as childhood friends and rivals.
Although they were in the same faction now, they were still competing against each other over the man of their most beloved affections. Staring into each other's face, they observed the other's reaction for now.
In the end, they both sighed and slowly relaxed their shoulders.
"Regarding this matter, Kusanagi Godou really ought to be questioned thoroughly. There should be quite a lot of new information of interest."
"Indeed. After all, he is not one who can keep secrets."
After exchanging nods, Erica continued:
"When suspicious points arise in his female relationships, those are generally discovered after something happened."
"This type of premonition always comes true. After all, he is someone impossible to predict. Most likely, the ritual will be completed in the Netherworld this time as well."
Criticizing Kusanagi Godou was their shared special talent.
To go even further, they were much better at it than Yuri and Ena with their benevolent personalities. Although their king was kind and a bit dense in personality, he was excessively problematic on the matter of conduct.
"Actually, Erica, judging from common sense, I would expect Mariya Yuri to be the partner... But this alone is probably insufficient to satisfy him."
"What a coincidence. I happen to agree with you completely."
"More than becoming undisciplined, lately his mind has gradually decayed."
"However, do note that we are the accomplices in this regard."
"In a certain sense, the people responsible for him awakening into such a monster are the four by his side—us..."
"For him to have developed to such an extent, how unexpected. Or rather, a godslayer never fails to impress."
Just as they really got into the topic, delving deeper and deeper into the matter, Liliana's cellphone on the table in the corner started ringing.
The caller was Sayanomiya Kaoru, presumably to inform them of an emergency gathering.
The two Great Knights nodded at each other.
A few hours after the forging magic's success, it was two in the afternoon.
Erica and Liliana were heading to the mountains in the Bousou Peninsula again. But instead of Minamibousou, this time it was Ichihara City in the Chiba Prefecture. Their current location was near the Ichihara Service Area of the Tateyama Expressway crossing the mountainous Uchibou region.
The History Compilation Committee had reported discovering the "King of the End."
Arriving in the car provided by the Committee, the two Great Knights were greeted at the scene by Lu Yinghua.
He was probably conducting the search operation together with the History Compilation Committee in order to accomplish the task set by his master.
"Oh well, finding that guy isn't actually hard."
Saying that nonchalantly, Lu Yinghua frowned. The arrogant youth's handsome face was casting a grim gaze towards withered trees.
"It's obvious from first glance, because there are suspicious trails left all over the place."
"The land becomes barren wherever the 'King of the End' passes... Is that what is going on?"
Liliana murmured with worry.
The Bousou Peninsula's mild climate meant that its mountains and forests were full of greenery even in winter.
One could even call it early spring by February. That being said, the mountains near the Tateyama Expressway had already lost their verdant color.
Leaves were withered while trunks and branches looked dead as though dehydrated.
Trees were literally standing there with all greenery and nourishment sucked out of them. The weeds growing under the trees were not only withered but also pulverized and destroyed.
The soil was dry as well. Due to the strong wind today, clouds of dust were blown all over the place.
Fortunately, this was not the state of the entire mountain. Only the area from the foot to the middle of the mountain had lost its greenery.
"Looks like this guy walked here on foot from Minamibousou. Everywhere he passed through looks like this. All the grass and trees are withered, looking like a single lane's worth of tire tracks."
"Indeed it is so..."
Liliana nodded in response to Lu Yinghua's report. Before arriving here, she had used the [Witch's Eye] to confirm the surrounding situation.
Looking down from above, it looked like a faded one-way road had been marked on the Minamibousou landscape.
As though the grim reaper's carriage had left these tracks behind, it was a terrifying scene.
"On the other hand, there are many golf courses nearby and a small number of homes, isn't that right? Is it possible that the 'King of the End' has not made any contact with humans?"
"Well, about that... I think it'd be quicker for you to have a look."
Puzzling Erica with his answer, Lu Yinghua motioned with his chin.
The noise of engines kept coming from the direction he indicated.
This noise from operational engines was clearly different from that of vehicles traveling on ordinary roads and highways. Quite distinctive. There was a motor racing circuit behind the mountain they were at.
Although called a racing circuit, this place was not as grand as Formula One venues or the like. This place was exclusively used for training, shows and official competitions for kart racing.
That said, the course length was roughly a kilometer.
With a 160m main straight, it was quite a large facility.
A number of teams were practicing today. Several karts were speeding along. There were also people watching from the grandstand. The pit area also had staff at work.
A quick glance of the surroundings
revealed roughly thirty or forty people present.
The surprising thing was that the "King of the End" was mixed among the crowd. Unbelievably, he was sitting at the front row of the grandstand, watching the racing karts going at high speed.
With a serious expression on his face, the sacred aristocrat was staring at the rapid vehicles with thunderous noises.
This could be described as the graceful and noble airs of "royalty whose curiosity was piqued when confronted with rare and unusual tribute or offerings."
Furthermore, he was even chatting with the people beside him.
After listening to their answers, he would nod with a look of comprehension. A crowd gradually gathered around the "King of the End" in the grandstand. In addition, they were explaining all kinds of knowledge to the Devil King exterminating hero, offering snacks and drinks to him, gazing into his handsome face in a trance.
As a side note, the "King of the End" was dressed in the same attire as he was last seen.
A blue tunic and a white cape. Taken down from his back, the scabbard carrying the divine sword was stood up next to him.
The handsome face with its pale complexion was clearly not Japanese. Despite this appearance of his, none of the surrounding people were bothered at all.
"That's essentially the attitude this great hero takes towards humans."
Lu Yinghua explained.
Erica and Liliana were watching the "King of the End" from afar, at a corner of the grandstand.
"He apparently came into contact with seven or eight people during the last two days. When Committee members asked around, everyone replied saying they 'met a very handsome foreigner who was extremely friendly.' Also, they all spoke with a face of rapture, hoping sincerely to meet him again."
"A hero who makes contact with ordinary humans huh..."
Liliana remarked with mixed feelings stirring inside.
"Even in this regard, he is quite an exception among Heretic Gods."
"Also, he is probably the same as Madame Aisha. I believe he possesses a charm authority."
Currently, all those people were treating the "King of the End" with sincere well wishes and admiration.
Having witnessed the same scene many times in ancient Gaul, Erica pointed out this fact.
"Try imagining this, a virtuous and revered king who could be called a bodhisattva's reincarnation. Or rather, it would be more apt to consider him the originator. If he were to visit heavily populated urban areas—"
"Undoubtedly, he would cause massive chaos just like the Madame in ancient Gaul."
"Unbelievable. By gathering fanatical believers, he could probably turn them into his own army. Even with a gentle disposition, he is also a god with unpredictable effects..."
"Well, my two Nee-sans, about that..."
Lu Yinghua interrupted the conversation between the two Great Knights.
"Are we really going to make a move? There is the option of staying hidden to continue monitoring, right?"
"You definitely make a good point. But even if the charm authority could be released, I believe the 'King of the End' must not be allowed to enter cities. If he were to run amok as before, none could predict the extent of damage and casualties..."
"Also, Lu Yinghua, you still have your master's orders."
"In that case, I've no objections to raise."
The trio nodded at one another. Resolving themselves, they started to move.
They walked from the corner in the grandstand over to the circle of people that were gathered around the "King of the End." Squeezing through the entranced crowd, they approached the hero of salvation.
The trio were the only people gazing at the pale-haired aristocrat with calm eyes. Presumably because of that...
He evidently figured out their identities. With a calm voice, he called to the people around him.
"My apologies, everyone, but let us call this a day. I hope you will depart as quickly as possible to leave me alone. Thank you."
The effects were immediate. The people around him packed away their things quickly and left the seating area, disappearing towards the exit.
Also, there was a lot of human noise at the race course and the pit area.
Originally driving smoothly, the karts stopped to pit in, one after another. The drivers got out of their cramped seats while the crew waiting at the paddocks also began preparations to withdraw.
But unlike the spectators at the grandstand, these people were showing displeasure and agitation in their words and behavior.
The History Compilation Committee had contacted the racing circuit's management for an emergency shutdown today (possibly using magic in the process as well).
Glancing sideways at the people leaving, the "King of the End" stood up.
Turning his dignified and handsome face towards Erica, Liliana and Lu Yinghua, he slowly walked over to them.
"You are affiliated with the godslayers of the present generation—Kusanagi Godou and Her Highness Luo Hao, aren't you?"
Part 2
The History Compilation Committee and Lu Yinghua had discovered the "King of the End."
He was finally found at a certain place in the Bousou Peninsula that apparently served as his residence.
After receiving this report, Erica and Liliana went over to meet Sayanomiya Kaoru at her mansion first.
As one of the leaders in charge of the Committee, Kaoru remarked with distress.
"Despite all kinds of uncertainties, let's continue monitoring him for now while waiting for Godou-san's return."
A compromising solution one could hardly find fault in, but it had its own problems.
The "King of the End" was traveling north from the Bousou Peninsula, reaching Ichihara in the Chiba Prefecture.
Earlier, he was apparently moving through mountainous areas. But after crossing the Ichihara Service Area and Prefectural Route 13, his location was already within the municipal region of Ichihara City facing Tokyo Bay. Going north slightly would be Chiba City, the heartland of the Keiyou Industrial Zone.
Also, going west would bring him to the twenty-three wards of Tokyo after passing through the cities of Narashino, Funabashi and Ichikawa.
If the "King of the End" were to choose this route, he would be invading the Greater Tokyo Area where Japan's population and building densities were the greatest—
"Her Eminence Luo Hao isn't in peak condition, so this could be described as the worst scenario. It would be best to avoid making reckless moves. Better err on the safe side for now."
This sort of cautious and meticulous approach did not seem like the sophisticated Kaoru's usual style.
She was probably aware of it herself. A rare look of worry was displayed on her face.
There were other uncertainties as well. If the "King of the End" were to start a fight in the Greater Tokyo Area with such immense destructive power—damage and casualties would surely result on an unimaginable scale.
In the end, this strategy of caution carried its own risks.
However, there was no other solution. With heavy hearts, Erica and Liliana made a visit to the Tokyo Skytree, in order to report the situation to Her Eminence Luo Hao.
The highest authority right now, Her Eminence Luo Hao—was hidden from sight.
With bamboo curtains set up in a corner of the observation deck, she was staying in a barricaded space.
"I am currently practicing some slightly complicated neigong. These measures are for eliminating unnecessary disturbances. You too, be careful and absolutely do not approach me."
The two Great Knights were left speechless by these orders that she had issued from behind the bamboo curtains.
Without a direct view of Her Eminence Luo Hao's beautiful appearance, Erica reported what had transpired.
Direct conversation with Her Eminence Luo Hao would be too heavy a responsibility for History Compilation Committee members and Lu Yinghua's subordinates. This was why Erica went out of her way to come here.
&
nbsp; "Hmm... How incomprehensible."
After listening to the report, Her Eminence Luo Hao murmured in bemusement.
Was it due to the neigong she was practicing? Her voice sounded slightly more high-pitched than usual.
"Why do you not kneel down and prostrate yourselves towards this Luo Hao in supplication? To swing the iron fist of punishment upon the hero who is bringing harm to the world."
" "......" "
This inconceivable comment made Erica and Liliana at a loss for words.
"Naturally, there is no value in saving the decadent city of Tokyo. Be that as it may, seeing as it is the land where my sworn brother makes his stronghold—It would be a taint upon my honor as the sworn elder sister if I were to fail in displaying my chivalry."
"Do you mean to imply you will protect this country's people in Kusanagi Godou's stead?"
"Hohohoho... The real event will wait until that child returns. On the level of stalling for time, I shall have a little fun in the meantime."
The demonic cult leader smiled tenderly from the depths behind the bamboo curtains in response to Erica's question of confirmation.
Even when facing a god—be it the strongest sword god—she never altered her haughty downward gaze. But given her current state of depleted magic power, was she able to oppose the "King of the End"?
Erica did not inquire upon this matter.
If she were to raise the question, Her Eminence Luo Hao would assuredly end up feeling angered and insulted.
Even without being Lu Yinghua, Erica could easily predict such an outcome.
If she were to insist on stepping on the tiger's tail, what awaited her would be nothing as gentle as the fist used for punishing her direct disciple.
Completely unaware of the thoughts going through Erica's mind, Luo Cuilian continued:
"First, you shall make contact with the 'King of the End.' Then inform the hero of my impending entry to the field. Make him wary to a certain extent."
There was no choice but to obey this command.
Hence, this was how things developed into the two Great Knights facing off against the "King of the End" at a motor racing circuit in the mountains.
Campione! - Volume 17 - The Hero's Name Page 16