From behind came the worried voice of the one bearing miraculous hands of healing.
However, Godou commanded her in a gruff tone of voice. Frankly speaking, he had no confidence in blocking this formidable foe.
Presumably sensing Godou's intentions, Madame Aisha surprisingly gave an instant nod and departed rapidly. Quite amazing of her in such areas. A keen nose for survival.
Godou glared viciously at the "King of the End."
In response, the pale-haired hero remained utterly cold and expressionless—Completely unmoved.
This was the reason why Godou had not sensed any threat from this guy just now! Feeling the rising emotions of battle and the excitement produced from the search for victory, Godou began to curl his lips in a savage grin.
"All evildoers, tremble before my strength... Upon my mighty self, I shall bear the symbol of the raging camel!"
Godou invoked Verethragna's fourth incarnation, the [Camel], whose activation required severe injuries. Using this incarnation, Kusanagi Godou was able to obtain superhuman combat ability, kicking strength and resilience!
The [Camel]'s blessings also helped relieve the intense pain. Godou instantly shouted:
"Ama no Murakumo! Can I leave things on that side to you for now!?"
'Affirmative!'
Hearing this promise, delivered full of spirit, Godou stabbed the divine sword into the ground.
For brief periods of time, Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi's own magical power could probably sustain the "black blade." While throwing down his weapon, Godou also made his move.
With great speed, he slid towards the legs of the "King of the End."
Extending his heel along the way, Godou aimed a strike to shatter the hero's kneecaps. Even in the human world, there existed martial arts and combat skills that involved surprise attacks aimed at the enemy's legs while attacking from the ground. However, divine sword in hand, the hero simply took a slight step backwards, easily escaping the range of the kick.
Due to this being the smallest necessary backstep, he was able to switch to offense immediately without the slightest instant of delay.
Beneath the shining sword, Godou was still on the ground after his sliding attack failed.
The movements of ordinary combat skills would be unable to evade the Divine Sword of Salvation. In an unsightly manner, Godou rolled on the ground, escaping from under the shining divine sword.
Then immediately, he used the [Camel]'s leg strength to stand up.
At this moment, the opponent caught up. The 'King of the End' made straight thrust with the divine sword's blade. Rather than a single strike, there were one, two, three... four thrusts.
In this brief instant, this divine technqiue aimed four thrusts at Godou's forehead, throat, heart and chest.
Godou kept turning his and swaying his body from side to side, barely managing to evade the four thrusts. However, unlike the "King of the End," he did not switch to offense. After exhibiting divine skills, the enemy entered another stance for an upper strike, readying himself to engage any incoming attack.
Not a single movement was redundant. His body's central axis did not deviate.
Perhaps that was why he was able to attack and defend without delay, able to instantly switch to the next movement.
Even as a swordsman, the "King of the End" was quite outstanding.
As expected of the strongest war god. Very likely, even when faced against Salvatore Doni or Godou's sworn sister, Luo Cuilian, he would still be able to engage them effortlessly in a sword fight. Perhaps even winning through swordsmanship alone.
Furthermore, wielding the divine sword, his stance was majestic and imposing—
While wielding the sword neatly, even the smallest actions of the body and every step of the foot were polished to the extreme.
A "position" worthy of the hero wielding the sword of salvation. Literally a king's sword, slaying enemies while looking down upon them from above. Such was his combat form, fighting courageously, fair and square.
In contrast, Godou's beast-like movements could be described as the polar opposite indeed.
"Hey... Why are you unwilling to fight seriously?"
However, still unable to sense a threat from the "King of the End," Godou spoke up.
"You're the hero who intends to slaughter all the Campi—godslayers, right? Born under that star with this kind of fate, you can wield astounding power when trying to accomplish that mission. Isn't that right?"
"......"
"There was once a god called the Great Sage Equaling Heaven who imitated you, invoking the power for vanquishing Devil Kings. That time, he was much stronger than you are now. Why aren't you using your full power to eliminate us seriously?"
Indeed. That was the time when the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong, battled against three Campiones.
The monkey king of steel had prayed to the "sword god's star of destiny," summoning the power for exterminating Devil Kings, using it to suppress Kusanagi Godou, Luo Cuilian and John Pluto Smith.
Although the "King of the End" was strong indeed, he could not compare with the Great Sage Equaling Heaven of that time...
Godou shrugged after posing these honest questions.
The enemy remained silent. He looked like he had no intention of interacting with Godou.
But then...
"...If I were to ask in response, why do you hold such expectations for me?"
Godou finally heard it. He heard the voice from the "King of the End."
"Indeed, this body of mine shoulders the fate of exterminating the Devil Kings. It so happens that I manifested on this occasion due to a fake mother's entreaties. However, precisely because of that, you and I are having this encounter."
The voice was not only cool but also stern, yet incredibly, it carried a sweet feeling as well.
"Whether favorable or adverse fate, the incredible threads of destiny are weaved between individual humans as well as between humans and gods. Furthermore, between you and me—there should be few if any threads of fate linking us. On the level of crossing blades under such chance circumstances, such is the trivial bond of fate that we share..."
Godou stared at the "King of the End" once more.
Originally hiding his eyes behind shadows, those bangs had disappeared spontaneously. Was it because he started having the intention to communicate with Godou? In any case, his face was predictably handsome.
Like his voice, both his face and standing posture were cool and imposing.
High born. Aristocrat. A noble courtier. Only such descriptions could be applied to his appearance.
However, his handsome face was stained with battle-weary ferocity, neutralizing the sweetness of a handsome man's face. His facial beauty was filled with the nobility and stern dignity fitting for a great general on the battlefield.
Then this fierce aristocrat spoke with worry:
"I believe that great ritual of the ancient covenant must not be used lightly. It makes me hesitate whether I should wield this power against the few of you whose fates are lightly entwined with mine. Do you understand?"
"I think I have a rough idea..."
Godou also answered in a troubled voice.
For those who were named as war gods, the vast majority had excessive belligerence. However, the "King of the End" spoke differently compared to those other war gods—More importantly, Godou was able to converse with him smoothly against expectation. He also gave off an air of intellect. Rather, one could say that compared to the likes of Salvatore Doni, he seemed more like an ordinary person, right?
That said, as expected of a god, there were still many facets worth criticizing.
"But seeing how I'm already cut up so pitifully by you, I completely disagree with your assertion of a 'trivial bond of fate.'"
"Is that so? Now that you mention it, indeed you may be right."
Inflicting wounds that would surely kill a normal person on the spot, yet merely calling it "the level
of crossing blades." That was ultimately unacceptable. Godou began to reprimand him using the human world's common sense.
Unbelievably, the "King of the End" nodded honestly.
"My mistake. Please forgive my ignorance... But wait, you godslayers are all immortal and larger-than-life characters no matter the time period. I would believe that a sword wound of this level does not really count as an injury for your kind."
The hero's apology was filled with honesty and sincerity.
"In fact, you are continuing to fight as though treating the wound as perfectly natural."
"Th-That's why, I say that it can't possibly not hurt."
"I see, I understand now. My thinking was too shallow indeed. As an apology, I shall reveal to you a secret that I did not mention just now."
The paled-hair aristocrat stared straight at Godou and said:
"The great ritual of the ancient covenant... Presently, I am still unable to use it."
"What did you say?"
"Not only that. As I am now, I have yet to reach the level when I can use other weapons freely with ease... I am still lacking what it takes to elevate myself as a sword god to become the strongest blade."
After this confession, the "King of the End" wielded the divine sword with both hands.
Still an upper strike. This posture exhibited proper and orthodox swordsmanship.
"If you are taking precautions against the great ritual of the covenant, there is no need. You are trying to find an opportunity for victory, aren't you? Any moment is as good as any other. Feel free to bring it on."
"...Why do you think that?"
"Because you godslayers are always like this. Whether being backed into a corner, reaching the climax of victory, carrying a conversation, whispering words of love, your kind never relaxes towards me—rather, you godslayers are always preparing to bite the enemy's neck at all times. That is what you are."
The "King of the End" continued to stare with such directness while delivering words of such sincerity.
Godou could not find words to object. The cool aristocrat had pointed out facts that were basically correct. After all, during the entire conversation, Godou had been searching for the right timing in a corner of his mind.
Even so, it was quite unbelievable to think he was successfully conversing with the hero who had exterminated so many Devil Kings.
Hence that was probably why. Surprised by this, Godou spoke up:
"You just said that fate does not bind us to you very strongly, right? In that case, can't you choose to stop fighting? You're only meeting that Artio goddess for the first time, right?"
"Unfortunately, I cannot do that."
At this moment, what surfaced on the "King of the End"'s face was weariness.
Perhaps he was already tired of endless battles, feeling utterly exhausted. However, against that weary expression, ferocity surfaced, as clear-cut as rust.
"I am the sword born to fight your kind. That is also my reason for being here this time. The only forbidden choice is that of halting this battle. My apologies."
The "King of the End" announced with his handsome face, weary yet fearless.
Godou was greatly stunned. He had seen this face somewhere in his dreams... This ridiculous notion surfaced in his mind.
"Even though my body is not in peak condition, fighting your kind is my destiny. I hope you will enjoy yourself briefly in a duel against me. That said, I am currently unsure if I can satisfy the likes of you godslayers in battle—"
"But avoidable battles should still be avoided..."
Godou sighed deeply.
By the time he noticed, the gravitational storm had already weakened.
In the white sun and dark star's clash in the air above, the dark star was already losing in the tide of battle. Weakening due to Godou having entrusted Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi to maintain it, the dark star had shrunk to roughly half its size compared to when it was at peak power.
Turning his gaze, Godou saw the masked war god still engaged in a sword battle with Salvatore Doni.
No longer needing to put all her strength towards suppressing the gravitational storm, the goddess Artio was now looking downwards from the hill towards her "son"'s back. She was probably planning to assist.
Godou decided that now was his only chance to act. At this rate, they were going to be driven into an even worse predicament.
Agreeing with his victory instincts, Godou yelled:
"Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, you can stop Athena's sword now!"
"!?"
Because the dark star disappeared from the sky, the "King of the End" showed true surprise for the first time.
The only thing left in the air was a giant ball of light resembling a sun. However, that was fine. If victory could be seized within a minute or two, the rest did not matter.
Godou rushed full speed at the hero who was wielding the white divine sword.
Traces of surprise still lingered in the face of the war god, even as an outstanding swordsman. However, he still readied the divine sword for an upper attack and turned his sharp gaze towards Godou, fully prepared to intercept any attack.
Ten-odd steps more and Godou was probably going to enter the "King of the End"'s attack range of the divine sword—
Hence, Godou commanded simply:
"Divine Sword of Salvation... Let me have a go at using it too!"
"What!?"
Manifesting in Godou's right hand was Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi.
Three feet three and a half inches in blade length. A strong sword with a gently curving blade of black. However, what should have been a jet-black blade was currently shining with platinum splendor. Kusanagi Godou's partner possessed the ability to replicate enemy authorities. Previously in the battle with Uldin, this had also been used to great effect.
Naturally, the target this time was the destructive power hidden in the Divine Sword of Salvation.
'The divine sword, stalwart in the face of barbarians, you are not the only one, hero!'
As Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi uttered these bold words, Godou swung it like a metal bat with both hands—
Throwing it towards the "King of the End."
Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi's blade was infused with the light and lightning of salvation.
Naturally, it was unable to produce a sun-like ball of light like the Divine Sword of Salvation. Nevertheless, it still possessed enough power to make the aristocrat sense slight danger.
Thrown through the air, the shining Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi was blocked by the "King of the End" using the white divine sword.
The instant these two radiant swords clashed violently, lightning erupted from the point of contact.
Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi and the Divine Sword of Salvation bounced away from the lightning's impact. For just an instant, the "King of the End" went "!?" and stared wide-eyed, his attention slightly diverted.
Godou suddenly jumped and delivered a right straight kick from midair!
The kick dug straight into the "King of the End"'s chest. In that instant, Godou poured magical power into his right leg, increasing the kick's power to a maximum. This was his first attempt at doing so—But it worked.
The "King of the End" flew ten-odd meters, finally collapsing on his back somewhere halfway up the hill.
"How splendid, godslayer..."
Frowning in pain, the "King of the End" pushed his upper torso up, trying to stand.
The place where Godou's kick had dug in, right over the heart, was glowing with red light.
"Just now—It's my loss, huh. May I know your name?"
"...Kusanagi Godou."
"I shall remember it. For the day of our inevitable reunion."
Godou hesitated slightly due to his opponent's strange request, but still announced his name in the end. With a satisfied expression, the "King of the End" nodded at him. Then a few seconds passed.
Glowing above the heart, the red light suddenly increased in brightness—E
xploding.
The light, carved into the opponent's body by Godou's kick, caused a vortex of flame, engulfing the "King of the End." Amidst the intensely burning flames of the explosion, the aristocrat's figure was gradually disappearing.
Shining brilliantly in the sky, the sun of salvation also vanished simultaneously with its master's exit from the stage.
"Does this count as my win...?"
And so, Godou was puzzled by this excessively simple conclusion.
Part 4
Salvatore Doni and the war god continued to slash at each other.
The masked war god attacked ferociously with swordsmanship of such divine speed that no shadows were produced. Doni evaded his opponent's rapid attacks using a sword savant's superb martial arts while turning his longsword to counterattack.
With movements of divine speed, the war god dodged Doni's sword by the slimmest of margins—
The battle repeated endlessly in this manner, a rather boring development.
This monotony was finally broken by the "King of the End"'s explosion.
Some distance away, the hero of the divine sword was engulfed by the flames of the explosion, disappearing...
Witnessing this shocking sight in a corner of his view, Doni chuckled to himself. As he had hoped, Kusanagi Godou had taken rather large strides in development as a warrior. Nothing else could please Doni as much as this.
On the other hand, the war god's attention was momentarily distracted by the master's defeat, thus exposing a slight opening.
In this very instant, Doni's body moved on its own.
Stepping forward as naturally as water flowing downhill, he swung the longsword horizontally with his right hand in a wide arc, intending to slice through the war god's neck.
An act performed by body and arm, faster than the mind could think—
The sword of mental nothingness. Swinging the sword naturally was where its true value lay.
Even the war god of gales was unable to evade this attack. Instead, he used his left forearm to block his neck, stopping Doni's sword. However, Doni's sword was the magic blade of severing.
It was supposed to be Doni's victory, with the war god's left arm and neck simultaneously severed.
Clang! The distinctive sound of steel clashing with each other rang out.
Campione 15 Page 14