"Aisha-san, I hope you can stop misunderstanding. Whether Erica, Seishuuin or these two here, they're all my friends, not that kind of bizarre relationship—"
"H-Here you go talking like that again! I-I know everything already!"
The Madame shouted at Godou for his interruption.
"Since Kusanagi-san represents the pinnacle of popularity, you not only took turns enjoying love adventures with two girls, but not satisfied with that, you also established a residence in the city no different from a harem, intending to indulge yourself in a life of depraved lust."
"P-Please don't be ridiculous."
"So, aren't you having love adventures right now? Aren't you cohabiting with them?"
"..."
"...Indeed that is true. So even more girls will be added to that residence..."
"H-Hold on, Aisha-san, you're also one of the freeloaders living there. Aren't you part of the reason why the female ratio went up?"
Listening to their conversation, Liliana and Yuri both frowned.
Godou could feel the pressure coming from them while he was raising his objections. The Madame clapped.
"Oh right, I have something else to say about that. Since I have decided to assume my post as the new chieftain, I shall be moving over there."
Before the goddess's threat passed, she was going to live near the outpost, the Madame told them.
This was an important stronghold where the Frankish warriors and leaders gathered. Moving the chieftain's residence nearby was only natural. However, Godou said:
"I think it's better if you quit being chieftain straight away..."
"What are you talking about? Someone needs to take on the job of protecting the Frankish warriors from the gods."
"No, just leave the fighting to me. Also, could you please stop the reversal of your authority."
Earlier, when they were using Liliana's flight magic to approach Colonia Agrippina...
Godou noticed that the air was gradually growing cold. Even though it was clearly spring right now, the air felt like midautumn's. Also, he had also experienced the same phenomenon before.
That was before the duel against Uldin when the Madame had reversed her healing authority.
According to Madame Aisha, reversing the power she had usurped from the spring goddess Persephone would produce [Winter's Authority]—the ability to bring a freezing calamity to a vast region in the surroundings.
Deciding she must be prevented from using this power, Godou spoke up.
"No, I can't keep relying on your care and consideration, Kusanagi-san, this will be my fight next!"
Madame Aisha declared with great spirit. Furthermore, she even clenched her fist tightly with a solemn expression. This was a display of her fighting spirit.
"And in fighting for my protection, your body is already in this state, Kusanagi-san! To repay your kindness, I will dedicate my all to do my very best!"
"With this body—"
"Don't forget that I am a user of healing skills after all. Even without any visible, external signs, I can still sense vaguely whether a person is injured."
The Madame spoke softly in a devout tone of voice.
In addition, she was staring at Godou's chest intently as though seeing inside. Godou originally thought that she would not discover he was injured if he pretended to be lively and energetic—He had misjudged greatly, apparently.
"You suffered an internal injury from the last battle... My authority is ineffective against another godslayer, hence I cannot cure you, Kusanagi-san. But conversely, I shall meet the goddess in your stead. With my honor at stake here, I must resolve the matter!"
Madame Aisha's words were filled with sincerity and determination.
Furthermore, her declaration exuded solemnity as befitting someone known as queen.
Chapter 6 - Queen of Turmoil
Part 1
Erica Blandelli and Seishuuin Ena.
All news of the two had disappeared from Colonia Agrippina. Naturally, they had not left without reason. There were compelling reasons why it was necessary.
After the battle where the "King of the End" had descended—
Helping Madame Aisha mount a horse in her dazed state, Erica and Ena had brought her with them back to the city of Colonia Agrippina. However, Doni's body had been stolen by the goddess Artio.
More serious of all, their king, Kusanagi Godou, had gone missing...
"But I can still sense Godou's direction."
The next day after the hero's descent, Erica raised the issue in "Kusanagi Godou's residence."
In her hand was the pocket watch she often used, attached to a chain. Given the hair of someone she wanted to find, it could seek out their position—That was the magic she was using.
"Isn't that to the north of here... Approximately fifty kilometers northeast."
"That's quite far a place he went."
Hearing the results of the search, Ena remarked with deep feeling.
"But as expected of His Majesty. To think he managed to survive so miraculously!"
"As much as I'd like to hurry over to find out exactly what sort of miracle it was, this distance is a little far."
In the modern world, this distance would not have posed any issue at all.
However, covering this on foot or horseback would take a few days. Also, Godou's area was already outside of the Roman Empire's road network.
Searching along routes without paved roads would be even more time consuming.
"Our most pressing problem is still the Franks' situation after all."
"Those misters are in disagreement and they're all impulsive people. So troublesome."
Erica frowned and remarked. Ena nodded with a bitter expression.
Despite surviving miraculously, Kusanagi Godou was very likely injured.
More importantly, Erica wanted to see her beloved as quickly as possible, but right now, she must suppress that impulse. Through Erica, news of "Salvatore Doni missing in action" had spread to the Franks.
This caused them to recognize Doni as slain in battle, resulting in a great turmoil.
Then the next day after the hero's descent, Erica and Ena held another meeting.
"Among the Franks who supported Sir Salvatore as the great chieftain, there are four other chieftains."
"Oh okay, that reminds Ena of powerful daimyos serving under the shogun's banner."
"This is similar to Japan's early modern feudal system? Well, they're essentially nobles serving the monarch whose family founded the country. Also, after Sir Salvatore's alleged death in action, the Franks' four chieftains each came up with their own respective course of action."
Course of Action 1: Inherit Doni's legacy, continue fighting the goddess's army.
Course of Action 2: Swiftly withdraw from Colonia Agrippina, return to their homeland.
Course of Action 3: Continue their occupation of Colonia Agrippina, but do not fight the goddess.
Course of Action 4: Using this place as a base, loot the immediate surroundings in the short term before retreating.
"Of course, it's best if they hurried and left without looting or doing anything!"
"That would be the choice with the least sacrifice and chaos. However, even if they plan on returning to their homeland, it still doesn't solve the problem, leaving them no choice but to cower each day in fear of the goddess's curse."
"But the fact that the Franks have been staying in this city is already quite weird in itself."
"True. Extras with no place on the stage should just make their exit. Once the battle with Artio and Sir Salvatore begins, who knows what could happen. It would be best if all ordinary people were gone from this area."
If necessary, Erica was fine with resorting to unscrupulous schemes. Also, there was someone here who was able to—rather, absolutely capable of—producing an effect.
Hence, Erica and Ena had gone to find Madame Aisha.
"I plan on leading the Franks' warriors to con
front the goddess!"
Gathered with the Franks' three thousand warriors in the former Roman army outpost...
Standing in this kind of place, Madame Aisha declared as soon as she met the two girls.
"I was asked by those who wished to inherit Doni-san's legacy, hoping I could assist them. Also, the Franks are in a state of disarray due to the great chieftan's absence... Also, the current mood where they want to subject the citizens to atrocities is totally unacceptable."
Madame Aisha clenched both fists in a display of determination.
"Also, Kusanagi-san is absent so I must do my best. I intend lead the Franks to have a meeting first with Artio-san who has stolen Doni-san's body."
"But Aisha-san, the Frankish guys are already divided in opinion, right?"
"Don't worry. I will go around and request everyone's support."
The Madame answered Ena's question nonchalantly.
Using the female Campione's authority of absolute charisma, all dissent was very likely going to be overturned, converting the Franks into her loyal believers.
Madame Aisha was a gentle and kindhearted woman.
Nevertheless, she clearly had no self-awareness regarding her bewitching charm...
"But Madame, once it turns into a battle between Colonia Agrippina and the goddess, severe casualties could very likely occur in the citizens. Also, the hardship suffered by the Franks as a result of the goddess's curse can be considered their just deserts, but it could end up involving inhabitants of this city apart from the Franks."
Erica was the one entering the conversation with an elegant tone of voice.
In order to stimulate the Madame's sense of benevolence and mercy, she deliberately raised the issue of the "populace." This was tantamount to remonstrating a Devil King Campione, but given the situation, it was quite necessary.
"I believe that that they should not suffer out of the blue. I implore you to reconsider—"
"Hoho, don't worry. Since preparations are already made to some extent, I intend to take the Franks and leave this city, to begin a journey in search of Artio-san."
" "......" "
This course of action could very well lead to another kind of commotion.
Just as Erica and Ena exchanged a glance, intending to offer a contrary view...
"By the way, Erica-san and Ena-san, I hope I can still receive your assistance. Let's all give it our best together, okay?"
After that, the two girls spent roughly half a day with Madame Aisha.
They accompanied the Madame to converse amiably with Frankish warriors in the outpost, women and children in the city, as well as talks with certain chieftains. Erica and Ena also heard from the Franks that they mostly held the view that "Madame Aisha was precisely the one suited to become the new great chieftain."
That night, the two girls parted ways with Madame Aisha who was staying at the outpost.
Returning to "Kusanagi Godou's residence" with the master missing, Erica came to sudden realization at the entrance. Ena also went speechless all of a sudden and started to think in reflection.
"...No way, Ena and you were struck by Aisha-san's authority too?"
Ena muttered.
When the two of them recalled their actions over the past few hours, they were quite stunned.
"Clearly Ena had no intention of accommodating her plan, right?"
"Same here. Without any awareness of being charmed, we started to assist the Madame very naturally..."
"But why did we suddenly recover now?"
"Probably because we are both accustomed to magic and also possess much stronger magical power than ordinary people... That's why we were able to regain our senses."
Even the absolutely brilliant Erica Blandelli was in a gloom—
Feeling the impact of an unprecedented situation, Erica desperately put her mind into motion.
"Recovery was probably due to physical separation from the Madame, isn't it? But if we encountered the Madame again, perhaps we may be charmed again..."
"Hearing you say that, Ena feels like we will inexplicably want to see Aisha-san, right?"
"So you feel the same way too, Ena-san?"
Erica and Ena discussed the terrifying aspects of the charisma authority.
However, during the process, they would naturally recall the "gentleness" of Madame Aisha's smiling face, feeling a strange sense of admiration for the benevolent Campione—
Sensing this mindset, the two girls respectively said:
"Oh no! We must hide from Aisha-san... No, we must escape, right!?"
"Also, the farther away the better. Until this feeling of admiration subsides, we need to get to a place where we won't run into her so easily."
Madame Aisha's curse was probably alleviated by distance and time.
Based on this speculation, the duo of Erica Blandelli and Seishuuin Ena came up with this idea and made their decision.
Immediately entering the house to pack their luggage, they took out horses from the stable and instantly departed.
Despite being nighttime, the pair still went through the city gates and left Colonia Agrippina. Following the road along the Rhine for now, they headed south.
"Aisha-san mentioned earlier, right? About taking the Franks with her to seek the goddess Artio. But the other side is probably taking an army of those bears, right?"
"If the two armies meet, then a battle will probably begin directly..."
Madame Aisha and three thousand Frankish warriors.
As well as the bear army led by the goddess.
If the two armies met somewhere on a wide open plain, would a battle break out just like that? Fearing this possibility, the two girls spurred their horses to gallop.
"Ah, jeez. If only Ama no Murakumo could wake up, then His Majesty can be contacted."
"We must act with the worst outcome in mind. In order to stop both Madame Aisha and the goddess Artio, we must make preparations...!"
Ena controlled her favorite horse while lamenting the loss of the divine sword's assistance. On the other hand, Erica murmured with a determination on her face.
At this moment, Erica touched the small leather pouch hanging on her belt. Inside was a bronze pen, ink and papyrus...
It was two days after the "King of the End"'s descent when the two girls left Colonia Agrippina at night.
Three days later, Godou arrived at this same city together with Liliana and Yuri.
Part 2
Back to Colonia Agrippina, after the meeting with Madame Aisha...
Back to his residence in the city, Godou was welcomed by a lineup of thirty maids.
" " " " "Welcome back, master!" " " " "
The thirty young maids greeted in unison.
Since this was a luxurious mansion with a vast garden, the entrance was large enough to accommodate the thirty people gathered here. At some unknown point in time, the maids had procured a complete set of uniforms, resulting in a scene of grandeur.
Godou could not help but recall the maid cafe business run by his surrogate nephew, Lu Yinghua.
Finding the experience quite refreshing, Godou could not help but feel impressed.
"I see. So this is the harem situation the Madame mentioned."
"Godou-san is honestly... incurable..."
On the other hand, Liliana was muttering sardonically while Yuri sighed and remarked in a quiet voice.
Godou endured this embarrassment silently while approaching one of the maids. This was the daughter of Frankish nobles who had helped him during his patrols in the city.
"Master, I have a message from mistress Erica."
"Erica left it!?"
"Don't worry even if you return and find me absent. I will surely return later—That was what the mistress said."
Godou was told that Erica and Ena had suddenly left the house during the night, three days earlier. They looked like they were in quite a rush and departed without saying much, only leaving a message.
That night—
"It's really not like Erica's style to leave without saying anything in spite of the obvious situation here."
"Possibilities we could consider are..."
"Fears of pursuers. Or perhaps, Erica and Seishuuin Ena felt that it was necessary to set off even before deciding on their destination. It could very well be one of these two."
"If that were the case, Erica-san and Ena-san must be in quite a state of panic..."
Yuri's worried expression darkened.
Currently, only Godou's trio was present in the office, holding a meeting.
"Well, it looks like they're fine. Considering it's Erica, she'll always find a way to handle things appropriately."
"Yes. This conclusion suits those two quite well. Especially since Erica is a girl as wily as a fox, it is fine not to worry about her."
Liliana summed up the situation with a remark that seemed to express the trust and grudging relationship she shared with Erica.
"Right now, the greatest unresolved issue is still Madame Aisha going out for battle."
They had heard that Madame Aisha intended to leave Colonia Agrippina tomorrow, leading the several thousand Frankish warriors to negotiate with the goddess Artio.
During the daytime, Godou and his companions had witnessed the goddess in the gathering with the giant bear army. Most likely, the Franks' scouts had also discovered it and reported to Madame Aisha.
However, the army, several thousand strong, worshiped the Madame from the bottom of their hearts.
"They will surely lay down their lives to fight in defense of Madame Aisha. If those giant bears were to attack without notice..."
"Judging from the terrain where the two armies will meet, a field battle is very likely."
"The goddess probably won't consider any option apart from battle—That's so worrying."
Only able to imagine dark futures, the trio all began to sigh.
"In that case, it can't be helped. Let me follow Aisha-san. There are too many things that need to be done. Reducing casualties in the Franks as much as possible, resolving the matter of Artio and the Divine Sword of Salvation, recapturing Doni... I really have no idea how much my current body can do."
Frowning, Godou muttered.
"At least if my health was okay, I could stop Aisha-san forcibly. Imprisoning her somewhere would be a solution. But she's probably quite strong and I won't be able to do it the way I am now."
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