" "Eh?" "
Seeing the two girls show surprise on their faces, Godou answered with a serious expression.
"No actually, I've never seen her fight either, but it's just a feeling from instinct. I believe that Aisha-san should be quite powerful in contrast to her appearance and personality... Ahhh, rather than 'powerful,' maybe 'troublesome' would be a better way of putting it."
At this moment, Alexandre Gascoigne came to mind.
That man was also in a distinct category separate from powerful gods and other Campiones, troublesome to handle in his unique way.
"Regarding matters of combat, Godou-san's opinion is probably correct..."
Yuri nodded. Indeed, as the Hime-Miko with superb senses herself, she seemed to have recalled the exceptional instincts that Campiones displayed in areas related to combat.
Liliana instantly responded:
"In that case... In order to handle the Divine Sword of Salvation, the goddess who has obtained Sir Salvatore, as well as Madame Aisha, Kusanagi Godou needs to be cured as soon as possible."
At this moment, Godou sat down on a chair at the office desk.
But for some reason, Liliana swiftly came over to Godou's side. Because it was quite a natural movement, it did not feel particularly out of place.
"Regarding the reasons for your ill health, I have been thinking over it the entire time today and I feel that I have understood something. Let me go prepare a witch's elixir later. Hopefully, it will succeed in curing you."
While saying this in a serious tone of voice, Liliana swiftly moved her hand at the same time.
She placed a papyrus memo on Godou's lap while he was sitting on the chair. On it was written "I will visit you tonight." Obscured by the desk's position, her action was out of Yuri's sight despite being in the same room.
It looked like she was planning to apply magic directly instead of using medication...
Surprised as a result, Godou looked at the knight beside him. Liliana maintained her stern demeanor and simply responded with her eyes.
Lasting only an instant, her glance conveyed an astounding sense of seductiveness, causing Godou's heart to pound.
But at the same time, he could not help but feel that "this behavior isn't right."
Spurred by this impulse, Godou was just about to speak up when Yuri suddenly became startled.
"E-Excuse me. Actually, regarding Godou-san's injury, I have also seen something!"
A stiff and slightly abrupt suggestion.
Perhaps through her extraordinary spirit senses, Yuri had received a spirit vision ahead of Liliana. Godou immediately tore up Liliana's note.
"If Liliana-san's medication works, then my method is not necessary. However, if it is your wish, Godou-san, I-I can also..."
"B-But ever since antiquity, medical treatment has always been part of a witch's duties."
Finding the Yamato Nadeshiko, who was supposed to be quite conservative, following suit, Liliana began to falter.
"I think I should be more suited to this task after all..."
"A-Although that may be true, it is possible that there might be things that I may be of assistance..."
The two girls chose to compete using reasonable manners and tones of voice.
To avoid this type of situation arising, Erica and Ena had established an agreement. Now that things had developed to this, the one who should intervene between Yuri and Liliana was probably Kusanagi Godou after all.
Making his decision, Godou interrupted.
"Anyway, can I ask the two of you about the result of my wound's diagnosis?"
"Ah yes. This is something I felt subconsciously, Godou-san... Currently, rather than healing magic not taking an effect, it would be more accurate to say that your body has lost its ability to recover."
Seeing Yuri answer timidly, Liliana also stopped arguing.
"I feel the same as well. Have you noticed? The magical energy stored in your body currently is probably less than one seventh what you had before the injury. What we call magical power is akin to the concept of 'ki' mentioned in oriental medicine and Chinese martial arts, namely, the mind and the body's energy itself."
In order to allow a Japanese person unversed in magic to understand, she deliberately used the term "ki."
While displaying this type of considerate care, Liliana continued explaining.
"The toxin injected by the Divine Sword of Salvation deprives a Campione's body of magical power, hence resulting in a slow down of recovery speed."
"Then how do you think I can recover?"
Asked by Godou, the witch and the Hime-Miko pondered for a short while before answering.
"For example, there is the way Seishuuin Ena goes to sacred mountains far away from civilization to purify her body and mind, to allow her body to slowly absorb the sacred aura of the land. However, that method is too time consuming."
"I intend to use magic to transmit my own body's magical power to Godou-san."
"I also intend to use the same magic—n-no—to concoct an elixir of similar effect. But as a Campione, Kusanagi Godou's body contains a massive amount of magical power that ours cannot compare to at all."
"Will our level of magical power be able to produce an effect if we share it with him...? Actually, I am quite worried about this point."
Yuri brought up an uncertain element and Liliana nodded in agreement.
It looked like their diagnoses and methods of treatment were virtually identical. Furthermore, after listening to all this, Godou felt his mood relax and he smiled at the two girls.
"Thank you, both of you. I understand very well now. If the injury is only of that level, I'm not worried."
"G-Godou-san!?"
"Please do not say something so ridiculous! To this date, you have never wounded your body of a Campione's to this extent, right!?"
"Yeah, sure. But after all, the bodies of my kind are not ordinary to begin with."
How many months would it take to fully recover? With that worry in mind, Godou spoke up in cheerful mood.
"I think that all it takes is a life-threatening battle, then stuff like strength and magical power will automatically surge from the depths of the body."
" "......" "
This was something that Godou had experienced many times already, during every battle.
Also, as soon as he said it out himself, Godou found quite convinced. As a godslaying beast, a Campione's mind and body fully approved of his unreliable suggestion. Furthermore, Godou could feel his body trembling with excitement.
Yuri and Liliana fell silent, wondering "Is that what you really think?"
"Anyway, I think I won't have that level of motivation unless in a battle of life and death, so I won't be stopping Aisha-san for now. But don't worry, I will go with her."
"But Kusanagi Godou, I still think it would be better if you tried treatment first..."
"It probably won't be effective, right? In that case, just forget about it."
Finding the two girls slightly dissatisfied, Godou made his tone slightly more forceful.
"I don't like having to pick between the two of you on who is going to do this kind of thing. This is different from previous times. Well, it's not like I could request this from both of you at the same time, right?"
"P-Please do not say something so embarrassing!"
"V-Very correct, Godou-san. A-Although I cannot deny that it has not happened in the past, Godou-san, to think you would make such an outrageous suggestion on your own...!"
As expected, the two girls objected with embarrassment and anger.
Godou smiled at them as though saying "just kidding" and ended the conversation.
"Well, I think this is fine. Thank you for your care."
" "......" "
As though watching Godou's smile with displeasure, the two girls exchanged a glance in an attempt to probe each other's feelings. Then they both bowed their heads.
Godou was the only one relieved that he wa
s able to keep the argument under control.
Then the next day arrived.
Leading the Franks, Madame Aisha left Colonia Agrippina and started moving towards the east of the Rhine—the interior of Germania.
Of the roughly three thousand warriors, a thousand stayed in the city.
This was for guarding the city as their stronghold together with noncombatants such as women, children and servants.
Even so, there were still approximately two thousand warriors accompanying the Madame, wielding swords, spears, axes, bows, arrows and various weapons, giving off an atmosphere of thugs overall.
Based on the actual situation, rather than "moving", it was probably more accurate to call them "marching."
Having joined the vanguard, Madame Aisha was riding a horse gallantly.
On the other hand, treated as one of the injured, Godou was mixed in the last group with the horse-drawn carts carrying supplies, sitting on a four-wheeled passenger cart together with Yuri and Liliana.
"We also saw scenes like training at the Roman army fort at the other city earlier."
Godou was on a specially-made impromptu bed on the cart.
Sitting cross-legged on it, he recalled his stay at the city of Augusta Raurica.
"Compared to the marching and field training the Roman army went through, these Frankish warriors are very... sloppy. They don't seem to have any precise rules."
The Roman army's infantry division would carry out strict training on a daily basis.
Hence the obtained results. In simulated battles, they were able to get into formation in an organized manner, displaying unity of movement. When on the march, they were able to move swiftly in defined groups and could take breaks efficiently. They were also highly experienced in setting up camps.
On the other hand, the Frankish group of thugs—
Could barely be considered gathered together, advancing at a sloppy pace while following the people in front.
However, due to their greatly varied armament, they were unable to get into proper formations. Consequently, the Franks never had any intention to actively group together in the first place.
"I remember Erica mentioning something about 'ten thousand Roman troops can defeat thirty thousand Germans' once, but now it doesn't look very surprising after all."
"Even when outnumbered by a factor of three!?"
"That was probably referring to the Battle of Strasbourg."
Godou's heartfelt mutters elicited an exclamation of surprise from Yuri while Liliana smiled wryly.
"The way I see it, the Frankish warriors gathered here are already quite used to battle. In a fight of ten against ten, I think the Franks will overwhelm Roman infantry. On the other hand, if it were fifty versus fifty, Roman infantry will win for certain."
"Yeah."
"Using spears, shields and metal armor as standardized equipment together with infantry contingents that can swiftly enter formations, these are elements that can produce comparative advantages on ancient battlefields. More importantly, the Roman army maintained strict discipline and had a very refined commanding structure, hence allowing them to move as a group from one battlefield to the next in quite a rapid manner."
Gathered around the outskirts of Strasbourg was an allied force of Germanic tribes, numbering thirty thousand strong.
Ten thousand Roman soldiers intercepted them by using tactics to target their disorganized offensive and splitting them into multiple fronts. While the first row was valiantly resisting the barbarian's overwhelming numbers, the Roman army led by Emperor Julian entered the fray at an opportune moment and slowly reversed the tide of battle. In the end, they were able to obtain an overwhelming victory.
After Liliana finished talking about the exploits of how a losing battle was reversed, Godou said:
"Despite having such a powerful army, it was still the Romans who went into ruin at the end."
"The Western Roman Empire was swiftly declining while on the other hand, the barbarians kept bolstering their strength from various areas. This result can be considered perfectly logical."
"Now that's a story of earthly impermanence."
Sighing over the principle of rise necessarily followed by downfall, Godou continued his journey on the shaking cart.
With the goddess Artio's location as their destination, discovered by Frankish scouts serving Madame Aisha, they made their way across a wide open plain in Germania. Completely devoid of the speed and discipline of Roman armies, this was quite a disorganized march.
The shaking produced by horses was definitely not friendly for an injured body.
However, Godou could not allow frail girls to see him so useless. Godou looked for another conversation topic.
"It might be a bit late to ask at this point, but what's with the 'King of the End' which sounds like a nickname? What exactly is his real name?"
"That is a research theme that Prince Alec has been investigating for many years."
"I heard about the matter from Princess Alice when we were traveling to Bulgaria together last time."
Liliana brought up the name of the peer with whom Godou was not exactly on friendly terms while Yuri named the princess with the noble but relatively lighthearted personality.
After mentioning the name of the White Miko-Hime, Yuri murmured with deep thought:
"Despite searching for the 'King of the End' for eight years already, not once has she ever received a spirit vision regarding that hero's origins. As for why, the princess asserts the following."
"Asserts?"
"Yes. 'His name cannot be read from the source of spirit visions, the [Akashic Memories], because it has undergone special treatment.' The princess probably visited Plutarch's Residence in the Netherworld to confirm this matter..."
"Then speaking of which, the old man in that residence never mentioned the true name of the 'King of the End' throughout the entire time."
Liliana nodded. Godou recalled something else as well.
Back when the pale-haired hero manifested, the goddess Artio had definitely called out his name, but a clap of thunder at the time covered up her voice completely. Initially, the "King of the End"'s face was shrouded in shadow, obscuring his original appearance.
Perhaps these unnatural phenomena and the mysterious power preventing his true name from appearing in spirit visions were all caused by his intent to conceal his origins.
"As expected of a god, how utterly absurd..."
While they carried out this type of conversation with Yuri and Liliana in the shaking cart, the first day went by.
The second day was also similar to the first.
Then on the afternoon of the third day, the situation finally changed. Ahead of the Franks led by Madame Aisha, an army of a hundred and fifty giant bears was waiting.
Part 3
Crossing the Rhine together with over a thousand companions, they advanced towards the interior of Germania...
Although Madame Aisha prided herself on being used to traveling in general, she was actually quite used to group travel in this sort of racial migration as well. After journeying in various places, she would spontaneously find herself surrounded by crowds... This phenomenon happened quite frequently.
"However, I must be careful this time."
Clenching her dainty fists tightly, Madame Aisha murmured.
"I am heading off to meet a goddess who plans on killing every single one of the Franks. If I don't display a little intimidation, she'll underestimate and bully me."
Just as a precaution, she had already completed preparations for reversing the "healing authority."
Currently, the wind blowing around Aisha and her entourage was exceptionally cold.
Even though it was clearly spring, the wind was as chilly as though the season was midwinter. The air temperature dropped continuously, getting so cold that it would not be surprising if it snowed.
Once things had cooled down to this level, she was able to reverse her authority any t
ime.
Aisha nodded. The "healing authority" was usurped from the Persephone, the goddess of spring. In actual fact, this goddess was also the queen of the underworld who ruled over the season of winter.
Whenever inescapable circumstances forced her to use this power, this authority turned out to be unexpectedly useful.
"Although Kusanagi-san always treats me as a worrisome little sister, I must show him that I am actually the 'older sister'!"
With the greatly spirited Aisha as the rider, the petite horse trotted along its way.
As a side note, surrounding her nearby were the four Frankish chieftains, accompanied by two hundred of their direct subordinates on horseback.
Warriors on foot were also advancing steadily behind and on the left and right of this vanguard.
Also, a group of horse-drawn cargo carts carried food and other supplies, moving at the very back.
The Franks' two thousand warriors were marching in a disorganized manner, lacking in discipline.
However, there were also quite a few people, despite their barbarian origins, who had learnt logical army management from the Roman Empire, as well as those who had mastered this type of knowledge by their own methods. Examples active in this era included the conqueror, Attila of the Huns, as well as King Alaric of the Visigoths, one of the Gothic tribes originating from Germania.
However, none of the people gathered here seemed to possess this type of logical knowledge.
Anyway, mixed in the cargo cart group, Kusanagi Godou was watching this situation and thinking "as expected of people compatible with Doni..."
Godou recalled keenly.
Then on the third day after this disorganized movement began, a report came back. A small squad scouting ahead had discovered where giant bears were gathered and sent back a report.
This was a vast open plain with almost no cover at all.
A few small hills and rocks were scattered to some degree across this vast grassland within a couple square kilometers. Led by Madame Aisha, the Franks' two thousand warriors were advancing without any hindrance.
However, a group of beasts had already occupied one corner of this place.
Campione 15 Page 20