Campione 15

by Son of the Goddess

  Using this hand, the archdemon reached towards the serpent, squeezing its throat, burying the five blades into it!

  As a result, the serpent scattered into numerous sparks, collapsing again. But immediately, it recovered its serpent form and pulled back slightly to face off against the armored archdemon.

  Then the two combatants attacked with sword and lightning respectively.

  Both sides suffered damage, causing the archdemon to spew many fireballs again while the serpent's form collapsed for a few dozen seconds. This scene was repeated nonstop.

  This stalemate battle was a fruitless slugfest.

  "Aisha-san, what the heck is that thing!?"

  "Oh Kusanagi-san, your body has already recovered. Thank goodness!"

  As Godou ran over with the four girls, the Madame smiled radiantly to welcome them.

  To think she was able to see that Godou had recovered fully, Madame Aisha's eyes were truly amazing.

  But while this was taking place, the armored archdemon continued its battle, spewing fireballs towards the ground as though bleeding from the damage received...

  These fireballs shot quite far away, ranging from hundreds to thousands of meters.

  Although the scattered Franks had already fled the battlefield, these fireballs were still able to reach them.

  Of course, they were not going to stand still foolishly to get hit. The warriors fled even faster.

  All the fireballs basically traced out parabolas while being shot into the distance.

  Being directly under the archdemon, Godou's group and Madame Aisha were quite safe. Well, that said, there were some fireballs falling nearby and getting caught up in the intense battle was very likely.

  "Did you really make that armored monster come out, Aisha-san!?"

  "Yes, summoned in order to protect everyone—the Franks—This is my avatar."

  "The issue of protecting aside, isn't this completely dangerous?"

  "This cannot be helped. After all, a power to protect everyone is still armed force, a tool of battle... Whether those who wield weapons or those who rely on weapons for protection, all shall meet their ruin as a result of weapons. The archdemon's authority has always been telling me this principle..."

  "But no matter how noble your explanation, you still ended up summoning that thing."

  Madame Aisha had clasped her hands together before her chest as though in prayer, closing her eyes.

  Despite carrying the righteous banner of "protecting the people," armed force was still armed force after all.

  These were truly golden words that should be heard properly by every shounen and shoujo battle manga protagonist who yells "I don't need a power that hurts people, instead, I want a power for protecting those who are precious to me" while simultaneously abusing the use of ultimate techniques and weapons of mass destruction.

  Even so, characters wielded armed force while chanting such slogans for the sake of protecting people...

  This seemed to be turning into meaningless deconstruction, so Godou went for a change in mood.

  "Anyway, Aisha-san, you're completely occupied with sustaining that armor, right?"

  "Ah yes. That's pretty much the feeling."

  "I understand. Then I'll find a way to handle the rest."

  Godou motioned to his companions with his eyes. Cover me when necessary was the message conveyed.

  Then Godou began to advance, aiming to engage the enemy. Namely, he was walking towards Salvatore Doni's body that was approaching with leisurely footsteps together with the goddess Artio's spirit.

  Despite the leisure pace of walking, this did not mean the enemy had effort to spare.

  In order to control the Divine Sword of Salvation wielded in Doni's right hand, Artio's spirit must expend the majority of her concentration towards it.

  With thunderous crashes, fireballs kept descending on the battlefield.

  In a corner of this battlefield, Godou was finally engaging Doni-Artio in a duel, one on one.

  Part 3

  "I am the strongest, holding all victory in my hands—"

  Godou chanted spell words to start using another incarnation.

  This was the [Warrior], wielder of the blade to sever the goddess Artio's divinity.

  "You're gonna lose for sure unless you still have something up your sleeve... I'm going all out now."

  A hundred or so spheres of light manifested around Godou, shining as brightly as a galaxy of stars.

  Naturally, these were the sword's spell words. In response, Doni-Artio made a straight thrust with the divine sword in her hand, pointing the blade at Godou.

  "I must have already mentioned. Do know that I wield the sword for slaying Devil Kings, yes?"

  "Ultimately, that sword is not for you to use. Also, you almost died from your fight with Doni earlier and even gave the majority of your life force as an offering to that 'King of the End' guy. As a result, you're already all beaten up to begin with."

  The [Warrior]'s powers also included the ability to gain a deep understanding of the opponent's condition.

  Godou could tell that Artio was not simply covered in wounds. In her current state, it would not be surprising if she were to vanish any moment.

  "I really wish you could leave the earth as soon as possible and live somewhere secluded like the great spiritual world..."

  "Do you think I will listen to such advice? Godslayer!"

  Doni-Artio slashed with superb swordsmanship.

  Evidently, she still had strength to spare for swinging a sword. Truly splendid swordsmanship. However, Godou dodged quite calmly, thanks to the [Warrior]'s powers of observation telling him the timing of the strike.

  Since things had come to this, it could not be helped. Godou had no choice but to counterattack with full power.

  If possible, he wanted to neutralize the enemy in slightly safer manner without annihilating the goddess. But before considering that, he had to obtain victory first!

  "Artio! Your name carries the meaning of 'bear.' In Celtic culture, this is a symbol of warriors."

  Godou muttered in order to control the spell words of the [Sword].

  "The Celtic Helvetians worshiped you. They are the tribes inhabiting the land we now recognize as Switzerland. The goddess Artio was the queen of the earth that they worshiped. Furthermore, she was revered as the fierce goddess of war by the warrior social class..."

  Floating in Godou's surroundings were the many spheres of light—the sword's spell words.

  Accompanied by Godou's chanting, these light spheres flew towards Doni-Artio. This was a cutting attack that no swordsman could defend against, akin to machine gunfire.

  "O blood of the evil dragon Fafnir, bestow upon me the fate of invulnerability..."

  Salvatore Doni's lips composed spell words. A man's voice.

  In that instant, over a hundred Norse runes surrounded Doni's body. Rushing towards his body, the sword's spell words were all deflected and proceeded to disappear.

  This was the authority that had given Godou great trouble before—the [Man of Steel] that made the user virtually indestructible.

  "What are your intentions, Salvatore Doni?"

  "Oh my, it's because the goddess's power seems to have become quite weak."

  As expected, the man's voice replied to Godou who was frowning from the unexpected interference. Doni-Artio's face began to show the usual frivolous smile.

  "Thinking I probably could retake my body for a bit, I tried it out."

  "What I mean is why the heck are you getting in my way!?"

  The instant Godou scolded in anger, Doni's idiotic face resumed its dignity and intellect.

  "To think you would resort to such petty tricks to break free from my control, godslayer. No matter, you shall act as my arms and legs for the time being."

  "Well, looks like taking my body back completely is a bit hard."

  Both of these remarks came from Salvatore Doni's mouth.

  However, it started wi
th the goddess Artio's voice followed by Doni's original voice. Furthermore, his face was working overtime to accommodate the shifting modes between intellect and idiocy.

  While Godou was dumbfounded by this bizarre performance, the comedy duo continued to converse.

  "I have a suggestion. Since I can help out like just now, let me manipulate my own body. With that, you can concentrate on controlling that whatever divine sword while allowing me to duel Godou as well."

  "What!?"

  "Mutually beneficial, I think it's a very good idea."

  "Still a man whose words are full of madness and insanity..."

  "No no, I'm very serious here. Kusanagi Godou and I are both fated rivals and dear friends at the same time. The relationship's quite complicated. Without this kind of opportunity, I won't get a serious duel. That's because Godou is a guy who cares a lot about appearances and won't do it without a special reason."

  "Hmm... Despite eccentric, this suggestion is not bad..."

  A conversation conducted by one person playing two roles was unbelievably developing towards cooperation.

  Like hell you're gonna succeed, saying that, Godou once again summoned roughly a hundred spell words of the sword. In that instant, Doni-Artio's released black mist that swiftly burrowed into the ground.

  Furthermore, the man, whose body had been possessed by the goddess until just now, smiled frivolously.

  It was a bright and cheerful but foolish smile, reminiscent of the Mediterranean sun. Undoubtedly, this was his original look.

  "Come! If you want to annihilate Artio, defeat me first!"

  Doni-Artio was still holding the Divine Sword of Salvation.

  However, the stance was completely different from before. He was simply standing with the divine sword dangling in his right hand. An undisciplined standing posture where one could feel neither the intent to attack nor defend.

  Now this was the posture born from the foundations of Doni's sword of mental nothingness. Godou gulped.

  "Artio's spirit already left, right!? Even if you want to act like an idiot, get a grip on yourself!"

  "You're right and wrong at the same time. The goddess's spirit lingers slightly in my body. She can instantly return if she wanted to. Nothing less expected of a ghost!"

  "Like I said, why are you trying to get in my way!?"

  Godou shouted at the foolishly gigging Doni.

  Meanwhile, Godou's companions had gathered here as well. Erica, Yuri, Liliana and Ena. They neither said anything nor acted redundantly, simply silently watching the battle that was about to erupt between Godou and Doni. This was probably out of concerns that one should not recklessly get involved in a duel between Campiones.

  High above, the archdemon was still battling the "serpent."

  However, the armored archdemon had imperceptibly gained the advantage. The serpent was now enduring violent attacks unilaterally and even suffered many swings of the archdemon's sword. With every attack of the archdemon's, the serpent's size gradually grew smaller.

  Godou frowned.

  Was it possible that Artio chose to ally with Doni for some other purpose than focusing on the archdemon's fight?

  "Hohoho, thinking about unnecessary things can be very dangerous. I hope you'll keep your eyes on me properly."

  "Shut up. This is my brain so it's my freedom to think about whatever I want."

  Grumbling, Godou pushed the incomprehensible puzzle aside.

  He glared at Doni again. As much as he hated to admit, this man was right.

  "Damn it. The troublesome things causing changes to history are getting even more complicated!"

  "Okay okay. This is also our destiny. That of standing in opposition on this ancient stage, a fight with the world's fate on the line—"

  "Like anyone would accept this kind of absurd destiny. This man-made disaster is all caused by you!"

  "Oh dear, I seem to think that you're responsible for 30% or so."

  "I knew it, you do have some level of self-awareness. Also, I'm only responsible for 20% at most."

  Godou declared while carelessly grouping himself with Doni as birds of a feather.

  "It can't be helped. I'll agree to a duel, so promise me. If I win, you'll stay obedient and listen to my orders until we return to the modern age!"

  "No problem, of course. But you have to beat me first!"

  "Say all you want. You ask for pain, you're gonna get it right now."

  At a glance, the two Campiones seemed to be conversing casually.

  But Godou noticed. Doni was already making his eyes and ears as sharp as possible, trying to find the opportunity to attack.

  Using his eyes, he observed Kusanagi Godou's movements, expressions, eyes, footsteps, muscle tension and center of gravity.

  Using his ears, he listened carefully to Kusanagi Godou's voice, heart beat, the pulsation of blood vessels, footsteps and breathing.

  Salvatore Doni was currently putting his greatest effort into getting a grasp on Kusanagi Godou's every movement. Then taking half a step—rather, he had quietly closed in by a toe's distance.

  The two of them were separated by five or six meters at most.

  All he needed to do was take a big step and swing his sword, then his blade would instantly reach Godou's body.

  Even so, Europe's strongest swordsman did not do that. He was using his eyes and ears to capture Godou's every movement as much as possible while gradually closing in.

  Godou breathed in. Doni quietly took a step, his foot brushing against the ground.

  Godou breathed out. Doni quietly took a step, his foot brushing against the ground.

  I see—Godou nodded. The [Warrior] incarnation possessed powers of observation capable of understanding the enemy deeply. This ability informed him.

  Doni was waiting. Waiting for the instant when Godou showed an "opening."

  That said, this was not the usual kind of "opening" found in ordinary combat.

  For example, if Godou were to lose patience first and step forward to attack Doni—No, the instant he intended to take a step, Doni would immediately accelerate.

  As naturally as water flowing downhill, he would get near Godou and swing his sword. Under those conditions, when Doni was taking advantage of an opening that one would not normally call an opening, Godou would end up seeing Doni appearing in front of him suddenly. Indeed. Doni was able to move in this mysterious manner any time, shrinking his distance as easily as entering a friend's home, to unleash a merciless strike of his sword.

  "Against an amateur like me, there's no need to use weird moves like that..."

  "On the other hand, seeing as you're able to make this kind of remark at this time and place, that already proves you've already lost the right to call yourself an amateur."

  Seeing Doni make a wry expression in response to his grumbles, Godou snorted.

  He was now able to understand Doni's movements which used to be incomprehensible before. This was likely due to further mastering the [Warrior]'s power as well as the experience gained from prevailing in many hellish battlefields.

  As much as it was not his intention, this did indeed serve as evidence of Kusanagi Godou's growth as a Campione.

  Compared to the last duel, Doni was much more cautious this time. Literally without exaggeration, he was seeking to cut his opponent into halves. He did not consider needing a second or third strike at all. This was precisely the reason why he did not recklessly close in.

  Splitting Kusanagi Godou into two using the first strike—

  That was Doni's only goal. This was because he knew very well that bungled damage to Godou would surely result in punishment from the [Camel] incarnation.

  Conversely, Godou was unable to use the [Boar] suddenly for a surprise attack.

  "I've said it before at Siena. We both know each other's tricks very well. Hohohoho, although it's very challenging, it's also very fun..."

  Doni's smile no longer carried the usual frivolity.

  A war
rior's expression. The expression of a man who enjoyed combat from the very depths of his heart—

  In contrast, Godou did not harbor such a side. Currently, he had neither received any attack from Godou nor launched any attack from his own side. Even so, a violent vortex of killing intent and fighting spirit had started swirling between them while both sides bided their time.

  Compared to all the intense battles Godou had experienced thus far, this was a completely foreign development.

  Perhaps this was what one would call a battle between "masters of martial arts." Rather than swinging the sword, it was more important to read the enemy's intentions one step ahead, so as to aim for openings. Doni was using mysterious movement techniques to close in while shrewdly employing strategy before an opportunity arose.

  This was truly the ultimate stage in a clash between sword and sword, fist against fist—

  As soon as the first attack was launched, that was the very instant when the opponent was successfully killed in one hit.

  Doni held the divine sword, dangling in his right hand. Using this stance of mental nothingness, he slowly closed in again. Clearly there was still more than four meters of separation, but for some reason, Godou somehow felt that Doni was quite near already...

  Just at this moment.

  He caught sight of Liliana in the corner of his eye.

  Imperceptibly, she had somehow circled over behind Doni's back. In her hand was the slender bag she had been holding—The heavy-looking "trump card."

  However, the silver-haired knight swiftly waved her hand, making the bag disappear with magic.

  Oh well, even with someone behind his back, Doni was still able to keep track of her movements using that ridiculous ultimate technique, the mind's eye. Hence, he was very likely to notice. It was quite safe to assume that attacking was not feasible.

  Nevertheless, Liliana's action caused Godou's fighting spirit to be set ablaze.

  In other words, what the loyal knight expressed was this: You must obtain victory one-on-one no matter what.

  Godou nodded to acknowledge this message. And also to tell her not to worry, Godou twisted his lips in a savage grin.

  Kusanagi Godou losing in one-on-one duel against Salvatore Doni...