Vol 1 Chapter 4 (2/2)

It could end up being another huge issue. The Balkan Devil King probably

had a strong influence over the Copper Black Cross as well.

That place was unexpectedly close to Italy. However, Erica shook her

head.

”G.o.dou do you plan on abandoning me this number one knight and going

to meet a Devil King? I will not follow such a stupid order. You are still

unfamiliar with these matters, so why don't you just accept my help

honestly?”

G.o.dou scratched his head at that arrogant face.

Whenever Erica spoke like that, it was usually feigned stubbornness that

stemmed from consideration for him. These feelings contained shyness

and grat.i.tude.

”Amakasu-san, right? So this is the plan, take us both to where that old

man and Mariya are located. We will try our best.”

”Thank you, King. Your a.s.sistance is greatly appreciated!”

Amakasu glanced at G.o.dou and Erica separately, and lowered his head in

a very pretentious manner.

It was almost like the motion of a comedic actor.

Part 3

Amakasu drove G.o.dou and Erica to Aobadai.

A library located in a quiet residential neighborhood.

G.o.dou felt perplexed that Voban and Yuri were at such a place. Why

would it be a library—was his honest feelings about the matter.

Deciding to let Amakasu stand by in the parking lot, G.o.dou and Erica

stepped into the library.

—A sudden attack.

A figure clad in tattered clothing slashed at them with a sword.

”An enemy!”

”Leave it to me, G.o.dou you go ahead.”

It was the entrance to the library.

To be attacked at such a place by some weird swordsman, G.o.dou felt that

his life was still full of trials and tribulations. G.o.dou smacked his lips as he

tried to discern what kind of enemy it was.

Erica summoned her beloved sword Cuore di Leone and elegantly

chopped down her opponent.

It was a man wearing some kind of long-hemmed clothing on his upper

torso with a cape-like jacket. He was using a broad longsword skillfully like

a master, but the face under the helmet completely lacked spirit and

ambition.

Almost like a dead person—this thought made G.o.dou shudder with horror.

In reference to games and movies, 'zombie' might be an apt description.

Having thus named the new monster—

Another swordsman appeared before G.o.dou.

”Oh, another one!?”

Wearing the same attire as the first, another corpse-like swordsman was

charging towards them.

Erica only gave a glance.

When she knocked down the first one, Erica held the advantage, but she

did not expect things to end so quickly. As expected, another one came

along attacking.

She successfully dodged using pure reflexes, but could not evade the

second strike of the tachi[2]!

G.o.dou believed so as he kicked forwards.

G.o.dou used the essential actions of a forward kick to send the (clearly)

dead person's body away. As he faced the second attacker, G.o.dou felt

disgust at the increasingly powerful defensive and offensive capabilities of

his own body.

”G.o.dou, please hold on for a while, I will take care of them soon enough.”

”Then I'll thank you beforehand... To be honest I don't think I can take any

of them alone.”

G.o.dou answered with a troubled expression to Erica's encouragement.

This was because the authority obtained from the G.o.d of war Verethragna

could not be used without numerous troublesome conditions.

A sword master far beyond his own capabilities, but was not someone with

unnatural strength like a brown bear, or several tons of heavy body ma.s.s,

and definitely not an evil criminal oppressing the populace.

In such a case, G.o.dou had no chance of victory.

G.o.dou hurriedly retreated, planning on maintaining a distance.

Only a few steps away from the sword. The instant deciding whether to

wait or to go on the offensive.

”Death knight who possesses an extraordinary history, please forgive my

pointing my blade at you—however, that important person there is the king

we magi respect, and no amount of insolence will be tolerated.”

The girl's awe-inspiring voice resounded.

A cute but non-seductive voice full of sweetness, it reminded one of quality

steel—tough yet flexible.

”The crownless king engaging in suspicious investigations, please listen to

the pledge of the knight Liliana Kranjcar.”

The owner of the voice was a young maiden, approaching with casual

footsteps.

She possessed a silver ponytail, and a rigid beauty like a western doll.

Furthermore, her slim figure was like a beautiful fairy. A girl who carried a

surreal atmosphere around her.

”I am the inheritor of the berserker's stone tablet, the descendant of the

crusading knights. My heart speeds across the sky. Winged king of the

knights, appear in my hand with the essence of dreams!”

A silver sabre appeared in the hand of the girl who introduced herself as

Liliana.

The sword was slender and elegant, drawing gentle curves.

”Come, the foundation of my might, Il Maestro!”

Wearing a cape with blue and black vertical stripes, her blue and black

battle outfit greatly resembled the red and black upper garments worn by

Erica.

Liliana exhaled and stepped forward.

Holding her sword she cut her way into the s.p.a.ce between the second

death knight and G.o.dou.

”Ah Lily, when did you come to j.a.pan? It's been so long!”

Erica seemed to know the girl armed with the sabre.

First using a feint with her sword to confuse the first death knight, Erica

casually sent a second horizontal slash at her opponent's body.

After receiving such a blow, the death knight's body turned into ash and

scattered upon the ground.

”Do not act so friendly, Erica Blandelli, I am not your friend, and there is no

reason for you to call me like that.”

Though they knew each other, it seemed like they didn't have a good

relations.h.i.+p. Liliana was responding with an unyielding tone of voice.

”Are these dead people the servants of the Marquis Voban?”

”Yes, have you heard of [Dead Servants]? They were released by the

Marquis to take care of intruders—knowing your existences, they will

definitely come to you looking for trouble!!”

While talking to Erica, Liliana continued to watch her own opponent with

vigilance.

The second death knight attacked her straight on. At the same time, Liliana

also swung her sabre downwards in front of her.

Sword struck sword violently.

One would have expected the sword guards to clash, but it did not happen.

Using some kind of technique, Liliana advanced forward while using her

sabre to deflect the death knight's sword.

A flash of the sword.

Slashed open by a diagonal cut, the death knight also turned into ash.

Crumbling like a sand castle on a beach, he disappeared in a dry manner.

”...Thank you, I'm saved.”

”No, this level completely cannot count as a crisis for a Campione. I want

to apologize for making a [King] dirty his hands fighting a death knight.

Please grant your forgiveness.”

G.o.dou wanted to thank Liliana who saved him from a tough situation, but

ended up receiving an apology.

Erica laughed to herself from the side.

”What are you talking about, Lily, you probably joined in happily to relieve

your acc.u.mulated stress anyway.”

”Quiet, I do not have any acc.u.mulated stress. Do not make things up.”

Liliana frowned as she spoke.

What kind of relations.h.i.+p did these two have? G.o.dou listened to their

dialogue with great interest.

”I know, you were at the place the Marquis lived, and likely came along

together, right? It is true that your grandfather is a wors.h.i.+per of the

Marquis, and to think he even sent his own granddaughter away so easily.”

Hearing Erica's speculation, Liliana's face changed. The hunch was likely

right on target.

”However, knowing your overly righteous att.i.tude and the rumored

character of the Marquis, you definitely do not get along, and there are

many things you cannot speak out against. Isn't that a lot of stress?”

”Be-be-be-be quiet! Do not talk like you saw it with your own eyes!”

Liliana tried to prevent Erica from speaking further with a brusque voice.

...Perhaps, this girl was another victim who Erica played around with.

G.o.dou couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Liliana.

Looking so innocent, it was clear that she was no match for Erica.

”—Kusanagi G.o.dou, there is absolutely zero basis in the things your lover

is saying. Please forget them. Yes, I am the follower of the Marquis Voban,

however, as a knight there is nothing dishonorable about it. No, without a

doubt, absolutely none!”

”Ah, I get it.”

G.o.dou politely nodded his head at Liliana who was denying with her face

red.

He also tried to correct a point of concern.

”By the way, Erica is not really anything like my lover. That, truly is

baseless...”

”You do not have to cover it up. Our information network is already fully

informed about your l.u.s.tful depravity—no, pardon me, intimate relations.h.i.+p

beyond the bounds of normal friends.h.i.+p. Given the skilled techniques of

that female fox, playing around with a young king is easy beyond

compare.”

”Don't talk like I have been deceived by Erica, that information is wrong!”

G.o.dou yelled reflexively in response.

”Excuse me. However, Sir Salvatore has stated 'that girl has cut in

between G.o.dou and I, and is very obstructive.' Besides, your denial is

completely unconvincing...”

Liliana mentioned a name that could not be ignored.

How much more will that idiot create trouble for me? In his heart, G.o.dou

felt the rise of a sudden murderous impulse.

”So Lily, have you seen Sir Salvatore lately?”

”Do not call me Lily. Only on the day before I met the Marquis Voban—Sir

Salvatore was still recuperating, and described what transpired that night

with great detail. In addition, he also talked about you with great pa.s.sion.”

You—Liliana threw a glance at G.o.dou as she spoke.

It felt like the kind of revulsion a girl obsessed with cleanliness would feel

after seeing something hated.

”Ah, did that fellow say something strange?”

”...'It was a night I will never forget for the rest of my life. I absolutely

cannot forget the night so pa.s.sionate like a dream, and blindingly bright as

summer fireworks. I offered my all to him, and he responded with

everything he had. At that time, it felt like the world only contained the two

of us, and all else was irrelevant.' Something like that.”

At that moment, Liliana lowered her gaze, her cheeks blus.h.i.+ng slightly.

”I am not qualified to comment on two [Kings] having that kind of immoral

relations.h.i.+p, but if permissible, what I wish to say is, those kinds of impure

actions with Erica are very unhealthy for a male. As for this kind of

dishonest two-timing behavior... Ah, please forget what I just said.”

”Don't have such weird misunderstandings, all I did was fight the guy!”

Uninterested in G.o.dou's yelling, Erica spoke.

”I told you before, you have too many openings, which is why you let all

these strange fellows approach you? People like Sir Salvatore, you need

to drive them away with determination!”

”I want to drive them away too, but if they keep coming back for trouble,

what can I do!”

After answering, G.o.dou took a deep breath.

Salvatore Doni was such an infuriating man. Anyway, that wasn't important

now, just forget about it, and devote all attention to solving the task at

hand!

Determined, G.o.dou asked Liliana.

”Uh, so that old man named Voban is inside, right? Can you take us

there?”

”That was what I came to do. Please come this way.”

Liliana walked towards the depths of the library. The meeting with the

oldest Devil King was about to begin.

Part 4

G.o.dou reached the second floor of the library and walked into the s.p.a.cious

reading room.

The tall old man and the white-clad Yuri were there.

Unlike the rumors of a mad dog, the old man's appearance was very

intellectual, with a wide forehead and deep-set eyes. Though tall and lean,

his body did not give an impression of being weak. Perhaps it was due to

the upright posture of his entire back.

Wearing a neat suit, he seemed like an old gentleman.

”Kranjcar, you were very violent towards my servant.”

The old gentleman—Sasha Dejanstahl Voban suddenly spoke.

It was not a reprimand, but held more of a mocking tone.

”My apologies, as a knight, I incorrectly judged insolence against the [King]

and raised my sword. I will accept any punishment.”

”Those kinds of servants are a dime a dozen, take no heed of it.”

Answering as if playing around, Voban looked bored and gazed at G.o.dou.

It was the kind of gaze which seemed rather arrogant.

”You look quite young, but come to mention it, I also became [King] around

your age. Name yourself, youngster. I suppose you know my name

already, but I do not know yours.”

”My name is Kusanagi G.o.dou. Please return my friend.”

G.o.dou reported his name without using honorifics.

After hearing about the exploits of this old man, G.o.dou had no intention of

applying his usual respect for elders.

G.o.dou glanced at Yuri's condition. She looked a bit pallid, but it did not

seem like she had suffered any serious attack. She was watching G.o.dou's

face with a worried expression.

”Why!? Kusanagi-san. Coming to this place because of me!”

”What are you saying, wouldn't it be problematic if I didn't come? Anyway,

are you ok Mariya? Have they mistreated you?”

”I will not do anything that stupid, this miko is very useful to me.”

Voban cracked his lips open to reveal a sarcastic grin.

”However, youngster, who is this girl to you? Family or wife? Or lover? I

am sorry, but she will be mine.”

”Don't joke around! If you want to summon a G.o.d, do it yourself! Don't

involve others!”

Before reaching here, G.o.dou found out the gist of things from Liliana.

Whether Voban's goal, Yuri's necessity, or the dangers of the [Heretical

G.o.d] summoning ritual. There was no reason at all to let this old man

continue with his heinous acts.

Thus G.o.dou reproached him loudly.

Voban yawned as if bored, and was completely unaffected.

”Youngster, this is a gathering of kings. I apologize for the rudeness of

entering your territory without consent. However, do not mistakenly believe

that your words can change my intentions. If you request something from a

[King], should you not prepare to pay the price?”

”Price?”

”Yes, a miko to replace this girl, and one that can summon a G.o.d to be my

prey. Without this, there can be no deal.”

The old man did not seem to want to waste words. It looked like

negotiations could not continue.

G.o.dou smacked his lips. Was there any way other than a show of force?

According to rumors about Voban, he was a believer in [Power]. It seemed

like there was no other way but to display the power he possessed—the

authority usurped from the Persian Warlord.

Just as G.o.dou was agonizing—

He noticed Yuri looking at him like she was begging him, as if silently

pleading something.

—Was it due to anxiety?

G.o.dou felt doubt, and released the right fist which had clenched

subconsciously, and relaxed his shoulder.

Yuri nodded greatly, so the guess was correct.

(But then, how should it be done...)

Just now, the words 'use force' had crossed G.o.dou's mind.

Was there no further meaning in talking with Voban?

Even if Yuri had not stopped him, it was something to be avoided.

He himself, the one who always preached to Erica about 'living a peaceful

life with common sense,' should find an easier solution to the problem...

At this time, Erica took action.

Until now, she had been waiting in a corner of the reading room with

Liliana. However, she seemed to have noticed G.o.dou's hesitation, and

walked over before the [King].

”...No good, the issue has become complicated, could you stand down?”

”No, my king. I apologize deeply for my tardiness. We better follow the

advice of our ally Sir Salvatore—please be decisive.”

With a glamorous smile refusing G.o.dou's request, Erica provided counsel

with the tone of voice of a loyal subject.

Voban immediately reacted to those words.

”Oh, an ally? This cannot be ignored, girl.”

To the old Devil King who had taken a slight interest, Erica gracefully

bowed and introduced herself.

”Honored to meet you. I am Erica Blandelli—the Great Knight of the

Copper Black Cross, and the current [Diavolo Rosso].”

”Paolo Blandelli's successor? What was the meaning of what you just

said? Could you explain it?”

”Yes, allow me to proceed.”

Erica's pupils seemed to contain a certain brightness like a happy and

naughty child.

Obviously there were no good intentions.

”I don't know if you have heard, but my master Kusanagi G.o.dou and our

Italian [King] Sir Salvatore had an intense battle that ended in a draw.

Furthermore, this battle nurtured a bond of friends.h.i.+p between two

[Kings].”

G.o.dou could feel cold sweat from his back.

It was definitely said, that four years ago, the one who foiled the old man's

plans was Salvatore Doni.

”Nothing was nurtured at all! We fought, yes, but there is nothing remotely

similar to a good relations.h.i.+p!”

”Hoho, though my king says so, but he is definitely intimate with Sir

Salvatore. Isn't that right, Liliana?”

”Why are you asking me? ...Yes, it is true.”

Being asked so suddenly, Liliana answered rather displeasedly.

If you're not really friends with Erica then don't be so cooperative!

G.o.dou yelled, but it was too late.

”Sir Salvatore is really concerned about G.o.dou-sama's matters... Rather

than an ally, perhaps he would be happier if it was described as something

like a mutually loving or brotherly relations.h.i.+p.”

From the sight of this, she must have been played thoroughly like a doll by

Erica.

As he pitied Liliana, G.o.dou raised his head and looked towards the sky.

”...Yes. To be confirmed by a knight of the Bronze Black Cross which is

enemies with the Copper Black Cross, youngster—you are Salvatore's ally,

there can be no mistake about that fact.”

”In addition, there is one more thing about my master's victory a month

ago. Would you like to know?”

Erica added more fuel to the fire.

Voban did not answer, but motioned for her to continue with his eyes.

”The G.o.ddess Athena—a powerful deity requiring no explanation.

However, Kusanagi G.o.dou fought and defeated her a month ago, but let

her escape just before the very end, and did not usurp any authority...”

”Ho, even if you are bluffing, please do not overdo it.”

It changed.

Unlike the rumors, the old man full of intellectual airs changed his att.i.tude.

That posture was as sharp as swords, and as ferocious as charging wild

beasts.

Sitting on the chair as if it was a throne, he started to shake lightly.

Soft motions of the body, like those of a feline beast. It was unthinkable

that an old man could be producing them.

”You say he fought Salvatore to a draw and defeated Athena! But he has

not even slaughtered a single G.o.d! Hahaha, to have accomplished all that,

fighting that stupid fool with no other tricks than his sword, and making an

enemy of the ultimate G.o.ddess of darkness? [Diavolo Rosso], what did

Salvatore really say?!”

The old Devil King asked as he laughed with great mirth.

”Yes. That was what he said. As [King] as well as the senior visiting

personally from afar, the Marquis would definitely want to have a

compet.i.tion of strength. He even said something about understanding

about an elderly body, and something about bowing down in service to the

power of the young...”

”Never! No matter how much that fellow messes around, he would never

say something so ridiculous!”

However, it was too late.

Voban looked very happy, and was smiling mercilessly.

”Good. To make an opponent out of a brat who has not even been [King]

for a year was not my mission. However—feel honored, for I will play

along.”

The emerald green eyes, were flas.h.i.+ng brightly.

Eyes of a tiger. G.o.dou felt himself out of breath as he thought of such a

description for the intensity of those eyes.

”Brat—as you have requested, take this girl back. However, in exchange,

you and the girl will become the prey for my hunt.”

Voban violently grabbed Yuri's arm and threw her towards G.o.dou.

G.o.dou frantically received her delicate body in his arms.

Yuri's body was trembling slightly, her face pale and bloodless, as if

extremely frightened. G.o.dou lightly stroked her back with his hand to

comfort her.

”Thirty minutes. Take this girl, and go wherever you want. I will set off from

here thirty minutes later to take the lives of you and the girl. You can hide

anywhere you want. I will pursue to the corners of the world in order to

hunt down and corner you. These are the rules of the hunt, understood?”

At this point, there was no other way but to play the game.

G.o.dou prepared himself, and silently nodded.

References

1. ↑ Kami (神) is the j.a.panese word for the spirits, natural forces, or

essence in the s.h.i.+nto faith.

2. ↑ Tachi (太刀) is a type of traditional j.a.panese sword worn by the

samurai cla.s.s of feudal j.a.pan.

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