Vol 1 Chapter 6 (1/2)

Chapter 6 - You, Born from Light Amidst Darkness

Part 1

Erica Blandelli recalled from her experience the existence of [Leap] magic.

It was a kind of magic that lightened one's body and allowed one's jumping

ability to exceed human limits. Using this would allow her to perform

amazing moves that her beloved Hong Kong movies produced only

through the use of harnesses.

Even without a running start she could jump to places taller than her own

height.

She could even run up vertical walls or perform agile acrobatics that even

the top stunt actors could never hope to imitate.

—Now she was skillfully using this magic to escape.

In a city center in the middle of a stormy night without any shelter.

Flying between the rows of towering buildings from roof top to roof top,

Erica was scurrying around so much that even something like a cat or a

monkey would have no way of keeping up.

Erica prided herself on this magic. If she used it seriously, there was

virtually no one who surpa.s.sed her skill.

However, amongst the death knights there were three who also excelled in

this type of magic. Likewise using [Leap] magic, but pursuing like the

shadow of death personified.

”Truly difficult to handle—”

Erica muttered.

The strong winds shook her body, and the rain made visibility very poor.

Furthermore, it was night time. Since it was wet everywhere, a careless

misstep could easily lead to a fall.

Erica continued to scurry around unfazed by these disadvantageous

conditions.

However, it was probably enough. Shaking them off her trail would be

impossible so it might not be a bad idea to turn around and counterattack

here.

There were three of these knights in pursuit.

Other than the numerical disadvantage, it would also be rather difficult to

dispatch one of them with the first strike.

While using [Transformation] magic on the magical sword in her right hand,

she looked back to observe. Cuore di Leone changed its form from a

slender sword into a throwing spear.

A short but heavy spear meant for throwing.

Twisting, she threw at an acute angle. At the instant the throwing spear left

the hand of Erica, two identical clones also appeared like shadows.

A total of three throwing spears flew straight into the directions of the three

death knights.

The spear tips crisply penetrated their chests, piercing the heart protected

beneath the chain mail.

The surviving dead souls collapsed into dust.

It was likely that the decision-making capability of the death knights—the

ability to think, was lower than when they were alive. It took them longer to

change their actions.

Which is why Erica acted as she did. Running away continually for long

distances followed by a rapid counterattack, the plan came into fruition

perfectly.

—However, the last performance has yet to begin.

As Cuore di Leone returned from its spear form back to the sword, Erica

made preparations for the remaining enemies.

Now was the key moment. Swordplay, magic, strategy, wisdom.

Opponents who matched her in every one of these categories were

arriving soon.

”Running all the way over here, it does not really match your preference for

spectacular battle.”

The voice appeared out of the rainy night.

An elegant and cute voice of a girl, but hiding great strength beneath

gentle softness.

”Like a rat scurrying around, this ends now. Erica Blandelli.”

”Come to think of it, you once said you wanted to fly like a swallow. Lily,

that's no good, you're really lacking in poetic expression.”

Liliana Kranjcar.

Amidst the strong winds, Erica was mocking the completely drenched girl

who was beautiful as a fairy and wearing a blue and black cape. For her to

appear here was nothing extraordinary.

This girl was the descendant of a true and proper witch. Completely

surpa.s.sing Erica, she was a master of flying magic.

”Do not call me Lily!—If you were not working as the subordinate of that

weak king, then there would not be a need to emulate it. Furthermore,

there would not be a need to be like a female fox. How inconsiderate!”

”Rather than some sort of scheming, this is just my love. This isn't like you,

to lack feeling in your words.”

As the two female knights talked under the intense rain and wind, they

walked towards each other.

They understood each other's capabilities very well. Whether the winner or

the loser, neither would be able to conclude the battle unharmed.

”My wings, shape steel into the blade of illusion—Il Maestro, lend me your

power!”

Liliana raised her arm towards the sky, and loudly summoned her beloved

sword.

The silver long-bodied sabre appeared and Liliana jumped up from the

ground at that instant.

Approaching like a flash of lightning.

With comparable speed, Erica dodged to the side. Rather than

swordsmans.h.i.+p, it was more like a dance—taking leaping steps like those

of the flamenco[1], while dodging the attacks from the approaching enemy.

Liliana, who had caught up with Erica's speed, moved quietly with gliding

steps.

Running as if she were ice-skating, she pursued Erica's light footsteps.

”Do not think that you can escape from me with that kind of speed!”

”True. In that case, let me defeat you with power!”

Erica performed a forward thrust with Cuore di Leone, aiming for Liliana's

heart.

It was not a single attack. Within the time of a single breath, Erica struck

out thrice, a killing move consisting of three sudden thrusts.

Il Maestro gave off melodic metallic tones like an instrument, and at the

same time parried Erica's attack rhythmically.

Liliana's swordsmans.h.i.+p was both extremely beautiful and wonderfully

precise.

Skillfully wielding the heavy weapon, while simultaneously making forceful

attacks, Erica moved the exquisite magical sword to lightly evade or parry

attacks.

Erica did not attack with abandon, but was biding her time.

Not her sword, but with her foot. Aiming at Liliana's instep, Erica

mercilessly stepped towards her opponent's foot as if crus.h.i.+ng it with her

heel.

”Wait, you are using your feet so vilely just like in the past!”

”Lily, look at you. You still haven't changed your habit of cursing when you

get excited. A knight should always aim for more spectacular battles!”

Towards Liliana who retreated to dodge her opponent's heel, Erica smiled

gracefully.

As they continued to slice and attack each other, the distance between

them gradually shrank. In that case, a situation of close combat would

develop, and using the feet was a normal part of swordsmans.h.i.+p.

Maintaining her position, Erica chopped downwards directly.

The magical sword of the lion was blocked by Il Maestro. Closing in on the

guard of the sword. Immediately Erica stepped forward on impact, using

the magic sword to blow away the light Liliana.

”This monstrously strong girl! What spectacular battle? It is just like a horse

pulling a cart with brute strength!”

”If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to describe it as strong and majestic

like a lion?”

To her cursing opponent, Erica reb.u.t.ted with a smile.

Liliana snorted and took a large step. This was in preparation for her

prided flying skill. To fly freely in the sky like a bird, she needed the proper

distance.

”If that is the case, then I shall soar high like a falcon. Be prepared...

Hmph, they already caught up?”

Inadvertently, Liliana was lightly surprised.

Erica easily guessed the reason. With the clattering of chain mail and other

metallic weapons, clearly a few other knights had arrived using [Leap].

The death knights in pursuit of Erica with orders from Voban.

There were four of them.

—They each took a position and surrounded the array of buildings the two

girls were fighting on.

Scattered amongst the roof tops of the surrounding homes and buildings,

they formed a net of encirclement.

”...Looks like they will be disturbing us no matter what. Then I shall step

back. If you can cut your way out of this, let us determine the victor another

day.”

Liliana spoke as she put down Il Maestro.

Losing all interest because the duel was interrupted. Rather than fighting

for the sake of killing or pitting wits and power against each other, knights

fought to showcase their skill and bravery.

Truly my great rival. One who could distinguish battles from duels properly.

...However.

At this point, Erica thought of a way to get out of this situation.

Not by a surprise attack, but fighting all four of these death knights face to

face would be too difficult. However, it would be totally different if she had

a partner who was at least equal to her. Fortunately, such a trump card

was right here.

”Hey Lily, I happen to have something to tell you...”

With a gentle and lovely voice she seldom used, Erica spoke.

”No way. I hate talking to you and it never ends well. Is it not better for me

to watch the current dangerous situation instead?”

Liliana's response was rather cold.

However, Erica expected it and showed an openly accepting smile like that

of a n.o.blewoman.

”Don't speak so coldly oh. This may prove to be to your benefit—Lily, are

you actually thinking of serving Marquis Voban and following his every

order from now?”

”Why not? I am only fulfilling my duties to the [King].”

Without hesitation, a proper answer.

However, this was precisely why it was so fun to play around with Liliana

Kranjcar.

Feeling the movements of the death knights, Erica added emphasis to her

tone. If they were biding their time before rus.h.i.+ng in, then now was the time

to bring Liliana to her side!

”So... If that's the case, why don't you fulfill your duties to another king? If

that is the only reason why you follow the Marquis, then there's no

problem, right?”

”...Are you suggesting I change my allegiance to Kusanagi G.o.dou?”

Seeing Liliana's eye brows twitch, Erica spoke like an older sister or any

type of elder.

”Correct. If it's him then you will definitely get the thrill of battle—Lily, did

you really follow the Marquis to Tokyo without reservations? I understand

you very well, Lily, which is why I have my doubts. It is completely unlike

you to be yielding to the Marquis' tyranny so obediently.”

”This and that. It is all your fault, Erica Blandelli!”

Without a clue to the reason of her anger, Erica felt mildly surprised.

”Uh, is that so? Why?”

”It is entirely the fault of your scheming against Kusanagi G.o.dou and

accepting the role of his lover! This is what provoked my grandfather's

oppositional defiance!”

Feeling there was a hidden story behind this explanation, Erica made a

mental note.

The grandfather living in seclusion was well known amongst wors.h.i.+pers of

Dejanstahl Voban.

Learning that the young mistress of the rival Blandelli family had become

the lover of the newly born Campione, he must have felt his days gone to

waste. And so he must have arranged to let the long time acquainted old

king summon his granddaughter to cater to his whims.

”Could it really be true, Lily, that the grandfather sent you to the Marquis so

that his own granddaughter could become the lover of a [King] as well?

...Isn't this a totally mistaken casting decision?”

From this honest girl, expecting seduction was too much.

Erica felt sympathy for the furious Liliana.

”Really. What does he think his granddaughter is...”

”If that's the case, then why not end it? Lily, you are suppressing your own

will to cater to the Marquis' excesses. Isn't it time for you to be yourself,

Liliana Kranjcar? One is a tyrant who would force a girl to carry out his

unreasonable requests, while the other is the young king fighting to aid this

helpless girl—Who do you think is the correct side?”

The death knights were about to attack. G.o.dou and Yuri's fates were still

unknown.

Too many things to be confirmed, and too many problems requiring

solutions. However, one must not give in to anxiety so Erica presented an

air of casual generosity and continued.

”If you have never sworn allegiance to the Marquis verbally, then which

king you choose is your decision... If the anachronistic old man has any

objections, then Salvatore Doni will answer as our true chief of Milan.

Since Kusanagi G.o.dou is his ally and is currently fighting for the weak—I

think you'll soon lose your reasons for serving the Marquis, Lily.”

”Hmph. An attractive proposal, but are you toying with me once again?”

Liliana suspiciously eyed her surroundings.

Erica did the same. Surveying the area as she conversed elegantly, she

had never let down her guard for a moment. She was ready to battle any

time.

”Ara, have I ever played a joke on you, Lily?”

”Do not pretend you are ignorant. Two years ago, when we were itching to

go to the movies, were you not laughing your head off when you

successfully tricked me into watching that romantic film with the intense

bed scenes!?”

”I didn't know it was that kind of movie either. And really, Lily, you even

fainted to have a wonderful dream in the middle of watching it.”

”No, not at all. I also fell for your tricks when we were selecting clothes

while shopping in Milan. All you picked were those shameless clothing with

low cuts, open backs and bared navels, and you bought so much—!”

”Lily you have a great figure, so those clothes really suit you. You should

be more confident in yourself!”

”Q-Quiet! Also, half a year ago when we met in Venice by chance—you

k-kept saying all these nice but insincere things to please me, and played

me like a toy!”

”Oh my, are you saying this is the same? And here I was, trying to give Lily

some good advice!”

At that instant, the death knights finally made a move.

Taking advantage of the moment when Liliana let her guard down and lost

awareness of their presence, two of the four knights swung their blades at

Erica, chopping downwards!

Not only was there a disadvantage in numbers, but one could not stop

moving when fighting in a place like this.

Stopping would immediately mean being surrounded, and a one against

many fight will result in a ma.s.sacre. However Erica forced herself to move

and face the two attacking death knights.

Swinging Cuore di Leone to restrict the chopping motion of one of them,

she followed the motion of the sword with her hips.

As the sword of the second knight approached, she dodged glamorously

with a slight twist of her body.

In that instant, she looked at Liliana.

Their glances exchanged. The face, beautiful as a doll's, frowned slightly. Il

Maestro went into motion once more. As the blue and black cape fluttered

in the wind, Liliana Kranjcar finally took action.

”You will receive your comeuppance one day! Be prepared!”

As she made her short complaint, Liliana approached.

Erica was using herself as bait for the two death knights, while Liliana

made a series of fierce attacks using Il Maestro.

One flash, two flashes.

Just like that, Liliana subdued the two unwary knights.

There were two knights remaining which could be dealt with one on one.

The two of them also jumped onto the roof where Erica and Liliana were.

The first to make a move was Liliana.

Like a bird she jumped high into the stormy sky. The blue and black cape

fluttered in the wind following her as she swooped down like a fierce bird of

prey.

Below her one of the death knights waited.

The corpse held a longsword and thrusted towards the girl who had

nowhere to hide in midair.

—Too naive.

Having said that, Erica's lips curled with a smile of a.s.surance.

The type of [Leap] that Liliana used was much different from Erica's. It

went much faster, flew much higher, jumped much further, and could even

ignore principles of continuity.

Her descent suddenly halted.

Liliana stopping her free fall was like hitting the brakes in mid air. The

sword of the death knight missed its target.

Immediately, Liliana resumed her fall and swung her sabre downwards.

The weight and the force of the leap powered the sword's attack with

kinetic energy as it struck the death knight, and a deep slash crossing from

the right shoulder to the left hip sliced open the body.

Falling to the ground, the knees collapsed and the body fell forward and

began to crumble from the bottom.

In a short moment, the death knight turned into scattered dust.

Liliana Kranjcar's leaping skills had already reached the level of flying.

Even a master would have difficulty winning against her if they were

unfamiliar with the way she fought.

”Truly amazing, Lily. You've always had a talent for flying around!”

Erica expressed approval.

Since ancient times, this had been deeply rooted in the witch culture of

eastern and southern Europe.

It was said that they made secret potions, tamed wild beasts in the woods

with magic, and flew freely in the skies. Being able to acquire these skills

was determined by disposition at birth, as well as further training

throughout life.

Erica's apt.i.tude in this area was greatly surpa.s.sed by Liliana.

However, to make up for it—

Manipulating steel, and using spells to forge blades and spears. In terms of

the power to use magic to create these tools of killing and destruction,

Erica was far ahead!

”Cuore di Leone which was forged by the black night! The descendant of

the highest sword! Respond to my prayer, the steel of kings!”

This was the arcane art of the Excalibur[2], to raise her beloved sword's

slicing efficiency to the max.

Using these spell words, Erica struck with her sword in a superior posture.

The longsword used by the death knight was cleanly cut in half by Cuore di

Leone.

Against the attacks of the blue and red knights, the last death knight also

turned into dust.

”Even from a long time ago, you have been using brute strength to defeat

others like this. What an idiot suited for charging on the front lines.”

”Hey Lily. I've always been praising you directly, why are you always

insulting me... This is why I say you are not lady-like.”

The displeased Liliana immediately worsened her expression at Erica's

criticism.

”Quiet! Rather than this, you should be rus.h.i.+ng to meet up with your

master. That important person should probably still be fighting for Mariya

Yuri, right? Head there before it is too late!”

The n.o.ble, unsullied and chivalrous knight. This was the maiden called

Liliana Kranjcar.

Witnessing this truth once again, Erica smiled.

She did not want to work under the Marquis. On a certain level, she

definitely supported Kusanagi G.o.dou.

”Very true... But this is great, Lily volunteering to help me. However, my

interest is in threatening!”

”Threatening? Do you really think you can threaten me with a sword to

force me to join?”

Liliana spoke like she was treated as a fool to be played with.

However, Erica grinned and shook her head. She was not going to engage

in that kind of tasteless behavior.

”Hey, in a certain drawer in your bedroom—the second one counting from

the top. That notebook there, isn't it quite nice? Very expressive and full of

feeling, like a young girl's!”

”—!?”

Liliana stared at Erica with murderous eyes.

Erica continued unfazed.

”Who would have thought you had an interest in writing novels? 'I hate

those kinds of aloof people. However, what is this intense beating in my

chest? Is it possible, could this be, is this love?' Romance novels with this

kind of feeling are so rare in the current entertainment media. If it were me,

I would put in more dead people, murders, action, and martial arts!”

”What! Hey hey hey! How do you know the existence of 'that'!?”

Erica hummed slightly and smiled.

There was actually a maid in the Kranjcar household who acted as a secret

informant, but there was no need to reveal that fact.

”Fufufu. If Lily would become my close friend from now on, then I will

automatically forget about the existence of that notebook? So,

comprehend?”

”Kill! I would rather kill you to silence that mouth of yours forever!”

To the seriously furious Liliana, Erica gave out a glamorous smile.

This was the smile that G.o.dou described as like a devil's.

”Don't be so hasty. If I died, the sealed contents of the will is full of details

of that novel—I was thinking it might come in handy one day, but I never

expected it to be today!”

”You, you, you devil! You are not human!!”

Hearing repeated cries of that most familiar t.i.tle, Erica began planning the

next step.

Since a powerful ally has been gained, it was time to meet up with G.o.dou

as soon as possible. The king who lent his a.s.sistance to those in need,

where was he now—?

Part 2

It was just as Erica Blandelli was bringing Liliana Kranjcar over to her

cause.

Kusanagi G.o.dou and Mariya Yuri were at the door of a public recreation

facility.

It was slightly after half past nine at night.

All staff and users had already left earlier. Presumably because of the

sudden storm which resembled a typhoon, they all left hastily.

—Keeping Yuri in his arms, G.o.dou ran here as if he was flying.

Knowing his limit was near, he happened upon this shelter, and fell over

like an invalid as he stepped in.

”Kusanagi-san!? What is the matter!”

”...I'm sorry, Mariya. Let me stay like this for a while. This always happens

after using the [Raptor]. Due to using it for so long, this part becomes very

painful...”

Whispering, G.o.dou pressed upon his chest with his hand.

Verethragna's [Raptor] could grant G.o.dou superhuman speed and a light

body. The cost for doing so was the current condition. An intense pain in

the heart depending on the length of usage.

No magic existed to alleviate this pain. As G.o.dou was covered with cold

sweat, there was nothing he could do but endure.

”Please relax your body. I will now use magic to relieve pain.”

”No, it won't work... But I'll be fine.”

G.o.dou refused the rare show of concern.

However, Yuri did not heed him, and started treatment on her own. Placing

her palm on G.o.dou's chest, she gently caressed him.

Through her palm a gentle warmth was transmitted. In normal situations it

would probably soothe the most intense pains. Regrettably, a Campione's

body was not a normal body.

Whether hostile or friendly, all directly applied magic will be rejected.

This was due to their powerful resistance towards magic and wizardry.

”...No effect? How could this be!?”

Yuri was surprised to discover the lack of effect from her magic.

G.o.dou endured the pain and smiled slightly. In fact he was already in too

much pain to do that, but forced himself to make display for her.

”Think back, didn't I tell you before? Under normal circ.u.mstances, our

bodies are resistant to the effects of magic. However, the only exception is

when magic is blown directly into the body...”

”That, that really was true!”

It was the battle against Athena last time. That time when G.o.dou accepted

Erica's [Teaching] magic from her mouth directly, and obtained knowledge

about the G.o.ddess. Yuri had felt extreme indignation watching that scene.

”I-I thought that when y-you and Erica-san did that... That shameless

intimate contact, it was just an excuse... S-so sorry!”

”Could it be that you always thought that... —Ouch it really hurts!!”

The painful sensation attacking his heart was like being p.r.i.c.ked with

needles.

As Yuri worriedly watched G.o.dou's face, she kept caressing the area

around G.o.dou's chest.

”You don't need to do that, Mariya. After all it doesn't work.”

”No. Even without magic, there will still be an effect. Do not speak like you

know everything. To have used such a dangerous power... you really go

out of control sometimes.”

Despite saying that, the motions of Yuri's hand were extremely gentle.

Pain was really subsiding. The warmth from the palm of her hand was very

comfortable.

”In the past, my mother would always do this where I was hurt. Even

though she was a normal person who did not know any spells, the pain

always receded gradually. So I know that it will work for Kusanagi-san.”

”Ah ah, yes. Perhaps it really is like that...”

But of course, the pain in his heart was still there.

However, compared to enduring the pain just now, he found it easier to

endure. G.o.dou finally relaxed his body a little... and then, noticed.

Without noticing when, he had started engaging in intimate contact with

Yuri.

The two of them had their clothes drenched by rain—G.o.dou was wearing

his school uniform, while Yuri was wearing the miko outfit. Having

absorbed ma.s.sive amounts of water, the fabric clung closely to the skin,

and mercilessly absorbed body warmth.

However, the parts in bodily contact felt warm instead.

Unlike Erica, Yuri did not use perfume or anything like that. But leaning so

closely together, a sweet fragrance could be picked up.

This was bad. G.o.dou felt embarra.s.sed from the bottom of his heart.

”Umm, umm Mariya, could you stay back a little? I think I'm much better

now.”

”N-no Kusanagi-san. If there is still an effect, then it would be better to

maintain this. Also, if we do this our bodies can feel warmth... Umm, the

two of us can...”

Yuri also seemed to have noticed the same thing, and they avoided each

other's gaze.

The part which the miko's white outfit did not cover—the face turned bright

red as autumn leaves. Was it imagination? But body warmth also felt like it

was rising.

—Ten minutes later.

Most of the pain had gone away. However, it was still difficult to move the

limbs.

After experiencing a certain period of intense pain, the body became

powerless and could not move temporarily. This was the price of using the

[Raptor] form.

However, since one obtained unparalleled speed in return, perhaps it

couldn't be helped.

Maybe due to the lack of conversation, G.o.dou tried his hardest to think of

other things.

In the tens of minutes leaning close together without a word being said, it

was like being tortured or interrogated. At least, if there was something to

chat about...

”A-anyway, about that old gramps. Mariya once mentioned it, right? The

usurped authority which allowed the manipulation of corpses. That one,

what was the G.o.d called?”

”...Osiris. The ancient Egyptian deity of agricultural fertility, and the G.o.d

ruling the underworld.”

”...A G.o.d of harvest as well as the underworld? Why do I feel like I've heard

of this guy before?”

The G.o.ddess Athena was the dark deity of the underworld as well as the

great mother earth G.o.ddess.

Then wasn't it exactly the same as the battle that ended a month ago?

G.o.dou felt doubtful.

”Perhaps it is just as Kusanagi-san thought. A fertility deity, who can turn

the earth into swaths of lush greenery, turns into a G.o.d of the underworld

when winter or night time arrives. Like Athena, there are two sides to

Osiris. However, he was a male G.o.d and not a mother earth G.o.ddess.”

The mother G.o.ddess in Egypt was named Isis. The G.o.ddess of the earth

who was also the wife of Osiris.

Killed by one of the younger brothers of a desert G.o.d, Osiris' corpse was

torn to pieces and thrown into the Nile. The one who gathered the pieces

together was his wife Isis.

The pieces of the body were sewn back together by the G.o.d Anubis, and

revived.