Vol 2 Chapter 5 (1/2)
Chapter 5 - Time of the Hunt
Part 1
The sun had already set, and night was falling.
Rain drops were falling rhythmically from the sky.
G.o.dou supported Yuri and left the library with Erica, meeting Amakasu at
the parking lot.
”It really did develop into this kind of situation... Anyway, let's get out of
here for now, and plan as we move. Just sitting here is not going to solve
anything.”
Amakasu heard what happened, and urged G.o.dou and the rest.
Developments have reached an emergency situation, will these actions
turn out to be rash or foresighted?
G.o.dou had yet to decide on a plan, so he went with Amakasu's
suggestion.
”No matter what, things have gotten more and more troublesome...”
The domestic car aimlessly ran towards the Minato ward on the Shuto
Expressway.
G.o.dou sat in the front pa.s.senger seat and grumbled.
Obviously, Amakasu was in the driver's seat, while Erica and Yuri sat in
the back.
”Let me make this clear, I only wanted to sum up the conversation quickly,
and had no intention of putting G.o.dou in danger. This matter should have
been originally prepared for the battle against the Marquis Voban.”
Erica said in a calm manner.
She was probably in a bad mood because G.o.dou chose to sit in front
instead of next to her.
”I know that, but there must be some slightly safer way to resist!”
G.o.dou tried to change his mood as he spoke, as there was no point in
regretting something that had already happened
Try to think of a constructive way to minimize damage to the surroundings.
”Sigh, grumbling is meaningless, let's consider our direction from this point
on — how many authorities does that old gramps have in total?”
”...Is it seven or eight?”
”There are also reports of nine, or even ten and above.”
G.o.dou frowned at Amakasu and Erica's vague responses.
”Can you answer clearly? Aren't there magic a.s.sociations investigating our
abilities and making reports? That name is something like...”
”The Greenwich a.s.sembly.”
Amakasu answered while gripping the steering wheel.
”However, that group only started their activities in the latter half of the
nineteenth century. That is why they don't have information on people who
became Campiones earlier like the Marquis Voban. Thus, detailed
information is only available on those who became [Kings] in the twentieth
century or later, like Salvatore Doni and the Black Prince Alec.”
”Information on Marquis Voban aside, even the G.o.d he first defeated is
completely unknown. Some say that it is a G.o.d a.s.sociated with
wolves — probably a G.o.d with earth attributes.”
Erica's supplementary explanation reminded G.o.dou of the information he
received from that phone call.
”Come to think of it, that fellow Doni also has all sorts of disparate
authorities. It feels like there is no sense of unity.”
G.o.dou frankly injected his comment.
The other two became silent in the middle of their explanations, and turned
their gazes towards G.o.dou as if they had something to say.
”Wha-what is it?”
”No... if you say so, then nothing.”
”I think that the embodiment of Verethragna is also a bunch of random
abilities.”
True, that was something not really worth comparing, so G.o.dou decided to
cut back on the unnecessary comments.
”Then let's return to the topic just now, and decide on how to proceed from
here. If we cannot avoid fighting against that old gramps, I want to do it
somewhere to minimize collateral damage.”
”I see. If helping Yuri-san is the first priority, then there is no other way.”
Amakasu spoke as he looked ahead.
The rain splattering on the winds.h.i.+eld had intensified, and it was raining
quite heavily.
”However, do note that handing Yuri-san over as a sacrifice is a possible
solution. From a personal standpoint I think it is a tragic option, but in the
interests of public welfare, it is the best choice.”
”Please don't say something so stupid in front of the person being
discussed. There's no way I'll pick that method.”
G.o.dou immediately rejected Amakasu's irrelevant words.
This young man always put on frivolous airs, but made shockingly cruel
suggestions.
”But if we really do that, Marquis Voban will be satisfied and will leave
Tokyo immediately. There won't be any other innocent victims, isn't that
appropriate?”
”I understand your reasoning. But I refuse!”
However, the one who opposed G.o.dou was not the originator of the plan.
”Kusanagi-san, Amakasu-san's suggestion is correct.”
Yuri, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.
Bowing her head down depressed, however, she suddenly looked up and
entered the conversation.
”If you don't hand me over, Kusanagi-san and the Marquis' battle — will
bring severe tragedy to Tokyo. Did you know? There are legends about the
Marquis summoning great storms to destroy cities, and releasing wolves to
level villages.”
Yuri's stern voice carried determination.
She was no longer afraid, and quietly spoke with an expression of sorrow.
”The only one the Marquis insists on having is me. Fortunately, the
Marquis only intends for me to help him finish the ritual, so he should not
do anything else to mistreat me. It will be fine.”
Yuri was smiling as if trying to comfort the others.
An illusory smile which showed great strength. G.o.dou lightly sighed. Such
acting skills must have been difficult for her who lacked competence in
either sports or technology.
”Will there be any danger?”
”Four years ago, there were about thirty miko partic.i.p.ating in the Marquis'
[Heretical G.o.d] summoning. After the ritual, roughly two thirds of them
suffered severe mental trauma, and most went mad and lost their sanity.”
In the instant he heard Erica's fluent answer, G.o.dou made his decision.
— Ok, let's do it this way.
”In the battle against Athena, Yuri risked her life to use her power to
provide a.s.sistance, and took on a dangerous and irreplaceable role in
order to force the G.o.ddess to retreat from Tokyo.”
Kusanagi G.o.dou owed Mariya Yuri an extremely great favor.
”That ritual is very famous for summoning [Heretical G.o.ds] with that level
of sacrifice. Honestly speaking, I was quite surprised to find out that Yuri
had partic.i.p.ated in that ritual before. I suspect Yuri was only safe because
she was the most capable out of the many miko, but she is unlikely to be
so lucky next time.”
”In that case no, not allowed. Mariya's proposal is rejected.”
Feeling his battle spirit fired up, G.o.dou quietly said.
Campiones — just because one was the [King], can one do as one
pleased? No way! Towards Voban's tyranny, G.o.dou's sense of resistance
gradually grew.
It was completely unacceptable to let this girl be involved in such dangers
due to that old man's personal whims.
”So, Mariya, did you consider carefully before deciding to follow that old
gramps? Really seriously considered from the depths of your heart?”
”...Seriously considered.”
Yuri answered curtly, but with her head bowed.
G.o.dou turned around and looked at her straight in the face.
”You are lying. This is Mariya's benevolent lie.”
”Nothing like that, I did consider carefully — !”
”Just like the time with Athena, you thought that it would be fine if you were
the only sacrifice, right? I decided then, if anything like that ever happens
again, Mariya will definitely try to sacrifice herself — but that is something I
definitely will not allow.”
His body became hot.
A Campione's body will easily enter an optimal state during times of crises.
This is the power supporting G.o.dou's battle ability.
”If you fight with the Marquis, another cruel disaster will occur, so please
calm down!”
”I am calm, don't worry. Even if the opponent is a horrific Campione, he is
not a G.o.d and cannot create a world of darkness like Athena. There should
be ways to deal with him.”
”But then, in that case Kusanagi-san will... please consider yourself.”
Her shoulders dropping, Yuri murmured weakly.
”If-if anything happens to you — no, in a fight against the Marquis,
something will definitely happen. If Kusanagi-san gets killed because of
me, I...”
Her words lost form and were no longer distinguishable from one another.
Yuri completely lowered her head, her shoulders shaking, and tears
streamed down her face, moistening the dress of her j.a.panese outfit.
— This strong-willed girl was crying.
Yuri who had once faced Athena alone without regard for her own safety,
was now clearly crying. It was most likely due to G.o.dou's risking his life for
her.
If it was simply her own matter, Yuri could definitely hold back her tears.
Nevertheless, this only made G.o.dou strengthen his determination. No
matter what, he must protect this girl, Mariya Yuri, and stop the willful
actions of that unsavory old man!
”Yuri you should just give up. This is the decision of the [King]. Saying any
more will be futile. Don't forget, this man is [King], and a very stubborn,
violent person.”
In direct contrast with the Hime-Miko who cried audibly, Erica beside her
was very calm and collected.
She smiled calmly and asked.
”Of course, the Marquis you requested to follow is also a king, so which
side you pick is your freedom. Which will it be? The Marquis or G.o.dou,
who do you choose?”
”But Kusanagi-san has no chance of winning the Marquis. Though both are
Campiones, the Marquis has a clear advantage in both the strength and
number of authorities. Kusanagi-san is too optimistic!”
Yuri lifted her tear-stained face and scolded.
But G.o.dou's determination could not be shaken, and Erica simply
shrugged.
”What are we going to do, my master?”
”If we talk about chances of victory, my authorities from Verethragna
shouldn't be able to win against Athena either. Anyway, we have no other
choice at this point.”
G.o.dou turned to face Amakasu on the driver's seat.
”So that's it, Mariya's person will be handled by me. I will never hand her
over to that old gramps, so please, drive to somewhere with fewer people.
A battle scene here would bring even more trouble.”
”Understood. To be kidnapped by two Campiones one after the other,
Yuri-san sure is an important person.”
”Ah, Amakasu-san, what are you talking about!”
Yuri reprimanded the gloating Amakasu.
However, the frivolous representative continued to man the steering wheel
unaffected.
”But regrettably, I am a member of the History Compilation Committee. As
someone involved in this field, I cannot oppose the will of the great Devil
King, oh... It's like running away on a stolen bike, a kind of guilty
excitement.”
”You! Always taking things so lightly!”
Yuri finally was angered, but it totally swept away her sorrow and tears.
G.o.dou nodded at her new condition.
Once everything was settled, she would probably scold him like last time
after the Athena incident. But that's fine. Compared to letting this girl be
taken away out of sight to a distant location, it was ten thousand times
better.
Purely by chance, his gaze met with Erica's.
His companion calmly made a look, as if saying she had no objections.
”Unfortunately, I will be troubling you.”
”Don't worry, didn't I already say? Having offered you my [Sword], I already
prepared myself for situations like this. And that old [King]'s history is not
something you can comprehend alone, let me fill you in later.”
Erica casually spoke, and then turned her jeering gaze forwards — to the
young man in the driver's seat.
”...Well, I feel like it is correct to predict this kind of possibility, but I'm just a
little concerned about the speaker telling G.o.dou that.”
”Don't talk like I have ulterior motives.”
As they were about to continue, the sound of rolling thunder was heard.
The location of the thunderstrike seemed quite near. Looking out the
window, the night sky was filled with dark clouds, and the rain was
increasing continually.
”...In other words, thirty minutes have pa.s.sed.”
As Amakasu glanced at his watch, gray shadows immediately appeared.
Part 2
Running.
Under the intense thunder and rain, groups of gray shadows were running.
Shadows — no, if one looked carefully, those were the silhouettes of
wolves. They numbered about thirty or forty.
A pack of wolves colored gray like a rat's fur.
But the wolves' sizes were abnormal, for their tall and well-built bodies
could easily be mistaken for a horse's.
A pack of giant wolves was galloping down the Shuto Expressway with
horrific speed, chasing G.o.dou's car from behind.
...Surprisingly, the distance between them was shrinking.
There was still about thirty meters, but they would catch up soon.
”So these are the [Wolves] called by that old gramps? These are complete
monsters.”
”I am also seeing them for the first time. The Marquis is able to call forth
hundreds of these [Wolves] and can easily eradicate ten to twenty villages
or towns with them.”
Watching the ferocity of the wolf pack from the rear window of the car,
G.o.dou and Erica exchanged opinions.
Extremely ravenous wild beasts as if they had discovered their prey.
Perhaps one could understand with the following description. A pack of
wolves whose eyeb.a.l.l.s raged with the color of blood as they drooled and
chased violently.
”Come to think of it, there seems to be a lack of cars in the approaching
direction. What could be the reason...”
G.o.dou muttered as he realized his carelessness.
Though traffic was not heavy today, the number of cars on the Shuto
Expressway could not be zero. In fact, there should be cars in front and
cars from behind trying to pa.s.s.
But starting five minutes ago, the number of cars around them became
very few.
This wasn't strange. If a normal driver saw those kinds of monsters running
on the roads, they would definitely make way for them. This wasn't hard to
imagine.
”Let's hope those wolves haven't caused any serious incidents...”
G.o.dou could only pray to the heavens.
The gray wolves were probably only targeting G.o.dou and Yuri and should
be ignoring the other cars. Hence, that worry seemed unlikely. But still,
they should prepare for the worst.
...In a car collision, those wolves would probably send the car flying
instead.
”Amakasu-san, please stop the car! Don't involve unrelated people!”
”I refuse to stop, but we should definitely avoid a chase in a place like this.”
After being told by Yuri, Amakasu turned the steering wheel.
It was at the Kokuchou interchange on Route 3 of the Shuto Expressway.
Amakasu directed the car into the lane towards the exit leading to street
level.
”Are you planning on driving on the streets? That is very dangerous!”
”If we get attacked by those monsters while driving at such a speed, the
result will be tragic! Since they will catch up sooner or later, it will be easier
to escape at ground level.”
Of course, this reasoning had its merits, so G.o.dou immediately responded
to Amakasu's suggestion.
”Then please let us off at a suitable spot, and then try to think of a
solution!”
— Ten minutes later, Amakasu had driven the car into the streets in the
neighborhood of Roppongi district.
This was the city center containing high-rise buildings, luxury hotels and
television stations, with shrines, monasteries and emba.s.sies slightly further
away.
”...Could you stop the car over there?”
Due to the intense rain beating down on the windows, it was difficult to see
outside clearly. G.o.dou still managed to find a good spot and proceeded to
alert Amakasu.
Turning at an intersection, they stopped before a primary school.
A city center primary school. Neither the playground nor its overall area
were very big, but it should be enough to rampage a bit. Since it was night,
there will not be any children.
G.o.dou had Amakasu stop the car and got out onto the road.
The storm was very fierce.
As the raindrops blown by the wind struck his body sideways, his clothes
were rapidly soaked with rainwater. The rain also filled his shoes with
water.
An umbrella under such situations would most likely be blown away
immediately.
”Why don't you come along as well, Mariya. Though the weather is terrible,
please endure.”
G.o.dou opened the door to the backseat and hastened Yuri to get off.
However, the Hime-Miko of Musas.h.i.+no appeared to have no intention of
following. She only stared at G.o.dou, pleading with sincere eyes.
”Kusanagi-san, you should have seen it right? Those [Wolves] and [Dead
Servants] are only a part of the Marquis Voban's powers. You cannot
defeat him. And if you went all out, it will definitely bring destruction to the
surroundings.”
And so, please hand me over. To this plea, G.o.dou shook his head.
”I am not very smart, and cannot understand the reasons to do that. All I
know is this: you are my friend who once helped me. If I abandoned such a
girl, I will regret it — as I have said just now, this is my stubbornness.”
G.o.dou offered his hand to the persistent Hime-Miko.
Hoping that she would accept this hand. That was what G.o.dou hoped for
from the bottom of his heart.
”I don't want to hand you over to some old gramps like that. And I am not
the only one who thinks that. Letting a courageous and compa.s.sionate girl
suffer such cruelty from that stubborn old man, if anyone else heard about
such an atrocity, I'm sure nine out often people will agree with my
decision.”
G.o.dou felt that his oratory skills were very poor.
As he cursed his own uselessness at such a crucial time, G.o.dou continued
to speak.
”So, let's consider this... Of course I know that fighting against that old
gramps will bring trouble to many people. But if things were properly
explained, they should be able to endure for a while. I apologize for
deciding without consultation, but it is something that cannot be helped.”
G.o.dou wondered if he could find the words to persuade Yuri who was the
most serious person he knew.
Feeling that he had no other appeals to reason, G.o.dou prayed as hard as
he could while attempting to convey his wishes for her safety instead.
”I understand that you're worried about many things, but please just come
with me. I beg you, Mariya.”
”Your power, you do understand you cannot defeat the Marquis, right?”
”I have no intention of overextending myself for a win, but it is fine as long
as losing is avoided. As long as I am able to protect Mariya I am satisfied.
Even if my opponent is powerful, it is not farfetched to aim for a draw.
Definitely, something can be done.”
An optimistic speech devoid of worry, almost sounding like something
Salvatore Doni would say.
Partially for the sake of giving Yuri confidence, G.o.dou forced himself to
speak in this manner.
It was a speech with stupid reasons and was completely lacking in
credibility. Yuri finally sighed after listening.
”Really, enough... You give me no choice. You usually speak sensibly but
why are you so sloppy now...”
Yuri looked up and gazed directly into G.o.dou's eyes.
”No matter how righteous it is to oppose that kind of person, I still know
you cannot succeed. So enough, your words of persuasion are like those
of a fool.”
Inconsistent with her sharp tone, she was not staring at G.o.dou sternly.
Yuri timidly held out her hand.
The delicate hand slowly reached out towards G.o.dou's outstretched hand.
”It is not like I believe in Kusanagi-san's words or anything like that. Don't
misunderstand. It is not like I want you to risk your life or anything like that.
After all, I am just a victim of your kidnapping. I suppose resistance is
futile... In truth, this is all there is to it, so do not misunderstand.”
”Yes, I understand. This is sufficient, Mariya.”
Mariya took G.o.dou's hand and gripped it tightly.
Like a lost child who finally found his father.
G.o.dou nodded gladly. Yuri's face blushed and she lowered her head.
Yuri stood up and left the car, walking in the rain.
Her white j.a.panese attire was immediately drenched by the rain, and
clung closely to the exceedingly feminine form of her body.
”I will face the Marquis together with Kusanagi-san — so, I am in your care.”
”We will do our best.”
Though it seemed like he had yet to fully gain the other's trust, G.o.dou
guaranteed with a smiling face.
Yuri also responded with a shy smile akin to falling cherry blossoms.
”Now that it's been decided, let's prepare the grounds... Mariya you should
first cross through that door...”
As G.o.dou pointed at the school entrance, Yuri sighed.
”I understand, it really is trespa.s.sing, how unlawful...”
”Umm, please don't scold me for now. Even I don't feel comfortable about
this. Erica, please.”
”Yeah yeah. Though you speak of reflection, but your true actions
completely betray them — that is one of G.o.dou's worst points. Well in this
case, we have no other choice but to count on you.”
Erica made an evil smile and also got off the car.
Bending forward, she grabbed one side of the skirt of her uniform.
And then she tore it and did the same for the other side, creating torn slits
on both sides of the skirt. Of course, it was done to facilitate movement.
”The lion of steel, s.h.i.+eld of the [Diavolo Rosso], may my spell words
respond to my will!”
Disregarding the rain, Erica used the magic of summoning.
The magical sword of the lion, Cuore di Leone, appeared in her right hand.
Preparing her battle stance, Erica swung her beloved sword in a V-shape.
The primary school's entrance was cut open by the slas.h.i.+ng attack.
”Ah, this is something beyond my abilities to handle, so I will provide
support from a distance. Sorry I can't be of much help. I wish you all luck in
your struggle.”
Amakasu said.
At this desperate time, he was still sitting casually at the driver's seat.
”Hmph. Unfamiliar with battle, really — but I don't think you are