Vol 3 Chapter 3 (1/2)

Chapter 3 - Witch of Sardinia

Part 1

”So you only met that boy by chance, and have no relation to him. That

stone tablet also came into your possession by chance, and you

specifically came here to return it to its original owner...”

Sitting on the same bench was Erica, listing these facts out with a melodic

voice.

By the way, G.o.dou was sitting on the left side while Erica sat on the right,

separated by a fairly large distance.

”You really think I will believe such lies? Be a little more realistic if you're

going to lie.”

”I am not lying and everything is the truth. Everything happened by chance.

I don't care if you believe it or not!”

Faced with this girl who has been mocking him all this time, G.o.dou

responded with a very annoyed expression.

Travelling with a woman like this, you've got to be kidding! No matter what,

he must find a way to get rid of her.

”By the way, what are you, both a mage and a knight? Either one of these

alone is already very unusual. For you to have both t.i.tles at the same time,

it's idiotic! Even online games don't offer such ridiculous settings like

yours.”

Occasionally dabbling in chess and go, G.o.dou did not actually play online

games. Even so, he knew a little about the content of online role-playing

games.

Which is why he naturally recalled strange terms like mage, knight, G.o.d,

etc...

”To compare me, a descendant of the Templar Knights, with those

fabricated games? I can see that you not only fail as a gentleman, you

don't even have basic manners. How pitiful!”

”I don't even want those kinds of manners!”

As he talked shop with Erica, G.o.dou unhappily looked upwards at the

timetable written in Italian.

— The two of them were in the waiting room of the Cagliari train station.

G.o.dou's destination Oliena was located in the province of Nuoro on the

eastern part of the island, and was about two or three hours away by rail or

by car, so G.o.dou picked the train.

But they have been waiting for close to an hour in that waiting room with

no signs of the train.

Italian trains will definitely be late, it was exactly as rumored.

”Look! Did I not warn you, trains do not operate according to schedule? Do

as I say, going there by car will be a lot easier.”

”You're so annoying! If you don't like being with me, then hurry up and go

home!”

Since G.o.dou and Erica were the only two people in the waiting room, they

could argue and make a scene as much as they wanted.

As a side note, the Cagliari train station was small yet well-equipped, and

was very similar to j.a.panese stations. This made G.o.dou naturally feel a

sense of deja vu.

”Actually... As you suggested, we could take a long distance bus.”

Even though they weren't getting along, but if the other person was being

logical, G.o.dou didn't mind going along with her suggestion.

Perhaps because G.o.dou was too honest and straightforward, Erica easily

declined his act of concession.

”What are you talking about?! How can I possibly take public buses or

trains?”

”What do you mean?”

Erica proudly puffed her chest at G.o.dou and said:

”Listen well! I, Erica Blandelli, have never taken a train or a bus since the

day I was born. Isn't that excessively troublesome? And you need to wait

here specifically.”

”Uh...”

”I have my own car and driver. Ignoring planes for now, as far as land

travel goes, there is completely no reason to do something as troublesome

as what we are doing now.”

”Uh...”

”Ah... However I do enjoy horse riding a lot, especially that feeling of the

breeze, you can't experience that from other places. If only you were as

cute as a horse.”

”Shut up. Anyway, I understand now.”

G.o.dou looked as if he had been enlightened by some truth.

”My greatness? If that's the case, you are too slow, your observation skills

need work.”

”You're very annoying, that's not what I meant! You are truly a sheltered

little high cla.s.s lady through and through, completely beyond my

imagination. And it looks like we have an unbridgeable gap between us!”

This woman existed in a completely different culture. Calling herself a

mage, a high cla.s.s lady who was impossible to placate.

Even without a language barrier, it was likely impossible to understand

each other.

”Ah, I didn't grow up that sheltered, though I did receive a n.o.blewoman's

education, but the results were less than satisfactory, at most average.”

”An ordinary commoner would have nothing to do with the word

'n.o.blewoman'!”

G.o.dou remarked without consideration.

”Then you understand now? There is a serious cultural divide between you

and me, and we cannot travel together. Realizing that before we get on the

train is really too fortunate — then goodbye to you, though we didn't spend

much time together.”

”You lack comprehension skills. Traveling with you is completely my

decision. No matter what you say, I will not give up.”

Erica declared in a very straightforward manner.

”Besides, as a knight, one must endure all odds to complete the mission,

overcoming trials and tribulations. This has been the way since ancient

times. You don't have to worry about this principle.”

”I care about myself, your hards.h.i.+p has nothing to do with me...”

G.o.dou resisted Erica's company from the bottom of his heart.

It was this morning when they met again.

After G.o.dou explained his destination, Erica had made a declaration.

”Then I shall accompany you to Lucretia Zola. I am interested to know

what you intend to do after meeting the famed Witch of Sardinia, as well as

the power dormant in this stone tablet. Furthermore, that boy could very

well contact you, so this is the best course of action.”

A very clear expression on her face.

Though G.o.dou vehemently refused, she immediately responded:

”Ah, but if I used my sword, I could instantly rob you of this stone tablet,

eh? I didn't do that because I am very gentle and chivalrous. You do

understand that, no?”

Thinly veiled threats. G.o.dou couldn't help but acquiesce to Erica tagging

along.

And so the two continued to argue as they reached the Cagliari train

station.

”You, why do you have to chase that guy? Yes he was quite strange, but

not a bad person. Didn't he rescue the people at the harbor yesterday?”

This morning, when G.o.dou conversed with her —

Erica had finished investigating the incident that happened yesterday.

After shaking her off their trail, at the place G.o.dou and the youth went, the

group of young men surrounded by fire and debris in the alley of despair

were saved by the youth who appeared somehow.

After that, the youth disappeared without a trace like the wind.

In order to prevent G.o.dou from wasting time on the group of young men,

Erica told him everything she knew. This morning when she was

investigating at the harbor, she had made inquiries with the group of young

men about the youth before finally coming over to G.o.dou.

To avoid further delays, Erica hastened G.o.dou to start making his way to

his destination.

”You saw the divine beasts yesterday, right? That boy is the prime suspect

for summoning them. If it really is the case, then he was simply cleaning up

his own messes, and there is nothing to be praised.”

”Whether divine beasts or G.o.ds or whatever, no matter how matter-of-fact

you mention them, I cannot...”

He witnessed everything with his own eyes, but G.o.dou still could not

accept them as reality.

”The one appearing at Cagliari was the [Boar], and over the past three

days there were three others appearing on the island of Sardinia. The

[Camel] at Bosa, the [Ram] at Orgosolo, and the [Bull] at Barumini.”

”...Then with the one yesterday it adds up to four.”

”Yes. Luckily whenever the divine beasts appeared, a [Wind] deity

immediately appears to defeat them, so serious damage was avoided.

Great fortune amidst misfortune.”

Thinking back to the commotion yesterday, G.o.dou couldn't help but break

out in cold sweat.

To have monsters causing destruction everywhere and summing it up as

'serious damage was avoided,' what a terrifying topic of conversation.

”At all these scenes and next to the divine beasts, the boy was sighted on

all occasions. Even if he is not the one responsible, he is definitely an

important witness. Say, do you still have any objections?”

Watching the self-a.s.sured Erica, G.o.dou could only surrender.

There was far too little evidence to defend the youth. With great reluctance,

G.o.dou could only agree.

”Let's change the subject, what are G.o.ds? I still cannot imagine.”

Let's put the youth aside and switch to another topic.

”Well... To be frank, whether or not these are [G.o.ds] in the religious sense,

we still cannot say for sure.”

Erica watched the sky and G.o.dou also looked up.

Sardinia's sky was blue, deep, and very clear.

On the other end of the sky, was there really a heaven where the G.o.ds

resided?

”Due to the [Myths] humans have pa.s.sed along from ancient times, they

were born. The essence of the earth, sky and stars, natural elements like

the system of earth, air, water and fire^or the system of metal, wood,

water, fire and earth'- 2 !, these are what comprise the supernatural core of

[Myths], thus lending form to these existence, the [G.o.ds]. That is the

hypothesis that we magi have established.”

G.o.dou could only understand about half of what Erica said, but felt

compelled to nod and agree with the mention of the word 'supernatural.'

Without a doubt, these existences transcended laws of nature.

”However, for [G.o.ds] that make an appearance, a portion of them rebel

against the [Myths] that form their core. We have named them [Heretic

G.o.ds], G.o.ds who resist the myths. They appear in places unrelated to their

myths and bring great disaster. Simply by being present, a G.o.d's power will

cause great detriment to the human world around it.”

”...G.o.ds of disaster. I really agree after seeing that black boar.”

”Who knows, that could actually be the incarnation of a gentle G.o.d. When

originally benevolent G.o.ds become [Heretic G.o.ds], they also become the

source of chaos.”

”Then what about the tornado? Was that a G.o.d too?”

”Probably, there are many G.o.ds possessing the divine qualities of wind, so

its ident.i.ty still hasn't been discerned, probably a G.o.d that opposes the

[Boar]. But no matter what their attributes, humans are the ultimate

victims.”

”That's depressing. When G.o.ds appear, what can humans do?”

”First of all, option one is to treat it as a natural disaster like storms or

earthquakes, and endure it. Do not cause any commotions, but pray for the

G.o.ds' mercy or willful departure.”

”Offering sacrifices, praying to the heavens, that's entirely reliant on the

G.o.ds.”

”Compared to meaningless struggle, it's far more effective. See, the people

of Cagliari have not been in uproar over yesterday's incident? That is the

current way.”

”Yes, I see. So everyone knows about G.o.ds appearing?”

G.o.dou thought about this morning's newspaper as well as the reactions at

the inn.

Everyone was acting apologetic and seemed very unnatural. So that's the

reason.

”Of course, humans who explicitly know about G.o.ds are not numerous, but

the ancient streets of Europe are pretty much the secluded residences of

magi, so people have been taught how to handle these situations. Also,

there is tradition, ways of dealing with minor divine appearances have

been pa.s.sed down the ages from ancestors.”

”I get it now. Then back to what you were saying, if that's the first option,

what's the second?”

”Yes, option two is the simplest. Defeat the G.o.d.”

G.o.dou got quite a shock from Erica's unexpected answer.

”Can such a thing be done?”

”Of course not!”

Still recovering from the shock, and then to receive such an unreasonable

answer. What is this! Playing me for a fool?

”Impossible for ordinary people, and even the best high ranked magi. But

on extremely, extremely rare occasions — if one were to receive the grace

and good fortune of something like three or four miracles, then it's

possible. However, this is not an option worth considering.”

”In other words, a lucky coincidence.”

”That's not enough, it's completely impossible without a miracle on the

level of a carpenter's son born in a manger, and finally becoming the savior

of the world. Hence, option three is the most practical. If it's a

comparatively weaker deity, just seal it.”

Sealing a G.o.d, this reminded G.o.dou of his grandfather's words.

Offering the stone tablet at the village where divine retribution was

occurring, was how the incident of strange deaths was resolved.

”That is probably a grimoire from mythical times, though it's unknown what

power lies dormant within it.”

Erica glanced at G.o.dou's backpack which contained the stone tablet.

”You called it a grimoire, but it's clearly not a book?”

”As an ancient product of a time without paper — the age of myths, that was

the time when G.o.ds could freely walk the earth. During those days, the

grimoires created by G.o.ds to preserve their wisdom and power all take this

form.”

Suddenly, an ongoing noise of clackety-clack completely overcame Erica's

voice.

With the ear splitting sound of the brakes, the train slowly entered the

station.

G.o.dou stood up, having sat in the seat for dozens of minutes, and said:

”Yes, anyway this is a topic an ordinary person like me cannot

understand... By the way, my name is Kusanagi G.o.dou.”

”Eh, what?”

”My name. You don't care about my name at all? You haven't even asked

once, so I will tell you, I'm not going to repeat myself.”

Even though he disliked her, if they were to travel together they should

know each other's names.

Hence G.o.dou decided to name himself coldly, but Erica's reaction was

even more impolite than he expected.

”Hoho, you're called G.o.dot, a name that sounds like someone who fails to

show up as agreed, what a strange name.”

Samuel Beckett's play ”Waiting for G.o.dot.”

A story about two vagabonds waiting for a character named G.o.dot who

never showed up. Since G.o.dou did not know the content of this play, he

had no idea why Erica spoke as she did.

However, he was certain it was nothing good.

Part 2

The outside view seen from the train, was essentially a boundless plain of

gra.s.sland.

As well as the endless wilderness, flocks of sheep could often be seen on

the vast lands along with shepherds. Raising sheep was one of Sardinia's

main industries.

Amidst this scenery, one could spot the ancient walled cities — nuraghes.

These were the remains of cities built by locals before the arrival of the

Phoenicians, and have now become important tourist attractions.

On the way, they made a switch to the train to Nuoro city.

This was the provincial capital of Nuoro, and Oliena was a little town

nearby.

They had set off from Cagliari shortly after noon, and arrived at Nuoro city

three hours later. After a rough and b.u.mpy bus ride for another few tens of

minutes, they finally reached Oliena.

At around six in the evening, it was already dusk.

G.o.dou decided to visit Lucretia Zola's home the next day, because it might

not be possible to find her house immediately, and he wanted to find a

hotel before it became dark.

”...Hopefully there will be a hotel with vacancies.”

Surveying the surroundings, G.o.dou muttered to himself.

Without any outstanding tourist attractions, it was a very ordinary town in

the countryside.

Due to the proximity of hills and mountains, it was full of natural scenery,

but there was nothing remarkable about the town. Judging from the

scenery witnessed along the train ride, this was a typical little Sardinian

town.

”It's probably more convenient to get around this island by car. Anyway, I'm

so hungry...”

G.o.dou only ate some bread for lunch, so he was now especially hungry.

Hearing G.o.dou utter such words of defeat, Erica couldn't help but laugh

beside him.

”What a useless person. Look at me, the first time traveling by rail, and the

first time suffering the motion of a bus. Yet I am just as resolute as always?

This is the difference in experience between us.”

Watching the braggart before him, G.o.dou had nothing to say.

True, the very slender looking Erica had great fort.i.tude. Her beauty and

glamor were unaffected, but the cause of this difference had other

reasons.

”Of course you're not hungry. While I was tired of the scenery, and

enduring boredom and hunger. You went ahead by yourself to chat with

others and didn't share any food with me.”

G.o.dou recalled the arduous long distance journey today.

While he sat in the box seats, Erica very naturally walked amongst the

others.

Originally G.o.dou thought that it would be annoying to carry out a face to

face conversation with her, so he didn't pay much attention.

...Watching the window scenery was only interesting for the first hour. As

he looked around with nothing to do, he found Erica happily chatting and

laughing with a woman in a very nearby seat.

Since it was all in Italian, G.o.dou didn't understand a single word of it.

However, Erica was using a friendly tone of voice completely opposite to

how she treated G.o.dou. Even though the content was unknown, one could

guess roughly what she was talking about through her fluent tones.

And then soon after, the woman whom Erica was conversing with, opened

a basket near her hand, and took out all sorts of food as if by

magic — sandwiches, olives, as well as cheese and fruit... Of course, she

shared all of them with Erica.

Feeling a little hungry, G.o.dou felt slightly jealous.

All that food, and Erica kept them all to herself.

”As a knight, I have the obligation to maintain my body at its peak

condition. The intake of nutrients from food cannot be overlooked. Anyway,

it's not my duty to share food with you.”

Erica's words were as self-centered as always.

G.o.dou decided to retort in kind, after all, grudges over food can be very

horrific.

”Although that's true, despite a knight-like high cla.s.s lady's pride, you are

surprisingly stingy. Yes, you are also very good at currying favor and

flattery. To act all friendly just for the sake of food, how should I put it,

conniving? I am impressed.”

”You... Calling me stingy and conniving? How insulting!”

The malicious retort made Erica's face filled with anger.

Seeing her furious, G.o.dou silently thought to himself, since this works at

riling up her anger, perhaps it could come in handy, let me take note of it.

This was a habit G.o.dou developed during his time in baseball.

As the catcher and the fourth hitter, in order to defeat the opponent's trump

cards, he needed to a.n.a.lyze the personality and preferences in advance to

prepare for matches.

For someone without outstanding natural talent, this sort of effort was

necessary.

”Listen well, I will greet the vast majority of people with a smile. Who wants

to create enemies unnecessarily? Perhaps one day you might require their

a.s.sistance!”

”What a calculating fellow you are. I guess you don't really have any close

friends you can be open with.”

”Please call it elegant diplomacy. It is required to build amicable relations.

If you can't even understand that, it means you're just a child.”

”I have no wish to understand that kind of thing.”

”Hmph, that is why I say you are just a child, unable to understand these

things. To dare call me stingy and conniving, unforgivable!”

Erica declared furiously.

She was staring straight at G.o.dou, pointing her finger at him.

”Fine! In order to prove that I, Erica Blandelli, am not a stingy person, even

though I have no obligation to share a meal with you, but tonight this lady

will grace your dinner with her presence, think of it as compensation for not

treating you for lunch!”

And so G.o.dou and Erica entered the doors of a ristorante.

In Italy, there existed common eateries like trattoria^ as well as high cla.s.s

ristorantes.

G.o.dou knew the distinction, at least.

The one that Erica selected, was without a doubt, in the latter category.

The internal decor was very cla.s.sic and elegant. With dim lighting and

such a high cla.s.s atmosphere, G.o.dou felt that it would be troubling the

ristorante for two minors to enter.

The two were taken to their table, and Erica began to order.

Of course G.o.dou didn't understand a word of Italian and had no idea what

they were saying.

”Wait a minute, you're ordering wine!”

Seeing the bottle brought over, G.o.dou was speechless.

Smelling the aroma of the alcohol, it was clearly an appetizer wine — the

sparkling kind.

”Isn't that obvious? Eh? Or perhaps you don't know how to drink?”

”How could this be possible?! The restaurant accepted your order.”

G.o.dou responded to Erica's provocative smile.

”By the way, the drinking age in Italy and Spain is sixteen.”

”Yes, right, I will be sixteen next month, of course there's no problem...

Really, getting frantic over such trivial things, you have surprisingly little

tolerance.”

”Wait a minute, if you're born in April, then you're only fifteen, the same as

me. That's illegal!”

”It's fine as long as you're not discovered. Do you really think I'll get

caught?”

As the two argued, the food was brought to the table.

For appetizers, there was prosciutto ham as well as a wide selection of

fresh seasonal vegetables. With fried lamb brains(!) which G.o.dou had for

the first time, handmade sausage, and baked Sardinian flatbread, the

choice of food was quite rich and sumptuous.

There were two meat entrees, a local specialty of roasted suckling pig

served in slices, as well as horse ribs that still retained some blood.

Everything tasted delicious. Having endured such a long journey, it was

well worth it.

However, the problem was the bottle of red wine Erica had ordered.

Due to the dim lighting, the red liquid seemed as if it was giving off a

seductive light. When he saw the champagne before the meal, as well as

the meat entrees, G.o.dou should have expected it.

”Don't force yourself if you can't drink. For such a trifle bit of wine, I can

finish it alone.”

Erica's nonchalant tone made G.o.dou feel like he was being mocked as

stupid.

If he didn't resist, then he would be an idiot. Understanding that, G.o.dou

raised his wine gla.s.s. Despite everything, his nature was quite compet.i.tive.

He slowly kept the wine in his palate, savoring its flavor.

A complicated taste unique to high quality red wine, with a mixture of

bitterness, sweetness as well as a hint of sourness. The fragrance of grape

and fruitiness a.s.sailed the sense of smell.

”Very good, though I don't particularly like western wine, but this is really

good.”

”Ah, I didn't think you'd know a little about wine, then you cannot complain.

Drink obediently.”

Hearing Erica's remark, G.o.dou smiled fearlessly in return.

Despite appearances, I've often been forced to spend nights drinking with

my grandfather. At the age of fifteen I already have substantial knowledge

about alcohol... No, the one who taught his middle school grandson the

difference between cheap wine and exceptionally good wine, what on

earth could he be thinking?

Mother as well, asking her son to mix c.o.c.ktails for her, sometimes

preparing mixtures like whiskey and water, and even making her son taste

them.

In order to cater to her own tastes and forcing it upon her son, in some

ways, G.o.dou had been receiving an elite education every day of his life.

”Actually, even when drinking with adults, I have never lost in alcohol

capacity. How regrettable.”

”Ah, what a coincidence, me too. Till now, I have never lost against anyone

in drinking.”

And then the two of them began to eat and drink heartily.

Whenever anyone's wine gla.s.s emptied, the waiter immediately filled the

gla.s.s quietly.

The one who drank the last gla.s.s was G.o.dou.

Since he was not accustomed to red wine, G.o.dou felt relieved after one

bottle. He won't have to worry about getting drunk now.

However, watching this take place. Erica frowned.

”G.o.dou... To think you drank one gla.s.s more than me, like a sneaky thief.”

”You even bothered to count? That's so stingy, please don't do that

anymore.”

”You... You have insulted me again. Please do not misunderstand. I shall

repeat myself once more. I am not stingy at all. The problem is currently

the fact that you have imbibed more alcohol than me.”

By the way, it's you yourself who wanted to compete.

Though not stingy, but surprisingly childish, Erica's next words shocked

G.o.dou:

”Apparently, a second round of compet.i.tion is necessary. A victor needs to

be decided.”

— Inhale, exhale.

There were birds chirping outside the room.

Waking up on the bed, G.o.dou vaguely recalled the events yesterday.

After dinner at the ristorante, without any reservations, they were fortunate

enough to find a room at a bed and breakfast (B&B) on the roadside.

And then he went with Erica as they bought a large amount of alcohol and

snacks to go along.

It would be too unsightly for two youngsters to drink at a bar, so that's what

they decided.

Battling on the verge of collapse, spurred by their sense of

compet.i.tiveness, the two of them downed gla.s.s after gla.s.s in order to

prove their superiority to the other.

And then what happened?

That part of his memory was completely blank. Oh well, best not to think

about it.

And then, amidst a feeling of something not being right, G.o.dou could also

feel a slight sense of warmth and softness, what could it be? With a very

appropriate suppleness, a warm object very comfortable to the touch was

lying beside him.

As G.o.dou battled his urge to sleep, he struggled to open his eyes and laid

them beside him.

...In that instant, his mind went blank.

Erica Blandelli was sound asleep beside him.

Why on earth was this fellow here?

Could he have committed the same mistake that all men are liable to

make?

No, impossible. I think not, probably not. Let's hope for the best from my

rationality and Erica's caution, but if something did happen...

As he struggled to calm his panicking heart, G.o.dou took a serious look at