Vol 4 Chapter 6 (1/2)

Chapter 6 - Knight's Oath

Part 1

Even after hearing that name, G.o.dou could make neither heads nor tails of

it.

I totally have no idea, what kind of G.o.d that is.”

”That is not surprising. This is a name that even the Europeans have

forgotten, an ancient name of the G.o.d. As a j.a.panese, it would be

shocking if you did.”

Liliana explained.

It had been an hour since they separated from Athena, and G.o.dou who

had been under the effects of the drug, walking unsteadily, had since been

brought back to the guest room in Diana's house, and was lying on the

bed.

And then began Liliana's lecture.

”This divinity, in modern times, is lesser known, but with regards to history,

it bears quite an important meaning. He is Sol Invictus, known as

Heliogabalus, reigning over the Roman Empire.”

”Eh? Not Greece?”

Though he had previously heard that Perseus originated as a hero from

the east, why was the Roman Empire suddenly mentioned? Liliana

continued explaining to G.o.dou, who was totally confused.

”Isn't Apollo the sun G.o.d of Rome? If it's Greece, shouldn't it be Apollo...”

”No, that's not the case. Indeed, Jupiter and Neptune were both ancient

Roman G.o.ds too, however - there were no records of similar sun G.o.ds

being conquered in the ancient times. Using modern terms, it would have

been known as the start of a new religion.”

”You're saying a new religion started in the Roman Empire?”

”That's correct. The religious ideologies of the Romans, to put it nicely,

were tolerant, to put it in a not-so-nice manner, would be to say that it was

messy. Compared to the indigenous G.o.ds of Rome, the new religions that

came out of nowhere were more popular with the people... Regardless,

their G.o.ds were a combination of the original and the Greek.”

”In other words, Rome was a country which housed countless G.o.ds.”

Thinking back, in some countries, Jupiter was replaced by Zeus, and

Neptune by Poseidon.

It was not all that different from the religions in j.a.pan that G.o.dou knew of.

”I feel that that way of thinking is not wrong, if we consider the one who

has appeared before us, Perseus. The pioneer of Italy, with his origins of

his birth in ancient Rome, all these point towards the answer of the mystery

- and with that, how is it?”

Liliana asked him again, and G.o.dou looked at his right hand.

The golden [Sword] that rends the G.o.ds, he reaffirmed whether he could

use that trump card - he could feel nothing.

”Not yet. With what you have already told me, it's still insufficient to use the

[Sword]...”

”T, that had been within my expectations. As I thought, with merely the

conclusion through such a concise teaching method is impossible, isn't it.”

We probably have to use the usual method, don't we?

G.o.dou's thoughts drifted towards that direction, and the silver-haired knight

promptly said,

”Understanding a G.o.d's nature, is quite similar to studying history, as you

are only studying a certain country during a certain time period, which is

actually quite meaningless. If you do not study all the history leading up to

that point in history, but rather only the specific portions, you will not be

able to obtain the deepest understanding.”

I see your point. G.o.dou nodded.

She had said it like a history teacher, but it was convincing.

”Which is why I thought that, if you want to understand the origins of the

divinity, you have to at least know the basic knowledge.... I'll do a brief

summary first, then we'll return back to the main topic.”

If it were Erica, she'll probably say something like, 'What a pain, that

method. Since there's such a fun method, let's do that instead'.

G.o.dou was slightly touched by Liliana's diligence. What a brilliantly s.h.i.+ning

heart.

”Then, let's begin with the history of the Indo-Europeans? After becoming

an ethnicity in a corner of Caucasus, they soon began to move towards the

east... to the plains of India and Iran. In the process, the very first myth of

the Indo-Europeans was born from within their mouths.”

”Hold on a second.... this is your concise summary?”

From the calendar, that was something that had happened around 3000 to

2000 BC...

”After that, what kind of episode^^^ are you going to continue with, may I

ask?”

”Let me think. After that would be when the Indo-European ethnicity were

moving to the east, they separated at India and Iran. Then, with the

Semites, they created the Ugaritic mythology, and also the ancient

European civilizations that created gigantic stone structures, the divinities

that they - ”

”The scope of your lesson is too long! Too long, definitely too long!”

If there were weekly lectures of two hours, it would at least take two years

to finish teaching.

Liliana reb.u.t.ted, looking distressed,

”W, we don't have a choice! You have to first understand that history, and

then about the East Asian countries and Greece, followed by the Roman

Empire, and finally you would be able to gain a perfect understanding!”

Is that the case? No wonder Erica had said, 'what a pain' all the time.

At this rate, he would have to suggest using that. Every time his eyes

made contact with Liliana's, he considered that possibility.

This can't go on, neither of us can even look at the other's face. Carrying

on in this situation is really painful.

Ultimately, the both of them fell into silence. While thinking hard in their

minds, they occasionally glanced at each other. Every time their eyes met,

they would become unbearably embarra.s.sed.

Nevertheless, it was at this time when the final blow had landed.

”Kusanagi-sama, Liliana-sama - just earlier, we had received a message

from Perseus. Please come with me.”

The door of the guest room opened, and came the voice of the maid Karen

Jankulovski.

A rare serious expression could be seen on that little devil's face.

At the entrance of Diana's house, it seems that a medal that was pierced

with an arrow had been left there.

And that medal was now on the kitchen table.

It was made of white stone. On its surface, the shape of a wings spread,

flying bird was carved. Seeing that, Liliana tensed up.

”The mark of the one who reigns over the sun in the sky. Without a doubt,

this medal is the symbol of Perseus.”

”At the same time, it symbolizes the icon of Ahura Mazda, his secret was

exactly the same as what Lily had sensed....”

The two witches, Liliana and Diana, were murmuring to themselves.

Then, Karen who had been waiting at the side lowered her head, and

made a request to G.o.dou.

”Kusanagi-sama, please go ahead and touch it. Doing that, you will be able

to hear the words of Perseus... When I had picked it up earlier, it gave me

quite the shock.”

”Ah, ok.”

G.o.dou reached out his hand, testing it with his touch.

At that moment, the voice of that handsome man could be heard from the

white stone medal.

”Seems you've fully recovered, G.o.dslayer! I too, have also had a full

recovery. Then, it's about time for us to settle our duel. I will strike you

down, and then Athena after that. Are you prepared?”

If I told you to wait, how long do you think you could give me?”

What method should I use to answer him?

He was at a loss of what he should have said, hence he had just blurted

out whatever he had thought of.

”A warrior is always on the battlefield. Instantly rejecting the challenge, I

cannot admire your imprudence. However, it's fine... The moon tonight is

beautiful. I shall wait while savoring the sight of the moon. Once you have

prepared, come to the place where we had fought last night!”

Looks like there was not going to be a problem.

Perseus sounded as though he wanted to draw in as large an audience as

possible to watch their duel, he had to think of a way to change the venue -

while G.o.dou was thinking, Perseus continued,

”Then, I shall await your arrival Ah, one more thing. I do hope you arrive

early. If I have finished my moon-gazing, I will head straight for your

location, but as I thought, the place of a duel, if it is not the one both

parties have agreed upon, it just won't feel right. I bid you farewell, for

now.”

His voice could no longer be heard.

No matter what they tried, there were no replies. G.o.dou sighed deeply,

there's no way to postpone it further. What should I do? How can I win

against that mighty hero?

While G.o.dou was ransacking his brain over this, Diana said,

”Kusanagi-sama, you do not seem sufficiently prepared.... I have a request

to ask of you, would you please go outside for a while? Between us girls,

we have a matter of extreme importance to discuss.”

Being asked that by the oldest (of them) landlord, G.o.dou complied.

While worrying about what to do, the lost G.o.dou left, sighing.

- Really, what should I do?

Part 2

”We're running out of time, shall we begin the meeting? What methods

should we use to allow Kusanagi-sama to achieve victory, let's start the

meeting to decide that!”

”I have a suggestion. If Liliana-sama uses [Instruction], then everything will

be resolved.”

”That, is actually quite a good idea. Lily, is it ok if we leave that to you?”

”T, there's no way I can agree with that!”

Of the three persons remaining in the dining room, Diana had started off

with the pending problem and Karen had replied with a simple and concise

solution, and with that it felt like the discussion had ended.

And that was when Liliana started shouting like she was in her death

throes.

”I, with Kusanagi G.o.dou, ki-kissing and applying magic through it, it's

unthinkable! Forget it, I cannot approve of that!”

”Earlier in the day, didn't you say that you will be helping him to the best of

your ability?”

”L, let me make this clear first. That was referring to anything besides

kissing! T, that.... how should I phrase it, that's not something a maiden

should be doing, I think. I... and Kusanagi G.o.dou, aren't anything like

boyfriend and girlfriend, or lovers, we don't have such a relations.h.i.+p...”

Her face was fiery hot, she did not have any idea what she was saying,

and her head was in a mess, but Liliana did not forget to retort.

”Furthermore, there are two other witches here, it doesn't have to be me!”

”I am unable to use [Instruction], hence you will have to count me out.”

”Although I can use it, but I think it'll be better if Lily does it, because the

one Athena had granted inspiration to was Lily after all. Having knowledge

directly gained from that inspiration, a greater depth of understanding than

others, wouldn't it be better to be pa.s.sing on that knowledge to

Kusanagi-sama?”

”Su, suitable mages from other places can be brought here, and then use

[Instruction] on him...”

Even Liliana herself knew that she was being unreasonable, and did not

finish her sentence.

What reasons did the three witches have for staying by Kusanagi G.o.dou's

side? In a fight against a G.o.d, no matter how many mages they were, they

would not be of any help.

Unless they were mages of the highest rank, they would only be dragging

the Campione down.

Hence, even if they knew that the G.o.d and the King were fighting, they

would not come. A convention of the magical world, hence the mages that

lived near Naples did not come.

And another thing to be mentioned was the special characteristics of

Verethragna's ten forms.

There were conditions to be met in order to activate them, which were best

kept secret.

Diana and Karen, they could be forced not to speak by Liliana's authority,

but anyone else... He was a reckless person, hence they had to stay and

help no matter what.

”Liliana-sama, please hear me out. I feel that you are making an

unnecessary resistance.”

To the Liliana who was repeatedly soliloquizing to herself, the sound of

Karen's voice broke her out of her trance.

”Now, all that's left is for you to say, 'I'll do it'. If you still insist on not doing

so, besides showing everyone that you cannot read the atmosphere, you

will also be thought of as an obsolete woman...”

”Indeed, that's right - in the first place, Lily, why are you so against it?”

The youngest maid had finished her attack, then pa.s.sing the baton to

Diana.

”I feel that Kusanagi-sama, whether it is his personality or appearance,

he's not bad, as a man. Only just one kiss with him wouldn't be a problem,

don't you agree? Hmm?”

”There's a problem! A big problem!”

Liliana resisted in a loud voice against tine senior witcli wlio was liappily

discussing lier personal matters.

”It is nothing much, a kiss. If you pretend that you are giving a goodnight

kiss to your father-sama, and quickly get it over with, it would be fine.”

”I agree. Or pretending to be having some skins.h.i.+p with your boyfriend.

That would be ok too.”

”That's why, I can't do it! I, if I have to give up my first kiss, it has to be to

my destined partner in love, that I have decided!”

Liliana protested vigorously and loudly.

She had only just finished saying that when she realized her folly, and

wanted to cover her face in regret.

Once, she had revealed the secret in her heart to Erica, and the usually

graceful and composed Erica, had immediately burst out in roaring

laughter.

[.... T, that was too much, Lily. If anyone saw me laughing like this, my

rating as a lady will plunge for sure! B, but you're really, a maiden that's

extinct in modern times, as I thought!]

Erica had said something along those lines, what kind of response would

these two have?

Liliana anxiously awaited their response, Diana and Karen did not say a

single word, merely silently looking at her - they were not smiling?

Slight surprise could be seen on their face, and then their faces had an

expression that seemed to say, 'Aahh, as I thought'.

Why? She felt sad for herself, who had admitted this with her very own

mouth, but Liliana Kranjcar felt that she was usually seen by others as a

rough but heroic female knight, so why did the two of them have such an

expression - ?

”U, umm, that... I used to think that that would be nice, but actually, I didn't

really mean it that seriously....”

It was clear to anyone that this was an attempt to cover it up, finding

excuses, causing her to become even more nervous.

I see. I understand now, Lily! In that case, let me divine the

compatibility between you and Kusanagi-sama!”

”N, no need to go that far.”

Liliana refused Diana who had suddenly suggested that.

This witch whose age she refused to tell, seemed to have been a love

fortune teller as a side occupation, and had told every couple that they

were perfectly compatible, and that they would definitely obtain happiness.

Who would believe this kind of nonsensical fortune telling?

”Destiny, is it...”

Even Karen was muttering to herself with a serious expression.

Not her usual little devil expression, but the opposite, giving off a

foreboding omen. No one knew what she was scheming then.

”Liliana-sama, what is the ideal scenario of your destined love?”

”I, if you ask me that suddenly, I don't know how I should answer either....

anyway, if you really want me to say it, it would be a situation where

everything is out to prevent the relations.h.i.+p between them, but no matter

their distance, no matter how many times, the powerful bond of their love

would bring the two of them back together.”

Liliana hesitantly answered the sudden question.

Because these were the usual materials used for her fantasies, she could

recite it with ease.

”Then, what about love between people of different backgrounds? Like the

love between a King and a knight, for example.”

”.... T, that's not very popular nowadays, you can't say that it's destined.”

This topic, was it a metaphor for Kusanagi G.o.dou and her relations.h.i.+p?

I won't be falling for it, Liliana calmly said to herself - while in a corner of

her mind, there was an intense thought of crossing social position and

traditions, considering that cla.s.sic relations.h.i.+p that struck her emotionally.

”A young man, rumored to have had his way with many women, had his

heart stolen by a simple girl-next-door in a chance encounter, and thus

changed his entire lifestyle for her.... what do you think about this

scenario?”

”It's too convenient to be true. Such words from that kind of playboy, who

could possibly believe them!”

Liliana shouted, rejecting that scenario instantly.

- With all of the women before you, everything that I've had with them was

never real. Besides you, I need no other.

With an expression so serious that it was scary, the scenario and the

youthful face which said that to her in her imagination, why was he an

Asian, and why did he look so much like that boy she had been with for

these two days?

”The two of them, while escaping danger together, helping each other,

slowly becoming friends that do not dislike each other, and unwittingly

became so close that no other person could wedge in between them, what

about this scenario....?”

”That is merely the suspension bridge effect! Because of the unusual

circ.u.mstances, they lost their ability to make cool-headed decisions!”

In the mind of Liliana who was still strongly resisting, appeared the memory

of the crises both yesterday and that day.

The two of them, against a G.o.d, escaping the predicament...

She who was a knight had worried for him, and had wanted to protect him.

What about him? He should know how to take care of himself, shouldn't

he? Though the both of them were worried for each other in different ways,

but with time, they would be able to solve all problems... and it felt like the

both of them were rather compatible.

Furthermore, for a failed knight's sake, he had promised that G.o.ddess -

This was a debt she had to repay. Even if she had to offer her body.

On that subject, she had wanted to ask him, but had forgotten,

whether Kusanagi G.o.dou had wanted to win against that hero - Perseus.

If his answer was 'yes', then he would be needing all of Liliana's

knowledge.

However, he had never said that he wanted to win, or that he wanted to

use the [Sword].... does he mean to bear this entire burden by himself?

- Thinking that, Liliana suddenly felt an inexplicable feeling burst forth.

□ KyunD^^^ Like little needles painfully p.r.i.c.king her heart - rather than

painful, it was unbearable, but it contained the slight tinge of a feeling of

sweetness. This was the first time she had felt such an unimaginable

emotion.

An uncontrollable throbbing in her chest. A thumping heartbeat that won't

stop.

”I, I'm going to see him for a bit! I'm worried about the effects of the drug -

no, only slightly concerned, it's only that, don't get any weird thoughts!”

At this rate, she could no longer restrain herself.

Her mind full of thoughts, Liliana walked towards the guest room that

Kusanagi G.o.dou used.

”Certainly. Have a good evening. ”^^^

”Well then, we're counting on you, Lily.”

(By the way, 'this girl, she fell for it!' was written on the faces of the

scheming maid and the witch who dressed younger than her age as they

smiled maliciously, but let us leave that aside first.)

Liliana arrived at the guest room that Kusanagi G.o.dou should be residing

in.

Opening the door - she found herself looking at an empty room, as though

it were natural to be so. There was no mistaking it, there was not a single

soul inside.

She hurriedly checked the rest of the rooms in the building in a panic, but

he was already gone, nowhere to be found within the house. The young

Campione had vanished from Diana's abode.

Parts

G.o.dou, who ultimately could not find an answer, boarded a public bus.

If it had gone on as it was, most likely the situation would have quickly

escalated to using that method of transferring knowledge.

The numbness in his body fully gone, G.o.dou seized the opportunity when

the witches were discussing to slip out of Diana's house, and boarded the

bus towards Santa Lucia district.

Aboard the bus that traversed the night of Naples shakily, G.o.dou was

agonizing over something.

Though he had already used that method many times in the past, and it

might be a little too late to be saying it, but indeed, it was a method he

hardly agreed with.

Sometimes he felt that it would become too complicated with Erica and

Yuri, perhaps that was one of the reasons.

I have to sever the connections I have with this place, or else.... Fighting

without having used that method, the difficulty was approaching

'impossible' from 'next to impossible'. He felt as if he had already lost

before it even started.

Absentmindedly, he gazed outside the window.

The night was beautiful, but you could only truly understand that beauty

when seen from higher ground.

.... At any rate, the duel with Perseus was already a fixed point in the

future.

If he ran away, Athena would happily smile and cause Mount Vesuvius to

erupt, it was a risk he would not take. If it came down to that, who knows

how Naples and the surrounding region would end up like.

In a situation where he could not use the [Sword], how should he approach

the fight?

In the end, he could not think of anything beyond that, it was back to

square one for him.

- While considering those points, the public bus had stopped at a certain

stop. G.o.dou hurriedly got off the bus.

Nearby, there was both a train and a tram station, and they both stopped

at somewhere nearby Santa Lucia harbor. Though it would only have

required one stop on the train, but it would be better to tliink of sometiiing

as lie went tliere.

From Diana's liouse he had taken a map of the city, and had left

afterwards.

” If only Erica was with me, then I wouldn't have needed to think this

hard over this.... wait, what am I saying!”

He saw a public payphone on the road ahead -

In an instant, he thought of calling Erica's cellphone number, and he yelled

out.

Up till now, he had always been saying not to use that method, yet if he

were to call for help, and got Erica to come over - it would mean a decisive

defeat for him.

However....

”I can't think of anything good, what should I do!?”

It was like when a writer had written nothing, and the deadline was almost

up. G.o.dou walked on, muttering, and before he knew it he was at the

coastal road.

The smell of the tides drifted into his olfactory senses.

The murky black sea stretched out before him.

Facing a certain direction from the Santa Lucia harbor - east, to be precise,

one could see the coast, an outline of an arc, and the many buildings that

were constructed beside the coast, the harbor, and the many anch.o.r.ed

vessels in the harbor itself.

Even further, one could see the ruins of the wrecked Egg Castle.

It was not far from the place where the golden haired hero was awaiting.

G.o.dou heaved a deep sigh, with a feeling of 'oh, whatever', prepared to

head there, and at that time.

”.... You've not yet finished the preparations for the duel, may I ask where

do you plan on going before then?”

A cold voice, from behind him.

G.o.dou cautiously turned around. He was not sure since wlien, but tine

fairy-like Liliana Kranjcarwas behind him.

”How did you find out where I was...?”

”I derived your approximate location using magic, and then using flight

magic, flew to the general vicinity. If you wish to escape from a witch like

me, you'll have to work harder.”

Liliana explained concisely, and she seemed disappointed,

G.o.dou sighed again, his knowledge of magic was simply too superficial.

”Let's go there together I would like to speak with you.”

While saying that in a frightening tone, Liliana walked in the direction of the

sea.

The coastal road during that time, had quite a fair bit of human traffic.

There was a large greenified park nearby, and also many open-air stalls

and small stores side-by-side, a street rife with activity.

It would indeed be inconvenient to be conversing on the road with so many

goers.

.... As I expected, is she here to preach to me? G.o.dou suddenly

reminisced about being scolded by an intelligent-looking Yuri, and he

made up his mind.

He would simply ignore those words, and find an opportunity to escape

later.

Liliana who was oblivious to the thoughts currently flowing through

G.o.dou's head, asked,

”Kusanagi G.o.dou, do you wish to win in that battle ahead?”

”A, about that, of course I'd like that to happen, if it were possible. Because

I am someone who hates losing at anything.”

G.o.dou replied while thinking.

He did not want to lose, but life would be easier if he could win by simply

having a reason of 'not being able to lose'.

Remembering those sports programs on television, every time, tlie

moment the j.a.panese representative team appeared the entire crowd

would cheer and applaud. During those times, G.o.dou would feel the sense

of irony; the crowds cheering and roaring their support were excited and

light-hearted, and on the other hand the partic.i.p.ants had it really hard with

the stress.

”If that's the case, then why did you not try your best, for the sake of

victory?”

”Although, I really did want to try my best...”

Some things were out of one individual's control, left to fate. If it had been

within his ability, then he would have done the most he could to find that

chance at victory, but - reality was not so kind, G.o.dou thought deeply.

In the end, if he did not have the a.s.sistance of Erica or Yuri, he was only a

half-a.s.sed Campione.

He was called a King', yet he was powerless.

”You yourself should know what you need to do, to give me a command is

all that is required. Perseus - the serpent-slaying hero that came from the

east, Mithras. Just a 'bestow on me the knowledge of his secret' will do.”

Mithras.

Just only hearing the name and a few bits of his background, was

insufficient to understand his divinity.

Not knowing that would mean not being able to fight, he understood this

very well. Even so, Kusanagi G.o.dou could not bring himself to do it.

”I do not intend on doing so. It's true that I've obtained an inexplicable

power from a G.o.d, but I am not someone who likes using that power, nor

do I want to order others around to do things for me.”

G.o.dou finished saying, but Liliana shook her head.

”I've already said this before, the duty and responsibility of a [King] is only

to do battle with the G.o.ds - the you of now is someone who is preparing for

battle against a [Heretic G.o.d], fulfilling your responsibility, hence it is you

whom we must obey, the possessor of our loyalty.”

”It's fine even if you don't take tliat kind of tiling seriousiy now. I'm only

taking up this troublesome task because I'm the only one here who can.”

If there were someone else willing to do it, G.o.dou would happily give up

his spot, there was no need to over elevate himself.

”Because there's no one else willing to, that's why I am, that's how simple

the reason is, and the situation now is because of my own willfulness,

although I also don't really like being called a 'King' - ”

In the past, Kusanagi G.o.dou had denied the fact that the Heretic G.o.d

Verethragna was a hero.

After that, for some reason, he himself was told that 'You are a King', it was

truly ridiculous. What that delusional youth G.o.d had said that time, right

now, G.o.dou was feeling the same way as he did then.

If someone said he was a King, then a King he was.

A King, isn't that a t.i.tle for someone who had accomplished exaggerated

amazing feats? The him of now was living in an environment where he was

called that.

”For someone like me, I definitely do not wish for people to recognize me

as a King. Nor would I want to be treated as one. I know very well what

kind of person I am, no matter what others call me, I have no intention of

changing myself!”

To call him 'stubborn' would not be wrong, to call him 'childish', that would

not be wrong either.

G.o.dou had that degree of self-knowledge, why does he not display it -