Vol 8 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2 - Seeking the Mysterious Devil King, the

Campione- FINALE

Part 1

During the long weekend in early October, Kusanagi G.o.dou had

unexpectedly headed to Nikkou.

A week had already pa.s.sed since surviving the life-and-death struggle

there and his subsequent return to Tokyo. Also, certain changes had

occurred in the affairs of the young devil king.

Getting out of bed early as usual, he made himself presentable.

A cool, refres.h.i.+ng and sunny autumn sky could be seen outside the

window.

Today seemed like a good day. Feeling satisfied, G.o.dou went to the

entryway and was putting on his shoes when-

”Onii-chan is up so early today as usual... Are you meeting that person

again?”

He heard a voice from behind.

”Persevering from day one, your astounding devotion truly overwhelms me

with admiration, Onii-chan. The seeds sown under grandpa's edification

sure are flouris.h.i.+ng, aren't they?”

Her voice was lovely but it carried a peculiar sting.

G.o.dou turned around to find his little sister s.h.i.+zuka standing there,

sneering with clear derision.

”...How often do I need to tell you until you admit you're wrong? Show

some faith in me already.”

”Then prove me wrong through your behavior. And anyway, it is strange for

you to go wake Erica-san up every morning just because she'd oversleep

otherwise. Absolutely strange! And lately, you've started meeting lovers

openly in front of the house -- or rather, having illicit trysts, even!”

The accusations left G.o.dou silent.

Then she began nagging along the lines of 'Don't you feel ashamed before

our dead grandma' and so on.

G.o.dou hastily left the house to escape s.h.i.+zuka's clamor. He felt like he

had had a similar conversation in May, but back then he had not met this

girl yet.

”Good morning, Kusanagi G.o.dou.”

It was a dignified greeting, without even the slightest hint of sleepiness.

She - Liliana Kranjcar was as lovely as a silver fairy and possessed

dazzling n.o.ble spirit worthy of her t.i.tle as a knight.

Liliana always got up earlier than G.o.dou and waited in front of his house.

”Morning. Early as always?”

”Naturally. As your premier retainer, getting up after my king is

unforgivable. Please do not confuse me with Erica in any way.”

After exchanging greetings, they made their way side by side.

Denouncing her self-indulgent old friend, Liliana's expression was a bit

rigid.

”In the first place, for you as her king to go wake her up every day is truly

putting the cart before the horse beyond acceptable limits. Seriously, Erica

is always doing as she pleases...”

”Come on, don't be like that. It's not like it's that inconvenient for me.”

This silver-haired knight had been manipulated by the [Diavolo Rosso] ever

since their childhood days.

A lot of resentment must have piled up. It was reasonable for her to get

worked up into a vicious tone of voice.

”But she seems to stay up late so often. What is she busy doing anyway?”

”Erica is exceedingly diligent when it comes to matters she judges

essential.”

Liliana's unexpected answer was accompanied by a sigh.

”Other than martial arts and the study of magic, she also devotes herself

towards cultivating public relations as well as the planning, design and

execution of various projects.”

G.o.dou nodded, understanding.

While Liliana kept Erica at arm's length, she clearly recognized her talents.

Their a.s.sociation ran long and deep; it was impossible for strangers to

fathom the intricacies binding the two of them. And somehow or other, this

might be why they made such good partners, too.

”Oh my, good morning. You're early as always.”

Someone suddenly called out to them.

The shopping street of Nezu's Area 3 was virtually devoid of people during

early mornings.

The current rare exceptions were G.o.dou, Liliana, and the pa.s.sing old lady

who spoke to them. Dressed in a kimono, she seemed rather elegant and

dignified.

G.o.dou and Liliana properly greeted her ”good morning” in return and

bowed their heads.

The old lady responded to their polite greeting with a gentle smile.

”Lately you're always with girls, aren't you? Slowly but surely, you're

starting to resemble your grandfather.”

...Was she smiling because of his female companion instead of the

greeting?

This old lady was a teacher of flower arrangement who had moved here

four years ago. Apparently a lot had happened between her and G.o.dou's

grandfather in the distant past. Soon after she moved here, G.o.dou had

witnessed the two of them reuniting in a chance encounter at the shopping

district. Letting out cries of ”Oh” and ”my” and smiling meaningfully at each

other, they seemed like long lost friends.

After hearing Ichirou point out his grandson, she had smiled fondly at

G.o.dou.

Ever since, she would always call out gracefully to G.o.dou whenever they

met on the streets.

As a side note, she still seemed to be a spinster even at this age.

”Uhm, she is my friend and recently started coming to pick me up.”

”Yes. You could say he and I have cordial relations or that we have sworn

ourselves to partake in life and destiny as a single soul. At any rate, this is

no ordinary amorous affair for our deep relations.h.i.+p is founded upon bonds

of undying loyalty.”

Liliana supplemented G.o.dou's introduction.

Her choice of words was rather exaggerated, but that's how she was, and

for some reason or another they had made a similar promise.

And after the battle with the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Liliana had

unilaterally declared victory and began to follow G.o.dou closely like a

shadow.

She had also announced to the other girls: She was Kusanagi G.o.dou's

premier knight and grand chamberlain. They should clearly understand that

it was her duty, Liliana Kranjcar's, to manage their king's private affairs and

control women's access to him.

In response to this declaration, Erica and Ena had objected harshly in

unison while Yuri's eyes became clouded with sadness.

But as soon as they heard about G.o.dou and Liliana's promise, all the girls

turned towards Hikari at once. The twelve-year-old hime-miko apprentice

smiled cheerfully and diplomatically declared her support for Liliana: ”I

have no objections. Please take care of me, Liliana-oneesama.”.

Her words astounded Erica, caused Ena to pout, and deepened the gloom

in Yuri's eyes.

But in the end, everyone agreed to the silver knight's proposal. As a side

note, G.o.dou's claim of 'How did it become Liliana's win? I don't get it at all'

was flatly rejected.

And after some time...

Although G.o.dou had winced at the sudden appearance of his grand

chamberlain(!), he grew accustomed to it as days went by.

Unlike the beginning of the second school term when Liliana's

overenthusiasm drove her to obsess over the tiniest of details, in recent

times she was gaining Kusanagi G.o.dou's gradual acceptance as an

un.o.btrusive existence by his side.

Such was the current state of affairs when he encountered the old lady in

the morning.

G.o.dou had reached an understanding with Liliana's declaration to 'partake

in destiny' at the same time as his own epiphany for the sake of the battle

against the Great Sage Equaling Heaven.

However, wouldn't normal people misunderstand if they heard?

Contrary to that sudden concern, the old lady smiled faintly at them.

”Well, hehehe, this sure takes me back. Long ago, I also made a similar

promise with Ichirou-san. I wonder how many years ago that was...”

Did something like that really happen between this old lady and his

grandfather long ago?

G.o.dou was intrigued but refrained from asking. After a bit of gossip, he

parted with the old lady and continued on his way, accompanied by Liliana

who tried her best not to step on his shadow^ 1 *

This was when he got a message on his cellphone.

He read it as he walked. It was from his childhood friend Tokunaga Asuka.

'Why are you involved with a girl in the morning? It's too early to f.u.c.k

around!'

G.o.dou was being a.s.saulted by undeserved abuse, accompanied by an

angry smiley.

Asuka's parents owned a certain sus.h.i.+ restaurant in the shopping street of

Nezu's Area 3. She must have been watching the shopping street from her

home and restaurant without G.o.dou and Liliana noticing her.

Why was she so inexplicably easy to anger, just like s.h.i.+zuka...

Puzzling over this longtime problem, G.o.dou closed his cellphone. It might

be a good idea to introduce her to Liliana and Erica sooner or later.

Hopefully, the misunderstanding could be cleared up at that time.

”Is something the matter, Kusanagi G.o.dou?”

”Not really. There are just so many people around me who like to say

whatever they want. But as long as they eventually realize it's all a

misunderstanding, there's no need for me to get worked up over all the

nagging... That's my take on it anyways.”

He was the one to decide his own path.

Whether that path turned out to be a fate of fortune or suffering, it didn't

matter what other people said as long as he and the comrades following

him understood.

When he articulated his unaltered thoughts, Liliana nodded vigorously.

”How fitting of a king's resolution. You have truly become reliable,

Kusanagi G.o.dou.”

Undoubtedly offering heartfelt approval rather than sycophantic flattery, the

loyal knight accompanied her lord Kusanagi G.o.dou as he headed for Erica

Blandelli's apartment building.

The two of them arrived at the entrance to Erica's flat.

The mistress and her personal maid lived on the tenth floor of this high-rise

mansion.

But when G.o.dou and Liliana crossed the threshold as usual, they were

welcomed by a girl who should be completely unrelated to this flat

whatsoever.

”Good morning, Kusanagi-sama. It's been a while, Liliana-sama. Would

you two like an espresso?”

A beautiful girl sat at the living room table, bringing to her lips a cup that

overflowed with the fragrance of coffee.

That was none other than Karen Jankulovski.

Liliana's maid and apprentice witch for the [Bronze Black Cross] magic

a.s.sociation.

”What do you mean, 'it's been a while'... We were at home together until I

left this morning. Karen, when did you come here to Erica's place?”

”While you were meeting Kusanagi-sama of course, Liliana-sama.”

Questioned by her silver-haired mistress, the maid in her early teens

smiled nonchalantly.

Dressed in casual clothing instead of her maid uniform, it meant she was

here in private.

”Not too long ago, I advised Liliana-sama to investigate Kusanagi-sama's

past, but actually conducting it proved to be rather time consuming...

However, thanks to Liliana-sama acting proactively with such vigor lately, I

finally have some free time to myself.”

Karen smoothly made a momentous confession.

Was that it? Those details that precipitated the wager the other day?

G.o.dou remembered.

G.o.dou glanced at Liliana to find her face twitching a little. So that's the

reason. Liliana directing her attentions to investigate such a weird subject

turned out to be Karen's suggestion.

”Today being my day off, I thought it'd be nice to pay my friend Anna-san

an occasional visit. Ah, it never occurred to me that I could peep into how

Kusanagi-sama's and Liliana-sama's honeymoon play would go, not in the

slightest. Don't get me wrong.”

She sounded like she had confessed her ulterior motive, but G.o.dou

decided to let it go.

The other maid came out from deeper inside.

”I am terribly sorry. Since G.o.dou-san arrived, I went to check on

Erica-sama, but... Again, she is still in bed.”

Arianna Hayama Arialdi, nicknamed Anna, was very apologetic.

”Well, it's just the usual. By the way, you and Karen are friends?”

”Yes. We became acquainted auspiciously by chance. Really, Karen-chan

is so much younger than me and she's already so reliable.”

Smiling cheerfully, she answered G.o.dou's question.

This typical cheerful and trusting naivety, was not only characteristic of

Miss Arianna but also her greatest distinguis.h.i.+ng feature. Well, ignoring the

fearsome existences of her pot-stewed cooking and dangerous driving

skills for now.

”Alright, I'll go wake her. You don't mind, do you?”

”Of course not. I'll leave Erica-sama in your care, thank you.”

Even though this had become the daily routine, G.o.dou still felt it would be

improper to enter a girl's room directly without consent from a member of

the household.

Immediately after G.o.dou had followed his good sense and received the

OK from Anna:

”No, Kusanagi G.o.dou. Leave this to me. She may be like a devil, but a

man should not set foot in a woman's bedroom so easily. Do not forget that

I serve by your side for occasions such as this.”

G.o.dou was taken aback when Liliana called him to a stop.

Right. He had been swept up by the flow and gone to rouse Erica from bed

every morning, but that was really improper after all. Liliana's objections

had made him recognize that once more.

”I see...! Can I trouble you to go instead, Liliana?”

”Most certainly. Even at the cost of my life, I shall fulfill your imperial

decree without fail!”

This conversation resembled a king ordering the extermination of the devil

king and a hero responding in return for loose change.

Anyway, on G.o.dou's orders, Liliana set off on her expedition to Erica's

bedroom.

Their sense of morality and justice was really similar. That made her easy

to get along with.

He had felt this ever since the fight with Perseus in Naples. As long as her

thought processes did not derail, her affinity with him was outstanding.

--They waited for a moment.

Before long, they could hear voices from Erica's bedroom.

”Lily!? How insolent of you, coming to wake me up instead of G.o.dou! Know

your place! I won't forgive you for interfering with my sweet morning

moment with G.o.dou!”

”No, you know your place! I have never heard of a knight who needs her

lord to rouse her from bed every morning! And you still call yourself an

honorable great knight, a descendant of the Knights Templar?!”

”I am the special exception, for I'm G.o.dou's lover! So you stop interfering!”

”Ha. I, Liliana Kranjcar, am Kusanagi G.o.dou's premier knight and also his

grand chamberlain. Even if you are his lover, I have the authority to put you

in your place should you be impertinent. Therefore my interference here is

exceedingly justified! Will you stop grumbling about these trivialities?”

”Oh really, premier knight and grand chamberlain? Why don't you add

another t.i.tle, third mistress?”

”W-What!?”

”Understand, Lily? Since times immemorial in China, eunuchs have

managed the emperor's s.e.xual life. They were given this right and

permitted to frequent the premises of the harem because they were not

'women.' Yet you want to wield power over other girls while being one of

G.o.dou's women yourself? My, what a great deal you have going there.”

”N-No, that is not what is going on here. Ultimately that is just a historical

similarity...”

”Yes, but history proves the rational justification of such an existence. I can

accept the outcome of G.o.dou's foolish wager, and even approve your

management of his private affairs, Lily. But you won't interfere in his lovers'

relations.h.i.+ps! If that's what you really want, you must first give up being his

woman. How about it?”

”Uh, no, that is, uhm, what should I say, ehm...”

Erica had partially acknowledged Liliana's argument, but refused to

concede any further beyond that.

It was one of the basics and the pinnacle in the art of negotiations.

Although she was no morning person, she was still able to verbally subdue

Liliana immediately after getting up. Erica's wits were just that impressive.

Nodding next to G.o.dou, Arianna was going 'my, my' in amazement as she

witnessed the knights' battle of words.

With an impish expression that seemed to be saying 'just as expected,

developments stemming from the Nikkou trip are truly worth looking

forward to,' Karen secretly laughed to herself. G.o.dou deliberately ignored

her.

Anyhow, it was a lively morning.

Kusanagi G.o.dou's days always started in such a turbulent manner.

Part 2

In the end, G.o.dou, Erica and Liliana headed to school together.

The three walked together on the well-trodden way to school. As

evidenced by the many pa.s.sersby who kept staring at them, it was

apparently highly conspicuous for a highschool boy to be accompanied by

blonde and silver-haired beauties. Nevertheless, he had already gotten

used to this.

Kusanagi G.o.dou was so adaptable it even surprised himself.

After all, he had also grown accustomed to his more-than-unnatural

const.i.tution as a Campione after around a week.

”Well, I actually had many objections to the details of how Lily became

your grand chamberlain.”

Erica was muttering with a displeased expression.

”Gradually I've come to think it might not be too bad an idea. If I cling to

you all the time, it would be more difficult to expand the roster of Kusanagi

G.o.dou's 'Round Table.'”

”...My Round Table?”

”Exactly! You know it, right, the legend of King Arthur's Knights of the

Round Table?”

England's legendary king. The daring knights who had gathered from all

the directions to join under his banner.

The big, circular table where they sat around was the Round Table. The

13th century king, Edward the First of England, was the one who

”discovered” the original and had a replica made as decoration for

Winchester Castle.. 7 2]

”Over the past six months, the name of Kusanagi G.o.dou has spread

among the magi and wizards throughout the world. It's time for you to take

the next step.”

As G.o.dou recalled historical trivia in his mind, Erica explained further.

Hearing that, Liliana interjected.

”In short, you are saying that Kusanagi G.o.dou should take you and me, as

well as Mariya Yuri, Seishuuin Ena and others to form his independent

group or a.s.sociation?”

”Yes. The more G.o.dou's power and influence rise, the more people trying

to gain favor will appear. Of course, there will also be those who show up

out of paranoia or overreaction. Even amongst the upper echelons of my

[Copper Black Cross] or Lily's [Bronze Black Cross], there should be some

who are trying to make use of G.o.dou's power somehow.”

”So to ward off that chaos in advance, you want to unite the followers

bearing Kusanagi G.o.dou's flag. From now on, we should also maintain a

certain distance from the a.s.sociations we owe allegiance to.”

Liliana sided with Erica's proposal with well-matched additions.

At times like these, the red and blue knights made for a good combination.

”But you know, if I want to live peacefully all along, do we really need to go

so far?”

”G.o.dou, even if you insincerely put on airs as a pacifist, it's completely

unconvincing whatsoever.”

”Refusing to face your own disposition and true nature... I must point out to

your face that bad habit of yours, Kusanagi G.o.dou. Hypothetical situations

with no hope of coming true are meaningless.”

Even when tras.h.i.+ng him they coordinated with perfect timing.

d.a.m.n them, how could they describe him like a beast starved for blood!

Erica ignored G.o.dou's teeth gnas.h.i.+ng and continued.

”Then here's a question: From here onward, someone needs to lay down

the groundwork in various areas, to enter diplomatic negotiations with the

former organizations of girls who choose to follow G.o.dou, and to build an

organization characterized by discipline and ambition. I believe that aside

from me, Erica Blandelli, there is no other suitable candidate, is that

correct?”

The question held unshakable conceit.

Of course, neither G.o.dou nor Liliana could find words to refute her.

”Now, in order to maximize my full potential I will need to travel all over the

place. In that case, leaving Lily who excels as both a bodyguard and a

housekeeper to support G.o.dou by his side is not a bad choice of personnel

deployment.”

I see, so that's the idea. G.o.dou nodded.

”So, G.o.dou, you don't mind if we proceed in that direction, do you?”

”I think nothing bad will come off it if I leave matters in your hands, so no.

But that Salvatore Doni doesn't have a faction either, does he?”

The Campione who was the 'alliance leader' ruling over the magic

a.s.sociations of southern Europe.

Using soccer as an example, that role would be something close to a

national coach.

Without a subordinate a.s.sociation, he was served by at most a handful of

private staff. However, he was able to summon important magi and knights

during times of emergency. Regardless of affiliation, all were under his

command.

Usually, he neither controlled nor commanded. He was the [King of

Swords] ruling southern Europe's world of magic by laissez-faire.

Couldn't things work like that for G.o.dou too?

Ruling over those who admired him in order to form a faction. Doing things

in such an ostentatious manner felt repulsive to G.o.dou.

”Imitating that person should prove difficult. Sir Salvatore achieved his

position by refusing to aid any individual person or faction. Nor does he

form emotional ties with anybody. I don't think you could do the same,

could you, G.o.dou?”

G.o.dou had to agree with Erica.

Certainly. Given his personality, 'not helping anyone' was impossible. Just

like the path he had taken so far, he would continue to meet various

people, get close to them, become comrades and they would help each

other out, no doubt about it!

After attending a full day of cla.s.ses as usual, it was now after school. Erica

was apparently busy and hurried out of the cla.s.sroom first. G.o.dou, on the

other hand, fell into deep thought as he looked at the message he had

received on his cellphone.

The content of the message was as follows:

From: Koudzuki Sakura t.i.tle: 'G.o.doh-kun, help me!'

Body: Please! There's another thing I want you to help me with regarding

that great devil king from the other day. Could you a.s.sist me?

”...What should I say, this stinks of trouble.”

G.o.dou guessed as much simply from experience rather than a Campione's

intuition.

A month earlier, he had gone about with his second cousin, Koudzuki

Sakura, to search for the great devil king. Amakasu had pa.s.sed the baton

to Liliana and, lost as for what to do about it, G.o.dou had suggested 'How

about we say... Liliana suddenly had to make an urgent return to Milan,' to

roughly bring matters to an end.

When he pa.s.sed the word to his naive cousin, she believed him in blind

faith. Since then, Sakura never brought up the topic of Liliana again.

”What is the matter, Kusanagi G.o.dou?”

”Well, the truth is...”

He briefly explained the situation when Liliana came to his desk.

As one of the people involved and familiar with Sakura's temperament, the

silver-haired grand chamberlain frowned lightly.

”...This smells of trouble.”

She voiced the same impression. Well, it should be the right guess.

”That's how it is, so I'll go check up on her. Let's split here for today. Since

we said you aren't in j.a.pan, it'd be troublesome if you came along.”

If it was going to be trouble anyway, he should just take it in stride.

Liliana pondered G.o.dou's decision for a bit, then said:

”No. In that case, why don't we do this...”

G.o.dou nodded at the knight's plan and they immediately went into action.

About an hour later, G.o.dou arrived at Akinomizu Women's college.

It was a famous ladies school in the Bunkyou Ward. A place where a first

year high school boy would be intimidated by the mere thought of

approaching it.

He entered a fast food restaurant near the school and instantly found the

one who was waiting for him.

G.o.dou quickly headed towards her table.

”Ah, G.o.doh-kun! Over here! Long time no see!”

Sakura called out to him while waving energetically.

Due to her lovely, childish face and diminutive stature, she was often

mistaken for a middle schooler.

However, the girl next to her was even shorter and had an even more

childish face.

...Was she in fifth or sixth year of elementary school? Her graceful features

could probably pa.s.s for an artiste. Her long hair was apparently naturally

curled and she was wearing a fluttering one-piece dress. Lovely as a doll,

the young girl stood out excessively.

”Ah, G.o.doh-kun, let me introduce. This is Renjou Fuyuhime-chan, the first

friend I made in Tokyo.”

The introduced elementary school(?) girl snorted with derision.

Then she closely scrutinized G.o.dou and said piercingly:

”You meant this guy when you mentioned that relative's child who could be

of service? He seems conceited.”

Renjou Fuyuhime's manner of speaking was unusually aggressive.

For some reason, her sharp and severe gaze was focused somewhere

above G.o.dou's head.

”Uhm... do I look that conceited?”

”Of course! Why do you tower so high even though you're younger than

Sakura and me! Are you trying to tire out my neck, forcing me to look up at

you, is that it!?!”

Her complaints were like an outburst of anger delivered with all her might.

The girl called Renjou Fuyuhime seemed to possess a complex over her

lack of height. And while only sixteen years old, G.o.dou stood almost

180cm tall. Was that the reason for the unreasonable remark just now?

No, wait, there was one more important remark. 'Younger than Sakura and

me'?

”Are you perhaps the friend in the same year that taught Sakura about

magic...?”

”Ah, you remembered? That's right. Fuyuhime-chan is my magic teacher.

She's sooo knowledgeable and teaches me new things all the time!”

G.o.dou looked at Fuyuhime in astonishment. He had never expected to

meet anyone more child-faced than Sakura. The wonders of nature never

ceased to amaze.

Come to think of it, Miyama-san in the cla.s.s next door also looked like a

little child. But rather than being of the same age, Fuyuhime was older

instead... At this point G.o.dou suddenly noticed.

Her family name was ”Renjou.” That meant she was—

”Hey! What are you doing, staring at people!”

Fuyuhime suddenly told him off.

Without conscious intent, G.o.dou had been staring at her doll-like face.

”Ahhh, you weren't thinking something impertinent, were you!? Like, you're

so short or midget or shorty or something!”

”Calm down, Fuyuhime-chan! G.o.doh-kun may be tall, but he would never

make fun of you.”

G.o.dou ignored Sakura and the fuming Fuyuhime and went straight to the

point.

”Leaving that aside, Sakura-san, what did you want my help for?”

”Ah, right. Uhm, actually Fuyuhime-chan finally decided to tell me the

name of the fearsome great devil king. Previously, she had been agonizing

in fear of getting me involved.”

G.o.dou's wariness heightened. He hadn't been found out, had he?

Had the overly naive cousin found out Kusanagi G.o.dou's secret?

”Around a week ago, news was received that Toushouguu in Nikkou had

started repair work, right? Apparently the one who destroyed that place

was also the great devil king, so Fuyuhime-chan got really scared. That

person might also do something horrible to her.”

”But Sakura said she'd accompany me to visit that great devil king who

commits every evil imaginable.”

As Sakura nestled closer to her, Fuyuhime face's brimmed with resolve.

G.o.dou became even more nervous. If she belonged to the ”Renjou family,”

she would know his name for sure. She wouldn't say it, would she!? She

wouldn't say that name in front of the very campione in question, would

she!?

”That's why I have made my decision! I won't run anymore and before I fall

to his evil grasp, I'll go to him first and give him a good piece of my mind! I

will resist that hated enemy of womankind, 'Kusasagi Goroh'!”

Kusasagi Goroh...?

G.o.dou felt like he was completely drained. Who the heck was that!?

”So you see, G.o.doh-kun. Fuyuhime-chan has already investigated the

people close to Kusasagi-san. We decided we will now go around and

demand his location from those people... Would you please come with

us?”

Sakura asked him with those subconsciously pleading eyes.

As the saying goes, if eating poison don't forget to lick the plate. But was

this also part of it...?

While exhausted, G.o.dou nodded and agreed to go along with Sakura and

Fuyuhime.

They got rid of the trash as was customary in fast food restaurants.

While the two college girls were gone with their trays, Liliana whispered

into G.o.dou's ear.

'I wonder what the deal is with that Renjou girl? I believe she belongs to

one of the four families, Sayanomiya, Seishuuin, Kuhoudzuka, and Renjou,

that have deep ties with the History Compilation Committee.'

”Yeah, I thought so,” G.o.dou whispered back.

Liliana was using [Concealment] magic.

Last time, she had used the same spell to become invisible on the grounds

of Nanao Shrine. That was how she had been following G.o.dou secretly.

”But it's strange how she remembered my name like that... Come to think

of it, Amakasu-san said something about using memory tampering magic

to confuse her. Could that be the reason?”

That night after G.o.dou had gone to Aoyama with Sakura, Amakasu Touma

had mentioned over the phone.

At that time, he had said something about using hypnotism magic.

'Really? That would be worrisome. If you use that kind of spell on someone

who understands magic, their memories could come back at the slightest

chance impetus.'

”Eh!?”

If that was true, the deception wasn't really reliable at all.

'It seems better if I confirm matters with Amakasu Touma first. If possible, I

will also confirm with Sayanomiya Kaoru at the History Compilation

Committee. I will take my leave here and visit those people. Is that all

right?'

”Yes, thanks. I'll continue keeping an eye on the situation with these two

for now.”

G.o.dou felt Liliana's presence fade away.

Having gotten rid of their trays, Sakura and Fuyuhime returned shortly.

Rather than full of motivation, it would probably be more accurate to

describe their faces as fulfilled looking.

Part 3

Under Fuyuhime's leaders.h.i.+p, G.o.dou and Sakura came to Akihabara.

Rather than an electronics district, it had evolved in recent years into more

of a town for niche hobbyists. Fuyuhime entered a store located in the

outskirts away from the main street, Chuuoudoori.

The building before their eyes was a hub of a mult.i.tude of businesses.