Vol 10 Chapter 4 (2/2)
He silently emphasized the fact that he could do nothing about his
ignorance. Even if he wanted to get her a memorable gift or some kind of
surprise, he was completely helpless.
”No need for these strange investigations. Let's just pick something
pa.s.sable and be done with it.”
”I can't believe you can be so popular with girls in spite of such abysmal
character. In a certain sense, this is my biggest surprise of a lifetime.”
Asuka sighed at G.o.dou's conservative idea.
”I can't be that popular, right?”
”Shut up! Your declaration of unpopularity has zero credibility. This I've
already known since kindergarten. Like grandfather, like grandson. Isn't
that exactly what the saying describes!?”
”Like grandfather like grandson whatever. Don't jump to conclusions while
ignoring my personality!”
”I didn't jump to conclusions! Whether Grandpa Ichirou or your old
acquaintances, everyone says the same thing!”
The two were caught in a dialogue that sounded like exploding
firecrackers.
It had been quite a long time since his last heated discussion with Asuka.
Even though G.o.dou had been in the same school with her up until the end
of middle school, they had been separated since high school. After that,
they never had another argument like this.
If he had to give a description, this resembled his casual arguments with
Erica.
However, the crisp sense of no loose ends could only be felt when doing it
with Asuka.
”By the way, I have a friend who's troubled by popularity, and is a real
lady-killer. Should we get some advice from that person?”
Recalling Sayanomiya Kaoru's mighty exploits, G.o.dou suggested.
Well, even if the person providing counsel was a ”her” instead of a ”him,”
this kind of gender issue should not really pose a hindrance, right?
”Your circle of friends have become more and more suspicious lately...
Your idea is rejected. We have to do it with our own ability without
borrowing suggestions from others!”
”Ah, but wait a minute. In fact I've already accepted some sponsors.h.i.+p.”
After learning the whole story, Erica, Yuri and Liliana had offered tokens of
financial support.
Hearing G.o.dou's words, Asuka went ”Eh?” with great surprise.
”They all know that I am meeting with G.o.dou?”
”Yeah. I just told them.”
”1-1 can't believe you had the gall to say it...”
”What gall? They even cheerfully sent me on my way.”
Well, they did show some subtle expressions, but nothing worthy of note,
right?
Faced with G.o.dou's response, Asuka could only reply ”l-l suppose” with a
stiff expression. Then she spoke with a stunned and thoughtful expression:
”l-l n other words, they think I've fallen so far behind in the compet.i.tion that
they don't see me as a threat, deciding it's not even worth their while to
interfere... Oooh, though it offers advantages in a way, I have such mixed
feelings... But then again, competing with that Erica-san is totally
impossible from the very beginning...”
Asuka hesitantly muttered to herself in a voice that G.o.dou could not pick
up.
”What's with you?”
”Mmmhmm, nothing!”
”By the way, last time when you met Erica, you were acting really
strange?”
This childhood friend was a ”cool fellow,” while Erica was also a social
expert.
Wondering if they might be harboring some past grudge, G.o.dou asked just
in case:
”Do you hate Erica perhaps? Even though she loves being the center of
attention and she's quite striking in truth, she is in fact quite an interesting
and thoughtful girl. I think she can get along with you quite well.”
”Ah, not at all. I don't hate Erica-san, not one bit.”
Asuka seemed to be panicking as she randomly waved her hands in front
of her.
”Let's put it another way. She has a 'good character,' right?”
Asuka was a ”good fellow” while Erica had a ”good character,” that was
correct.
What an apt description, G.o.dou was impressed.
”I agree that getting to know her will be very interesting. Simply looking at
her face or attire and I'm guaranteed not to be bored. Also, I think the only
teenage girl in the entire world who can rival Auntie Mayo is Erica-san.”
”Hmm... Pretty much.”
His mother, Kusanagi Mayo. G.o.dou nodded at the mention of her name.
”Whether Mariya-san or Liliana-san, neither of them can match your
mother. In that sense, I believe Erica is very interesting. But well, how
should I put it...”
Stopping there, the childhood friend showed a slightly sad expression.
”I knew it, only girls who transcend common sense would be hanging
around a guy like you, right? I've thought over this a lot, but that's all. I
don't hate her, and next time we meet, we'll surely become great friends.”
”...I see?”
”These are the subtle stirrings of a maiden's heart that you haven't a single
clue about. Anyway, a budget increase is good news after all. It's about
time to accomplish our mission.”
Asuka's crisp tones spurred G.o.dou into action.
In the next two hours, the two of them wandered through the shops in
Ueno.
They ended up buying a perfectly sized handbag. Since the design was
not overly extravagant, it was appropriate for all occasions.
Abandoning clumsy surprises, the duo aimed for unambitious but
guaranteed success.
Rather than G.o.dou, they decided to have Asuka keep the item instead.
If kept at the Kusanagi home, the gift's existence might possibly be
discovered by s.h.i.+zuka. Thus they decided not to ruin the little surprise.
”Since it's already this late, let's grab a meal somewhere? As thanks for
helping me, let it be my treat.”
”Sure, but no need to treat me. I won't be able to sleep at night if I owe you
a favor.”
”Fine, no treat. How about that curry shop we haven't been to for so long?”
”You mean the one we visited so often back in middle school!?”
”Yeah. The one opened by the Pakistani who knows my grandpa.”
”I'll pa.s.s! That's the place where as long as you or your grandpa show up,
they start speaking freely in Urdu, taking out the hidden menu normally
shown to Pakistanis only, and serve super spicy authentic native cuisine.
It's way too international for me!”
”Those are its strong points. Isn't it a rather unique shop?”
”No thanks to that type of individuality! I don't need any special treatment,
just mild curry properly catered to the j.a.panese palate please!”
Arguing amongst themselves with impunity, they bickered acrimoniously.
On Friday night, the streets of Ueno were rather lively.
A place with many foreigners. Consequently, a Caucasian girl with
honey-colored hair and sky-blue eyes would not be considered a
particularly wondrous sight. Nevertheless, she was clearly different from all
the rest.
--Beautiful. She was a girl in her late teens with an outstanding sort of
otherworldly beauty.
Her s.h.a.ggy honey-colored hair was not very long. Tall slim build. An
exquisite face like an angel's, displaying all-surpa.s.sing purity.
There was a natural impression of transparency, incongruent with the
prosperous streets at night.
Like a cool breeze blowing across pastures, or perhaps, streaking across
the deep blue sky.
Such was the atmosphere surrounding this beautiful face. Furthermore,
she was dressed rather bizarrely ~ her entire body was wrapped in a
slightly dirty cloak down to her boots.
However, this vagabond attire only served to further contrast with her
outstanding beauty-
It seemed only natural, but why? G.o.dou thought incredulously.
”Hey Asuka. Do you know that woman?”
”Eh, who? ...Ah, isn't she so pretty? Wow~”
This was on a main street near Ueno station.
The exceptionally cool Caucasian beauty was waiting for the lights to
change at the intersection.
Only when G.o.dou looked at her and commented did Asuka notice the girl's
existence. Furthermore, no one else in the surroundings seemed to be
looking at her. On further thought, these people could not have abandoned
the chance to stare at this otherworldly beauty, but rather, they did not
notice her.
People looked at her like a roadside stone.
The same way no one would focus their gaze on the blowing wind.
No one glanced at the girl deliberately. This strange phenomenon — could
she be one of them? But G.o.dou did not feel any battle spirit rising up from
within, nor did his body fill with power.
In other words, he had not met a G.o.d.
Then she was a girl, right? G.o.dou stared at her as she waited for the traffic
signal to change.
Immediately following-
The girl suddenly turned her head and her eyes met with G.o.dou's.
She smiled. Smiling like a breeze blowing across pastures mixed with
sunlight, she walked towards him.
”We finally meet. You, my destiny.”
The girl murmured with a refres.h.i.+ngly cool voice that matched her
overwhelmingly transparent beauty.
Part 3
”Man of my destiny. The youth whom ought to partake in our shared fate...
Now I am most certain, my journey's only purpose was to encounter dear
sir.”
The cloaked beauty was speaking in fluent j.a.panese.
”Dear sir must be feeling the same. Feeling that I am your fated rival, with
my existence stirring excitement in your chest, surely your blood must be
boiling? Hohoho, I know.”
No matter how much G.o.dou wished to deny it, her ostentatious manner of
speech was greatly reminiscent of the G.o.ds.
Nevertheless, G.o.dou's body and mind of a Campione's did not show any
of the usual signs of encountering a G.o.d. Could she be a comrade of that
particular Divine Ancestor instead?
”You... what's your name?”
”What? No idea. Or rather, I have forgotten it.”
The mysterious girl replied calmly to G.o.dou's question.
”Forgotten?”
”Ah yes. In actual fact, my origins, the reason I am here... All have been
forgotten. I've been wandering here for days, with nothing but pa.s.sion for
sustenance, yes.”
”What the heck is that?”
”I was thinking there was someone I was predestined to meet. That person
is my fated rival. This sense of certainty has been seething quietly all
along.”
Extending her arm out from her cloak, the girl pressed her hand against
her chest.
Despite being obscured by the thick fabric, the contours of the bountiful
bosom were still highly conspicuous. Even with such an obvious slender
physique, her feminine characteristics were so voluptuous.
But anyway-
The self-proclaimed amnesiac girl should be no ordinary mortal. Who on
earth could she be?
A Divine Ancestor? G.o.dou stared sharply at the girl-
”W-Wait a minute, G.o.dou. Are you sure you are meeting this girl for the
first time?”
Asuka interrupted, as if suspicious of something.
G.o.dou frantically nodded, trying to defend himself:
”Uh yeah. Whether seeing her or speaking in person, it's the first time.”
”Clearly then, isn't this a case of intense pa.s.sionate courts.h.i.+p? In other
words, love on first sight? And a foreigner too! Unbelievable, all these
inexplicable people everywhere!”
”Eh? Love on first sight?”
”That's exactly what the girl's words sound like!”
Really? G.o.dou was surprised by Asuka's furious accusation.
Why didn't I think of that. Put it this way, if this mysterious girl's
declaration-
G.o.dou stared at the girl.
The girl with neither name nor memory stared back.
Gaze met with gaze. Sight clashed with sight. Soul collided with soul.
Indeed, G.o.dou felt his heart stirring with excitement. He was bound in
some mysterious way to this woman, that was what G.o.dou sensed.
”Hoho... How embarra.s.sing. Dear sir's gaze is unbearable. For there to be
an existence that causes me to burn pa.s.sionately from inside, this fact...
truly brings s.h.i.+vers down my spine.”
Flames of pa.s.sion s.h.i.+mmered in the girl's eyes like a lover's burning
desire.
But that was only a superficial resemblance. G.o.dou knew. He had noticed
what she truly desired.
But Asuka probably did not. If this misunderstanding persisted, things
could get troublesome. Just as G.o.dou considered various appropriate
explanations, he was shocked.
What shocked him was the childhood friend's question.
”...Hey G.o.dou. It's just a hunch, but you're not going to get into a fight with
this person, right?”
As befitted the longtime friend known since kindergarten.
She was gradually garnering a vague sense of G.o.dou's excited state from
his att.i.tude and demeanor. Just as G.o.dou choked at the astuteness of
Asuka's perception, he said:
”Nonsense. This person seems to be in a complicated situation, so I'll chat
with her for a bit. If necessary I will call the police or ask people I know for
help. Why don't you go home first?”
In order to avoid getting Asuka involved, he came up with this quick plan
out of worry.
”By people you know, you mean your grandpa or your weird friends?”
”Ah yes, that's right... Wait a minute, grandpa aside, I don't find my friends
that weird.”
”Yes yes. Let's ignore that for now.”
Asuka sighed and said:
”Well, I also have friends I wouldn't want you to meet, so I'll take my leave
with this thing. But G.o.dou...”
The paper bag held the gift for s.h.i.+zuka they had just bought.
s.n.a.t.c.hing it away from G.o.dou's hands, Asuka declared:
”You once described yourself as a pacifist. It's fine if you go overboard a bit
in desperate times, but please be mindful overall. Okay, absolutely do not
get involved with any messy conflict! Please bear this in mind!”
From the childhood friend came gratifying and honest advice.
But, can it be fulfilled -- G.o.dou raised his chin at the amnesiac girl,
motioning ”Let's go over there.” Smiling sweetly, the girl followed silently.
”Hey you. Could you be a G.o.d?”
”Yes or no? I have not a single clue.”
”Or a Divine Ancestor? I've heard that they always look like little girls.”
”...And so?”
G.o.dou fired off abrupt questions in succession as he walked.
Any normal person would be rendered speechless by such questions but
the girl listened calmly, simply giving meaningless answers in the end.
In this manner, the two came to Ueno Park. This plot of land included Ueno
Zoo, the National Museum of Nature and Science, the National Museum of
Western Art, the famous s.h.i.+n.o.bazu Pond, etc. This vast expanse of a park
was an imperial gift to the city.
”I remember virtually nothing.”
There were very few pedestrians in the park at night.
Walking side by side with G.o.dou, the girl murmured:
”However. In the very depths of my blank memory, I can recall a few scant
scenes... I am guided by the white star, while a certain someone is guided
by the black star. That person is the one destined for a decisive duel with
me, for we are ultimate arch nemeses who ought to lead each other
towards death. This has been branded onto my battle-scarred soul.”
”...Eh?”
Hearing the unexpected subject of her murmurs, G.o.dou unwittingly halted
his steps.
The girl stood still and gazed sharply at G.o.dou in opposition.
”The one shrouded by the black star is my destiny. And my soul tells me
you are that one. Your life and death and mine are intimately linked and
inseparable.”
”Perhaps... It can't be, you're Lancelot...?”
The deadly battle where the divine sword of the white star faced off against
the divine sword of black annihilation.
G.o.dou asked in shock in response to the girl's descriptions of that
unforgettable scene.
”Lance -- lot...?”
Immediately, the otherworldly girl's face froze.
An intense domineering presence entered the girl's deep and mysterious
eyes. Aloof solemnity surfaced on that beautiful face that was like the cool
breeze blowing across great plains of pastures. Then her lips shaped
themselves into a smile.
G.o.dou felt power surging through his mind and body. Reacting to the
divine presence, G.o.dou entered a battle-ready state.
”Ho, hohoho... Yes. Rather, I believed in my destiny. That you would surely
remember my name as a knight and call it out. Thus the enchantment I
cast on myself has been lifted...”
”What!?”
G.o.dou was greatly shocked to learn he was the one responsible for
awakening her.
Lancelot du Lac. The white war G.o.d who appeared before others with an
impressively cool and masculine image. Guinevere's Sir Knight who had
killed Athena... That was the way it should be.
”Wait a minute! Even your voice is different, don't give me nonsense!”
In the past, the voice coming from the white armor had been a man's
beautiful voice.
But now G.o.dou was hearing a beautiful female alto voice. A girl's voice
inviting of tender affection.
”This is not a battlefield, and one's armor has been removed. Displaying
this Knight's original voice on occasion is condoned, is it not?”
”O-Original!? This is your natural voice!?”
Met with G.o.dou's shock, the girl who answered to the name of Lancelot
nodded ”yes.”
Indeed, it was a solemn gesture very reminiscent of the war G.o.d.
”Eh? Umm, but shouldn't you wear female attire!?”
”How rude. Having taken off one's armor, the beautiful queen of the
equestrian tribes stands before you. There is no obligation to dress up as a
woman. Kusanagi G.o.dou, you are truly an uncouth fellow foreign to proper
etiquette for treating a lady.”
”Eeeeeeeeeh!?”
As the beauty angrily aired her grievances, G.o.dou began clutching his
head in his arms.
Taken completely by surprise. But then again, the fact that she was no
ordinary person had been apparent from the start.
But he never expected to be told something like this!
However, there was no disbelief or suspicion. The actions, words and
presence of the beautiful girl before him -- truth be told, everything was
consistent with Lancelot du Lac.
”Until just now, why didn't I get the usual restless feeling when I encounter
G.o.ds!?”
”In order to slip past your wary senses, the [Insane Rush] enchantment
was used to seal away one's memories -- this Knight cursed oneself to
lose one's divine name and memories until you were encountered.”
Beautiful Lancelot smiled with sweetness.
”Used an enchantment to seal away memories... What kind of magic is
that?”
”Hohoho, an enchantment for provoking a rampage from a heart filled with
dormant desire. Originally it was merely a trick to make someone berserk.
Forsaking reason and dignity, consumed with rus.h.i.+ng forward with insanity,
more or less a minor adjustment to one's innermost heart. Like this time.”
G.o.dou understood. It was probably something similar to mental
manipulation or hypnosis.
He did not expect such a hand from Lancelot whom he originally thought
was only skilled at charging like a knight... But then again, going berserk
from desire could be considered a sudden charge in a certain sense.
”A ruffian like one is not suited to be a palace knight. This Knight has
enchanted oneself on occasion, thereby breaking out of the palace.
Hohoho, it has been a long while since one last did this.”
Lancelot smiled as she spoke, prompting G.o.dou to recall a name.
That's right. Verethragna was the same.
”The myths of the 'Knights of the Round Table,' have you heard of them?
Those were the stories engineered by the first Guinevere and spread by
monks and friars. They even devoted so much effort to elevating one to the
'greatest knight.' Oh well, even so, there is no way to disguise one's
ident.i.ty as a berserk warrior.”
In G.o.dou's first encounter with the G.o.d, Verethragna had also lost his
memory and divine qualities.
The one who placed the Persian Warlord in such a state was the divine
king Melqart of the Phoenicians. Through her own authority, Lancelot had
done the same thing.
In the instant G.o.dou understood, Lancelot approached in a flash.
Just like that, G.o.dou entered her embrace. Wrapped by the fabric of her
cloak, G.o.dou could feel the touch of Lancelot's hand against his head.
”This Knight even forgot one was a G.o.d. However, one believed in you, the
fated enemy, and wandered without pause, certain one shall encounter
you again. And so, the wish is finally realized...”
Oh c.r.a.p. G.o.dou smacked his lips.
Due to excessive surprise, he had let down his guard. G.o.dou instantly tried
to struggle out of Lancelot's restraints, mustering all his strength, but it was
too late.
Lancelot's beautiful face gradually drew near -- and immediately the
unexpected act occurred.
The refres.h.i.+ngly cool beauty seized G.o.dou's lips with her own.
”For the sake of the beloved child, one must vanquish Alexandre
Gascoigne. However, he is a formidable foe difficult to grasp. One cannot
boast lightly of a.s.sured victory against such an enemy. So, Kusanagi
G.o.dou, combine your strength with this Knight and crush Gascoigne. Once
the mission is accomplished, our deadly duel of destiny shall commence!”
Was this the curse of [Insane Rush]--? G.o.dou gulped down a mouthful of
air.
His mind and body of a Campione's was being ensnared by Lancelot's
authority.
What a terrifying power of coercion. Reason and dignity were accelerating
towards insanity. Impossible to resist. Blood was boiling disorderly, and his
heart burned like a flame.
That's right. Defeat Gascoigne first. Then duel decisively with this woman
afterwards.
Having made his decision, G.o.dou twisted his lips into a savage smile.
”Take me to Guinevere. Let the show begin.”
”Acknowledged, one's destiny.”
Ending the kiss of the covenant, the white war G.o.d smiled gracefully and
answered.
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