Vol 11 Chapter 5 (1/2)

Chapter 5 - Milan Rhapsody

Part 1

On a certain night in April, G.o.dou found out from the team of seven

attackers about the conflict in Italy.

Also, having failed their a.s.sault mission, the attackers apparently intended

to flee to southeast Asia or South America, presumably to lie low until

things cooled over.

”...I feel almost like a criminal.”

”Well, just similar circ.u.mstances.”

Hurting all over his body, G.o.dou's injuries healed as he spoke.

Whether bruises or internal bleeding, all recovered without a trace. The

pain vanished. On the other hand, the seven men who were caught up in

the [Boarj's destruction were the ones who were left with injuries all over

instead.

After bidding the men goodbye, G.o.dou took out a memo.

It was a memo that recorded how to make an international telephone call.

G.o.dou looked at the section on calls from j.a.pan to Italy as he operated his

cellphone. Even though the calling charges were expensive, G.o.dou had no

choice. No matter what, Erica must be contacted -- thinking that, he held

the phone to his ear and waited.

The loud ringing tone echoed in his ear. No one was picking up. Just as

G.o.dou was about to give up:

'Calling at such a time means that you have become aware of the

situation.'

Naturally, the voice G.o.dou heard was Erica's.

'Let me clarify beforehand. G.o.dou, your being a pacifist is one of your

good points even though it's a lie.'

”What is going on?”

'For the organization's lower branch personnel to be deployed, and to fail

the mission regardless of their numbers, such clear mismanagement

reflecting poorly on the organization's reputation should normally be

impossible. Nevertheless, given that you're calling now, it is only natural to

a.s.sume you threatened them with a show of absolute force.'

”...Putting that aside for now, let's cut to the chase. I heard those guys

mention a very strange order.”

Unbelievable how much Erica could deduce from a single call.

Erica's wit and intelligence were impeccable. G.o.dou changed the subject a

little forcibly.

'It's Salvatore Doni-sama. The sixth Campione. Born in Italy. He is the

alliance leader ruling over the magical a.s.sociations of southern Europe.'

”Alliance leader... Something like a big boss?”

'The description lacks elegance, but you are correct. However, Sir

Salvatore rules but does not administrate. Rather than ruling through

troublesome methods of domination, he keeps southern European magi in

line through fear and servitude.'

”The one I met at the airport in Palermo? Why are you telling me this?”

G.o.dou brought up the greatest question occupying his mind, and Erica

replied gloomily:

'That time, he asked you ”Let's have a duel?” It was not a joke. He was

completely serious. But G.o.dou refused, so that's the cause.'

G.o.dou was rendered speechless by this unexpected answer and could

only say ”Eh?”

'Probably because he is interested in the Campione named Kusanagi

G.o.dou and wanted to have a serious fight. But you coldly rejected him...'

”Wait a minute, Erica. These things you're saying are a bit strange.”

'There's nothing strange about me. Strange are the things that go through

Sir Salvatore's mind.'

”You really said an awful thing without any hesitation...”

G.o.dou recalled the conflict with Bianchi.

At the time, Erica had subtly agreed that a certain Salvatore was an idiot.

”In other words, that guy is a fool with no common sense?”

'Stated simply without the use of rhetoric, yes, that's exactly it. Anyone with

the slightest courage and sense of justice who has spent any amount of

time with him, would express their impressions with the words ”fool” or

”idiot” without hesitation.'

”Why would that kind of guy be treated as the boss!?”

'It cannot be helped. Because he is a Campione. Undoubtedly, he is the

G.o.d-slaying warrior! Furthermore, stupidity and magnanimity are not

mutually exclusive.'

Erica's serious tone of voice made G.o.dou silent.

'Indeed, he is a fool foreign to common logic. Nevertheless, he is also a

rare hero. Even if all the magi of the world challenged him with all their

might, there is no chance of winning against him. The one known as

Salvatore Doni, is precisely a monster of that level.'

After delivering this exceptional commentary, Erica continued further.

'Hey G.o.dou, if you intend to dig deeper into this incident -- or rather, get

involved with us, it's best for you to give up the notion. You should continue

living peacefully in Tokyo.'

G.o.dou frowned to find his hidden wish suddenly exposed.

'Visits like this one will happen who knows how many times so you should

dodge them appropriately. Given your power, even if you encounter

trouble, there shouldn't be any difficulties, right?'

”Hey hey...”

Realizing the intentions of Erica's faction, G.o.dou was slightly surprised.

'Listen well, this is a critical juncture in your life. Everything that happened

in Italy is just a dream. Please wipe it clean from your memory and

continue living a peaceful life.'

”That time with Melqart, didn't you say I must make a stand and fight?!”

'There was no choice then. But this time, we still managed to escape from

Sir Salvatore. So here's my greatest advice: do not step foot in Italy -- or

rather, Europe, ever again.'

Erica's seriousness could be felt from her solemn diction.

'Sir Salvatore simply cannot wait to start a fight should you come.

Furthermore, we of the [Copper Black Cross] have also received strict

orders to restrain you with all our power. You understand what that means,

right?'

”...Erica will become my enemy too?”

'There's no other choice. Even if you are also a Campione and stand on

equal terms with Sir Salvatore... We are an Italian a.s.sociation. We have no

choice but to prioritize the orders, and especially strict orders, from our

alliance leader.'

Erica spoke indifferently with an emotionless voice.

'Hence, I guess our relations.h.i.+p ends here. In fact, my telling you all this

would also be considered inappropriate... But no matter, it would be too

heartless to go without saying goodbye.'

”Ends here? Wait a minute, Erica!”

'Farewell, Kusanagi G.o.dou. Even though our days together were short,

those memories will be vividly carved into the depths of my mind forever.'

The connection was cut. Even if he called again, she probably would not

pick up again. G.o.dou sighed.

What should I do? Live like a hermit, as Erica suggested? It was indeed a

wise choice. Safe, peaceful and practical. But-

”What the heck. In this kind of situation, how can I leave you alone!?”

What G.o.dou wished most of all, was to ask Erica what exactly he should

do.

A great plan had formed in his mind. But he needed detailed opinions from

others to make adjustments.

The reason he decided that, was because the only friend he had made in

Italy, was Erica alone-

By the time his plan was placed into motion, it was already the last week of

April.

j.a.pan's Golden Week had just begun. As a high school student, Kusanagi

G.o.dou also obtained his long sought extended holiday. As for him, he

planned on using the entire time on the faraway land thousands of miles

west of Tokyo. Having waited so long for this time to arrive, he had to

spend another twelve hours on a flight.

The time difference was eight hours. By the time G.o.dou arrived at Milan's

Malpensa Airport, it was afternoon.

Forcing his body in spite of the dizziness and fatigue caused by jet lag,

G.o.dou boarded the train. Even though this city only had three rail lines,

overwhelmingly fewer than Tokyo, the routes combined together in a fairly

complicated manner.

However, G.o.dou no longer suffered from any language barrier.

Asking for directions from pa.s.sersby or staff as he took the train, G.o.dou

spent a little over an hour to reach his destination, the Milano Centrale

railway station. G.o.dou only used it for the subway, but this was also a hub

where domestic routes and international trains converged. There seemed

to be a total of twenty-four platforms.

”As befits a place even more urbanized than Sardinia or Sicily...”

G.o.dou exclaimed in his heart.

Having lived in Tokyo, G.o.dou was not surprised by large metropolitan

cities. However, this was a place where modern cityscape coexisted

seamlessly with Gothic or Roman streets like Europe's ancient capitals.

Also, this district offered nostalgic trams above ground.

Along the gray street, an orange-colored tram slowly arrived.

G.o.dou searched for his target building amidst scenery that could not be

found in j.a.pan. He also had the option of taking a taxi, but since many

unknowns lay ahead of this journey, being economical was important.

...As a side note, G.o.dou also intended this journey to be self-financed.

After G.o.dou contacted Old Man Zamparini's for counsel, the old man had

prepared the plane ticket (first cla.s.s too!). Receiving this present in a

panic, G.o.dou had frantically tried to refuse on the phone.

'Don't worry about it. It should already be obvious, money is no object!'

Thus, G.o.dou's refusal was boldly denied, yakuza style. Accepting the

ticket with immense grat.i.tude, G.o.dou desperately begged and managed to

downgrade the seat to economy cla.s.s...

The old man also informed him how far information on ”Kusanagi G.o.dou”

had spread in Italy.

The magi of Sicily and Sardinia only publicized your deeds in accordance

to Your Highness' orders. Hence, on the Italian mainland, rumors about

Kusanagi G.o.dou are only circulating in an unsubstantiated fas.h.i.+on. The

only exception being Erica Blandelli's [Copper Black Cross].'

The old man proceeded to refuse G.o.dou's offers of compensation by

a.s.serting ”If anything happens, I too, wish to extend a helping hand...”

Furthermore, the one who told G.o.dou about the building he was currently

searching for, was the other person he sought counsel from.

Video conferencing with Lucretia Zola whose home was always equipped

with a computer and network access, G.o.dou went through a ”strategy

meeting” with her.

'If you wish to make contact with Miss Erica's a.s.sociation, the [Copper

Black Cross], visiting the building of their headquarters is the most direct

way.'

”Does a secret a.s.sociation even have headquarters?”

'Do know that it is an a.s.sociation with a long history and connections to the

lineages of the Knights Templar. The Order was not only a military group

but also the world's first organization in the financial industry, the precursor

of banking. In order to rob them of their immense wealth, King Philip IV of

France even went so far as to disband the Order.'

”I see...”

'As one of its descendants, the [Copper Black Cross] also plays the role of

a financial group to the outside world. In actual fact, it is a prosperous

corporation that manages several different businesses. Furthermore, its

representative, Mr Paolo Blandelli -- namely, the uncle in custody of Miss

Erica, is the commander-in-chief of the [Copper Black Cross] as well as a

legendary knight.'

Thus G.o.dou was informed by the beauty who possessed slothful airs and

a sensual body.

Keeping Lucretia's words firmly in mind, G.o.dou looked at the map as he

wandered through the business district around the central station. Finally,

he found the building he was looking for.

A grand fifteen-story building. The people who frequented the premises

were mostly men and women in suits.

A high school student, and especially a j.a.panese who was clearly of a

different ethnicity, would need to be quite bold to enter that building.

Nevertheless, G.o.dou stepped inside without hesitation.

Walking through the impeccably clean entrance of the building, he found

the reception before him.

G.o.dou smiled and spoke to the middle-aged woman sitting there:

”Can you relay this to Paolo Blandelli with utmost urgency: Kusanagi

G.o.dou has arrived in Milan. I will enjoy myself a little in this neighborhood,

so do whatever your obligations dictate. If you want to take me to Salvatore

Doni, bring it on as if your life depended on it. Please inform him with this

kind of feeling.”

On Lucretia's advice, G.o.dou made up this instigating speech.

Having expressed his demands, G.o.dou departed without waiting for the

woman to reply. Along the way, he even gave the security camera an

intense glare before leaving the building.

After that, he took a casual stroll.

Since he was here already, he might as well get a view of the scenery.

G.o.dou thought as he walked.

Part 2

G.o.dou got off the subway at Duomo station, four stops away from Milano

Centrale.

Duomo -- a Catholic cathedral, in other words.

This was a sacred domain for people to pray for wishes and sing praises of

the Lord. In short, it was an elegant and majestic religious building. In

terms of interior decoration, this Duomo di Milano truly stood out from other

cathedrals.

”Well, ignoring basics and jumping directly into practical applications, it

doesn't mean much anyway.”

With that, G.o.dou began touring Milan's standard sightseeing destination,

the great cathedral.

This was the world's largest Gothic building, with almost 150(!) spires, the

tallest one over a hundred meters in height. There were also over 200

painted sculptures. Given its long construction period of five centuries, the

cathedral's magnificence matched perfectly.

G.o.dou had previously seen cathedrals on the islands of Sardinia and

Sicily.

But in comparison, this was definitely in a cla.s.s of its own.

After sightseeing for a while, G.o.dou realized he had yet to have lunch. He

was strolling along the main street and wondering what to eat when the

aroma of cheese wafted into his nostrils.

Following the scent, he found a delicatessen-like shop with a crowd of

people standing out front eating something like bread. Lining up

obediently, it took quite a while before G.o.dou could enter the shop.

Everyone was there to buy the popular pizza, which explained the large

crowd standing around eating.

The semicircular chewy bread was filled with plenty of cheese and tomato

sauce.

Indulging himself in this unusual atmosphere, G.o.dou finished his hot and

tasty junk food.

There was a kind of itchy and slightly unpleasant feeling on his neck.

Someone was probably watching him. Were they going to start an a.s.sault

out on the open streets? G.o.dou surveyed his surroundings. The place was

packed and bustling.

G.o.dou's authority did not offer abilities that would not disturb the

surroundings.

Perhaps, a more open s.p.a.ce -- a place easier to act unrestrained in would

be better. G.o.dou resumed walking once again. Luckily he already had a

destination in mind. As it happened, the next place would be rather ideal

for his purposes.

Castello Sforzesco.

It was the castle of the Sforza family ruling Milan in the fifteenth century.

During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci had partic.i.p.ated in its interior

design. The very s.p.a.cious plaza in front of this castle was adjacent to

Milan's top park -- Parco Sempione.

Pa.s.sing by the castle, G.o.dou intended to enter the park

Standing before the castle, he waited for the traffic lights to change. Like

other major cities, Milan's traffic volume was ma.s.sive as evidenced by the

vehicles whizzing before G.o.dou's eyes. At this time, a large RV suddenly

accelerated and hurtled directly towards G.o.dou!

”Huh?”

G.o.dou stared in shock at the speeding heavy vehicle.

Then he realized. People in the European world of magic all seemed to

think of Campiones as equivalent to monsters. Furthermore, Campiones

were virtually immune to the magic they specialized in.

Using ”force” on such an opponent, was naturally equivalent to the efforts

of ants.

Anyway, I should protect myself first.

Evade -- no, attack. G.o.dou instantly made his decision. At some point

earlier, the [Bull] had been unlocked. Though heavyweight fighters were

ineligible, man-eating tigers or RVs were perfectly fine as targets -- this

usage condition was really way too strict.

In any case, G.o.dou's body instantly overflowed with monstrous strength.

He then thrust his arms forward.

Thrusting his hands into the RVs hood, he completely halted the vehicle,

and using all his strength-

”Yaaaaaaaaaah!”

With both hands, G.o.dou raised the two-ton RV high above his head.

Raised in the air, the four tires turned noisily, fruitlessly expending power.

In the driver's seat was a middle-aged man, his face convulsing from fear.

G.o.dou set the RV upside down on the sidewalk.

Since the car's roof was resting on the ground, the four wheels continued

spinning in the air. Upside down, the driver in the vehicle made a sign of

the cross as he mentally prepared himself for something.

People nearby were basically flabbergasted. They must be having a hard

time accepting this scene as reality due to its ridiculous nature. Whether

young or old, black or white or oriental, everyone at the immediate scene

was stunned. Except a nearby man muttering ”Wow...”

However, there also existed people who did not seem particularly

surprised. At the intersection of the plaza before Castello Sforzesco, on the

roadside and various other places, there were indeed several men who

glared sharply at G.o.dou's brute strength.

In that case -- with a clang, G.o.dou opened the RV's door on the driver's

side.

”Excuse me. Do you belong to that Copper whatever a.s.sociation?”

He directed his question to the driver who was still sitting upside down.

Since he was speaking to an elder, G.o.dou naturally used polite language.

”Anyway, I am going to the castle and will be waiting for you guys there.

Please tell your companions that.”

Since their numbers were many, it might be difficult to handle if he entered

the park as originally planned. In terms of overpowering large groups, a

wide open s.p.a.ce would take less effort.

”Also, can I rely on you guys to help guide ordinary people in the city to

safety?”

Palermo's Zamparini and his faction had been able to do it.

Erica's fellow members should be capable of the same given their

immense financial clout. Well, it did occur to G.o.dou that things were

probably different in Milan this time, especially since they were suddenly

asked without sufficient time for preparation, but he ignored these notions.

Listening to this request, the middle-aged RV driver nodded repeatedly.

Rather than a ”brave warrior challenging the Devil King Campione,” he

resembled more of a ”worldly man rashly sent to battle on orders.” Quite

pitiful, to say the least.

In any case, G.o.dou left the RV and ran into Castello Sforzesco a couple of

dozen meters away.

Erica was sitting in a room, watching events unfold using magic from afar.

This was a popular scene in fairy tales, a.n.a.logous to a crystal ball showing

distant happenings to a witch...

Currently, the images were shown to Erica in exactly the same way.

Except that object displaying them was a large slim LCD television.

Erica's taste for the nostalgic preferred the old fas.h.i.+oned crystal ball.

However, her fellow Great Knights did not approve and hoped she would

turn to more convenient tools.

--The current location was the tenth floor of the [Copper Black Crosses

headquarters, a ”lounge” reserved for the top echelons.

Only those who had attained the rank of Great Knight were permitted to

use this room. Furnished with a billiard table, darts, chess and other

entertainment equipment, there was even a private bar.

'Yaaaaaaaaaah!'

From the screen, Erica could see a familiar youth in an active display of

vigor.

He lifted a large vehicle, opened its door, declared ”fight at Castello

Sforzesco” and left. Very likely, he did not want to cause trouble for the

surrounding people.

In that case, there was clearly an option which did not require fighting-

Erica was secretly surprised that the youth overlooked this fact.

”Just as we were at our wits' ends dealing with Sir Salvatore's

unreasonable excesses, yet another Campione arrives? Reality is a

complete nightmare...”

The one lamenting was one of the Great Knights, Clarens.

Bearing a shaved head and a presentable face, he was a striking black

man from Holland.

Thirty-one years of age. Equipped with capability, experience and insightful

knowledge, he was in fact a leading knight of the [Copper Black Cross].

But because his nationality was not Italian, he could not inherit the

leaders.h.i.+p t.i.tle of the [Diavolo Rosso].

”It can't be helped. The opponent is a G.o.d-slayer, a Devil King Campione

after all.”

The one complaining in an outraged tone of voice was Gennaro Gantz.

Despite being an unrefined man in his early twenties, he was a Great

Knight with substantial achievements in magic and swordsmans.h.i.+p. Hailing

from southern Italy, he was Erica's compet.i.tor for the [Diavolo Rosso] t.i.tle.

In spite of his young age, the beard covering his face allowed him to

convincingly pa.s.s for over thirty years of age.

”Without the kind of personality that insists on paying injuries back fivefold,

he probably would not have been able to oppose a G.o.d...”

”By Sir Salvatore's decree, 'You people must lead Kusanagi G.o.dou to my

location by any means necessary.'”

Clarens groaned with a gloomy expression.

”For us to naively execute this command and battle the seventh Campione

would be truly absurd. While we pretend to undertake this mission, the

estimate for finding that man is also...”

”Currently, Sir Salvatore is refusing to leave Milan. Critically overseeing

things at this juncture, you're not going to get away with phoning it in.

Because you are in the [King]'s presence... By the way, Clarens.”

In a manner unbefitting of a Great Knight, Gantz spoke up.

Even though Erica did not hold this aspect of Gantz's in high regard, he felt

the same way about her. Gantz too, often grumbled about Erica's facade of

deliberate elegance.

”How are things on the search front?”

”Sir Salvatore's chaperone... Or rather, his butler Andrea Rivera is still

missing.”

Blurting out chaperone, Clarens corrected himself nonchalantly.

”His last sighting happens to be two weeks ago. Our [Copper Black Cross]

received the decree exactly one day before that.”

”Then isn't the truth obvious!”

Gantz roared gruffly.

”If that serious man disappeared, Sir Salvatore surely must have thought

he could spread his wings!”

”Ah yes. The report about Rivera said, contact was lost on his way to the

Etruscan ruins at Bologna on Sir Salvatore's orders... Very likely, the

incident started there. Maybe a group kidnapped and imprisoned Rivera on

Sir Salvatore's instigation or something like that--”

Hearing the two of them sigh, Erica slowly opened her mouth.

”If that's the case, then their interests are aligned with Sir Salvatore.

Perhaps in a few days, Sir Andrea will be found safe and sound.”

This was her first time to speak at the table. Presumably she had kept

silent because she was under ”house arrest.” Hearing that, Clarens

frowned.

”Given the current situation, isn't the battle between Devil Kings

imminent?”

”Even though Sir Salvatore does not ponder sufficiently, he is surprisingly

meticulous sometimes. Currently, he is dallying in Milan for the sake of

some momentous change.”

Salvatore Doni's base, was the region of Tuscany in central Italy.

He did not keep a personal army, with only a handful of attendants and a

lone sword by his side, spending his easygoing days in leisure. Whenever

he needed subordinates to command, all he needed was simply make a

request to an a.s.sociation.

In this instance, that role was played by the [Copper Black Cross].

Citing ”your Blandelli family's daughter served as Kusanagi G.o.dou's

attendant” as his reason, he was impossible to refuse.

As a side note, Erica had not informed her fellow comrades regarding

lovers or anything of that sort. Due to G.o.dou's orders, those details had

not been disclosed to the magi of Sardinia and Sicily.

Hence, Erica also remained silent over the ”lovers' relations.h.i.+p” issue.

”But my lady. You already mentioned about the seventh Devil King whose

temperament requires reasons before he fights.”

Clarens addressed the young mistress of the Blandelli family as ”my lady.”

For Erica, this bald-headed Dutchman was her teacher in tactics, strategy

and politics.

”That's right. Though he is a person who doesn't like to attack first, fighting

in retaliation is fine to him.”

”...Do you think he'll turn to attack?”

Gantz wondered as he pointed at the young Devil King shown on the

television screen.

”That's rather twisted of him. So he's basically suppressing himself

currently. As soon as he finds any minor pretext to justify battle, his fighting

att.i.tude will immediately escalate.”

”If that's the case, all I can predict is a disastrous outcome...”

Clarens' cellphone started ringing at this time, and he took the call for a

few dozen seconds.

”Bad news. Sir Salvatore has disappeared from his hotel.”

”I also have a very bad feeling about this. Hey, how are evacuation efforts

going in Castello Sforzesco and the surrounding area?”

The interior of Castello Sforzesco was being shown on the large LCD

screen.

A residence of n.o.bles in the past, it was now a museum. Forty knights from

the [Copper Black Cross] had stormed into the premises in pursuit of

Kusanagi G.o.dou.

'You people must lead Kusanagi G.o.dou to my location by any means

necessary.'

In order to execute this decree, Clarens had sent out a suicide squad.

In addition, they were secretly ordered 'there's no need to risk your lives,

just make sure you look like you're trying hard.' This was strictly

confidential.

”On standby over there and at the designated time, all parties were

contacted. Right now, police a.s.sistance is being used to seal the castle's

surroundings and neighboring Parco Sempione. Also, within the castle--”

As Clarens watched the chaotic battle in the castle, he grumbled softly:

”There are not too many ordinary visitors since closing time is near. So that

should facilitate evacuation efforts. We have already sent a very sharp

team, so it should be handled well... That's what I really want to believe.”

G.o.dou's chaotic tactics proved to be an advantage.

He made the most of his strength against the combat troops trying to

capture him. Using the [Bull]'s monstrous might to pick up a Gothic pillar,

he swung it in a manner like an electric fan. He also threw with one hand

marble statues that were taller than people. Seeing his enemies equipped

with projectile weapons -- guns, he effortlessly picked up a 2m thick slab of

stone to use as a s.h.i.+eld...

Nevertheless, the current battle was taking place between an amateur

against well-trained and experienced professionals.

In principle, the professionals should hold an overwhelming advantage in

this kind of fight. But in actual fact, the situation was the opposite, just as

Erica predicted.

”In other words, my lady... Is it time for the Campione to show his true

power?”

”Probably. He's not going to behave himself indefinitely for sure. He

appears to be under control, but could show off his true power in a

moment's notice. He may be an amateur in 'combat', but in terms of

'tactics' he is surprisingly talented-”

Scarcely had she finished speaking when the ominous predictions were

proven completely true.

Pictured on the television screen, in the air above Castello Sforzesco

appeared a gigantic pitch-black beast.

Part 3

Sprinting into Castello Sforzesco, G.o.dou rampaged wildly using his

monstrous strength.

However, enduring to this point was his limit. He was gradually being

cornered.

During this time as he relied on his monstrous strength to hold out, all the

ordinary people and staff in the castle had somehow disappeared... Hence,

without further thought, he did it. Backed into this ”It's gonna get

dangerous!?” situation, he summoned the [Boar].

Blasting this castle away (together with the troublesome people), was as

easy as flipping a coffee table.

For this reason, the [Boar] suddenly manifested in the air above Castello

Sforzesco.

The 20m-long black divine beast landed in free fall, its belly violently

striking the roof of Filarete Tower in the castle's center. This impact shook

the entire castle intensely.

Landing on the ground, the [Boar] resolutely smashed its head and body

against the castle walls to its heart's content.

Naturally, the castle shook violently again. The stones and bricks used to

build Castello Sforzesco were continually smashed and sent flying. In short

time, the entire castle was on the verge of collapse. Not to mention those

roars.

ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAR!!

These terrifying howls carried sonic waves. Consequently, even places

that the [Boar] did not touch directly were spectacularly blown apart. The

whole castle's complete destruction was simply a matter of time.

”If you value your lives, hurry and run!”

G.o.dou yelled at the attackers in the castle.

Perhaps there was no need for him to do that, for they had already started

fleeing all at once. Indeed, they were running for their lives in complete

disarray. Oh well, all the escaping guys' faces looked like they were about

to die. Even if they were not, they were definitely not retreating with any

sense of composure...

Following them immediately, G.o.dou also ran out of the castle.

From awhile ago he had already been transmitting to the [Boar] thoughts of

”You don't have to destroy so seriously!” Surprisingly, it actually seemed to

be taking effect slightly. It felt like the [Boar] rampaged slightly more

obediently compared to before. G.o.dou managed to escape during this

time. As stones fell from ceilings while pillars and walls toppled, it was

already troubling enough.

”I thought I was going to die, really...”

Running out of the castle, G.o.dou panted heavily.

Behind him, the [Boar] finally pranced about delightfully, unleas.h.i.+ng its full

power. The red-brown Castello Sforzesco was gradually turned into a

mountain of rubble.

ROOOOOOOAAAAAARM The roars were deafening.

With a final majestic howl to declare victory, the [Boar] apparently

vanished, most satisfied.

Only the ruins of a completely destroyed ancient medieval castle remained.

Just as G.o.dou was about to clutch his head and exclaim ”How terrible” --

he stopped.

A blond young man approached. His handsome face was slightly familiar.

Despite a slender build, he had the body of a trained athlete. Dressed

sloppily in a s.h.i.+rt, cargo pants and sneakers, he was carrying a slender

cylindrical case on his shoulder.

This was G.o.dou's second encounter with Devil King Salvatore Doni.

”It's been a while eh? You're causing quite a riot, aren't you? Kusanagi

G.o.dou, you're exactly the kind of man I imagined!”

As soon as their gazes met, Doni began to cackle with laughter, and he

even winked at G.o.dou.

Amazingly, the ”King of Swords” remembered the full name of someone he

only met once and even repeated it correctly. G.o.dou could not have known

what a rare exception it was. However, he could surmise certain truths