Vol 13 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2 - Journey's Beginning

Part 1

Thus, Susanoo's spirit summoning ritual finally came to an end. Time to

part ways — was what G.o.dou originally thought.

”Well then, since we still have the garden party, let's go and get ready.

Yuri, Ena, come over to my family's secondary residence.”

Sayanomiya Kaoru smiled cheerfully as she addressed her two fellow

Hime-Miko.

As soon as they heard her, Yuri expressed fear and wanted to escape

while Ena bore a gloomy expression.

”F-Forgive me but I must be excused this year.”

”Same for Ena. I don't wanna be in a situation like just now again. So

restrictive and bothersome.”

”What are you talking about? Given this rare opportunity where all the

Hime-Miko are already gathered together, we should further harmonize our

relations. This is the time for you two to s.h.i.+ne in the lead role, you two

premier Hime-Miko.”

Kaoru smiled malevolently.

In response, Ena resisted desperately while G.o.dou watched.

”But Ena has never partic.i.p.ated before, okay? There's not much point in

showing up once for this year only, so why can't I just leave like this?”

”Like I said, since you're already here this year...”

Deflecting Ena's objections, Kaoru smiled at Yuri.

”Ever since it became known that you became G.o.dou-san's romantic

partner, Yuri, many people wanted to get closer to you. Not only among the

Hime-Miko but also those related to the Committee. You'll be able to meet

lots of people at the garden party tonight, wouldn't it be great fun?”

”N-Nothing of that sort. To be surrounded by so many people would be a

bit...”

”Please don't say that. These are also duties that come inseparably with

the role of the First Lady.”

”Wait a minute. I cannot ignore the matter of Mariya Yuri as Kusanagi

G.o.dou's legal consort — ”

Observing silently all this time, Liliana suddenly interjected.

”I believe you are not the type to take the unwilling away by force. Also,

pressing others against their will is not your style.”

”My, you really got me good there.”

Kaoru smiled wryly in response to Liliana's chivalric rescue.

G.o.dou agreed with Liliana that such behavior did not seem fitting for the

gallant and whimsical dandy.

”In actual fact, all of the Hime-Miko would like to hear Ena and Yuri's

answers.”

”Answers about what?”

”Regarding their husband, as to what kind of person Mr. Kusanagi G.o.dou

is like. Also, about the rumored flamboyant lifestyle of His Majesty, in great

detail.”

G.o.dou was shocked by Liliana and Kaoru's exchange. Why is there a

conversation about me!?

”But if this questioning was brought up before the Great Purification Rite, it

probably would have prevented the ritual from starting. After all, as

Hime-Miko, everyone would show some self-restraint and refrain from such

disgraceful behavior. But conversely, I was swarmed by an onslaught of

people seeking answers...”

”Regarding whether Mariya Yuri and Seishuuin Ena were going to attend

tonight's garden party or the like?”

”Liliana-san, you are completely on the mark. If Yuri and Ena are not

brought over to the garden party, my situation could get rather precarious.

Also, before returning to their stations, the Hime-Miko might pay visits to

Nanao Shrine or Yuri's home to sit down for a chat and some tea with Yuri

and Ena. Given the situation, please come over to my home.”

”S-Speaking of which, before the ritual started...”

Yuri expressed shock after listening.

”People kept asking me if I was going to attend the garden party... So

those inquiries were about this!”

”Everyone has a burning desire to find out about what's going on between

you two and G.o.dou-san.”

While G.o.dou was feeling shocked by the unexpected conversation, the girl

who had remained silent all this time spoke up.

”Hey Kaoru-san, are those who are not Hime-Miko barred from

partic.i.p.ation in this gathering?”

Naturally, the questioner was Erica. Kaoru instantly replied:

”No, staff of the History Compilation Committee are allowed to partic.i.p.ate,

as well as people related to the Four Families and relatives of the

Hime-Miko in the area. There shouldn't be a problem.”

”Then how about this? All of us will partic.i.p.ate. I think it's a great idea.”

After the initial shock of Erica's suggestion, G.o.dou gave up on struggling.

Since Yuri and Ena were facing unnecessary troubles because of him, this

was the very least he could do to help alleviate their plight —

Hence, 6pm came around on that day.

Kusanagi G.o.dou and his companions were taken by courtesy car to the

garden party's venue.

The location was Tokyo's Bunkyo ward, unexpectedly close to the

Kusanagi home. A western mansion standing in a quiet greenified area, it

clearly exuded the same style as the former XX residence.^

A guess would place its construction date during the Meiji period in the

nineteenth to early twentieth century. It was a building whose style was

retro yet modern at the same time.

The property was equipped with a s.p.a.cious garden which could have

served as a suitable location for the garden party, but due to the winter

season, the air outdoors would be too chilly.

Consequently, the main venue today was presumably the banquet hall on

the first floor that offered a view of the garden from its windows.

”Well... In order to make Mariya and Seishuuin less conspicuous, perhaps

it's best that I show up?”

Having made his decision already, G.o.dou muttered softly to himself.

In a situation like this, especially when arriving in the company of a person

with a ridiculous enough t.i.tle of ”Devil King,” as much as it was unintended,

one would inevitably become the center of public attention, of course.

Several hours earlier, Erica had raised a good point.

'Ultimately, it is because Kusanagi G.o.dou is such a man of mystery that

people have no choice but to believe rumors. Attention would be focused

on Yuri and Ena who are relatively more approachable. Hence, G.o.dou

must make a stately appearance, thereby causing people to behave

themselves in fear of the Devil King's mighty name. During the garden

party, please stand next to Yuri and Ena.'

As a result, G.o.dou arrived at the venue together with his companions.

G.o.dou was dressed in a suit borrowed from Kaoru's wardrobe. The feeling

of the unfamiliar necktie made G.o.dou rather uncomfortable. Having made

a trip back home, Erica was now attired in a beautiful crimson formal dress

with a black shawl wrap.

Wearing a blue dress with a black corsage, Liliana appeared with

magnificence in no way inferior to her rival and longtime friend. On the

other hand, the j.a.panese Hime-Miko were all dressed in kimonos.

Yuri's kimono had a cherry blossom pattern against a light violet

background.

This soothing design and color did not feel garish and was rather

well-suited to Yuri. As for Ena, hers was a checkered pattern on a white

Os.h.i.+ma Tsumugi weave. For the Hime-Miko of the Sword who did not

indulge particularly in fas.h.i.+on, there was surprisingly no sense of

dissonance in her choice of kimono.

Without giving an impression of trying too hard to be stylish, she was

simply wearing it naturally.

”What should I do...?”

”You don't need to do anything. Just lead us inside to make your grand

appearance. People will naturally realize who you are.”

Already accustomed to such situations, Erica offered her advice.

Really? Unable to relax, G.o.dou entered the great hall. The c.o.c.ktail party

had already begun, with about a hundred attendees present.

Naturally, the young women stood out the most.

There were several dozen Hime-Miko dressed in miko style dresses and

kimonos. They were cl.u.s.tered in small groups, chatting away excitedly, but

the entire atmosphere changed as soon as G.o.dou made his appearance.

Everyone turned their gaze intently towards him and began to whisper

discreetly to their companions beside them.

There were also many men present. Young men, middle-aged men and

elderly men from various age brackets.

Watching G.o.dou and his companions, these men also began to converse

among themselves discreetly.

But immediately they stopped as if apprehensive for some reason.

”With you leading the two premier Hime-Miko together with Lily and I to

make an entry, even if the people here did not recognize your face, they

would immediately recall your name.”

Erica's words prompted G.o.dou's realization.

It was already widely known that G.o.dou's companions and subordinates

included the blonde and silver-haired Caucasian beauties as well as the

two famous Hime-Miko.

Exactly as Erica pointed out earlier, these four girls were quite

recognizable as a calling card.

Unable to calm his agitation, G.o.dou surveyed the venue.

Not too far away was a table with lots of food laid out as part of a

buffet-style offering. There was a bar where alcoholic and soft drinks were

served.

”Something to drink?”

Just when Liliana made her suggestion, Erica suddenly spoke up.

”Lily, let's go over there. Come together with me.”

”What?”

”Although there is no longer any need to publicize the name of Kusanagi

G.o.dou, it is a different matter for us. Now is a perfect opportunity to let it be

widely known that the G.o.d-slayer is accompanied by the knights from

Milan.”

”I dislike this sort of method.”

Liliana frowned as she replied to the childhood friend in the crimson dress.

”It is enough for the name of Liliana Kranjcar to spread naturally through

the pa.s.sage of time. Promoting oneself is counter to a knight's modesty,

and as a person...”

”It matters not for this once. It's also G.o.dou's first time to attend this sort of

occasion.”

Despite Liliana's refusal, Erica still continued.

”Having more acquaintances and contacts apart from Kaoru-san and

Amakasu-san would facilitate getting things done. Besides, if we attract

more attention, Yuri and Ena-san will feel more at ease, and so will G.o.dou,

obviously.”

■ ■■ I S 6 6 .

The female knight in the blue formal dress acted as usual and nonchalantly

surveyed the surroundings.

Without a doubt, their group was attracting the most attention. Among

them, the most striking one was naturally Kusanagi G.o.dou himself.

As advised earlier, G.o.dou tried to maintain a ”calm” state of mind.

But it was also true that he found it impossible to calm down. Even doing

something so trivial as getting food to alleviate his hunger brought forth

numerous stares.

Eating under everyone's watchful gaze really did lead to indigestion —

”This is also part of a knight's duties, I suppose... Well then, Kusanagi

G.o.dou, I shall go with Erica.”

”Are you really okay with it?”

G.o.dou asked. Liliana smiled with a chuckle.

”Yes. Although it is not particularly to my liking, I have experienced these

sorts of occasions several times before. On further thought, if I leave Erica

alone to publicize her name only, it would be a taint to Liliana Kranjcar's

reputation.”

Hence the red and blue knights parted with G.o.dou.

They moved about in gorgeous formal dresses rather than their usual

combat capes.

This fact alone made them quite striking in appearance. Red and blue. The

blonde and the silver-haired Caucasian beauties. Individually, they already

attracted a great deal of attention. It went without saying that the effect was

magnified when they stood together in stark contrast against each other.

Leaving strong impressions on others was only inevitable.

As the two girls walked about, the gazes of the crowd were drawn along

with them.

Perhaps this was exactly why Erica chose to take Liliana along with her —

G.o.dou suddenly noticed Yuri and Ena's absence from his side. Taking a

further look, he found them by the buffet table, filling their plates with

plentiful food.

However, a few nearby Hime-Miko seemed to be engaging Yuri and Ena in

conversation. After greeting their fellow Hime-Miko, Yuri and Ena returned

with their plates full of food. G.o.dou inquired:

”What were they talking about just now?”

”Hoho, regarding whether the gentleman over there was a certain

someone from somewhere.”

Yuri smiled mischievously in a rare moment while Ena grinned like a

naughty child. They were suddenly inspired with a mood of playfulness.

The name of Kusanagi G.o.dou had clearly been mentioned.

”Since we took quite a lot of food, let us share and eat together.”

Yuri put down her plate on a neighboring round table.

She had taken one plate while Ena had carried two, one in each hand. Mini

roast beef sandwiches, carpaccio, seaweed rolls, dainty little snacks, etc. It

seemed to be an unrestricted c.o.c.ktail party combining Chinese, j.a.panese

and western cuisine.

The two girls, who originally agonized over the prospects of attending this

event, currently seemed quite relaxed instead.

This fact alone probably made it worthwhile for him to come. Just as

G.o.dou secretly felt gratified, a familiar face approached. It was Hikari.

”Onii-sama, although it's only been a couple hours, I feel like it's been quite

a while since we last met!”

Hikari greeted with a joking tone of voice.

She was dressed in an adorable light pink dress. A few hours earlier, after

the Great Purification Rite ended, Hikari had left the ceremonial site

together with the other Hime-Miko in preparation for the garden party.

”I'm so glad that all my Onee-samas are attending. From the way it looked

earlier, I was worried you two would skip out.”

”Well, that was what we thought originally...”

”Somehow or other, we were taken here.”

Yuri made a faint, wry smile while Ena responded to Hikari as if grumbling.

”But Ena-neesama, it's really great you came together with Onii-sama.”

”Really?”

”Yes. Actually, after the Great Purification Rite, everyone was asking me,

'Could the gentleman we saw at the ceremony who just left really be...!?' It

was quite troubling. Everyone was so concerned with Onii-sama's true

ident.i.ty...”

G.o.dou felt intimidated. Come to think of it, Erica and Liliana were

accompanying him back then at the time.

For those informed about the G.o.d-slayer, Kusanagi G.o.dou, but did not

know his appearance, guessing his true ident.i.ty based on the situation was

not particularly extraordinary.

”Everyone asked Onee-chan and Ena-neesama all sorts of things with

great excitement. All the people were quite shocked that Onii-sama came

personally to the venue.”

Hikari smiled as she explained.

Part 2

Then an hour pa.s.sed —

G.o.dou was truly experiencing firsthand the c.o.c.ktail party effect.^

Finally getting used to everyone all dressed up at the garden party, G.o.dou

retreated to the edge of the venue. All sorts of conversations about him

drifted into his ears.

The attendees were in excitement over the Devil King's sudden

appearance — especially among the young Hime-Miko girls.

After calming down somewhat, they started to converse, perhaps a bit too

loudly.

”So I knew it, that person is...” ”Kusanagi G.o.dou-sama...” ”An outstanding

Devil King despite such a young age!” ”Oh my.” ”Neither the Roman

Colosseum nor the Yokohama Bay Bridge could stand before his splendid

might.” ”Wow, amazing!” ”I knew it, those who become Campiones are all

extraordinary.” ”But, the infamy of his l.u.s.t is known all over the world...”

”Those two Italian ladies are said to be Kusanagi-sama's lovers.” ”Maybe

even I too could... It's troubling, but if the great Devil King wishes... Hoo.”

”Fufu, someone like you will definitely be ignored.” ”Yuri-san and Ena-san

have been serving the king all this time, right?” ”Reportedly, they even

accompanied him into battles against G.o.ds.” ”How amazing.”

”Kusanagi-sama looks so kind and gentle on the surface...” ”Despite a

Devil King's true nature that leads everything towards destruction, seething

and boiling in his heart like magma, he manages to conceal it skillfully!”

”Wow, so amazing!”

This was the unusual scene of upper cla.s.s society known as the garden

party.

G.o.dou had previously heard that the Hime-Miko were quintessential

highborn ladies.

(After all, as a former house of n.o.bility, the Mariya household was an

atypical world, far removed from the ”mundane.”)

Consequently, G.o.dou was very concerned about the whisperings and lady

talk between the Hime-Miko. But oh well, most of the content was like that.

None of the Hime-Miko voiced it directly, most probably in fear of the

G.o.d-slayer's mighty name, but they were greatly excited to find G.o.dou

matching their expectations from rumors.

”This is making me unexpectedly uncomfortable...”

”1-1 am truly sorry...”

By G.o.dou's side, Yuri apologized. Ena had taken off ten minutes earlier,

saying ”I see some people I know!” Thus turning the pair into wallflowers.

”But why does everyone seem so informed about my affairs?”

”That is the obvious result of your position. Furthermore, it stems naturally

from your everyday behavior.”

Yuri answered G.o.dou's question with a mournful tone of voice.

”It pains me to say this... But I believe the greatest reason why rumors

spread far and wide is rooted in yourself, G.o.dou-san.”

”R-Really?”

Feeling the slight sigh in the Hime-Miko's words, G.o.dou became fl.u.s.tered.

”As the saying goes, a rumor lasts seventy-five days, but G.o.dou-san

always creates new headlines within thirty days, causing all sorts of

problems...”

Before one rumor could die down, seeds for another were already sown.

In response to the criticism, G.o.dou went ”Ooh...” while feeling mentally

exhausted. Recently, it was true that peaceful days never stretched longer

than a month. G.o.dou became slightly self-aware.

”Moreover, despite the way you are, G.o.dou-san, as the ones by your side,

we not only failed to stop you but even went as far as to a.s.sist you with full

support...”

Yuri sighed gloomily at her inappropriate conduct.

With her serious personality, Yuri was perhaps rather troubled by the

current state of affairs, burdened by Kusanagi G.o.dou's ”persistent”

perpetration of various atrocities. G.o.dou frantically responded:

”I don't think it's your fault, Mariya. Since all rumors start because of me,

therefore all responsibility rests on me too.”

”No, as someone who accompanies you along your chosen path, I cannot

accept such excuses for myself.”

Yuri shook her head with a stern expression.

”We are bound together by one shared fate. Hence, were any incidents or

problems to arise from G.o.dou-san's excesses, I feel I must shoulder a

portion of your culpability.”

”...I'm sorry.”

Bound together by one shared fate. Perhaps indeed that was the case.

Since G.o.dou had recently experienced what things would be like without

comrades to a.s.sist him, he could not help but apologize pensively.

As she watched G.o.dou apologizing, Yuri's facial expression and tone of

voice softened.

”Like I said, please do not say it is not my fault, okay? If you do not rely on

me, it would imply that I do not belong by your side, G.o.dou-san. And I

would hate that.”

Yuri looked straight into G.o.dou's eyes and declared quietly:

”Even if it means bringing trouble to all sorts of people, I wish to become

G.o.dou-san's source of a.s.sistance. In fact, I do understand this kind of wish

is quite improper...”

”Mariya...”

Unlike Erica and Ena, Yuri was an extremely serious young lady with a

strong sense of responsibility.

Seeing her pledge her support in spite of all that, G.o.dou was touched and

overcome with grat.i.tude. Gazing pa.s.sionately at her, G.o.dou proceeded to

smile for some reason.

Feeling the concreteness of the bonds between Yuri and himself, G.o.dou

was filled with sincere happiness from the depths of his heart.

On further examination, the Hime-Miko was also smiling in return,

presumably experiencing the same feeling. Just as G.o.dou and Yuri

nodded at each other, inexplicably certain of each other's thoughts and

feelings —

(Wow, look over there, Yuri-san and Kusanagi-sama are gazing

pa.s.sionately into each other's eyes!)

(Fufu, they've completely entered a world of their own!)

(As expected of the world famous Devil King of l.u.s.t, completely unfazed by

our gaze, pa.s.sionately whispering sweet nothings regardless!)

The private gossiping between the nearby Hime-Miko entered G.o.dou's

ears.

Speaking of which, they were still present at the garden party, but G.o.dou

and Yuri had unwittingly forgotten.

Suddenly embarra.s.sed, the two of them s.h.i.+fted their gaze away from each

other's eyes.

”...E-Everyone was watching us all along.”

”...Y-Yeah, that's right. But I don't like having girls staring at me and

gossiping.”

”...U-Umm, I think this is another result of your usual behavior. A-Although

us getting caught up in the moment here on site is also problematic,

G.o.dou-san, the real reason stems from your extraordinary displays in

female relations.h.i.+ps after all.”

”...W-Where have all the others gone!?”

In an attempt to prevent the conversation from drifting towards a

dangerous direction, G.o.dou asked frantically.

Erica and Liliana had not yet returned. Taking a further look, he found the

knights together with Kaoru who was dressed in her usual suit. They were

apparently introducing themselves to those related to the Committee and

the Four Families, to publicize their names and appearances.

Erica chatted amiably while Liliana stood sternly beside her. Even from a

distance, the scene was quite striking.

On the other hand, Seishuuin Ena was —

”Oh look, Ena-san is over there talking to people.”

Turning his gaze towards the direction Yuri indicated, G.o.dou was surprised

to find Ena conversing with an all-male group.

Their ages ranged from young to old with all sorts. The majority sported

short haircuts. Given the positive att.i.tudes displayed, G.o.dou felt that they

carried themselves with an air of martial artists.

All members of the group seemed familiar with Ena and they conversed

with bright smiles.

Discovering G.o.dou's gaze, Ena smiled back at him and going ”Well then,

time's up I guess!” to take her leave from the all-male group.

Finally, Ena bowed her head reverently towards the oldest man in the

group.

This elderly man resembled Bodhidharma in both appearance and in his

slightly chubby build. ^ There was an incredibly dignified air about him.

While the rest of the group were dressed in suits, he was the only one

wearing a kimono.

When their gazes met, G.o.dou nodded as a greeting. This prompted the old

man to greet in return, bowing his head deeply at a right angle.

Rather than being influenced by the notorious infamy of the G.o.d-slayer and

Devil King, it seemed more like it was his own nature to attach great

importance to etiquette and respect. Indeed, a man pursuing the martial

path?

”I'm back. I saw some acquaintances so I went over to greet them.”

”That's what I figured. Who are those people?”

G.o.dou inquired as Ena returned, who smiled and answered:

”Instructors of swordsmans.h.i.+p. They taught Ena and Amakasu-san all

sorts of things. Normally, they are active over at the History Compilation

Committee or the police. Sometimes they serve as acting masters at dojos.

All kinds of different situations.”

”Oh just as I guessed. So these people came as well...”

”The instructor who resembles Bodhidharma is especially amazing. Limited

to swordsmans.h.i.+p alone, he is probably around the same level as Her

Eminence in China.”

”On Nee-san's level!? That's really amazing.”

If the Miko of the Sword judged so, it was probably true.

Seeing G.o.dou greatly impressed, Ena went ”Anyway, that aside...” and

remarked:

”From what the instructors said, there's a place to rest upstairs where few

people go... Don't you feel it's about time we leave?”

Ena made her suggestion with a mischievous look.

G.o.dou exchanged glances with Yuri beside him and nodded quietly.

Ten-odd minutes later.

G.o.dou, Yuri and Ena were taking a break on the third floor.

Not only were there sofas here but also long tables. Having suitably refilled

their plates with food on their way out, they would be able to rest here for

quite a while.

Finally, there was some peace and quiet to enjoy their food. Taking up

their chopsticks and forks, G.o.dou and Ena began to eat without needing to

be concerned about manners.

Yuri's appet.i.te was nowhere near as vigorous as those two, but still she

ate from time to time.

”I knew it... Eating as usual feels the best...”

G.o.dou exclaimed emphatically. Smiles blossomed on Yuri and Ena's

faces.

”Oh right, by the way, Your Majesty, about that matter.”

G.o.dou was puzzled by Ena's unexpected words. That matter? He had no

idea at all.

Ena pouted with displeasure in response.

”I knew it... You forgot after all because too many things happened? Think

back. About what you said regarding when Ena returns from recuperating

at the ancestral home — and I requested so explicitly too.”

T G.o.dou recalled with alarm, feeling as if his body had been struck by

lightning.

Just before the battle against Lancelot, he had made a promise in order to

compel Ena to stay at the hospital. Unable to refuse her at the time, G.o.dou

had bid Ena farewell after responding vaguely.

After going through the commotions of Alec and the war G.o.d of the lance,

the issue was brought up again —

”S-Seishuuin, umm, how should I say this?”

”Ena mentioned before, I'll wait for as long as it will take. That's why I tried

as much as possible not to say anything, waiting for Your Majesty to bring

up the subject first.”

The Miko of the Sword was speaking with an expression like an angry

child. Listening on the side, Yuri was tilting her head in puzzlement.

”What kind of promise did G.o.dou-san make with Ena-san?”

”Oh Yuri, you should really listen to this. His Majesty is so terrible, well...”

Saying that, Ena began to whisper in her childhood friend's ear.

”K-K-Kiss!? G.o.dou-san, why did you make that kind of promise!?”

”B-Before I could come up with a good way to refuse, it was time to depart

for London... Then I forgot about it.”

”This is a huge issue. There are no excuses for excessive

thoughtlessness!”

Oh well. This was yet another common scene.

For the most part, the trio pa.s.sed their time happily and leisurely —

”Ah, so you guys are here. Looks like you managed to find sanctuary.”

The new arrival was Amakasu.

He was dressed as usual in his creased suit, a sight rather unsuited to the

grandness of the occasion.

”Ah yes, we are taking a break here because there are apparently no other

people. Hoho, it does feel a little strange.”

Having calmed down from her ferocious indignation earlier, Yuri smiled.

Amakasu grinned wryly.

”That's because the great Devil King has taken two beautiful ladies to this

place for some fun, right, so all the people will not dare approach. Because

they know Kusanagi-sama and his girls are here.”

”Eh? Is that the reason why!?”

Yuri displayed shock while G.o.dou and Ena were also surprised. As the

three stared with their eyes wide, the wryness in Amakasu's expression

deepened.

”Indeed. But oh well, even if you three are not present, Erica-san and

Liliana-san downstairs have taken the spotlight tonight. Isn't that great?”

Saying that, Amakasu sat down on an empty sofa as well.

He was holding a tablet PC in his hand, a rather inappropriate device at a

banquet. Noticing G.o.dou's gaze, Yuri and Ena followed suit. Amakasu

began to operate the tablet's touchscreen.

”Just as you noticed here, I'll cut straight to the chase. — Yuri-san, as

usual, we need to borrow your spirit vision powers again, so please lend us

your a.s.sistance.”

”Of course, no problem at all... But it is possible I might not see anything.”

Despite Yuri's commendably fantastic spirit vision powers, she always

maintained a conservative a.s.sessment of her abilities.

But precisely because she always remained humble and modest, the spirit

power of clairvoyance could be maintained at the highest level.

Conversely, one could probably take her current disclaimer as evidence of

her powers.

”Yeah, that would be enough already. After that, I'd like to invite

Kusanagi-san...”

”Me too?” G.o.dou widened his eyes. Amakasu laughed.

”Don't you want to try out Cape Inubou's famous New Year's specialty, the

anglerfish hot pot?^ Of course, not just Yuri-san, everyone else is invited

together.”

Saying that, Amakasu showed the tablet's screen to G.o.dou and the rest.

A news program on One-Seg^ television was starting. Entering into view

was — The Tokyo Tower. Several months earlier, this red and white tower

of steel had caught fire as a result of G.o.dou's battle against Marquis

Voban.

This matter was about to lead G.o.dou and his group towards the ocean, to

begin a new journey.

A tumultuous curtain raising was taking place just as the new year was

rolling in around the corner.

Part 3

The following morning after the garden party, G.o.dou started preparing to

go on a journey.

s.h.i.+zuka had already left the day before to spend New Year's at their

father's place in the Caribbean, leaving G.o.dou completely alone this

morning. Carrying his luggage — a sports bag — on his back, G.o.dou set off

from home at nine o' clock sharp.

Today's place for meeting up was Nanao Shrine at Toranomon Station.

But G.o.dou did not head there directly. Taking the subway, G.o.dou first

went to the Tokyo Tower at s.h.i.+ba Park, the place where he had battled a

fellow peer and Campione back in June.

The Tokyo landmark, which had been enveloped in flames by that battle,

was repainted red and white over the various scorched and blackened

portions to match its original appearance. There was a certain atmosphere

hanging around like that of a building destroyed by war.

For G.o.dou, this was a fateful location he was obliged to visit in contrition.

Today, there were quite a lot of people around the Tokyo Tower as though

there was some kind of temple fair. Extremely crowded and lively. Many of

these people probably came specifically for the view just like G.o.dou.

All the people were looking up. Originally 333m tall, the Tokyo Tower's

current height was clearly shorter than that.

The antenna and the top of the tower originally found above the special

observation deck at 250m had been destroyed, resulting in the current

abysmal state. All the people gathered here, including G.o.dou, were staring

at this tragic sight.

”Despite that ridiculous ordeal the old gramps and I put the Tokyo Tower

through, it still managed to keep its original shape huh...”

Of the surrounding people, some were rendered speechless while others

took out their digital cameras. Fear, anger, all sorts of reactions could be

observed among the crowd.

Out of all of them, G.o.dou was the only one sighing as he left the Tokyo

Tower. This time, he actually made his way to Nanao Shrine. As a side

note, the antenna and the pinnacle portion of the tower were destroyed

yesterday at noon during the Great Purification Rite.