Vol 14 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Chapter 1 - Tuscan Prelude
Part 1
A hectic journey running all over the place —
That was how one could summarize Kusanagi G.o.dou's expedition to Italy's
Tuscany.
Basically, G.o.dou had battled the divine beast at the end of his journey
although his memories of this segment were rather vague. Conversely, the
matter of ”traveling to so many places in such a short time” left a far
greater impression on him.
Not long after Kusanagi G.o.dou became a G.o.dslayer...
Shortly after he dueled his kin, Salvatore Doni, by the sh.o.r.e of Lake Garda
in northern Italy...
On that very morning, after parting ways with Doni, G.o.dou was confronted
with Erica's invitation.
'Hey G.o.dou, let's go slay a divine beast after we reach Milan, how's that?'
G.o.dou began a journey in order to decline this invitation.
More accurately, he fled. His destination was northern Italy's ancient city of
Verona, the stage where the story of Romeo and Juliet was set.
This town not only neighbored Lake Garda but also possessed an
international airport.
As soon as he entered Verona, G.o.dou dashed his way straight towards
the airport.
An ancient city with a long history, Verona was the site of the Roman
amphitheater, the Verona Arena, which remained in use for activities even
in the modern day. The city also had deep connections to the great writer
Dante. Furthermore, there were many astounding churches, cathedrals
and other architecture.
Despite being a town where one could hardly resist a quick sightseeing
tour, G.o.dou resolutely rejected temptation.
Were he to stop here, he would surely be caught by Erica.
Then with his personal freewill completely ignored, he would be forced to
accept this amazingly attractive girl as his lifelong partner —
Come to think of it, that would certainly be a sweet and blissful future.
Nevertheless, it was only natural for a student to have doubts over
committing his future by the May of his first year in high school. Without
even listening to the details of the ”divine beast slaying,” G.o.dou went
directly to the airport. This was an instantaneous act he undertook just as
he was about to be devoured by Erica's overwhelming charm.
In any case, after escaping fortuitously, G.o.dou finally managed to board
the last flight scheduled that morning.
However, he still could not let down his guard before the plane took off, in
case Erica tried to prevent him from leaving the country.
Nevertheless, G.o.dou's plane managed to take flight without incident, lifting
off successfully.
”All that worrying for nothing...”
Seated on the plane, G.o.dou muttered to himself.
With this, that Erica girl would probably have no choice but to give up.
What an absurd itinerary. To go slay an unidentified monster the next day
after fighting the Campione who stood as Europe's strongest swordsman?
That would have been way too much no matter what.
Besides, Kusanagi G.o.dou was a pacifist. He would rather keep a
respectful distance away from such meaningless combat...
While G.o.dou was contemplating these affairs, the plane reached
Switzerland's Zurich Airport. He would then take a transfer flight to Tokyo
from here.
Since there were three hours until his next flight took off, he had to find a
way to kill time.
Hence, G.o.dou ordered a coffee at a cafe in front of a duty free shop. A
long-missed moment of peace —
Then G.o.dou was greeted with a sudden reunion.
”Oh dear, to think I would run into you in a place like this, G.o.dou. What
wonderful serendipity!”
Approaching this way, Erica deliberately emphasized the element of luck in
her exclamation.
The smile appearing on her lips was like the devil's through and through.
”Hoho. Surely this must be the G.o.ds rewarding me for my many benevolent
deeds.”
”Hold it right there, Erica. This feels as though you took the same flight as
me. If that were not the case, your presence here cannot be explained.”
Certain imaginings surfaced turbulently in G.o.dou's mind.
Such as a pa.s.senger poisoned for the sake of obtaining a seat on the fully
booked flight, followed by a scene of a blonde beauty nonchalantly sitting
down on a vacated seat.
These were delusions. Nevertheless, Erica was perfectly capable of doing
that.
”I didn't do anything illegal or immoral, okay? I asked an old acquaintance
for a favor and borrowed a private jet, that's all.”
”1-1 see.”
G.o.dou was relieved to hear this unexpected answer.
However, Erica put on a smile with deliberate affectation.
”Be that as it may, should you happen to continue ignoring my myriad
entreaties, G.o.dou, the flight to Tokyo might very well run into some trouble.
The pilot might suddenly feel unwell, for example.”
”!?”
”Should that be the case, G.o.dou, you'll be trapped here. Oh dear, so many
people will be inconvenienced.”
”Are you threatening me!?”
”Of course not. I would consider this a lover's willful request.”
Sitting down beside G.o.dou, Erica suddenly leaned over.
G.o.dou could feel her astoundingly attractive body tightly against him.
Separated only by the reddish blonde hair, her face also pressed close.
G.o.dou could even smell the fragrance of her perfume.
Faced with this helpless and lamentable situation, G.o.dou could feel
himself unsettled greatly. His heart was pounding like mad.
For a high school boy whose age equaled the number of years without a
girlfriend, this was the absolute unbearable limit.
”Moreover, I am actually quite willful, you know? How could you leave your
lover behind without a single hug or farewell...”
”For someone like me who is merely using radical measures to hold back
her beloved, impatient for their next reunion, I'm certain the sympathy of
most Italians would side with me, wouldn't you agree?”
”B-But the fact is, you're calling us lovers on your own accord.”
”True, when clearly our relations.h.i.+p has reached the point where we have
brought our lips madly together in the past, and even shared beds for the
night?”
”B-But that was necessary for fighting G.o.ds and that idiot Doni.”
G.o.dou knew it. The awareness of sharing ”no ordinary relations” with Erica
still lurked somewhere in the back of his mind.
Consequently, the resolution behind his objections was compromised.
Furthermore, his inability to push away the pa.s.sionate body she was
leaning tightly against him stemmed purely from a difference in arm
strength.
Using mysterious magic to strengthen herself, Erica was able to command
monstrous strength even beyond that of heavyweight wrestlers.
”Then there is the latest news I obtained merely by chance.”
Hearing Erica's low whispers in his ear, G.o.dou's body stiffened even more.
His cheeks felt hot.
But after listening to the news she recounted, he immediately tensed his
expression.
”An eel-like monster surfacing in Tuscany... Previously, it was only sighted
in the depths of mountainous forests, but last night, it made an appearance
at the ruins of a medieval fort and apparently went on a rampage.”
”Did it attack humans!?”
”No issue there for now, for it's a desolate site akin to historical ruins.
However, there are towns nearby so it does pose a risk.”
”This is not as simple as a mere ordinary giant beast...”
A divine beast. A type of creature similar to the [Boar] summoned by
Verethragna's authority. G.o.dou was completely surprised to learn that a
creature resembling an UMA could live quietly, making its residence deep
in the mountain woods.
”Since Doni lives near there, I'd rather have him handle it.”
”You're not wrong on that point, no doubt about it. But do realize that it
could develop into a serious situation. If you really leave it to him, Sir
Salvatore's existence itself is a great source of trouble.”
”That's totally ridiculous. You mean he's a double-edged sword, huh...”
Rather than taking care of problems, Salvatore Doni was clearly more
adept at causing them.
Realizing what Erica meant, G.o.dou nodded.
”Currently, the magic a.s.sociations of Florence intend to handle the
situation. However, if this monster really is a divine beast-cla.s.s creature...
They cannot be allowed to shoulder the responsibility. They are incapable
of shouldering it...”
Erica was currently sitting on G.o.dou's lap quietly. While feeling the
sensations of her weight and body temperature, G.o.dou recovered his
calm.
”The only ones capable of facing off against the G.o.ds and their
possessions are the Campiones. Namely, only you and your kin, Kusanagi
G.o.dou, understood?”
Faced with this notification which sounded like a challenge to his
magnanimity, G.o.dou had no choice but to accept his fate.
Kusanagi G.o.dou was a pacifist. One who kept a respectful distance from
pointless combat. But at the same time, he was also a man with a greater
sense of responsibility and aspirations to serve the public good than
ordinary people.
Thus, G.o.dou's third emergency trip to Italy was decided.
The flight from Zurich to Milan was roughly one hour long.
Part 2
”Worse comes to worst, should our opponent really turn out to be a divine
beast, we have two options available. Either we put our lives on the line in
an attempt to slay the enemy or put our lives on the line to stall for time.”
These words were spoken by Clarens, Erica's colleague. Sporting a
shaved head, he was a Dutchman of African descent.
”Let me clarify beforehand. These options are only available provided we
form a hit squad consisting only of multiple Great Knight-cla.s.s magi like us.
Unless this condition is fulfilled, evacuating and praying to G.o.d would be
the only course of action.”
”In short, our enemy is totally absurd.”
The current location was a lounge in the headquarters of Milan's [Copper
Black Cross], reserved for members of the core leaders.h.i.+p.
The room exuded an air of luxury. Not only were there everyday
furnis.h.i.+ngs such as couches but it was even equipped with a private bar
and a billiards table. This was where G.o.dou currently faced three other
people.
Since Erica had gone off to another room to get changed, all the people
present were male.
One of them began to discuss the challenge of fighting divine beasts.
”Yeah. Furthermore, the Campione is precisely the transcendent existence
that this kind of divine beast cannot hold a candle to.”
”Isn't the description, 'transcendent existence,' a bit too exaggerated...”
”Oh no, it's only because you've repeatedly engaged in absurd battles of
that sort, your senses are getting warped.”
This time, the speaker was Gennaro Gantz.
Despite his short stature, he was quite a brawny young man. With a head
of black hair and a bearded face reminiscent of a pirate's, he looked like he
was in his latter thirties. In actual fact, he was only twenty-odd years old.
He carried an unrefined air about him.
”Disregarding the various Campiones who stand as kings, the only person
belonging to the human realm and capable of soloing a divine beast is
probably Paolo. Even so, it would still be a great battle where one must be
prepared to accept the possibility of death.”
Paolo — Paolo Blandelli. G.o.dou had heard that he was Erica's paternal
uncle and legal guardian.
G.o.dou turned his gaze towards the third person present whose name was
just mentioned. The man was smiling wryly.
”Allow me to object to the accuracy of that statement. Aside from me, there
are plenty of others who have reached that level of power.”
”But purely in regards to expertise in combat against divine beasts, you are
considered the indisputable master, right?”
”That's only because I've grown accustomed to it. Due to some personal
ties to one of your kin, the Campiones, I ended up encountering divine
beasts relatively often.”
While speaking, Paolo turned to face G.o.dou halfway through.
G.o.dou was surprised by the gaze of Paolo's clear eyes of blue. After the
flight from Zurich landed at Milan's Marpensa Airport, G.o.dou had arrived at
the [Copper Black Cross] headquarters half an hour earlier.
This was his first time meeting Erica's dear uncle.
As expected of a man whose niece was such a beauty, his face was quite
handsome too.
His stately demeanor was coupled with a refined manner of speech. Long
hair draped gently over his shoulders while a bit of stubble had gathered
about his mouth. In addition, he was quite strongly built.
Even dressed casually in a long-sleeved t-s.h.i.+rt with a parka, his muscular
body, steeled through and through, was quite conspicuous.
But more than his appearance, it was Paolo's comportment that held
G.o.dou's gaze of fascination.
Paolo was very dignified. Despite his slightly rough appearance and casual
attire, nothing could detract from his inborn sense of dignity. Rather, it
helped to serve as a foil for contrast.
Gallant, intellectual, handsome, n.o.ble —
Until Paolo, G.o.dou had never met anyone who embodied the ”knight”
concept so thoroughly.
”Please, everyone, there's no need to show excessive respect to someone
like me. Not to mention, I'm also the youngest person here. Please
converse with me normally.”
The three men present were different from Salvatore Doni.
Feeling particularly uncomfortable about the privileged treatment he was
receiving from Paolo, G.o.dou suggested. For the high school student who
was the youngest present, this type of worry was only natural. As a result,
Gantz suddenly straightened his back.
”Eh, is it really okay? That would be absolutely splendid. I'm really glad to
know that the seventh Campione is someone easy to get along with, oh
my.”
”Gennaro, even if His Majesty makes a personal request, please do pay a
little attention to your behavior.”
On the other hand, Clarens frowned in response to his colleague's
reaction.
”Thank you for your considerate offer, Your Majesty. Respect for the
various Devil Kings is the requisite att.i.tude displayed by those involved in
the realm of magic. Rather, a candid chat would present difficulties.
However.”
After deliberately offering this respectful explanation, the bald black man
finally smiled.
”By a stroke of good fortune, I, Clarens, am not so lacking in the talent of
adaptability as to be unable to accommodate your request. Indeed, I shall
bear your request in mind henceforth. Let us get along well together.”
Saying that, he elegantly bowed his head as he remained seated on the
couch.
G.o.dou could only smile awkwardly in response to Clarens' rigorous style of
speech and elegant mannerisms.
An exchange as befitted Erica's colleagues, that was G.o.dou's heartfelt
impression.
Smiling wryly at the sight of his subordinates' reactions, Paolo responded
in the following manner:
”Kusanagi G.o.dou, you are a king. It is only natural for us to take utmost
pains to respect your wishes as much as possible. It is also a king's duty to
accept the respect we offer as knights. Nevertheless, your intentions of
practicality are greatly appreciated.”
”R-Respect?”
”What we offer to all Campiones is the greatest reverence and awe. No
matter what temperament they may display, they are the ones with
experience, great achievements worthy of the G.o.dslayer t.i.tle.”
Paolo continued to gaze straight into G.o.dou's eyes as he spoke.
Drawn by the sincerity and power in Paolo's gaze, G.o.dou nodded
involuntarily.
”Furthermore, even disregarding the respect offered to all Devil Kings, from
a personal standpoint, I would still provide Kusanagi G.o.dou with maximum
support. This goes for Europe without saying, but also extends to
anywhere around the world.”
”Eh!?”
Paolo smiled gallantly in response to G.o.dou's shocked reaction to the
unexpected declaration.
”There are multiple reasons for this. First of all, I have heard reports of
your character, a splendid youth just as I expected. Additionally, there is
the matter of grat.i.tude. Without Kusanagi G.o.dou, my niece could not have
returned to Milan, safe and sound.”
”No really, all I've done is receive Erica's help.”
Ever since their encounter on the island of Sardinia, G.o.dou and Erica had
been supporting each other. Moreover, Erica probably did the lion's share
of helping.
Considering the issue of grat.i.tude, G.o.dou felt that he was the one who
should be returning favors.
But seeing G.o.dou shake his head, Paolo suddenly seemed to be at a loss
for words.
After a brief moment of hesitation, he coughed dryly. Then he spoke rather
slowly.
”In that case, let me add another reason. Well, basically... In the place of
Erica's deceased parents, I believe I am bound by duty to provide the best
for this daughter's partner. As the uncle who acts as her custodian.”
”P-Partner— ”
Come to think it, on further examination, this current situation could very
well const.i.tute G.o.dou's visit to the parental home of the girl with whom he
shared ”no ordinary relations.”
Isn't this basically meeting the parents...?
”Consequently, whether stemming from official or personal reasons, I am
bound by duty to pledge my support. Goodness knows if this is a mixed
blessing or not, but you are surely unprecedented in regards to placating
the stubborn surrogate father that I am.”
By suddenly addressing G.o.dou with the patronizing kimi form of saying
”you” in j.a.panese, Paolo's mixed feelings were readily apparent.
However, G.o.dou naturally had no objections. Instead, he was quite
impressed with this forthright awkwardness coming from a man
unaccustomed to his surrogate paternal role.
”Indeed, she is a girl who is sometimes too smart for her own good.
Currently, I am sincerely grateful and relieved that her chosen partner is a
shrewd and able man on her level instead of a free spirit like Sir
Salvatore.”
”It really helps to hear that coming from you.”
Gazing at each other for a moment, G.o.dou and Paolo Blandelli then
smiled wryly simultaneously.
Unlike his cunning niece, Erica's uncle seemed to be an upfront man of
common sense.
Watching G.o.dou and Paolo, Gantz remarked emphatically.
”That said, you're quite a 'decent' person despite being the seventh
Campione. Could this be an omen of cataclysmic change? I never would
have expected the birth of a sensible Devil King.”
”Pay attention to what you're saying, Gennaro.”
Paolo spoke as if reprimanding his subordinate.
”No matter how sensible or benevolent, a Campione cannot possibly be a
harmless existence. I can predict with certainty that Kusanagi G.o.dou will
become a world-shaking Devil King in the future.”
”P-Paolo-san?”
”My apologies. Based on the reports so far, although I've garnered that you
have no such intentions... But inevitably, you will undoubtedly become 'that
type of existence.' Regrettably, I am a man who has dealt much with the
various Campiones. This experience informs me.”
”I see.”
At that moment, G.o.dou could only think to himself that ”Paolo-san sure
loves to worry” and did not try to object.
It was only months later, after encountering a number of his kin and
reflecting on his own atrocities, when G.o.dou was struck deeply by how
prophetic Paolo's words were.
Seeing G.o.dou reserve his judgment for now, Paolo remarked with heartfelt
intensity.
”By the way, I never would have expected Erica to set her sights on the
seventh Campione...”
”Oh dear, that's certainly true. I could not have foreseen that our lady
would...”
”That female fox huh...”
Staring into the distance, Clarens and Gantz were also overcome with
emotion.
They apparently regarded Erica as something of an unbridled horse — Just
as G.o.dou racked his brain for a response...
”h.e.l.lo everyone, did something happen? You're all bearing rather eccentric
expressions. It's a little unusual.”
Accompanied by the sound of the door opening, Erica entered.
The male magi immediately resumed their usual countenance and
straightened their sitting posture. Clarens answered on their behalf with an
innocent look:
”Nothing at all. Anyway, are you ready to set off, my lady?”
”Yes. I also intend to visit Florence for gathering intelligence.”
Erica had changed into a red jacket and black jeans, a simple coordination
of rossonero colors. Pulling a trolley case behind her, she looked
completely like she was about to go traveling.
Before setting off for Tuscany, G.o.dou and Erica were simply making a
quick visit to the [Copper Black Cross] headquarters.
Next came the real journey. The pair's subsequent destination was the
ancient city of Florence. The Arno was the major river in the Tuscany
region flowing through this city.
The eel-like monster was located in the mountainous region near the
Arno's source.
Part 3
”This comes as quite a surprise. I can't believe you'd want to take
something like a train.”
Seeing his companion looking a little bored, G.o.dou struck up conversation.
This was taking place in the s.p.a.cious first cla.s.s compartment on the
express train which had just departed from the Milan station.
On the other hand, this daughter of the Blandelli family, currently sitting
beside G.o.dou, had once a.s.serted in no uncertain terms that ”I shouldn't
need to take buses or trains, okay?”
”Well, this supposedly reaches Florence faster than traveling by car or by
plane. Considering the way you are, you'd probably accept Gennaro's offer
of 'let me take you there by car' or the like.”
Erica replied with an expression of annoyance.
”And would there be anything wrong with that?”
”Of course there would. Precisely because of him. He'd probably use the
opportunity to play j.a.panese children's cartoons nonstop in the car. Trying
to show them off to you.”
”C-Cartoons?”
”I definitely have no wish of partaking in anything like that.”
G.o.dou recalled the terrifying face of Gennaro Gantz.
That manly, bearded face. If a bandana was wrapped over his head, he
would immediately become a fearsome pirate. It was impossible to
a.s.sociate that face with anime. Nevertheless, G.o.dou did not get the
impression that Erica was lying...
”People have all sorts of hobbies.”
G.o.dou simply responded with a brief comment. While they were talking,
the train really started to get going.
Mineral water, coffee, wine, champagne and other drinks were offered in
the first cla.s.s car. There were also various snacks and fast food.
However, Erica slowly opened a basket she had brought herself.
”What is that?”
”I told the girl who is my a.s.sistant to bring me clothes for changing, but she
turned out to be quite quick on the uptake. She asked me to take this on
my journey as well.”
The basket was lined with quite a few handmade sandwiches.
Various fillings in toasted bread — uncured ham, mozarella cheese,
proscuitto, lettuce, rucola and other vegetables. The sandwiches were
quite visually appealing.
”Eh, these look very delicious.”
”She's an apprentice in the [Copper Black Cross] — As a mage in training,
she was almost expelled for her lack of apt.i.tude. But because she's quite
skilled in domestic ch.o.r.es, I tried her out as my a.s.sistant. Quite an
interesting girl. I'll introduce her to you in the future.”
Judging from the way Erica spoke of her, G.o.dou imagined a girl in her
early teens.
It was slightly later when G.o.dou finally learned that she was Arianna-san
and actually older than Erica. Only then was G.o.dou struck by the shock of
Erica's patronizing description.
In any case, G.o.dou enjoyed the food, thoughtfully prepared by the maid he
had never met before, as they continued the train journey.
The aerodynamic high-speed train took two hours to reach Florence from
Milan.
During this time, G.o.dou spent his time leisurely, chatting casually with
Erica while he read Italian newspapers. Despite the fact that he was going
to be approaching a monster's lair soon, he did not feel particularly
nervous.
Somehow, his instincts were informing him.
Even if that eel-like giant organism really turned out to be a divine beast,
he was not going to suffer in a desperate battle.
G.o.dou knew this instinctively because he was capable of using a divine
beast himself, the [Boar]. Speaking of desperate battles, those would occur
only if the divine beast's master, a [Heretic G.o.d] or a Campione, was
nearby —
”After all, I shouldn't be running into those guys.”
G.o.dou muttered to himself as they got off the train at the Florence station
platform.
His battle against Melqart, the ancient Middle Eastern divine king, had
taken place a month earlier. As for the fight with the G.o.dslayer Salvatore
Doni, that was last night.
These momentous events should not be happening all the time. In terms of
probability, it should be impossible.
Looking up, G.o.dou found a vast expanse of the Italian sky, illuminated by
the glow of dusk.
The red of the setting sun was mixing mysteriously with the darkness of
evening, an exotic sight unlike dusk in j.a.pan.
”Let's spend tonight in Florence and have a chat over dinner with the magi
of this city. The [Capital of Lilies] is the magic a.s.sociation responsible for
handling the incident. We'll first obtain information from them — ”
Just as Erica began to speak, her cellphone rang with an incoming call.
G.o.dou had a worrying premonition. To him, this melody sounded like an