Vol 14 Epilogue (2/2)
never visited the city. Soon after, the Roman cavalryman could be seen
approaching.
This was almost a full gallop. Continuing to ride in this manner would
cause the horse to collapse soon.
”Judging from the way he's making a beeline for here, he intends to switch
horses?”
”Yeah. Maintaining speed by switching horses multiple times.”
Realizing how Uldin discerned the rider was a courier, G.o.dou nodded.
On the other hand, Erica blocked the road as if sealing it off, walking
towards the cavalryman whose horse was decelerating.
”I belong to the army stationed here. What's the urgent news?”
”E-Enemies gathering up north... The Frankish tribes have pledged
themselves under a certain man's banner to form a great alliance!”
The courier was initially surprised to hear Erica declare herself part of the
army despite being a woman.
But perhaps due to the urgency of the situation, he reported as he panted
heavily. Not only the horse but even the rider was also exhausted. It really
must be quite an emergency.
”Who is this man you speak of?”
”His name is Salvatore Doni... Although it's unknown where he hails from,
that man... No, that monster single-handedly conquered the stronghold of
Colonia Agrippina... Uwooh!”
It must have been quite a regretful affair, seeing as the young courier cried
tears of chagrin.
However, G.o.dou and his group had no leisure to notice such details.
”S-Salvatore?”
”Looks like the situation has gradually gotten serious...”
”So that king has already arrived. And even caused all sorts of serious
incidents.”
The three moderners were respectively dumbstruck, worried and
lamenting.
Furthermore, even Uldin reacted with ”that reminds me.”
”I've heard of that name too. It was the G.o.dslayer wandering my forest
three months ago.”
”W-What did you say?”
”After I told him that this area was my 'hunting grounds,' he said he was
going to tour the north and have some fun first. He also said something
about wanting to duel me after he gets used to these lands.”
Uldin recalled with an amused expression the maniacal words that
sounded very much like a certain man.
He did not seem like he intended to refuse the challenge. Speaking of
which, to think it was 'three months ago.' G.o.dou could not help but click his
tongue.
Clearly Doni was sent to a time much earlier than them.
How many unruly acts exactly had he committed during this time?
”Hey. Those Frankish tribes working under Doni are...”
”I remember they were the founders of France?”
”Yes. Of Germanic lineage, the Franks were united by Clovis I to establish
the dominance of the Merovingian dynasty, thereby starting the history of
France. However, that's not supposed to happen until a hundred years
from now, you know?”
The moderners gathered together and whispered to each other.
Hearing Erica describe future events, Ena sighed uncharacteristically.
”So, this could cause history to change too. So we really should hope for
that whatever corrective force to work its effects...?”
”About this matter, is it really okay to hope?”
As Erica remarked in distress, Ena was shocked all of a sudden.
”But didn't Aisha-san already explain about this kind of force?”
”Ultimately, Madame Aisha is just a traveler. No matter how many years
she spent traveling in the world of the past, she would still eventually return
to the modern age. But if a modern Campione were to live in this world
persistently for decades or even centuries... Do you think that kind of
continued distortion can be corrected?”
Erica murmured with a gloomy voice and sighed.
”I think that it won't come as a surprise if Sir Salvatore were to forget about
'returning to the present' and end up living here for more than a century.”
”Considering that idiot, that's very possible for sure.”
G.o.dou could not help but nod, realizing that new trials were about to begin.
Clearly it was imperative to find Doni and bring him back even if it meant
tying him up. This could very well turn into a problem no less troublesome
than a duel with Uldin.
Afterword
h.e.l.lo everyone, it's been a while. Campione! finally reaches its 14th
volume.
I express my utmost thanks to the loving support from each and every one
of you, readers. Due to the anime last year, I was constantly chased after
for Campione! related drafts and various a.s.sorted affairs for a whole year.
There were good things like being featured on Weekly Shounen Jump a
number of times and being invited to Taiwan, all sorts of troublesome
things that I cannot write about here. Every single day was spent in a
hectic bustle.
One incident left a particularly deep impression on me. A certain
male-oriented fas.h.i.+on magazine almost mistook me for a Cthulu writer,
(wry smile)
This was during an interview for a light novel feature when a reporter and
interviewer who claimed ”I've read Campione!” asked me: ”This series
uses the Cthulu mythos as its theme — ” Nothing of that sort, man! (sweat
drops)
Looks like the guy must have learnt the word ”Cthulu” from recent anime.
Based on various clues I gathered throughout the interview, it seems like
someone jumped to the conclusion that 'stories about G.o.ds, ahhh, that's
basically the Cthulu mythos.'
Before the anime was broadcast, this type of situation also happened
when I was busiest in writing Volume 13. Back then, I kept thinking to
myself, just let it be since they should probably realize the mistake before
the report is published —
In the end, ”Cthulu” was written clearly on the first draft they delivered to
me. (wry smile)
Back then, I said ”this interview is 90% fabricated in my view, don't believe
it” and gave up on reading it, then relying on the hard work of Super Dash
Bunko's editorial department, the notion of ”Takedzuki Jou = Cthulu writer”
was eradicated.
Like manga artists who frequently do the same in their manga and
tankouban afterwords, I kept a record of these happenings in the hopes of
revealing them one day.
Oh dear, by this point, all I can do is treat it all as a joke, (laugh)
Well then, this volume's story is based on an early idea I considered of
”The Devil King one should stay the most away from (World Cla.s.sics
Drama Series) and what if a certain protagonist were born in the Middle
Ages or earlier.”
Then there is the ”little story in mid-January” that was mentioned in
Chapter 2. If any of you would like to read this story, readers, please check
out the limited edition booklet that comes as a gift with buying Volume 14
and manga Volume 2 at the same time, or the Drama CD included in the
previous magazine. (Publisher's note: all sold out already)
In the next volume after this, expect a super Campione battle transcending
time and s.p.a.ce.
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