Vol 15 Chapter 1 (2/2)

”Could you delay your departure briefly for now? Because I need to pay

Uldin a visit to talk about this city here.”

After the duel four days ago, Uldin had gone back to the forest where his

stronghold was located.

With that, the dispute over the city of Augusta Raurica had been put aside

temporarily. If that man were to attack while G.o.dou was absent — That was

not entirely impossible.

A truce or a rematch? The previous battle had ended ambiguously without

resolution.

G.o.dou wanted to settle these matters before confronting Doni.

”Once things are settled over here, we'll head over to that whatever

Colonia city together.”

”Well, if you say so, Kusanagi-san...”

Madame Aisha accepted his suggestion for now, but...

”However, I do believe we could also act separately... For example, I shall

handle Doni-san while you take care of Uldin-san, Kusanagi-san...”

Seeing her murmur such dangerous words, G.o.dou secretly motioned with

his eyes. Beside him, Erica and Ena understood immediately and nodded

lightly in response.

Ultimately, what they worried about was Madame Aisha running out of

control.

The Madame must be watched at all times. Erica and Ena probably

reached the same conclusion. On the other hand, completely unaware of

such thoughts in G.o.dou's mind, the problematic woman suddenly changed

the topic.

”Oh right, by the way, speaking of Doni-san, there's something quite

interesting.”

”Something related to that idiot?”

”Yes. Recently, a prophesy has started circulating — the appearance of a

hero wielding a sword of light, someone who will defeat a certain Devil

King Salvatore of the north.”

Prophesy. G.o.dou was dumbstruck by this unexpected term.

In response, Madame Aisha smiled mischievously and continued to

supplement her explanation.

”These rumors started circulating in town recently over the past few days.

Although it's unclear who started it, the rumor has suddenly spread

everywhere all at once. Have you heard of it?”

”This is my first time.”

”It can't be helped. Ever since the battle ended four days ago, we were

either cooped up in the castle or running all the place to handle the

aftermath. However, this rumor really is quite interesting.”

After G.o.dou commented, Erica chuckled and smiled beside him.

”Descriptions about the mysterious warrior leading the Franks would just

be hearsay, but calling Sir Salvatore a Devil King is surprisingly accurate.

Looks like rumors should not be overlooked.”

”Oh, come to think of it, Ena also heard other rumors just now.”

Although Ena was feared in town as the ”dangerous female warrior of the

Huns,” thanks to her straightforward personality, she was still able to

converse amiably with soldiers in the Roman army.

This was apparently news she obtained from them. G.o.dou asked:

”What is it?:

”The terrible insect, Kusanagi G.o.dou, hanging around Aisha-san should

just die already from divine retribution. He deserves to die. Also, something

about an older brother.”

”...You really heard that from those people in the army?”

”Yes. Your Majesty is on such good terms with Aisha-san that many

people are quite jealous apparently.”

Ena smiled wryly while reporting.

This made perfect sense. Due to the charisma authority, the soldiers in the

army were virtually wors.h.i.+ping Madame Aisha like an idol.

Nevertheless, G.o.dou still felt perplexed.

”But what's with the final part? Older brother?”

”Oh, I think it's something I said recently that got spread around.”

Seeing G.o.dou ask Ena, Madame Aisha interjected.

”When asked about my relations.h.i.+p with Kusanagi-san, I answered 'He's

something like an older brother to me.'”

”...Uh. Please don't make statements that sound like a female idol's

attempts to hide scandals about fellow celebrities.”

Despite not being exactly up to date on celebrity gossip, G.o.dou was

positive that no celebrity had ever succeeded in dispelling scandals by

describing someone as like an older brother.

The question could probably be dodged using superior methods. Saying

that, G.o.dou sighed and raised another question.

”No matter how you look at it, isn't it impossible for me to be older than

Aisha-san — ”

”Nothing of that sort! So long as I don't reveal anything, I'm frequently

mistaken for a teenager. I'll have you know that even my skin is perfectly

smooth and tender!”

”This isn't about age in appearance. Rather, I'm talking about mental and

actual age.”

”B-Besides, didn't you fight for my sake earlier? If that can't be described

as an older brother's love for a sister, what else would you call it!?”

”No, it looked that way just by coincidence...”

The two Campiones, one new and one old, began to quarrel inside this

early Christian church. In light of their t.i.tles as G.o.dslaying Devil Kings, it

was quite a harmonious scene to behold.

Nevertheless, G.o.dou thoroughly knew from the depths of his heart that

these peaceful times were not going to persist indefinitely.

Part 3

Reportedly, marching from Augusta Raurica (modern-day northern

Switzerland) to Colonia Aggripina (midwestern Germany) would take

Roman infantry twenty days.

Spending roughly six hours a day on marching, the rest of the time was

spent on setting up camp and resting.

For armed infantry regiments, this was apparently the highest level

possible.

”However, traveling by wheeled transport — an automobile rather than a

horse-drawn carriage — would only take half a day or so.”

”Using that to judge the distance, it's roughly four to five hundred

kilometers?”

Erica and G.o.dou chatted while their bodies rocked on horseback.

A great river was flowing not too far from the road where they were moving

along. The Rhine.

Since Augusta Raurica and Colonia Aggripina were both Roman colonial

cities that were built on the Rhine's sh.o.r.es, one could naturally travel from

the former to the latter by following the river downstream.

However, G.o.dou and Erica's horses were traveling towards a destination

that was upstream instead.

After visiting Madame Aisha's church the day before, they had immediately

set off. Camping overnight once, they had resumed their horseback

journey early this morning. The current time was roughly noon or so.

”Even this kind of traveling, I seem to be gradually getting used to it...”

”Is that so? I find it slightly boring without encountering any towns and

villages along the way.”

”Hey you, in the past, didn't you once say 'Since we're going traveling

anyway, we might as well go to a mansion on remote island that takes a

day to reach' or something like that?”

”That's because it's the kind of place where locked room mysteries seem

likely to happen. Positively thrilling, wouldn't you agree?”

Then again, even without riding horses, Erica and Ena were still able to run

at extraordinary speeds.

A method of running that was said to combine magic with martial arts.

However, it was also supposed to drain stamina rapidly and was hence

unsuitable for journeys spanning multiple days. Life in ancient Gaul

frequently required them to depend on horses.

In any case, the two of them made their way along the road on horseback.

This road was laid down along the Rhine, pa.s.sing through what were

basically vast open plains. Forests were commonplace, but the terrain

lacked variation.

Riding ancient horses, G.o.dou and Erica advanced steadily.

Approximately half a month had pa.s.sed since they first arrived in ancient

Gaul. During this time, getting familiar with horses through frequent

contact, G.o.dou finally managed to reach a level considered ”capable of

horseback riding.”

(Of course, difficult techniques, such as rus.h.i.+ng straight down a steep

slope, were still beyond him.)

Rather than having innate talent for riding horses, it would be better to say

that he simply grew used to things.

Fortunately, G.o.dou possessed stamina and an incomparably st.u.r.dy body

that made all this possible. Thanks to that, he never experienced the

suffering that novice riders frequently went through, such as aching

bottoms and backs or abrasive wounds on the knees or under the thighs.

”We should settle things here as quickly as possible and get back to

Seishuuin's side. That idiot Doni must be taken care of as soon as

possible...”

G.o.dou muttered.

Ena was a.s.signed the task of monitoring ”a certain person requiring

special attention.”

”Hey G.o.dou, impulsive behavior such as taking this opportunity to steal a

march would be unladylike, wouldn't it? But then again, I believe that there

are times when we must prepare ourselves to fall into path of evil as a

couple, don't you agree?”

”I have absolutely no intention of that, so listen to me and continue

traveling obediently...”

The slightly familiar forest was already entering into view.

This was their third visit to Uldin's forest where his dragons inhabited.

After entering the forest, Erica used divination magic to determine which

direction to take. Walking in the direction indicated by the dangling pocket

watch, they encountered Deinonychuses — nimble, bipedal, carnivorous

dinosaur-type divine beasts — several times along the way.

Not long after that, they arrived at the site of a former Roman army

encampment by the riverside, now serving as Uldin's fortress.

”Yo comrade. I never expected us to meet again so soon.”

G.o.dou's arrival had apparently been reported already.

The Hun G.o.dslayer smiled cheerfully and waited at the fortress' entrance.

”Anyway, let's have a welcoming feast first. Take your time and enjoy.”

”I'm just here to talk this time. Spare me the feast, let's start now.”

G.o.dou answered the G.o.dslayer who resembled him in appearance.

Uldin laughed heartily and strode towards a mansion that was once the

Roman army's headquarters. G.o.dou and Erica spurred their horses and

followed after him.

Ten minutes later, G.o.dou and Uldin were facing each other in a hall inside

the headquarters.

On G.o.dou's side was Erica while Uldin had his two wives, Ruska and

Clotilde.

”My purpose here today is...”

”Hold on, Kusanagi G.o.dou. May I interrupt slightly?”

As soon as G.o.dou spoke, Ruska immediately interrupted. Like Uldin, she

was also descended from the Hunnic tribes of the orient. A beauty with

soft, sleek, black hair at shoulder length.

”Recently... I keep getting this unpleasant feeling for some reason.”

”Okay.”

Was she unused to making long-winded speeches? Ruska's explanation

was slightly ambiguous.

G.o.dou answered simply then braced himself. Ruska possessed excellent

spirit vision and was a witch of this era. This could not possibly be a simple

chat — G.o.dou concluded.

Unfortunately, G.o.dou's premonition was right on target.

”Probably... No, the reason surely stems from you. Kusanagi G.o.dou, that

woman dressed in white, as well as Salvatore — The G.o.dslayers who came

from far away on the other side.”

”What's bad about these few's presence?”

Uldin interjected with interest. Ruska nodded slightly.

”Very bad... How should I put this? The feeling is too many. And too early.”

G.o.dou exchanged a glance with Erica beside him.

He understood what Ruska said by too many. Including Uldin, there were

already four Campiones gathered in this region. Definitely too many.

However —

”What does 'too early' mean, Ruska?”

This question came from Clotilde. The tall, female warrior was a user of

ancient runic magic.

Due to being indoors, she had taken off the feather-decorated helmet she

normally wore all the time. As a result, her head of beautiful blonde hair

was open to view.

”Sorry, I'm unable to explain clearly... It's just a feeling that these

conditions were originally not supposed to be fulfilled until decades later.

Somehow, that's what I keep feeling.”

Whenever an outstanding spirit vision user ”kept feeling” something, it was

not a matter to be ignored.

G.o.dou and his companions knew this very well. He could not help but look

at the Italian girl beside him, only to see her in deep thought.

”Too many Campiones... Originally supposed to be decades later...”

”I keep getting this feeling. If things were allowed to progress as they are,

the situation would become quite bad. For example, something that was

not supposed to happen will occur, that's the kind of feeling.”

Without ignoring Erica's murmurs just now, Ruska ended the conversation

with an ominous oracle.

As expected, the matter of Doni must be resolved as quickly as possible so

that everyone could return to the modern age together. G.o.dou nodded to

himself on this point and bowed his head deeply.

”Thank you very much, Ruska-san. I will take your words in consideration.”

”No need to thank me. After all, this will probably be a calamity that will

befall us as well.”

”Us as well?”

Hearing his wife's words, Uldin laughed with joy.

”In that case, then the two of us, comrades that we are, should ally to

engage the enemy. An alliance forged between us two could very well be

an invincible army.”

”If only that were true...”

Uldin had apparently not given up on Kusanagi G.o.dou.

Why don't you be king in my place? Recalling this invitation, G.o.dou

retorted ”stop deciding on an alliance without my consent.”

Next to G.o.dou, Erica stopped pondering and immediately looked up.

”If that's the case, King Uldin, I was wondering whether you've been

actively working towards making that alliance a reality and if you intend to

build a new relations.h.i.+p with Kusanagi G.o.dou?”

Faced with Erica's eloquent words, Uldin muttered.

”New relations.h.i.+p?”

”You proposed previously to have Kusanagi G.o.dou join you under your

banner. However, judging from the fact the two of you fought to a draw in

the battle a few days ago, it is readily apparent that both of you possess

equal power as G.o.dslayers. In that case, why not establish an alliance of

equals to become kings ruling the land of Gaul together — Does that sound

agreeable to you?”

Nothing less expected from Erica. She began to converse eloquently in a

continuous flow.

By having Uldin agree to a truce before they headed over to Doni, the city

of Augusta Raurica and its surroundings could be a.s.sured. This was the

purpose behind the current visit.

One of G.o.dou's reasons for choosing Erica over Ena to accompany him

was for the sake of these negotiations.

Meanwhile, Uldin laughed generously after hearing Erica's proposal.

”I see. After all, there's that Salvatore someone rousing the Frankish

warriors in the north as well as the unknown calamity Ruska mentioned.

Oh well, even without gaining a king as my proxy, consolidating friends.h.i.+p

between comrades is still to my advantage.”

”Exactly as you say.”

”However, forming an alliance requires a.s.surance.”

Uldin was right. Verbal agreements were quite fragile and easily revoked.

The risk factor was that while G.o.dou and his friends were setting off for

Colonia Agrippina, his ally Uldin would take the opportunity to attack

Augusta Raurica.

This was also what Erica worried about.

'Letting Ena-san or me serve a hostage by Uldin's side while having Ruska

or Clotilde placed by G.o.dou's side in exchange — This would be the most

likely compromise.'

Erica's earlier prediction proved to be correct.

Uldin raised the same issue but turned his gaze towards G.o.dou instead of

Erica.

”How about this, comrade? Let me ask a question first.”

”What?”

”Do you have a daughter?”

”H-How is that even possible!?”

As soon as he answered, G.o.dou realized something.

In the ancient world, it was nothing surprising to have children even at the

age of a first year high schooler at sixteen. But why would Uldin asked

such a question?

Without noticing the doubts G.o.dou harbored, the Hun G.o.dslayer continued

speaking aloofly.

”Then what about sisters?”

”I do have a younger sister. But why are you asking about this?”

”Hey comrade, you're pretty slow here. So that I can take her as a wife or a

concubine, of course.”

”Wife!?”

Greatly stunned, G.o.dou realized. In other words, a political marriage. The

man, who had just proposed to wed the fourteen-year-old Kusanagi

s.h.i.+zuka, laughed with his face filled with joy.

”If your sister is the kind of woman I like, beautiful and strong-willed, that'll

be the best. But our alliance of comrades is more important than that.

Regarding this, much that needs to be discussed — ”

Cough cough. Uldin was interrupted by coughing in the middle of his

sentence, but it was not his own.

Instead, it was Clotilde standing behind him. Normally, she always kept a

serious demeanor with little variation in expression. However, surfacing on

her wise and beautiful face was a rarely seen smile like a blooming flower.

Be that as it may, her eyes were not smiling. In this manner, Uldin's blonde

wife spoke up:

”Uldin-sama's joke has gone slightly too far. Please allow me to answer

instead as his wife. Kusanagi-sama, Lady Erica, please step this way.”

”Yes. Uldin, could you come over here and we'll have a brief word?”

”What are you two talking about? This has already reached the point of

impertinence — ”

Seeing Clotilde head towards the great hall's exit, Ruska coldly declared to

her womanizing husband. The man in question regretfully expressed his

dissatisfaction.

Ruska walked over to the depths of the hall and took down a spear from

the wall.

Uldin stopped talking at the sight of that. Seizing this opportunity, Clotilde

immediately said:

”Well then, Kusanagi-sama, please follow me outside.”

”Oh, okay...”

What sort of conversation and quarrel was going to take place next

between the husband and wife?

Despite feeling quite curious, in the end, G.o.dou still decided to follow the

ancient blonde beauty and leave obediently.

Leaving the great hall with Erica together in a panic, G.o.dou arrived at the

courtyard. While walking through a colonnade, Clotilde spoke up:

”Worry not. After all, we owe you a favor, Kusanagi-sama. Just leave the

matter of the alliance to me. It looks like there will continue to be many

opportunities when punishment must be administered to our husband.”

”O-Okay.”

”Ruska-sama and I both cherish how fate has brought us to cross paths

with you, Kusanagi-sama.”

”That's wonderful, Clotilde. In that case, please do not hesitate to ask

should you have any need for Kusanagi G.o.dou's power in the future.”

Erica replied in a n.o.blewoman's tone of voice to the woman walking in

front.

”Just contact me or Ena-san and we'll provide the best a.s.sistance we can

offer.”

”Much appreciated, Lady Erica. Well then, please feel free to let us know if

Uldin's power is needed as well. We are all women in similar situations, so

please allow me to offer the most of my meager a.s.sistance.”

”Thank you, hoho. Let's continue to be friends.”

”Of course. In my view, encountering you has brought me unexpected

fortune.”

The problem of a.s.surance for the alliance was easily resolved by feelings

of solidarity between the ladies.

Oh well, considering that guy Uldin's personality, ignoring his wives' wrath

to attack ”Kusanagi G.o.dou's capital” was probably highly unlikely.

Nevertheless, G.o.dou still felt quite complicated.

As much as he would like to object loudly to being described as the same

type of person as Uldin, who loved women to a pathological degree,

G.o.dou's instincts warned him that voicing his opinion would surely draw

vehement accusations from the female faction, hence he kept silent

throughout.

”The discussion concluded much faster than expected, how wonderful.”

”I guess...”

G.o.dou and Erica were riding on horseback again. The pair had just

departed from Uldin's fortress and pa.s.sed through the forest where the

Deinonychus divine beasts lurked.

Their next move was to return to the main road and start on the return

journey.

The sun was still high up in the sky. Probably around noon. Thinking they

should get back to Augusta Raurica as quickly as possible, G.o.dou decided

to hurry while it was still daylight at a sustainable rate without causing the

horses to collapse from exhaustion. Next, they had to keep a close eye on

Madame Aisha's movements while heading north where Doni was located.

Just as he was about to propose hurrying up on their way, G.o.dou noticed

something.

Sitting on the chestnut horse, Erica was making a pondering expression.

”What's the matter?”

”Just now, Ruska mentioned about the occurrence of something not

supposed to happen, right?”

”That thing, yeah. What does it mean?”

”A simple interpretation would probably be the changing of the original

history... Basically something like that.”

Erica allowed her favorite horse to trot slowly while she murmured.

”If 'too many' refers to the Campiones, then what about 'too soon'? Could it

be that another three Campiones are not supposed to come into existence

until decades later if history is correct?”

”Three of our kind will be born in this era, here in Gaul?”

”Yes.”

Faced with Erica's unusual speculation, G.o.dou could not help but shake

his head.

”That's not very likely, right?”

”But G.o.dou, I have mentioned it before, right? In the same way that wine

has good vintage years, there are periods when a rare number of

Campiones are born.”

G.o.dou recalled that seemed to be something she had said before the

decisive battle against Verethragna on the island of Sardinia.

While G.o.dou was reminiscing, Erica continued:

”Even if you consider the twenty-first century where we came from, there

are already seven kings gathered, right?”

”Now that you mention it, that's indeed the case... Speaking of that Uldin

guy, he also mentioned seeing other peers — G.o.dslayers like him.”

”Although the exact number is unclear, multiple Campiones should exist in

the current time period.”

Nodding in acknowledgement, G.o.dou was struck by further questions.

”But what kind of calamity is triggered when there are too many

Campiones?”

”Who knows. Well, the mere existence of five or six G.o.dslaying Devil Kings

is already enough to make a total mess of the world.”

Just as the casual conversation turned towards a slightly depressing

subject...

G.o.dou was startled by a sudden feeling of weight in his right arm. This was

the arm where the divine sword Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi was kept.

Was Susanoo's former favorite sword trying to say something?

”What's the matter, did something happen?”

'The miko sends a message...'

After G.o.dou asked, he heard an exhausted ”voice” answering from his

right arm.

Although Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi was a self-aware divine sword, it

was completely indifferent to everything apart from battle. One of the few

exceptions was the ”Hi me- Miko of the Sword,” Seishuuin Ena.

She was formerly in possession of Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi. Even

now, the divine sword still protected her.

Precisely due to this relations.h.i.+p, Ena would often wield Ama no

Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi on G.o.dou's behalf. Even separated by great

distances, she could still communicate with the divine sword's

consciousnss —

”Is there an emergency!?”

The target under surveillance escaped... The transmitted thoughts report

this matter...'

Hearing the divine sword report reluctantly, G.o.dou was greatly surprised.

This was the second reason for leaving Ena behind at Augusta Raurica.

Even separated by physical distance, she was still able to contact G.o.dou

by relying on Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi.

However, the target under surveillance — Madame Aisha — had escaped,

unbelievably.

Seishuuin Ena possessed sharp instincts and exceptional agility. So long

as she pursued in earnest, Ena was supposed to be able to capture even

wild beasts escaping in the mountains.

How on earth did Madame Aisha escape from Ena's surveillance?

While G.o.dou felt baffled, Erica sighed beside him.

”Looks like we underestimated Madame Aisha too much. What on earth is

going to happen next?”

Occupying the lands of the north were Salvatore Doni and the Frankish

tribes. Madame Aisha had already set off towards that place with a head

start on Kusanagi G.o.dou.

A mad feast was staged on the Rhine basin, a gathering of modern and

ancient Campiones.

Apparently, the main event was finally coming to an official start.

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