Part 2
The revival of the "King of the End" last night had brought a good many news stories to Japan.
First was the meteor crashing in the southern part of Bousou Peninsula. Many people witnessed it—the trail of a mysterious flying object falling down from satellite orbit.
This had apparently caused a commotion in the Chiba, Tokyo and Kanagawa regions surrounding Tokyo Bay.
Then immediately, the media discovered and reported about the meteor crater left behind deep in the mountains of Minamibousou. This also brought relatively great unease to the people of Japan.
Nevertheless, this was merely the prelude.
After the floating island crashed but before the "King of the End" awakened, a golden aurora was shining in the night sky.
This phenomenon was not confined to the sky above Godou and the others. Its scale was wide enough to cover the entire sky above the Kantou Plain. This included the entire region of Kanagawa Prefecture, Tokyo City, Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture as well as portions of the prefectures of Tochigi and Gunma—
Furthermore, strong winds had been blowing since early this morning.
Especially in the center of Tokyo City, one would easily get knocked over by high-rise winds if one failed to pay attention.
"By this point, normal information control won't be possible to achieve."
Godou sighed.
Classes were not cancelled the next day after the extraordinary phenomena. Since morning, classmates and teachers had been distracted and unsettled. After spending a whole day's lessons with them, it was after school for Godou.
Next to him, Liliana nodded.
"After all, the supernatural phenomena were witnessed over quite a large area."
"What transpired last night also resulted in major news outside Japan," Erica informed them.
Since it was after school, everyone was in uniform.
Furthermore, they were traveling together to the Tokyo Skytree in the Sumida Ward, on their way to the observation deck by taking a high-speed elevator.
"However, it's also thanks to the current situation that sealing off the Skytree hasn't caused a commotion..."
The elevator stopped and the doors opened just as Erica finished.
Godou stepped into the observation deck with the two knights.
This floor was 350m above ground level. In place of walls, a 360-degree glass window offered a full view of the Tokyo metropolis' skyscrapers. Godou had been here before.
But today, the observation deck was completely different.
Laid over the floor was a soft red carpet that felt as though one's heels would sink into them. All the tables and furniture at the reception, the official souvenir shop, the cafe and the restaurant had been either moved away or cleverly disguised to avoid attracting attention.
Moved here as a substitute was a minimalist set of furniture including a sofa and an exquisitely designed desk.
Elegant and relaxed, the interior decor's resembled that of a hotel lobby subscribing to a style of subtlety. Well, only if one were to ignore the detail that their location was 350m above ground with an expansive view.
Next to a window of special glass, five meters thick.
The demonic cult leader Luo Cuilian was sitting in a meditation pose with Tokyo's blue sky as the backdrop.
Currently, the Skytree's observation deck as well as the galleria above had been commandeered to use as her accommodations.
Last night, the History Compilation Committee had issued a commandeering order and applied emergency redecoration.
'She's probably not going to obediently check into hotel suites or state
guesthouses. Even if we give up the entire National Diet Building or the Tokyo City Hall, I fear that Her Eminence still won't be satisfied...'
Amakasu had offered these comments the previous night.
Furthermore, Luo Cuilian had frowned with boredom after being brought here, but at least "the view from the tallest structure in Japan" seemed sufficient to placate her pride. She did not express rejection coldly.
Currently, the Tokyo Skytree was completely sealed off, only allowing authorized personnel to enter.
"How's your condition, Nee-san?"
"Not especially good. I have been practicing neigong throughout the entire night unitl morning, trying hard to recover my lost energy... But progress has been limited."
The sworn sister replied grimly to Godou's question.
She was apparently sitting cross-legged in the lotus position, similar to Zen meditation, for the sake of practicing neigong, a set of Chinese breathing, meditation and spiritual disciplines. In addition, a mixed-gender group of ten-odd people were standing in a line a slight distance from Luo Cuilian, awaiting orders like palace attendants.
Some were dressed in suits while others had shirts and overalls.
They were presumably staff from the History Compilation Committee as well as subordinates from the Lu Family of Hong Kong. All of them were standing at attention without a single motion, so nervous that their bodies were stiff. They probably knew that any mistake in front of Her Eminence, no matter how small, would result in harsh punishment.
However, there were also others apart from this group.
Seishuuin Ena, Mariya Yuri, as well as Amakasu Touma. These three could be considered Her Eminence Luo Hao's closest acquaintances. In order to help the guest hailing from the neighboring country "feel right at home," they had been standing by at the Skytree since early morning.
The Hime-Miko were all dressed formally, in other words, as shrine maidens.
"I'm sorry for making you two miss school because of Nee-san."
Of course, the very fact of being in Tokyo was equivalent to skipping school for Ena, but let's skip that.
While talking to them, Godou noticed that the usually cheerful Ena was angrily glaring at her fellow miko in rare display.
Also, Yuri's face was frighteningly pale. She looked like she was suffering.
"Are you two okay?"
"Listen to me, Your Majesty. Yuri had been hiding the fact that she is having a high fever. She said she would be forced to rest today if she had confessed the truth."
"I-It does not count as high fever... Right now, I can still move."
Confronted with her friend's angry words, Yuri replied timidly.
She was definitely unsteady on her feet. Godou walk over to her side and reached out.
"Seriously, this fever is quite high."
"G-Godou-san!?"
Godou examined her face while touching her forehead, startling Yuri.
The girl, who could not be considered hardy in the first place, had also ruined her health recently. As the Yamato Nadeshiko with a strong sense of responsibility, was she overexerting herself at a time like this?
Worrying about this fact, Godou felt heat on his hand akin to that of hand warmer's.
"Sorry, Nee-san, I want Mariya to take a break. You won't mind, right?"
"She is the miko who serves you. Just do as you wish."
Even at the risk of refusal, Godou intended to insist on letting Yuri rest. However, the sworn sister nodded generously. Yuri bowed her head in embarrassment.
"U-Umm... It ought to be time for your hand to... Everyone is watching."
Only after she stammered did Godou realize. His hand had been touching the Hime-Miko's forehead the entire time.
He frantically withdrew his hand. Although he worried whether his sudden act of impropriety would displease Yuri, her face was red for reasons apart from the fever and she also seemed a bit happy.
"My, how sudden the changes some people undergo, Godou. Even the act of holding my hand used to make you so flustered."
"In the end, his female relationships have successfully progressed by making the most of uncorrected mistakes..."
"Although it's a bit inappropriate to say this, but Ena feels a bit jealous of Yuri!" Erica remarked with displeasure, prompting Liliana and Ena to concur.
Faced with his companions' reactions, Godou timidly led the embarrassed Yuri over to the sofa and forced her to sit down. "...By the way, where did Yinghua go?"
"To scout. I ordered him to 'use your legs and your eyes to find the hiding place of the King of the End, then report to me.' Then declaring 'I shall accomplish this even at the cost of this meager life,' my young eagle rushed out."
Godou had asked his question to change the subject. The excessively strict master replied immediately.
Lu Yinghua was probably rushing all over the vast Bousou Peninsula right now. Or perhaps, this honorary nephew, an expert in handling delicate situations, was off somewhere at the moment, in search of a chance to slack off.
While Godou was imagining this scene, the sworn elder sister spoke up, completely unaware of her disciple's hardship:
"Speaking of which, how very considerate of you."
"Me? What do you mean, Nee-san?"
"You brought her to serve me in my young eagle's place, didn't you?"
Luo Cuilian's words betrayed her firm belief that she was the center of the world.
Able to interpret everything to her own benefit. Godou followed her gaze to see that the "her" referred to by the demonic cult leader—the blonde Italian girl, Erica Blandelli.
"I already noticed on our previous encounter, that Japan's king, Kusanagi Godou, possesses a very thoughtful retainer. Of all the people I have met, she could be considered outstanding talent with outstanding intelligence. Someone very qualified to be my, Luo Hao's, attendant."
"A-Attendant?"
"Your Eminence, I am overwhelmed by your kind praise."
While Godou was greatly surprised by the unexpected appointment of duties, Erica immediately bowed her head.
"Forgive my unworthiness, Your Eminence, but if it should please you, I am most willing offer my services by your side."
"It is agreeable. Girl, if memory serves me correctly, your name ought to be Erica."
"I am most honored that Your Eminence could remember this name of Erica Blandelli's. Pray forgive me for my numerous counts of impudence towards you in the past. How truly impertinent of me."
"Extenuating circumstances. I do not mind."
Erica did not fear this self-unaware tyrant, Her Eminence Luo Hao. Rather than extreme deference, it would be more accurate to describe her as facing off against the cult leader with candidness and polite elegance.
...Despite her opponent being someone who might possibly scold "Insolent!" and order a person's eyes gouged out for making eye contact.
Observing their interaction, Godou sighed "I see now."
Yinghua had reminded time again that "Master instantly gets angry if she finds our speech lacking in manners, but if one were to treat her with maximum humility and attentiveness, she would also fly into a rage at us for groveling too submissively... It's a total pain."
However, mastery of intricate balance was precisely one of Erica's talents.
The way she was treating an important guest would be a textbook-perfect example of traditional Chinese values. Most likely, Erica's intelligence must have left Godou's sworn sister with a deep impression during their previous encounter at Nikkou.
"Lily, may I trouble you to prepare a cup of tea?"
"Y-You want me to do it?"
"Our important guest here could be considered quite powerful even among the godslaying Devil Kings. On top of that, she is Kusanagi Godou's sworn elder sister as well. Even if it's merely a simple cup of tea, I do hope she could enjoy flavor of the highest quality."
"Good point..."
Erica was elegantly issuing orders like a queen of a palace.
Despite grumbling nonstop, Liliana still walked over to the full set of prepared tea ware.
As a result, the staff standing in a line on the observation deck clearly breathed a sigh of relief. They were relieved that they no longer needed to serve the demonic cult leader with their lives on the line.
...Naturally, there were no accommodation facilities built on this observation deck.
Accommodating the stay of a VIP here was quite inconvenient. The staff on stand by here were trying their hardest to provide her with every convenience possible.
The only lucky thing was that Luo Cuilian was someone who made her residence in a convent deep in the mountains to begin with.
She did not seek livability or comfort in her accommodations. In contrast, she would be greatly concerned about "position and style worthy of her identity and stature." The advantage of Japan's tallest structure proved to be quite effective as a means to placating her demands.
Ten-odd minutes later...
Godou and the others began to drink black tea.
The one sitting at the place of honor in leisurely composure, alone on the sofa, was naturally Luo Cuilian.
Seated on the sofa on the right was the sworn brother Godou with Yuri. On the left sofa was Erica, named directly by Her Eminence.
Liliana, Ena and Amakasu remained standing on the side.
This was the observation deck 350m above ground. Furthermore, winds were particularly strong today. Let alone the floor, even the Skytree itself was creaking. However, not a single person cared.
Something far more dangerous was floating somewhere in Japan right now.
"Actually, I heard Lucretia-san mention this before. If the true identity of the
'King of the End' could be found, my—Verethragna's—sword can become more powerful than normal."
Godou spoke slowly.
He also repeated the hint of "Once upon a time, at a certain place—" from Lucretia Zola.
"This is the standard opening line in Japanese legends. But there are really too many folk stories... I really wish we could figure out which legend it is."
After listening to the highly uncertain news, Amakasu was muttering to himself.
"The core legends related to heroes of steel would mainly include demonslaying tales such as Momotarou, Kintarou, Shuten-douji... If we also consider other demons and spirits, there are also the Fire Man hyottoko, the One-eyed Monk hitotsume-nyūdō, the Mountain Hag yama-uba, the Heavenly Dog tengu..."
Able to list out a whole series of candidates in spite of that, the special agent's breadth of knowledge remained impressive as ever.
According to him, legends possessing the vital elements of demons, mountains, fire, one-eyedness, one-leggedness not only originated from towns and cities but also in the oral traditions of the iron-making populace living deep in the mountains as well as mining populations.
"A hero of steel is the personified existence of an 'iron sword.' I'm guessing that this legend came from some tribe holding knowledge and skills related to iron."
After listening to Amakasu, Liliana entered deep thought as well.
"The 'King of the End' who remains shrouded in mystery so far, his characteristics include: using a bow, wandering at length. Legends along the same lineage are widely spread east and west throughout the Eurasian continent, its source seeming more likely to be Asia rather than Europe. And considering the connection to Japanese folklore... This is getting more and more incomprehensible."
"Then there's the oracle Yuri received."
An evil dragon in the sea. The dragon summoned wind and clouds to blot the sky and sun. Lightning flashed to illuminate the sea. The king shot an arrow, piercing the dragon's chest—
Ena recited this verse before throwing a glance at the ninja and master grumbler.
"Hey Amakasu-san, can you remember what book you read this passage from?"
"No, I'm very sorry. I might've been mistaken."
At this moment, a text message alert was heard. Ena's cellphone.
Seishuuin Ena normally cared little for this tool of modern convenience, frequently leaving it uncharged.
"Oh, it's from Kamakura Shihoko. Wonderful, she'll reach Tokyo Station soon."
"You deliberately called the Hime-Miko of Sagami over too? Forgive me for being rude, but under the current conditions, it's not like she can help much, right...?"
Amakasu commented to Ena who was checking her cellphone text. However, the Hime-Miko of the Sword simply smiled.
"Don't worry. Shihoko is planning on using an 'anonymous' spirit power on you, Amakasu-san."
Suddenly hearing his own name, Amakasu was so startled that he fell backwards a little.
This did not seem like a usual resction from the agent who had failed to help. Godou felt slightly puzzled.
"What kind of power is it?"
"Shihoko is currently the only Hime-Miko capable of using it. It's a special spirit power for manipulating and rewriting someone's memories. Apart from rewriting, it could be used to search someone's mind, to locate past memories that the subject has forgotten—"
"H-Hold on a sec!"
Amakasu interrupted in a panic.
"I recall that there are very few successful cases when using 'anonymous' for memory search! And putting the mind through this and that, there's a possibility of causing memory disorders in the subject!"
"How knowledgeable of you, Amakasu-san. However, the probability is only about one out of twenty or thirty... It should be fine. Probably fine."
"Please don't expect me to be optimistic towards probabilistic effects!"
"But Kaoru-san already agreed."
"Come on, this is something where the search subject's wishes must be considered first. In response to this kind of unreasonable administrative order, I can only protest by through unexcused absences at work or by handing in my letter of resignation—"
"The Sutra of the Six Paramitas."
While the dispute was heating up, Erica suddenly uttered a few sentences quietly.
"An ancient Buddhist text... The Sutra of the Six Paramitas. This is one of the stories collected within it. When an evil dragon appeared at a certain kingdom in the past, 'the king shot an arrow, piercing the dragon right in the chest'—There is also one theory that the king was the noble and virtuous reincarnation of a Bodhisattva..."
Under everyone's gaze of surprise, the blonde girl spoke lightly.
As a mage hailing from a prestigious house, Erica Blandelli was a genius who had received an elite education.
However, she was born and raised in Milan and should not have memorized oriental Buddhist classics. Just before Erica spoke, the peerless beauty on the adjacent sofa, whose smile was worth countless riches, had apparently motioned with a nonchalant wave of her hand before whispering a few words to Erica.
Right now, these quiet words spoken by Erica consisted precisely of the knowledge imparted by Her Eminence, the valorous and intelligent Luo Hao.
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