Campione! - Volume 17 - Chapter 5.2

Part 2 

The History Compilation Committee and Lu Yinghua had discovered the "King of the End."  

He was finally found at a certain place in the Bousou Peninsula, apparently serving as his residence.  

After receiving this report, Erica and Liliana went over to meet Sayanomiya Kaoru at her mansion first.  

As one of the leaders in charge of the Committee, Kaoru remarked with distress.  

"Despite all kinds of uncertainties, let's continue monitoring him for now while waiting for Godou-san's return."  

A compromising solution one could hardly find fault in, but it had its own problems.  

The "King of the End" was traveling north from the Bousou Peninsula, reaching Ichihara in the Chiba Prefecture.  

Earlier, he was apparently moving through mountainous areas. But after crossing the Ichihara Service Area and Prefectural Route 13, his location was already within the municipal region of Ichihara City facing Tokyo Bay. Going north slightly would be Chiba City, the heartland of the Keiyou Industrial Zone.  

Also, going west would arrive at the twenty-three wards of Tokyo after passing through the cities of Narashino, Funabashi and Ichikawa.  

If the "King of the End" were to choose this route, he would be invading the Greater Tokyo Area where Japan's population and building densities were the greatest—  

"Her Eminence Luo Hao isn't in peak condition, so this could be described as the worst scenario. It would be best to avoid making a move recklessly. Better err on the safe side for now."  

This sort of cautious and meticulous approach was very much in Kaoru's style.  

She was probably aware of it herself. A rare look of worry was displayed on her face.  

There were other uncertainties as well. If the "King of the End" were to start a fight in the Greater Tokyo Area with that such immense destructive power— damage and casualties would surely occur on an unimaginable scale.  

In th end, this strategy of caution was a choice accompanied by its own risks.  

However, there was no other solution. With heavy hearts, Erica and Liliana made a visit to the Tokyo Skytree, in order to report the situation to Her Eminence Luo Hao.  

As the highest authority right now, Her Eminence Luo Hao—was hidden from sight.  

With bamboo curtains set up in a corner of the observation deck, she was staying in a barricaded space.  

"I am currently practicing some slightly complicated neigong. These measures are for eliminating unnecessary disturbances. You too, be careful and absolutely do not approach me."  

Issued such orders from her behind the bamboo curtains, the two Great Knights were left speechless.  

Deprived of the sight of Her Eminence Luo Hao's beautiful appearance, Erica reported what had transpired.  

Direct conversation with Her Eminence Luo Hao would be too much of a responsibility for History Compilation Committee members and Lu Yinghua's subordinates. Hence, that was why Erica went out of her way to come here.  

"Hmm... How incomprehensible."  

After listening to the report, Her Eminence Luo Hao murmured in bemusement.  

Was it due to the neigong she was practicing? Her voice sounded slightly more high-pitched than usual.  

"Why do you not kneel down and prostrate yourselves towards this Luo Hao to beseech and beg? For the iron fist of punishment to swing down upon the hero who is bringing harm to the world."  

" "......" "  

These inconceivable words made Erica and Liliana at a loss for words.  "Naturally, there is no value in saving the decadent city of Tokyo. Be that as it may, seeing as it is the land where my sworn brother makes his stronghold—It would be a taint upon my honor as the sworn elder sister if I were to fail in expressing my chivalry."  

"Are you implying that you will protect this country's people in Kusanagi Godou's stead?"  

"Hohohoho... The real event will wait until that child returns. On the level of stalling for time, I shall have a little fun in the meantime."  

The demonic cult leader smiled tenderly from the depths behind the bamboo curtains in response to Erica's question of confirmation.  

Even when facing a god—be it the strongest sword god—she never altered her haughty downward gaze. But given her current state of depleted magic power, was she able to oppose the "King of the End"?  

Erica did not inquire upon this matter.  

If she were to raise the question, Her Eminence Luo Hao would assuredly end up angered and feeling insulted.  

Even without being Lu Yinghua, she could easily predict such a future.  

If she were to insist on stepping on the tiger's tail, what awaited her would be nothing as gentle as the fist used for punishing her direct disciple.  

Completely unaware of the thoughts going through Erica's mind, Luo Cuilian continued:  

"First, you shall make contact with the 'King of the End.' Then inform the hero of my impending entry to the field. Make him wary to a certain extent."  

There was no choice but to obey this command.  

Hence, this was how things developed into the two Great Knights facing off against the "King of the End" at a motor race track in the mountains.  

"You are affiliated with the godslayers of the present generation—Kusanagi Godou and Her Highness Luo Hao, aren't you?"  

"Precisely. Are you looking for our lord, Your Highness?"  

Naturally, the first to answer the Devil King-exterminating hero was Erica.  

She was often the wise one, acting as spokesperson on behalf of her faction. This talent did not fade at all even when confronted with gods or Devil Kings. Ever since becoming Kusanagi Godou's knight, this talent and disposition of hers was naturally honed more and more.  

"Yes. Somehow I had the feeling that I would meet him so long as I walk to this area. Now that his servants have come forward, this guess seems to be correct."  

This was most likely a supernatural sense obtained as part of the destiny of exterminating Devil Kings.  

The "King of the End" smiled at Erica, Liliana and Lu Yinghua before making a declaration:  

"Originally, I should be the one sending a messenger. However, the Wind King— the one who serves this role—currently needs to keep a low profile. Hence, I have decided to search for the various godslaying kings on my own."  

"Why would you... May I ask for the reason?"  

"Naturally, to issue a challenge."  

Despite his calm tone of voice and attitude, this was a stern declaration.  

"If permissible, I do wish to pay them each a visit at their castle or residence. To enter a duel. Seeing as he has intentionally sent servants to come forward, it means that your lord shares the same sentiments, doesn't it?"  

"......"  

Instead of answering immediately, Erica contemplated rapidly.  

As suspected, was he approaching Tokyo with this purpose in mind? Going north towards Chiba City from the southern part of the Bousou Peninsula. As soon as she heard about the "King of the End" advancing in this direction, Erica already guessed this possibility.  

Going north another five or six kilometers from here would be Ichihara City.  

Even if he went west instead, that would take him to the urban area of Kisarazu City.  

This race track was located in the middle of a mountainous area with an outrageous number of golf courses. Population density was low as a result. Evacuation was accordingly easy. If possible, Erica hoped to stall the "King of the End" in this vicinity. Then the rest depended on Her Eminence Luo Hao—  

Phew. Erica exhaled slightly.  

Bridges shall be crossed when they were reached. Furthermore, Kusanagi Godou's sworn elders sister was absolutely not someone who would insist out of vanity that they were able to do something when they could not. She possessed ability and insight matching her level of pride.  

"In that case, our task ends here. Our lord will probably give a direct answer."  "Direct?"  

Seeing Erica look into the sky, the "King of the End" followed.  

It was a sunny winter's day. The winds were still very strong. A bird of prey in the sky—a goshawk—was gliding with regal solemnity. This was a species whose habitat was in forests near cities in the Kantou region.  

However, the power and acuity overflowing from those wings and eyes could not possibly belong to a bird.  

Landing next to the "King of the End," the goshawk transformed at the same time.  

"Procrastinating what ought to be finished, that would be called slothfulness, wouldn't it? I, Luo Hao, am fully prepared to accept your challenge."  "Ah."  

Descending from the sky as a goshawk, she had landed gracefully with outstanding movements of qinggong, the art of lightness.  

Confronted with the demonic cult leader's unique manner of entering the stage, exhibiting extraordinary Daoist and martial arts alike, the "King of the End" nodded in admiration. Nevertheless, the reason he felt impressed was not due to her superlative landing skill.  

He was moved by Her Eminence Luo Hao's appearance.  

Her dazzling, otherworldly, beautiful face was still akin to a celestial maiden's. Such beauty was enough to call the greatest treasure of the mortal realm. In addition, this face was quite young.  

Her stature was more petite than before whereas her face and body had clearly regressed in age.  

Despite a true age over two hundred years, she looked like a teenager. Instead of her earlier Han clothing, she was wearing a sleeveless mandarin gown with a slight slit on the side of the skirt.  

Demonic Cult Leader Luo Cuilian had descended from the sky in this form.  

"This appearance... Was it for healing injuries sustained in our previous battle?"  

"Hohohoho. Seeing as there was a need to recover excessively depleted qi, for the first time in a long while, I trained in the neigong of [Absolute Supremacy Peerless Across the Universe]. Although the price I paid was a slight shortening of limbs, this constitutes no inconvenience in engaging you in combat."  

Declaring boldly, Luo Cuilian's vocal pitch was higher than usual, a young girl's voice.  

Meanwhile, Erica and Liliana were greatly surprised by the sight of Her Eminence's appearance whereas the demonic cult leader's direct disciple simply went "oh dear" and shook his head.  

"I remember it's a training technique that allows qi to recover with frightening speed. So this was what Master had been practicing these few days..."  

Qi was magic power in the first place and had to be gradually accumulated through neigong training for days on end.  

However—Lu Yinghua explained. If Her Eminence were to use this [Tianshan Tonglao Technique][6], she was able to rapidly obtain qi comparable to two month's worth of training. However, the price to pay was regressing in age for a period of time...  

"But that neigong is apparently quite a pain to use, so it's totally just an emergency technique."  

Indeed, the qi in Her Eminence Luo Hao's body had recovered substantially.  

However, the sum total was clearly still less than usual. In addition, physical stamina and arm strength were naturally going to be weakened for a little girl's body. It was possible that her martial arts could not be applied with full freedom as before.  

That being said, for her to surmount an overwhelmingly unfavorable situation so effortlessly, amazing feat would be the only proper description.  

The hero and the Devil King finally met again at this mountainous race track.  

Fortunately, through the History Compilation Committee's efforts and the "King of the End"'s own authority, ordinary people had left the grounds completely.  

The two of them jumped down lightly to the track from the grandstand where Erica and the others were.  

"My sworn brother Kusanagi Godou will make a tardy arrival due to certain reasons, but... Of course, you are free to summon your subordinates. I, Luo Hao, shall take on all of you as opponents."  

"Now that you have said that, I cannot call upon them lightly."  

Smiling wryly at the demonic cult leader's taunt, the hero drew out the Divine Sword of Salvation.  

"Before he arrives, I shall fight using this sword alone."  

"Hohoho. In that case, I shall seal away my palm techniques—unsurpassed by any weapon—for now and fight you with this."  

Despite facing a god for an opponent, Her Eminence Luo Hao did not alter her haughty attitude at all.  

Nevertheless, it was perhaps due to a Devil King Campione's nature to live true to themselves. Using a little girl's body, the demonic cult leader clenched her fist tightly and swung it at the "King of the End."  

Meanwhile, the Divine Sword Mandala was manifesting above the hero in splendor.  

The second round was beginning at last.