Campione! - Volume 19 - Chapter 2.3

Part 3 

The night came. 

It was Thursday. It was past eight PM at late winter February. The darkness of night was deep. 

「It’s been so long since it’s cold like this huh.」 Godou whispered in small volume. 

Perhaps because of the influence of Rama being temporarily revived which caused the volcanic belt all over the world to be active, recently everyday was fairly warm. Maybe the recoil of that had finally come out. 

The chill of tonight was fairly harsh. 

It could even be said that the likeness of the mid winter, of Japan in February had returned. 

Just how long the decline of Rama’s influence could hold――it was something that depended on him and the other six. 

「Normally in this kind of time, the flow of event should be like

『Let’s cooperate with everyone and solve the case』isn’t it…… 」 

Godou was walking the street at night while whispering seriously. 

However, the street that he was walking on was―― 

「To think that I’ll come to this part of Haneda Airport, I never imagined this even in my dream.」 

Right now Godou was on a runway at night by himself. 

A written invitation was sent to him last night from his stepsister Luo Cuilian. In that letter it was written『Tomorrow, thinking that I wish to meet with everyone by all means――』 and so on. 

This Haneda Airport was designated as the gathering place―― 

「Tonight all the airplanes that are planned to land in Haneda are all cancelled, what an outrageous story. Just how much you are going to bother the people all over the world……」 

Tonight in Haneda Airport, seven Campiones might be gathering. 

The history compilation committee notified the international airports all over the world about that. As the result this special and emergency measure was applied. 

Although it was night, there should be a lot of airplanes coming and going in Haneda Airport. 

Publically the reason that all of those flights were cancelled was 『a trouble at the airport’s facility』. However, the truth it was because of seven godslayers of famous and ill repute. 

Furthermore, perhaps this too was a consideration to the Campiones. 

The guide light for the sake of airplanes landing at night――the lightings buried on the runway, the majority of them were turned on. Maybe it was the airport staffs being tactful. 

However, including Godou, all the Campiones had good night vision. 

It seemed that so to speak they were “godslaying beast”. Because they were beast that they didn’t worry of the dark, even at night they could freely fight frankly. 

If there was no sun at sky, they could just rely on the faint light of the stars and moon. 

If even those faint lights were gone, they could just sense the sound and presence and the movement of air. They could just use the spark that was produced when sword and sword clashed in place of lighting. 

No matter what kind of battlefield it was, something like method of fighting was something trivial and they could get by somehow. 

Exactly because they could do that, that they were the godslaying warrior. 

「Everyone are all good for nothing though……」 

There were four runways of A, B, C, and D in Haneda Airport. 

Among them the runway that was at the most north was this runway B. The reason Godou came to the north side was because he recalled a knowledge that he had heard from somewhere before. 

From time memorial, at China the emperor was likened like the north star――. 

In that case, most likely Luo Hao would be at that direction. His guesswork was accurate. 

「As expected.」 

Ahead of the direction Godou advanced toward, an unequaled beauty was standing. 

Her surname was Luo, her given name was Cuilian, her courtesy name was Hao. Rather than the guiding light filling the runway, the radiance of moon spilling from the sky was the worthiest for her. 

Clad in graceful Han clothing, she had the charm that was like a nymph that descended on earth. 

「So you came, Godou.」 

The smile that Luo Cuilian displayed had no sweetness in it, there was only gallant fighting spirit residing there. 

And then, the Campione that appeared here wasn’t only the two of them. From different direction than Godou, a tall black haired Caucasian young man was walking near. 

Black jacket and white shirt with careful tailoring, combined with a necktie with refined pattern. 

「Even though there are only nostalgic faces here, I don’t feel really happy.」 

Alexander Gascoigne. That person was the Black Prince. 

However, his abusive language was objected by a voice of a young man that sounded optimistic and frivolous. 

「Is that so? As for me it feels like Christmas and All Hallows Day and in addition St. Catherine’s Day are coming together in day though.」 

The fourth person came with a footstep that sounded easygoing. 

Salvatore Doni. His appearance was mostly casual with grey mountain parka and dark red long sleeved T-shirt, and khaki colored cargo pants. 

「In other words, this is an amazingly joyous event.」 

「It would be great if the joyousness is stopping until only inside your head.」 

「Hahahaha. That badmouth of yours has been so long that I feel really happy hearing that. Accompany me playing in various things just like before, okay.」 

Alec only clicked his tongue at that light invitation words. 

Surely he felt that it was stupid to seriously reply at Salvatore Doni’s nonsense. 

Godou understood that feeling. Doni winked toward Godou who was reflexively nodding at Alec’s plight. As expected both of them were in good condition. 

While they were being like that, there was one more person that increased the number. 

「My!」 

This time it was a lovely voice of a young female. 

「Something like this is the first time to happen. For all of us who possess the power of godslaying――to gather in the same country and the same place like this! Kusanagi-san and Donisan and Alec-san…..ah, if I remember correctly it has been about a century since Onee-sama――!?」 As everyone knew, it was Madam Aisha. 

However, she was unexpectedly in an apron dress appearance for some reason. Her appearance that looked as though she had just slipped out from a maid café in Akihabara caused Godou to doubt his eyes. 

On the other hand, the brave woman who was sent with a passionate gaze by the madam quickly averted her eyes. 

「……I already don’t remember, just how many times have I told you already.」 

Luo Cuilian’s voice was lovely even when it sounded coldhearted. 

「I am not your big sister. Don’t be mistaken on that.」「Onee-sama is again like that. Onee-sama and also Onii-sama are always saying such thing, which always worried me……. But it’s fine. Aisha know really well♪」 

The godslayer of India descent spoke while smiling gently. 

Just like a butter that was left in front of a warm stove, the response of Aisha was just too weak and soft. 

「Inside the cold words of the two of you, there are plentiful of affection being hidden. Aisha always offer my adulation to the two of you who are always warmly watching over the clumsy and careless me, as my big brother of the heart, and my big sister of the heart!」 

「I don’t mind if you have misunderstanding by yourself, but」 A nostalgic voice of the old Campione flatly informed. 

「I wish that the getting along of you two the female faction won’t drag me into it.」 

「Wolf king. I think that it is yourself that should restrain yourself from anything excessive. Your arbitrary conclusion is causing my dignity to decline.」 

The sixth participant stifled his snigger ‘kukuh’ toward Luo Cuilian’s objection 

「I have been rude. Take it as fellow people who have both went through many hardships.」 

From inside the darkness, Dejanstahl Voban appeared. 

Besides a classical business suit and jet black coat that was fitting for the title marquis, an overwhelming pressure was also enveloping that body. 

It was the coming of the Campione who was the most stereotypical “devil king” in a sense. 

Now then――gentlemen and ladies, my scarce companions.

Voban spoke sonorously. 

「It seems there is a happy and unhappy story in this chance. For me who is the most senile old fool among all of us here, to be able to reunite with all of you before my life span is exhausted――is something that is truly delightful. This is absolutely a refreshing feeling.」 

Even with his old age, this mysterious person was a lump of fighting spirit. 

He sharply stared at Luo Hao, ignored Aisha, and haughtily gazed at Alec and Doni and Kusanagi Godou in the end, then his emerald evil eyes shined in satisfaction. 

Like this, six godslayers finally gathered. Right after that 

*katsun* 

A peculiar footstep resounded. 

*katsun*. *katsun*. *katsun*. *katsun*. *katsun*. *katsun*. 

It was the footstep of leather boots attached with iron rivet. It was a sound that they had heard before. When that man made his late appearance, this sound would surely resounded. 

「It’s my shame to be here as a person without invitation.」 

With a black mask put on, the black cape fluttered in the dark night. 

That figure was exactly the symbol of hero. The arrival of the living legend John Pluto Smith. 

「I barely made it in time in the curtain opening of the stage……does anyone mind it? It seems that the seat where I should sit is still empty.」 

More or less. Though the fact that you are late doesn’t change.

Alec sarcastically informed the masked godslayer. 

His tone sounded casual, but there was slight thorn in it. Even though they were old acquaintance but by no means they were connected with beautiful friendship. Well. 

Something like fellow Campiones establishing a relationship of pure friendship, was something that should be completely nonexistent. 

Godou secretly shrugged. 

Even him and Luo Cuilian that had the most favorable relationship between the two of them, if they were asked whether they would join hand in this civil war or not――the answer would be something really shaky. 

He tried exchanging gaze with his stepsister as a test. 

The lovely magic sect founder returned back a vigorous stare. 

This gaze perhaps didn’t mean『Let’s get through this civil war together okay』, but a gaze that should be interpreted as『As one of the godslayers, show how you surpassed your big sister! 』instead……. 

It was something that was extremely irrational, but that was how this person called Luo Cuilian was. 

「Now then.」 

The aforementioned big sister was finally making her appeal at the other six. 

「Seeing all of you answering the call of me, Luo Hao, and gather in this place, I feel deeply grateful. Even the person that the letter couldn’t reach can also arrive here like this.」 

I just had the chance to know about this meeting by chance.

Smith lightly nodded at the words of cult founder Luo Hao. 

Also, there was no killing intent or tension between the seven Campione. That was because all of them was aware that this was a ceremony. 

It was for that reason that the big sister continued her speech smilingly. 

「Regarding the『King of the End』Ramachandra, and the terrifying great law of covenant……there is no need to explain it to everyone isn’t it?」 

No one cut in. Their silence was their affirmation. 

「In order to oppose that great hero, the plan that the seven of us should take……there is also no need to talk to each other about it any further.」 

The silence continued as expected. And again it was an affirmative silence. 

In front of the incorrigibleness of fellow people who lived at the same hole, Luo Cuilian smiled refreshingly. 

「In that case, let’s decide when it will start.」 

「Right now――saying that feels too hurried up huh.」 

One of the oldest members of the group who rivaled the sect founder Luo Hao, Marquis Voban spoke his opinion. 

「Ladies and gentlemen, this is a rare chance. It will surely become a game that will only happen this once. Don’t you all think that every one of us should properly enjoy this to our satisfaction? Tonight……at the time the clock reached midnight we will begin, what do you all think?」 

I don’t have any objection.」 

「Of course I too. Until that time arrived I think it’s better for us to scatter to act freely.」 

Salvatore Doni also joined into the circle of the senior group. 

Agreement was quickly formed between the three devil kings who were particularly battle loving. Then Alexander Gascoigne shook his head in exasperation to that. 

「There should be many smarter method to resolve this, but with the three people among the seven being like this then it can’t be helped. As for me, I don’t mind whoever will be the one to confront the『King of the End』. However, if there are fire sparks raining down, then I’ll properly clear them away.」 

Even while appealing that ‘I’m different than you guys’, he didn’t even try to hide his willingness to fight. 

Godou sighed ‘haa’ deeply and he finally opened his mouth. 

「There are various things that I want to say but, certainly it might be pointless even if I say them. Well, as for me regarding the right to have a match with that Rama――I want you all to leave it to me. It will be great if everyone can accept this wish of mine.」 

「Oo, isn’t that quite warlike for you Godou.」 Doni grinned at Godou. 

「By the way if we don’t accept it then――what will happen?」 

「Hmph.」 

Godou averted his face, curtly refusing to respond. 

Anyway, this was a gathering of this line-up. Something like an option other than fighting should be something impossible no matter what even if heaven and earth were overturned. 

And then, John Pluto Smith began to make a low chuckle. 

「Fu, fufufufu. Everything is just like what I imagined beforehand.」 

His mask was shaking as though he had just heard a smart joke. 

「As expected there is no other path other than this for us. I too will endeavor to my utmost in self-defense.」 

「Pl――please wait!」 

Madam Aisha pleaded with a desperate look. 

「Everyone! For all of us to fight between ourselves, is something that is absolutely mistaken-. What is lacking in everyone here is『love』! Everyone has to regain their love――e, eeeh!?」 

Sect founder Luo Hao and Marquis Voban. 

The moment the madam was appealing in tears, the two devil kings started to move. 

The wordlessly turned their back to Madam Aisha and walked toward separate ways and they immediately left. 

「Onii-sama, Onee-sama!」 

It was futile to even try to stop them. The madam was standing still in astonishment. 

With a sidelong glance to that, the remaining devil kings made clear of their objective with their respective words. 

「I don’t really want to say this but it can’t be helped. Let’s meet somewhere in Tokyo before long.」 

「Hahahaha. Perhaps we will meet again before we can even see the morning sun tomorrow however.」 

「Rather, it will be great if tonight won’t become the unlucky day of Tokyo’s destruction(Doom’s Day) though……」 Black Prince Alec also left. 

Doni continued after him with a footstep that sounded light yet spirited, John Pluto Smith too only shrugged and whispered without saying any objection. 

「No way……」 

Madam Aisha was dumbfounded for a while. 

In the end, she began to walk away still with her haggard look. Even though she shouldn’t even have any destination in mind, she was leaving toward the wrong direction……. 

Thus, it became only Kusanagi Godou who was left alone in that place.