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Campione! - Volume 19 - Chapter 4.4




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Part 4 

「It helps that Erica-neesan has quick thinking. There is no need to for unnecessary talk.」 

A voice of a young boy that sounded cheeky came as reply. 

Red and blue, the two knights moved their eyes to that direction. The son of the distinguished Lu family of Hong Kong that boasted prodigious talent while at the age of fourteen――Lu Yinghua was grinning broadly. 

Today he was unusually wearing an indigo blue Kung Fu outfit. 

「Sorry, but I am ordered by master. Weaken Madam Aisha as much as possible. Corner both her mind and body and don’t let her relax as much as possible. That was what master told me.」 

「For that sake, you also won’t let Godou’s subordinates to interfere then?」 

「Correct answer.」 

「Hmph. That’s underhanded instruction is not like the sect founder isn’t it.」 

Liliana spoke provocatively. But, the personal pupil of the magic cult founder was calm. 

「I always said it didn’t I. Master is a person that firmly differentiate between a fight and a war. She is 

recognizing……that Madam Aisha cannot be finished off just by a one on one match of swinging her fist. Son Go’s 

Stratagem,Methods of the Sima, Six Secret 

Teachings――without exhausting all kind of strategy, she is not an opponent that could be finished off, she said.」(TN: Those are the name of art of war that is not written by Sun Tzu but by other famous strategists of China) 

「I feel like I understand.」 Erica nodded. 

「The madam is certainly a lady that is especially outside the standard even among the Campiones.」 

「As a human she is quite a good person though. Well, because of that reason, the me today will take the enemy role against you two Nee-san after so long.」 

Saying that, Yu Linghua――didn’t take the stance of martial art. 

Languid. Both his hands were dangling down languidly without any tension, he was just standing still in one place. However, his gaze and bearing were obviously filled with blood thirst and fighting spirit. 

「This is the strict order of master, I won’t make any allowance. 」 

Even though he was saying that far, but both his arms were still『languid』. 

It seemed that he intended to fight like that. As expected from a wonder child of martial world, he was showing them a prodigious movement right from the start of the face-off. 

It didn’t seem that there was any other way to go past him other than keeping him company until the end. 

Erica was bravely showing a smile of female lion and took a step forward. 

A thin long sword suddenly appeared on her right hand. A sword with the name of Cuore de Lione. 

「Be thankful. I’m nominating myself as your dance partner.」 

「One won’t be enough you know. You two Nee-san, I’ll take care of the two of you at the same time. I want Liliana-neesan to keep me company too here.」 

「It’s unfortunate but――I have some place to go to!」 Liliana quickly broke into a dash with all her strength. 

She entrusted this place to her blond rival cum sworn friend and hurried to her lord’s side. However, at that moment the wonder child of martial world finally came at her with an attack! 

「Ha!」 

「I’ll leave it to you okay, Lily!」 

*Kiin!* A high-pitched metallic sound reverberated. 

The arm that Lu Yinghua languidly dangled down――that right arm bent like a whip and threw something toward the running Liliana. Erica swept it away with the magic sword of lion……. 

A metallic sound due to the instantaneous offense and defense. 

Cuore de Lione deflected something hard. 

Liliana rushed without even ascertaining Lu Yinghua’s weapon. As might be expected from one who was even called as fairy of sword, her legs were wonderfully fast and light. 

She ran until the edge of the rooftop almost instantly and leaped without hesitation. 

From the building rooftop toward the ground where Kusanagi Godou and others were at. She leaped over a few hundred meter in one go! 

On the other hand, Erica and Lu Yinghua’s offense and defense continued. 

*hyun hyun hyun hyun hyun hyun!* 

The weapon that Lu Yinghua was swinging around was 110 centimeter long. It was similar with a whip. Each time it cut the air it produced the sound of cutting wind. Nine thin metallic sticks were connected with iron ring, it was an『iron whip with joint』. And then―― 

The stick at the end of the whip was sharpened as blade just like a『spear’s tip』. 

*Hyun! Hyun!* 

He was going to cut apart Erica’s side face and body with this. 

The tip of the whip imitation was repeatedly drawing circle, which Erica was somehow evading it continuously. 

「That weapon, the last time I saw it at Hong Kong! If I remember correctly it’s called the nine joint whip isn’t it!?」 

「So far as it goes it is my family’s treasured weapon!」 

*hyun hyun hyun hyun!* 

The nine joint whip was swung around. The nine metallic sticks that formed this weapon had length of fifteen centimeter each. If it was folded then it could even be settled on the palm. Lu Yinghua was hiding it on his hand with skillfulness that would make illusionist lose face and launched a surprise attack. (TN:Losing face means losing appreciation, respect, bearing etc. It could be one of many.) 

This was the first time for Lu Yinghua whose strong point was palm martial art to use weapon. 

「Is this what you mean by not making any allowance!?」 

「For the moment. But, it’s not like I’m saying that I won’t use my hand yeah.」 

Lu Yinghua suddenly snapped his right hand. The nine metallic sticks instantly got folded and became hidden inside the young boy’s palm. On top of that Lu Yinghua stepped forward――aiming at the abdomen of Erica who was holding a sword, he struck simultaneously with both his palms! 

There was already no nine joint whip on his right hand. The whip was hidden in his pocket or sleeve! 

「!?」 

Erica back stepped at the last moment and somehow evaded the blow of the two palms. 

If she got hit with such blow, all her internal organ might get ruptured. 

She was starting to get used to the movement of the nine joint whip from the offense and defense until now. And so Lu Yinghua hid his weapon with the dexterity like a sleight of hand, and then commenced his master’s personally taught palm art――Soaring Phoenix Twelve Divine Fist. He took surprise of the enemy with that clever plan. Truly a killing technique. 

「I thought that the martial arts of cult founder Luo Hao would be technique of ruler though.」 

Erica intentionally spoke elegantly also with the intention to calm herself down. 

「So you are also properly taught the sleight of hand to take the enemy in their unguarded moment huh.」 

「This is what is called as the back technique for actual fighting. Front and back, yin and yang, if you are not versed in each path then you cannot be called as a master under the heaven. The noble path of war is deceptive methods. That is the cherished opinion of master. ……That person is ostentatious though, so she absolutely won’t say it in front of other people.

」 

「But she is firmly educating her only personal pupil?」 

「Yeah. If the time and place to use deceptive and wicked methods are not mistaken, then it will be useful」 

What ought to be aspired for until the end was to be aware of the noble path while also properly facing the truth. 

Erica was in admiration of the frankness that was just like the combat faction of the master and student but―― 

Erica took a deep breath. Nine joint whip. Rather than being cautious against the tricky way it was used it was better to pay attention at the weapon itself, her wariness reared up its head. 

The parts that formed the nine joint whip, all of them were glossy jet black. 

A steel that emitted glossy radiance like an obsidian. It was wafting off sign of mystical force. 

In fact, right under the tip part that resembled spearhead was engraved with small eight character of『百邪斬断』『万精駆逐』that even resembled writing using brush. (TN: First sentence is Hundred Evil Bisecting and the second sentence is All Spirit Extermination) 

This was Tao――China sorcery’s scriptures. 

「Now that you mentioned it, you said something like the treasured weapon of Hong Kong’s Lu family didn’t you?」 

「Well, Nee-san will soon understand the degree of effectiveness of it. After all it will be Nee-san herself that meet the painful experience.」 

「My? Is it fine for you today to not take Godou into consideration? If something happen to me and Lily, that person would not forgive that you know?」 

「Yeah isn’t that right, but that can’t be helped. Uncle is also scary but, master is scarier.」 

The wonder child spoke with resignation mixing in his tone after hearing that small slyness of Erica. 

But, that also meant that he was unconnected with any negligence or self-conceit that was frequent for someone talented. That was why Lu Yinghua was terrifying. If it was for the sake of accomplishing his objective, then he would unhesitatingly came using cunning wiles(malice). 

「Then, I too will come without reservation――」 

When she thought back, it was a bond since they met at Hong Kong a few years ago. 

A showdown after a while since the last time with the child prodigy – Lu Yinghua that might have surpassed her. It was the beginning of a duel where not even an instant of losing focus would be permitted. 

Erica caressed the blade of her beloved sword Cuore de Lione and heightened the mystical force. 

  

On the other side, Liliana lightly leaped down from the rooftop―― 

The landing after that was also beautiful. 

Even when she got down from the height of several tens of meters on the asphalt road, she kicked the ground *ta-* and connected a second leap without killing her momentum. 

The destination that she aimed for with the nimbleness of a fairy was the side of her lord – Kusanagi Godou. 

She would take her lord and Madam Aisha using flight magic. Bringing them to a place without any people. 

After that the fellow devil kings would fight with their full strength――. That was her intention. But, after running for only a little, she was forced to come to a sudden stop. 

That was because an unthinkable person was waiting on her way. 

「Yaa. So it’s not Erica but you who came. Should I say long time no see?」 

The person addressed her with composed voice. They were more or less in a relationship of old acquaintance. 

Before, when she traveled to Britain with Kusanagi Godou, she had met face to face with this person just once at Cornwall. 

「Sorry, but ahead my master Alexander Gascoigne and your lord-dono are in the middle of talking. Not letting any nuisance going through is my role. If you are planning to continue ahead then――you can go after defeating me.」 

Sir Iceman informed her with a face of a warm gentleman instead. 

He was around forty years old. Wearing a grey coat on top of elegant suit, there was no chink in his personal appearance. He was a legendary knight that was serving the black prince. 

「I feel regretful for this trite warning, but please forgive me. 

Different from someone like Paolo who is also the senior of Erica and you, I have no confidence in long talks that puts on airs.」 

The only man that the holy knight Paolo Blandelli recognized as his worthy rival. 

Even Liliana had often heard about the greatness of this man’s name of《Iceman》. 

For magician teacher and student raised in Italia’s Milan,『the man who is calm and collected like ice』was an existence that was too renowned along with his rival. 

Liliana shuddered violently from encountering an enemy more powerful than Lu Yinghua. 

  

November last year, Godou confronted the black prince Alec. 

It was a case that revolved around a floating island and divine ancestor Guinevere. Through that battle, it could be said that the Campiones of Japan and Britain mostly understood each other’s ability. 

Three months from then, The two of them were in confrontation once more at the ground of Tokyo. 

「Hmph. To think that the day where I am conflicting with you again will come this fast.」 

「…………」 

Alec who looked ill humored, and the silent Godou. 

There was a distance of four, five meter between them. 

But, Alec didn’t approach with his specialty the godspeed, he also didn’t try to take distance. That confident man was hesitant for a rematch――was impossible. Then. 


「It’s not really that fast you know, Gascoigne.」 

Godou opened his right hand quickly. A weapon appeared on that palm. 

Divine sword – Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi. It had a shape that resembled Japanese katana, but actually it was not. The sword seemed to be the reproduction of an ancient sword『 Warabitetou』. The color of the blade was jet black. (TN: 

Warabitetou was a type of iron sword with curved pommel (Nara period).) 

「Because at my side I was busy with one thing or another that 

I almost forget my quarrel with you. Thanks to that I also got thrown into a mess where I need to learn an unnecessary skill. 」 

「…………」 

This time it was Alec that became silent. 

During that time, the tip of Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi――was stabbed into earth by Godou. 

The most prominent divine sword of Japan was sinking smoothly into the ground, before long, not only the blade even the hilt was completely vanishing into the ground……. 

Godou abandoned his weapon, wasn’t what happened. 

Immediately a strong wave of mystical force welled up from the ground. 

That was a strong wave that spread through the reclaimed land of Odaiba――until almost the whole area. 

「……A sword that forcefully fuse the spiritual power of a war god of steel and mother earth goddess huh. Just like the rumor, it seem that you have obtained a really dangerous weapon.」 

「If possible I don’t want to use it, so you too don’t act rashly.」 

「Even though you swing it around without hesitation when the moment comes, don’t push the responsibility to me.」 

Sparks crackled out from the whole body of Alec who barked at Godou. 

It was the portent that his godspeed was on. However, Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi was entering the activation preparation of the secret formula《Sword of Black》underground the bay area. Godou send his mind to underground. 

「What?」 

Alec frowned. 

That because just before he moved with godspeed, the legs of the black prince were stuck to the ground. 

It was the work of Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi. 《Black Blade 》 was still in the middle of preparation, but it could at least manipulate gravity to stick a thin young man to the ground. 「Is this also one of your new technique?」 

「There is still more than something like this, don’t you also know it?」 

Godou checked Alec that was smiling impudently. 

A total of three months since the confrontation last time. 

During that time, Kusanagi Godou had greatly changed. Thanks to the goddess Circe and Athena he obtained his third authority《Black Blade》Sword of the Beginning and the End, on top of that―― 

Exactly because Alec who was quick-eared knew that, that he was cautious like this. 

It was in order to watchfully ascertain the power of Godou and instantly launched “an attack of reversal” that overturned the whole battle situation. That was the style of black prince Alec. 

Exactly because they were fellow people who knew each other’s hands, that new weapon would become the key of the strategy――. 

……Yet, speaking of the lady that was hidden behind Godou’s back. 

「M, my. I wonder if this is the tragic situation of『a dispute 

between two gentlemen concerning me』that I heard from rumor……?」 

She was making a worried face due to having idle thoughts that was of a different direction than the fight. 

In any case, Alec was being alert at Ame no Murakumo that was sinking into the ground――toward its power, that he still wasn’t proactively fighting. Rather him showering Godou with godspeed trick play like the previous battle was something troublesome for Godou. So he was thankful with this situation. 

What was left was if his companion could come while this bluff was still working……. 

「I’ll say this, if it’s the person you are waiting for then she won’t come.」 

Alec easily said. 

「I am also bringing along someone here. He should be entertaining your comrade right now. It seem that the subordinates of cult founder Luo Hao are also wandering around so――well, I don’t think that your comrade will arrive shortly.」 

「…………」 

「Let’s make this party’s attendance for Campione only. This is disadvantageous for me with two against one, but I don’t really mind.」 

「……As for me, I want to change the venue itself though.」 

The moment he thought he might be able to grasp the pace, it was overturned on him. 

The black prince Alec grinned at Godou who was talking like poor loser. 

「What an extravagant guy to be able to feel discontent about the venue. If you don’t want to involve the people around into this, then you only need to fight so it doesn’t come into that isn’t it?」 

「Of course, I’m going to do just that.」 

Godou clicked his tongue when it was his turn of getting checked. 

As expected, the Britain Campione was well-informed of the aspect that Kusanagi Godou was the most poor at. And then, little sparks began to crackle from Alec’s whole body. 

He planned to use godspeed once more. 

How much he would be able to hinder him using Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi and the Black Blade  undergound――. 

「Ku, Kusanagi-san-. Now that it has come to this, I will cooperate too, so let’s escape together from here! No matter what he say this is two versus one!」 

Aisha gave a proposal now that the event had reached this point. 

Godou nodded. For better or for worse she was a partner that might commit something unexpected, but as expected she was also a Campione. She was an ally that he was happy to have――but 

*Katsun. Katsun. Katsun. Katsun.* 

After ten-odd hours, Godou and others once more heard that characteristic footsteps. 

It was the proof that man was coming. Come to think of it, the sun had sunk quite much. The sinking sun dyed the world with color of blood――the time of dusk was beginning. 

It wasn’t as dark as night, but the vague twilight was fitting for that man. 

 

Joining hand with a specific someone……is something that I have no intention of doing.」 

A tenor that sounded putting on airs leaked out from the black mask. 

In the city that became the color of burning flame due to the setting sun, a mysterious person clad in jet black outfit appeared. 

What made him different from mere eccentric costume player, was nothing else than his outfit and “atmosphere of another world” that he also brought into this place. 

「But in this place, it seem that it is also not bad. It appears that all of you are intending to start the event with a situation of two versus one.」 

One step, and then one more step, the boots’ footstep sound were approaching their direction. 

Come to think of it, there was nobody coming to this park until now. Was that coincidence, or else that was something inevitable due to an arrangement of someone. 

Right now, there were only Campiones gathering her. And then. 

「If John Pluto Smith took the side of black prince Alec――it will be two on two. Don’t you think that it will be a really exciting match?」 

The godslayer of North America spoke that, so Godou was surprised. 

「Taking Gascoigne’s side, you say?」 

After all I and him are of the same opinion. In this devil king civil war, the unpredictable factor that is Madam Aisha ought to be removed quickly.」 

John Pluto Smith easily announced. 

Of course, Godou didn’t think that the black clothed and black masked Campione was his ally. But, Godou still received a shock that wasn’t little. 

He vaguely felt it. This man and him were mysteriously clicking with each other. 

Compared to the possibility of him confronting his elder sister in this devil king civil war, the likelihood of him genuinely clashing against Smith seemed low――that was something that he felt without any basis. However. 

It appeared that was his false impression. 

And then, there was one more person who felt surprise from this. 

「You, are planning to form a united front with me?」 

「Quite so, Gascoigne-kun. It’s not really strange isn’t it? After all I am just reaching the same conclusion with you after taking into account various factors about the situation.」 

「Hmph.」 

Alec was staring at Smith suspiciously. 

「I cannot really accept those words by face value but, fine then. Even if it’s only two on two for just this place then it’s not bad. I’ll depend on you for the time being.」 

「Hahahaha. I think that I am quite worthy for trust though.」 

Smith lightly warded off Alec’s comment and laughed. 

At the very least, what I am saying is at the same level with your own speech.」 

「Stop saying nonsense. It’s still better if you only have costume habit but you are also a haphazardly secretive person. I cannot stand to be confused with someone like you.」 

Perhaps there was some kind of conflict between the two of them in the past. 

Alec complained with really deep frown at Smith who laughed unabashedly, and then――his whole body crackled with sparks. It was the activation of godspeed. 

「Kyaaaaaa-!?」 

Less then 0.1 second later Madam Aisha’s figure vanished, leaving only a scream. 

Alec also vanished. It seemed that he darted off somewhere with lightning speed. He kidnapped the woman that was called as “The Queen of Mysterious Cave”. 

And then, Kusanagi Godou who should be protecting her――clicked his tongue. 

「Bringing in a dangerous thing into Japan……」 

「What. If you only know how to enter the country without going through custom, then it’s something possible one way or another.」 

Smith drew out his steel colored magic gun and pointed the gun muzzle at Godou. 

Thanks to that this time he wasn’t able to bind the nimble feet of Alec using the absorption of the Sword of Black. 

「Now, let’s begin the match between fellow leftover――」 

O you who are sharp and cannot be approached easily, bring down the hammer on the crime of breaking the contract!」 Godou immediately called his trump card. 

Under the feet of Smith who was aiming the gun muzzle at him――the asphalt was dyed with color of jet black darkness. From there a giant best with total length of ten-odd meter leaped out and brought the blackly dressed mysterious person to the sky with its snout! 

It was the manifestation of gigantic destroyer. 

「Oo!?」 

「Sorry, but I have to go to where Aisha-san is!」 

He grasped the pace in one go with a violent preemptive blow. 

That was his intention. However, the enemy was also formidable. Right after that, John Pluto Smith’s excessively unique figure――transformed instantly. 

『Fufufufu. So you are also making a mistake. Remember this, Kusanagi Godou. An opponent like this fellow, is something that I have the most advantage against!』 Smith loud voice reverberated. 

The opponent that the『Boar』pushed up to the sky when he leaped out from inside the ground, was not human anymore. Now he was something that was as big as the fifth avatar of Verethragna, furthermore he was a monster that possessed wings――a jet black demonic bird. 

『I decreed under the name of the ruler of the underworld..』 The length of the wings surpassed ten meter. 

 

It was a gallant bird of prey. Words of power were breathed out from the gigantic beak. 

『Offer the black wings that fell the heavens. O sky, open your heart only for my sake.』 

The avatar of evil god Tezcatlipoca – Black Demonic Bird. 

It was one of John Pluto Smith’s shapeshifting bodies. 

Like how Kusanagi Godou was handling ten avatars, it was said that the masked Campione also transformed into his unique shapeshifting bodies in succession. 

In a sense, the fellow well-matched godslayers finally carried out their clash. 

Right after that, the ground of Odaiba began to shake irregularly. 

The intensity was proportionate with seismic intensity of four. Of course this wasn’t a natural phenomenon or anything. When the godslayer that possessed the name of the ruler of underworld transformed into demonic bird, it was decided that the ground would pay the compensation for that. 



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