Campione! - Volume Ex - Chapter 3.3

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「Someone must have applied a protective magic thing so that gate cannot be used.」

Godou muttered while looking down at the light of the space distortion.

The supernatural gate that appeared in front of Nikorai-do. Countless lights were gathering like nebula. Godou was staring at that from the rooftop of a multi-tenant building.

This area was sealed by the police and History Compilation Committee.

There wasn’t any ordinary people here due to the evacuation notice. The buildings around Nikorai-do including the building he was at right now were only filled with people involved.

Originally Godou should be at the temporary tent that was used as the countermeasures headquarters.

But, he was purposefully being alone. That way was more convenient in various aspects for him. It should be easier for that “attentive girl” too to come──

*Gii-*. There was the sound of heavy steel door being opened.

The person came to the rooftop searching for Godou just as he expected.

「……Onii-sama. Is it alright right now?」

「Yeah. Because it’s you Hikari, I thought that you will come to meet me soon.」

「Really? Fufufufu. That sounds like Onii-sama has faith on me. I’m happy.」

It was Mariya Hikari who came.

She was smiling happily. The second daughter of Mariya family who was still an elementary school student when they first met. Today she was wearing the nostalgic uniform of Jounan High School.

Even Hikari would be 17 years old soon. She was currently enrolled in the high school that Godou attended in the past.

「It’s not just sounds like it, I have great faith on you. But you know, Hikari.」

「What is it?」

「Why do you change into s school uniform? You were wearing shrine maiden outfit before this.」

「Of course, it’s because I want Onii-sama to have a look! This is our first time meeting since I became high school student!」

Hikari came until in front of Godou and twirled in place.

Thanks to that he could confirm not just her front figure but also her uniform figure from the back. It was the sailor uniform that he saw everyday in the past at his high school period when he was attending Jounan high school.

She had also grown in height and in the length of her limbs. She had become completely womanly.

She looked really similar with her big sister Mariya Yuri. But, Hikari had a friendly atmosphere that was easier to get on with compared to her graceful and Yamato Nadeshiko elder sister.

In front of the girl who had grown a lot, Godou said.

「Come to think of it the last time we met, Hikari was at middle school third grade.」

「Yes. There I received that promise……」

Hikari happily muttered and then looked down.

She must be remembering the scene at that time and became embarrassed. That time when she expressed her whole heart to a man who was older and what’s more『the partner of her big sister』──.

And then Godou answered her『When you become high school student』…….

「Hey, Hikari. That space distortion thing. Why do you think I can’t pass through it?」

Godou purposefully didn’t touch the past matter and pointed to below.

The rooftop of a five-storey multi tenant building. He was looking down to the space distortion from the edge of it. Countless lights were converging into a cluster.

「Onee-chan said it. It’s being locked with a magic that forbids intrusion.」

「Guess so. Even I cannot push through, so it’s really powerful. Perhaps a god or some fellows who are close to that applied it.」

「The power of the like me is completely useless against that.」

「Yeah. Normally that is.」

「Yes. Without some kind of powerful divine protection, it’s really beyond me……」

Hikari was looking up at Godou’s face with eyes that were filled with strong will.

The girl who had been intelligent and attentive since she was an elementary school student had thoroughly grown. She was wishing to walk the same path with a 『good for nothing』 like Kusanagi Godou.

That determination was conveyed to him to a painful degree──Godou pulled Hikari toward himself.

The nervous looking girl was lovely. That was why he told her.

「Just as promised, will you accompany me until I die? Just as you know, I’m a man who really isn’t decent at all, so I won’t be able to die in a proper way, and surely I’ll also trouble you a lot but……. Even so I’ll do everything I can for your sake during the time I’m able to stay together with you.」

「I’m prepared for everything, Onii-sama……」

Hikari replied bravely with a trembling voice and closed her eyes.

Godou brought his face closer and kissed her lips. It was the proof of the promise. It was also Hikari’s first kiss.

After a while, Godou’s lips separated from her.

「The next one will be a bit painful. Endure it okay?」

「Of course. When Onii-sama did it with Onee-chan and Erica-neesama……that’s, I secretly watched it, so I understand it well……」

「You did something like that?」

「Because, I envied the big sisters so……」

Godou smiled wryly. In contrast Hikari was making excuse like a spoiled child.

While this girl was a well-balanced “good child”, she was also good at asking to be spoiled. That personality of hers was also lovable to Godou.

Godou narrowed his eyes while chanting inside his mouth.

「Pray the words that are true. These words are powerful and firm. These words shall save even those who lose their head──」

After that, he kissed Hikari once more.

In order to breathe into her the scripture he just chanted and──the divine protection of the god of victory.

「A……aah!?」

Hikari’s whole body was trembling hard. She was leaning on him.

Godou held her firmly. Hikari’s body was hot like fire. The 『divine protection』 he bestowed her was hotly blazing inside her and putting a large burden on her. She should be unable to even stand steadily until she got used to it.

「I, I’m sorry, Onii-sama.」

「Don’t mind it. It’s fine even if it’s while clinging on me but can you walk? If you can’t, then I’ll carry you in my arms you know?」

「Yo……you’re going to carry me in a princess carry……?」

「Yeah. I’m more or less trained in it.」

「Tha, that’ll be delightful but, I’m fine. If the big sisters saw that, their mood might worsen.」

Hikari smiled bravely to him even while looking exhausted.

She was sweaty. But it seemed she had gotten used to the divine protection quickly. How very reliable. The girl who was also Mariya Yuri’s little sister brought her lips toward Godou’s ear with a joking tone.

She mentioned this with a sweet whisper.

「That’s why next time──please do it when it’s only the two of us.」

.

Kusanagi Godou usurped his first authority from the war god Verethragna.

It was named as “The War God of The East” by Greenwich’s Witenagemot, but it was called with a really simple name of the Ten Avatars by the Godou himself.

In short it was ten kinds of killer techniques. All of them had conditions of use.

The first avatar was Gale. It could be used only when someone in danger called the name of Kusanagi Godou.

The second avatar was the Bull. It could be used only when fighting an owner of superhuman strength.

The third avatar was White Horse. It could only be used against a great sinner that tormented the masses.

The fourth avatar was the Camel. It could be used only when Godou was severely injured.

The fifth avatar was the Boar. It could be used only when a huge object was offered to the black divine beast as a sacrifice.

The sixth avatar was Youth. It could be used when someone fought or got injured for the sake of Kusanagi Godou.

The seventh avatar was Raptor. It could be used when he received a high speed attack.

The eighth avatar was Ram. It could be used only when he was dying from serious wounds and at the verge of death.

The ninth avatar was Goat. It could be used when the hearts of the gathered populace were thrown out of order by anger, fear, or confusion.

The tenth avatar was Warrior. It could be used only when Godou genuinely understood the identity of the god he faced.

Well, none of them could be used casually.

However, six years had passed since he obtained this authority. His understanding of this ability advanced along with the progress of time. Among them there was also an avatar that got its requirement to use loosened.

That was the Youth.

It was said that war god Verethragna descended to earth for a while as a radiant fifteen years old youth.

Like that he guided the lost populace and protected them. Youth embodied that disposition. In the past it could only be used for the sake of those who risked their life for Godou’s sake but──

.

「Have you gotten used to it, Hikari?」

「Yes. I’m feeling the strength that I received from Onii-sama dwelling here. It’s really warm and powerful──it’s really reliable.」

Hikari touched below her navel with both hands and narrowed her eyes happily.

That body part was the pit of the stomach. It was an important spot even among the important spots inside human body. It was the source that produced ki and magical power for users of magic and spiritual abilities.

The divine protection was hidden there inside Hikari. Godou took her along while walking.

He left the rooftop of the multi tenant building and looked down to the space distortion. Right now he was at the entrance of the same building. It wouldn’t even take two minutes from there to walk until in front of the “actual site” that was Nikorai-do.

「Okay, let’s go. I’m counting on your power.」

「Please leave it to me!」

The gate of light, the space distortion. The key figures were gathering in front of it.

Sayanomiya Kaoru. Amakasu Touma. And then the female group who were Kusanagi Godou’s most important comrades. Their representative Erica Blandelli was the first one to call out to him.

「Where did you go, Godou? You even brought Hikari?」

「Just now, we were talking that perhaps we should ask everyone to withdraw for the moment. The rest can be left to us History Compilation Committee in that case.」

Amakasu Touma also spoke. Beside him Sayanomiya Kaoru also nodded.

「Yes. We considered that perhaps we should try thinking for countermeasure through the night for now. ……But Godou-san, looking at your face, do you perhaps has a secret plan?」

As expected from the talented person of unspecified gender. Kaoru sharply asked him.

She must know intuitively from his attitude that was filled with confidence. Godou laughed.

「Yeah. Actually the two of us were having strategy meeting until now. We’re going to pry open that gate with brute force. The preparation is already finished──I’ll leave it to you, Hikari.」

「Yes-」

Hikari replied energetically and headed toward the space distortion.

Her big sister Yuri tried to stop her in panic.

「You can’t! Unlike Godou-san, if we enter there!?」

「It’s fine. Watch me, Onee-cha──ah!?」

Hikari who tried to enter the gate was attacked by countless sparks.

It was the baptism that showered Godou too before this. For Campione who couldn’t be affected by most kind of magic, a candle’s fire felt hotter. However, for someone who wasn’t a godslayer──

It was a tremendous heat.

It was to the degree that not even bones would remain after getting burned to nothing by it.

But, although Hikari had been struck by the ominously crackling sparks many times, she firmly increased her spirit high and endured the lightning. In addition she began to chant the words of power.

「Purify wickedness, repel disaster, exorcise misfortune. This shall become the miraculous virtue of blessed people!」

「Eh? You’re all right, Hikari!?」

「I see! You granted divine protection to that girl didn’t you, Kusanagi Godou!?」

Ena was astonished, while Liliana sharply noticed and grilled Godou about it.

Even during that time Hikari continued chanting and used the spiritual power of calamity purification.

Princess shrine maidens were those who descended from the bloodlines of the witches who were also called as divine ancestors. Due to that blood relationship, they were endowed with innate spiritual abilities from birth.

Hikari’s calamity purification was an ability to erase magic and spiritual power.

Of course, it didn’t have the miraculous effect to the level that could negate the power used by someone at the class of heretic god.

However, for example if Kusanagi Godou granted her Verethragna’s divine protection using the avatar of Youth──she should be able to endure even the harm from the heat and smash through the protective spell.

It was just as expected. The sparks that were attacking Hikari without rest suddenly vanished completely.

「I, I did it, Onii-sama!」

After reporting that with a smile──

Hikari abruptly almost collapsed.

She exhausted all her energy using her calamity purification in full strength. Godou quickly leaped and firmly caught the princess shrine maiden who had accomplished the distinguished service.

He nodded at the girl who had commendably devoted herself to him.

On the other hand, Amakusa was impressed after seeing this from start to end.

「I see, I see. She has been bestowed with the divine protection from the Youth avatar beforehand. I’ve only heard about the story of it, so it skipped my mind.」

「Recently we never head to the “actual site” together after all.」

Godou answered. He used honorific language with Amakusa who was older than him. It was a habit that didn’t change in these six years. But, there were several developmental changes to Verethragna’s authority happening.

The Youth’s change was especially remarkable.

He was also able to discover several other methods to bestow the divine protection other than kissing. That was why Godou said.

「When it’s necessary even Amakusa-san can also……」

「I’ll restrain from that. Even if I receive the divine protection, it can’t activate if I can’t risk my life for Godou-san’s sake. So perhaps it won’t be useful. After all my strategy is always 『to treasure your life』.」

It was easily dodged in Amakusa’s usual style.

Then, the 『boss』 Sayanomiya immediately interrupted.

「I’m interested though. One of these days let me receive the bestowal together with Amakusa-san.」

「It’s Kaoru-san’s own freedom to get a passing fancy. But please don’t drag your subordinate into it too. Recently the trend of the society is harsh toward black companys you know?」

「It’s alright. It’s the readiness of a shinobi to kill one’s heart under the blade right?」

The two members of History Compilation Committee were having a labor dispute jokingly.

This atmosphere felt nostalgic somehow. Godou laughed. After that, he whispered to Hikari who was still within his arms’ embrace.

「Then I’m going. The continuation of the promise will be after I return.」

「Yes! I’ll be waiting, Onii-sama!」

「Amakusa-san. Please take care of the clean up. I don’t know whether it will be god or demon waiting but──for now I’ll take a look at the other side of this gate.」

「Understood, your majesty the king. I’m grateful for the division of roles that is putting the right person in the right place.」

Godou requested while entrusting the exhausted Hikari. Amakusa replied to him with a jest.

Godou was finally entering into the space distortion while they were seeing him off. He wasn’t obstructed by that sparks anymore.

Light. Light. Light. Innumerable  lights were dancing chaotically inside.

It was like entering kaleidoscope. When he stepped over that resplendent space, the scenery before his eyes suddenly changed.

……It was a beautiful garden there.

There was a fountain and small pool that were created from white marble. Vibrant shrubbery was planted on the green lawn. A scenery that softened one’s heart like colorful flowers and the like were right in front of him.

When he looked at far away, there was a white palace and tower standing tall there.

Further ahead than that was a completely dried desert. When he looked at the night sky above, surprisingly there was a large blue star that seemed to be earth shining majestically──.

Godou muttered to himself.

「Is this also a mythological world somewhere……?」

「I wonder? Rather this makes me recall the Plutarchos’s Mansion that we visited before. The “singularity of space time” that existed in the end of the Neither world──」

「Yuri!?」

Without him noticing Mariya Yuri had come right behind him.

She had an angry face that she would sometimes show at the period when they had only just met. The dignified expression when she was admonishing Kusanagi Godou’s inhumane act formed on her face, glaring toward him.

「Yo, you followed after me huh……」

「Yes. Godou-san, it feels like you intend to dodge the matter like that so…」

「Dodge the matter?」

「My king, of course this is about the matter of granting Verethragna’s divine protection to Mariya Hikari. Furthermore it was undoubtedly through a kiss. You and her didn’t show yourself for unnaturally long……there shouldn’t be any problem even if we judged using only such circumstantial evidence.」

This was obviously a displeased Liliana Kranjcar.

Furthermore, Seishuuin Ena who was making an exasperated face and Erica who was standing grimly like a judge handing down judgment were also with them.

「Well, it was also just a matter of time until Hikari too became like that.」

Ena muttered seriously.

「But to think that the matter will be developed in a surprise attack like this. Ena thought that it’s as expected from your majesty, but we wished that your majesty would say something to us beforehand……」

「Furthermore you plunged into the space distortion just like that through following the natural flow.」

Erica too finally opened her mouth as though to summarize the opinions of the female group.

「That was a really smooth move based on how you would be able to escape from being held accountable for a while by evacuating from the scene like that. But, it can be said to be shallow with how you are thinking that such thing would work on us who have known you for long……」

「I have no intention to dodge the matter though……」

Godou scratched his head.

「I only thought that for some reason it would be better to not stay there for long.」

「Godou-san! That’s what is called dodging the matter!」

Godou shrugged at Yuri’s scolding.

「I have no excuse. Please spare me. Also, I think you girls has understand this too but, best regards for the matter of Hikari too. It’s mostly just like everyone thought.」

「Good grief! Really, someone like you, there is a limit in even being outrageous!」

Erica let out a long sigh.

But, as expected from the free spirit who surpassed even Kusanagi Godou in the term of being unconventional and uninhibited. She didn’t try to pursue the matter further than that and changed the topic with a gallant face of a female lion.

「So Godou. Does this place look safe from your eyes?」

「Unfortunately this is a dangerous area. They are here without a doubt.」

Godou was feeling the stinging in the air from the moment he arrived here.

The hostility, fighting spirit, determination, and killing intent that were emitted by the people lurking here──he was sensing those things. His instinct as a godslaying beast was telling him.

The arch-enemy of Campione, which was 『god』 was definitely here without doubt.

.