Excerpt From the Meeting Minutes with Associated Individuals, Written
by the Traveling Archeologist Sherilyn from London, Beginning of the 21st
Century]
Dragons have nine similarities.
Heads like a camel, horns like a deer, eyes like a ghost, ears like a bull,
appearances like a snake, bellies like a mirage, scales like a carp, claws
like an eagle, palms like a tiger.
Such is the [Dragon]'s appearance as written in Chinese books.
But it was merely a fantastical description written in text, combining various
creatures to form a strange biological existence.
At the same time, the dragon's greatest similarity was its considerable
semblance to snakes.
Whether it was eastern or western, dragons always had a thin, snake-like
body, and at the same time exhibited characteristics of other beasts
special to the region; therefore it always looked different given variations in
location and time. The greatest unchanging aspect of this beast was that it
always had its foundation as a [Serpent], which, regardless of region, has
not differed since ancient times.
[Notes of the Witch Lucretia Zola, Regarding the Mythology of Perseus
[1]
and Andromeda]The monster perched by the waterside (likely a great serpent or
dragon-kin) required them to present a girl as sacrifice.
At this moment, the timely appearance of a hero defeated the monster; he
then took the rescued girl as his wife.
We have confirmed that even in the far-eastern Japan, there were also
stories like that of Perseus and Andromeda. The most renowned examples
[2]
would be the tales surrounding the Yamata no Orochi.[3]
Susanoo defeated the Yamata no Orochi before marrying Kushinada.Then from the tail of the slain serpent, he was granted the blessing of a
[4]
divine sword.Therefore, Susanoo acquired the [Sword] from the body of the [Serpent].
There were several similarities to the formula that we European witches
are familiar with.
For example, Siegfried who became immortal after killing the dragon
[5]Fafnir, or the knight Sir Lancelot who received the magic sword from the
[6]
faerie of the lake.In other words—confronting dragons was the hidden symbiotic relationship
between heroes of steel and the gods of the earth and water.
[Liliana Kranjcar, about to go on vacation, just before meeting the
[King]]
It was already late July and about to change months.
Europe was in the middle of summer, the season of long vacations.
Spending the long vacation in either resorts that avoid the summer heat or
coastal locations was good; renting a villa to spend leisure time was alright
as well, even relaxing at one's own home from morning to night was not a
bad call.
So for Liliana Kranjcar to assess her own swimsuit in front of the mirror in
her room, it was not something others should gossip about.
Because it should be like that.
"...No, no this isn't good either, how can I wear something like this in front
of everyone!"
Liliana was looking at herself in the mirror, frankly pointing out that it was
impossible for her to dress like that.
The long vacation was scheduled to be spent by the sea this year.
Therefore, she was now trying out the new swimsuit now. But...
What was wrapped around her slender body were the upper and lower
portions of a bikini.
Although her body was very slender, the lush and delicate chest, as well as
the feminine waistline, were both very soft, while her slim legs were like
fine glass, all of it giving a fairy-like cuteness and the
dangerously-balanced charm of a girl.
Liliana looked despairingly at her posture.
—Definitely not! This is way too exposed! Way too vulgar!
Liliana's white skin tone overwhelmed the blue lines of the swimsuit that
was covering her.
It was way too daring.
Even though it fit perfectly, it was still problematic.
Although such an appearance may create some opportunities for her,
things that could not be done just could not be done.
...The blistering summer sun, the scorching hot beach.
...At this time, the shy Liliana strolled in her swimsuit, watched by a
gentleman (definitely a handsome guy, clad in swimwear, with the tanned
skin of an athlete) who could not keep his eyes off her.
...The shy Liliana occasionally made eye contact, but the guy sent an
elegant smile her way. She thought it would finish with just that, but the two
of them met again several hours later....
"J-just what am I thinking, really... compared to this, Karen!"
"What are your orders, Liliana-sama? Does that swimsuit still meet your
wishes?"
As Liliana addressed the exclusive maid who stood behind her, the other
replied in a calm steady voice.
Karen Jankulovski.
A petite and cute girl who was wearing a maid outfit.
At age fourteen, she was at an age when studying should be her focus.
But, Karen was currently an apprentice sorceress studying at the Kranjcar
family's [Bronze Black Cross] magic association. She already finished her
high school courses, a result of constantly skipping grades while studying
within the private school ran by the association.
Now she worked besides Liliana, receiving an education necessary for
witches.
"It's rare to come here to shop, but I feel like this swimsuit doesn't fit me;
seems way too showy."
"Not at all; I think it fits you perfectly."
"No! F-for a lady, just wearing such a thin swimsuit is already a problem!"
"Don't you often emphasize that you are a knight and not a lady?"
"Eh, that is completely true, b-but what about as a girl! That's right, a pure
girl shouldn't wear such shameless clothes."
Liliana declared in a high tone.
But Karen sighed with a tiny sound, and with gentle eyes that looked like
she was dealing with a selfish child, she said:
"Really? Since Liliana-sama says that, there's also another swimsuit that I
prepared... but you might mind what others think of it."
Karen replied in a teasing tone.
Karen Jankulovski was not only an excellent witch, but also a capable
maid, not to mention someone with an unforgiving tongue full of critique for
others.
"Since it's a swimsuit, it's natural to be very thin; the fact that you mind
such minor details also means that your tolerance is far too low... ah, I'm
really sorry, I accidentally spoke my mind, please forgive me."
Liliana could not help but frown as she heard these words that lacked the
sincerity of an apology.
But, such a level of criticism was not enough to change her views.
"Then, what do you think of this swimsuit? I prepared it as a backup just in
case. This is a blue one-piece swimsuit, completely lacking any cuteness;
its simplicity and lack of sexiness is its only trait, a piece that completely
lacks any sense of interest—"
"If you already prepared a plain swimsuit, then take it out in the first place."
As she watched, Karen pick up a swimsuit from the nearby table, Liliana
relaxed and let out her breath at last.
But the calmly plotting maid purposefully made a worried expression.
"Well, I did prepare it, but when I heard that Erica Blandelli-sama's
swimsuit this year was not only light and functional, but also a bikini that
emphasized her boldness and sex appeal, I thought that if this continued,
you won't even have a chance to compete against her..."
"...What did you say?"
Although Liliana wanted to pretend those words were just a passing wind,
she was completely hooked after hearing the name of her rival.
"Karen... how do you know what Erica's swimsuit will be like this year?"
"Do you know Arianna Arialdi? She's Erica-sama's maid and a long-time
friend of mine; just yesterday on the phone we ended up chatting about
this topic."
"You, when did you build such a relationship with that devil woman?"
"Please don't be surprised by something like this; this was only to grasp
Liliana-sama's and our [Bronze Black Cross]' enemy—Erica-sama and her
intentions."
The petite maid showed a calm and natural expression to her surprised
mistress.
"Erica-sama and Liliana-sama are connected by an inexplicable fate, so it's
likely that you'll meet her on some beach or at some swimming pool...
given that, I'm extremely worried about such a plain swimsuit; I'm not sure
if it even has the right to compete with her."
"You are worrying over nothing; that fox woman is definitely staying in
Japan, trying to beguile that seventh godslayer. I definitely will not meet
her this summer.
Trying to use my rivalry with Erica to dress me up so shamefully? I will not
let you succeed.
Hmph... Liliana rejected Karen's suggestion with a cold smile.
"Ah, didn't you know? Erica-sama accompanied her lover—Kusanagi
Godou-sama and arrived in Italy."
...Now she received some completely unexpected information.
Liliana fell silent and into deep thought; she had repeated her days of
conflict with Erica Blandelli since childhood. Their martial arts shared the
spotlight equally with neither side gaining any advantage, and while her
magic was not as good as that woman in iron alchemy, she was still
one-step better overall.
Then there were social skills, where Erica held an overwhelming
advantage.
Just on this matter she was never as good; as a woman, her charm and
her presence has always lost to Erica. She did not feel like her appearance
or attitude lost in any way, then just why?
No... I'm definitely somewhat blunt, and I don't really know how to talk...
But, that woman does not understand chores at all, especially when it
comes to cooking, where she herself held an overwhelming advantage.
Liliana Kranjcar could be counted as a homemaking type of woman after
all.
"Then, we won't need the swimsuit you have on now, is that alright?"
The maid suddenly asked as she was pondering over things.
Liliana wanted to nod, but she hesitated. Was this alright? Was this really
alright?
From a normal standpoint, without prior arrangements, her chances of
meeting Erica on the beach were almost zero. But when she thought of her
luck regarding that woman, going to a ten or even twenty percent chance
from zero was possible...
"...No, let me carefully look over this again; this is actually alright.
However please prepare the one piece for me as well, even though this
year I'll wear the first one."
"Is that so? I understand."
Liliana pretended to be calm, while Karen coolly accepted the orders.
...Truthfully, as the head of the Kranjcar family, Liliana's grandfather was
also worried about his granddaughter's lack of appeal, therefore he
instructed Karen to "at least make her choose some more appropriate
styles, but just how?", "Well Sir, please leave it to me.", "Oh~~ if
successful, I'll reward you with a special bonus..." and similar dialogue,
none of which was appropriate to the topic right now.
Nevertheless, the mistress and her exclusive maid finally came to a result,
immediately followed by...
The ring tone sounded on Liliana's cell phone.
"Hello, I am Kranjcar... yes, it has been a long time, Diana. Eh, Sir
Salvatore? Yes, though I can get in touch with him... Is there any reason
to request his divine power? Unless some rare occasion has happened?
The Heraion? The Seal of the Snake and the Cow!?"
After finishing her conversation, Liliana immediately opened her cell
phone's contact list.
She called Italy's proud godslayer of the sword—Salvatore Doni.
To request his help, she had to reach him first.
At the same time, Liliana called the maid that stood beside her.
"Karen, my apologies, looks like this year's vacation is cancelled, right now
we need to find Sir Salvatore, then immediately head towards Naples.
Please make the travel arrangements.
"I understand, Liliana-sama."
This would drag Liliana Kranjcar into battle with the [Heretic Gods], and
marked her prelude to new adventures.