Part 1
Winter rain.
"Hmm..."
Prompted by the sudden shower, Luo Cuilian looked up at the dark sky.
Her residence was situated at Mount Lu in China's Jiangxi province. On a
moment's whimsical fancy, she had decided to take a leisurely stroll deep in
the mountain.
The accumulated snow had dyed the mountain scenery with the color of
white.
Whether totally bare or still holding onto lingering leaves, all trees were
enduring against bone-chilling wind and the weight of accumulated snow.
Melting and dripping, the snow solidified again as ice, forming transparent
ice columns in various places. Snowflakes and mist drifted in the sky,
adding a color of fantasy to this world of white and silver.
Standing in this snowscape that could be called a wonderland was the
transcendent beauty, Luo Cuilian.
Her attire was traditional Han clothing of silk. The lapel was tied using
ribbons, contributing to elegant airs as well as an image similar to the
kimono's. The sleeves of her upper garment were wide and loose while the
skirt hem was long enough to drag on the ground. Furthermore, it was
currently raining.
Nevertheless, Luo Cuilian's clothing was not wet in the slightest.
Having reached the pinnacle of Daoist arts, it was mere child's play for her
to employ a rain-blocking spell. In addition, the snow-covered ground
showed no signs of either footprints or a trail from the dragging of her Han
clothing's hem.
Tarnishing this land of white and silver were only the footprints of hares.
As though having turned the weight of both herself and her clothing into
nothingness, she walked, jumped, dashed and demonstrated martial arts.
Were one unable to overcome an environment of this extent, how could one
even claim proudly to have reached the pinnacle of the martial path?
...Hence, upon Mount Lu on a winter's day, nothing existed that could
confound Luo Cuilian's beautiful face whose clarity and magnificence was
akin to the moon's.
"Who could have expected rain on this very day...?"
Luo Cuilian's Daoist arts were even capable of summoning wind and rain
through prayers to heaven.
Just by looking up at the sky, immersed in the wind, she could tell what
weather would arrive the next day. Deciphering the climate of the deep
mountains was no challenge to her.
Nevertheless, she had completely failed to sense the arrival of today's
sudden shower.
"Some kind of monumental calamity manifesting between heaven and
earth... Is that an augury?"
While she murmured to herself, the falling rain suddenly ceased at the same
time.
The gray clouds dispersed with astounding speed as the winter sun was
hung in the sky once more.
Thereafter, Luo Cuilian immediately had a vision.
Suspended in the sky, a white halo pierced the sun—This was the ominous
sign witnessed. Luo Cuilian was also blessed with outstanding sensitivity in
divination. This ability was able to call forth the oracles of spirit vision.
"The sun pierced by a white halo..."
Murmuring thus, Luo Cuilian turned around to make her way back.
There were things she must do as ruler of the martial realm and supreme
[King].
In the middle of February, Kusanagi Godou finally returned to his
homeland.
After arriving at Narita Airport from distant Italy, he then took an express
train from the airport to Tokyo.
As it so happened, he got back to Japan on the last day of the vacation after
the third term exams.
Although it was a brief trip on the calendar, for Godou and his companions,
this was a great expedition spanning multiple months, traversing between
the past and contemporary times.
"This journey sure makes one's heart resonate with emotion..."
Staring out at the scenery of the Bunkyou ward's streets, Liliana Kranjcar
remarked emphatically.
Concurring "you can say that again," Godou smiled wryly. Having visited
Tuscany in winter, ancient Gaul and the island of Sardinia, they had finally
returned to Nezu's Area 3 in downtown Tokyo. One could call this a wholly
intractable journey.
Driving the car to send the whole group here was Amakasu Touma of the
History Compilation Committee.
They first made a trip to the Mariya residence at Toranomon in order to
drop off the two sisters, Mariya Yuri and Hikari, along with Seishuuin Ena.
Right now, Godou and Liliana as well as Erica Blandelli were getting off at
Hongou Street.
"Well then, everyone, first get some rest today. If any emergency comes up,
please contact me immediately."
"You're heading over to Kaoru-san's place next, Amakasu-san?"
Standing in the road, Erica asked Amakasu who was sitting in the driver's
seat. The sun was almost about to set. Soon, a winter dusk was going to
arrive.
"In that case, could you take me along? I have matters I'd like to discuss
with her too."
"Unfortunately, I still have things to do, so I have to go to the library. That's
the one the Committee manages in Aobadai. There's a few things I want to
research."
"Is it about the 'King of the End'?"
"Yes, that's right. I'm very concerned about the spirit vision that Yuri-san
received after hearing about the revived Athena's attack."
"Are you referring to this?"
Liliana nodded and interjected.
"An evil dragon in the sea. The dragon summoned wind and clouds to blot
the sky and sun. Lightning flashed to illuminate the sea. The king shot an
arrow, piercing the dragon's chest—That was how it went, yes?"
"Yes. I think I've seen these words somewhere before."
Not expecting Amakasu to speak so candidly, Godou was surprised.
"So those are the poetic lines that Mariya said?"
"If that is the case, it could be a massive hint to unraveling the mystery of
the 'King of the End.'"
"A segment from a certain land's heroic legend... This is the kind of
impression I gathered from the passage."
Liliana leaned forward while Erica expressed her interest.
...In yonder days, there was an evil dragon in the sea. The evil dragon
summoned wind and clouds to block the sun, causing violent lightning to
descend upon the sea. The king immediately drew his bow and shot an
arrow, wounding the dragon right in the chest—
That was roughly the content. A story about a hero vanquishing an evil
dragon.
However, the History Compilation Committee's special agent smiled wryly
and shrugged.
"I totally can't recall anything specific. Neither can I reject the possibility
that I remembered wrong. So let me do some research first. As soon as I
figure out anything, I'll call you guys."
"We will also contact you as soon as we receive news about the earlier
incident."
Liliana sighed with worry after saying that.
"However, we really were too careless... I can't believe we let those two
escape."
One was the gentle noblewoman who was staying in a remote village in the
Italian region of Tuscany.
The other was the frivolous Italian young man who had been traveling with
Godou before he left Sardinia.
Possessing both ridiculous powers and troublemaking ability, these two
Campiones had shaken off surveillance personnel half a day earlier,
suddenly going missing.
"That idiot Doni aside, I can't believe even Madame Aisha did the same."
Godou muttered in worry.
"I just hope she won't cause a mess."
"Godou, hoping alone is futile when pertaining to Madame Aisha. This
disappearance is tantamount to pulling the trigger to a massive disturbance
in the future... That's the kind of feeling I get. Want to have a bet?"
"I agree fully with what you said, so there's no bet."
"These words can just as easily apply to Sir Salvatore too, right? Definitely
unmistakable."
Godou nodded to agree with Erica's opinion while Liliana murmured as
well.
Everyone was making rather blunt comments about the two terrifying Devil
Kings.
"However, who we truly need to stay on guard against isn't those two.
Rather, it's Pallas Athena... As the reincarnation of Athena, resurrected as a
Divine Ancestor, and of course there is—"
Erica deliberately omitted the name, but Godou knew what she meant.
The king manifesting at era's end. The Devil King-exterminating hero. The
"King of the End." The pale-haired aristocrat whom he had battled in
ancient Gaul. The ultimate warrior whom the Divine Ancestors had spent a
thousand years to locate.
Liliana also said to the silent Godou:
"According to Prince Alec's deductions, the 'King of the End' is sleeping in
Tokyo Bay or perhaps somewhere in the surroundings. Even Pallas Athena
should not be able to find him quickly... However, I am actually quite
worried."
"What do you mean?"
"A giant disaster is approaching us with unimaginable speed—That is the
feeling. It started slightly before we returned to Tokyo."
"..."
Godou sighed. Liliana was a witch with powerful spiritual senses.
Furthermore, having experienced the journey to ancient Gaul, her spirit
vision powers had increased further.
Perhaps that aristocrat was going to appear before Godou soon.
"But in any case, Athena and her companions' final destination is here,
Tokyo Bay in Japan."
Godou summed up in a relaxed tone of voice.
Before the situation reached a state of emergency, there was no need to be
on excessive alert.
"We will make preparations for intercepting the enemies when they arrive,
so standing by for now is fine. If possible, I don't want to make a big deal
out of things. Let's just recover our energy while gathering information
from various sources."
In that case, resting in his own home was the best choice—
Seeing off Amakasu driving off in a domestic car and parting ways with
Erica and Liliana at Hongou Street, Godou began to walk in the shopping
district of Nezu's Area 3.
A used bookstore that had closed for business, located somewhere in this
district, was Kusanagi Godou's home.
This shopping district, preserving the vestiges of Tokyo's traditional
downtown culture, was still quite prosperous in contemporary times. This
place was both the home of his family as well as his childhood friend. Also,
there were many neighbors whom he had known for a very long time.
Standing at his hometown after what felt like an absence of several months,
Godou took a deep breath.
The day of the inevitable battle—No, that was wrong. For the sake of the
imminent battle, he must give his body and mind sufficient rest.
This was Kusanagi Godou's top priority at the moment.
Part 2
The state of Tirol in western Austria was where alpine skiing originated.
Naturally, the Alps would bear the onslaught of blizzards whenever winter
arrived, turning the mountains into a pilgrimage site to where skiers
flocked, professionals and amateurs alike. After all, this was a land where
people could have fun at skiing grounds set up on mountain glaciers even
during the summer.
On this day, a girl was visiting the alpine valley of Ötztal in Tirol.
This was a region of deep snow surrounded by the Alps.
Naturally, settlements were concentrated in the lowlands of the valley.
However, the girl's destination was neither a village nor a town of that sort.
From the municipality of Umhausen, she set off on a four-wheel-drive
vehicle.
After an hour's drive, she reached a snow-covered forest and alighted on her
own. Putting on the skis she had brought, she switched to traveling on foot.
"Thank you for bringing me here. Please send my regards to everyone in
town."
"Are you really sure it's okay for me to leave you in this kind of place?"
In response to her cheerful gratitude, the middle-aged man, who was
running a forestry business, asked with slight worry.
He was one of the frequent customers at a small cafe at the town of
Umhausen. She recalled that there had been six or seven others there. She
was on excellent terms with each and every one of them.
Using her customary smile, she had conversed with them, becoming friends
within five minutes.
Asking "could one of you please drop me off somewhere close to that
place?" at an opportune moment, she was brought to the mountains where
only skiers and locals could enter.
Parting ways with the worried middle-aged man, she made her way to her
destination alone.
Actually, it would be much easier if she could be dropped off at the
destination itself, but that would incur the displeasure of the master there.
His forgiveness was only afforded to a single exception—In other words, it
was okay for her to arrive alone. He was a problematic character who
subjected others to violence and cruelty except for her.
Thus, she traveled along the snow-covered ground without roads for dozens
of minutes.
In contrast to her frail appearance, she was quite outstanding in both
stamina and athletic ability. Effortlessly overcoming the arduous journey,
she finally arrived at the mountain villa that was her destination.
Built with a stylish design using a great quantity of white timber, it was an
elegant building embodying the style of a winter mansion.
"Excuse me, is anybody home?"
Arriving before the entrance and knocking with the door's knocker, she
called out in an adorable voice.
Five minutes later, the wooden door opened with a heavy creaking sound.
Out came an old servant who worked at the mountain villa.
"Please pass this message along to Onii-sama. Recalling nostalgic feelings
of the past, I have come to pay a visit."
"...Understood, Milady Aisha."
The old man knew her identity without her saying so.
Presumably, he had been present the last time she visited this mountain
villa.
On the other hand, Aisha did not remember his face. However, she recalled
that it was something like the 1980s on the western calendar. Most likely,
his face must have changed greatly in the meantime.
Hence, Madame Aisha was taken to a great hall with a fireplace.
"Onii-sama" was currently next to the fireplace that was crackling with
flames. Sitting on a wooden armchair crafted by a famous artisan, he had
his legs crossed arrogantly.
Furthermore, hanging on his pale face was what could only be described as
a scowl.
"...I must have said so before. Don't visit my residence for no reason."
"If you insist on such words, no one will come here to play. After all, you
don't have many friends to begin with, Onii-sama."
"...And I have said this too: Don't shamelessly claim to be my friend."
"What friend? Nonsense! To you, Onii-sama, am I not your 'precious little
sister'? Like family♪" replied Aisha to the old Devil King who kept uttering
cold words.
A smile akin to a spring breeze adorned her face throughout.
Always clad in a solitary shadow, even though he had subordinates and
worshipers, he had neither family nor friends. He should feel happy from
the bottom of his heart for a reunion with Aisha. Probably.
He—Dejanstahl Voban—shook his head in annoyance.
"...To think you knew the location of my abode."
"I only found out after visiting so many people who used to serve you,
Onii-sama. The third one happily told me."
"You used your charm authority. Happily my foot."
The Marquis addressed as "Onii-sama" replied with irritation.
Despite his intellectual appearance as an old gentleman, his propensity to
speak discourteously remained the same as always.
To Aisha, Marquis Voban the oldest Campione had already been her ally
since days past—Right, before the twentieth century.
During these past decades, he kept moving his residence between hotels and
secluded locations in Europe.
Marquis Voban had been a wanderer since childhood. Like Aisha, he was
unaccustomed to a settled life.
As the Marquis' temporary residence, this mountain villa was one of the
assets managed by a subordinate of his.
"...I have said this before too: there is nothing to be gained in a protracted
conversation with you. Hurry and be done with it. What brings you here
today?"
"Oh fine. There is something I wanted to tell you, Onii-sama."
Finished with introductory words, Aisha immediately spoke:
"A great event is about to happen. It's a long story and various
reminiscences are in order too... Please allow me to stay over, Onii-sama."
"Didn't I just ask you to hurry and be done with it?"
Onii-sama responded with a face of irritation, but Aisha still smiled with
delight.
"Don't say such cold words. Actually, there are currently three heroes of
steel on the move to revive the 'king who manifests at era's end'."
"Hoh."
As expected, a sharp gaze flashed in the eyes of the old man who stood as
the most vicious godslayer.
"Naturally, although I do not regard you as a sister or a friend at all—"
Then he sat up slightly. Sitting steadily on the chair, his posture leaned
forward a bit towards Aisha.
This was a fierce motion very similar to the way a crouching wolf slowly
got up.
"Would it be possible to tell me, Aisha?"
"Certainly. Oh, excuse me. My body is a bit stiff from the cold, so could
you get me something warm to drink?"
Aisha spoke to the old servant who was waiting on hand in a corner of the
great hall.
"Also, please prepare comfortable heating in my room."
"...Do as she says," said Voban rather unhappily.
The old servant cautiously bowed his head and retreated out of the room.
Now with that, she had secured the night's lodgings and Onii-sama's
curiosity. Feeling happy that her desire for a good long talk was going to be
satisfied, Aisha beamed radiantly.
"Did you hear about it, Iceman?"
Alexandre Gascoigne was speaking to the knight, his trusted subordinate.
"A suspicious commotion started over in Greenwich yesterday. Those
people in the Witenagemot are frantically gathering data about the Asian
region while those geezers of the Diogenes Club are pushing their old bones
to hold meetings throughout the night."
"Hoh," muttered Sir Iceman, the premier knight serving Alec.
They were at a private museum located in the outskirts of Cornwall, a rural
town at the southern tip of England. This conversation was taking place
between the two of them in the museum's entrance hall.
Having just returned, the young Devil King called out to stop Iceman who
happened to be passing through.
As a side note, this museum was the headquarters of [Royal Arsenal] under
their command.
"It reminds me of what happened six years ago. When [Heretic Arthur]
manifested, it made you decide to cooperate with that princess."
"Ah yes. Also, just like last time... That woman is still not around."
The superior and subordinate were talking about Princess Alice in their
respective ways.
Alec went "hmph" as he started to talk about the beauty, his old enemy.
"Her body apparently remains in the mansion at Greenwich while the
ectoplasm continues to wander all over the place. That woman must be
chased down to gather information about this incident."
"If memory serves me correctly..."
After Alec declared his decision as the association's leader, Iceman
responded sarcastically.
"Alec, you went away for a month without telling anyone and only came
back three days ago. But now you're talking about another personal
expedition?"
"That's neither here nor there. I can also sense quite an intense smell of
gunpowder from this incident."
Dismissing his trusted subordinate's opinion rather readily, Alec made his
declaration:
"There's nothing to lose in taking immediate action just to err on the side of
caution. Although I'm sorry you'll have to continue holding the fort here, I'll
be counting on you for the rest."
On this day, Godou received unexpected news through his cellphone.
After picking up the call which had no caller ID, he heard an old friend's
nostalgic voice.
'I heard you went on a rampage in the world of the past, Kusanagi Godou.'
"It's you!"
He was hearing John Pluto Smith's voice again after many months.
The Campione of Los Angeles with an excessive penchant for self-
performance. Although Godou was unable to see his masked face over the
phone, that gentle tenor voice was still the same as before.
"Oh right. I've returned the borrowed item to Annie-san."
'Yes, I have already received it. That gun is in my hand right now.'
"You helped me out a lot in various ways. Thank you."
'Do not pay the matter a second thought. One day, you will repay me with
interest.'
—How do you know my phone number when I've never told you? Godou
decided that this was an unnecessarily tactless question, so he expressed his
thanks for the magic gun instead and Smith graciously accepted his
gratitude.
This was a conversation taking place several months after they last parted at
Nikkou.
However, Godou was able to chat fluently with Smith as though making
smalltalk.
Among the ranks of the Campiones that were filled with problematic
characters, this man was the only one with whom Godou could build a
positive relationship.
But John Pluto Smith was definitely not a respectable person. After all, he
was eccentric in name and in fact, someone who devoted his efforts to a
cosplay hero's activities every night.
Realizing this fact, Godou smiled wryly.
'Apart from that, I've heard many rumors. About the "King of the End,"
about Athena, about that noblewoman and the handsome Italian man going
missing—'
"So Annie-san and Alice-san are your sources...?"
Annie was the American woman who served as Smith's collaborator
whereas Alice was the duke's daughter with the blonde curls. Godou had
also received plenty of help from them during the ancient Gaul incident.
'Then allow me to clarify my policy beforehand. At the current stage, I have
no intention of heading over to intervene in Japan. That's that.'
"I really appreciate that."
'Indeed. Considering it's you, I knew you would answer like that.'
Smith's way of putting things made Godou laugh.
The masked eccentric intended to assist Kusanagi Godou through non-
intervention.
During the battle at Nikkou, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong,
was able to amplify his own power so long as he was facing two or more
Campiones. The "King of the End" also possessed the same ability. If he
were to do the same thing again—
In light of that, Godou did not wish for any Campione to visit Japan on
whim.
This was Godou's honest opinion. The same thought presumably occurred
to Smith too.
'However, since our two peers' whereabouts are currently unknown, it is
possible that my policy of non-intervention might end up meaningless and
will be terminated.'
"Seriously. I really hope those guys can read situations a little."
'So it is decided. May fortune stay by your side.'
Thus ended the phone call with Los Angeles' guardian saint. Still wearing a
wry smile, Godou hung up.
"Your Majesty, was that America's [King] who called just now?"
"Yeah, that Smith guy."
Asked by Ena who was present, Godou briefly described what the
conversation was about.
They were currently at the study in the Sayanomiya residence at Area 3 of
the Chiyoda ward. Sayanomiya Kaoru, a member of the History
Compilation Commitee's core leadership, as well as the two premier Hime-
Miko—namely, Seishuuin Ena and Mariya Yuri—were present.
"So Smith-sama expressed that kind of opinion—"
"Indeed, it is very helpful of him."
Yuri spoke softly with an expression gratitude while Kaoru nodded happily.
"The arrival of Pallas Athena and the three heroic gods is already the
biggest disaster. If the various Devil Kings make their way to Japan
successively, the islands of Japan are surely going to sink."
"..."
Godou originally wanted to answer Kaoru's lighthearted joke, but could not
think of anything to say, because somewhere in the back of his mind, he
considered the possibility of that really coming true.
"However."
On the other hand, the Hime-Miko of the Sword started speaking again in
her usual carefree attitude.
"On further thought, both King Salvatore and Aisha-san already know about
that Devil King-exterminating authority. Shouldn't we take precautionary
actions in this area?"
The Great Sage Equaling Heaven had also imitated this authority of divine
power amplification.
It was said to be a power invoked by the gods for the sake of slaughtering
their mortal enemies, the Devil Kings, wiping them off the entire earth. The
power of the ordained hero, only conferred upon a certain pale-haired
aristocrat.
"Definitely true, that's the only piece of information that's clear so far."
Godou nodded in agreement.
"That idiot Doni is only good at tactical planning while Aisha-san's ability
to survive is quite outstanding. There shouldn't be any problems from
Gascoigne and old man Voban, so the only real risk turns out to be—"
Recalling a certain haughty character, Godou muttered.
A certain character who had participated in the battle against the Great Sage
Equaling Heaven, personally experiencing the power of Devil King-
extermination.
Furthermore, she was touted as lacking in neither valor nor intelligence.
Even so, it was hard to imagine her fighting cautiously just because of that
ridiculous power up.
"It's Nee-san after all, I guess..."
"Her Eminence Luo Hao... Umm, Godou-san. Actually, there is something I
need to tell you."
Hesitating for an instant whether she ought to speak, Yuri then continued:
"Although I am unsure whether it pertains to Her Eminence Luo Hao,
recently, I have felt this kind of feeling. An aura of calamity—It is currently
approaching Japan from the southwest direction."
An oracle spoken by the Hime-Miko with the highest level of spirit vision
power in the world.
Godou felt greatly surprised. His sworn elder sister, Luo Cuilian, made her
residence at Mount Lu in China's Jiangxi province. Simply stated, it
definitely was southwest relative to Tokyo.
Could this be considered coincidence? Meanwhile, Kaoru spoke up:
"Actually, I've already asked Lu-kun for a favor just to be safe."
"What did you ask Yinghua to do?"
"In order to prevent news regarding this incident—Pallas Athena, the three
heroes as well as the 'King of the End'—from reaching Her Eminence's ears
at all, I asked him to secure the cooperation of those involved on that side."
That side. Kaoru was referring to the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains that
revered Luo Cuilian as the Holy Cult Leader, as well as the Chinese martial
arts circle that pledged allegiance to her as the most powerful martial artist
of all time. Godou jumped in fright.
"She is someone who isolates herself from the mundane world and makes
her residence deep in the mountains that resemble a wonderland. With Lu-
kun first and foremost, there are only a handful of individuals who are able
to make contact with her. If it works out, this method should be able to
prevent Her Eminence from intervening..."
This was an arrangement very much in Sayanomiya Kaoru's wise style. Yuri
and Ena's faces instantly brightened up.
Nevertheless, Godou's cellphone rang at this time. He had received a text
message. Feeling a sense of foreboding, he checked it and saw that it was
from Lu Yinghua.
"Nee-san has disappeared... She can't be found anywhere on Mount Lu?"
An ominous report had suddenly arrived.
Part 3
"I'm not the one scouting out the convent at Mount Lu."
This was the young man, Lu Yinghua, who stood as Luo Cuilian's one and
only direct disciple.
A young leader from Hong Kong's Lu family, a clan of outlaws with a long
and distinguished history, the handsome youth had entered Godou's room.
Speaking of which, he actually did not come in through the main door
either.
Godou's room was on the second floor. Lu Yinghua had suddenly entered
through the window.
True to his epithet of "superiority in lightness," Lu Yinghua's agility was
beyond even that of Liliana and Ena.
As a side note, the view outside the window was the sky adorned by an
evening glow. It was precisely the bustling hour when residents in the
vicinity of Nezu's Area 3 shopping district would go out to shop for dinner
ingredients.
"Reportedly, the convent was discovered to be empty only when the Holy
Cult's Glorious Messenger of the Right made his semiannual visit. Hence, a
search all over Mount Lu failed to find any signs of her—"
After hearing about a mysterious position in the cult and the whole story of
what had happened, Godou scratched his head.
Lu Yinghua had sent his text yesterday. To deliver a detailed report, he then
went out of his way to visit the Kusanagi home.
"Even if she's not on Mount Lu, it's possible that she might be somewhere
else nearby in the mountain range. At least she probably hasn't gone to
urban areas."
"Why is that?"
"Because there hasn't been news like some city in eastern Asia getting
destroyed."
Lu Yinghua's expression was quite serious.
He probably had no intention of making a joke. As expected of someone
who knew the absurd personality of Luo Cuilian, the demonic cult leader,
best.
"Whether Master's disappearance is connected to the 'King of the End' or
not, let's reserve our opinion on that for the current stage."
"I agree. But you make it sound like she'll do things exceeding your worst
expectations any time."
"It's the same with every Devil King, the Campiones. Including you,
Honored Uncle."
"..."
Godou was unable to raise his objections against Lu Yinghua's comment
that appeared to stem from deep enlightenment.
"Anyway, I'll do everything I can in this matter—"
Mid-sentence, Lu Yinghua vanished.
More accurately, he had jumped backwards so quickly that an ordinary
human's dynamic vision would only have registered "an instantaneous
shadow," opening the closed window without any sound and leaving the
room.
It was definitely like a flash of lightning. As quick as wind.
Godou was only able to comprehend thanks to his familiarity with Lu
Yinghua's skills.
Just as he was puzzling why Lu Yinghua had left, Godou heard footsteps on
the wooden staircase.
"Onii-chan, who is there with you?"
Someone called to him from outside the door. His little sister Shizuka had
arrived.
"...No one. I'm alone right now."
"Okay, then I'm opening the door."
A moment later, the room door was opened and Shizuka entered. She
looked at Godou with a weird expression while staring with full surprise at
the window that was wide open despite the winter weather.
"Was it my imagination...?"
"What's with you?"
"I heard a boy's voice from the second floor—Something like that. I even
thought it was him, that guy with the family name of Lu."
"If he really were here, what were you planning to do?"
"Have a chat with him and ask for his phone number and email address. If
he's willing, maybe even set a date to meet up some time. He always makes
me curious."
If these were the seeds of a budding romance between young boys and girls,
perhaps Godou should offer his assistance.
However, Kusanagi Shizuka was very similar to her mother and was born
with a queenly aura. What she said about meeting up could probably be
replaced by the word "summon." Very probably.
To prevent the misogynistic Lu Yinghua from suffering unnecessary
hardship, Godou decided to feign ignorance to the very end.
"Oh okay. I'll ask him next time I see him."
"Whatever. Even without you worrying, Onii-chan, I can still make friends
on my own."
Hearing Shizuka's indifferent response, Godou nodded generously.
The fact that he mentally replaced "friends" with "flunkies" must be kept
secret.
"Oh right, Asuka-chan invited us just now. Basically, to go out with her to
have okonomiyaki for dinner. Do you wanna go, Onii-chan?"
"Sure. Grandpa should be coming home quite late tonight."
"Okay. Then let's head over to Asuka-chan's place at 7pm or so tonight."
Tokunaga Asuka, the Kusanagi siblings' childhood friend, lived at a nearby
sushi shop.
Hence, Shizuka left the room. Godou could hear her quick lively footsteps
descending the staircase. Lu Yinghua proceeded to return to the room
lightly from the window.
"...You noticed from the sound?"
"Yeah. Because I heard footsteps from the staircase, I realized she was
coming up."
Hearing approaching footsteps downstairs even in a building constructed
from steel-reinforced concrete and correctly deducing the identity of the
approaching person as well—
Lu Yinghua had acquired superhuman hearing as a result of his harsh
training as Luo Cuilian's disciple.
At merely the tender age of fourteen, he definitely deserved to be called a
promising young star, a martial arts prodigy.
...However, apart from genius talent, he was also burdened with many
negative assets including "being forced to endure inhumanely cruel training
since early childhood," "living a life of seclusion for over eight years in the
mountains since the age of three," "a great quantity of mental trauma giving
rise to latent hostility towards women," ...etc.
"I have embarrassed myself in front of you, Honored Uncle."
"Of course not, you already have many things troubling you to begin with.
Not increasing the number of hassles would be best. I agree too."
The two of them had experienced many hardships due to female
relationships.
There were many things they could mutually understand without needing
long explanations. Like those girls who were close to Godou as
companions, with Erica first and foremost, Lu Yinghua was a trusted
comrade as well, but in a different sense.
Hence, after returning home, Kusanagi Godou was preparing for the
predicted state of emergency.
However, he still went to school properly every day and had normal contact
with family members such as his sister, mother and grandfather. As for
interacting with neighbors, he would occasionally chat with his childhood
friend, Asuka.
Although this was only to rest his body and mind, Godou experienced an
incredible feeling.
As the days went by, one at a time, he felt his body's functions gradually
grow stronger.
He was almost like an athlete carefully adjusting his body in preparation for
a world competition.
What was recuperating was most likely the deepest parts of his body and
mind.
The decisive battle was imminent.
As a godslaying warrior, a Campione's body and mind would
subconsciously adjust Kusanagi Godou to peak condition in preparation for
the decisive battle against mortal enemies.
That was probably the case.
When Amakasu Touma contacted him, Godou was able to react with
composure.
'Kusanagi-san, it's now clear what the threat coming from southwest is.'
Several days after his return, Godou happened to receive a call just as he
was going home from school.
'Athena—no, Pallas Athena—did not head to Japan directly. For the past
few days, she was apparently present at the South China Sea. Namely, a
small island somewhere between Taiwan and the Philippines."
The South China Sea. From Tokyo's perspective, that was indeed in the
southwestern direction.
'She seems to have conducted an unidentified summoning ritual there.
Leading multiple serpentine divine beasts, entering the Pacific Ocean from
the South China Sea, she is currently advancing northwards without
impediment. Rather rapidly by following the Kuroshio Current. That's the
same method as the goddess who appeared at New Year's—Circe."
"Based on what you said, could it be that she discovered power there that
was left behind by Circe, intending to reuse it?"
This was just a random guess, but it was probably not far from the truth.
Pallas Athena was not Athena. It was impossible to imagine her employing
a pack of divine beasts back when she was a goddess. There was probably a
trick in there somewhere.
Hence, Amakasu smiled wryly on the other side.
'You noticed it too huh, Kusanagi-san? Actually, our members made the
same speculation. However, the previous goddess landed at Cape Inubou,
but this time, it'll probably be—"
Tokyo Bay. Perhaps the destination was the sea where the "King of the
End" was sleeping.
In response to the History Compilation Committee's special agent's
announcement, Godou replied quite calmly.
"Umm, I'm sorry but could you pick us up near the school? Also, it'd be best
if you could bring Seishuuin as well."
'Roger that. It will be done as the king decreed.'
Making a joke that did not sound funny to Godou at all, Amakasu ended the
emergency conversation.
Godou hung up and gazed at his companion beside him.
The two of them were traveling together by chance along the way home
from school. Tossing her head of red-tinted blonde hair, Erica Blandelli
smiled, dressed in school uniform.
It was as though she found the conversation just now quite funny.
"Godou, you've become quite reliable. Even though you've been a
Campione for less than a year."
"It's currently the latter part of February. The first anniversary happens to be
a month away."
Calculating the time just for kicks, Godou muttered.
"How rare to have a year of such hardship."
"For me, Erica Blandelli, I'll have you know that this was a year of many
joyful happenings. I really ended up dragging quite an amazing character
onto the world stage."
"How does it count as you dragging me along, Erica?"
Godou shrugged at his companion who had provided mutual support ever
since the beginning of everything.
"It was reaping what I sowed and going with the flow that made me walk
the path I have trodden so far."
"Naturally, I intend to accompany you till eternity, because I am Kusanagi
Godou's first knight and at the same time, the most beloved lover. You
ought to understand that, right?"
Naturally. That was why Godou had asked Amakasu to pick "us" up.
But Godou did not voice these thoughts, instead nodding to respond. This
alone was enough to make Erica smile with satisfaction, bowing her head
gracefully. This was a knight's etiquette.
"Yuri and Lily are probably still in the school's vicinity. Let's call them
over."
"I've already asked Amakasu-san to pick up Seishuuin. Although I feel bad
about it every time, once again, I'll be counting on you all as always."
Even Godou felt that this was quite an irresponsible demand.
But there was no helping it. Before the decisive battle, it was hard to predict
what was going to happen. In Kusanagi Godou's book, there was no policy
apart from "going with the flow and adapting to changes."
The quick-witted female knight smiled lightly.
"I feel truly fortunate for possessing the talent and capability to compensate
for your flaws, Godou. I really hope you can express sufficient gratitude to
me."
"Of course. I've always appreciated you."
These were his honest feelings without any pretense at all.
Thus, the adventure surrounding the "King of the End" was now off to an
official start.
Although Kusanagi Godou had survived many battles since becoming a
Campione, the upcoming fight was going to be the most difficult trial. This
was the truth beyond a doubt.