Campione! Vol 8 Chapter 1
Chapter 1 - Seeking the Mysterious Devil King, the
Campione
Part 1
This story took place before Kusanagi G.o.dou had gone to Nikkou and
confronted the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, just as the middle of
September was drawing near.
That night, everyone at the Kusanagi house was having a family-only
dinner. Three people were present: G.o.dou and his little sister Shizuka, as
well as their grandfather Ichirou. The mother of the siblings, Kusanagi
Mayo, was not there.
Be that as it may, she was rarely at home anyway, so it was business as
usual.
The blond devil from Italy wasnt around either. The silver-haired knight
who unexpectedly caused so much trouble was not there either. It really
was family only.
In this calm atmosphere, G.o.dou put his chopsticks to work on the grilled
mackerel.
"But I feel like Im forgetting something..."
"You look strange, Onii-chan. What is it, do you want seconds?" Shizuka
asked while getting herself another serving from the rice cooker.
"One more bowl, then. ... but I feel like Im forgetting something event-like.
Its irritating that I just cant remember." G.o.dou said while holding out his
rice bowl.
A large serving of rice was heaped onto his bowl before it was returned to
him. As it happens, Shizuka had given herself the same amount.
Despite being of small build and pet.i.te stature, she was a hearty eater of a
little sister.
Not getting fat no matter how much she ate. Not getting smashed no
matter how much she drank.
These were the special features that the Kusanagis mother possessed.
Like mother, like daughter; you could sometimes catch glimpses of this in
Shizuka as well. If possible G.o.dou didnt want her to inherit her mothers
mental peculiarities like [Femme Fatale] or [Vocation: Queen], but...
"You must be forgetting about Sakura-chan, right?"
"Its been about half a year since she entered college. She had to promise
that she wouldnt visit us here for at least half a year, remember?"
"...ahh, right, there was that..."
Koudzuki Sakura was the Kusanagi siblings second cousin.
Because of the upheaval accompanying the shift from the Meiji era^ to the
Showa era^, their grandfather was the only direct descendant of the
Kusanagi (although there were tales of others in Brazil and the New
Guinean archipelago).
But there were a decent number of people left from the branch families.
Plus, the connections that the Kusanagis maintained with their relatives in
the countryside were strong. Theyd been close to Sakura for a long time,
even though she was only distantly related.
"Sakura-chan, huh... she shouldve visited us more since she finally moved
to the city. I wonder why Uncle Koudzuki forbade her to visit for half a
year..."
"If he hadnt, shed have started freeloading here before the end of her
third day in the capital," their grandfather responded while sipping his tea.
He might be right; G.o.dou remembered his cousins personality.
She did her best but at heart, she was shy and often lonely. When
troubled, she often clung in tears to those she was close to. G.o.dou and
Shizuka had often been the ones taking care of her. Considering their
respective ages, their roles should obviously have been reversed.
At this point, the doorbell rang. Shizuka got up, calling out "Im coming!",
and headed for the front door.
"Sakura-chan! Its been ages! Come in, come in. What happened? You
look so down..."
"Y-yeah. You see, Shizuka-chan, theres something Id like some advice
on..."
Hearing the voices from the entryway, G.o.dou glanced at the oldest person
in the room.
"Didnt I tell you back in the spring? As soon as her six months were up in
September, shed come here right away. Talk about spot-on."
He was the very image of an earnestly muttering old man whod seen
everything in life.
"You see, theres something Id really like to ask of G.o.doh-kun." Sakura
said as she entered the living room.
Lined up on the table were grilled mackerel and sudachi^, grated radish, a
salad of bitter melon and tomatoes, miso soup made with nameko
mushrooms, and other dishes, but since they had all known each other for
so long, n.o.body minded when she intruded on dinner.
Shed recently turned nineteen and become a freshman at a famous
metropolitan college.
But because of her cute, yet childish face, it wasnt unusual for people to
mistake her for a middle school girl.
"Cant I help you out, Sakura-chan?"
"W-well, I think itd be better if I asked a man about this..."
Sakura dispiritedly answered Shizukas question.
At times like these her face resembled a frightened little puppys.
"If its something I can help you with, just ask me any time... are you sure
you dont want grandpa to help you?"
He didnt know what this was all about, but besides manual labor, he had
no confidence in being more capable than his grandfather.
Kusanagi Ichirou was famous for his extensive knowledge and was a
master of dealing with people. He would often be consulted for his sage
advice. People even called him "Sensei"^ or "Master."
That wise grandfather smiled gently at Sakura.
"Sakura-chan, who do you want to help you out?"
"Uhm, if you can help me I dont really mind who it is, but if I had to pick
someone, then Id really prefer, that is..."
Sakura was truly cute as she peered at G.o.dou with upturned eyes.
If she learned to make use of that look, she could probably become a
femme fatale.
"So its decided. Onii-chan will listen to Sakura-chans worries and Ill take
care of everything else," Shizuka said without a moments delay. The
younger sister who played the role of an older one had always been soft
on Sakura.
Shizuka was pretty critical towards the band of girls thronging around
G.o.dou, but was rather tame during her interactions with Mariya Yuri. That
sense of vulnerability given off by a sheltered cla.s.sy young lady probably
stimulated Shizukas desire to protect her.
"Alright, just talk it over in G.o.dous room. Ill bring you some tea later," their
grandfather casually added.
G.o.dou noticed that he totally dodged the issue.
Their grandfather was often asked for advice, but he wasnt someone
whod start meddling on his own.
He conversed with people in an aloof and indifferent way. Incidentally, in
his bachelor days, Kusanagi Ichirou had been popular as h.e.l.l with the
ladies, but he had mostly kept it away from home.
His male friends, on the other hand, made themselves comfortable in his
room without his permission.
By allowing Erica or Liliana to come and go as they pleased, his grandson
was completely different.
Well, whatever. G.o.dou shrugged.
He was glad to help his cousin with her problems. Plus, he was obviously a
lot closer in age to Sakura.
"Got it. I dont think theres much I can do but Ill try anyway."
"Its been so long since Ive been in your room, G.o.doh-kun, but it hasnt
really changed."
"The last time was half a year ago, right? I didnt rearrange anything so
thats to be expected."
G.o.dou and Sakura faced each other across his six tatami sized room^l
G.o.dous room was fairly empty. There was a bookshelf and a chest of
drawers, a fold-up table instead of a writing desk, and also a DVD player
and a TV.
He didnt put much emphasis on material possessions.
In his free time he went fishing or played outdoor sports. He also would do
some part-time jobs from time to time. He didnt have much use for games.
At most, hed socialize by playing a round of Shougi or Go. Hed rather rent
than buy DVDs and CDs.
Hed read some books every now and then, but he didnt keep a collection
of his own.
The Kusanagi house used to be an antiquarian bookstore and much of the
inventory had never been disposed of. So whenever he felt like reading
something, there were more than enough books lying around to satisfy his
needs.
"So, Sakura-san, whats the matter?"
"U-uhm, you see, that is, I think you could stop with that now."
"With what?"
"1-1 mean, calling me Sakura-san. You can just call me Sakura. Or dear,
if you like."
Long ago he had called her Onee-chan, but at some point that had
changed.
G.o.dou couldnt remember when that transition had occurred, and casually
replied: "Its fine like this, changing it is a pain... but thats not what you
wanted to ask of me, right?"
"l-it wasnt! I just happened to think of that!"
Sakura responded while turning completely red. But then she seemed to
come to a standstill. Uhm, well... she kept mumbling to herself, and
couldnt get to the point. She had never been very articulate.
It couldnt be helped. G.o.dou changed the topic, trying to help her relax with
some small talk.
"How is life in Tokyo treating you? Have you gotten used to it yet?"
"...only a little bit. Im quite uncomfortable in crowded places..."
Sakura sounded dejected.
The Koudzuki familys home was in Miyagi 1 J . When Sakura said she
wanted to go to a college in Tokyo, her father had made her obey a single
rule. He had forbidden her to rely on her relatives for half a year.
Sakura had been horrified. She had planned on freeloading at the
Kusanagis.
"Well you see, I understand fathers order that I should try to live properly
without relying on anyone, Im finally living on my own after all... but being
all on my own in such a large city made me feel really forlorn..."
"Ann... well, if you ever get lonely, just come and visit."
G.o.dou felt awkward because he knew the real reason Sakuras father had
laid down the law.
In the beginning of spring, hed spoken with Uncle Koudzuki over the
phone:
In short, Im making her a gold digger.
Upon hearing this unexpected expression, G.o.dou had asked for
clarification.
As I said, a gold digger. A young girl lives alone in the big city for the first
time... to fill the gaps in her heart as quickly as possible, a man is best,
right? Our Sakura has a nice face and personality, but shes too much of a
late-bloomer. Its about time for her to get used to men and get ready for
marriage.
Arent fathers usually against their daughters finding lovers?
Well, yeah, but this is a fathers love, too. Sakuras not like your mother.
She cant make a lot of money on her own. But a girl can always go after
her husbands income. I want her to be happy, you know.
Uhm, I dont think happiness is decided by money alone...
Sure, but thats the most important factor, yknow.
This irresponsible uncle of G.o.dous was actually a tough police officer.
On the side, he served as a distinguished judo pract.i.tioner in northern
j.a.pan and was an active role model for the younger generation.
Given all this, most people wouldnt guess what a renegade he actually
was. It might not be G.o.dous place to say this as the main familys
successor, but his uncle had obviously inherited the Kusanagi blood.
What are you going to do if some lowlife tricks her?
Then well make it like it never happened... your mother and grandpa and
everyone else.
When G.o.dou had asked whether he was joking, just to be on the safe side,
all he received was a villainous laugh.
He pa.s.sed on letting Sakura in on her fathers plans. She handled such
matters poorly, and would definitely spill the beans even if he told her to
keep it a secret. His allowance might be frozen as a penalty, so the risk
was too high.
"Did you make friends? Or maybe find a boyfriend?" G.o.dou asked
tentatively. Sakura instantly flushed red.
"1-1 dont have a boyfriend, really! But I made a friend... ah, its a girl of
course, G.o.doh-kun. Dont misunderstand!"
"Ive got it, really. So you made a friend? Good girl."
He unintentionally spoke as if praising a little kid.
In response, Sakura laughed happily. Her childishness was definitely
unbefitting given her age.
"So you see, my new friend taught me a lot, so I got a bit more
knowledgeable."
"Hen, what did you learn about?"
His older cousin was delighted. Her expression was terribly adorable.
She was so cute that G.o.dou was at a loss for words after hearing her
answer.
"Ahhh, thats actually related to what I wanted some advice on...
G.o.doh-kun, if I said I learned to do magic, would you believe me?"
c.r.a.p. G.o.dou felt great regret.
It is said that the lonely are easy prey for cults or occult sects. He should
have remembered that. It had been wrong to leave her isolated...
"Dont be stupid, Sakura-san. Lets calm down and be realistic."
For the time being, G.o.dou kept his appeal calm and sincere.
"There are things people can do and things they cant. And without a
doubt, magic falls in the latter category. Dropping a lump of fire from the
skies, recovering from deadly wounds in half a day or calling forth huge
monsters, thats just not something a human can do!" G.o.dou declared
while having his heart thrown into disarray by countless memories of
having done just that.
Yep, he wasnt saying anything wrong. However, Sakura pinched her lips
like a child.
"It is possible! I really learned how to use magic!"
"Well, even if you say so... if I dont see it with my own eyes I cant believe
you."
"Sheesh, G.o.doh-kun you blockhead! Fine, right now I cant do anything
because I dont have my tools, so come visit me tomorrow. Ill show you
that I can do magic!"
G.o.dou was startled. Could she actually use magic?
G.o.dou ruthlessly crushed his anxiety that the Kusanagi family, which
should have no connection to magic or G.o.ds, had suddenly awoken to the
occult.
Part 2
After school the next day, G.o.dou headed to Nishinippori.
The apartment building where his cousin lived was a ten minute walk from
the subway station.
It was a nice three-story building with an auto-lock system. It had probably
been built within the last decade.
As soon as he arrived, he got a call from Liliana.
"Yes, h.e.l.lo?"
I am sorry this is so sudden. After school you were gone suddenly so I
was a little worried. Just so you dont misunderstand, I definitely didnt want
to hear your voice or see your face before you went home. I had no such
ulterior motives!
Lilianas tone was somewhat awkward.
This was Liliana, after all, so maybe she had wanted to accompany G.o.dou
as his bodyguard.
"Sorry for leaving without a word. Id promised to meet an acquaintance."
An acquaintance... it cannot be a woman, can it?
"Well, it is, but theres nothing going on between us, okay?"
The silver-haired knight from Milan firmly believed Kusanagi G.o.dou was a
womanizer without equal.
As a result, she answered in a stern voice:
If you say so, I will believe you. However please be careful. You must pay
meticulous attention so that your womanizing wont lead to future...
"I said thats not it. Im hanging up."
Ending the call, G.o.dou entered the apartment building.
"Ann, welcome-. Ill prepare some sweets and tea right away, okay?"
"Its fine, dont bother. Its not like Im royalty or anything."
Sakuras apartment, number 201 , was in a corner of the building.
The interior of the studio apartment was attentively cleaned and neatly put
in order.
"So, G.o.doh-kun. About yesterday..."
Sakura was unusually agitated.
A few suspicious-looking items were placed on the round table in the very
middle of the room.
A thick, leather-bound Western book. A staff about thirty centimeters long.
A crystal sphere that looked like a mail-order special. Tarot cards... all of
the items looked cheap and fake.
But with his sixth sense as a campione G.o.dou picked up minuscule
amounts of magical power.
Although incredibly weak, those items were the real deal.
"Im going to use magic now, so look closely. Uhm..."
Sakura started flipping through the book. The sentences were written in
some kind of alphabet, but not in English. It wasnt Italian or any other
Latinate language, either.
"What language is that?"
"If I remember correctly, its High German from the Middle Ages... I think?"
"And you can read that!?"
G.o.dou was surprised. He hadnt realized that his cousins foreign language
skills were so advanced.
"No, I cant read it. But my friend translated most of the text..."
"You mean the friend from your college?"
"Yep. We are in the same cla.s.s and we sat next to each other on our first
day."
Sakura was enrolled in the Faculty of Humanities at the renowned
Akinomizu Womens College.
So there were magi like Erica and Liliana attending that school for ladies?
Or was it one of the dozens of j.a.panese hime-miko?
"There it is. Im starting, so pay attention, okay?"
After finding the right page, Sakura put a matchstick on the table.
And while looking at the opened book, without reciting an incantation she
just said:
"G.o.d of magic, please make my wish come true. Thank youK
She even clapped her hands.
"W-wait a moment, Sakura-san, what are you doing!"
"What? Its magic! Uhm, whats really important isnt the incantation or
whatever, but the spirit you put into it, and clearly understanding what kind
of magic you want to use."
So one doesnt need to worry about form. Ahem.
While looking at the proud Sakura, G.o.dou remembered. When Erica and
the others used magic, their incantations (the girls called them mantra or
spell words) were quite suitable.
That being said, would this really work? Just as G.o.dou started getting
anxious, it happened.
Crack. With a dry sound, the matchstick broke.
"See! Did you see that, G.o.doh-kun? The magic worked, isnt that
amazing!"
"...is this perhaps a spell to break matchsticks without using your hands?
"Its not just matchsticks. I can also use it on toothpicks and small pieces of
bamboo!"
It seemed like its Sakuras specialty so G.o.dou kept his reply very
moderate. Which would be more practical anyway, a supernatural power
like spoon bending or Sakuras magic...?
Anyway, Sakura had just displayed a hidden talent that looked like magic.
When she disappeared into the kitchen, saying shed make some tea,
G.o.dou picked up the Western book. The proof of the pudding is in the
eating, after all, and so he mentally ordered the remaining matchsticks to
break.
However, nothing happened at first. Right after he inclined his head,
wondering if he had failed...
CRACKCRACK. There was a loud noise. Outside the window, a tree
toppled by the roadside. One side of Sakuras room faced the street and
from the window G.o.dou could see that one of the trees had broken off by
its roots.
G.o.dou looked over at Sakura in the kitchen. She was peacefully preparing
the tea.
She hadnt noticed anything, so he nonchalantly placed the grimoire back
on the table as if nothing had happened.
"That was that, G.o.doh-kun. Now that you believe me about magic, theres
something I want to ask of you."
Sakura came back carrying two teacups on a tablet.
"Right, thats what this was about."
Trying to break matchsticks and destroying nature instead... The strength
of his magical power coupled with his lack of sensitivity was a cursed
combination. G.o.dou reaffirmed that it was best for him not to learn magic.
"I only learned about it recently, but... apparently theres a fearsome great
devil king in Tokyo."
"A great devil king?"
Somehow, that phrase seemed familiar to G.o.dou.
Pushing his anxiety aside, G.o.dou sipped his tea. Calm down. Sakura
couldnt possibly know about campione. As the person in question, G.o.dou
was certain.
"Remember all those scary incidents that happened since the spring: a
highway here in Tokyo collapsed and the Tokyo Tower caught fire, among
other things... all of these were the fault of that great devil king!"
What was it about those incidents that gave G.o.dou a familiar feeling?
Calm down. Right now I need to be composed. I must possess an
unmovable, frozen heart.
"G.o.doh-kun, search for that great devil king with me! I want to ask him to
stop doing these horrible things! Will you help me?"
G.o.dous attempt to play it cool ended in utter failure.
About halfway through his tea, he started choking. Search for the fearsome
great devil king?
One of the seven devil kings himself? Could the world please stop f.u.c.king
around with him!?
Afterwards, they took the subway to Omotesandou. It was about six in the
evening.
The autumn sun bathed the stylish scenery of the Aoyama Doori^ in
orange.
"So, Sakura, why do you want to meet that, what was it, fearsome great
devil king?" G.o.dou asked as he walked next to his cousin.
Apparently there was a [Magic Shop] in Omotesandou that she and her
friend frequented. The shopkeeper was very knowledgable, so they were
on the way there to ask her for help.
"Ehm, that great devil king person seems to be reeeeally perverted and
constantly l.u.s.ts after girls."
"NO WAY! Dont believe all those strange rumors!"
G.o.dou accidentally shouted. Sakura shrieked in surprise with a fearful look
on her face.
"W-what is it, G.o.doh-kun? Why are you shouting so scarily?"
"Ah, sorry. I thought you were talking about me, so I just reacted
instinctively..."
"Hehehe, youd never be so perverted, G.o.doh-kun, youre too earnest for
that. I understand-."
Sakura smiled gently in spite of his lame excuse. She trusted those she
was close to implicitly. Doubt was unthinkable.
"Y-yeah, right, sorry for saying something so odd."
G.o.dou was a.s.sailed by pangs of guilt from deceiving his pure-hearted
cousin.
"So you see, my close friend, she is from an ooooold family of magic
practicioners that long ago served His Majesty the Emperor"
G.o.dou thought he had recently heard of another family just like that...
He remembered the background of Seishuuin Ena, who he had gotten to
know a little while ago.
"Apparently there are other families with the same duty. And a little while
ago, the great devil king fell at first sight for a girl from one of those families
and made her his lover. He even forced her against her will!"
"Dont spout nonsense! She did that on her own!"
He shouted without thinking once again.
G.o.dou apologized to Sakura, who was close to tears.
"Again, sorry. I just suddenly felt the urge to shout. Ignore it."
"O-okay. So you see, my friend is worried. He might also force her to
become his lover. Thats why I want to tell him to stop doing horrible things.
If I plead with all my might, Im sure hell listen, wont he?"
G.o.dou thought about how some of his acquaintances might respond.
Dejanstahl Voban would ignore her without blinking.
That idiot Salvatore Doni probably wouldnt even understand what Sakura
wanted from him.
However, Kusanagi G.o.dou was proud of his common sense. You could
say Sakuras goal had already been achieved. So he wanted to quickly
return home, but...
Ignorant of his wishes, his cousin entered a small alley.
"See, here we are. Is anybody in?"
The shop seemed to be a remodeled single-family house. Sakura opened
its door and announced herself.
The shop seemed to overflow with handmade goods-various
miscellaneous imported articles. [Kogetsudou] was written in small letters
on the doorplate.
G.o.dou followed Sakura into the store. The interior was a mess.
Various goods with Chinese, Southeast Asian, Mongolian, Tibetan, and
Polynesian labels were lined up next to each other. Accessories,
chinaware, clothes, furniture, different precious metals, fabric, folk crafts
and so forth were all mixed together.
Some of them held feeble magical power.
They seemed unexpectedly cheap for real magic items. From lows of a
hundred yen through a thousand yen, the price tags went up to twenty or
thirty thousand yen. Even more expensive articles could be found in the
showcases and behind the register.
G.o.dou noticed a woman who looked like the shopkeeper. She was quite
young. For some reason she was wearing traditional j.a.panese clothing
and gla.s.ses.
"Oh my, dear customer, welcome-. How can I help you today?"
The shopkeeper talked to Sakura like she would to a regular customer.
"Ah, Im not here to buy anything today. I had something to ask you."
"I see, how unfortunate. But, because of the business weve done recently,
I can share some gossip with you for just a smile. Call it customer service."
So this woman really was knowledgeable.
Erica and Liliana or Hime-miko like Yuri and Ena were surrounded by an
atmosphere that only the elite, those on the cutting edge of their field,
possessed.
But the shopkeeper of this general store did not.
Instead she was more like a gra.s.s waving in the wind, gentle because she
was not part of the elite.
"T-today I wanted to ask about the great devil king who is said to be here
in Tokyo."
"Great devil king, you say? Ahh, you mean the Campione-"
"The campi-what?"
"Campione. Its Italian. In English it means champion. Because the first
person to write about them was Italian, theyve been called campione ever
since."
G.o.dou nodded in silent agreement.
"Well, if thats all you want to know, I guess I can tell you for free as
customer service. There are only seven of those people in the entire world.
First of all, in America there is John Pluto Smith. He is a masked hero
fighting against evil secret societies. He even transforms!"
"Masked!? Transforms!?"
"In nearby China, there is Cult Leader Luo Hao, the Ruler of the Martial
Realm. Somewhere in Arabia or Egypt is the Queen of Caves, the Eternal
Beauty Madame Aisha. In Eastern Europe there is the master of storms,
Marquis Voban. England has their Prince of Black Lightning, Black Prince
Alec. And Lord Salvatore reigns in Italy, he who slices through all
existence."
That made for a total of six people. At this rate, she would start talking
about the seventh person.
Unaware of G.o.dous concerns, the shopkeeper kept going.
"And in our own country is the last one. ...until lately he was shrouded in
mystery, but various bits of information about him have finally appeared."
"If Im not mistaken, hes a totally perverted person, isnt he?"
"It certainly seems so. Apparently he hasnt laid his hands on just black
and brown-haired j.a.panese girls, but also on blond and silver-haired
beauties. Hes a huge lecher."
"Even foreign girls?"
"Furthermore, he seems unexpectedly young. Theres a rumor that hes not
yet twenty..."
"Doesnt that make him a minor? Uhh, I didnt think someone so young
could be so horrible..."
The two women were getting excited. d.a.m.n them for spouting whatever
they felt like.
While scowling, G.o.dou observed the latest development. If this
shopkeeper happened to know his name...
"Could you possibly tell me the name of that perverted Devil King? I have
to meet him and ask him for a favor..."
"His name... lately his personal information has been fiercely protected..."
Ge. The shopkeepers reply unsettled G.o.dou.
Didnt it sound like she knew his name, but couldnt carelessly disclose it?
"His name is not well known, you see... a certain organization is restricting
that information. But they have made an exception for me..."
"If you know, please tell me. Im begging you."
Sakura bowed her head in front of the smug shopkeeper.
d.a.m.n. The shopkeeper was secretly enjoying this. He had to seal her lips
somehow! G.o.dou thought of a certain object. Since he met with Sakura
right after school, he was still in his uniform. He also still had his bag.
And luckily, inside the bag, he carried that...
He took out his student ID card and walked behind Sakura. He brandished
his ID card behind her back so that only the shopkeeper could see his
name and photo.
She shut up at once. She had a look on her face as if shed just run into a
brown bear.
G.o.dou put his index finger to his mouth, indicating Please keep this
confidential. When he did so, the other person nodded vigorously.
"U-uhm... did something happen?"
"No, its nothing at all. Also, Im very sorry but the name of the Campione
here in Tokyo... Im sorry but I dont actually know it. I am really sorry but
please dont ask about it anymore."
The shopkeeper babbled at the worried Sakura.
He had not intended to threaten her... G.o.dou felt deeply apologetic.
"Ehhh. Didnt you say just now that you knew his name?"
Sakura was insistent, as if she were unwilling to consent to this sudden
shift.
Just then, another customer entered the store.
G.o.dou was surprised. He recognized that face. It was a man in his late
twenties, wearing a worn-out business suit.
His name was Amakasu Touma. He was an enigmatic agent of the History
Compilation Committee.
"Oh, did I interrupt? ...now now, what do we have here."
While calling out to the shopkeeper, Amakasu looked at G.o.dou and
smiled. However he did not speak to him. He probably wanted to avoid
careless remarks until he understood the situation.
"Ah! Amakasu-san, you came at just the right moment."
The face of the shopkeeper showed relief.
"Dear customer, you should ask this person about your problem.
Amakasu-san here is a specialist on that topic. He is way more informed
than I am!"
"Eh, is that true? Amazing!"
"And what might that topic be, now?"
The shopkeeper was suddenly wildly gesticulating, Sakura was infected
with excitement, Amakasu couldnt keep up but played it cool. And G.o.dou
sighed.
Part 3
"So, the young lady here wants to talk with the great devil king... am I
getting that right?"
G.o.dou, Sakura and Amakasu had relocated to a nearby coffee shop.
They had nabbed some window seats and Sakura had just finished telling
her story.
Amakasus pitying stare expressed Youve also got it tough, dont you,
Kusanagi-san. Sakura had introduced him as a relative and escort.
"Yes. My friend is worried that that person might take her by force. Lately
shes been really anxious..."
"You said you are enrolled at Akinomizu? So its about the young lady of
the Renjous..."
With nothing more than Sakuras self-introduction and a few brief
comments, Amakasu had identified the leak.
He was probably spot on. Sakuras eyes turned round.
Still, a civilian learning the name of a Campione... wasnt the History
Compilation Committees information blackout surprisingly poor?
G.o.dou stared at the agent with biting sarcasm, but it only earned him a
complacent smile.
"Well, I understand her concern. That great devil king is a rare womanizer
and playboy. Putting it bluntly, you can even call him an enemy of
womankind..."
Amakasu was smiling broadly. His joy was obvious for all to see.
"Well, I wonder about those rumors... Im sure that person must be troubled
by the half-truths everybody spreads about him."
G.o.dou tried to defend himself. At this point, Amakasus face turned evil.
"Oh, so you know him in person?"
"Ah, I havent met him, but thats my gut reaction. Im familiar with that kind
of situation. He probably just wants to live in peace, yet people call him
l.u.s.tful and generally bother him. You should stop with this gossip."
"Did something happen, G.o.doh-kun? Youve been acting strange for a
while now...?"
When G.o.dou suddenly started speaking so insistently, Sakura stared
worriedly at him.
G.o.dou boldly ignored her stare.
"Sakura, you should also stop this. Amakasu-san here will certainly inform
him of your concerns. You dont have to act like a detective and-"
"I will inform him? I feel very uneasy about that..."
Amakasu said he felt uneasy, but he sounded totally carefree.
"Please do something. Youre the only one we can rely on."
"Im far from brave enough to admonish a great devil king. And theres so
much other work thats piled up..."
"You just need to meet him and talk a little. Thatll be enough to make him
understand."
"Wouldnt that be impossible? Hes a ladies man like no other, I tell you -
hed never listen."
"Thats a baseless rumor. Dont pay it any heed."
"Hahaha, going by the rumors and his reputation, the man himself is
unaware of the truth."
G.o.dous request was simply rejected.
Dammit. G.o.dou had underestimated Amakasus fondness for playing
around. While smacking his lips, G.o.dou steeled himself to give even more
ground.
"By the way, do you know that person over there? Shes been staring at
us."
Upon hearing Amakasus comment, G.o.dou turned his eyes toward the
corner of the room.
As he and Sakura looked in that direction, G.o.dou was surprised. There sat
a European girl with her glowing silver mane bound in a ponytail.
The bizarre sungla.s.ses and mask she was wearing might have been an
attempt at disguise.
"...What are you doing, Liliana?"
When he called out to her, the silver-haired knight twitched in surprise.
"Y-you must be mistaking me for someone else. I d-do not know you at all."
She tried to turn away. G.o.dou stopped probing and wordlessly pulled off
her mask.
"If you have any excuses, say them now."
"Excusing myself is unthinkable. Th-That is right, I was just thinking you
might be in danger on your own. I am here to protect you. I definitely had
no wretched feelings like wanting to see the face of the woman you ran off
to see. Please dont misunderstand!"
Liliana took off her sungla.s.ses while mumbling to herself.
She was obviously fl.u.s.tered. Well, whatever. G.o.dou scratched his head.
She always acted like that.
"Got it. Anyway, come over here for now."
The tables could accommodate four people, so there was an empty seat
for Liliana. Now that G.o.dou had noticed her, he couldnt leave her on her
own.
"Is it alright?"
"Of course. Well, as long as you want to."
"O-of course I have no objection."
She was so energetic that if she were a puppy, shed be enthusiastically
wagging her tail. Liliana stood up. Her face was still overly serious, but it
looked awfully happy.
When she came to G.o.dous table, she asked.
"But still, why would you be here, Amakasu Touma?"
"By coincidence, completely by coincidence."
While scowling at Amakasus reply, the silver-haired knight sat down.
G.o.dou regretted that he hadnt told her beforehand. He believed she
wouldnt be careless because of Sakura, but...
"Are you acquainted with this person from abroad? And is she also
acquainted with G.o.doh-kun?"
"Ann, who would believe the coincidence, my friend was one of
Kusanagi-sans acquaintances, too."
"Really? Thats quite a surprise."
Amakasus reply was inconsistent with Lilianas earlier statement.
However, Sakura didnt notice the contradiction. In spite of this ridiculous
bargain sale of [coincidence], she was nodding. Her purity was dazzling.
"So what is her relation with G.o.doh-kun? l-is she his girlfriend?"
"Liliana my girlfriend? Why would you think so? Were just friends."
Sakuras question made G.o.dou smile bitterly. "Right?", he said as he
turned to Liliana.
Unlike her rival Erica, she wouldnt try to make the situation any worse.
"That is so. I am Liliana Kranjcar. I live my life with Kusanagi G.o.dou, his
knight so to speak. If you will, think of me as his lifelong companion."
□lianas self- introduction was stern.
...the person in question probably didnt intend to, but her choice of words
was ripe with potential for misunderstanding.
Should he respond by saying Shes bad at j.a.panese. Sometimes she
says weird stuff. Just ignore it.? Unfortunately, her p.r.o.nunciation was
flawless and that excuse was holier than Swiss cheese, too, but...
"AAHH, I see. So youre super-close friends with G.o.doh-kun?"
Sakura was smiling gently.
"If youre friends for life, thats how it is, right. Its nice meeting you... but Im
relieved that youre not his girlfriend. Yepyep, G.o.doh-kun couldnt have a
girlfriend, right?"
Her smiling face was pure, free of the slightest hint of malice.
G.o.dou was thankful for his cousins extreme purity and trust. It got her into
all kinds of trouble, but her radiant heart was a wonderful virtue.
Maybe she was overpowered by that angelic smile, but for once Liliana
could only reply "Haaa".
"...Kusanagi G.o.dou, what is your relation with this woman? Is she another
lover, or maybe a secret wife?"
"Using another here is strange. Why didnt you ask about friends or
family? Sakura is my second cousin and more like an older sister."
G.o.dous answer to the stealthy Liliana was bitter.
"Oh no, G.o.doh-kun, didnt you say I wasnt your sister long ago?"
"Eh, what are you talking about?"
When Sakura cut in, G.o.dou inclined his head.
"Remember when you were in elementary school? You suddenly stopped
calling me Oneechan. When I asked why, you said youd marry me once
wed grown up so I couldnt be your sister. Dont you remember?"
"...oh, right, now that you mention it..."
G.o.dou considered that memory from his early childhood to be a youthful
indiscretion.
He felt like they really had had such a conversation long ago. G.o.dou had
stopped calling Sakura Oneechan ever since. Thinking back on it, that
episode gave him a nostalgic feeling of we sure were young. Though, he
was still pretty young...
"So you see, like I told you yesterday, G.o.doh-kun, dont you feel like calling
me just Sakura now? I think its about time for us to start doing that."
"But theres no reason to, is there? I said changing it is a pain, its fine like
this."
"Sheesh, G.o.doh-kun. Youre always like that."
He suddenly noticed Amakasu and Liliana staring at them in wonder.
"I see. Most intriguing."
"So genius does display itself even in childhood... so thats how it was..."
Both of them were nodding in agreement.
Just as G.o.dou was about to ask what they meant, Amakasus cellphone
rang.
"Looks like a message from my boss. I must get back to work soon," the
agent from the History Compilation Committee said.
"It is unfortunate, but I will have to excuse myself here. Could I have a
word before that, Miss?"
Amakasu addressed Sakura as he stood up.
"About our earlier conversation... Im afraid I cannot grant your wish to
meet with the Great Devil King, the Campione. Please forgive me."
"B-but I have to see-"
"Right now your level as a magic user is too low. You see, in every single
RPG, you cannot encounter the great devil king at level two. At a minimum,
youd have to be level twenty or thirty."
Amakasu put her off with a bogus argument.
However, Sakura quickly nodded with an enlightened expression.
Should he praise her for understanding this level of gaming slang or be
afraid for her for being tricked by such shoddy reasoning? Weighing one
side against the other, G.o.dou became uneasy.
Given the path the conversation was taking, G.o.dou knew what Sakura
would say next.
"Th-then, how do I become a powerful enough magic-user to meet the
great devil king?"
As expected. His prediction had already come true. Amakasu grinned
broadly.
It was the smile of a tolerant elder. And completely fake.
The aura he was giving off was like that of a fortune teller palming off the
jar of bliss or a salesperson quickly calculating the interest rate for a loan
for an expensive lithograph.
"Please relax. Through fortuitous [coincidence], a splendid coach has
already appeared. Liliana-san here is one of the most outstanding witches
I know. With her a.s.sistance you will definitely achieve a dramatic level-up.
Good luck!"
...He pa.s.sed the buck. Just like the buck had been pa.s.sed to him earlier.
Unable to grasp the situation, Liliana pointed at herself, "Eh, me?" Sakura
looked at her with adoration, "Wahhh, youre amazing!".
During that gap in the conversation, Amakasu put his coffee cup on the
table.
In the next moment, the business suit-clad agent was by the exit. Like
instant movement.
After displaying that mysterious feat, he saluted.
Liliana and G.o.dou were left behind to calm Sakura, who was eagerly
begging to be taught magic.
That night at the Kusanagi house. G.o.dou was in his room when his
cellphone rang.
The display showed an unknown number. G.o.dou still pressed the b.u.t.ton
with conviction.
Yo, Thanks for today. How did it turn out in the end?
It really was Amakasus voice. G.o.dou answered while nodding.
"We somehow settled it but..."
G.o.dou had repeatedly told the overexcited Sakura to calm down.
Hed told her that hed do something about the situation so she should go
home for now. That had ended matters for the time being. Still, the problem
had only been postponed, not resolved.
So isnt it settled? Tricking her with tons of lies mustve been a piece of
cake. Ah, I already instructed her friend. Theres no chance of her giving
away your name. Please relax.
"...instructed?"
Yes. While devious, I allowed myself to use a quiet yet effective method.
That left many possibilities. Should he probe deeper?
G.o.dou was troubled, but Amakasu continued lightheartedly.
But how about just coming out with who you are, honestly telling everyone
that youre that rumored devil king? Itd be much less of a ha.s.sle that way!
"As if I could do that. And anyway, I dont know why the heck people are
saying that about me! Plus, everyones acting like Im some terrible lech..."
Amakasu rudely laughed off G.o.dous grumblings.
Sorry for that. But you know, you get what you deserve, or something.
Hey, Kusanagi-san, why did you call Liliana-san over in the coffee shop?
You knew shed be in the way, so why didnt you chase her away?
"I couldnt do that either. Having fun with everyone but her? What can I
say, I just didnt like the idea of doing so."
Then what about your relative? I know shes pure and lovely, which
stimulates your desire to protect her, but frankly, wasnt taking care of her
for ten-odd years a pain? If it were me, Id have made a plausible excuse
and abandoned her.
"Hmm, it certainly was a pain, but..."
G.o.dou scratched his head.
Amakasus comments had been quite cutting, but nevertheless correct.
"But abandoning her would be even worse. Actually I quite like her. When
she wants to rely on me when shes at her wits end, I want to do what I
can."
And by spoiling them like that you arrived where you are today. So thats
how you raise your flags.
G.o.dou couldnt understand Amakasus comments.
Should you ever need our a.s.sistance, please say so. We will do our
utmost to help.
"At that time, please dont mess around like you did earlier today. Youre
really going to help me, arent you?"
... Of course I am. Please have faith in me!
The short pause between question and reply made the latter completely
unconvincing.
But, well, this level of trouble is nothing to worry about. Deception still
works.
"Deception?"
Correct. Among the hime-miko, there are some who can alter peoples
memories. Even without such a power, you can tamper with memories
through hypnotism magic. The devious move I talked about earlier is a one
type of such magic
Ethically, what Amakasu was talking about definitely fell in a grey area.
His proposal was absurd. G.o.dou was amazed.
But while he was amazed, he was grateful that such a method existed.
Giving it some thought, he hadnt pulverized some highway in the capital or
the San Pietro Cathedral in this case: Using such magic was certainly a
valid way to conceal the events.
—Take the evil with the good.
Because many of his friends and family were of dubious character, G.o.dou
had naturally adopted that stance.
There were some problems you just couldnt solve with justice and sound
arguments. You had to face such crises with appropriate responses.
G.o.dou was relieved to end the call from Amakasu on a peaceful note.
Without realizing that his mindset was not peaceful or common in the least,
G.o.dou got ready for bed.
References
1 . t Meiji era: represents the first half of the Empire of j.a.pan during
which j.a.panese society moved from being an isolated feudalism to its
modern form. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_period
2. t Showa era: the period of j.a.panese history corresponding to the
reign of the Showa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926,
through January 7,
1989. http://en.wi kipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dwa_period
3. t Sudachi: small, round, green citrus fruit which belongs to the
papeda subgroup of citrus plants. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudachi
4. t Sensei: In j.a.pan, Sensei is not only used to refer to teachers, but
also to artists, doctors and other educated people and figures of
authority as well. It can be used to show respect to someone who has
achieved a certain level of mastery in an art form or skill.
5. t Tatami: type of mat used as a flooring material in traditional
j.a.panese-style rooms.
6. t Miyagi:http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyagi_Prefecture
7. t Aoyama Doori: Main street in Aoyama, Tokyo.