Chapter 3 – The Chaser and The Chased

 

Part 1

「As expected, the fortunes of war are with you.」

Her grandmother Ran said that with her usual curtness.

She was wearing a kimono of subdued brown leather color. The time was already past seven at night. However, there was no atmosphere of a happy family circle post dinner here for even a bit.

Emergency situation was in the middle of progressing right now.

The talking grandmother was sitting in seiza posture with her back stretching straight.

「The godslayers including Kusanagi Godou-sama materialized in Okutama Mountains from a while ago, even now they are in the middle of fierce battle――. That report had arrived from some time ago.」

The main residence of the samurai family was at the urban area of Chichibu city.

The secondary residence they were at right now was something used for resting the body in the spare times of rushing about the steep sacred mountain. Naturally, it was located far away from bustling human habitation.

It was in the middle of mountain that was separated within ten kilometer from the preeminent sacred precincts of Kanto, Mitsumine Shrine.

It was a famous shrine even though it was placed at elevation of a thousand meter. Because it was surrounded by Shiraiwa Mountain, Myohougadake Mountain, and Kumotori Mountain, the name『Mitsumine(Three Peaks)』.

Recently a secondary residence became completely rare, it was an idyll old Japanese-style house.

Grandmother and granddaughter was facing each other in seiza posture on the dirt floor here.

This time, even the grandmother was accompanying the granddaughter’s “special”seclusion in the mountain was surely because of the unprecedented time of emergency as expected.

The grandmother further spoke right beside the burning sunken hearth.

「For the mountain that ought to be called as sacred ground to be on the verge of danger of ruin, truly it can be said as the height of misfortune. However, our family is a military family. The battlefield itself was moving until right before the eye of you who got a late start. Grandmother believe that there is nothing more fortuitous than this.」

「Yep. This too must be because of Ena’s good habitual behavior!」

「……Hou.」

「Sorry. Perhaps just now was too much exaggeration.」

「……Then let’s continue. Of course, even if the battlefield is at the end of Japan, I have the intention to send you until there no matter what by surmounting all difficulties. By putting our family’s dignity on the line. However, for it to be nearby without any necessity for that……」

The grandmother emitted uncommon pressure just by slightly narrowing her eyes.

But, the granddaughter wasn’t overawed by that. She straightened her back like the grandmother, and kept her upright seiza posture without even any small shaking. Elegantly displaying beautiful manner no matter what kind of time it was. That was exactly the etiquette of Yamato Nadeshiko that had been disciplined thoroughly into her to this point.

「Raise deeds of arms without fail. Everything begin from there.」

「Roger. Well, just leave it to me.」

She undertook it by lightly clapping her chest.

In order to raise the child of the youth who would become her husband someday, she was in a position that ought to play a very active role as mother. When she realized that, she added more to her speech.

「Also, it would be no good unless the heir of our family is created between Ena and his majesty. Ena will absolutely protect his majesty, and we will safely return back, so Baa-chan also just watch!」

「Ena.」

Seishuuin Ran――Ena’s grandmother spoke without delay. Of course, she wasn’t a woman who would rebuke the granddaughter with line like ‘even though you are a maiden, that’s vulgar’ and the like.

「Something like winning without fail and returning home alive, for a warrior……no, for someone who fight, that’s an unworthy line. What you should say there is『Even if I die I’ll become a spirit, and swear to protect my master even then』.」

「Ah, I see.」

The grandmother talked with resolution about the disposition of warrior to her optimistic granddaughter that would go on her path.

For Ena who learned numerous heroic saga regarding the chaotic period and rapid growth period after Second World War by hearing, she could accept her grandmother’s words without even feeling any particular repulsion.

「Then, Ena will do well about such matter, so I’ll be going now.」

「Do just that.」

The talk was fast because she was strict and not fixated with trifling matters.

Receiving her grandmother’s nod, Ena stood up

After putting her hand――on the katana that was put at the side. The size of the whole thing appeared to be around 121 centimeter. It was an object that wasn’t entered into sheath, instead it was wrapped with white cloth. According to the oral instruction, it seemed that it was a treasure that was entrusted to the ancestor of Seishuuin family by a household that was connected with Mononobe lineage.

「So you, took that out from the basin under the waterfall of Isonokami……」

The grandmother whispered with deep feeling.

「Perhaps sensing the arrival of the fearsome god of war, even the spirit of the divine sword conferred a response to you.」

「Ena also think that it might be something like that. After all when I attempted it before, the spirit completely disappeared, it didn’t even show out its figure.」

It might also because Seishuuin Ena’s spiritual rating had also grown up slightly compared to before.

By fighting together with Kusanagi Godou, and struggling through verge of death of a level that was normally impossible, her strength as princess shrine maiden had been increasing little by little until now――.

Ena had such self-awareness.

For that reason, she went toward the hidden waterfall of inner Chichibu that was known only by very little number of ascetics.

There was a secret cave behind the flowing down water.

Ena was making prayer wholeheartedly before getting into there. She prayed, in order to face the trial Japan was under, please grant the divine protection to the princess shrine maiden of the sword.

When the spirit of the divine sword responded, it would be possible to face the cave behind the waterfall.

But, if there was no response then nothing would be found. In fact, when Ena attempted it three years ago, she couldn’t even discover a short sword. But, this time was different.

With the “trump” that she promised Kusanagi Godou in her hand, Ena finally departed for the battlefield.

Devil king civil war, it was already at the night of the second day.

She should still make it in time if it was with her nimble-footedness.

Part 2

「You already understand……the difference in power between us right?」

Godou spoke as though in admonishment and also blunt rejection.

「You are, Laksmana aren’t you? Just wait quietly until your big brother comes back. I’m someone who don’t want to do meaningless match, even this man――」

「Well, if I don’t need to make effort, then there is nothing better than that.」

John Pluto Smith was nodding.

He was staring at the brown skinned noble youth through his mask’s visor. This was Laksmana, the biological younger brother of the『King of the End』Rama, who even though his appearance was exactly the same like his elder brother, it was only his skin that was of different color.

The subordinate god of the great hero――grinned broadly.

It was a smile that was filled with the usual hatred. It was venomous. A glimpse of his soul’s distortion could be seen from there.

It was late at night, furthermore it was in the middle of Okutama Mountains that was piled with snow. On top of that rain was drizzling down, all of them there had their clothes drenched wet. Anyway it was freezing.

But, Godou was feeling hot instead.

His whole body was heated. The blood flowing in his blood vessel felt like burning. Surely it was because his Campione soul was raging, as if it would lose against the chill of winter――and against god.

Smith should be in the same state too without doubt.

In front of such two godslayers, even so Laksmana was grinning.

「There is no problem. Even if my body is powerless, I who am the little brother of my elder brother who is the most sagacious among the people with wisdom possess a secret measure. ……I recalled it.」

Even though you are just a subordinate god, you talk like a big shot――for some reason such thinking didn’t cross Godou’s mind.

He felt a particular suspicious dread of time when a mortal danger was approaching. The back of his neck was tingling. He didn’t dare to believe, could it possible that Laksmana became strong in this short time?

The moment he felt suspicious, lightning fell somewhere far away.

*DOooooooN* Such sound and vibration was transmitted until here. So that’s it.

「Elder brother who ought to be extolled as the ferocious tiger of heavens, is a hero that is protected by the sacred blade of war god. Now, while I am merely a foolish and powerless little brother, I too implore――」

Laksmana pointed at the sky with his index finger.

「O divine sword of salvation, display thy true form to the world right now!」

「As I thought, it’s that!」

However, could the little brother that wasn’t Rama used it skillfully!?

「Nu……OOOOOOOOOOOH!」

Laksmana howled in front of Godou who was on his guard.

In respond to that, lightning was falling one after another. Around the prince of India myth, Smith, and Godou,『DOoooN!』『DOoooN!』『DOoooN!』lightning strike was showering down.

However, there was no lightning cloud that released these lightning.

「Is it something like that mandala again!?」

Godou yelled.

Above――the mandala of the divine sword was manifesting.

It was a square magic formation. It had sides around ten meter. It was demarcated in detail with grid pattern, weapon was stored inside each block.

Sword – katana – bow – spear – axe – shield – pole – naginata – pike – jewel – rope – brick, and so on.

And then,『arrow』was the weapon that numbered the most there. The mandala was shooting out those as lightning――it was the appearance when the divine sword of salvation became its final form.

「Elder brother, I beg you for the divine protection of sacred immortal to this unworthy little brother!」

「So this is the trump card of godslayer killing that I heard in rumor……」

Smith whispered with his magic gun drawn out.

The surrounding of Godou and others were rained down incessantly by lightning = arms of India myth.

It was already inevitable for them to be overwhelmed badly by those. Smith aimed at the sky――furthermore it was toward empty air where there was nothing, and fired his magic gun.

*KAaaaaaN!*

High-pitched sound rang and one of the lightning of salvation was annihilated.

One of the raining down arms were broken by Smith’s shooting. Furthermore, the magic bullet didn’t stop there――it was continuing to fly as it was

In order to shot down the lightning that were raining down to Smith, and also to Godou.

* KAaaaaaN! KAaaaaaN! KAaaaaaN! KAaaaaaN! KAaaaaaN! KAaaaaaN! KAaaaaaN! KAaaaaaN!*

The magic bullet was flying around to all direction freely, shooting through lightning of salvation in succession, crushing them. It was just like a flying shield.

Thanks to that, Smith and also Godou didn’t need to rack their brain for defense.

「It’s not as strong as what I heard though……that’s what I feel.」

Smith said to Godou.

「What do you think as someone with experience?」

「You are right. Laksmana――isn’t as used with the divine sword of salvation as his elder brother. Or perhaps I should say, that he cannot handle it.」

The lightning of salvation became fierce bullet rain and attacked the surface ground like a downpour.

That was『Mandala of Divine Sword』that Rama controlled. However, the lightning that the little brother made to rain down felt only like early summer rain in spring. Its thickness as barrage was thin, and the aiming of each one was also inadequate.

Even now countless lightning strikes were noisily falling around Godou and others.

The hit rate was around one hit at Smith or Godou for each twenty, thirty shots. It wasn’t even worthy to be compared to the rapid-fire of a machine gun.

Even the lightning that looked like they would hit were getting smashed in succession by the magic bullet that was flying around the sky as shield.

But, even so Laksmana was howling.

「O zodiac of divine sword! O all transcendental who wish for devil king extermination! Slaughter these corrupted Rakshasa, and please grant me…….the destiny of the chosen warrior!」

The little brother of the great hero sat down in the lotus position――at the posture of seated Zen meditation.

He floated in the air with that still posture and climbed for thirty, forty meter steeply until he took position right beside the mandala of divine sword that was floating midair.

It was the exquisite performance of midair floating that yoga ascetic might show at occult special programme in television.

「……His strength increased?」

Godou frowned. He felt it. The whole body of Laksmana that was in lotus position was emitting magic power――that was bloating up even more than before.

「That guy, he can also imitate that!?」

「Mu――?」

John Pluto Smith was also gazing in wonderment.

The masked godslayer had also witnessed the too sudden power up of Seiten Taisei at the battle in inner Nikkou before this. Naturally he would notice.

The Great Ritual of the Old Covenant. The grand secret art that granted privilege of devil king extermination to heroes that possessed attribute of sword.

「The same power……with Seiten Taisei before this!?」

Even so it was far off from the elder brother. It didn’t even reach the level of Seiten Taisei at inner Nikkou.

It only still reached the level in the category of subordinate god. But, the density of lightning that was released from the mandala of divine sword――was increasing by thirty percent.

As the result, the anti air defense by the magic bullet was finally starting to get slipped through by lightning.

One shot fell toward John Pluto Smith!

「You who possess no fixed shape……take a look at the shadow of Count Bifrons.」

Smith whispered something that sounded like words of power.

The fierce lightning strike――passed through the highly dignified costumed figure.

At this time the overly peculiar mask and black outfit looked swaying, Smith’s outline was becoming an unclear figure that was like heat haze that appeared in desert or human reflection on water surface.

By any chance, it might be a phenomenon that was caused by this man’s authority.

……While thinking so briefly, Godou jumped back with beastly agility all of a sudden. He got a bad premonition on the spur of the moment.

Sure enough, a lightning of salvation was falling his way.

The true identity of the assaulting lightning strike from diagonally above――it was an arrow with steel arrowhead attached. It pierced Godou’s chest. If it got just a little deeper, it should pierce through his lung.

「Shit……!」

Godou cursed and grinned fiercely.

Although he had pulled through with his prompt instinct, it was a deep wound that dug until inside his lung. But it wasn’t lethal, so he could still fight. His grin was due to that fighting spirit. And then he chanted.

「All evildoers, tremble before my strength. Upon my mighty self, I shall bear the symbol of the raging camel!」

The words of power of Verethragna’s fourth avatar『Camel』.

The pain in his lung lessened with the benefit of the avatar and his body was filled with vitality. He ran to the right, then he ran left, rolled to the front, all with movement of fierce beast in order to evade the lightning strikes that were raining down in quick succession and got through it forcefully.

Godou took a glance at Laksmana’s direction.

There was no sign of him getting down from midair. It appeared that he was planning to stick close to the mandala floating in night sky until the two Campiones were brought down.

「It seems that different from his elder brother, his personality is to run away from head-on confrontation huh.」

Like this his leg――the kick that was the weapon of『Camel』wouldn’t reach.

Godou clicked his tongue. Even during this time, the mandala in the air was continuing to fire lightning. Even while it had thinner density compared to the elder brother, the attack was continuing on.

Should he hit him with Smith’s gun, even if that was something that didn’t match his nature――

『Your majesty!』

The divine sword dwelling in his right arm was relaying the telepathy from her.

『Right now Ena is heading there! Ena will bring down that guy for sure, so lend Ena your majesty’s power. Just like before――respond to Ena’s calling voice!』

It was a message from a girl that shouldn’t be here.

No, what led Godou to this place was the authority of Madam Aisha.

Perhaps the power that brought about good and bad luck also connected him with his last helper’s destiny. And above all she had a bond with Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi. If she searched the whereabouts of her partner with her heart and rushed through the local mountains with her monkey-like agility, then this wasn’t an unnatural entrance by any means――.

「Ena’s here your majesty! Kusanagi Godou!」

And then, Seishuuin Ena arrived with a leap.

Her body was wrapped with the school uniform of that unknown whereabouts, her beautiful black hair was fluttering while she slipped out through the trees, into the battlefield where lightning of salvation were raining down.

Of course, even the princess shrine maiden of the sword would die if she got struck by the lightning of salvation. However.

「I respectfully wish to the monarch of my back! Please bestow our secret sword and wind’s guidance to this one!」

「Go, Seishuuin!」

When his name was called by a person that was in the verge of mortal danger, he would be able to instantly teleported to there.

That was the effect of Verethragna’s first avatar『Wind』.

The method of bestowing Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi along with the fastness of wind to Seishuuin Ena who was standing in predicament――.

「IYAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!」

Ena and the divine sword was clad with whirling wind and flew to the sky.

At the next moment, the leading princess shrine maiden was already right in front of Laksmana in midair. It wasn’t something like a leap or flight, but a speed that was equal with instant teleportation. Naturally, Ena also passed through the countless lightning strikes the mandala of divine sword launched, and with unharmed state she――

「Please, Ama no Murakumo!」

She lifted the divine sword of Japan that was her matchless partner.

Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi flew like a throwing javelin. Even though it was thrown with a technique that was unbecoming for a swordsman, but it splendidly pierced Laksmana’s chest.

「Guh――!?」

Laksmana groaned.

Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi was piercing around the noble youth’s chest.

Oddly it was the same spot where Godou received his wound. But, the little brother of the great hero showed his distorted grin haughtily and boasted.

「Hahahaha! No matter how great a divine sword this is, it’s something wielded by the likes of human. It’s impossible for it to fall me who is watched over by my imperishable and indestructible elder brother!」

「Then, this is the second stroke!」

Ena was unbelievably still floating in the air.

The spiritual power she obtained by her specialty the secret rite – divine possession was fastening the princess shrine maiden of sword to air. A new sword suddenly appeared in both her hands.

It was a doubled-edged long sword. However, its shape was bizarre.

The『trunk』that was the blade had three protrusions each at the left and right side that seemed like『branches』, a total of six protrusions.

「YAAAAAAAAAAAH!」

Along with a shout of fighting spirit, Ena flew straight toward Laksmana.

Image

Flying in with all her wight, she stabbed a new sword heavily into the chest of the noble youth, into right next Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi that pierced the lung, at the heart’s location.

「GUOOOOOH!」

Laksmana was groaning with a voice that was even louder than before.

The mandala of divine sword behind him vanished, and the wounded noble youth limply fell to the ground. He crashed on the snow with dull sound.

Ena herself was still hovering midair.

In addition, she quickly pulled out her two beloved swords from Laksmana.

This result surely came because the enemy was a subordinate god, and also the growth of Ena’s strength that was higher than before. The body of the princess shrine maiden was currently overflowing with two type of divinity.

The divinity of Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, and the divinity of that new sword――.

So to speak she was in a state of double divine possession. Pushed by that, Seishuuin Ena was able to exhibit that much prowess. But, the inquiry about it would be put for later.

「Kuuh――!」

Godou rushed toward Laksmana while afflicted by severe headache.

He would be tormented by this pain when he was using two avatars of Verethragna simultaneously. This was because he was using『Wind』for Ena while still keeping『Camel』on.

He bore with it in order to deal the finishing blow right away.

He leaped at the prince of Kosala country that was standing up unsteadily.

「DAAAAAAH!」

Godou jumped high and a spinning kick flashed toward Laksmana’s head.

From how he was solidly surviving even with his chest pierced through by two divine swords, it was just as expected from this scrap of god of war. Godou launched pursuing attack because he had foreseen this. But.

「What!?」

His sure kill midair spinning kick certainly captured the side of the head of the noble youth.

Yet, Godou’s leg passed through Laksmana’s head. It was as though he was kicking a three-dimensional image that looked like human.

「I’ll be back again, godslayer……」

Leaving behind that parting line, Laksmana was diving underground as though the ground was mud.

「Does he copied Smith? This guy also have an authority that is similar with that……?」

Godou sighed. Smith also showed a trick that was similar with the defense against his kick just now. That was the reason he made the association.

(……Godou-san.)

「What’s the matter Mariya?」

(Prince Laksmana just now――I felt that it seemed similar with Madam Aisha instead, though vaguely.)

Godou was shocked with the revelation that Mariya Yuri sent to him from the realm of the dead.

「By any chance, is it that? The authority of fortune that thoroughly dragged us in too.」

(No. The  power that we experienced with our time travel to ancient Gallia……the corrective force of history……. For some reason I was reminded of that.)

「…………」

Now that she mentioned it, Godou recalled.

He witnessed it several times while he was staying at the city Colonia Agrippa of ancient Gallia. How the weapon that was wielded against Madam Aisha――easily passed through her.

The madam said that it was also the corrective force of history.

She said『The force that is trying to attach me to this era, it will make that kind of ill-manner into “nothing ever happened” for me you know!』

Could it be, that Laksmana also had that kind of divine protection?

While he was feeling dubious, the black haired princess shrine  maiden and a Campion approached him.

「Your majesty!」

「Somehow it has to an end for now huh.」

Seishuuin Ena smiled with her usual liveliness, while the masked godslayer returned his magic gun into its holster on the waist.

For the time being, he exchanged gaze with his fellow Campione and conveyed『Wait a little bit for the complicated talk』using eye contact. John Pluto Smith responded with a light not just with that signal, so it was just as he thought, his compatibility with this man wasn’t bad.

Godou and Ena slowly faced each other after parting for a day.

「Seishuuin.」

「Hehehe, thanks for waiting.」

Ama no Murakumo was vanishing among the two divine swords the princess shrine maiden was wielding.

It already returned to Godou’s right arm. However, the other bizarre sword――it was still staying at Ena’s right hand.

The length of the blade was three shaku――about ninety centimeters. It was double edged.

The branches on it were blade with steel claw shape. Each had length of three sun――a total of nine centimeters. The main body of the sword was added with at total of six branches that should be called as sub-blades on the left and right, it was a strange sword.

「Is that the『trump』that you said yesterday?」

「Yep. Just as promised, Ena made it in time here.」

Ena puffed up her chest while showing the meaningful sword.

She lifted it with both hands as though handling a prized treasure and presented it in front of Godou.

「It’s called Nanatsusaya no Tachi. The same like Ama no Murakumo……well, not really that much though, but it’s a divine sword that is nearly the same class.」(TN: Nanatsusaya no Tachi=Long Sword of Seven Branches)

「If it’s just from the appearance, than this one seem to have more pedigree.」

The sword’s main body that was like a tree trunk, and the six sub-blades that were like branches. It was called as『Nanatsusaya no Tachi』from how it possessed a total of seven blades. Godou nodded to that explanation.

「Anyway, I’m saved thanks to Seishuuin. Thank you.」

「It’s all my pleasure. Rather than that, what about Erica-san and Liliana-san? The are acting separately?」

「Unfortunately, we needed to separate because of unforeseen accident. ――That’s right. Does Mariya know where they are?」

Godou called out to his companion that was『absent』physically.

He anticipated that if it was someone like John Pluto Smith, then he surely would guess the mechanism even without explanation.

As he thought, Smith didn’t make any needless interjection and listened quietly.

While everyone’s attention were gathered, Yuri who was devoting herself in support role from the realm of the dead sent him new telepathy.

(I attempted to follow through the thought of everyone using spiritual power of telepathy. It seemed that Erica-san and everyone else escaped to the east――to the direction of Hachiouji for once, but……

It was the beginning of a report that dumbfounded Godou and others.

Part 3

「I got the image that Tokyo is a large metropolis, but there are also a lot of place that looked like the sticks huuh.」

Salvatore Doni murmured.

It seemed that their current location was within Hachiouji of Tokyo metropolis on the map. However, they didn’t really feel that they were in human settlement for real because all this time they had been wandering continuously inside mountain.

(As expected that it was different from deep in the mountains of Okutama though, the snow wasn’t piling up here.)

Even though they were in mountain, but this area was undeveloped woodland near populated area with low elevation.

There were also golf course, terraced farms, terraced rice-fields, a few housing, and so created on the open field that dotted between the mountains. However, this group avoided that kind of “place with good visibility” very carefully, and advanced within mountain forest as much as possible.

「I heard that all the Campiones were rampaging at the edge of Tokyo and I rushed to there. After that it’s only inside the mountain aa~ll the time. It was like the time when I wandered at Nara or Kyoto at Kanto in the past.」

「Lily, how about your『eye』?」

「I don’t feel……any gaze. Surely even the farsighted Sect Founder Luo Hao has lost sight of us thanks to us advancing while hiding.」

When Erica asked, the silver haired sword friend immediately gave her answer.

Both of them together were ignoring the monologue of the Campione. It wasn’t the time for that. Liliana took a glance at the sky.

The winter’s night sky was――obstructed by the branches of the trees, the sky couldn’t be seen well.

But, this was fine. Sect Founder Luo Hao was using magic and placed『eye』at the height of sky. If they were at place without any cover, they would get discovered right away.

……They withdrew from Kokumotori Mountain of Okutama using flight magic just a bit of time ago.

However, right after they landed.

『We are seen by someone――most likely it’s Sect Founder Luo Hao……』

Liliana who was responsible for the flight said so.

The supernatural sense of the European witch(Strega) detected it. Luo Cuilian that was a Daogu――witch of ancient China with the power of clairvoyance was observing them. (TN: Daogu=Daoist nun)

In addition, the sky was suddenly turning stormy.

Strong wind was blowing, raindrops were raining, and even thunder was starting to be audible.

Marquis Voban was calling storm.

Liliana asserted that and stop the flight.

Flight magic was a magic that used a witch’s magic power to move in the sky with only flesh body. It was far easier to be affected by weather than airplane. They might be shot down by lightning like that.

Thus they landed at the west outskirts of Hachiouji and started walking through mountain.

「Well, no matter how far we walk, I don’t think we will be able to go out from Sect Founder Luo Hao’s gaze. There is a limit with traveling by foot.」

「Even if we procure a car from somewhere, perhaps the result will be the same.」

「Whether it’s the marquis or the sect founder, we cannot get away from the hunting dog chasing us around.」

Dog’s howl could be heard while Liliana and Erica were in the middle of exchanging opinion.

WAOO~~~~~~~~~N-.

「My」

Madam Aisha who had completely turned into a『frail girl』whispered.

WAOO~~~~~~~~~N-. OO~~~~~~~~~N-. OO~~~~~~~~~N-. Howl could be heard from everywhere. All of them came from different directions.

Were fellow wild dogs calling at each other from different place?

However, any optimistic view was immediately denied.

「This, must be the wolves of Onii-sama. There is no mistake.」

「Is that really true, Madam Aisha?」

When Erica asked for confirmation right away, the eternal beautiful girl nodded innocently.

「Yes. I somehow came to understand it in my long association with Onii-sama.」

「Just as I thought, the servant wolves had been released too……」

「Though it seems that they still aren’t nearby, but perhaps it’s only a matter of time until we are discovered. By the way, Lord Salvatore.」

「What is it, Erica-kun?」

「Can I inquire about your body’s condition? The sword wound that was reflected by Prince Alec before this……」

「Oh maan, about that. It’s really very――bothersome see.」

While his was a carefree tone, but for the first time Doni said『bothersome』.

A thick laceration was running through the upper body of the steel body.

It was a wound that looked like steel that had hardened after getting melted. It ran from the left shoulder straight until the connecting joint of the left leg. It looked painful just from seeing it.

「This is because my attack got repelled back completely when I used my best slash, that Alec is also got bad personality huuh. Ahahaha」

While it was a jovial laugh, but somehow there wasn’t vigor in it.

Several hundred rune letters were still floating around at Doni’s surrounding, granting him the protection of steel.

Surely it was active because he would be unable to move properly if the protection was lost. Or possibly he would die right away.

In fact, the Campione of sword was whispering in small volume.

「It doesn’t seem like……I can fight in full strength for a while. If the sect founder or gramp attacked, I might got done in for real this time.」

While his voice was light, but the content of the talk was a really grave confession.

But, as expected from Salvatore Doni, he immediately made the following proposition.

「Or rather. Let’s return to more bustling city……right at the center of Tokyo and hide there. That way it will be harder for us to get discovered y’know.」

「Hiding tree in the forest, and hiding a person among the people.」

Without delay, Liliana made a backtalk with sour face.

「That’s what Lord Salvatore wish to say isn’t it? That’s something that I find it really hard to agree with. Thinking about the commotion that the marquis and sect founder caused in Shinjuku last night……」

Those words were filled to the brim with sarcasm and criticism toward the foolish king.

Erica who was listening from the side was presuming to give no comment to that impoliteness. Her reservation toward the Campione of sword was thinning down in this few hours. If she opened her mouth, it felt like she would say something even more elaborately roundabout.

Furthermore, as the result of all kind of things that Marquis Voban and Sect Founder Luo Hao perpetrated.

For the moment Shinjuku area was sealed with the pretext of『confirming infection outbreak of new virus』while the extrication and housing of the victims that were turned into salt statue was still continuing even now.

Nearly a hundred werewolves were also being sheltered.

But, there was also sighting report of werewolf that escaped from the scene, and the History Compilation Committee was in the middle of searching.

Of course, Shinjuku Imperial Garden was still a “demonic forest” as yet. That neighborhood become like that just from the rampage of a few Campione.

「We should take a bit of measure.」

Erica waved her hand and used summoning magic.

On the ground before her eyes――fifty lion statues in the size that could be placed on one’s palm appeared. All of them were made from brass. Erica put『puppet』magic on them.

The fierce beasts made from brass suddenly moved.

They stretched, scratching the back of their ear with their leg, or shaking their body with motion that looked exactly like living lion.

As an alchemist that excelled in metal manipulation, Erica instantly changed them to automatic puppet.

Liliana who had long time relationship with her immediately nodded.

「I see, a bait.」

「Yes. I’ll also『enchant』 the smell of us four before releasing them. This is the marquis we are talking about, he should be releasing quiet the number of wolves. We have to repeat various petty tricks like this and confused the pursuer even for a little bit.」

Erica heightened her magic power while whispering and put enchantment on the brass lions.

「Lily too, can you help me with witch’s technique?」

「Right. I’ll use『concealment』to erase the smell of the real us and also make us harder to see.」

What Liliana spoke about was the name of technique that witch and fairy used when they were hiding themselves. And then――seeing the great knights applying various tricks

The King of Sword murmured.

「Erica-kun and Liliana-kun too are working hard. I too――it’s no good if I don’t also do the best that I possibly can huh.」

It was quite a moving speech to be said by someone wounded.

However, his action of taking his sheathed katana in hand and then glancing to the side at Madam Aisha while fiddling with the sword as though he would draw it out anytime was…….

Of course, there was no way for the madam in question to not notice it.

「Do, Doni-san? I wonder why are you looking at me after saying that?」

「Haha, you see. Because it feels like even this wounded me can win against the current Madam Aisha. So naturally if talking about something that I can do right now with my all then that’s……」

「I’m greatly opposing the bullying of the weak-」

Madam Aisha complained with teary eyes.

「Doni-san, aren’t you more or less still a knight even if just barely!?」

「It’s hard if I’m told that but, see, there is a lot of wicked fellows among knights since the past.」

「I, indeed they are a lawless group that pillaged, burned, and slaughtered as they pleased at Middle Age period but, please at least put on the image of knight on white horse a bit more there-!」

「Lord Salvatore. Our master Godou too should be in opposition toward what you are about to do right now if he is here.」

「My lord, you are in alliance with Kusanagi Godou aren’t you?」

「But, right now we are in the middle of battle royal you know? Even if we are leaving alone Madam Aisha whose power is sealed like this, I don’t think there will be any interesting development from this.」

He bluntly spoke something extremely heartless.

In a sense this was a moment where a glimpse of Salvatore Doni’s abnormality could be seen.

「Also, I got a bit of thought. If the madam is cornered until『Absolutely desperate deadly situation, super great pinch!』, then perhaps her power will suddenly return huuh―, like that. After all the Campione are like that, we all are full of nonsense.」

「「…………」」

「Erica-san and Liliana-san, you two also don’t make face that seem to say『certainly that might be so』like that, please stop Doni-san!」

Image

「Hahahaha. As expected from you two, you understand well about us.」

「You say that, but what are you going to do if I really dead then―!」

「No, no. There will be no meaning even if we do it without the resolve of『if I die then that’s it』. When terror or rage exploded just an instant from getting killed/died for real, it feels like various thing might happen then……」

「Hiiiih」

Doni pushed up the guard of his katana with his thumb, making clicking sound from that, so the madam’s face was really convulsing due to fear of death. But, she suddenly yelled from realization.

「Please wait. I recalled something important just now!」

「Eh, what? Is it thanks to my threat?」

「It should not be called thanks but『fault』instead. Putting that aside. Before this I had heard something from fairy realm――from the astral world. There is『a temple for governing the history and flow of time of the world』there.」

Something flashed in Erica’s mind from Madam Aisha’s declaration.

She exchanged look with Liliana. Her old friend and also rival seemed to make the same connection. They nodded at each other. Yes.

Guided by the masked Campione, visiting the holy ground at the end of Astral world――.

It was an event that Mariya Yuri and Liliana Krancjar experienced. Erica and others also received the report about that story from them in the middle of expedition at ancient Gallia.

Madam Aisha further spoke without noticing the exchange between the fellow great knights.

「I also heard that there is『gate of time』there too that connect to every age. It seems that it’s something like the stronger version of『Fairy Corridor』. Also, I was told that a specialist that would solve all kind of trouble related to time travel is there too.」

「Uh huh.」

「Even if my power doesn’t come back――if we go there, perhaps it’s possible to open again the corridor that was created in the cold mountain just now!」

「That’s fine. Besides」

Salvatore Doni grinned widely like a mischievous kid.

For a while he was lacking in luster because of his wound, but it seemed that his “Doni-ness” had come back a bit.

「If that place is connected to every age, then perhaps it’s also possible to gather Campiones from the past in various eras, and we can do even showier tournament battle!」

「Let’s go, Doni-san!」

「Yeah. Our destination is that temple whatever in Astral world.」

It was a terrifying sudden turn. The two Campiones was going to move out with mutual understanding in order to obtain new ammunition of strife.

Part 4

Thus, the group was starting their preparation.

The two thoughtless Campiones and the two great knights who served Kusanagi Godou. This lineup was aiming to『travel the world』.

They were climbing up the mountain path that was used by mountain climber and hiker in the mountain in Hachiouji city.

En route, they encountered sign of quarry and forest lumbering. They also encountered old and dilapidated small wayside shrine and wooden guidepost that was just written with the area name. Surely it was because they were near village.

But, right now was midnight. There was no one enjoying dangerous night mountain climbing.

Liliana was whispering with small volume in such situation.

「Do you think this is really okay, Erica?」

「Travelling to Astral world is a difficult technique, but I think it will be fine. It’s also something that Liliana succeeded on before this.」

There was no one but Liliana among these members who was knowledgeable about this secret technique.

Erica threw an appropriate response based on that. But, the sworn friend continued to grumble.

「It’s not that. I’m asking if it’s really fine to send Lord Salvatore and Madam Aisha to that temple. ……Just what will happen when these two enter into that most important facility. Honestly, I don’t even want to think about it.」

「I’m also feeling the same about that.」

Liliana’s voice turning smaller at the latter half of her remark was surely because of consideration toward the two Campiones walking behind.

Erica was rebutting even while she was of the same opinion in her heart with the disrespectful remark of her friend.

「But it can’t be helped. Our opponents are both the marquis and the sect founder, it’s only a problem of time if we only run around like this. If that’s the case, then escaping to Astral world is――」

「When push comes to shove, there is also the option of calling Kusanagi Godou with the avatar of『Wind』.」

「You’re right. But there is the low possibility, that after we are separated from him, Godou might use that avatar. That option is a bit uncertain.」

「Certainly.」

Liliana was sighing while showing a bit hesitation.

She wasn’t seriously objecting. She understood that the collection of debt would absolutely come later, she was only unable to resolutely make the plunge.

However, Liliana finally whispered.

「There is no other choice to do it, there is no other path of escape.」

「That’s how Liliana Krancjar is. I’ll also back you up, so let’s hurry for now.」

「Though this secret ritual is really not something that should be started in a rush like this……」

While they were talking like that, they finished climbing until a spot that seemed to be the summit.

There was a bit of empty plot of land and trees were growing sparsely around.

It was undeveloped woodland with elevation that was at best at six, seven hundred meter, furthermore because there were a lot of mountains with similar height at the surrounding, the view wasn’t so good even though they were at the summit.

But, this place was located at the highest spot in this vicinity.

Liliana looked up at the night sky and nodded. It appeared that Marquis Voban still hadn’t called the storm with his seriousness. The moon was peeking out from between the clouds.

「Perhaps it’s possible like this……」

Since time immemorial, witch received divine protection of moon and their magic power heightened――.

Because she was going to carry out a secret ritual of the highest difficulty in a “rush”, Liliana wished to be as close as possible to the moon and strongly received its divine protection.

That was the reason why they dared to climb the mountain.

Here, Madam Aisha opened her mouth timidly.

「Err Doni-san……we arrived already……」

「――nn」

Salvatore Doni responded shortly and he finally opened his eyes.

Until now he had been closing his eyes. He said that was because he wanted to concentrate his mind. It was really amazing because he was climbing the mountain path without getting stumbled even in that kind of state.

Truly it was a stunt that was distinctive of an expert of using the mind eye.

Furthermore, he was still someone wounded.

The wound that was gouged――or more like shaved on the body of steel was still looking raw.

Even his footsteps were unsteady. But, despite so, his balance didn’t break at all even while he was walking with staggers like a drunk, and he continued to climb the mountain.

「Geez Doni-san, you are rea―lly skillful.」

Madam Aisha was completely in admiration.

「So. Just why in the world did you do something like that?」

「Nn―. I’m just thinking to prepare my trump card a bit.」

Finally Doni spoke out. En route here, he was ignoring everything all the time even though he was talked to several times. Most likely it wasn’t on purpose. That was just how deep his concentration was.

「It’s something that was troublesome to handle, so it’s impossible if I don’t really concentrate.」

「Troublesome?」

「Rather than that you girls, it’s better to be quick if you are going to start the technique. We are found out already.」

Doni suddenly spoke after ignoring Madam Aisha’s question.

「「「Eh?」」」

「As expected, it’s easy to be noticed when we get out to the peak of a mountain like this huuh. It feels like someone is looking down here. It must be Sect Founder Luo Hao.」

The user of mind eye informed with relaxed attitude while ignoring the female faction.

Furthermore, as though to deal additional blow――

OO~~~~~~N-. OO~~~~~~N-. OO~~~~~~N-.

The howl from before also entered their ear. It was obviously closer than before.

There shouldn’t be that much distance until the summit where Erica and others were at. Due to Luo Cuilian’s clairvoyance and the wolves’ sense of smell, the time of hunt was finally coming.

「Let’s do this Lily. From here it depends on you.」

「Right, leave it to me.」

Both of them were unrelated with the style of Japan where it was unclear where the responsibility laid when it was the critical time.

As fellow prodigy that represented the association of and , Erica and Liliana nodded at each other.

Previously, at the incident of Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, she didn’t have the necessary secret medicine to be used in the ritual.

This time was different. Liliana had finished taking the medicine that she was always having ready in her residence using summoning magic.

「It’s regrettable that we cannot make contact with Godou.」

Erica spoke with subdued tone.

Unexpectedly it was possible to use mobile phone at Hachiouji vicinity they were currently at or even at Okutama. Just a bit before this, Lu Yinghua’s phone was also working. However, although the phone signal at area around mountain ridge or peak was relatively favorable, but place other than those was frequently impossible to make call from.

Phone call from this side couldn’t connect, and there was also no contact yet from the other side.

Liliana was starting her chant in front of the resigned Erica.

「Search, be that so it won’t be found. Inquire, be that so it won’t be discovered. Knock the door, be that so it won’t be opened. So that those who search for everything obtained, those who inquired discovered, those who knock the door welcomed in……」

The words of power to travel the world.

Bathed in the light of the hazy moon, the silver haired witch’s magic power was finally heightening.

When the increase of her magic power and the chanting of the words of power reached the peak, the gate to Astral world would open. The time until that happened――was around five, six more minutes.

From the beginning Liliana was heightening her magic power while proceeding to the mountain peak.

Surely this was the benefit from that. The required time was shortened more than she expected.

「Please do your best, Liliana-san!」

The one thoughtlessly cheering on was of course Madam Aisha.

As for Erica, there was various things she ought to do.

As a support role, she would lend magic power if Liliana’s ritual looked unstable. When wolf army and so one tried to interrupt, she would exterminate them with the magic sword of lion――.

That was why Erica called out her beloved sword Cuore de Lione.

The other warrior that should also take guardian role was still closing both his eyes. In addition, he was mumbling a chant inside his mouth.

「I――I won’t allow the existence of something that I cannot cut. Sword of heaven that rend the earth, right now is the time you shall come to my hand……」

Of course it was something known. Those were the words of power when handling『Silver Arm』.

What was touched by that arm would become magic sword that cut apart everything. In front of Erica’s eyes, Doni’s right arm from his shoulder joint until his fingertips were changing into silver color――.

「Lord Salvatore. If it’s not a hindrance, please tell me.」

「What is it, Erica-kun?」

「The trump card you spoke just now, what kind of power it is?」

「It will be a bit long to talk about that though.」

It seemed that his so called preparation was finished. Doni finally talked with his usual flightiness.

「See. My body is something like an immortal body, and I won’t die no matter where I god right? That’s why, I tried testing it before you know, even at space.」

「……」

Erica endured her sudden impulse that reflexively wanted to shout『Space!?』.

That would be an unbecoming failure for a lady. She kept an elegant prim expression on her face, as though she was listening to a talk about summer holiday travel.

「Though more accurately it was when I fought a flying god named Hyperion on Olympus Mountain at Greece, I was forcefully brought to there. I would die with my flesh body, so I went ‘ei’ and tried turning my body into steel, and unexpectedly I was fine.」

「…………」

「At first I was poked ‘kyuu―’ like a billiard ball and swam in space. And then by chance I was able to view a space station from super near y’know.」

International Space Station was continuously circling in the orbit around earth in the height of four hundred kilometers. Although it was outside earth, in other words in space, but it was also still inside the layer of atmosphere called thermosphere. But, it shouldn’t be an environment that living flesh human could deal with.

Furthermore, Doni’s story was escalating.

「During that time I got caught by that guy Hyperion again and got carried until moon and Mars. But, I stole that guy’s cart and escaped.」

「Does that……means running around at space?」

「Of course.」

The sun god of Greek myth, Hyperion.

That name had the meaning of『the one that fly high』, he governed over the stars revolution. The cart that was mentioned must be the soaring vehicle for transporting the sun.

The devil king of Italia proudly continued his absurd adventure story.

「In the end, my battle with him ended up in a draw though. In order to strike down Hyperion that was swishing around, I got an idea. I think it was asteroid. I searched around for small star using the flying cart in space――」

A terrifying conjecture was rearing its head inside Erica.

『Kukukuku』

A heavy suppressed laugh resounded at the dark sky.

Furthermore, there was even the sound of wings flapping that came into hearing.

『I finally found you. Whether it was yesterday night or tonight, I have been really enjoying this hunt to my heart’s content after so long. My so called “little sister of heart”, also the accompanying ladies and gentleman, let me express my thanks.』

「O, Onii-sama!?」

Madam Aisha was astonished.

It was only natural. A huge dragon was descending down from the sky while noisily flapping its jet black wings slowly.

It was that fierce-looking jaw that was speaking out Marquis Voban’s voice.

It wasn’t the “dead dragon” that appeared in Okutama. There wasn’t even a scratch on its dragon scales that looked like black agate.

Its whole body was around thirty meter long. It was a dreadful great demonic beast.

「Uwaa. Something showy is coming out.」

The one who raised admiring voice was Doni.

「Is that, the servant that is gramp’s specialty……that’s not it isn’t it?」

『So you understand. As always you are a man with only your instinct that is good. What, there are no way the wolves and the dead is fitting to be the opponent of you all. It’s also an amusement for this Voban himself to take the hunting dog role.』

The jet black dragon was talking with the voice and tone of the marquis himself.

The dragon’s eyes――were the emerald green evil eyes. That too was an exact resemblance with Dejanstahl Voban.

『If all of you can enjoy this then I too will feel happy. To put on this costume――it need slightly troublesome procedure. Thanks to that I rarely take it out from the warehouse. If I remember correctly the last time should be more than eighty years ago……oo, come to think of it』

The emerald evil eyes stared with a gleam at Madam Aisha.

『That time you are also there wasn’t it, little sister.』

「I, I remember thaat. If I remember right Onii-sama said that it’s an authority usurped from ancient Mesopotamia goddess Inanna-」

『Hahahahaha. So you remember.』

While showing faked intimacy――suddenly.

The black dragon opened its mouth largely and spouted out flame! The hell fire was going to burn to nothing the humans standing on the mountain peak!

「KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!?」

Madam Aisha shrieked.

Erica at least put her guard up by using magic of『fire resistance』, while Liliana was continuing to chant words of power with low voice even during this time, progressing the secret ritual of transfer.

And then――Salvatore Doni quickly pushed out his right hand forward.

「Divine protection of steel」

The rune letters surrounding Doni’s body like ring.

The number of magic symbol protecting their master was around a hundred until now. The number suddenly――increased until more than five hundred and protected even until the comrades around him.

The divine protection of rune also filled the surrounding of Erica, Liliana, and Madam Aisha.

As the result, although they tasted the blazing heat as though they were standing in front of a blast furnace, Erica and others were also somehow protected by the protection wall from the countless rune letters.

『Oo. So even you have the reliability to protect your subordinate.』

「Don’t make fun of me. Even like this everyone here is in the middle of working together for one common cause.」

Doni objected being ridiculed like that.

It seemed that he completely shelved away the matter of how he was trying to remove Madam Aisha. However, his spirit of cooperation that was finally budding after great pain was turned in vain――

「That is also that so called chivalry of knight isn’t it?」

An elegant beautiful woman spoke out.

Finally even the supernatural sect leader, Luo Hao arrived. Her body was clad in Han clothes like usual. And then she was standing on a giant lotus――floating in midair, right in the center.

It was an entrance by riding on flying lotus with size and function that was like『flying carpet』.

If someone sat on it in Zen meditation posture, it would be just like Buddha that was drawn in Buddhist picture.

「As expected from Italia’s King of Sword……the martial artist that possessed the strongest spear and shield. As expected, to defeat all of you along with that protection of steel wall, the singing voice of dragon and tiger is surely necessary――」

Luo Cuilian was looking down on the mountain peak where Erica and others were at from the floating lotus flower, and then she deeply sucked in air ‘suuuuuuu’.

It was the beginning of the mystical song of destruction.

「Fire is fervent. People, fear this that you wished for. Therefore the death is without vibrant. Water is lackadaisical. People, trifle with this that you’ve become too familiar with. Many that is the dead to this――」

The beautiful voice became ultrasonic wave and blew violently into a demonic wind of shockwave.

It was still just a squall, but its might was increasing steadily and soon it would turn into a great storm.

「Kukukuku. How about receiving my flame once more. I’ll burn you to ash together with that protection!」

The dragon flame was also going to join in.

However, Salvatore Doni was calm and spoke――.

「My protection can endure if it’s just a bit more. Keep doing the transfer technique like that.」

「Lord Salvatore! At this rate the technique will be hindered by the marquis and the sect founder!」

Erica brought a problem to attention in place of Liliana that was concentrating to the technique.

The Campione of sword that was extremely irresponsible returned a most thoughtless answer.

「It’s fine. Those people will soon――get their hand full with protecting themselves!」

The next moment, a meteor was descending from the sky.

It had super high speed that likely to reach forty kilometer per second.

However, it was falling while combusting fiercely in the atmosphere. It would lose the majority of its original mass when it crashed at an undeveloped woodland of Tokyo’s Hachiouji, at the mountain peak.

But――even so.

The fragment of star that was flying from space caused a great explosion.

That severity was to the degree that a third of the mountain peak was blown away in one go.

The four Campiones, and the two great knights of Milan were of course swallowed by the explosion and their figure was lost from view.

Part 5

「Shit-. That idiot whose worth is even less than the dirt floating in space!」

Andrea Rivera’s abusive language seemed to be a curse from the bottom of his heart.

He was at the street traffic of first district of Kabuki-chou that could even be said to be the center of Shinjuku ward, the ward that was temporarily sealed due to the Campiones’ outrage.

「He dropped that thing again on earth!」

「Can I presume, that the falling star tonight is Lord Salvatore’s work?」

Amakasu Touma asked with a tired face.

He stayed overnight in this Shinjuku since last night to clean up the aftermath all this time.

The people coming and going on the street traffic were only the people related with Historic Compilation Committee. White lab coat, worker fatigues, business suit, and so on, each people’s outfit shed light of their duty.

Second day of devil king civil war, 22:50.

The day would change in one more hour and the third day would begin…….

Amakasu was reporting amidst that.

「According to the staffs of our committee, the meteor just now traversed ‘whoosh’ above Tokyo from east to west, and seemed to fall on a mountain at Hachiouji. It appeared to cause a great explosion that wholly shaved the vicinity of the mountain summit.」

「Lord Andrea. If I’m permitted to ask」

A tall and handsome Caucasian knight interjected.

Sir Iceman. Searching for information of his master that vanished in the direction of Okutama, he came into contact with the members of History Compilation Committee at Shinjuku.

「I wish you to teach me, what kind of method Lord Salvatore accomplished that kind of stunt. That was an attack that doesn’t suit a person whose only worth is sword.」

「……That too is that guy’s『sword』.」

Rivera tensed his crisp expression and answered briskly.

The difference of faction wasn’t a reason to throw away the respect for Iceman who was an older pioneer. Rivera politely spoke with his inherent honesty.

「That idiot’s authority change everything he touch into his favorite magic sword. Several years ago, that man was thrown out into outer space――and an unfortunate accident for us mankind occurred. Salvatore Doni returned to earth 120 hours after but……during that time」

Rivera clenched his fist tightly in rage toward his master that wasn’t here.

「That guy stole the cart of the soaring god Hyperion, and searched around for several asteroids at earth’s neighborhood……he touched all over their surface and turned them into magic sword.」

「By any chance――」

Sayanomiya Kaoru was in the middle of observing the actual scene as the person in charge of History Compilation Committee.

The wise beauty dressed as man asked at Rivera.

「The lord’s magic sword, even when they were separated from the silver arm, the effect will still remain?」

「It will disappear for the moment. But, if that guy concentrated……he also can revive the effect of the magic sword transformation. Even if that magic sword is asteroid that is drifting outside earth――」

Rivera let out a deep sigh.

「In order to shot down a god soaring at a battlefield that was the space, Salvatore Doni wanted magic sword for space use. This is the result of that.」

「And, tonight it fell on Tokyo……」

「That’s how it is. That idiot is an idiot so he almost never used it, but actually――he can manipulate the magic sword under his control using only his mind. His sense for magic is fatally nonexistent, so it takes a little bit of time to do it, and that’s also the reason that he doesn’t do something like that often.」

「H―m」

Amakasu Touma whispered. He detested work environment that exploited the employee and hated to be called as ninja, an agent that was like lantern at noon day. However, he was engaging in the “clean up” at Shinjuku since last night without sleep and rest. He looked shabbier than usual because of that.

He despondently spoke with a bit fed-up expression.

「So an asteroid at earth’s neighborhood had its orbit twisted somehow and put in a course that entered earth. There is a lot of place to make retort about what kind of logic was used there that it could turn out like that but, it’s pointless waste of energy just making the retort isn’t it……」

「According to that idiot, it seem that if he closed his eyes and concentrated, he could somehow see『the just right sword trajectory when cutting earth from space』.」

「A man that somehow can use strategic space weapon huh……」

「It’s pointless to hope for common sense from that. And then, there is a more serious problem rather than that. That idiot thoroughly forget just how many asteroid he changed into magic sword but――」

Now Rivera’s tone turned into a gloomy one.

「To guess from that guy’s testimony, at the very least it’s more than five. By any chance there is even the possibility that it can reach more than twenty……」

「Somehow it sounds like the number of nuclear bomb someone possess isn’t it.」

「It’s something similar after all.」

Hearing the grumble of Amakasu, the aide of King of Sword continued further.

「The force of the attack tonight is really low-key, it’s unknown whether that’s because he dropped it in hurry or because the mass of the asteroid was nothing big. But, if that guy dropped the magic sword with “sword trajectory”――in other words the entry angle that is carefully launched, then perhaps it would be even possible to change the shape of the continent.」

It was the confession of the king’s butler, Andrea Rivera.

If the terrifying『meteor swords』were going around earth’s neighborhood as asteroid, then their current position would change second by second depending on the cycle and time.

Naturally, the entry angle would also change in respond to the distance and the designated destination.

The steeper the angel, the greater the air resistance and heat when it was entering the atmosphere, and the falling thing would be crumbling. That was the reason that falling star would be burned to ash in the atmosphere.

While all present was falling silent, the noble son of Hongkong’s Li famly, Li Yinghua shrugged his shoulders.

「Well, everyone of the godslayers should have hidden trick like that.」

He had roughly accomplished the instruction of his master, so he returned to the city center.

He was the young man with the greatest expertise of Campione’s state of affairs in earth. He despondently whispered with an expression that was a mix of enlightenment and resignation.

「After all even tonight, even after getting swallowed into that falling meteor or asteroid――it is still really suspicious whether anyone died from it.」

Almost two full days passed since the start of the devil king civil war.

However, they still didn’t know, about the newest information that the battle royal’s stage was moving from Tokyo, to another world…….

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