Campione 02 Read online

  Prologue

  【Excerpt from the notes of the Council of Elders, Folklore of Dalmatia, Croatia】

  One day, the bad wolf tried to break into the castle of the pig king.

  "Wow, it's been a long time since I came to such a splendid place. Lovely little pigs, please let me enter your castle. I will do nothing bad."

  "No, absolutely not. We will give you anything you want, so please leave," the king replied to the wolf, who was begging outside with a coaxing voice.

  The wise king knew that the wolf would not keep his promise.

  "There is nothing I want. I only wish to enter the castle. If you won't let me in, I will choose other means, you know?"

  "Please stop, please stop! As long as we don't have to let you in, we will do anything!"

  Ignoring the pig king and his desperate, wailing pleas, the bad wolf breathed out deeply.

  When he did, the wolf's breath became a whirlwind that blew away the castle of the pig king. The castle made from many bricks went flying like cotton.

  Just like that, the whirlwind escalated into a great storm and blew away everything around the castle.

  "Look, isn't it just like I said? You should've calmly let me into the castle. Take this as a lesson to never oppose me again, okay?" the bad wolf sneered at the pig king.

  《Commentary》 The "The Three Little Pigs" had been derived from its original folklore stories "The Wolf and The Goat" and "The Wolf and The Pig". But there is another, bold hypothesis regarding the origin of this legend.

  In 1854, Devil King Dejanstahl Voban used his infamous Authority over storms, [Sturm und Drang], to drive the Dalmatian[1] port city Zadar[2] to the brink of destruction. Some researchers believe that, over the course of many years, the memory of this tragedy took an influence on the folktale.

  【From the section about Voban, Sasha Dejanstahl, European Mage Directory】

  He was called [Marquis Voban], but he was by no means a noble.

  Born in the first half of the eighteenth century in the area of modern Hungary, he probably didn't have a single relative since birth. The boy lived his life by moving from place to place for more than ten years, struggling daily just to get some bread, until one day he had succeeded in slaying a god and suddenly rose to become a Campione.

  Campione are those who seized a portion of the [Authorities] from the god they murdered. They are feared existences whom magi called [Kings].

  But at that time, he was not a [Marquis] yet.

  Just a few years later, he attacked the castle of the marquis governing the area and usurped the marquis's status and dominion. But he grew tired of the status within a few years and abandoned it in the end. However, it was the source of the title he still uses - Marquis Voban.

  Furthermore, the name Voban came from his peculiar and ghastly sense of humor.

  Knowing that the previous marquis had kept a savage dog called "Voban", he picked it as his own family name. Then he ordered the former marquis to serve his relative, the former pet dog...

  【Dame[3] Liliana Kranjcar, Achieving an Audience with the [King] in Budapest】

  They were in a room of a high-class hotel, the kind that could be found in any country.

  As luxurious and pleasant as it was the room that held the [audience] was still a little too common to be called a devil king's palace.

  The master of the room was called Sasha Dejanstahl Voban.

  He was one of the Campione whom magi throughout the world feared as kings, devil kings.

  All of them possessed a tremendous magic power called [Authority]. Those were all plundered from the gods and goddesses murdered by the devil kings' own hands.

  "You're Kranjcar's granddaughter? We met four years ago, but I have no memory of your face... ahh, don't think of me as a senile old fool. People in your generation grow up too fast. The same would happen even with a person other than me."

  His voice was clear, even intellectual.

  His physical appearance was the same. He had a wide forehead, deeply sunken eyes, and his complexion was terribly pale. If one claimed that he taught at some university, everyone would consent.

  His silver hair was combed straight and his beard was also carefully shaved clean.

  "It is only natural. At that time I was nothing but a child and we met for not even ten minutes. Please bear it no mind."

  Liliana Kranjcar bowed as she replied courteously.

  She fell on one knee and held her right arm over her chest.

  For a greeting in a hotel suite, it was extremely unusual. But on top of being in front of a [king], a knight had an obligation to present herself with suitable courtesy.

  The girl who belonged to the magic association "Bronze Black Cross" was still sixteen.

  Her handsome features, which gave the impression of a fairy, were more gallant than lovely. Her long silver hair was drawn up in a ponytail.

  Yet despite her youth, the girl was a mage holding the title of Great Knight.

  Even in Milan, where outstanding talents from all over the world gathered, the only one with comparable talent was the Erica Blandelli of the 'Copper Black Cross'.

  "That's splendid. Now then, I think you already know, but I am impatient by nature, so let's get to the point. I called you here all the way from Milan for one reason."

  Voban narrowed his emerald eyes ever-so-slightly.

  Whenever those evil eyes glittered, any living being before them would turn into masses of salt. It was an authority that he was said to have usurped from the Celtic demon god Balor[4].

  [Eyes of Sodom], [Legion of Hungry Wolves], [Sturm und Drang], [Cage of Undead Servants].

  Among the mages of Europe, every single one knew a few of his Authorities.

  "I take it you haven't forgotten the ritual four years ago? That ritual for the great sorcery to summon a heretic god. I've been thinking about attempting that secret ritual you helped me with once more."

  Liliana fixedly looked back at the devil king's face.

  That great magic had produced more than just a few victims. Why was he trying such a dangerous ritual again? After pondering over that question for only a moment, Liliana realized.

  'A godslayer summoning a god. How can there be any other reason except a fight?'

  "Back then, that damn Salvatore got the better of me. I had not anticipated that a fool would get to the summoned god first and snatch it away. You see, I had never dreamed that such a greenhorn would appear in our world!" Voban said indifferently, but the iris of his evil eyes flickered.

  Four years ago, that incident had spread the fame of the young devil king Salvatore Doni and his Italian origin throughout the European magical world like thunder. The story of the godslayer stealing the old [king]'s spoils.

  Liliana, who happened to be present at that time, remembered the entire story well.

  "In three more months, the stellar constellations and the flow of ley lines will form the right conditions to call a god for the first time in four years. I may not be interested in that kind of knowledge myself, but I made a professional make sure. Isn't that right, Caspar?"

  All of a sudden, Voban happily redirected his gaze behind Liliana.

  Suddenly feeling an eerie presence behind her, Liliana grew anxious as someone had come up unseen and unheard. Just who could sneak up on a great knight like her?

  She hurriedly turned around only to sigh.

  Standing behind her was an old man dressed in black. The old man nodded awkwardly at Voban's question, as if he was a machine that lacked oil.

  There was no expression on his pale face. Neither was there any light in his eyes. They were terribly empty and unfocused.

  The appearance of death.

  The old man with such an expression
couldn't be called anything other than a moving corpse.

  (This is a [Dead Servant]!)

  Liliana instantly remembered one of the authorities of the old king.

  Forcing a human he personally slaughtered to stay in this world as one of the living dead and enforcing absolute obedience as a faithful servant.

  It was atrocious. Liliana couldn't help but feel that way.

  It was most likely that this corpse once opposed the devil king when he was still alive. He was probably one of the mages who once fought against him. It wasn't something doable through ordinary courage. It was a feat worthy of respect.

  But, this Authority defiled that courage and ridiculed that dignity.

  Because she inherited the blood of the notable Kranjcar family and belonged to the magic association [Bronze Black Cross], resistance towards this devil king would not be forgiven. Otherwise she would have left on the spot.

  ......No.

  If the leader of the Italian mages, Salvatore Doni, was in perfect condition, she might have been able to request his protection. But that was currently impossible.

  Since the wound he had received two months ago had only just healed, it was still too early for him to resist another Campione.

  "Kranjcar. You were one of the miko[5] I gathered four years ago. Do you remember who showed the most outstanding talent back then?"

  To summon a god, he had used his influence as a king to gather dozens of miko. When the ritual was over, two-thirds of them had lost their sanity, caused by the deep emotional trauma they had suffered.

  Luckily, Liliana belonged to the third that had managed to stay safe.

  "At that time, I found out that quality is more important than quantity. Rather than gathering riffraff, I should handpick the very best miko instead."

  The emerald evil eyes pierced Liliana with amusement.

  Like they had seen through her rebellious spirit.

  "Unless I was mistaken, wasn't she Asian? You wouldn't happen to remember that girls name and lineage, would you?"

  In this instant, Liliana hesitated.

  Should she answer honestly or not? Considering the danger, it was of course the latter. But even if she successfully feigned ignorance here, he would just hear it later from another.

  And as a proud knight, she should do the former.

  She should brave this situation and deeply involve herself, then give her all to make sure that he produced no uninvolved victims. Following her characteristic sense of justice, Liliana resolved herself.

  "Her name was Mariya. She is Japanese and said that she came from Tokyo. It may be insolent of me, but if you order it, I shall find her and bring her before you," she proposed while lowering her head. But the reply was unexpected.

  "I've got an even better idea. I've thought about going to Japan myself. Hmm, now that I think about it, it's been a while since I've traveled the continents."

  "You are a Campione, yet you will go in person?"

  "I also want to breathe some foreign air once in a while. Isn't it fine? I am an old man with only a few years left that just wants to enjoy a transient vacation?"

  Mixing this declaration with his ghastly sense of humor, the devil king put a stop to the knight's objections.

  "But having a companion is certainly useful. I order you to fill that role. Any objections?"

  Even if she had objections, there was no way for her to express them.

  While contently watching the compliant Liliana, Voban said:

  "Then make preparations right away. You better not make me wait for a second too long."

  "Understood. But, is it alright for me to say one thing first? One of your brethren is in Japan. Would it not be better to contact him ahead of time?"

  Kusanagi Godou. The boy who had defeated the ancient Persian god of war Verethragna and became a Campione.

  He had command over the ten incarnations that the war god could change into and had the crimson knight, who was Liliana's rival, wait upon him as his lover.

  But the most senior devil king simply rejected this proposal with a scornful laugh.

  "There's no need for that. If he has something to talk about, he can just come to me."

  It was the whim of a devil king with far too much free time.

  It would not be long before this developed into the turmoil that would swallow up Kusanagi Godou and Tokyo.

  Chapter 1 - Every Day is a Bothersome Day

  Part 1

  Recently, Kusanagi Godou began setting off from home forty minutes earlier than usual.

  He originally had a habit of getting up early for a run, but this was not the reason he had to move his schedule earlier. In fact, he could have just changed his morning run to the evenings.

  It was nearing the end of June, and plum rain had continued every day in the monsoon season for at least half a month.

  But today was a much awaited sunny day. Godou put on his light running shoes at the entrance and prepared to set off.

  The last time he left home without needing an umbrella was many days ago. As his thoughts reached this point, a sudden greeting was heard from behind.

  "Good morning, Onii-chan. You're quite early again today... Are you going to that person on the way again?"

  A voice that should have been very cute to listen to, but currently had a strange threatening tone.

  Turning his head back, Godou saw his younger sister Shizuka appearing at the doorway with a sneer.

  "Every single morning, meeting the blonde lover at some place and then going to school together. I am surprised by your earnest diligence, Onii-chan."

  "Ah... please don't misunderstand. Erica is not my lover or anything like that."

  In response to her older brother's denial, the sister snorted with a sneer and ignored it.

  "Aya, really? Onii-chan is two-timing Mariya-senpai and Erica-san at the same time. It really seems like... So who is the main wife and who is the backup? Or do they play both roles!"

  "Don't blindly believe those strange rumors. You're talking as if I was the kind of man who made women his playthings!"

  "It's like this, there's no smoke without fire. The gist is the female friend sleeps in every day, so each morning you have to go to that female friend's home to wake her up. Isn't that strange? Couldn't one just use an alarm clock to wake up?"

  It really was exactly as Shizuka described it.

  Godou nodded deeply, and at the same time, felt troubled as to how he could describe the peculiarities of the young lady Erica Blandelli.

  It had already been a month since he began sharing the same classroom as Erica.

  The only day she arrived at the classroom on time and before lessons began was the first.

  Henceforth, she was late every single day. It was a good day if she arrived before homeroom ended.

  In the most severe cases, she would casually stroll into the classroom after lessons had begun for an hour or two, and greet Godou as if nothing had happened—right in front of all the classmates and teachers.

  "Good morning everyone. You're all early today as well... Aya, why is Godou's face so terrible, what happened? Aha, you must be unhappy that you weren't able to see my face until now. I also wanted to see the adorable you earlier, which is why I rushed here. But then it ended up being this late, is it acceptable?"

  Completely shameless and speaking total rubbish, she approached Godou's side.

  The stares from the rest of the class were painfully stabbing away at Godou.

  (Especially the boys. If those glares were knives, then Godou would have been shredded into a thousand pieces by now.)

  Godou made a decision as he tried to push away Erica who was leaning tightly against him. No sacrifice would be too great, if this woman would only come to school on time properly.

  The result was, visiting Erica's room and going to school together became a daily routine.

  ...Perhaps, it is precisely because I am going to school together with that fellow that I am being misu
nderstood? This question had entered Godou's mind.

  Shrugging off the jeering gaze of the sister who saw him off, Godou left the house.

  Erica's new residence was a luxury apartment on Hongou Street, roughly five minutes of walking distance away. They lived on the tenth floor of a twelve-story 2LDK. [6]

  As usual, Godou called using the intercom at the entrance.

  "Yes, may I know who is it?"

  "Good morning, Anna-san, it's me, Kusanagi."

  "Ah, Godou-sama, thanks for your efforts every day, please enter."

  The high pitched voice—bright, clear and outgoing—clearly conveyed the cheerfulness of the speaker through the intercom.

  Passing through the door, Godou took the elevator up to the destination floor. To Godou, who had always lived in a simple detached house, it felt a little uncomfortable each time he entered and exited the luxury apartment that was protected by a security system of automated locks.

  Pressing the bell at the door to Erica's unit, the door immediately opened.

  "Good morning, do please come in."

  The one who came to receive him was Arianna Hayama Arialdi.

  The apprentice mage at the "Copper Black Cross" magic association, as well as the assistant and personal caregiver (basically the maid) of the Templar Knight Erica Blandelli—the one who held the title Great Knight.

  She was the servant in charge of all domestic chores in this apartment.

  "Doesn't today's great weather make one so happy? Lately, due to the cloudy or rainy days, I have been feeling troubled by the laundry not drying."

  Arianna gave a refreshing smile as she welcomed Godou inside.

  A face that seemed younger than her nineteen years of age, and gave an impression of great cleverness and competence... However, the truth was much more unfortunate, for she is a classic case where "one cannot be judged by appearances."

  "So Anna-san, has that fellow Erica woken up today?"

  Godou hastily asked as he was brought to the living room.

  Though he already knew Erica had no ability to get up by herself, Godou still tried to harbor some hope.

  "Probably, I heard some noises just now from the direction of the bedroom. Ah, if you wish, would you like a Cappuccino while you are waiting? If you're hungry, perhaps you'd like a little soup from yesterday, if you don't mind."