Campione 07 Read online

  Chapter 1 - Wandering Monk Sun[1], Havoc in the Holy Sanctum

  Part 1

  The sun had already set, and the Nikkou Toushouguu[2] was welcoming the arrival of night.

  The Okusha inner shrine for venerating the divine monarch Tokugawa Ieyasu[3] was around 200m away from the worship and main halls.

  The corner of Okusha had been transformed into a bare mountain top, with all the lush cedar trees originally surrounding the shrine completely gone. A young girl was in the sky, looking down upon the bare mountain.

  She was wearing a miko outfit with a white garment and a red hakama[4] while standing on a golden cloud hovering in the air.

  Her face obscured by a mask like a monkey's visage, she was holding the Ruyi Jingu Bang[5] in her hands. This unassuming-looking iron staff was the legendary weapon with innumerable victories under its name.

  "Yes, it looks like I'll need to change these clothes to something more appropriate to my stature."

  The girl — no, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong, who had stolen Mariya Hikari's body, spoke thus.

  The miko outfit transformed into a yellow costume decorated with intricate black and green embroidery. Its sleeves reached down to the ankles, two very long open slits were on the sides of the outfit, and red pants were worn underneath.

  It was the costume known as "Kao"[6] in Beijing opera.

  The monkey mask was also moved to the side, revealing Hikari's face and the golden-gaze fiery-eyes — namely, eyeballs of red and pupils of gold.

  "Very well, this works for now. Everyone, thank you for your patience!"

  The people looking up to watch this transformation were the five humans Kusanagi Godou, Cult Leader Luo Hao, Erica Blandelli, Liliana Kranjcar and Lu Yinghua.

  "Finishing off two godslayers at the same time would be rather tricky... No, in a certain sense, this is a perfect opportunity. Hohoho, even heavenly fate is on my side this once."

  The Great Sage Equaling Heaven spoke contradictory words, and then his divine power began to expand greatly.

  What was with this power!? Godou was very surprised. The power displayed here far surpassed every deity he had encountered so far — Melqart, Athena, Perseus.

  "Perhaps this snake might come in handy after all, so let me take her with me."

  Lying on the bare mountain top was the beautiful young girl with wounds all over her body. Her name was something like Asherah.

  The Great Sage on the golden cloud extended his Ruyi Staff and lightly poked the witch on the ground. In an instant, Asherah's body disappeared as if he had performed a magic trick.

  "Appearances aside, you have at least recovered the nature of [Steel]... Very well, Great Sage! Now is the time for a decisive end to things!"

  Luo Hao yelled with a high-pitched voice at the Great Sage, who had restored his Ruyi Staff to its original length.

  However, her body was still shaking and it looked like her injuries had yet to recover.

  In order to save Hikari, Godou also intended to challenge the Great Sage, but his body couldn't move. This was the after effect of using the [Raptor] incarnation, which currently paralyzed his body and made his heart suffer intense pain.

  "Godou, if you were to challenge him in your current condition, I believe it would be a very tough battle."

  "Yes, even though I understand very well your wish to retrieve Mariya Hikari's body, you and Her Eminence Luo Hao both need to rest and recover your powers. We would do well to retreat for now."

  From his side, Erica gave a warning and Liliana also made a suggestion to Godou.

  Godou agreed. However, the question was whether the Great Sage would let him leave.

  "So let us end the intertwining of our fates which started long ago. Though there are two of you here, I will take care of you both together."

  Just as suspected, the Great Sage was smiling with mockery using Hikari's face, and even spoke with her voice.

  Standing on the golden cloud, he was coldly overlooking everything across the land. However, his eyes only saw Luo Hao and Kusanagi Godou as targets while completely ignoring all others.

  "The earth's condition is receptive devotion / Thus the superior man who has breadth of character / Carries the outer world. Kun[7] is the nature of earth!"

  Forming mudra[8] with one hand, the Great Sage began to chant a mantra.

  The change suddenly took effect. Petrification. The ground of the now barren mountain of the Nikkou Toushouguu's Okusha inner shrine was completely changed into solid rock, bleached white as if snow had covered the land —

  Godou and the rest were standing on ground which turned into grey stone within the blink of an eye.

  "Hahahaha! I will use the secret art of the stone mountain's rocky caves to imprison you two!"

  In the cedar forest around Okusha — all the trees began turning into stone continuously. With Toushouguu Okusha as the center, the petrification was spreading all around like a wave.

  And then Godou's body also gradually lowered into the ground — sinking into rock. First it covered his ankles followed by his knees, and then it immediately reached his waist and would soon cover his chest and finally his head. As he turned his head to the side, he found the transcendent beauty, the other Campione, also sinking into the ground!

  "Hmm...! Planning on sealing us away!?"

  "Haha, correct! Though you're both injured, I'm not going to underestimate you godslayers... Eh, rather I should say that being injured makes things more frightening because you are a crazy bunch who doesn't follow common sense. I didn't come to revive all this way just to take a stupid risk like that!"

  The Great Sage was replying to Luo Hao using Hikari's voice.

  "—Godou!" "Kusanagi Godou!?" "Master!"

  By the time Erica, Liliana and Lu Yinghua's yells were heard, the two Campiones had almost sunk completely.

  Inside the rocks was pitch black, but Godou could still see the sinking beauty beside him.

  "Sun Wukong has mastered the Immortal[9] arts, and is a deity with unlimited divine powers. Though he carries the traits of the warlord of [Steel], he is also a god highly skilled in magic. To be imprisoned by such tricks of his, I was far too careless."

  Luo Hao was lightly murmuring in the dark.

  Godou was going to ignore his chest pain in order to respond, but Luo Hao suddenly smiled.

  "Did you use up all your strength in the battle just now? Though it is the privilege of young ones to fight without considering the future, for you to obtain victory from me at such a bargain... King Kusanagi... You are quite something."

  "I-I defeated you? Please don't joke with me."

  "It is fine. Even though it is officially a draw, taking into account the difference in experience, the victor is apparent. For a renowned master like me to lose to a young upstart like you, it is an unforgivable mistake. I, Luo Hao, am not one of those stupid fools who deceive themselves."

  The demonic cult leader showed a slightly displeased expression.

  "As the Ruler of the Martial Realm, I approve of your ability. In the match just now, I definitely lost."

  Godou was speechless as he endured the pain. The battle to the death just now was only a competition to her, as if having a kendo match and being indignant over thoughts like 'I lost a round to that guy!' Is that how she was feeling?

  "By the way, King Kusanagi, do you know magic that allows you to survive without water and air?"

  "How could I? Other than the ability to fight gods, I'm just an ordinary person."

  Godou's answer to Luo Hao's sudden question plunged her deep into thought.

  "I see... If that's the case, it would be best to return you back to the surface."

  "Back to the surface!? I can get out
of here!?"

  "Yes. Until the Great Sage's spell finishes, there is still a window of opportunity. If I use my remaining qi[10], I can send one of us back to the surface."

  Luo Hao's offer was quite surprising, but Godou immediately objected.

  "But in that case, Your Eminence will have to stay in the Netherworld!"

  "I don't mind. King Kusanagi, have you not noticed? The air here is getting thinner. The Great Sage is not so merciful as to provide food and water for us captives."

  Godou had excellent instincts, but Luo Hao was a far sharper person than him.

  After hearing her explanation, Godou couldn't help but shiver. True, there was no reason for that monkey to treat his prisoners well.

  "I am the Ruler of the Martial Realm, the one standing at the pinnacle of Daoist practices. I have long conquered this kind of ascetic training over a hundred years ago, so let me stay."

  "Y-You can survive without air and water, that's really amazing. But still!"

  "No problem. If I abandon you and return to the surface alone... Just the thought of that brings a horrible outcome!"

  "Ho... Horrible outcome?"

  "Correct. Think about it. If I abandon you who just won our match, rumors will begin to spread, saying I took revenge for my defeat. I will be seen as a despicable scoundrel who has betrayed the path of heroism and chivalry!"

  "Ah... I see now."

  Facing Luo Hao's voluptuous figure, Godou nodded.

  It was a declaration that deliberately downplayed the benevolence of her offer. She was truly a person with exceptional pride.

  "Of course, I don't plan on being submerged here forever, I will surely find a way to escape... King Kusanagi, in the meantime before I return, you shall have a splendid battle with the Great Sage Equaling Heaven in my stead."

  Was this the price of accepting her help? She was now ordering him like a subordinate.

  Still, Godou felt troubled. Can this stone prison be as easy to destroy as she said?

  "No problem... I've already spoken, I am the one at the Daoist pinnacle, and will surely find this prison's weakness and destroy it. You don't have to worry."

  The slight anger of Luo Hao's reproach showed that she had read his concerns.

  "Then let's start — Great Sage of the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper, dispel the disaster of the inauspicious spirits!"

  Using a beautiful voice melodic like a yueqin[11], Luo Hao chanted the incantation, and took out a rectangular piece of paper. On it was written complicated script along with the six large characters "Ba Gua Zhi Jing Ji Ji"[12], and then she threw this talisman away.

  The talisman transformed into a white tiger. Then flying through the air, the ferocious beast attacked Godou.

  The white tiger opened its great jaws and the fangs skillfully caught Godou's neck and lifted him. Godou found his body rising continuously.

  Within the blink of an eye, he was greatly distanced from the slowly sinking Luo Hao.

  "King Kusanagi, I wish you victory. Go fight a battle worthy of a hero."

  The transcendent beauty continued to maintain her airs of superiority and spoke these parting words to Godou.

  Part 2

  In the space of black emptiness, Godou and the white tiger flew upwards.

  This probably lasted only a couple dozens of seconds, and he suddenly left the darkness and returned to the surface.

  This was the area of Toushouguu Okusha, which had been turned to stone. Having stolen Mariya Hikari's body, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven continued to casually ride his cloud.

  On the ground, Liliana was in a battle stance, wielding a naginata that Godou had never seen before, while Erica endured her injuries to hold Cuore di Leone and Lu Yinghua extended his palms.

  Their gazes were drawn to the returned Godou.

  Having accomplished its mission of bringing Godou back, the white tiger disappeared like a puff of smoke.

  "Godou, you came back safely! But where is Her Eminence Luo Hao?"

  "She fell down in order to save me, but she said she will escape by her own power."

  Godou answered Erica's question simply.

  Since he was still in his immobilized condition, the act of speaking took great effort. With an understanding expression, Lu Yinghua nodded at Godou.

  "That's very like one of Master's typical excuses. She probably thought that if she abandoned Kusanagi-sama and came back alone, unpleasant rumors would spread about her in the field."

  Apparently quite knowledgeable in his master's personality, Lu Yinghua's answer was completely correct.

  "Ho — escaping alone? Looks like you guys are just as difficult to handle as I expected."

  Sitting on his cloud, the Great Sage began to swing his Ruyi Staff around.

  Liliana held her breath and gathered her concentration as she ran over to Godou's side.

  "Everyone gather together! We are flying to the foot of the mountain to meet up with Mariya Yuri and the rest!"

  She was likely planning on using the technique of high speed [Flight].

  But could they really escape? ...One really couldn't expect Sun Wukong's legendary somersault-cloud to be slower than witchcraft. Just as these worries crossed Godou's mind...

  "Hmph, trying to escape is futile. Old Sun here is very confident in my lightning speed. Even far into the distance, a hundred and eight thousand li[13] away, I can cover it with a single leap — Hmm!?"

  On his cloud, the Great Sage grabbed his knees and screamed as if suffering from an invisible attack.

  Though his overwhelming divine power remained, his body was not acting under his control.

  "I am not sure what is going on, but here is our chance!"

  Seeing the Great Sage undergoing some unexpected change, Liliana held Godou's body in her arms.

  Erica and Lu Yinghua also gathered around and the entire group began to fly, surrounded by blue light.

  Once the destination was decided, flight magic had to immediately take off and cannot travel to an unfamiliar destination.

  Though it had many restrictions, it was still a very convenient magical technique. The group passed through Toushouguu's main and worship halls, then flew over Karamon Gate and the divine stable. From the sky, they could see that Toushouguu, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinnouji's buildings, cedar forest, land, vegetation and springs had all been turned into stone.

  As they landed on the visiting path at the foot of the mountain, Yuri and Princess Alice ran over to them.

  "Mariya! I'm sorry, Hikari was taken by that monkey... The Great Sage Equaling Heaven stole her body..."

  "Yes, I already know. The Princess used ecto — that method to watch Godou-san and Her Eminence's fight, and told me what just happened."

  Just as Godou wanted to apologize, Yuri interrupted him.

  The Princess skilled in spirit body separation also nodded at him.

  "The entire mountain has been invaded by immense divine power as a result of the Great Sage transforming it into a stone prison for sealing Her Eminence Luo Hao and Kusanagi-sama away. If the spell is not dispelled in a few months or perhaps a few years, Her Eminence may very well be trapped forever —"

  Alice's words made everyone survey the surroundings where petrification had already reached the foot of the mountain.

  This included Toushouguu's entrance torii[14], the five-story pagoda near there, the main visiting path leading to the holy sanctum, the cedar forest, the road made from gravel and soil, as well as the drainage ditch on the side of the road.

  Everything within their sight had turned into stone, with Godou's group being the exception.

  "But... How come you don't seem worried about your master?"

  Erica asked Lu Yinghua.

  Everyone else looked worried, but he was the only one untroubled.

  "Because she is just imprisoned, not dead. Assuming that is the case, let us gamble and see if Master can find a way to free herself alone."

  The proper-looking handsome youth scrat
ched his head with poor manners, and answered with a disinterested tone.

  "Oh my. On what basis do you make such a statement?"

  "Is there any need? Think about it, if the same had happened to your own king, how would you feel? I think all you Nee-sans will worry, but definitely won't write him off as dead, right? It's the same principle."

  Lu Yinghua's explanation surprised Erica, but she smiled wryly, while Liliana and Yuri also looked at each other and nodded with emphasis.

  Godou wanted to object. Don't talk like I'm some kind of monster!

  "Rather than that, I've been curious about this for a while now... Where have all the people, who were here this evening, gone to now? There were no people at all in the area near Master and Kusanagi-sama's battle."

  That's right. Lu Yinghua's observation prompted Godou to ponder.

  Just at that moment, he felt a presence approaching.

  From the depths of the petrified cedar forest, a group of small animals were approaching — monkeys.

  There were almost a hundred of them. Many of the monkeys hid in the petrified tree, and were watching Godou's group from amongst the branches they had climbed onto.

  "What's with these guys? Did the Great Sage summon wild monkeys?"

  "If he did, then there are too many. I have a bad feeling about this."

  The one who responded to Godou and Lu Yinghua's doubts was Yuri, who possessed spirit vision:

  "These monkeys... No, they were originally humans, transformed into monkeys by the Great Sage's divine power. I am wondering if they are the tourists and people on the streets who had stayed in Nikkou mountain just now..."

  The Hime-Miko explained in a trembling voice. When a [Heretic God] appeared on earth, many supernatural phenomena would occur. Was it the transformation of people into monkeys this time?

  As Godou felt speechless, a familiar voice was heard through the pitch dark night.

  "People of my kingdom, listen well! My enemy the godslayer and his group have escaped! I will reward well the one who catches them!"

  It was Hikari's voice, but clearly the Great Sage from the tone.

  The monkeys made a noisy ruckus and turned their gaze to Godou's group, their eyes full of murderous intent.

  "If they were to attack, as knights... We cannot hit them recklessly. This is not good."