Epilogue

"Hahaha, so that's how it went. G.o.dou punished the old gramps.

Congratulations, this is really something to celebrate, very good."

—Tuscany, Italy.

In the countryside of the little town Siena, known for its beautiful gothic

architecture, the king was [having an audience].

Looking into the distance, the rolling hills stretching across the landscape

were covered by the lush green of early summer.

One could probably call this a beautiful green wonderland. However, this

scenery of scattered wilderness was unique to southern Tuscany.

On the hillside bank of a small stream, a certain [King] was idly holding a

fis.h.i.+ng rod.

"Could it be that you thought he could not win? How sad, I should have

made a bet from the start... As expected of my rival... My good eternal

rival."

Muttering to himself with excitement, he pulled in the dangling fis.h.i.+ng line.

A tall, slim, handsome man with blonde hair.

His body, flexible as a whip, was dressed casually in a short-sleeved s.h.i.+rt

and pants.

Sitting on the bank, he had a long rod by his side that was heavily wrapped

under many layers of cloth.

—Liliana Kranjcar knew. Wrapped in that package was the [Sword] that

was like forged steel. Italy's proud [King] Salvatore Doni never went

anywhere without a sword by his side.

It was his pride, ego, and privilege.

"It does counts as a victory, but to have proceeded in that manner, you

really cannot call it a beautiful victory at all..."

"Whether flawless or sc.r.a.ped off the ground like rubbish, a victory is a

victory."

Doni answered Liliana's accusation with one closed eye.

The one who made such an expression was the good humored youth who

was extremely friendly and loved to joke around.

"Yes, yes. I have contacted the Bronze Black Cross and the grandfather

who caused you such grief. Offering my beloved knight to that unsavory

old man, I will never allow it."

"Be-beloved!? I am Sir's...!?"

Liliana asked greatly surprised, when did it turn into something like this!?

—Erica Blandelli had advised her before the return trip back to Italy. To

have a meeting with Doni prior to returning to Milan.

The course of action taken by Liliana in this incident, needed approval by

the [King] of this country.

This was due to the grandfather who was an important figure in the Bronze

Black Cross. It was necessary to explain the incident properly.

It was three days after the duel of the two [Kings] in Tokyo.

Liliana was visiting Siena, Doni's base of operations, in order to call on and

report to him.

"Let's spin it that way. It should be easier for them to accept, right?

—Anyway, it would be quite troublesome if I actually fell in love with girls,

but it makes a good cover story."

Softly spoken words which one cannot pretend to have never heard, were

disclosed from the [King]'s mouth.

I will pretend I never heard it. Liliana bowed her head with such

determination.

"What I am most interested in, is still Kusanagi G.o.dou. How that child will

rapidly mature, I am really looking forward to it. Will it take two years or

one? Half a year would be pus.h.i.+ng it? When he really masters

Verethragna's authority, that will be our next rematch. I have been eagerly

antic.i.p.ating ever since that day, really..."

The Campione of the Sword was muttering as if looking forward to a day of

blessing.

Liliana's body shook.

Perhaps, it was mistaken to think of Salvatore Doni as Kusanagi G.o.dou's

ally. His eagerness to fight was so overwhelming, even greatly surpa.s.sing

Dejanstahl Voban, and would be a frighteningly formidable opponent.

This unsettling thought entered her mind.

It was lunch time on the roof at Jounan Academy's high school section.

The duel with Voban was three days ago, and all the wounds from the

battle had been healed. G.o.dou and his group were just about to have

lunch.

Familiar faces—G.o.dou, Erica, Yuri and s.h.i.+zuka, the four of them.

"Hey s.h.i.+zuka, it's not good for you to be coming in and out of the high

school building all the time, right? What would people think?"

G.o.dou tried to advise his younger sister.

During lunch, s.h.i.+zuka had come to G.o.dou's cla.s.sroom with an unhappy

expression.

Occasionally after school, she would also come over and went home

together.

Thanks to her, strange rumors of 'Kusanagi's sister is a bro-con' have

surfaced recently. Amongst the boys in the cla.s.s, the most

incomprehensible one was cla.s.smate Soramachi who spoke things like 'I

have 108 younger sisters in 2D' and kept asking 'Must be a stepsister,

right? It has to be a stepsister!?'

These problems were all caused by s.h.i.+zuka's suspicious actions.

"About that, Onii-chan, I don't actually want to do this, but in order to

supervise my unruly older brother and prevent him from doing suspicious

things, I have no other choice. Do not misunderstand."

s.h.i.+zuka's words were full of barbs.

Dear sister, when have my actions been indecent? But s.h.i.+zuka only

snorted and ignored G.o.dou's protest.

"No indecency? No suspicious acts? Where did you find the confidence to

declare such rubbis.h.!.+ The current situation—compared to four days ago,

what happened!?"

s.h.i.+zuka pointed with her finger at the other three.

In the center, G.o.dou was sitting cross-legged on the picnic cloth on the

ground. To his left was Erica sitting sideways on her legs while Yuri sat

very straight and proper on his right—the three of them in a neat row.

"I don't find anything strange?"

"Yes, what is it, s.h.i.+zuka-san, what do you find amiss?"

"I think I know what you are getting at, but there is nothing that needs to be

changed, isn't this great?"

G.o.dou and Yuri were puzzled with their heads tilted, while Erica simply

shrugged.

To the little sister, their responses only added fuel to the fire, and her cute

face tensed further as she roared loudly.

"Then let me ask you, why is Mariya-senpai sitting so naturally right next to

Onii-chan? To have two girls waiting on you on each side, are you some

kind of king? And look, why is Mariya-senpai pouring tea into Onii-chan's

cup? You should do these things yourself!"

Ice cold green tea was being poured into the water bottle cap used by

G.o.dou as a cup.

As G.o.dou listened to his sister while he finished the tea in his cup, Yuri

sitting beside him naturally picked up the water bottle on the side, and

poured for him again in one flowing motion.

Witnessing this scene, s.h.i.+zuka's glare became even more dangerous.

—As a side note, this water bottle was brought by Yuri herself, and cold

tea brewed by someone like her with knowledge of the tea ceremony, was

much tastier than canned tea.

"Mariya-senpai! Even if you were a newly wedded wife, you don't have to

go so far! For this kind of idiotic brother, that tasteless tea from the

self-serve area is good enough!"

"I am G.o.dou-san's—n-newly wedded wife? Please do not say something

so embarra.s.sing..."

Described so by her junior from the same club, Yuri replied with her face all

red.

"d.a.m.n it, to be responding to the word 'wife' and even suddenly changing

her way of addressing him."

This kind of scene happened on a daily basis during the recent lunch

breaks.

Today after school, G.o.dou was invited by Erica to the Blandelli home.

No, not really invited.

"G.o.dou, please come over to my house, we must finalize our plans for the

summer today... Of course, you cannot refuse."

After the last lesson ended, Erica who sat next to him made such an

announcement.

...That night after the battle with Voban, G.o.dou and Yuri finally fled from

the pursuit of the [Diavolo Rosso], but were caught the next day at school,

and subject to serious interrogation.

There were none of s.h.i.+zuka's angry snarls or scary threats.

However, Erica was a capable and experienced inquisitor, and kept raising

circ.u.mstantial evidence to accuse them of suspicious activities, skillfully

using all sorts of methods to make them come clean with the truth.

By the time they noticed, everything the two of them did that night was fully

disclosed.

"Yes, so it was like that... Yuri is unexpectedly daring, and G.o.dou turned

out to be surprisingly unfaithful..."

"Come on, to describe that situation as infidelity, isn't that a bit

inappropriate..."

"Th-That is correct, we only did that because we had no other choice."

"Aya, it's fine. I already mentioned before, that even with one more, an

extra lover would be fine. If it's Yuri whom I can trust, it's not a bad choice

at all."

Towards G.o.dou and Yuri who desperately tried to explain, Erica

responded with a smile.

The backlash when love was seriously betrayed... Words related to that

theme kept floating into G.o.dou's mind, in the face of that glamorous yet

frightening smile.

A few days after that.

G.o.dou and Yuri were pa.s.sing each day with a feeling that they cannot

oppose Erica.

Guilt and uneasiness. Both of them carried such feelings, or rather, the

interrogation which was acted out like a deliberate performance, perhaps

that was Erica's true conspiracy.

And then, today after school.

G.o.dou and Arianna were sitting in the living room, and Erica spoke.

"Then let's decide immediately? Mountains or the sea, which is better?

Somewhere to stay for about two weeks. Staying in j.a.pan is fine too. Or to

the place where our feelings first developed—the island of Sardinia would

be nice for a vacation. Arianna, where should we go?"

The mistress was asking her a.s.sistant and maid who was about to serve

coffee.

Arianna replied in a very good mood.

"If that's the case, I have never spent a summer in j.a.pan. It must be very

fun, with shaved ice, summer festivals, fireworks, bravery challenges and

all that. I am sure Erica-sama will enjoy it."

"Is that so? Aya, but Hong Kong where I haven't been to for quite a while

would also be nice."

The female faction seemed to be happily discussing summer vacation

plans.

If that was the case, it was pointless to speak out. G.o.dou simply listened

without registering their words.

"G.o.dou you need to express an opinion. Otherwise the two of us will be

making the decision?"

"Sure, that's fine. You two wish to travel, so even if I didn't interrupt—"

However, the response was surprising.

"What are you talking about, this is the plan for the trip before our wedding,

it has to have input from both of us... Through this trip, our love will deepen

and become stronger."

"What?"

"Having a child during travels sounds nice too. As long as it is G.o.dou and

my child, whether a boy or girl, either will be very strong. Doesn't such a

future sound wonderful?"

"...What?"

G.o.dou sounded like a parrot, repeating the same word again.

Erica with her familiar devilish smile, faced G.o.dou whose mind had been

halted. It was an extraordinarily seductive and devilish smile that could

melt a man.

"Like I said, have a baby, going together on a tour, aren't those kinds of

things natural?"

"E-Erica-sama is truly bold, but it's true, since it is just two people together,

and with such a close relations.h.i.+p, it could very well happen."

Arianna was nodding vigorously beside her mistress.

G.o.dou felt dizzy and wracked his wits trying to retort. Following such a

plan would be the death of him. His continued struggle up to now would

have been for nothing!

"I-Impossible, that kind of vacation! My family won't agree anyway. If

s.h.i.+zuka knew she will oppose vehemently, that's right, children must have

the blessing of the family, right?"

"No problem, we already have grandfather's approval."

G.o.dou's bluff was swiftly called by Erica.

"Yesterday when I went to discuss, he agreed instantly saying 'perhaps it is

time for that fellow to have such experiences, please have a good time as

long as it doesn't cause trouble.' Isn't such an understanding grandfather a

blessing?"

"Not at all! d.a.m.n, why would grandfather say such a thing!?"

In the three days after Voban departed.

The ones most busy were the members of the History Compilation

Committee.

Organizing the whole operation to extinguish the Tokyo Tower fire,

tabulating and cleaning up damage caused by the storm, and treating the

residents near s.h.i.+ba Park who had their life force taken and entered a

state of unconsciousness.

Furthermore, they even used wizardry and other methods to manipulate

information.

Thorough investigations on all eye witnesses of the incident, and restricting

their subsequent communications. Many of those witnesses were shocked

while others were extremely excited, or even had nervous breakdowns.

These people were given warnings, letting them know that unnecessary

speech would be inadvisable.

These people will continue to be monitored after returning to their normal

lives, and no matter the number of dissident minorities, the controversial

practice of hypnosis wizardry will be used to perform memory manipulation

etc. —

It was for all these tasks that the members of the History Compilation

Committee have been busy rus.h.i.+ng about.

"Aya, this is why we are labeled as villains. Look at these operatives

wearing all black and running about, hahaha."

Amakasu spoke proudly while wearing a black suit with the letters 'MIB'

emblazoned on it.

Despite his workload, he had gone to Nanao Shrine to report to Yuri about

the progress of things.

"...Have I not warned you so many times, not to be so frivolous?"

"Please give me a break, I'm already so overworked that I need to have a

little fun... Ever since that day, I haven't even gone home yet, only taking

short naps in the car."

"S-sorry. I am really sorry that we have brought you so much trouble."

Yuri bowed deeply in response to Amakasu's complaints.

"However, this is our work so please don't let it weigh on your mind.

Anyway, it looks like Yuri-san and Kusanagi G.o.dou's personal relations.h.i.+p

has progressed very well. To selflessly devote a.s.sistance to each other,

perhaps the red string of fate has already bound the two of you!"

"Red string!? What do you mean?"

"So, I think Kusanagi G.o.dou also likes Yuri-san. Luckily it is almost

summer vacation. To further your relations.h.i.+p, you definitely need to have

four or five dates at least. I look forward to it."

"D-date!? Please do not say something stupid like that! That kind of

behavior is too early for us!"

Just as Yuri tried to loudly protest against Amakasu's hinted suggestions.

The cellphone beside her rang. Looking at the screen, it turned out to be

the topic of discussion—Kusanagi G.o.dou who had called.

"Oh, that call came at just the right time. Then Yuri-san should take action

as soon as possible. Who knows, this call may very well be asking you out

with just the two of you."

"Nothing like that! Please do not eavesdrop... Yes, h.e.l.lo~"

Hiding away from the curious Amakasu, Yuri pressed the b.u.t.ton to take the

call.

'Ma-mariya, I am sorry for suddenly calling, I want to discuss something

with you. Can you help me?'

"What is it? Has Marquis Voban resurfaced?"

'No, it's Erica. She wants to pull me along on a pre-wedding trip, and even

got my grandfather as an accomplice, so things are going smoothly her

way. During the summer, if I don't find a place to hide I will be caught and

taken away. Who knows how bad things will get! Do you have any place to

suggest?'

"What? No way, G.o.dou-san, you cannot be deceived by that kind of

invitation!"

'Yes, but if she does it by force I can't do anything about it. Finding a place

to hide is probably the only way.'

"Really, please show some determination. Preparations are necessary, but

G.o.dou-san's att.i.tude is key. You are still so unreliable."

'S-sorry...'

"I will try to find some suitable location, but please try on your own first."

After such a conversation, Yuri hung up.

Really, whether the Italian girl who simply had no manners or G.o.dou who

cannot refuse resolutely, they are always bringing trouble. No way around

it, just do your best!

"What is it, Yuri-san, is it another conflict? Let's discuss it."

Amakasu spoke softly to Yuri who was occupied with her internal ranting.

For example, his manner of speech would be like a con artist, who had

found a good and honest person and would use all methods to snare his

prey. It was that kind of deceptive speech, but Yuri did not notice.

"Ah, sure. Actually it is about G.o.dou-san and Erica-san—"

"Hoho, it turns out to be something like that. But Yuri-san, this is an

opportunity, a great chance... To hide away with G.o.dou-san together this

summer, let us arrange the location!"

"—!? Is this a joke? G.o.dou-san and I, just the two of us?"

Beaming like a (fake) loving elder, Amakasu smiled slightly.

Shaken by that kind of smile, Yuri suppressed her words of protest.

"Then, let me explain in order, traveling as a pair on the run has an almost

magical effect on accelerating male female relations.h.i.+ps—"

The plum rain season was about to end in late June.

It was the early summer dusk heralding the opening of the gates of

summer.

Featuring Yuri who had been hit by an intense culture shock and

manipulated by skillful deception, and the scheming Erica who was not

above using brute force, the season for their intense rivalry was about to

begin.

Afterword

"The protagonist has ten special abilities, I think that's too much. It feels

like an initial whim created a very exaggerated setting, perhaps we should

reduce it by half? To be honest, this is very troublesome to write. Let's just

say it makes things difficult for me!!"

"Just continue with this setting, it will be fine right? Continue writing like

this!"

-- Prior to writing the first volume, that was the dialogue between the author

and the editor.

Greetings. We meet again, or perhaps for the first time.

Thanks to everyone's support of this work [Campione!], the second volume

is now for sale. Much thanks. Please do not overthink the reasons for the

long interval between the first and second volumes. There were absolutely

no careful deliberations over whether to continue the story or not.

Absolutely none. Never thought about it.

If one were to describe the battle between Kusanagi G.o.dou and the

strange mysterious dragon of the Tonegawa (Doni in short), it would be an

intense death match with a strong characteristic feeling -- if such a short

story was proposed, would it be ignored with a response like "no, that won't

work!"? Was this for real? For this purpose I went and researched the

history of the Tonegawa, and became a bit of a Tonegawa expert!

To readers who picked up the book to browse, attracted by the beautiful

miko ill.u.s.trations of Sikorsky-san, and were dismayed to find it was not the

first volume and wondered whether or not to buy it. That type of thought is

premature.

I believe this work belongs to the genre of hero fantasy, and pays tribute to

Cimmeria's Conan-san and Melinibone's Elric-san. "The first volume, is not

necessary the beginning of the story" is the idea.

Thus, there is no problem with starting with the first or the second volume.

Rest a.s.sured as you take this book to the cas.h.i.+er. No problem, when I was

looking for original editions of American comics, there were often times that

I couldn't find a previous issue. I got used to it.

...Though that is what I thought, but I am wondering if it is time to write a

"beginning story."

And so, the next release, Volume 3 will have the themes of the "joyful(?)

summer" and "beginnings of the Campione." The stage will be set on the

ocean, and I will look forward to Sikorsky-san's swimsuit ill.u.s.trations.

Takedzuki Jou, October 2008