Hi guys, 2nd chapter of MIL is here!
A point I want to tackle is that I changed the name of one of the Authorities that Joel has, namely the [Shroud] so do check it out in the previous chapter.
Second point is that I was told that it was too overpower to make Odin go down only using one Authority only and how Joel has instant knowledge on how to use his abilities.
[Wisdom] gives him that knowledge and [Shroud] was used when it was at its most powerful, not to mention that it always seemed that Godou always defeats Gods with no damage done to them beforehand using his overpower abilities. [Boar], [Goat], [Stallion] are prime examples.
Third point is just that I hope you will enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it
edit:28/5/2013
24 May 20XX
Location: Unknown
In a place unreachable by others, there resides a Goddess. She was a true Goddess, one that had not rebelled against her myth.
She was looking at what happened at the Human Realm through a small mirror, smiling at the sight that she had seen.
A Goddess that fell in love with a mortal and a mortal in turn falling in love with the Goddess. One could say that it was a relationship that was doomed to fail, like all the other examples evident in the myths of the Gods.
Yet the two still persisted.
The Goddess then gave her life for her love and it brought a smile to the watching Goddess.
Shaking her head of purple hair, the Goddess sighed.
Such an act would have considered foolish by others, foolishness that could compared to her husband the first fool that the world had ever seen and origin of all the foolishness that has happen since their time.
The youth was also foolish enough not to understand the true meaning behind her parting words.
"For the foolish act of falling in love with a Heretic Goddess and the foolish act of even thinking of going against a Heretic God with neither any knowledge nor skills of the hidden world, I proclaim you to be the Eighth Campione, a title befitting of the bastard child of the Titan of Hindsight and one of my adoptive children. Claim what is now yours and strike back at the one that stands in your way."
With that said, she saw a pair of golden triangle appear in the pupils of the youth and a shroud of dark energy surrounding her youngest child.
He turned and activated his newly gained Authorities for the first time in his new life, giving him the ability to kill his second God and awarding him with another Authority.
She smiled at what she had seen. She could see that her youngest child would also bring great changes to their world like her second youngest.
"Come child…your mother wishes to see you."
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That night was a different experience for Joel.
His Authority of [Wisdom] had kindly provided everything he needed to know about his current situation. Having killed not one but two Heretic Gods, he could no longer be considered human. Usurping the Authorities of the Gods that he had slain and claiming them as his own, he was now what people considered a Campione, a Godslayer for a lack of a better word.
Born from the curse of the Titan of Hindsight, Epimetheus, and his wife, Pandora, through the sacrifice of a god, he was now a new born infant with the mind and body of a teen. This could only have been made possible through the powers of a god.
Joel was currently waiting for a visit from Pandora or an invitation to visit his surrogate mother. While the curse had been set up through the joint effort of Epimetheus and Pandora, Pandora was the one who oversees the entire thing. Joel had been hoping to have a conversation with Pandora if it was possible for further insight on his situation.
Unfortunately, the night's events had proven to have taken a larger toll than expected on Joel's body than he had expected and he was asleep before he knew it.
Unexpectedly, he was forced to open his eyes when he felt a bright light shining upon him. Looking around, he was definitely no longer in his room for the last time he checked, his room was not a grey foggy land of nothing that spread beyond what he could see.
Immediately he activated his Authority of [Wisdom] and tried to find anything identifiable in the land of foggy nothingness with golden triangles shining.
"This is-"
"Hi, Joel."
Turning around he saw a slender young woman who was around his age with purple hair and pointed ears but his [Wisdom] told him better. The person was Pandora and was supposedly the one who made his current existence possible.
"Pandora?" he asked with caution. Nothing was not always what it seemed to be.
"Just call me "mama", okay?" This was what Joel had expected of a Goddess. Even Hecate had held an air of divinity around her but the person in front of him just seemed to be a bubbly girl with odd hair and ears.
"I see…So mama-"
"YES! For once, one of my children has called me mama! *hic* Sorry about that, it's just that your other siblings do not really think of me as their mother.*sob* Finally! Oh forgive me, do continue." Pandora was quickly destroying Joel's image of an all-powerful Goddess that had cursed all the other gods.
"As I was saying, where is this?"
"This is the border between life and death."
"Wouldn't I have to die to come here?" the prospect of him dying so shortly after finally finding his true reason to live was not a welcomed one.
"I dragged your soul here while you were sleeping so we would need to make this quick so that you have a chance of surviving after I send you back."
"….Oh joy….." Joel said sarcastically. So there was still a high chance of him dying after all.
"I know you want to ask questions, so just ask your mama." The bubbly and high-strung act was really starting to get on his nerves but he calmed himself, telling himself that his mama was probably his only chance of getting some knowledge on the world that he was in.
He asked about the other Campiones, like where they were and what kind of Authorities they had.
Pandora had gladly told him that before him there had been a Japanese teenager his age by the name of Godou Kusanagi that had become a Campione by defeating a Heretic God somewhere in Italy. But other than that, she kept a tight lid on the others, only saying that there were eight Campione as of now including him.
He was about to ask another question when everything started to get real fuzzy and he forced to close his eyes. When he opened them he was back in his room again. His chest was feeling a lot of pain and he was experiencing a serious case of vertigo.
"Somewhere in Italy, huh?" He had muttered.
A few images flashed past his mind and he knew that he had just discovered a new aspect of his [Wisdom]. With a smile, he suddenly felt like going to Naples.
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29 July 20XX
Location: Naples
Watching the massive [Boar] almost destroy the landmark known as the Egg Castle was really a sight for sore eyes.
Joel stood a good distance away and watched as his elder brother Godou Kusanagi activated one of the ten Authorities that he had usurped from the Persian warlord of Victory hailed through the Middle East as the Invincible Warlord, Verethragna.
Coming to Naples had definitely taken the spot in Joel's top-ten list of best things to do. The food was good and the city was without a doubt living up to its name.
He had decided to run away from home from the moment his [Wisdom] had kicked in after his conversation with his Pandora Mama. He had been using the time since then to save up some money to use on the trip, store up on his [Shroud] and do some training .
While leaving everything to instincts and doing things on the fly when a Heretic God appears was nice and all, Joel had taken upon himself to learn how to use the spear to a certain degree of mastery before he had left his country for Naples, Italy.
[Gungnir] was useful due to its ability but to truly be able to use the Authority, skills on how to handle the weapon were still needed. To Joel, his Authorities were but a tool and to not make full use of a tool when one was able to, was just stupid, something he imagine his adoptive father doing.
After testing [Shroud], Joel had made it sort of a trump card only to be used in a dire situation. He had 32 [Shroud] ready to be used. Perseus looked really strong and Joel could not help but wonder what kind of thrills would a battle between him and the Heretic God would bring.
He could see that Perseus would most likely force him into using his [Shroud] within the first minute if they were ever to fight and the prospect really sent a chill down his spine.
[Wisdom] was of course being used to discern the truth of Heretic Perseus. Heretic Gods were not always what they name themselves as for their myths could change with the passing of time. People had started to travel to other countries and regions of the world, bringing their own myths and tales over where the locals would change them as they seemed fit. This results in the corruption of a God's own character, bestowing traits and powers that the original in the myths did not have.
Complete understanding of the enemy would increase ones chance of emerging victorious and to Joel, the knowledge gained from his [Wisdom] was most definitely a power that he would use. Joel knew that his Authorities were not very versatile and he could actually do little more than hope to overpower his opponents using brute force, as such he pools any advantage that he might have over others using his way of reconnaissance.
The gigantic [Boar] then suddenly disappeared as quickly as it appeared with a roar and Joel could see that Perseus had something to do with it, the brightly shining rings behind Perseus were too eye-catching after all in the night scene of Naples.
"Ho? To think that there would be such an aspect to you, how very interesting, Perseus." Joel muttered to no one as he went closer to the scene of the fight between a Heretic God on one side and a God-slayer plus a witch on the other.
And he arrived just in time to see Godou getting shot by an arrow, watching with a small smile as it struck dead center of Godou's chest. With his eyes, the activation of the [Ram] did not went pass Joel.
He then saw as the witch fall to her knees with a horrified look.
'Poor lady must be blaming herself now.' He thought with a sigh. Out of the corner of his eyes, he then saw Perseus walking towards Godou and the witch. 'It would seem that it is time for me to intervene now.'
"Heretic Perseus! Do you plan to desecrate that body?" he shouted from where he was, about 100 meters away from the others.
"And who might you be, Young One?" The heretic deity asked.
"My name is Joel and I am a follower of a fellow god by the name of Hecate!"
"And what does a follower of that witch got to do with me?" Perseus was smiling, as if amused by this change.
"To desecrate the dead is beneath one such as you but do you truly wish to proceed on with your actions?" he was slowly walking closer to where Godou lay.
"Indeed it is beneath me but even when I have defeated the God-slayer, I cannot seem to rid myself of this uneasy feeling I am getting." Perseus had materialized another arrow and was ready to shoot.
Running up to in between Perseus and Godou, Joel spread his arms wide.
"I am afraid that I cannot allow you to kill him off." He simply stated.
"So you are saying this God-slayer still lives on?"
"That is true." It was a new voice. Perseus suddenly looked shocked and rolled away. His pure white shirt was torn on one side and Ichor was flowing.
A figure of a young girl appeared from the darkness, in her hands a huge scythe, with a blade of pure black.
"Athena…" Joel breathed as he took in the sight of a new Goddess.
"Indeed it is I, Athena."
Perseus had avoided a fatal wound but it seemed that he still received a severe wound.
"A more cowardly move than I would have expected from Athena." Perseus said as his beautiful visage turn into a grimace of pain.
"Let it rest, Steel of the serpent-killer. Kusanagi Godou is my prey and I will not yield him to you. Plus he becomes far more interesting after being defeated once."
"Well, well. After hearing all that from the Queen of Serpents and a follower of Hecate, I have no other choice but to withdraw. Once the God-slayer and my wounds have healed, we will meet again on a new battle field. And then, it will be your turn! That also includes you, follower of Hecate!"
Riding away on Pegasus, Perseus disappeared into the night sky and Athena turned their attention towards Joel and Liliana.
"I give you my thanks, follower of Hecate." The goddess gave a small nod of appreciation.
"It was nothing, Lady Athena. I was but pursuing my own goals."
"Is that so…Maiden, convey this to Kusanagi Godou… "I shall not accept another lapse. I will be the one to defeat you." Tell him that should he perish before that, I will not forgive him."
Liliana was still shocked. First Godou Kusanagi is killed then a follower of Hecate appears and tries to protect Godou Kusanagi then immediately afterwards, Athena appears to ensure the safety of her prey.
"Just what is going on?" Liliana asked in shock.
"I believe that we would need to go somewhere to get that arrow of Godou Kusanagi. I will explain everything afterwards."
"Yes, my thanks beforehand." Liliana stated as she looked at her savior, a teenager of Asian descent in a black shirt, a camouflage-print hoodie jacket and jeans that speaks fluent Italian who calls himself a follower of the Goddess Hecate. Just who was this guy and what were the goals he had mentioned.
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"I think an introduction is in order." Joel said. They had just taken the arrow out of Godou and laid him in bed to rest. They now sat in the studies across each other.
"Yes, I am Liliana Kranjcar of the Bronze-Black Cross. You have my thanks for tonight."
"It was nothing. I am Joel, no last name, and a follower of Hecate. I believe you would like an explanation on how Godou survived?"
"Yes, if you don't mind."
"Well it is one of the ten Authorities that he possesses, more specifically the [Ram] that allows him to resurrect after he dies."
"I see. That would explain how he survived but how did you know that? I have not heard of you and from what I know Erica and Mariya Yuri is the only one close to the King. Just what organization are you from?"
"I have my sources and you need not be afraid of me. Also I am a free person and am not currently bounded to any organization as of yet."
"Not bounded to any organization? How can that be?" All in all, this was the first time that Liliana had heard of someone that knew of the magical world and was did not belong to a magic organization.
"My teacher in the arts never told me about any of the organizations. She only went by the name of Wisdom and try as I might, I just could not find out which organization she belonged to. It also did not help that she erased of my memories on anything other than her teachings that was related to her when I last saw her. Even I can't say for sure that my teacher was a female or not."
"Specific memory erasure? Just what kind of person was your teacher and just what exactly what your goals? You just appeared out of nowhere and expect me to trust you on your word?"
"A valid question as even I know that my story is dubious at best but I mean neither you nor the King harm, otherwise would I have risked my own life to protect you two?"
"That…Sorry about that, the events tonight are just too much. I am a failure of a knight! I let my king die in front of me!"
"Don't berate yourself like that. There was nothing you could have done at the time, it was also the King's fault in a way, no?"
"The nerve! You dare disrespect a King?!" Liliana stood up from her chair enraged at what the person in front of her was actually saying.
"If I am not wrong, it is also a knight's duty to correct their King when they feel that it is needed. Am I not wrong? It was reckless of the King to just charge in when he knew nothing of how his Authorities were sealed."
"Urgh….I have nothing to say…"
"Worry not, the King will most likely wake up tomorrow so it would be best if you got some rest. Perseus would not hold back even if he sees you tired. By the way, is there any place I could use to rest for the night? I forgot my way back to the place I am staying at, hahaha." The laugh was weak but did not betray his true intentions.
"Seriously?"
"Yup."
"…I guess…It is the least I could do when you have helped save my King." Letting out a sigh, Liliana could only look at the enigma known as Joel and hope for the best.
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30 July 20XX
The room that he had been given was quite luxurious and a good night of sleep was taken.
Joel had not been much a morning person before, but becoming a Campione really changed his life in more than one ways. Wake up in the morning and eat some breakfast before training for about an hour or till he got tired of it.
After the morning routines of freshening up, Joel began to wander around the building to look for things to eat. The last thing he had eaten was a bowl of risotto last night before he felt the battle starting.
Lucky for him, there was a store selling Panini, allowing him to settle his morning meal with relative ease and little expense. He had experienced it the day he had arrived in Italy but still it was quite amusing when the people get surprised by his Italian.
"Wow boy, you speak quite fluent Italian." They would always say something along the line.
Training was done in a small clearing, untouched by Man during the morning hours. All in all, it was an uneventful morning.
Nearing noon, Joel returned back to the branch building of the Bronze-Black Cross. Perseus would have no doubt been healed by the end of the day and preparations would be needed to be made so that Godou could fight the Heretic God.
Looking around for Liliana so that they could come up with a plan, he heard noises coming from the room Godou was in. The Fairy Knight most likely spent the entire night looking after Godou and scolding her own self.
With a sigh, he opened the door.
"Miss Liliana, I was wondering….." Now this was a sight he had no intent of seeing.
She had taken off her jacket and under shirt and was now only wearing a blue sports bra and her skirt. A girl with turquoise hair was taking pictures with a digital camera and Godou was shouting his disapproval.
When the silver haired knight turned to face the Campione in hiding, Joel could see the concealed anger behind her strained smile and raging blush. She summoned II Maestro and was now moving towards the guy who just entered unannounced.
"I'll kill you then I kill myself!" she shouted, hell bent on ending the source of her shame.
"EH!?" Screw Odin, that old fogy had nothing on the embarrassed and angered Fairy Knight. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. "Wait for a moment, Liliana. It is a misunderstanding; it was not my wish to see you like this!"
"Are you saying I am not worth seeing?!"
"How did you get that from what I was saying!? Calm yourself!" This was definitely not boding well for Joel.
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A big hoo-ha on calming down Liliana later.
Introductions were made once again to the two who still did not know the newcomer.
The turquoise haired girl was Karen Jankulovski, Liliana's maid and an apprentice mage under her in the Bronze-black Cross. From what he had seen, Joel could tell that this maid was quite mischievous and had a habit of teasing her mistress. Poor Liliana.
Then there was Godou Kusanagi, the seventh Campione and the one before him, the eighth, not that the others need to know that fact at the moment.
"It is an honor to meet you, Kusanagi Godou-sama, I am Joel, no last name."
"No need to be so polite. Thank you for saving me."
"It was nothing. Only the Campione have the power to defeat the heretic Gods, it is an honor to be of service to you. Though that was certainly reckless of you, Godou nii-sama."
"N-nii-sama?" Godou was quite baffled at this. The guy in front look no less than his age, why would Joel call him nii-sama?
"Is it not alright?"
"Joel! You may have indeed saved our lives but this attitude of yours must stop if not it will be met by my blade!" Liliana shouted out. What was up with this guy and his blatant disrespect of the natural hierarchy?
"It's nothing, Liliana-san. I really don't mind, I was just startled." Said Godou trying to placate the Knight.
"There you have it, Liliana. The King has spoken, what say you?"
"….I have nothing to say."
"Thought so. Now, did Godou nii-sama learn anything from the fight with Perseus Yesterday?"
"Other than the fact that he can completely seal my Authorities, nothing much. Even if I can use the [Warrior] I suspect that it will also be sealed. We need to know how he seals my Authorities first."
"Ah, the golden sword that cuts divinity. Truly an Authority to be feared." Joel smirks. That golden sword of his older brother's was definitely something he did not want to go up against.
"The name of Perseus also bears the meaning of "One who came from Persia" it was Liliana who gave this input.
"Persia? Then isn't it the same as Verethragna?" Godou says in shock.
"In this case, the referenced Persia only refers to the east. What used to be called Persia is now called Iran, as such Perseus's origins from Iran or more specifically Babylon." Joel says as he looked to the rest. Everyone was looking at him, quite confused.
"In Greek mythology, Perseus saved his future wife, Andromeda, by slaying the monster Tiamat, a colossal whale or sea serpent type of sea monster. Tiamat is now symbolized by the constellation of Cetus. Cetus, Perseus, Andromeda and Cassiopeia, theses four constellations represent autumn and that event where Cassiopeia was punished by the gods and had to sacrificed her daughter Andromeda. In comes Tiamat and Perseus and the four main roles are completed."
They were still looking at him, Liliana now having a look of slight understanding.
"However, Tiamat was not always a monster. The name of Tiamat is shared by a goddess of Babylon, an earth goddess that gave birth to gods, a ruler of the divine world in the form of a dragon and a bringer of floods. In this case, Tiamat was struck down by Marduk, a god of storms, becoming the King of Gods."
"Are you saying that when the myth of Marduk was spread to Greece it became the myth of Perseus?"
"Yup, the story of Marduk slaying Tiamat was altered with the passing down of the story, becoming the myth of Perseus. As such Perseus had been known as "One who came from Persia" due to the origins of the myth itself."
"Well that's that but do you know anything on the relationship with Verethragna?"
"Unfortunately no."
"Damn, if only Mariya was here, she might have been able to give us some clues."
Godou had been unable to get into contact with Erica and the rest who most likely trying to find him. Unknown to the Seventh Campione, a certain King of Swords had used his Authority [Return to Medieval Style] to degrade the level of civilization of the town that the other girls were in.
"Though I agree with you on this point, but since we are unable to get in contact with them, we'll have to give up on that. Or are you implying that we are not capable enough to uncover the secret of Perseus? At any rate, let's think of something together, shall we?" The suggestion came from Liliana.
"I'll try to contact some friends and see if I can find out anything about their whereabouts. In this kind of situation, the best person to consult is Mariya or Lucretia, after all. I'm also a little worried for their safety." Says Godou as he headed out of the study.
Joel had picked up a book and began reading when he saw Liliana glaring at him.
"Is there a problem, Lily?"
"Li-Lily?! You have no right to call me that!"
"Oh did I hit a nerve? Perhaps that was a pet name that your boyfriend has for you?"
"B-boyfriend! You are clearly overstepping where you stand here, Joel! I am a Great Knight and do not deserve to insulted like that!"
"Is that so? Clearly your maid doesn't agree." Joel pointed toward Karen. The maid was covering her mouth with her hand in a bad attempt of stifling her laugh.
"Karen?! Are you betraying me?"
"I am sorry, Liliana-sama but the only person I have seen you argue with like that is Erica-sama and you seem to get along really well with Mr. Joel here." The maid answered with her cat like smile.
"How does it seem like we are getting along?" Liliana asked with a scowl while Joel just smiles.
"Usually Liliana-sama would not show any emotion in front of others but yet she has displayed no little amounts of it in front of Mr. Joel."
"Your maid speaks the truth, Lily. I had thought that it would be hard to approach you but when I have seen you get angry and embarrassed, you seem more like a normal girl, much easier to talk to." Joel was thoroughly amused. Coming to Naples had just shot up to his top three in his list of best things to do.
"Guh…."
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
"W-what's important now is that we figure out the relationship of Perseus and Verethragna so that the King can defeat Perseus."
"True. I will leave you to your devices then; the city calls me to tour it."
"Are you not going to help?!" this person is really getting on Liliana's nerves.
"I will help when I am needed, ciao. Oh, and by the way, your stories are quite unexpected from a person like you, Lily."
"YOU…!"
Hearing the Fairy Knight rage was world-class entertainment in itself.
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"I wanted to ask you something." Godou said to the Heretic Goddess in front of him. Athena had appeared before Godou and Liliana when they were in the city.
"Oh? What is it?"
"How is Perseus able to negate my powers? You involved me in this fight, surely you can tell me this much? He, being a bane of serpents, therefore countering Athena's power, that I can understand, due to the story of Medusa, right? But, Perseus and Verethragna have no direct connection, so isn't it strange?"
"Hmm, the question is how to answer."
Her response to Godou's question was a simple faint smile.
As though she were assessing them, she stared at them intently. Her eyes were like that of a predator eyeing its prey.
She was a predator, after all. The aspect of a goddess of battle and hunting.
"No matter how I answer it, there will be things that you cannot comprehend. Indeed, I was the one who dragged you into this, but if I reveal the answer here, this game would not be able to amuse me as much."
"Isn't that fine? I got involved only because of your willful personality."
Godou snapped back in retort.
"Yesterday... you said that you had wanted to train me. The truth probably isn't that you had wanted to avoid conflict with that serpent-slayer, thus dragging me in, correct?"
"Do not sully the name of a goddess of war, Kusanagi Godou."
Athena glared at him, her eyes heavy with threat. "It's true, that I am not in a hurry to battle with that person. The serpent-slaying words of power are an extremely troublesome existence to myself. However, the countermeasures I have against that unfavorable element are far and many, do not treat so lightly the Queen of the land and darkness."
"I'd never would have thought... that you'd have a countermeasure?"
Hiding the joy in his heart, Godou asked.
If it were truth, then he might be able to use his trump card against Perseus.
"That's right. If he would use his serpent-slaying words of power, then I would use the scorching flames to melt his steel... Fufu, while you were in a deep sleep, I had already awakened the dormant volcano that lies yonder. If he were to be enveloped by molten lava, even the hero of [Steel] will fall! It's fine even if you don't defeat him! I will go and fight him, so you can just sit back and watch!"
This guy wants to blow up the volcano! Godou resisted the urge to exclaim out loud.
Athena was referring to Mount Vesuvius, east of Naples.
During the time of the Roman Empire, Pompeii had been partially destroyed, and buried under ash and pumice from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The last time that this volcano had been active was back in 1949, and its distance from Naples was nine kilometers.
Godou finally understood.
Why Athena had accepted the truce after her attack on Perseus.
He was not sure how she had done it, but in order to triumph over Perseus, she had prepared to make use of the volcano, to overcome the unfavorable condition of fighting against a serpent-slayer.
"But, about using the volcano, are you implying that Perseus is weak against heat?"
"It must be an exceedingly intense heat, to the extent that even a dragon would be incinerated. This isn't the only weakness of that guy, either. [Steel], after all, is that kind of thing isn't it?"
Steel.
Hearing that word, his emotions were unable to stabilize, and Godou returned to that topic.
"Then let me ask again, why was Verethragna's power sealed?"
"I don't mind telling you, but will you pay the price, Kusanagi Godou?"
... How unreasonable.
"Since you do not want me to personally step in, then wouldn't this request be natural? Though I have dragged you into this, is it not evened out when I listened to your request to back out of the battlefield? Now, if you would like for me to grant you the key to victory, then you will be indebted to me."
In other words, Godou just had to promise her something. Athena smiled wryly.
"Fufu, I haven't given it much thought yet - but, in return for my telling of that secret, you would have to grant a request, a desire of mine some day in the future. Do you accept?"
"I understand, then..."
"Allow me to answer in the place of the King. Of course, we refuse!"
Just as Godou had wanted to give his answer, he was interrupted.
The one who spoke was the guy he had only met this morning.
"Follower of Hecate."
"It is a pleasure to meet you once again, Lady Athena." Joel said with his right arm over his heart and a bow.
"Explain your decision, Follower of Hecate." The loli-queen was getting angry, how scary.
"We refuse as the King cannot just possibly make such a commitment. And besides a deal with between divine beings is binding and can't be made easily. Why make such a deal when another of similar result is available at a cheaper price."
"Another deal? What do you mean, Joel?" Liliana who had been by Godou's side and silently watching, spoke out suddenly.
"Simple. I have just found out the secrets to the relationship between Verethragna and Perseus and am willing to sell it to Lily and the King."
"Sell it? Can't you just tell us?"
"Naïve, Godou nii-sama. A deal with a Goddess and a deal with a mortal, which do you choose?"
"We accept the deal, Joel! But I will be the one paying the price no matter what you say! I will not allow you to bind the King!"
"The deal was to be made between you and me in the first place, Lily."
"T-that…"
"This has gotten boring, just take care of that troublemaker and remember that I will be the one to defeat you, Kusanagi Godou."
The goddess of the land and darkness, with those words, departed.
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"What is your price, Joel?" They had returned to where they were staying and now Liliana and Joel were alone in the study again.
He took a deep breathe, "….An end and a new beginning."
"An end and a new beginning? I do not understand."
"To my family back home, I am still alive though missing. Most likely they will figure out that I am in Italy soon. I wish for you to kill off my current existence, instate me as a member of the Bronze-Black Cross under your family name and bring me to Japan when you go to improve the Bronze-Black Cross's position in the magic world."
"What makes you so sure I will go to Japan? Why go so far for something so simple?"
"You underestimate me, Lily. With this event with Perseus and Godou nii-sama, the Bronze-black Cross will no doubt send someone to Japan so as not to lose to the Copper-Black Cross who is the rival organization of the Bronze-Black Cross and the one currently with more power between the two due to Erica Blandelli and her relationship with Godou nii-sama. Who better to send than the one who have fought alongside the King and the one who had brought the King his victory with his knowledge? I care not for the position of head of the family so no need to worry about that, not that I will have a chance in the first place. Perhaps for you it may be simple but to me it is important to my future."
"You have certainly given much thought about this…"
"Of course, Lily nee-sama."
"You are younger than me?" She would not have imagined it. He was taller than her by a head and the way he carried himself was not one she expect from a wandering mage around her age. To think that she would be the older of the two.
"By a few months." They were the same age? Liliana really did not expect that.
"….Allow me to ask my grandfather about this. I have no doubt that he will accept but I still need to ask him about this, it concerns the family after all."
"Take your time, Lily nee-sama or and here's my passport so you can kill me." He said with a smile
"The way you say it…It is as if you don't care about my family back home." She took his passport with slightly sad eyes
"Indeed, I don't care about them and only because they don't care about me. Besides, I will have a new family soon, won't I?"
"That is true…I will be a harsh Big sister and I still have not forgiven you for what you did this morning, you do know that right?"
"I won't have it any other way."
"I'll go call my…our grandfather now."
"Please do, big sister."
Step one clear
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"The keywords are "Sun", "Babylon", "Pioneer" and "Leader of the East." When Liliana had returned after the long phone call, she had told Joel that he was already accepted into the family but would need to go to the main house to see their grandfather after Perseus has been defeated.
A brilliant, golden light. The fragments of the sun that rained down from the sky. Rays of the sun.
The hero who had combined all of these also had the attribute of steel, one of the gods of the sword.
His name was Perseus, One who came from Persia.
The inspiration that Liliana had gotten from her new brother and the knowledge she possessed as a mage had merged together and she could finally understand the true nature of Perseus.
And just in time too, for Godou had then entered the room saying that Perseus had sent a message on where and when to meet.
It was when Godou was on the balcony watching the scenery when a medal that was pierced with an arrow had been left there.
A medal that was now on a table in the study.
It was made of white stone. On its surface, the shape of wings spread, flying bird was carved. Seeing that, Liliana tensed up.
"The mark of the one who reigns over the sun in the sky. Without a doubt, this medal is the symbol of Perseus."
"At the same time, it symbolizes the icon of Ahura Mazda. As expected of Lily nee-sama, to get to the truth through a few words."
"The moon is beautiful tonight. Let us meet at the most distinct location in the vicinity. Then, I shall await your arrival... Ah, one more thing. I do hope you arrive early. If I have finished my moon-gazing, I will head straight for your location, but as I thought, the place of a duel, if it is not the one both parties have agreed upon, it just won't feel right. I bid you farewell, for now." The message had been.
"The moon is beautiful tonight? What could be beautiful about a waxing moon?"
"Did you say something, Joel?"
"It was nothing. I was just thinking about what should we do now."
"If I may, Liliana-sama should hurry and use her [Instruction] to convey the necessary information needed for Godou-sama to win."
"Oh, that is a great idea, Karen!"
"Thank you, Mr. Joel. I aim to please."
"W-W-Wait! Why do I have to do that?" Liliana is trying her best to escape her fate but with her maid and brother around, she was doomed to fail.
"You are the one who received a divination from Mr. Joel, so who else could use [Instruction] other than Liliana-sama." Continued the maid.
"Can't you do it, Joel? You are the one that knows the information first hand after all."
"Sorry, Lily nee-sama but I have no intention of kissing another male, no offense to Godou nii-sama of course, and then there is the fact that I am unable of using [Instruction] in the first place."
"Can't I just tell him verbally?"
"Are you really going to verbally teach him all of this?" Karen said as she stack book upon book, forming a mountain.
"Is there really no other way?"
"We could go with Plan B. I could recipient of [Instruction] from Liliana-sama and then I will use my own [Instruction] on Kusanagi-sama…"
"You can't do that! Besides, the fact that I need to teach him by locking lips…"
"Who cares? It's just a kiss. If you pretend that you are giving a goodnight kiss to your father, and quickly get it over with, it would be fine." That was quite a blunt fast ball from Karen.
"You don't understand! The first boy I kiss should be has to be my destined partner in love, that was what I had decided!"
"I would say that this is quite unexpected but after reading what Lily nee-sama writes, I don't find it that much so after all."
"Oh I almost forgot about that. Thank you for reminding me about that, Joel. It would be my pleasure to perform my first act as a sibling for my little brother." Gone was the big blush and in was the knuckle cracking and killer aura.
"That will be quite unnecessary, my big sister. You have already done so much for me." Two hands rose in surrender but with a big smile.
"You would have to tell me about what happened, Joel-sama but Liliana-sama, wouldn't Erica Blandelli-sama say something like, "... T-that was too much, Lily. If anyone saw me laughing like this, my rating as a lady will plunge for sure! B-but you're really, a maiden that's extinct in modern times, as I thought!""
"Karen!"
"Now there is a maid I think I can get along with!"
"You flatter me, Joel-sama."
"Joel!"
Godou Kusanagi apparently saw that he should not be interrupting the family (?) moment and decided to go for a toilet break. As soon as he was gone, the assault continues!
"Liliana-sama, what is the ideal scenario of your destined love?"
"I, if you ask me that suddenly, I don't know how I should answer either... anyway, if you really want me to say it, it would be a situation where everything is out to prevent the relationship between them, but no matter their distance, no matter how many times, the powerful bond of their love would bring the two of them back together."
"Has Lily nee-sama never before considered that Godou nii-sama maybe your destined one?"
"Love between a King and a knight or a young man, rumored to have had his way with many women, had his heart stolen by a simple girl-next-door in a chance encounter, and thus changed his entire lifestyle for her... what do you think about this scenarios, Liliana-sama?"
"Don't be ridiculous! Besides, Kusanagi Godou already has a mistress, Erica!"
"Did Karen say anything about Godou nii-sama? Lily nee-sama also must remember that Man have always sought to steal love from others ever since the ancient times."
"Guh…"
"By the way, shouldn't Kusanagi-sama have returned by now?"
"…..Tch…Godou nii-sama is such an idiot. Lily nee-sama, let's go! Godou nii-sama has already went to find Perseus!"
"!"
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Round one
Godou uses the [Bull] but it gets sealed anyways.
Then he gets sent flying into a building by an arrow imbued with divine powers.
"Yo Lord Salvatore Doni, how's the show so far?"
"Not bad but just who are you? I can't really remember names."
"I am Joel Kranjcar, just a fellow observer."
"A friend of Godou's?"
"In a way."
A golden was seen from the building that Godou had crashed into and the world was turned into a plain that shone gold with mountains in the background and countless golden swords emerging from the ground.
The [Warrior] has been activated.
"Ho…Lily nee-sama is so bold." It was truly amusing to see his sister getting hugged and blush like that.
"The One who came from the east, the Invincible Sun Heliogabalus - you who possesses many aliases, the name that you conceal is Mithras, the sun god born on winter solstice. That is the other you!" The Warrior wielding the golden [Sword] declared this.
The words from his mouth becoming spell words, the weapon used by the [Warrior], the last form of Verethragna - the spell words of the [Sword].
"The God I defeated was Verethragna, the ancient Persian God of War who served the sun god. The source of your ability comes from Verethragna's master, the sun god Mithra. You were originally known only as Perseus - the Man who came from the East, the stranger who had saved the princess Andromeda from the giant serpent, a serpent-slayer and a skilled swordsman... originally you were only thus."
The golden swords were gathering around their master.
"Since ancient times, the serpent - and the dragon, the heroes that fought these were many, and you were one of the prime examples. A hero who struck down the serpent and saved the beautiful maiden. What were their reasons for doing battle with the serpents? This was because serpents and dragons which were, by the former rulers of the divine world, the great goddesses of the land - they had reduced them to these forms due to their evil nature."
A golden formation made of golden swords.
"The Queens of the divine world struck down those that were known as demonic beasts. The result was the collapse of the world where the goddesses reigned, and with that came the world where warriors with bronze and metal weaponry reigned. With the coming of an age where military strength ruled the countries, and the mission of the heroes of steel like you, was to carve out such a new world of violence!"
The preparations were done for now.
"I am the dragon of injustice, the strongest and the most wicked of butchers! The sword that protects the men and women of righteousness, obey me!" The swords
"Now, borrowing the sun's protection, I fire this arrow!" With those spell words chanted, the Heretic God shot his arrow into the night sky. It soared and then split into hundreds of rays of light that bathed the ground, dissolving the [Sword] that it hit.
Godou did not plan to go down without a fight. Clicking his tongue, he renewed his assault.
"The second name that you've hidden - Mithras. The place that this divinity was worshipped, reigning over the center of the world, is the Roman Empire that we all know of. The people of that country worshipped the divinities that were introduced from foreign places, becoming new religions, a broad-minded and perfunctory inclination. Mithras as such was actually the guise of Mithra."
The light of the [Sword] renewed and began to intensify.
"The foreign god Mithras' homeland was Persia, to the east of Rome, and another god that also came from the east, Heliogabalus - the Greek sun god that had its own palace at the end of the east, the god that was called 'Sol' in Rome!"
The halo of light behind Perseus glowed brighter and brighter in turn as the god nocked another arrow.
"The [Sun God] that was one and the same as [One who came from the east]. The careless Roman people, unintentionally, had thought of Heliogabalus as Mithras, and then with yet another [The Man from the East] - Perseus, was added into the mix! They thought that they were one and the same, thus birthing a new hero!"
The battle to dispute the stronger light was about to begin
"Your ability to seal my Authorities of Verethragna derives from Mithras who was actually Mithra, Verethragna's former master! That is the radiance that I sever!"
"Interesting that you would go against he who was once your master. Verethragna rejecting the rule of the King of the Sun? Don't get ahead of yourself! Truly you are my sworn enemy, godslayer! ...Hahaha, although I had forgotten about it, I'll take this opportunity to ask you! Godslayer, tell me your name, Perseus will hereby acknowledge you as the man who became my sworn enemy, I will remember it well!"
"It is KUSANAGI GODOU!"
Swinging down his sword, the challenge was met with an arrow.
Its divinity was cut and the arrow lost its shine.
Flipping his hold of his weapon into a reverse grip, Godou threw the golden sword, bent on finishing off Mithras.
Holding up his longbow to guard, Perseus was shocked when his makeshift shield was destroyed and the sword embedded itself into his body.
The stronger light has emerged victorious and the plain was dispelled.
The name of Mithras was severed and its Authorities unusable till the damage was recovered.
However, the divinity of Perseus had received no damage, just like Godou had thought before.
Materializing his sword, Perseus sped towards his opponent, thrusting his sword out in a direct piercing attack.
Godou took the attack head on without dodging. One of the reasons for that was that the attack had been simply too fast to evade another was that he wanted to fulfill a condition.
"Every sinner shall tremble before my power. Now is the time that I obtain the toughness of ten mountains, the strength of a hundred rivers, and the power of a thousand camels! Upon my mighty self, I shall bear the symbol of the raging camel!"
With his arm pierced by a thick heavy blade, Godou chanted his spell words.
"What-?"
Raising his right leg, he kicked out sharply, hitting Perseus in the chest and sending him flying.
The fight had only been going on for about ten minutes but Piazza Plebiscito had already been reduced to a vacant land, like ruins.
On the stone pavement of the plaza, pieces of limestone had been scattered all over, in the form of small pebbles or rubble.
The church, with the white pillars like a cloistered corridor now destroyed, any trace of resemblance to its original self, had vanished along with them.
Most of the pillars having been removed by Godou through the use of the [Bull], and thus, the exemplary historic building that used to be the Roman church, became a scene of devastation.
"Wow, Godou nii-sama really went all out there. Who do you think will win, Lord Salvatore Doni?"
"I say Godou. Ooh, Perseus just got kicked into the ground by Godou using the [Camel] that has got to hurt."
"Okay, now that is just cheating. Using Lily nee-sama against Godou nii-sama?"
"I think she just broke out of his control."
"The [Spell words of David], now that is something you don't see every day. "From the blood of the slain, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back! From the fat of the mighty, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied! Oh, For I wonder if the heroes have fallen in the midst of the battle. Jonathan's Bow, for you are a vessel of the hero, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions! With all speed, dispatch your enemy!" Go Nee-sama! Shoot down that pompous idiot!"
"Doesn't that girl feel embarrassed talking about stuff like that? I feel embarrassed just listening to it."
"Nah, Lily nee-sama is just like that."
"May his spine be crushed; may his bones be broken, his tendons torn, his hair ripped from his skull; may his blood, spilled over the earth, be churned into a bloody froth. I shall become one who buries fangs into the sinner's flesh, that the will of the Lord be followed: Thou shalt be purged!" The last spell words of the fight were recited and the [Boar] was summoned.
"Now Lord Salvatore Doni, I hope you can leave Perseus alone for now."
"Why would I want to do that?"
"Because you would not get an Authority killing him now and besides can't you let your little brother level up first?"
With a crimson spear in his hand and golden triangles in his eyes, the eighth looked at the sixth.
"Ho ho, will you entertain me in the future?"
"Only if keep my existence a secret until I reveal myself, Big Bro."
"I will wait for it then."
"See you later then Big Bro, I got a god to find."
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"You wouldn't mind meeting me tomorrow when your wounds have healed, right? I have been expecting your participation, oh fake Greek God."
"Hmph, I accept your challenge, Godslayer."
A challenge with another God already!
I hope that I got the cannon characters' personalities down correctly.
Any comment is welcomed.