The Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi. It is a sword that was found within a tail of the slain body of Yamata no Orochi and was once wielded by the God of the Sea and Storms in Japanese mythology, TakehayaSusanoo-no-Mikoto. Due to the sword being born from the defeat of the Yamata no Orochi and the fact that a powerful god of [Steel] such as Susanoo had wielded it before, it resulted in the Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi having serpent slaying abilities added on the fact that it in itself was also a god of [Steel]. It had later then been given as a gift to Amaterasu-omikami, the Goddess of the Sun and sister to both Susanoo and Tsukuyomi to settle an old grievance between the two deities.
The reason for this was there had been a long-standing rivalry between Susanoo and his sister. When he was to leave Heaven by orders of Izanagi, Susanoo had went to bid his sister goodbye. Amaterasu was suspicious, but when Susanoo proposed a challenge to prove his sincerity, she accepted. Each of them took an object of the other's and from it birthed gods and goddesses. Amaterasu birthed three women from Susanoo's sword while he birthed five men from her necklace. Claiming the gods were hers because they were born of her necklace, and the goddesses were his, he decided that he had won the challenge, as his item produced women. The two were content for a time, but Susanoo, the Storm God, became restless. In a fit of rage, he destroyed his sister's rice fields, hurled a flayed pony at her loom, and killed one of her attendants. Amaterasu, who was in fury and grief, hid inside the Ama-no-Iwato, thus effectively hiding the sun for a long period of time.
Though she was persuaded to leave the cave, Susanoo was punished by being banished from Takamagahara. It was due to Susanoo being banished from the heavens that he had found the Yamata no Orochi and married his wife as a result.
According to legend, Amaterasu bequeathed to her descendant Ninigi: the mirror, Yata no Kagami; the jewel, Yasakani no Magatama, and the sword, Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi. This sacred mirror, jewel, and sword collectively became the three Imperial Regalia of Japan. The sword which also went by the name of Kusanagi no Tsurugi was removed from the Imperial palace in 688, and moved to Atsuta Shrine after the sword was blamed for causing Emperor Temmu to fall ill. The last that the sword had been seen in public was in 1989 where an Emperor by the name of Akihito ascended to the throne and even then it had been shrouded in packages.
So one point in the whole story that Joel could not make head or tail of was that if the Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi was kept at the Asuta shrine like they said it was then how did Ena Seishuuin get her hands on the sword. Joel had no doubt that the sword she wielded was the real deal and had guessed that Susanoo had probably ordered for the sword to given to Ena but it was still a question that baffled him and he needed to clear his doubts on the matter if he was to get any sleep that night. He had started to search for the truth on the topic after first seeing Ena's sword but for some reason, the question had not come out in any of their conversations throughout the entire day.
It was towards the end of the tour where Ena had requested to be dropped off at Jounan Academy before heading their separate ways and Joel had seen no reason to deny her the request. There was where he last saw her and that was where Joel had returned to to look for the answers to his questions.
But the scene he had arrived to was more entertaining than what he had experienced in the last few months.
Joel's search for Ena had brought him to the sports ground of Jounan Academy and it was there where he saw Erica, Godou and Ena. Hiding behind a tree and eavesdropping was not a hobby nor an expertise of Joel but he knew the basics to get him by and the situation was too interesting not to just drop his original intention of finding Ena, he could always ask Ena on a later date or if worse comes to worse he would just ask his queries through a phone call or something along the line. He knew not to underestimate Erica or Ena and even Godou was one not to take lightly if the conditions were correct, so the need to at least cast a simple invisibility spell was quite high. This was one of the few things that he had picked up from his time staying at Kranjcar family manor and his thought process was that even the simplest of spells would be effective if properly mastered, add that to the fact that the caster was a Campione then you got yourself a powerful stealth capability.
"'The many-fenced place of Izumo / Of the many clouds rising—To dwell there with my spouse / Do I build a many-fenced palace: Ah, that many-fenced palace!' Have you heard of this? This is the enchanted song of Susanoo, the one I inscribed on eight different places when I infiltrated the school many days ago. I knew it would come in handy eventually." The friendly Yamato Nadeshiko, innocent and forthcoming had said to those she knew were present. Without missing a beat, her tone became sharp and she turned her gaze to Erica. "I came to inspect them today. If they didn't take effect in a crisis, I would be very troubled. But why are you two here? Aren't you supposed to be on a date?"
Not taken back at slightest bit, the girl known as the Diavolo Rosso answered with a polite smile.
"We are on a date right now, but we just decided to investigate Ena-san's prepared pranks on the way, that's all."
"Really, then I'm sorry. Have I disturbed you two?"
Though it sounded like a calm conversation, an unfriendly atmosphere seemed to be hanging between the two of them and where Joel was he could see Godou frowning at the tension between the two ladies, this served nothing more than widened the grin on Joel's face.
Who needs television dramas when such deliciously interesting events came every so often?
"I don't know what conflict exists between the two of you, but could you two not cause any strange commotions?" Ever the pacifist, Godou steps in to try and stop the fight before it begins
"Understood, hubby... though that's how I want to address you, it turns out to be really difficult."
Saying that, Ena brought Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi from where it had hung on her back and took it out of the cloth bag that hid it from the eyes of the unworthy.
"Other than declaring myself to be Kusanagi-san's woman, I have one other goal." Everyone always have multiple goals and it would seem that even the ditsy yet serious Ena Seishuuin is not an exception to this.
"Goal? Why don't you just come out and say that you want to eliminate me." Said Erica sarcastically as she crossed her arms. The only response from the Hime-Miko in front of her was a "that's right" expression and a smile before it changed. The face of Ena Seishuuin displayed an expression not seen previously; it was a wild grin that belonged to a carnivore in the middle of a hunt. It was an expression that Joel felt was fitting yet not at the same time on the face of the Hime-Miko.
"Kusanagi-san is a super important person, so it is no good allowing a foreign lady to hang around him all the time. That's what the people back home say. Hoho, though it's fine for me either way, but..." The cloth bag dropped to the ground and Ena raised the sheathed sword till it was level with her chest. One hand on the sheath and one hand gripping the handle, she was ready to draw her sword. "If this mission must be accomplished, there's no way around it. And hearing that the opponent is an Italian knight has gained Ena's interest. At the same time, grampsy has also felt amused by the surprise."
"Grampsy? The one who bestowed the divine sword on you?"
It couldn't be helped that the Diavolo Rosso was confused by the identity of the one that Ena called grampsy, to Joel's knowledge the one that knew were him, the History Compilation Committee and perhaps Yuri Mariya.
"What detailed knowledge, as expected of Erica-san. Yes, grampsy can be quite a terrifying person. Let alone the Hime-Miko, even the History Compilation Committee members have to fearfully cater to his mood." Ena drew her sword and everyone was greeted by the black blade of Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi. Erica responded in turn by summoning Cuore di Leone into her hand and summoning her battle wear while Godou stepped behind.
Joel had gotten a good grasp of Godou's character after being with him for the past few weeks so he had concluded that Godou probably left things to Erica since Ena was not an immortal god and so he would not want to activate his authority.
Cuore di Leone was a sword with a narrow blade that gave off a chilling brightness as opposed to the jet black broadsword that was the Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi.
"Since Yuri won't be at school on the weekends, I don't need to be mindful of her. Having Kusanagi-san present is a bit troublesome, but I've already made preparations to handle him, so let's determine the victor right here!" Watching the knight clad in red and black, Ena declared almost too happily and sprinted forward. With wide strides, Ena made a thrust with her magnificent sword.
Jumping to the side to evade the attack, Erica countered with a thrust from Cuore di Leone. However, Ena dodged by lightly twisting her body like a bat. Erica glared with sharp eyes while Ena stared back with a savage glint about her eyes. The swords that the two girls wielded then began to clash intensely immediately afterwards.
Cuore di Leone was a magnificent rapier and Erica was one who was experienced in wielding such a blade. Thrusting continuously without pause, Erica had dealt out a series of attacks that was like a hail of bullets. Sharp, precise and most definitely capable of mortally wounding the opponent if they were not careful, that was the characteristics of how Erica Blandelli attacked.
But Ena parried all attacks by lightly waving the blade of her sword in a left-right motion. Her sword was far longer and should be by far heavier than the magic sword of the lion yet in spite of that, Ena displayed perfect defence and could even counterattack while she focused her attention on the blonde female knight's attacks.
Erica on the other hand was also able to skilfully defended Ena's return strikes, but only in the nick of time. This naturally spoke levels on the skill of the Hime-Miko that the knight was facing in terms of the sword but that was not all the two girls had to show, they were both deeply involved in the works of their world and their magic would also show this.
Godou had never expected to find a girl from Japan who could match Erica in swordsmanship but Joel knew to constantly keep an open-minded approach to anything, especially in the country that was still known as the country of Samurai. Kenjutsu that was always learnt as a way to kill people had been shrunk down to Kendo that was only a sport and obviously non-lethal but the old ways would always be kept some way or another even in the world where we live in where traditions are being forgotten on a daily basis sometimes.
As the battle went on between the two ladies vying for the heart of their King, their attacks escalated in intensity and would only end with one or both sides heavily injured or dead if it continued the way it did. Thankfully, Godou decided to take a gamble and left everything to his Authority of the incarnation of the [Ram], blocking the space between the swords that had almost clashed if he had not done so.
"—Godou!?" "—Kusanagi-san!?"
Erica and Ena put away their weapons simultaneously, and prevented a tragedy at the last instant.
Joel had expected something along the lines happening but was still disappointed that he did not get to see the conclusion of the fight. He was about to leave his spot behind the tree and go home when something very interesting happened.
The sky had become dark and the surroundings were dominated by darkness. The sun in the sky was entirely darkened, and around the black circle was a white corona almost like a solar eclipse. Then strong winds began to blow, cold winds that seemed strong enough to blow an entire body away and cut open skin.
"Whoever is swiftest among the boatmen of the Uji ferry will come to me. God whom I worshipped, exists no longer! If you believe god once existed, sacrifice well!" The incantation that Ena had chanted in a loud voice sent chills down his spine that returned the grin that had faded just a while ago.
To our two Campione who were at the scene, the chant brought about a feeling of a familiar presence. A presence that exuded power, power that was beyond any mortal, power that belonged to a God.
This got their heart pumping and their brains racing. Their muscle tensed up and their eyes darted around in search of the approaching enemy. Then one by one, divine energy flared up from different locations around the school. Eight in total, it made one feel like they were surrounded by enemies with no way of escape.
"Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, is the divine blade used by Susanoo and Yamato Takeru... these two heroes. However, they were not only warriors who tamed their enemies by force but also highly intelligent heroes who employed deception when necessary. In other words, capricious and ever-changing gods of deceit and thievery. Especially Susanoo, he was a god who even tricked and covered up the sun itself. Even for you, Your Majesty, there is no way to escape this trap!" This was spoken in solemn voice by Ena.
The land beneath Godou's feet then turned into darkness that he sunk into like quicksand. Godou yelled as he resisted with all his might, but even as he thrashed his arms and legs there was nothing for him to grab or kick. The result was being swallowed by the void black space. Godou fell into the darkness and vanished completely.
Joel observed this with [Wisdom] and made a decision. That darkness was one that led to what one would call the Netherworld, a portal that forcefully brought the one trapped in it to the Boundary of Life and Immortality and one that stayed opened for a while after its activation, just what Joel needed.
The Netherworld was where the Memories of the Void lay or at least that was what was said in the tomes that Joel had read and it was also where Pandora resided. That was what Joel aimed for, a source of information that he could use to know where and when Hecate would appear next. He had defeated Hecate and Odin back in Singapore and there had been a girl present that Joel just could not remember to save his life only knowing that she existed somewhere and that she was someone important to him. He knew that something had happened to the girl just before he defeated Hecate and what better way than to ask the source of his worries. Every second of his life that went by not knowing the whole story of the day he became a Campione ate him from the inside out, even if the end result was that the girl had been killed, he needed a proper closure. One that he was going to get without fail and at any cost.
Not wasting another second, Joel dashed forward to the darkness.
"The King is already at risk, Erica! Is settling your feud with Ena more important than the wellbeing of your King?" He called out to the blonde as he jumped into the darkness. The sudden appearance and actions of the brother of Liliana might have shocked her but it was only for a moment yet despite that short period of time, that moment was firmly locked into Joel's memories.
One moment it was total darkness then the next was overwhelming brightness that forced Joel to shut his eyes closed. The moment he had felt something solid under his feet, he noticed few things that might pose to be a slight hindrance to his overall plan. The first thing he thought of was that he had no idea of how to locate the Memories of the Void or anything for that matter in the Netherworld, so he might have been a tad bit rash when jumping into the darkness. Second point of concern was that he could feel the presence of something divine and was worried that his eyes would not get use to the light in time. Last of all was that even if he did find the Memories of the Void and obtained the necessary information, how was he supposed to get home. The entire thought process lasted about two seconds.
But for the moment, the most important thing was the divine presence. It was only thing present as far as Joel knew for other that, nothing appeared to be around him. So in conclusion, Joel is alone with someone or something that might want to kill him.
"Oh! It has been quite some time since we last met, hasn't it my youngest child?" That voice and that way of speaking, could it be?
Joel blinked his eyes opened and was greeted by the sight of the purple haired mother of Campione.
"Pandora…mama…"
"Kyaaaaaa~! You do remember me! Mama is very happy you know?" Her image had been quite broken already during their first meeting and by that point there was not really much that could worsen her standing in Joel's eyes.
"I…..see….So how did I arrive here in this part of the Netherworld?"
"Mou…So straight to the point but I guess that is just how you are. You should have been called to the area of Susanoo actually, you know?"
"Then why am here instead? I can't see someone like Susanoo slipping up on something like this."
"Well mama thought it was quite interesting that no one knows that you are a Campione after so long and that it would be quite a bummer for such a secret to be found out because that lump of scrap metal decided to take an interest in my children, so I just dragged you here instead."
"You can actually do such a thing?"
"Who do you think you are talking to, my ignorant child? I am the first woman, the all-knowing Pandora and not to forget the mother of eight cute children; you think that such a thing is out of my reach? I might not be as strong as those Gods of war but I got my own strengths, you know?"
When she put it that way, Joel could not find a reason to doubt her words. If one could implement and oversee a system like the one that gave birth to the Campione then it would stand to reason that something like changing the destination of a person traveling through a magical portal would be possible and quite easy to say the least.
"Hai hai, Pandora mama is awesome. Pandora mama can do anything." With no better reply to her statement Joel then started to pet his adoptive mother.
The moment he started, her eyes immediately widened.
"W-wa? D-don't patronise me! Your Pandora mama doesn't perform favouritism!" Of course this doesn't really put up much of a defence when you are blushing till the tips of your elfin ear but Pandora doesn't look like she could care less.
So cute
Our Campione who constantly lied through his new lease on life could only think about how cute Pandora was and might have spent the rest of eternity just sitting there reliving the moment if he had not remembered about his goals.
"So…Could you tell me how to go to the Memories of the Void?" With much hesitation, Joel was finally able to separate his hand from Pandora's head.
"To search for Hecate, right?"
"That….I guess I should have expected that from Pandora mama. Yes, I am looking for Hecate so could you tell me how to Memories of the Void?"
"There is no need for that, my child."
"No need? Why is there no need for me heading to the Memories of the Void?"
"Because Hecate would be waiting for you after you leave the Netherworld."
"She has broken free of her legend already? But I thought it was impossible for a Heretic God to descend again so quickly after being defeated."
"Those who had been defeated by your siblings past and present just had no reason to reappear before us. It was only a matter of whether they wanted to or not and Hecate seems to want to meet you again, her rule over magic also does not hurt her swiftness in descending." This was not the bubbly Pandora mama but the one who cursed the gods. Even in her youthful form, Joel felt that she had instantly aged a great number of years.
"Hecate wants to meet me…but how do I leave the Netherworld?"
"Traversing the Netherworld requires a strong will and spirit for you only need to imagine where you want to go and wish for it but if the image is not strong enough then you will lose your way."
"That is informative but it still answers my question."
"You were brought to the Netherworld through the powers of a god and to leave would require either someone from the mortal realm opening a portal and calling out for you or leaving the same way that you came in."
"You mean I need to search out Susanoo."
"If that is the answer you have arrived at then it must be true but remember to come and visit you Pandora mama soon, okay?" As fast as it came, the seriousness in her voice left and Pandora mama came back.
"In that case, I will be heading off now. Thank you for the help Pandora mama." He had gotten a clear path on what to do next and that was good enough on its own even his plan had been changed drastically.
Joel closed his eyes and imagined Susanoo in his mind. He imagined the Steel god of the sea and storms. The one who was born from Izanagi and the one that had decided to reside in the Netherworld. He wished to be beside the god and meet him.
When he opened his eyes, Joel saw a small wooden hut located within a range of lush green mountains. He felt for the divine presence and knew he had arrived in the correct place.
The door was already opened so Joel took it as a sign to enter.
"Ojamashimasu." Giving the greeting when entering someone's home, Joel walked into the house.
There were three people sitting inside. The best way to describe them would be a buff old man, a mummified human and a princess.
The old man sat cross-legged in front of the stove which was in the middle of the hut. His towering physique would stand over 180cm tall. His coarse kimono exposed a strongly built body that did not match his age and bulging musculature that would put most bodybuilders to shame. He also had obstinate expression that matched his solid build quite well.
The mummified human was dressed in a monk's black habit. With dry, parched skin and no real flesh, it was as if everything had peeled off. To most, they would not have called the person a human but that was not the point here.
The one who stood out among this three was the princess. She was an otherworldly beauty sitting in seiza, dressed like a noble princess from the Heian era in a brilliantly colourful juunihitoe style kimono. Her pupils were crystal clear like the colour of glass while her hair was a deep flaxen colour with her smooth delicate skin resembled polished ivory. This adorable beauty of hers, resembling a sculpture, surpassed the looks of any modern Japanese.
The only one that Joel had any idea of their identity was the buff old man. Without a doubt the old man was Susanoo.
"So you have finally arrived, Joel Kranjcar. Do take a seat; I believe we have things to talk about."
"I guess we do, Susanoo."
"Bwahaha, to discern my identity with nary a glance, I was right to keep my eyes on you."
"It was only reasoning through logic. Among the three that was present, the only one that fitted the name Susanoo, a god of [Steel], was you."
"A God killer that thinks! Well isn't that a joke!" this hoarse voice came from the monk.
Ignoring that comment, the conversation continued.
"I heard from Ena that you were interested in me."
"That is true! A Campione who hides himself behind deceit and trickery! You remind me of myself while I still fooled around in the mortal realm and that is why I want to see what you can do and how far you can go along side KusanagiGodou."
"So you didn't tell Godou about my identity?"
"The Old One had specifically requested that we keep silent about it." This time it the princess that had spoken.
"You are one of the more interesting people that we have seen in quite some time. We want to see how your story spans out." The monk comments yet again, answering the unasked question.
"It would seem that my live is a great source of amusement to other people but I don't really mind either way. Though would you allowing me to leave the Netherworld?"
"The choice and freedom to leave was always Your Majesty's to begin with. It is only a matter whether you are able to or not. Seek out your fellow King and all would be solved."
"I see…. While this experience has quite enlightening I am afraid that I must be on my way now. Till the next time we meet, Oh Old One." Using the image of Godou as his destination, Joel felt the familiar pull and before he knew it, he was no longer looking the smirk on Susanoo's face but instead found himself sitting in front of Godou and Erica on a patch of grass. Erica seemed to have a glow about her and was lazily using Godou's thigh as a pillow to lie on.
"Uhm….Am I interrupting anything?"
"Not really though I have some questions that I want answered from you." Sitting upright, Erica looked straight at Joel and said with Cuore de Leone lying in her hands.
"Oi Erica, what are you doing?" Godou was still confused by the sudden appearance of one of his friends and was trying to diffuse the situation.
"Please don't interrupt me Godou." She looked at the King for a moment before returning her gaze to the one in front of her "I had been quite suspicious about you ever since you appeared and then you pulled this stunt earlier one. Tell me, what are you planning?"
"I just had a few question for Ena when I found the two of you at a standoff. Godou then got sucked into the darkness and I followed to try and save him. Is there anything wrong with that?" As soon as he appeared in front of the two, Joel had already put on his mask for Godou and Erica to see.
"There is nothing wrong, just that the timing of everyone surrounding you is just too convenient for my liking. I heard from Lily that you had just appeared out of nowhere in Naples and due to the deal you made with the Kranjcar family your past no longer exist, so forgive me if I am a little wary of you." Cuore de Leone was then returned back to where it had came from in the first place.
"No harm done. At least you had dared to tell it to my face, the others in the Kranjcar family all hide behind a mask and subterfuge in their attempt to rid the family of me, them making things difficult for Lily nee-sama also doesn't make it any easier."
Many a time had Liliana been berated by their distantly related family members for the mere notion of even associating with Joel, not to mention to go as far as accepting him into the family whole heartedly. To them, it mattered not whether Joel had been brought in by the Family Head himself or whether he had produced exceptional results in his studies of both the mystic and mundane, they just wanted him gone and had tried many times to get rid of Joel once and for all though they obviously failed seeing as how he was still alive and well. To make matters worse, Joel had escaped each of their plots of killing him with nary a scratch on his body and did not even bothered to bring up that he was being targeted to the Head or Liliana nor did he do anything in retaliation even when he had the proof to judge the other party guilty, adding insult to injury.
"Is that so? I can see why though, the favoured are always despised by the rest. To excel is to draw the attention or hatred of those who envy you. To see someone obtain what they had aimed for would generate either awe or hate so it is natural." Clearly experienced with the topic, Erica waved off the morbid comment Joel easily though Godou on the other hand was not able to so easily do so.
"Can't you all just get along? That would make things much easier for everyone, wouldn't it?"
"That is just the world works, Godou nii-sama. It is natural as Erica has said as it is a part of human nature to want. Greed is part of us all and we are more than often driven by this greed of ours."
"But…."
"Do not worry about a single thing, Godou nii-sama. As you can see, I am still fine and well not to mention that if I had survived persuading a Heretic God like Perseus, I cannot see how a few spiteful people would be able to bring about my downfall."
"Godou-san, Erica-san, Joel-san!" a familiar cute voice caused the trio to turn their heads towards it. They then saw Yuri Mariya appear in her miko outfit.
"If it isn't Mariya-san. Did Lily nee-san send you over here?" Joel said joyfully as he stood and dusted off himself.
"Yes, though Joel-san's presence here was something that I did not really expected. Liliana was quite distraught when she heard that you had entered the Netherworld and I was not sure whether or not I would be able to successfully find you." That got the gears within the brain of Joel turning and his blood rushing.
'She was worried about me. She actually was worried about me to the point that she broke character in front of Mariya Yuri and an unknown amount of other people" But since the problem was already solved Joel decided to think about it at later time when things have settled down and then get something good for Liliana.
As opposed to what some might believe, Joel does treat Liliana as if they were actual siblings, his reason being that he felt no need to do otherwise surprisingly. It anchors him and gives him a path out if things do not work out. But most importantly, because he wants to and not just needs to.
"It doesn't really matter at this point now, does it? I am surprised that Lily nee-sama was able to get the potion required. I wasn't aware that she had the ingredients needed."
"Oh, we were able to create the potion thanks to the assistance of the History Compilation Committee as they were the one that got the ingredients for us. Liliana-san, who performed the ritual, actually wanted to come herself... But since it would be more convenient for me to travel to the Netherworld..."
"Can someone explain to me what is going on?"
"You see Godou nii-sama, Mariya-san has a powerful spirit vision so she can easily obtain information from this world." Joel then gestured to their surroundings.
"Godou you yourself must have experienced it already, have you not? If you want information, you can obtain it through spirit vision. When Yuri came to this world, she immediately found us using spirit vision and easily used that image to fly here instantaneously. Am I correct?"
"Yes, but just to be safe, it is best to avoid using spirit vision here as much as possible."
The two ladies were able to explain things in a simple manner to Godou but Yuri was surveying the surroundings and the way she spoke held apprehension within.
"Yes, compared to the real world, my power becomes stronger here. However... if any minor mistake is made, it could become dangerous—this is the kind of unpleasant feeling I am getting."
Godou recalled Ena who went too far with divine possession.
"I think that Mariya-san should stop using her spirit vision all together till we return back to the mortal realm. It would do if you get overwhelm by the Memories of the Void at this point in time."
"Um, I agree. I think that the faster we get out the better. Actually, Seishuuin already returned to earth, and just like the way Mariya described, she has become abnormal. The power of Susanoo and Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi has invaded her body, and we must save her."
"Eh!? Something went wrong when Ena performed divine possession in the Netherworld?" Yuri suddenly became serious while Joel who was also hearing this for the first time also became serious, not knowing what to expect when they returned.
"If that is the case, then we cannot dally... Everyone, please come to my side." The Miko said as she beckon the three towards her.
As directed, they approached Yuri then as if praying far away to the other side, Yuri closed her eyes and was surrounded by blue light.
By the time he realized it, Joel and the rest were in the yard of a house he had never visited before.
They were back in their original world? Though he did not know how much time has passed, the sky was completely dark. The majestic Tokyo Imperial Palace could be seen not far away, so this must be the central part of the Chiyoda ward.
Within the premises of an ancient mansion, this was no doubt the home of someone rich.
Joel had also noticed complicated and strange shapes and diagrams inscribed neatly on the ground as well as indecipherable letters and pictograms that seemed like a spell. One that he recognized from an explanation that Liliana had given to him.
The transfer between realms was quite taxing and it would seem that he was not the only affected as both Erica and Yuri looked exhausted while Godou was panting slightly.
The next thing he knew, Joel stumbled backwards as he felt something rushed into him and a pair of arms wrapping themselves around him in a big hug.
Steadying himself and looking down at who had given him a running tackle hug, he saw Liliana looking at him with unshed tears in her blue eyes.
"You idiot…How could you be so reckless?" she all but cried out as she weakly tighten her hold on him.
Getting her something good was clearly not enough. Repaying Liliana was definitely going to be an impossible life debt for Joel to keep but he vowed to himself that he would try his best at the very least to be the best brother he could to the fairy knight.
"I…I'm sorry for worrying you…" the others were looking and could most definitely hear him but Joel found that he could care less at the time.
"All that matters is that you are fine. All that matters is that you are fine." Doing the only thing he could, he returned the hug.
After a minute or two, the siblings finally released each other. Helping Liliana to clean away her tear stricken face, they were able to return Liliana to her normal, proud self just in time when the wind began to pick and the clouds began to gather and darken.
A storm was arriving. This was something everyone could tell.
There was no doubt to anyone present that it was caused by a member of divinity and they all knew who it was.
"This must be caused by Seishuuin Ena and Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi."
"Erica, you can tell?"
"Yes, probably because Godou gave me Verethragna's protection, I can feel it."
At some point in time, everyone's gaze had focused on Godou and Erica.
Yuri, Liliana, Joel, as well as Amakusa and a quite handsome character seen for the first time.
The last person was androgynous and possessed good looks that could very well belong to either a handsome youth or a beautiful girl. He or she smiled at Godou and nodded.
"I am Sayanomiya Kaoru, and Amakasu's boss, as well as a Hime-Miko like Yuri and Ena."
"Hime-Miko?" Godou could not be blamed this time but only this time.
"Many people have expressed surprise at that, but let's put it aside. Just now, did you say Ena and Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi are responsible for this? Could you explain the details of the situation to me?"
"There is no need for I have arrived to meet the God Slayer."
The voice identical to that troublesome girl.
But it was definitely not her normal tone of voice.
Seishuuin Ena's body stood with Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi on the wall that surrounded the house.
The figure of Ena drenched in rain, gave a kind of hollow impression like some sort of puppet or a doll. A soulless puppet that could only dance to the tune of the puppeteer.
Joel was determined. Being controlled like that in that possessed state was definitely not healthy for a mortal even for a Hime-miko who could perform divine possession. There had got to be some limits and eventually Ena's limit would be reached and she would collapse underneath the weight of the god of [Steel]'s power.
Whatever Godou and the others had planned, Joel would support to the best of his ability without using his Authorities and if that was not enough, he would not hesitate to fight divine power with divine power.
Looking at Godou, Joel could see his hesitation. Verethragna's ten incarnations were very powerful but it was because of this power that they were unfit to be used in this case and would only cause more harm to Ena.
As Godou hesitated, Liliana stepped forward from besides Joel.
"Kusanagi Godou, please leave this to me. All we need to do is catch that woman, right? I cannot tolerate her rampaging around any further."
"Lily, she is currently not someone you can handle alone, I will join in too."
Naturally, the speaker was Erica.
Cuore di Leone and Il Maestro.
The two knights' respective magic swords appeared in their hands. Then their brightly coloured bandiera capes were also summoned around their shoulders.
The cape striped red and black and the cape striped blue and black.
These were what the Templar Knights called the flags of army commanders and brave knights. On Godou's right stood Erica in red, while on the left was Liliana in blue.
Then in the back dressed up unknowingly as Izaya Orihara was Joel who cracked his knuckles in anticipation to the fight that was about to come. His mind raced through as he selected a few spells to be used at a moment's notice while [Gungnir] roared to be released and allowed to fight his fellow [Steel]. The spear was ignored but the mentality of a Campione in battle had set in
"...Mere humans challenging me—the divine blade—and my miko? Rude fellows who do not know their place."
This contempt came not from the miko, but from the divine blade.
However, its will to fight had been provoked, and Ena jumped down from the wall onto the road outside. Presumably, to find an open area, she began running towards the main road.
Even though she was controlled like a puppet, her motions were extraordinarily swift.
Erica and Liliana also pursued with speed akin to flying with Joel and Godou slightly lagging behind as the two guys frantically ran after the girls.
The stage was Chidorigafuchi, a park at the north-western section of the moat surrounding the Imperial Palace. Known for its cherry blossoms, it is home to the little known Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery for unidentified soldiers who died in World War II.
Along the green lanes of Chidorigafuchi, a two on one battle was already unfolding.
"Eli Eli lama sabachthani? Oh Lord, why hast thou forsaken me?"
"People, listen to David's song of mourning! How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"
The red and blue knights employed their trump cards from the very start.
Both were lyrics singing praises to unparalleled warriors—quotes from the songs of the heroic King David.
The strongest secret moves that could even damage a god. Erica did not use it in the Netherworld because she deemed it too dangerous to use spells which consumed too much magical power.
"But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of wild oxen!"
Filled with despair, Erica's mournful wails resounded.
These were the "Golgotha Spells Words." Also known as the song of disaster, this was the hymn that Jesus Christ sang before he died while crucified at the site of Golgotha.
"From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty!"
Liliana's mournful requiem also reverberated in the surroundings.
This was the "Song of the Bow." A song of mourning that expressed the overwhelming pain and sorrow when the heroic King David grieved for his former master Saul and ally Jonathan.
"I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee."
"O sword of Saul, the warrior's weapon fast as an eagle and strong as a lion. Descend into my hand now!"
The spell words of hate and despair were infused into Erica's magic sword.
The spell words of the ancient hero were infused into Liliana's magic sword.
The enemy, who forced them to use their strongest weapons to assure victory, also began to chant a song of magic in a robotic voice.
"Awesome beyond speech, O dread theme for my profane tongue..."
Was the one chanting Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, or Ena?
From the fact that her lips moved, it was probably the latter. Before it could be fully discerned, the Hime-Miko's body moved like a puppet according to the rhythm of the song.
"That illustrious Sovereign, Our mighty Lord, Who reared his imperial palace / On the Makami plain of Asuka..."
Erica used Cuore di Leone to block the horizontal slash of Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi.
However, her whole body was sent flying.
She did not have the power to overcome the slashing attack.
Under similar circumstances in the Netherworld, her beloved sword had originally been cut into two. This time it withstood the attack, thanks to the infusion of the spell words of Golgotha.
"Now keeps his divine state, Sepulchred in stone. He it was who descended to dwell / At the pavilion of Wazami Field..."
Having sent Erica flying, the divine blade next attacked Liliana.
The blue knight attempted to entangle Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi using Il Maestro, but was not successful, and like Erica, she too was blown away.
"In yonder province of the realm, Across the pass of high-forested Fuwa, there to rule the under-heaven - To wield the sceptre over his wide domain..."
Ena moved her arms, legs and body with stiff movements like a puppet. Nevertheless, her divine sword still managed to swiftly send the knights into a deadly crisis.
Despite being two against one, the two realized they were outmatched if they fought separately and began to confer.
"Although I hate to do this, we must now cooperate. Attack or defend, which do you choose?"
"I will defend and Lily attack. If there is a chance, use the bow attack!"
"Is that okay? If it hits, that miko cannot stay unharmed."
"It can't be helped, since she is using that kind of power, but try to use sword attacks as much as possible!"
"Understood!"
The two knights leaned against each other tightly.
Entrusting one side of their bodies to each other, Erica on the left and Liliana on the right, began to advance at the same speed.
Though they moved just as fast as before, their attacks were no longer as loose or disparate.
When the divine sword came slicing, Erica blocked ingeniously but did not counterattack.
If one were to keep defending in a one on one battle, the opponent would easily follow up their attacks. Without stopping the enemy's advance, one would end up in a disadvantaged position, however—
In place of Erica who focused on defence, Liliana now concentrated on attacking.
Completely ignoring defence, she started a series of attacks with such ferocity and intimidation that even the Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi could not counterattack as usual.
"..."
The divine sword and the miko did not say a word, but they clearly became more alert.
This was due to Erica and Liliana's formation, their distribution of offensive and defensive duties, their ever changing swapping of positions, and their brave simultaneous advance.
The Hime-Miko, who had held an overwhelming advantage against two opponents, was now being suppressed for the first time.
The tides of the battle were changing and he took this chance and abused it.
"Sorry but this is for your own good! हूं (Pronounced as Un)"
Without warning, Joel jumped into the fray and dealt his first attack by shouting out the spell words.
"!"
Seed syllable.
That was a mantra representing the Kundali Vidyaraja, commonly known in Japan as Gundari MyoOu, who eliminated foreign enemies. By borrowing the strength of the power of this deity and feeding it the magical power of the caster, a spell of esoteric Buddhism origins could be used to summon lightning from the skies. It was no doubt weaker than the [Goat] but it was something Joel could use easily.
The dark clouds brightened for a moment and the bolt flew down, striking the unaware Hime-Miko while the two knights darted away from the electrified girl.
But it was not enough, not by a long shot.
Ena had collapsed onto the ground while her body experienced enough electricity to kill any normal person. But Ena, like everyone that was present, was anything but normal. She was a Hime-miko that was being possessed by a god of [Steel]. So even though her body was smoking with a few burns here and there, she soon stood up and focused her empty gaze on the one who had caused her pain.
Joel took in a big gulp of air and decided to utilize what he had learnt just before the battle had started.
"Erica! Use the blessing of the [Youth]! It's the only way we can win!" Without taking his eyes off the enemy in front of him, he called to the DiavoloRosso.
Accompanying the expression of sudden realization, Godou and Erica looked at each other before Erica lowered her gaze to her lower abdomen and placed her hand over it. They had finally remembered an important event of their lives that had happened not long ago.
"How could I have forgotten? My body currently has Godou's protection within it... I beseech the source of my magic, the seal of the [Copper Black Cross], grant unto me the knight's Medal of Honour!"
Carrying magical power, spell words were spoken out from her mouth.
Erica's red and black bandiera transformed into a long mantle-like coat, its lower hem reaching down to her knees. Fluttering intensely, its form was like a ferocious bird of prey with its wings spread out.
Then there was Cuore di Leone.
Originally a slender sword, the steel of the lion transformed into the form of a lance. The steel barbs made it resemble a cavalry lance used by medieval knights of legend. Were its length shortened to about two meters or so, it would be a one-handed infantry lance.
Holding this lance in her right hand, she held an oval iron shield in her left.
The colours of bright red and jet black crisscrossed her fluttering battle garment. Equipped with a knight's lance and shield, Erica's heroic figure was that of a paladino crowned with a crest of the cross.
"Erica, is it possible? Can you defeat Seishuuin?"
"Of course! In my current state, I will not lose to that woman again!"
This promise to her king heralded the beginning of the second round.
During the last battle against Ena, who was controlled by Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, Erica met with great defeat once but this time around, the battle was on a more levelled playing field with no one able to guess how the end will turn out to be. The two were more or less equal, each displaying a wonderful sense of battle in both offense and defence.
This was a duel that closely resembled a fight between a Campione and a Heretic God, a fight that no one is able to stop other than the ones fighting themselves. One that Joel felt was better left up to Erica to finish les he slipped up and made matters worse instead.
Clashing a few times, they separated and jumped back a few paces from each other, retaking their stance.
Erica defended her body with hershield and aimed the lance at Ena.
Ena had her sword raised above her head.
There were both stances of a frontal charge—a direct conclusion to the duel and preparation for the end.
The two charged forward at the same time and collided violently.
As the divine sword swung down, the lance was thrust forward!
Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi struck Erica on the shoulder, but the blade's point of contact was the part near the hilt.
Cuore di Leone pierced into Ena's body, but it was just a glancing blow to the left abdomen.
Neither blow was decisive.
Erica's charge was too rapid and thus did not get cut by Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi's sharpest part; with motions like a wild beast, Ena had narrowly evaded Erica's fatal attack at the last second.
However, this exchange had not ended.
It was true that the attack of the lance was evaded.
However, with the shield raised high, Erica charged with her entire body. This was the real frontal charge!
Ena's delicate body was blown away as if struck by a car collision.
"Hmm—!?"
"This is a knight's style... A frontal charge to break through the enemy's ranks. Do you feel it?"
To the fallen Ena, with irregular breathing, Erica declared victory.
However, the winning side also sank to her knees immediately.
Her bandiera and Cuore di Leone had returned to normal, and it looked like she too was at her limits.
"Yes, I certainly… felt it... I surrender."
Ena tried to use Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi as a crutch for support... but finally gave up.
Holding the divine blade, she was lying on the road. Though her body was immobile, her face showed a satisfied expression.
The possessed Miko had been defeated and Joel started walking towards her to check on Ena as shook his head, thinking about the events that had passed that day.
That was he looked at the sky and noticed this. The storm, which appeared with Ena, had not subsided. In fact, it seemed to be getting stronger. The winds began to howl as thunder resounded and lightning flashed through the clouds.
Joel snapped back his gaze to the fallen Ena and couldn't help but take a step back as Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi began to expand in size.
The roughly one-meter blade expanded nonstop and started to change its form.
The jet-black blade became a body, forming arms and legs. Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi had transformed into a giant that by visual estimates was roughly twenty meters tall.
A sword originally the weight of a woodcutter's tool, its blade now pointed up towards the heavens to form a vertical body.
Connected to two sides of its body were two blades—the arms, and around the approximate position of the elbows there were even joints for the arms to bend.
Then there were the legs, made of solid steel, thicker and heavier than even the body and the arms.
Compared to the length of the body, the legs were rather short, giving a somewhat unpleasant look. Overall, it gave off an extremely sharp feeling.
The giant of blades. That was the simplest way of describing it.
Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi has transformed into a giant of blades who could slice through everything with a simple swing with Ena's body still stuck inside a location corresponding to the shoulder.
"Joel…."
From within Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, a quiet voice could be heard.
"Ena? Are you okay? Can you free yourself?"
"No—looks like not... I have no strength. Can Ena make a request?"
Her voice had returned to normal so it would seem that this time around, she was really released from divine possession.
"You don't need to say anything. Just sit tight for a moment and we will get you out from there. Godou and the others will definitely come up with a plan to save you!"
"No, I don't want to cause any more trouble..."
She was already back to normal but she still sounded empty and without life, just like…she had…given up all hope of living…
As they conversed, the sword giant—Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi started moving on its short stubby legs, its direction of advance was towardsGodou, the God Slayer and its natural enemy.
"Ama no Murakumo is still in high spirits for a battle with the King. Since that's the case, could you help me ask his Majesty to defeat it quickly with his Authorities? With his strength it should be a simple task, right? Please tell them not to waste any time trying to find a way to save me."
"Yo-you! What do you mean by that!?"
"After all, everything is my fault... My own wilfulness. But in the end, I did get to fight a very interesting and meaningful battle, so Ena has no regrets. Please do not mind and quickly defeat it. Farewell."
Towards the end, Ena's voice could no longer be heard.
"No…No….No! NO! I refuse!"
Joel kept sight of his target and shut out everything from his senses. All that mattered to him now was saving Ena and damn the consequences if he had to! Nothing will stop him!
Nothing!
He ran up through his options.
The seed syllable was out of the question as it will only hurt Ena along the way so the only way to get her to safety was to get up close and personal and separate her from Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi manually.
"With this fetter made from the six, may the will of the gods tie you, bind you and restrain you now! Be sealed till the end!"
As soon as the chant ended, a magic circle flashed into existence on the ground where the giant stood while multiple rings of magic appeared around its limb. The rings all shot out chains that connected all of them with each other and the magic circle. This effectively unbalanced the giant, causing it to trip and fall, creating a dust cloud and sending a tremor through the ground.
This was a based on the legend of Gleipnir, the fetter that the dwarves of Norse mythology had made under the order of the Gods to bind Fenrir. Made of six supposedly impossible items, it was said to be impossible to break till Ragnarök came. This spell creates incredibly strong chains to bind the target to the ground but like all forms of binding, enough strength used would allow the target to break free.
Before the dust cloud could even settle Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi had already broken from the spell and stood up to its full height swinging its arms, forcefully clearing the dust. Its original target was always Godou but it decided that it would kill all the annoyances first to fully savor the death of the Campione.
It changed its target to the nearest person, which conveniently was Joel. A normal mage might be afraid that they had a God after them but Joel was not a normal mage, he was a Campione, one in hiding that no one knew of but still a Campione, and it was all part of his plan. He could faintly hear the others screaming for him to run but he ignored them and stood his ground.
He would wait till the time is right then he would strike.
He waited and waited.
Ama no Murakumo had reached him but he was still just standing there.
It swung its massive bladed arm at what it thought would be first kill for the day but it then when Joel made his move.
The giant had finished its swing but when it looked back, there was nothing there, no corpse, no blood, nothing to indicate that its target had been there.
It searched around for its target, all the while getting angrier and angrier at a mortal denying its desire. Then, Joel was found.
He had jumped at the last moment and landed onto the bladed arm, quickly dashing towards the shoulder region where Ena was still buried in.
The imprisoned Hime-Miko showed a relaxed expression that seemed to say, "My life has no regrets—"
"How can you make such an expression? How can you make such an expression when you are in this kind situation?!" He did not understand the meaning of giving up and also did not understand why she would give up when there could still be hope. But he could get his answers late. Joel then grabbed her shoulders and pulled hard but her body was stuck tight, only budging slightly.
Perhaps a reaction to what Joel was doing, the metal that made up the giant rippled and Ena begun to sink even deeper into Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi.
"Oh no you don't! As if I will let you!" Wrapping around Ena with his left arm, he placed his right hand onto the surface of the giant and begun to chant his third spell for the day.
"Noumaku Saraba Tatagyateibyaku Saraba Bokkeibyaku Sarabata Tarata Senda Makaroshada Ken Gyakigyaki Saraba Bigin'nan Untarata Kanman!" The spell stated to take effect the moment the first syllable was spoken. A flame that sparked alive, growing bigger and bigger with each word said till the area around both Joel and Ena was covered by a raging inferno at the end of the spell.
This was Vajrapani's, or Fudo MyouOu's as he is known in Japan, most fundamental original mantra, the mantra of the fire realm. His name literally meaning wielder of thunderbolt in Sanskrit, Vajrapani symbolizes the manifestation of all the power of the Buddha and burns away all evil to help people reached enlightenment. This results in an area of effect spell that drowns the surrounding of the user in an inferno that they control by repeating the mantra.
Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi roared in pain as the fire burned away at the giant and threatened to melt it. However, it was nothing if not a God of [Steel], only flames on the level of a volcano could hope to deal significant damage to it. Even so, while the damage done was minimal it was enough to distract the giant making it lose its grip on Ena, allowing Joel to pull her free.
"Godou nii-sama! Ena is safe already! Please defeat Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi!" Carrying Ena in a princess carry, Joel shouted out to the other Campione as he jumped away from the giant and escaped to safety.
"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 [Boar] was summoned and Chidorigafuchi became the stage for the monster battle between a god and an Authority.
"Even when I have seen it before, it is still scary to see the [Boar] on a rampage." Joel said with a sigh from a distance. Taking heed of Ena's state of undress caused by Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi's forcefull possession, Joel had taken off his cloak to cover up Ena, who was still unconscious in his arms though not for much longer.
"Eh? I was clearly caught by Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi? Why is Ena and Joel here?"
"We are here because I don't want either of getting caught in the rampage of the [Boar], especially after I put in so much effort to save you." She was already awake so Joel set Ena on her feet and looked away while she properly covered herself with his cloak.
"Even when Ena said she had no regrets left?"
"Even after that or should I say that I got more determined to save you after you said that. You said that you allowed me to be your friend but we have not even gotten to know one another that well and you already want to give up living. Letting me lose my friend the day I got her, aren't you a mean person."
"That! That…That is not what Ena wanted."
"Then what did you want."
"Joel is Ena's first friend asides from Yuri. I just didn't want to cause you any trouble!"
"I don't mind."
"Eh?"
"I said that I don't mind if you cause me trouble."
"Bu-"
"No buts. We are already friends and friends help one another even they cause trouble for you."
"Ena…Ena understands…." She seemed really crestfallen at this turn of events.
"Come on! Don't look so upset, you're making me feel upset too. So what if you created trouble for others today? You just need to repay them and then things would be called even, wouldn't it." This immediately got an effect as Ena's face brightened up and a small smile appeared.
"Then….What does Ena have to do to make it up to you?"
"You…You don't need to do anything at all. Friends don't keep track of petty things like this. But if you really are desperate to make it up to me, you should just live your life to the fullest."
"Really? That's all?"
"I told already, I don't keep track of petty things like this."
"Then you wouldn't mind if Ena causes more trouble for you?"
"Not really but do try to keep it to a low level. Why are you asking me this anyways? You already got something planned?"
"That is Ena's secret. I can't say!" Even though she had so sad just recently she was already bouncing back onto her feet.
"A secret? That's fine I guess but I guess..." Joel says slightly sheepishly as he scratches the back of his head at the reply that he had received from the cheerful Hime-miko.
The [Boar] trashed around in the background and as it enjoyed its time destroying Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, trampling Chidorigafuchi and letting loose roars of victory that resounded across the sky.
It was only then that the whole situation was resolved but for Joel there was still another problem waiting for him.
"Ena do you mind meeting up with others first? I have something I need to do first."
It was after giving a semi believable reason that Ena had left and even then it was only until she was out of sight that Joel started to tend to his business.
"Come out Hecate, I know you're there."
Immediately, there was already a different atmosphere around the area where he stood.
"I have been waiting, Ye who dealt me death."
Hecate has arrived.
.
.
.
After the commotion caused by Ena Seishuuin and Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi, a few days have passed and it was the following week, lunchtime on a certain school day.
Liliana was puzzled while Joel was looking at the whole thing with delightful glee.
Godou and Yuri were just casually having lunch in front of them but Liliana feels that they have somehow become even more intimate with each other. Joel was just taking in the scene as entertainment to accompany his lunch, watching his Liliana acting jealous was just so amusing.
Shizuka reached a little later than the rest but her appearance just added more fun to the place.
Watching their interactions and just eating the lunch that Liliana had prepared, it was really relaxing to say the least. It was during this that a new girl arrived.
Joel placed his lunch aside for the moment and gestured for the new arrival to seat beside him, an offer that Ena Seishuuin gladly took up.
"If it isn't Ena. You sure your body is well enough for you to be moving about?" he said before taking a bite of the seafood paella that Liliana had prepared.
"Yes, well enough at least. Sorry to everyone, I've brought all of you trouble this time. In order to reflect on this incident, Ena will temporarily return home to be educated. So before I leave, I just wanted to greet you all..."
Hearing Ena's words, Shizuka showed a questioning expression that seemed to say, "What is this about?"
Reluctant to explain to his sister, Godou swiftly said, "Don't mind it."
"Though all sorts of major... well, not too major things happened, I don't think we really mind. The next time we meet, I hope we can get along better."
Godou changed his words midway because he recalled but hoped to downplay the tragedy of Chidorigafuchi that he had unfortunately caused.
Though Godou was the world renowned Campione, he was still delicate in certain areas.
"Yes, it is for sure. Ena will get along with you all in the future, it's a promise!"
"Yes, much appreciated. Erica, is it okay? I have already made peace with her."
"Sure, since Godou has already spoken, I will turn a blind eye and forget your mistakes."
Erica shrugged.
Everyone was thinking that Ena's farewell greeting should be coming to a close but then she dropped a big bomb as her expression turned coquettish before explicitly looking at Joel.
"Another reason as to why Ena has come here is to announce my engagement with Joel here."
They all showed a various expression but the best still goes to Joel who had dropped his chopsticks and was breaking out into cold sweat on the spot.
"C-could you please repeat that? I could have sworn that you said we were engaged"
"You did not hear wrong my dearly betrothed. I had asked the History Compilation Committee to send a letter to your family head asking for this arrangement, I was quite shock when an agreement to the engagement arrived the next day."
"But what about Godou nii-sama? I thought you wanted to join his harem?"
"Ena had changed her mind on it but I will still be helping Yuri get the affections of the King from the sidelines! Besides, you saved Ena and made me fall in love with you, so shouldn't you take responsibility?"
"I-I see..." When presented with logic that can never be argued with how was one supposed to win?
This had the Head of the Kranjcar family painted all over it. Having an arranged marriage to connect the Bronze-Black Cross with the History Compilation Committee would increase the number of connections to Godou. Since Joel is keeping his identity as a Campione a secret from the rest of the world, he would not be able to reject the marriage as the Family Head has already accepted it, to do otherwise would be equivalent to treason. That is of course unless Joel reveals to the world that he was the Eighth Campione so either way the Bronze-Black Cross would get an increase in connections to a God Slayer, thus raising their status as a magic cabal and allowing them to reap the benefits.
Unfortunately for Joel, he liked his current lifestyle and was not quite ready to reveal to the world that he was a Campione just yet. With Hecate appearing once again and the implication that was brought about, Joel still needed to low profile.
The Head of the Kranjcar family was taking a gamble with this and he was most certainly hoping that Joel would come out and tell the world of his secret since having a Campione as an official member was so much better than having just vague obscure links.
"With that said, please take care of me in future as well my betrothed."
"O-of course…."
Joel Kranjcar
Age: 16
Current marital status: Engaged
BWAHAHA! How many of you saw that coming?
Another major change to Cannon in Magic in Life, all that is left to do is to observe the butterfly effect
BWAHAHA!
Do tell me what you think about the chapter, it helps with improvement