Disclaimer: Campione! was written by Taketsuki Jou, I get nothing out of writing this fanfic save personal satisfaction (and possibly reviews).

Author's Notes: Apologies for taking so long to update, my muse had left me and I had a hard time getting her back.

This was last Updated/Corrected Dec 25, 2012.

- - - 7th - - -

Pet na Campione-sama!

- - - 7th - - -

Chapter Five: Erica: "A Campione"

- - - 7th - - -

It only took two hours for Godou's body to completely recover from all the injuries he had sustained. Looking at his face now, there was not a single trace that he had even been in a fight. I was sure that no normal person would believe, that just hours ago, he had his body cooked from the inside out. Nor would they believe that his left arm had been an indistinguishable mess of flesh and bone after being smashed beyond recognition by a god's kick.

His clothes and belongings were a different story though. While using the grimoire on Verethragna's flaming spear had, just barely, saved him from being roasted alive, it did not leave him completely unscathed from the heat and fire. Also, other than the somewhat destroyed clothes that he had been wearing, most of the possessions in his back pack were now indistinguishable from ashes and dust.

Among the lost things, according to Lily, was Godou's passport, wallet, identification documents, and his clothes. Fortunately I had commited Signora Lucretia's address into memory.

Most of the things Godou should need to return to Japan can be provided for him, with the right connections (like my uncle or Lily's grandfather), or Godou could simply use his status as a Campione if we take him to the right people.

Lily had rushed to purchase some clothes for him, just so we wouldn't be too suspicious when we entered this a road side inn (we changed his clothes together... a rather strange experience). I had wanted to book us a room at a finer hotel, but Lily refuted my decision by saying we would catch too much attention (and she was probably right). So instead we had decided to settle for this humble establishment that had been lucky to escape the wrath of Verethragna's wind form.

The inn's owner and wife, who were the only people running the simple bed and breakfast, had wondered what two Italian beauties were doing with an unconscious and unconscious Asian foreigner. But with the magic of suggestion, Lily had easily made them believe that he was of someone of noble lineage (which was more or less true now anyway), she would probably erase or suppress their memories later if needed.

In any case, we had nothing to do... no wait, Lily had been busy cooking for Godou since we got back, so only I had nothing to do while Godou slept.

I had decided against bothering Lily. It seemed that, other than preparing for Godou's needs, she had wanted time to think. I couldn't blame her. Had things happened the way it normally should, then Godou would not be in bed sleeping peacefully, and Lily would be not be cooking a feast right now.

I had decided against calling Arianna. In fact, I had turned off my phone. I would hate to make her worry, but calling her would involve her in Godou's possible next fight. And I had a feeling that it would be best to keep any knowledge of Godou from any magic association for the time being (even from the Copper Black Cross).

There were also some unknown variables. When Lily and I first met the King of Swords, Lord Salvatore, he seemed to have been suffering from amnesia. Would Godou have the same problem? Also Godou used to be a normal civilian, would he be able to accept becoming a Devil King? Can he already use the authority he had usurped from Verethragna; like Lord Salvatore did even without his memories?

But there was little use in worrying about those things, as they can be answered in due time. Right now, as before, he's making Erica Blandelli wait for him to wake up. But I've learned my lesson the first time and kept myself calm. I would not want him to accidentally activate an authority just to defend himself on instinct (from an empty threat no less). And he also deserved some rest after such an experience.

For the time being, I found myself revising my opinion of him. I didn't have much of one before. He was just a mentally unique individual with an abnormal appetite and food obsession. Then he became someone whom held untapped fighting potential. But Verethragna had made it clear, that underneath his seemingly uninterested facade Godou was a natural born warrior.

Ah! Just remembering the fierce look on Godou's face, as he fought Verethragna, sends shivers though my body and makes my heart beat harder and faster with excitement. Is this love? Have I, Erica Blandelli, finally found a man worthy of me? I'm quite not sure. Unlike Lily, I haven't focused much attention into dreaming of my future love life.

Speaking of Lily, I wouldn't have thought that she would be attracted to someone like Godou. Most of the male leads in her stories were strong, forceful, and domineering men that led and pulled the female protagonist without listening her complaints. I had thought that Lily actually wants a strong man to lead her, regardless of how. But... as a witch, Lily might have intuitively known what kind of a person Godou was. As a knight, she naturally sensed his hidden charisma and wished to serve him. And as a woman, his usual helplessness aroused her motherly instinct and made her want to care for him.

You're a dangerous man, Kusanagi Godou. Not just Lily's, but aiming for my heart as well. And you've never said anything remotely romantic to either of us.

- - - 7th - - -

It wasn't until after the sun had started to set that Godou roused from his long sleep. Lily, who had completed most of the preparations for Godou's feast, was in the room with me.

"Kusanagi Godou! How do you feel? Does anything hurt?" Lily rapidly asked as she tried not to cry.

Godou sat up from the bed and inspected himself. His eyes paid extra attention to his left arm. He closed and opened his hand, tested all the joints, before returning his attention to Lily.

"Sorry... for worrying you, Liliana."

Lily blushed before smiling at the mention of her name. "It's alright! Oh! Are you hungry?"

He nodded sharply. "...very."

"I'll have them ready very soon." Lily said as she stood up, then exited the room. Before she did, our eyes met, and I could almost tell that she had wanted to say something... but didn't and left us alone.

After I was sure that Lily was out of ear shot, I turned my attention on Godou.

"Godou, do you know what happened to you?"

To my surprise, he nodded. It's a good thing that he didn't suffer amnesia like Lord Salvatore.

"Could you tell me?"

He nodded dully. "I died... then I was revived."

It took all my self-control to keep me from slapping myself.

"That's the simplest version of the story, yes. But what else do you know?"

"God-slayer."

His response almost seemed like good news, but...

"Oh! You know about it?" I asked with some expectations, however to my surprise (and disappointment), he shook his head. It seems like someone or something had given him a very basic crash course. Giving him the terms but not the details... how irresponsible.

"Then I'll try to explain so that you'd understand, will you listen?"

Godou nodded.

"When you killed Verethragna, you activated an ancient curse left by Epimetheus and Pandora. The curse has one major effect, to transfer the god's power into human that god's slayer. In this case, Verethragna's powers became yours."

I took the moment to pause and let my words sink. I watched as he looked at his left arm again and quickly guessed the question in his mind.

"There are quite a few beneficial abilities you get aside from Verethragna's powers. Among them is that monst-superhuman like regeneration ability."

"I see." He turned in attention back to me.

Despite his face being so unexpressive, having his eyes focus on me felt a little weird. But I tried to ignore it and continued my explanation.

"You also now possess magic energy and magic resistance close to the level of gods, the ability to easily learn any language you please, enhanced spiritual senses, and of course the power to take the authorities of any god you defeat. Do you understand?"

Godou nodded.

"Do you have any questions?"

Godou shook his head. He seemed to be taking things very well.

"Do you think you can use the power you've taken from Verethragna?"

Godou blinked, curiously at first, but closed his eyes. He kept silent for a while and I decided not to disturb him.

Five minutes passed when...

'Grrrrrrrrroooowwwwlllll.'

His stomach loudly very growled.

Godou opened his eyes.

"Starving..."

I bit back a sigh. This guy really knows how to break my pace. In a some ways he was already acting like a demon king would.

- - - 7th - - -

Lily returned soon after Godou's stomach had started complaining, and called us (actually just Godou) downstairs to eat.

Before us was a large feast enough for a party of thirty people. On the table was roasted pork and barbecued chicken, sausages cooked in a variety of ways, rabbit stew, a large stack of prosciutto, fried fish, steamed prawns and lobsters, sliced bread topped with fresh mozzarella, blocks of different cheeses, freshly baked bread, a pot of mushroom soup, salad, a bowl of chilled fruits, bottles of sparkling juices, fresh juices and wine.

To be honest, I had initially thought that Lily had over done it at first. Even though our encounter with Lord Salvatore after his rebirth as a Campione told us that he might require a lot of food to be at full strength, this much seemed like overkill.

But I was wrong...

Godou looked at the food with a hit of wonder in his eyes. I saw his lip curl into a (very) small smile as he sat down, started serving himself, and feasted with gusto. He started with the soup and breads, then the salads and seafood, by the time he started picking on the meat dishes, he looked like he wasn't going to stop until he was done. I could only hope that he would not need to eat this much for every meal.

An hour passed, Lily and I were long done with our share of dinner, but Godou was only half way done with the mass of the food. Still, he showed no signs of stopping or slowing down. Lily had opted to help by slicing some of the food for him to keep herself busy and I delegated myself to refilling his glasses (one for water, one for juice, and one for wine).

Still it was rather boring to wait for him to finish, so I decided to talk to Lily (in Italian) to discuss our plans. "Lily, if Godou feels up to it, we should head straight for Signora Lucretia's home tomorrow."

"Should we not prepare for a confrontation with Melqart?"

"I thought that would be the best option as well. But right now we don't know if Godou can use the Authority he usurped from Verethragna or if it's even an authority he can fight the divine king with."

"Then shouldn't helping him awaken and understand his Authority, be our priority?"

"I doubt that it'll be a long trip. For now it would be best if we complete his errand prior to fighting Melqart. If all goes well, he might be able to leave the country before Lord Salvatore returns."

"So in the end, that's the biggest problem."

"I believe so."

It's good that Lily understood why we should get Godou's business out of the way. While Melqart was a problem and a threat, we were confident that Italy's Campione could handle him it Godou couldn't. However, Lord Salvatore is known to have started fights with most of the other Campiones. He has fought with China's Campione, Cult Leader Luo Hao. He had stolen a Heretic God that the Devil of Balkan, Sasha Dejanstahl Voban, had summoned and afterwards fought the senior Campione. He has searched for Madam Aisha's hiding place and had also tried to track down and fight the Black Prince, Alexander Gascoigne (whose rumored to be avoiding him). There are rumors that his current expedition is in search of a Heretic God that he could drag into Los Angeles, which John Pluto Smith lords and protects, cause enough trouble so that the masked Campione would show himself, and duel him. If Lord Salvatore learns of Kusanagi Godou's rebirth as a Campione, he would surely rush to find Godou just to start a fight.

So we should quickly get Godou's errand done, gather intelligence on Melqart, awaken Godou's authority, have Godou slay Melqart and get Godou out of the country as soon as possible. For his own sake and Italy's.

"Hey... Liliana, Erica"

We turned to Godou and noticed that he stopped eating. Is he finally full?

"My clothes are different..."

I didn't know whether I should be surprised or just frustrated... He only noticed that now?! Or was most of his brain off when it's not about food or fighting?

- - - 7th - - -

Godou completely finished the feast after another hour. While some part of me was convinced that he would eventually finish eating it all, I couldn't quite accept that so much food could fit in a stomach that should be only slightly larger than mine. And watching him devour an almost whole Tiramisu cake Lily bought for dessert certainly didn't help.

"Thank you, Liliana... It was delicious."

I wasn't surprised when Lily blushed, although it seems that she was.

"It was nothing. I'm sorry they were mostly simple dishes, there wasn't enough time, but I had a feeling you needed quantity over quality."

Godou shook his head, looked at Lily straight in the eyes and said, "It was delicious."

"Thank you..." Lily's blushed deepened as she accepted Godou's praises. And suddenly for a short instant I saw no trace of the Great Knight Liliana Kranjcar, just a blushing maiden named Liliana.

Now that was a surprise!

It was just a simple gesture, but Godou had shown a quality of gentleman. He didn't show it in his face or voice and still it had something to do with food, so I'll have to hold back thirty points for now. But I'll have to give him five extra points for being able to tell that Lily was the one who cooked and prepared everything for him.

"Erica,"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you, for refilling my drinks."

Did my heart just skip a beat?

"Oh!- You're quite welcome."

I'm probably imagining it! But I'll give him an extra three points for expressing his gratitude to me.

Godou then stood up and went back upstairs.

I considered following him and continuing our conversation earlier, but... looking at my dazed friend and rival, I could not resist teasing her first.

"Hmmm... It's rather hot in here isn't it, Lily?"

Lily suddenly jumped from her seat. "Ah! Erica!?"

"Oh? Did you go off into your own world for a moment and forgot I was here?" I said as I stared at her with a smile.

"Shut up!" Her face lit up in embarrassment and panic.

"I'm just trying to be helpful here. I'll get you some paper and pen so you can write a new story. And you can leave Godou to me for the night."

"Don't talk about that here!" She suddenly looked like she was realized something and calmed herself. "Ahem... Anyway, I can take care of him myself. Not that there's anything left for you to do anyway."

"I don't know about that."

Just then, with our magically enhanced hearing, we could hear the sound of the shower running.

"I believe that is the signal for one of us to prepare form him a towel and a fresh set of clothes."

"..." Lily blushed harder.

"..."

"I-it can't be helped. I'll..."

I decided to interrupt her. "Well since I've seen naked him twice already, another time or few shouldn't make a difference." I stood and started heading for the room, all the while keeping an eye at my fuming friend.

But before I left the dining room,

"Shall I share the memory of him naked with you later?"

I asked and quickly ducked out of room before I got hit with a slightly soiled table napkin.

- - - 7th - - -

Although I didn't really intend to actually take up the task of preparing Godou's clothes, the job fell on me since Lily didn't try any harder to stop me. So I can only blame myself for going too far. But still there was still much I had to explain to him, so this might be convenient.

I retrieved one of the inn's towels and picked a comfortable looking set clothes, from the small pile that Lily had purchased for him. They should have been brand-new, unwashed and probably unpleasant to wear, but it seems that Lily had already washed them earlier and probably dried them with magic.

'Really that girl...'

I'm starting to wonder if having Godou avoid a conflict with Lord Salvatore was the right thing to do now. As the resident of Italy, when Salvatore Doni became a Campione, he by default became the lord of all Italian Magic Associations. And as members of such Magic Associations, both of us were under his rule. So aiding another Campione, could be seen as treasonous act if or once Godou's ascent to the rank of King is revealed. And although Lord Salvatore doesn't seem like the type to would care about it our actions, our respective Orders surely were.

Our only means of evading that is to show that Kusanagi Godou is a Campione on par with Salvatore Doni (or more powerful), or if the two Campione could become allies. Although I was doubtful that the later was possible between devil kings, the former seemed promising (Godou defeated the god of victory after all). Even if Lord Salvatore had four authorities and Godou had one, in the end, the fighting potential between Campiones on paper and speculation was meaningless. As existences that had managed to slay a god, they are monsters that cannot be underestimated. Lily and I have seen proof of it firsthand.

Hearing the water from the bathroom shower stop, I shook myself out of my thoughts and moved closer to the bathroom door with the towel stretched out in front of me. It was just high enough to block my view of everything between his chest and his knees.

When the door opened and Godou's dripping wet face came into view. I handed him the towel and told him to dry himself.

He nodded and raised the towel over his head to dry his hair. Fortunately I expected that and turned away. While seeing him naked once or twice most certainly didn't make any difference anymore, staring at him while he was naked on purpose was a completely different story.

"Be sure to dry yourself well. While your body now possesses godlike resistance against magic, there are rumors that Campiones can still get sick."

"Campione?"

"Oh! right... God-slayers are also known as a Campione or a Devil King(I used 'Maou' the Japanese term for it)."

"Maou(Devil King)..." he echoed.

"Let's see... as a Campione, you now possess power that only on par with gods like Verethragna, who you killed, and other Campiones. As a being that possess that kind of power, you are naturally someone on top of the order of things. If it's your wish to accumulate riches, you only need to wield your authority to take it or order magicians. If you want-"

"Liliana to cook again?"

"uh... of course she'll comply."

"Hmm... Erica to cook?

"If it's your wish, I will do it. But I've never cooked in my life, so you'll be risking your taste buds."

I felt that Godou was disappointed... but I decided not to ask why.

"Hmm... food trip?"

Is eating really the only thing on his mind? Lord Salvatore was like this soon after his rebirth, and there are rumors that he tends to eat more after using a authority or after a fight with a god. So perhaps this food addiction was now also a part of a campione's survival instinct? "We'll be heading to Lucretia Zola's home tomorrow. We'll eat when we get there."

"Alright." I could have sworn I heard a hint of disappointment in Godou's unemotional voice.

I was going to file the thought away, but I noticed that he thrown down the now wet towel. I tried not to look and passed him the clothes.

"Here put your clothes on."

"These aren't mine..."

"Lily bought them for you."

"Liliana?"

"That's right."

To my surprise, Godou had obediently to put on the clothes right after a shower. It was completely unlike two days ago, when Arianna had to nearly beg him into at least putting on his underwear. And all it took was mentioning Lily.

Did he like her? Well... Lily is more attentive to his needs so... (I'm not jealous!)

As I pondered why he seemed more obedient towards Lily. He had slipped through my notice and had hopped back into the bed.

I turned and called to him so that I could explain a Campione's Authorities. Only to find that he had fallen asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

I could not hold back the exasperated sigh the came out of my lips. "Really... this guy just keeps breaking my pace."

I pulled the blanket over him, closed the lights and left the room.

- - - 7th - - -

The next day, Lily reported that Godou only ate enough for food for breakfast to feed five people. Which was a relief, considering the amount of money Lily and I had all together was probably only enough to feed Godou like last night for two days. I had withdrawn a lot of money from the bank yesterday to prevent us from the being tracked. I had asked Lily to do the same, because they might check her bank accounts as well once Arianna informs the Order that we didn't contact her. Still I hope that his appetite would return to his 'normal' levels soon.

Soon after I had my breakfast, we left the inn and took a cab that was willing to take us to Oliena. It would only be a two to three hours trip by either train or car. But the aftermath of Verethragna's rampage to incite Godou to fight seems to have left substantial damage to the rail road; which made the faster option unavailable.

I sat on the passenger side, while Godou and Lily sat in the back of the cab.

It was mostly an uneventful ride. Save for Godou almost appearing a little upset (or hungry). My guess was that he had expected a leisurely travel pace that would allow him to eat here and there as we took in the sights of Sardinia on the way to Oliena. But whatever it was that lowered his mood, he seemed to have decided to keep to himself.

- - - 7th - - -

Oliena was a small town in the provincial capital of Nuoro. The cab ride from Cagliari took a little over two hours (surprisingly).

Instead of directing the cab driver to head for Lucretia Zola's home, I instead asked him to take us somewhere we could eat. The driver seemed almost curious as to why we wanted to eat so early, but knew that it wasn't any of his business.

- - - 7th - - -

The cab driver left us in a street full of restaurants, bakeries and cafes. Godou wasted no time leading us into a pizzeria and had Lily order for him, but I noticed that Godou tried to read the menu with his eyes for the first time. The campione's version of 'Mille Lingua' seems to have started helping him grasp the Italian language.

Lily had ordered three servings of Calzone (which I then paid for), two of which were for Godou and the last one was for the two of us to share. Almost immediately, Godou's mood seems to have gotten better right after his first whiff of the folded pizza. Lily too seemed a bit happier compared to last night.

I have some doubts that she's fallen in love with him, but at the very least, like myself, she's interested in him in some way. But she was probably fighting herself inside. Lily sees herself as knight first, a witch second and a woman only in the confines of her room. As a knight, her loyalties should be with Bronze Black Cross and to its lord, Salvatore Doni. As a witch, she had a responsibilities to maintain. Which left little time for her to be a woman.

I quietly watched as Lily wiped off some sauce that had become slathered all over his mouth as she ate his Calzone.

Yet Godou was definitely bringing out (without any conscious effort on his part) the woman in her.

After that snack we hailed another cab and headed for Lucretia Zola's home.

- - - 7th - - -

Lucretia Zola's residence was very much like I expected it to be. A large and elegant mansion at the far reaches of a middle of nowhere town. The mansion seemed to be at least a century old, there were signs that it had been restored at some point and later affixed with modern luxuries. There were no other houses around it, only vacant lots, and its own garden was full of weeds.

There were traces of a boundary field set to ward off people and animals, but it seems that it had been currently disabled (Lucretia Zola must have been waiting for Godou).

Lily and I were fascinated, and a little on guard. It wasn't unheard of for witches and magicians, who live and work in solitude, to booby trap their homes. And while, there were very few bad rumors about Lucretia Zola, it would be wise to still move with some degree of caution.

But just as I was thinking that...

Godou walked straight up to the gate and rang the doorbell.

I silently sighed with relief; glad that he had not triggered anything dangerous.

Lily too was tense for a moment. We really can't let our guard down, or rather we must try to anticipate Godou's actions, for all our sakes.

A minute after the first bell the mansion's gates opened automatically. Must have been magic- No, scratch that- I soon discovered that the gates did in fact have an automatic system installed, allowing it to be opened or closed remotely from inside the house.

Once the three of us were inside, the gates closed and the front door opened. And like the gates, the door too was affixed with an automatic system.

"This probably means 'please enter'."

Lily looked like she had wanted to make a comment, but held her tongue. Godou just entered, seemingly without a care.

- - - 7th - - -

Once the three of us were inside the door had slowly shut itself.

Inside we had found a black cat waiting for us at the entrance. I had no doubts that it was a familiar.

The cat walked up the stairs. It stopped only once to wave and meowed at us as if urging us to follow it.

Godou didn't seem surprised; or if he was, he definitely wasn't showing it.

We were led to what appeared to be the mansion's master bedroom. The cat headed straight for the basket in the corner and laid down, yawning in as if bored or... exhausted?

There was a strong aroma of herbs in the air. Chamomile, Hops, Lavender and Klamath weed. All relaxing herbs to aid sleep. Was the great witch Sardinia having trouble sleeping or did she simply enjoy them?

The room was very disorganized (reminds me of my room), and reclining on the bed was a beautiful woman who looked like she was in her mid or late twenties.

"Welcome to my home! My old friend's relative, Kusanagi Godou... did I pronounce that right?" The woman said in perfect Japansese.

Godou nodded.

The woman smiled in a way that would have charmed or intimated males of Godou's age. But Godou simply stared at her straight, completely unaffected by her beauty or her state of half undress. Although there was a very small change in his expression. Surprise? Curiosity?

"Ichirou has written a lot about you, but to truly not be entranced by my beauty is quite disappointing. Ah! But don't worry, it's not like I had not dressed like this on purpose to see your reaction. Something troublesome had happened lately, so I've been unable to get out of bed. If I were not expecting you, I would be sleeping right now."

I felt that this conversation was going nowhere and decided to interrupt.

"Signora, I'm sorry for interrupting. But I'd like to confirm if you are Lucretia Zola?"

"Oh it's fine even if you call me by name. It wouldn't be appropriate to treat a young beauty like me as an old lady, right?"

A small part of me really wanted to give snidely polite remark, but I somehow managed to keep the words from coming out of lips.

"I was only expecting this young man and a fan of my books, but it seems that there are three of you now."

Lily visibly stiffened, so that's how Lily and Karen got talked their way into escorting him.

"Pardon me for suddenly appearing unannounced. I am Erica Blandelli, the Great Knight of the Copper Black Cross."

"Sir Paolo's niece, eh," Lucretia playfully tapped her lip with her finger as she thought to herself. Then turning to Lily, "S o you must be the fan?"

Lily blushed and bowed in apology, "My apologies for a tardy introduction, I am Liliana Kranjcar, the Great Knight of the Bronze Black Cross. I would also like to apologize for exaggerating my fondness of your works."

Lucretia turned to me and very audibly whispered, "Is she always this serious?"

I think we'll get along fabulously after all. "Quite."

Lucretia giggled after Lily let out a strange strangled cry after I had answered the question. "I see, Two Great knights in my home. This is rather unexpected."

"Here..." Godou said as he fished out the grimoire he had been carrying in the new back pack that Liliana purchased for him. He then set the magical artifact down on the bed in front of Lucretia.

"Oh! This sure brings back a lot of memori- Hmmm?"

"Is something wrong?" Lily was immediately worried when Lucretia suddenly cut herself in midsentence.

"Not quite, but the authority that I had sealed is gone."

Authority? Could she be referring to Verethragna's? No- that didn't seem likely.

"Godou-kun, are you hungry?"

It didn't surprise me that Godou nodded (even though we just ate).

"Your grandfather has mentioned that you have quite an appetite. I've prepared a variety of Italian snacks in preparation of your arrival, please eat and drink anything you like in my kitchen and pantry, while we ladies talk."

The black cat that sprang up from its bed and headed to the door. It called to Godou, leading him out of the room to his new destination like it did earlier.

When Godou exited the room, the door magically closed and I sensed that Lucretia had activated a magical barrier to block sound from entering or exiting the room.

"Now then, I'd like to confirm something... is Kusanagi Godou a Campione?"

"That's right." I quickly answered.

"Erica!" I didn't blame Lily for being surprised, or yelling at me. We had a agreed to keep his existence a secret and yet I reveal it the first chance I get.

But I just smiled at her. "It's fine, Lily."

"Oh my! Are the two of you already his retainers?"

"Ah! N-n... no." Lily went from angry, to surprised, to depressed in seconds.

... Even I didn't feel like teasing her when she's like this.

Lucretia just looked at Lily as if she's completely understood what Lily was going through. Then she turned to me and asked, "Would you kindly tell me what happened?"

"Of course."

Lily might not have agreed, but Lucretia's knowledge and experience would surely be useful. Any help or information that she might be able to provide us, would definitely be invaluable. In addition, it seems that she's a friend of Godou's grandfather. I'm hoping that connection is enough for her to help Godou.

- - - 7th - - -

For the next quarter hour, I told Lucretia the series of events that led to Godou's rebirth as a Campione as far as I knew it. I tried to keep the story as simple as possible for now, leaving out bits of what Verethragna has said about Godou and traces of Athena. Lily would occasionally nod to confirm my story. I ended the story at last night's feast and our decision to come here to deliver the tablet.

"I see... It seems that I'm partially responsible for his rebirth." Lucretia said as she looked at the tablet with a hint of mischief. "But still... for Godou to defeat a god with the god's own authorities was quite reckless. But I suppose that's why he's now a Campione." Lucretia smiled, clearly pleased.

"That's quite true, although he doesn't look like the type."

"Oh?" Lucretia seemed surprised.

"All he's done since he arrived in Italy was make trouble for Lily and me. Eating so much. And moving only at his own pace." I tried not to sound exasperated, but I didn't quite succeed.

"That's not quite the way I see him though..." Lucretia's words and knowing smile surprised me. What else could he be like? "But I suppose, I've barely talked to him and what I know about him is from the eyes of his grandfather."

For a moment, Lucretia turned her eyes towards Lily, who was trying to make herself sink into the chaise longue near the room's east window. I felt that she has formed a similar conclusion about Lily.

"What had you two planned to do after helping Godou deliver this item to me?"

"Under better circumstances, I would like to exchange pleasantries, share a pot of tea, exchange stories and gossip with you. But we're racing against a the clock against possibly two enemies."

"Two?"

"Melqart and Salvatore Doni."

"Ah!" Lucretia was surprised, but then laughed as she understood my logic. "While I have no means of helping your possible encounter with Lord Salvatore, I have some firsthand intelligence on Melqart."

"First hand?"

"Yes... well, I was present during his encounter with Verethragna."

"Earlier, you mentioned earlier that 'something troublesome had happened'... were you caught between the fight?"

Lucretia nodded. "I had to use magic beyond my limits and I now find myself completely exhausted. It would probably take me three months to fully recover. No major spells in the mean time. Even just moving my body is rather troublesome." Although she clearly said it was troublesome, her tone of voice was rather leisurely.

"I was relieved when my friend informed me that his grandson had somehow picked up a local to accompany and escort him here, as I would not be able to entertain him in my current state." Lucretia and I glanced over to Lily.

"What?" Lily suddenly looked defensive, but directed the question at me to avoid being rude to Lucretia.

"Nothing..."

I turned back to Lucretia. "With your magic drained, I suppose asking for instruction is too much to ask."

"No, I can do that much. But the information would probably be useless to that young man anyway, with their magic resistance you wouldn't be able to transfer knowledge in the same way as we've gotten used to."

I could see a hint of mischief in her eyes.

"I see..."

It was too bad that even if we had the information, we couldn't quite give it to Godou. That magical resistance of his had great pros and some cons. But I've been privy to the secret of getting passed a Campione's magical resistance.

The Blandelli descended from a King's bloodline, we've always enjoyed a somewhat royal treatment from other mage assossiations. That had been the case until Marquis Voban and Lord Salvatore became Campiones.

Still... Lucretia was right, the information was more or less useless if we can't give it Godou. Godou wasn't the type that would listen long to a conversation long enough, I doubt that he'd even listen to a brief overview lecture on Melqart. That method was probably the only way... but I'm not quite willing to do it.

"Wait! ... in the same way... Do you mean that there is a way to successfully cast magic against a Campione?" Lily asked.

Lucretia smiled. It seems that Lily's has asked the right question as Lucretia now didn't try to keep the mischief from showing on her face. "Do you want to know?"

"Yes!" Lily honestly answered. Of course she would. Such a knowledge could only be advantageous.

"Very well. As you know, a Campione's magical resistance is at a level that rivals that of gods. Human Magic is nothing to them, experienced Campiones are even rumored to be able of reducing the effects of a god's Authority against them. However, a Campione isn't as resistant to magic cast inside their bodies."

Lily, it seems, had not grasped exactly what Lucretia was trying to say. "How could we possibly cast a spell inside their bodies? If anything below the level of divine authority would be dispelled?"

Lucretia's eyes met mine. I could already tell that she fully intended to reveal the loophole of a Campione's magical resistance, but it seemed that she was also giving me the chance to reveal it myself.

I gave her a wry smile and gestured for her to go on.

Lucretia turned back to Lily. "First, I must make something clear. While it is possible to cast magic into a Campione and their internal magic resistance is lower, they are still quite capable of neutralizing the effects of unwanted spells and potions. For the sake of comparison, let's imagine that Lord Salvatore accidentally ingested a regular dose of sleeping potion. It would probably calm or make him feel sleepy, but it wouldn't really affect him unless he wishes it to affect him. If we spike his drink or food with a potent sleeping potion, his instincts would probably alert him not to eat or drink anymore of it. And because he stops eating, he would not get the full dose and the rest of the potion would be useless."

"So for one to make a Campione drink a potion, the Campione must be willing or the potion must be so potent that it would be too late even if the Campione detects it?" Lily asked.

Lucretia nodded. "Something along those lines, yes."

"Then isn't it pointless to cast a spell in them if they're capable of resisting it!" Lily was starting to sound frustrated.

"That's the thing! Campiones can choose to resist the effects or accept them."

"They can so such a thing?!"

"That's right. If they are willing or if the magic or potion is so powerful it will work. And that brings us to the method of casting a spell on a Campione."

Lily was on the edge of the seat in anticipation.

Lucretia paused for a while only to blurt out one word after a moment of silence.

"Kissing!"

Lily was stunned stuttering.

"Ki-ki-ki..."

"Kissing! But a normal kiss wouldn't do! It has to be a deep kiss!" Lucretia followed up on herself.

Lily's face had turned into the color of a tomato. She had probably imagined herself kissing Godou.

I about to join in and start teasing Lily when a flash of lightning caught our attention. It was sudden and I was so engrossed in the conversation that I did not notice that dark clouds had already blocked the sunlight.

Lucretia hurriedly disabled the sound blocking magic barrier, just in time for us to hear a powerful booming voice.

"IS IT THEE, BOY?! ART THOU THE ONE THAT SLAYETH MINE ENEMY?!"

It was obvious to me who this voice belongs to and who he was speaking to.

"Lily!" Lily suddenly raced out of the room; presumably to Godou's side.

"Erica, could you assist me? I would like to hear their conversation with my own ears."

I turned to Lucretia, as much as I had wanted to run after Lily, I couldn't quite turn down the chance to develop amicable relations with the witch of Sardinia. And without her magic, she was safest near either with me or Lily or not at all.

"Of course."

- - - 7th - - -

Chapter Five: End

- - - 7th - - -

Chapter End Notes: I had wanted to make this chapter longer, but the recent updates on Baka-tsuki left me wondering if I should wait for it a little and try to keep things a little more cannon or just go with what I've already planned (what do you guys think?). It bummed me that it took me nearly three weeks to update... and know that the longer I put it off the more likely I felt that I could just drop the whole project. But I realized that love Campione! too much to just drop this story.

If you have time, please drop by my author page and answer my random poll.