Disclaimer: Campione! was written by Taketsuki Jou, I get nothing out of writing this fanfic save personal satisfaction (and possibly reviews).
Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone that reviewed the last chapter! In case anyone was wondering why I was fixated on the dialogue, it's probably because I'm worried that I might have omitted a few lines that indicate who is speaking (whether intentionally or unintentionally) and confuse the reader. I am relieved to hear that it was smooth enough. I was also glad that the "fight" with Salvatore was well received as I wasn't intending for it to be such a success.
I was surprised when someone actually voted, "I'll do it. Pick me!" (not that I can see the names of who voted for which choice, so the joke's on both of us). But it seems that an overwhelming majority believes that I shouldn't get a beta reader (Meh Either way + No! That'll Delay votes), so I guess you guys are stuck with my "will need a little more polishing after posting" new chapters.
Lucretia's chapter was slightly updated to include a small detail about the White Stallion (You don't have to go back for it, as it's more or less addressed in the notes after this insert. But I won't stop you either XD).
I've been drafting this epilogue of sorts before I even wrote chapter nine. I've let it sit for a while (because who knows when I'll have a bad mental block again). I was planning on posting it tomorrow, but what's a day between friends right?... besides the longer it sits in my doc manager - the more I change my mind- the longer I stare at my computer.
This was last Updated/Corrected Feb 23, 2013.
- - - 7th - - -
Pet na Campione-sama!
- - - 7th - - -
Insert After Nine: Erica: "The Seventh God-Slaying Demon King, Kusanagi Godou,"
- - - 7th - - -
Campiones have been known to be different, maybe even eccentric, when compared to most mortals. From even before slaying a Heretic God, they were already a different kind of existence. I, Erica Blandelli, had thought that I had understood what that meant after meeting Lord Salvatore Doni. But I was wrong. Meeting Kusanagi Godou, prior to his rebirth, had made me realize just how different an existence they are.
I had the fortune of meeting with Kusanagi Godou on the twenty second of March. He had come to Italy in the company of my friend and great knight of the Bronze Black Cross, Liliana Kranjar. My first impression of him was a highly odd dysfunctional young man. So imagine my surprise when my friend told me that he seemed to possess an ability that allows him to see Divine Beasts and quite possibly Heretic Gods. And as proof, Dame Kranjcar had listed most of the avatars of Verethragna and the familiars of Beelzebub before even learning of their appearance in Italy.
At the time, I was fascinated by the revelation, and thought that I could use for it in my current mission, but the opposite happened. Instead of using him, Kusanagi Godou had somehow manipulated me into accompanying him and Dame Kranjcar to Sardinia. It grated at me at first, but I thank my fortunes now, because it allowed me to witness the birth of a Campione.
And even more absurd is that I witnessed a Heretical God challenging a human to a duel. Verethranga appeared before us in Sardinia and challenged Kusanagi Godou, who had immediately and rudely refused. It seemed like the obvious course of action for any normal human, it would be common sense even for magicians. Although in hindsight, Kusanagi Godou's refusal seemed almost provocative; but I could just be over thinking it.
When Verethragna decided to attack, Dame Kranjcar and I chose to protect Kusanagi Godou. But we soon found ourselves forcefully dominated by the God's Authority. I resisted longer and harder than my fellow knight. As punishment, Verethragna's authority broke my ankles. This seemed to have enraged Kusanagi Godou, because he used an artifact he was carrying to unleash an attack on the God.
The artifact I mentioned is the Tablet of Prometheus, a powerful grimoire capable of sealing a god's power. He was delivering it to its owner, Lucretia Zola, the famed witch of Sardinia. And prior to Verethragna's sudden appearance, Kusanagi Godou had used the artifact to seal Verethragna's ninth incarnation, the Goat. And this was the sealed authority that Kusanagi Godou used to make his first attack.
At the same time, Verethragna unleashed his own attack using his third incarnation, the White Stallion. But Kusanagi Godou had sealed this power as well and used it against Verethragna once again.
The Heretical God was heavily injured, but not defeated. However, Kusanagi Godou's life was forfeit the moment he used the tablet. And I thought it a miracle that he could even use it a second time. But somehow, Kusanagi Godou manages to stay alive just a little longer. He then reveals that Verethragna had previously left him one of his authorities, which happened to be the Warrior with the Golden Sword.
Kusanagi Godou reveals the sword and makes one last attack. He managed to deal Verethragna a fatal blow before his body and mind succumbed to the use of the three Authorities. Thereby he achieved mutual defeat with Verethragna.
Verethragna had praised Kusanagi Godou with his dying breath, and commanded Liliana Kranjcar and myself to tell the new King that he promises to return to fight him once again.
Kusanagi Godou was completely revived in less than twelve hours. And very much like my report on Lord Salvatore Doni at the time, Kusanagi Godou ate an astounding amount of food to recover and bring himself to full strength. The next day, the three of us continued our journey together and met the witch of Sardinia.
But soon after meeting the famed witch, the god that Verethragna had revived and fought to a draw, the Divine King Melqart, had arrived to fight the newly born God Slayer. Kusanagi Godou had fought him with the skilled used of Verethragna's authority. And with some help from Signora Lucretia, he was able to vanquish the Divine King.
The next day, Kusanagi Godou, along with Liliana and myself, were preparing to head to the air port when we were all summoned, though his authority, by an injured goddess who claimed that she was Athena. She seemed surprised at our arrival. Kusanagi Godou had made it clear, that he responded to her call.
Using the authority usurped from Melqart, Kusanagi Godou had summoned and transformed hundreds of thousands of locusts into a simulacrum of a nine headed dragon. And with all the energy that the swarm had gathered, he fired a large and powerful beam of dark light into the sky and right at the goddess' enemy Perseus.
I had not been able to confirm if Kusanagi Godou had usurped an authority from the serpent slaying hero, as he and Dame Kranjcar had decided to part ways with me in secret.
The Authority that Kusanagi Godou usurped from Verethragna is a bit difficult to explain. We know that most of the time, a Campiones will gain very small fraction of a Heretic God's abilities. And it has been long been concluded that Authorities gained by Campiones seem to be molded to fit their personality or traits. Although there have been cases of Campiones gaining more than one authority, they are riddled with limitations and conditions. However I cannot yet explain why Kusanagi Godou can use most of Verethragna's ten forms interchangeably.
In his battle with Melqart, Kusanagi Godou used the forms of: the Tempest, to transform into the wind and evade the God's attack; The Warrior, to summon a golden sword to deflect a magic attack and later to seal Melqart's powers; The Goat, to catch and return Melqart's Lighting; The Raptor to travel at divine speed, much like the Black Lightning of the Black Prince, to close the distance or to dodge; The Bull, to catch Melqart's attack before it connected and matched Melqart's strength; The Boar, to deal powerful straight attacks that heavily injured Melqart's arm and even destroyed his club; The Camel to heal his maimed arm in seconds. And finally Kusanagi Godou was able to summon the White Stallion as a mount to reach Melqart, when he turned into a Dragon Slaying Giant, and turn the white horse's flames into an attack that consumed Melqart's body with divine flames.
It would seem that Kusanagi Godou gained the use of most, if not all, of Verethragna's forms, but at the moment this is only my speculation.
The Authority that Kusanagi Godou had claimed from Melqart, is just as complex.
He had first demonstrated the ability to summon a swarm of locusts, the embodiment of natural destruction. It seems that he possessed the ability to control the swarm at will. He could command them to gather energy from food and vegetation in the area and fuse them into one body-and onto his own- and transform them into parts of a dragon or even a massive nine headed dragon. Which one might find strange, as Melqart was commonly revered to as a dragon slayer. However, note that Baalzebub, or Beelzebub, who is often mistaken for or fused with Satan, became his degraded form. As such, Satan, who is often viewed as the snake or dragon that tempted Adam and Eve, became part of Baalzebub.
Another of Baalzebub's authorities that Kusanagi Godou had gained was the ability to be summoned one place directly to his summoner. Very much like a demon or angel evocation. The conditions to summon him are unknown to me at the present time; however, Kusanagi Godou seems compelled to answer the summoning.
Kusanagi Godou also has the ability turn his magical power directly into a beam of dark light that will destroy anything in its path. Combined with the ability to transform the swarm into a form that can focus and use all the collected energy, this could potentially be Kusanagi Godou's most destructive authority.
With regards to Kusanagi Godou's character, I had initially found him a harmless young man. He seems very disinterested in just about everything and even has trouble taking care of himself. And upon some observation, this seems to be his nature. However even before his rebirth into a Campione, he was capable of sensing threats to his person. He had even done so even in his sleep. It seems like he could sense and attack someone simply for thinking about harming him, so I would advise caution even with your own thoughts in his presence. Especially since we have no way of knowing how this sense of his will be affected after becoming a Campione.
Kusanagi Godou loves food and eating. And will trick even women of their savings for food if he could. Although he seems to have no preference with regards to what he eats, he is curious and would prefer new dishes over those that are familiar to him.
Socially, Kusanagi Godou seems to be very inept, reserved, unsociable and prone to some behaviors that most people would consider to be shameless.
As a Campione, however, he is clearly a monster. Being able to fight separate three gods in such a short span of time and attain victory with very short battles is no small feat. But do take caution as he is not the type to hold back against those he sees as an enemy, fortunately all of which -to my knowledge thus far- seems to be Heretic Gods.
Although, all things considered, I would suggest building a positive relationship with him... that is, had Italy not already been claimed by Lord Salvatore.
- - - 7th - - -
"Good Work, Dame Blandelli. It is rather unfortunate that the details of your mission had changed, but you have gathered valuable information for us," said my uncle, after reading my report.
"Thank you, Commander-in-chief Blandelli." I gracefully bowed towards my uncle.
"Though, I am a little worried now that you've already had the misfortune of meeting two Campiones at your age."
"It must be in our blood," I joked, to which my uncle slightly groaned.
"Although I get the feeling that you are withholding some information."
"Your intuition is still sharp as always, esteemed uncle," I said with a fond smile.
"And I have a feeling you are not going to tell me any more than that."
I have to hand it to the uncle, even will all the desk work he's still very sharp.
It was true that I had not written everything in my report. I had left out the possible connection between Athena and Godou; and Verethragna's claims that Godou was a "Natural Warrior" and "Athena's Chosen". But I had mostly done so because I had very little information. It was quite possible that I had misheard or misinterpreted something, and I would not want to be responsible for any chaos such an information might ensue.
His ability to manufacture an Elixir was also something I had deemed too dangerous to be placed on paper, as I've no doubt that many will try to gain Godou's favor as to be granted the miracle potion. Although I doubt that it would stay a secret for long, as Godou would create it for a simple reason like a return a gift. But for now, it seemed like a good idea. Especially since this report is likely to somehow reach Witenagemot, Princess Alice and eventually the Black Prince. I see it as a service not to add another Campione in the troubles of England's Magic World.
I had also left out the side effects of his authorities. For now, again, mostly because I am unsure if these weaknesses will persist in the future uses of his authorities. But I had also decided that if the world was destined to find out... they will not do so from me.
There was also the fact that Perseus was a Fake God. This was because I have not had the chance to meet with Signora Lucretia and obtain the specifics on such a being. And it's always a good idea to keep a facade of knowing at lot, but never too much. One never knows when tidbits of information can become a trump card or a death sentence.
And the last thing I've kept off record was the good aspects of Godou's personality. I am not sure why I am withholding this information, but my intuition told me to do so and that was generally enough of a reason for me.
"A lady is privy to some secrets." I said as innocently as I could.
My uncle's handsome face twisted slightly in an odd mix of disappointment and amusement. "I suppose... You are at that age now."
"But there is a very recent piece of information, I had managed to acquire, that I'd like to add."
"Oh? This must be something interesting; you have that brilliant sparkle in your eye."
"Indeed." I graced my uncle's compliment with a smile before continuing. "Dame Liliana Kranjcar called me prior to my submission of this report. And she had told me that earlier today; her Lord, Kusanagi Godou and Italy's Campione had a duel of sorts..."
My uncle's handsome features temporarily turned grim, but then softened to a curiosity. "I feel that you are leaving me hanging, Erica."
I giggled. "My apologies. The two Campiones had definitely fought. However their duel did not even last one minute. And the worst damage that their fight caused was a small pot hole in the Napoli Airport."
"...How?" For the first time in a very long while, my uncle looked flabbergasted.
"Apparently, to end the fight quickly and make it in time for their flight to Japan, Kusanagi Godou used Verethragna's, seventh form, the raptor, to grab hold of both of Lord Salvatore wrists before he could draw his sword. Then Kusanagi Godou used the second form, the Bull, granting him enormous strength. With the power of this authority he threw Lord Salvatore high into the sky and towards the Mediterranean Sea. Or if we're a little unlucky... apparently, he might have hit Sardinia."
My uncle was amazed. Not that I blame him, my reaction to the news was quite similar.
"To think a newly born Campione could manage a quick victory against the King of Swords."
"Uncle, you should know better than anyone that to Campiones, experience, skill, knowledge and power are meaningless."
"Of course... they are, after all, the absurd existences that managed to kill a god."
I watched as my uncle's handsome features twist as if he had suddenly tasted something sour. He was probably remembering some of the innumerable deadly battles against the Black Prince; and probably, how the events in the distant past had soured his relationship with Princess Alice, whom he had once respected so much.
"..."
But after a long pause, I decided to voice my concern. "Is something on your mind, uncle?"
"Hmm... You also mentioned that Dame Kranjcar referred to the seventh as her lord, am I correct?"
"Yes, unfortunately it wasn't in my report because I was unsure at the time if she was going to go through with it or not."
"Hmm..." My uncle nodded, but the odd look on his face did not go away.
"Is there anything else?"
"Erica, let me be straight with you. You are extremely precious to me, whether personally or for the organization. I have no wish for you to suffer by the side of those unreasonable monsters. It is enough for me alone to endure that kind of hardship."
"Oh my, you're speaking as if I were about to abandon you." I suppose it was a reasonable worry. As dangerous as Campiones were, favorable connections with them are highly regarded in the magic community. Even I was tempted and curious enough to consider watching Kusanagi Godou's at his side; to find out just what kind of King he would become.
My uncle forced a smile and said, "If I am mistaken, then just treat everything I said as a joke. Nevertheless, I can't help but feel like an anxious father."
Words to reassure him, surprisingly, did not come to me quickly enough.
"Given your intelligence and eloquence, it should be a simple matter for you to understand what I am trying to say."
It should have been. But at the time, my mind was not the least bit confused... I have returned after my mission as promised. And although the details have changed, I have scouted valuable information for the Copper Black Cross.
At this time, I probably would have realized that uncle was asking me to remain loyal to the Order and to its King. But thoughts against that had already been thrown away.
I am Erica Blandelli, Great Knight of the Copper Black Cross. This is who I've strive to become, and who I've decided to remain as. Just because our King was lazy and stupid, doesn't mean I'll follow the first tolerable King I meet.
So instead of becoming aware of the obvious choice, doubt had unknowingly started to seep into the back of my mind. Should I have asked Godou and Lily to stay ? Should I have gone to Japan? Should I have sworn my sword to a foreign King like Lily had done? These were formerly inconceivable notions. And I had previously buried them deep in my mind. So why dig them back up?
I've made my decision. Why regret it now?
"Of course, I completely understand," I said with my best smile.
...
It wasn't until very much later, that I realized that I had just lied to my beloved uncle for the first time.
- - - 7th - - -
A week after handing my report to my uncle, I suddenly found myself playing hostess to a rather important visitor.
It was only one thirty in the afternoon, and I had just finished having my breakfast; when Arianna burst into the room and informed me that Sir Andrea had come to call.
I calmly asked her to offer him some refreshments, while I made myself presentable, and then joined him in rose saloon -a rather red and rosy space where I entertain for people of the magic society- some twenty minutes later.
"Sir Andrea, I hope you'll pardon my lateness in welcoming you to my home. I was not expecting anyone to call on me today."
Sir Andrea, ever the epitome of a gentleman, gracefully bowed as he said, "Of course, Dame Blandelli, if you'll forgive my unannounced visit."
"Of course... Although, I must say that I am surprised that you are here, Sir Andrea. I hope that Lord Salvatore is being looked after properly." I was sure that he understood the true meaning of my words. My worry was not in Lord Salvatore's well being, but of those around him if Sir Andrea was not watching him closely.
Sir Andrea flashed me a slightly amused smile. "You need not worry, Dame Blandelli. My business with you today is with accordance to the will of Lord Salvatore."
"Oh?" I suddenly had a bad feeling about this.
Instead of directly answering my question, he changes the subject. "Are you aware that Lord Salvatore had a brief encounter with the seventh Campione, Kusanagi Godou."
"Yes." I answered honestly. There was no reason to lie; or rather I saw no reason to hide the truth.
Unsurprised, Sir Andrea quickly asked, "What do you know about it?"
"That Lord Salvatore was thrown towards Sardinia in just seconds after they started fighting." I later found out that Lord Salvatore was only ten miles shy of hitting Sardinia. The incident was quickly censored and made to look like a meteorite crash.
Sir Andrea looked almost amused, although I somehow doubt it was my words that he found funny.
"Would you tell me, from whom did you obtain this information?"
"Kusanagi Godou's Knight, Liliana Kranjcar."
"I see..." He nodded contently. "Well, carrying on to business. It seems that our lord has developed an interest in the seventh King."
Not really surprising, although I doubt it was a friendly interest.
"Let me guess, you want me to recount my experiences while I was in Kusanagi Godou's company to Lord Salvatore?" I really would not want to be anywhere near Lord Salvatore. He's too capricious and rude. At least Godou, strange as he is, had the affability to remember the name of a beautiful lady.
"Well..." Sir Andrea cleared his throat. "It might come to that."
"Might?" Why do I feel like I wishing I was in Japan right now?
Sir Andrea reluctantly nodded, "It seems our Lord wishes to fight Kusanagi Godou again. And he believes that if the Seventh Campione shows up in Italy again, it would be around you."
"Oh?" I wondered what prompted such an idea. "What makes you think that?"
"Apparently a rumor surfaced about Kusanagi Godou. It seems that aside from the "Persian Warlord" and the "Demon of Destruction", Kusanagi Godou also possessed a non-combat authority that allows him to give divine power and protection to others."
The "Persian Warlord" and the "Demon of Destruction" were the names given by the Greenwich Assembly to the authorities Godou had usurped from Verethragna and Melqart, respectively.
Did Godou reveal a new form of Verethragna? Or was it possible that he received an authority from the Fake Perseus after all?
"But what does this authority have to do with me?"
Sir Andrea seemed pleased that he knew something I didn't, but tried to hold back his smile. "According to the rumor, Kusanagi Godou himself had stated that currently this authority could only be used on Liliana Kranjcar... and you, Erica Blandelli."
"Me?" Had the circumstances been different, I might have been flattered or annoyed (that I shared that honor with Lily). But right now, I was dreading where this conversation was leading...
- - - 7th - - -
Insert Nine After: End of Volume One
- - - 7th - - -
Chapter End Notes: Recap much? Yeah a bit. Cliffhanger much? Trololz! Anyway I said that have Erica discuss Godou's authorities, and doing it this way just made sense. In case you were wondering about the date in the report, I've decided to use March 22, 2012 (although I did not put the year above for fluidity) as they day Godou arrived in Italy. (Note: I moved the date three days forward, because I realized I was miscounting the number of days Godou had stayed in Italy. I could have moved it backwards, but I stumbled upon a holiday calendar for Japan.)
The cliffhanger was for me to give hints on Erica's next appearance later in the story. (Although, I might regret it later if I get a better idea as I go on with the story.) Anyway this insert marks the end my first Italy arc and Erica will be taking a back seat for now.
Now, I considered not listing down Godou's Authorities because my writing guide says to "Show, don't tell." But I'm sure you guys are dying to know. And this is a fanfic, so I'll compromise with you guys. Just to have a clearer list (than that in Erica's report), I will at least write down the Authorities that Godou has used in the story so far and what the girls -Erica, Liliana, and Lucreta- know or think about them at the present time (so it may or may not be accurate).
- - - 7th - - -
Verethragna's Authority [Persian Warlord] - Allows Godou to interchangeably use the ten different forms of Verethragna, although to what extent is currently unknown. After its use, Kusanagi Godou might experience excruciating muscle pains and temporary paralysis.
The Tempest - Erica believes that this incarnation temporarily transforms Godou's body into the wind itself. As the wind he is intangible, and thus untouchable. It is unknown if this form has any use other than evasion and movement.
The Bull - Liliana has witnessed Godou throw Salvatore Doni a great distance with this authority, even after the latter Campione had activated an authority that not only hardens his body but also increases his mass.
The White Stallion - This incarnation can be summoned by Godou and be used as a mount and a deliverer of a powerful attack. Although normally this incarnation was considered untouchable, because it delivered heavenly punishment in the form of sacred flames; Lucretia believes that Godou is unharmed by sacred flames either because he is its master or that by the power of Verethragna's Authority he and the horse are actually one being.
The Camel - Its full abilities are unknown. Lucretia believes that its primary function is to allow Godou to quickly regenerate even serious injuries even while in combat; so that Godou can always be at top physical condition.
The Boar - Its full abilities are unknown. Lucretia speculates that it grants Godou an ability to deal an explosive physical attack (one strong enough to destroy even a divine weapon). Although its use is a double edge sword, as the force that Godou uses to destroy can also damage him.
The Youth - It allows Godou to impart power and protection on to others (although currently this seems to be limited to Liliana and Erica, for some unknown reason). The power can seemingly be given to others at any time and can either be used immediately or stored in their bodies. It grants them a limited form of a Campione's abnormal resistances, mostly towards magic and poisons. The power can be used to increase the receiver's magical and physical abilities. Liliana has divined that there is at least one more function of this ability, but it currently eludes her.
The Raptor - Its full abilities are unknown. This form grants Godou the ability to move at Divine Speed. Not much is known about this authority, other than it has been used to evade Melqart several times and that Liliana has witnessed Godou use it against Salvatore and succeeded in capturing the senior campione before he could draw his sword. It is unknown if Godou's Divine Speed exceeds Alec's or if Salvatore and Melqart had simply been careless and over confident.
The Goat - Its full abilities are currently unknown. This form grants Godou the ability to control Lightning and use it to attack. Lucretia has also noted that with this authority Godou can steal the lighting controlled by Melqart's magic. It is unknown if this form can steal the power from other Lightning based authorities; as Melqart's attack wasn't an authority, but an event caused by his authority.
The Warrior - This form grants Godou the ability create swords of gold that can cut magic and even deflect lightning. If charged with spell words containing the origins of his enemy or target, the sword can become a weapon that can not only harm a god's body, but also sever their divine authorities and divinity.
- - - 7th - - -
Melqart's Authority [Demon of Destruction] - Allows Godou the use of Baalzebub's demonic powers. Much like Godou's other Authority its full abilities are currently unknown. After its use in combat Godou seems to enter a near death state and is unable to generate body heat, although according to Athena this might be because he foolishly used up every ounce of magic in his body.
Light of Destruction - Allows Godou to turn his magic directly into a beam of destruction that will erase anything in its path.
Swarm of Devastation - Allows Godou to Summon a swarm of Locusts. They are semi-divine - or demonic - beasts that can come forth from the area around Godou. Liliana speculates that the swarm actually came into existence from food exposed to the air, and from still living plants and trees in the area. The swarm can be used to attack as they are, or to fuse into a mass of flesh that Godou can fuse with and transform into parts of a Dragon or a whole Dragon. In this form the transformed flesh acts part of Godou's body and concentrated supply of power to that he can use to fire the Light of Destruction. It is unknown if Godou can use this power to cast other spells or authorities.
A sub function of the swarm is its ability to produce the legendary Elixir; a powerful potion that will restore its drinker to their top possible form, restoring not only health, but also healing injuries and revitalizes one's magic stores. Although the method of production takes far longer compared to when the swarm fuses together into the mass of flesh.
Summoning the Demon - An authority that allows Godou to be transported from wherever he is to the summoner. The authority takes a short time to charge, but can transport him (and those in close proximity to him) to the summoner instantaneously. The conditions are currently unknown, but it is hinted by Athena, the summoner seems to become indebted to Godou. Erica believes that Godou is compelled to answer the summons.
