Calm Eggplant Enjoying A Simple Life (Campione - Mash Kyrielight SI Chapter 6)

"So, you'll be leaving today, huh?" Shizuka Kusanagi asked me, as we sat at Kusanagi home dinner table.

For the last few days, I've been staying at the Kusanagi residence at old man Ichirou's insistence, saying my traveling all the way here was his fault for not clarifying things with Lucertia, but I really didn't see it as a problem, since I got to travel, and barring the death match with a god, it was a pretty fun trip. (Although admittedly I did like the fight too.)

In that time I got to know Ichirou's granddaughter Shizuka and she was just precious.

Old man Ichirou had a small smile, while looking at me, since he knew the guilt trip was coming.

"Sorry, Shizuka-chan, but I can't leave my grandma alone for too long." I said, and old man Ichirou bit back a laugh. "Plus the people at the travel agency will get angsty if I extend my stay for too long. They take their job very serious after all." I shared a look with Ichirou and we both softly snorted a bit.

The History Compilation Committee (HCC for short) were pretty nervous having me around. I was a Campione born in their land, that's not Japanese and have no loyalty to them or their country.

"I still can't believe you call her 'Grandma'." Ichirou chuckled.

"She secretly likes it." I smirked back.

"Are you sure that's not just what you believe?" He said back, as we both chuckled at imagining Lucertia's pouty face.

The three of us talked about some random topic, till it was finally time for me to leave to catch my plane.

Although I didn't actually really need to 'catch' it as it was a private plane provided by the HCC.

"It's a shame you couldn't stay at least a few more days. My big brother is coming home today, you would have met him." Shizuka whined as I was at the door. "He need a good role model like Mash-onee-chan."

"Hehe, thanks, Shizuka, although I don't really think I count as a good role model. I don't even plan on going to college." I said as I gave Shizuka a goodbye hug.

Another reason why the HCC very formally, and very politely, begged me to change my flight plans to leave today was because they didn't want the two new Campiones clash, especially since I was staying at the Japanese Campione's house.

"Wait, what!?" Shizuka said horrified outrage, as she was too surprised to react while hugged. Only after I left and walked-no I didn't speed walk, those are lies-did she snap out of her stupor to shout after me. "Onee-chan, wait, explain! T-Those are the actions of a delinquent! Your future is important!"

I just laughed and waved at her. She pouted at me as the-thankfully not limo-drove out of the house's garage lane.

"Mariya-san! Please talk to her! Be sure to set her straight!" Shizuka shouted at my helper or liaison from the HCC rising with me, not that the girl knew that, only that Yuri Mariya had volunteered for some afterschool activity to guide me around during my stay.

"Um, please don't be offended by her words, Lady Kyrielight." Yuri quickly said once the car had left the Kusanagi house.

"She's a kid, Ms. Yuri, and she means well, why would I be offended?" I smiled back trying to ease the teenage hime-miko's worries.

The HCC had send their hime-miko to chaperone me around during my stay. Not sure why. Is it because we're close in age? I mean, there's a world of difference between 16 and 20.

Is it to show they mean no harm and act submissive to me, like a wolf showing their belly? By having one of their more important assets around, they're saying how much they don't want to upset me?

After all, Mikos or Shrine Maidens, are descendants of Divine Ancestors that are born inheriting a lot of spiritual powers. And a Hime-Miko, a Princess Shrine Maiden are mikos with the strongest abilities in magical society, be it Spirit Vision, the ability to gain knowledge from the Netherworld, Spirit Sensing to well, sense things beyond one's natural senses, a form of clairvoyance. And many other abilities like the ability to purify, cancel or negate magical abilities or powers, and even outright see the future.

Yet, I don't need her for any of this, it's not like I plan on taking her with me when I leave.

"R-Right, of course, Lady Kyrielight." Yuri quickly apologized.

"Mashu~." I said in a half bored, half playful tone. "If you insist on the formality, then at least stop with the family name, you make me feel old, and not in the fun way." I then went and poked her cheek. The way she squeaked was hilariously adorable.

"R-Right, M-Ma, I mean Lady Mashu." Yuri looked down blushing.

Honestly her reactions are amusing.

I then looked around at the scenery while driving, before noticing the driver looking back at us in relief and approval. He quickly focused back on the road once he noticed me looking at him.

...Wait. Do... Do they think I'm into girls and they're appeasing me by throwing a teenager at me?

Why would they think that!? Why not throw some handsome clumsy earnest guy?

Where the fuck did this confusion come from?

My mind went to when I rejected Surya's courting, and extrapolated from there.

...Fuck. Some idiot must have heard that and came to the wrong conclusion, or went wild with their imagination on girls love.

I quietly facepalmed.

"Fucking repressed Japan and their media." I said under my breath, making Yuri looked at me questioningly. "Nothing, nothing. Just...remembering some shows I asked my grams to record for me before I left." I made up an excuse.

"Oh! What type of shows do you like Lady Mash?" Yuri asked, sounding somewhat interested.

Huh, that topic peaked her interest?

"A lot of stuff, but off the top of my head, Power Rangers comes to mind, so Mecha and Sentai. I like mystery detective stories too, but as long as it's not in a modern setting. Or if it's in a modern setting, then some supernatural element should be present. I really like Shonen anime too, but it really depends on the world building, then the main characters." Some of Mash's preferences may have mixed with mine, but it was more like, I got a new perspective and appreciation for what she liked while still liking what I like.

"Ah, I see! But aren't some of those, things only boys like?"

"Boys, girls, who cares. If it's cool, it's cool. And if it's cool, it's universal."

Yuri relaxed a bit at the topic, as she started talking now engaged with me a bit.

My first private airplane experience really made me realize the unfairness of the world.

Yes, I know that's chuuni as fuck, but still.

I mean, I knew there's a lot of advantages, privileges and luxuries that are denied to the average person. But there's a difference between knowing, and knowing knowing. You know.

First, the plane was waiting for me, not the other way around.

Second, I didn't check in, needed to show papers, or even go through the main entrance like everybody else, but through a private gate that the HCC car drove through.

There was no waiting, no lines, just go up to the plane, my bags already there. Other than the HCC employees, I had the plane to myself.

I had said goodbye to Yuri, and Touma Amakusa, the other HCC guy that came with us. As promised they gave me a Masamune katana, as a gift for gracing their land with my presence and vanquishing the Heretic God Surya. I.E. a bribe so I'd leave quickly and for not making their lives miserable.

And who said good things don't happen to nice people?

Either way, I went onto the plane, and left in almost no time, and now I just had to wait.

"I hoped your stay in Japan was satisfying, Lady Mash, and thank you for heeding this lowly organization's plea." Said Kaede Nanami, a senior member of the HCC traveling with me in this flight.

Kaede was mainly like a secretary, just hanging around me till I got to Italy, then the local Mage Association there would take over. If I recall there were multiple one in Italy, mainly seven prestigious mage associations.

...I really hope those idiots doesn't start fighting with each other, because if I see a magic brawl in the airport when I get there, I'm kicking everyone's ass.

"Seriously, it's fine." I answered the HCC member. "I guess now that I'm a Campione, I'll have to deal with the politics of the magical societies even if I didn't want to, so I better get used to it and adapt."

"That's a wise and mature attitude to have, Lady Mash." Kaede bowed her head lightly.

"Hmm." I nodded, as there wasn't much else to say. It was obvious that Kaede was just saying whatever she thinks I want to hear to appease me. If she's that's determined to be a kiss-ass and not relax around me, then the best strategy was not to engage.

The trip went on in semi-comfortable silence with the occasional small talk.

There were a pretty decent selection of movies, given it was 2008 now. I didn't watch any American movies as I've already seen stuff from that time. Japan, Korea and other countries had some pretty entertaining stuff though. It's like discovering a whole new catalogue of movies.

I felt a slight chill.

"Hey, can someone close my AC? Why is it on so cold?" I mean, we're going on spring now, so it shouldn't feel that hot. If anything, we were going from cold to hot.

Kaede looked confused. "The air conditioner isn't on, my lady. But I'll go tell the staff to turn it off."

I felt the hair at the back of my neck stand. There was a the faintest hint of magical energy, and it was rapidly growing.

I didn't stop to think if I was wrong, or if I will look silly.

I dashed out of my seat, my Servant armor coming on, scooped up Kaede and the two other stewardess on the plane, and slammed open the captains' cabin door.

"Lord Camelot!"

An instant later the airplane was ripped through, like Swiss cheese, by a sudden hail of icicles.

The phantasmal castle crash landed on the earth, yet thanks to it's power, the people under my protection where unharmed.

"Thank you for saving us, Lady Campione!" One of the captains exhaled in relief.

"Lady Mash, this magical energy-" Said one of the HCC member, that acted a stewardess.

"I know." I said as this massive magical energy, this divine energy, was now familiar to me. A Heretic God.

There were able to hide themselves up to the moment they struck. So they were either a god that had 'Hunting' as part of their domain, or they had a legend of being some ambush predator as part of their legend.

The area around us looked like it could have been a rural town, or maybe a city. I couldn't tell as it was now a winter wonderland.

Colossal magical energy gathered in front of our group, as the god was going to show itself.

"Go," I told the HCC members. "Hide, recover, find help, help those you can if you can. Go!"

At my urgent command they bolted. Thankfully my Noble Phantasm shielded them from the explosion and fall, but I don't know if I missed anything. At the very least seeing all the HCC member bolt at full speed, reassured me they didn't take any serious damage.

"Filthy usurper!" A sharp tone that sounded like it wasn't meant to be used for harsh words spoke at me. I looked at the Heretic God, and saw woman really going for the ice queen look. She narrowed her eyes at me. "You are a usurper, correct? You feel like a Devil King, but its much weaker than those others."

"Well excuse me that Surya was a petty fuck, that gave me his weakest Authority set to the lowest setting." No, I wasn't annoyed at the reminder of what my Authority was, when I finally got to use it.

Seriously, Surya, what happened to all that bro talk before you left?

Although admittedly, it feels like a lot of the Authority's power is behind a wall. Like I'm not using it's full potential yet.

Maybe I'll grow into it.

"A callous barbaric vernacular like the rest of your kind." The goddess beautiful face was marred by a frown, as she shook her head. "No matter, this merciful Skadi will leave you with your pitiful life, Campione, but in return summon him here."

And she went and identified herself for me. Thank godly pride for easy victories. Also, huh?

"...Summon...who?" I said slowly. "Just please, clarify so we're on the same page."

"The Steel God."

"The what?"

An ice arrow came at me, which I easily blocked with my shield. The arrow shattered on my cross shield, the goddess frowning more in displeasure at that. She looked like she was going to attack again, before collecting herself.

"Do not play me for a fool, monster. The one who lent you his power, so you may defeat the Sun God. That God of Steel, bring him here now!" Skadi demanded.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

And like that negotiation broke, as rains of ice arrows began to fire at me. I started running, dodging and blocking her attack, while thinking up spells.

"Lies! I've been told from a reliable source that your powers came from a Steel God! One who is strong, handsome and s-single!" Skadi paused in her assault. "He is single, right? And h-handsome! I was told he was young. N-Not too young of course, I'm not some degenerate, I mean he doesn't look like an old man, right? But a man in his prime, right!?"

I actually paused at the question, looking at the goddess in surprise and disbelief as she seemed to try and hide her desperation.

"...Miss Goddess, I don't know what to tell you, but I'm not a dating service that can summoned male gods to lonely goddess, like some divine desperate housewives tv show!" I cried out at this absurdity.

Why did I suddenly feel Galahad trying to lower his presence in my power?

Inner Mash was look at this romcom death match hijinks situation in concern.

The Snow Goddess's expression turned vicious.

"Then I will slay you, Devil King, and force the Steel God to come confront me himself!"