Campione! Vol 10 Epilogue

Epilogue Part 1 It was after the deadly battle and Lancelot du Lac had pa.s.sed away. On the sh.o.r.e of the conspicuous Floating Island, covered with rocks, Kusanagi G.o.dou and Alexandre Gascoigne stood facing each other. "Looks like the curse was lifted." "Pretty much." Answering Alec's question without paying attention, G.o.dou began to ponder. On this occasion, he had made trouble for this guy. The guy was a rather problematic character, and their temperaments felt strangely incompatible; nevertheless, Kusanagi G.o.dou's behavior was definitely in the wrong... Playing dumb and not apologizing was a possible option. But G.o.dou was not shameless enough to pursue such a course of action. Instead, he apologized properly. "I've really troubled you this time. You told me so clearly to act cautiously and not take rash action, but I added to your woes instead... How should I say it, I'm really sorry." G.o.dou bowed his head deeply. Seeing that, the Black Prince smiled with a toothy sneer. Was he surprised by G.o.dou's honest apology? Prior to smiling, he had shown a perplexed expression. Even though he loved to put on airs, it was very possible that he was quite a shy person underneath. However- "Don't be concerned. As I've said, this is all within expectations. I am not suffering any negative emotions such as anger or the like. But once again, I have confirmed it, you are truly a Campione." His words struck G.o.dou exactly where it hurt. "When encountering other Devil Kings, I have met many similar incidents in the past. I'm used to this kind of trouble, so you have nothing in particular worth apologizing for." "I see. But Gascoigne, I don't consider myself as lacking in common sense as those guys." Deliberately trying to maintain calmness in his voice, G.o.dou spoke up. "Why are you lumping me together indiscriminately with those unruly existences?" "No, after calmly observing, I've discovered reasons to group you in the same category. There's no problem at all. Kusanagi G.o.dou, you should start considering the problem rationally." "Consider rationally... Then you're in the same category too." Replying, G.o.dou somehow felt extremely annoyed by this pretentious man before him. These words brought instant effect. Alec frowned as he tried to suppress his anger. "Wait a minute, I cannot tolerate such a statement. Let me make a correction." "No, Gascoigne. Indeed, other Campiones frequently rampage around without consideration. Unlike them, you plan strategically and set the stage beforehand. To be honest, the style might be different -- but then, there's not much difference in outcome between you and those others who rampage. In any case, you are all enemies of world peace." "Shut up. You're the one who hides behind hypocrisy while causing chaos in the world!" What on earth was this feeling? While he carried out this fruitless conversation with Alec, G.o.dou realized with heartfelt intensity. There was a faint sense that they were poking at each other's vulnerabilities, exposing ugly truths each was unwilling to face. Even though their personalities were completely different, the two of them acted out according to instinct-- Their conversation was terminated by the sudden feeling of ma.s.sive magical power in motion. G.o.dou and Alec cautiously turned to face the same direction. This Floating Island was covered with solid black rocks everywhere they could see. Located in the center of the island was a protrusion of rock like a small hill. That was precisely the direction. "Alexandre, Kusanagi-sama, we have a situation!" Princess Alice was literally flying in the sky. Using the advantage of a spirit body, she hovered lightly in midair. Pointing at the hill of rock, she said: "Guinevere-sama has invoked upon herself a revival spell, and her body has recovered!" The instant he heard the report, Alec transformed into lightning and flew over. G.o.dou on the other hand, was carried by Alice's flight magic. Arriving at the peak of the hill of rock in this manner, they found a decrepit iron sword speckled with rust was being thrust. The sword being thrust towards Alec, was a set of remains known as the Divine Sword of Salvation. A young beauty was wielding the rusted steel. That beautiful face, resembling an antique doll's, was clouded intensely by a dark shadow heralding her death. Even so, or rather, because of this, she was muttering as if in a trance: "O Master -- please watch. Guinevere is about to use the last of her strength. Sir Knight too, has exhausted his duties as a [Heretic G.o.d], perishing upon the battlefield. We have exhausted all ammunition, our weapons broken. Hence, we are left with no recourse other than Your Highness' mercy!" Naturally, this was Guinevere. Dead once already, turned into sandy debris, she had apparently used magic to revive herself. But now, her p.u.b.escent body was crumbling into sand, like the final moments before a sand sculpture's collapse. "I beseech you, please descend before Guinevere. Before my life ends, I beg you. At least, even if it is only seeing your divine visage, or hearing your voice, it would be fine -- !" Using the decrepit sword for support, the Divine Ancestor prayed. All this time, the sand grains continued to collapse. Guinevere gradually dimmed and lost color, turning transparent. Immediately after that, she disappeared. Even revival magic, which had the power to extend a dying patient's life, could only sustain the spellcaster's life for a very limited period of time. Thus, Alec, Alice and G.o.dou, the three of them gazed at the Divine Ancestor's pa.s.sing. Guinevere desired neither revenge nor battle, but instead wanted to spend her final moments speaking to the "King of the End" she had sought all this time. Consequently, she did not even give her enemy a single glance. From that sense of despair it was readily apparent she was aware of the futility of her wishful act. Alec's lips moved slightly, but G.o.dou could not catch what he was muttering. Immediately, a strong gust of sea breeze blew. Completely collapsed into grains of sand, Guinevere's body was scattered across the sky and the sea as it rode the wind. Retrieving the decrepit divine sword, Alec walked down the hill of rock. G.o.dou tried to ask him what he was muttering about. "Nothing much. 'Even if you embrace that thing and cry, all will be in vain so you might as well save the effort' -- was what I was thinking, but I didn't say it aloud." "Alexandre, I never knew you could actually show some tact on occasion." Offering praise in response to Alec's confession was Alice who had known him for so long. "How touching! You're always saying insensitive things to hurt girls' feelings. Now that was acting like a gentleman for once!" "Please refrain from making comments that make me sound like a person with sensitivity problems." Alec responded to the Princess' praise with a face of suffering. "But isn't it so mean to say all will be in vain? Even Divine Ancestors have feelings. Perhaps the crying pleas of a past companion might actually summon sympathies?" G.o.dou tried to defend Guinevere. Just very slightly, but G.o.dou felt sympathetic to Guinevere. It was true that she was a dangerous witch but she did have her own tragic wish, sacrificing everything she had for the sake of the master she had loved since her previous incarnation. It should not be wrong to view things this way. "Perhaps. If the King of the End' also recognizes Guinevere as his own companion." "What?" "While immersed in researching the connections between King Arthur and the Holy Grail, I discovered a number of trails left behind by the 'King of the End.' I began to wonder, why would those Divine Ancestors fail to find them? That said, I do consider myself more skilled in unraveling mysteries than Guinevere." Alec shrugged at this point. "Nevertheless, the Divine Ancestors have immense amounts of time and magic on their side, as well as knowledge beyond humans. Which is why they should logically have an edge. However, in the search for the King of the End,' they have lagged behind us humans instead. The Witch of Sardinia, Lucretia Zola, also discerned that the King of the End' transcended oriental-occidental continental boundaries... Or rather, it would be better to say that he is closer to an oriental G.o.d, and Lucretia has already grasped clues to a certain extent." Hearing a familiar name in this unexpected context, G.o.dou was surprised. "There's also this hypothesis. The King of the End' does not actually wish to be revived. It's as if he was sleeping somewhere and deliberately ignoring the Divine Ancestors' search, preventing them from obtaining clues." "Plausible indeed." Alice murmured, half-convinced. G.o.dou thought the same. A [Heretic G.o.d] who did not wish to be revived? "In fact, the reason why I brought the remains of the divine sword to j.a.pan here, was based on considerations of that possibility. Even if the location was correct, if the one she sought didn't wish to be found, Guinevere was still doomed to failure." "Location was correct? What do you mean?" G.o.dou questioned Alec's offhand comment. This caused Alec, who was walking in front, to turn his head back and answer in a matter-of-fact tone of voice: "Regardless, the location where the King of the End' sleeps definitely gives rise to legends about warriors and divine swords. Even though this Floating Island is a trap, it is impossible to believe the legends are false. Because they are born due to the 'King of the End.' In that case, one would naturally think there was an authentic Floating Island somewhere in Tokyo Bay." Engaged in these conversations, the two Devil Kings and the Princess reached the foot of the hill of rock. Receiving them were Kusanagi G.o.dou's companions. "From your appearance, looks like you haven't been injured much, G.o.dou." "Safety is more important than anything." Erica's cheerful words came first while Yuri smiled as she supported herself on Erica's shoulder. "What's wrong, Mariya? Did you actually get hurt somewhere?" "No, just a little tired. Please do not be worried." The Hime-Miko's face continued to smile as she spoke. G.o.dou felt concerned because she could not stand up by herself. G.o.dou gave Erica a quick glance. The blonde girl seemed to saying "She really is okay" as she laughed to herself. Looks like Mariya really was fine and not trying to act brave. As G.o.dou felt rea.s.sured, Liliana gave him a subtle smile. "Congratulations, Kusanagi G.o.dou. You have finally realized your long time wish." G.o.dou was bewildered at the congratulations. Then the silver-haired knight said: "Have you not noticed? Even though you messed up in all sorts of ways, no part of j.a.pan was destroyed this time." "...Ah yeah, now that you mentioned it!" G.o.dou got it. He had always wished to cause as little trouble to the world as possible. When fighting G.o.ds and Campiones, the surroundings always suffered tragic destruction and even severe incidents of widespread petrification on occasion. Perhaps they were so fortunate this time because the battlefield was in the center of Tokyo Bay. What a cause for celebration -- just as G.o.dou was about to leap with joy, he felt like he had forgotten something. "What's the matter, Kusanagi-sama?" "Ah, nothing really. It just feels like I forgot something..." Just as G.o.dou replied to Alice's puzzlement. A flash of yellow light approached, flying across the sky. It must be flight magic. Clearly a witch other than Alice and Liliana. Could it be a Divine Ancestor? As G.o.dou signaled through his eyes, Erica and Liliana nodded in response. The yellow light landed before the knights on alert. Appearing before them was a gla.s.ses-wearing oriental girl. Even though her face was cute, she gave off a rather unfashionable impression. "Alec, what on earth could you be thinking to use that kind of monster...?" The girl's first words interrogated the Black Prince with nagging tones. Apparently she was Alec's friend. "What's the matter, Cecilia?" "Stop playing dumb. It happened almost ten minutes ago. I, along with Daoist priests in Chinatown, sensed an object with great magical power moving underwater near this island. After investigating using the technique of ghost sight, we discovered a ma.s.sive gigantic boar monster. Its entire body is wrapped in black steel..." G.o.dou was shocked by Cecilia's report. "Even though the boar's body is covered with wounds, it continues to swim in the sea. Furthermore, it is advancing towards Yokohama and looking very excited. At the current rate, it will land at Yokohama in twenty minutes or so to destroy the city. What is going on...?" "What makes you think it is my doing?" "No one but you can command that kind of monster. It is a simple fact." "Stop with the nonsense. Besides me, there is another person here who is a candidate as the monster's owner. And in this particular instance, he is not simply the candidate but the actual proper owner." Alec protested and turned his sardonic gaze towards G.o.dou. Actually, other than Cecilia, everyone's gazes had turned to G.o.dou. Erica went "Well, what an oversight" and shrugged her shoulders. Yuri was saying "W-What should we do!?" in shock. As for Liliana, she went "As expected, you really are quite difficult to manage" and closed her eyes. "Well, true to form as always, Kusanagi-sama. The future sure feels exciting!" For some reason, Alice was the only one who offered praise as if expressing approval. "Let me guess, something happened in the following manner?" Erica began to deduce with an air of superiority. "Even though you needed the [Boar] in the duel against Sir Lancelot, there are no ma.s.sive objects nearby you could target. So G.o.dou began thinking about things on the sh.o.r.e, to use as a target for destruction in order to summon the [Boar]. Then the charge began on a trajectory in a collision course with Sir Lancelot..." "Well, I was thinking that guy would not have much strength left to go anywhere after a direct confrontation against Lancelot..." G.o.dou's face began to twitch. The [Boar] and the divine sword's partnership turned out to be unexpectedly solid. "S-So G.o.dou-san, where is the target!?" "Yokohama... Bay Bridge, because I heard Gascoigne had gone to the Chinatown over there, I couldn't help but think of that place..." "Wait a minute, don't blame things on me just like that!" "A-Anyway, we must contact the Committee's Sayanomiya Kaoru as quickly as possible to warn them. A-At least there are cellphone antennas here... d.a.m.n it, no good. It is not connecting!" G.o.dou replied to Yuri's question, Alec grumbled while Liliana frantically tried to make a call from this remote island far out at sea. The third witch, Cecilia, muttered "Please seal off the Bay Bridge" as she departed using flight magic. "Results show that people do not change their ways so easily. As long as G.o.dou is involved, extraordinary things will happen." Erica exclaimed emphatically, unsympathetic to the surrounding commotion. Furthermore, there was still another person who did things as she pleased. Princess Alice. "By the way, it is rare that Alexandre's aura of misfortune did not activate this time." "What aura of misfortune?" "Whenever he eagerly makes his plans, he easily stumbles over obstacles due to disputes with women. Unable to understand women's emotions, obsessions, unconditional love or anything of that sort, he is left with no choice but to improvise and adjust his plans. But this time, it did not happen... Somehow, it feels less amusing." Black Prince Alec clicked his tongue in response to Erica and Alice's exchange, while G.o.dou did not care. In any case, the adventure involving Divine Ancestor Guinevere and the war G.o.d Lancelot had finally reached a conclusion. Part 2 'Queen Oto Tachibana-Hime, jumped into the sea with sword embosomed. Sea currents carried her sword to a landless location, whence a floating island subsequently appeared.' Even though the Heavenly Reverse Halberd was a red herring, if this legend turned out to be true- This vague thought crossed the mind of Guinevere's dying consciousness. Her body had already turned into sand and collapsed, carried by the wind and scattered over Tokyo Bay. Life had reached its end, slipping away, in preparation for the next rebirth. However, some time still remained. As Guinevere drifted over land she had vague thoughts about matters related to the "King of the End." Having been through this generation and the previous, both incarnations had sought the master but had yet to succeed. To one's surprise, a tragic end? Just as her heart was filled with lamentation, spirit vision arrived. Due to being in a near death state, spirit senses had probably attained maximum clarity. I see it. The master is sleeping at a place with neither land nor sea. Indeed the location could be seen. "Alas... It turns out to be there! O Master, king who manifests at the end of eras! The one called Artos and predecessor of Arthur!" Guinevere's cries should have been transmitted by now. Transmitted to the true Floating Island, the location of the hero she had been seeking all along. Mother earth G.o.ddesses who had their lives extracted by his alter ego the divine sword, were transformed into Divine Ancestors. In other words, Guinevere and the rest of the Divine Ancestors were his "sisters" or "daughters" in days past. Surely, their intimate bond will carry these cries over to him. Nevertheless, there was no response. Ignored -- a new sense of despair eroded Guinevere's heart. However, this despair turned into a dark impulse, giving the dying Witch Queen final strength. Even though ignored, even though unwanted. The master must be awakened no matter what! "Alter ego of my mother, the Holy Grail and the sacred fountain of life. I entrust everything to you from here on. Awaken the sleeping master, for you must make him descend and appear once more!" The Divine Ancestor was about to die, and would one day be reborn. However, the next rebirth required centuries. Guinevere's next life was far away in the future. But in her stead ~ she entrusted her overflowing feelings of longing to the Magic Holy Grail, instructing it through prayers to lay low in her stronghold of Brittany. Fortunately, the vessel was still filled with the G.o.ddess' essence it had absorbed not too long ago. If several centuries were to pa.s.s, the essence would probably metamorphose into a new Divine Ancestor and undergo rebirth. However, there were already seven G.o.d-slayers in this world. In order to defeat them and revive the apathetic master for another coming, a Divine Ancestor's power was far too inadequate. "Hence, O Holy Grail, everything is entrusted to you... Ah yes, you shall become the new queen." Guinevere used her last remnants of magical power to perform a summoning spell. This manifested a circular disc, made of an alloy of gold and iron. Patterns reminiscent of [Swords] were carved on its surface, numbering two... No, three now. As soon as it was summoned, the count had incremented. "Sir Knight... Lancelot du Lac's steel is now stored here. That's right, instead of becoming Kusanagi-sama's authority, be the arrow for the returning 'King of the End'... Please go forth." Hearing Guinevere's command, the circular disc flew towards the ends of the sky. Thus a conclusion was reached. The Witch Queen's consciousness gradually rarefied and disappeared. "O Master... O King of the End... Guinevere and Your Highness--" Her final words were interrupted before she could finish. Soon after Guinevere vanished. In her stronghold, a forest in Brittany, two objects appeared. One was a disc of gold and iron. The other was a golden urn -- the vessel known as the Holy Grail. This was the lakeside where the forest's owner and her guardian knight had conversed in the past. More time pa.s.sed after the two divine artifacts manifested. Slowly, the Holy Grail transformed. What had been an urn made of gold till now, was gradually undergoing change, acquiring supple flesh like a human's, taking on human form. "Yes, to rouse the lethargic hero who sleepeth yonder... That is one's mission indeed--" Viewed as a human, she appeared to be twelve or thirteen years of age, like a p.u.b.escent girl. Her short hair was silver as if infused with moonlight. Her pupils were pitch black like condensed darkness. The exquisite beauty of her face seemed child-like yet sacred, and furthermore, emanated a queen's solemnity. Her entire naked body was filled with power no human girl could ever possess. "Even though one hath been tasked with this mission, how should one proceed? Other than that man, within this G.o.ddess' heart -- there also seemeth to be a different man, one whom this G.o.ddess must defeat." Slightly distorting her lips, she bore a smile. Just by closing her eyes, she could picture the face of the mortal enemy carved clearly beneath her eyelids. The black-haired youth with black irises. But surely, he was no ordinary man. He should possess the ability to make her blood boil with excitement. Without any grounds, the G.o.ddess firmly believed this fact. "No matter. One still needeth repose for now. In the near future, this G.o.ddess shall begin her journey, to exhibit the queen's valor and ferocity to heaven and earth. Now let this newborn body rest fitfully..." The young girl, born from the grail, murmured as she sank into the lake. In order to cleanse her body and frolic in the lake water- Meanwhile, back to Bousou again. In the sky far above the ocean which had twice become the stage for intense battles. Even higher than the clouds. Further than the atmosphere. The celestial realm -- or rather, it is a place humans would call a satellite orbit. A little island lay there floating. From the perspective of the ground surface, it appeared motionless all year round ~ what is known as a geostationary orbit. Humans were unaware of its existence. Even if they knew, they would simply dismiss it as floating matter in a satellite orbit. In the center of this cramped plot of land, an iron sword was embedded. A mighty sword whose blade measured roughly 100cm in length. The heavy double-edged blade was rather thick, resembling a woodcutter's chopper in structure. However, it was now worn out and corroded, only covered by rust. Divine Sword of Salvation- The personal sword of the Devil King-exterminating hero, the strongest [Steel]. Afterword The Campione series has finally reached the milestone of a double-digit volume count. In the supplementary booklet "SDMP" that is bundled with the October issue of Jump Square sold on September 3, there is even a preview of the upcoming manga adaptation. These are all thanks to the loving support of the readers. For this I express my deepest grat.i.tude to all readers. Furthermore, this volume has taken the challenge of a cherished NETA in the industry. The one who inspired me was Rodotosu(P K h7v)-sensei, thank you very much (laugh). Everyone who is going "What?" because they started reading from the afterword, please continue reading from the start. So, this time our protagonist and that certain problematic character have finally appeared on stage together. If one were to write about their similarities from an author's standpoint, ignoring protests from the perspectives of the characters in question, the ridiculousness of their personalities and behavior should be even clearer to understand. After all, since each of the two firmly believes he (and only he) is serious and proper, so naturally those kinds of ridiculous descriptions became fewer... If the page limit allowed it, I would also like to ask that person about the keyword "Arthur" appearing in this volume and the previous. "The legends of King Arthur's origins used Celtic myths as an entry point. But that is just a perspective that disproportionately magnifies one tiny facet of the truth. If that man's prototype is to be demystified, one must transcend the limitations of the hero Arthur, and turn one's attention towards history... Or rather, the formation process of legends or 'pseudohistory.'" This is just an opening line of sorts, with much more rambling to follow (wry laugh). If one day a foreign drama t.i.tled "Alec's Adventure Series IV Chapter 12, The Mystery of Fake King Arthur" is realized, perhaps everyone can listen to his brilliant opinions. When that time comes, all sorts of "Da Vinci Code" conspiracies related to the twelfth century English royal family and French n.o.bles, and even the troubadours of the Knights Templar will be disclosed. Finally, the next volume's story should be t.i.tled something like "The Story Continued" or "Second Tale." If possible, let us meet again in Volume 1 1 .