Shiniki No Campiones Volume 2 Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - The Shadow of the Wolves 1

「Ca.s.sandra! Why are you at this kind of place!?」

「Actually before our parting, I learned that Ren-sama will depart to a new journey so……I went ahead to here!」

「Eeh!?」

Ca.s.sandra revealed the surprising trick of her being here. She smiled broadly.

「Fortunately, there is this kind of tool in the palace's treasury.」

The royal family of Troia had ama.s.sed vast fortune.

The item that the princess revealed was a green feather. The feather looked like it was plucked from a bird the size of chicken──Ca.s.sandra said this.

「Hermes who created and gave this item is the protector G.o.d of traveler, thief, and magician. By praying to this feather, it will be possible to fly to the country that the user imagined in their mind once a month!」

「So it's an everywhere door, limited function edition……」

Riona praised with a deep feeling.

「If Princess Ca.s.sandra who possess the spiritual power of foresight use it, she will be able to easily move to the mythological world that Rokuharsan should be going to next. As expected from the famous Troia's royal family that is wealthy even in Greek mythology, they were keeping an outrageous treasure.」

「But, why do you purposefully come to Midgard?」

「The opponent that Ren-sama and Rionsama are chasing to this land is the G.o.dslaying wolf. Even just from the glimpses that I saw in my foresight──his mightiness is just too tremendous. That's why, thinking of what can I do in order to repay the favor to the two of you who saved our Troia, I immediately departed to this place!」

Ren and Riona looked at each other's face.

It seemed she had foresighted until their confrontation against the G.o.dslayer who introduced himself as marquis. As expected Ca.s.sandra's spiritual power was tremendous. Ren smiled at the guide of his journey.

「If that's the case, isn't it fine to have her to help us out?」

「Well, if she can only travel to another world once per month, it seems to be difficult even if we ask her to return right away……. But」

Riona stared at Ca.s.sandra's outfit and said.

「Princess. What's with that outfit?」

「It's good that you ask! I received it from the valkyries whom I got acquainted with just now. They were concerned with my garment that was a bit too thin for this weather.」

The war maidens that numbered around ten.

They had matching appearance of feathered helmet, armor, and a mantel.

Ca.s.sandra who was dressed like them twirled on the spot happily to show her appearance. Unlike the valkyries who were carrying a spear, the princess of Troia was carrying a long bow and a quiver.

Speaking of it, Ca.s.sandra was an expert of bow.

「Oo. Princess of foreign country, it seems that you're able to safely meet with the people you sought.」

One valkyrie talked.

「How great. Then, let us part from each other here. We have to return to our work.」

「Thank you very much, everyone!」

「Ah. Can I ask something? If it's possible, can everyone remain here to protect Midgard?」

Ren smoothly interrupted the cheerful parting of the valkyries and Troia's princess.

Riona immediately matched him and smiled at the Norse's celestial maidens.

「Also, if possible can everyone also inform the attack of the giants to the other G.o.ds other than Thor-sama? If we can ask them to strengthen the defense here……」

The request came from people of the surface world with strange appearance.

But that was not the reason why the valkyries who were a a gathering of peerless beauty shook their head easily.

「I'm sorry, but we can't do that.」

「Brave warriors are dying here and there just now. We have to quickly go to welcome their soul.」

「If the giants are wandering around for a bit more, the number of people who died in battle should increase further.」

「How wonderful-! Valhalla will become even more lively!」

「The brave warriors who died will someday fight for father Odin's sake when the 《time of the end》 arrive. Selecting who is worthy from those who died in battle as many as possible and welcome them into the manor of Valhalla──. That is the duty of us Valkyrie. We cannot postpone it no matter how slight.」

「Then Princess Ca.s.sandra and both of you foreigners, adieu!」

The war maidens spoke one after another and then they mounted their flying horse.

They just flew away readily like that. The flying horse that Ca.s.sandra was using also followed the valkyries.

Ren grumbled.

「If they're like that, it'll be no good even if we use Stella's power.」

「It's valkyrie's job to gather the heroes who died in battlefield, so right now must be the "peak season" for them……」

「They're like death G.o.d if hearing only that.」

「That's pretty close to the mark. In the first place the world of Norse mythology is a 『country of carnage』 after all.」

Riona suddenly raised the tone of her voice.

「The men are a gathering of strong, burly, and rowdy people! The women are beautiful and graceful, and on top of that they're also strong as expected! Because they were born as man they absolutely want to become berserker! Those who treasure their life and act cowardly in battlefield has no qualification to live tomorrow! ……Well, that's their world view.」

「My! So that is the national character of this place!?」

「Yes. The Greek people who threatened Troia were also really rough-mannered but, the Norse mythology might be surpa.s.sing even them.」

Riona nodded at Ca.s.sandra who was dumbfounded.

「Anyway right now the priority is to repair the crumbling spots of Midgard's wall in great haste. Also, we have to determine the cause of the wall's damage as fast as possible──」

「I know if it's about that.」

「Eh?」

This time it was Riona who was dumbfounded. Ca.s.sandra solemnly talked.

「I saw it from the power that the radiant Apollo bestowed me. Two giant wolves are fiercely fighting. The great wall is getting destroyed here and there during it──that's the sight that I saw. One of the wolves is the G.o.dslayer, a demon king who has usurped G.o.d's authority like Ren-sama……」

「So you even know that marquis is a werewolf……」

「Ca.s.sandra is really amazing. You've learned so much like that.」

Riona and Ren was similarly made to ooh and aah in admiration to her precognition ability.

Originally, people would be distrusting when Princess Ca.s.sandra talked about the future.

That was the curse of sun G.o.d Apollo. However this time it was something that "had already happened". Ren and Riona were easily being greatly impressed by the prophet's oracle.

「And then princess, what is the other wolf?」

「A son of a giant, the demon wolf who will swallow star, moon, and even the sun. This beast should be released when the twilight of the G.o.ds begin……」

「You mean the ultimate weapon of Norse mythology, Fenrir!」

Riona yelled in astonishment.

「I believe that the wolves might be still fighting even now. Search for their whereabouts.」

White heron shikigamis flew away.

Ren said 「Right, here」 to Riona who gave the order to the shikigamis and held out a cloak.

The thick cloak had a hood attached for when going outside. Ren was already wearing the same thing. It was lined with animal fur, so it felt really warm.

「Just what is this for?」

「I looked at Ca.s.sandra and thought that we will also need this. I asked the people in this city to share some with us. They handed this happily because we are "Thor-sama's comrade". I also got some more things like meal for the time being.」

「Rokuharsan is a smooth talker like usual.」

Thus──

Ren and co headed toward the wall that separated Midgard with the outside country.

The boundary line that separated the dwelling of human and giant. It was a defensive fence made from thick and tall pillars cl.u.s.tered together to form a wall. They were at one of the several destroyed spots.

His traveling company was Riona, Stella, Ca.s.sandra, and then──

「Now then. How are we going to fix this?」

The driver who brought the goat chariot and brought Ren's group until here said.

The lightning G.o.d Thor frowned.

「As expected even me has no experience of building a mansion or a castle wall or the like.」

「It's fine. I have an idea.」

Riona walked forward and chanted a spell.

「Suzaku, Genbu, Byakko, Koujin, Nanto, Hokuto, Sandai, Gyokujo, Seiryuu……」

Right after that, Thor ooh-ed in admiration.

Amazingly the crumbling wall was automatically starting to be repaired.

The countless pieces falling on the ground were floating. They converged in the air, fastened to each other, becoming a thick and tall stone pillar──

It pierced the ground *ZUN!* as though to fill the damaged spot in the great wall.

And then the mysterious repair was repeated many times.

Riona puffed up her chest that was leaning to the small side and spoke proudly.

「This too is a skill of onmyouji. My shikigamis 《the twelve divine generals》 can do anything if it's manual labor or public works. Whether it's house construction, or repairmen, or road construction, or even building river's bank.」

「So it's Riona's servants that you also called at Troia before. They're really convenient!」

Ren recalled.

The curse of G.o.ddess Athena turned the whole Greece army and Troia city into stone. After the decisive battle, it was the twelve divine generals who carried Greece soldiers who became stone statue.

They were Toba Riona's invisible underlings.

When Ren sharpened his senses, certainly he could sense them. A bunch of spirit body were restlessly moving around using telekinesis or invisible limbs to strenuously repair the wall.

「In game or the like the shikigamis are only getting ordered for battle and nothing else. Originally the work that a shikigami should be told to do the most is public works. This is the convention that originated from Abe no Seimei.」

「You're surprisingly capable, even though you're just a bird girl……」

「As expected from Rionsama! I'm feeling moved!」

Stella who looked somewhat envious at her a.s.sociate's conspicuous service and Ca.s.sandra who was giving a honest praise.

Riona glanced at them before making a guess from the work pace of the twelve divine generals.

「Perhaps, the repair will finish in three hours at this rate. Let's fix the next hole when the repair of this place is finished.」

「Yosh, in that case」

The lightning G.o.d Thor slapped his bulky chest.

「I'll lend you all my chariot. Use it to run along the wall and plug all the bypaths. During that time I'll fly around to everywhere──and thoroughly slaughter all the giants that entered Midgard!」

It was an idea that was really like this warrior with simple thinking.

But with how simple it was, it was also a really effective division of roles.

Thor felt good because no one was objecting. He immediately jumped to the sky. But, Ren quickly said.

「Wait Thor-san. I have one more request other than borrowing the goats and chariot.」

「Yes. It's for the sake of me and this Rokuhara Ren.」

「It will be great if we can receive something useful. I'll be thankful if it's something that can protect Stella if possible.」

Ren matched his breathing with Stella who was on his shoulder and "begged".

They judged that talking in a roundabout way would bring the opposite effect to the impulsive and straightforward lightning G.o.d-sama, so they bluntly requested. In the end the large hearted Thor easily nodded.

「Okay. Then, I will give you this.」

Here Thor used a supernatural power that was befitting a G.o.d and took out three items from empty air. He threw all of them *pon, pon, pon* on the driver seat of the chariot.

Then this time he floated lightly to the air without stopping──.

「All of them are useful things with this lightning G.o.d's stamp of approval. Then farewell!」

Lightning G.o.d Thor flew away to the faraway sky like that.

2

「I've said this too just now but, the world of Norse mythology is a world of carnage.」

Riona talked in front of the wall of Midgard that should be called as a great wall.

She watched over the repair work of her shikigamis twelve divine generals while giving lecture to Ren about this mythological world.

「In the first place the humans living in Sanctuary Midgard are fundamentally Viking──the ocean tribe of North Europe.」

「Viking……they're famous as pirate right?」

Riona explained further to Ren who made a common a.s.sociation.

「Yes. If explained really roughly, Norse mythology is a myth legend that the Vikings pa.s.sed on. But, they were people who excelled in voyage and trade, however they also did agriculture in the land, and they also fished. And, when it became 『It's faster to take away things by force rather than trade!』from them originally sending out ships sometimes, they diligently worked in pirate business.」

「Their change of att.i.tude is really quick huh.」

「That was just how daring and ferocious they were. Their ethics and sense of justice were also really different from us who live in 21st century……. And then in this Midgard, heart that won't be disheartened and fighting spirit that doesn't fear even death are the great justice!」

Riona declared powerfully.

「Just as Rokuharsan has seen too, outside Midgard is a world that is full of enemy like the dangerous giants roaming around! In order to face the powerful enemies, if they're men then muster your bravery! Rather than surrendering to live a long life, die heroically in battlefield and heighten your fame in exchange of your life!」

Riona raised up her fist. Ren's eyes opened wide in front of her.

「Is it no good if they run away?」

「I cannot recommend that at all. In Norse mythology the 『warriors who died at the end of a heroic battle』 will be chosen to be the chief G.o.d Odin's warrior. They will be invited into the manor of Valhalla after death.」

Riona solemnly spoke.

「The dead warriors will be looked after by beautiful valkyries there. It will be a party where they can drink and sing to their heart's content. They will train their fighting skill every day and have practice match with each other over and over. At that time the heroes will taste joy from their heart while cutting down their training partner with their sword.」

「……People who have died already will energetically fight and kill each other again?」

「Yes. When night comes the dead will be resurrected and they will join shoulders with the comrades who killed them in the practice while eating a mountain of meat and drink barrels of alcohol in a large party──. This activity will continue every day.」

「It's a world that make my stomach feel heavy just from listening to that.」

「Exactly.」

Ren and Riona who should be nonstandard as j.a.panese.

The two of them whose respective personality was developed to different direction unusually had the same opinion.

「These dead brave warriors are called Einherjar. Their mission is to fight as Odin's servants when the twilight of the G.o.ds──Ragnarok arrives.」

「I have heard that word too before, Ragnarok.」

「That's because the word is often used to mean the final war or the end of the world. In Norse mythology's Ragnarok, the all out war of the G.o.ds and the giants will happen. In the end this battle will envelope the whole world in flame and burn it to nothing.」

「Will everyone perish or something there just as expected?」

「It won't be a total annihilation but, only an extreme few will survive. And, the one who killed the greatest G.o.d and Norse's chief G.o.d Odin in Ragnarok will be──the demon wolf Fenrir.」

「It's the one Riona said just now!」

「Yes. The legend of 『flying wolf swallowing moon and sun』 is really popular in the cultural sphere of Norse mythology. The strongest cla.s.s of this kind of monster is Fenrir……it won't be an exaggeration to say that. And then」

Riona turned her gaze to Ca.s.sandra who focused on being a listener until now.

「A G.o.dslayer like Rokuharsan is in the middle of facing the demon wolf Fenrir isn't it?」

「Yes. He himself also transformed into a wolf.」

「Why is Voban-san starting this kind of thing?」

「Perhaps it's like the scenario of an old fighting game『I came to meet someone stronger than me』. That person look like a character who will do something like that without hesitation you know?」

「Aah, certainly.」

Ren was deeply agreeing with Riona's guess.

Actually he had somehow sensed it. Dwelling inside the young man who was his fellow "G.o.dslayer"──was a fighting spirit to a degree of insanity. It was something that should be called as illogical desire that wouldn't stop seeking deathly battle.

Riona calmly said her opinion to Ren who was thinking that.

「For now, let's keep repairing the wall while searching for his whereabouts.」

「You're right. ──That's right Stella. What kind of items Thor-san gave us before this?」

「If you ask whether they will be useful then it feels like it but……」

Stella frowned slightly.

It seemed she felt somewhat dissatisfied as a G.o.ddess who had been offered a great number of tribute. She displayed the『lightning G.o.d stamped presents』 on the ground toward Ren.

「The picture drawn on this thing that is like "playing card made from wood"……is it a person?」

There was『humanoid symbol drawn from lines』 on the wooden card that Ren was staring at. Most likely it was an unsophisticated ill.u.s.tration drawn with ancient drawing technique.

But it was impossible to decide what was its model with the sense of modern j.a.panese people.

However, Stella easily said.

「How stupid Ren. It's the drawing lightning G.o.d Thor's portrait.」

「Eh!? You understand it Stella!?」

「I ask you to not look down on the G.o.ddess of love. Because thanks to receiving so many tributes since the past, I became able to somehow understand the origin of item.」

Stella talked about the three points of the presents from the heroic lightning G.o.d like below.

Thor's portrait: A wooden card that has the drawing of the thunder G.o.d's likeliness figure, maximum grace of G.o.d to the holder!

Lightning flint: You can lid fire at a place that had no fire. Super convenient!

Honey wine of pa.s.sion: After drinking it your stamina will be matchless and your pa.s.sion erupted. A choice alcohol with medicine effect that is endorsed by the lightning G.o.d!

「This is, Thor-san's portrait……」

「I wonder what kind of grace it will give other than being a helper to remember him……?」

「Perhaps, there are dozens of card type with different picture you know? Maybe it's a special trading card – mythological world edition that you can exchange with your friend or something.」

While the two j.a.panese and a G.o.ddess were commenting about the "picture card", blue sparks scattered at the side.

「My!? This is like a small lightning!」

Ca.s.sandra knocked together the "flint set" of two black stones.

If the spark was showered to kindling, it would surely catch fire. However, Riona took out an oil lighter and ignited it.

「If it's only igniting fire then it might be faster to use this.」

「And inside this jar is alcohol? Certainly it gives off smell like honey.」

A small jar that fit snugly on human's palm with wax covering its opening.

Ren tried sniffing it from outside. When he shook it, the jar would make *chapo chapo* sound.

──The presents from Thor were the three above.

For the time being Ca.s.sandra held the picture card, Ren held the flints, and Riona carried the honey alcohol.

However, the greatest farewell gift from lightning G.o.d Thor was the goat chariot. The two goats seemed to have been told by their previous master to follow the instruction of Ren and co. They listened to any order obediently.

Their running speed was around 400 until 500 kilometer per hour. But not only that.

The goats didn't show any sign of fatigue. They could run for long distance continuously.

Thanks to that Ren and co could travel extremely swiftly.

The 『wall along the boundary line』 that separated Midgard and the territory outside.

There were a total of 15 spots that got destroyed. Marquis Voban and Fenrir seemed to be getting farther from around the wall because the number of the broken spot didn't increase further.

And then, Riona was repairing the destroyed spots using her shikigamis twelve divine generals, but──

Surprisingly she was fixing the damage with the pace of four or five spots per day.

What made it possible was the goat chariot.

When Riona finished the repair of a spot, she along with Ren, Ca.s.sandra, and Stella who were accompanying her would jump on the goat chariot and they would be able to arrive at the next place where the wall was destroyed in just several dozen minutes. Thanks to that Riona was able to advance the repair in an absurd pace.

However, at night the air would become freezing cold.

「Despite being a source of inspiration for RPG, there is no inn at all here isn't it?」

「The monetary economy is developing here you know? Besides, this time we are also touring the edge of Midgard. So to speak this is a remote countryside along the national border. In this region it will be easier to negotiate using bartering rather than paying money, so something like hotel business or the like is simple……hard to come by.」

And so, when it came for inn searching at night.

When the sun came down, they searched for house and negotiated with the residence if they could stay the night there.

……And then, most of the time it would become like this.

*Rattle rattle rattle!* The goat chariot was noisily approaching a human house.

There was no problem of overcrowding population in Midgard. There was a lot of houses that were built in a solitary fashion. Most of the houses were wooden house that looked like a hut or row house in the sense of modern j.a.panese.

Today too they were paying a visit to a certain dilapidated shack in the evening.

「Thor-sama!?」

「Is it Thor-sama!?」

「That great person is visiting!?」

People rushed out hearing the chariot's sound that was like thunder.

A family of five was living in a dilapidated house at wilderness. The family consisted of the father and mother who were at their early thirty, a boy and a girl, and a baby who was being held by the mother.

Although they were disappointed of the absence of the lightning G.o.d who was seen like a superhero here,

「It's amazing daddy! They're Thor-sama's envoy!」

「If you like you can stay in our house as long as you like! Tonight it will be a feast!」

The whole family welcomed them like that.

At the morning, Ren's group would leave behind some food and alcohol as modest thanks and drove away on the chariot…….

They repeated that kind of lodging process every day.

But, the houses where they were staying were also not really s.p.a.cious. Putting aside Stella, it was desirable to secure one room each for Ren, Riona, and Ca.s.sandra, But,

When it seemed that it would be impossible for that, Ren made a suggestion.

Riona was the same type of person like Julio, someone who was fussy about little things. Therefore she would feel it hard to bear when there was other person with her in her bedroom. Rather it was Ca.s.sandra instead who was easygoing and flexible regarding such arrangement despite being raised as royalty.

In that case──

「Then, tonight I and Ca.s.sandra will stay in the same room.」

「Really!? I remember when I slept together with Onii-sama or Onee-sama when I was a child. It was really fun. My heart is beating really fast!」

「Of course I'll sleep on the floor. You can use the bed.」

「I can't do that. Ren-sama should pay attention to your health rather than mine. Ah, in that case, how about the two of us using the same bed?」

At that time Ca.s.sandra was smiling brightly.

「I and Ren-sama are already like brother and sister after all.」

「Ah, I see. Now that you mention it, certainly it might be better like that.」

Ren deeply nodded.

「Let's do it if you don't mind that. It's fine, I'm not going to do anything strange so don't worry. When I'm feeling like it I'll just need to find a lady or auntie who will invite me for "adult socialization".」

「Eh? There is a separation between adult and children in socialization?」

「Yeah there is. I'll be twenty years old soon but, if the other party is older by quite a lot, it might make it easier to invite her for "that kind of socialization".」

「Is that true!? Actually I'll be 150 years old soon!」

Ca.s.sandra made a shocking confession and then asked.

「That means, I too can do this "adult socialization" with Ren-sama!?」

「Please wait. This problem will be wholly resolved if I simply stay in the same room with Princess Ca.s.sandra isn't it? Rokuharsan too, please don't direct the talk to a strange direction.」

Riona couldn't bear to hear their talk and interrupted them.

「You aren't going to tell me that you are harboring a bad desire toward the princess aren't you?」

「That's misunderstanding. Rather it's the opposite. Actually I was told by Julio before.」

Ren smilingly objected.

「He told me to get closer to Riona during this journey and further the talk of the political marriage.」

「Haa!?」

The journey of Ren and co was smoothly progressing even while that kind of interlude was going on in between──

After four days. Riona finally finished fixing all the 『broken spots of the wall that needed fixing』.

3

The fourth night since they came to Sanctuary Midgard.

At the evening of this day, Riona's shikigamis safely finished repairing 『the last bypath』 and succeeded in blocking all the invasion route of the giants.

「The plain repair work is over with this!」

Thor's goat chariot heard Riona's voice and dashed.

They left the wall that separated Midgard with the "outside country" and headed to an inn town that was moderately bustling. It was because of Stella's loud complaint.

「Ren! I don't mind even if it's a messy place that is bustling with humans, I want to spend a night at a place that is like a town soon! I'm already fed up with dwelling like a shabby hut far away from human settlement that has forest draft noisily running through it or cramped room of a farmhouse with stinky cow!」

The G.o.ddess of beauty and love yelled from her soul.

And so they visited an inn town of Norse mythology world.

Well, for Ren who knew about the metropolis in 21st century earth this place's activity was simply like 『a spot with around ten unpopular traditional inn, hotel, and snack bar intended for the local's gathering place or tourist that sometimes could be seen at countryside's declining sightseeing area』.

So far there were at least three or four stores that felt like inn doubling as bar here.

After that there were a large wooden building that appeared to be an a.s.sembly hall, a public square, several shops, private houses, etc.

By the way there wasn't the regular weapon shop & armor shop like in RPG world. In exchange they happened to find blacksmith workshop at the outskirt of the town.

It was a meager city like this.

However, Stella was a bit relieved.

「Even this kind of small city is completely better compared to the hovel in the wilderness we had been staying at until now! Of course, I really can't say that it's a place that is worthy for a G.o.ddess of beauty!」

Her eyes were sparkling happily despite her complaint.

They reserved three rooms at an inn that looked adequate and everyone gathered in one of the rooms. Ren sat down on a bed that was a bit damp and made an easygoing smile.

「Staying at that kind of place is an experience that is really hard to come by, so I had a lot of fun though. Besides most of the time Stella wasn't showing out yourself right?」

「It's a problem of feeling! Ren, be more considerate to me!」

「Hahaha. Roger.」

「In the first place when it come to you Ren, you aren't caring at all even if there is mouse running around inside the room, o, or that repulsive fatty bug is crawling around, so you won't even understand!」

「But fortunately Midgard is a cold world.」

Riona smoothly said.

「Despite being more humid than Troia or Greece, there doesn't seem to be any c.o.c.kroach here. The forest is also near so I've resolved myself even if I encounter them.」

「I, I ask you to not say their name clearly, bird girl!」

「Ah. You mean the black and oily looking bug that can be found at the castle's corner and outside isn't it!」

On the other hand Ca.s.sandra was smiling cheerfully.

「In a different country the insects that are living there is also completely different, so it's interesting!」

It was the G.o.ddess who was more fussy compared to a high school girl of modern j.a.pan or a princess who was raised as royalty.

Ren thought that the contrast was really interesting. Well, there was also how Riona and Ca.s.sandra were girls who were really out of the norm though──.

By the way, this place wasn't an inn that did the cleaning scrupulously by all means.

There were dirt here and there, the room was humid, and there was also a bit of sour smell. From feminine perspective, it really wasn't a comfortable place.

However this was the first time they were staying in an inn of this world.

The three other than Stella who vanished moved to the restaurant that was inside the same building.

Several guests were eating and drinking. The inns around here all doubled as bar. There were also guests who seemed to be pa.s.sing by locals.

「All the houses in this Midgard country are made from wood.」

「Unlike Troia that is located in an arid region, this area has an abundance of forest resources. Well, but, there should also be house that was made from peat hardened into brick here.」

Riona taught Ca.s.sandra who looked around inside the restaurant.

This inn was in log house style. It was a wooden house that was made from logs.

Perhaps because the forest resources were abundant, they still hadn't found a house that was build using brick in this Sanctuary Midgard.

And then, various meals were lined up on the table.

A stew with a lot of pork boiled in a large pot, herb and fruit as garnish, cheese made from cow or goat milk, barley porridge. And then, "salted salmon" that was simply grilled which was nostalgic for j.a.panese people in a sense.

The drink was water and milk and mead.

It seemed that wine was valuable and this inn didn't have it. Also, they had a lot of strong beer that was really sour, but it didn't really match the taste of j.a.panese people or Troia princess. That was made clear from their stay in Midgard until now.

「As expected when compared to Troia that is "the standard of metropolis of ancient times" this is…」

Riona muttered in front of an apple that was served whole.

It seemed she was reluctant to bite into it as it was. She used her own knife to cut it into half on the table.

「Midgard's meal is simple, or rather it's rough.」

「But, all of them are delicious. I'm feeling really happy.」

「Certainly, no matter where we're eating, the vegetable and meat has good taste. They're fresh.」

「As expected it's because the farm and ranch are close. Local production for local consumption is the standard here.」

The Troia princess and two j.a.panese people displayed their appet.i.te while conversing.

Riona who was eating quite a lot despite being the slimmest saw 『Thor's picture card』 at the edge of the table that was a present from lightning G.o.d Thor. She spoke in satisfaction.

「Well, let's just ignore the details. In the end they're free anyway.」

Actually they had an agreement that the meal and lodging expense here was free.

Ren and co arrived by riding on goat chariot that they borrowed from lightning G.o.d Thor. The people of the town were in the mood of great welcoming like usual.

「Thor is really popular everywhere.」

「Yes. He is really idolized by the people, how admirable.」

Ren was being impressed while drinking mead that was mixed with water. Ca.s.sandra was also in admiration.

Then the onmyoudou specialist Riona explained to them.

「In the first place he is a G.o.d who brought wind and rain together with lightning, causing good harvest to the land. Just that factor alone is already exceptional to gather popularity from the populace, but above all else it's because he is the protector G.o.d of Midgard.」

「Protector G.o.d?」

「Yes. If the giants attack then he will take the initiative to exterminate them. At times he will personally march into the giant's territory and eradicate them. He is the hero of this world.」

「Hee!」

「Even now he is busy defeating the giants entering Midgard. But, we've fixed the invasion entrance for the time being.」

When the three of them finished eating, Riona changed the topic.

「We should start chasing after the whereabouts of the wolf marquis and Fenrir in earnest soon.」

「They aren't near the wall anymore just as expected?」

「Of course they are. I believe that most likely they are getting away from Midgard.」

「They're in the country of giant outside the wall?」

「It will be good if that's the case but……. The giant country Jotunheim is in adjoining land with Midgard, so it will be still easy to search them there. But, if they move to place like Asgard, Vanaheim, or Helheim, it will become a bit troublesome.」

「Those location names, they sound like incantation or tongue twister.」

「They aren't in adjoining land with Midgard──in other words, they are across the sea?」

Ren was nonplussed by the enumeration of the place names, while Ca.s.sandra was asking curiously.

Riona drew an ill.u.s.tration of 『tree』 using a sign pen on the memo book that she brought from j.a.pan.

「Actually the world of Norse mythology is located on a large tree called Yggdrasil. That's why this super dreadnought cla.s.s large tree is called the 『world tree』.」

「The whole world is placed on top of a tree!?」

「Yes. The human world Midgard is placed on the branch around the middle. The branch at higher place is the world where the G.o.ds and fairies are living. At the lower branch is the underground world of the dwarf, the world of flame, the world of ice, h.e.l.l, and so on──that is the world view here.」

「My! That's the first time I hear that kind of story!」

Princess Ca.s.sandra's eyes sparkled. Riona shrugged.

「It's like that, so the search range will be really wide. Actually I'm already sending shikigami to outside Midgard but──there is still no good report coming back.」

「I see.」

「Perhaps we should gather information of the world of G.o.d with Thor's intermediation.」

Riona frowned with a complicated expression.

Ca.s.sandra was muttering 「A world with various countries placed on a really large tree……」 and thought of something in her own world.

It seemed there were still a lot of troubles at their journey ahead. It caused Ren to want to sigh too.

In the end, they returned to their own room after dinner and took an early rest.

「There isn't really anything worthy of note here even if they call this a busy street.」

Riona muttered while she was alone.

……Well, if she searched the back alley, in this atmosphere she felt like she would find "shady place" like small gambling den or wh.o.r.ehouse. She had a feeling of wanting to search in curiosity.

But, it would be a bad influence to Princess Ca.s.sandra's education of aesthetic sensibility, and above all else there was something she ought to do.

The bed sheet mustn't been dried out for a long time. It was strangely damp. On that bed,

Riona sat and crossed her legs in a lotus position.

She was still wearing her skirt and uniform. Her bare legs were exposed. But, there wasn't anyone watching so Riona didn't care about it.

「Divine spirit of wood, fire, earth, metal, water. Bless the spirit of strictness……」

She closed her eyes and meditated──.

The shikigamis that she sent out to a journey of searching the disappearing wolves.

Actually, several of them were returning to Riona. They brought back information that while few, could possibly become clue.

She played back what her familiars "saw" within her mind and inspected them.

She meditated for that. It was easier than psychic photography when it wasn't showed to other people.

「This is……s.p.a.ce?」

Countless stars everywhere in a pitch black s.p.a.ce.

Such image floated behind her closed eyelids.

She was also able to find moon, sun, Mars, Venus, and so on. If the stars outside the solar system looked like 『dot』, while the size of astronomical objects at the neighborhood of earth looked around the size of soccer ball.

However.

Ahead of the illumination of the sun wasn't the blue earth, but the world tree Yggdrasil.

It was a large tree with splendid shape and branches, in addition it was an ash tree. But, Riona's impression to it was only 『a splendid bonsai』 in regard to size.

「This is like watching image from man-made satellite in television.」

Riona noticed right after she muttered.

A black wolf was soaring like a comet. It was following the track of moon and sun that were orbiting around Yggdrasil.

And then, as though chasing after the wolf's tail──was a grey wolf flying behind it!

Riona's intuition told her. The grey wolf was Marquis Voban. Because the fierily sparkling eyes of the grey wolf had vivid emerald green color.

They were the same eyes like the G.o.dslaying marquis they encountered at Spain, and also the same killing intent.

「That means, the black one is Fenrir……」

The black wolf that was ahead, and the pursuing grey wolf.

In contrast to Fenrir that was desperately escaping, Marquis Voban looked slightly more composed. The distance between the two was quite far, but "the pursuer" was giving an air of being able to close the distance anytime……. Riona realized.

「He is, hunting?」

It was a method that smart carnivore sometimes did. They wouldn't attack immediately.

They were pursuing their prey with some distance between them, keeping their gaze on their prey no matter where they were escaping to, and put pressure on them while showing glimpses of their own appearance. They waited until the prey got tired and careless.

Then, they would suddenly attack and finish off their prey with certainty──.

「Even so they are flying around everywhere……」

The escaping Fenrir was moving from Yggdrasil's branch to branch.

Scorching heat flame was burning on a one branch. That must be the world of flame Muspelheim. Another branch had fierce blizzard blowing on it. There was no doubt it was the world of ice Nibelheim.

The upper branch that was shining bright seemed to be the first world Asgard──.

And then Fenrir was jumping around from branch to branch continuously. He went around all over the worlds to shake off the pursuer with utmost effort.

But, the G.o.dslaying grey wolf wouldn't take off his sight from him no matter what…….

──By the way, there was an ocean and a continent on a conspicuously large branch right at the middle. It was the continent where human world Midgard and giant country Jotunheim were located. Around this continent there should be a terrifyingly large and long 『snake』 twining around it…….

Riona contemplated while sighing.

「They aren't staying in one place, so even the shikigamis are unable to determine the location.」

In addition, she also had another misgiving.

If Fenrir was able to shake off Marquis Voban's pursuit, what would he do then?

Conversely, what if the marquis was able to defeat Fenrir like this? By killing the wolf of Norse mythology, the possibility of him collecting double 『authority of wolf』 was also…….

「After all the demon wolf Fenrir is an existence of the same rank with the G.o.ds.」

Right after Riona thought about the threat of these monsters, she muttered 「Eh?」.

Just now, "something" squirmed at the bottom of her heart.

「This is the power of that time……!」

Riona opened both her eyes that she closed.

There was no mistake. It was the power when she defeated the wolf head right before coming to Midgard. And then most likely this was something that originated from the G.o.dslaying "goshujin-sama".

If not, there was no way this kind of feeling would well up.

「If it's the me right now……with this strength even facing against a G.o.d is──」

Possible. Without a doubt.

When she noticed her body was already getting enveloped in bluish white flame.

But, the bed that she was sitting on with lotus position was completely──alright.

This flame was a supernatural flame after all. As long as Riona didn't harbor a will of destruction, it wouldn't do anything ill-mannered like pointlessly burning something.

The source of the power was her abdomen, so to speak the pit of her stomach.

It was the most important point in human body regarding sorcery and qigong. Magical power and qi were produced from there.

And then, the instant she was going to further ascertain in detail about this power's origin──

「Rokuharsan!?」

Her vision changed completely and she saw a glimpse of that young man's "past".

4

At the time when Rokuhara Ren was still 18 years old.

An ordinary high school student that could be found anywhere, wasn't how he seemed to be.

He lived in low-lying area of Tokyo without anyone who he could call as relative. His parents died in an accident when he was a young child. The grandmother who raised him also pa.s.sed away a year ago.

But, young man Rokuhara was excessively overflowing with vitality.

He was somehow getting by using the saving and insurance money that he inherited. He also made use of his sport scholarship that exempted him from paying the tuition of the prestigious private high school he attended to finish his high school life that was relatively carefree.

Although, he had no extra leeway for his living. Naturally he was also doing part-time work.

He delivered newspaper every morning. He also made good use of the spare time between his busy club activities to do irregular part-time work.

Because of that he also went in and out of the business district at night. There he got acquainted and hit it off with a friend who wished to study abroad, and after graduating high school he went to Spain──

He encountered G.o.ddess Aphrodite. He confronted the pursuer Nemesis.

The flight while sheltering the G.o.ddess who a.s.similated with Rokuhara Ren's body. The first G.o.dslayer. The chance meeting with Julio, and also learning about the "secret society" that was the Campiones a.s.sociation……

And then, Ren learned.

The authority of retribution that he took away from G.o.ddess Nemesis.

When this authority "greatly rampaged", an unexpected situation that could possibly occur was──.

『Say Julio. Just what in the world is this……!?』

『It's better to not ask. If my conjecture is correct, then I'll have to say an answer that is really not satisfactory……!』

What could it possibly be? "That Rokuhara Ren" was looking dumbfounded. Julio Blandelli was spitting out his words with a sorrowful look.

The sight that the two of them were looking at should be something that a lot of j.a.panese recognized.

The head office building of a certain television station. Rainbow Bridge. The cl.u.s.ter of high-rise buildings ahead of ti.

Odaiba. It was the bay area of 21st century Tokyo.

However, sea water was surging to this area like raging billows. That sight could be seen from the rooftop of a building where Rokuhara Ren and Julio were standing at.

A giant tsunami that flowed in from Tokyo Bay──it didn't just swallow Odaiba.

Not just the wards that were near the sea like Koutou ward or Edogawa ward, even the city center and the residential area from further inland in Tokyo until Saitama were filled with surging waves.

In addition *GOuuUUUUUUUUUUUUNN* such heavy ba.s.s sound shook the air.

『Fujiyama is……』

『The risk of eruption of Mountain Fuji……』

Smoke and volcanic ash soared to the sky, making the world to be terribly dim.

But, the sun's radiance pierced through the veil of dust and ash even then. It somehow illuminated the surface that was covered with nothing but sea water but──

『The sun is……swallowed by a black shadow.』

『That's not just a solar eclipse. It's "death of the sun" so to speak. The morning sun won't rise for the second time……』

Julio's words were correct.

Even after one day pa.s.sed, two days pa.s.sed, the sun didn't rise anymore.

The moon also vanished from the sky. Whether it was noon or night, there was only grey colored curtain fully covering the sky. The skysc.r.a.pers of Tokyo were completely swallowed by the great flood. There wasn't any sign at all that the water level would decrease.

Julio used magic and checked the situation at other places.

Not just j.a.pan archipelage, the whole Asia, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa, Europe──

Similar tragedy was occurring in the whole world even including the north pole and south pole.

『There is already no doubt. The end of the world──Doom is beginning.』

Julio whispered.

A world where even the moon and the sun died. The G.o.ds who were angered by that grey sky manifested in succession. Not just G.o.ds, even demon and monster kind came.

Red, blue, black, green, gold, silver, etc. There were also dragons with various colors.

Were they 『Beast of 666』 that were written in the bible? That enormous whale was Leviathan. That giant beast that looked similar to elephant might be Behemoth.

A silver serpent was visible only for an instant──the silver haired girl riding on its head, could she be G.o.ddess Athena?

Everyone descended to bring destruction to this earth.

And then they watched everything.

Riona fell into her thought wordlessly.

The scene that she caught a glimpse of just now, she wondered just what kind of meaning it had.

This was a room in an inn of Sanctuary Midgard.

Riona was still sitting in lotus position on the bed. The flame that welled up from her whole body just a little while ago had already vanished. And then, there was the sight she had just seen.

「Really, just what was that……?」

Riona muttered once more.

It seemed some kind of "connection" was made between her and Rokuhara Ren. That was why she received the mysterious power at the fight against the wolf head and she was also able to see his past a little bit.

However, the thing that she saw after that.

「The end of the world? How absurd……」

After Riona arbitrarily decided that, she was startled.

She wanted to meet him very much she couldn't help it. That was what she felt.

「Eh? What is this?」

It was obviously an unnatural emotion. She couldn't help but feel how dear he was to her. She wanted to meet that person even for a second faster. Such feeling was welling up. Riona retorted to herself.

「What kind of crazy thing that I'm of all people──」

It was at that moment. *Knock knock*. The wooden door was knocked.

「Riona, you there?」

「!? Co co co, come in!」

She could hear the voice of the person in question. Riona hurriedly jumped down from the bed and replied.

*Click*. Rokuhara Ren entered the room. Riona asked.

「Do, don't tell me, you are going to talk about the political marriage again!?」

「Ah, that will be good. Let's talk about it later without rushing. But, put it aside right now.」

Rokuhara Ren's face was unusually serious.

「I can't find Ca.s.sandra anywhere.」

Ren and Riona headed to the stable.

「Is this Ca.s.sandra's doing just as I thought?」

「I believe so. If unrelated person come to steal it then the goat will make a ruckus, and the princess is used to handle domestic animals that she can even ride an unsaddled horse.」

The chariot of lightning G.o.d Thor and one goat were remaining.

However, "the other goat" that should be pulling the borrowed item from G.o.d couldn't be found anywhere.

*Meeeee*. The divine beast who served the lightning G.o.d neighed with a carefree voice. This goat with its really smart looking face and eyes obviously understood human language, but,

「It can't talk, so it will be pointless to ask him where its partner is going huh.」

「No, that idea is good. You, can you follow your partner's trail?」

*Meeeeee*. The goat replied.

Thus──

Ren and Riona rushed out in a chariot that was pulled only by a single goat.

The chariot left the inn town and dashed through the wilderness at night without any hesitation. By the way it seemed that Thor's goats were named Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjostr.

「It's unclear which one is "him" though!」

「I wonder if he can follow the smell? It's running in a straight line!」

*Rattle rattle. Rattle rattle. Rattle rattle rattle rattle.*

The wheels of the lightning G.o.d chariot were two. Both of them were made from iron and rotated lightly. However the sound wasn't as stirring and clamorous like usual.

The pulling power of two goats was halved, and it must be also because the goat was following the smell of its partner.

Thanks to that the usual speed couldn't be showed, but the riding comfort was better than usual. Ren talked to Riona who was standing beside him at the driver stand.

「As I thought would it be better if I stayed in the same room with Ca.s.sandra?」

「That again……. Even though there is also the talk of political marriage with me, Rokuharsan is really a good-for-nothing goshujin-sama isn't it.」

「But you know, I don't know how it happen but」

Ren smiled with his usual carefree mood and said smoothly.

「My power right now is flowing into Riona right? In that case making you into my partner officially might certainly be alright. That's what I thought.」

「So you noticed it. You are sharp at strange place……」

Riona sighed above the clattering chariot.

「Perhaps, it's because of the authority that Rokuharsan stole from G.o.ddess Nike. In the end you couldn't defeat Athena at Troia but, you defeated Nike who acted as her subst.i.tute didn't you?」

「Ah, now that you mentioned it!」

Human who killed G.o.d ate their soul and obtained G.o.d's authority.

That was the cause that made Rokuhara Ren acquired "power that surpa.s.sed humanity" in the first place.

「Athena's winged partner, the G.o.ddess of victory Nike──. Perhaps, it's an authority to create the same existence like Nike for Rokuharsan……」

「I see. Then, now Riona can also power up which is really great isn't it?」

「I wonder about that.」

Ren lightly accepted the situation, in contrast Riona was gloomy for some reason.

「If I formally accepted your authority, it feels like Rokuharsan will barge into even my private live so……. I'm wary toward that.」

「It's fine. I'm a person who is able to clearly separate private matter and public matter even in relationship.」

「Looks like it. I understand that very well when I reflect on the state of Rokuharsan's circle of friend……especially your woman relationship.」

「Hahahaha.」

Ren laughed and then tilted his head with a serious face.

「Eh? Did I tell Riona about it in that much detail?」

「It must be the influence of this state that is like a provisional contract. Even though it's not my intention, I can see things like Rokuharsan's memory. Fragmentarily.」

「Hee!」

The night of Midgard that was illuminated by the full moon was unexpectedly bright.

However, thinking that radiant moon was being chased by Hati, a son of demon wolf Fenrir that was also a demon wolf──.

But, thanks to the escaping silver moon, the country road at the open plain had good visibility.

And then Ren finally found it.

The goat of lightning G.o.d Thor that was walking at a steady pace on the road at night, and the silver haired beautiful girl Ca.s.sandra straddling its bare back that didn't even have a saddle on it.

「Whoohoo. We caught up right away!」

「Ren-sama and Rionsama!?」

They somehow managed to find Princess Ca.s.sandra.

Ren and Riona asked her why she traveled by herself but──

「The, there is a compelling situation.」

The princess of Troia only said that with a troubled face.

However, Riona's wisdom guessed her circ.u.mstance with that.

「Could it be princess, you obtained a foresight of the future aren't you?」

「I, it's a secret!」

Ca.s.sandra was startled and turned her gaze to faraway direction.

There was no doubt. Ren recalled. When Troia's prophet talked about the future, the people who heard her would feel disgust and distrust welling up in their heart.

It was because of the curse of sun G.o.d Apollo who granted the spiritual power of foresight to her.

「Even though it will be fine if you told me because I'll be alright」

The G.o.dslayer Rokuhara Ren could brush aside even the curse with his willpower.

But, Ca.s.sandra shook her head at Ren's grumbling.

「Actually……I don't have the confidence to be able to guide Ren-sama until the "appropriate land". And so, I'm thinking to ascertain it first by myself.」

The cursed prophet spoke while choosing her words.

「But, on the way here, I saw something further. If it happen "just as I saw"──then I have to hurry. Ren-sama, Rionsama.」

Ca.s.sandra's face turned serious and she appealed to them.

「Can you two come together with me without asking anything?」

「Rokuharsan. Right now we are lacking any clue. I believe that this is a windfall for us.」

「I agree. Let's leave everything to Ca.s.sandra here.」

「Tha, thank you very much!」

Thus, the journey of Ren's party resumed.

The chariot was pulled by two goats once more for the three people journey.

Although they weren't going at full speed too this time. They were driving safely while being guided by Ca.s.sandra who was carefully ascertaining the direction.

The two girls were at the driver stand. Ren was at the rear stand. That was the positioning.

And then, Ca.s.sandra sometimes would stretch her right hand and index finger toward a point at the night sky.

「Are you checking the angle and view of the north star……」

Riona stared at the same direction with the prophet of Troia and nodded.

「Could it be princess, you are someone who can learn your current position from the direction you saw the star or the like?」

「Yes. I was taught by Onii-sama when he occasionally took me along to a plain or desert.」

Onii-sama. A feeling of particular dearness was dwelling within the reverberation of Ca.s.sandra's voice.

Surely she was talking about Prince Hector who had pa.s.sed away now, the heir who should become the king of Troia and the hero who was praised as 『a model of knight』.

When they stopped the chariot for a break, Riona and Ren whispered with each other.

「The princess remember how the north star look within her prophecy.」

「So she is planning to lead us until the same location in her prophecy.」

However midway the wall that separated Midgard with "outside" was in their way. But as soon as the two goats neighed *Meeee* *Meeee*, the air around them wavered──

The wall that should be right in front of them had moved behind them when they noticed.

In front of them stretched an endless wasteland with plants only growing spa.r.s.ely here and there. The sacred goat chariot had performed "instant teleportation" with Ren and co still riding on it.

「My. So both of you can pa.s.s through the wall!」

「Come to think of it, lightning G.o.d Thor often a.s.saulted the giant's country.」

Ca.s.sandra was surprised. Riona too was nodding.

However, as expected the limit of their stamina arrived seeing they didn't sleep at night. Before the night sky was getting brighter, Ren and co stopped the chariot and camped.

They made a bonfire, wrapped themselves with the blanket that was placed on the chariot and slept.

Riona placed four talismans at the four direction of the camp. It not only became a barrier, it would also notify them of danger.

The next morning. They finished breakfast with bread, jerky, and fruit that they brought with them before departing.

Surprisingly, Ca.s.sandra was able to see the "star" even when it was noon. She continued to guide them to "a certain direction". Surely her eyesight was tremendously good. Come to think of it there were also those among the nomad of desert or gra.s.sland who possessed the same special skill. Ren recalled about it.

Like that after around two days──

Ren and co continued to run across the wasteland where "the giants were living".

They finally arrived at the bank of a large lake.

The sun had gone down considerably. It was evening. Half of the night sky was already swallowed by darkness.

「It's here! It's right nearby this lake!」

Ca.s.sandra suddenly yelled.

「Tha, that's, I can't speak in detail about what will happen but, anyway we have arrived!」

However it immediately became clear.

From beyond the night sky that was becoming darker each second, two streaks of light were falling toward them. Both of them were demon wolf that boasted giant body with length of more than ten meters.

Right after that, *DOuuuuuuuuuNN!* a quake occurred.

The black giant wolf and the grey giant wolf crashed together on the ground──. However, the grey wolf with emerald eyes was in the position of holding down the other wolf.

Those eyes were familiar. If he remembered correctly they belonged to Marquis Voban.

And then, the green eyed grey wolf sunk his teeth into his enemy's windpipe and bit!

Blood splashed.

「Aa! Forgive me Ren-sama!」

Ca.s.sandra raised a sorrowful yell.

「Even though we might be able to prevent this from happening if only we are able to arrive a bit earlier!」

「Noo……. It's already enough that you brought us here. Thank you.」

Ren nodded at the princess o Troia.

After that he exchanged gaze with j.a.pan's great onmyouji who might become his partner someday. Riona's eyes quickly began to shine blue.

In respond to Ren's will, her 『full power』 was being released.

It was prompt even though it was before Ren gave her permission with his words. But, Ren shelved the question for later and said.

「For now I'll be going. I'll face Voban-san. Riona, I won't mind if you come helping me with your serious full strength anytime.」

Saying that Ren walked up toward the enlarged grey wolf by himself.

The black wolf that was pinned down by that giant wolf──Fenrir wasn't even twitching. After a chase that went for a long time, he was totally exhausted and finally got finished off. That was the end of the path of the monster.