Now that Erica and Satsuki had returned, treating Ena Seishuuin was no longer a problem.
With the clear understanding that the divine power originated from the Ama-no-Murakumo, Erica could easily activate the Authority of Golden Sword.
Under the guidance of Sayanomiya Kaoru, the group arrived at the infirmary where Ena was resting.
As the door slid open, they saw that the once valiant Tachi Hime-Miko now lay on the bed in an unprecedented state of weakness. Everyone present was far from ordinary. Even from several meters away, they could still sense the divine power of Ama-no-Murakumo entwined around her.
It was precisely because she had borne that divine power that her body was now slowly, step by step, approaching the brink of collapse.
"Lady Erica, please."
As the head of the History Compilation Committee and a Hime-Miko herself, Sayanomiya Kaoru naturally understood how important Ena's position was. If anything went wrong, it would not merely be a matter of the organization having its budget reduced. Her family behind her might also be implicated and suffer a severe blow.
Those elders were not reasonable people. Rather, after gaining extraordinary power, they had become even more willful than ordinary individuals.
Erica walked to the bedside. Her eyes instantly turned a sheet of gold—the sign that her Authority had been activated.
Information regarding the divine power of Ama-no-Murakumo naturally surfaced in her mind, and a spell of Kotodama unconsciously flowed from her lips.
"Ama-no-Murakumo is the weapon of Susanoo. Susanoo is a god with deep ties to Steel. His domain is rich in iron sand, and he himself is a god of storms. Gale aids in forging iron, for under the influence of wind, flames become fierce enough to melt metal."
The Golden Sword manifested within the spell. After the divine inscriptions upon its blade were rearranged and recomposed, they transformed into a power specifically designed to counter the divine sword Ama-no-Murakumo.
After Erica swept the newly restructured Golden Sword over the slumbering Ena, the divine power of Ama-no-Murakumo that had been continuously eroding her body was completely dispersed.
The moment the divine power dissipated, Ena's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and her breathing gradually became steady.
It seemed she had at last entered a peaceful sleep. What remained could be entrusted to the professional medical staff.
Only after using magic to examine Ena's condition did Erica turn toward the anxious figures outside the window, smiling gently and giving them a nod.
Only then did Sayanomiya Kaoru finally let out a sigh of relief. However, she soon shifted her gaze to Satsuki.
More precisely, to the divine sword in her hand.
There was no doubt—it was the Ama-no-Murakumo. Moreover, Satsuki had returned openly from the Hidden World, which meant that that lord had tacitly permitted her to hold the blade.
What exactly did that signify? She had to clarify it.
"Miss Satsuki, regarding the divine sword in your hand... did the old gentleman entrust Ama-no-Murakumo to you?"
Satsuki shook her head. "Ena is the shrine maiden who serves him. I am merely managing the sword temporarily. Once the shrine maiden's body recovers, the blade will naturally be returned to its rightful owner."
Kaoru was somewhat surprised by Satsuki's indifferent attitude. This was the divine instrument Ama-no-Murakumo, a sacred weapon containing immense power.
As someone whose swordsmanship had reached such heights, was Satsuki truly unmoved by such a divine armament?
Even so, when it came to placing the divine sword back into Ena's hands, Sayanomiya Kaoru harbored slight reservations.
Ena Seishuuin was indeed powerful and possessed the rare aptitude for divine descent. Being hailed as the foremost Tachi Hime-Miko of the current era was well deserved.
However, in the way she handled matters, this shrine maiden's methods were somewhat too blunt and direct.
That was where the difference between Sayanomiya Kaoru and her became apparent.
In absolutely unfavorable circumstances, Kaoru clearly understood her own strengths and weaknesses, allowing her to engage Erica in verbal sparring.
Although what she ultimately relied upon was Erica's special feelings toward Satsuki, from the standpoint of results, it was already the best she could achieve.
Ena, on the other hand, though stronger than Kaoru, faced an opponent who likewise possessed formidable martial strength. Without thorough preparation and investigation, a head-on clash had nearly cost her life.
One could say that this shrine maiden's methods of handling affairs were still far from mature. Perhaps it was precisely this fearless, forward-charging temperament that had allowed her strength to reach such heights—but not every opponent would be as merciful as Satsuki had been this time.
After completing Ena's treatment, Erica left together with Satsuki. Yuri Mariya, meanwhile, was entrusted by Touma Amakasu to remain behind and look after Ena—after all, as previously mentioned, the members of the History Compilation Committee were so busy their feet barely touched the ground, and Yuri had thus become an important source of labor.
...
"Satsuki, are you really not planning to keep that sword? I can tell the old gentleman actually intended for you to use it."
Walking along the road, Erica finally asked.
"For ordinary people, it might be a rather good weapon. But for me, its value is closer to that of an ornament. If you like it, you can take it and play with it for a couple of days."
Satsuki spoke casually.
A smile appeared on Erica's face. "No need. No God is willing to stay by the side of a Godslayer. And doesn't Satsuki prefer black? I think this blade suits you quite well. Even as a decorative piece, it would be fitting."
That was indeed true.
Satsuki's image truly matched the black-bladed Ama-no-Murakumo—perhaps even more so than Ena.
At a glance, one would feel as though this sword had always belonged to the black-haired girl.
However, for ordinary people, although Ama-no-Murakumo was a divine-class armament, it was also an extremely dangerous weapon. Anyone who rashly touched it without recognition or permission would be directly devoured by its divine power and reduced to ashes on the spot. Since it could not temporarily be returned to Ena, keeping it by Satsuki's side was not a bad option. They would simply need to prepare a scabbard for it later.
Thus, though she claimed she did not want it—and in truth had no need for it—the sword ultimately remained in Satsuki's hands.
"In any case, this incident has come to an end, hasn't it? No one will challenge your position as Japan's ruler anymore. So what are your plans afterward?"
There was a faint hint of expectation in Erica's voice, as though she were waiting for Satsuki to say, "Nothing in particular," so that she could launch some sort of offensive.
However, Satsuki clearly possessed an unromantic soul. In her usual tone, she replied, "I have made some progress in researching Athena's divine power. I will be staying at home for a while. If anything urgent arises, you can contact me by phone."
"I see..."
"What? You sound a little unhappy."
"Well, it's nothing. Since it's something important, of course it can't be delayed."
With that, Erica turned her head slightly, a trace of regret in her expression. The date offensive she had prepared once again died before it could even begin.
...
In the weeks following Ena's disturbance, this disaster-prone nation of Japan finally enjoyed a rare stretch of brief peace.
Most ordinary people could not retain memories for more than a month—especially regarding incidents that appeared serious but in reality had nothing to do with them.
For example, an earthquake occurring in some region, or a temporary blackout in some district. Such matters had already become commonplace to them.
Having gradually grown accustomed to serving as a Campione, Erica had also adjusted to her new schedule. She no longer required Arianna to knock on her door every morning with a cheerful greeting.
Almost precisely at eight o'clock each morning, she would wake up, put on her underwear, and only then, still sleepy-eyed, rise from that luxurious bed.
After washing up, she followed her usual routine and began enjoying the breakfast prepared by her newly recruited maid.
Today's menu consisted of Kyoto-style grilled finfish, sesame tofu, meatballs, burdock and bamboo shoot stew, along with what appeared to be a variety of homemade pickles...
Not only did it taste excellent and look beautiful, but simply gazing at the exquisite dishes was a pleasure in itself.
It was obvious at a glance that such food was beyond Arianna's culinary abilities.
After taking a bite, Erica's eyes curved happily into crescents. As she savored the meal, she praised contentedly, "Mm~ Lily's cooking keeps getting better and better. You're truly talented in the kitchen."
—Smack!
From the kitchen came not a delighted response to the compliment, but the sharp sound of a cleaver striking a cutting board. Clearly, the praised party was in a very foul mood.
Soon, the newly appointed "maid"—who also served as head chef—emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron, her expression as blank as a poker face while carrying another dish.
She was none other than the Fairy Knight who once belonged to the Copper-Black Cross, Liliana Kranjčar.
At this moment, the silver-haired Eastern European girl wore a look of undisguised disdain as she served her former rival. Worse still, she had to look at that incomparably beautiful face—one that, in Liliana's eyes, resembled a Devil smiling radiantly.
"Despicable woman—you actually threatened me with the novel I wrote."
"Don't say that. A talent like Lily's would inspire anyone to cherish it. I merely arrived one step ahead of that King of Swords."
While enjoying the breakfast prepared by the silver-haired girl, Erica waved her hand lightly. "Lily, sit down and eat with us. And Anna, come taste Lily's cooking as well."
"Yeees~ Please wait a moment."
Arianna's voice came from outside the door. She passed by the entrance carrying a large stack of documents in her arms.
As Erica's sole personal maid, Arianna fulfilled many roles. Numerous matters from the History Compilation Committee, as well as other important affairs, had to pass through her evaluation before being formally presented to Erica, the Campione.
After all, Erica's energy was limited. She could not personally handle everything. Only truly significant matters worthy of attention would be reported to her by Arianna.
As for the rest, Arianna would generally transfer them to Sayanomiya Kaoru for handling. In effect, Erica had voluntarily delegated part of her authority to the History Compilation Committee.
From the standpoint of results, with Erica standing behind her as the Campione, Sayanomiya Kaoru's actual power had not diminished—in fact, it had expanded considerably.
However, such support ultimately relied upon Erica's title as Campione. The shrewd Sayanomiya Kaoru clearly understood the boundaries of her authority, so cooperation between the two had been extremely smooth during this period.
Originally, this position should have been taken by Satsuki. However, ever since returning from the Hidden World, she had remained behind closed doors. Moreover, she had publicly declared in front of those elders that she had no interest in power. Thus, both sides tacitly accepted this arrangement.
"Let's see what news has happened today."
As usual, Erica picked up the remote control and turned on the television.
Unlike the televisions in most households, which could only receive a limited number of channels, Erica's television was a magical device specially crafted by the Japanese government and magical associations.
It could detect intense surges of curse power emitted from most major cities around the world and project the corresponding scenes onto the screen from afar.
Naturally, the clearest image was from Japan itself.
As for the second clearest location—"Los Angeles in the United States? Why isn't it Italy?"
Erica had once questioned Touma Amakasu when he provided the device. In response, he merely offered an awkward yet polite smile and vaguely replied, "National circumstances, Miss Erica. You understand."
She had understood instantly.
America it is, then—
Since nothing significant had occurred in Japan recently, watching events in the United States to change her mood was not a bad idea.
She casually pressed a few buttons on the remote.
In the next moment, her gaze locked tightly onto the screen.
Two world-class powerhouses were confronting each other.
Not only Erica—even Liliana, who had been wearing an expression of irritation moments before, was stunned by the two figures displayed on the screen.
"That's Progenitor Angela... and the Godslayer John Pluto Smith? Why are they fighting?"
"If you ask me, I have no idea."
The distance across the ocean was far too great. Moreover, Godslayers were nominally forbidden from freely entering another Godslayer's domain—unless they intended to declare war or harbored ulterior motives.
In any case, even if Erica wished to intervene in this battle, she had no suitable means to do so. All she could do was wait for the outcome.
The one Liliana referred to as Progenitor Angela was a petite girl.
Though she appeared adorable on the screen, an astonishing aura and terrifying divine power emanated from her entire being.
"Godslayer—John Pluto Smith! You are indeed powerful. Even if all the magi in the world united, they likely could not defeat you. But... it is too late. Far too late!"
Laughing wildly, the girl continued, "Though we of the Fly King have fallen to you time and again, we have diligently stored the essence of water and earth! We have absorbed the wicked hearts and obsessions of foolish mortals! At last, I can transform into the heretical Leviathan! Hahahahaha! Can you feel the raging divine power surging within me? I now stand on the same level as you—transformed into a serpent equal to a Godslayer! Witness it well!"
As she spoke, the petite beauty's body vanished into the air, replaced by a mass of swelling flesh.
Her arms shrank inward. Her legs fused together. Her body lengthened, and her neck extended accordingly. Smooth skin became covered in scales, and her beautiful face twisted into that of a reptile.
In mere dozens of seconds, the girl transformed into a gigantic serpentine monster.
The demonic serpent swept across the entire shoreline. Its body exceeded fifty meters in length. If fully stretched, it could rival a twenty-story building in height. Its scales shone in silver-white brilliance, so beautiful they could only be described as noble and extraordinary.
Yet faced with such a monster, the silent Godslayer John Pluto Smith took the initiative to challenge it.
He wore a black mask and cloak, yet possessed decades of astonishing combat experience.
On this continent, he had battled terrifying sorcerers, spirits that controlled nature, magical beasts capable of easily destroying cities... and he had defeated them all.
One could say he was America's living superhero.
Having survived so many life-and-death struggles, how could he possibly lose to a mere giant serpent—
No matter the peril, this mysterious Godslayer maintained a composed demeanor. A man of aristocratic tastes.
Facing Progenitor Angela, his tone remained as confident as ever, reminiscent of a bat lurking in the night.
"When a lady invites me to dance, I would never refuse."
Clad in leather gloves, he gripped a steel-gray magical spear and flung his long cloak aside as he charged toward his enemy.
—The deadly battle began.
Black flashes of radiance leapt agilely around the enormous serpent's body, evading attacks powerful enough to split mountains and shatter earth as they erupted from the colossal creature.
Each thrust and slash carved wounds deep enough to reveal bone upon the Progenitor's serpentine form.
It was as though the divine protections and white scales were nothing at all.
However, as the battle intensified and the masked hero gradually gained the upper hand, the heavily wounded silver serpent coiled its massive body above the sea.
From it burst forth a purple divine radiance rivaling the sun itself—
Rumble rumble rumble...
The immense magical power caused the television display to tremble violently. The image flickered continuously, the resolution deteriorating as the picture blurred.
The final scene the two women could see was the black-clad hero tightly embracing the serpent that attempted to self-destruct, dragging it down beneath the surface of the sea.
Then, amid a deafening roar, the television emitted a sharp crack—and the screen fell into darkness.