NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 5: Birth of a Godslayer!
- Excerpts from the Writings of Italian Magician Alberic Licaoro in the 19th Century
To the one who has achieved this terrifying feat, I have taken the liberty of bestowing upon him the title of *Campione*.
You, dear readers, may find this title perplexing, and perhaps even exaggerated after reading my accounts.
But I must emphasize once more.
A *Campione* is a king.
Thus, he is capable of slaying the gods of heaven and seizing their supreme power.
A *Campione* is a conqueror.
Thus, he is able to claim and wield the divine authorities, ruling over all people on Earth.
A *Campione* is a demon lord.
Because no one living on this earth can resist his might.
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- Excerpts from a Letter by Cardinal Antonio Tebes to the Papal Office in the Early 20th Century
Behind the facade of divinity, there is a king worshiped by all magicians who dabble in the forbidden knowledge of demons.
Perhaps this is the first time you have heard of that title.
*Campione*. The son of Epimetheus, the one who is known as "Hindsight." In Greek mythology, Epimetheus is the brother of Prometheus, Atlas, and Menoetius, and the husband of Pandora. Together with Prometheus, he created humanity from clay. However, in ancient times, these two gods often symbolized human traits (Epimetheus representing human folly, while Prometheus represented human wisdom). The one born from this lineage is a demon lord.
It is deeply regrettable, but we humans have no means to oppose him.
The only ones capable of standing against him on equal terms are other *Campiones*, the angels who serve the Father God, or the gods transferred through forbidden means.
---
- Excerpts from a Report on the Newly Identified *Campione* of Japanese Descent in the Early 21st Century
Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, also known as Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto (as in *Kojiki*), Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, Tsukuyumi-no-Mikoto, and the Moon God (as in *Nihon Shoki*), is the ruler of the night realm and the moon deity in Japanese mythology. Alongside Amaterasu Omikami and Susanoo-no-Mikoto, she is one of the Three Noble Children. Born from Izanagi, she governs the night world, and though a moon deity, she is also worshiped as a god of agriculture. She holds great prominence in Japanese mythology and Shinto.
Inari Okami, known by various names such as Ukemochi-no-Kami, Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami, Toyouke-no-Okami, is a deity of grains. Originally, Uka referred to food, and Uka-no-Mitama was initially the spirit of rice. Over time, this god also came to oversee livestock and sericulture, extending its domain even further.
Kasugano Haru has slain one, or perhaps both, of these deities, thus becoming a *Campione*.
---
- Excerpts from the Report on Kasugano Haru, Produced by the Greenwich Assembly of Wise Men
As described, Kasugano Haru seized the divine authorities of Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, or perhaps the Japanese grain deity, and became a *Campione*.
The effects of his newfound powers are currently unknown.
Though he is merely a 16-year-old boy.
But let us not forget this.
Despite his appearance, he is indeed a *Campione*. A child of fragile humanity, yet one of the demon lords who surpasses us magicians.
Moreover, Kasugano Haru has never studied magic or sorcery.
This might suggest that *Campione* is not an elevated form of a magician, but rather a distinct entity altogether.
---
["Oh my, oh my! Killed by a boy in an intimate moment, was it a crime of passion?"] A youthful, girlish voice echoed.
["...Pandora, the woman who grants everything to those she chooses! You've appeared in person, haven't you?"] A voice filled with a unique allure emerged.
["Indeed! Wherever gods and humans gather, I will surely appear. After all, I am the witch who bestows both calamity and a sliver of hope. It's no surprise... this child is my new son, isn't he? Is it painful? But you must endure it, for this pain is the price of leading you to the highest peak. Just accept it obediently!"]
A sweet, loving, youthful voice whispered in Haru's ear as he felt someone gently stroking his head.
["Oh dear, by the way? It seems the goddess intentionally avoided the topic earlier. Was Pandora right? Is that so? Is that so?"]
["Shut up! Just focus on orchestrating this Usurpation!"]
["Oh my, oh my, she's flustered. Seems like she was provoked by a ruthless lover's deadly blow! How pitiful."]
["......."]
"Very well, bestow both blessings and curses upon this child! The sixth Godslayer, the youngest demon lord fated to become this child, offer him the sacred words!"
["...A twisted fate, isn't it? Reclaimed the form of ages past, only to have your ambitions crushed by a child who inherited your former self! Karma, retribution. Well, live on, boy, and await the day I return to reclaim the life you've taken from me!"]
["The divine power has been infused. So farewell, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto."]
["That punch was quite something, boy! ...My apologies for dragging you into my battlefield, nearly leading to your death. But I have no regrets! If I could do it again, I'd do the same thing!"]
["...Well then, farewell, boy who took my first time!"]
It was the voice of the blonde girl from before, and at that moment, Haru finally realized what was happening.
Pandora, gods, the Circle of Usurpation, what the hell, a Campione? I must have walked onto the wrong set! Director! Haru mentally ranted, as pain slowly returned along with his consciousness.
Feeling the intense pain in his body, as if he'd been struck by a meteor, Haru thought to himself, *Without the power of Life Force, I'd probably be dead by now!* After his internal rant, he let out a sigh of relief.
The Circle of Usurpation of Pandora unfolded, and the authority of Tsukuyomi's power, gravity, was completed, altering its nature and transforming it into the divine power known as Earth's Force. This divine power continuously flowed into Haru's body, attempting to reshape him into the form of a Campione.
"Detected special energy. Would you like to initiate analysis?" A message came from the golden egg in his mind.
"Do it!" Haru exhaled deeply, speaking with evident fatigue.
The energy attempting to reshape his body was obliterated, and the method to construct a Campione's body along with its flaws surfaced in Haru's mind.
"A physique enhanced by about 100 times that of a normal person, a gradually shifting personality towards battle-lust, a body that desperately craves to absorb divine power yet unable to further enhance its strength? So, this is the secret of a Campione's body!" As Haru processed the information from the egg, his lips twitched slightly. *I almost got tricked, didn't I? That loli Pandora is really that devious?*
"Only retain the physical enhancement!" Haru activated his authority, Life Force, drawing power from the Earth to continuously strengthen his body.
As his voice faded, Haru's body silently continued to fortify, and the space around him once again returned to silence.
*Drip... drip...* Cold droplets of water kept falling on Haru's cheeks.
"Where's this water coming from? Is it raining?" Haru asked weakly, his stamina having been completely drained by his final, life-risking meteor strike. Even though the authority, Life Force, was constantly drawing energy from the Earth to restore his stamina, his spirit remained utterly exhausted.
*Drip... drip... drip...* The water continued to fall, more and more.
"Why is it getting heavier?" Haru struggled to open his eyes, raising his hand to his forehead, trying to shield himself from whatever it was.
"Sora!!" But when he opened his eyes, he was met with the sight of Kasugano Sora, crying her heart out. Haru's body froze.
"Haru!" Sora sobbed as she threw herself into Haru's arms, resting her face against his shoulder, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck, sobbing uncontrollably.
"It's okay! It's okay! Your brother is fine now!" Realizing the situation, Haru gently patted Sora's back, comforting her.
"I was so scared... I was so scared... Haru, you're the only one I have left in my life. So, so, I forbid it, I won't let you die." Sora clung tightly to Haru's neck, her words filled with fear and anxiety.
"Alright, alright, I'll never leave you, Sora. I'll never leave you." Haru reached out to stroke Sora's silver hair, whispering softly to soothe her.
"Don't leave me alone in this world." Yet, Sora's emotions remained turbulent, the veins in her arms bulging as she held Haru's neck even tighter.
Haru gazed tenderly at the distressed Sora in front of him.
He lowered his head and kissed her lips.
"Mmm..."