Campione! - Volume 17 - Chapter 4.3

Part 3 

Ākāśagarbha's Esoteric Doctrine Method.  

This was one of the mystic techniques practiced by Luo Cuilian. Practitioners gained complete mastery of the contents of Buddhist texts, memorizing each and every word after a single reading.  

This was a spell for obtaining superhuman memory by chanting the Ākāśagarbha's incantation with single-minded devotion.  

"A book recording a dragonslaying story identical to this passage... To my knowledge, there is only the Sutra of the Six Paramitas. Unmistakably."  

"The same technique that Grand Master Kuukai was rumored to have mastered? 

Nothing less expected from Her Eminence..."  

After hearing Luo Cuilian's assertion, Ena could not help but feel surprised.  

Godou felt the same way. Even when not in peak condition after depleting her qi, Luo Cuilian was still displaying many kinds of outstanding talents. All one could do was feel awed and impressed.  

Furthermore, Godou felt quite surprised about the fact that this story originated from a Buddhist text.  

"I was thinking this kind of scripture only recorded Buddhist doctrine or proverbs. I didn't know there were legends and myths too."  

"From the standpoint of cultural diffusion, Buddhism was perhaps quite a powerfully influential tool."  

Showing off vast knowledge at this time was still Amakasu again.  

"Using the opening line of 'A story like this happened in the past'—myths from all over Asia were turned into Buddha's proverbs and recorded. In fact, that's how many Buddhist texts were written."  

"There are that many?"  

"Yeah. And don't forget that in the ancient world, the status of Buddhism used to be quite different from now. Everyone would study it with extreme fervor."  

Quite happily, he revealed his knowledge. As usual, another Amakasu Minute started again.  

"For example, after the Three Kingdoms period and the rule of the Jin Dynasty in China, it became the era of the Five Ethnicities and the Sixteen Kingdoms—the rise of kingdoms ruled by nomadic tribes. A tumultuous period of war far surpassing that described in the Records of the Three Kingdoms. Towards the end, it produced a yearning for inner tranquility which became the prevailing tide in mindsets. Back then, the various kings of violent military states conferred respected status on Buddhism, a foreign religion, thus Buddhist was spread and promoted everywhere all at once."  

"What about Japan?"  

"In Japan's case, Buddhism arrived together with advanced technology and was seen as advanced religious ideology and knowledge. The educated and privileged classes, taking great pains to bring in Buddhism, did not disappear rapidly either. Those among the Japanese who were educated in Chinese culture were also able to read and interpret Buddhist texts from China that had been translated into Chinese."  

Amakasu continued at a faster pace.  

"The 'King of the End' probably originated somewhere in Asia. His myth first began as a pan-Eurasian hero's legend, spreading east and west throughout the continent in altered forms through the movement of trade and migration. Then proceeding from there, it became known to educated people in various Asian nations in the form of a Buddhist proverb, spreading even farther with minor amendments to the foundational elements of his myth. It's possible that his story is rooted even more deeply all over Asia than we imagine..."  

Amakasu was gradually sinking into his own world. However, no one stopped him.  

If the truth could not be seen instantly through spirit vision as usual, then the correct answer would only be found through intelligence and knowledge. Furthermore, perhaps...  

Perhaps right now, Amakasu was the closest person to the answer—  

"Let's organize the key points. He is the man who vanquished dragons or demon lords. The vanquished targets could also be substituted with monster or evil ogres. There's also the wandering part—He's a traveler. No permanent abode... Or perhaps he was in the middle of a journey to some destination..."  

While listening to his monologue, Godou suddenly noticed.  

At some point in time, Luo Cuilian had started to gaze at the face of the knowledgeable special agent who was often playing dumb.  

"The goddess Circe said that he was related to the Argo's genealogy. Traveling on that ship was a group of heroes who had set off to sea in search of a golden fleece. They were seafaring adventurers. Heros on a sea journey. A evil dragon in the sea. Buddhist texts. Chinese books. Spreading to Japan. Vanquishing evil demons. The island of ogres. In other words, if that's the case..."  

Then after several minutes of deep thinking...  

Amakasu Touma spoke a name quietly.  

It was Godou's first time hearing this name. Erica, Liliana, Yuri and Ena did not seem to have a clue either. Perhaps it was not a particularly famous character.  

However, someone nodded solemnly.  

"I see, it is precisely as you say. I agree wholly."  

Standing at the pinnacle of wisdom and martial might, Her Eminence Luo Hao approved.  

"It is a massive embarrassment for I, Luo Hao, should not have overlooked this hero's name. However, you, too, definitely possess a pair of eyes with outstanding wisdom. —Erica."  

"How may I be of service, Your Eminence?"  

"Bestow him with a reward in my name. His accomplishment is worthy of commendation."  

"Understood. Your will shall be done."  

After replying tactfully, Erica smiled and winked at Amakasu.  

"Amakasu-san, it's time for me to offer you praise of the highest level. To receive a personal commendation from Her Eminence herself, it could very well be a once-in-a-century feat?"  

"Well, umm, I'm truly overjoyed."  

Towards being praised, Amakasu reacted with a bitter face instead.  

"Although Her Eminence has offered her approval, this might sound weird coming from me, in the end, we still lack conclusive evidence. This is different from Yuri-san's spirit visions."  

"Indeed. And it is not limited to the inability to confirm the name."  

This time, it was Liliana's turn to murmur with a troubled look.  

"There are still many incomprehensible aspects to the 'King of the End.' The overwhelming power of the great ritual of the covenant. The duty of exterminating all current godslayers. These are characteristics that none of the other gods have. I think that... Just figuring out his name isn't enough to give a clear picture of his true identity."  

Perhaps this was a hint from spirit vision.  

After listening to the discussion, Godou made his decision.  

"In the end, the best method is still to go get confirmation."  

"Your Majesty, where are you going to confirm?"  

Ena asked in dumbfounded surprise, prompting Godou to answer:  

"Have you forgotten? Your grampsy—Susanoo in the Netherworld—and his gang should know the true identity of the 'King of the End.'"  

"Oh, that's right. But they surely won't tell."  

Speaking of interacting with a god, there was no one closer than this Hime-Miko. She immediately asserted:  

"The true name of the 'King of the End' definitely cannot be disclosed to humans. The top secret belonging to the realm of the gods. Although grampsy seems very easygoing, he is also a proper god. He's very strict in this area."  

"Fair point. If the name could be revealed, I'm sure Athena would have said it long ago."  

Godou agreed with Ena's correction, but changed the direction of the conversation.  

"However, at Susanoo's place, I've actually met someone else apart from a certain god, multiple times. I have a feeling that... this person might tell me. Of course, this is the one point that's the most impossible to prove."  

The princess in the Netherworld whom he had met several times, led by mysterious fate—  

For some unknown reason, the view of a grassy plain under the moonlit night was surfacing in Godou's mind together with her beautiful face.  

Godou had an impression that he had met the princess with eyes as clear as glass at this location and even listened to the exotic sounding music of a foreign instrument, despite having no idea at all when exactly this scene had happened.  

But right now, Godou was filled with confidence.  

The Princess of Glass had offered a hint to the true identity of the "King of the End" back then.  

Currently, the hero had awakened and he was already prepared to confront this major emergency. If he were to ask her again, perhaps—  

Godou said to his companions at hand:  

"I need everyone's power to reach that place. Perhaps I might need to trouble Mariya even more, can I rely on you?"  

"Y-Yes. Of course there is no problem. So long as it is within my power, I am willing to do anything!"  

Mariya Yuri had kept silent until now.  

This was partially due to her staid personality in addition to her high fever. 

However, it looked like she had been listening seriously to everyone's discussion. In addition, she instantly understood Godou's invitation and stood up straight away.  

Just at that moment...  

"Ah..."  

Yuri grew unsteady on her feet and immediately fell down again.