Chapter 26: A Campione’s Resolve

"You…?"

Kojou stared at the beautiful girl with black hair and red eyes, who seemed to be carrying a sword wrapped in cloth. He could even feel magical power emanating from it.

"My name is Seishuuin Ena," Ena said with a polite smile. "I've been sent by the History Compilation Committee to serve the 7th Campione."

"The History Compilation Committee? You mean the Mage Association that controls Japan?" Kojou raised an eyebrow. Erica had already warned him that the Mage Association would try to contact him to gain his favor—but he hadn't expected it to happen this quickly.

"That's correct. The History Compilation Committee deals with Kings, which is why Yuri was sent to serve the 8th Campione, while I was assigned to the 7th Campione," Ena nodded, explaining the Committee's intentions. "This is the first time Campiones have been born in Japan, let alone two at once. The Committee wishes to build a good relationship with the Kings."

Ena wasn't the type skilled at lying; she was honest and straightforward, even revealing the Committee's underlying motives to the two.

"I see… By the way, is that sword also a Heretic God?" Kojou asked. His senses as a Campione were reacting to the sword—and even his [Titel] had responded.

"Your Majesty is amazing! To discern the truth of Ena's sword with just a glance…" Ena's eyes widened in awe as she held the cloth-wrapped blade. "Yes, Ena's sword is Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi, an heirloom from my grandfather."

"Hmm… Well, I don't mind you serving me. But you should know: once you become my servant, there's no turning back," Kojou smirked. "Knowing that, do you still wish to serve me?"

"Ena already knows this. Yet I came, prepared to serve Your Majesty to the last breath of my life," Ena replied with a carefree smile. "Ena is even willing to become Your Majesty's mistress."

"Ahem! Don't forget—I was the first to swear loyalty to Kojou," Erica interjected, appearing out of nowhere. "So if you want to be his mistress, you'll have to wait your turn."

"Erica, I already told you I'm not starting any romantic relationships right now. I need to talk to my girlfriend first," Kojou sighed wearily, then glared at Ena. "Ena, the same goes for you."

"I'm aware. But I'm certain your girlfriend won't mind—after all, she gave you permission to start a harem, didn't she?" Erica grinned confidently. She had immense self-assurance and could see the desire in Kojou's eyes when he looked at her—though he restrained himself. Clearly, not much time had passed since he got a girlfriend, and he wasn't ready for another so soon.

"Let's save this conversation for later," Kojou said, noticing Godou lost in thought over what he'd just heard. "By the way, Ena, didn't you say you could take us somewhere we could fight without causing a disturbance?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ena nodded, slinging the cloth-wrapped sword over her back before leading the way. "I'll take you there now."

"Let's go, Kusanagi," Kojou said, following Ena with Erica in tow.

"A-ah, right!" Godou stammered, quickly catching up to Kojou and the others.

_

"Is this a separate dimension?" Kojou raised an eyebrow as they entered a mountain cave only to emerge inside a coliseum.

"Correct, Your Majesty," Ena nodded. "This is a separate space created by my grandfather. It seems to be modeled after the Netherworld."

"The Netherworld… No wonder the air feels familiar," Kojou muttered, reminded of his encounter with Pandora. He turned to Erica and Ena with concern. "Are you two okay?"

From what Kojou knew, the Netherworld's air was toxic—only Campiones and Heretic Gods could endure it for long.

"No problem. My grandfather and sword protect me," Ena replied with a faint smile, touched by Kojou's genuine worry.

"It's not hard to shield yourself from the Netherworld's air if you're not fighting," Erica added, her golden magical energy enveloping her body.

"So then—what do you say we begin, Kusanagi?" Kojou asked. Godou had been silent since their arrival.

"Are we really going to fight…?" Godou's expression was uneasy. He was a pacifist at heart—or at least, that's what he told himself.

"What kind of question is that now?" Kojou's voice dripped with disappointment and scorn. "You're a Campione, yet you don't seem to realize the trouble your mere existence will cause."

Kojou's disdain stemmed from Godou's denial. Godou understood his situation perfectly but chose to reject his current self, selfishly believing he could live a normal life—even as his presence endangered his family and loved ones.

Unlike Godou, Kojou had faced a similar dilemma when he became the Fourth Primogenitor. But upon realizing his role, he chose to fight—to protect his family, his loved ones, and the life he'd grown to cherish.

And Kojou was certain: he'd never back down from any battle to defend what mattered to him, even if it meant fighting other Primogenitors—or the entire world.

...

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