Chương 145: The Monkey King Who Exited at Light Speed
After successfully absorbing the Villains Chat Group, Eriri lifted the barrier she had placed around the planet and chose to leave the dazed Godou Kusanagi behind. For Eriri and her companions, the original protagonist of the story was nothing more than a passing character.
With the most important task in the Campione world now complete, Eriri, in a joyful mood, continued her leisurely stroll toward Kyoto, holding little Shinobu in her arms while Liliana and Athena walked alongside them.
Kyoto, Nikkō Tōshō-gū. This site, built as a religious monument for Tokugawa Ieyasu as a guardian god of the nation, also secretly housed the Western Heavenly Palace, a shrine dedicated to the Heretic God, the "Monkey King."
After five hours of casual sightseeing, Eriri and her group finally arrived at the shrine as the sun began to set. However, the moment they set foot on the grounds, they were quickly spotted by a group of magicians stationed around the shrine.
Led by a young man dressed in a sharp suit, the magicians gathered in front of Eriri's group, blocking their path.
"Halt!" the young man commanded haughtily, stepping forward. "I am the heir of this house, Kuhoutsuka Mikihiko. As this shrine is under our protection, I must ask you to turn back."
Liliana recognized him instantly. 'Kuhoutsuka Mikihiko?'"
Indeed, the young man before them was the heir of the Kuhoutsuka family, an ancient and powerful lineage entrusted with managing matters related to the Monkey King's shrine. The family had long been responsible for the care of the shrine and the Miko serving within it. Kaneko himself was known not only for his prestigious lineage but also for his remarkable talent, even among Japan's most accomplished magicians.
"It's an honor to be recognized," Kuhoutsuka replied with a smug smile, his tone filled with arrogance. He gave Liliana an appreciative look, unable to hide his admiration. "I've heard much about the beauty of the 'Fairy of Swords.' It seems your reputation is well-deserved."
However, his gaze occasionally flickered toward Eriri, unable to conceal his fiery attraction to her, though he wisely chose not to act on it at the moment. As a seasoned practitioner, he knew that this group wasn't to be underestimated.
"I understand you're here for the Monkey King," he continued. "I don't know where you got the confidence to defeat a god or break the seal here, but let me warn you—the Monkey King is under our care, and it would be best if you didn't disturb him. This will benefit both of us."
He was aware of some basic information about Eriri's group, having been briefed by the History Compilation Committee. While he knew that one of them had the power of a Holy Knight, he was confident that as long as a Campione didn't intervene personally, his forces could hold them off. Kyoto, after all, was their stronghold.
Liliana, however, had no intention of backing down. "There's no need for you to concern yourself, Lord Kuhoutsuka. The Monkey King is our target, and we will not be stopped."
"Hmph, that won't do," Kuhoutsuka retorted. "You may be strong, but don't underestimate the Kuhoutsuka family."
As tension escalated and a confrontation seemed inevitable, Eriri suddenly smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye. She reached out and gently pulled Liliana back.
"Liliana, let's not bother walking any further."
"...Yes, understood," Liliana replied, though her face showed a flicker of confusion.
Relieved, Kuhoutsuka let out a small breath. Avoiding conflict was the best outcome for him. After all, he had no desire to test his strength against a group with connections to a Campione.
His expression shifted into one of smug satisfaction. In his mind, Eriri's retreat was an acknowledgment of their strength. He felt emboldened, stealing glances at her flawless appearance.
But just as he was about to speak, Eriri's next words wiped the smile off his face.
"Liliana, I'll just bring Sun Wukong to you directly. There's no need to trouble ourselves by entering the shrine."
"Pfft… Hahaha! You must be joking, right?" Kuhoutsuka burst into laughter, joined by the guards and magicians surrounding him.
To him, it was inconceivable that anyone could simply bypass the complex sealing ritual, a binding spell even a Campione couldn't easily break.
But Eriri remained unbothered by their ridicule. Liliana, Shinobu, and Athena, meanwhile, showed no sign of doubt. They had full faith in Eriri's abilities.
As soon as Eriri spoke, Liliana readied herself, gathering the energy Eriri had imbued in her earlier, preparing for the imminent battle.
Eriri casually extended her hand and made a small gesture with her fingers. There was no grand spectacle, no extravagant display of magic—just a subtle pull.
In an instant, an 80-centimeter-tall monkey with golden-orange fur appeared before Liliana, standing dumbfounded. At the same time, the mocking laughter of the onlookers abruptly ceased.
The familiar face, the familiar fur, the unmistakable divine aura—there was no doubt. This was the Monkey King.
"Sun Wukong?!" Kuhoutsuka's voice cracked in disbelief as he stared at the figure before them.
"How… how is this possible?!"
The magicians of the Kuhoutsuka family were equally stunned. None of them had thought it possible for someone to effortlessly pull the Monkey King from the Yomi (Netherworld), bypassing the seal as if it didn't exist.
Even Sun Wukong himself was left bewildered. Moments earlier, he had been reclining on the luxurious hay bedding of his royal stables in the Netherworld. Now, he found himself standing before a group of strangers, with no recollection of how he had been summoned. He, a god, had been yanked from his realm without even the faintest resistance.
As he tried to comprehend the situation, a deadly strike was already descending upon him.
"I—" He barely managed to utter a word before Liliana's attack overwhelmed him. In less than two seconds, Sun Wukong, the great Monkey King, had been obliterated, his form dissipating as his essence returned to myth.
Everyone, save for Eriri's group, stood frozen in disbelief. They had just witnessed a god slain in mere moments.
As Liliana's eyes fluttered shut, her body began to fall backward. Eriri, ever attentive, caught her and gently held her in her arms. She then placed her hand on Liliana's forehead, using her energy to protect Liliana's soul as it journeyed through the ritual of the Campione's rebirth.
A new Campione was about to be born.
Though the Monkey King had perished, a solemn silence fell over the shrine. No one dared move or speak. Even Kuhoutsuka, who had been full of pride just moments earlier, was now gripped by fear.
If they hadn't known before, they knew now: Eriri was a being far beyond their understanding—far beyond anything they could hope to contend with.
Kuhoutsuka's heart sank. All the arrogance he had displayed earlier had evaporated. Now, there was only terror. He couldn't even meet Eriri's gaze, terrified that even a glance from her might seal his fate. At the same time, he felt a sense of relief—relief that he hadn't foolishly initiated a battle with them earlier. If he had, not only would they have all been slaughtered, but the entire Kuhoutsuka family might have faced annihilation.
Meanwhile, in the Yomi, within a modest wooden hut, sat a towering old man dressed in a rough, simple kimono. His face was stern as he sat by the hearth, deep in thought.
This man was none other than Susanoo-no-Mikoto, also known as "Susanoo," one of the original founders of the History Compilation Committee. He had been the one to lure the Monkey King into captivity and bind him with the seal, intending to use him as a tool against other gods.
Though Susanoo claimed to have "retired" from the affairs of the world, he was, at heart, still a Heretic God—a god who had just witnessed the swift and unceremonious death of Sun Wukong.
It unsettled him deeply. The fact that someone could pull the Monkey King out of the Yomi so effortlessly meant that he, too, was no longer safe.
For now, all he could do was hope that the terrifying figure who had slain the Monkey King had no interest in him.
Seconds passed, and Liliana's eyes finally fluttered open. Her body now radiated the unmistakable aura of a Campione, filling Kuhoutsuka and the others with a mixture of awe and dread.
"Master, I've succeeded. Thank you!" Liliana exclaimed as she stood, her eyes brimming with gratitude and reverence as she knelt before Eriri.
Thanks to Eriri's protection, Liliana had been able to retain her memories of the ritual with Pandora—just like Erica had. Though losing those memories wouldn't have affected her much, Eriri preferred that Liliana didn't lose any part of her experience.
"Congratulations, Liliana," Eriri said with a smile as she patted Liliana's head, helping her stand.
Shinobu and Athena, too, offered their congratulations, with Athena no longer feeling the antipathy she once had toward Campiones—after all, she was no longer a Heretic God.
"Liliana, what power did you gain?"
"I've acquired Sun Wukong's Steel Body. I can feel my body becoming incredibly resilient," Liliana replied, her face beaming with satisfaction. Clearly, she was thrilled with her new ability.
"Hmm, not bad," Eriri mused.
The Steel Body was one of Sun Wukong's primary powers, granting its user incredible durability and resilience far surpassing the Man of Steel Protection granted by other gods. Liliana could now withstand even the fiercest of curses and poisons, making her nearly invulnerable during battle.
Eriri considered for a moment, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Should I summon another Heretic God for Liliana to kill…?"
After a brief pause, she shook her head. "No, this is good enough."
Meanwhile, back in the Yomi, Susanoo sat drenched in cold sweat. For just a moment, he had felt Eriri's gaze upon him, and it had almost been enough to end his life. He vowed then and there to remain hidden in the Yomi forever, never to return to the mortal world. It was far too dangerous out there.
Moments later, the silence around the shrine was broken as Kuhoutsuka and his men, realizing the conversation had ended, bowed deeply toward Liliana.
"Congratulations on your ascension, Your Majesty. The Kuhoutsuka family offers its sincerest blessings to the new king."
Turning to Eriri, Kuhoutsuka spoke with trembling words, "I humbly beg your forgiveness for my earlier disrespect."
Truthfully, he wanted to establish some sort of relationship with Eriri, hoping that with her help, he might one day become a Campione himself. But he lacked the courage to ask. And it was a good thing, too—any such request would have likely resulted in his immediate death. Eriri had no interest in men, and the only one she even acknowledged was her father, William.
"You're in the way. Leave now," Eriri said curtly, waving a hand in clear disgust.
"Y-Yes!" Kuhoutsuka responded immediately, not daring to argue. He quickly led his men away from Nikkō Tōshō-gū, leaving the site that had now lost its significance.
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