Alexandre Gascoigne was a very busy man.
To this description, the woman who was his enemy, once added most
redundantly, "To be precise, his desire for work creates never-ending tasks
for himself." In any case, he was very busy.
After all, he had a very ostentatious title.
The god-slaying Devil King Campione, commander-in-chief of the secret
association, [Royal Arsenal]!
Even though it was not a position he wished for, somehow it naturally
developed to this state.
A man above all peoples was obliged to display work ethic and behavior in
accordance to his stature. Such was his aesthetic ideal.
Almost twelve years had passed since Alec had become a Campione.
During this time, he vigorously conducted his activities with such an intent.
Thanks to that, the name of Black Prince Alec was widely known as a Devil
King of the new age.
As a side note, he was nicknamed "Prince" because of his obvious youth in
comparison to Devil Kings of olden days like Marquis Voban.
Nevertheless, even Alec would take roughly one vacation a year.
Wherever his destination, somehow he was always met with troublesome
conflicts.
Embroiled into the Divine Ancestor's conspiracies. Encountering [Heretic
Gods]. Saving ordinary citizens who were about to be wiped out by
profound and magical secret arts. Stealing ancient treasures whose
existences he learned of by chance. Hassled by headache-inducing female
acquaintances.
Thinking back again, he had never had a peaceful relaxing vacation...
"Hence, I will change my way of thinking instead."
During mid autumn, that was what Alec said to his trusted subordinate.
As a side note, European vacations were usually taken during the summer.
But due to all sorts of busy work and matters, his vacation had been
pushed back to November.
"Since troublesome things will happen anyway, I might as well go directly
to where trouble is brewing. I will make a brief visit to Japan."
"Oh. If I remember correctly, that is the place in the far east where you
went about a month ago."
The other participant of the conversation was Alec's bodyguard, Sir
Iceman.
A legendary knight without any flaws (aerophobia aside), having passed
the age of thirty, his solemn face felt increasingly seasoned as time went
by.
"Yeah. There has been reports of Guinevere's secret activities. I think this
is a good chance to investigate that woman's plans. I'll rely on you to keep
watch here."
"...Alec. I've held this idea from a very long time ago."
This was the scene when Alec entrusted remaining matters to his reliable
subordinate and close friend.
However, Sir Iceman shook his head as if troubled by a dilemma, and said:
"The reason why you keep running into trouble lies here. Smothering the
embers of disaster with great effort each time, only to quickly encounter
another one, and even deliberately starting fires of your own, grumbling to
yourself as you try to put them out... That personality of yours is precisely
the number one culprit."
"Wait a minute. Putting that aside, hasn't a certain person been causing
many troublesome incidents?!"
"In that case, you really should reflect on your choice of friends. I can see
no reason in maintaining ties of friendship all this time with people who
keep running into trouble."
Sir Iceman objected with a disappointed face as he shrugged sardonically.
That Princess and Divine Ancestor, as well as that other group of shady
characters were not his friends. Alec wanted to shout that out, but for the
sake of his authority and dignity, he refrained.
Anyway, he was currently on vacation.
In order to avoid alerting those involved in the Japanese world of magic, he
needed to take precautions during entry. Using a passport with a fake
name, he traveled like "a king in disguise."
...With regards to the outcome, this vacation turned out to be rather
peaceful.
Divine Ancestor Guinevere, Lancelot who had become a [Heretic God], as
well as the commotion caused by Goddess Athena, none of them required
Alec to take action.
Japan's Campione, Kusanagi Godou, had undertaken everything upon
himself.
During this time, Alec was essentially observing as a bystander.
"Looks like Guinevere still hasn't given up on 'Arthur.'"
Having discovered the Witch Queen's plot, he quietly muttered to himself.
The king who manifests at the end of eras. The war god whose origins lay
in fantastic heroic legends. Due to his research and adventures for the
past few years, Alec's investigation about him had reached new depths.
"Were you hindered just as you were about to revive him successfully?"
The opinionated Guinevere's vision was actually quite narrow. Even
though Alec did not think she was able to solve the mystery easily, he still
had to take precautions...
At the same time, he did not forget his personal interests.
While hanging around Tokyo, he investigated the inner workings of the
History Compilation Committee.
Even though he had said he wanted a relaxing sightseeing tour of Japan...
And tentatively still considering a tour like that, in the end, he prioritized
intelligence gathering. This was his workaholism at work — he would feel
anxious whenever there was no work or research to be done.
"As always, you're still leading a private life fatally lacking in delight,
glamor, or healing presences. Your future worries me so. Without any
family or lover to accompany your days, wouldn't your life end in lonesome
solitude?"
He was reminded of the pitying words offered by that long-time female
acquaintance who was definitely not his friend. In any case, Alec was still
enjoying his stay in Japan.
Furthermore, he even became a villain along the way.
The Heavenly Reverse Halberd that Guinevere had wanted to obtain, was
a rather interesting divine artifact.
"Maybe call it... Earning some tips, not bad at all."
Quietly muttering to himself, he tried out a little trick.
His first authority of divine speed. It not only allowed him to run as fast as
the wind, but even gave him the ability to turn into lightning and take flight.
In actual fact, there were all sorts of variations in application.
Such as leaving virtual afterimages like ninjas of legend, giving other
people divine speed apart from himself, or turning himself into lightning for
an instant to unleash electrical attacks.
Amongst these various abilities, he could also virtually erase his complete
presence, allowing him to undertake secret activities with divine speed.
As long as he unleashed divine speed fully, he became as fast as
lightning.
However, objects moving at super high speed will cause others to notice
something was amiss. It was a power not particularly suited to staying
hidden.
Using divine speed to move undetected—
If that could be done, then he could achieve the feat of being active around
wild beasts without their noticing.
Alec was able to control divine speed as easily as his own arms and legs...
Well, to do so he needed to remove all hindering burdens. Even a coat
could not be worn because any extra force exerted would cause detectable
movements. So physical tasks also had to be avoided. But what about
something on the level of delivering a piece of paper?
Alec took off his winter coat and began using divine speed in light clothing.
He then approached Kusanagi Godou while he was eating and left the
note there.
Eavesdropping on their subsequent reactions and conversations about the
entire matter, Alec successfully confirmed the identity of the man carrying
the Heavenly Reverse Halberd.
A wizard and special agent who seemed kind of unmotivated. But quite
competent indeed. On that night, Guinevere had been pursuing this man,
trying to snatch away the Heavenly Reverse Halberd.
The man had skillfully employed concealment spells, successfully shaking
the witch off his trail.
Even Alec had lost him at one point. It seemed like he was some kind of
ninja authority.
However, after Lancelot's battle with Athena and Kusanagi Godou had
began, Alec found the man near the battlefield.
Faced with such a tense situation, even that man showed an opening. That
made everything that followed rather simple.
Turning into lightning, Alec silently stole his way to the man's back and
made light contact. As the man collapsed, convulsing from the electrical
shock, Alec casually retrieved the Heavenly Reverse Halberd from his suit.
At the time, the ninja showed a surprised expression as he remained
conscious.
Killing him to silence a witness... Was the type of unwise decision that Alec
did not intend to take. He simply shrugged and left.
England's black gentleman and Japan's Kusanagi Godou.
With that, an intriguing connection of destiny had been established
between the two.