18 Chapter 17: Truth

The rest of the day went by without incident, at least until Godou told Erica what was going to happen at his house later that day. It was the first time Godou had seen Erica be completely speechless. At least for 30 seconds anyway.

"Why in the world would you agree to them being the ones to explain things to your family?" Erica's voice had a firm tone that demanded an answer. Godou could only smile awkwardly as he answered her, "would they be willing to believe you or me? Shizuka has known both of them for a long time and has made it very clear to my grandfather that she respects and admires them both. This allows them to have what they're saying be proven before outright rejecting it with some random and outlandish excuse like they would if it was you or me explaining."

Erica's mouth opened, but no noise left. She couldn't come up with a rebuttal that she could believe, much less convince anyone else. After giving up on countering Godou's argument, she instead asked a question, "can I be there?"

Godou thought briefly before answering, "I don't see why not. Just please don't make things more complicated than they already will be. Also please don't pick a fight at my house."

"I would never," Erica responded.

Godou mentally questioned whether Erica was being truthful with that last statement, but chose to focus on the upcoming meeting.

Kusanagi Household, several hours later

Overall, the meeting could have gone a lot worse. After demonstrating a bit of magic in front of them, Illya was uninterrupted by Godou's sister and grandfather, Ichirou Kusanagi, until she finished explaining the existences known as Heretic Gods and Campione, that Illya's elder brother and Godou are Campione, and what the current situation between the two is.

Shizuka was the first to speak up, "Illya-sempai, can't your brother and Godou simply coexist as Campione of Japan?"

Illya shook her head, "Campione, for better or worse, attract all forms of supernatural trouble to themselves. Two Campione in the same location will attract trouble at an unheard of scale. Not to mention what the clash between the two would create. Onii-chan is already taking a risk by letting Godou finish school instead of just tossing him out. He's gambling that Godou and himself won't attract enough trouble to destroy Japan in the meantime. As for a clash between the two of them, unless Godou develops a backbone and tries to claim Japan for himself, there isn't going to be one."

Godou could only wince as both his grandfather and sister nodded at the last statement. He once again wished he could disagree with the Emiya in the room but couldn't.

Ichirou Kusanagi was the second to ask a question, "you said that the gods are the sum of their myths, but how far does that go?"

Yuri was the one who answered, "all myths from the very beginning of myths and if there is even the slightest hint of one god being the basis of another, the two will be the same god. Your specialty in the fields of culture might help you understand how a tale changes over time, but you have no clue how convoluted heretic gods can get."

Ichirou contemplated what he had just learned. As a former professor of folklore, he well and truly understood how convoluted tales could get, particularly if you're tracing a tale to its origin. His next question was brief, but it demanded the attention of everyone in the room, "which gods should Godou avoid at all cost?"

Godou was shocked silent by the question, especially since he had never asked it himself.

Shizuka was surprised her grandfather could ask such a question.

Erica and Yuri were impressed at how fast he noticed that flaw of Verethragna's authorities.

Illya responded, "I believe you mean the ones that would render Godou powerless? There are two gods that Godou should avoid if at all possible. The first is Mithras, the Persian god of light that Verethragna owed his allegiance to. He manifested as part of another heretic god recently and has already been defeated, so don't expect him for a while. The other would be Verethragna himself. You have all possible forms of his power, but none of them are at full strength. He would know the power better than you likely ever will, at least when the day comes that he manifests into this world again."

Godou remembered Verethragna's final words and a shiver when up his spine.

Shizuka broke the silence created by Illya's answer, "can we meet your elder brother, Illya-sempai?"

Everyone turned to look at Shizuka. Godou's face was one of horror. But everyone else had a face of approval, although for different reasons.

Illya's response was simple, "may I ask why?"

"No offense but despite the magic you showed us earlier, it still feels like you're making it up. I just think if I meet another Campione like your brother, it will start to seem real."

Illya paused before responding, "you should be more careful about what you wish for. My brother may be safe to meet as long as you have no ill intent, but none of the other Campione are like that. Should you encounter them, try to not draw attention to yourself. It will likely save your life."

The seriousness in Illya's tone caused everyone in the room to fall silent. After a brief period of silence, Illya's cell phone rang.

Illya frowned, "one minute."

She answered her phone and what she heard caused the blood to drain from her face.

"When?

I understand.

Yes, we'll be on our way."

Hanging up the phone, Illya spoke in a voice that allowed no argument, "looks like you are going to get your wish, Shizuka-chan. We're all going to the Emiya estate right now."

Godou and Erica opened their mouths to protest, but what Illya said next caused them to not say a word.

"Sasha Dejanstahl Voban entered Japan on a private plane one hour ago."