After the Occult Research Club's policy was decided and the progress of Xenovia's election campaign was confirmed.
I asked Ravel.
"About Riser's and the Champion's Rating Game, are you really going to stay here?"
A few days ago, Riser's comeback match was decided. His opponent is the current Champion, Diehauser Belial. His power is said to rival that of a Maou, and he is the strongest champion, hailed as the Emperor (エンペラー).
Normally, a match between the Champion and Riser wouldn't be scheduled. That's because of the huge difference in their ratings.
Rating Games, like the chess rating games in the human world, determine the rankings based on the rate—that is, points.
I recently found out that the Champion is overwhelmingly ahead in the 3500s. Riser hasn't even reached the 2000s. There is that much of a difference between the two.
So, why did they end up facing each other?
It's because the match was intended both as a commemoration of Riser's comeback and because it coincided with the Champion's special project, the 'Emperor Belial Ten-Match Series.'
The 'Emperor Belial Ten-Match Series' is essentially an exhibition match. The goal is to reassure the people of the Underworld, who are anxious due to continuous terrorist attacks, by showing them the Champion's heroic figure.
I received this report not only from Ravel but also from Riser himself.
In fact, I sometimes get dragged into Riser's special training… I have quite a few opportunities to meet him. And during those times, he often asks about the progress between me and Ravel.
Well, even if I say so myself, we are being affectionate.
When I reported that, Riser looked satisfied. Yeah, he's definitely being a good older brother.
Now, back to the topic. One problem arose regarding the Rating Game with the Champion. That is, Riser's Peerage is incomplete.
Riser is missing one 'Bishop' slot since Ravel left. There was talk about temporarily trading Ravel, his former Peerage member, for the match, but…
Riser surprisingly refused.
He said something like,
"Ravel is your Peerage member, and she wants to be by your side. In that case, even though she is my sister, I cannot drag her into my affairs."
If that's the case, Riser will have to compete with one member short, but when I mentioned that, he replied,
"Rias played a game against me even when her Peerage was incomplete. Moreover, I was a professional, and she was an amateur. Even though you were there, Rias still challenged me. If so, I will challenge the Champion as I am now. Even if I can't win, I'll put up a good fight."
Somehow… Riser had become a real man.
I even sparred with him during his training, and his power is steadily growing. Each of his attacks has become heavier and sharper. Moreover, he's starting to acquire a respectable martial arts technique and can exchange blows with me (in my bare body) in close-quarters combat. Lately, he's been training to rely as little as possible on his Immortality trait, which is why his progress is so fast.
If he keeps this up, I wonder if he'll climb to the Ultimate-Class level in the near future. The current Riser is strong enough to make me think so.
"I have decided to live as Issei-sama's 'Bishop,' and Riser-onii-sama has accepted my feelings. I feel bad for my brother, but I intend to stay by Issei-sama's side."
Ravel said this, placing a hand over her chest.
Yeah, when she says things like that… I can't help but want to pat her head.
So, I immediately stroked Ravel's head.
"Hehehe…"
Ah, that smile right now is dangerous… It's unfair.
"..."
Oops, Koneko-chan started pouting.
Koneko-chan gets sulky if I only give attention to Ravel.
In moments like these, opening up my lap silently solves the problem. I sat on the sofa, patted my lap, and she immediately climbed up.
Mmm, Koneko-chan's butt is as soft as ever!
"Nyaah…"
Geez, having two junior girls who are this adorable is painful!
I was busy doting on my two juniors.
▽
A little time passed after that, and following Rias, Akeno, and Azazel-sensei, the Sitri Peerage arrived at the club room. Everyone's expressions were serious, and it was obvious that something had happened.
Asia called for Xenovia and Irina, who were in the separate room, and the Gremory and Sitri Peerages gathered in the club room. Kiryuu, who is a normal human, was asked to wait in the separate room.
Sensei confirmed everyone's faces and then spoke in a heavy voice.
"I hate to break bad news so early in the new semester, but it's not the absolute worst. …But, you all should know about it."
"What happened?"
I asked.
Well, I know it's not good, and I want to know these things as soon as possible.
Sensei let out a breath.
"I told you about the coup d'état attempted by some of the Church's followers—mainly the warriors—late last year, right?"
Currently, a coup d'état, led by the warriors, is happening on the Church's side.
After the Three Factions established peace, the Church issued a decree: 'Do not oppose Devils and Fallen Angels.' The warriors belonging to the Church, for various reasons, had lived with ill feelings toward Devils and Fallen Angels, so this decree caused dissatisfaction.
They continued to operate despite their dissatisfaction because they were still slaying vampires and monsters. However, they have also established peace with the vampires.
While some felt relieved about this, other warriors felt dissatisfied.
And this time, the dissatisfaction of the warriors exploded, leading to a coup d'état.
Sensei explained.
"For the Church's warriors, it's equivalent to being stripped of their reason to fight. It's the same as having their revenge against their hated enemies, their livelihood, and their purpose in life taken away."
"It's understandable that warriors who have lived to fight the forces of evil for the sake of God and the Church would not know how to live once their reason to fight is suddenly taken away."
Xenovia commented.
Xenovia was also formerly a Church warrior. Precisely because she was raised to fight Devils and Fallen Angels—the forces of evil—she seems to understand the reasons that led them to the coup d'état.
However, some were clearly disgusted by this.
"...That's nothing but selfishness."
Alice muttered softly, gazing out the window. I was probably the only one who heard her whisper. Everyone else's attention remained focused on Sensei.
…Selfishness, huh. I guess you could certainly call it that.
—Being stripped of the reason to fight.
What exactly is the reason to fight? Why do people fight?
That's probably where I and Alice differ from the warriors who instigated the coup. Our fundamental ideas about fighting are different.
I brought my focus back to Sensei.
"The Church's coup d'état has mostly been contained. The majority of those who incited the riot have already been apprehended. However… the three key figures designated as the coup leaders are still at large. Many warriors are following them."
Sona named the leaders.
"The leaders are His Eminence Theodoro Regrenzi, the Cardinal Bishop; His Eminence Vasco Strada, the Cardinal Priest; and His Eminence Ewald Crystaldi, the Cardinal Deacon."
Hearing that, Rias rested her chin on her hand and groaned.
"...They are all major figures."
If I remember correctly… the Cardinal Bishop is the second-highest post in Catholicism, next to the Pope. The Cardinal Priest is one rank below that, and the Cardinal Deacon is one rank below that. If the Pope is the top, then the Church's second, third, and fourth-highest officials have all joined forces to stage a coup d'état.
…Seriously, they are major figures.
The Church members—Asia, Xenovia, and Irina—looked quite shocked by this report. Especially Xenovia and Irina, as warriors, seemed tense at the names mentioned.
Xenovia spoke, as if forcing the words out.
"...Strada-Gēka and Crystaldi-Sensei, huh."
"You know them?"
When I asked, the answer I got from Xenovia was unexpected.
"Of course. —Strada-Gēka was the previous owner of Durandal."
"—!"
At those words, some of the members who were unaware of the situation, including me, were speechless.
…So, one of Xenovia's seniors is one of the coup leaders!
Azazel-sensei said.
"Strada was said to rival or even surpass the hero Roland among the successive Durandal wielders. He was also a man who rose through the ranks of the warrior background unusually fast. He was the one who advocated for the necessity of the warrior education system and is a leader among the warriors. Xenovia and Irina must have been under his care."
Xenovia and Irina nodded at his words.
Both of them were Church warriors, and Xenovia inherited Durandal from that very person. Of course, they would have been under his care.
"Strada-Gēka is eighty-seven years old."
"Seriously?! He's over eighty and causing a coup d'état?! Isn't he too energetic?!"
He's an old man, so he should calm down a little! Is it one of those things, like, 'I won't lose to the youngsters yet!'? If so, he's too healthy!
"You should forget about his age. That man… is a living legend. His physical strength has not waned yet."
"That old man is seriously strong. Kokabiel fought him a long time ago and was quite cornered. If he hasn't declined even in his old age, consider him an extremely formidable opponent."
Following Xenovia, Azazel-sensei also spoke with a grim expression.
Kokabiel being cornered… That means he has the power to thoroughly beat even an Ultimate-Class Devil. That's no joke.
As I was astonished by the capability of this person named Strada, Alice whispered into my ear.
"Maurice could probably take him, right?"
"That old guy is a cheat."
~Meanwhile, Maurice~
At a certain port town in the Kingdom of Odilia.
"Ah, there he is. I finally found the squad—Squad Leader!? Hey, Squad Leader!? What are you doing?!"
"Hm? Oh, just practicing a new move. It's nothing much."
In front of Maurice, who replied with a smile—was the sea, split in two. Peering down, you could even see the seabed. Looking up, the sky was also split in two, and space was warping with a creaking sound.
It was a scene reminiscent of a natural disaster.
"A new move…? What did you do to cause something like that…?"
"Fighting spirit."
"How much fighting spirit did you put into that?! And this is a public port, isn't it?! Haven't you caused a huge commotion in the town?! I can hear screaming?!"
"Oh, really? My bad, I messed up. …Alright, I'm running away before things get complicated. I'm counting on you for the rest!"
"Wait… HEYYYY! Don't run away, you old coot!"
"Who are you calling an old coot?! I'm not losing to youngsters yet!"
"I don't think there's anyone young who can beat you!"
Maurice ran away, leaving the young knight behind.
Needless to say, the young knights had a hard time calming down the townspeople.
~End of Maurice's segment~
That old man is probably getting stronger even now… I can't beat him in my bare body. In fact, I've never won against him in a sword fight. His sword reaching me before I even notice is a frequent occurrence.
Well, let's set that cheat old man aside.
Irina said.
"Personally, I don't want to meet Crystaldi-sensei. He's our mentor, after all."
"Ah, me too. He drilled the basics of fighting Devils and vampires into me in his classes."
"He often taught me how to use Excalibur whenever I visited the Vatican. I heard that Crystaldi-sensei used three of the six Excaliburs simultaneously back in his prime…"
Azazel-sensei confirmed Irina's words.
"That's right. Ewald Crystaldi was a remarkable talent, even talked about amongst us Grigori. It was even rumored that he might have been capable of using all of the Excaliburs, not just three. Vasco Strada and Ewald Crystaldi. Both of these men are monsters. Coupled with the fact that they trained many warriors, they are the two great pillars among the warrior-turned-clergy."
Two major figures who exert significant influence on the Church's warriors. That's why so many warriors joined this coup d'état.
Moreover, the two key figures are a former Durandal wielder and a former Excalibur wielder. I feel a strange connection there.
Sensei brought up the name of the last of the three leaders.
"Theodoro Regrenzi was an extraordinary talent who rose to the position of Cardinal Bishop at the youngest age in history."
Asia opened her mouth, as if the name sounded familiar.
"I have never met him either. I heard he is a very mysterious person even among the Catholic high command."
"Me neither."
"Me too. I've only heard the name; I've never seen him. I don't think Sister Griselda knows him either."
Even the Reincarnated Angels don't know his face. He truly is a mystery. …Is there a need for him to hide his identity?
Well, that will likely become clear in the future.
It seems there is more to this story. And the content is—
"I think you've probably guessed it. The target of the three coup leaders and the warriors following them is—here. According to the apprehended warriors, they want to meet 'D×D,' the symbol of the alliance."
"Is that for a discussion? Or—"
"It's probably the latter."
Sensei answered my question immediately.
Yeah, I had a feeling.
However, that raises another issue.
"Will Qlippoth make a move?"
"There's a possibility. This commotion is an opportunity for those guys. Rumors say the whole thing started because that bastard Rizevim incited the Church's high command. That man is a genius at instigation. He's first-rate when it comes to egging people on."
That rotten bastard is involved, huh…
Damn it… I really regret letting him escape in Heaven.
As I gritted my teeth, Saji muttered.
"...This academy really has ties to the Holy Sword, doesn't it?"
It's true. I felt that too.
Starting from the Kokabiel incident up until now, events and wielders related to the Holy Sword seem to gather here.
"..."
My gaze fell on Kiba, who was deep in thought.
He was also involved with the Holy Sword…
Saji apologized to Kiba with a troubled expression.
"Sorry. I said that carelessly."
"Don't worry about it. I've moved past it somewhat since then, and I won't act out of hatred for those involved with the Holy Sword."
Kiba said that, but his expression still suggested he had complicated feelings about the Holy Sword.
Sensei spoke.
"It's true that you have ties to the Holy Sword. —Xenovia, Irina, Kiba. As those involved with the Holy Sword, you must surpass your predecessors. If that time comes, surpass them with all your might. If you are to be named among 'D×D,' doing that will make you a trump card against the wicked."
At those words, the three of them nodded, strong light gleaming in their eyes.
With that, the meeting was adjourned for the day.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 30 chapters of this story on Patreon.
If you're enjoying it and want to read ahead, feel free to check them out here:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thanks a lot for your support, it really helps me keep going.