Several hours after encountering the Church warrior rebels.
In the Hyoudou residence VIP room, key D×D members gather: ORC, Student Council, Griselda-san, Dulio, and local forces.
"You idiot, what were you even doing? You teleported in all serious-like and just wrecked the mood for nothing."
Azazel-sensei sighs in exasperation.
I can only apologize.
It really was an accident!
Who'd expect Alice to charge right when I teleported!?
…Though what came after was total chaos.
My bad, truly.
In the center, a communication magic circle projects Michael-san's hologram.
He begins explaining the coup.
『Their demand is a match against D×D—specifically against those of you living in Kuoh Town.』
"This town is where the Three Factions made peace and where the alliance began. To the rebels, it's a place of complicated feelings. And you lot were involved in those events. As the symbol of peace, D×D is both deeply complex and utterly hateful to them."
Griselda-san continues.
"Yes… Most involved in the coup lost family to devils or vampires, or had their lives ruined. They became warriors for revenge or to prevent the same tragedies. When the Three Factions made peace, the ones who protested loudest were the Church higher-ups who raised them."
To people who lost loved ones to devils or vampires, this alliance and peace must feel intolerable…
I see my old self in them.
When Raynare killed Asia right in front of me, my heart turned pitch black. I blamed myself—my selfish actions got her killed.
But of course I hated the one who murdered my friend. For a while, I hated all supernatural beings.
Objectively, war has no good or evil. Both sides hurt and get hurt, hatred breeding more hatred in an endless cycle. That's the history of the Great War in Ast Aarde.
I almost became part of that cycle.
But revenge is just selfish satisfaction. It doesn't bring back the dead.
Even if fulfilled, the relief is momentary. Afterward? Only a blood-stained self and new seeds of vengeance.
Cut those seeds? That's total destruction.
Revenge doesn't just hurt the target—it wounds everyone who cares about you. Every time you dirty your hands, you hurt the hearts of those who love you.
I know that logically, but hatred doesn't vanish easily. Most people would want to brutally crush the one who killed their loved one.
I can't say "forgive." I can't say "don't hate" or "don't resent."
At some point, you have to endure. So the pain you bear isn't passed on to the next generation.
Our situations differ greatly—different worlds, even.
But one thing: if you must hate, hate the individual, not the entire race.
The boy—Theodora Legrenzi—apparently said:
『There are "good" devils and "evil" devils.』
Exactly.
Where there is good, there is evil. Where there is evil, there must also be good.
Every world, every race has irredeemable bastards. Devils, fallen angels, humans—all have truly "evil" scum. I have zero intention of letting those kinds run free.
But never forget: every race also has people trying to fix things. Peace exists because of their strong wish to stop meaningless bloodshed.
I want them to understand that.
Forcing understanding is pointless. We can only wait for them to realize it themselves.
"No helping what already happened, huh."
Sensei nods at my mutter.
"Exactly. As I said before, they don't intend to kill. This is ultimately an internal squabble. We've got a Hero on our side too, so we'll manage. Issei alone can soak up all their pent-up frustration."
"Me!? I'm not their anger punching bag!"
"Well, we'd love to call Sairaorg and Siguaira too as D×D members, but they've got duties. Against Qlippoth, sure, but dragging the next heads of Great King and Archduke houses into this would make the old geezers over there complain."
"I get that, but why shove the punching-bag role solely onto me!?"
"You're used to getting beat up anyway."
"That's the reason!?"
Cruel!
Sure, I take Alice punches daily! And today I suffered irrational violence too!
Making me solo-tank the Church warriors is just evil!
Fine, I'll punch this old man! He'll forgive me!
Michael-san speaks gravely.
『…This all stems from our failure in oversight. With Heaven's power—』
"Hold it, Michael. You stay out."
Sensei cuts him off.
"Michael, you're Heaven's symbol. Making harsh calls is a leader's job. But as I said, this is a family fight—a brawl. Suppressing it by force leaves resentment. Better to give them a proper outlet this time."
Alice raises her hand.
"One thing bothers me."
"Bothers you?"
All eyes turn to Alice.
She nods and continues.
"No matter how dissatisfied the warriors are with peace, if the higher-ups can't even discern the current situation—who the real enemy is—they don't deserve their positions. And there are still plenty of enemies to fight."
Exactly.
Bad timing could get us all crushed by outside interference.
The order was "don't antagonize devils and vampires," leaving them without targets.
But that's not true now.
Qlippoth is a massive threat, led by Rizevim, son of the former Lucifer, with Old Maou faction remnants under him.
If they want devil enemies, those guys are perfect targets—far better than us tangled in the alliance.
"That Strada geezer fully understands the situation yet deliberately challenged us now. The real enemy is the lump of evil called Qlippoth. He knows that, yet still挑ed us—supposed allies. …There's some other motive, beyond just voicing the warriors' final appeal."
Another motive…
Did Strada really come just to vent frustration?
Sensei agrees with Alice.
"I thought the same. No way Strada and Cristaldi blindly got dragged into a coup by their students. They have a plan. Michael, you've noticed too, right?"
『…I've watched both since childhood. I know how devout they are. Above all, they are pure and love humanity deeply. They probably hold a roundabout yet straightforward wish…』
Straightforward wish, huh.
Vasco Strada and Ewald Cristaldi—Church's twin giants, raised countless warriors. They wouldn't just rampage without reason.
Leaving those two aside, the mysterious one is Theodora Legrenzi. A kid being the third ringleader shocked me…
Michael-san explains.
『The young cardinal Theodora Legrenzi is the most gifted among the "Children of Miracles." That's why he rose to that position so young.』
"Children of Miracles" clicks for everyone except me, Miyu, and Alice.
Sensei tells me:
"'Children of Miracles' are angel-human hybrids."
"Angel-human hybrids!? S-so others used that baby-making room!?"
"Idiot. That room is custom for you guys… actually, it's the only one."
Oh, right. Irina begged Michael to make it with Underworld tech…
Angel-human hybrids are supposed to be impossible. Angels fall if they feel lust. Most who sleep with humans drown in pleasure and become fallen angels.
…Sensei lost his virginity and fell, after all.
"Yeah, figures."
Totally believable.
Anyway, with special rituals and barriers, angels and humans can conceive—but both must act out of pure love, not lust.
…I did it with Irina… that would've caused falling for sure. Without that room, definite fall. My feelings for Irina are real, but…
Michael-san's hologram looks at me and Irina.
『…Bad timing, but—are you using it? The room I made with Underworld tech too. I'm… actually quite looking forward to it…』
He corrected himself! You're blatantly excited, Michael-san!
What timing from the Archangel!
Irina and I are mortified!
Yet Irina reports to her boss, face crimson.
"W-we're practicing! W-we're still students, so… right?"
Her eyes turn to me!
Report too!?
Agh! Michael-san's staring!
But Irina tried hard! As the man, I have to say it!
"W-well… Irina wants to enjoy student life more, and there are things only possible now, so… after graduation…"
Michael-san beams.
『I see, excellent. You're still students—many things to learn, many experiences only possible now. Study hard, practice plenty. It will shape your future. —I have high hopes!』
Heavy pressure!?
How much are you expecting, Michael-san!?
"Practice plenty" means… keep at it, right!?
I-Irina is cute, and childhood-friend sex is exciting, but—!
When did Irina get so close!?
She's right beside me, tugging my sleeve!
"T-tonight… wanna?"
Not in front of everyone!
Your boss is watching!
Look, Rias and the others are giving weird looks!
『Yes, yes. Youth is wonderful. So full of passion.』
Stop nodding so warmly!
Sensei puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Well, Issei's baby-making is only a matter of time. The future of the Three Factions literally rests on this guy."
"How much pressure!?"
"Good, right? You promised Baraqiel a soccer team with Akeno. Naturally Miyu, Rias and the rest follow. Soon we'll have enough for a family league. —Michael, the future of the Underworld and Heaven is bright…!』
『Ohhh…!』
Sensei and Michael-san clench fists, eyes sparkling!
What future are they envisioning!?
"I'll die, you know…"
"Don't worry. I sent Grigori-brand aphrodisiac and stamina potions to your office, remember? Those'll carry you. Insanely effective."
T-they were…
Absolutely worked…
Sensei suddenly remembers.
"By the way, you didn't use the aphrodisiac undiluted, right?"
"N-no, the warning said to dilute."
"Good… Undiluted makes women go feral—personality flips, they'll hunt their man down. Diluted is safe."
Never letting anyone drink undiluted.
"Keep refrigerated after opening," so it's in the office fridge… someone accidentally drinking it would be disastrous.
"Back to topic—their challenge. Sorry, but accept it. Heaven and Church's mess to clean up. Always giving you the short straw."
『My apologies.』
Even Michael-san looks guilty.
When the two top leaders ask, we can't refuse. We're part of the peace too—our responsibility in a way.
We accept the challenge.
The duel is set for three days later.
However—
At this very moment, no one knew.
In a completely unrelated place, an utterly insane situation was about to explode.
(The previous chapter's final scene ties in.)
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