The Occult Research Club and Student Council members stood there, mouths agape, dumbfounded.
somehow... I'm sorry.
I'm sorry my Cheat-Ojisan is such a disaster.
Strada reached into his robe again and took out a small bottle.
"Former Governor-General. As one part of the reparations for this disturbance, I wish to present this to you."
Sensei took the small bottle. Inside was what looked like a fragment of pottery.
Seeing it, Sensei's eyes widened in shock, and he groaned.
"This is... a fragment of the real Holy Grail?"
———?!
Every member of the DxD team was stunned by Sensei's words!
A fragment of the real Holy Grail?! Isn't that an incredibly precious artifact?! Even as reparations for this incident... is it really okay to give that up?!
Sensei asked Strada, seeking confirmation.
"Is this for real, Strada?"
"Yes."
Strada nodded.
...Is there something else going on? Giving us something that should be invaluable to the Church... surely there's some merit for them in doing so.
I don't understand it yet, but...
Strada's gaze shifted to Rias and Kiba.
"Knight of Rias Gremory. —Isaiah. I hear that is what you were called when you were in the facility."
"———! How do you know that name?"
Kiba was startled.
Isaiah... That was Kiba's name when he was in the Church facility. He had never even told us that...
"I heard that in the repeated experiments, many children never returned. But there was one exception. Do you recall the name Tosca?"
"...Tosca... It can't be...!"
At the mention of the name Tosca, Kiba's eyes widened, and he nodded repeatedly.
Strada signaled to his subordinates. From within the group of warriors, a single girl appeared.
She had white hair in braids and looked about twelve or thirteen years old.
The moment she saw Kiba, she covered her mouth with her hands.
"...Isaiah?"
"...N-No way...! Is it really... Tosca?"
"...Yeah."
Kiba was speechless.
Strada spoke to him.
"She possessed a Sacred Gear capable of creating powerful barriers. It manifested during the experiments, and even Valper and his team couldn't touch her. Even when she, the wielder, fell into a suspended state, the barrier would not dissolve. The researchers had no choice but to leave her deep within a hidden room in the facility. When we found her, even we could not undo the barrier."
"However," Strada continued.
"Thanks to the technology provided by the Fallen Angels during the alliance, we were finally able to dissolve it. Because she was in suspended animation inside the barrier, her growth halted, and she was physically weakened. That is why it took time to bring her to this country."
While listening to Strada's words, Kiba slowly walked toward the girl. She, too, moved toward Kiba.
The girl called Tosca touched Kiba's cheek.
"Isaiah, you've gotten so big... I'm still the same as I was back then."
"...It's okay. It's okay..."
The two shared a reunion embrace—
"I'm so glad Isaiah is alive."
"...! I see... that's right... You, and everyone else, and me... That was everything...! Just living!"
Kiba hugged her tightly, tears streaming down his face.
He didn't wish for revenge.
Not us, not her... and not the others who entrusted everything to him.
Kiba, you knew it in your heart too, didn't you?
Your sword is the greatest proof of that.
Strada watched the two of them with gentle eyes.
"Take her with you. If she stays in the Church, someone may try to use her again. Above all, I believe this is what she desires."
"Your Eminence Strada... I..."
Kiba tried to say something, but Strada shook his head.
"Do not forgive me. If you forgive, your blade will dull. The space between the Holy and the Demonic shall be the source of your power."
Next, Strada turned his gaze to Xenovia and ruffled her hair with his large hand.
"Warrior Xenovia. The sight of you fighting alongside the Red Dragon Emperor Boy was truly elegant. Fall in love, Maiden Xenovia. Durandal is tolerant of love."
"———Yes."
Xenovia replied with just a single word.
But in that single word, I felt all of Xenovia's pride and emotions were contained.
This old man... from the start, he came to this battle prepared with the letters for Asia and the news of Kiba's comrade. He created an opportunity for his warriors to vent their feelings, while simultaneously saving Asia and Kiba.
...What a guy.
Suddenly, my eyes met Strada's.
He simply smiled, and naturally, I found myself smiling back and nodding.
Old Man Maurice let out a breath.
"Good grief... quite the old man we have here."
"Fufufu, right back at you, Sword Saint of another world. Your words resonated even with this old body."
"Is that so? Well, if I have one thing to say... Old man, don't be in such a rush to die. regarding this incident, I've only heard what Azazel and the others told me. I don't know the full circumstances over here. ...But."
Maurice's eyes turned toward the Church warriors—Strada's disciples.
"If you die, there are people who will grieve. People who will cry. In that case, you shouldn't die. What you need to do now is watch over where those guys end up, right? Isn't that the job of those of us who live ahead of the youth?"
Saying that, Maurice patted my head.
The sensation felt familiar... A long time ago, Maurice used to pat my head just like this. With that big hand.
"If you're gonna die, live out your natural lifespan and die smiling while being seen off by your disciples. That's being a good teacher."
With that, Maurice grinned.
Strada returned the smile on his wrinkled face.
Strada walked toward the teleportation circle to face his inquisition. As he stepped onto it, the glow intensified, and the light of teleportation grew strong.
At the moment of transfer—Strada raised his right fist high toward the heavens with a smile.
Vasco Strada—the Father of the Church's warriors.
That man was truly a colossal presence.
"Ah-choo!"
"Old Man, put a shirt on already. You're gonna catch a cold. I'm not planning on seeing you off to the afterlife just yet, you know?"
"Idiot, I have no intention of being seen off anytime soon."
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