"I think so too," Azazel said. "It's going to be a direct clash. It's simpler, which in some ways makes it even more dangerous. But I'm getting off track—the point is, Masaomi Yaegaki will be joining our ranks."
Masaomi closed his eyes for a moment. "I'm sure some of you aren't thrilled to see me. I was your enemy, after all. I imagine it's especially complicated for the Angel Irina, the daughter of my old commander."
He walked over to the bed and stood beside Issei. "I was brought back by the Holy Grail. If it wasn't for the Red Dragon Emperor, I would have died a second death that day in Heaven. At the time, I thought that was what I wanted. But here I am... I survived."
Masaomi had nearly been killed by Rizevim, but Issei had intervened.
"I asked him why he bothered to save me. I was a dead man; what did it matter if I died again? But he just looked at me and said, 'But you're alive right now, aren't you?'"
Masaomi placed a hand over his heart and offered a small, weary smile. He looked at us with a clear, unwavering gaze. "Even a man like me has things he can do while he's among the living. I will fight... No, please, let me fight. That town is a place of tragedy for me and Cleria. Even now, it hurts to think about. But it's also the place where I have my most precious memories of her. She loved that town. That's why I want to protect it. I won't swing this sword for revenge anymore. I'll swing it to protect what remains."
His eyes were no longer those of a man consumed by the past. They were the eyes of someone who had found his resolve—someone looking toward the future.
Irina reached out and took his hand. "Masaomi-san, it's an honor to have you with us. I don't want to lose the place where I have so many memories of Darling, either. Let's protect it together."
"I will," Masaomi replied, nodding firmly.
No one in the room could find a reason to object. Everyone shared a look of grim determination. This wasn't just a battle for the present or the future; it was a battle to protect our history. Every member of the Occult Research Club had a home in that town. For me, it was the place where Rias had saved me—a place filled with memories I refused to let go of.
Masaomi's words were the final spark we needed to solidify our resolve.
"Now that the introductions are out of the way, let's get down to business," Azazel said.
He tapped a magic circle on his finger, projecting an image onto the hospital wall. It showed a corner of a Grigori research facility located in Japan.
"As I said, I've secured a location. Our Japanese branch has zero reported casualties so far, so they can provide full logistical support. The space I've prepared is about half the size of the Tokyo Dome. It should be plenty of room for training... provided a certain 'Sword Saint' doesn't go overboard."
"I can't make any promises there," Morris chuckled darkly. "Our enemies are monsters. If these kids don't train like their lives depend on it, they won't stand a chance in three days. Don't worry—I'm going in with the intent to kill. Right, Yuuto?"
I... I am the opposite of 'not worried' right now, I thought, feeling a cold sweat break out. Is there a chance I'll die before the final battle even starts? Beside me, Xenovia and Irina had also gone quite pale.
Azazel ignored our existential dread and turned to Miwa and Alice. "And the ritual?"
"It's ready," Miwa confirmed. "If Alice-san and I combine our power, considering the scale and the density of the barrier, we can manage about two hours out here... which translates to roughly one month inside."
One month. Whether that would be enough for a true breakthrough, I didn't know. But compared to the seventy-two hours we had originally been given, it was a godsend.
"Excellent," Azazel said. "We'll handle the external support. The training space is equipped with living quarters and supplies."
"Top-notch service," Morris noted.
"But be warned: once you're inside that barrier, communication with the outside world is impossible. By the nature of the spell, you cannot leave until Miwa and Alice deactivate it. Well... I suppose you could probably cut your way out, Morris, but..."
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