"Found it—the Cleria Incident."
After that, I gave Cleria-san and the others my apologies and thanks, and they brought me outside Kuoh Town via teleportation magic circle. Apparently, since devils and holy people learned about their relationship, they'd been continuing discussions in a tense state. Given the situation, while they weren't hostile yet, there was no need for uninvolved me to get caught up in it. Saying that, they laughed and sent me home without others noticing.
All I could do was nod. Honestly I was already overwhelmed, even getting a headache. Seeing my state, Cleria-san said "It's okay, thank you for worrying," and gently patted my head. Yaegaki-san and Lushana-san also worried about me despite their own difficulties. Though they were aristocratic devils and Church warriors I'd always avoided, they were incredibly kind people.
It got a bit late at night, but after returning home and spending my daily life in a daze, I pulled out the notes about the original story I'd compiled from the back of a drawer. To review again the sections written about them and about Kuoh Town. Since there were few parts where they appeared in the original, almost nothing was written about them.
"Cleria Belial. A female devil who was the administrator before Rias Gremory-san was entrusted with managing Kuoh Town. According to Great King Bael's words, they temporarily lent that land to aristocratic daughters and sons for experience, and she was one of them. Cleria-san's management went smoothly, properly fulfilling her role as a high-class devil."
However, coincidences overlapped and she met Yaegaki-san, and they fell in love. A devil and Church person connecting was absolutely unacceptable. I didn't know when the old devils learned about the King piece, but since Cleria-san had originally been investigating Rating Games, she'd probably been marked from before. While they talked about persuasion, they surely rejoiced at a situation to legally bury her. ...Sickening.
Even in the original, when Issei said he wanted to save Asia-san, Rias-san sternly scolded him: "Do not get involved with Church people." It felt unreasonable, but she'd reacted so excessively because it was that dangerous. An era of continuing skirmishes where war could break out anytime. The fear of not knowing what might trigger it.
I knew the Three Factions' leaders didn't want war and wanted peace, but normally people wouldn't know this. If it developed into war sacrificing many lives, it should end with small sacrifices. That was the past in the original—the current era's way of thinking. Both the Church and Bael faction devils probably shared the desire to settle things peacefully.
And one major cause of devils and the Church overreacting was the existence of her cousin, 'Diehauser Belial.' They feared the Emperor's appearance. The devil side felt the same. The devil government only told the Emperor that 'Cleria died.' The government crushed his pursuit of the truth about his precious cousin's death, whom he'd thought of like a sister. That suspicion led him to collude with a terrorist organization.
Ironically, the facts erased for their own preservation and appearances came back full circle as enormous revenge. The Church through regret and remorse over Yaegaki-san's death, and by his own hand. The devils when Diehauser-san announced the truth obtained from Khaos Brigade throughout the underworld. What happened to the underworld afterward from the Emperor's revelation about King pieces? What became of his revenge and the old devils—I'd reincarnated without ever knowing. That was somewhat regrettable.
Because it's me, I think Diehauser-san would accept Cleria-san and Yaegaki-san's feelings. Because he wished for her happiness. The war with House Belial that the Church feared. The terror that House Belial's and the Emperor's anger might descend on the Church for a Church warrior seducing Cleria-san. I understood their thinking somewhat, but it was still far too sad.
"...Sigh. Even knowing this, even understanding everyone's circumstances and the background, I still can't accept it. I know the heretical one is me for thinking things like devil-exorcist romance and King pieces shouldn't matter, but still..."
Just bad timing. If only Cleria-san hadn't gotten too close to King pieces. If two incompatible people wanted to love each other, they had to live more cunningly and skillfully. That was their naivety, and the facts weren't wrong, but I still felt disgusted by the old devils' selfishness. Because truly, this incident was one where only they laughed and nobody else was saved.
I sighed again. I hid the notes in their original place and collapsed onto my bed. Covering my eyes with my arm, I quietly closed my eyelids. Really sickening. Because this revulsion I held wasn't just toward the old devils, but toward myself too.
"What is this, really? Was I stupid for going to Kuoh Town? Why show me this when I'd decided not to get involved with the original story? What do you want me to do? ...What should I do?!"
The contradiction always within me. From when I realized I'd reincarnated into this world, I'd decided not to get involved with the original story. Sure, I had feelings of wanting to meet everyone from the original. I'd thought if I could help them, I'd gladly lend a hand. About Azazel-sensei's left arm and such, I'd had feelings of wanting to advise on small things I could do. But those were really small things, and... I hadn't thought about intervention involving the original's core like this. I'd abandoned thinking about it—that might be more accurate.
My room had soundproofing magic applied, so I punched the pillow in misdirected anger. Even knowing that ranting and taking it out wouldn't change anything, the gloomy thoughts within me wouldn't stop. To uphold my original intentions, I should just keep pretending not to see. Giving up saying it couldn't be helped was probably best. Because this clearly exceeded my capacity too much.
Plus, I was a Gray Magicians person. Even with Lady Mephisto's laissez-faire policy, this wasn't something that could be condoned. At our contract, she'd said 'as long as you don't antagonize other factions.' Actions to help them might be seen as hostile acts toward devils and the Church. I had a legitimate reason for being unable to help them. Using that as justification to deceive myself and live on was probably the smart way to live. Because this wasn't a simple world where you could survive on justice alone.
"But that's... the same thinking as those old devils and Church people."
That's why my irritation at myself wouldn't subside. I understood in my head that Cleria-san and the others were living their present to the fullest and absolutely shouldn't be sacrificed for the original story. Precisely because this was an incident where truly nobody was saved, acting to stop that tragedy wasn't wrong either.
Most of all, I found their happy appearance dazzling. I'd involuntarily laughed at their stupid-couple display that made even those around them exasperated. I'd felt that I wanted them to keep smiling like that forever.
"Sigh, the situation's different, but this somehow resembles when I tried to save Megumi-san... Back then the chip was just my own life, but this feeling of agonizing over whether to abandon her for myself is really similar."
And my actions back then were—. Thinking that far, I shook my head. The situation back then and now were completely different. Yet that scene replayed in my head over and over. The origin point where I'd managed to try engaging with the supernatural world I'd kept fearing.
'...Souta-kun, don't give up either and live until the end.'
"Living your life with a smile is really difficult. Azazel-sensei told me too, but confidently charging forward with this being my path as my best self is truly too hard."
While pressing down on my face as if covering it with my hands, I laughed tiredly. What should I do from here? My thoughts weren't organized yet, but perhaps because I'd remembered my own origin point, I'd calmed down a little.
Back then I was desperate, should have abandoned her but couldn't, and so—even if half-hearted and uncool, I chose struggling. I still hadn't done anything about this situation. I'd only learned the reality, hadn't done anything even within what I could do.
Though I was in such a half-baked state without even an answer... wasn't there something even someone like me could do? Maybe I was hopelessly stupid—I knew that much about myself.
Night deepened. That day I agonized too much, and before I knew it, my consciousness sank into deep sleep.
――――――
"Hehehe, these are my treasured collections! This is a movie from the underworld my brother appeared in. This one's footage from last year's 'Emperor Belial Ten Match Series.' Ah, this Ten Match Series is a special program only for the Champion at year's end. There are many unusual matchups you can't see in regular Rating Games, and it's a hugely exciting major event. Every devil watches annually—it's a top-rated amazing show! Especially last year, my brother's match with Rudiger Rosenkreutz-sama was the best! That match was such a famous battle remaining in history that I'll never forget in my life..."
"I-I see."
"And also, and also. This one's a special where he discussed Maou-sama and underworld politics, and this is called 'Emperor's Cooking Show by the Emperor'—it's a bit gimmicky, but any show my brother appears in is interesting. I want to crush baseless gossip that casually mocks him though."
While keeping a smile, I sought help from Lushana-san with a side glance. Ah, impossible? You didn't need to make that big X mark in front of your chest. Also, the Emperor is busy and amazing. He even does cooking shows. I didn't know how to react to that handsome man equipped with an apron.
"I'm happy to see Cleria's such lively smile, yet frustrated that smile comes from my brother-in-law... As expected of my greatest goal. Will I ever become someone who can make her happy with just my existence like him...?!"
"Really, Masaomi. Brother is brother. You are you. There's no difference—you're both irreplaceable, my happiness itself. You're always my precious person."
"—! Ah, Cleria! Even if you're a devil, that smile is my only angel!"
"Masaomi!"
"Cleria!"
At the two strongly embracing each other, I showed a dry smile while looking at Lushana-san with pleading eyes. Ah, still impossible? You didn't need to use magical power to create telop-like text saying 'It's already too late...' in front of your chest. Lushana-san, you're probably exhausted from being bathed in too much stupid-couple aura.
"Still, Shou-kun, you're quite peculiar. Going out of your way to sneak around avoiding other devils and Church people to visit us when I said it was dangerous."
"Officially, I'm Cleria-san's private guest, right? Just came to hang out."
"Both Cleria and Yaegaki-san are considerable weirdos. But coming to a place like this pushing that reason forward, you're also quite the weirdo."
At Lushana-san's words that seemed exasperated from the heart, I could only laugh. Because I truly thought the same myself. But accepting a suspicious child like me even while disclosing my affiliation for such reasons—you all are far more weird and too good-natured.
From the day I came to Kuoh Town, I'd started visiting Cleria-san's mansion during free time. The season became autumn, with elementary school holding sports festival practice. Receiving magic lessons from Lavinia, sometimes going to the association on holidays—this place had quietly joined my daily life.
Though I contacted in advance using communication magic Cleria-san had taught me just in case. Erasing appearance and presence with my Sacred Gear's power, sneaking carefully. If Lady Mephisto found out, I'd definitely be scolded. They'd been negative about my contact at first too, but I'd pushed through saying I was too worried.
"Um, I'm sorry. Everyone, I know you're having a hard time..."
"No, I'm also at fault for not refusing. Besides, talking with Shou-kun is a good change of pace. Everyone's negative about our relationship... Even thinking we'll do our best, it's still a bit tough."
"...Ah, yeah."
"Ahaha, sorry. Getting sentimental isn't like me. ...But if it gets dangerous, run away immediately, okay? This is our problem. There's no need for you as a magician to get more deeply involved, Shou-kun."
"Having a child like you who accepts us. Just thinking that gives us enough courage. It's okay, we'll make it so someday you can enter openly without sneaking like this."
I was conversely supported and worried about. Well, even being worried about by an elementary schooler, adults can only say it's fine. Cleria-san and her peerage were around high school age, and Yaegaki-san was early twenties. It felt a bit criminal, but about four or five years' difference so probably no problem. No, I wasn't in a position to worry about that preference.
"Now, enough gloomy talk—let's watch my treasured collection together! Hehehe, a perfect chance to increase my brother's fans..."
"P-please go easy on me."
These eyes of Cleria-san's somehow reminded me of the Milky magicians. When I handed over souvenirs including the keychain from Cleria-san to them, they were incredibly overjoyed. Then I was shown the Milky treasured collection, given commentary, deepened bonds as comrades... What am I really doing?
After that, I was shown lots of Emperor footage with Cleria-san's passionate explanations. Honestly, as expected of the champion. First surprised by my first live Rating Game footage, then purely absorbed in his battles. That legendary match she'd mentioned—I involuntarily cheered, sent applause, and had my palms sweating during such an amazing game. Though I couldn't see his peerage in the original, I memorized them in one day through Cleria-san's detailed explanations. Despite being a devil, terrifying proselytization rate.
Time spent together as Cleria-san's other peerage members joined in, attracted by our laughter and conversation. Even Lushana-san who'd looked troubled was giggling. In the original, I think the peerage of Cleria-san was mentioned too. Devil peerage members who tried to protect their master were also disposed of like them—in just one sentence. There might have been survivors, but that part was a bit vague.
I suddenly recalled Touji Shidou-san, Irina-san's father in the original. Cleria-san's comrades wished for her happiness and fought for her even if it meant becoming criminals and being purged. But Yaegaki-san's comrades... couldn't accept his feelings. But surely, the image of Cleria-san's peerage burned into their eyes. Not just remorse for killing their comrade Yaegaki-san, but also for those who chose the opposite path from them.
'I believe we can get along transcending ideology and position'—ten years later, Shidou-san conveyed this tearfully to Issei Hyoudou, thinking of his angel daughter Irina-san and laden with regret from that time. ...Hey, Shidou-san. Can't you have those feelings from ten years later right now? I know thinking of family and Church makes it difficult, but Yaegaki-san looks incredibly happy. He's laughing and working hard surrounded by loved ones and people who accept him.
"Even if it went against your own rules, regret over being unable to do anything..."
I couldn't consider this feeling Shidou-san expressed ten years later as someone else's problem. If I let them die like this, would I keep regretting being unable to do anything like him? Could I... do something? Could I do what I'm capable of without regret?
In a few months winter would come and Christmas would arrive. The time given to half-baked me wasn't much. I knew the time of choice would definitely come. Still, I thought I'd deeply engrave this time of laughing together with everyone into my heart.