[Kiba Side]
It had been a few minutes since we moved to the decisive battlefield via the teleportation circle.
Our team, set to fight the unit led by Ewald Cristaldi, was already standing on the battlefield.
This battlefield was that ruined church and its surroundings.
It was the place the Fallen Angels had used as a base during the incident with Asia-san, and also the place where Irina-san's father had once been stationed.
Just a little longer until combat begins.
As the moment when our opponents would appear drew near, Dulio-san, the Joker, spoke to me while we waited.
"Man, I never thought I'd be standing on the same battle line as Kiba-kyun."
"No, the honor is mine."
"I heard you were carrying some complicated baggage, Kiba-kyun, so I was wondering if you'd hate teaming up with me."
"I believe I know who deserves my hatred. I wouldn't hold a grudge against our leader."
I had come into contact with him several times.
What I learned was that he was a lighter, kinder young man than I had imagined.
He gave a wry smile at my words.
"Is that right? I'd heard your story, Kiba-kyun, so I was worried you'd be radiating killing intent today. ...It's not good, you know. Even if there are hard feelings, fighting amongst ourselves right now isn't the way. Sometimes patience is a virtue, especially now."
Saying that, he took something out of his pocket.
It was——an origami crane.
"Soon, a ritual to remove a Sacred Gear will be performed at a church facility near Kuoh Town."
Dulio-san continued while stroking the crane's head with his finger.
"...There's a child who can't walk well. Has been in a wheelchair for a long time. Apparently, they possess a Sacred Gear related to legs, but the child's resistance is weak. It seems the ability manifested in a bad way. To think a Sacred Gear, a gift from God, could become a shackle for its owner... Sacred Gears can be scary things."
"And the removal ritual is for that child?"
"That's right. Thanks to Grigori's technology becoming more widespread. It's not perfect yet, but the child decided to undergo the removal anyway. If the hindering aspect weakens, they might be able to live a normal life. Well, it's the former Governor-General's tech, so it'll probably succeed. I trust it completely, though."
Dulio-san smiled broadly.
It was proof that he trusted Azazel-sensei from the bottom of his heart.
Even though they were originally enemies, Sensei's sincere efforts toward the alliance, while viewed with suspicion by some, are steadily earning trust one step at a time.
We ourselves are one such example.
There was a time when the title of Governor-General of the Fallen Angels made him seem shady, but those thoughts are long gone now.
That man is just too good-natured.
Dulio-san stood up.
"That kid says they want to go to an amusement park once they can walk. Wants to go around all the attractions on their own two legs. ...It's normal. Sacred Gear or not, they're just a normal kid. That's why—"
He tossed the paper crane into the air.
The crane caught the wind and flew high into the sky.
After circling once in the air, it rode the wind again and returned to his hand.
"I think if I can protect those kids' simple dreams, that's good enough for me."
He tucked the origami crane back into his pocket and muttered a single phrase.
"Alright, time for a brawl. A reunion with a scary teacher."
As if responding to his words, a group of warriors appeared before our eyes.
There must have been nearly a hundred of them.
From those wearing priest vestments to women wearing battle suits similar to Xenovia and Irina-san's.
Hostility radiated from every single one of them.
Standing one step ahead of the warriors was a man in priestly robes carrying a replica of Excalibur——Ewald Cristaldi.
The mentor of these warriors, and the person who taught the sword to Xenovia and Irina-san.
Even Azazel-sensei had spoken of his terrifying prowess.
"Well if it isn't Sensei. Been a while, huh?"
Raising a hand, Dulio-san spoke to him casually.
Addressed so informally, Ewald Cristaldi did not change his stern expression as he opened his mouth solemnly.
"This reunion... should I rejoice, or should I lament? Dulio, and the reincarnated Angels. If you call me your mentor, will you not receive our swords without question?"
"I've got a mountain of things I want to ask you too, you know. But, well, if we can talk it out, I think that would be best."
He had expressed reluctance about fighting amongst ourselves.
If raised fists could be lowered with words, everyone would agree that's the best outcome.
However, Ewald Cristaldi replied:
"It seems a ritual for Sacred Gear extraction will be held at a facility in this land soon."
"That is correct."
It seems the coup faction had also obtained information about the story I heard earlier.
Ewald Cristaldi sighed as he spoke.
"However, a 'demonic ritual' is taking root in that facility. That is sinful. It must be condemned. ...Some voice such radical opinions. I am also a devout believer. There are aspects I cannot entirely deny."
"...Are you saying you'll destroy that facility? Then what do you intend to do with the children there?"
"Their sins will likely be purified in Limbo. ——If I said that, what would you do?"
The moment he heard those words, the Joker's expression, which had never lost its smile, changed completely.
"...Even as a joke, that's something you shouldn't say in front of me, Sensei."
A voice laced with anger.
This was a provocation.
Dulio-san himself must know that.
However, he simply couldn't ignore that statement.
Ewald Cristaldi spoke as if lamenting.
"Dulio, why does an excellent warrior like you not realize? Even having reached the position of Joker, why do you not realize? Even if we form an alliance, there are evils that must be punished!"
"Yeah. Even I understand that much. I know there are bad guys who can't be helped. But you know, that has nothing to do with those kids. Alliance, evil, none of that matters. Those kids have to be protected no matter what."
"Zenith Tempest... your power can disrupt the balance of the world, you know? And yet, you—"
"And yet. I've never once thought about trying to do something to the world, not until this very moment. I've only ever put one thing into practice."
He spread his arms wide, mimicking a hug.
"Protecting the smiles of the brats within my reach. I became strong for that. I became a Joker for that. That hasn't changed, even now."
Hearing those words, his mentor Ewald Cristaldi, and the warriors waiting behind him, all wore complicated expressions.
——Became strong to protect.
Perhaps he is the same as Issei-kun.
The reason to fight, the reason to become strong.
It is to protect what is precious.
From the words the Joker spoke, it seemed they felt something too.
Sister Griselda also took a step forward.
"Your Eminence Cristaldi, words have become futile between us. No matter what is said from here on, this child's heart will not move."
Hearing the Sister's words, Ewald Cristaldi looked up at the heavens.
"As always, an honest fool of a man."
At the mentor's words, which sounded somewhat exasperated, the kind Joker smiled.
"Isn't it fine to have at least one foolish Angel like me? Punishment won't strike me down."
"I see. Then I shall stick to my own will as well. Even if the God we revere is the same, if our 'Justice' differs, it must be corrected."
Ewald Cristaldi pointed the tip of the Excalibur Replica toward us and roared loudly.
"Further words are futile... indeed, that is true. If you and I are warriors, we have only to push our wills through with our weapons. ——Warriors! This is a battle permitted by Heaven! Spit out all your feelings right here and now!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"
A volume of voices loud enough to shake the entire area erupted from the warriors!
Ewald Cristaldi swung down the sword he had raised high to the heavens in a single motion!
"Do not regret even if you die! For the wages of sin is——death!"
That became the signal fire for the battle, and with a shout, the warriors began to charge toward us!
Former President Sona's voice came through the earpiece in my ear.
"Well then everyone, shall we begin? Let us strike them with all of our will!"
" " "Yes!" " "
[Tsubaki, Tsubasa, step forward and form shields!]
" "Yes!" "
The first ones to move on Former President Sona's orders were the 'Queen' Shinra-senpai and the 'Rook' Yura-san.
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