As the young man slipped through the attacks, several trails of light were drawn. In an instant, there were numerous ruptures scattered all over the bodies of the Grim Reapers who had attacked, annihilating them. There wasn’t a speck of dust left after that. The two remaining Grim Reapers flinched as they saw their friends annihilated without being able to do anything. One of the Grim Reapers maliciously pointed his blade towards Gorou and the others as he wielded his scythe! <<If that’s the case, then at least the parent of the Sekiryuutei!>>
He leaped with high speed and got closer. Gorou braced himself as he felt that his life was in danger. Someone then stood in front of Gorou. It was a girl with black hair — Ophis. Ophis handled the Grim Reaper that came to attack by slapping him! BAN! The Grim Reaper vanished along with a parched voice! Ophis said to the Grim Reaper who had completely vanished. “I won’t allow it. Whoever it may be.”
Gorou was also surprised by Ophis’s bravery. Kunou, who was beside him, opened her mouth widely in surprise as well. After the young man operated a part of his gauntlet, the powered exoskeleton started to detach.Then, as the weird atmosphere that filled the room vanished, they could once again hear the cheerful sounds of the spectators from the Rating Game’s venue. Gorou thought ‘I don’t really understand, but it looks like space has returned to normal’. The young man addressed the last remaining Grim Reaper. “Hey, Grim Reaper-san over there. Go back and tell Hades this; if I am in your list of targeted Longinus wielders, we will also come up with something. After all, you’re the ones who started all of this.”
The last Grim Reaper quickly fled while hatefully glaring at the young man. As the dangerous fellow left, Gorou stroked his chest in relief. “Y-You saved us there. By the way, w-who are you…?”
As the young man replied, he revealed a gentle smile which seemed appropriate for a boy his age. “—We go by the name of [Cross Times Kiss], but I guess that is meaningless in this [World] as it looks like the name [First Dark] is more popular here. My name is Kanzaki Mitsuya, and because of certain reasons, we will be closely guarding you and your wife during the tournament. That person over there is [Able], my colleague Kirino Shizuka-san.”
That young man, Kanzaki, looked at the young girl behind him. As their gazes met, she slightly bowed to them. The young girl then asked Kanzaki as she approached. “…Is it really true that we can get hold of information about [Evie Etoulde] just by helping these guys? After all, our faction is an enemy of Maou Beelzebub.”
“Well, who knows. But, it seems like Hades is really trying to become the guardian of this world. I am pretty sure even we wouldn’t want to get involved in that if he can take advantage of the Maous.”
“… Whichever it is, we can’t go back to that [Game] without getting something first.”
The conversation was completely incomprehensible to Gorou…but then Kanzaki looked in his direction. “I understand. For now, if we can get closer to the people who are close to Sekiryuutei, then at the very least…”
“…All right. I am fine with it as long as I can get the [Bonus] after thirty years.”
—Suddenly, another voice was heard. “…I guess for now, I will just say my greeting, you with the forbidden name, Kanzaki Mitsuya.”
Everyone turned towards the source of the voice. It was the figure of a familiar young man. A young man who had brought his black dog along. Gorou then remembered that he was a friend of his son Issei, Ikuse Tobio. Kanzaki cocked his eyes as he saw Ikuse Tobio. He then laughed cheerfully. “Yeah, I guess this is our first greeting, Slash Dog Ikuse Tobio.”
With a vigilant expression, Ikuse Tobio said. “—[First Dark], the nemesis of Maou Ajuka Beelzebub, the person who controls both the Longinus [Innovate Clear] and [Telos Karma]. The erased group [Cross Times Kiss]. And the human who comes and goes outside the reason of the world, huh…”
Kanzaki shrugged. “The deal that I made with Ajuka-sama says that I would only be cooperating during this Tournament.”
Ikuse Tobio looked at the terminal machine that Kanzaki possessed. “…The Grigori views you as a very dangerous man. I’ve heard that if I were to break that, you won’t be able to remain on this side, is that right?”
“It’s exactly as you say. Abel and I are weaklings full of weaknesses, you know?”
“You can certainly say that…”
As Kanzaki took out both terminal machines from his gauntlets, he said. “—Everything is for the sake of [Innovate] and [Karma].”
There was a weird atmosphere between Ikuse Tobio and Kanzaki. The dog that Ikuse Tobio brought along also emitted a dangerous light from its eyes. Acting as a mediator, Gorou stepped in between them. “N-Now, can you guys please stop fighting. See, I am also unharmed. You are…Ise’s friend, right? I remember seeing you a few times. If that’s true, could you please stop fighting here? I don’t know what happened between you two, but I don’t think he’s a bad person as he saved me and these girls.”
Ikuse Tobio lowered his head in response to Gorou’s words. “…Fine, sorry for making a ruckus.”
Gorou was surprised by his frankness. The young woman, Kirino, lowered her head as well as she spoke. “Thank you for sticking up for us. I am sorry that things had to turn out this way…”
The young woman looked like she was truly sorry. Gorou replied. “It’s fine, young lady. Since my son is working hard in this world, a part of me has been prepared to get involved in these kinds of things. There was also the time when Vali-kun’s scary grandfather targeted us.”
It was impossible for him to forget the day he learned the truth about his son, the day that their family bond had grown stronger. It was terrifying, but still, thanks to that, he was able to learn the truth about his son and the people around him. Even if he were to relive such terrifying memories again, he was sure that there wouldn’t be any better life as long as he could see his own son’s true form. That was why Gorou decided he would try to smile for the sake of his children, regardless of the terrifying things that he saw. He wanted to say that no matter how terrifying the situations that he encountered were, he would be fine. As if Kanzaki also felt this, he bowed his head as well. “…I am really sorry. But, now that I have met you, my determination has been hardened. —During the tournament, I will protect you and your wife.”
He didn’t really understand, but he knew that some great people were prepared to guard him and his wife. He would learn more about what kind of person he was from now on, but Gorou decided that he would try to believe in him for now, and so he replied with a ‘thank you’ for protecting them against the scary Grim Reapers. Kanzaki then added as he remembered something. “Ah, that’s right.”
He whispered to Gorou. (…Please, don’t speak of this matter to your son’s junior Nakiri-kun yet.