Naturally, it’s not my place to say this as one who uses an artificial Sacred Gear in a Burst state, but the way to use a power that throws away one’s future like that is essentially different from the way to use the Sacred Gear’s power. —It’s an accursed method of fighting that just uses the power of people that are transformed into the dead. You should absolutely never copy it.”
There was sorrow in sensei’s eyes. Was he worried about Vali? He had talked about teaching him how to use his power when he was still his subordinate. “So the current Hakuryuukou can handle the [Juggernaut Drive]? That’s a problem. The Sekiryuutei kid would be killed if he didn’t become desperate. The way either the white or red awakened that power before certainly let them surpass the other. In some sense, it’s first come, first served.”
Tannin-ossan said such a shocking thing! Seriously!? Then, it’s my turn to die!? …No, I can’t die yet. I still have a dream to fulfil! My harem! My high-class devil promotion! If it’s like this, I’ll even aim at being an ultimate-class devil like Ossan! It’s huge that I’ve found out that it’s possible even for a reincarnated devil! …But, can I endure Ossan’s harsh training? Ossan is too strong. I can’t win. He’s a monster. That breath of fire is foul play. Since I’m not some huge and special hero who can shoot beams from my hands, such an opponent is impossible for me. “Ise, let’s change the topic.”
Sensei called out to me, who hadn’t looked at him since before, with a suddenly formal tone. “Yes?”
“How do you think of Akeno?”
That’s sudden. What was this about? “I think that she’s a good Senpai.”
I immediately spoke my honest feelings. Her S-mode is a bit scary, but she's usually very gentle and the girlish part of her that she sometimes shows is really cute. “That’s not what I meant. I mean as a woman.”
“She’s attractive! She’s one of the people that I want to be with!”
Sensei nodded at my question with a “Uh-huh” while seeming somehow relieved. “I see. You see, I also have to watch over her in the place of a friend of mine.”
“You mean Akeno-san’s father, who's one of your subordinates, right?”
“Rather than a subordinate, Barakiel is a comrade from ancient times like Shemhaza. A friend, a friend. We did a lot of stupid things together. So, before I realised it, everyone around me besides myself had gotten wives and kids.”
Sensei sighed deeply. Ah, this person, is he the type to worry about being single? “You were beaten to the punch, huh?”
“…It’s fine, since I have so many women for me.”
Ah, he got a faraway look in his eyes for an instant there. Is the subject of marriage taboo for him as I thought? “Well, leaving that aside, I’m very concerned about Akeno. Though, to Barakiel and Akeno, it may be none of my business.”
“Sensei, you’re unexpectedly a heated, or perhaps I should say meddlesome person. You also involved yourself in our training.”
“I’m just an ordinary Fallen Angel with free time. —Though, it was because of that that I also raised the Hakuryuukou.”
That’s not true. I think that he’s just a nosy person. With me, with Akeno, and with Vali. He has poked his nose into each of our business. What a strange Fallen Angel. With him as the Governor, I can’t understand the whole aspects of his organisation. “In any case, I’m thinking of perhaps entrusting Akeno to you.”
“Entrusting her…to me?”
What do you mean, entrusting? Do you mean protecting her with my body during games and battles? In that case, protecting her is no problem for me. I think it’s also the role of the [Pawn] to protect the [Queen] Akeno-san with one’s body. “You’re an idiot, but you’re not a bad guy. Rather, it would be better to call you a loveable idiot. Above all, you don’t seem to have discrimination towards her.”
“? I don’t seem to get what you’re talking about…”
“Hahahaha, that’s why I’m relieved. If you were really deceiving her, things would have already descended into carnage. If you do it poorly, it will have an effect on things from now on and you’ll also see blood. The type like you that takes form from winning the trust of those around you can feel at ease without resenting anyone. In some sense that’s a privilege, or rather a talent.”(!) “????? ?”
My brain was full of question marks. I didn’t understand it very well, but—. “I understand. I’ll protect Akeno-san! Of course, I’ll also help my master, Buchou, and protect Asia too!”
“Alright. Well, I’ll entrust the matter of Akeno to you. More importantly—the problem is Koneko.”
“? What’s wrong with Koneko-chan?”
Sensei let out a breath at my question. “There’s nothing that can be done about it. She’s impatient—or rather, she feels doubt in her power.”
I suddenly remembered how Koneko-chan didn’t seem to be feeling well recently. Was something the matter with her? “She overdid the training that I gave her. This morning, she collapsed.”
“C-Collapseeeeeeeeed! ?”
I was shocked at this bad news about my Kouhai. Seriously!? Was Koneko-chan all right? “Asia can treat injuries, but she can’t do anything about physical strength. Overworking in particular certainly hurts one’s physical strength and has adverse effects. Because the time left until the game is limited, that’s dangerous.”
“U-Umm, if overworking is no good, what about me…? Aren’t I close to death by being chased around by a dragon monster every day…?”
I asked this while pointing at myself. No matter how you think about it, it’s inhumane! “Ah, it’s fine for you. Something of this extent isn’t enough for that.”
You said so readily! Is that so!? How is it fine for me!? It was just too much to handle, and my tears wouldn’t stop! “Now then, we should go. Ise, I was told to take you back just this once. You’ll return to the Gremory annex only once. Tannin, he’ll be going back for a little while. I’ll return him tomorrow morning.”
“Yeah, then I’ll return to my territory for now.”
So said sensei and Tannin-ossan. Eh? I can temporarily come down from the mountain? “Heh? Sensei, from whom did the order for me to return come from? Buchou?”
“—from her mother.”
Buchou’s mother…What business does she have with me? “Yes, turn there. That’s no good. The sharpness isn’t good. Come on, Issei-san, do it from the beginning without acting stupefied.”
I was in the annex that was detached from the Gremory main residence. I was making an effort in dancing practice with Buchou’s mother in a room there. …Why was I doing this kind of thing? As soon as I returned to the annex, I was led here by Buchou’s mother. Then, we started dancing practice just like that. Because I had never done something like this before, I was completely no good at it. Buchou’s mother was wearing a dress as usual. I was having a dance lesson while being glued to Buchou’s mother! I sometimes came into contact with her breasts. They were wonderfully soft! How to say it, it had a matured feeling in elasticity and texture! I don’t understand it that well, but that’s how it felt! And her appearance was the same as Buchou’s!