With so many problems to be resolved, we should first discuss our path from here on, and based on that, we should once again consider our battle plan for the [Leisure of the Kings] team. Since our goal is to be the victors of the Tournament, this is a necessary hurdle for us to overcome. There was no option to give up from the beginning. Really, it hasn’t been easy to be the [Oppai Dragon] up until now. So Azazel-sensei’s words ‘You’ll have things tough from now on’ had this kind of meaning as well. There are so many people, like my comrades and my peerage who are supporting me from behind. But the final decision is my own. It is me who moves forward. I can’t always let others deal with the situation. —I’ve already become a [King]. I have to become even stronger. Alright, after we return, we’ll start our club activities first, and then I’ll have another chat with Ravel or my team members afterwards. With Kuoh Academy now in sight, I saw Nakiri — and Bennia run past in front of us. “Those guys! Their aim was actually that side!”
Seeing Nakiri as he shouted out, Ravel and I immediately understood that something had happened. I shouted out to the two of them
“Hey! Bennia! Nakiri!”
After the two of them noticed, they turned to look at us. Nakiri yelled
“Hyoudou-senpai! Phoenix too!”
<<Boss Oppai Dragon!>>
The two of them quickly ran towards us. “What’s wrong? Has something happened…”
Before I could finish, Nakiri grabbed my hand! “You should hurry as well, senpai!”
It was rare for Bennia’s expression to look so serious. <<Nekomata-senpai and the others are being targeted by Grim Reapers.>>
—What!? It sounds like there’s trouble! Nakiri explained the situation to us as we ran. One of the Student Council’s miscellaneous tasks was to clean the rubbish around the perimeter of the school, and this week, it just happened to be Nakiri and Millarca-san who were on duty. The clubs weren’t particularly busy, so Koneko-chan, Gasper (as a classmate) and Bennia (as a member of the Sitri peerage and Student Council) volunteered to help clean up. —Just then, they were attacked by a group of Grim Reapers! Why would Grim Reapers show up here!? While I was shocked, I also worried about whether the barrier that covered this area was working…. Nakiri had originally split everyone up to clean on two separate sides, but the majority of the Grim Reapers homed in on Koneko-chan, Gasper and Millarca-san’s group, and so Nakiri hurried over to the direction that they were in. On the way, they bumped into us. <<I originally thought that I was their target.>>
Bennia said. She was originally a Grim Reaper executive — the daughter of Orcus who was one of the ultimate-class Grim Reapers. Just that was a reason for her to be targeted. However, for some reason, the Grim Reapers only repulsed Nakiri and the others back slightly before immediately regrouping and rushing towards the location of Koneko-chan and the others. In other words, their aim — was someone among Koneko-chan, Gasper and Millarca-san…. After stepping into a small grove near Kuoh Academy, I could feel the air of battle. It seemed that the fight had already begun a while ago. As we ran to catch up by following the trail of the battle — we noticed that Koneko-chan, Gasper, and Millarca-san had been completely surrounded by a group of Grim Reapers cloaked in black at a small, wide, open space. Just as they were in the past, they were draped in cloaks and their eyes emitted an eerie glow. Holding large and detestable scythes in their hands, their clear hostility was directed at Koneko-chan and the others. But, those who had been surrounded—. “Ha! Tou!”
Koneko-chan cleverly dodged the scythe blade that the Grim Reapers swung at her, and her retaliatory punches and kicks all struck the centre of her opponents. “—Please don’t underestimate me.”
Gasper’s eyes flashed with a dangerous crimson glow; even without turning into a dark beast, he could extend his shadow and freely control it. The shadow had tentacles that almost seemed alive as they reached out towards the Grim Reapers and firmly bound them. Gasper turned towards the constricted Grim Reapers, transformed his right hand into Balor, and then sent the Grim Reapers flying with his study arm. Gasper’s partial Balor transformation must also be one of the fruits of his training. That guy is really getting used to a close-quarters fighting style. “Torya! I’m tired! Really tired!”
While Millarca-san was dressed in her thickly-layered uniform, she mouthed out various complaints as she fought with her bare hands to easily knock down the Grim Reapers. As soon as there was an opening, she used her fists to defeat them. It seemed as though she had significant physical strength as a Vampire…. Nakiri watched Millarca-san as she fought and shouted out
“Millarca! Don’t overdo it!”
“Ah, Ouryuu. Don’t worry, something like this is nothing.”
“I’m not talking about that! Millarca, if you use your power, then this whole area will become like hell!”
“It’s daytime right now so it’s fine. There’s only a problem if it’s night time.”
Grim Reapers were said to be stronger than low-class Devils, but Millarca-san was able to defeat them with just her bare hands. It seemed as though she was not an ordinary Vampire, so just how much stronger would she become at night…? After hearing Nakiri’s voice, the Grim Reapers became aware of our arrival. Their eyes all homed in on me. Their air of vigilance grew stronger and stronger. <<Sekiryuutei!>>
<<It’s the current [Red Dragon].>>
I instantly equipped my armour and prepared to charge forth at any moment. And then, the leader of that group of Grim Reapers who appeared to have distinctive decorations on his cloak said
<<…The Sekiryuutei huh. He’s a bad opponent.>>
With a wave of his hand, all of the Grim Reapers dispersed, and all they left behind was a black afterimage as they disappeared from the open space in the blink of an eye. “H-Hey! Wait!”
I said, but they had already fled. …T-The Grim Reapers are that wary of me? W-Well, compared to when I had been attacked in the Underworld during the [Demonic Beast Riot], I was now much stronger. Bennia put her scythe away as she said
<<…Judging by their aura just now, they should be servants of Thanatos-sama. He’s one of the ultimate-class Grim Reapers, and also one of the executives of the Netherworld. He belongs to a dark faction of the Netherworld.>>
—They’re from the faction of an ultimate-class Grim Reaper!? What was the meaning of the executive’s servants coming here…? We were simply left there in our confusion. Gasper said
“…Ise-senpai, they were aiming for Koneko-chan.”
—What! I looked at Koneko-chan. “What?”
Koneko-chan herself also revealed a surprised expression and asked herself
“……Why me…?”
…In any case, it seems like another suspicious incident is veering towards us. Oba-san: Literally means aunt/auntie. In Japanese culture though, the term can be used to refer to almost any older woman.