Well, when there were shady things going on internally, ending the rebellion wouldn’t guarantee that there wouldn’t be a second rebellion. Between sensei and Strada, there were things that they understood without having to speak about it face to face. Sensei nodded. “No worries. Well, it was also an opportunity for these young people to fight. But it was also a way to try out Rossweisse’s barrier and sealing technique.”
Rossweisse-san smiled proudly. “Naturally, it was good that the intruders were caught in one fell swoop, but it’s also fortunate that the field didn’t continue to be destroyed.”
According to what she said, this field’s structure was incredibly sturdy, thanks to which, even after our large battle, it could still remain here without collapsing. …Although it was still being researched, Rossweisse-san’s sealing and barrier technique let sensei know about its issues. The evil dragons which were captured after they had their abilities stopped, also for the purposes of research or experimentation, were sent to various organisations. —At that time, Strada fumbled with something in his pockets again, and took out a small vial. “Former Governor Azazel-dono, there is something that I wish to give you. This is one of the things to compensate for the trouble this time. It wouldn’t hurt to keep it.”
Sensei received the small vial. Inside…was something like a shard of pottery. Sensei’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw it, and then murmured
“…Ah, indeed, it’s this.”
“Sensei, what is that?”
After I asked my question, sensei replied
“…It’s a fragment of the Holy Grail. It’s the real thing.”
“—! ?”
This information caught all the members of [DxD] by surprise! Eh, of course we would be surprised by it! He actually said it was a real fragment of the Holy Grail! Was that really true!? Sensei seemed to confirm his own thoughts by asking Strada
“That is the case isn’t it, Strada?”
Strada silently nodded. Strada then turned to look at Rias and Kiba. “There is also Rias Gremory’s [Knight]. —Isaiah, I heard you were called that by your nakama while you were in the facility.”
After hearing that name, Kiba was extremely shocked. “—. …Why would you know that?”
Isaiah…. It was Kiba’s name when he was in the facility? That guy, he actually never told us about that. Strada continued
“After many repeated experiments, there were many children who could not return; mainly because they lost their lives that they couldn’t return. —There was only one exception. Tosca; do you have any memory that name?”
Kiba was taken aback, his eyes widened. Then, he could not help nodding. Strada turned his eyes towards his subordinates. Then, a young girl emerged from a group of warriors. It was a girl around twelve to thirteen with white hair tied into twin tails. As soon as she saw Kiba, she frantically covered her mouth, and tried to hold back the tears which were gushing out from her eyes. “…Isaiah?”
The girl asked that question. Kiba was in shock as tears streamed down his cheeks. “……! I-Is, h-how would…! You’re Tosca…?”
“…Mmm.”
Strada said to the speechless Kiba and us
“Only this one girl with a strong barrier type Sacred Gear survived. It was discovered after the experiment, and Valper was unable to do anything. Although the user was in a state of suspended animation, it wasn’t possible to be released, and researchers had no choice but to place her into a deep hidden chamber within the facility. And she herself, when Valper was expelled, was found during a search of the facility, but we also were unable to release the barrier. However, after the alliance, we were finally able to release that barrier by using the Fallen Angels’ technology.”
…Still alive! One of Kiba’s comrades was still alive! And that person was actually recovered by the people of the Church! Strada said
“Because she was held in a state of suspended animation whilst inside the barrier, her body’s growth stopped, and it looked like she was very weak. Thus, bringing her to this country took some time.”
The girl walked to Kiba’s side, and then extended her hand out to caress his cheek. “Isaiah, you’ve already grown up…. …We were clearly the same back then.”
The girl stood on her tiptoes to look at Kiba. Kiba held her hand which was stroking his cheek, and shook his head tearfully. “…It’s okay, it’s okay…. …This is fine.”
After reuniting after such a long time, they hugged each other—. “It’s too good. Isaiah is alive and well.”
“—. ……Ah, I see…. That explains it…. You, you guys, I…alive…being alive is everything….”
……. …Neither I nor my nakama who were lost for words, could do anything but shed tears for their reunion. …Kiba, it’s truly great. What you’ve lived for until now, it exists! Because you’ve lived until now, you were able to see this girl again! That’s right, you should celebrate for being alive as long as you can! It’ll be enough as long as you can continue to live happily! Because those children never thought about revenge! That jisan Strada said as he watched that scene unfold
“Take this child with you. If she’s kept with the Church, there might be people who would want to take advantage of her.”
Kiba said as he was hugging the girl
“Your Eminence Strada…I…”
Strada shook his head. “You don’t need to forgive me, Knight. If you forgive me, it’ll make your blade dull. Let the space between the holy and demonic become the source of your power.”
“…Your Eminence Strada.”
That jisan Strada also touched Xenovia’s head. “Warrior Xenovia. Your fight alongside Sekiryuutei-kid…was very elegant. —Love, maiden Xenovia. Durandal also seems to be more forgiving because there is love.”
After saying that, Strada walked towards the transportation magic circle because he had to be interrogated. I—called out to the jisan and asked
“Wait a minute…you, the first thing you did was give Asia those letters, and then there’s Kiba’s comrade, as well as the fragment of the Holy Grail; did you prepare all of this before the battle started?”
Strada remained silent. He simply revealed a smile on his wrinkled face, and then lifted his right fist into the air. I could only watch that jisan’s tall back — it faded into the receding light of the magic circle. Vasco Strada—. The father of the Church warriors—. Asia, Kiba, and Xenovia were people who were distressed as they found themselves caught between the Church and themselves. The Cardinal who embodied power appeared to give them an answer—. He was truly a great man—. A few days after that battle—. It was the day after Ravel left for the Underworld. It was finally the day where the candidates in the Student Council Election would give their speeches! After all the teachers and students of the school were gathered in the gym, they would listen to the candidates’ final speeches before voting. This would be the most crucial moment for Xenovia. As the candidates spoke one after another, Saji, who was running for Vice-President stepped onto the stage.