“The effects were elevated to this level using the ability of Blessing. Would you like to listen to me narrate the Bible with the power of Blessing?”
“Sensei!”
Irina-san unleashed a slash with Hauteclere to his neck in order to save me! That attack — sent her mentor’s head flying! Seeing a body without its head, Irina-san was absolutely horrified! She totally did not expect that her own attack would hit her mentor. “—Too naïve, Shidou Irina.”
The voice came from behind Irina-san. The headless body of Irina-san’s sensei in front of her vanished. Irina-san turned around when she heard the voice — an avatar of Cristaldi was already there and he had raised his sword, preparing to swing it down! He deliberately let his own student see an illusion of his death to cause her to panic! Irina once again used Hauteclere to block Excalibur’s blade — but the power of Destruction pressed down again! The pressure of a second hit from Destruction fully knocked her down onto the ground. “Don’t forget that I’m also here!”
At the same time, Dulio-san hurled fireballs and spears of ice. —However, just when they were about to hit Critaldi, their trajectory changed, and they twisted to the side! The fireballs and spears of ice struck an empty patch of ground to the side. Dulio-san didn’t seem to care that his attacks were evaded, and generated a vast number of sharp icicles which protruded up from the ground everywhere! I thought that it would at least hit once — but rather strangely, there were no icicles only in the area around where Cristaldi was. “—Did he take control of Joker’s attack? !”
Sister Griselda expressed her dismay upon seeing what had happened. Cristaldi said as if it were only natural
“As long as I have the power of Ruler, even Sacred Gears—”
Before the man could finish speaking, he noticed that a part of his clothing had been frozen. “…can be controlled. I want to say that, but I’m already exhausted after defending against that attack. Being a reincarnated Angel has saved you, Dulio.”
…Even if Dulio-san didn’t use his full power, and I didn’t use Gram, the opponent we were fighting against was just a human! “…You’re actually this strong, natural born wielder of Excalibur…!”
Witnessing such incredible power, I was at a loss for words, and Dulio-san smiled wryly as he said from the side. “Hahaha, so that’s why you can’t say it? The other person who is also known as one of the two monsters of the Church. Whether or not it’s a replica, as long as it’s Excalibur, sensei is able to use his limbs in the same way.”
“So he isn’t the user of a Sacred Gear right…?”
I asked to be certain. Although the warriors’ mentor was using the abilities of Excalibur, he didn’t use any special abilities of his own unlike those that Dulio-san and I possessed. “Neither His Eminence Cristaldi or His Eminence Strada possess a Sacred Gear, people have always commented on Cristaldi’s skill, and Strada’s power.”
“…If they’re the famous warriors of the Church, as a child I heard that even the highest class of Devils could sometimes be exorcised…I truly understand how powerful they are now after seeing it with my own eyes.”
Sona-zenkaichou’s voice was heard through the communications device. I have also come to understand this. The warriors of the Church whose true power rivalled that of the highest class of Devils—. Before I was sceptical, and even thought it was superstition, but after seeing the real people with my own eyes, I understood that it was the truth. …And the sword that he had was a replica. If it was the real thing, what would’ve happened…? A human who has honed their skills to the utmost level, was actually strong to such an extent… …I don’t need such thoughts. I shakily stood up. I prepared to open the other dimension, and announced to everyone
“…I’m ready to release Gram. Even against a user of Excalibur, the time that Joker has made for an opening is hard to come by.”
I walked towards that man with the aura of Gram raised to the maximum for a single strike, and even if it didn’t hit, it would be able to create an opening. Then, if Dulio-san attacked — there would a chance of victory! It should be said that this would create an opportunity for victory. However, after Dulio-san heard this, he shook his head. “…That will not do.”
His expression right now — was filled with sorrow. “You intend to use up your own lifespan right? That will not do. Listen up, Kiba-kun. This battle, is similar to a physical exchange between members of a family. You only need your fists to vent your frustration against each other. There is no need for you to cut down your own lifespan.”
……. Joker spoke nicely to me to such an extent that it caused my emotions to flare up. “But! The opponent is serious! If this continues, won’t the injuries that we’ve accumulated have been in vain?! Do you plan to keep harbouring the discontent of your own people? !”
I burst out with dissatisfaction. This wasn’t at all like the usual me. Of course. Excalibur—. My life has been troubled by it. Not just me, many of my comrades were taken by it. …Is this all over? Since Valper Galilei’s death and the Three Faction’s peace, it could tentatively be considered the end. …As a friend, Ise-kun saw right through it and told me. But! …But, the natural born user of Excalibur was before my eyes, and although he only had a replica, it was still a real holy sword. Furthermore, he was standing before me as an enemy! Doesn’t that make people want to gain victory over him! Doesn’t it make people want to surpass him! I, and the others, everything that happened in that facility wasn’t an illusion! It wasn’t useless! Doesn’t that make people want to prove…! Dulio-san placed his hand on my shoulder, and said with a slight smile
“—You’re wrong, I will defeat sensei, [You big idiot!]. However, the opponent which is worth giving your life to use that demonic sword is Qlippoth.”
Dulio-san was hugging me tightly. “That, Kiba-kun. —No, Yuuto. You came from one of the Church’s facilities right? Well, that’s the same as being my younger brother. As the older brother, I cannot allow my younger brother to be reckless. Leave it to this older brother. This captain ain’t for nothing.”
Dulio-san — stepped forward. He stood in front of his sensei Cristaldi. Cristaldi asked
“—Dulio, known as the strongest man in the Church, in the end, what do you fight for?”
Dulio-san revealed a surprising smile
“—In order to let everyone live a peaceful life. That’s not the only definite reason though.”
He opened his ten wings, which were as white as snow — his body was wrapped in a golden aura, and the man known as the [Trump Card] was gradually concentrating the power of light into his palms. He made a ring in both his hands, and blew through the middle. What came out of the middle were —bubbles which glowed with the colours of the rainbow. The bubbles spread limitlessly within the barrier, then finally passed beyond the barrier, and surrounded the entire area.