Everyone went about with their own ways to relax, while I went over to Kiba who was leaning against a wall. “Kiba, can I talk to you for a bit?”
“What is it”
“You’re not reverting right?”
I bluntly asked him. He hesitated for a moment, then made a false smile. “…No, I know that I’m the Knight of Rias Gremory, and the sword of the Occult Research Club.”
What he said came from the heart, but it still annoyed me. “Hmm, that’s right. You’re the sword. —But do you have a scabbard for that sword?”
“—”
Kiba didn’t reply to my question. I…said everything that was on my mind. “…That is something you definitely need to remember. To take your place in anything, I have to politely decline. Rias Gremory’s [Knight] are you and Xenovia. I’m not going to take your place. So…you definitely can’t die, idiot.”
After hearing what I said, Kiba was surprised, but quickly smiled again. After it felt like he was thinking about what I said again, he revealed a modest smile. “Really, a replacement…is not possible. You told me so seriously, it feels as though I’ve been given a shot from a needle.”
I think that was able to help reduce his tension a bit. Since it worked, it seems like what I said to him was correct. …Alright, Kiba had no problems now, what remained was…. I looked over at Asia. She was sitting on a chair which was prepared there, facing Heaven as she prayed. I went over to her side and asked
“Asia, mind if I interrupt you for a while?”
Asia opened her eyes, and replied calmly
“…We have to fight against those people from the Church right?”
Yes, Asia needed to confront the people from the Church next. Her feelings were definitely very complex right now. “Hmm, if it’s too hard for you, you don’t have to go. …Although you’ll come along anyway even if I say that.”
That’s right, I already understood Asia’s response. Hmm, if it’s her, then she would definitely—. [Yes, Ise-san, Rias-oneesama, Xenovia and Irina. If everyone is going to fight, I will also go with them.] She would definitely reply with a smile. Asia’s absolute defender was not here right now. “Fafnir hasn’t woken up yet so you’ll have to rely on the four evil dragons to protect you. Naturally, we will also protect you! But when the situation gets bad, we’ll have to let them protect you.”
Since Fafnir wasn’t here, Asia really needed to rely on the power of those four evil dragons. “Yes! The evil dragons are also very gentle, so that means I can focus on healing!”
Asia nodded firmly. But, would they intentionally attempt to attack the healer? The previous incidents with the rebellion have not had any casualties. …Since they know that Asia is a healer, we could expect that they won’t specifically try to attack her…. However, it was quite likely that they would try to seal her ability. Such a Sacred Gear has never actually been seen, although it wouldn’t be surprising if someone in the Church possessed this kind of ability. Ah, in that case we’ll have to be careful about such an ability. After all, the Gremory household was one which focused purely on power. Kuroka and Le Fay came up to me as I was thinking. “Well, if you encounter any strange techniques that you can’t understand, we’ll sneakily help you cancel it from behind nya.”
Saying something like that! Neko-sama was the same as well, she was really good at reading my mind, that nekomata ane! “Please look after my brother.”
Le Fay made this request. And that brother was quietly standing there, reading a library book…. Completely indifferent towards his sister’s concerns. “I don’t think that there will be any need, but you can leave it to me.”
Whilst replying to Le Fay’s request — Xenovia and Irina entered my view. Both of them had unsheathed their holy swords, and their swords were interlocked. “…Although I don’t really want to fight against comrades, I’m going to say that this is to surpass the former wielder of the holy swords, Xenovia.” “Ah, we need to become worthy wielders to live up to people like Durandal’s Roland, or Hauteclere’s Oliver.”
Both of them appeared to be rather cheerful. After all, they had the honour of being chosen to be the wielders of holy swords. Then Sister Griselda moved towards Xenovia, and suddenly grabbed her cheeks with both hands! Xenovia and I both thought that she had come to say a few words before the battle. However—. “Xenovia, your opponent is His Eminence Strada. You understand this 120% right?”
“Uh huh. Of course. I-I will fight with respect. A-Absolutely won’t be disrespectful.”
Born in the same facility, Sister Griselda was like a sister to Xenovia and someone she had to obey. The sudden question seemed to have puzzled her. As the opponents were related to the Church, she felt some disrespect, and Xenovia could only apologise. —Then Griselda-san hugged Xenovia in her arms. “…I had to say that first. Do understand, Xenovia. —A woman’s power is not her physical strength as a girl. But it is her abilities and skills in the household.”
Hearing this, Xenovia was slightly embarrassed. “—! T-That is something I already know! There is no misunderstanding that allowing boys see my trained biceps will fascinate myself! After I find the true meaning at the end of this, I’m going to improve my real womanly power!”
…Umm, what are you talking about just before the battle! Uh, although it really suits your style! “This is something I already knew last year! You’re rather slow to realise this, Xenovia!”
Irina proudly said! Weren’t you also slow to find about this!? Hearing the exchange between them, Griselda-san smiled as she said
“…But, Xenovia. You’ve become much like a girl, which makes me very pleased. It used to be for God, for your faith that you constantly wielded Durandal and your eyes never saw anything outside of battle. …Although you could say that you didn’t have a choice since your birth…. But the current Xenovia is far more amazing to me.”
Sister Griselda tightly hugged Xenovia and said
“You’re the source of my troubles, the person that makes me worry…and also my cute sister. If it’s you, you should be able to become the Student Council President, and also surpass His Eminence Strada.”
Xenovia who looked embarrassed as she was being hugged replied
“…I’ll work hard to become the sister that you’ll be proud of.”
This scene was touchingly warm. Although their positions had changed, their feelings never changed. “Ise-sama”
Ravel said to me. This time she was staying back to do the housekeeping. The day of Riser’s rating game was approaching, so I shouldn’t force her. I smiled softly. “Hmm, I understand. I’ll come back as soon as the winner is decided.”
“Of course. Ise-sama is a very busy person.”
Really, my manager is very strict! —Sona-zenkaichou stood up from the chair that she was sitting on. “The time has arrived. —Let’s go the battlefield.”
Everyone gathered in the centre of the magic circle for transportation. From there, our battle against the Church’s rebellion group began!