However, my master Rias Gremory, as well as Ise-kun, Akeno-san, Koneko-chan, Asia-san, Xenovia, Gasper-kun, Irina-san, Rossweisse-san, Ravel-san, and the Sitri household, are all my many nakama who live in this town; we’ve survived life and death situations together and have been through good and bad times.”
Kiba seemed as if he had removed a mask, and his expression was more candid than ever before. Xenovia also agreed with Kiba
“It’s true. We all support each other, we’re nakama who have risked our lives fought together through everything. Even if His Eminence Strada and His Eminence Teodoro don’t recognise it, we fight with pride! Even if someone is unsatisfied, we will continue to fight for the people who believe in us!”
Hearing the two swordsmen — what the Gremory [Knights] said, a satisfied smile appeared on Vasco Strada’s wrinkled face. “…I see, their eyes have a powerful expression, and their will was strong. Princess Rias Gremory, you have a pair of good [Knights].”
“Yes, they are also the [Knights] that I am proud of.”
Rias was also proud of the two [Knights]. Although Kiba and Xenovia were similar in that they were both from Church facilities, the path that they followed in life was completely different. And now, while serving under the same master, through their mutual experiences, they began to have similar ideas again—. Irina also approached the two brave [Knights], and stood beside them. “Your Eminence Strada, Your Eminence Teodoro, I also — believe that evil Devils exist. But—”
Irina turned her gaze towards me. “There are also good Devils. It’s the same as humans…even in other mythologies, there are also good and evil Gods.”
After listening to this, Strada satisfying laughed loudly. “Hahahaha! Ah…I see, I see. However, as an Angel, you talked about Pagan Gods… yes, this is the result of an alliance, but this also means the beginning of a new era…”
The old warrior had his hand on his chin as he thought. But, it looked like he was somewhat happy — however, Strada picked his sword up again. “—However, the things you have discarded have brought you to a very different place. Your Eminence Teodoro, please stand aside. Let me show you this old man’s Durandal’s final moment.”
…His willpower still hadn’t decreased! His eyes were still burning with a passionate flame! Even if he would die with us, he still insisted on going on until the end! However, his strength did not return. If he continued to fight, with or without any sacrifices, we would still win in the near future…but, was that alright? Was it really alright for this to continue? As I was contemplating this, the young Cardinal cried and tried to stop Strada. “It’s already enough! It’s already enough! Your Eminenece Strada! I…that’s enough! You and His Eminence Cristaldi, and the warriors who fought for me…that’s already enough! …When my feelings and frustration were directly communicated to these people, we could have retreated. …So, I should receive the punishment! I will use my life as payment!”
From his expression, I could feel his strong determination. The boy understood his actions and his words, and he was also prepared for his punishment. Strada revealed a kind smile, and he gently stroked the boy’s head. “…A child complaining about injustice is something that happens in any era. Your complaint was very noble, and very pure. Because of this, I would take up my sword again, and the warriors will follow you. And what I wanted to see the most was — them completely accepting yours and the warriors’ beliefs; they didn’t exclude us, they actually accepted us, and listened to our beliefs. They…should have already thought deeply about how to stop us. How to accept our beliefs without crushing them — at that time, we had already lost.”
“—Uh.”
Hearing what the old warrior said, the young Cardinal was speechless, and lowered his head. …From the very beginning, this jisan already had an understanding of our side’s situation…even so; he still carried the dissatisfaction of the boy and the warriors, and took up his sword…. Strada said
“In my mind and Cristaldi’s mind, we asked for God’s forgiveness. His Eminence Teodoro and the warriors are still young. This incident was caused because I fanned the flames— after hearing what was said in this battle, and with my death, they will be able to find a new way of life.”
—Ah! This jisan! He intends to shoulder everything!? From the beginning, for the purpose of understanding the dissatisfaction of the warriors, he assumed full responsibility for it— Hearing Strada’s confession, the warriors all wailed. “Your Eminence!”
“Please don’t say such things!”
“Your Eminence, if it’s my life, I would offer it gladly!”
“We were already prepared to go to Purgatory!”
Everyone shed tears. All of the hardened warriors were trying to stop the old warrior’s atonement. Looking at this scene alone, it was evident that the warriors truly admired Strada. In the face of that jisan’s beliefs, we — also had troubled expressions, and were unable to decide whether or not to fight. When both sides had become weary of battle —
“How about you allow me to get rid of you all ♪”
Suddenly, a different voice echoed around everywhere! Everyone looked around in every direction, and eventually fixed onto a single point. Standing there was someone dressed in gothic style clothing; a woman holding a parasol — no, a witch, Walburga! This person! Intruding again! Everyone pointed their weapons towards her! The witch made a delightful smile. “At the final sweet happy ending, I step in ♪ — don’t you think that this just adds fuel to the fire?”
As she finished speaking, Walburga tapped her foot on the ground. From that, a countless number of magic circles appeared and began to spread and expand! The light emitted from them at the same time shone brightly, and illuminated us! Emerging from the countless transportation type magic circles was — a huge swarm of mass-produced evil dragons! Ten, twenty, thirty…the number of evil dragons which gradually emerged from the transportation magic circles was almost in the triple digit range! Really, in this situation, this person had to summon these mass-produced evil dragons! Covering a nearby area completely like black paint — all of them were evil dragons! The witch stood before the swarm of evil dragons, and began to laugh. “Well, let’s have all you evil dragons show them your skills ♪ ”
Walburga extended her hand out with an extremely innocent, yet extremely evil smile, but just when she was about to issue orders to the evil dragons, Rossweisse-san smiled eloquently. “—I knew that this would happen.”
Rossweisse-san snapped her fingers. After that, the entire space began to emit a silvery light! The sky, replicated buildings, the ground, everything was shining with a brilliant silver light! Suddenly, the evil dragons seemed to lose their strength, and slumped onto the ground! Even their eyes had lost their resolve, and they became motionless! “—Uh! This is…!