Seekvaira-san had encountered a God-class being as soon as she entered, and despite fighting until the end, she was still defeated. All that can be said is that she was unlucky, but this was all part of the format of this tournament. The God-class beings had basically won all of their matches, but there were still teams which had yet to participate. One of those was the Heavenly Emperor’s team. Was this just for observation, or was it for…. The display finally showed Rias’ team. Rias had also obtained several straight wins. Compared to us, she had won much more gracefully, and had also received a highly positive evaluation. Coupled with Rias’ natural popularity, the media was presenting her in a favourable manner. Ravel said
“She really is impeccable. During this time, Rias-sama has continued to obtain victories, and has been steadily building up her score.”
—At this point, the video stream cut over to show Valerie, who was treating an injured Koneko-chan in the midst of a game. A Holy Grail appeared, and liquid from within it was poured onto Koneko-chan’s injury. After a brief moment, the wound had healed. “…So Valerie is a healer huh.”
Ravel nodded in response to the thoughts that I had spoken aloud. “It looks like that’s another way of using the [Sephiroth Graal] . Its characteristics can be changed and it can also be used without affecting the user.”
…Simply by producing a cup, its adjustment ability made it possible to produce a liquid that was capable of restoring team members. In this tournament, unlike its predecessor, the Rating Games, the restoration item ‘Phoenix Tears’ are not provided. After all, as a result of Qlippoth’s influence and the destruction caused by Trihexa, ‘Phoenix Tears’ had been distributed everywhere, thus it was not a situation in which more could be provided. They had been replaced with recovery points throughout the tournament venues, and one’s injuries could be treated by going there. Irina said
“Unlike Asia, Valerie-san does not seem to have a high rate of recovery…but I believe she has a few other tricks up her sleeve.”
Well, I also agreed with that. This was an ability that was originally related to life itself. Although its ability to heal other people was similar to Asia’s, that was not its actual power—. Perhaps there was also something they were hiding from us? Oh— oh—, on the other hand, Gasper’s Balor had easily sent a bulky opponent flying. It seems as though that guy has succeeded the role of the power representative since I left them. “Speaking of which, this person in Master Rias’ match is rather concerning.”
Xenovia was focusing on a particular person in the Rias Team. —Indeed, after Xenovia seemed troubled for a moment, she eventually added ‘Master’ before Rias’ name. The person whom Xenovia was referring to was the new female swordsman who was a [Knight]. She had black and white streaked hair, and she was also dressed in the same battle suit that Xenovia and Irina wore as Church warriors. Asia said
“It’s Rias-oneesama’s swordsman…san huh. She’s the one who has replaced Xenovia as the team’s—”
“—Lint Selzan. Moreover, she does not appear to be a member of Rias-san’s peerage.”
Irina also looked at her thoughtfully. Speaking of which, her name is Selzan. Her face is actually quite similar to the face of that annoying guy in my memories. However, she doesn’t make any vulgar facial expressions like that guy did. It seems like she just resembles Freed a lot! Her combat style also involves wielding a gun and a sword. She wielded a sword imbued with the power of light, and also used a gun as she ran about during the match. Xenovia quietly murmured
“So she’s only a combatant for this tournament huh…Selzan. She and Freed should be related in some way.”
Irina nodded. “When looking at her, she really is like…. Based on this footage of the match, she doesn’t seem to be as crazy as he was…. Xenovia, have you heard of her name during the time when you were still with the Church?”
In response to Irina’s question, Xenovia shook her head. “No, including Freed, I hadn’t heard of them even once while I was still a Church warrior. …Could she possibly be from a secret division that has concealed her identity?”
“…Well, if I was to go to Heaven, I would probably be able to find some clues.”
Irina seemed to be just as worried as Xenovia was. After all, she seemed to be from one of the warrior training facilities, she wore the same type of battle suit, and her surname was also Selzan. It was only natural to feel concerned about her. I also couldn’t help feeling troubled by it. Even when I asked Rias, she replied to me with something along the lines of
“Ufufu, I won’t tell you about Lint. This is a team secret, so it would be bad if I let it slip out, you know?”
However, since even Rias was giggling when she replied to me like that, it was an indication that she wasn’t a particularly bad person…. Xenovia noticed something on the screen, and then pointed towards something on the television. “Among other things, the sword of flames that this person is wielding…is purple.”
Irina also murmured
“Flames of purple…purple flames…is that how it can be considered?”
Ravel seemed to have done some prior research on it, and she gave us the report to read. “The Vatican headquarters and the Grigori; these two factions have jointly handed her over to Rias-sama. …That is to say, it’s exactly the same as what you guys have guessed. That Longinus has selected its master, and it has now been transferred.”
This was the girl that the Vatican and the Grigori had both entrusted Rias with. Not only was she related to Freed, she also possessed — a sword of purple flames that originated from the Longinus [Incinerate Anthem]. “The deeper we go, the harder it is to believe her existence. Just who is this girl…”
Xenovia placed her hand against her chin and squinted her eyes as she spoke. Rossweisse-san then said
“Regardless of what her identity is, Rias-san’s team…could be described to already have the power of three Longinuses. If you leave aside the God-class beings, then she should be one of the leading teams in this tournament.”
Three Longinuses—. Even though Gasper’s Sacred Gear is treated as a special case, it has also been recognised as being in the same class as a Longinus. “I heard that there is also another member present…but they haven’t participated in any matches yet.”
I said. According to her registration, Rias’ team also has a new member as a [Pawn]. And as Rias’ original [Pawn], I was rather worried about this. Ravel then said
“All we know at the moment is the name that was used during the registration process. …[Mr. Black]-san. I believe that is most likely a pseudonym. Because of the rules of this tournament, a [Pawn] with eight pieces on its own is a major threat. I wonder if it’s someone that rivals a God-class being’s power, or is perhaps even a god themselves…”
—They had a value of eight pieces in this tournament.