I moved close to the three of them, and said
“Yes, I know. After one year, you need to take care more, my cute kouhai-tachi.”
—This time it’s my turn to lead these kids forwards. This is my role as their senior. “But as a devil, we’re the seniors.”
Koneko-chan put me down again! I can’t stand it, I know already! After school, Rias, Akeno-san and Xenovia all concluded the day’s extra-curricular activities, and we gathered together. Everyone reached a consensus, and we prepared to go to the neighbouring town’s Taiyaki shoptogether to eat. “I think that aside from bean paste filled Taiyaki, the rest are wrong.”
“But, the ones with custard are also hard to let go of.”
“…Originally they were wheat flour, sugar and eggs. Since these ingredients are also used to make baked pastries, bean paste, custard, or chocolate can be used.”
Rias sticks to the original, Ravel likes custard, whilst there’s no problem for Koneko-chan as long as it’s a pastry, and the discussion of desserts by the girls became very passionate. Watching this pleasant and peaceful everyday scene, we prepared to pass the corner on a residential street. —Ooh! We suddenly felt an indescribable surge of pressure, and everyone instantly assumed a battle stance! …What’s going on, this feeling is…? A powerful wave of pressure could be felt approaching. It couldn’t be called killing intent, but by no means did it seem benevolent…. However, it was certain that we felt an unknown person’s clear intent! Everyone was looking around warily. —At this time, Xenovia’s appearance seemed very strange. Her hands were violently trembling. “…How, this restless feeling is…. Durandal…?”
Although she used her left hand to hold on to her trembling right hand, her left hand itself was trembling slightly. Koneko-chan’s ears perked up, they seemed to have discovered something, and she turned to face a certain direction. Everyone else followed her gaze and looked in that direction! Looking in that direciton — there stood a white-haired man draped in vestments! “Buon giorno, young devils.”
This person’s face was covered with wrinkles, only going by the appearance of his face, he should be a foreign old man over eighty years old. However, the body below his face contradicted this idea. An unimaginably thick neck, a thick chest, arms the size of tree trunks, legs which are probably the size of my waist…! The greatest point was his height, which looked like it was roughly two metres…? This was an ideal young body, which completely didn’t match his elderly face! —Whoa! That old man’s figure…vanished in an instant! Where did he go!? Where did he disappear to!? No, I didn’t shift my eyes away!? There was no noise, nor were there any movements, he disappeared just like that! Someone suddenly placed their hand on my shoulder. “……Uh!”
When I turned my head to look, it was that tall and large old man! He moved behind my back in the blink of an eye!? On top of that, he was also right in the middle of our formation! None of my companions could even respond!? They pulled back to increase their distance, and prepared to fight! —But, a smile formed on that old man’s wrinkled face. He said in a gruff voice
“I’ve come from the Vatican, my name is Vasco Strada.”
……Uhhh!? …T-This old guy, was the previous wielder of Durandal!? An important person of the Church! One of the people behind the rebellion! Hearing his name, my companions became even more tense! I also tried to move — but there was an enormous amount of pressure on my shoulder. …It almost felt as if my heart was being gripped. Damn it…. How many times have I survived these desperate situations…right now I just let someone put their hand on my shoulder, and it turned out like this…! This old guy, what kind of person is this! Vasco Strada turned to face Xenovia. “Warrior Xenovia, it looks like you became a devil?”
“…Your Eminence Strada, it’s been a long time since we last saw each other.”
Xenovia’s expression was very serious, with beads of cold sweat all over her face. Normally she would act tough, but in front of this old guy, she’s become more nervous than ever! The old man released his grip on my shoulder. It was like unfastening the bindings on my body, and I could move my body freely again. …Is this really an old man over eighty…uh! I was shocked. It’s the same as what Xenovia and Azazel-sensei estimated, it feels like his strength is so powerful that no one could imagine that it belonged to an old man! Vasco Strada took out an object from his clothing. “This is for you.”
—It was a letter. The old guy handed the letter to Rias. Rias carefully received the letter in her hands. “…T-This is…?”
“—It’s a challenge letter. We want to formally make a challenge to you guys.”
“—Uh! ?”
Hearing his announcement, we were shocked! Of course! Because this was the person himself, alone, giving us a challenge letter! This guy must be really courageous, heroic, or not value his life at all to come here declaring a challenge alone! What happened was far too sudden, and everyone’s face was tense! Rias’s body was shaking, her anger was about to explode! “You’ve got to be joking. Do you even know what the current situation is right now? Even if you’re one of the high ranking people in the Church—”
Before she could finish speaking, there was an index finger right in front of her! The old man turned his finger left and right, while his mouth made a tsk-tsk-tsk sound. “The Maou’s younger sister. —Is really young, too young in fact.”
……Whoa! Seeing this old man’s attitude, I couldn’t stand it anymore, and got in between them! I stood in front of Rias to protect her! I then faced the other side to speak! “…I won’t let you touch this person, no matter who you are!”
Hearing this, the old man paused for a moment — but very quickly revealed an extremely satisfied smile. His enormous hand approached me — and heartily rubbed my head. “…Not a bad look, young devil.”
……Uh! I felt that I was being belittled, so I smacked his hand away! —But, the old man had already disappeared from sight at some point, and moved to a spot a considerable distance away! …Again there were no signs of his movement that could be detected! Is he moving at a high speed? Can he make people feel as though there’s no scent or sound? The old man turned to face a certain direction and said
“—Very well, Your Eminence Legrenzi, please make your declaration.”
After he finished speaking, a small figure appeared—. It was a black-haired boy who appears to be the size of a fifth or sixth grade elementary student. Although he had a childlike face, he had a majestic presence. Furthermore, he was clothed in the same vestments as Vasco Strada. The old man addressed him as [Your Eminence ]. From the looks of it, that boy at his age already has a position which deserves such an address. Perhaps aware of this, Rias asked the boy
“You’re Teodoro Legrenzi?”
“That is correct, I am Teodoro Legrenzi.”
The boy nodded his head, and replied with certainty! …What is this!