Gasper is my servant. It’s my responsibility to take him back.”
Buchou sent out a strong will in her eyes as she proposed this. Sirzechs-sama suddenly laughed. “I thought I said it before. I understand my younger sister’s personality. —However, how will you go to the old school building? It’s filled with magicians outside this new school building. The usual transfer is also blocked by magic.”
“The old school building—my base’s clubroom has a remaining unused “rook” piece being safe kept within it.”
“I see, [Castling], huh. Since they would usually expect us to go take him back, this could catch the opponent off-guard. They’ll anticipate some kind of trick.”
I’ve heard of this. Castling—a technique to instantly switch the locations of the “king” and “rook”. It was said to be one of the special techniques of the Rating Games. In other words, Buchou can transfer over to the old school building in an instant! Amazing! As expected of Buchou! If it’s teleportation, we don’t need to go outside! An instant charge at the enemy’s centre! The enemy will also be surprised by this! Maybe the mastermind that Azazel mentioned will also be surprised and come out! “Alright. However, it’s reckless to go alone. Grayfia, is it possible to transfer more than one person through [Castling] with my magic system?”
“Yes, it seems we can only deploy a simple technique ceremony here, but it’s possible to transfer ojou-sama and one other.”
“So Rias and someone else…”
“Sirzechs-sama, I’ll also go!”
I raised my hand and volunteered. It was my important kouhai. I’ll save him together with Buchou! Sirzechs-sama’s eyes turned towards me for a moment, but then quickly moved in Azazel’s direction. “Azazel, according to a rumour, you’ve been researching how to freely handle Sacred Gears for a fixed time, right?”
“Yeah, that’s true, but what about it?”
“Is it possible to control the Sekiryuutei?”
“……”
Azazel fell silent in response to Sirzechs-sama’s question. However, the Governor of the Fallen Angels groped in his breast pocket and—. “Oi, Sekiryuutei.”
Azazel called out to me. “I-I’m Hyoudou Issei!”
“Then, Hyoudou Issei. Take this.”
Azazel threw something at me. I caught it and looked—they seemed to be wide rings to put around the hand. Multiple layers of strange characters were carved into them. Accessories? As I thought doubtfully, Azazel spoke to me. “Those are bracelets with the power to control a Sacred Gear to some degree. If you find the aforementioned half-vampire, put one on him. It’ll help him control his power somewhat.”
“But, there are two of them…?”
Yes, there were two bracelets. One for Gasper. And the other—. “The other one is for you. You haven’t mastered the power of the [Welsh Dragon], right? If so, put it on. If it’s for a short time, it’ll be possible to go into the Balance Breaker state without paying any price. This will be used in place of the price.”
—Hey! S-Seriously!? If I put this bracelet on my arm, I’ll be able to go into Balance Breaker? “As a side effect, you’ll also temporarily undo the seal that’s been applied on you. Your [pawn] power has been blocked, right?”
Where did you get that information? I was a [pawn] that had consumed eight pieces, but since I didn’t yet possess the strength to cope with that power, my power was being suppressed by Buchou. “This is only my personal opinion, but in terms of piece distribution, Ddraig is seven and you’re one, right? No, it may be 7.9 and 0.1. [Promotion] also builds the necessary foundation for the sake of manifesting Ddraig’s true power. Either way, it’s a fact that releasing Ddraig’s power will release the seal as well, right, Rias Gremory?”
Buchou just narrowed her eyes in response to Azazel’s question and gave no particular answer. “Use that ring as a last resort. Since it can’t regulate its consumption of stamina, you’ll just exhaust yourself wastefully if you activate it suddenly. It will consume an intense amount of stamina and magical power while in [armour]-equipped mode.”
And that was Azazel’s supplementary explanation. I see. Since I don’t know what will happen, it’s better to transform myself when it’s a serious pinch. Azazel spoke again to reinforce his point. “Remember this well. The current you is a devil that was originally born as a human. Even if one possesses a powerful Sacred Gear, there’s no meaning if the host is useless. If the opponent against the current you is inexperienced, you can just sprinkle Ddraig’s power to win, but it’s a tractable thing regarding those with greater power and those who understand your ability. At any rate, you yourself are your Sacred Gear’s weak point. —The cluster of your weakness is assuredly your inability to master it. You’ll eventually die if you can’t tame your power.”
“I-I understand.”
Yes, I understand that all too painfully well. However, saying it again gouged terribly at my heart. Yeah, I recognise it. I’m not the one who’s amazing. It’s Ddraig that’s amazing. However, this fallen angel Azazel speaks in an easily understandable manner and put things into a new light. Wouldn’t he be suitable as a teacher or lecturer? “Azazel, just how far did you research Sacred Gears?”
Michael-san asked Azazel while sighing, but the fallen angel Governor just smiled fearlessly. “It’s fine, isn’t it? God, the one who made the Sacred Gears, isn’t here, right? Isn’t it better if there’s someone who can explain about Sacred Gears at least a little? I heard there are all kinds of things that even you don’t know, right?”
“I think the problem is that you’re the one who’s researching it…”
And so these big-shots kept talking together like this, but I just felt a little joy at the existence of these bracelets. …With this, I can be useful to Buchou…! Buchou received the so-called special technique formula from her forehead by Grayfia-san. “Ojou-sama, please wait a little while.”
“Please hurry, Grayfia.”
While we were inside getting ready, Azazel and the Hakuryuukou were deep in talk. “Vali.”
“What is it, Azazel?”
“You go catch the enemy’s attention outside. If the Hakuryuukou comes out at the front, it’ll disrupt their strategy a little. Also, something may move.”
“So that person will also become aware of me being here?”
“If you do that, they won’t expect for the Sekiryuutei to transfer over to the centre using [Castling]. It’ll also have the effect of attracting their attention a little.”
“Wouldn’t it be faster to blow away all the terrorists in the old school building and the half-vampire who has become a problem?”
And so Albion said it all naturally. What the hell is he saying, this bastard! “Quit that, at a time where we’ve united in peace. In the worst case scenario, we’ll do that, but if we can save a member of the Maou’s family, saving him will be of benefit for us in the future.”
“Understood.”
Vali agreed to Azazel’s suggestion while letting out a breath. Kah! Wings of light unfolded on Vali’s back. So that’s his Sacred Gear. “—Balance Break.”
[Vanishing Dragon Balance Breaker!!!!!!!!]