They don’t know how they should live their lives, they really are quite helpless.”
Xenovia’s words are quite persuasive. This is because she once also lost her reason to fight, and left the Church. Although she’s settled down now and accepted her current life as a devil…not all soldiers can be the same, to be able to find a new meaning for their existence. The current situation is just like that. Azazel-sensei continued
“The Church group’s rebels…in fact, most of them have already stopped. The ones who were provoking riots have already been suppressed. The cadre class leaders who were behind it have all been arrested. —But”
Sensei raised three fingers. “Three of the rebel leaders are on the run. Currently, there are many soldiers who are still following them.”
…The mastermind is leading the soldiers huh. Sona-zenkaichou then listed their names
“The three of them are His Eminence Cardinal Bishop Teodoro Legrenzi, His Eminence Cardinal Priest Vasco Strada, and His Eminence Cardinal Deacon Ewald Cristaldi.”
Hearing this, Rias said with a soft voice
“…I’ve heard of these names.”
I then quietly asked Koneko-chan “…What are those positions?”. Although I’ve just come to understand the situation of the Devils’, I’m still unfamiliar with the Church. Koneko-chan sighed, then said
“…A Cardinal Bishop is a high position within the Church, second only to the Pope. A Cardinal Priest is one rank lower, and a Cardinal Deacon is one rank lower than that. Although there are several people who hold the title of each position, the names mentioned are highly regarded.”
So the names of those mentioned are all extraordinary people. And they’re also famous to the point that even Koneko-chan knows about them. Kiba then said to me
“That is to say, the people in the Church who are ranked second, third and fourth instigated this rebellion, and are still on the run.”
I see, it’s actually quite easy to understand then. This report left Asia, Xenovia and Irina who were originally from the Church at a loss for words. In particular, Xenovia and Irina who were once warriors nervously stiffened the expression on their eyes. Xenovia finally spoke
“…His Eminence Strada and Cristaldi-sensei”
“Do you know them?”
Hearing my question, she widened her eyes and said
“Of course. — His Eminence Strada is the previous user of Durandal.”
“—!”
This honest declaration left me, and some of the other members here speechless! …It truly was too shocking! It was beyond our expectations that the previous wielder of that holy sword was actually one of the leaders behind the rebellion! Azazel-sensei said
“This man is among the minority of Durandal wielders who is capable of rivalling Roland, and many people believe that he’s even surpassed Roland. He’s also one of the few people who’ve successfully emerged from the war. He was a man who embodied strength and authority on the battlefield, and is also a leader.”
An extraordinary man who was originally a warrior! On top of that, he was also a wielder of Durandal…. Irina then said
“His Eminence Strada is already eighty seven years old…”
This guy’s not like an old man! He’s over eighty and yet he still has the energy to start a rebellion! Is he weak from old age then? But, Xenovia’s eyes still conveyed seriousness. “…It would be best to forget about his age. This man…is a living legend. His body has barely aged.”
—! You’ve got to be joking. No matter what you say, being over eighty, that’s an old man! Yet he’s a human? Well, if he’s already eighty years old then…. Sensei’s expression was just as serious as Xenovia’s. “…Even if that guy looks older now, he’s not weak, he’s still just as strong. In World War II, he fought against Kokabiel from our side once, and in the end we were at a disadvantage. This guy has quite an interest in holy swords, and he also has many achievements.”
Kokabiel was at a disadvantage against a human?! …With what happened after the incident with the holy swords being stolen last year, it feels as though there’s some sort of strange connection of fate. Speaking of which, that guy Kokabiel had once said something about it, Durandal’s previous wielder was an incredible person. “I remember now, wasn’t he was one of the top candidates to be an Ace of the Four Great Seraphs?”
Hearing sensei’s question, Irina nodded. “Yes. Uriel-sama and Raphael-sama had both selected His Eminence Strada, but he refused both of them. …He said that he wants to return to the Lord upon death.”
Two of the Four Great Seraphs made an offer at the same time but they were both rejected! Everyone’s expression was serious, but only Asia made a complicated smile. “While I was a nun with the Church, I met His Eminence Strada once…he seemed to be an honest and friendly person.”
Asia didn’t have a bad impression of him. That was why the news of his rebellion made her confused. “Personally, I really don’t want to see Cristaldi-sensei…. After all, as warriors of the Church, we’ve been under his care and he’s also been our mentor.”
Irina mentioned another person who was involved in the rebellion, Ewald Cristaldi. The mentor of the Church’s warriors…. Xenovia and Irina were definitely facing some complicated feelings right now. Xenovia nodded in agreement to Irina. “I was also under the guidance of Cristaldi-sensei, he taught me how to fight against devils and vampires…”
“…When I went to the Vatican, Cristaldi-sensei diligently taught me how to use Excalibur. I’ve heard that when Cristaldi-sensei was on the frontlines, he was able to simultaneously control three of the six Excaliburs.”
Azazel-sensei confirmed Irina’s words
“Ah, that’s true. Back then, Ewald Cristaldi was a topic of heated discussion within the Grigori. Although he could only use three of the Excaliburs simultaneously, people have said that theoretically it wouldn’t be impossible for him to control all six of the swords at once. Anyway, whether its Vasco Strada or Ewald Cristaldi, they were well-known during the war as ridiculously strong people. Plus, they also trained a large number of warriors, and those warriors have said that those two people could be described as titans. With a single call, they could have many warriors follow in response…. In fact, more than half of the Church’s warriors are involved in this rebellion.”
…These two men are the most influential people in the Church. They’re also the former users of Durandal and Excalibur…. Since it’s come to this, it makes people feel as though this can no longer be resolved through simple means. This is how lesser powers will gather to where the stronger power is. Sona-zenkaichou adjusted her glasses then said
“They’re blessed with talent, so much so that they’re even able to kill the highest class of devils—. After all, such people are extremely rare; their power has even become a legend to devils and they’re still alive even now.”
…So the two people called Ewald Cristaldi and Vasco Strada are actually such formidable opponents….