More precisely, Kiryuu-san had already seen through the fact that I had "lost my virginity" using her so-called Size Scouter, and she also likely already suspected the situation in my home—technically the Arima and Toujou shared household—where three girls were living, based on things Matsuda and Motohama had been gossiping about.
So she probably already had it basically confirmed.
"Uuuuuugh! Being able to enjoy both is making me want to punch you right now, Ikkiiii!!"
Don't grind your teeth like that at me, Issei.
"Devils who've come of age can change their appearance using magic anyway. Just ask Rias-senpai to turn small for a few years or something."
"THAT'S IT! I could see Rias's childhood form with my own eyes, like in the photo album Sirzechs-sama showed me!!"
Issei… what age are you imagining Rias-senpai at?
Well, judging from his face, it wasn't lustful so much as just… slack-jawed excitement.
More like Sirzechs-sama's siscon expression.
"Waaah! I'm already one step behind Rias, and now there are new competitors?! If they attack from another angle, the gap will only widen! And Akeno-san will definitely respond too—w-what am I supposed to do?!"
"Don't forget, Asia. The older beauty Rossweisse-sensei is one year older than Rias and Akeno. The real threat might actually be the silver-haired loli."
Xenovia… it's a miracle Rossweisse-sensei isn't here right now.
If she had been, she definitely would've scolded them all into oblivion.
"…Y-yeah! Rossweisse-sensei's gaze toward darling has definitely gotten hotter lately too!"
"I agree. Then the only answer is to strike first with reproduction. I'd also like to experience being spoiled by Issei at least once—but nothing surpasses making children. Asia, Irina. Tomorrow is the decisive battle. We'll boost Issei's morale by waiting in that 'baby-making room.' Just give him a drink before bed and he'll eventually head to the bathroom. That's when we strike."
"YES!"
"YES!"
"XENOVIAAAAAAAAA!! STOP PLANNING THIS STUFF RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT EVEN TRYING TO HIDE IT!! AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'STRIKE'?! THIS HAS ZERO ROMANCE!!"
Yeah… Issei really does have it rough in this department.
And just like that, our everyday life flowed on normally… right up until the day of the duel.
========
On the day of the decisive battle, members of D×D and the "Brave Saints" had already gathered in the underground transfer chamber beneath Issei's house.
About ten people in total, including representatives from the Four Seraph factions such as Irina and Griselda.
D×D was effectively based in Kuoh Town, but the Brave Saints were also officially part of D×D's allied forces. Even if the Church coup faction had challenged us directly, Heaven couldn't afford to sit this out entirely.
Still, their role was primarily support and defense—to minimize unnecessary damage.
Azazel-sensei stepped forward once everyone had assembled.
"Listen up. This is basically a fight with the Church's warriors. The battlefield is a reconstructed version of Kuoh Town built using Rating Game field tech. Radius: 10 kilometers. The coup faction will also be transferred in at midnight using the same teleportation system."
"…Honestly, I'm surprised they agreed to that. Didn't they think it might be a trap or a prison?"
Saji voiced the question, and Azazel chuckled.
"Of course they did. I did too. But we rejected that idea. You know why, Issei?"
"Because… this is a 'fight'?"
"Exactly."
A fight doesn't need schemes or traps. A fight is about standing face-to-face and smashing your fist into the opponent's pride.
If a battle meant to resolve resentment ends up creating more resentment, it's nothing more than a farce.
And both sides understood that.
"They know it too. That's why they accepted it."
Then Azazel's tone grew slightly heavier.
"I'm sorry you all always get stuck with the dirty work. But I'm counting on you to respond to them properly. As for this coup… it seems the three cardinals had their own deeper intentions. They were thinking about the future of the Church, or rather, the alliance. I can't say more yet. Just know this: your job doesn't change. Go all out."
Vali's father figure spoke next.
"The field we prepared also includes various anti-Trihexa-derived formulas. It's sturdier than a normal Rating Game arena. Even if things get a little wild, it should hold. I'm hoping to gather valuable combat data…"
"…Wait a second! You're planning to gather data?! These are basically humans we're fighting! If we go full field-destruction level, won't people die?!"
Yeah. That's a problem. A very big problem.
The only ones who could probably survive that level of force would be Strada and Cristaldi.
Sona then stepped forward.
"The enemy forces are divided into two units. One led by Vasco Strada, and the other by Ewald Cristaldi. We will split our forces accordingly."
She continued calmly assigning roles.
Sitri peerage and the Brave Saints would handle Cristaldi's unit.
Gremory peerage, including Rias, would face Strada's unit.
Me and Ravel were assigned there as well.
Wait… Saji was supposed to be on Strada's side originally, right?
Ah. Probably because I'm there too.
"And Arthur from Vali's team will join our side."
Before Arthur could respond, Yuuto stepped forward.
"President, may I also join your side?"
The room tensed instantly.
"…Excalibur, I assume?"
"Yes. I've heard Ewald Cristaldi is a natural-born true wielder of the Excalibur."
Griselda added quietly, confirming it.
"Correct. He was even said to be capable of handling the unified Excalibur at full capacity."
"And Strada himself has been granted a replica of Durandal."
The weight in the room increased immediately.
Replicas or not, those names carried pressure.
"Replicas… huh. That doesn't make it any less dangerous," someone muttered.
"Let me do it. This isn't revenge. It's a challenge."
Yuuto looked directly at Sona.
Arthur then spoke casually, as if stirring the fire further.
"If that's the case, I'll switch to Rias's side. It would be interesting to face Strada. And if you're worried about balance, Arima-kun can handle either side without issue."
"…Hey, Arthur, can you not casually say things that make Yuuto's blood pressure spike?"
Yuuto's expression hardened.
"So you're saying I'm not enough to match you?"
"That is correct—but not in the way you think. I don't look down on you. You simply haven't fully awakened your potential yet. When you do, you may become my rival."
Arthur… stop casually pouring gasoline on a guy before a war.
Yuuto's eyes were getting sharp enough to cut steel.
Rias sighed.
"Sona. Put Yuuto on your side."
"Is that alright?"
"Yes. A swordsman's pride can only be settled by another swordsman."
Yuuto knelt immediately and bowed. "Thank you, my master."
Sona then turned to me.
"And Arima-kun? Which side will you take?"
"Either would be fine… but I'll go with Excalibur's side. I already fought Strada once, so I'd like to face Cristaldi this time."
Honestly, I'd rather be at home eating oranges under a kotatsu with Kuroka and the others…
But that wasn't happening.
After reorganizing the units, about thirty minutes passed in relative calm.
Then the massive teleportation array beneath us began to glow.
"It's time. This is your 'festival fight.' Go out there and make it loud!"
"YES!"
We all stepped into the light.
…..
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