[Kiba's POV]
We arrived at the designated time and were transferred into the specially prepared field for this duel.
First, the Sitri peerage, the "Brave Saints," along with myself and Ikki, were transported in. Immediately after, Rias and Issei's group were sent to a different location with slightly shifted coordinates.
The place we arrived at was an abandoned church on the outskirts of town.
This was the very same church where, not long after Issei and Ikki joined the club, a fallen angel named Raynare and her group had tried to extract Asia's Sacred Gear. It was also where we had our decisive battle back then.
This was where we rescued Asia safely… where Rias made her part of her peerage… and where Ikki handed over some stray exorcists to that muscular monstrosity, Milky—
Milky… muscles… and Freed Sellzen…
Ugh! My head!!
Even though I'd sealed those memories away, certain keywords triggered a chain reaction, and something threatened to resurface. My gaze sharpened involuntarily—
"Hey, Kiba-kun. You look pretty scary. You okay?"
Dulio-san, the leader of D×D and Heaven's trump card, spoke to me.
His voice carried concern. Given Azazel-sensei's intention to keep this within the bounds of a "fight," perhaps he feared I might go too far.
"I'm fine. I just thought of something unrelated. Please don't pry into it. I mean that seriously."
"O-Okay, got it… but could you not lean in closer with every sentence? I won't ask anything."
…Ah. No wonder his face felt so close.
Apparently, I had unconsciously stepped forward.
"But I'm glad it was just a misunderstanding. You weren't giving off killing intent or anything earlier. I know you've got… history with the Church, but for now, you've got to hold back."
"—I know who I should point my sword at."
…Honestly, before I gained Balance Breaker, I was in a far more dangerous state.
Even just seeing a photo of a Holy Sword unrelated to Excalibur in Issei's house had shaken me. I caused trouble for everyone back then…
Thinking about it now, it's embarrassing.
In fact, just before entering this field, Issei even warned me:
"Even if you die, I'm not covering for you."
So I have to make sure I don't charge in recklessly like before.
At that moment, Dulio took out two origami cranes and sent them flying into the air using his Sacred Gear.
As they spun gently, he began to speak.
"There's going to be a Sacred Gear removal ritual soon, in one of the Church facilities around this town."
He continued calmly.
"Sometimes, Sacred Gears don't match their hosts. A gear that enhances speed might make someone unable to walk. One related to vision might blind its user. In the worst cases… the rejection can spread through the whole body and kill them."
I had heard of such cases.
Was it because even God couldn't perfectly harmonize supernatural power with the human soul?
Or because God's death disrupted the system governing Sacred Gears and miracles?
Or perhaps… both?
Either way, incompatibility still existed.
"There are two children undergoing the ritual. One has a leg-related Sacred Gear, and because of it, they're confined to a wheelchair. They said if they recover, they want to go to an amusement park."
…Such a simple dream. And that's exactly why it's so precious.
"The other child is in worse condition. They're half-devil, half-human. Because of their human blood, they developed a Sacred Gear—but now they're so weak they can't even get out of bed or speak properly."
Dulio's voice softened.
"If the Sitri territory hadn't developed a new medicine, they would've died last year. So for them… this ritual isn't optional."
…I remember hearing about that breakthrough drug in the Underworld news.
But why did an angel like him know about a devil child's situation?
"…Turns out, that kid's a fan of mine. Not the 'Oppai Dragon' or the 'Rookies Four'—me. Their father contacted me through the Underworld government. I went to see them as soon as I could."
A devil child… who admires an angel.
Perhaps this, too, was one form of the alliance.
"I've visited a few times since then. And nothing changed. No devils, no humans—just a child's innocent smile. They said once they recover, they want to visit Church facilities too."
The two cranes returned to his hand.
One was slightly misshapen.
…That must have been made by the children.
Dulio carefully tucked it away.
"Alright. Story time's over."
He looked ahead.
"The scary teachers have arrived."
At his words, a group of Exorcist entered through the front of the church.
==========
[Ikki POV]
As we watched the Church forces approach within visible distance, Sona-senpai spoke to me.
"Arima-kun, how do you plan to act in this battle?"
"Let's see… I'll try to avoid casualties on both sides while sparring lightly with Ewald Cristaldi. Dulio-san will probably do the same. If he got serious, he could wipe them all out in one move."
At that level, it wouldn't even count as a fight anymore.
Even without Balance Breaker, Dulio could reduce everyone except Cristaldi to ashes in a single attack.
That's the power of a Longinus.
…Crom Cruach shrugged that off like nothing.
…And I'm supposed to spar with him soon.
…Yeah, my stomach's starting to hurt.
Sona nodded.
"That would be best. Kiba-kun has a personal history with Excalibur. This is his fight as well."
"…Yeah."
She was right.
Soon, both sides came to a halt.
Dulio and Cristaldi stepped forward.
"It's been a while, sensei."
"…I wonder whether I should rejoice or lament this reunion."
Cristaldi's expression remained stern.
"If you still call me your teacher… then accept our blades without question."
Dulio sighed lightly.
"I've got a lot I want to ask too. But you can't abandon dialogue from the start. Not as humans."
"You speak of being human… as an angel?"
Cristaldi sneered.
Dulio shrugged.
"Honestly, the difference is just wings, halos, and light power. None of that matters for talking, right?"
"…Then I'll answer you."
His voice turned cold.
"There is nothing to discuss. The children at that facility you visit are about to undergo a 'demonic ritual.' That alone is a sin. Their salvation lies in purging that sin, even if it means death."
That was a clear provocation.
And yet—
"…Even as a joke, you shouldn't say that in front of me, sensei."
For the first time, Dulio's eyes sharpened.
"…You're still young, Dulio. Why do you wield your strength?"
"To protect the smiles of kids within my reach. That's all I need—past, present, and future."
At those words, even the Exorcist faltered slightly.
Because deep down—
Their goals were the same.
"Cristaldi-sensei. Words are no longer needed."
"Griselda… yes. That is why we are here."
Cristaldi raised his sword to the heavens.
Even as a replica, the Holy Sword bestowed directly ignited the warriors' resolve.
"Warriors! This is a battle sanctioned by Heaven! Release all the resentment in your hearts! And do not regret death! For the wages of sin… is death!!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
BOOM!!!
As his blade swung down, the warriors charged forward with a thunderous roar.
[t has begun. First, suppress their long-range attacks. Tsubaki and Tsubasa, step forward and deploy shields. Momo, guard them.]
Sona's voice rang through the communicator.
Though Dulio was the leader, Sona was directing the battle.
A perfect field commander.
And just like that the clash began.