After all, being able to choose the location is an advantageous condition for us.
If we wanted to, we could have set up any number of tricks.
However...
"Even if you thought of doing that, would you have actually done it for this incident? I thought of it, but in the end, I didn't. That's just how it is. They're betting that we'll come at them fair and square, head-on. If things get messy here, it'll leave deep scars. Like I said earlier, this is a brawl. You answer straight-forward guys with straight-forward methods."
Whether consciously or unconsciously, these kids understand that.
And the other side knows it too.
The fact that Strada slapped a letter of challenge directly onto Rias and the others might surprisingly be to confirm exactly that.
And because Strada and Cristaldi trusted that, the warriors following them are coming to challenge us head-on.
I exhaled a large breath.
"I feel bad that you guys always draw the short straw. However, Strada and Cristaldi wouldn't have brought warriors who were just idly dissatisfied this far. Their true feelings are probably that they want to slam the warriors' indignation against us, but the three Cardinals have another true intention. ...We got some info from Vatican headquarters. Those guys were real monumental idiots."
I told Rias and the others with a wry smile.
...Strada and Cristaldi.
I figured they had some aim, and sure enough.
They're coming at us straight as an arrow.
Sona signaled her 'Queen,' Shinra, with a glance.
Shinra used magic to manifest a large mirror in the air, projecting the entire battlefield.
"The model for the field is Kuoh Town. The battlefield reproduces the surrounding area within a ten-kilometer radius centered on the academy. Rossweisse-sensei cooperated in the formation of the field."
Yes, for this field, we wove in various spell formulas based on information obtained from Rossweisse's thesis.
Rossweisse spoke up.
"I applied the sealing techniques currently being researched for the Trihexa to this battlefield. ...I hope we get good results..."
Rossweisse looked a little anxious...
Well, for this occasion, there shouldn't be any problems.
We did run several tests before implementation.
The problem is how effective it will be against an unknown monster like Trihexa...
Regarding that, I have no idea.
After all, it's an opponent considered to be Great Red class.
Only the 'God of the Bible' would know its effects.
And that 'God of the Bible' is long dead...
Shinra continued the report.
"The opponent seems to be dividing a company-sized unit into two. They will be two units led mainly by Ewald Cristaldi and Vasco Strada."
Sona continued.
"We will also split into two teams. On Ewald Cristaldi's side, 'Joker' Dulio Gesualdo will be central, joined by Sister Griselda, Shidou Irina, and the participating members of the 'Brave Saints.' We Sitri members, excluding Saji, will provide support there."
"In that case, we Gremory members and Saji-kun will be taking on Vasco Strada's unit," Rias concluded.
I added a supplementary report.
"Kuroka, Le Fay, and Slash Dog will be providing support from the shadows."
With that many people handling shadow support, it's pretty luxurious.
Plus, we have powerful reinforcements.
If Qlippoth shows up, we're ready to catch them all in one fell swoop.
Then, someone stepped out in front of Sona.
——It was Kiba.
"Former President Sona, may I join the Joker's side?"
"...Excalibur, is it?"
"Yes. I hear Cristaldi-san is a former wielder of Excalibur."
"Correct. Although he has retired from active duty, he is one of the few natural-born Excalibur wielders. I've heard that in his youth, he could wield three Excaliburs simultaneously."
Sister Griselda nodded at Sona's words.
"He is also the only one who was granted a replica of Excalibur by His Holiness the Pope."
When Ex-Durandal was reforged, the final Excalibur held by Arthur was added, reuniting the seven fragments of Excalibur into one.
Heaven analyzed that and reproduced its power in the replica Cristaldi holds.
Its power is likely less than a fifth of the real thing, but with him, he'll probably draw out power beyond its specs.
By the way, Strada has a Durandal replica too.
Its performance is also inferior to the real thing, but the wielder is that guy.
While I was thinking this, Kiba appealed to Sona.
"...Please let me fight. I want to surpass Excalibur, and an Excalibur user, once more. This isn't revenge. This is... a challenge!"
Kiba, a test subject of the 'Holy Sword Project.'
Discarded because he couldn't adapt to Excalibur, he was picked up by Rias.
In the mess that the idiot Kokabiel caused, he triumphed over the Excaliburs wielded by Freed, but...
With another Excalibur user appearing before him, the remaining embers have flared up, huh?
It's not hatred, but he has a somewhat dangerous look in his eyes.
Rias and Sona looked troubled by Kiba's request.
Then, a third party's voice cut in.
"Why not let him do it?"
Appearing with that opinion of approval was a member of Vali's team, Arthur.
He didn't go to the Underworld with Vali this time and is participating here instead.
Arthur said with a smile.
"A swordsman's obsession can only be healed by a swordsman. Isn't that right, Kiba Yuuto-kun?"
"..."
Kiba remained silent.
However, it seemed something was communicated between them.
Arthur placed a hand on his chest.
"I know I'm not exactly a replacement, but I shall participate in the battle against Vasco Strada. I've been interested for a long time. In the power of the old man hailed as the strongest Durandal user."
Arthur is joining the Gremory side?
Well, Issei isn't here, and if Kiba leaves too, I figured we'd need to shift someone over there, so it works out.
...Arthur, you plan on fully enjoying this situation, don't you?
Vali's team is full of battle maniacs, so I get why he'd want to join this brawl—or rather, this Holy Sword Festival.
He's totally going to watch the reinforcement battle for a bit and then go challenge him, isn't he?
And knowing the other side, they'd probably happily accept.
Hearing Arthur's opinion, Rias exhaled a large breath and said to Sona.
"...Sona, please include him on your side."
"Are you sure, Rias?"
When asked for confirmation, Rias told Kiba straight.
"Yuuto, this time, settle your feelings once and for all."
"Yes, thank you very much."
[Azazel Side Out]
[Third Person Side]
Immediately after Rias and the 'DxD' members transferred to the field modeled after Kuoh Town prepared for the Church coup faction.
They did not notice.
At this time, an existence other than them had already slipped into this field.
He had completely erased his presence and was observing them from atop a certain building.
"It is finally beginning. Fufufu... As a fellow swordsman, I cannot miss this Festival of Swords. I went through the trouble of asking Father to come here. Yes, I shall enjoy this! I shall enjoy today to the fullest!"
The man——'The Peeping Tom' (Voyeurismus) Vals.
Today, he begged Asem and infiltrated this field alone.
His objective was singular: to spectate the bout between 'DxD' and the Church warriors.
That is all.
Although he wields magic, he is also a swordsman.
He was intrigued by this battle where Holy Swords would gather.
Beside him lay a convenience store plastic bag.
Inside were cheese kamaboko and beer—he was fully prepared to enjoy himself.
Vasco Strada, the former wielder of Durandal, and Ewald Cristaldi, the former wielder of Excalibur.
The Holy Demonic Sword user Kiba Yuuto, the current Durandal user Xenovia Quarta, and the Hauteclere user Shidou Irina.
And on top of that, the Holy King Sword user Arthur Pendragon is joining in.
Truly, a Holy Sword Festival.
"According to Father, Lord Rizevim plans to interfere, but... Good grief, that man truly cannot read the room. There is a limit to being unrefined. That is why... he will——. It is because those without the resolve to be struck make unnecessary moves that things turn out like that. Is he about to outlive his usefulness, Father?"
Vals looked up at the artificial night sky while munching on a cheese kamaboko.
At that moment—
"No way, it can't be...!"
He realized it.
His blunder.
It was a blunder far too great for him—
"I FORGOT TO RETURN 'THE TERMI〇ATOR'!!!!!!"
[Third Person Side Out]
Note:
Dear readers,
The Lunar New Year is approaching, and I wish you all a new year filled with success, good fortune, and prosperity!
Holiday Announcement:
I'm writing this to announce that I will be taking a short break from posting to celebrate the holiday from February 15th to February 22nd, 2026. I will officially return to work on February 23rd.
Don't worry though! During this break, I'll be busy prepping a bunch of new chapters so I can post them consistently once I'm back. I promise the upcoming parts will be even more exciting, so please stay tuned!
Thank you so much for your understanding and for always being such a supportive community.
Happy Lunar New Year!