Izumi stared blankly at Le Fay, speechless.
Seriously? She's really treating Altria as some kind of ancestral figure…?
There isn't even a blood connection!
He rubbed his temples. He had long given up trying to predict how her mind worked.
"…Your family is really that obsessed with the title of King Arthur, huh?"
He sighed, exasperated.
"I mean, I only waved around weapons from other worlds and your brother already believed I was some legendary figure. And now you're taking a Lion King back to your house—who isn't even your ancestor. Are you sure your family will accept that?"
Le Fay's lips curled into a mischievous grin.
"Of course they will. Different world or not—she's still King Arthur, right?"
"And this ancestor is much stronger than the one our family records talk about, you know?"
"Relax, okay? Daijoubu~"
There was no hesitation in her voice.
Her family were fanatics—Arthurian fanatics. Bringing home a real King Arthur would make them ecstatic, not suspicious.
And that wasn't even counting the Knights of the Round Table.
Izumi had no counterargument for that.
He shrugged, helpless.
"…Fine."
"You can take her."
"And honestly? King Arthur and the Round Table resurfacing in this world is going to excite a lot of people."
A wry smile tugged at his lips.
With his approval, Le Fay nearly bounced with excitement.
Without another word, she grabbed Altria and activated magic, teleporting away.
She couldn't wait to watch her family's reaction.
Izumi shook his head.
Despite having taken on a female form, Le Fay's inner personality hadn't changed at all.
A child—simply a child.
With Le Fay, Scáthach, and Altria gone, there weren't many left from the group he brought back.
Irisviel, naturally, would stay.
Rin and Sakura would also be living in his house.
Thinking of that, Izumi turned to Himejima Akeno.
"Akeno-senpai, later could you ask Rias to help process their identities? They're currently… well, off the books."
"And could you also handle their school enrollment? Rin and Sakura both have incredible magical aptitude. They're going to be reserve members of my team."
As he said that, Izumi realized something.
Since when did my team become this powerful…?
People had gathered without him even noticing.
Akeno nodded without concern.
For her, this was paperwork—trivial.
"But, Izumi-kun, are you sure you're planning to go to school?"
"It's almost summer vacation, you know?"
Her smile was faintly teasing—like she was enjoying watching him realize his mistake.
Izumi froze.
Right—summer break was right around the corner.
"Then let's wait until next semester."
"That way, they'll have time to get used to this world."
"I'll leave the rest to you."
Akeno nodded and stepped aside to call Rias.
Meanwhile, someone who had been completely ignored puffed her cheeks with dissatisfaction.
"Where's my present?"
Avrora's tone was sulky and childish.
Izumi shot her a look, then casually pulled out a holy artifact drenched in divine light and handed it over.
"Here."
The moment the sacred aura touched her senses, Avrora shrieked and leapt back like a frightened cat.
"W-what the hell!?"
"You bully me the moment you come home!"
Her eyes watered.
Truly on the verge of tears.
Who the hell gives a vampire a holy-light weapon!?
Izumi chuckled and put away the relic.
Enough teasing.
He pricked his finger, letting a drop of red roll down.
"Alright. Open your mouth."
"This is your gift."
He flicked the droplet.
The moment his blood left his body, Avrora's entire being trembled with anticipation.
This—this was what she wanted.
She sprang upward like a trained puppy, jaw open, catching the drop.
The effect was immediate.
Her eyes widened, body shivering with a visceral ecstasy.
"Mmh—! Nnn—! Kimochi…"
Izumi covered his face with a sigh.
And she wonders why I bully her…
Irisviel, who had been silently watching, approached the girl curiously and poked her cheek.
"This child… is she a Dead Apostle?"
Izumi shook his head.
"No. A vampire. A True Ancestor, technically."
"…The most useless one."
Avrora slammed her fists at the air.
"I am not useless!"
"I'm super strong!"
She puffed her chest indignantly.
Truthfully, she was now extremely strong—power beyond her original nature.
How much she could use was another question.
She was, after all, a dumb, adorable loli.
Her power came not only from Izumi.
During his absence, Ophis had taken interest and given Avrora a drop of her blood.
It nearly killed her—but the growth was massive.
Izumi, of course, had no idea.
So when she boasted, he simply ignored her.
Mascot status: unchanged.
Leaving her behind, Izumi started preparing rooms for Rin, Sakura, and Irisviel.
With Akeno and Sakura's help, it didn't take long.
...
By the time they finished, school had ended for the day.
Asia, Koneko, and Megumi returned together.
The moment Asia saw Izumi, she pounced at him, wrapping him in a tight embrace.
She had been restless since his disappearance—her relief was palpable.
Megumi was just as happy, though she didn't show it.
Rias also arrived, already informed of the new arrivals.
Her expression remained calm, merely curious.
"Izumi-kun, could you tell me about the other world?"
"I've never been to another world before, so I'm rather interested."
The room grew quiet.
Not just Rias—everyone's eyes turned toward him.
Curious, eager.
Waiting.
What was another world like?
What had he seen?
What had he brought back?
Izumi exhaled softly.
"I'll tell you."
"Everything that's different from here."
And countless expectant eyes sparkled back at him.