"...What a way to put it."
"I'm sorry for making you feel bad, but since you're a faction that has its base in the same Underworld and is hostile to us in the church, it's natural to be wary of the possibility of connections. Even you guys would have some people consider the possibility of cooperation if Kokabiel attacked the Four Great Demon Lords and fled to the Vatican, right?"
While responding to the angry President like that, Kazuhi looked straight into her eyes and said decisively.
"I'll tell you something that'll further rub you the wrong way. That's why the higher-ups are demanding that you devils stay out of the Excalibur retrieval operation. ...Though I've been told it's fine to cut you down if you interfere."
Hey hey. Are you serious about this?
This is the President's territory given to her by the Demon Lords. And you're saying we should do nothing while a fallen angel is plotting something terrible here?
The President is seriously angry too, but all three of them are acting calm.
...But there's something different about Irina and Xenovia compared to Kazuhi.
Is it because of that justice stuff she was talking about earlier? Irina and Xenovia feel like "we're right so listen to what we say," while Kazuhi feels like "if you're not prepared for the opponent to get angry and attack, it's not justice."
"...Let me ask one thing. What's your fighting strength?"
"Three people as you can see. The Orthodox Church chose to prevent any more Excaliburs from being stolen and sent me as a representative since I had connections."
Kazuhi answers like that, but just three people?!
And Kazuhi isn't even an Excalibur user. Ah, but being a representative means she's about as strong even without that?
"We did have backup members, but they were all killed by the fallen angel side. Oh Lord, please welcome the souls of those who died as martyrs!"
"Well, we do have a trump card. If we use it, our chances are fifty-fifty, and that's enough to risk our lives, right?"
Irina and Xenovia say that, but faith is kinda scary.
So what do you want to do, President?
"...It's unpleasant but fine. I'll tolerate it as long as no harm comes to this town and us."
"That's good then. Personally, I was thinking we might end up fighting you guys first in a rage, but I'm impressed you responded calmly."
Saying that, Kazuhi stood up.
"Well then, let's go. If we take too much time and cause trouble, the higher-ups will be noisy."
"OK♪ Well, I'm praying we won't have to fight, Issei."
Irina followed while saying that.
...Honestly, I want them to leave like this since Kiba's killing intent is getting thicker and thicker.
He's pretty irritated since his opponents are Excalibur users. If he can't hold back and goes wild, it'll make the President look bad...
"...Wait."
Then Xenovia stopped and stared intently at Asia.
"I thought it might be, but are you that Asia Argento?"
"Ah!"
Asia's shoulders trembled.
Asia is a former saint, but she was exiled for healing devils.
Honestly, I'm pissed at the church's actions, so are you planning to go south again?
"Eh!? That rumored former saint?! I heard she was exiled, but she became a devil!"
"Irina and Xenovia. Let's go."
Kazuhi scolded Irina and Xenovia like that, but she doesn't have a good expression either.
"She doesn't regret the punishment of exile and became a devil, which seems like a grudge, but we don't know what happened after the exile. If the Gremorians become hostile, there's no need to hold back, but since they promised non-interference for now, interfering is strictly forbidden."
...Ah, so that's how you think.
You guys made her a saint on your own, then exiled her when that was wrong, and now that she became a devil, it might be a grudge?
Of course she'd be angry. I'm seriously getting pissed off...
Moreover, Xenovia looked straight at Kazuhi.
You don't want to go home obediently? What are you planning?
"That won't do. It happens sometimes, but it seems she still believes in the Lord even after becoming a devil."
When Xenovia said that, Irina looked at Asia.
And Kazuhi directed a wary gaze at Rias.
"Eh, no way? Even though she became a devil?"
"Rias Gremory? Even if she's an exiled person, if you forcibly reincarnated her, I can't just overlook that."
Irina is annoying in her own way, but she probably doesn't mean any harm.
But Kazuhi is dangerous. She's leaking killing intent and seems to have some weird misunderstanding!?
She didn't do anything that terrible! At least the President isn't that kind of person!
"How rude. I just revived her when she was killed by fallen angels."
"Yes, the President did nothing wrong. My faith... I just can't abandon it."
The President and Asia say that, but Xenovia even drew her holy sword.
"Then you should be cut by my holy sword. If that faith is real, the Lord will forgive you."
...Ah, this is bad.
"Don't touch Asia."
I couldn't stand it anymore and got between Asia and Xenovia.
Damn it all. I was planning to hold back since Kiba was about to explode and President and others were enduring it, but this is impossible.
"What do you mean the Lord will forgive her? You made her a saint on your own, exiled her on your own, and now you're calling her a witch - cut the crap!"
I can't stand it anymore. Ever since I learned about Asia's situation, I've wanted to say this to the church people.
"If she was recognized as a saint but healed devils, and even became a devil without resenting it, then she can only be called a witch."
What is this guy casually saying...
"Cut the crap! You left Asia who had always been faithful all alone, and when her Sacred Gear was taken and she was dying, you did nothing - what kind of faith is that!"
"A saint can live on the Lord's love alone, and the Lord's love is universal, far surpassing human love. Seeking affection or friendship disqualifies her as a saint, and if nothing happened, then either her faith was insufficient or false, right?"
She says it so calmly.
I can't understand these guys. No, I don't want to understand them!!
"Don't make me laugh! Anyone who can't understand Asia's kindness, are all just idiots!"
"...What exactly are you?"
"Family, friend, and comrade! If you guys lay a hand on Asia, I'll make enemies of not just you but even your lord!!"
I said it clearly.
Yeah, I'm glad I became a devil, and I'm glad Asia became a devil too. Living for faith - no thanks.
Since there's a Longinus that can even kill gods, I have no intention of running away.
Even if their lord comes, I'll seriously punch him!
"Insolent words. Doesn't Rias Gremory educate her servants properly?"
"...You sure say whatever you want. But Issei, please restrain yourself around there."
Even when Xenovia complained, President was glaring at Xenovia.
That aside, I was stopped, but I said what I wanted to say, so that's fine.
"Perfect timing. Then I'll be your opponent."
Ah, shit.
By the time I noticed, it was already too late.
"...I was at my limit too. As someone treated as a failure, I couldn't stand seeing a success...!"
Kiba created magic swords throughout the room and glared straight at Xenovia and the others.
D-damn it~.
I was worried about Kiba going berserk, but I became the spark. What am I doing?
Xenovia and Irina are also starting to get serious, this is bad.
---
"Sigh… Bunch of idiots."
---
At that moment, the magic swords Kiba created shattered.
Before I knew it, Kazuhi was gripping tonfas in both hands.
Wait, she destroyed all of Kiba's magic swords with those? What the hell is she!?
"...I see, so you sent her instead of the blessed holy sword Excalibur Blessing. She's quite reliable"
The moment Xenovia said that while trying to unwrap her bundle, a tonfa tip was thrust at her throat.
"What are you misunderstanding? I'm calling you an idiot too"
With eyes that could only be described as seriously pissed, she glared at Xenovia, then Kazuhi looked around.
"'They're shit because they don't help when you're dying,' 'no help means fake faith,' and finally 'shit for not understanding kindness'... Every single one of you, enemy and ally alike, seems to have the wrong idea about biblical teachings and faith."
Sh-she's directing killing intent in all directions!?
Hey, whose side are you on!? Ours!? Xenovia's!?
While we were confused by the sudden development, Kazuhi skillfully scratched her head and raised her voice while looking around at us.
"Prayer is gratitude to the Lord who showed justice and good to the world! Faith is a life of training to strive to embody justice and good, and to discipline oneself to be worthy of going to heaven after death! And justice is neither a right to wave around and act superior, nor payment for receiving protection and blessings!"
Saying that clearly, she first turned to Xenovia.
"As an embodiment of that justice, someone who fulfills faith by defeating enemies of faith, yet you bend your principles when the opponent is acting with principles - how ridiculous! To harm someone's associates when they've responded to our demands is shameful cowardice that you should be ashamed of as a believer!"
"What!?"
Xenovia is stunned, but Kazuhi doesn't care.
This time she turns to Asia and shouts loudly.
"Don't joke about not being able to abandon faith. Faith is justice, and justice gets dirty quickly if you don't hold it strongly, which is why you must maintain it with strong will. With such a spineless attitude, your faith is nothing but filthy trash. Don't use the word faith!"
"Hii!?"
Asia is in tears!?
When I was about to attack, Kazuhi grabbed my collar.
"Finally, you there! I said it a little while ago, didn't I? Don't think island nation common sense is universal."
...She's incredibly angry!? As angry as I was earlier…
"Listen, with cheap change asking for 'give me a girlfriend' or 'let me pass the prestigious school' or 'let tragedy befall the other woman my crush is obsessed with' - don't lump together this country's loose ridiculous faith that demands big returns with monotheistic faith. We don't have faith seeking returns - practicing the teachings the Lord brought is faith."
...I wonder what this is, it's seriously scary.
Not scary because she's angry, not scary because I can't understand, but that strong will toward the word faith... is scary.
"Believers fulfill their faith by living straight as humans, as beings who can live with their chests puffed out. Don't lump it together with livestock-like contracts where you're tamed with the bait of returns."
What is this?
I can't agree with what she's saying, but I can tell she's saying it straight.
But there's something off about it...
"Try saying in front of believers again that you won't have faith because there are no worldly benefits."
From earlier, Kazuhi has only been saying "believers" and….
"I'll mince your soul and all instead of me going to hell."
Isn't she throwing away something about herself?
---
"...Sorry to interrupt when you're busy, but may I have a moment?"
At that time, a voice was heard.
"Sona? Sorry, but I'm a bit tied up right now."
"I'm sure you are. But it seems visitors came in a way that involves that matter, so I guided them."
The one answering Rias like that is Student Council President Sona Sitri, aka high-class devil.
Behind the President, who is also President Rias's childhood friend, were several men and women looking at us warily.
Especially at the front was a cute girl with red-highlighted hair in twin tails and prominent breasts.
"...'Regarding the matter of fallen angel Kokabiel going berserk, stealing the holy sword Excalibur and infiltrating this town,' you said? Could you tell us about it?"
The girl prompted by the President like that.
"...Hi, miko."
Muttered that quietly.
Fire, shrine maiden?
Eh, what? What does that mean?
Not only us, but Student Council President Sona and the people behind her had puzzled expressions, but one person had a different reaction.
"...No way, right?"
Kazuhi's eyes widened as if her earlier intensity was a lie.
I wonder what it is, those eyes looked like they were crying somewhere—
---
"Um, can I say something?"
---
What?
Among the people the President brought, a black-haired guy about my age suddenly raised his hand.
I mean, he's looking at Kazuhi.
"I fell in love at first sight. Can we start as pen pals?"
"""""HAAAAAAAAAAH!?""""
Yo Bro, READ THE ROOM!!!