"Wait, what?! Cleria and Masaomi are joining the Grau Zauberer?!"
"Yes. Ajuka handled the negotiations perfectly. If we're going to protect them in the human world, our organization is the best place for it. You were worried about your friends' future, so I figured we might as well take them both in."
"I... I mean, you make it sound so simple, Director. But really, thank you so much."
Several days had passed since the failed purge in Kuoh Town. The discussions between the Underworld and the Church had concluded safely, and I was finally being filled in on the details. We had managed to spend Christmas in peace, and now the New Year was just around the corner. When life is peaceful, the days truly do fly by.
Mephisto appeared in the magic circle, chuckling as he casually explained the aftermath. He skipped the overly complex political details—likely because I'm still technically a primary schooler—but I got the gist of the negotiations. As I listened, my heart swelled with gratitude for everyone who had helped. Taking in Cleria and Masaomi was no small favor; they were a lightning rod for trouble, and Mephisto was doing this largely for my sake.
"Don't mention it," Mephisto said with a broad smile. "Truth be told, I had a wonderful time making life miserable for those old fools. I have you to thank for the opportunity, Kanata."
"…Wait, what?"
I looked up, wondering if I'd misheard that last part, but he just gave me his usual gentle smile. Well, if Mephisto got something out of it, I guess that's a win-win. He certainly seemed to enjoy himself when he was acting as "Lovestar." I could easily imagine him sitting elegantly in his chair while making "ham-ham" noises in a dignified voice. He truly is a kindred spirit to Professor Azazel—they both give 100% to everything they do, even the ridiculous stuff.
In short, the official record of the "purge" had been completely erased. Consequently, Cleria and Masaomi's "crimes" had vanished from the public eye. Since the incident officially never happened, there was no legal grounds to punish Touji Shidou and his unit either. I exhaled in relief, though things weren't exactly going back to the way they were.
First, Cleria was removed from her post as the administrator of Kuoh Town. She has three months left until she graduates from Kuoh Academy's high school division, so she'll handle the transition until then. After graduation, she won't be attending the local university. Instead, she'll be heading abroad to the Magicians' Association. Under a formal request from the Devil government to study "Magical Technology," she's being sent on a "Study Abroad" program. In other words, she was now my colleague.
As for the Belial peerage, they were being taken back to the Belial territory in the Underworld. Apparently, housing an entire peerage at the Association was a bridge too far. They were fired up about supporting Diehauser's reforms back home. Luciana, meanwhile, had been appointed as the liaison between Cleria and the Belial house. Her role was to remain by Cleria's side as her Queen while making periodic reports to the Underworld. Essentially, she was Cleria's assistant.
"And Masaomi is technically being 'exiled,' right?" I asked.
"Since the 'Forbidden Romance Purge' was erased, we needed a new reason to kick him out," Mephisto explained. "That's where that magical item you used to take down Touji Shidou came in handy."
"The pendant I gave Cleria?"
Because the purge was erased, the Church had to fabricate an incident that blended truth and lies for public consumption. According to the official report, a group of Exorcists was attacked by "two mysterious destructive entities" (the craters in the park were proof enough of that). Touji Shidou fought back with his Holy Sword but was defeated because of his "poor health" (the medical records at the Kuoh hospital provided plenty of sympathetic evidence for this). Masaomi fought alongside them, but backed into a corner, he activated a "forbidden magical device" to protect his comrades—and the enemies fled.
The problem, according to the Church, was that Masaomi—a faithful servant—had openly wielded magic. There is a powerful faction within the Church that loathes magic, viewing it as a technology derived from Devil power. The extremists raised a stink about Masaomi's "blasphemy."
Since Shidou and the others were unconscious and couldn't defend him, and given that they had failed to gather information on the mysterious attackers, Masaomi "heroically" took the blame for the unit's failure. While some Exorcists who used magic for support protested, the Church high command decided they couldn't risk internal strife and ordered his exile. It was a story with a lot of holes, but it worked.
"In this era, unreasonable exiles are common," Mephisto noted. "We have enough circumstantial evidence to make it stick."
"I feel a bit bad about the 'unreasonable' part, but I guess I'll thank the era for its flaws this time," I said.
"Everyone who knows the truth will keep their mouths shut," Mephisto continued. "The story goes that the man, now without a home and exiled because of his magic use, knocked on the door of the Magicians' Association. There, he 'happened' to meet a female Devil who used to be an administrator. They were struck by fate, and despite their different races, they fell in love..."
"Wow, you even prepared the romance script for the records."
Since they were arriving at the Association for different official reasons, they had to keep their existing relationship a secret for a while. If they "started dating" after a few months, no one would think twice. An interracial couple consisting of a Devil and a former Exorcist is a flashy combination, but the Association is full of eccentric researchers. After a week, they'll be too busy with their own projects to care.
"I plan to have Masaomi build up a record of achievement at the Association first," Mephisto added. "He'll likely arrive here sooner than Cleria. Some magicians require protection for their field work. With his skill, he can earn a good living as a bodyguard."
Yes! I thought. Masaomi won't have to be a 'leech' on Cleria. If he ever struggled for work, I could help him out through my own standing in the organization. Plus, since we were in the same group, we could study magic together.
Mephisto mentioned that once Masaomi proved himself, he'd offer him a formal contract as a permanent protector for the Grau Zauberer. Most researchers aren't exactly known for their physical fitness. If another incident like the recent attack on the Association occurred, having a high-level swordsman on the payroll would be a massive asset.
Thanks to everyone who had worked themselves to the bone handling the cleanup behind the scenes, Cleria and Masaomi finally had a place where they belonged. I didn't know the half of what it cost to arrange all this, but right now, I just wanted to be happy for them. I had new colleagues, and in a few days, a brand new year would begin.
"…By the way, what happened to Touji Shidou and the others?"
"Touji has gone abroad."
I see... so that part stayed canon, I thought. It was a shame, but Church personnel decisions were out of our hands. Issei and Irina were going to be heartbroken.
"His stomach was at its absolute limit," Mephisto sighed. "If he'd stayed in the Kuoh hospital, the 'culprit' behind his trauma might have visited him out of the goodness of his heart and finished him off. He's been moved to a Church medical facility overseas. Between his ulcers and the backlash from the Holy Sword, he'll be gone for at least six months."
"...Wait, what?"
Stop right there, Mephisto. Did he just drop a massive canon-breaking bomb?
"Shidou is... coming back to Kuoh?!"
"Of course. The purge never happened, and Masaomi took the fall for the attack. There's no reason to punish them. In fact, the Vatican doesn't want the Kuoh Exorcists—who know the truth—hanging around headquarters for a while. They've decided to keep them stationed in Kuoh until things blow over, essentially treating it as a research post for those 'mysterious destructive entities.'"
Sweeping it under the rug, literally. I remembered that in the original story, Shidou said he was "forced" to move to England. Maybe it was a transfer there too, but this time, it seemed Shidou had negotiated a better deal for his unit.
In the original timeline, Shidou's spirit was broken after he purged Masaomi. He was tortured by the conflict between his "justice" and his faith. In that state, he wouldn't have had the strength to argue with his superiors.
"So that means the Church presence in Kuoh is staying intact?" I asked.
"Officially, they're investigating the 'mysterious entities.' Having Church warriors lose one-sidedly to unknown monsters looks bad for PR, so they've been given the 'chance for redemption' by staying in Kuoh to investigate."
"Um... those 'entities' were Milky Yellow and the Super Robot. They're actually going to investigate them?"
"It's just a pretext. They won't actually try very hard—honestly, they probably don't want to find them. They'll send in some formal reports and paperwork, but their day-to-day work won't change much. They'll likely be transferred out in a few years once the scandal is forgotten."
If this came from Shidou himself, it was as good as fact. I wondered when Mephisto had established a pipeline to the man. Then again, if you're negotiating with the Church, having an insider who knows the score makes everything smoother.
So, for the next few years at least, the Exorcists would remain in Kuoh. The Devils, however, had cancelled their "Study Abroad" program for the time being. They decided that sending precious noble children to a town where "unidentified magical girls and giant robots" went on rampages was a safety hazard. Seriously, guys... magical girls and robots aren't native Japanese wildlife.
Still, because the location was tactically significant, they agreed to reconsider the program once they found "candidates capable of handling magical girls and robots." It felt like the environment was shifting back toward the original canon. I didn't know if Rias and Sona would still come to Kuoh...
But Rias and Sona would have already developed a resistance to "Magical Girls" thanks to Serafall, and they'd handled Professor Azazel's nonsense before. If the Devils wanted to use the Kuoh territory again, I could see them entrusting it to Rias, given her Bael bloodline. Well, that's out of my hands. I'll just have to see how it plays out.
"If Shidou is coming back later... does that mean his family is staying in Japan?"
"Yes. The other Exorcists are still bedridden from the 'attack,' and Shidou's wife and daughter are the only ones available to look after them. The Church couldn't leave the parish completely unattended, and they didn't want to drag a toddler overseas during Shidou's recovery."
It made sense. Traveling abroad with a young Irina while Shidou was in a hospital bed would be a nightmare. With the rest of the unit still in Japan, they'd be safe. Irina would be lonely without her dad for a while, but I was sure Issei would step up. Good luck, future Harem King!
"However," Mephisto added, his tone shifting. "It seems that 'Giant Magical Girl' friend of yours got worried. He's been shouting about 'looking after the priest's daughter while he's away!' and has apparently dragged her childhood friend into his 'Magical Girl activities'..."
"…What?"
Miltan, you didn't tell me about this! I didn't have the right to control his life, and his job watching Shidou was over, so I figured he'd just focus on his own "Magical Girl Path." I had no idea he was dragging Irina and Issei into the mix.
"Kanata," Mephisto warned. "If this continues, by the time Shidou gets back to Kuoh, his daughter will be... 'past the point of no return' in a certain sense. Please, for the sake of that man's stomach, don't let it get any worse."
"What do you mean 'any worse'?! You're making it sound like Shidou's ulcers are my and Miltan's fault!"
Silence followed. Mephisto wouldn't meet my eyes. Wait... wasn't Masaomi the cause of his stomach pain? ...No way. Seriously?
"…I'll try to convince him that 'Magical Girls' are too advanced for a toddler," I muttered.
"I'm not sure that's the right angle... but I'll leave it to you, since you seem to be the 'Miltan Whisperer'."
Telling Miltan to just "stop" wouldn't work. I needed a reason he could respect. Since he was obsessed with the genre, telling him that being a "Toddler Magical Girl" was too high-risk for her character level might actually reach him. When Shidou returns, I'll let the parents handle it. If they work in Kuoh, Miltan is unavoidable. I'll provide support from the shadows. Sorry, Shidou. I'll send you some apology gifts later.
I resolved to get the full story from Mephisto soon. I had a feeling that "truth" he mentioned during the purge involved Shidou... and me. I felt a cold sweat run down my back. My own stomach is starting to hurt now.
"But still... Issei and Irina get to go to primary school together as childhood friends," I noted.
According to Mephisto, they were guaranteed a few years of peace in Kuoh. Irina might still move away eventually, but it wouldn't be a sudden, tragic goodbye like in the books. They'd probably go to school together with Irina dragging Issei around like always. I couldn't help but smile at the thought.
I ended the communication and checked the time. My appointment was coming up. I stepped out of my room on the second floor and headed down the stairs. As I walked, I realized how much had changed. My intervention had nudged the "original plot" onto a new track.
It was scary, sure. But thinking about the smiles on those kids' faces made me happy. I didn't know what kind of world lay ahead, but I knew I wouldn't stop walking.
***
"Oh, Kanata? Are you heading out for your sleepover already?"
"Yeah, Sis. Welcome back. Was today your last day of club activities?"
"Yep! Finally, I can actually relax for the New Year."
My sister—currently a high school freshman—was already tucked into the kotatsu, looking as cozy as a cat. She's the very symbol of "normalcy" in my life. I watched her lounging in her school uniform and sighed.
"You're going to wrinkle your uniform, you know."
"You're so picky for a primary schooler, Kanata! Oh, that reminds me! I wanted to ask you something!"
She sat up with a burst of energy, her eyes sparkling. When she gets like this, I usually just have to listen. I noted the wrinkles forming on her skirt and prayed for her soul when Mom saw it later.
"You were overseas for a month, right? I wanted to know what I need for a trip abroad."
"Wait, are you going somewhere? Mom and Dad didn't say anything."
"No, no! It's for my school trip next year after Golden Week! Hehe, don't be shocked, but my high school trip is a ten-day luxury cruise through the Hawaiian Islands! It's basically the reason I worked so hard to get into this school!"
"…Wow. That's actually impressive. I thought you chose that school because it was close to home."
I was genuinely surprised by the scale of it. My sister gave a smug grin and showed me a brochure she'd gotten from a senior. It was titled Ryoku High School Field Trip and featured a massive ship called the Heavenly of Aloha. The photos were stunning.
Next year, I'd be starting at Ryoku Middle School, but high school clearly operated on a different level. I visited the Association often, but I'd never really done a "vacation" trip before. My trip to the Underworld felt more like an "isekai" portal fantasy than a holiday. I decided that one day, I'd take Lavinia and the others on a real trip.
"Ah, I've got to go. It's almost time."
"Ehh? Fine, fine. Tell me all about it when you get back!"
"Hawaii and Europe aren't exactly the same, but I'll try! I'm off!"
"Have fun! Make sure you greet everyone properly and don't be a nuisance!"
She didn't even get out of the kotatsu to say goodbye. I gave her a flat look, adjusted my backpack, and headed for the door. My heart was racing with anticipation.
"I can't wait to see Diehauser's match."
I was heading to Cleria's house to watch Emperor Belial's return to the Rating Games. After all the chaos, the administration had officially admitted their faults, turning Diehauser into a literal hero of the Underworld. By popular demand, the "Emperor Belial Ten-Match Series" was proceeding as scheduled.
Ajuka had moved fast, replacing the corrupt officials and stabilizing the system in time for the end-of-year season. His efficiency was terrifying, but I guess when you've been planning a coup for centuries, you learn to move quickly. I stepped out into the cold air, my breath blooming in a white cloud.
"Alright, Partner. Movement support as usual, please. It's freezing, so let's make it quick."
I could have just "erased" the feeling of the cold, but that felt a bit dull. My Partner sent a mental nod and wrapped me in a crimson aura. He even threw in the invisibility and presence-concealment without me asking. Thanks, Partner.
And with that, I sprinted toward the home of my friends.
***
"Hey, what's wrong, Barakiel? I brought this wine specifically for the festival! You're wasting it if you don't drink!"
"Azazel... No, I've had enough. If I drink any more, Shuri is going to be furious with me."
"Tch. This is why I hate 'happy couple' talk."
Azazel pouted as he tried to pour more wine for his friend. Barakiel's face softened at the mention of his wife, though it twitched when Azazel muttered, "Actually, I hope she does get mad!" If he drank more, Shuri would surely say, "Oh my, what a disgraceful husband... I suppose you need a punishment tonight," and trigger the start of a very "sadistic" evening.
Wait... that actually sounds good! Barakiel's eyes sparkled for a split second. He reached for his glass with a silly grin, but Azazel's hand stopped. The sheer "kinkiness" of the Fallen Angel was enough to sober up even a drunkard.
"Uh... actually, you know what? Let's not make your wife mad. You're finished for the night."
"…Abandoning me the moment you realize I'm enjoying it? You've developed some cruel techniques, Governor General."
"Shut up. You're drunk. I was the one who started this, so don't drag me into your mess."
Barakiel, the "Lightning of God." In an organization full of researchers like Grigori, he was one of the few pure combatants—a man who projected the image of a serious, disciplined warrior. But he was also a total masochist. It seemed no Fallen Angel could escape being a freak.
Azazel shrugged and took a seat next to him. He looked out at the hall. It was a scene of total carnage. Days had passed since the start of the Mahjong Tournament, and most of the Fallen Angels were sprawled on the floor, groggy from exhaustion and alcohol. The cadres were still at it, their eyes bloodshot as they clattered tiles. Maybe I'll jump back in once a seat opens up, Azazel thought, downing his drink.
"…So, did you achieve your goal?" Barakiel asked.
"Ngh... damn. You and Shemhaza always see through me, don't you?"
"We've known each other a long time. …I'm glad it was a success."
Barakiel offered a small smile, and Azazel grinned back. Barakiel had been in charge of security for the event. While there had been some minor riots as tensions flared over the mahjong tables, nothing could stop the "Lightning." He had fulfilled his duty perfectly.
There had been a slight "incident" involving the Vice-Governor committing a mahjong-based massacre, but they had managed to stabilize things by sacrificing Kokabiel and Armaros as "tribute" to Shemhaza's stress. When Azazel had returned, Shemhaza had quietly stood up and slipped into the background, leaving the Governor General to take the heat. It had been a short spree, but the sheer ruthlessness of the Vice-Governor had left a permanent scar on the memory of every Fallen Angel present.
"It helped me out too," Azazel said. "I got to see something very interesting."
"I see."
They sat in silence for a while, the only sounds being the clink of glasses and the distant roar of the tournament. Watching the festival, Azazel took another sip and remembered the boy who had started all of this. He began to chuckle at the sheer number of "screw-ups" his student had committed.
Three months ago, he never would have imagined things going this far. But the boy's actions had shattered destiny and seized a miracle with his own hands. If even one person had been missing—if Kanata hadn't been in the Association, if he hadn't known Azazel, if Tannin hadn't acknowledged him, if Ajuka hadn't helped, or if Diehauser hadn't listened—this miracle never would have happened.
The boy had genuinely wished for the happiness of a Devil and a priest. He treated the race and status of those involved as if they were minor inconveniences. He clearly didn't realize how incredible that was. He was an airhead and a softie, yet he possessed an absurd initiative and did "demonic" things with total sincerity. Azazel had never had so much fun watching someone. His abs had definitely gotten a workout from laughing.
Azazel glanced at his friend. He had accepted Kanata's request because he resonated with the boy's simple wish to "protect a friend's happiness." He had often thought about what he could do for his own friends.
A flicker of hope began to stir in Azazel's heart.
"…Hey, Barakiel. How old is your daughter now?"
"Seven. Shuri recently started letting her help in the kitchen. She brought me some meat and potato stew the other day, looking so proud of herself."
"Hehe. Your 'stoic warrior' face is completely gone, you know."
Barakiel's eyes softened as he thought of his daughter. Azazel smiled back, but he knew his friend wasn't truly happy. Barakiel's burden was heavy. He loved his wife and daughter more than anything, yet that very love had trapped them in a life of seclusion.
Azazel wanted to help, but if there was anything he could have done, he would have done it long ago. He hadn't found a solution yet. He wanted to ease his friend's pain, but all he could do was maintain the status quo.
But what would that idiot boy do? he wondered. He wouldn't dream of asking a human child to solve a personal Fallen Angel crisis—he had some professional pride left, after all. But he wondered if the boy could at least lighten the load. Shuri and Akeno had lived in a very small world for seven years.
Shuri Himejima and Akeno Himejima. They carried the blood of the Himejima clan, one of the Five Great Clans of Japan. Their relatives still believed the daughter had been brainwashed by Fallen Angels and hadn't given up on "recovering" her. Consequently, they couldn't interact with the outside world. Akeno, a half-Fallen Angel, only knew her parents and a handful of others. She wasn't a Fallen Angel, but she wasn't fully human either. She needed someone who would treat her like a normal girl. A friend to play with.
The image of his student flashed through Azazel's mind. That kid would probably treat her—and Shuri—as if they were the most normal people in the world. He remembered a conversation he'd had with Kanata after the incident.
'Hey, Kanata. Those friends you saved... they're a Devil and a human couple, right?'
'Um, yes. Why?'
'Well... what would you do if they had a kid?'
'…Why are you asking me that?'
The boy had tilted his head, confused. Azazel just laughed and told him to answer. Kanata thought for a moment, rubbing his chin.
'Let's see... First I'd congratulate them... oh, and I'd have to give them a gift. And if they're raising a baby, the Association might be a bad environment with all the weird experiments, so maybe they should move to a house or a rental. I'd have to help Masaomi find a good property. Oh, and... they both seem a bit clumsy, so having someone with childcare experience nearby would be a huge relief. Hmm, I'd have to find someone for that too...'
'…I didn't ask for a full tactical breakdown of their domestic life. But forget it.'
'Is that okay?'
'Yeah. …So, you'd play with the kid, right?'
Azazel had laughed while asking. The boy just blinked and nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I have a sister, but I never had a younger sibling. I'm looking forward to being a 'big brother' type for them," he had said happily.
"Azazel? Why are you asking about Akeno all of a sudden?" Barakiel asked, suspicious.
"Oh, no reason. …Actually, Barakiel. I have a favor. If you're open to it, there's someone I want to introduce to you."
Azazel's uncharacteristic hesitation made Barakiel frown. The Governor General scratched his hair and continued. "A human boy—a Sacred Gear possessor—is coming to Grigori soon. I want you to meet him."
That was all he said. No details, just a request for a meeting. Human possessors visited the organization occasionally, but they usually talked to the researchers like Sahariel or Satanael. Barakiel, the warrior, rarely met them. He wondered what his friend was up to, but he knew Azazel didn't do things without a reason. He crossed his arms in thought.
"…I don't know much about Sacred Gears."
"I'll handle that part. I just want you to... meet him."
"He's a child, isn't he? I'm a cadre of the Fallen Angels. Won't I terrify him?"
Hearing the fatherly concern, Azazel let out a short laugh. This kid fluffed the wings of the Governor General, played tag with a Dragon King, and faced off against a Satan and an Emperor.
"I think he'll be just fine."
"…Very well. If the timing works out, I don't mind meeting him."
Barakiel saw the trust Azazel had for the boy and was surprised. Azazel was friendly with everyone, but he only let people he truly respected or liked into his inner circle. His "line" as a leader was usually very clear.
To have Azazel personally recommend a human child was unprecedented. Barakiel decided to wait until the meeting to judge for himself. Azazel thanked him and stood up, groaning like an old man as he realized his glass was empty.
"Alright! I've sobered up enough. Let's go one more round, Barakiel! If you lose, you owe me a bottle for the New Year!"
"You've been drinking all week and you want more? ...Fine. If a warrior is challenged, I cannot refuse."
With competitive grins, they headed back to the mahjong tables. The Fallen Angel festival continued through the end of the year in a frenzy of tiles and alcohol, resulting in a record number of hangovers. Eventually, Shemhaza was forced to handle the fallout, and the cadre members—including the Governor General—were forced to sit on their knees for a massive lecture.
And so, accompanied by the tragic cries of Fallen Angels discovering their New Year's work schedules, the Mahjong Tournament concluded in a grand success.
***
"Kanata! Over here!"
"Lavinia! Sorry, did I keep you waiting?"
"Not at all. I only just arrived."
I met up with the golden-haired girl at the Kuoh Town station. With her wavy blonde hair and gentle blue eyes, Lavinia Reni looked like a winter fairy in her white coat. As a genuine beauty, she seemed to carry a different atmosphere than everyone else in the crowd. It made finding her very easy.
Lavinia was joining the sleepover too. As my partner, she had done so much for Cleria and Masaomi. The people of Kuoh were desperate to thank her in person. Since the Church was out of commission and Ajuka and Diehauser were monitoring the town, we were told we didn't have to worry about surveillance. It was the perfect time for a group viewing of the Rating Games.
"Miltan couldn't make it, could he?" she asked.
"Since it's a Devil's game, no. But I'm planning to visit the 'Milky' crew with everyone to give them our formal thanks later."
That "thanks" also included a massive round of apologies for the trouble we'd caused. We had a long list of people to visit with gifts and bowed heads. Since the Underworld was technically off-limits to us, we'd have to do those calls via magic circle. Diehauser mentioned he'd visit Kuoh after his matches, so the New Year was going to be very busy.
"Oh, thanks for waiting. Let me get you something warm from the vending machine."
"Are you sure?"
"I want one too. Let's warm up while we walk."
I pointed to a nearby machine, and Lavinia gave a happy nod. I picked a corn potage; she chose an oshiruko(sweet red bean soup). Classic Lavinia, I thought. She'd really taken a liking to red bean paste over the summer.
We chatted about nothing in particular as we walked through the quiet streets. Once Cleria and the others moved to the Association, I wouldn't have many reasons to come to Kuoh Town anymore. I'd just meet Miltan at the magician's house as usual. The realization made me feel a bit nostalgic. I decided to take my time and look at the town one last time.
"Cleria! We're here!"
"Kanata! I've been waiting! …Oh! Is this the partner who helped Luciana and the others?"
"Yes. I am Lavinia Reni. I look forward to studying magic alongside you as a colleague."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Cleria Belial. Thank you so much for saving us."
They exchanged self-introductions and a friendly handshake. Cleria had her long grey hair tied back and was bustling around as she welcomed us in. She caught me looking and gave a smug grin, undoing her hair tie.
"Lavinia is quite the cutie, isn't she, Kanata?"
"Yeah, I agree. People were staring at us the whole way from the station."
"…My, you're getting good at those responses."
"It's a fact, and my sister has teased me so much I've built up a resistance. I'm not falling for that again."
Cleria pouted slightly. I'd made enough "Milky" blunders during our first meeting to last a lifetime; I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. Come to think of it, my relationship with Cleria started because of Milky, I mused. A magical girl created the link, magical girls saved them, and a magical girl won the final battle. Kuoh Town really is too obsessed with magical girls. Terrifying.
Lavinia and I lined up our shoes and put on the provided slippers. I'd visited this estate several times, but this was actually the first time I'd ever entered through the front door. I'd always snuck in using my invisibility. Now, we could call each other by our names and call ourselves friends.
'Don't worry. One day, you won't have to sneak in. You'll walk right through the front door.'
'…I want to be able to call out to you in the streets soon, Kanata.'
We really did it, I thought. We secured this future. The simple act of entering through the front door made my heart feel light.
"Hello, Kanata. And you must be the girl who helped us."
"Yes. I'm glad everyone is safe. How are your injuries?"
"Kanata patched me up pretty well, so don't worry. I'm Masaomi Yaegaki. Thank you for everything."
"And I'm Luciana, Queen of the Belial peerage. On behalf of all of us, thank you. If you hadn't come, I wouldn't be here today. Truly, thank you."
"…You're very welcome," Lavinia replied politely.
We walked down the hall to the living room, where Masaomi and the others were waiting. He was still bandaged around his arms and head, but he was moving fine. We'd had to leave some injuries for the Church audit, so he still looked a bit like a mummy, but his smile was full of life.
Luciana and the other servants bowed deeply. Thanks to Lavinia's magic and the medicines Mephisto had provided, they were mostly recovered. I remembered when Cleria and Masaomi had returned together—the servants had burst into tears and dog-piled Cleria. It was their conviction that had helped tip the scales in our favor.
I was smiling to myself, happy with how things turned out, when I realized every eye in the room was fixed on me. Cleria stepped over to Masaomi's side, and they exchanged a look with the servants. Then, they all bowed deeply to me in unison.
"Kanata... thank you for working so hard to save us. Thank you for accepting us, for supporting us, and for giving us this happy future. If we hadn't met you, we never would have found a way to laugh like this. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts."
"I couldn't have saved Cleria or the others alone," Masaomi added. "I only made it through the duel with Shidou because of you. Thank you for guiding me to the things I wanted to protect—the feelings I couldn't lose, the oath in my heart, and the future I can walk with Cleria."
"Thank you for saving them both," Luciana said softly. "I still can't quite believe we're all here laughing like this. But every time I was about to lose hope, you were there to remind me. I'm so glad we met you..."
Cleria had tears in her eyes but was wearing a beautiful smile. Masaomi spoke with a voice thick with emotion. Luciana and the servants bowed their heads in sincere gratitude. I stood there, stunned, unable to find the words to respond.
I never expected a formal thank-you like this. I just did what I wanted to do. I pushed as hard as I could because I couldn't stand a bad ending. Besides, I couldn't have done it alone. I just made some suggestions and asked for help. This future existed because Cleria, Masaomi, and the servants had fought for it themselves.
"The important thing is that you never stopped moving forward," a gentle voice whispered.
"…Lavinia?"
"I saw how hard you were working, Kanata, and it made me want to work hard too. I'm sure Mephisto, Tannin, Professor Azazel, the Satans, the Emperor... everyone who felt your conviction felt the same way. We all worked together because you led the way. That is your achievement."
Lavinia smiled warmly and began to pat my head. There, there... good boy.
"Um... Lavinia? Could you maybe... not do the head-patting thing? Please?"
"Oh? Why not?"
"…I'm sorry for being a brat earlier. Just please have mercy."
I realized I'd never be able to hold my own against a natural airhead beauty like her. It was a battle I was destined to lose. I just hung my head in surrender. Cleria and the others watched us with bemused expressions. Sorry guys, she's always like this.
I formally accepted their gratitude. I was embarrassed, and I hadn't done it for the praise, but I knew their feelings were real. We all knew the pain of having our voices ignored. Their words reached my heart, and I realized that yes, this was the "right" outcome. I scratched my cheek, feeling a warm glow in my chest.
The somber mood didn't last long. Cleria clapped her hands to reset the atmosphere, and the servants brought out a massive, luxurious dinner. Masaomi, Lavinia, and I stared at the feast with sparkling eyes. It was a buffet-style spread of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes.
Lavinia was happily munching away, muttering "ottimo!" (delicious) between bites. Masaomi was being fed by Cleria—the ultimate "happy couple" move. Luciana didn't even bother scolding them anymore; she just accepted it as part of the scenery, though she did look a bit weary.
As the night deepened, the Underworld broadcast of Emperor Belial's matches finally began. It was a long-running event that would last through the New Year. The broadcast started with Diehauser's opening speech before the first match. His match against Tannin would be the finale in mid-January; we promised to watch that together too.
"Look! It's Diehauser!" Cleria cried.
"Wow, listen to that crowd. The 'Emperor' chant is deafening."
"Good luck, Mr. Emperor! ☆"
"Seeing him like this... he really is a superstar, isn't he?" Masaomi mused.
The screen showed a packed Agreas Dome. When a handsome man with grey hair and a dark maroon cape stepped out—Diehauser Belial—the stadium erupted, the sound seemingly shaking the entire Underworld.
When the Emperor took the mic, the entire crowd—and everyone in our living room—fell silent. His popularity was absolute. Diehauser bowed to the audience and delivered a powerful opening address. He apologized for the chaos of the strike but spoke with burning passion about the future of the Games. He showed respect to the ten opponents he would face, wearing a refreshing smile. But at the very end, his eyes changed. They were no longer the eyes of a gentle noble, but those of a predator hungry for battle.
"Now then... let the game begin."
Several of the players on screen flinched at that look. The Emperor was radiating an aura of pure, unadulterated joy for the fight ahead. Diehauser was clearly in his element. The reform of the Rating Games was just beginning, but seeing the passion in his eyes, I knew it would change for the better.
We cheered for Diehauser, discussed the highlights, and listened to the commentary before finally heading to bed. The time had passed in a heartbeat, but I didn't mind. We had plenty of time left. Not just three months, but years and years of laughter ahead. As long as we all kept wishing for it, I knew we could make it happen.
The first year of my life in the Under-world was coming to an end. I never expected it to be this intense. Is there some kind of jinx where the first year in the DxD world is the hardest? Then again, compared to Issei's "Lunatic Annual Schedule," I guess the world was actually being kind to me... though the fact that I'm even thinking that suggests it's probably too late for my sanity.
As I drifted off to sleep, the curtain closed on the incident that had changed the course of my world.
***
This concludes Volume 4 of "Is it a power like the Siscon Satan and the Switch Princess?" Any unresolved plot points will be addressed in the next volume.
[Author's Notes for Volume 4]
I started this story after reading Volume 20 of the original High School DxD novels and wondering, "Can the Kuoh Town unit be saved?" That thought, mixed with my desire to write a Slash Dog fanfiction, birthed this Magical Girl success story. (Miltan's presence really took on a life of its own.)
Since the original ending for this arc was such a tragic mess, my policy was to just throw bombs at the problems until a happy ending appeared! I never expected this arc to last this many chapters, so I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who stuck with me. Thank you so much!
[Volume 5: Grigori Arc - Coming Soon]
In the next volume, I'll be following up on the many seeds I've planted. The protagonist will be entering middle school, so we'll be skipping through those three years. The major arcs planned are the "Sacred Gear Arc," the "Himejima Arc," and the "White Dragon Emperor Arc." As always, I write by feel, so there might be some detours! There are several important points to cover before we hit the original series' timeline, so I'm sticking to my "write what I want" stance. See you in the next one!
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If you want to read 10 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m /Well_being