High School DxD Chapter 209: Life.4 VS [Brave Saints] Begins!

Our [Sekiryuutei of Blazing Truth] team had already arrived at the venue half a day before the beginning of the match. We were able to arrive early precisely because today was a school break day. The venue for this match was the [Ajuka Stadium] in the Astaroth territory. It was a stadium which had been built to commemorate Ajuka Beelzebub-sama, so it was very modern, and it even used some unknown technology. The corridors were equipped with automatic cleaning robots, and all kinds of facilities were present. The waiting room was also very spacious; there were obviously no problems with human-like beings entering, and there weren't any issues with giants entering the room in their original bodies either. That was why Bova had reverted back to his original dragon form. Incidentally, our new members Nakiri and Elmenhilde were both wearing the uniform of the [Sekiryuutei of Blazing Truth] team. They were specially prepared for this day. But it was actually so spacious that I didn't know what to do…. The vastness of the space made it difficult to calm myself down.

"Do you best, Ise!"

Kunou ran over to my side. …Ophis and Lilith who were normally with her had stayed behind at home today. Regardless, it wouldn't be good to let them come out. The person who came after Kunou was—.

"Yo, Ise. Asichan and everyone else too."

Tou-san! Although I did give them tickets, I didn't think that they would actually come!

"Tou-san! Did you come over to watch?"

"Yeah, I came to see the glorious match that my son and daughters will be participating in. Though it still feels strange when I come to the world of the Devils."

Tou-san was transported here via the magic circle that was set up in the basement of the Hyoudou residence, it was something that I had already gotten used to. Tou-san spoke to me with slight consideration

"In fact, I'm quite hesitant to see you before the match because I'm afraid that it'll bring you strange emotions or tension that may affect your ability to participate in the game."

"…What about kasan? So she didn't end up coming in the end huh."

I had given them a pair ticket, but I couldn't see kasan around. Tou-san sighed.

"Well, you don't have to feel so worried about kasan, Ise. You're her only beloved son, so even if it's just a game, she still won't budge. Kasan is simply too worried that she won't be able to bear it, so it naturally doesn't work out. Asichan is also like an important daughter to us, and she's also going to participate in this competition. I don't think your mother's heart is prepared for this, especially if she had to watch it directly."

"…Hmm, she did ask me quite a few times about the safety of the games at home. Although kasan didn't object…I can understand from her reaction that she doesn't feel happy about it."

Rias had also told me

—Kasan is just an ordinary woman.

…She didn't have the same mentality as people like us who had constantly trained in a supernatural world. She was just like an ordinary 'mother' who could be seen everywhere…. So, that was why she didn't want to see her own children get hurt. …Even so, I still hoped that my parents would be able to see me fighting in the game…. Tou-san comforted my disappointment.

"Kasan will be watching the broadcast closely. So before long, she'll make her way over here. Well, I'll cheer for you on behalf of kasan as well today, so make sure you show me your cool side!"

"Of course, leave it to me! Although our opponents are strong, I'll definitely let tou-san see me, Asia, and everyone act cool! Right, Asia!?"

I asked Asia, and Asia also raised her hand enthusiastically.

"That's right! I'll definitely let otou-san see a good show!"

Time flew by as we exchanged conversations like this as family members — and then it was finally time for the players to enter. We finished our preparations — Asia, Xenovia, Irina, Ravel, Rossweisse-san, Binshi, Bova and I, as well as our new members Nakiri and Elmenhilde. Elemnhilde seemed a little nervous.

"Although it's your first match, I'm looking forward to your participation, and I'll make sure to support you."

As soon as she heard me say that, she nodded and mumbled with a slightly shaky voice

"Y-Yeah."

…I didn't expect that this girl would feel so pressured because of the enthusiasm in the arena and the atmosphere of the tournament. Ravel said

"Come, it's time. Let's go."

We left the waiting room and made our way into the arena. The lively cheers from the audience members in the stadium had already made its way to us. It had the indescribable effect of making us feel more tension. We had already experienced this kind of atmosphere quite a few times now…it no longer made us flinch, and it simply made us feel calm and optimistic about our own emotions. As we all walked through the corridor on our way to the ring, we encountered the [Trump Card of Heaven] team. We maintained a set distance from each other as we walked together through the corridor that led to the arena. At the entrance, we waited for the announcer to call our names, and at this time, Dulio said to me

"Ise-kun, there sure are a lot of [Oppai Dragon] fans in the stadium."

Dulio cast his eyes across the stadium from the entrance. …The audience stands were filled with my merchandise and fans who supported me with banners. It seemed as though the enthusiasm of my fans would only intensify the more we won in the tournament. Dulio pointed to a corner of the audience stands. There was a flag showing support for the [Trump Card of Heaven] team there. There was also a group of children sitting in a row as they held up a horizontal banner.

"But, our fans have also come. They're in a corner of the stadium, even though their numbers are somewhat few."

Indeed, when compared to my fans, they were just like a droplet in an ocean…but Dulio was still highly satisfied.

"But, that is enough. …My fellow Angels have said to me that the voices of those children might be overshadowed by the cheers of Issei-kun's fans — but I firmly believe that is impossible. If it was you, then what would you think, Ise-kun?"

"—Of course, even if there are only a few people, or even just one person, their support will reach my ears!"

I replied without any hesitation. Dulio revealed a pleased smile and then asked

"…Ise-kun, can I ask you something before the match?"

"Sure, what is it?"

Dulio looked at Asia who was a slight distance away from us and said

"If Asichan could live life as an ordinary sister, would she be happier than she is now? —Have you ever thought of that?"

"Of course I have. I've thought about it many times. I've also hated God of the Bible, Heaven and the Church before."

I kept thinking about it over the past year. But, time cannot be rewound. Asia was working hard in her current life, while my comrades and I supported her so that she wouldn't feel inconvenienced. Dulio continued to ask me

"On the other hand, Asichan's present life — have you ever thought that her current life as a Devil is more difficult than it was when she was a human?"

"—I often think that it should be better, so I'm doing all that I can to keep Asia happy."

This is all because I value Asia a lot. I want to protect her! Dulio looked towards the audience stands as he said to me

"Because of the imperfection of Sacred Gears, the lives of believers have been hurt—. But, precisely because this imperfection exists, that has made her current life possible…as an ordinary girl living in Japan and enjoying a school life. Is this the correct answer for Asichan due to the imperfection of the Sacred Gear system? It's difficult to say whether Asichan's current feelings are a correct answer to the inadequacies of the system. This also goes for Yuuto, Toscchan, Gykun, Valerie-san and the Sitri peerage. They experienced misfortune because of its incompleteness, but that passage of misfortune has led to their present lives…. But there are many children who are unable to reach beyond that distant sky, they are unable to obtain a new life for themselves."

Somehow, I saw Dulio looking at his reincarnated Angel team, and I was able to imagine what kind of prize they were aiming for. This was something that Dulio had always cared about.

"Dulio, I—"

I wanted to give a response to what Dulio had just said, but he reached out with his hand and shook his head. …In the end, I couldn't say what I had wanted to say.

"…Ise-kun, it's fine as long as you become Asichan's best answer. Because this is the answer that I, no, that we are looking for."

Dulio extended his fist out to me.

"I will defeat you, Ise-kun. No, Sekiryuutei. We will defeat you."

…I see, so that's what Dulio's goal is. He hoped that we wouldn't hold back because of our concerns, he wanted to convey that so that everyone could do their best for their own aspirations. I responded to Dulio by thrusting my fist out to bump his.

"No, I'll be the one to win. After all, no matter what dreams I have, and no matter what dreams you have, its courtesy for us to throw everything we have against each other on the battlefield, Dulio. …This is something that my comrades-in-arms have taught me."

"It looks like it'll be a wonderful match."

We smiled at each other. From here on, we would be fighting against each other in the stadium, but this is one thing that you have to remember, Dulio. —If you come to seek help, I'm always willing to lend a helping hand, you know? Because we're both friends and comrades. After I confirmed this in my mind, our battle against the [Trump Card of Heaven] team finally began.

Part 2

Following the announcer's instructions, we entered the ring one by one.

"Oppai Dragon—!"

"Zoom zoom iyan—!"

The shouts of my fans could be heard from among the audience. Ah, I'm so grateful to you all. Because of your cheers, I feel even more motivated. Our two teams lined up in two rows in the centre of the ring. …The opposing team's supervisor Rudiger-san wasn't here. It was because supervisors were not actually allowed to enter the playing field. That was why he would have told the players about the battle plan and strategy before the start of the match, and he was currently waiting for them somewhere else. It was the announcer's job to give an introduction and explanation before the match.

Ah, seriously!? Beelzebub-sama is actually sitting in the commentary box! I understand though, his hometown is in the Astaroth territory, and the stadium is also named after him, so the possibility of an invitation was high!

>

—Don't you have to explain that to us as well!? Why is that Pantsu Dragon King over there!? B-But, if Asia is in danger, then he'll rush over…. By the way, the Rating Game World Tournament had limitations on the usage of familiars in the same way that the Rating Games did. As explained before, if there were no limitations on the usage of familiars, then it would become a competition in which both sides simply relied on their familiars. That was why there was a need to consider their usage.

Chapter end