"Wow, even though you're so small, Shou-kun, you're a magician of the Gray Magicians?"
"Um... could you please stop patting my head from above?"
"Cleria. No matter how young, your opponent is a child officially recognized as a magician. As a King, you should adopt a more dignified attitude..."
"Lushana, you're too strict as always. Besides, I'm meeting Milky Elementary Student-kun privately, so it's fine, right? That's why him entering my territory was just coming to hang out. As the King, I gave permission, so... isn't that okay?"
"Really, you always do this..."
I felt sorry for the blonde lady sighing in a troubled manner. It was clearly both your King Cleria-san's free-spirited nature and me causing problems. I'm sorry. Sitting on a wide sofa with Cleria-san, I had no idea what to do and could only freeze.
This was a large mansion near Kuoh Academy that I'd definitely seen on the map. Apparently this mansion was where Cleria-san lived. Several other peerage members lived here too, and the serious-looking woman before me now had been introduced as the Queen. The composition of playful, cheerful King Cleria-san and strict, long-suffering Queen Lushana-san seemed to function despite their contrasts.
Actually, Cleria-san had initiative and quick reflexes for responding to sudden situations. While exasperated, Lushana-san seemed used to it, shrugging her shoulders with a small smile. Between them surely existed strong bonds of trust.
"You too, do more research before coming. Entering devil territory without permission normally wouldn't be settled this peacefully."
"Yes, I lacked foresight. I'm sorry..."
"Lushana, leave it at that. This child had no hostility toward us. True, this is devil territory and he belongs to another organization, but forcing our rules on humans is wrong. I'd understand being tense if he belonged to the Fallen Angels or... the Church. But if he belongs to the Gray Magicians, they have deep ties with devils too."
Cleria-san defended me while smiling. Lushana-san stating devil perspectives wasn't wrong, but considering human standpoints felt unreasonable. Devils were the ones advancing into the human world, forcing their world's rules on humans—the original inhabitants—which I understood but still felt irritated about without saying it aloud. Still, being human affiliated with underground organizations, I knew I was at fault.
At that time, after confronting Cleria-san, I ended up moving to her house via magic circle teleportation, including identity verification. At least, having talked with her once before, I thought I understood her character. Though I'd be helpless if she was acting. As this town's administrator, she boldly announced herself and appeared before me to talk—I thought that showed her sincere approach toward me. So I decided to engage in dialogue rather than show fangs.
When I decided to obediently go along, this Queen appearing from behind surprised me. Apparently she was backup in case I showed hostility or tried to escape. Good thing I responded properly. I didn't want combat either.
Guided to her mansion, I ended up explaining my magician credentials, Lady Mephisto's name, and my purpose for coming here. Incidentally, they were normally exasperated that I came to see the Milky show and wandered around out of curiosity. Having a witness (Cleria-san), my testimony seemed believed. Thank you so much, seriously.
When I turned pale wondering if I still needed to contact Lady Mephisto, Cleria-san laughed and forgave me. Saying she'd treat me as her guest who came to hang out privately. Since the crest and magical power of Lady Mephisto Pheles I possessed were genuine, they'd spare me from contacting my guardian. As an administrator's response this was probably very lenient, but I was truly grateful for her goodwill.
"Really, Cleria. You're a high-class devil entrusted with Kuoh Town by House Bael. You need more dignity, or rather, to act more aristocratic, or your brother will worry about you again. Especially now that..."
"Ugh, you didn't need to bring up my brother here... I won't trouble him. If we just discuss that matter seriously, I'm sure everyone will understand."
To Lushana-san showing concern with an indecisive attitude, Cleria-san's smiling expression clouded. During my second encounter with her, she'd said things were chaotic around her now. That's why the King had to constantly maintain her ability. From their conversation, I thought it was the same related content. And if my prediction was correct, given this timing, probably...
"Your brother?"
"Ah, my brother—he's actually my cousin. He's super cool, super strong, super kind, and always worries about me... precious family like a real brother."
"...Diehauser Belial-sama. If you're a magician belonging to the Gray Magicians, you've heard that name at least once."
"I believe he's the champion ranked first in devil Rating Games. I've never watched Rating Games, but I've heard he's an incredibly strong Maou-class devil."
"What?! You've never seen my brother's matches—you're missing out on half of life! Alright, let me show you my treasured brother collection of best footage—"
"Cleria."
"Ow! Hey, Lushana! No chopping your King!"
The King appealing to her Queen with slightly teary eyes from the pain. The long-suffering person putting her hand to her forehead watching the pouting, angry Cleria-san. Probably always like this. When the top is a free spirit, supporting them is tough. It felt like watching the relationship between Azazel-sensei and Shemhazai-san.
From what I'd heard, she was indeed the tragic woman recounted in the original story. Kuoh Town's administrator, a devil daughter of House Belial with the Emperor as her cousin. Apparently they were third-year high school students at Kuoh Academy, with most of her peerage being students or people affiliated with Kuoh Academy. True, in the original, Rias-san and Sona-san's peerages were mostly composed of students too.
In the original story, she was someone who never appeared. Buried in darkness, she was meant to disappear as story background. Yet the woman before my eyes cried, got angry, and laughed with various expressions. Until now, situations had assaulted me like a torrent without time to think deeply. But facing her this way with time to slowly think, only cold sweat flowed at my current situation.
Why did I meet her? Why did I possess knowledge of the original story? This knowledge had helped me until now, but I never imagined it would torment me like this. Because I knew. The path they would probably follow from here. I knew they couldn't dream of the future, laugh together like this, or stay together with loved ones.
I had no intention of getting involved with the original story. I'd thought that from the start. With just a Sacred Gear barely above being a civilian, I didn't think I could survive in an inflated-power world. That remained true even after training. Plus, I feared how my existence might affect the world. Even just meeting Issei Hyoudou, I'd agonized over it all summer vacation. Though training with the dragon made me feel affinity and lean toward wanting to meet him.
I'd met people from the original like Lady Mephisto and Azazel-sensei, but honestly they were too big for someone like me to cause changes in the original story. Plus, I hadn't been involved in original-related events, and being in the magician faction with minimal original appearances, I figured my existence wouldn't cause anything big enough to affect things.
But this incident couldn't be finished with sweet thinking like before. I was definitely inside an original story incident. And I'd gotten involved. If I just left Kuoh Town without incident, things would probably proceed according to the original I knew. As I imagined, without influence as just a mob. And ending with her dying according to the original.
...Dying. Just meeting today for only a few hours' encounter. Yet I'd come to know Cleria Belial. I'd learned she was a beautiful, cheerful woman whose smiles suited her. My heart said I didn't want her to die. But saving her wasn't ordinary. And most of all, it meant willingly getting involved with the original story I'd kept trying to avoid.
What should I do? Pretending not to see would probably be easier. But that was the same as letting her die. Not doing anything for the sake of the original... I couldn't possibly do that. I wasn't living for the original story's sake. But I couldn't imagine what would happen if I intervened. There were many tragedies, but I'd thought if things proceeded according to the original, it should end happily. Because the wish for world peace remained unchanged within me.
"Shou-kun? What's wrong, are you feeling ill?"
"Ah, ...no. Um..."
While my head spun in circles with confusion, Cleria-san gently patted my back. I wanted to say I was fine, but honestly I'd thought too much and was starting to feel sick. My mouth dried out completely, my throat constricting so I couldn't speak properly. My complexion must have been quite bad, as Lushana-san hurriedly prepared water for me to drink.
"Um, I'm sorry. I went a bit too far too. Even if you're from the association, being surrounded by devils would naturally be scary... I lacked consideration."
"N-no, that's not it. I just happened to be in poor condition, neither Cleria-san nor Lushana-san did anything wrong. Really."
Receiving an apology from the dignified woman from earlier, I realized I'd caused them to misunderstand my poor condition. Anyway, they were before me now. It definitely wasn't something happening immediately. As I floundered trying to somehow improve this darkened atmosphere, I heard footsteps rushing toward us at tremendous speed. Reflexively looking toward this room's door at that sound, Lushana-san's voice echoed in the room.
"...Hey, Cleria. Surely you don't mean that besides me, you also consulted him about this child being in town?"
"Ah, ahahaha. Yeah, what should I do? I forgot to contact him."
Cleria-san stuck out her tongue slightly with a light "Tehe☆" feeling. Next, Lushana-san's devastating chop drew a beautiful trajectory. A wonderful strike with a satisfying sound effect like "THWACK!" Me applauding involuntarily was surely not wrong. Even if I couldn't read the room.
"CLERIAAAA!! Are you safe?! What happened to that child—and who are YOU?! Being embraced by my Cleria, how, how enviable!! Most of all, that's MY place!!"
"...Yaegaki-san. Please decide whether you're worried or being true to your desires. Also, you're loud."
"Masaomi, you're a holy person yet have devil-level desires. Though I also like how you pursue me so straightforwardly."
With a tremendous CRASH! the door was wrenched open, revealing a young man with long black hair tied back. His eyes turned toward me and Cleria-san, seeing her rubbing my back and apparently misunderstanding I was being embraced. No, seeing his reaction made me belatedly feel this might be a lucky situation being cared for by two beautiful girls. But such various impressions immediately blew away. Thanks to none other than his appearance.
I knew who he was. From Cleria-san casually showing affection, he was probably that person. Masaomi Yaegaki—someone who, while being a holy person, fell in love with the devil Cleria-san and was purged together with her. In the original, he'd continued targeting those centered around Touji Shidou-san who killed them and House Bael members, becoming a vengeful specter wrapped in resentment.
In the end, the holy attacks from Issei Hyoudou's Ascalon and Irina Shidou's Hauteclere purified and saved his heart. His grief and sorrow then weren't wrong at all. A past ending where nobody was saved. I'd felt it was truly just bad timing and bad opponents. So the past form of the man who met such tragedy... was this? Let me say it again—really, this?
"Sorry for worrying you, Masaomi. I'm fine as you see, and this child wasn't bad either, so it's okay."
"Cleria. Please, don't make me worry. If anything happened to you, I couldn't go on living..."
"Me too, Masaomi. If anything happened to you, my heart would burst..."
"Ah, Cleria!"
"Masaomi!"
"...You two. We have a guest, so please restrain yourselves."
At the happy couple embracing passionately like watching theater, Lushana-san retorted with extremely distant eyes. You really struggle, Lushana-san. This practiced retort showed years of experience. I didn't know how to react either. Somehow watching these two made thinking difficult things seem strange. My head hurt in a different way. Could I take medicine?
After that, despite Lushana-san's retorts, their lovey-dovey display continued for several more minutes.
――――――
"Sorry for losing composure there. Cleria is just such a wonderful woman."
"Oh, Masaomi."
Honestly, I truly wished they'd decide whether to start serious talk or showing affection. Me getting by with smiles without saying it aloud—truly the model Japanese. Lushana-san covering her face with her hand in the back was memorable.
"I'm the one who caused various trouble. I was saved by Cleria-san and everyone's kindness."
"You... didn't come here knowing about us, did you?"
"No, definitely not."
I properly explained myself to Yaegaki-san too, and was as usual exasperated at the Milky reason. What should I do—I honestly didn't want those looks from someone who'd just shown off being a stupid couple. The sad small-citizen mentality of acting humble to avoid causing conflict. My conflict-avoidance principle seemed energetic today too.
"We're also a bit on edge right now, so we overreacted somewhat. Sorry for frightening you."
"No, I don't mind. Um, that being on edge..."
"...What do you think, seeing me and Cleria?"
"Stupid coup—sorry, please forget I just said that. I think you're a wonderful couple!"
Dangerous, my suppressed true feelings slipped out. I corrected it properly, so please don't count that. So Lushana-san listening in the back, please don't quietly give a thumbs-up like "Well said!" You're surprisingly playful too.
However, at my flustered words, Yaegaki-san who'd asked froze this time. Looking beside him, Cleria-san seemed a bit surprised too. What, did I say something weird?
"Really? You're a magician, so you know about devils and me."
"Why would I lie about this? First, after being shown such mutual affection, that's all I could say."
"Hehe... I see. A wonderful couple."
"You're an unusual human."
Each returned reactions to my words. Mainly surprise, happiness, and curious looks.
"Um, am I unusual?"
"Quite. But thanks to that, I understand you're truly uninvolved."
"Right. Devil or Church people bound by customs couldn't say this even as flattery."
Devils and the Church... I see, so that's it. Belatedly, I finally understood the meaning of Yaegaki-san's earlier question. And why they'd looked at me curiously. Cleria-san and Yaegaki-san were having a forbidden romance between devil and holy person. To normal underground people, this would seem truly outrageous.
Yet despite such circumstances, I'd casually approved their relationship. Actually, words that slipped out from their stupid-couple display, but I didn't lie. Because truly for me, if they loved each other that was fine. Maybe I just didn't understand the conflicts within the Three Factions well enough. Still, for me as human, people of any race or position all looked like death flags, frankly making little difference.
Most of all, I knew this world ten years from now. A world where not just devil and holy person, but devil and angel love would be recognized. Ten years... in words, not such a long span historically. But from my current perspective, incredibly long. Values were truly difficult.
"Um... I don't particularly care about that. Meaning there are people negative about your romance, right?"
"Yeah, well. The devils of House Bael who lent me this land, and the Church exorcists Masaomi belongs to... I understand—our thinking is more heretical. But these feelings of love just can't be changed. Ahaha, it's troubling, right?"
Cleria-san showed me a lonely smile. At her smile, Yaegaki-san and Lushana-san's gazes dropped. From this, she, Yaegaki-san, and her peerage all understood. That their way of thinking was problematic in this era. Being condemned by allies and comrades who'd protected them until now. Yet they couldn't change their thinking. Though in the original I'd wondered why they couldn't separate until being purged, it probably wasn't about logic.
"So, um, what will you do?"
"It's okay. I believe they'll surely understand. Even I was strongly opposed by my peerage at first and got scolded a lot, but they recognized us in the end. I'm thinking of properly conveying it in words first. Though I know it's difficult."
"I also believe in my Church comrades. Shidou-san, Smith-san, Todoroki-san, and everyone else I've walked with. Cleria is a devil, but I think everyone will understand she's a wonderful person. I might be expelled from the Church and unable to work as an exorcist anymore, but I still want to work hard conveying it. Precisely because devils and the Church could only fight, conveying through words and these feelings is important—we decided that together."
"Yes, someday definitely. Like that ultimate love romance in underworld plays, that became legendary. Like the Second Maou Lucifer-sama and Grayfia-sama, we'll absolutely achieve it!"
Their words were idealistic, perhaps selfish wishes. While facing reality properly, they'd continued holding such dream-like wishes. Within tragedy, they had certain hope. Devils, comrades—they purely believed. That someday someone would receive their straightforward words, their serious feelings. Understanding the adverse effects, yet wanting at least their love recognized.
Surely they'd kept believing in everyone, kept appealing. Until that final moment, continuously.
"...!"
"Huh, Shou-kun? Why are you crying..."
"H-hey. Are you alright?"
"Um, I have a handkerchief here."
Tears came out. Before I knew it, they wouldn't stop. Though I pressed the handkerchief Lushana-san brought to my eyes, they overflowed endlessly. I couldn't even respond to the warm people who'd just met me today yet worried about a child.
Why, why—only scattered words and questions that wouldn't coalesce floated and disappeared in my head. Why couldn't anyone around them receive their feelings? Did they need to purge and separate two people who trusted their comrades so much? Because of bad timing, racial or positional differences—should these people be killed for such reasons? There might be exile or punishment, but should even the wish to be with loved ones be denied?
Most of all, I knew. The true background of this incident. Not even for propriety to protect devil or Church society, but the mastermind who used even their feelings for his own desires and buried them in darkness. If they fled and she became a stray devil, the masterminds would gleefully go kill her. Even convincing them to somehow endure until the alliance ten years later was meaningless. The mastermind's target was Cleria Belial's life. Purging her for approaching the taboo of the King piece. To hide Rating Game darkness, they trampled even these people's pure feelings.
What is this, really. Along with tears, even laughter seemed to rise. Already far beyond what one human child working alone could handle. Besides original story problems, I didn't know how to save them. Not something simple like defeating someone and it's over. Their true enemy was the underworld's old devils.
Between the original timeline and the previous Kuoh Town administrator's problem, nothing had proceeded as I planned at all. This world was always unreasonable and cruel to mobs—I belatedly remembered. My powerlessness and indecisiveness at not even being able to decide what to do from here felt utterly frustrating and pathetic.
***
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