"Wh-who are you!"
"We won't let you interfere!"
Shut up, you perverts! What are grown adults playing with such things for! Go do your jobs! At this rate, you probably don't even clean! The church looked run-down from the outside!
And this many people - could it be that all the people from this church have gathered? Hey now, you really managed to gather perverts with the same hobby in one place. Or is this a place that collects such people? It's a den of perverts - how awful!
Then I won't hold back either. There's no way I, who received Al-Van-sensei's power, would lose to such perverts!
I removed the limiter called self-restraint. Now I'll rampage according to my anger toward these guys. Alright, let's get fired up! I'm about to become a knight (lol)!
"My name is Kanzaki Ryouma! A third-year at Kuoh Academy and friend of Asia who is imprisoned there! The pain you gave my friend... I shall return it to you exactly as it is!"
I shouted a knight like line... Nice. This is getting me pumped up. Alright, from now on I'll call this state Al-Van Mode.
"Ryouma-san..."
However, I was a bit depressed that Asia, who must have heard that line, was blushing. She's probably angry thinking "Don't use my name without permission. It's unpleasant."
"Y-you, shut up!"
The pervert closest to me slashed at me. Slow, too slow! Compared to that crazy priest from before, you look like you're standing still!
"Too naive!"
I shifted my body slightly to the right, avoiding that strike. As payback, I slammed my right fist into the pervert's stomach, and that pervert was blown away with tremendous force, crashing head-first into the wall.
"What!?"
The remaining perverts were shocked seeing the blown-away pervert. Hmph, think of me as having Hot Blood constantly activated! ...No, I'm not actually using it, you know? If I used it, my head might go boom. It's more of a mental thing.
From there it was a big brawl. I tore apart and threw the perverts coming at me, tore and threw, occasionally punched, sometimes kicked, stepped on the head of the first guy in a line of three coming at me and made him scream "You used me as a stepping stone!?" - anyway, I used Al-Van-sensei's physical abilities to the fullest to punish them. Come to think of it, sensei is good not just with swords but also hand-to-hand combat. Well, thinking about it, just because you're called a knight doesn't mean you can only use swords.
Even so, it was overwhelming. Lucky you, Tooya. If it had been a bare-handed fight instead of mecha, you would have lost in the early stages.
And before I knew it, no one was standing there except me.
Having kicked away everything in my way, I headed to Asia. I destroyed the shackle-like things restraining her hands and feet, and embraced her as she swayed and fell.
"...I'm glad I made it in time."
No, seriously. I was able to save her before she was subjected to indecent acts.
"Ryouma-san! Ryouma-san! I... thought it wouldn't reach, thought you wouldn't hear...! But you came to save me like this...!"
Poor thing, she must have been really embarrassed. While stroking the back of her as she burst into tears, I smiled reassuringly.
"I promised, didn't I? That I'd come running immediately if you had troubles or needed help."
Asia finally couldn't hold back anymore and started crying loudly. Damn it, I should punch all those perverts one more time.
"I-impossible... a mere human doing this... What... what are you!?"
Raynare, who had been completely ignored, shouted in a flustered state. What am I? That's my line. Why... why are you here?
"This is... is this what you wanted to do!?"
I believed in you... I thought you were working hard for someone you liked. But you abandoned that to do this in a place like this. And that outfit - isn't that bondage? Crucifixion play plus dominatrix play - please give me a break!
"!?"
I shifted my gaze from the flustered Raynare to Kalawarner and Mittelt.
"Why didn't you stop this before it came to this!"
"Eek!?"
"Guh!?"
This isn't something you skip work to do! It's important to go along with your boss's hobbies, but consider the time and place!
Kalawarner with a pale face and Mittelt trembling violently. My lecture seems to have worked. Yeah, as long as they properly reflect, that's fine.
"...You"
"Hmm?"
"What could a human like you understand about us! We who are ultimately bottom-tier beings, to receive the love of those people... to make those around us look back... we had no choice but to do this!"
Raynare, who had been looking down, suddenly flew into a rage. No, so go do your work! If it gets out that you were indulging in abnormal play during work hours, you'll really get cold looks from everyone!
Or is it that? Is that president actually someone with such hobbies and you were practicing for now? Even so, being studious from now on... wouldn't be the reaction!
"You're the one who denied those feelings yourself!"
If you had worked seriously, you might have been rewarded someday. It was none other than herself who threw away that possibility. Really, what are you doing...
"Shut up! Shut up! Uaaaaaaah!!!"
Raynare screamed as if going mad, gripped a glowing spear in her hand, and thrust it toward us. In response, I hid Asia behind me and grabbed the spear.
"What!?"
"Playtime is over."
Fortunately, only we are here. If you return to work now, the company people won't find out. When I put strength into my gripping hands, the spear broke easily. So this was also a toy after all.
"Ah... aah..."
Raynare sat down with a plop in a girl's sitting position. Could it be she's that sad about having her toy broken? Hmm, should I compensate her? What about the perverts' swords? I don't care about those guys.
"Now, let's get out of here right awa…."
"Asiaaaa! I came to save... eh?"
Just as I was about to approach to help Raynare stand up, such a war cry came from the room's entrance. Looking back, Issei was standing there wearing something like thick gauntlets, and behind him I could also see Kiba and Koneko.
"Th-this is... the exorcists are all wiped out? Who could have done such..."
"...! K-Kanzaki-senpai...!?"
Koneko was the first to notice me. Ah, Kiba, I did that. I have no regrets or remorse. They were perverts after all.
"Issei-san!"
"A-Asia. And Kanzaki-senpai? Wh-why is senpai here? And those three are fallen angels!? Senpai, Asia! Get away from them immediately...!"
"It's alright. They won't do anything anymore."
"Eh, wh-what do you mean?"
"Issei-kun For now, let's capture those fallen angels."
"...I'll go first."
"Eh, ah, got it!"
The three came toward us all at once. And before I knew it, they had captured Raynare and the others. Hey now, this isn't peaceful. What did you guys come here for? D-don't tell me... Issei and the others also came to participate in those perverts' party... no, that can't be. There's no way that could happen.
"Issei-kun. Anyway, that girl is the one you were talking about, right?"
"Y-yeah. She's Asia."
"Then our objective is achieved. For now, let's go outside. I want to get out of here as quickly as possible. ...Senpai, will you come with us too?"
Though he was asking for consent, his eyes had an intensity that brooked no argument. Stop it - when handsome guys glare, it's subtly scary.
"...Understood."
Thus, I left the underground with Issei and the others. When we exited the chapel, it was already completely dark outside. And there were Rias and Akeno.
"That was quite fast... eh, Kanzaki-kun!?"
"My my. Why are you in a place like this?"
That's my line Akeno. While I was thinking such things, Rias was speaking to Raynare and the others.
"Good evening, fallen angel Raynare."
...Eh? Fallen angel? Fallen angels are those people with black wings from the battle with the red and white dragons? Wait, ah! Looking closely, Raynare and the others have the same things on their backs! Why didn't I notice!? So this world has not only devils but also fallen angels? This is the human world, right? Not the underworld, right?
[That's what you call plot twist.]
Huh, I thought I heard mom's voice just now... no, must be my imagination.
"The daughter of the Gremory clan..."
"Yes, that's right. I'm Rias Gremory. The next head of the Gremory family. And this area is currently under my protaction."
Eh, seriously? I didn't think she was an ordinary girl, but was she such an amazing person? Well, I don't know what kind of clan the Gremory family is, but from the name it sounds really impressive. And being entrusted with territory at that age?
"The truth behind this so-called plan is already clear. It wasn't something from the fallen angels as a whole, but something you acted on independently."
At Rias's pointing out, Raynare's expression changed.
"H-how do you know that!?"
"Your subordinate... I think his name was Dohnaseek? He talked quite freely. ...Well, it was actually Issei who heard it. Right?"
"Y-yes, president. That guy talked about stealing Asia's Sacred Gear, so I blew him away with the Boosted Gear."
"The 'Boosted Gear'!? One of the Longinus!?"
...Yeah, I don't understand at all. Someone please explain to me. In front of me, confused by the exchange of chuunibyou words, Rias continued talking.
"Do you understand? Even if you escape from here, other fallen angels will eventually come to capture you. Before that, I'll finish you off."
Rias showed a cold expression for the first time. Finish off? Could it be... reporting? Are you going to report them? Well, I can understand being angry about such perverted commotion happening on your own territory...
"Wait."
My body moved naturally, surprising even myself. I faced Rias as if protecting Raynare and the others.
"Kanzaki-kun?"
Scary! Her eyes are serious! But I mustn't falter here.
"Please, won't you listen to their story?"
Yes, they're really proper people. This time it was just... a momentary lapse!
"I've already heard their story. Why are you protecting those three? Could it be... you have connections to the church..."
"Don't lump me together with those guys!!"
That's cruel, Rias! Do I and those perverts look the same in your eyes!? I'm not wrong for raising my voice to clear up the misunderstanding.
"S-sorry..."
Oh, it seems my desperate feelings got through. I was relieved by Rias's apologetic expression.
"Senpai... could it be you also have a grudge against the church..."
Kiba is muttering something. Yeah, that's fine, but why are you looking at me with such a sad face?
"If that's not it, then I understand even less. Your reason for protecting Raynare and the others."
"...It's true, they made a mistake."
They abandoned the work they had to do and got carried away. But... at that time, in the park, their faces when talking about the president... were so radiant.
"Even so... I want to believe in them... in their feelings."
Even if it's chuunibyou, even if it's dominatrix play, Raynare's heart thinking of the president is absolutely, undoubtedly genuine.
"...I see. Living for love. That certainly is a wonderful thing."
Eh, could it be Rias also knows about Raynare and the others' circumstances? Then maybe something can be done.
"But you know, Kanzaki-kun. What Raynare and the others did isn't something that can be forgiven. That girl... Asia-san was ultimately safe, which was good, but Issei was actually almost killed by Dohnaseek."
"!?"
Wait, Dohnaseek caused an assault incident!? From Issei's words earlier, it seems he was counterattacked in self-defense. That's no good!
...No wait! The one who caused the incident was Dohnaseek, not Raynare and the others. While a boss should bear responsibility for subordinates, there's no need to bear responsibility for individual crimes too!
But even saying that, Rias might not be convinced. It seems they've become close somehow, and having such a person hurt might have made her super angry... no, super duper angry. Then... I have no choice but to play my final trump card.
"Eh...?"
"Oh my...!"
"What!?"
"H-hey, senpai!"
"What are you...!"
I pressed both hands, both feet, and even my forehead to the ground. This is the ultimate weapon that Japan proudly presents to the world! DOGEZA! Pride? I threw that in the trash long ago with a whoooosh!! Super! Exciting!! But so what?
"Please... won't you give them one more chance?"
Rias didn't answer. I just heard Raynare saying "Why are you going so far..."
That's right. You don't understand. It's creepy. But you know, Raynare. I decided back then to support your romance. This is just stubbornness. But I believe that stubbornness is worth sticking to.
"...Raise your head."
At those long-awaited words, I raised my head. There was Rias's face that looked troubled but somehow impressed.
"Honestly, I don't think they're worth you going that far for... but I'm not so heartless as to ignore a man's desperate plea."
"Then...!"
"Yes. I won't do anything. However, I will contact the fallen angel side. That's the only thing I won't compromise on."
"Understood."
When they return to work, they might have a hard time because of this incident. But it's better than being reported. Rias is seriously an angel. If necessary, I was prepared to show DOGENE, which is one level above DOGEZA, but hehehe, it seems that wasn't necessary.
"Raynare, Kalawarner, Mittelt."
We did it! When I turned around proudly, there were three people shedding large tears. Wait, why!?
"Why are you crying?"
"I don't know. I don't know... Just seeing you kneel made tears suddenly..."
What, DOGEZA's effect reached even here!? Hmm, the strongest theory remains unshaken. But if they keep crying, I'll be troubled. ...Ah, that's right.
"Wait a moment."
I left everyone and exited the chapel. Let's see, I think... oh, there it is. The cream puff box. With that in hand, I returned to everyone.
"That is..."
You're perceptive, Mittelt. As expected from someone who stopped first back then. I handed out the cream puffs inside one by one to them.
"It's a farewell gift. Please accept it. And if we can meet again someday... let's eat together then."
And I'll ask how things went with the president too.
"...Thank you."
Raynare showed a slight smile while shedding tears. Yeah, with that smile, you'll surely be able to win over the president.
"Can I leave the rest to you?" I said to Rias.
"Yes. But I'll have you properly tell me the story later, okay? Soon."
"? Understood."
A story? What about? Well, whatever. For now, let's hurry home. Somehow, once I felt relieved, I suddenly became embarrassed remembering the 'Al-Van Mode' from earlier. It's the same as the battle with the red dragon.
Thus, the perverted commotion (my naming) that involved various people was resolved for the time being.