Spring.
It is the start of a new year at Hijirigasaka
Academy.
Basara, Mio, and Yuki have moved on to their
second year, while Maria and Kurumi have entered
the school. Zest has entered as a teacher, and the
only one who has the same position as the previous
year is Hasegawa as the school nurse.
And then, a week after the entrance ceremony.
"–Finally, I've returned"
Celis stands at Tokyo International Airport.
Behind Shiba's rebellion, there were the
forbidden experiments of Pope Albareos. Now that
Albareos has gone missing, the apex of the hero
clan, the Vatican, fell into chaos.
–Even though she's been aware of the situation a
little earlier than others, there's still a part of Celis
that can't quite believe that this is happening.
Being a hero. Being a holy knight of the Vatican.
Those are points of pride for Celis.
The clone research Albareos did was beyond
Celis' imagination, and it isn't easy to accept.
Celis was at the scene of Shiba's rebellion as a
special inquisitor, and because of that, she could be
blamed for many things, including the loss of the
holy sword Georgius, by the higher-ups.
That's how it should've been. But –it hasn't been
as intensive as Celis had thought.
And the reason for that.
…For my sake, Basara did that.
"The Shiba rebellion was caused by the darkness
of Vatican as an organization, if you try to push it
on Celis, I'll publicize it"
Basara has made such a contract with the Vatican.
Because of that, the Vatican now blames
everything on the missing Albareos.
Moreover, the Vatican needs a representative
from the hero clan to observe Basara and his group,
and that responsibility ends up falling on Celis.
However, it's more of a front.
…The truth is.
As there's the possibility Celis would suffer some
sort of rebuke at the Vatican, Basara wished to
protect her and requested for her to be sent to him.
The role of an observer is to allow the Vatican to
save face.
—The Vatican's out of options and has no choice
but to follow what Basara wants.
Because if they're not careful, he could publicize
the dark history regarding the Shiba incident.
If that's the case, they might upset the balance
between the different regions of the hero clan.
Just with Albareos, the apex of the organization
going missing, it could already cause a great scandal
and destroy the Vatican's place.
That's why the Vatican agreed to send Celis to
Basara.
…He's protecting me again.
Celis thinks that while in line for immigration.
—One time, a tragedy happened in The Village.
Celis, who was far away in Europe at the time,
couldn't do anything.
Basara was expelled from the village, and Yuki
and Kurumi suffered deep wounds in their hearts,
yet even though she knew of that from back then,
all she could do was think of them.
That's why she trained hard, gained new power –
she became Celis Reinhardt, the holy knight.
And then she was chosen to wield the holy sword
Georgius.
…Even so.
During the Shiba rebellion, she was unable to do
anything once more.
Instead, Shiba took Georgius at the time, using it
for his plan, increasing the danger.
Not only did Basara and the others save Celis by
defeating Shiba, but they also rescued her from
taking the blame from Vatican higher-ups.
As such,
…This time.
Celis Reinhardt vows.
—This time she will protect Basara and the
others.
Without the holy sword Georgius, there's no use
of her title of Holy Knight.
And now with Basara and the others with the
master-servant vow, they have strength beyond what
she can reach.
Even so —She's moving towards them now, and
even just a little, she would like to protect what's
important to them.
With that vow in her heart, she gives her
passport to the immigration staff.
With that,
"Welcome to Japan… You're here for studies?"
He asks, checking her visa.
It's not official business this time.
So, as to not involve the Vatican as much, they
worked together to get her a student visa.
Starting tomorrow too, she will be going to
Hijirigasaka Academy with Basara and the others as
a transfer student.
Hence –this airport staff isn't wrong.
So,
"Yes… I'm a transfer student"
Nodding, Celis Reinhardt continues her words.
This time, with a firm smile.
"And also –to do what I can for those precious to
me and myself."