High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 346: Chapter 336 Zenovia’s Heart—And the Path Forward

”Ehem. The reason I, Saji Genshirou, am running for Student Council Vice President is—”

The voice booming through the speakers belonged to Saji.

Several days had passed since the battle. At Kuoh Academy, the air was thick with the tension of the Student Council election. The entire student body had gathered in the gymnasium to hear the final appeals of the candidates before casting their deciding votes.

Currently, it was Saji’s turn. His speech was safe—professional yet grounded. Occasionally, a heckle from the crowd would spark a burst of laughter, keeping the atmosphere light. He was clearly winning them over.

”And so,” Saji continued, ”while I intend to uphold the policies of former President Shitori, I also want to manage things with a sense of flexibility. To the members of the sports clubs—especially you guys! If you vote for me and then refuse to listen to a word I say, I’m going to have a problem. So, if I’m elected, let’s make a deal: try to listen to at least two out of every three things I ask, alright?”

Saji wrapped up his speech to a wave of chuckles and applause. Yeah, the Vice President seat is basically his, I thought.

Come to think of it—and this had nothing to do with the election—how were things going between Saji and Sona? We’d gone on a double date a while back—me and Rias, Saji and Sona—but I hadn’t heard a peep about their progress since then.

As for me and Rias? Oh, we’re doing just fine. Plenty of ”lovey-dovey” time, thanks for asking.

Once the speeches for the secretaries and vice presidents concluded, it was finally time for the presidential candidates.

First up was Hanakai-san. She stepped up to the microphone and began to speak with a quiet, steady resolve.

”The reason I am running for Student Council President is because I have watched President Sona Shitori from the closest possible vantage point. I want to honor her legacy while working alongside all of you to build a new Kuoh Academy.”

She spoke with total sincerity, detailing what she had learned from Sona and the vision she had cultivated because of it. It was a clear, easy-to-follow roadmap for the future. Her love for the council and the school radiated through every word.

”That is the vision I, Momo Hanakai, hold for our new Student Council. I humbly ask for your support.”

As she finished, the gym erupted in applause. She was a natural—I couldn’t say anything less.

Then, it was Zenovia’s turn. The final speaker of the day.

Usually, following an act like Hanakai would make anyone nervous... but I doubted Zenovia felt that way. Unlike certain other people.

”Zenovia-chan’s gonna be okay, right?!”

”I-I’m definitely voting for her! No matter what!”

Matsuda, Motohama... why the hell are you two more nervous than the candidate herself?

As I gave my two perverted best friends a sidelong look of exasperation, Miwa leaned in.

”I don’t think Zenovia is the type to get stage fright... but do you think she’ll be alright?”

”You mean the content of the speech?” I asked.

She had actually shown me the draft yesterday. With Asia, Irina, and Kiryuu helping her out, it was well-structured and perfectly safe. It hit all the right notes.

And yet...

”How do I put it...” Miwa murmured. ”It just didn’t feel like Zenovia.”

She was right. I’d felt that same nagging sensation. If it were Zenovia, there had to be something more—something only she could say. Of course, if she went off-script and said something completely bizarre, it would all be for nothing. And it was too late to rewrite it now.

Zenovia stood before the microphone, her gaze sweeping over the sea of students. She pulled a folded piece of paper from her blazer, preparing to read.

But just as she opened her mouth, she paused. She went silent. Then, slowly, she tucked the speech back into her pocket.

”Until I reached this age, I was raised within the walls of a Church facility,” she began. Her voice was clear, carrying across the silent hall. ”Because of that, until I came to this academy, I had no connection to the life of a ’student.’ I never attended a normal school; I studied only within the Church.”

This was nothing like the draft I’d seen. Asia, Irina, and Kiryuu—the three who had coached her—exchanged panicked looks.

Zenovia continued.

”I ran for Student Council President because I have truly enjoyed my life at this academy. This is the first school I have ever attended, and not once have I found it boring. The lessons, the idle chatter with classmates, the sports festivals, the culture festivals, the school trips... and my activities with the Occult Research Club. Every bit of it was fresh, and it filled me with genuine joy. I... I think I love this school. Sometimes I even wonder if it’s alright for me to have found a place that makes me this happy. I want to express my gratitude to everyone here who helped someone like me. Thank you, truly, for being friends with a girl who knew nothing of the world. I realize now that the reason I am standing here is that I want to give back to this school and to all of you.”

It wasn’t a political platform. It wasn’t even a proper speech. It was simply Zenovia’s honest feelings about her life here.

Yet, every student in the room was hanging on her every word.

”I want to leave something behind for Kuoh Academy. This school taught me things that are precious beyond words. I reached the conclusion that the best way to honor that is to become President and devote myself to the school and its students. It might sound like a simple thought, and I know I have many flaws. If I become President, I won’t be like President Shitori. But...”

Zenovia looked out at the crowd again, meeting the eyes of the students one by one.

Her gaze met mine. Her eyes were burning with an intense, honest heat.

”I want to give everything I have to this academy! If you have complaints, tell me! If you have frustrations, vent them! I will respond with everything I am! I will protect the students of this school! This past year, you all taught me ten years’ worth of the joy I missed out on. That is why, for my final year, I want to protect this school with all my might! I want to protect all of you! I want to make Kuoh Academy a place loved by everyone!”

She was pleading from the very depths of her soul. She laid bare everything she had felt over the last year, hurling her heart at the student body.

Finally, Zenovia flashed a smile more radiant than any I had ever seen from her.

”Everyone, let’s make Kuoh Academy fun. No—I will make it fun. So please, lend your support to someone like me!”

She bowed deeply.

For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then, a roar of cheers and applause shook the very foundations of the gymnasium.

”Zenovia-chaaaan! You’re the best!”

”That was so cool, Zenovia-senpai!”

”We’re counting on you, Zenovia-san!”

Most of the students were on their feet, screaming their support.

...Yeah. Her feelings had reached them. Her love for the students and the academy had been delivered, loud and clear.

After the speeches and the voting, I made my way out of the gym. On the way, I spotted a familiar figure.

”Oh, Griselda-san. You were here?”

It was indeed Griselda. She was busy dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. It seemed she had heard the whole thing.

”To think I would be moved to tears by that girl’s speech... I’ve grown soft,” she said, wiping away the last of the moisture. ”That ’Sword Maiden’ who used to be so blunt, who would charge headlong into anyone... to see her show such a dazzling smile. She really has changed.”

”It was a great speech,” I said.

”Yes,” Griselda replied, a look of profound pride crossing her face. ”She is a ’sister’ I can be proud of.”

A few days later, the results were announced.

The new Student Council President was—Zenovia.

On the day the results were posted, the members of the Occult Research Club gathered at Azazel-sensei’s research lab.

Walking deep into the lab, we arrived at the front of a medical treatment room. Through the glass, we could see a young woman connected to a labyrinth of machinery. It was Valerie, Gaspar’s childhood friend.

Because the Holy Grail stolen by Qlippoth had not yet been recovered, she remained unconscious. Some of those machines were the only things keeping her body stable.

Inside the room were Azazel-sensei and... Gaspar.

Gaspar had been visiting every other day, talking to the sleeping Valerie about everything that happened in his life. His goal was to one day let her experience the world just as he had.

Sensei opened an attaché case on a table. From within, he produced a single pendant.

The center of the piece was a fragment of the true Holy Grail, recently entrusted to us by Vasco Strada. This was the key to waking Valerie’s consciousness.

I was floored when I first heard it was possible. Who knew a mere fragment could do that?

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