Chapter 40

Older Brother and Siblings is the fortieth chapter of the Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan manga.

Summary
Shizuku rushes towards the unconscious Alice, but she is knocked back by Reisen Hiraga, who takes Alice himself. Hiraga explains that the Akatsuki members the Hagun students defeated were simply wooden puppets that he controlled, that were made to feel real by Sara Bloodlily, another member of Akatsuki. Hiraga also notes that it's thank to another one of their members, Amane Shinomiya, that they were saved from Alice's betrayal. Hiraga then takes Alice, and runs off, leaving the other Akatsuki members to deal with the Hagun students. Ikki attempts to run after him, but is intercepted by his brother, Ouma Kurogane, who attempts to strike Ikki down with his Nodachi. However, Ouma's slash is parried by Stella, who tells Ikki to follow Hiraga, while she faces Ouma. Ikki does this, while also noticing that Shizuku has already chased after Hiraga.

As Stella clashes with Ouma, she notes how she can feel Ouma's strong intention of fighting her, accepting his challenge. Stella then briefly disengages, activating her strongest technique, Katharterio Salamandra. Ouma however, activates his own Noble Art, Kusanagi, which creates an enormous tornado around him and his blade, similarly to Stella's attack. Their attacks then clash with immense power. Surprisingly, Ouma begins to overpower Stella, who is shocked by Ouma's unreachable power, which is beyond even her. Ouma finally completely overcomes Stella's Katharterio Salamandra, even destroying her Device. Stella though is saved by Touka, who carries her out of the way of Ouma's attack. Touka then uses her lightning to paralyze Stella, giving her to the Hagure Sisters, and telling them to quickly escape, while the student council stays behind to hold the Akatsuki, as Hagun's representatives are more important. Hagure Sisters then run off with Stella, but Kanata stays behind, as she wants to fight with her friends. The student council and Akatsuki then prepare to face each other.

Shizuku is seen running, attempting to catch up to Hiraga, who is far faster than her. Shizuku takes a motorcycle from a man, even threatening him just to get the vehicle. However, the motorcycle is too big for the small Shizuku. Just then, Ikki catches up to Shizuku. Ikki questions why Shizuku would chase after Hiraga and Alice, as Alice would want her to be safe. Shizuku though tells him that Alice is her precious friend, being the second person she has ever liked after Ikki, and she will save him, no matter what dangers await her. Hearing her response Ikki decides to help her, as he wanted to see if Shizuku had the resolve to save Alice. Ikki then gets on the motorcycle, riding towards where Hiraga went.