Chapter 9: Let the Games begin
The night of the second day, Issei felt a little refreshed. He had trained all day and he was now able to rest. The baths were amazingly large and the bedrooms were comfortable.
The feast that Raynare had cooked up had also proven to be incredibly delectable. He hadn't had such good Chinese cuisine since he had last visited China with Azazel.
Having changed into a simple white shirt and shorts, Issei was able to instantly relax but he hadn't quite been able to sleep yet.
He was still mulling over the results of the day. What he had thought about each of the ORC members hadn't changed much but he had indeed seen improvement in each of the members.
Rias had managed to learn the barrier technique that Sirzechs had invented but she couldn't employ it to the level that he could. Rias's supply of energy wasn't large enough to fortify and maintain it at the same time. At best, the barrier would hold 5 minutes if Riser went all out while confined. He had trained with her and tried to get her to apply her Power of Destruction to the barrier, like how Sirzechs could confine and disintegrate his enemies, but the task was still too difficult for her.
Issei decided that for the next 9 days, he would have to help Rias to be able to cause as much damage to Riser as possible.
A few hours after he had fallen asleep, Issei awakened and felt something rub against him and instantly reopened his eyes as he whipped away his blankets to reveal a certain someone crawling up his chest.
Issei wasn't surprised with who he saw.
Akeno smiled at him innocently as her violet eyes connected with his brown ones.
"Akeno…what are you doing?" Issei dreaded her response out of shyness rather than disturbance.
"Why…" Akeno was barely an inch away from contact but opted not to. She had gently pushed Issei back down onto the mattress and was clad in a black, silk nightgown that touched her mid-thighs.
"I'm only trying to get some skinship done." She whispered with her breath tickling Issei, causing the heat in his body to rise.
"Geh…" Issei whimpered as his body jumped.
"Oh my, oh my. Ufufufu. I guess this means that you're still a virgin?" Akeno giggled.
Issei didn't make any indications and remained silent. He wasn't ashamed to admit it but if he did, he'd add more fuel to the fire.
"That's good. I would've been sad if another woman had claimed you before I could." Akeno whispered to herself, having dropped her seductive tone as she smiled.
"Issei…are you going to watch the match?" Akeno asked nervously.
Issei nodded eagerly.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss your match for the world."
Issei knew that she was nervous about the outcome and odds of the Rating Game. He couldn't have done more than provide her emotional support and training. It was a shame that the outcome had come to this though. Having Issei in Rias's Peerage would've given them an edge, perhaps a guaranteed win.
Akeno was afraid that she would fail her master and Issei. Rias, the one who helped her gain a new reason to live, was having her freedom and future staked on this match. As for Issei, he had worked so hard to help the ORC improve and there was so much more that she wanted to do with him, but if they lost, Akeno might be thrown into the palm of Riser.
There was also the matter about her Holy Lightning. A few hours ago, when she tried to swallow her pride and conjure it, she found that she couldn't.
No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't combine light with her thunder. This had actually brought down Akeno's mood, even after all of her past contempt for her inherited powers.
"Issei…" Akeno shakily spoke to him.
"Hm?" He looked at her innocently.
"It's about my Holy Lightning…I think…I think that I've lost the ability to use it." Akeno grimly admitted.
Issei was able to instantly think of a few ideas of why this could've happened. All of which would be difficult to solve. With the little time she had left before the Game, it was impossible to restore her powers back.
"I cursed my powers for so long that I wanted to be rid of it. Now that it's finally happened, I wonder why I'm so sad." Akeno felt frustrated as she clutched Issei's shirt.
In truth, she had gone to Issei for comfort, not skinship. She had felt so conflicted that she needed her childhood friend and crush to be there for her, or else she would have gotten no rest.
Issei soothingly rubbed her back as he brought her closer to him.
"We used to do this as kids whenever you got upset. You'd always cuddle up to me and tell me your troubles. It's kinda nice that some things haven't changed." Issei brought up a new topic, surprising Akeno as she realized that she still had this habit.
She smiled softly as she thought about their bright past.
"Akeno, you shouldn't blame yourself for being unable to use your lightning for now. I'm sure that it'll come back because I know that you're strong. I know that you'll pull through because I have faith in you. I always had faith in you."
Issei's words made Akeno's heart skip a few beats.
Patting her head warmly, Issei comforted her as she began to get sleepy.
"Just do your best on that day. I know that you'll be awesome."
Finally closing her eyes, Issei held onto her so that she could remain in a blessed sleep.
'I guess she's too tired to mess with you tonight.' Draig commented from within Issei's mind.
'Can't blame her. Today was quite strenuous since it was non-stop fighting. Still, they have a long way to go if they want to even the odds against Riser. It's my job to make sure that happens.' Issei swore as he drifted to sleep.
The next few days was full of literally explosive training.
Rias had managed to improve her barrier technique to an extent but even then, Issei was skeptical about its power to take out Riser. Rias didn't have enough experience with strong opponents since her main source of battle experience came from fighting Stray Devils, who weren't always strong due to the worry of her father. Still, Issei saw hope.
Kiba's strength had increased and Issei had taken it upon himself to be Kiba's opponent. Due to the several injuries and exercises that he had obtained, Kiba's endurance and stamina had improved quite a bit. If Issei could rank him, Kiba would be as strong as a Middle-Class Devil. The Knight had also worked on creating new types of Demonic Swords too, something that Issei was interested in seeing but he refused to show him his products. As Kiba put it, he'd show Issei on the big screen.
Koneko still had trouble with speed but she had worked on her endurance enough to be able to withstand several debilitating physical attacks but she was still weak to magical attacks. While training, Issei had actually gotten a whiff of something that he hadn't noticed before. The entire time he was with her during training, he seemed to smell cats.
Asia was unable to focus on offense so Issei taught her barrier techniques so that she could help Rias keep up defense. Her skill with barriers was probably the best compared to the others in Rias's Peerage, even surpassing Akeno and Rias's skills. He assumed that her wish to protect and heal others had played a factor in this sudden development.
Issei had the hardest time training with Akeno. Her physical strength was a bit below Koneko's but her magic was stronger than Asia's natural talent with it. Aside from helping her martials arts improve; Issei couldn't do much with teaching her more magic. He knew he wasn't a teacher, so he could only safely tell her what he knew. Still, there was one giant problem they still needed to address. Akeno still hadn't become able to use her light powers again.
Raynare had actually advanced much in her training. She had gained a 3rd wing in her training and her physical and magical powers had grown but she was still too frail. If she took a major hit to a vital area, the injury would hamper her for too long since she couldn't recover quickly. For that reason, Issei was helping her develop her speed to avoid getting hit before he could advance to endurance training.
It was now at this point that Issei could only hope for the best for his friends as they staked their freedom.
Rias had already arranged for Issei to be a spectator of the Game, so he had been invited to come watch instead of just waiting to hear for news. When the day of the Mock Rating Game had finally come, Issei was brought to a room with multiple surveillance screens. Both weren't very surprised, however.
"Rias and Ms. Grayfia has told us about you, Issei. It's a pleasure to meet you." Sona Sitri extended her hand.
Issei politely shook her hand as he sat down at the table.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too." Issei hoped that Rias hadn't spoken too much about him since it would've been awkward.
As Issei peered into the screens, he saw multiple areas of where the Rating Game was being fought and he anxiously waited for the beginning of the Game.
The Rating Game site was Kuoh Academy. Riser was based inside the principal's office of the new building while the ORC was based in the replica of their Clubroom.
Rias was sitting at her desk while her Peerage crowded around a map of campus.
"Riser will likely go to the gym. He'll probably predict that we'll try to take the center of the map to get an advantage point. However, instead, we'll lure them there and distract them long enough for Akeno to obliterate the location. Yuuto and Koneko will go there first." Rias pointed at the middle part of the map and then marked areas around the map.
"Riser would surely remain in the new school building and wait to tire us out. We'll use that to get rid of his pieces so that we face less interruptions. Akeno will set traps around the location to take care of the pawns that he sends after us. I think he'll send his weaker servants out first." Rias then gestured to locations that she had marked so that Akeno knew where to go.
Rias knew it was risky to have herself move out but she didn't have a spare member in her peerage to help and Asia was no good with offense.
"I'm sorry." Asia bowed but nobody blamed her for anything.
"It's fine, Asia. I think it's good that you're so gentle." Rias patted her on the head to soothe her before turning back to the map.
"I will move around and discreetly eliminate any of Riser's pieces while I make my way to him. While I do that, I need you all to help occupy his pieces. We need to win as quickly as possible."
As Rias concluded, Grayfia immediately spoke on the intercom.
"Everyone, I am Grayfia, servant of the Gremory Clan and I will be the judge of today's match. The Game will begin in 5 minutes. Please complete all preparations before the Game starts. As for the rules, participants will be retired when they are no longer able to fight. Excessive maiming or torture is strictly prohibited. Murder will also be severely punished. Any breaking of the rules will be met with corresponding consequences. The conditions to win the game are to force the enemy King to surrender or to render them no longer able to fight. Pawns can promote once they enter enemy territory." On that note, Grayfia finished speaking, leaving everyone to begin setting up.
Rias looked at Akeno, who nodded and left the room to begin their plan.
Meanwhile, back in the surveillance room, Grayfia had entered to confirm a few things with everyone there.
"I came to clarify that any intervention is prohibited from any outside parties. Therefore, I ask that you all refrain from acting on impulse, no matter what." Grayfia looked at Issei when she said this but he took no offense. This was a matter between Devil families so this was only natural.
With a nod of understanding, Grayfia left to begin the Games, leaving Issei to watch the screens with a nervous feeling in his gut.
"With 15 minutes having passed, the Games will now begin."
With Grayfia's permission, the long awaited fight had begun.
Rias stood up as her peerage left the Clubroom.
"Now then, my adorable servants, let's kick Riser's ass." Rias declared, to which everyone gave a sound of agreement.
Kiba and Koneko had sprinted to the Gym as planned and had climbed onto the stage, hiding behind the curtains as they creeped around to see who was there.
The lights to the gym came on as a voice called out to the duo.
"Gremory servants behind the curtain, you can come out now." A female's voice prompted them to walk out of the shadows, allowing the enemies to see each other.
Four of Riser's peerage stood across from Koneko and Kiba.
The one in the front was a well-endowed Chinese woman with black hair tied into two Chinese hair buns and she wore a blue and gold qipao dress, that exposed much of the side of her body, with black bracers on her arms.
Next were a pair of twins that were short and had light green hair and their eyes were blue. Both wore school gym clothes, which consisted of white shirts with bloomers, and they sported chainsaws.
The last member had blue hair, brown eyes, and wore white Japanese robes with a short skirt and a red haori jacket over her top. She also had a wooden staff in her hand.
Just then, Grayfia's voice echoed from nowhere.
"Three of Riser's Pawns have retired."
The Chinese girl looked surprised as she took in the news.
"Already?" She exclaimed.
Koneko then looked at Kiba.
"I'll fight the rook in the front. Yuuto, I'll leave the others to you. Can you handle them?"
With his trademark smile, he nodded before leaping off of the stage.
"I am Xuelan, a rook of Lord Riser." The Chinese girl introduced herself as she got into stance.
Koneko wasn't one for much socializing so she merely took her own stance.
Kiba walked up to the other three and drew his Holy Eraser.
"I am Kiba Yuuto. Rias Gremory's Knight."
The other three then gave their own names.
"I'm a pawn, Ile." One of the twins spoke as the other followed up.
"I'm also a pawn, Nel."
The girl with the blue hair then spoke last.
"I'm Mira, a pawn."
With introductions finished, the battle began.
(Bleach OST – Other Tales of Zanpakuto. Play Song.)
Xuelan jump-kicked at Koneko, who sidestepped and moved back. Xuelan landed and whirled around with a kick that had flames streaking from it. Koneko managed to catch the kick in her hands before tackling Xuelan, knocking her back as she staggered. Following up the attack, Koneko punched her in the face before striking her in the gut.
Xuelan staggered back even further.
"Not bad." She spoke before covering her hands in fire.
Launching at Koneko again, Xuelan instead kicked four times at Koneko, but she dodged each attack.
Koneko spun around and tried to counter with a backhand, but her opponent ducked and kicked up from behind.
Before any damage could be obtained, Koneko struck down on Xuelan's back, causing her to hit the ground.
Meanwhile, Kiba was moving away from Ile and Nel, who were a bit too enthusiastic about cutting him with their chainsaws.
"Disassembling Time! Disassembling Time!" They cried over and over as they chased him.
"Don't run away now, handsome." Mira jumped behind Kiba, but he merely somersaulted over her before cutting her staff in half and kicking her in the gut, sending her sprawling across the ground.
He then dashed in front of the twins and knocked the chainsaws from their hands before hitting them both with the flat of his blade, causing the two to fall over from the head injuries.
"Let's go, Koneko."
The two then ran out.
"Are you two going to run away just like that?!" Xuelan called out.
The Knight and Rook exited the Gym before a powerful blast of yellow thunder obliterated the Gym.
Rubble, flames, and smoke scattered everywhere as Kiba and Koneko looked back.
(Bleach OST – Other Tales of Zanpakuto. End Song.)
With no clear signs that the enemy had survived, Kiba and Koneko then continued to move forward until they saw Akeno in the sky, wearing her priestess robes.
"Three of Riser's Pawns and one Rook have retired." Grayfia announced once again.
"Oh my, oh my. Ufufufu. I'm glad that you two were able to make it out okay." Akeno giggled before she had to intercept an incoming attack.
She fired a Jetstream of water that clashed against an orb of fire, causing it to explode in midair.
As the steam in the air disappeared, a woman with long, wavy, purple hair that covered her red eye had appeared. She wore a dress that also accentuated her cleavage and she had shoulder-guards adorned on her as well. She also had stockings attached to garters on her legs and she held a staff in her hand.
"Oh my, oh my. I'm surprised that we would go against such an opponent already." Akeno remarked as she faced the woman in front of her.
"I've always wanted to have a chance to fight you, Priestess of Thunder."
"I am quite honored, Bomb Queen, Yubelluna." Akeno retorted.
Issei was observing from the surveillance room and he could've sworn that he saw Yubelluna's eyebrow twitch.
"I dislike that name quite a bit. It's in bad taste."
At that moment, both of their auras flared. Akeno was surrounded by a golden aura while Yubelluna was covered in a purple one.
"Koneko, Yuuto. The both of you should go on ahead while I deal with her."
The two knew not to argue and ventured forward to clear the way for Rias. As they left, they could hear explosions boom behind them, though they didn't have time to just stand and look back.
Akeno and Yubelluna glared at each other before Yubelluna spoke again.
"My master was quite interested in you. It looks like you'll make a fine member in the family." Yubellune smirked as she taunted Akeno.
"I'd rather melt in garbage rather than get close to him." Akeno spat.
"My, my. Lord Riser will surely discipline that mouth and body of yours." Yubelluna chuckled as she had succeeded in riling Akeno up.
Kiba and Koneko had soon made it to a large clearing before a gust of wind caught their attention.
Sensing a presence, Kiba turned to it and saw a woman in grey armor walking towards them. She wore a skirt and had bandages messily wrapping around her head, with some hair peeking it. Strapped to her side was a sword, with gauntlets and greaves covering her limbs.
"I am Karlamine, a Knight of Riser Phenex. You must be foolish to come out into the open when you're so severely outnumbered." She drew her sword as she stood Én Garde.
"I am Kiba Yuuto, Rias Gremory's Knight. I've been hoping for a duel between Knights." Kiba did a sword salute before assuming his guard.
"I couldn't agree more." Karlamine then charged forward.
Kiba met her with a clang of blades as they whirled around each other to strike for vital spots but each time, the two would parry and lock blades in an attempt to overpower the other.
Meanwhile, another person emerged from nowhere.
A woman wearing a black jacket, and dark pants with a detached legging, walked closer to Koneko. She had brown hair with some strands colored red, and had a mask covering the right part of her face, leaving the other side exposed, revealing her green eyes.
"I am Isabela, a Rook of Riser Phenex." She gave her name as she assumed a stance.
Suddenly, another person came out of nowhere. A short girl with blonde hair that curled into drills, calmly waltzed onto the battlefield. She had blue eyes and wore a pink dress with red shoes.
"I never expected for things to turn out this way." The blonde girl spoke as she looked at Kiba and Koneko.
"It looks like the other group of pieces hasn't arrived here yet." The blonde girl commented.
"Two Pawns, one Bishop, and One Knight have retired." Grayfia suddenly announced, shocking the blonde girl.
"It must have been Lady Rias who did it." Isabela responded.
"It seems like our numbers are even now. Though, I doubt that you all will be able to keep fighting." The blonde girl then prompted Isabela to attack.
(Bleach OST – Guitar III. Play Song.)
Isabela jabbed three times at Koneko, who managed to dodge and kicked Isabela in the stomach, earning a gag from her.
In retaliation, the masked woman set a fist to Koneko's face, knocking her back several feet.
"Koneko!" Kiba called out to her before he had to refocus on Karlamine.
Koneko slowly got up before having to dodge around again to avoid Isabela's attacks.
When Isabela tried to do a ground smash, Koneko took her chance and kicked her in the side when she landed.
"Gah!" Isabela coughed as she was sent rolling across the ground.
However, she quickly got up and flung herself right back into Koneko, slamming into her with a tackle.
As the two Rooks brawled, Kiba was too occupied with his duel to be able to help Koneko. Karlamine proved to be a troublesome opponent for his Holy Eraser. Kiba swung his sword down on Karlamine, but she used an uppercut to break his blade. Jumping back before she could another swipe in, Kiba threw away his broken sword and did something Karlamine didn't expect.
In his hands, snowflakes gathered and created a sword that radiated cold air. A white hilt formed in his hands as a golden handguard and a silver blade were formed with the shattering of the ice that made it.
Swinging at Karlamine's fiery sword, her weapon was extinguished as it broke into pieces.
"No matter, we of the proud Phenex Clan have power over fire and wind! In the end, you will lose!" Karlamine then drew a dagger from her waist as she struck against Kiba's sword of ice.
The attack worked but Kiba still had many tricks left.
Reforming his sword, Kiba created another blade that had a hollow portion at the top. In the hollow part of his sword, a void of darkness began sucking in all of the air and fire that Karlamine created.
"Just how many Sacred Gears do you have?!"
Kiba smiled as he explained his ability.
"My Sacred Gear, Sword Birth, allows me to create any demonic sword that I want using only my imagination." He then swung his blade once more before putting his hand on the ground to create a blue magic circle, causing several sword blades to erupt from the ground.
Jumping back, Karlamine did something that caught Kiba completely off-guard.
Karlamine quickly put her hands together and formed a sword of wind.
Rushing at Kiba with desperation, the female knight slashed Kiba across the chest, leaving a bloody gash across it.
Kiba winced from the pain but Karlamine wasn't finished. Using her left hand, she made a sword of fire and cut down on his right shoulder, dealing yet another wound to him.
Now that she was close, however, Kiba had the perfect chance to take her out. Putting his hands on the ground again, he triggered his Sword Birth again, causing more blades to erupt from the earth.
The blades quickly impaled Karlamine as she cried out in pain.
Her arms were pinned between blades and her sides were stabbed, causing her to receive wounds that would force her to retire.
"I've lost this one." She murmured before fading into light.
Kiba knelt on his knees to catch his breath as his body then noticed the pain it was in.
Koneko and Isabela were still going at it but it was clear that the two were already too tired to keep going. Both had bruises and a several bone injuries across their bodies, which meant that the next attack was going to be their last.
"Rias Gremory has trained all of you well." Isabela complimented Koneko, who shook her head,
"Even though the President planned the training, a good senior of mine deserves some credit too." Koneko then recalled her lessons with Issei, about how he taught her to capitalize her strengths while trying to limit her weaknesses.
"Oh? I'd like to meet this senior of yours one day, then." Isabela smiled at the prospect of meeting somebody who played a part in getting such an inexperienced Peerage up to par so quickly.
With no more words, the two rushed at each other. There was nothing in their fists but pure conviction, the conviction to win.
Their fists connected with each other's faces as they both crumpled to the ground. Koneko could feel her consciousness fading as she felt burning pain and light-headedness spread throughout her being.
Kiba rushed over and caught her as she started to lose the energy to move.
"Koneko!" Kiba held her as her body began to glow.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't go to the end." Koneko murmured weakly before completely disappearing in retirement.
"Lady Rias's Rook has retired." Grayfia spoke as everyone in her peerage grimly took in the news.
Even if it was only one casualty, losing Koneko still hit the group hard since they had so few members.
Kiba watched as the light faded before looking at the girl with drill twin-tails.
"How come you aren't fighting, Lady Ravel?" Kiba asked her as he took up his guard.
"I'm not the fighting type. I'm actually more of a strategist." She smiled as she waved at him.
Kiba could only wonder at why Riser had her in his Peerage, though the reasons weren't something he couldn't guess.
"Then please excuse me but I can't allow you to remain in this game." Kiba then lunged at her. Ravel smirked as she sprouted wings of flame and soared into the sky.
Meanwhile, Rias and Asia were had made their way to the entrance of the new school building. Not wanting Asia to be wiped out, Rias had taken her along with her as she left their base. During the move from the old school building to the new one, she had dealt with the pieces that Kiba, Koneko, and Akeno had missed.
Now that they had arrived at their destination, Rias and Asia walked into the new building to see Riser already waiting for them by the stairs.
"You kept me waiting for such a long time, Rias." Riser smiled at her as Rias tensed up.
"It's time we settled this Game." Rias declared.
"Agreed, even though I wanted to play with you for so much longer." Riser taunted her, causing her to snap.
Firing a normal blast of Destruction at him, Riser merely took the hit. The hole made in his chest was easily regenerated as flames filled the hole before restoring itself completely to before he had been touched.
"I wonder who's going to tire out first." Riser smiled before he began to barrage her with bursts of fire.
Back where Akeno and Yubelluna were fighting, the two were evenly matched in magical prowess, though Akeno had begun to have an edge.
Yubelluna created four rotating balls of purple energy and fired them at her enemy, with each exploding sequentially.
Akeno barely managed to dodge each explosion but her injuries were starting to hamper her.
Firing a bolt of thunder back at Riser's Queen, the bolt struck her in the chest, causing her to scream as she hit the ground below.
Slowly sitting up, Yubelluna panted as she looked at the injured priestess in front of her.
"I didn't expect you to be this strong. I guess I took you too lightly. However, it looks like you're beginning to tire out." Yubelluna smirked as she stood up.
"Ufufufu. Do not fret. I will be fine after a few minutes of rest." Akeno retorted.
"Too bad. I won't let you get those few minutes." Yubelluna then pulled something from her pocket. A tiny vial of red liquid appeared in her hands, shocking Akeno.
"Those are…"
Yubellune opened the vial and drank it, causing her wounds to heal as her stamina replenished itself.
"Phoenix Tears." She smiled as she was restored to full health.
Raising her staff, Yubelluna created four rotating orbs but this time, she combined them into one massive bomb of energy.
Akeno tried to retaliate by pouring all of her energy into her thunder as she fired one last bolt.
The bolt clashed against the bomb, causing it to begin its imminent explosion, though Yubelluna and Ravel had already concocted a plan.
"Yubelluna, do it now." Ravel's voice was transmitted through a magic circle as the Queen smiled.
Moving the bomb with her staff, Yubelluna sent the orb flying where Kiba was, causing a massive explosion there. Unfortunately, Ravel had already left the area and had moved to where Yubelluna was.
"Kiba!" Akeno called out before the outcome of the explosion was made clear.
"Lady Rias's Knight has retired." Grayfia announced.
Akeno grit her teeth as she tried to muster any strength that she had left but it was no use. Yubelluna smiled as she fired another spell at her counterpart. Akeno could only feel regret as she closed her eyes, waiting for the finishing blow to arrive.
It did, soon enough, causing Akeno to disappear into light.
"Lady Rias's Queen has retired."
Rias was shocked that her strongest member was defeated. This only left her and Asia to fight. At the current moment, she had to defend and counter against Riser, with Asia healing her burn wounds. Rias's magic reserves were beginning to dwindle due to the constant attacks she had to block and the ones that she had to dish out. However, she noticed that Riser was beginning to sweat and his breathing was getting heavier, a sign that he was tiring out.
Wasting no time to exploit this, Rias fired 6 orbs of Destruction at Riser.
Riser merely created a barrier of flame around him but that was his undoing.
Snapping her fingers, Rias caused the orbs to expand around Riser.
"What?!" The Phenex member exclaimed as he tried to fight against the wall.
"I'm settling this now!" Rias closed her fist as Riser was trapped into the barrier that Issei taught her to use.
During her training, she learned how to apply her Power of Destruction to the barrier that she was learning to instead trap and destroy instead of restrain. Even though Issei couldn't show her how to do it, his acting as a test dummy certainly helped.
Instantly, the Dome of Destruction began to disintegrate and dissolve the body parts of Riser. Unfortunately, his body kept regenerating.
"Interesting technique, Rias, but you don't have the power to keep this up. Lord Sirzechs is much better at this."
Gathering an impressive amount of enchanted fire in his hands, Riser let out a shout of effort before breaking the barrier around him.
Just then, Yubelluna and Ravel arrived.
"Brother!" Ravel called out as she landed next to him.
"Allow me, Riser." Yubelluna stepped in front of him but he gently put a hand on her shoulder.
"No need. I'll deal with crushing her pride. You can take care of her last servant behind her." Riser eyed Asia as Rias defensively stood in front of her.
"Not while I'm here."
Keeping her calm, Rias fired two small beams of Destruction at Riser and Yubelluna. Riser merely took the hit while Yubelluna had to dodge. Out of retaliation, Riser fired a powerful flamethrower of fire at Rias, who erected a wall made from her Power of Destruction.
Creating 5 small spheres that were the size of marbles, Rias launched them at the enemy. As soon as they made contact with Yubelluna, they exploded, causing her massive damage that instantly forced her to retire. Riser looked in disbelief as his Queen was defeated in front of his very own eyes.
Glaring back at Rias, he lost his temper as he summoned a terrifying amount of fire.
"Since you seem to enjoy defeating my peerage, allow me to do the same to yours." Riser yelled as he filled the entire room with flames, igniting and incinerating everything around him.
Launching his firestorm at Rias and Asia, the fire clashed against her defenses, which proved to be quite resistant to the fire, though her stamina rapidly drained due to the onslaught of fire that she was dealing with.
"It's over!" Riser poured even more of power into his inferno as he covered Asia in it, causing her to cry out as she was mercilessly burned. Having been cut off from Rias, Asia had no way of fighting back nor could she defend herself since she had been tired out from healing Rias.
"AAAHH!" She cried out.
Rias tried to protect herself and Asia but it was too late, her barrier was no longer sufficient enough to handle the firestorm in the building.
"Surrender before I turn her into nothing but ash, Rias." Riser demanded.
Rias didn't take that threat lightly as she suspected that he would really do it.
"President!" Asia's scream echoed in her master's head.
"Don't do it!" Asia continued as she struggled to resist the pain. Soon enough, Asia began to lose consciousness before the flames could entangle and cremate her.
Rias couldn't stand to see one of her precious servants suffer. Even if she valued her pride and freedom, she would never forgive herself if she were the reason for their deaths.
"Alright! I'll do it!" Rias tearfully turned to Riser with a defeated look.
With that deed done, the inferno in the room was soon extinguished.
With no chances of victory and her body having already been injured to a terrible extent, Rias had no choice but to surrender. The moment Akeno and Kiba lost, it was clear that the victor wasn't Rias.
Riser walked over to Rias as he looked at her.
"I surrender." Rias spoke hoarsely.
"Rias Gremory has conceded defeat. The game has now ended. The victor is Riser Phenex." Grayfia grimly announced.
The whole time Issei watched the Rating Game, he couldn't help but feel his frustration grow. He had wanted to intervene desperately but he had to respect rules and laws.
Watching his friends go down one by one was a bitter experience. Now that Rias had admitted to defeat, it was clear that Issei was forced to resort to drastic measures. He hadn't forgotten what Yubelluna had said to Akeno. That was when his temper soared. The very idea of someone laying hands on someone he cherished…Issei wouldn't tolerate it.
'That does it. I have to step in now.' Issei swore as he glared at the screen displaying Riser's smug face.
He had seen the way Riser had looked at Akeno and the other women in Rias's peerage and it was enough to make Issei want to punch a hole in his head. The way he won also pissed him off. He cornered Rias and forced her to surrender instead of just retiring them through combat.
'You better have a plan then.' Draig warned his partner.
'I'm working on it.' Issei brooded to himself as he remained stone-faced.
Changes I made to Chapter 9:
1. Grammar fixes and rewording.
