II Chapter 5: Rating Game
() Ddraig speaking
{} Sparda speaking
"" Demon/Dark self speaking
To answer some question:
Suggestion: I'll think about it
ATTENTION: No way in hell that I'm giving up on this fic. I just had a lot of other fics to work on
'Seems this is it guys.'
She could sense Sparda & Ddraig agreeing.
Tomorrow's the day where they fight for Rias' freedom.
This was technically the last day of training however everyone agreed that this should be a day of resting before they head off to battle.
Seras right now was just laying on a bed staring at the ceiling thinking over the training she had the past two weeks.
She heard some knocking making her guess that it was either Raynare, Asia, or possibly both.
"Hey Seras can we come in?"
"Sure."
Both Asia & Raynare came in.
Asia was wearing her old nun outfit with the veil & everything along with that cross.
What Raynare was wearing had Seras gaping at her.
Her outfit consisted of black leather, strap-like objects around & under her breasts, a thong-like piece held around her hips by three thin straps, gloves that ran right up her arms with small lengths of chains hanging from them, shoulder guard-like objects on her shoulders with three large spikes sprouting from her right shoulder, and black thigh-high heel boots.
"… Raynare."
"Yes Seras?"
"What's up with that outfit?"
"What you mean this?"
She did a small twirl, showing off the entirety her outfit (which of course wasn't a whole lot in the first place).
"This is my Fallen Angel outfit. I wear it all the time except when I'm incognito."
"Ok I get that, just tell me… why the hell do you look like a stripper?"
Raynare seemed to just give her a confused look.
"I don't see a problem with this outfit. Besides Rias said we can wear whatever outfit that we feel the most comfortable in."
Seras felt she should press the issue about her choice in outfits further but decided that it wasn't worth it.
"If you say so."
Seras then noticed that the two seemed a bit nervous looking.
"Hey what's wrong with you two?"
Rather than answering they instead walked forward and grabbed an arm each which was now nestled between their bosoms.
"… I'm scared Seras… Though I fought & killed before I have never once faced someone as powerful as Raiser before, and knowing what will happen if we lose…"
"Raynare…"
"I don't want to lose either of you… For all my life I have been alone until you two came into my life. If I were to lose you two I…"
"Asia…"
Seras could now see the fear the two carried, and it was now obvious they had this for quite a while. She couldn't help but feel shame that she had not notice it sooner.
She felt Asia placing something on her hand. When she looked she saw it was Asia's cross.
"Asia why did-?"
"I have had this cross since the day I was left in the church's doorstep when I was just a baby; it's the one thing I have left of my birth family."
"Asia… I-I can't take accept this, I-!"
Asia held up a finger to Seras' lips to stop her.
"I cannot go into battle myself. This all I can do for you, giving a part of me to help you win this fight, so please take it Seras."
Hearing that, along with making the mistake of looking into Asia's eyes again, Seras could not bring herself to reject Asia's gift to her.
"I'll keep it close by me. I will never let it go."
Asia smiled and snuggled deeper to Seras' side, Raynare doing the same.
The three simply lay on the bed in comfortable silence, content with the warmth they gave each other, till finally sleep took over.
'It's time…'
Seras was currently sheathing her demonic knives. She was currently wearing her usual attire only this time her hoodie was black with the inside being bright crimson, and attach to her back was Morningstar ready to be used.
'Well guys, time to put all that training to use."
(Give them hell partner)
Seras grinned a bloodthirsty grin showing off her fangs.
All the club members have gathered in the old school building.
Yumi was wearing her school uniform except her skirt was pink; she was wearing two small gauntlets as well as light leg armour for protection.
Koneko wore the school uniform with the only thing out of place being the martial arts gloves with kitten faces on them.
Akeno however was wearing a traditional miko attire with a white haori with red accents, a red hakama, and a pair of zōri with white tabi.
Rias was the only one who was wearing the school uniform without any form of customizations and/or accessories.
Everyone was anxious yet it seemed Rias and Akeno were able to hide theirs quite well with only Seras being able to tell.
Ten minutes prior to the match, the magic-circle glows and Grayfia appears from it.
"Is everyone ready? It's ten minutes before the match."
Everyone stands up after Grayfia confirms us. Grayfia starts to explain about the battle.
"When it becomes the time to start the battle, you will be teleported to the battlefield through this magic-circle. The location of the place is in a different dimension used for battles. You may fight with all your power. It's a disposable space so feel free to fight to your satisfaction."
So a free-for-all eh? Seras' demon blood was now pumping in excitement.
"Hey, Rias?"
"What is it?"
"You also have another Bishop, right? Where is that person?"
She knows for a fact that Rias has another peerage member, a Bishop to be precise.
"Unfortunately, the other Bishop can't participate. Though there will be a time when I will talk about that in the near future."
Rias wouldn't look at her in the eyes for some reason.
Seras became suspicious though she felt now was not the time to dwell on it.
"This "Rating Game" battle will also be viewed by members of both households from a different location through broadcast."
'No surprise there.'
Seras thought.
"Maou Lucifer-sama will also be viewing this battle. Please do not forget about it."
Wait… Lucifer?
"Onii-sama is? …I see, so Onii-sama is also going to view this battle."
Wait brother?
"Is it just me or did you just call the Maou brother?"
It was Yumi who answered.
"No, Buchou's brother is indeed the Maou-sama."
"Wait seriously?!"
"Yes."
Rias confirms it straight away.
You learn something new everyday.
Wait a minute….
The current Maous according to Sparda are Lucifer, Asmodeus, Beelzebub, & Leviathan. Last she checked Rias' name is Gremory.
"Are you confused because Buchou's family name is different to the names of Maou-samas'?"
Yumi guessed what she was thinking.
"Yeah."
"In the previous Great War, the Maou-samas was in a critical condition and has passed away a long time ago. But there would be no Devils if there aren't any Maou-samas. That's why the Devils decided to keep the names of the Maous and let it be inherited to the ones with enormous powers. So the current Four Great Maous are the Ultimate-class Devils that are the successors of the first generation Maous that has inherited their names."
So that's how it is. Then "Lucifer" and "Beelzebub" aren't personal names but more like managerial positions.
"To tell you the truth, out of the three factions of the God, the Fallen Angels and the Devils, the Devils have the least power. We are actually in a tight spot but we are still safe because the current Maou-samas have a power equal to the previous Maou-samas."
So the Devils' society is just somehow managing.
"So Rias' brother was chosen to be a Maou from the Ultimate-class Devils then?"
Yumi nods at her question.
"Sirzechs Lucifer—who is also known as the "Crimson Satan". He is Buchou's brother and the most powerful Maou-sama."
"…So that's why she needs to inherit her household."
Since he wasn't a Gremory anymore than the title automatically falls to the second oldest.
"It's about time. Everyone, please head to the magic-circle."
They gather to the magic-circle.
"Also, once you get transported, you cannot use the magic-circle until the game ends."
The magic-circle's symbol changes to another one which is not that of the Gremory's and it starts to emit lights. It's also not the symbol of the House of Phoenix. Perhaps it's the one used for the game?
While Seras was thinking about it, the light covers them and the teleportation begins.
Seras opened her eyes.
She was however confused that they were in the clubroom.
Other than Asia & Grayfia, everyone is still here.
[Hello everyone. I am Grayfia, a maid from the House of Gremory and today I will be the arbiter of the Rating match between the House of Gremory and the House of Phoenix.]
School broadcast? How original.
[In the name of my Master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I will be keeping my eye on this match. By using both Rias-sama and Raiser-sama's opinion, we created this battlefield which is a replica of the school, Kuou academy, which Rias-sama attends to in the human world.]
Ah so this is merely a copy.
She looked out the window and noticed the sky was a dark purple colour.
'Don't see that everyday.'
(I beg to differ)
{I beg to differ}
[The location where both teams were transported will be their "base". Rias-sama's "base" would be the Occult Research Cub's clubroom located in the old school building. Raiser-sama's "base" would be the Student Council's room located in the new building. For the [Pawns] to use "promotion", please head to the enemy's base to do it.]
Ah fuck…
Times like these where she regrets the fact that she couldn't be reincarnated.
"Everyone, will you all please put this transceiver in your ears."
Akeno gives everyone an earphone type transceiver.
"At the battlefield, we will be using this to communicate with each other."
Seras couldn't help but grin at this but it quickly became a frown when she remembered something… painful.
[Now it's the time for the commencement of the battle. Also, this match will continue till dawn in the humans time. So, Game starts now.]
RING RING
'Really?'
She couldn't but deadpan at the way it was started.
She sighed before cracking her neck a bit before cracking her knuckles.
'Time for my first Rating Game.'
"First we have to take down Raiser's Pawns. It will be troublesome if they all promote into Queen."
Rias sits on the sofa looking quite confident. However Seras could see the nervousness in her eyes.
"The "Rating Game" has a meaning only if you use the battlefield to the fullest. Usually the base would be a fortress, a castle or even a tower. There are forests and rivers between the two bases and we battle using those areas. This time the school is our stage. Yumi."
"Yes."
She spreads a map on the table after Rias urges her.
Seras noted it resembled greatly like a chess board.
"There's a forest near our base. It's safe to assume that this is also our territory. In other words the new school building would be Raiser's territory. It's quite possible that there will be an ambush when you enter their territory. The school field is visible from the new school building. So it's dangerous to pass through here."
"Then do we have to go through the sports ground to get to the new school building?"
"Normally, yes. But the enemy will also know that. So he'll have his servant positioned at the sports ground. … He'll have his Knight or Rook positioned at one of the clubrooms located in the sports ground. No, if it's a sports ground, you will need a person with "mobility". So he'll have one Knight and three Pawns, a total of four servants positioned here. Then he'll have control of the whole sports ground."
Yumi made her thoughts known.
"Buchou, it's about the gym near the old school building. Shouldn't we occupy this location first? If we capture it here then we will have a route to the new school building. The gym is a passage to both of the buildings so we could also restrain the enemy's movements."
Rias nods at Yumi's opinion.
"Yes, I also have the same opinion. First we will capture the gym. …In terms of location, the opponent may have his Rook positioned there. Since it's inside a building, it would be better to use the Rook with destructive power over Knight with mobility…Yumi and Koneko, you two set a trap in the forest. Take another map with you and make sure you mark the places where you set the trap in. I will make a copy afterwards and hand it to everyone."
"Yes."
"…Roger."
Koneko and Yumi leave the room straight away, taking a map and a weird looking tool box with them.
"Everyone else will be on standby until they finish setting up the trap. Oh, Akeno."
"Yes."
"After Yumi and Koneko returns, can you cast illusions and mists around the forest and the sky? Obviously a trap that only reacts to Raiser's group. That's how the start of the match will be like, though it seems like this battle will become intense midway through it. So I'll leave the issue regarding the mists and the illusions to you, Akeno."
"I understand, Buchou."
Akeno confirms. The strategy has already begun.
The only ones left with nothing to do are Seras, Raynare, & Rias.
Seeing Rias looking a bit nervous Seras placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry Rias, we'll win this."
Rias smiled and thanked her.
Seras & Koneko were heading to the gym as part of Rias' plan.
Everyone else went to their respective positions while Raynare stayed with Rias to offer her support.
Since the main entrance is connected to the new school building, they couldn't enter from there due to their intrusion becoming obvious to the enemy.
They needed to go in from the other door located on the opposite side of the gym. They went there and turn the door knob. It's opened. It's not locked.
"I can sense their presence."
"… I can smell them."
Though they couldn't see anything their opponents could do nothing about the rest of their senses.
"We know you are there, servants of Gremory!"
Apparently they too could sense them.
The lights turned on, four female Devils were standing at the court.
The woman with a china dress [Rook], the twins [Pawns] and also the bo-staff wielder [Pawn] that she beat.
"Alright let's do this!"
[Boost!]
She could instantly feel her power increasing.
She unsheathed Morningstar and got into a stance.
"…I will leave the [Pawns] to you, Sensei. I will take care of the [Rook]."
"Right!"
The two stood in front of their respective opponents. The china dress woman makes a kung fu stance and the small girl makes a stance with her staff.
Lastly, the twin girls grabs their chainsaws with a smile… wait a minute…
DRILL! DRRRRRRRRRILL!
The chainsaws were revved up ready for a slaughter.
"You have got to be kidding me."
Sadly this wasn't the first time she dealt with chainsaw-wielding maniacs.
"Disassembling time "
Both of the twins say that happily.
There must be seriously something wrong with them.
BANG! BANG!
Koneko and the china dress woman have already begun their fight a bit further away from Seras.
It looks like a martial arts match because of all the punches they are throwing at each other. Each hit looks powerful since both of them are [Rooks]. Although Koneko is at an advantage because of her small build, which allows her to move more freely and seemingly has superior strength. But the china dress woman is also moving swiftly while doing tricky attacks.
SWISH!
The [Pawn] girl spins the stick professionally while making a sound though Seras was unimpressed.
"Split, split, split, split, split!"
The twins come right at her while grinding their chainsaws to the floor, sparks flying as they swing at her.
CLANG!
CLANG!
She lazily blocked them with Morningstar and the other with Boosted Gear, each trying to cut through them but not succeeding.
She casually threw one other twins to the side before slamming the other into the ground.
'This is too easy.'
[Boost!]
The girls got off the ground, rushing towards her with their chainsaws.
With her sword she easily deflected their attacks.
Seras narrowed her eyes and narrowly dodged a hit from Mira, before grabbing the staff and using it & her to slam the twins away.
"Dammit! Why can't we hit her?!"
Mira complained while the twins grumbled out their annoyance.
[BOOST!]
'Yo Ddraig, you almost done? This fight is quite boring.'
(Just one more Boost partner. But I don't see why need you it. You can easily beat these three without my power)
'True but where's the fun in that?'
[EXPLOSION!]
Her entire body filled with incredible power, to the point it was almost intoxicating.
"Alright… I think I'll start with you two first."
She disappeared in a flash and reappeared in front of the twins, shocking them.
They barely had time to raise up their chainsaws before she punched through them.
"Impossible!"
That was the last thing they said before they were sent flying by a bone-breaking punch.
"Ile! Nel!"
Mira tried to attack only for Seras to slice her staff in half before kicking her in the stomach.
…
…
'Is that it?'
All three were currently incapacitated.
'Well that was disappointing. Wonder how Koneko's doing?'
BANG
She turned around to see Xuelan on the ground unmoving with Koneko standing at top.
"I see your done with your fight."
Koneko looked back and gave her a small smile.
"… Hai sensei."
Seras rolled her eyes good naturally.
"Come on Koneko-chan we're already done with all that."
"Don't care… sensei is still sensei."
Seras smiled and patted Koneko's head.
[Seras, Koneko. Can you hear me? It's me.]
They could hear Rias' voice.
"Hear ya loud & clear Rias."
[That's good to hear. But Akeno's preparation is also completed! I want you two to move accordingly with the plan!]
Seras & Koneko nodded at each other before dashing towards the exit.
"Are you running away!? This location is supposed to be a crucial place!"
Raiser's servants become shocked by their actions.
Of course what they haven't realized was that this place was a simple decoy.
Something flashed brightly behind them before lightning struck the gym wiping it & Raiser's servants out.
"Take."
Akeno voiced out.
Akeno-san with a smiley face was flying through the air with her black wings spread. She hasdher right hand raised upwards and her hand was sparkling with electricity.
[Raiser Phoenix-sama's three [Pawns] and one [Rook] retires!]
Grayfia's voice who was the arbiter echoes through the battlefield.
"That's some serious fire power."
"The "Priestess of Thunder", that's Akeno's nickname. Since Buchou isn't the age where she can play in the official matches, not many people know about Akeno, but she is famous among certain groups of people."
"Huh…"
'Yeah I REALLY shouldn't be left alone with her.'
"Well we did it Koneko-chan."
She patted the top of her head causing her to blush.
[Everyone, can you hear me? Akeno did a perfect attack and finished it. With this, the first phase of our plan is completed.]
Essentially the plan was to act like bait while Akeno gets ready for the big strike.
[That lightning takes time to charge it to use for the second time after she uses it. So using it continuously is impossible. Though the enemy still has a greater number than us. We will also head out as soon as Akeno's demonic-power recovers, so I will leave the rest to each of you till then. So please move on to the next phase!]
"Yes!"
The two moved out to regroup with Yumi, until Seras felt it… killing intent.
"Koneko!"
Seras had only enough time to cover Koneko before the two were engulfed by a large explosion.
"Koneko! Seras!"
Akeno cried out.
"Take."
She looked back to see a woman dressed up as a mage and wearing a hood. This was Raiser's strongest piece, his Queen.
"Fufufu. When you hunt a prey, the best time to take them down is when the prey accomplished something because that's the time when the prey is the most vulnerable. It's enough for us to "sacrifice" many of our pieces in order to take down one of you. Your group has a small number of members to begin with. That alone will be enough to give a huge damage to your group, right? Even if you defeat us, you cannot defeat Raiser-sama. It's useless to resist."
The magician woman laughs as if she finds it amusing.
Before Akeno could so much as even prepare to attack, something shout of the smoke like an arrow stabbing deeply into the chest of the enemy Queen.
"What?!"
As the smoke clears it reveals a heavily injured Seras holding a completely unharmed Koneko while glaring at Yubelluna.
"How did she-?!"
She then noticed that Koneko was covered in strange markings and those marks had covered Seras to a certain degree.
"A full-body Hougetsu Jigen-Tou?!"
Before Seras could be taken out Koneko had managed to use Youjutsu to save the both of them though unfortunately was too late to spare Seras completely from the blast.
"Sensei…"
Seras looked back and smiled at her.
"Don't worry I'm fine Koneko-chan."
Koneko looked unconvinced.
[Seras are you alright!]
She winced at Rias practically screaming in her ear.
"I'm fine Rias, just a couple of scratches is all."
[Seras…]
Though she couldn't see Seras she could somehow sense that her injuries were far more serious than she let on.
"I'm fine Rias, besides I do heal fast ya know."
It's true, already her wounds were healing up.
"Hey Akeno! Make sure to give that bitch hell for me."
Akeno snapped out of her stupor before smiling serenely.
"Gladly Seras-chan"
Seras picked Koneko up bridle style and ran off quickly to meet up with Yumi.
Yubelluna meanwhile gritted her teeth as she managed to pull out the sword.
"I have no choice… but to use that…"
Taking out a tiny bottle she crushed it, letting the liquid out. Instantly her wound healed up.
"You know after hurting Seras-chan and trying to hurt Koneko-chan."
Akeno was covered in a large golden aura as electricity sparked out of her body.
"I should pay you back for that harsh treatment, after all you know what they say: an eye for an eye."
Yubelluna gritted her teeth in anger.
"Don't get cocky you bitch; you know I've been waiting a long time to put the Thunder Priestess in her place, now it seems I will have my chance."
Akeno smiled 'pleasantly.'
"As a good friend once said: 'Bring it bitch.'"
[Raiser Phoenix's three [Pawns] retires.]
Yumi smirked as she managed to finish off her opponents quite easily. She was quite concerned when an explosion that was not from Akeno's lightning ignited in Seras and Koneko's positions though felt relief when she didn't hear any announcement of them retiring. Right now she was currently hiding near the courtyard waiting for Seras & Koneko to arrived.
She suddenly felt a presence behind her and, reacting by pure instinct, summoned a sword and attempted to strike the person, only for her strike to get blocked by a knife.
"Jeez Princess I know I tease you a lot but if you don't like it you should just say so."
Seras teased.
"Oh! Gomen Seras, I thought you were an enemy."
Yumi than noticed that Seras was injured though she was healing quite nicely.
"Seras…"
"As I told everyone before I'm fine."
"… Sensei do you mind letting me down now?"
Seras then noticed that she was still holding Koneko in her arms.
"Oh? Don't you enjoy being carried around like a princess Koneko-chan"
"… Ecchi sensei."
Koneko's face was red as a tomato.
Seras chuckled and let her down.
"Anyway was it you who managed to beat the pawns?"
Yumi nods at her question.
"Yeah. The clubroom located at the sports court is an important location. So it's natural that there are lots of enemies. I somehow managed to lure the [Pawns] that were keeping their eyes over there and took them down. But the person in charge of this location is quite calm and hasn't responded to my provocation. Well, it seems like she used the [Pawns] to watch my attacks. Seems like Raiser Phoenix likes to battle by sacrificing his servants. It's something only he is able to pull off because of his immortality and the number of servants he has."
Yumi's smiling, but her eyes aren't.
"The enemies who are in charge of here are one [Knight], one [Rook], and one [Bishop]. Three pieces in total."
"…That's a severe defence."
"Well, that's how much they are keeping up their guard for this place. Against our intrusion here, that is. Since we eliminated the gym, they will put more strength here."
The two routes that were seen as a path to the bases. The route from the gym and the route from the sports court that is behind the new school building. Rias chose to destroy one path, so the only place they need to guard is the sports court.
So it will be natural for them to increase the strength here. Well, because of their plan earlier, it ended by making their [Queen] come to the front lines…
Looks like the battle at this place will be more intense than the one at the gym.
"Are you nervous?"
Yumi asks her with a smile.
"Nah. In all honesty I've faced worst odds than this. What about you?"
"Look."
Yumi showed Seras her hand revealing that it was shaking.
"I have battle experience like you but it's my first time participating in the Rating Game. A serious battle between Devils. Even if this match is a special case, it doesn't change the fact that it's a serious fight. We get involved in Devils fights, whether we like it or not. And this is our first game. We can't show them even a slight opening in our guard. This is a match where we have to give it all we got as Buchou's servant Devils. It's something that will be important even in the future. I feel delighted and also scared. I don't want to forget the feeling of my hands' shaking. This feeling of being nervous, this intense atmosphere, I want to feel everything and turn it into my experience. Let's become stronger together, Seras."
Seras smiled.
"I'm with you guys all the way."
They then heard a loud voice of a brave woman.
"I'm the [Knight] of Raiser Phoenix-sama, Carlamaine! I've become bored of trying to sniff through each other's strategy! Rias Gremory's [Knight]! I challenge you to a duel!"
At the baseball court. There's a woman cladded in armour who's standing at the centre of it daringly.
She was practically leaving herself wide open for a sneak attack.
Yumi then laughs.
"Since she introduced herself, I can't hide myself both as a [Knight] and as a swordsman."
After he mutters that out, he leaves from behind the storage room.
She then walks straight to the baseball court.
"That idiot."
Even though she's complaining, she & Koneko also follow after Yumi by heading there from the front.
"I'm the [Knight] of Rias Gremory, Kiba Yumi."
"I'm the [Pawn], Seras Alighieri."
"… [Rook], Koneko Toujou."
They named themselves to Raiser's [Knight], Carlamaine. The female knight then makes a happy face.
"I'm happy that there are warriors like you three in Rias Gremory's group. Coming out here directly from the front. That's something people with normal sanity won't do."
Seras raised an eyebrow in amusement while Koneko looked annoyed.
"But I love idiots like you three. Now then, let's begin."
Carlamaine draws her sword out from the sheath. Yumi also gets ready to draw her sword out.
"The match between [Knights]. I have been waiting for this. Personally I would like to fight in an intense sword fight."
"Well said! Rias Gremory's [Knight]!"
Carlamaine starts to slash as if she is dancing.
GIN!
The swords hit each other making sparks. They both have god speed because they are [Knights], an exchanges of swords that normal humans couldn't follow with their eyes. They both keep on appearing and disappearing due to their high speed.
"… What are we suppose to do Sensei?"
"Don't know… maybe give we could give her a cheer?"
"You two seem bored."
The two turned to the direction of the voice revealing a woman wearing a mask that just covers half of her face.
This was Raiser's [Rook]
"Geez, this only seems like a mud fight since both of them only thinks about swords, swords and swords. Carlamaine was making a bitter face when the [Pawns] were being sacrificed, so does she hate the battle strategy planned by her Master who happens to be her [King]?"
There's also a beautiful girl who's wearing a dress like the ones worn by western princesses. She is Raiser's [Bishop]. She has a drill shaped hairstyle on both sides. She seems like a real princess.
"Hmm. So this girl is the [Pawn] that Rias Gremory adores? I must say she certainly has good tastes when it comes to the looks department at least."
Seras raised an eyebrow at the compliment though Koneko glared at the Bishop.
The two took their distance ready to fight.
[Boost!]
The Sacred Armament power up starts.
"I'll handle the Rook, you take the Bishop Sensei."
Seras nodded her head.
"Sorry to say this but I have no interest in fighting."
Seras & Koneko raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.
"And why not?"
The Rook was the one to answer.
"That girl is special. She will be mostly observing for this fight as well. She is Ravel Phoenix Raiser-sama's little sister. She became Raiser-sama's servant by using a special method, but she is Raiser-sama's actual sister."
Well that explains why the two were so similar.
"According to Raiser-sama, "Having your sister in your harem has a significant meaning. You know the significant view of having your close relatives? You know how there are people who look up to and also get jealous about it? Well, I'm not into little sisters, so I have her in my group as fashion."."
…
…
Seras & Koneko had a look of pure disbelief.
In truth if the reason had been that he was into her they wouldn't have even blink. The Supernatural world (more specifically any of the more demonic species) have loose morals to the point that incest couples were no different then normal couples in their eyes. Though the reason that was just explained to them was just plain retarded.
"Is your brother an idiot?"
"Yes."
Ravel didn't even hesitate to answer.
"… Right."
Koneko having enough of this rushed towards the enemy rook with said rook retaliating.
Both of their fists collided against each other creating a large shockwave; Koneko tried kicking her head only for her block it and retaliate with a punch.
The match became brutal fist fight with occasional kicks and it became obvious that this rook was on a completely different league from the last one in terms of hand-to-hand combat.
"You know you should really pay attention to your surroundings."
Seras looked at Ravel questionably before sensing danger and narrowly dodging a strike from a giant Zweihänder.
[Boost!]
Seras was now facing against what appears to be another Knight, two Pawns (who happened to be twins like the other two she fought) and the other Bishop.
Unlike the others she faced they seem like they will genuinely pose a challenge.
"Seems a bit unfair for me to fight all these odds by myself."
"In chess we do all we can to win."
The Knight answered.
"Can't help but agree with that."
Before she could attack she heard some wind blowing and soon saw Yumi's black blade losing its darkness.
"Unfortunately, your Demon Blade won't work on me."
Carlamaine replied with her own demonic blade covered in flames.
"Then I will also tell you this. Unfortunately, this isn't everything of my Demonic Blade"
"What? Nonsense. [Knight] of Gremory, it's unsightly for a swordswoman to…"
"—Freeze."
After Yumi says that with a small voice, there is something gathering in the blade-less sword. Yumi's sword starts to freeze. The ice starts to pile up and it takes the shape of a sword.
BREAK!
At the same time with the sound of ice breaking, Kiba's sword forms into a blade of ice.
"In front of this sword, "Flame Delete", all types of fire will disappear."
Everyone else except for Seras & Koneko look surprise at this.
"A-Absurd! Are you telling me that you have two Demonic Swords?!"
Carlamaine swings her flame sword to the side.
BREAK BREAK-BREAK…
The instant Carlamaine's sword touches Yumi's sword, the flame sword starts to freeze and turn into a solid. Then it disappears.
But she doesn't stop attacking. As soon as she throws away her sword, she takes a short sword from her hip. She then put her sword up and shouts.
"We are the members of the all mighty House of Phoenix that rule over fire and wind! Taste it! The whirlwind of fire!"
There is a wind of fire around the baseball court with Carlamaine and Yumi in the middle of it.
"That Carlamaine. Has she forgotten that her allies are here as well!?"
Isabella comments, while using her arm to guard her face.
Yumi's ice sword starts to melt after receiving the wind of fire. Even so, Yumi still doesn't seem to be bothered.
"I see, you are trying to burn us with the whirlwind of fire… But."
Yumi puts her blade-less sword in front of her. She then says it with a strong voice.
"—Stop."
The wind is getting sucked into Yumi's sword while making a large noise. The wind stops within few seconds, and the baseball ground becomes silent.
"Replenish Calm". It's been a while since I last showed more than two demonic swords for one battle."
"…Multiple Demonic Blades. Are you someone who takes the blades of others and make it your own?"
Yumi shakes her head at Carlamaine's question.
"I don't have multiple Demonic Blades. I also don't take the blades of others and make them my own. I created it."
"Created…it?"
"Yes. "Sword Birth". I can make any type of demonic swords.
Multiple swords appear from the ground when she put her hand downwards. There are swords with different shapes and sizes.
[Boost!]
Seras looked at her arm for a sec before looking back at her opponents.
'Alright almost there.'
"A demonic sword wielder…what fortune. I may have a destiny of meeting swordsmen who wield special swords."
Yumi seems quite interested after hearing that.
"Hmm, so there is someone besides me who uses demonic swords?"
"No, it wasn't a demonic sword. It was a holy sword."
"—!"
Everyone here realises how Yumi's expression changes after hearing that.
Instantly there is a load of killing intent coming out from Yumi.
Seras raised an eyebrow.
'Huh that's enough killing intent to scare even a mid-class demon.'
Seras blocked a strike from the other knight.
"Unlike Carlamaine over there, Siris doesn't have any of that "honour of a knight" code. She will defeat her opponent. Just like that."
Ravel explained.
"Well thanks for the warning Princess."
The two Pawns vanished in a burst of speed that surprised Seras, considering they weren't even knights.
She then blocked their strikes with her sword, surprisingly pushing her back a bit.
Throwing them off she dodged a blast of flame coming from the Bishop.
"Ni and Li are female beast warriors. Their hand to hand combat is remarkable you know."
"I can see that!"
Seras tossed one of the Pawns away only for the other to land a hit on her stomach.
Seras barely managed to block another sword strike from Siris before the two Pawns came at her again.
With a spin she released a wide arc of tainted light at her enemies sending them flying.
Seras targeted the Knight and went for an overhead slash only for Siris to block, cratering the ground under her.
Siris gritted her teeth, trying desperately to hold her ground.
[Boost!]
'One more…'
Instantly Siris' sword broke under the pressure and would have cleaved her in half if Seras hadn't had to dodge some fireballs from the Bishop.
Back at Koneko's fight Koneko noticed that the Rook although had low demonic reserves her strength & fighting skills more than made up for it.
'No choice.'
Though she may not like using Youjutsu she had no choice.
Flattening her hand she used Hougetsu Jigen-Tou to cut her enemy apart, though the Rook quickly sensed the danger of the technique dodged the strike and tried to land a hit on Koneko's centre only for her fist to pass right through.
"What?!"
Koneko kicked her away before landing on all fours much like a cat.
"Oy Koneko! Yumi! You guys better head to high ground!"
Not knowing why yet still trusting Seras' word they jumped high up in the air spreading their wings, though just in case Koneko activated Hougetsu Jigen-Tou and grabbed Yumi.
Seras was holding a black ball full of unstable energy.
"What is she-?! Everyone get off the ground!"
Ravel seemed to get the idea but by then it was too late.
[Explosion!]
Slamming the orb into the ground blades of all shapes & sizes bursted out the ground, impaling anyone unfortunate enough to still be on the ground.
"D-dammit… Just how powerful… is that Pawn…?"
Isabella muttered before her along with the other Servants of Raiser retired except for Ravel who managed to fly away in time
[Raiser Phoenix's 2 Pawns, 2 Knights, 1 Bishop, & 1 Rook retires.]
"I had no idea that the Pawn had Sword Birth as well… or that she could use it so well."
Ravel stared at area which was now covered in blades of all shapes & sizes in amazement.
The only space that wasn't covered by blades was where Seras was currently standing.
Seras scouted the entire area with wide eyes.
"… I think I may have gone a little bit overboard."
(That's an understatement)
Seras winced when she felt pain in her left arm. She looked down and saw her arm twitching while black electricity sparked out of it. Eventually the sparks disappeared while her arm stopped twitching.
'Hope that's not going to be a problem.'
"Seras what amazing power you have."
Yumi along with Koneko looked at her in amazement.
"… Sensei is rad."
[Raiser's Phenex's Queen retires]
"What?!"
Ravel looked shocked at the announcement.
"Heh, guess your Peerage is not so tough after all."
Seras grinned tiredly.
At a distance Seras could see Akeno flying towards them. However one look was all Seras needed to see that though Akeno won, it was by the skin of her teeth judging by all the cuts & bruises she has.
"Sorry I'm late everyone, that Queen was harder to handle than I thought."
Seras simply smiled though she then frown.
"You think you can still fight?"
Akeno shook her head sadly.
"I've almost run out of mana and it will take too long for my reserves to refill, sorry."
Seras sighed.
"Well it can't be help Akeno, but still, I'm glad your still in the game."
Akeno smiled.
[You guys we have a serious problem!]
"Raynare? What do you-?!"
A large explosion caught their attention.
"Wait that's from…"
"Seems like Big Brother got tired of waiting and decided to challenge your King. Judging from that explosion I'm guessing that your Master accepted the challenge."
"Dammit Rias what the hell are you doing?!"
[I'm sorry Seras but I had no choice]
"Wait Rias-!"
Rias ended up cutting the connection with Seras.
"Dammit!"
Seras dispelled all the swords.
"Come on guys we need to head over there quickly!"
Seras & the others ran towards Rias' direction.
"Wait!"
Seras stopped but told the others to go on.
"Why?"
Seras raised an eyebrow.
"Why does a demon like you fight for a devil like Rias Gremory?
"What Pawn wouldn't fight for their King?"
Ravel shook her head.
"Don't give me that lie. You may have fooled the others but I know for a fact that demons can't be reincarnated. So what's the real reason? You've practically sold your life & freedom away for all this."
Ravel can't help but feel a bit frustrated that a complete stranger will sacrifice almost everything for so little to nothing in return.
"… Do I really have to have a reason to save a dear friend?"
Ravel was taken aback by this and before she could respond Seras had already run off.
{You know this fight is going to be your most difficult one yet}
'I know that…'
(Even with all those plans & advantages the chances of you losing is still too high)
'… Even if I lose… even if I die from this… as long as Rias & the others are free I'll still fight.'
Author's Notes
Well finally here's the latest chapter of Crimson of the Demon!
Before you ask yes Koneko knows how to do Hougetsu Jigen-Tou and is far more advanced in Youjutsu than Seras is currently.
Now next time it'll be a battle between Seras & Raiser so until next time!