Chivalry of a Hollow Cryo Dragon Devil Knight

by Gaevontracey24

Ayato Kurozakuro Sparda will enter the world of Devils and learn more about himself as Rias Gremory's Pawn & Stella Vermillion Gremory Phenex's Queen , along with his mysterious family past which allows him to wield a legendary demonic sword... and he's the next Red Dragon Emperor. Harem with Stella,Rias and Mio being the main girls.

35. Chapter 35

Chapter 35

"" - Speech

'' - Thought

{} - Sparda

] - Ddraig

...

Ayato and Saji exchanged punches with each other, Ayato knew he had the advantage as Saji was already ragged from his magic use and he was defending himself with a bundled-up line on his arm as a shield but it didn't offset every attack from Ayato.

Saji was flung off his feet by Ayato's next punch and crashed into the store behind him, a solemn look on Ayato 's hidden face as he started to walk towards where Saji was struggling to get up, both his fist were already broken from hitting against his armour and the noise hadn't helped him.

Saji had fired a line at Ayato's armour but the aura of the Sekiryuutei blew it off so it couldn't connect with him, however the line that was on his right arm was still connected although still in its thinner form and couldn't be removed.

'Could Yamato cut it?' Ayato asked, Sparda taking a moment to think before replying

{If you have Ascalon then you could…It's a dragon slayer unlike Yamato which would need a lot of power poured into it}

Ayato had noticed something strange as well as with every time Saji hit him, his mind and body shook and resounded and the pain he was receiving told him that his body was swelling up underneath his armour so he was taking damage from them.

"…I'll win…Today, I'll defeat you…I'll take the first step towards my dream…" Saji spoke while spitting out bloody vomit, part of him recalling what Tannin had said to him before

[Kid. Listen carefully. The most fearful attack is a "heavy blow".]

[A heavy blow?]

[Yeah, the Rating Games that you'll be fighting in from now on will have various people fighting with various feelings. For the sake of one's desire, for the sake of a hobby, for the sake of one's family, for the sake of a woman, for the sake of wealth, and for the sake of a dream. Various thoughts and feelings mix together. Among these, there are even people who have invested their lives into the games. Among the participants in this hellish iron pot, there is an attack that must be feared the most. That is the "heavy blow".]

[Is that a special final move? Or a Sacred Gear? A magic technique?]

[—No. Kid, grasp your fist. What is being grasped inside your hand there?]

[…I don't know.]

[It is "filled" with something. A dream, or a soul. One's life is "put into" that fist. This is, above all, dangerous. If one has time to prepare other attacks, this blow can be dealt with to a certain extent one way or another. But, just that is not enough. The "heavy blow" reaches to the core of the body. This is effective. It is frighteningly effective. Even in the Underworld with its magic and science, the damage of that blow can't be expressed clearly. But, the ones who had been hit with this blow understand. Yeah, this is bad, they think. An opponent that can release this blow is an unmistakably, genuine strong enemy. You must never go easy against them. If an opponent can release that blow even if he is of a lower level than you, that is a different story. If you receive that blow, the battle situation will change completely. It pierces you. No matter what defense you use against it, it will reach the core of your body.]

Ayato smiled slightly at how Saji's blow was continuing to pierce into his body as Ddraig spoke up

[This spirit. Is the "Prison Dragon" that sleeps in his Sacred Gear responding to Saji's feelings?]

"Ayyyyyyyyy!" Saji shouted throwing another punch which Ayato responded with one of his own before Saji spoke angrily

"Let me ask you one thing! What is it like!? Your master responding to your feelings? Her doting and caring for you more then a servant!? Are your master's breasts soft!? Is the rumor about them feeling like marshmallows true!? Is a woman's body seriously like pudding that doesn't collapse!?"

Ayato was surprised by Saji's eerie yellow eyes that were burning with jealousy and envy, the Sitri Pawn seizing the opportunity and shot and connected a line to the bench behind Ayato before swinging it with all his strength.

'That's…a Hollow's eyes…but…how….?' Ayato thought shocked the bench hitting his back and scattered on the floor in small pieces as Sparda spoke up seriously

{That line…It must be taking your blood…it's the only way he could get tainted by your Hollow. Ayato you need to knock him out and cut the line now before it affects him any more}

Ayato pulled himself back to his feet, grabbing the line on his right arm as he used Dividing Gear again

[Divide!] The width of the line shrunk again as Ayato looked to see white bone like matter forming around Saji's right eye with black-purple snake like lines decorating it.

"What were you thinking when you were rubbing her breasts!? Damn iiiiiiiiiiiiit!" Saji shouted in a demonic voice, extending several lines into a furniture store before hauling out several pieces, swinging them over his head as Ayato raised his hand and called out

"Hadō #31, Shakkahō!" A ball of flames shot out and destroyed the furniture overhead only for something to hit his back. Ayato turned to see a dresser had hit him, guessing Saji had changed the trajectory of a line to hit him.

Yukio pulled himself back to his feet to see Saji's right side of his face covered in the mask now, serated black lizard like teeth covering his mouth as the mask started to form over his left side as Ayato charged

"I also want to rub them! I want to rub theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeem!" Saji shouted, taking a punch from Ayato in the face, the mask shattering as he fell down only to start reforming as he stood back up.

"AAARRRRGGHHH!" A purple aura grew around Saji as he roared into the air, Ayato unleashing his own violet aura as he closed the distance between them in seconds.

"Genshirou! Snap out of it!" Ayato shouted, Saji head snapped in his direction before Ayato smashed another fist into his face, shattering the Hollow mask and knocking the Sitri Pawn into the air. Ayato used his Sonido to appear where Saji was going to fly, slamming a knee into Saji's back and launching him skyward before disappearing only to appear and slam both of his fists into Saji's gut and smashing him into the ground where Saji vomited blood into the air.

Ayato soon appeared a few metres away. His eyes focused on Saji before he stalked over and picked him up by the front of his shirt as he looked into his half open eyes, sighing in relief as he looked at Saji's normal eyes.

"Wh-What happened…?" Saji asked confused, Ayato's mask folding back to show an angry Ayato who explained

"You turned Hollow…from messing with my blood, you idiot!" Ayato slammed Saji into the ground, a few bones snapping from the force as he added

"Who knows what else is going to happen to you now though…*sigh* I thought you and Kaichou were smarter then to mess with something like this" Ayato let go of his shirt, standing back up with a neutral look.

"We…We have to win for our dream" Saji muttered slowly dragging himself back to his feet as Ayato frowned and asked

"So you're willing to sacrifice even your soul for that…? Kaichou wouldn't want you to die for this or to become a monster!" Saji got into a sloopy fighting stance, Ayato's frown deepening as the Sitri Pawn spoke

"Today I will surpass you…" Ayato growled at how stubborn his friend was being as he threw a punch into Saji's face, making it swell as blood came out of his mouth as he finally knocked out Saji, white light covering him as Ayato panted and shook slightly as Grayfia announced

[One of Sona Sitri-sama's "Pawns", retired.]

"Koneko-san… Could you grasp my hand?" Ayato asked, his hands still shaking in a mixture of anger and shock as Koneko looked at him confused

"…Sempai?"

"This is the first time I knocked down a friend…And he's done something so stupid…" Ayato answered with a forced yet sad smile, Koneko gently grasping his trembling hands while smiling

"You were cool…A sempai to be proud of" Ayato felt himself calm down, pushing down his anger as he added

"Aunt Kurono going to be having words with him and Kaichou"

It took them a few minutes before Ayato as completely fine, moving to wrench the door off a vending machine so he could get himself and Koneko something to drink. Both held a bottle of water but Ayato was still shaking, whether from his friend turning Hollow in front of him or an effect the armour was giving him.

An announcement a moment ago had said that either Kiba or Xenovia had been taken out but at least Sona's side had lost a [Knight] and [Rook] making it that they only had four opponents left.

[You've got Forty Hours left on the Scale Mail] Ddraig spoke up in a calm tone, Ayato nodding to himself before Koneko spoke

"…Ayato-sempai." She pointed to Ayato's right arm, reminding him that his blood was still being taken for some use or another as he gripped the line with his white gauntlet and activated its power

[Divide!] The line halved in width again making about the same width as a plastic drinking straw as he wondered what they were doing with his blood, Saji had already been affected by it.

{Luckily we would've heard something if one of the others and went Hollow by it so its most likely being put in a container for something} Sparda spoke before the communication device started up with Rias' voice coming out

[Offence team, can you hear? We're now advancing towards the enemy base as well.]

Ayato drained the last of his bottle before turning to Koneko as he spoke "Let's go."

With that Koneko and Ayato proceeded towards the final decisive battle.

…

They reached the central plaza of the shopping mall, Ayato looking around at the circular bench and clock pillar at the centre before stopping and glaring at Sona that was right before them

"How do you do, Kurozakuro Ayato-kun, Toujou Koneko-san. I see, so that's the appearance of the Sekiryuutei. I do feel a terrible wave of power from you. It's only natural for everyone to consider it dangerous." She spoke calmly, only making Ayato glare more as he retorted

"You've screwed over Gen you know, Kaichou…Him taking in my blood made him turn Hollow if I hadn't knocked him out of it you would've lost him… Who knows what else he'll develop now" Sona flinched back slightly shocked as did the [Bishops] behind the barrier, Ayato's eyes fixing on the Bishop that had the line connected to as he added

"It's a good think you're storing it in a container otherwise it would have claimed another innocent"

Tsubaki soon arrived being chased by Kiba as they came from the car park.

"…Sona, you're quite bold. To have come right to the center." Rias spoke, Ayato only sparing a glance back as he gripped the line connecting him to the Bishop and used his [Dividing Gear] again

[Divide!] The line halved in width again, Rias looking concerned at Ayato as Sona spoke up

"Haven't you yourself, the [King, also moved personally as well, Rias?"

"Yeah, since we've already reached the final stage either way. Though it seems to have turned out quite differently from what I expected…" Rias replied with a rigid expression, her eyes widening slightly as Yukio wobbled before dropping to his knees as he growled out

"Damn it…Blood loss getting to me now"

"…Yukio?" Rias asked concerned, Asia moving to activate her [Twilight Healing] over him as he spoke

"It won't work…I'm still losing blood through the line" Rias stopped from taking out the Pheonix Tears she had as Sona gave a small smile and started to explain

"Neither Asia-san's Sacred Gear nor the [Phoenix Tears] will have any effect. Rias, I saw the video records of how the battle with Raiser was finished. What I understood from that was that Kurozakuro-kun is a boy that won't give up in battle, to the point of being frightening. For the sake of his comrades, for himself, and above all for Rias—"

"We may not be able to defeat him with just damage. No matter how many times we knock him down, hell just get back up. To us, your so-called "guts and spirit" is just as astounding as the power of the Seishinryuutei. Yes, if you don't give up and keep on standing up, you believe that you'll eventually defeat your enemy. That willpower connects directly to the power of the Sekiryuutei and increases your power by several times as well. The power of the Dark Knight and Shinigami makes you more resilient to injuries as well. Those are the greatest weapons for Kurozakuro-kun. That's why we had no choice but to beat you with a different method." Sona continued as the Bishop took out a pack from her bag to reveal a bag about half full of Ayato's blood

"Like you know it's your blood, Kurozakuro-kun. You are a reincarnated devil that is a Shinigami, Devil, Fallen, Dragon and Blazer at your base. It's lethal if a human loses half of the blood coursing through their body even if it's sturdier then a normal human's body. You know it, right? The rule of the Rating Game. When a devil reaches the point of being unable to fight during the game, they are forcibly transported to the medical room. But you countered that by continuingly dividing the width of the line so that the amount of blood would be lessened but the same effect will still happen eventually"

Kiba threw a holy demonic sword dagger and cut off the line that was connected to Ayato, only a trickle of blood coming from what was still connected to him as Sona spoke coldly "It's too late. You've already lost enough blood to be transported to the medical room soon enough."

"—Sona. You—!" Rias spoke as she ran over to Ayato, who had dismissed his [Dividing Gear] and the replacing red gauntlet before sealing the line shut with flames from his other hand.

"That's right, I used Saji's Sacred Gear to suck out Kurozakuro-kun's blood little by little. —Until he entered a dangerous state. In order to continuously use a Sacred Gear, whose original ability is to suck out the energy of the target, to suck out their blood instead, considerable training and precise control was necessary. But, Saji managed to accomplish it." Sona spoke, Ayato frowning as she added

"Hosokawa-kun. You are close to retiring. You should only be able to do one or two attacks now. The reason is blood loss. Your armor is solid. Your offensive power and speed is great. However, when I searched for ways to defeat you, there were many. Even if we can't physically defeat you, the game rules will consider you unable to fight."

"Rias, what are you willing to bet on this battle? I'm willing to risk my life. My dream is a very difficult one. If I don't destroy the obstacles one by one, I can't cut open a path of solution." Sona questioned Rias before adding

"Rias, I will destroy your pride and estimation." Rias' expression turned sour, feeling mortified as Sona turned her gaze to Ayato

"Saji—. He was always saying that he would surpass you. To Saji, you are a fellow [Pawn, a friend, and a rival he wants to surpass."

Her words didn't help Ayato mood at that moment, Saji had risked a lot more then his life in this match, his very soul was in danger now from that Hollow.

"However, you have a legendary dragon and Devil inside you. With just that, he possessed an inferiority complex towards you. I wanted to convey to that child that he could fight while crying over such a thing. And that was conveyed to him. The line didn't disappear even when Saji was worn out. He filled it with that much intense feelings. I'll say this to you who is about to disappear from this battlefield soon. Saji was running towards the objective of defeating you. —You aren't the only [Pawn] that has a dream and lives earnestly! The one who beat you was Saji Genshirou!"

'Is it possible for me to use double my blood?' Ayato mentally asked, Ddraig taking a moment to think before replying

[…That could work…although its dangerous, boosting power and boosting blood are different]

"Really… Gen may have put up a good fight against me but…you've all overlooked one detail" Ayato spoke with a smirk, his hair covering his eyes as he stood up, raising his left gauntlet up before him as he added

"Cause the [Boosted Gear] can double just about anything…"

"Wh-What…?" Sona spoke surprised as Yukio grinned as he activated it

[Boost!]

[Transfer!] Ayato smiled as he felt something like a blaze of fire run through his veins, his blood increasing to the point he had to cough some out as he explained

"I'm not retiring any more…now I've doubled the amount of blood I've just had which is enough for me to continue fighting" Rias grinned at the shocked look on Tsubaki, Sona and her Bishops faces as he added

"I guess its time for my new move as well…" Closing his eyes Ayato focused his power to expand a mysterious space which blanketed over them all with Ayato at the centre before he turned his attention to Rias as he asked quietly

"Please let me hear your voice!"

[You're amazing Ayato… I wonder what his new move is] A cute voice came from her, Ayato smiling as he spoke

"Buchou, you think I'm amazing right…and wondering about my new move" Rias looked astonished as she asked

Ayato! H-How do you know that…?"

Yukio smiled to her before turning his attention to Sona as he asked "What are you thinking about right now?"

[Could he have developed a technique to hear the voice of people's hearts ? Sona, that's troubling ] A voice that sounded like Serafall answered

"Sona-kaichou, you thought that my new special technique could let me hear the voices of people's hearts, right?" Ayato asked, Sona looking seriously surprised at his words as he continued

"That's not it. It's close, but that's not it. I wanted to hear it. The voice of souls"

"My new technique… [Soul Resonance]! It allows me to hear the voice of your soul so when I question you I get an answer without lies…" Ayato explained as he turned to one of the Bishops and asked

"Hey! Soul of the [Bishop] onee-san over there, what are you thinking!?"

"No, don't listen!" She replied, feeling danger as she tried to cover herself only to realise that you can't cover the soul

[Kiba-kyun! I'm so happy to be standing on the same battlefield as Kiba-kyun!]

"Ok…Looks like you've got a fan Kiba…The soul of the other [Bishop] onee-san, what are you thinking!?" Ayato replied confused, turning his gaze onto the other Bishop who shouted

"Please stop it!"

[Kurozakuro is scary…Even with the strong-looking armor…] Her soul replied back, Ayato frowning as he turned his gaze back onto Sona and asked

"Kaichou's soul! Please tell me what kind of strategy you intend to use now!"

[This special barrier made by the two [Bishops] is a decoy . Only my spirit has been placed in the barrier, and my body is just a holographic image . Since my spirit has come here, it's possible to make the presence of my body disappear and to make it look like my aura is inside the barrier . My true body is on the roof . It's a strategy to make you attack the me inside the barrier and weaken you guys even a little .]

"Everyone, the Kaichou in that barrier…is a decoy. She's just a holographic image created by the two [Bishops] inside the barrier…Their strategy is to make us wastefully attack the barrier here and weaken us even a little…The real Kaichou is on the roof! It seems that only her spirit has been moved into the hologram…That's also why Koneko-san's enemy detection couldn't find the Kaichou on the roof. But, because her spirit came here, [Soul Resonance] was allowed to work" Yukio explained as he summoned Amonusen to his hands as he took a fighting stance.

"Now…who am I fighting next?" Ayato asked, looking over at the trio of Sitri servants as Rias spoke confidently

"Looks like my Ayato made your plan backfired, Sona…"

"Yes…Seems that is the case" Sona replied annoyed before the barrier and the hologram disappeared, the Bishop holding the bag of blood throwing it away as they both got into a battle stance before them.

…

Kurono smirked at how Ayato's stopped Sona's plan from where she sat in the VIP room, getting up from her seat as Azazel heard another leader murmur "So this is the current Sekiryuutei"

"Hohohoh, what an interesting battle." Odin spoke up as he continued to watch

"Where are you going?" Sirzechs asked curiously to Kurono, who frowned as she answered in a serious tone

"I know what's going to happen so now I'm going to punish Genshirou" With that she left, Sirzechs shivering at her tone before glancing to the two Shinigami representatives who had been watching Ayato intently.

"He's quite good looking isn't he?" Rangiku spoke with a nudge of an elbow into Rukia's side, the black haired girl blushing with a frown as she retorted

"We're here to observe Kurozakuro Ayato-san not to ogle him"

"Why can't we do both... and it would be better if we got closer to him to feel out his true power" Rangiku countered with a leer, smiling to herself as Rukia's blush darkened as she huffed.

Sizrechs chuckled silently to himself, wondering what else Ayato would get involved in as Odin drew his attention "Sirzechs"

"Yes." Sirzechs asked, turning to the Norse God who asked

"About that kid who has the dragon Sacred Gear"

"You mean Kurozakuro Ayato-kun? He has the Sekiryuutei."

"No, I mean the [Pawn] of the Sitri family." Odin replied, surprising Sirzechs as he continued

"What a good devil. You should take good care of that one. He'll become strong. The achievement of nearly beating the Seishinryuutei kid is huge. Watching the Rating Games of devils is fun because of this. The weak change in the middle of a match. This is what a true match is."

"That's right, that's right! Odin-ojii-chan really understands things, after all " Serafall replied cheerily.

Azazel turned to pair of black haired young women next to him, one energetic who was Kotake while the other looked shy was Kotume.

Kotake's hair reached down her shoulders in a spiky fashion, pinkish red eyes and was dressed in a tight red blouse, a short black skirt and was smiling at seeing Ayato's means of surviving blood loss as she pointed at the screens "Did you see that Kotume, Azazel-sama?"

Kotume's black hair was held in twintails which reached her chest, red eyes that bordered on maroon and was dressed in a pale blue blouse and white skirt which reached her knees. Her cheeks were red as she nodded and spoke in a shy tone "Seishinryutei-sama really is amazing…"

…

"Koneko, can you feel her spirit?" Rias asked Koneko with a smirk, the Nekoshou taking a moment to search, her ears flicking timidly before she answered

"Yes. I couldn't detect it before, but now I can sense Kaichou's spirit on the roof. I think that the barrier from before was false illusion that made it look like Kaichou was inside it, and also a special decoy that made anyone unable to perceive the actual person's spirit and location." Rias nodded in understanding as Yuuto stepped towards Tsubaki and pointed his sword and spoke

"Now then, how shall we do this? As two blade-users, shall we decide it by the blade? Sorry Ayato-kun but I want to finish what I started"

"Go ahead Yuuto" Ayato replied, resting Kuroakamitsu his shoulder as Asia tended to his wounds while Tsubaki replied

"That is also fine. In chess, when a pawn is promoted, in most cases they become [Queen]. However, the battle situation changes if they promote to [Knight] instead depending on the setting. There are also a lot of differences between actual chess and the Rating Games, but—this will be a good match."

Akeno giggled as she moved up to Ayato's side, happily sparking off electricity as she spoke "I can finally show my determination to overcome it…by using this hateful power in front of him"

Akeno's focused her attention onto Kusaka, her S-side showing as she shot a mass of thunder at her.

"Reverse!" Kusaka called, spreading her hands out to attempt and reverse it only for the violent thunder to wrap around her and injury her greatly before she disappeared in the white light.

"Ufufufu…It seems it was useless. She tried to reverse the thunder, but what I shot just now was lightning. Thunder and light. The reverse of the light portion wasn't enough to reverse it all."

[One of Sona Sitri-sama's "Bishops", retired.]

"How did I do, Ayato-kun?" Akeno asked, turning to see Ayato's helmet open as he smiled as he spoke

"That was great, Akeno-san…I'll take the other [Bishop] then" Hanakai stepped back, Ayato setting his sword on his back before using his Sonido to appear behind her and slamming a fist into her back, launching her forwards as he moved to knock her skywards as he swung Kuroakamitsu from off his back

"Underworld Creatures!" Ayato called, the eight pale bugs shooting at her slamming into her body which was soon engulfed in light as Grayfia announced

[Sona Sitri-sama's "Bishops", retired.]

Tsubaki rushed off into the interior of the department store, Yuuto giving chase as he created a holy-demonic sword into his hand before stabbing at Tsubaki, who blocked with her naginata.

Tsubaki then took out a small bottle from her pocket, Yuuto's eyes widening at seeing her have the Phoenix Tears as she threw them at him before cutting it apart with her naginata as she shouted "Reverse!"

Yuuto quickly countered by changing his sword into a sword of water and mixing his water with the reversed Phoenix Tears, making them lose there effect.

"If an opening is made even just a little!" Tsubaki spoke as she sharply turned her weapon towards Yuuto who blocked before stepping out of the way, summoning his Holy-demonic swords around her and destroying her weapon

"The current me has no openings." Yuuto spoke as he fired off a second bout of swords at her, Tsubaki activating her [Mirror Alice] in response as the intentionally weak swords destroyed the large mirror. Yuuto took the damage from the counter, clenching his teeth in pain as he raised his left arm towards the sky.

"Petro, Basileus, Dionysius, Holy Mary. Please listen to my voice!" Yuuto chanted, the space warping before a tear appeared which he put his hand into as Tsubaki spoke in shock

"No way!? That's!"

"In the name of the saint lodged in the holy blade, I release thee. —Durandal!" Yuuto finished pulling the legendary holy sword from out of the space and using the momentum to slash at Tsubaki, giving her serious damage as he explained.

"It was Xenovia's suggestion. That, in the case that she became unable to function and fight, she would transfer the sword's right of use to me, since this sword is too good for her."

"However, your holy demonic aptitude is—" Tsubaki spoke as she was wrapped in light as Yuuto answered

"I had no past. Because of that, I saw hell, but…I'm different now. Thanks to attaining Balance Breaker, it seems I can also handle Durandal like this." Yuuto looked at Durandal, seeing the quiet and peaceful surge the blade was giving off which was different to the violent and rampaging surge it had with Xenovia.

"Kuh! This is…! You can handle it better than Xenovia-san!?" Tsubaki spoke, Yuuto shaking his head as he replied

"…Since Xenovia has aura temperament that desires power, Durandal may have also reacted to that. But I choose certainty over power. Ability over strength."

He had intended to suppress the power of the sword, but the floor had been cut into two equal halves for quite a distance from the shockwave of slashing at Tsubaki as he added "I thought that it was a stubborn steed that didn't listen to the words of its wielder, but it really seems to be true. It cut more than I thought…So controlling it is still difficult."

"…! This is outside of our calculations, Sona! Even more than Kurozakuro-kun…! Their true ace is…! The servant to pay attention to is…Kiba Yuuto!" Tsubaki spoke before disappearing as the announcement called out

[Sona Sitri-sama's "Queen", retired.]

"It's because I—aim to surpass Ayato-kun, no, the Cryo Gale Sword Emperor." Yuuto stated before heading back to the others.

"Good job Yuuto" Ayato spoke, the group heading up towards the roof of the department store. The sky was white and empty due to it being a different space.

Standing before them was Sona who smiled bitterly at seeing them all as Rias asked "Sona, why on the roof?"

"The [King] must survive until the end. That is the duty of the [King]. If the [King] is taken out, the game would be over, right?"

"…Yes, I didn't question the profoundness of that."

"Rias, Saji would've won against Ayato if I'd not made that mistake. But please don't make light of that child. You aren't the only ones that are desperate."

"I don't…and never had Kaichou" Ayato spoke calmly, Rias nodding as she added

"Yes, I could sense it with my body. —Now then, let's settle this, Sona."

Rias took a step forwards, intent on fighting one against one as Yuuto and Ayato spoke up

"If I sense danger, I'll enter to help immediately. I won't listen to your selfishness."

"Same here Rias-sama"

Rias didn't react to there pair's words but knew if she became close to losing they would jump into to help her.

An aura of water gathered around Sona before gradually formed into a large amount of water that had been collected from everywhere in the department store, Rias quickly letting loose a machine gun hail of magic bullets at her friend. Each bullet was only the size of a softball but had a high purity of magic which was the results of Rias' training.

Sona manipulated the water and made it into a wall, stopping Rias' attacks but the instant that her attacks hit it the water was also annihilated at the same time but it was unlimited.

"Now then, Rias. I shall thoroughly display my water techniques to you." Sona spoke, transforming a large amount of water into many things, hawks, serpents, lions, wolves and huge dragons.

"Just as I wished for, Sona!" Rias replied, smiling fearlessly as she compressed and compressed her power of destruction into countless numbers of magic bullets in the air and showing she favoured power while Sona favoured technique.

The rain of attacks shot at each other explosions happening between them before the announcement called out.

[Resign confirmed. It is the victory of Rias Gremory-sama.]

…

The moment they'd been transported back, Rias had went to check on Gasper and Xenovia while Ayato started to head off to find Saji, running into Georgia after a few minutes as she smiled and spoke "Congratulations, Ayato-sama… I was surprised that your [Boosted Gear] could do that"

"I wouldn't have known unless Sona and Gen hadn't come up with that plan…Actuallly do you know where Gen is, Georgia-san?" Ayato asked curiously as Georgia answered slightly nervous

"Saji-sama is being… educated… by Kurono-sama" Ayato smiled as he knew she meant Keiko was kicking Saji's ass for doing something so stupid.

"Thanks…I'm going to see Aunt Kurono" Ayato spoke with a knowing smile as he headed off to pick up Kurono's reiatsu to find where Saji was.

It took him several minutes to find them but he heard several loud and painful slaps coming from where he had tracked Kurono's reiatsu, moving to see her holding the light brown haired Pawn by the front of his hospital gown while her whole body was covered in black and silver reiatsu, which was more focused on her free hand as she slapped him again

"Idiot! Idiot!" Kurono shouted at him, Ayato leaning against the doorframe with a smirk as she continued while Saji wailed in pain despite his swollen cheeks.

"Do you not know how dangerous a Hollow is after fighting them that you risk and end up corrupting yourself with one!?" Saji's cheeks were both bright red as well, Sona and a nurse was stuck on there knees as Kurono's spiritual pressure had forced them down as he stepped in without too much difficulty. He'd trained with Kurono enough times to adjust to his level of pressure from her which was another form of punishment aimed at Sona who was giving him an asking look for help which he ignored as he turned back to his Auntie.

"Once you get out of here I am going to force you into hell training for your insolence and so that you don't have to die at Yukio-kun, mine or either of your friends' hands!" She spoke in a dangerous tone before Ayato interrupted her, spotting Sona finally collapse onto the ground from the last pulse of spiritual pressure

"I think he's had enough Aunt Kurono." Kurono slapped Saji one more time before dropping him back onto the bed as she huffed and turned to him

"I had to make sure the idiot knew what he did to himself, given he's weaker by using his lifeforce up against you"

"Is it safe to come in now?" Sirzechs joked with a forced chuckle only to get shot with a glare from Kurono which made him step back with a gulp before he entered, holding an expensive looking box which he handed to Saji

"Please take this."

"U-Umm…This is…?" Saji asked nervously trembling as he glanced to Kurono for a moment before Sirzechs explained with a fake smile

"This is something awarded to the person who excelled and fought the most impressively in the Rating Game."

"I-I…lost to Yu…T-This isn't a situation where I should be receiving this." Saji spoke as he grasped the sheets of his bed.

"That's true. But, consequently, that Ayato-kun—the Seishinryuutei was nearly put into a critical state. We watched your battle in excitement from the spectators' room. To the extent that even Odin of the Norse praised you." Sirzechs replied, taking the medal from the small box and putting it on Saji's chest.

"You shouldn't humble yourself. Even a devil like you can aim for the top. I'm happy that I can see promising young devils of the future. Devote yourself more. I have high expectations of you." Sirzechs added as he patted Saji's head as he added

"Its fine no matter how many years or decades it takes. —Continue aiming to be a Rating Games teacher."

"…Saji, you displayed a gallant figure to a lot of people. Because you fought a splendid battle." Sona spoke with a calm and self controlled look, hiding the fear in her eyes which grew as she nervously glanced to Kurono only to find a death glare aimed at her.

"…Yes…Thank you very much!" Saji spoke with tears in his eyes, Sirzechs turned serious as he added

"But what you both did by taking Yukio's blood was stupid…It is only because of Yukio-kun defeated you, Saji, that the Rating Game wasn't cancelled as a Hollow wild would cause chaos and most likely have killed someone or caused some of our guests to intervene"

Sona and Saji both looked down ashamed as Sirzechs continued to berate them, Ayato and Kurono leaving the room before he turned to his sister and asked "What else happened to him?"

"He's only got a moderate level of reiatsu from what I can sense so he'll need some training in Shinigami techniques but he'll never have the level of an ordinary Shinigami…if I remember rightly I'll have to force him to develop his own Fullbring" Kurono answered coming to a stop when a voice from behind them spoke up

"Shinguuji Kurono-san, Hosokawa Yukio-san…"

"Yes?" Kurono asked turning around to be greeted with Rangiku and Rukia looking at him as the latter bowed to them and spoke formally

"I'm Kuchiki Rukia from the Gotei 13 of Soul Society, this is Matsumoto Rangiku…We have a matter to talk with you about"

"Hosokawa-kun, I enjoyed watching your fight against Saji-kun" Rangiku spoke with a smile, winking and making him blush as Rukia shot a glare at her fellow Shinigami, despite the blush on her cheeks. Rukia coughed into her hand before speaking to Yukio

"We just wanted to pass on our congratulations for how well you fought in the Ratings Game and hope that you would help us in the future"

Kurono smiled as she sensed Rias heading towards the room Ayato had been in, giving her little brother a nudge as she spoke "You should head back to your room…I'll explain things once I've got the details from them"

"Alright…It was nice to meet you Matsumoto-san, Kuchiki-san" Ayato replied with a bow, both Shinigami blushing to varying degrees as he turned to head back the way he came, unaware that Rangiku was staring at his backside.

…

Ayato came across Rias just leaving Gasper's hospital room as he spoke "Hey Rias-sama"

Rias smiled to him as she pulled him into a empty room before speaking "Ayato, thank you for your hard work in the game, you did great. Your [Soul Resonance] was overwhelming against them"

"I thought it would be helpful outside of the games so I doubt it'll be allowed anymore" Ayato replied, scratching the back of his neck as Rias nodded as she spoke

"Yes…That technique is sealed when in games as it would ruin the game" Ayato nodded understandingly as Rias continued

"But, we finally had a victory. Compared to last time, it was better, but I still lost Xenovia and Gasper. Even if our family is said to be blessed with ability and overflowing with power, if that power can't be displayed at critical moments, it has no meaning. Even though the probability of victory is high, when you lose, you lose."

'If we'd a single mistake we would've lost…I'd rather not think what would happen to Gen if I'd not stopped his Hollow'

"But Yukio, both Akeno and Koneko overcame their walls in this game. This is something to be happy about." Rias spoke while gently smiling as Ayato replied

"Yes, I think so too! I feel like we won the match, but lost the game, but even so I'm happy that Akeno-san and Koneko-san have advanced forward!"

"It's thanks to you, Ayato. Thanks to you, everyone in my group are breaking through the things they carry. You've broken through all the things I've worried about, Ayato. I'm very grateful." Rias countered, Ayato shrugging his shoulders as he replied

"I didn't do anything in particular. I just thought about keeping everyone happy."

"Ayato, I'm glad that you're my servant…Please stay with me forever."

"Of course, Rias-sama, I'll always stay by your side!" Ayato replied as he hugged Rias before she frowned and poked him and speaking seriously

"Don't go using your lifeforce for that [Dividing Gear] ok?"

"I'll try but my Otou-san always said its what you do with your life not how long you live" Ayato spoke with a sigh, Rias smiling at the mention of his late family before Ayato gained a small smirk as he added

"I doubt Kaichou or Gen is going to try that again any time in the future after Aunt Kurono slapped some sense into Gen"

"I saw the fight between you and him…Saji-kun went Hollow badly didn't he…I couldn't believe that Sona would use such a plan myself. Kurono-san must have scared them both with her power" Rias spoke, squeezing his hand with a small smile

"I think she scared Sirzechs-sama as well when he stepped in" Ayato added, Rias giggling at the image that came to mind before someone knocked the door.

"Yes come in!" The door opened to reveal an old man who only had a single eye and was wearing a hat

"Who are you?" Ayato asked puzzled, the old man laughing as he answered

"I'm the Old Man of the Northern Countryside."

"You're Odin-sama, right? This is the first time we've met. I'm Rias Gremory." Rias spoke up, Ayato glancing to her before turning back to Odin as he spoke

"I see, I see. Sirzechs' little sister, huh. I saw you in the game. Well, there was also something like that. But, I see, hmm. So big. When I was watching, I was fascinated by just these."

"It's rude to stare old man" Ayato growled out, stepping in front of Rias as he noticed Odin's lewd stare before a beautiful armoured woman entered and hit Odin's head with a paperfan.

"Geez! Did I not already tell you that indecent eyes were prohibited?! Since there's going to be an important meeting now, please pull yourself together as the King of the Norse Gods !" She spoke annoyed at Odin who responded with a half opened eye as he rubbed his head

"…Truly a Valkyrie with no openings. I know already. It's a conference on terrorist-countermeasures with the angels, devils, fallen angels, Zeus of Greece and Indra of Mt. Sumeru"

"Well, it's fine. Sirzechs' sister and World Clock's Nephew. The world isn't full of only trials, there are many fun things as well. Advance forward while both fully enjoying and suffering through it all. Being reckless is the only way for youngsters to grow up. Hohoho." Odin left after saying that, the Valkyrie blushing when she glanced at Yukio before leaving closely behind Odin as Ayato sighed

{I didn't know Odin was so perverted…} Sparda spoke up annoyed as Ayato calmed himself down as Kurono entered with a frown

"So what did Kuchiki-san and Matsumoto-san want with us?" Ayato asked, Rias looking surprised between them as Keiko sighed

"There's potentially a dangerous group going to rise against Soul Society so she wanted to know if we would help when the time came…I told her we'd answer her once we had more information about whatever was going on"

"Soul Society?" Rias asked, Ayato looking confused himself as Kurono started to explain

"The Soul Society is where the Shinigami live and amongst them is the Gotei 13, thirteen squads focused on different tasks which are lead by a Captain and Lieutenant in each. The Captains all have gained there Bankai forms and have had years to master them"

Ayato rubbed his temples with his finger and thumb as he wondered how much more complicated his life would get.

"Ah, here you are Ayato-kun!" Azazel called as he entering the room with Kotake and Kotume behind him, the latter only glancing up every so often while Kotake was looking over every inch of his face.

"What's the matter, Azazel?" Ayato asked curiously, his gaze wandering onto the two girls who's blushes darkened as there eyes locked

"I just wanted to introduce two of my star pupils, Kotake and Kotume" Azazel introduced his hands signalling to which twin he meant as he added

"To think Kokabiel could have such studious children…anyway I've told them all about you, Ayato-kun"

"Really…? As long as you've only being staying realistic things about me" Ayato replied, Kotake blushing as she stepped forwards to speak with a curtesy

"It's nice to finally meet you Ayato-san…I was so excited when Azazel-tousan told us we could come see you in a Ratings Game, Kotume was so nervous about meeting you"

"…I… I just wanted to but we shouldn't trouble Ayato-san while he's recovering" Kotume added embarrassed, Kotake smiling broadly to her sister while Rias looking annoyed at Azazel who was grinning as Ayato chuckled nervously

"It's alright, Kotume-san…I recover rather quickly"

…

The Gremory group were receiving a farewell from the underworld at the station in front of the main residence, Kurono had headed back before them due to her work and he hadn't heard anything from her about what the Gotei 13 wanted with him and her.

"Well then, Ayato-kun. I look forward to the day we can meet again. You may return here any time without hesitation. Think of the Gremory family as your own family." Rias' father spoke with a smile, many servants behind him as Ayato smiling happily as he replied

"Thank you very much"

"Ayato-san, please take care of Rias in the human world. Since my daughter can be so selfish, I worry." Rias' mother added, Rias' face turning a deep red as she rebuked

"M-Mother! W-What are you saying!?"

"Of course!" Ayato spoke with a smile and nod, Rias' father bursting into tears as he cried

"…Uu, I'm also being moved to tears. The future of my family is bright…" Rias' mother sighed beside him

"Wait a minute, dear. Isn't this where the father is supposed to retaliate by saying something like [I won't give up my daughter yet!]?" Ayato scratched the back of his neck at Rias' mother's words, part of him expecting that to have happened at some point.

"Even if you say that, Ayato-kun seems to have surpassed my power already, so isn't it enough already? I think it will be fine even if I settle down soon."

"Please wait until Rias has graduated from high school at least before talking about retirement." Rias' mother added.

"Rias, send us a letter during your remaining summer holidays." Sirzechs added while carrying his son, Millicas, in his arms. Grayfia and a nervous looking Georgia were standing immediately behind them as Rias replied

"Yes, onii-sama. You stay well as well, Millicas."

"Yes, Rias-nee-sama and Stella-nee-sama!" Millicas replied before Sirzechs remembered something as he spoke

"Oh yes…Georgia-chan wants to experience the human world so won't you let her stay with you, Ayato-kun"

Ayato looked surprised, glancing to the reddening Georgia as he nodded "It's alright with me Sirzechs-sama"

Georgia stepped forward with a brown suitcase in her hands, dressed in a blue sundress with a white cardigan over it and silver sandals on her feet as she bowed to him and spoke "I'll be in your care, Ayato-sama"

Rias looked accusingly at Sirzechs who smiled back, Ayato noticing Grayfia giving him a look that meant 'Don't hurt my Nee-san…'… The or else wasn't needed in Ayato's opinion as the group boarded onto the train after giving there final farewells from the windows.

…

On the return train, Ayato sighed and slumped into his seat as he thought to himself

'Guess I'll have to do my homework when we get back…can't believe I forgot about it between all of the training and important events in the Underworld'

{You'll get it done, you always do} Sparda spoke up, Ddraig sobbing as Ayato asked

'What's wrong with you Ddraig?'

[We didn't get to do anything erotic with the girls] Yukio's eyebrow twitched dangerously at Ddraig's answer as he Finished his homework, Georgia sitting next to him, nervously gazing at him every so often while he worked on his homework.

'Need to learn to control and hold back on my power' Ayato thought, adding it to his list of things to do under 'working out what would happen if he combined his Scale Mail with his Bankai', 'Neutering/ Curbstomping Gen' and 'Controlling/ Destroying his Hollow'

"Rias-sama?" Ayato asked, Rias sitting in front of him asked curiously

"What is it?"

"I've acted reckless until now just blindly going forwards to become stronger —But, Tannin-ossan told me. That it's a waste to not come up with my final goal. So, I thought about it a little and decided that I want to do something good when I become a High Class Devil…Not sure how but I guess that's at least a start" Rias smiled at Yukio's words before replying

"It seems the summer training camp was a success. Meeting other devils in the Underworld seems to have been a big plus for you. We both seem to have learned and advanced forward a lot."

Ayato jumped slightly as Koneo appeared before him, surprised even more when she sat down on his lap with her cat parts out.

"K-Koneko-san…?" Yukio asked surprised, a confused look on his face as she smiled brightly

"Nyan "

Asia had teary eyes from his right side, Rias scowling with narrowed eyes as Georgia looked envious and jealous while Akeno was giving off pressure with a silent smiling face. Ayato swore a fight was about to start up although he found himself captivated by Koneko's cuteness

…

Ayato stretched as he got off the underground platform in the human world as he spoke back to Asia

"Well, we've arrived. Now then, let's return home, Asia—" When she didn't reply he turned back to see a mysterious man with delicate features near Asia

"Asia Argento…We finally meet." The mystery man spoke, Ayato's eyes widening as he recognised him as Arisu's older brother, Diodora Asaroth. Arisu hurried up along his side, smiling at seeing Ayato.

"U-Umm…" Asia spoke bewildered as Ayato stepped between Diodora and Asia and spoke with a smile

"Nice to see you Arisu-sama…" Arisu blushed, missing his smile fading as he turned to Diodora as he continued

"What business do you have with Asia, Diodora?"

"…So you've remembered me…that's nice Seishinryutei" Diodora spoke with a fake smile before revealing a large scar on his chest, Asia's eyes widening as she muttered as she remembered

"—. That wound, could it be…"

"Yes, my face couldn't be seen back then, but I am the devil from that time." Diodora answered, Asia's unspoken question making her become speechless as Diodora continued

"My name is Diodora Astaroth. That time you weren't able to treat it to the point where a scar wouldn't remain, but my life was saved due to your Sacred Gear."

'So this is the Devil who got Asia ex-communed' Ayato thought with deep frown

"Thank you for saving my Onii-san, Asia-san" Arisu spoke with a formal bow

"Diodora Asaroth?" Rias spoke as she recognised him, Ayato remembering that he and Arisu were younger siblings to Ajuka Beelzebub.

Diodora tenderly took Asia's hand and kissed it, Ayato fuming and about to react as he spoke to Asia "Asia, I came to meet you. I apologize that I couldn't greet you at that meeting. But, I think the encounter between you and I was destiny. —I want you to be my wife. I love you."

Somewhere in the dark rescesses of Ayato's mind, an eerie sing-songy voice spoke in a whisper as to not draw any attention "Looks like things will become interesting, A-y-a-t-o"

...

- ... As usual, the next spineless wimps.

Watching the erratic retreat of the League forces , Nasim spat out the saliva with blood that had accumulated in his mouth during the battle with Carlo. The battle on the border territory ended in an unconditional victory for Nasim and Cledland. Taking out a dried cigarette from his breast pocket, Nasim set it on fire and lit it. Immediately after this his action.

- Hey Habub! Great job. A sexless voice, in which there is nothing male or female, reached the ears of Nasim. It was the King of Or-Gole Puppets.

- When Kampione appeared, I was not sure what would happen next, for your strength is approximately equal. But it's not for nothing that you have been called the most powerful mercenary in the world. What a stupid misunderstanding that the reason we agreed to the War of Representatives was that we were afraid of the League's strength, aha ha ha ha.

Listening to him, Nasim exhaled a gray smoke. "... all their strength is still not enough." Even if there were even more of them, they could not stop me.

- Ah ha ha. You're in your repertoire ... But you still want to fight Princess Yaksha, right?

- ... "I am wondering why you are so hungry for tomorrow's battle with her?" What did you like so much about her? If you compare your strengths, was Kampione not the best rival for you?

"It doesn't concern you, you bastard." Children should play with each other and not interfere with adults.

- hm? Calm down, I don't care about Princess Yaksha. The most important thing for us is that the forces of the League, who gathered to monitor tomorrow's War, are practically destroyed. The league will now be unable to help Vermilion in the event of a defeat. No one else intervenes, so we can have fun tomorrow properly.

"You don't have to remind me of this." Remember, if you interfere with me, I will kill you!

- Oh, how scary, scary. OK, I will keep that in mind. After this sentence, Or-Gole's joyful voice trailed off in his ears. Too unpleasant way to transmit voice. Taking another deep breath of the gray smoke, Nasim threw out his cigarette. All this time he stood in the sky, leaning on his sandstorm.

A large landslide resembling a giant anthill was located right under his feet. All the screams from him were quiet for a long time.

This place has become a sand coffin for many soldiers.

But without a tombstone.

An ideal place for people who desperately imposed their justice, but then cowardly fled.

Such people are not worthy even of dog death. But,

- Hehe, aha ha ha ... Nashim's face twisted into a smile. He felt happy.

The whole League is a bunch of idiots.

Cledland and Vermilion.

As the instigator of the war, he was supposed to be in anticipation of the battle between these countries. But not now. All his thoughts were occupied ... by only one woman.

Then, at their first meeting, she had a special look with which he was so familiar. I don't know why she is in the League .

"But you are only my prey" I will not give you to anyone. And I won't let anyone disturb us.

"I will fuck you as you want, Princess Yaksha." So don't disappoint me ...!

(Few Hours Later)

The International League of Mage Knights recommends that its member states resolve conflicts through the War of Representatives , where selected mage knights participate from each side. There are two reasons for this. The first reason is the protection of ordinary people, which is an important moral priority for the League and the Knights. The second is to prevent the intrigues of the authorities due to differences in national power, which could jeopardize a sense of solidarity in the League. As a result, small Member States can assist each other in confronting large Member States. But there was another reason.

... financial. The league sold the broadcast rights, thereby pleasing the people with ideas, and acted as a sponsor of the war between the two member states. Money earned in this way was an important source of income for the League.

It was good for both sides. Revenues from box office, after deducting interest, will be paid to both parties, regardless of the outcome of the battle. Therefore, the " war " between member states has always been carried out as a representation. And the war between Vermilion and Cledland was no different from this.

- HEEEE! Bastards in front of the TV, long time no see! How are you? Surely you are eating now !? And talk about what kind of vulgarism this type carries !? I am the hottest commentator on the Major League of Kings of the Knights

- Boomer. And yes, I'm the same commentator who was removed from the scene after saying about the ass hole by the association of parents and teachers. The battlefield was the capital of Cledland

- Lucerne. And right now, against the backdrop of scarlet sunset, a helicopter flew. Inside him was a commentator who had broadcasting rights.

- Today, the one whom you have not heard for so long will be broadcasting a "war" between Vermilion and Cledland, which has recently become very dangerous. Oh!? Do you know why I was fired !? Because it turns out that same woman Rikochi with a bust of 102 cm is better than me ! But now no one dared to volunteer at this dangerous event, so come to terms with my broadcasting and just give up! Yes, this time the war is really dangerous. You bastards must have heard that once every few years, Vermilion and Cledland started a "war" over the ownership of gas fields. But today their battle will not be like a "sporting event."

The new king of the kingdom of Cledland, Johan Christoph von Colbrand, killed the previous king, his father, and declared a real "war" that puts the existence of both nations at stake! Crazy! In addition, the new Cledland government has recruited terrorists, including the famous Habub. Just look at the faces of those crazy guys! After his heated speech, the commentator leaned out of the helicopter a little and waved his hand. Having received the command, countless drones turned their cameras towards the roof of the royal palace, located in the center of Lucerne. The image broadcast by drones to the whole world showed five figures standing on the roof.

It was the Cledland team.

- God damn it ! Among them, no one has honest eyes! Even when I made a living commenting on underground battles after I was fired from the Higher League of Kings of Knights, I never saw people with such cancerous Eyes! Even I refuse to root for these shit! I can't wait for the good empire of Vermilion to superdiscriminate against Cledland ! Well, let me introduce the heroes whose iron fist of justice reaches these bastards !

After his words, the drones instantly flew up to the entrance to the castle city. They transmitted a picture of the huge front gate, which were preserved as a cultural heritage. Vermilion's team stood in front of them.

"You are all familiar with the first; this is the Second Princess of the Vermilion Empire!"

Crimson Flaming Princess Stella Vermilion Gremory Phenex! One stroke of her great sword can destroy the mountains and drain the seas! A-Grade Knight with Dragon Power! She is the strongest military unit of her empire, Vermilion, so she immediately rushed to defend her home! Let me remind those bastards that they are not trampled by the tiger, but by the mythical dragon monster! Right now, her face was broadcasted to the whole world. There was not a drop of innocence in her serious gaze directed at the royal palace. It was the face of a warrior fully prepared for battle. Ignoring the royal evacuation order issued by Lunaise, all the inhabitants of Vermilion watched Stella from a gigantic monitor installed in the central park.

- Stella-chan. I completely trust my life to you ...!

- No matter how I was clamped by other people, I will not stop watching your battle! "We will fight with you to the end!"

- Just do it… People screamed loudly, trying to convey all their feelings through the monitor. Meanwhile, the drone showed the next fighter.

- The next participant is a woman in a bright red kimono! She does not need any introduction, because everyone knows the knight, who occupies third place in the A-Rank League! Princess Yaksha Nene Saikyo! While the League army stands still and awaits the outcome of the battle, it is Vermilion's best assistant in such a difficult situation! The third member from Vermilion is another knight from the Major League of Kings of the Knights! Black Knight Askarid-san! Her device "invincible armor Orihalkus" is able to repel any attack and heal all wounds in the blink of an eye. She made her debut in last year's A-League League! A promising Frenchwoman, who continued to increase her series of victories, until she took fourth place! In addition, I never knew that such a beautiful female face is hidden under this armor! She spent the entire tournament of the Higher League of Kings of the Knights without removing her armor! He immediately introduced two representatives simultaneously.

Stella's mother, Astrea, who watched their performance, prayed all this time.

- Nene-sensei. Iris-san ... Please save us all. Her shoulders trembled violently because of intense anxiety and fear. Stella's father, Sirius, laid a hand on the shoulder of his wife Astrea. He, like Astrea, was watching the broadcast, but now his gaze was fixed on the monitor. After all, his adorable daughter returned to her homeland with the Japanese. And at the moment, this Japanese was broadcast on full screen.

- The next member of Vermilion is well known to many. He, like Stella, fought for the pinnacle of excellence at the Seven Star Sword Art Festival in Japan. The Generation apprentice Knight who defeated Stella and received the title of Sword King of Seven Stars!

Yes Yes! The time has come to introduce that same Frozen knight Ayato Kurozakuro Sparda!

It is he who has the most Uncontrollable Ice magic and the strongest skill of owning a sword! During my long commenting career, I have never seen such an Dangerous Guy !

For in the League he has A rank! It is strange to see such a person among all the other representatives. But today he was given another chance to prove his strength!

Show everyone, playboy!

Cheers rang out from the territory of the imperial palace of Vermilion when they represented Ayato. The screams belonged to the army of Vermilion, which, like ordinary citizens, carefully watched the broadcast. After all, he fought with them near the border town of Caldia.

Among those who greeted him were Tilmitt and Millaria.

"Till-chan, do you think everything will be fine with him?" He looks completely out of place in this war.

- Japanese Generation knight who, without coercion, agreed to become a member. Grandfather Dan or the King could be in his place. What do you think about this general?

- Nothing. Army Commander Vermilion Sinyad answered with a sad expression.

"Today I curse myself more than ever for not being a knight."

- And the last participant from Vermilion is another Japanese student, like the Blizzard Dragon Knight! The first year of the Akatsuki Academy, Yui Tatara! Knight apprentice fighting against Stella at the Seven Star Sword Art Festival!

I have no idea what she's doing here, and besides, I found that I don't have any information about her at all!

If you look closely at her, then she is pretty creepy girl! But she was appointed by the Queen of Vermilion herself instead of the Crimson Wild Lion. I hope for you baby! Everyone was introduced, it's time to start.

- Well girls, are you ready? AND? Ok, let's get started !

Let's GO AHEAD!

A starter loudly sounded in the sky above Lucerne, warning that the war had begun.

- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!?

Immediately after the signal, the broadcast picture shook violently and the commentator's scream echoed in the ears of the audience.

Wow !? The moment the signal was given, Ayato noticed. As from the blue roof of the royal palace, flying through the entire castle city, a black shadow jumped at them with the speed of a rocket. Without a doubt,

- Faaaaaak ! Are you aware that this is not a joke, a piece of shit !? Habub Nasim Al-Salem decides to attack first! As the commentator cursed that his helicopter was nearly shot down, Nasim was already close to Ayato.

Waving his dark black glove in a whirlwind of dust, he threw it to the ground before landing.

- Take them away! " Miktoran Tormento ." At the same moment, all the structures around the huge front gate flew into the air. The huge stone gate, the cultural heritage of Lucerne, was no exception.

The black-brown storm reaching heaven with Nasim in the center swallowed everyone. Including Ayato ...

- Kh, Stella!

- They all… The enemy attack was sudden, they did not even have time to prepare. Horror Sirius and Astrea screamed loudly.

- The Vermilion team took off due to a sudden attack of the enemy! Teamwork is the main condition in a royal battle! But their whole plan was swept away by a sandstorm rising to heaven itself! However, the commentator was mistaken in some respects.

In the center of a black-brown sandstorm.

When the front gate, cars, buildings, roadside trees were blown away. One man, still standing still, was ready to confront Khabub.

- Already unbearable to endure? What an unrestrained guy.

- Princess Yaksha! Princess Yaksha manages to stay on the ground in a sandstorm!

"Why don't we play then?" In the center of the storm, which demolished the huge gate like a sheet of paper, Nene removed the Beniro Ageha iron fan from the sleeve of the kimono. 紅色 揚 羽 ( Beniiro Ageha ) Crimson Swallowtail Butterfly (Scarlet Sailboat)

With delight, Nasim bared his teeth.

- I stayed on my feet thanks to " gravity ".

Commendable.

You did not allow the whirlwind to blow itself away, unlike other garbage.

"That is my ability." Immediately after her words, she hit the asphalt with the crossbar of her tengu-geta shoe.

At the same moment, the gravity of the entire nearby area increased dramatically, as if the sky itself had collapsed and crushed the territory with its weight. It was Nene's technique, Jibakujin《地 縛 陣》 (Earthbind Formation)

- Earth Retention Formation With a thud, the land on which Nasim stood began to sag. Indeed, the pressure acting on the territory was 100 times higher than the gravitational force of the Earth. Even when Nene repelled the Akatsuki Academy attack, the pressure was 10 times less than now.

But, Despite such monstrous pressure, Khabub did not even raise an eyebrow. He just punched his chest.

"Pressure that can crush anyone like a frog ... but it's too insignificant for the two of us."

- The kids went home. Now nothing will hurt us. It's time for adult games. Having exchanged pleasantries, they simultaneously took a step towards each other. The confrontation between the two Desperate has begun. At each collision of an iron fan and a glove, enormous magical power spread in all directions in the form of black shock waves. The destruction during their attacks could not be compared with tornadoes or gravitational waves.

- This is a fight! Oh my God! The shock waves are so strong that drones can't get close to them ...! Due to the fact that the light does not penetrate through their black veil, cameras can not capture their battle in any way ... ! This is not a battle between people! This is the "apocalypse"!

The strong magic of both sides brought only destruction. The battlefield at the front gate of Lucerne shone with black light, because of this the cameras were not even able to capture their battle.

…Meanwhile. The other four members of the Vermilion team using Nasim's Miktoran Tormento technique were raised to a height of 1,500 meters.

Crimson Flaming Princess Stella Vermilion Gremory was the first to respond.

- Ugh ... Dragon Wings !

- Oh! Due to the confrontation of monsters, we completely forgot about the other participants! Stella-chan, from the Vermilion team blown away by the wind, invokes her fiery wings and levels her body!

Once again, she confirms the versatility of her techniques! Waving its wings, she stopped the fall, and immediately set about searching for the Ice Knight Ayato Kurozakuro, who, like her, was carried away by the wind.

Tatara will be able to prevent her fall using the ability to " reflection ", and Askaris has an " invincible armor ."

Therefore, you can not worry about them. But Ayato has nothing of the kind. If he crashes to the ground from such a great height, instant death will not keep you waiting. Ayato Activates his Boosted gear then Activated his Balance Breaker.

[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker]

Ayato spread his large dragon wings, his scale mail covering his body The guy's plan immediately came to him. -

Brilliant! A jacket! The Arctic Knight used his balance breaker to keep himself in the Air.

- What a cool, reckless decision! I can't even believe that he is just an Generation knight !

It...! The new King Johan attacks Stella-chan when she tried to help the Balance Breakered Cryo Gale Sword Emperor !

The noble art "Big Circus", used by his device

"Golden Chariot" !

The battle conditions are not important for this technique !

It is equally effective on land, water and air! Johan, riding a golden warhorse from the roof of the royal palace, attacked Stella.

Stella manages to repel a strongly accelerated spear of the enemy with his Levatein device.

However, the further way of saving Ayato is now closed to her.

- Johan-nii ...!

Angry that she was blocked off, Stella cast an angry glance at Johan.

- ... But Johan did not react to her words. Being a puppet of the King of Puppets, there was not a single emotion in his eyes. Absolutely empty eyes without the sparkle of life. They did not even reflect Stella in front of him. As if in front of her was not her good friend ... but just a miserable copy.

- ~~~~~~~~~~~! Stella ached in her chest when she saw what had become of her childhood friend. She instantly realized what she should do.

"…Right. Ayato is not the kind of person who needs protection. " Even if she doesn't help him, I'm sure he himself will be able to cope with such a situation on his own. Stella understood his power better than anyone in the world. He is not the one to be protected. And the one who needs her protection right now is facing her.

"Please ... save Johan ..."

"I will stop you no matter what it costs me, Johan-nii!" I'll bring you back to Rox-anee ...! Her sister first looked so depressed. She has always been reliable and independent. But this time she asked Stella for help. I must fulfill her request! Having decided everything for herself, Stella ejected thoughts of saving Ikka from her head and focused on the battle with Johan.

"Stella-chan refuses to Help the Frozen Knight!" Right now she is in a fight with the new king Johan. In the skies above Lucerne, a crimson and golden shooting star collide! But their battle will not save the Frozen knight! Falling upside down, it will crash in the near future. Hey can anyone help him !?

(During the Fight with Ayato and Big Baby)

AND…! With determination in his gaze, Ayato attacked BB's only eye. In response to such an attack, BB scaredly dismissed a sharp needle. Like a child who was disciplined to flog a belt.

... Although, he is indeed a child. And such intimidation could be successful He did not want to deal with such an opponent seriously.

- Stop, stop. The bad guys have been lying to you all this time. Just go back to your normal form and come with me, okay? I promise I won't do you anything bad. Honestly. Ayato promised, approaching BB. He tried to lend a helping hand to a child trapped in the bad guys. But,

- Guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu !

- ...! With a loud roar, BB attacked Ikki with huge fists.

Beats too slow. For Ayato, there is no difficulty evading

. However, Ayatowas greatly surprised when fists flew in his direction. How was BB able to deal with his bullying?

Ayatowas not self-confident. But his intimidation should have been enough to control the child.

What's happening?

While Ayato stood puzzled in front of him, BB cried loudly and waved his hands.

"Or-Gole is my friend!" Friend! I want to protect my friend! Ayato immediately realized his mistake.

- …Clear. So this is how it is. I thought he was an ordinary child who did not suspect anything. Poor child used by everyone.

But ... it is not. Naturally, it will continue to be used by everyone. After all, he remains a naive child. But now ... BB was here of his own free will. Despite his fear, he continued to place friendship above all else.

- So everything is different.

Shortly before the clash between the Blizzard Knight and the BB. The Black Knight Iris Askarid increased her fall speed, freeing up more magic, and landed on the ground earlier than any of her team. Having landed before everyone else, she ran through the city, painted in the crimson tones of sunset, to Ayato. She thought in the same way as Stella. He is the only one of their team who cannot land safely on the ground. Suddenly, Ascaris abruptly stopped.

- No ... aah ... please help ...

- ... !? She heard the voice of a girl praying for help. It is strange, because during the war Lucerne was supposed to be closed to everyone except the participants. Therefore, Askarid stopped and began to look around in search of people who remained in the city. The place where she stayed was a quiet residential area. Thanks to this, Ascaris quickly discovered the source of the voice.

" Stop, Oni-chan." It hurts, it hurts, don't cut it, don't take Michelle by the finger.

- Michelle, it's not me. Kghh ... I can't control my body. "It…" Before her were not people. A doll. Two felt dolls imitating a little boy and a girl.

The boy's doll, holding cheap scissors in his hand, shredded a finger at the girl's doll. But these dolls were not the only sources of noise.

- No, no, I don't want to eat this, I don't want to, ahhh.

- I see nothing, my eyes, give me back my eyes.

- Mom, mom.

" Why are you doing this, Iris-chan?" A residential area painted in the crimson colors of sunset. Dolls emerged from the void. Appeared and immediately broke themselves. They pulled out their hands, cut their eyes, cut their bellies, pulling out the felt.

* Chatter *

*Shiver*

* Pleas *

- Ah ... ahh! At the sight of such a spectacle, Askarid simply stood shivering with her whole body. Felt dolls surrounding her. I know these dolls. I know this scene. I know this hell. " Stop, stop, stop ... stop."

- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ! As soon as the ash-haired doll similar to her fell silent, Ascaris, unable to restrain her cry anymore, cut the doll with a dark black halberd.

-AAAAA! AAAA ! AAAAAAA !

Without stopping screaming, she chopped all the dolls to the right and left. Horrible dolls woven from hair.

- Hf ... hf! Hfff.

Destroying all the dolls, Askarid, panting, leaned on her battle halberd. Nausea came up to her throat, and tears streamed down her cheeks. In the world there was only one person capable of such terrible deeds.

- Orleuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus ! " A-ha-ha-ha-ha, sister, you are the only one who called me that lately."

- ...! Hearing the voice, Askarid immediately raised her head. In the residential area where she was, there was a small plot. On this site was a church surrounded on all sides by tall buildings.

Against the background of the cross, a boy with multi-colored eyes sat on the roof of the church and looked down at her.

The main culprit of the current war is the Or-Gole Puppet King.

- You know, despite the fact that ten years have passed since that event, I successfully managed all the affairs of the Uprising only by imitating them.

" You ... you." Even after their murder, you do not stop playing with them and torment them ...! I will not forgive you, I will never forgive you for this! Ascaris' ordinary equanimous face is distorted by righteous anger. But Or-Gole didn't even brow,

- Why, Iris-neesan? In an innocently clear voice, he asked her, swinging back and forth with bare white feet. Stupid question ... the answer to which has long been given. Iris-Gole has survived to this day only for the sake of this moment.

" I will kill you here and now ... and then it will all be over!" Everything that started then will end here! You can't hurt anyone else ! Screaming angrily, her magical power began to flow out of her whole body.

Magical radiance enveloped her black armor with lilac light. " Orihalkus " Her invincible armor has the most powerful defenses in the League .

" ... hey." Without showing a hint of fright, Or-Gole narrowed his eyes.

" I'm sorry, but I'm going to turn Stella-chan, Roxanne and you, Iris-neesan, into your favorite toys." I can't wait for this anymore. He said with a wide smile, as if the corners of his mouth were cut with a knife.

- Nee-san, let's do it. Continue the Bloody Cross. Only this time you and I will be its participants.

And ... the last member of the team Vermilion Yui Tatara was preparing to confront her fate. Rose Garden at the Royal Castle of Lucerne. Ein, the villain who murdered her parents, sisters, and even her employers, members of the Rebellion, sat and rested at the garden table .

- ... Oh. What a pretty dress. It looks so wonderful on you. On her table stood a kettle and two cups. The aroma emanating from the cup, without a doubt, looked like tea with rose hips. Using the skills trained in the Abgrund house, Tatara very quickly noticed the details regardless of the situation. Therefore, Ein decided to praise her.

" You found me."

" It was too easy to follow in your footsteps."

" ... Not quite right."

- Oh?

" I understood that hiding to me is pointless. You know me too well. After all, you always watched me with your lovely, puppy eyes. Even now you followed me to such a hellish place.

- ...

- Hey? Will you be my real sister? I am different from all those people from that house. We can be good sisters. Because I love you. Ein said, pouring tea into an empty cup. With this action, she kind of invited Tatara to sit at the table with her.

- ... In response to the invitation, Tatara went to an empty place and cut the table into two with her spiritual device " Jizuri Mukade ."

- If you really want to talk, you can chat after your death in hell, sow ...!

- Oh, how rude ~ - The Black Knight Iris Askarid and Fatal Yui Tatara met with opponents from the Cledland team!

They seem to know each other, but still they started the battle! For the first time in my life I see something like this! Even when Khabub defeated the Vermilion team, they are still going to fight one on one! Have they forgotten that the format of war is a royal battle !?

Drone broadcasts confirmed that the Cledland team decided to abandon the benefits of attacking the entire team on one. Strange tactics for this format of the war.

Although, do not forget that the Cledland team is a bunch of strangers to each other who did not even try to establish relationships with each other. Naturally, in such an atmosphere the idea of working in a team could not be born.

- In any case, the war continues! Cledland and Vermilion! In which team will the first victims begin ... ahhh !? The commentator's voice abruptly interrupted when he saw that the drones began to transmit a completely different picture.

Right during the broadcast, the cameras switched to another battle. And what everyone saw.

- Uh ... BB is already defeated!?

I hate adults. They always scream with scary faces. But then he appeared. And he said that he just wants to have fun.

... I was very interested in Or-Gole. Whatever I did, he never made terrible faces. Not angry. And he always laughed with pleasure with me.

…We played together. Unlike those scary adults. He must be a child too. And now terrible adults want to catch his friend. I just have to help him.

BB was absolutely confident in his victory, comparing his enormous size with the insignificant size of the enemy.

His enemy is just an insect.

Last time, he was halfway to a full increase in the body, but a sudden sharp blow to the eye prevented him. But today he had taken his full form in advance.

If he punches the ground, he will also be able to take the enemy by surprise. And triumph Over an enemy seeking to end his friend's life. Inspired, BB furiously hit the ground with his fist. Blow, another hit. He used all his brute power to smash the enemy. But,

- Uh, uh! Ahhhh !? With each blow, the BB fuse faded.

Shock and embarrassment were easy to read on his face. Why? The reason was before his eyes. The ruined road that he punched. An enemy with a straight face calmly stood on her.

- ...

- What!? Kaaaaaaaaaak !

Inexplicable sight.

He did not understand anything. Well, the enemy would run and dodge his fists. But no, he hardly moved and stood still. His fist must have crushed the enemy. But ... nothing worked. It's like a ghost in front of him. A fist passed right through him.

…What's happening? I have no idea, but something else needs to be done. Only one thought occurred to BB.

- Hey! Guuuuuuuuuuuuuuh ...! Half educate! BB decided to do.

- Kyayayayaya! Big jump in place. But not easy. BB took a horizontal position in the air. A 300 meter giant press shook the ground. Now the enemy obviously will not be able to escape. The speed of small insect legs is not enough to escape.

- Ghu! Ghuhuu! How do you like that ! Fully convinced of his victory, BB gets up to check the result of his jump. Cars parked on the street; trees, buildings, everything was flattened and crushed.

- …AND? In cold blood. A black samurai with a straight posture stood as if nothing had happened.

- What? Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak!? BB screamed, refusing to believe his eyes.

- I'm not doing anything special BB. Your gigantism is without a doubt a very strong ability. But the more you increase yourself, the more benefits you lose. Ayato said, showing BB his palms.

- The human palm is full of recesses: between the fingers, between the phalanges of the fingers, wrinkles on the pads of the fingers. When you enlarged yourself to a huge size

- these recesses also increased. The same goes for your body. You know, a platoon of soldiers can hide in your navel cavity. Therefore, if you want to be saved, you just need to use these recesses. And it was them that Ayato took advantage of.

- You know, but this is not the only drawback of gigantic growth. - AND? For the first time in this battle, Ayato, on his own initiative, set in motion. Thanks to numerous trainings, he quickly developed speed and ran. But not in the forehead. And around the BB. BB moved his head so as not to miss his quick movements, but too slowly. - Your body weight, gravity, drag, which impedes your movements

- these are all your fetters. I don't even need to increase my speed ... Human weaknesses never change ...! Immediately after his words, Ikki slid behind BB and cut the back of his ankle.

... Achilles tendon. The tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel.

If you damage it, then you cannot stand. BB instantly fell to his knees. At that moment, Ayato continued his attacks. His next goal is the quadriceps tendon.

- Painfully! The quadriceps tendon connects many of the thigh muscles to the knee. Damage to such an important tendon is tantamount to impaired control of knee extension. The result was not long in coming, the body of the BB, having lost control of the knees, fell forward. But stretching out his arms in front of him, BB managed to prevent a complete fall of the body to the ground.

- Everything is over. - AND…! It does not matter that the BB prevented the complete fall of the body. After all, the real goal of Ayato is the " temple ", the thinnest part of the skull is already located within its reach.

- The first secret blade is the Saigaki ! Using one of his secret techniques with the most outstanding attack power and penetrating ability, Ayato pierced the BB temple.

- Gya, ah, ah ...! For BB's gigantic body, Ayato's " Ryuuzetsu " strike is similar to an injection.

The stab wound itself did not do him much damage. But the penetrating force of Saigaki , which can crush even the most durable structures, easily penetrates the thinnest part of the skull and goes deep into the cerebellum, which is responsible for coordination of movements, thereby causing serious damage to the BB consciousness.

"Oh oh oh…" In the end, the body of the BB completely falls to the ground. Although BB is trying to rise.

- Oh ... and ... what, how ... why ...? But all efforts are in vain, his consciousness can no longer control the movement of the body. The brain ceased to function, vision blurred, consciousness faded. Before his vision was completely clouded, he noticed that Ayato Kurozakuro was standing in front of him.

"You can't win."

- ...! BB stared at Ayato. With aversion to hated adults. If he comes even closer, I will bite him. I decided for myself BB. Even if his limbs did not move, he was still able to control everything above his neck. But,

"I'm sorry, but so far you won't manage to defeat me." You are still a small child. Ayato said, drawing closer to BB.

"But no one ever remains a child forever." BB, you still have a lot to learn. About yourself, about your strength, about the world

... and about what you have done. I want you to think it over carefully. And I decided for myself what kind of adults you want to become, because this moment is your starting point for the next real life ... BB has already put his last effort into his chin.

"... but know, I will look forward to our next meeting when you grow up."

"AND…" BB suddenly froze. He noticed. Like a small pen touched his cheek. So warm. These gentle, warm, strong sensations were completely different from any past adult touches. This warmth ... this is kindness ...

- Ah ha ha. Take a look. What a big and healthy child.

- Yeah. He will grow up a tall handsome guy. Unlike you. I hear a happy voice. This voice is vaguely familiar to me. I can't remember who it is. But

... once upon a time, I already felt something like that. I was shrouded in the same warmth. Right That was before the scary adults took me to a dark, cold place.

…When it was? Who were those people? BB was desperately trying to remember, but his mind was dying out. Plunging into nostalgic heat, his magic dissipated and BB returned to its original size. I wonder if he has happy dreams? After all, his sleeping face was so peaceful.

- Fight in one goal! The incompetent Knight of Ayato Kurozakuro, without using magic and strong kenjutsu, knocked the BB to the ground and launched an attack on the "temple"!

Having defeated one of the representatives of Cledland, he did not suffer a single scratch ! Bravo! Oh my God! Why did we watch it in replay! The commentator shouted in a breaking voice, rewinding the broadcast to see all the details of the battle of Ayato. Vermilion's army, also watching the replay of the battle, praised Ayato.

- Ah ha ha And indeed instant killing!

"... I see." If then we had not got in the way under his feet, that battle would have ended faster.

"Don't say that, General!" This man is terrible. I can't even compare it with myself. Instead of being frightened, he took advantage of the gigantic dimensions of the enemy for his own purposes. The larger the enemy, the wider and deeper the recesses and irregularities in his body. This is certainly true. When everyone thought that Ayato slammed like a mosquito, he simply took and waited all the attacks between the fingers of the enemy.

In words it sounds simple, but could you in his place ... crank something like that? Keep calm when giant fists fly at you from heaven? The mere sight in his head made Tilmitt tremble with his whole body.

"Why is he so fearless?" Stella brought a real monster to our home! Meanwhile, Ayato on the screen began to move. He ran along the main road right to the center of Lucerne. He probably decided to help other members of his team. But,

- The Ice Knight leaves the unconscious and reduced BB to the rescue squad of the League! Who will fall next to his sword? I'm sure it excites you, but we didn't gather here today to admire the ass of the escaping bastard! Change the scene! Here, Cledland's sky! The conflict between the two members of the royal families reached its climax! The cameras switched and started showing the battle between Stella and Johan.

- New King Johan is one of the most mobile knights!

His device "Golden Chariot" has a causal ability "road", which allows you to move in any environment without any difficulties! Even without a fulcrum and a road, the Golden Chariot without any brakes will deliver it anywhere with lightning speed! What will the Crimson Princess do !? As the commentator said, Johan had an advantage in the air battle.

Stella has not yet fully mastered the ability of Dragon Wings , so it was not worth fully relying on them. But the difficulties did not end there. Under her feet there was no solid support in the form of earth, so she could not attack the enemy with full force. Thanks to the ability to " road ", Johan could rush ahead, regardless of the path of the path and the presence of the road.

No obstacles could stand in his way. And Stella too. She cannot catch him and stop him. Stella will inevitably lag behind Johan's Golden Chariot , which moves freely across the boundless sky. There was only protection. However, if she tries to prevent Johan's attack and tries to counterattack him with the back of the blade of her sword, nothing will come of her. He will simply run further along his trajectory. Bad situation for Stella. I do not know how to attack him.

But, "…AND?" On Johan's tenth attack, fresh blood stained Stella. And it was not her blood. The source of blood was Johan, constantly attacking Stella. But the Levateien has never touched it. Nevertheless, Johan's blood flowed from his cuffs directly onto his fingers, wetting the hilt of the spear. The answer was known to Stella.

The first match of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival .

Or-Gole also participated in this festival using the Reisen Hirag puppet. It was this puppet in that match that seized control of Tsurui Mikoto's Ice Grin.

King of Puppets Or-Gole possessed the ability to control people with the help of his threads. And to draw from them the maximum potential that people in the ordinary state were not capable of. You could even say that he forced them to use Itto Shura , completely ignoring the will of man.

Without much effort, he overloaded their bodies and souls. And Johan is now in that position. Stella knew what he was capable of. But now his abilities are too powerful. If this continues further, Johan's body will not survive.

…I do not have much time. Something needs to be done urgently. "Leave everything to me, Luna-ane! I will definitely protect Johan and everyone else! " That's right, I promised everyone. Therefore, it is time to act.

- AND? Ohhhhhhhhh! Crimson Princess! What is she trying to achieve with this !?

- Stella-chan ... !? Stella's parents, who also watched the live broadcast, were very surprised. What the hell did Stella do in the middle of the battlefield .

- Well, are you seriously trying to catch the Golden Chariot and stop the Big Circus with your bare hands !? Crazy This is too reckless! Everyone knows what will happen next! Only regret will be too late ! Stella dispelled her device. Johan, ruled by the Puppet King, will not miss his chance.

- The Big Circus .

- The Golden Chariot flies like an arrow! Straight to the defenseless target! A knight on a golden horse, holding his spear forward, raced across the sky in a straight path. The spear point was directed straight into Stella's heart. But Stella did not even think to summon her sword. She was ready to ward off the approaching spear with her bare hands.

... impossible. Recklessly.

Not a single foot soldier could stop a direct cavalry attack. Johan's ability is " road ." His power will crush all obstacles in his path. With a causal ability, he is able to negate the power of Stella. But,

"Irrelevant…! You will not try, you will not know ...! " Stella remembered. As faced with the youngest Desperate on Edelberg.

Stella, clutching her spear more comfortably, pulled Johan out of the saddle of the golden horse. Before he fell from the sky, she grabbed his chest.

- Johan-nii. You got a message from Rox-ane. Stella broke off for a moment, taking a deep breath.

- FOOL ! THE NEXT HEIR OF THE THRONG SHOULD BE AN EXAMPLE FOR THE WHOLE PEOPLE !

COMBINATION OF TEETH AND PATIENCE !

... Without hesitation, her hand hit Johan on the cheek.

(Few Hours Later)

After Ayato and Stella defeated the First Half of Or-Gaule's Team by Themselves. Then Nene Defeated Naseem Al-Salem by Sealing him in a another dimension using Kanamegaeshi

- I waited for you. And for quite a long time. So you are today ... although no, tomorrow has already come ... decided to usefully spend the time until the sun dropped below the horizon again? What a playful boy. - We didn't do anything. I just met with Stella and told her that tomorrow I will give it my best. - Oh really? So you are one of those guys who like to paint their lips with female lipstick?

- Oh! Ayato screamed, quickly wiping his mouth. However, the efforts were in vain, his cuffs did not turn scarlet.

- He-he-he. I was joking. Although, as I thought, the two of you were really doing something good. Hearing such insolent words addressed to him, Ikki's face turned red.

- H-stop laughing at me! We didn't do anything strange! We just kissed and that's it! There weren't any perversions that you thought, Tatara-san!

- Take it easy. Whatever you do, it is absolutely not interesting to me.

"If you don't care, then why are you saying things like that…" Ayato sighed wearily, relaxing his shoulders. Then, without hiding his irritation with the interlocutor, he asked a question.

"… What do you want, Tatara-san? Have you been waiting here all this time just to tease me? Do you have so much free time? He could not believe that all this time she was just standing here to laugh at him.

"Oh yeah ... exactly ... Haaa ! It was pretty sudden. When between the distance between them has decreased to about one meter, Tatara sharply urged his device-chainsaw " Dzidzuri Mukade " and put it to his neck Ayato Now the blade of her chainsaw did not move, but the power of this weapon was enough to cut off the head of her opponent.

The Tatars device, breaking through the darkness of the night, stopped about five centimeters from Ayato's carotid artery. However, she stopped her attack against her will.

- …Fast. The Tatara's eyes were surprised to find that the blade, which was darker than the night, was pressed against her neck.

This dark blade " Ryuuzetsu " was the materialization of the soul of Ayato Kurozakuro. His blade was pressed hard against the Tatara's neck. The slightest careless movement and her head will fall from her shoulders.

"Even though I was the first to act, your blade touched the body faster than mine. It seems that the situation is now headed in the wrong direction. Relax, I was just testing you.

- I really hope for it. I would also like you to put your chainsaw away and finally tell you what you need.

- Hehe, okay, okay,

- Tatara grinned, putting away her chainsaw, with which Ayato did not take his eyes off.

"I wanted to make sure you're in shape. I hope you are ready to fight right now.

- Now ...? The war will begin only when the sun rises and falls below the horizon again. That is, Ayato has even more time for half a day. What battle Tatara mentioned.

- Yes now. I'm going to kill one person. And you are obliged to help me in this,

- Tatara answered his question. This answer to the question made Ayato even more surprised. With aggression in his voice, he asked the girl a new question.

- And who are you going to kill ...? - The Black Knight Iris Ascaris.

- What…!? From the lips of the Tatars sounded the name of an ally dear to him, with whom he had fought earlier in the war.

Ayato was so surprised that he even forgot about breathing for a while ... however, such a "surprise" did not make him lose his head.

"… I hope this is a misunderstanding. I am not going to agree to such things. And if you don't tell me in more detail right now why you need her death, I won't let you go from this place. Don't get into a fever, you better start asking questions. Indeed, without good reason Tatara would not have asked him to help in such a dirty business. Tatara liked the guy's reaction very much. After praising him with the words "It's so great that I chose you," she looked at Ayato with a serious look.

- The reason is very simple. This girl is a risk factor in our group.

- Risk factor ...?

"She is Or-Goul's real blood sister. It's very unhealthy, I tell you, to fight as a team with this girl. Ayato did not agree with the words of Tatara. - I do not think so. She is his blood relative, so more than anyone she wants to stop Or-Goul. Surely her desire to end everything is even stronger than Stella's. "Ayato shook his head. But the Tatara had a counter-argument in response to his words.

"… Then on Edelberg, when she talked about how Or-Goul was destroying her hometown, there was no hatred for her brother in her words. Instead of this feeling, she blurred us about some responsibility for which she was obliged to take revenge.

- But that's nothing ... You can't be so sure. There is no denying the option that Tatara is simply winding himself up. However, Tatara quickly interrupted him, not even giving him a chance to speak.

- My fears are not unfounded.

- Um. "Her murder intent is too impulsive. Anger is feigned and does not come from the heart. She is confused and hesitant when she says that she wants to kill her younger brother ... I understand that it is difficult for untrained people to notice all this, but ... She told us that her brother used her as a tool for murder. And that now her main duty is to prevent new tragedies. It was for this purpose alone that she lived to this moment. Her words, words, words ... there was absolutely no real " anger " towards Or-Goul in them. -…!

"He killed her parents, close friends. So kill him back too. This person has done a lot of terrible things to you, you don't have to forgive him. Take revenge, kill him ... This is a normal normal reaction.

But this girl continues to search for " common sense " in killing her brother from " strangers ". What for? She seems to be deceiving her consciousness with other people's " arguments ".

- All this is very difficult! It's so easy not to read the thoughts in someone else's head! "I understand," Tatara replied. To prevent Ayato from delivering her counterargument, she added.

- When it comes to murderous intentions - you know, I'm a professional at this. Her expression and tone were confident. Ayato understood that Tatara was absolutely serious. He was not there when Iris talked about Or-Goul. Therefore, all these words only confused him.

"Iris probably guesses that her murder intent is not an" emotion ", but someone else's" thought . " And now she is trying to convince herself that this " thought " is her real " emotion ." I suspect that once upon a time some person, having noticed the danger in her psyche, deliberately introduced this thought into her head ... Iris does not know yet, but on the battlefield all these false feelings will be revealed and she will not be able to kill Or-Goul. You must understand this.

- ...

- Of course, I could be wrong, but such an ally in the team makes me seriously nervous. A 5 to 4 spread is much better than a 6 to 4. To be safe, we have to kill her tonight. I need your strength, for if we don't hurry it will be too late. That is why Tatara continued to wait for Ayato until late at night. Ayato had no answer to her words. He did not want to believe the Tatara's arguments, but without a doubt her assumption makes sense for existence. The feelings of relatives cannot be measured with the head. How they work is also not known. Therefore, the Tatara's concern is logical. Ayato himself did not know Iris closely enough, therefore, he could not argue that such an alignment of events was impossible.

"But…"

-… Besides me, did you communicate with anyone else?

- Not. I don't trust Princess Yaksha, so it would be foolish to expect her cooperation. The gorilla is also useless, she is too naive and would not accept any reasonable argument. That is why I turned to you, "Tatara shook her head.

"That's how it is," Ayato said with relief.

- Now I fully understand your fears, but still I will not cooperate with you.

"… Aren't you in this country to protect this gorilla? "It is for this reason that I am here. - You do not believe me? - Not really. I understand that Ascarid-san is our risk factor. - Then why do you refuse! Why don't you want to cooperate with me? Sighing, Ikki spoke.

- I looked after her "... looked after her?" "Tatara-san, so you know, long before you joined us, Ascarid-san saved us in Kledland. That was the reason for Ikki's refusal to accept the Tatara's proposal. Deep within himself, he vaguely believed that the Black Knight was an ally. Moreover, maybe it sounds old-fashioned, Ikki did not want to kill people. He looked closely at her and still remembered that scene when Stella flew to the palace, and Iris fell to her knees and trembled all over with horror. For Iris, her brother was a symbol of fear and despair that took everything from her. Ikki's hands remembered the coldness of her shoulders as he touched her. Yet she didn't run away. It seemed that from fear she should have stood still. But thanks to her elder sister's sense of duty and the knight's sense of justice, she did not flee and continued to confront Or-Goul. This was enough for Ikki to consider her noble, courageous and trustworthy.

Therefore, - Tatara-san, your words that her presence in our team does not bring any advantage are true. There is no denying the chance that she might betray us in the middle of the battlefield. But I still believe her. Looking into his face, Tatara sighed. She realized that she could not convince his iron will.

"… Without your help, I will not be able to defeat her… Know Kurozakuro-kun, your judgment can destroy the most precious thing in your life.

- Tatara-san, you are kind.

- AND?

- Thank you for thinking a lot about Stella.

- Whatoooooooooo !? Hey, you! What are you imagining there !? I just shared my professional opinion and wanted you to join my strategy! I don't care about that gorilla! I hope you understand, huh !? - shouted Tatara at the words of Ayato. Her whole face flushed deeply. She immediately turned her back on him. But even from her shoulders, you could tell that she was very angry.

- Now you know. I leave everything to you! "Tatara-san, thank you very much for everything.

- Hey, you…! Although ... Please! At that moment Tatara wanted to nail him. But she did not voice her threat. After all, at first she thought that he was laughing at her because she had previously ridiculed his relationship with Stella. However, when Tatara turned and looked into his face, she saw that there was not a drop of tomfoolery in Ayato's face. His face was so full of determination that goose bumps ran down her spine. True, this guy understood that the fate of a person dear to him depends on his decision. Further words will be superfluous.

... It was at that moment that Ayato decided. Since he refused to cooperate with Tatar, then ... "Thanks to Tatara-san, I was ready for this. That is why I will take full responsibility and fight against it myself.

Yui Tatara, thanks to her intuition and the insight of the assassin, foresaw this situation in advance. She even tried to take measures to prevent this from happening. But my decision prevented her.

I wanted to believe in Iris's nobility, but it was all a mistake. Now that she has betrayed us, I need to personally take responsibility for all of this. Therefore,

"Stella, please leave Ascarid-san to me. You must catch Or-Goul,

"Ayato said to his ally Stella, directing the Ryuuzetsu towards Iris. But Stella disagreed with his words.

- Don't be an idiot. Have you forgotten that battle with her after the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival ? She fought calmly against the two of us. We must fight again together ...

- No, now everything is completely different

, - Ayato rejected her words. Ayato refused her help not at all because he made a promise to Tatara, just, - Stella, you are the only one with the ability to fly. Only you can catch up with OhrGoul, who has fled across the sky. If he eludes us now, someday a similar tragedy will happen again. You and I are knights and our main duty is to protect ordinary people. We must defeat him here and now. Ayato was well aware of his duty as a knight magician.

- Darling, please, don't worry about me. Everything will be fine ... Go, Stella. You are not the only one training at the top of Edelberg. Now I have become much stronger. You haven't forgotten my last promise, have you?

-…? The duty of the knights-magicians. No doubt Ikki was right when he reminded her of this. But Stella wanted to argue with him anyway. The opponent he wants to fight against is ranked 4th in the A-Rank League . She doesn't want to leave her lover alone with the Black Knight, who is so close to absolute power in this world. However, Stella remained silent. After all, danger awaited not only Ayato.

He told her to continue pursuing the Puppet King of Or Ghoul, which is far from a safe pursuit. However, despite all the circumstances, Ayato did not express concern about her. He did not invite her to fight together. This means that he believed in her. So Stella also needs to be believed.

… Oh, what a complex and selfish demand. All people on earth are afraid of losing their loved ones. This is much worse than your own death. You cannot just take and immediately accept such a request.

"But…"

... I will believe. After all, this request comes from Ayato Kurozakuro. And he always managed to prove to me that the impossible is possible ...! "This man is very strong."

"Right"

"And he won't die!"

"Right…!" After finishing her inner monologue, Stella flapped her wings and flew into the sky. She didn't even turn to look at Ikki. She just took it and rushed high up. Now her main goal was to catch the enemy and eliminate.

The moment Stella spread her wings, Ascaris tried to take action and shoot her down. But nothing came of it. She couldn't make her knees jump up. The fact is that when she was distracted from Stella and looked at Ayato, who suddenly arrived at them on the battlefield, she felt something sharp, like a thread, touch her neck under the armor.

- ... It was nothing more than the gravitational pull of Ayato Kurozakuro's fate. By intimidation, he made her feel what would happen to her if she was distracted from him. That is why Iris was forced to set aside measures about Stella, and she flew away safely in pursuit of Or-Goul. Iris and Ayato.

Only they stayed in this residential area of Lucerne. If you want to help Or-Goul, then you first need to deal with this knight. Just thinking about it, Iris's neck stabbed again. No doubt his intimidation wished her death.

If she did try to stop Stella, Ayato's blade would have sunk into her neck.

He's serious. Absolutely serious and was about to end her.

"As expected ..." After all, his eyes, like Stella's, probably burn with anger. He despises me for helping Or Goul. I myself cannot believe it. And I can't even forgive myself for that.

But, "I definitely noticed ..." When I squeezed my brother's neck and his death was closer than ever, I realized that I could not kill him. I don't want him to die. This suddenly realized truth could not disappear from my head. No matter how I persuade myself, no matter how my former allies accuse me of betrayal ... I, Iris-Gole, must do it. Therefore,

- Please forgive ... I find it difficult to lift my face when I say these words to them. After all, these excuses, like sharp knives, shred my lungs. It even becomes difficult for me to breathe. After all, I understand that in such a situation I have no right to ask for forgiveness. However, Ayato still answered her words.

- Ascarid-san, you are free to choose your own path.

- …AND?

Ayato's unexpected words embarrassed Iris. What does he mean? And then Iris noticed that there was no anger or rage in Ayato's eyes. Just a little sadness. - You understood what you were going on. Each mage knight has its own path in life. It characterizes the dignity and personality of a knight. And let your choice smack of betrayal and contempt

... Iris chose it herself, therefore,

- So this is exactly what you wanted.

-…! "Even now, I cannot imagine all the suffering that befell your fate. But even though you were trembling with fear, you did not stop your struggle. You chose your own path, so I don't want to talk about " what is right " and how " dead people " would react to it . What should he do? What to do with the man who saved his life twice? Ayato thought and found a solution. Then Tatara gave him advice. There are many knights in their world that need to be killed. If some paths are incompatible, there is only one thing left ...

"I don't think we need a lot of words. After all, we are knights.

- With my Powerful strength, I will break your path as a knight. Let the sword judge them. Ayato made it clear that he wouldn't let her near Stella so easily. His gaze was different from other people; staring at her, Ayato saw Iris as his equal enemy.

- ~~~~~~! The look that saved Iris. Everyone saw in her only a despicable traitor, but this guy recognized her as an equal rival for himself. The feeling of gratitude filling Iris's heart began to come out through her tears. She wanted to thank Ayato, but ...

- ... A ... cn ... I didn't let the words come out of my mouth. Iris deliberately stifled those emotions and just glanced at Ayato. Thank you is such a sweet word. Even if I want to say something like that

... but I'll hold back. This guy standing in front of me ... he so proudly declared himself my " enemy

" ... Why can't I do this? I'm sick of being sentimental ... that's enough for me. Spread your chest. Even if my choice is considered unacceptable, and many cannot forgive me for it, but ... I want to be proud of myself. I want to look proud in front of this amazing guy who acknowledged my choice.

"I will not show this unsightly side anymore ...!" A turning point in her life. Right now, Iris Gole was overwhelmed with the determination to give her life for the path she had chosen. A knight blocking her path to her brother. She was ready to crush any obstacle. The ground cracked under her feet, Iris aimed her halberd at Ayato. From every part of her body, bright light poured in different directions. Like a violent hurricane, the trees in the area creaked, and all the windows in nearby houses shattered. None of this was magical power

. Iris bared her " sword spirit ".

Incredible strength.

"It looks very scary. Her intimidation is twice as strong as in our first battle. " This was the only time in my life that I smelled something like this. This was when I first met the Diptera Edelweiss at the Akatsuki Academy.

To Be Continued

No Flames and They Shall continue to be Ignored.