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"Rias" - Speech

'Issei' - Thought

[BOOST!] - Sacred Gear Ability/ Ddraig and Albion Speech

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The Rating Game System was implemented to ensure that the new generations of young Devils could learn how to fight battles and gain experience in combat while in a reasonably safe environment. Combine the arena failsafe systems with the healing capabilities of Devil magic and you have somewhere that even an Ultimate-class Devil can go all-out in and not kill any of his opponents.

Of course, like in any system, there have been accidents, but almost all have had to do with the unwise application of Holy Power or unforeseen outside interference, so they are not worth mentioning.

-A brief note on the Rating Games for Young Devils.

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The Ninth Move: King Walk

Day of Mei's Deadline, Lunchtime

Occult Research Club's Clubhouse, Kuō Academy

"So this is how Mei plans of getting my Issei from me?" Rias Gremory asked as she glared at the letter on the table in front of her.

"Indeed." Grayfia replied. The Maid had arrived during Rias' quiet reflection and handed her the Letter of Challenge from Mei Schwarzwald that had been sent to her brother, along with the defeated Terror Twins and their Peerages.

"A Rating Game…she has some nerve." The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess muttered angrily.

"It actually fits in with her character." The Strongest Queen commented.

"Humph. So, what is on the other side of these teleportation coordinates?" Rias asked, indicating the challenge letter.

"As it is a formal challenge, I am not permitted to tell you." Grayfia replied, "However, Sirzechs-sama has sent specialists in the creation and maintenance of Rating Game Arenas to the coordinates in question and it is apparently all up to spec. All the usual safety enchantments are present and there are no malicious spells embedded anywhere."

"Hum. I think she's underestimating my adorable servants." Rias frowned, "They are not so weak as to be defeated very easily."

"She has Amakusa Chiaki on her side." Grayfia reminded her sister-in-law, "Not to mention who knows how many golems. Please be careful."

"I will, Grayfia." Rias nodded seriously, "I lost my Issei once; I shall not lose him again!"

The older Devil placed a comforting hand on her younger counterpart's shoulder for a moment before removing it. "You had better tell your Peerage of this after school."

"Yes." Rias nodded, "Wait, is this Rating Game going to be broadcasted like a regular one?"

"That is evidently the intent here." The maid replied, "The magic specialists were very impressed with the battleground and said that it was created with everything a normal Rating Game Battlefield usually has, including cameras and other sensory devices."

"That's…odd." The redheaded Devil frowned, "Why would she do this? Surely keeping her skills a secret is important for her, so why…?"

"That is something that is puzzling your brother also." Grayfia admitted, "What worries him is that the Sekiryūtei might be the last puzzle piece to whatever it is that Mei is attempting to accomplish. I which case, who knows what might happen. Just in case, his Peerage is ready to leap in and intervene should Mei win."

Rias felt her pride take a hit, but it was true that Mei was a powerful opponent with powerful magic that completely neutralised the advantage that Pureblooded Devils held; their superior magical abilities. With the [Barrier of Solomon: Devil], she could bring even the most powerful magicians and spellcasters among the devils to their knees with frustration as she negated their spells.

"I understand, although I do not like it." She said with a small pout before becoming serious, "I have no intention of losing, Nee-sama. For giving my Peerage such a fright after only recently getting my Issei back, she deserves the death penalty."

"Do not allow anger to cloud your judgement, Rias." Grayfia warned her, "It will make you make mistakes and act recklessly."

"Understood." Rias replied, "Tell Onii-sama that I will not shame the Gremory name and lose again."

"He will not care about that." Grayfia stated with certainty, a small smile crossing her face for an instant, "All Sirzechs-sama will care about is that you and your Peerage make it out of this in one piece."

"Mou, that brother of mine…!" Rias flushed in embarrassment.

"Well then, I shall see you on the date of the Game." The maid bowed to Rias before entering a Magic Circle and vanishing.

Same Time

Master Bedroom, Mei Schwarzwald's HQ

The sound of hollow coughing came from the figure lying on the bed. The Queen of Blood and Betrayal, Mei Schwarzwald lay naked on it, her body wracked with painful spasms and coughs, with blood coming up with every single cough.

"Nee-sama!" Chiaki whimpered. The [Pawn] stood to the side, wringing her hands helplessly.

"I'm…fine…Little One." Mei rasped before descending into another bout of coughing.

"No you are not!" the Pawn yelled, "Your body is breaking apart under the strain of bearing so many Sacred Gears! Please, transfer some of them to me so the strain on your body is reduced!"

"No…!" Mei croaked, "I can't…it isn't as simple as what you presume…the Sacred Gears are bound to my life-force now. Removing even one would shorten my lifespan by a decade. Removing all but my [Fatal Attraction] and I'll only have a month to live, at best."

"No…no way…" Chiaki felt hot tears of frustration and fear fall down her cheeks. No matter what happened, she couldn't do anything for her elder sister.

"Don't…cry…" the Queen whispered hoarsely, reaching out and wiping the droplets away, "I'll be fine…this kind of attack…happens once every few months…this will be the last…as my plan is so close…so close to being completed….once it is, I'll…be able to rest at last."

"Nee-sama…!" Chiaki wept, clutching her sister's hand, "Don't leave me…not again…I don't want to be alone again!"

"Even if I am gone, you will not be alone, Little One." Mei said, her voice getting stronger as the spasms subsided. She sat up and drew her younger sister into a gentle hug.

She was silent for a moment before continuing. "Sairaorg-botchan will stand up for you, as will Rias-sama. You may suffer some loss of privileges, but I am confident that you will be able to make a new family, one that you can love as much as you love me and your other sisters. That is what I believe and hope for, Chiaki-chan."

The other girl continued to weep for long minutes afterwards, while the older girl simply held her close, stroking her hair and whispering comforting words to her sister. After time passed for a while, Mei squeezed Chiaki one last time before pushing her away gently.

"It's almost time." She said softly, "Are you prepared, my little one?"

"Hai, Mei-nee-sama." Chiaki replied as she wiped her tears away, "Just let me wash my face and I will be ready."

"Off you go then." Mei said kindly and watched the girl walk off into the nearby en-suite. When the door closed, the strong front that she had put up for her sister's sake faded and the Stray Devil sagged back onto the bed breathing heavily.

"Not yet…I can't let this defeat me now, not when I am so close!" she whispered, "Damn you Amadeus. Damn your soul to eternal torment in Tartarus and all the worst parts of the Underworld. I will not fail. What was done by you shall be undone. This I swear."

After another minute, the naked Devil stood up and snapped her fingers, changing into her usual robes. She tapped the mask that still covered the top part of her face and the bottom half reappeared smoothly.

"It's time to end this." She said, hands clenched tightly.

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A Few Hours Later

Underground Training Arena, Hyōdō Residence

"'To Rias Gremory-sama.'" Issei read from the challenge letter, "'I hereby challenge you and your Peerage to a Rating Game, winner take all. As, after last time, I trust your brother as far as I could throw a mountain unassisted by magic, I have prepared an arena for use in this game. The coordinates are at the bottom of this letter. Send magic technicians to examine it if you wish, but they not to make any alterations, nor are they to give you any information regarding the battlefield. I shall see you at the games. Signed, Mei Schwarzwald, the Untouchable Queen of Blood and Betrayal.'"

"She has some nerve!" Xenovia said angrily, "Buchou, we are accepting, aren't we?!"

"It is better to go to the battlefield than worry about sneak attacks elsewhere." Rias replied, "We will beat this woman down and show her why the Gremory Group is not to be messed with!"

A chorus of nods came from those around her.

"When is the challenge?" Yuuto asked.

"The day after tomorrow." Issei informed him, waving a small card, "It lists a location where we can teleport in. She's cautious. Apparently, attempts to teleport in from locations other than the place written here will result in a random teleport."

Akeno winced. "Harsh, but a reasonable precaution."

"Are you all finished with your training?" Rias asked those who had been training for the last week.

"Xenovia has improved very well." Kiba put in, "Her ability to use the [Knight] characteristic of speed has come a long way. She still isn't a technique-type fighter though."

"Muu. I'm not a technique-type to begin with." The bluenette pouted.

"Buchou, at some point, let's get some technique types other than me!" the bishōnen begged his King.

"Later." Rias sighed, "Asia?"

"Ano…is this OK?" the blond bishōjo said shyly as she raised a defensive magic circle in front of herself.

"Very nice." Akeno said after examining it for a moment, "Rossweisse? Your opinion?"

"Mm. At the very least, she will be able to protect herself in battle." The Reincarnated Valkyrie said with a nod.

"Well done." the redheaded King hugged the ex-nun in congratulations, "Gaspar?"

"I-I've been training using Issei-sempai's blood." The Dhampir stuttered, "I've…gotten better at using my vampiric abilities, but as expected, [Forbidden Balor View] is still somewhat…"

"That's fine, Gaspar." Rias patted the crossdressing boy gently on the head, "Koneko?"

"Kuroka-nee-sama has been teaching me greater control when using Senjutsu." The Nekoshō replied in her usual emotionless tone, but her expression became irritated after a moment, "…she kept hugging me into her breasts. Troublesome."

"Good." Rias replied while hiding a smile, "Ise? Ravel?"

"Issei-sama has been working on a way to reduce the stamina consumption of his [Illegal Move Tríaina]." The young Phenex answered, "I think he has a workaround set in for the moment, but it still needs a bit of work to be fully useful in battle."

"I've also been working on improving my [Cardinal Crimson Promotion] form's length of operation." The Sekiryūtei added, "It's slow going though. I have to get all three to roughly the same level in order to stabilise my [True Queen] form. I have it up to about fifteen minutes now, maybe twenty at a pinch."

"That's very good, Issei." Rias nodded, "For our part, Akeno and I have been practicing our weapons skills and thinking of ways to improve our magic. Again, it's slow going, but Akeno has a few ideas of her own."

"Ufufufufufufufu…" the light in the S&M enthusiast's eyes was disturbing as she imagined unspeakable things happening to her enemies.

"Finish all of your preparations today, because we'll be relaxing tomorrow in preparation for the Rating Game the day after." The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess said, "Off you go now!"

As the Gremory Group dispersed, Issei remained nearby, looking concerned.

"Why would Sirzechs-sama let this continue?" he asked Rias as they walked to the side of the room, "Is it like the incident with Diodora Astaroth? Are we a stalking horse?"

"I think so." His girlfriend answered honestly, "To a degree, anyway. We're to wear her down and distract her while Onii-sama's Peerage gets a grasp of her position. Then they'll swoop in and capture her. Then, all of this will be over."

"Will it though?" Issei looked pensive, "Everything I've heard about Mei before she killed her Master doesn't match up. It's like Kuroka's case; she killed her Master for Koneko-chan's sake. What if there's a reason Mei did everything she has done?"

"Other than Amakusa Chiaki, Mei has no one to live for." Rias reminded him, "Because she killed them all. I don't know if she went insane or what, but she threatens you, my Issei, and that I will not permit. I will not be separated from you again."

"Oh, Rias…" Issei said as he embraced her, the redheaded girl clutching onto him tightly as soon as he did so. He could feel the jealous stares from the other girls piercing into his back and he chuckled weakly from that sensation.

"Issei-sama, it's time to start practice!" Ravel stated firmly as the petit blond came up and grabbed his arm with a strong tug.

"Ara, Ravel…are you declaring war on me here?" Rias asked archly.

"Muu….!" The Phenex scion scowled, "No, Rias-sama, but I am following your orders from before. You can flirt with Issei-sama later."

The logical rebuttal made Rias sigh in resignation as she disentangled herself from Issei, gave him a peck on the cheek, created a magic circle and stepped into it, vanishing in a flash of red light, quickly followed by Akeno through her own magic circle.

"Well then, Issei-sama, we'd better go and get started on refining your new form!" Ravel said cheerfully, "What is it you called it again?"

"[Welsh Blaster Bishop: Second Step]." Issei replied, "And Ddraig calls out [Change Flying Fang Blasters]."

"Wow…well then, let's get these 'Flying Fang Blasters' ready by the end of today!" the Phenex Scion declared.

The Sekiryūtei had to grin at her spirited declaration. "Right!"

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Two Days Later

Kuō Academy Kendo Club Female Changing Rooms

"…why here?" Issei grumbled, rubbing his face. Katase and Murayama had hit him just before this, when he had come to give the excuse of 'investigating odd spiritual activity in the girl's changing rooms' in order to clear them out.

"I think she must be twitting you, Issei." Kiba replied with a small smile, "After all, how many times have you peeked in here?"

"Lost count." Was Issei's immediate reply.

"See? She must be teasing you." The Prince of the Academy said with a shrug.

This did not please Rias and the other girls, which included Irina and Ravel.

"A-are you certain it's alright for us to accompany you, Rias-sama?" Ravel asked timidly.

"I am." The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess replied, "You and Irina shall be the Jokers in my deck. If she tries anything untoward, you two are to fly to Issei's side and help protect him at once. Understood?"

""Hai!"" the two girls chorused.

A Gremory Magic Circle appeared nearby, disgorging Grayfia, who nodded politely at the rest of the Peerage before looking straight at Rias.

"I have received orders to accompany you as the official announcer for this Rating Game." The Strongest Queen stated, "Apparently it was a request from Mei Schwarzwald herself. Really, that girl continues to irk me…"

Issei gulped. Was Mei mad, riling up the Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation like this?! She is Maō-class all by herself, you know!

"It would seem that the time is now." Akeno said grimly, pointing at the bright red magic circle that appeared in the middle of the room, bearing the [Queen] symbol in its centre.

"Let's go." Rias said grimly, grabbing Issei's hand tightly. As one, the Gremory Group, plus extras, entered the circle and disappeared in a flash of red light.

Unknown Location

As the Gremory Group appeared out of the magic circle into a dark room, there was one crucial person missing.

"Issei!?" Rias screamed as the hand she had been holding was not there anymore.

"Calm yourself, Rias-ojou-sama." A screen popped up in mid-air, showing the masked face of Mei Schwarzwald, "Your beloved [Pawn] is here with me. After all, having the prize fight alongside you would defeat the point of this exercise."

"You witch!" Rias snarled. The other girls, even Asia, were also furious.

"Mei Schwarzwald, I sincerely hope you are not breaking the rules." Grayfia asked ominously, her Demonic Energy crackling around her.

"Far from it, Grayfia-sama." Mei replied contritely, "See here? He's just a bit…tied up at the moment."

The screen panned to the side, showing Issei unconscious and secured to something that made Akeno snarl in fury and Asia whimper in remembered fear.

"That monstrosity!" the Priestess of Thunder and Lightning snarled, "How did you get your hands on it?!"

"I took it from the ruins of the church basement not ten minutes after you reincarnated Asia Argento." The Stray Devil replied as the camera panned back to her, "It's really quite a crude device, but I repaired it and made a few modifications and now it's all ready to work. I have no intention of activating it until and unless you lose, Rias-ojou-sama, so your paramour's fate is in your hands. Would you like me to explain the rules now?"

"Go ahead!" the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess growled, blue-green eyes flashing in anger and Power of Destruction roiling around her in a powerful aura.

"There are two parts to the Rating Game." Mei explained, holding up two fingers, "First, view the battlefield."

Bright lights banished the darkness and, when their eyes adjusted, the Gremory Group stared out of a window that stood atop a tower looking over a vast labyrinth. In the four cardinal directions of the maze, there were four ziggurats and in the centre, a massive tower that dwarfed the one they stood in.

"Welcome to Der Garten der Königin (The Garden of the Queen), my home base and the site of this Rating Game." Mei stated proudly, "The first part of this game is a mix of finding your way through the labyrinth and Jintori. The objective is for you to capture and hold the four ziggurats at the north, south, east and west areas of the maze simultaneously. It will not be easy, as traps, Stray Devils and other obstacles bar your way. Once at the ziggurats, you must defeat the Guardians and then pull a lever. Once that is done, you must fend off assaults by my gargoyles until the other ziggurats have been captured. Only when all four have been captured will the door to my tower will open and the second phase begin."

Although her face couldn't be seen, Rias was certain the woman was smirking beneath that mask.

"Out with it!" she demanded.

"Why, it's merely a race against time." The Stray Devil replied sweetly, "You have a limited amount of time in order to get to the tower and fight your way up it to the Sanctum, where I and the Sekiryūtei currently reside. Should you make it, I will release him and we will fight. Should you not make it in time, the device will automatically start to extract the [Boosted Gear], resulting in my victory. Now, there are some rules. One, no flying above the top of the maze walls or even peeking over them. Two, no smashing through the walls unless that's part of the test. Three, no communications magic. The breach of any of these rules will result in an early activation of the extractor. Are these rules understood?"

"Crystal clear." Grayfia answered for the group.

"You have the next half an hour to plan your moves, and then you shall be teleported in front of the gates of my tower in the centre of the Labyrinth." Mei told them, "Kindly do not disappoint me, Rias Gremory. Oh, and to recompense you for not having a member of your Peerage with you in battle, the Reincarnated Angel and Phenex girl will replace the Sekiryūtei in your battle line-up. Grayfia-sama, the announcer's booth is through the door on your left."

With that, the screen vanished, leaving Rias and the rest of her Peerage fuming.

"I should go." Grayfia said to Rias, "I wish you luck now, as this seems to be geared to break you. Win."

"Thank you, Onee-sama." Rias said with a nod before turning to the rest of her Peerage, "So then…let's get to planning."

Same Time

Interrogation Cell, Palace of the Maō, Lilith

"So then, Regalia and Roan Bael…are you prepared to tell us what happened three years ago?" Sirzechs Lucifer asked as he mildly glowered at the twins. Flanking him were Serafall Leviathan, Ajuka Beelzebub and Falbium Asmodeus. All four of the Great Devil Kings were present.

"Hah…why does it matter?" Roan asked with a weak sneer, "No matter what you do or what that lowly reincarnated bitch Mei does…Amadeus has already won."

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Next Chapter: The Tenth Move: Discovered Check Part 1

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