On the second day, we continued with strategy and we all did a bit of training. Just like that, it was finally the rating game. I had gotten some balaclavas for my group and it really fit with the rogue-ish theme I was going for so I decided to make it part of the overall look. Plus, I wasn't planning on being found out about being the red dragon emperor. So I needed to cover up my face and do the same for my subordinates so they didn't get recognized in future.
We were all in the occult research club and revised the plan all over again before I went to speak with the new member of my faction. She was wearing my faction's suit instead of the church clothing and seemed half dead in the eyes with the only emotions showing being fear and despair. There was a lot of fear for me but when Ayaka walked up to me, she started shivering. " I'm sorry my Emporer, I could not finish the job properly. The girl had a stronger will than I thought but she can still fulfill tasks. " I continued to stare into the brunette's eyes before facing Ayaka.
" Irina seemed stronger than I thought but if you say she's ready, then give her the sword. You shall be in charge of her. Oh, and watch out for the blond boy. He has a problem with holy swords and their users. " With Ayaka's affirmation, I went to speak to Rias. " You ready?" It was obvious how nervous she was but she sent me a smile. " Ready as can be." I put a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her before speaking. " Hy, there's no need to worry. I think you forgot who you have on your side."
I got a giggle as a response and we continued to talk until it was time. Grayfia soon came by, explained rules and how the only way to win is for the king to either surrender or be knocked out before we were teleported to a dimension similar to the academy as per Rias's demand and Riser's acceptance. We all split into the groups we had discussed and went our separate ways.
Pov of one of Jason's subordinates
" I hope you remembered our emperor's words cause you better ask now if you forgot." Chiyo said." What do you take us for C1" Haru said sounding a little annoyed. C1 was a codename we all had. The C was for Chiyo who was the group leader and 1 was her ranking in the group. " C2, you better watch your tone. The two began bickering but I decided to end it quickly." Are you two idiots or what? We are on a mission and in the presence of one of our emperor's associates. What would our emperor think if he was to hear you two? "
The two immediately got quiet, ashamed of their actions." I'm sorry about them Miss Himejima. They can be quite rowdy. "Miss Himejima only laughed before speaking." I don't mind at all. If anything, it's amusing watching their antics." Before we could continue our conversation, we made it to our destination. As planned, we set the explosives around the gym while Akeno kept watch with the help of her familiars. Around the time when we nearly finished covering the gym with explosives, the earpieces we were wearing sounded off. Akeno warned that the targets were nearing.
We had to stop and group up so the targets didn't figure out a part of our plans. I was the last to arrive at the meeting location at the door of the gym. We stood by the gym door and heard the targets walk in. Once we judged them to be deep enough inside, Chiyo opened the door and we used our gears immediately.
It would be my first time using my trick vanish out of practice circumstances. I aimed for one I recognised to be a pawn while Chiyo and Haru used their trick vanish gears on the ones I recognised to be the rook and another pawn. We then activated the explosives and the building collapsed. We heard an announcement saying a rook and two pawns got eliminated. I couldn't help but smile at our easy defeat of the three devils. Without their powers, they were nothing but humans. I couldn't help but feel superior, those supernatural beings thought they were better than humans but were taken down as easily as one.
The final pawn managed to escape the rubble looking worse for wear but still fighting capable. One of my companions used their gear leaving the final devil useless and allowing Akeno to use a simple fireball to take the target out. That did make me wonder how well the trick vanish worked for instance, up to what power level could it affect.
My musings were halted when Akeno looked in my direction and shot lightning. The lightning shot above me and I turned around to see a purple-haired bombshell who could challenge the likes of Miss Himejime." The forest. " Chiyo said and we immediately knew what she meant. The three of us ran for the forest as cover.
Akeno and the purple bombshell began fighting. I, unfortunately, couldn't see much of it as I along with my companions had to stay hidden and sometimes move as the purple hotty sent attacks our way when she spotted us. The three of us were waiting for the opportunity to use our gears together as the purple bombshell seemed too strong for one of us to do it alone. Something bad happened as we waited. One stray shot managed to eliminate who I suspected was Haru, but I couldn't see who it was through the foliage.
The chance came when Akeno told us to get ready on the earpieces. She seemed to be charging an attack and when she was about to release it, we all used our gears together. The purple bombshell began to fall as her powers were temporarily sealed. Akeno unleashed her attack on the bombshell which took the purple-haired hotty out.
Apparently, she was the queen as the voice sounded her elimination off. Akeno seemed finished but when we told her to take a break, she refused. We decided to continue to our final meeting site.
Pov of another one of Jason's subordinates
" Ooooi, pretty boy. Could you slow down?" I shouted at the blonde bastard who was running too fast for us to follow. The bastard awkwardly laughed while scratching his head and slowing down." Sorry about that. " he apologized." Now, get ready. Our emperor said we would cross some bimbos taking this route so be prepared.
We ran for a few minutes before coming in contact with said bimbos. It was clear that they wanted to talk but I didn't care. I ran up to one of them and attacked with a ferocious punch. Prettyboy, seeing me, attacked one of the other girls.
Even with my body being twice as strong as a human thanks to my gear, I was still on the defensive. While I was still fighting, I heard a couple of announcements and reflectively looked toward the blond pretty boy.
Right as I did so, the girl the blonde was fighting tripped over something while attacking and the pettyboy took his chance. He pierced the girl in the gut, eliminating her. I wondered why the girl tripped but I looked at Jiro and immediately realized why. That gear of his was extremely useful.
A sudden punch hit me in the gut, knocking the wind out of me before a hit to my face sent me flying back. " Forgetting about the enemy." I faintly heard as I tried to recover. This faded blue-haired b*tch was walking over to me like she had already won. " Akemi, get your ice bird ready, I plan to take this b*tch down and I need your help." I said into the earpiece. I heard Akemi complain about code names but I didn't care at the moment but as soon as I got an affirmation, I rushed at the b*tch who dared to punch me.
The b$tch was so confident that she wasn't in danger, she stood there waiting for my attack. Her idiocy however led to her not noticing ice spikes speeding toward her from behind. It seemed she had noticed my glance behind her as she looked to see what I was looking at.
I took that opportunity and used all the power I could to close the distance between us. When I crossed the distance, she was turning back to look at me and a clear surprise was on her face. I punched her in the gut and as she coiled in from the punch, I grabbed her face and kneed it as hard as I could. I took relish in the sickening crunch I heard as my knee connected with her face before jumping back and letting the ice spikes that were nearing make swiss cheese out of the bimbo.
She got eliminated and the blonde finished his opponent with the help of Jiro. " Let's get moving, we haven't won yet." I shouted before running my way to the meeting area.
Jason Pov
" Why are we just walking to the meeting spot?" Rias asked in bewilderment. " To give enough time for everyone to catch up." Right as I said that a couple of announcements went off. It was mostly just Riser's pieces which put a smile on my face." See. No need to fret. " I said simply. Rias only huffed before continuing to walk beside me.
Ayaka, Koneko and the rest of my subordinates were either scouting ahead for us or guarding us. We made it to the meeting point without an issue and waited. Soon enough, all the teams came back, some worse than others but all still around. Those with mild to worse injuries could rest while some of the less injured ones could stay to protect them.
That left us with eight of my subordinates and two of Rias's peerage members as Akeno would rest. The rest of us continued forward up until we met Riser and what was left of his peerage. He had an infuriated look on his face but I couldn't have cared less. I just ordered the staring gear users to begin barraging Riser and his underlings while the spirit bird users attacked from the sky.
Kiba and koneko were striking when the enemy pieces were trying to dodge the projectiles with the help of the twice-critical users. The enemy pieces also had to look out for all the traps and pitfalls the strategy trap user was setting. It was an utter slaughter and during this time, Rias had begun fighting Riser, keeping him at bay. She wouldn't be able to do so for long but she didn't have to as I was going to begin doing my part.
I began using boost until I reached my limit before waiting for the chance to attack Riser. I heard people from my side and Risers being eliminated but I was solely focused on charging and stabilizing my attack. A chance for me to attack came when Riser began boasting not realizing or caring how his pieces were losing. I took the chance to use a skill Ddraig had only recently taught me. I wasn't planning to use it since it took some time for me to form it and I wasn't good at aiming but with the way Riser was standing and boasting, I had to try. I snuck behind him and then began creating the shot.
Rias noticed what I was doing but didn't give any reaction. My attack was soon charged and I wasted no time in shooting it at Riser. Somehow, Riser managed to sense my attack as he turned around and was about to dodge but my attack luckily connected. It blew a hole through the side of his head making him ragdoll to the ground.
" Now!" Right as I shouted, Irina who had been waiting on the sidelines ran toward Riser's prone body as planned. She was a bit too slow for my liking so I ran at inhuman speeds toward her, picked her up and made my way to Riser. His head injury was mostly healed and his body was twitching to life when we got to Riser.
Without any prompt, Irina cut Riser's limbs off. Riser's head wound finally healed and he regained consciousness. He took a look at his situation before insulting us. I wasn't in the mood to take his nonsense as he brought my hopes up for nothing. I wouldn't consider myself a battle maniac but I was expecting an epic battle that would have pushed me to my edge and possibly take me to a new level of strength.
Maybe I was expecting too much or I was under the impression that such an event would happen since I was in an anime. Riser, even though powerful, was clearly born with that power. He most likely didn't train a day in his life so it should have been clear that I was expecting too much. While I was thinking, Irina stabbed Riser in his gut. I asked him to give up but all he gave was a scream. Irina, with my order, poured more mana into the Excalibar, making it exude more holy energy. Riser writhed in agony as the holy energy filled his body. I briefly wondered how hard it would be to fight Riser without the help of Irina and the Excalibar.
Even if I shot him in the head a dozen times, it wouldn't lead to anything. The chances of me losing would be incredibly high as I didn't have any method to deal with Riser's power. My musings ended with Riser fainting and the announcement of our victory.
