REVIEWS:
N/A
HA! I bet you guys didn't see this coming! The chapter you all have been waiting for! Take this as an early Christmas gift from me.
Discord: /nNZdvX3pbz
New Year's Eve was great, and everyone had a blast during it. The party lasted until 3 AM, and when it was time for everyone to leave, they did so with large smiles on their faces. He won't lie, he had also acquired several more points in Relationship with them too, and even unlocked new ones with his guests. To count them, he had acquired 4 points with Asia, 10 with Koneko (Shirone), which is a big gain, and 15 with Rias. Rias was an easy guess, seeing how he had been talking with her about strategies and telling her a few things he could do.
The more he spoke of his power, the more assured she felt victory was assured in her favor. And to honor his little deal with her, he will ensure it is as such. He only gained 5 with Akeno, which was to be expected. Although she seemed easy to talk with, her nature made things a bit tricky. He didn't wish to open a can of worms, so to say, so he semi-avoided her during the party.
On the flip side, he had gained 20 whole points with Kiba! Turns out, having a male comrade at long last is truly a blessing to him, and Issei can understand the feeling. The two have been growing as friends very swiftly, and he himself would admit that Kiba is not only a good guy but also a great swordsman. Even Solomon would admit to his skill being the sign of a legend in the making.
He even gained more with Raynare, as he and Asia talked with her to help her remain calm and not, well, do something like cussing at Sirzechs, even by mistake. She behaved well throughout the night, so that was a relief. The total he gained with her was 7, which compared to before, is still good progress.
Now onto the new ones.
Grayfia Lucifuge - Gremory
3/100
Despite your initial first impression, she seems to trust you enough to tolerate your presence.
Ajuka Beelzebub
8/100
His fondness for you is born mostly of curiosity about your abilities and an absurdly fast growth rate. Best keep impressing him, shall we?
Sirzechs Lucifer
12/100
He is VERY grateful that you are offering your aid to save his sister from this marriage, and sees a good ally in you, both as the Red Dragon Emperor and as a potential, personal friend.
Solomon wasn't too keen on those, but seeing how the bonuses from maxing those out could turn out, he decided to tolerate their presence within his RP tab. Now, however, they had other businesses to get down to. Most of them woke up only after noon, predictably after a night of celebration, and Rias had already sent him a message on his phone, which he saw when he woke with both Kuroka and Ingvild in his bed.
Scored.
Still, Rias's message was sent one hour earlier, telling him to meet with her and her peerage at the Occult Research Club's building as soon as he got ready. The message was sent at 11 AM, and when Issei woke up it was almost a quarter past twelve. He had been keeping them waiting, so he was best to get ready. Grabbing his clothing and putting it on after getting a quick shower, he then went downstairs, got a cup of coffee, and grabbed a slice of bread.
He promptly proceeded to cook using his [Fire Mastery] skill.
Note: You won't get EXP for that one.
Of course, it couldn't be that easy, or the System simply didn't like him wasting his skills on such things. Either way, it was no issue. Being able to level up by cooking bread is too much, even for him.
"Umm. Ise?" His attention shifted as he spotted Asia entering the kitchen.
"Ah, Asia. Sorry, did I wake you up? Wait, no, silly question. Your room is still in the dungeon, correct?"
"Yes," Asia said, her voice reflecting the fact she must have woken up not long ago. She was still in her pajamas, which currently consisted of a conservative baggy pair of pants and a shirt. "Are you going to leave for Kuoh Academy?"
"I am. Rias needs me today for the Rating Game, and I cannot let her down now." Issei replied, taking a sip from his coffee. "What about you, Asia? Any plans for today?"
"Well, me and the others will actually come watch. The Rating Game is not until later tonight in the evening, correct?"
"Correct."
"That should give us plenty of time to get ready then, and deal with…hangovers." The way she paused her words caught Issei's attention. He drank a fair bit last night as well, but he was fine right now. Likely a bonus from the system, but regardless of his state of being, the others didn't benefit from the same perks he does.
They only have a lesser version of what he has, solely allowing them to view their progress in a similar way he does. That is not to say they can progress as fast as him.
If some of them went a bit crazy with the drinks last night, hey, good for them. But he didn't have the luxury of sticking around to discuss the hangover of his girls, not right now. "You can ask Blackberry for some snacks to help with it. I am sure he will be thrilled to cook."
"Oh! I do not doubt it! Living in the dungeon has allowed me to get more acquainted with Leonna last night too, and apart from her…figure, she is quite modest. Humble, yet intelligent, it is like she knows everything going on inside the dungeon like some security system!" Asia's words drew a small laugh from Issei.
"Well, she is a pr- being created by the system." He had to watch his words carefully. To him, Leonna and Blackberry and any other potential servant were more or less just products of the System's power, but to others, they might as well be living beings with their own thoughts and emotions. Which, now that he stood for a moment to ponder, might be true. Both of them seem to exhibit complex emotions and look very much alive.
Perhaps even the dummy had emotions. Who knows?
"I guess that makes sense. Anyway, don't let me hold you longer, Issei. I am sure Rias is waiting for you already." Asia told him kindly, which he took to heart. Finishing his quick late breakfast and coffee, Issei grabbed his jacket - even if technically he didn't need it that much - and headed for Kuoh Academy.
Rias was waiting, yes. And he should not let her wait. Not because he was her servant or contracted magician, but rather, because keeping a lady waiting was not polite.
"Ah, Issei. Thank you for finally joining us." Rias greeted him as he stepped through the door, seeing the entire peerage, plus Grayfia there, likely to act as a supervisor and ensure everything was good on their side. "Please, grab a seat."
"I apologize for my delay. Last night was a bit hectic, and I am only human. Couldn't really wake up faster." He apologized, but Kiba was quick to defend him.
"Don't worry about it, Ise. We'd rather have you rested than tired for what is coming up."
"Thank you, Kiba."
"Which speaking of, now that everyone is here, I think we can begin." Rias turned to her sister-in-law. "Grayfia, if you'd please."
"Very well." Pulling out a crystal from her pocket, Grayfia placed it on the table. In the next second, before their eyes, a projection of the entire campus of Kuoh Academy was displayed. "This is Kuoh Academy, as you all are well aware of, and your arena for the upcoming Rating Game. A replica has been created within a temporary pocket dimension, with the Sitri Peerage agreeing to reinforce its barriers and provide additional aid."
"Looks like we have the home-field advantage," Koneko remarked.
"Riser also has an identical map of the academy, and is likely studying it as we speak." Grayfia pointed out. "Additionally, as you all know by now, due to the rumors of possible foul play, Lords Beelzebub, Lucifer, and Phenex shall be spectating the Rating Game within the viewing rooms. Extra security and detection magic were also added to the dimension's barrier. Now, here are the rules for this Rating Game, in addition to the ones commonly used."
Grayfia began. "First, since Riser has a numerical advantage which is in no small part merely double your numbers, Rias, you are hereby informed that Riser is going to be using Pheonix Tears in this match. To whom he gives them, however, we do not know. He was allowed only 2 bottles."
"Phoenix Tears? I think I heard of those." Issei spoke up. "They are one of the best healing options out there, are they not?"
"Indeed, Red Dragon, they are. And since the Phenex are the only known producers of them, they have a monopoly that forced Lord Beelzebub to limit their own usage of them, as before, nothing was stopping them from granting large amounts of this potion to each of their peerage members." Grayfia explained. "Additionally, as Riser was reminded, the Bael's ability, the Power of Destruction, cannot be used to directly harm your opponents, Rias. The barrier might retire those harmed beyond a certain threshold and take them to a special place to be healed, but the power is too dangerous and powerful. However, the Gremory ability, Charm, is allowed to be used without limits on ONE member of Riser's peerage."
"I am plenty aware of the Clan Ability rules," Rias stated.
"Though, if I recall, Phenex members get an extra life, correct?" Akeno asked, and sure enough, Grayfia confirmed it.
"Indeed. They are allowed to be harmed to the point they practically die, but due to their clan power, they resurrect themselves. Only one resurrection is allowed during a Rating Game from any member of the Phenex Clan."
"Riser also has his sister, Ravel, with him." Rias pointed out, which for Issei, was a detail he had missed. "This means there are two Phenex we are facing, not one."
"However, isn't she barely of age?" Akeno asked. "I am pretty sure she has yet to get her Evil Pieces."
"Actually, she has." Grayfia rebuked. "Like most High-Class Devils, one receives their Evil Piece set from Ajuka himself. Lady Ravel Phenex has just been neglecting to gather her own peerage. Still, this is beside our discussion's main points. I was merely here to remind you one last time of the rules, give you the basic information for the Rating Game, and…And this comes as a personal message from your brother, Rias: Wish you all good luck and ensure the defeat of Riser Phenex is swift."
"Well…" Rias' gaze shifted to Issei, who gave her a wicked grin. "That falls under my secret weapon to decide."
"I will bring us victory, but I will be doing it on my terms," Issei added. "Per the rules, of course."
"All I ask." Grayfia got up, a magical circle appearing below her. "The Rating Game begins at six in the evening. Be prepared."
"We will." And so, Grayfia was gone, leaving the Gremory peerage to discuss their strategy. Rias turned to everyone, then to the map showing the entirety of Kuoh Academy. "Everyone ready?"
"As we can be," Kiba spoke up.
"We prepared as much as we could," Koneko said, her tail already out and swaying around.
"Now, we need to work on our strategy." Akeno pointed out, then turned to Issei. "Tell me, Issei, do you have anything to add? Or would you wish to take them on all by yourself?"
Issei snorted at her words." Sorry, Akeno, but despite my power, I don't think I have flawless chances at such a victory. Our enemy has numbers, experience, and who knows what else? Red Dragon Emperor or not, not even I am arrogant enough to fight an army without the confidence that I will emerge victorious. And right now? I do not feel such confidence. Besides, who am I to take away your fun and glory?"
Akeno offered a laugh at his words. "That is true! It would be so boring, just sitting aside and watching while you take all the fun."
"Even then, you WILL remain our best bet. I already put together a plan, and if you want, after I am finished explaining it, you are free to offer improvements." Rias offered, and Issei replied with a silent nod. "Alright." She continued, bringing the map before them. "Kuoh Academy is a large compound, surrounded by forest. What I doubt Riser realizes is that this forest is also part of the battlefield."
"Or he does, and he will attempt to use it to flank us," Issei added.
"Correct. Which is why we need to cover this flank." Rias turned to Kiba. "I trust your explosive surprise can help with that?"
"I perfected a few models of the explosive blade, so I should be fine," Kiba replied.
"Perfect. Now, we do not know where Riser will have his base, but if I were to guess, given his ego and pride, he will likely want to occupy the most important spot on the map." She tapped the main building of the academy, bringing up the inner map of the building, then one specific room. One Issei recognized.
"The Dean's office," Koneko said. "Makes sense. It is located in the back of the third floor, with several rooms around as well. If Riser were to fall to evasive tactics, then this is a prime location."
"Yet, we cannot forget about the main battlefield." Riser pointed out, returning the map to a bird's eye view. "The main courtyard and the gym building are both considered main locations to be held."
"The gym especially." Akeno pointed out. 'It serves as a direct place to attack the old school building from."
"And that is where we are. Where our main base will be." Issei deduced, gaining a nod of confirmation from Rias. "Securing the gym is a priority then."
"For that task, I am assigning Akeno and Koneko, Issei," Rias added. "Your duty will be to take the main courtyard, then once that is secured, you are to hurry to the gym."
"Hmmm. Are you certain of this, Rias?" Issei was doubtful of this decision. "You all agree that the gym is a priority target, so why not use the best pieces to defend it?"
"We'd be putting too many resources in one place," Rias explained. "We lack Riser's numbers. Even now, I'll be left defenseless within the old school building, so if any of Riser's troops sneak past any of you, they could get to me easily."
"I see. So you do not want us to defend." It was starting to make sense to him.
"Yes. I know Riser might send his peerage out to capture those locations, and as such, I want you all to take out as many as you can to thin their numbers. You especially, Issei! I expect a healthy body count from you. Once we assess that their numbers have been well reduced, I want whichever one of you can begin advancing to the entrance to the main building. This is where we will all meet up, to possibly launch an attack on Riser directly."
"If we stay together, we will be easy picking," Issei muttered, trying to weigh the options they had. If they remained together, there was nothing stopping Riser from using his Queen's explosive abilities to take them all out in one go, or in Issei's case, harm him enough to weaken him. Splitting up also divides their forces, with Kiba and Issei being the ones going in alone, but…
Rias was right. They didn't have the numbers to go about this any other way. If they go about this defensively, odds are Riser will just swarm them and slowly pull the victory. Their resurrection was an issue as well…
Issei didn't give Rias's plan the possibility to survive contact with the enemy. No plan does. "Can you retain communications? In case we need to alter the plan, we best be prepared."
"Of course, we will have communications up at all times."
"Then…I have nothing else to add." Issei stated, and the hologram went away. "I wish you all good luck in the upcoming battle."
"Likewise, Issei," Kiba replied.
"Hopefully we manage to pull through," Akeno stated.
"We will. Or we will lose trying." Koneko stated.
"The stakes are my freedom," Rias said, getting their attention. "Thank you all, for being willing to fight for it with me."
"Our powers…" Issei began. "Are in your service, Rias Gremory."
Rating Game inbound!
Would you look at that, Issei was not expecting this.
Since you are about to enter a Rating Game, you are going to hereby be made aware of the way Rating Games work.
First, know that the default amount of EXP to gain from winning a Rating Game is 3M, however, this amount decreases the more members of your team lose, by 10%. However, the amount goes up by 15%, individually, for every vanquished opponent. Note that members who had been eliminated will only gain 50% of the default EXP, plus the bonuses they earned before elimination.
EXP bonuses apply. Additionally, EXP can be gained from the individual defeats of your enemies as well, but said EXP will be stored until the end of the Rating Game, and only given to you if you are part of the winning team.
Holy crap! That was a LOT of potential EXP he could gain. Rating Games were THE way for EXP it seemed, and this has directly answered Issei's greatest question of how he was going to reach level 50 for his other quest. If he works hard enough, the leap provided by this Rating Game could get him within reach.
Then came the issue of his EXP bonuses. He had a 100% bonus from his newest perk, which effectively doubles all EXP he gains, then 10% from his ring, 50% from his skill, and if he turned on the event he had, he could gain a whopping 200%. However, the event was better left alone, given how it will only increase the very next amount of EXP he gets. Best use that when he is certain he will be increasing the right amount.
Still, this Rating Game is bound to see him set on the right path to reach the highest peak.
"Riser, Sir, the time is almost here." The owner of the voice calling out to him was a voluptuous woman with long, wavy purple hair that fell down her back and matching eyes. At the front, the right side of her hair falls over her breast and covers her right eye, while the left side falls near the top of her skirt.
Her attire was a dress consisting of a navy blue tunic top with gold accents and a pale blue skirt with open sides, black shoes, and over-matching thigh-high stockings with garter belts. The top revealed much of her cleavage and held with a gold choker with blue and red jewels. Over this, she wears a white overcoat with black and gold accents and matching pauldrons. For accessories, she wears a black headband with a red-orange jewel over her forehead to keep her long hair in place and has a staff-like scepter in battle strapped to her back. For cosmetics, she wears purple lipstick and nail polish, matching her eyes and hair.
Her name was Yubelluna, Riser's Queen.
Riser inhaled sharply. "So it would seem." He stated slowly as he got up, facing his peers. True to Grayfia's previous words, Riser had also received a map of Kuoh Academy and has been studying it, finding the best places to maneuver his peerage. He knew well what his advantages were, and by all accounts, victory should be his.
Except he couldn't shake off the feeling he had about Rias' magician. Something about him…Was not right. Still, he had no time to worry about that. He had a game to win, and a wife to defile later.
Facing his peerage, Riser glanced over them all. His peerage AND Harem, all women he took with great joy to his bed, except for his Bishop, Ravel, who was his own sister. To introduce them, first, there was Ravel Phenex, his sister and bishop, a beautiful young girl with dark blue eyes, long blonde hair tied into twin tails with large, drill-like curls and blue ribbons keeping them in place. The front of her hair has several bangs hanging over her forehead, with a V-shaped fringe hanging over the bridge of her nose. Her outfit consisted of a light purple dress with dark purple accents and a blue bow at the front. At the back, three feather-like extensions mimicking a bird's tail protruding from the dress, which, when combined with her wings of fire, give her a bird-like appearance.
Then came his second bishop, Mihae, a young girl who is always seen wearing a Kimono with a color pattern of purple, orange, and pink with her black hair tied on the opposite side, with large, beautiful brown eyes.
Next came his knights, starting with Karlamine, a young woman with light brown hair and green eyes, wearing a full set of silver armor with black accents that appeared to be a cross between a European Knight and a Japanese Samurai, with a headband that goes across her hair and forehead. She is equipped with a broadsword and a dagger, both of which are held with brown belts slung across her hip. The broadsword is slung on her left hip features a red jewel on the pommel, and has bandages across the handle for grip. The dagger, which is located behind her hip, features a gold hilt with bandages on the handle.
Next, he had Siris, a tall young woman with long black hair with a dark blue tint, and brown eyes. Her hair features five thin ponytails going around her head, which are held up by a golden hair accessory on top of her head. Her outfit consists of a white top with black accents that is modeled after a Chinese cheongsam, red shorts, and armored, knee-high boots with matching gauntlets. The top features a diamond shape on the chest area, giving a view of her breasts and cleavage.
And of course, the giant Zweihänder which is mounted on her back features a black blade with silver edges and has a black hilt with a red handle.
Next came his rooks, the first being Isabela, a voluptuous woman with short, light brown hair and grey eyes. Her hair has three red highlights across and wears a plain white mask that covers the right side of her face. Her outfit consists of a black jacket and matching jeans. The jacket has wide shoulders and a wide collar and features three leather straps on both her arms. It is also slightly open, revealing her rather large breasts and cleavage, and it is cut off at her midriff. Her jeans have a section on her right pant leg cut off, revealing some of her thighs and rear end, and also feature three leather straps on her calves, just below the ankles, and two extra straps on her right pant leg to keep it in place. She also wears black fighting gloves and boots to enhance her blows.
Next, he had his final rook, Xuelan, a well-endowed young woman of Chinese descent with shoulder-length black hair and blue-green eyes. Her hair has two Chinese-style buns on both sides of her head, while the front features bangs that form a slight V-shape across her forehead.
Her outfit consisted of a navy blue qipao with gold accents, a white sash around her stomach, and black, low-heeled shoes. The qipao is open at the chest area, giving a view of Xuelan's breasts and cleavage. She also wears black armguards over her forearms. However, the most striking feature that Riser himself enjoys is the fact she wears no undergarments.
Next came his pawns, specifically, the first set of twins he has among them, Ile and Nel. Two very young girls - Riser made sure to check they were actually of age before doing anything, and sure enough, they just had very youthful appearances. - with turquoise hair, which they keep tied to one side of their head with a yellow ribbon, on opposite ends to one another, and blue eyes. Both of their outfits consisted of gym uniforms; t-shirts with blue accents, black leggings, and blue sneakers over knee-high socks. They also wear an orange wristband on their left wrist.
Both of the girls wielded chainsaws colored blue, but they carried them in different-colored gym bags when not in use, Ile a blue one and Nel a red one.
The next pair of twins were Ni and Li. Two young girls, appearing to be in their teens - but again, Riser checked! He was many things, but not a fucking pedophile! - Being twins they sport similar appearances, with the major difference being Ni's red eyes and blue hair, in contrast to Li's blue eyes and red hair. Also, Ni ties her hair in a ponytail, while Li has hers in a braid with a pink bow tied at the end.
Riser also was in luck with them, as the twins were Nekomata, Youkai with quite a bit of respect among their own, as proven by their trademark light brown cat ears with black stripes. They also wear piercings on their ears, with Li having two gold earrings on her left ear and Ni having blue-colored ones on her right. Similarly, both of them have a fang sticking out of their mouths, with Ni having hers to her left, and Li having hers to her right, thus mirroring each other.
Both of them wear short skimpy, white sailor uniforms that reveal their abdomen, shoulders, and lower breasts, and wear short black skirts. They also tie their orange ascots in different ways respectively.
Next up is his next pawn, Marion, a young girl with shoulder-length light brown hair and dark brown eyes, dressed in a buttoned, sleeveless, French maid uniform with a white laced design, along with a standard maid headpiece, cuffs, and a white half-apron to go with the set. She also wears light grey tights. Now, Riser was very glad with her, as both her and his other pawn ARE actually French, and do come from long lines of maids. Jackpot!
But speaking of, his next maid/pawn was Bulent, a young girl with shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes, dressed in a sleeveless French maid uniform that exposes her cleavage, with a white laced design on the edges, as well as a maid headpiece, half-apron, and forearm length fingerless gloves.
Next up he has the exotic beauty of his pawn set, Shuriya, a young woman with long pale blue hair and amber eyes. She has tanned skin and wears a bikini made up of a metallic underwire brassier and a silk loincloth that exposes her sides. She also wears a silver-colored tiara and neck rings with a ruby and blue gem respectively. Other accessories that she wears include ruby orb earrings, neck rings with a blue gem, a snake-themed bracelet on her upper arm, and a transparent pink veil across both her arms. Shuriya, notably, has purple highlights around her eyes.
And lastly, there is Mira, who is arguably his best pawn. A young girl with blue hair and light brown eyes - whom he also had to check to be safe with - with her hair styled with six short ponytails, with four of the six on the back of her head. The front of her hair features split bangs going across her forehead, with side bangs framing her face.
Her outfit consisted of a white haori with a red obi, which is worn under a red happi coat. She wears bandages on her forearms and shins and wears black guards over her hands. For footwear, she wears a pair of zōri and her weapon, her Bo staff, is at the ready on her back.
Flashing his grin, he began to address them all. "Alright, girls, the time has come to show Rias how futile her resistance is against Riser's peerage. Everyone knows their roles?" A collection of nods with confident smiles was seen before his eyes. "Marvelous! Then, let's go."
As the evening arrived, everyone was ready. They were gathered within a dimly lit room, somewhere within Kuoh Academy, the real one, with both peerages facing one another, each standing above inert magical circles ready to take them to their chosen bases upon activation. To their right were Grayfia, Sirzechs, Ajuka, and another, older-looking version of Riser sporting a short beard with long, shoulder-length hair and dark blue eyes, dressed in a royal attire woven with golden wire and orange detailing, almost looking like a flame.
This was Lord Ramon Phenex. The father of Riser Phenex.
In the room was also Issei's group, consisting of Kuroka, Ingvild, Raynare, and Asia, who came here to watch the Rating Game.
"I see everyone has gathered here. Good." Ajuka stated. "Now, to remind you all for the last time, rumors of possible foul play have been circulating, so extra cautionary measures have been taken. Cheating WILL NOT be tolerated, even if this is off the books. Do the Kings understand this?"
"Yes/I do." Rias and Riser replied at once.
"Good. Now, I have been informed that Rias' magician here has forbidden magic, namely blood magic. Issei, I will have to ask you to refrain from using any blood magic for the duration of the match." Ajuka asked, to which Issei replied simply.
"May I be retired at once if I do."
"That is what would happen, yes," Ajuka added, and then he continued. "The winners of this Rating Game are those who can eliminate the enemy peerage first. Or, if the enemy king surrenders, that is also a victory. Do any of the kings wish to add something before the match begins?" Ajuka waited for any of them to say something, but when no word was spoken, he continued. "Then, let us begin!"
The magical circles underneath them lit up, and soon enough, the two peerages vanished from the room, disappearing into the special dimension prepared for them. Once they were gone, however, Lord Phenex spoke up. "That boy, Issei…Tell me, Lord Lucifer, what is so special about him?"
"Oh, you will see, Lord Phenex," Sirzechs replied as the group turned to the screens set up to allow them to watch the Rating Game. "You will see."
"Alright everyone, listen up," Rias spoke through the communication magical circle around everyone's ear. "Stick to the plan until something happens that has us change it, understood? Kiba, get into position and get ready. Akeno and Koneko, go secure the Gym, and Issei will head to the main courtyard."
"Understood, President," Kiba replied before he cut off the connection and proceeded to continue his run through the forest. Thanks to the training and Issei's advice, he was already wielding one of his new swords. In the end, he managed to create quite the versatile weapon he can use in the battle up ahead, although he will admit, they are not very…honorable, so to say.
Still, honor had to be set aside for this match. "Here." Kiba arrived at his position, then he began his move. Using his Sacred Gear, Sword Birth, he began to create several short swords which he threw around the entire place, embedding them into the trees, earth, and so on. His plan was simple: An ambush. He will attempt to wait for Riser's peerage to show up, and then when they are within the detonation area, he will blow up the swords.
With any luck, that will constitute an easy victory for him.
Yet, for now, after he finished setting up the swords, all he had to do was wait for his enemy to show up. Luckily, he didn't need to do a lot of waiting.
"Well, well, what have we here?" Karlamine said as she arrived together with her teammates. Kiba recalled them from some of the meetings they had; he saw one of Riser's knights, one bishop, and three pawns, the ones wearing French maid uniforms and the tanned one. "A lone knight, sitting in a field of blades? We already know of your Sacred Gear, Yuuto Kiba."
"I figured as much. You are Karlamine, correct? I hope our battle will be a fair one." Kiba said, offering her a bow out of courtesy.
"I hoped that as well…" Past tense? "However, we have clear orders from Riser to end this as quickly as possible. Despite the fact I would have loved to battle you one-on-one, I am afraid we must end this here."
"Bold of you to assume it might be easy," Kiba replied with equal levels of bravado. "Still, if you believe this battle will end quickly…" He drew his sword, this one a new model. A simple model. It was a long sword with a golden cross guard and a black handle with a circular end to it. However, the black line in the middle of the blade was something that caught Karlamine's attention.
"Mihae! Full physical reinforcement!"
"Yes!" Mihae, the bishop, obeyed the command at once, casting several spells to enhance her teammate's physical attributes before Karlamine began charging forth, followed by Marion, Shuriya, and Burent, all going toward Kiba to take him out.
However, as they got closer, Kiba simply smiled before he leaped back, avoiding a slash from Karlamine. The knight looked at him in confusion as she saw him running away, but then she took notice of something. Something she should have suspected already. The short swords all around them - they were all the same! They looked almost like the sword Kiba was holding, but something was off.
And in the next moment, she learned what. Kiba pressed the small circular part of his sword like a button, and all around them, the sword shorts began blowing up, catching them in the blast.
"AAHHHH!"
"AHhhhhhhhhhh!"
"No!"
"Three of Riser Phenex's pawns have been retired."
The announcement given by Grayfia was heard all over the dimension, but Kiba found it strange. "Only the pawns?" Then he gasped as he saw Karlamine come out from the smoke, making him put up his sword to block an incoming slash from her. However, Karlamine's expression was one of anger.
"You BLEW us up?!" She sneered at him, upset at the loss of her friends, but Kiba simply replied with another confident remark.
"To be honest, I was aiming to take all of you out." He clarified, looking past Karlamine to see the bishop, Mihae, on her knees. It seems she was rocketed by the blast as well, as her clothing was somewhat ruined, but she remained conscious and able to fight, hence why she was not retired just yet. "Looks like I did not try hard enough." He pushed his opponent away, summoning forth another explosive short sword.
Karlamine took notice of the blade appearing and got into a more defensive stance. Mihae, however, remained behind them. She had to rest before she could begin again. But she knew Karlamine needed aid. She could tell that the only reason she was not retired from the blasts was thanks to the reinforcement magic used on her making her tough enough to stand the explosions.
But she wouldn't survive a second volley like that. All around them, the trees were ruined and the ground was uneven. If Karlamine fought now, it would be a rough fight. But Mihae knows her friend would have it no other way.
Kiba made the first move, charging at Karlamine and slashing with his two blades, the first being countered by her blade, but the second coming in as a thrust from underneath. Thinking and moving quickly, Karlamine twisted her midriff to not get stabbed, then she grabbed her own dagger and slashed at Kiba's chin, the boy leaning back just in time to dodge.
Kiba jumped back from Karlamine, but as he was in the air, she took the chance. "You cannot dodge mid-air!" She shouted before swinging her sword and producing a powerful gust of wind that caught Kiba off-guard, forcing him back further and throwing his balance off.
Although he was able to land, he didn't land well, giving Karlamine an opening which she used to charge at Kiba right away, but the boy expected her to do this. Stabbing the short sword into the ground, Kiba jumped on the pummel before jumping up and activating the sword, making it explode and launching him high into the air.
And by the time Karlamine figured out his aim, he was already past her. "Shit! He is not after me…" She turned to see Kiba throw another one of the explosive blades at Mihae. "He was after Mihae!"
In another area of the battlefield, Akeno and Koneko were advancing to the gym. "Oh my, I think we are late to the party," Akeno remarked, dressed in her miko uniform with Koneko by her side, her Nekoshou features out for the world to see.
The smaller girl gave no verbal reply of her own, and instead, she simply went ahead and punched the door of the gym wide open, coming face to face with their opponents.
"Alas, I was starting to worry you wouldn't show up," Xuelan stated, staring at the two opponents before her with her own numbers behind her. Xuelan was there along with Mira, Ni and Li, and even Ile and Nel. One rook and five pawns.
"Oh my, so many of you in one place," Akeno remarked. "Though I have to say, I didn't expect so many pawns. Care to tell where the other back-row pieces are?"
"No chance," Xuelan replied as she pulled back her gloves, however, at that moment, a certain announcement rang out throughout the dimension.
"Three of Riser Phenex's pawns have been retired."
"What?!" Mira gasped in shock hearing that, easily figuring out that those were the girls sent to the forest area.
"Oh my, looks like our own knight is quite busy," Akeno added, getting their attention.
"One knight?" Xuelan caught on. "I see. Kiba Yuuto. Indeed, given his Sacred Gear, Riser had his careful eye on him. Seems like his hunch was correct."
"Are we going to fight or just chat?" Koneko said, getting the attention of their enemy. The twin nekomata were already getting their fighting gloves on, and the other pair of twins was revving up their chainsaws, but Xuelan spoke up.
"Leave the Nekoshou to me." She said, then she tapped her leg hard on the ground, setting it ablaze. "This will be a battle between rooks. Take the queen out instead."
"Yes, Ma'am!" The younger girls replied before they charged at Akeno.
"Oh my." Was all she replied before a large grin spread across her lips.
"Three of Riser Phenex's pawns have been retired."
"Looks like Kiba is keeping himself busy," Issei said internally as he heard the announcement, arriving in the main courtyard of the academy replica with his new katana in hand, resting it upon his shoulder. "So, what you say, guys? I think I will only use the Twice Critical form of the Boosted Gear for a bit, save the surprise for the end."
"The surprise element is always effective, so no objection from me."
"As much as I would have loved to see you unleash our full might against them, Issei, I will leave this call to you. But you better not embarrass the name of the Red Dragon by letting your cockiness drag you down."
"I won't, Ddraig, I promise." And on cue, his [Aura Sense] skill was triggered, picking up two signals coming his way. He couldn't tell who they were, or what their pieces were precisely, but he didn't have to. Because soon enough, Riser's knight and rook revealed themselves to him.
"Rias' magician, correct?" Isabela asked, clenching her fist. "Sorry, boy, but Riser said to take you out as soon as possible. No hard feelings, alright?"
"Hmmm. You see, that is actually a problem." Issei replied, but unknown to him, his katana drew the attention of Siris, whose eyes widened in recognition.
"That sword…That is a katana forged by the Tengu!" She exclaimed, getting Isabela's attention on that as well. "How do you have that? The Tengu are not known to be sloppy and let their swords get stolen away."
"That is only you assuming that I stole it. It was a gift from Mososhi himself." Issei replied, holding the katana in his hands. "I thought I'd make use of it, you know. It would be a waste to have it gather dust in storage. So, pray tell, which one of you will be the lucky girl to test its metal first?"
Siris grabbed her Zweihandler before Isabela could protest. "I will!"
"Hey, wait, remember the-"
"Twice Critical!" Issei shouted, bringing out the first stage of his Gear and hiding its real identity from his enemies. His stats were doubled once, and then he swung his katana and intercepted Siris' strike head-on, however, he was finding himself a bit pressured. Both Siris and her weapon were quite strong, he'll admit to that much. However, his sword was not normal.
With a grin on his face, Issei maintained his position, but then he shifted it. Siris noticed this, however, and backed away just in time to notice how the katana was becoming red hot. "Wha- Impossible!"
"What is going on, Siris? You know more about that kind of sword, so why is it glowing?" Isabela asked, trying to get some answers.
"Tengu Katanas are swords that only the Tengu, high-ranking Youkai, can make. They are famous for their ability to channel their user's Ki." Siris explained, and Isabela, to her credit, was quick to catch on.
"Hold on, you mean to say he is a Youkai?! But he has a Gear! Is he a hybrid?" She asked, looking back at Issei.
"Wrong," he replied, holding his sword up. "I am as human as they come." And then, his sword ignited in his hands, giving Issei an eerie look as the light of the flames pushed away the shadows around them. "So, let's try this again, shall we?" Using [Power Jump] he leaped up into the sky above them, shocking them with the height a mere human could achieve.
Issei then swung down his blade, sending forth a slash attack of pure fire at them. Unfortunately, they were able to see the attack coming, as it was a bit slow, and evade it. Seeing this, Issei changed the element in his sword, focusing on air, and paying additional Ki to control air more freely. His sword began to have a fast, swirling wind surrounding it, as the wind itself kept him floating in the air.
"Fuck, he really is a magician…" Isabela remarked, looking at the floating form of Issei. "Still, that doesn't change anything! Siris!"
"Yes!" Swinging her massive blade, Siris launched a shockwave at Issei, yet her move was swiftly countered when Issei simply swung his sword, sending a gust of powerful wind that crashed into her attack and nullified it. But that was a distraction.
"I got you!"
"Don't be so sure!" Isabela managed to leap up high and use her wings to get to his location, aiming to strike Issei down from the sky. However, she never expected Issei to twist quickly around and deliver a punch to her abdomen. The [Dragon's Fist] he delivered created a small shockwave on the back of Isabela's body and even caused the air in her body to get knocked out.
But it was not enough. Managing to keep going, she grabbed onto the arm he had used to strike and allowed gravity to take her along with him to the ground, spinning in the air so that Issei was position to meet the ground back-first, followed by her landing on his stomach to cushion her own fall.
A sound plan, but he countered it during the fall by summoning forth his magic, grabbing Isabela by the face, and attempting to use [Scorching Touch]. But…Nothing happened, which shocked him and resulted in Isabela's move going through, and Issei's back met the ground in a hard crash.
However, Issei's stats were not all at 100 for nothing! It hurt, yes, but it didn't cause the damage Isabela believed it would. Had Issei been a normal human? Then yes, he might be dealing with a broken rib or two by now, but he was not. He was human, yes, but more at the same time. Tightening the grip on his sword, he channeled his Ki through it again, summoning earth to him this time.
"What?!" Surprised, Isabela didn't have the time to get away in time as the dirt around them rose and encased them in some kind of dome. The only issue was that Issei trapped himself within this place with a close-range combatant. "Nice try, but I am not going to-" But before she could punch him, she saw something glow in his hand. "What are you-"
"Isabela of the Phenex Peerage…" Issei spoke slowly, yet the glow in his hand had all of her attention. "Meet my [Dragon Grenade]"
"Grenade-?!" Unfortunately for Isabela, her words were swiftly drowned out by the explosion that followed, which kicked up dust all around the area.
Siris, for her part, watched the scene that unfolded dumbfounded and wondering what just happened. Did Rias' magician go for a suicidal attack to take down Isabela? Why do such a tactic, and why waste what Riser believed to be her ace? It didn't make sense to her at first, but then she heard a strange sound.
The sound of a bottle dropping on the ground, and then, she saw a shape coming out from the dust. "That was my last one…" Issei said, coming out from the dust with his shirt ripped and katana in hand, but Isabela? She was behind him, on the ground, fighting not to pass out. "I must say, the fact you can still keep awake is something, especially taking one of my grenades at such close range."
"Y-you…What w-was that?" Isabela asked, feeling herself slipping.
"That? That was a taste." He replied, flashing her a grin. "A taste of my true power. Don't worry, I plan to give your king the full course."
"Y-you- Ugh…" And so, Isabela passed out and was teleported away the very next moment.
"Riser Phenex's rook was retired."
Rook Eliminated. 250K EXP. Applying bonuses: 825K EXP has been stored.
"Music to my ears!" Issei exclaimed, turning his focus to Siris, who stood her ground before him with her sword still in hand. "I must say, that attack from earlier almost had me. Nicely thought. But don't think I will leave such an opening a second time! Your teammate's anti-magic mask was a mere surprise, nothing else!"
Siris flinched hearing him talk. So, he figured it out that Isabela was wearing a piece of anti-magic equipment…Didn't matter, she was retired now, meaning it fell to her to carry out Riser's order to take out this magician. Without so much as a word, Siris charged at Issei with impressive speed when considering the potential weight of her weapon, yet, with his stats still boosted, Issei was able to dodge and then he attempted to use [Swift Slash] to strike her from the side, but Siris countered his blade just in time, making Issei waste that skill.
Then, she swung her sword in a wide arc, likely trying to land a heavy striker, but Issei put up his arm which had the Sacred Gear on it, using it as a shield once again, but the strike was indeed heavy, nearly making him topple over. He raised his katana once again, and focused his Ki through it again, returning to air and using it to launch a powerful wind blow to Siris, who lost her balance for a second from the strike, allowing Issei to take distance from her as a result.
However, she was quick to charge at him yet again, but instead of keeping her direction toward him, she jumped high into the air and launched another shockwave at Issei. Quickly channeling earth into his katana, Issei stabbed it into the ground to raise a shield of rock around him, which managed to tank all of the damage, and then he broke his shelter apart, the rock pieces floating around it.
He raised his sword high above his head, his Ki guiding the rock pieces to float above as well before he pointed it at Siris, causing all the rocks to go flying at her. The knight began to move around with impressive speed, avoiding most of his rock attacks, but one did manage to strike her in the back, making her yep in pain as she hit the ground.
Her sword flew from her grip as well, landing close to her, but before she could pick it up, Issei ran up to her and delivered a wind-powered slash at Siris, knocking her away from her weapon once again. Issei was now standing atop her weapon, and with his katana in hand, he focused on his earth Ki and then stabbed down right on Siris' sword, causing it to crack and eventually break under the pressure.
"My sword!" She cried out, but once she saw his face, she flinched, realizing that victory was now out of her reach. She attempted to flee, but to her dismay, her attempt was proven futile as the earth rose around them. "N-no."
"Surrender and let yourself retire," Issei told her, his sword now catching ablaze. "There is no need for me to finish you."
Siris scowled at him, anger and frustration visible on her face. However, her next words were words that surprised Issei a bit. "You…Are you truly a magician?" She asked, her doubts showing. "How are you this skilled with your sword? Magicians do not train in swordsmanship. And you didn't even use any kind of magic during the fight either!"
"Hmm. True." Letting go of his sword, Issei returned it to his inventory, an action that shocked Siris, as to her, the sword simply vanished. "So, how about we fix that, shall?"
From the shadows cast by the risen earth, several tendrils erupted and grabbed Siris by her limbs. "Hey! Let go!" She shouted, trying to free herself, but it was of no use. In the next moment, the tendrils all lifted her high into the sky, and then quickly retracted into the shadows…smacking her hard against the ground in the process.
"Riser Phenex's knight has been retired."
Knight Eliminated. 300K EXP. Applying bonuses: 990K EXP has been stored.
"Well, now that that's done with," Issei said to himself, stretching his arms a bit. "That was a fairly good warm-up. Hey, Rias, how are the others doing?-"
"Riser Phenex's Bishop has been retired."
"Well, that should be Ki-"
"Rias Gremory's knight has been retired."
"Say what?"
As Kiba had been charging at Mihae with an explosive sword, Karlamine turned around sharply and threw her dagger at Kiba, managing to knock the explosive blade from his hand. Surprised by this, Kiba turned around to see Karlamine swinging her sword, sending to him a wave of fire carried by the wind. Kiba barely had enough time to summon Flame Delete and Repression Calm to his hands, using them in an X guard to block the attack by nullifying both of the elements that made it up.
However, following this, Karlamine charged right up at him, and Kiba was forced to block her slash with his swords before counter-attacking with his slashes, equally blocked by Karlamine's quick reflexes.
However, what Kiba did not expect was Karlamine to eventually use her sword to deflect his and then deliver a kick to his stomach, sending him flying back a few steps before he managed to catch himself. Letting his two swords vanish, Kiba summoned two explosive blades in his hands, the shorter swords causing Karlamine to flinch a bit as she realized what he could do with those.
"Riser Phenex's rook was retired."
Hearing the announcement, Karlamine widened her eyes a bit, but she had no time to process that announcement.
Holding them in a reverse grip, Kiba charged right at Karlamine, his speed shining to its fullest as he began to land several slashes on Karlamine's blade, his opponent blocking his strikes desperately, but effectively. They were both knights, and as such, they both had the perk of speed over physical constitution. But!
As Kiba threw one of the swords between Karlamine's feet, the girl barely had time to jump away before it exploded, but her ordeal was not yet over. Kiba began to throw multiple such swords at her, causing large explosions left and right. "Gah!" One such explosion eventually got Karlamine, causing her ears to start ringing. "You…What kind of knight fights using such filthy blades?"
"No knight does," Kiba replied, summoning the larger sword back into his hands. "However, given the circumstances, I am willing to fight with tricks if it means bringing victory to Rias!"
"This is bad!" Mihae thought internally as she watched. "Karlamine cannot keep going at this rate. The explosions from earlier might have not done a lot of damage, but they still did damage regardless! Yuuto Kiba has already proven himself to be a better knight than her, and now, she is going to lose! What can I do? The initial explosions brought me to the brink of being retired, so there is-" "huh?" Looking down, Mihae found the solution to her predicament. An explosive sword that was dropped by Kiba.
"That's it!" Picking up the sword, Mihae tried to sense within it with her magic for the trigger to the sword's magic, and luckily for her, she found it. It was a simple mechanic that the sword was created with, linking it with the larger one Kiba was currently holding. The larger sword acted as a remote detonator for the shorter ones, but Mihae was confident she could blow up the sword without the detonator.
But in doing so…No…There was no other way.
"Riser Phenex's knight has been retired."
"Karlamine!" Mihae shouted, getting Kiba's attention just in time to see Mihae charging at and leaping at him. Confused as to why she was doing this, Kiba didn't react in time, and only realized what she was doing when he saw one of his swords in her hands…And the black line on the blade turns red.
The resulting explosions knocked Karlamine back into the trees, a scream of pain escaping the girl's lips as she collapsed on the ground, her sword next to her.
"Riser Phenex's Bishop has been retired."
"Rias Gremory's knight has been retired."
"Mihae…" Karlamine called out to her teammate softly, feeling the fatigue wash over her. Her teammate's sacrifice allowed them to take out one of their enemy's best pieces, which was a step forward, but now they had other issues to deal with.
If she was right, the announcements from before Isabela and Siris, meant that they were defeated. With Mihae gone, they were now down one knight, rook, bishop, and 3 pawns. All in exchange for one enemy knight. "Fuck!" She shouted, punching the ground in frustration. They didn't expect their enemy to be this strong, not a bunch of greenhorns!
But that was their fault. They underestimated the quality of their opponents, letting their superior quantity blind them. And it cost them already. She needed backup, especially now that the route to Rias herself was open to her. If she could just get to her, she could-
"And where do you think you are going?" She froze, eyes widened as the voice of Rias' magician echoed right behind her. Turning around, she saw him there, lacking his shirt and exposing his impressive physique to the wind. His clothing seemed to have been damaged, likely from the attacks he had taken, but he looked barely winded!
Issei was upon her, having used his [Shadow Walk] to get here to see what happened. And sure enough, he didn't see Kiba anywhere.
"Y-you!" She sneered at him, trying to get up, but found herself stopped when a ball of flames shot her sword away.
"Don't even try," Issei warned her. "So, Kiba was defeated. If I were to guess, given how he was taken out at the same time as your bishop, it must have been a suicidal attack. Correct?" Karlamine's scowl told him everything he needed to know. Issei sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Not even half of you are down yet, and we already lost Kiba. Oh well, hopefully, Akeno and Koneko are handling the gym better."
"You think you are going to win?" Karlamine asked, facing Issei, who in turn, simply flashed her a grin as he put his hand forth, the [Fireball] forming within it before her. Her eyes went wide seeing it.
"I don't think we will win. I KNOW we will!"
"Riser Phenex's final knight has been retired!"
"I cannot believe Siris AND Karlamine are out!" One of the nekomata twins exclaimed as they were busy evading Akeno's lightning strikes. As luck would have it, Akeno was in charge of the pawns present while Koneko was dealing with Xuelan, who proved quite a challenge for their white-haired Nekoshou.
"How did they manage to do that?! Didn't we hear Isabela and Siris getting retired not long ago?" The other asked, and then Mira intervened, managing to use her fire-clad Bo staff to deflect one of Akeno's spells.
"The one Mihae seems to have taken down was their knight, meaning that the one who got there…"
"The magician!" The twins said at once, then they once again leaped away from Akeno's lightning. "How?!"
"Who cares?!" The smaller twins yelled out at once, their chainsaws on the ground, ruined.
"We need to get away from this crazy woman!" Nel shouted, earning Akeno's laughter.
"Crazy? Oh my, so far I have been kind to you! Do you think I was missing by mistake?" Her words caused them all to free as several, smaller magical circles appeared behind Akeno. "Thanks to our dear magician, I learned a small trick. And perfected it." Suddenly, a hail of small ice spikes erupted from behind Akeno, striking the pawns head-on.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
"Nel!" Ile shouted for her sister, but it was too late.
"Riser Phenex's pawn has been retired."
"They might be small, but in large numbers, they can do damage." Akeno pointed out, but then, looking at the remaining pawns, she opened her eyes more. "Now, whatever shall I do with you, little darlings?" The way she licked her lips sent shivers down everyone's spines.
In the meantime, Koneko's battle with Xuelan was seemingly at a standstill, as the rooks proved quite different yet equal. Koneko's agility and speed as a Nekoshou combined well with her rook traits, but Xuelan's own skill in martial arts proved far superior to her own. Not to mention the way she covered her legs in fire enhanced her strikes quite a bit.
Koneko went for a high kick, which was met by Xuelan's own. Pain shot through her leg, but she pushed through and spun herself around, trying to deliver a high kick to Xuelan's head, but found her leg blocked by her arm. "Nice try." Xuelan taunted, but then she jumped back as soon as she saw Koneko's attempt to use a Ki blast on her, the projectile flying off toward the pawns. "Watch out!"
However, without much of a chance to react, the projectile struck Mira dead on. "Gah!" And sent her crashing down to the ground, her body vanishing.
"Riser Phenex's pawn has been retired."
Again, they lost someone while their enemy has barely lost one knight. Whilst a good loss on their part, it was not good in Xuelan's books. They had to recover some progress and the only way she saw that happening was by taking out their rook or queen. Especially their queen. Even now, the remaining pawns were struggling to keep up with her spells, which were keeping them at bay and preventing them from landing any decisive strikes.
"Enough!" Xuelan shouted, stomping her foot on the ground and causing the ground to break on contact. A large amount of power was directed to her leg, causing the flame to grow whiter in color as she locked onto Koneko and leaped at her. "Take this! White Phoenix Strike!" Xuelan's technique hit Koneko's raised guard, and almost immediately, Koneko yelled out in pain and got knocked back. "How do you like that?" She asked, holding her leg up. "This is the current pinnacle of my training, white-hot flames. They drain me quite a bit, but they pack more than enough of a punch to see my enemies crushed!"
Xuelan leaped up. "And now to finish you!"
"Not on my watch!"
"What?!" Xuelan gasped as someone came out of Koneko's shadow, summoning a magical circle that sent a large amount of WATER right at her. "AHHH!" She ended up sent to the other side of the gym, her clothing and hair now soaked.
"Issei?" Koneko called out his name, seeing him standing before her. "How?"
"I have my tricks, remember?" He turned to Koneko, looking down at the burns on her arms. "Damn, those look quite bad. Here, let me give you a hand." Summoning the sphere of healing water in his hands, Issei spread it over Koneko's arms, watching it do its job as the wounds glowed softly and vanished the next second. "Better?"
"Y-yes."
"You…" Xuelan growled as she got up, gazing daggers at Issei from afar. "You are the one Riser warned us about. Tch. Shadow Magic, what a troublesome thing to face."
"And you must be his final rook. I must say, if you are half as good as the last one, you might actually make me worry." Issei said, giving a light mock to his opponent, who seemed to not take it well as Xuelan narrowed her eyes at him.
"Why you-"
"All of Riser Phenex's pawns have been retired!"
"What?!" Xueland gasped, looking to the side to see massive shadowy tendrils rising from the ground, holding onto nothing. However, she knew what had happened. "No…"
"Sorry, Akeno, if I ruined your fun." He didn't get the EXP from those pawns, since Akeno was the one to deal the final strike, but that was okay with him.
"No worries, Issei," Akeno replied. "Now, whatever shall we do with her?"
"Let me," Koneko said, stepping forward and covering her fist with Ki.
"As you wish, Shirone," Issei said, watching as Koneko charged at Xuelan once again, the Chinese woman found herself caught off-guard as Koneko buried her fist into her gut, knocking both the wind and her consciousness out of her. She collapsed on the ground, and her body vanished soon after.
"All of Riser Phenex's Rooks have been retired."
"Okay, so both knights, all pawns, and both rooks are out. One bishop is also out, so that leaves…"
"Their queen, one more bishop, and Riser himself," Koneko added. "Namely, Yubelluna, Riser, and his younger sister, Ravel."
"Ah, so it is time to attack the chickens themselves. Finally, I was starting to-" Suddenly, his [Danger Sense] went off, alerting him. "Watch out!" Quickly activating his [Aqua Dome] skill, he summoned the water-based barrier all around them just in time as a massive explosion struck the gym, leveling it to the ground in one strike. The explosion was so powerful that Issei had trouble keeping his dome up! Not to mention the debris that fell on them soon after, burying them under the rubble.
"Looks like my son used one of his favorite strategies." Lord Phenex commented. "He waited until everyone or most of his enemy was in one spot, then had his queen attack them in an ambush, effectively removing multiple pieces at once."
"Indeed, this is a mark of experience," Ajuka commented as well. "However, it seems the systems had not picked up anyone from the Gremory peerage retiring, meaning that they must have survived somehow."
"Even then, their hands had been shown." Lord Phenex continued. "Despite the numerical advantage Riser had vanishing, it matters not. In the end, he is left with the best."
"Hmmm. I wouldn't bet on that, Lord Phenex." Sirzechs said as he watched, seeing rays of crimson energy radiate from beneath the rubble.
"What?" Lord Phenex asked, watching and widening his eyes in recognition. "No…Impossible, how?!"
Sirzechs was barely holding back his laughter seeing the lord's reaction, but then, something else was said. Something that he learned from his sister, which he did not expect to hear.
"How is Issei Hyuoudou alive?! How is the Red Dragon alive?!"
Sirzech's eyes widened in shock hearing the man say Issei's full name and even reveal that he is aware of his identity. To his knowledge, that information had yet to be fully made public, meaning that Lord Phenex could only know that from one source. "Ramon…" Sirzechs got up from his seat, thankful that Issei's group was in another room to view the match. "Explain yourself."
"W-what?!"
"How did you know of Issei's full name and identity?" Ajuka asked, having noticed those details too. "What what do you mean by 'how is he still alive'?"
"Y-you have to understand, Lord Lucifer, I-"
"Ramon!" Sirzechs raised his voice. "Confess now. What have you done?"
"Looks like Rias is all alone now, brother," Ravel said as she saw the destruction of the gym. No announcement was given yet, but it was a matter of time now.
"Indeed she is." Riser said, getting up from his seat. The rest of his peerage failed, but he won't punish his girls for this mere failure. Truth be told, even he was impressed with some of them during this match, especially that knight boy of Rias'. When he marries her, he will make sure Kiba is well taken care of, and the two girls in the peerage are carefully groomed as well.
However, before he could take a step out of the room, something happened.
"Riser"! Yubelluna shouted through the communication magic.
"What is it, Yubelluna? You sound panicked." Riser asked, but then the answer was received when he opened the door and saw the bright crimson light coming from the ruins of the gym. "What…"
"That boy…He is not a user of Twice Critical. He is…"
"No…No, no, no, NO!" Riser shouted, his sister covering her mouth in utter shock at the sight before them. "How?! HOW?!" He shouted, blasting the wall open and flying out in the open air, his sister following him. "HOW DID RIAS GET THE AID OF ONE OF THE DRAGON EMPERORS?!"
[Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!]
The multiple announcements of his skill rang out as Issei unleashed all the power using his [Aura Flare], ending up knocking away all the debris to reveal himself and the girls, safe and sound. His [Aqua Dome] proved itself sufficiently capable to protect them, it seems, and now, he was standing among the rubble, clad in his Balance Breaker.
High above them, flying in the air, Yubelluna stood, eyes widened in shock and terror. Right there, standing below her, was the Red Dragon of Domination. She couldn't move. The sheer amount of power she felt from that display earlier was leagues above her own, boosted or not. However, she had already called for reinforcements from her king and his sister, and with their aid, she began to think they might have a chance.
Their enemy might be the Red Dragon, but as long as Riser can hold him off whilst she and Ravel go ahead and finish the rest of the Gremory Peerage, including the king, they could still win. "Yubelluna!" Riser shouted as he showed up, flying next to her.
"Riser!" She called out to him, seeing Ravel join them as well. "What do we do? We didn't even suspect something like this might happen!"
"Isn't it obvious? We keep fighting!" Riser replied, summoning fire to his hands. "I will handle him. You and Ravel need to go and attempt to finish Rias off. Go!"
Issei turned to Koneko and Akeno. "I got this." He said, taking a step forth. "Go back and protect Rias. They likely realize that they have no way of eliminating us all now, so they will attempt to get our King."
"Right."
"Take care, Issei."
With those words, Akeno and Koneko went away, likely to regroup with Rias back at the old school building, yet, as they left, Issei turned his attention back to his enemy. He spread his wings wide, and took flight in the air, standing before Riser and his remaining forces. The devil in question sported quite the angry scowl upon his face, seeing the Red Dragon before his very eyes, but Issei was taking pleasure in seeing him like that. It meant they got him good, that he didn't expect or prepared for this.
It meant they had the upper hand now.
"Go!" Suddenly, Ravel and Yubelluna attempted to fly past him.
"I won't let you." However, summoning forth several magical circles, Issei began to fire multiple spells at them in an attempt to take them out of the sky, his volleys forcing them to evade, but Riser was not evading. He charged right at Issei, his fists covered in flames and tried to punch him, but Issei was capable of catching his fist.
However, he felt the strength behind it. Riser was no High-Ranking Devil for nothing, but Issei had a hunch he might also not be the strongest. This meant one thing.
"Riser will-"
"Shut up!" Issei interrupted Riser rudely as he brought up his other hand and fired his [Wyvern Shot] point blank at his face, causing him to start falling out of the sky. Unfortunately, Riser managed to fix his position and glared at him from his new position below.
His distraction, however, worked, as his queen and bishop got past him. "Damn," Issei swore, looking behind himself to see Ravel and Yubelluna already gunning for the old school building, hot on Akeno's and Koneko's trail. He wished to go to them to aid them, but he had to deal with Riser here. Whether he liked it or not, he had to keep the king pinned and defeat him. If Akeno and Koneko go down, then he has to move fast.
Because right now, he can win the Rating Game by defeating the king himself.
"Rias!" Akeno met with her king in front of the old school building. "They are coming, Ravel and Yubelluna."
"I see," Rias replied. "Koneko, how are you holding up?"
"Xuelan proved a very good combatant, but I managed to defeat her thanks to Issei's arrival." The nekoshou replied. "However, now we have to deal with the rest of his peerage."
"Actually…Leave the queen to me." Rias' words had them somewhat confused at first, but then they saw a sly smirk on her face. "I got quite the plan to give Issei a hand in his battle."
Issei was now engaging Riser Phenex directly, the devil having proved all of his assumptions so far correct. Issei had attempted to strike Riser with his fire magic, but the devil simply shrugged it off, boasting how his family line was immune to fire in all forms. This irked Issei, having given him ammo to boast, but as Riser charged at him, he met the charge with his own, meeting him halfway and delivering a [Dragon's Fist] to his stomach, followed by him keeping his flight trajectory and crashing with Riser into the ground below.
However, Riser's regenerative abilities seemed to stretch further than what Issei predicted, as he quickly recovered and began to use his fire against him. Issei might have [Fire Resistance - Minor], but right now, Riser's fire proved itself TOO HOT for him!
"Gah!" He flew out and away from Riser, up into the sky, summoning forth a magical circle before himself and sending out his [Water Serpent] at Riser, the construct of water flying through the air and straight at him, but Riser simply waved his hand and created a strong wind that splattered the [Water Serpent] all over the ground.
"Is this what the mighty Red Dragon can?!" Riser shouted, then he took flight, his speed impressive compared to the Strays Issei had faced before. From his newly acquired position high into the air, Riser created two spheres of flame in his hands which he threw at Issei, the boy using his wings to avoid them.
But he couldn't avoid them.
The fireballs…were homing to him! "Shit! Can't believe he had something like that up his sleeve."
Issei cursed internally, but this was not an issue, simply an annoyance. He summoned his [Aqua Dome], and the two balls of fire crashed against it, turning to steam. "Heh. Is this all the Phenex clan can?"
"Why, you-" Riser sent forth a stream of fire at Issei, but the boy countered with his [Water Jet], the two attacks meeting and causing a cloud of steam to erupt between them, but Riser was relentless in his attack, and kept it going, forcing Issei to do the same. "You think that just because you are the Red Dragon you can win?! Ha! As if! I know the limits of Gears, and I know you will eventually run out of steam! But me?!" The fire began to overpower Issei's water, which he noticed and began to increase his power against to keep up.
"I am Riser Phenex! I won't be defeated by some lowly human with a Sacred Gear!"
"I am not just ANY human!" Issei declared back, and around him, more magical circles opened up, making Riser widen his eyes. "I am the Red Dragon of Domination, Riser Phenex. And you?! You are but a simple devil!"
Ok, Solomon's influence was slipping, but it mattered not. In the next moment, multiple instances of his [Water Jet] rushed forth at Riser, who stopped his attack and began to fly away, trying to evade the highly pressurized water coming his way, but Issei was not going to let him get away easily. He was changing the direction of his spells constantly, trying to hit Riser dead on and soak him to the ground below.
However, he proved far more skilled in maneuvering in the air than Issei was. Truth be told, Issei had been able to fly only for so long, meaning he didn't have that much skill in the air, but right now, that didn't matter. "Coward!" Issei shouted, stopping his attacks to conserve mana. He then created two [Dragon Shot] spheres in both of his hands and aimed them at Riser. "Maximum…[Dragon Shot]" He fired them both in Riser's direction, the devil unable to dodge them and finding himself caught in the combined blast.
"GAHHHHHH!" He found himself crashing roughly into the ground below, and Issei descended on him. They were now in the middle of the academy's football field, with Riser slowly rising from the crater he made, his body recovering.
"Have you had enough yet?" Issei asked, looking down at Riser.
"Shut up!" Then Riser charged at Issei head-on.
"His pride and ego are being wounded, and he is acting on those wounds recklessly," Solomon said, pointing out Riser's flaw. As soon as he was in range, Issei dodged the fist he attempted to deliver to him, then caught his arm and held him in place. Riser attempted to bring fire to Issei's face, but he was faster and managed to grab his face in his palm.
"Let go you filth-"
"[Wyvern Shot!]" An attack was delivered from that very hand, and Riser found his head blown to bits. His body collapsed on the ground before Issei, yet, as the dragon stood there, his [Danger Sense] flared, making him take flight. And just in time, Riser's entire body was consumed by flames.
"So, this is how Phenex Clan members recover from death…" Issei said as he watched the fire burn all of Riser's body to ashes, but then, the very same fire formed itself into the silhouette of a person, and slowly, ever so, Issei saw Riser reform himself, his head intact, and kneeling on the ground, panting.
"Riser Phenex has used up his only allowed resurrection."
"Why you!" Riser got up, seemingly fully recovered. Even his clothing was back in a pristine state. However, as he stood before Issei, barely taking one step, he flinched when he saw the dragon put his hand up again, aiming it right at him with another [Dragon Shot]. He took one step back, two, then three, and eventually fell to his knees.
"You cannot win, Riser Phenex." Issei stated, keeping his attack aimed at him."Your fire was strong, yes, but my water proved just as strong. If not stronger. Surrender."
"Riser does not surrender!" He declared boldly, his expression twisted in a mix of anger and fear. But then a grin flashed on his face. "My queen and sister have likely fought your king to their end by now."
"You think so?" Issei asked.
"In our fight, we wouldn't have heard the announcement that well, don't you think? So whose to say I haven't gained the upper hand?" Riser was trying to talk his way out or buy himself time in some way or another. "Even then, once Yubelluna gets here, I doubt even you won't be able to take her explosive demonic power!"
"Demonic power? She is using that for her explosions? I thought it was magic…" Issei stated, surprised at that detail. That was giving him some ideas. If demonic power was influenced by one's imagination and desire, then all he needed to do was attempt to see if he could also make explosions, correct?
And so, he dismissed his attack from his palm. Seeing this, Riser was confused. "Giving up?" He asked, arrogance once again growing in him.
"No. You just gave me something to try." A magical circle appeared below Riser.
Conditions have been met.
"And it looks like…It would work as well."
Skill created!
[Explosive Demonic Energy] (Level 1| 100/400): By using a magical circle to dictate the location, this skill will utilize a MAX amount of 500 D.P. to cause an explosion at the designated location.
In the very next second, a large explosion went off, right underneath Riser, engulfing him. Issei had put the maximum amount of demonic power he could into that explosion, attempting to take out Riser in one go, but to his surprise, he was still up on his legs. With a broken bottle in his hands.
"Phoenix Tears? You combined them with your already existing regeneration to survive that! Impressive thinking. I didn't give you enough credit for your intelligence." Issei stated, offering Riser at least a small bit of praise. Riser, however, was not happy. The other bottle was with his queen, meaning that right now, he truly was out of options.
"You…How did you do that? How did you copy Yubelluna's explosive ability so quickly?" Riser asked, narrowing his eyes at his opponent. It didn't make sense to him! Not just that, but that technique required demonic power, not mana, or even Ki! He shouldn't have been able to use it, but he felt the demonic touch it had! "Are you a half-blood? A hybrid? Just what the fuck are you?!"
"Didn't I already say what I was?" Issei asked, staring down at Riser before multiple magical circles, smaller ones, appeared all over him. "I am human. I am the Red Dragon. I am the reason you cannot win." Several small explosions erupted over Riser's body.
"AHHHH!" His screams did nothing to stop Issei.
"You know how to end this!" Issei shouted, delivering another volley of explosions. He was deliberately making weak ones, so that it hurt, but didn't kill Riser outright. Besides, it was very likely that, without any holy abilities, he could not do permanent damage as is. Riser kept regenerating.
Again, and again, and again.
"Stop!" Riser begged, dropping to his knees. "Please, stop, I-...I cannot take anymore."
The dragon hovered another magical circle in his palm. "I won't stop until you say what I want you to say, Riser. You know what that is."
Looking up at him, Riser's eyes were wide with fear. Never before had he been this humiliated, and although angered by this, he was more afraid than anything. This was…This was the power of the Red Dragon Emperor. Of the Longinus, the Boosted Gear, and the talent of the man known as Issei Hyoudou. And before him, he was nothing…
"I…I su-"
"Riser!" Multiple explosions rang out all over Issei, the boy having been taken by surprise by them. However, they were weak, unable to do any major damage, which might be why his skill didn't warn him. They mostly caused a smoke screen that blinded him, and when he opened his eyes again to see, he saw Riser being flanked by his queen.
"Yubelluna! What happened?!"
"My apologies, but we were unable to take out Rias and her companions." Her clothing was in bad shape from what Issei could see. "I used up the phoenix tears you have given me. I apologize."
"Why are you here then?!"
"Lady Ravel told me to join you. We saw you take that attack earlier, but couldn't come sooner due to our enemies preventing us. I finally was able to slip by them thanks to Lady Ravel holding them back." Yubelluna explained, and then she faced Issei.
"So, you gave them the slip. No matter, I will- Ugh!" Suddenly, Issei felt his body growing heavy as a large, purplish magical circle appeared below him. He was barely able to keep his balance breaker active! "W-what is this?"
"Sealing magic," Yubelluna stated. "I am sealing your Gear's power away. Without it, you are a mere human underneath that armor."
"Tch." Issei clicked his tongue, but he was not done yet. Magical circles began to form behind him, but seeing them, Yubelluna intensified her sealing, eventually sealing those away as well. "Gah!"
"You are quite persistent. As much as I'd enjoy toying with you, Red Dragon, I am afraid we need to defeat our opponent before they manage to get here. Riser, dear, if you will." Yubelluna stated, and sure enough, Riser began to walk toward Issei, his hands covered in fire.
"With pleasure. Do you see now, Red Dragon? This is why Riser is the best - Ugh!" Suddenly, Riser felt himself put under pressure, his flames dying out whilst Issei felt himself being released. "W-what is the meaning of this? My powers are…" He turned to Yubelluna sharply, and sure enough, it was her magic at work here. 'Yubelluna! Why?!"
"Please, forgive me, Lord Riser, but I cannot disobey the orders of my Mistress," Yubelluna replied.
"Mistress?!"
"That would be me." Turning around, Issei saw Rias flying to them, along with Akeno, Koneko, and…Ravel? Koneko was holding Ravel in a vice grip, the younger girl struggling to no effect against her hold.
"Let me go, you brutish cat!" Ravel shouted out but with no effect on Koneko.
"R-Rias?! What is going on?!" Riser demanded.
"Simple. I used Charm on your queen." Rias stated simply, her eyes flashing with a crimson hue. "I apologize for the earlier deception, Issei, but I ordered Yubelluna to make sure Riser did not get suspicious. As for what happened to lead up to this, it is quite simple. We waited for them and engaged them in battle. I figured you might have given your queen the tears, so when Akeno was done with her and she was about to use them, I intercepted her attempt to recover and placed her under my ability."
"In the meantime, Koneko here dealt with this little bird." Akeno pointed out, making Ravel narrow her eyes due to the way she was being addressed. "Since we didn't wish to give Riser any reasons to panic, we didn't retire her, or even used up her resurrection."
"Which leads to this moment." Rias continued. "Yubelluna, please be a dear and keep Riser like this until I am done."
"Yes, Mistress."
"Scary, she is fully controlled," Issei muttered under his breath, watching Rias go before Riser and stand above him, the cocky man on his knees.
"See now, Riser? I told you I won't be an easy victory if a victory at all. And I was right. Looks like this is your loss." She stated.
"Don't think this means you are better than Riser, Rias!" Riser stated, sneering at her. "You might have won today, but nothing is stopping me from challenging you again!"
At those words, Rias just smirked. "Yubelluna? Finish him and yourself."
"Yes, Mistress." Summoning a magical circle underneath the two of them, Yubelluna prepared to take Riser out along with herself. Seeing this, everyone else got out of the explosion's range.
"No! Stop!" Riser shouted, trying to struggle, but it was no use. His ability to move was also sealed, meaning he was just a sitting duck. "Yubelluna! Snap out of it! Recover from her spell! Don't do this!"
"I am sorry, Lord Riser…" Yubelluna stated, tears flowing down her eyes. "But we lost."
Then the explosion rang out throughout the dimension, the intensity of it high enough to make even Issei look away not to get blinded. And when it was done, all that was left was a great crater where the two used to be, and a final announcement played out.
"Riser Phenex's queen has been retired! Riser Phenex has been retired! Rias Gremory is the winner!"
Rating Game concluded! Here is your EXP!
Amount awarded: 3M - 10%. 2.7M divided among Rias Gremory, Koneko Toujou, Akeno Himejina, and Yuuto Kiba per the rules. Your cut of this: 540K.
Total from the bonuses: 2583900 EXP has been awarded from the Rating Game completion.
Total stored EXP: You have defeated 1 Rook and 2 Knights: 825K for the rook, a total of 1980000 for the knights. In total, you have 2805000 stored EXP.
Quest Updated!
Beat the Fire Chicken!
Main Objective: Become the contracted Magician of Rias Gremory in order to fight Riser Phenex and win.
Main Objective Reward: 100K EXP, 1 Skillbook (?), +25 Relationship with Rias Gremory, +15 Relationship with all members of the Gremory Peerage. - unclaimed.
Failure: Possible death (Being quite serious this time around.)
Save to say, Issei claimed everything right away, and the EXP flowed into him.
Congratulations! You are now level 39!
Congratulations! You are now level 40!
And just like that, he leveled up twice in one day! He will check out the skill book he got as a reward from the quest later.
For now, they had to rest. They earned it.
Being teleported back into the room with everyone else, Issei was expecting to be bombarded by his girls coming to congratulate him for winning this rating game, and he was half-expecting Kiba to be healed by now as well and offer congratulations too, along with Issei offering consolation for his loss. But all he found was a room surrounded by a heavy, tense atmosphere, with his group there, yes, but looking extremely uncomfortable, along with Sirzechs and Ajuka standing to the side whilst Ramon Phenex stood on the sofa, looking down at the ground in shame and…fear? Strange, why would he be afraid right now?
Issei could have understood disappointment, but fear was something he did not expect in the least. Even Rias and the others seemed confused by the sight before them. There was no one from the Phenex peerage there, likely all of them recovering, and nor was Kiba there, likely in the same boat.
But something was up. And he didn't like it, not one bit. "Ummm. What is going on?"
Issei's question seemed to have gotten things moving, at least, as Kuroka spoke up. "Issei, dear, we-...I think you should sit down."
"She is right, Red Dragon. We congratulate you all on your win, but during your Rating Game, some things had come to light." Sirzechs said, being formal in his speech, yet Issei could tell they were hiding something. Or rather, they were trying to prepare him for what was coming.
"Ok, not that I want to rush anyone here, but care to explain to me what is going on? I mean, we won, right? Shouldn't we be celebrating instead of acting like someone killed someone?" His words seemed to have had some kind of effect on the group, as he noticed some of them tense up or flinch. "Guys? Come on, someone tell me something, you are starting to worry me!"
"Issei…" Asia went to him, a pleading in her eyes. "Please, promise me, that whatever happens, you won't do something rash."
"Asia, I do not even know what is going on, so how could I-"
"I…" Ramon spoke up, getting Issei's attention. "I am the one…Who hired an assassin, almost two decades ago, to burn down your house with the intent to kill you, Issei Hyoudou."
Silence.
Absolute, undisturbed silence reigned supreme in the room.
"H-He's the one who-"
"Leave it to the devils to be behind something like this…"
"What?" Issei said, his eyes fixed on Lord Phenex himself. "Say that again."
"Issei, please, you must-" Issei put his hand up, silencing Kuroka as she tried to speak to him. She could see it in his eyes. Usually, her Issei was a kind and honest man, but now? Now she was seeing his face twisted in pure rage, barely restrained and ready to burst. Ready to reap through the thin veil of resistance left.
"Say. It. Again." Stressing every word, Lord Ramon's sweat ran down his face in visible beats, falling to the ground. In the silence of the room, they could hear even the fly flying around them, and everyone stood with their eyes wide open, shocked by the revelation that was revealed before them. Safe, of course, for the ones who already learned of it.
"I, Ramon Phenex, am responsible for killing your parents, Issei Hyo-GAH!" Everyone barely had time to react as Issei leaped at Ramon, his sword in hand and already stabbing it through his throat.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" Issei shouted, summoning his Sacred Gear. "Balance-"
"Issei, stop!" Sirzechs himself jumped and pulled Issei off Ramon, Ajuka joining in to keep him down.
[Scale Mail!]
Just in time as well, as his balance breaker had activated. "Let me go, Sirzechs! LET ME GO! For years, I have waited for this day! He took them from me - my parents! It is my right to take vengeance!"
"Please, Red Dragon, calm yourself!"
"F-father…?" Ravel, the only member of the Phenex peerage present, stood with widened eyes as her father took the sword from his throat out and regenerated. However, she was in shock to hear such things from her father's mouth. "What- Tell me you are joking…"
"Ravel…" Ramon said softly, looking at his daughter. "I am not. I was the one to hire that assassin long ago, with the intent to kill Issei Hyoudou, the Red Dragon Emperor of this generation."
"WHY?!" Issei shouted, demanding answers as the two satans held him from doing anything more to Roman. "WHY DID YOU WANT TO KILL ME?! WHY?!"
"Because you are the Red Dragon, that's why!" Ramon shouted in reply. "Don't you know anything of your heritage, boy? The Red Dragon always ends up drunk on his power, throwing it around where he can. I KNOW." The elder devil's hands began to shake. "I know more than any other devil in the underworld how terrifying your power is. For I felt the rage of a Red Dragon myself, centuries ago. I still feel how he turned my body to ashes, times and times again, putting me through pain with seemingly no end! He only left me alone when he got bored of my screams and pleas for mercy!"
"So just because you have been traumatized by one Red Dragon, you decided to kill an innocent child and his parents?!" Ingvild shouted, horrified at the man's deed.
"No…Many came and went after what happened to me, and although the fear remained, I thought I moved on. Until one day…" Ramon stated. "Someone came to me, someone who said they had a device that could locate the dormant Boosted Gear. They claimed to know the future, that you will turn out just as your predecessor and bring nothing but pain upon those around you! All the while you drown in your own desires."
"YOU COULDN'T KNOW THAT!" Issei shouted again.
"I know it is hard to believe, Issei, especially with everyone here knowing you, but his words do hold truth." Sirzechs began. "Many Red Dragons often served themselves above others."
"Still, this does not make his crime justified." Ajuka pointed out. "He WILL face charges for this."
"Not enough!" Issei growled. "He took my parents from me. He has to pay!"
"We said the same thing!" Raynare shouted at him. "But those two won't even hear about killing him!"
"The trade with Phoenix Tears…Is too precious to lose." Sirzechs admitted shamefully. "Our race already has trouble reproducing, so please, Red Dragon, understand our reasons for not allowing you to take his life!"
"Silence!" Flaring his aura, Issei shook the entire room, if not the whole building with his rage. "He was right, you devils are selfish beings! Thinking of your own good before thinking of others…"
"W-who are you talking about?" Ajuka asked, stuttering a bit as Issei's words took him somewhat by surprise.
"None of your business," Issei replied rudely, his anger not shrinking in any way.
"Issei, please, listen to us! We know how much you wish to harm him, trust us, we do!" Kuroka began. "But you can't! I know this is not what you wanted to hear and know when you finally found the one behind your parent's murder, but please, try to calm down so we can work something out! Lords Lucifer and Beelzebub have given their words that Ramon Phenex will be punished!"
Issei gazed through the eyes of his scale mail at Kuroka, then at the others in the room. They were all looking at him. Ingvild, Asia, Raynare…They looked even somewhat scared. He hated seeing those looks on their faces, but he could not just walk away and leave Ramon Phenex unpunished. No, although promised, he had to pay. He had to pay a price for the pain he inflicted on him.
"Red Dragon!" Ravel shouted, grabbing his attention. "Please, in exchange for your lenience to my father, take me!"
"What?" Issei said in mild surprise.
"Ravel!" Ramon exclaimed, looking at his daughter with widened eyes. "You can't possibly mean that! He is a beast! He will ravage you!"
"Nya! Issei is not like that!" Kuroka jumped to defend him, however, that was when she realized that, in truth, Issei did technically have quite a lust in him. "W-well…not without permission."
Issei began to think, trying to at least, but he just couldn't-
"Issei!" Solomon shouted in his head. "I know what you desire, my student, and I do not fault you for your desire for revenge. But recall his words? There is someone else who made Ramon Phenex do what he did. We need to know more."
Listening to Solomon's wisdom at least, Issei took a deep breath. "Ramon Phenex…This person you spoke of…What else did they tell you?"
"T-they claimed to know the future, as I said, but I didn't believe them on that. What I did believe, however, was the device they brought. It led me right to your home, and some later, I sent the assassin. But I-" He was shaking quite a bit, likely terrified of Issei now that he was under the gaze of the wrathful dragon. "I was under the impression they were fully successful! Even the one who gave me the device told me you died!"
"What?" Issei perked with surprise. Someone…staged his death to cover up his survival? "What are you saying?"
"I swear, this is all true! They were the ones to push me to do this!"
"Who are they? Tell me!" Issei demanded aggressively.
"I…I don't know…" Ramon said. "They never gave me a name, not even the most basic of ways to contact them! All I know is that they were powerful, I could sense that much, and…"
"And?"
"They were a Fallen Angel."
"What?!" Raynare shouted hearing those words, surprised to hear such a thing.
"A Fallen?!" Issei replied in equal surprise. "Why would a Fallen do this?!"
"I don't know. I already told you everything I could." Ramon replied, and then he bowed his head. "Now…I am at your mercy."
Issei took deep breaths to calm himself, then he turned to the two Satans holding him. "Let me go. I won't lash out at him anymore. I give my word."
"If you do, we might need to use more violent means of restraint, Red Dragon. Do not soil your victory today." Ajuka stated as he and Sirzechs let Issei go, allowing him to stand up to full height. He then dismissed his balance breaker and stared Ramon Phenex down, his gaze shifting to Ravel.
"I accept Ravel's proposal," Issei stated, making Ramon clench his fist. "But in addition to this, I have extra demands. Meet them, and I won't attack you. First, I want 3 crates of 50 bottles of Phoenix Tears each delivered to my home here in Kuoh by the end of the month."
"Done…" Ramon stated slowly.
"Second, I want 50 Million in American dollars."
"Done." Those were overall easy requests, except for the one where he asked for an absurd amount of Phoenix Tears.
"Third, since Ravel will be joining me, I will hereby remove her Evil Piece."
"What?!" Ramon shouted in shock. "You- How could you have that power?!"
"Did I give you the right to ask questions?!" Issei snapped back at him, verbally of course. "Your daughter has offered herself to cover for your sin! This is me showing a bit of mercy by not leaving your worthless son without a pawn to use."
Ramon recoiled back, unable to say or do anything. Ravel, for her part, was staring nervously as Issei turned his attention to her and a magical circle appeared at her feet. In the next moment, she felt her magic decrease, and her Evil Piece flew out of her body into his hands.
"So that was the spell used to extract Evil Pieces!" Ajuka exclaimed, regretting not recording the event he had just seen. "To witness it, it was so quick, yet it went perfectly…I am speechless."
"Here." Issei threw the bishop piece at Ramon. "Give it back to Riser. Oh, and speaking of him…" He turned to Rias. "From here on forth, for as long as you are the head of your house, none of your sons will be allowed to ask for Rias' hand, am I understood?"
"Y-yes, Red Dragon." Ramon once again accepted the terms laid before him.
"Lastly, from here on forth, Ramon Phenex, you will serve me," Issei stated, extending his hand to him and summoning forth his magic. All Devils in the room recoiled as they saw what was forming in his palm, with Ajuka even widening his eyes in utter shock.
"I-Impossible! That is the Seal of Solomon!" Ajuka's statement shocked everyone unaware of it in the room. Yet, no one moved to stop Issei as he placed it on Ramon. The chains erupted from Issei's arm, and leaped at Ramon, wrapping around his neck. The devil placed his hands on them, feeling the choking sensation wash over him.
"For what you have done, taking my parents…I take your freedom!" Issei declared before he completed the seal, and Ramon screamed in pain as he felt his chest burn. The seal was complete, and now, he was bound.
"I-...I…"
"From this day onward, you will serve me. Do not worry, I am not going to keep you around my home. I do not want to see your face every day. Instead, when I call for your service, you will give it without questions to be asked, understood?" Issei stated, and Ramon, under the power of Solomon, could only bow to him.
"Yes…My Lord."
"Good." He turned to the others. "I apologize if I went too far, and I promise to explain this in due time. However, right now, given what has happened, I believe we all better return to our homes and rest. Ravel Phenex!"
"Y-yes?" Ravel jumped a bit from Issei's call.
"You have 24 hours to pack your belongings and come to my home."
"Understood."
"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go home and blow off a lot of steam." And so, Issei left, using his [Shadow Walk] to leave that place quicker, leaving the others behind.
"Oh, Issei…" Kuroka was honestly worried for him now.
"This was…" Rias began, but she couldn't finish her sentence. She had plans for the aftermath of the Rating Game, but now, it seems those plans had to take a backseat until later. It gave her time to talk it over with Ajuka and her brother, yes, but given the circumstances…
She was to wait.
A bit later, Sirzechs and Ajuka along with Grayfia, had escorted Ramon outside of Kuoh, preparing to leave for the underworld.
"Ramon Phenex," Sirzechs called to him. "You will receive your punishment later."
"Your court date will be-" Suddenly, a magical circle appeared next to Ajuka's ear, and once he heard what was said, his eyes widened. "IMPOSSIBLE!" He shouted, his usual cool demeanor lost.
"What happened, Ajuka?" Sirzechs asked, not used to seeing his friend so agitated.
"It's him, Sir…" Ajuka said as he shook. "One of the Generals who fought for the Old Satan Faction. The one we suspected to be behind the Snake of Adam we kept hearing about."
"What about him?" Sirzech asked again.
"He has escaped…The entire prison wing he was in was melted."
