Thanks to Ajuka Beelzebub's teleportation, Kuroka and I managed to enter the game field, but now we're plummeting from about 2,000 meters in the sky... Yeah, he did say the destination was random, but still.
Below us spreads a vast field dotted with jagged rock spires like a mountain of swords.
"…This feeling… reminds me of Magari-sama's training days."
I couldn't help but recall the time he threw me high into the sky in just my underwear, telling me to "feel the wind with your body."
"Hahaha, if you were just a normal human, you'd be dead by now, Ikki~. So, can you tell which direction Shirone and the others are in? I can't sense them within my detection range."
True enough, both Kuroka and I can easily cover an area the size of Kuoh Town with our detection range, if we're just scanning loosely. The fact that we can't sense them shows how absurdly massive this field is… What kind of game were they planning to play here originally?
I immediately asked Izuna to possess me again, using that link to trace the energy signature I had embedded in Izuna, now with Koneko.
"Hmm… Izuna's signal is coming from that direction."
I pointed, and Kuroka looked over. "Mmm~? I can see something small and castle-like over there. Maybe that's it?"
I couldn't see it myself, devils really do have good eyesight. I bent the air with senjutsu to create a pseudo-telephoto lens and looked that way too. Sure enough, I saw a castle-like structure in the distance.
Even though we're this high up, it still looks tiny, like a grain of rice, must be really far.
"Kuroka, let's hurry."
"Roger that~!"
Using senjutsu to run through the air, and Kuroka flying with her youjutsu, we sped toward our allies.
"…Come to think of it, Kuroka, you never fly with your devil wings, huh?"
"Hmm? I just prefer floating with my Youkai abilities. It suits me better than devil wings."
"Fair enough."
With nothing to do on the way, we chatted casually while staying on guard for potential ambushes, flying at high speed.
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[Issei's POV]
Asia was taken.
Today was supposed to be the day I beat that smug bastard Diodora in a Rating Game and made sure he'd never go near Asia again. But the moment we arrived on the field, there was no announcement for the game. Instead, we were surrounded by Old Satan Faction members from the Khaos Brigade.
And while we were distracted, a teleportation magic circle activated beneath Asia's feet. Before we could react, she was transferred, probably by a pre-set magic trap, directly to Diodora, who was with the attackers.
When I saw Diodora again for the first time in days, it was clear he really had been sick. He had dark circles under his eyes, sunken cheeks, but the twisted gleam of lust in his eyes was worse than ever. It made my skin crawl.
He escaped with Asia using teleportation. We wanted to chase after him, but with what looked like over a thousand terrorists surrounding us, we were completely cornered. That's when Odin, the Norse Chief God, of all people, showed up. While peeking under Akeno-san's skirt, no less, he deployed a powerful barrier and saved us.
…Thanks for the save, but what an entrance.
If this weren't such a dire situation, Ddraig might have breathed fire over that stunt.
[Why me?]
It's a metaphor! I meant my heart, not you literally!
Apparently, this entire field is under a powerful barrier, and Odin was the only one who could react quickly enough to get in and help us.
Even the VIP spectator stands were under attack by the Old Satan Faction. In short, we were on our own. We had to rescue Asia ourselves.
Odin granted us a protective aura and, wielding his spear Gungnir, tore open a path toward the castle where Asia was being held.
When we arrived, Diodora's voice echoed through the air.
[Welcome, members of the Gremory peerage. Now then, let's play a game. Think of it as a replacement for the Rating Game we ruined.]
You ruined it yourself and now you want to play a new game!? Unbelievable!
Prez accepted his challenge. With Asia held hostage, we couldn't risk provoking that bastard.
The rules were: once a piece was deployed, it couldn't be used again. The objective was to reach Diodora.
His opening team was extravagant: two "Rooks," one "Queen," and eight "Pawns" already promoted in advance. As expected, he had no intention of playing fair.
In response, Prezt had Xenovia face the two "Rooks," and sent Koneko and Gasper to deal with the eight "Pawns."
I was worried, eight "Pawns" promoted to "Queens" against just two people? But Gasper had drunk my blood before the match and used his Evil Eye, Forbidden Balor View, to freeze them. Then Koneko released a poisonous mist, a mix of senjutsu and youjutsu, incapacitating them all in an instant.
She's a close-range fighter, but after that Hell Training Camp in the Underworld, she's grown into a well-rounded powerhouse. The sight of Koneko calmly watching as her enemies convulsed in a foamy heap… honestly terrifying.
Xenovia's match was over quickly too.
Wielding both Durandal and the Ascalon I lent her, she radiated explosive battle aura.
"When I first met Asia, I said some terrible things. But she still called me a friend! She's my friend, my best friend! So lend me your strength, Durandal! Ascalon!"
Her swords responded to her feelings and to each other, their power surging. One swing from Xenovia blasted the enemies, and the scenery behind them, into oblivion.
Even though Kiba surpasses her in handling the aura of holy swords, he couldn't replicate that destructive force. Seems Xenovia really is better at wielding Durandal's core nature.
Deeper into the castle, we encountered one "Queen" and two "Bishops." All appeared to be magic-type fighters.
"We'll handle this," President said, turning to Akeno. "Yuuto alone is more than enough for the remaining two 'Knights.' Issei, leave Diodora to you."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Right. It's not just me. President, who treasures her servants; Xenovia, Asia's best friend; and everyone else, we're all mad as hell! I'll be the one to knock Diodora's smug face in for all of us!
Their massive magical clash began.
President and Akeno were gaining the upper hand, though it would take a bit more time.
Then Koneko tugged at my sleeve and whispered:
"…You're really going to say that, Koneko-chan? We'll probably win without it…"
"Right now, saving Asia as quickly as possible is the priority. Do it."
"…Okay, Akeno-saaaan! If you finish them off right now, I'll… I'll go on a date with you this Sunday!"
Wait… is this really okay, Koneko!?
"KA-KRAKABOOM!"
Akeno was suddenly crackling with divine lightning from head to toe!
"Ohohoho! A date with Issei-kun!? Then… you are all in my way!"
In a flash, her overcharged lightning swallowed and obliterated the "Queen" and "Bishops."
"RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!"
"How could you, Issei!? Saying that to Akeno while I'm standing right here!"
Now Prez's eyes burned with apocalyptic destruction energy!? President, the fight's over!
"Oh my~ Issei-kun asked me, you know? That sounds like confirmation to me~"
"Hmph! Getting all giddy over one measly date. I've let Issei grope my boobs countless times!"
Koneko-chaaaaan!? Sure, the fight's over, but now there's a whole new battlefield!?
"…The drug may have worked too well. Oh well."
Koneko whispered again. Is this really okay?
"If you two don't stop fighting, I'll go on a date with Asia instead!"
Sorry, Asia! I said it without asking!
"…You're right. Asia comes first. Akeno, we'll settle this after the battle."
"Yes. Asia-chan is like a little sister to me too. Let's move."
Phew, crisis averted. We resumed the mission together.
"Ufufu~ A date with Issei-kun~"
"I heard that, Akeno!"
Still arguing while running full speed, these two are totally in sync.
Our final opponents before Diodora were two "Knights." Once they're down, it's just him!
"You're the last ones? Leaving 'Knights' for the end, your King lacks tactical sense. Or maybe… you're hiding a trump card?"
"Then allow us to show you—why we're here!"
The two removed their hoods. Fittingly, they each wielded swords.
"…Those shapes… that energy!"
"We were once with the Church. These are replicas of the Holy Sword Excalibur Rapidly, taken when we became Diodora-sama's servants."
"Even as replicas, Holy Swords are deadly to devils. And we're 'Knights', you won't survive our speed-based combo attacks!"
Excalibur Rapidly replicas?! Even weaker than the real thing, combined with 'Knight' speed, they're lethal!
"I see… Diodora's anti-devil trump cards. Yuuto, can you handle them, or do you need Issei?"
"You're joking. I'm more than enough."
Kiba stepped forward with his Sacred-Demonic Sword. That's right, he's Gremory's ace, just behind Koneko.
"Hmph! We feared fighting the Red Dragon Emperor in full armor, but someone like you is perfect for our blades! Curse Rias Gremory's judgment as you die!"
They faced off. One breath later, their positions reversed. The knights froze.
"…Impossible."
"…Too fast… we couldn't see…"
SFX: SLASH
"Remember this, no matter how strong an attack is, it means nothing if it doesn't hit. You two were far too slow."
Savage. Their fake Excaliburs shattered.
With that, all of Diodora's peerage was defeated. We weren't even scratched.
Wait for us, Asia!
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Note: This time, it's mainly focused on the Gremory peerage.