Chapter 6: Rating Game — Threads of Conquest
The battlefield materialized around them in a flash of crimson light. The Rating Game arena was vast — a ruined castle perched on a rocky hill, surrounded by dense ancient forest, narrow bridges, and strategic chokepoints. Mist clung to the ground, and the sky glowed with an artificial red hue typical of devil Rating Games.
The Emperor stood at the head of the Gremory team, his black and crimson coat fluttering slightly. The Boosted Gear rested on his left arm, already humming with power. Rias was to his right, her crimson hair tied back for combat, eyes filled with unshakable trust. Behind them stood the full peerage: Akeno with lightning crackling at her fingertips, Kiba with several demonic swords ready, Koneko in a low combat stance, and Asia clutching her cross nervously but determined.
On the opposite side, across the battlefield, Riser Phenex appeared with his full peerage. He wore his usual flamboyant red attire, flames licking at his shoulders. His team was larger and more experienced: Yubelluna the Bomb Queen, the silver-haired Rook Isabella, the knight Karlamine, the pawn twins Ni and Li, and his sister Ravel Phenex as Bishop. All of them radiated confidence.
Riser laughed loudly, his voice echoing across the field. "Finally! I've waited long enough to put this delusional Pawn in his place. Rias, after I win, you'll remember who you truly belong to!"
The Emperor's expression remained cold and composed. He activated the system interface in his mind:
**[Rating Game Main Quest Activated]**
**Objective: Defeat Riser Phenex and his peerage. Publicly solidify your claim over Rias Gremory.**
**Special Condition: Use Fate Theft and Destiny Sever to disrupt enemy coordination and loyalties.**
**Current Level: 3**
**Fate Points: 42**
"Begin," announced the neutral arbiter's voice through the arena.
The game started.
"Everyone, formation Alpha," the Emperor ordered calmly. "Rias and I take the center path toward the castle. Akeno and Kiba provide long-range support and flank from the left forest. Koneko and Asia hold the rear and heal as needed. Do not engage recklessly — we break their formation first."
The peerage moved with surprising coordination, the weeks of intense training showing immediate results. Rias stayed close to him, her demonic power flaring protectively.
Riser split his forces arrogantly. "Yubelluna, take the right flank with the pawns! Isabella and Karlamine, charge the center with me! Ravel, support from behind!"
The first clash happened at the forest edge. Akeno unleashed a barrage of lightning that forced Yubelluna to defend with explosive magic circles. Kiba darted through the trees, using Sword Birth to create multiple blades that pressured the Phenex pawns.
In the center, the Emperor and Rias met Riser head-on.
Riser charged with flames roaring around him. "Die, you insignificant worm!" He threw a powerful fire fist.
"Boost!" The Emperor activated his gauntlet. Power doubled instantly. He met the punch with his own boosted strike. The collision created a shockwave that cracked the ground beneath them. Riser was pushed back several steps, surprise flashing across his face.
"What?! Your power… it's stronger than it should be for a fresh reincarnated devil!"
The Emperor didn't waste words. He pressed the advantage, using enhanced agility to close the distance and land a solid kick to Riser's side. Flames exploded on impact, but the Emperor's devil resistance — strengthened by the system — absorbed most of the damage.
Rias joined the attack, firing crimson power of destruction blasts that forced Riser to dodge. "You will never have me, Riser!"
While the King battled, the system worked silently:
**[Fate Theft Active — Targeting Riser Phenex]**
**Arrogance Thread: 19% Stolen**
**Coordination with Peerage: Weakening**
On the left flank, Koneko smashed through one of the Phenex pawns with raw strength, sending her flying. Asia quickly healed a cut on Koneko's arm, her Twilight Healing glowing softly.
"Keep moving!" the Emperor called out. "Don't let them regroup!"
Riser grew frustrated. "Enough playing around! Burn them all!" He activated his signature phoenix flames, increasing his regeneration and power output.
The Emperor saw the opportunity. He used the newly unlocked **Destiny Sever** skill for the first time. A faint invisible thread extended from his hand toward Riser. He cut a minor fate connection — the deep loyalty some of Riser's servants felt toward him as their master.
Suddenly, Yubelluna hesitated mid-attack, her explosive magic slightly off-target. Isabella's charge lost a fraction of its ferocity.
"What is happening?!" Riser roared.
The Emperor smiled coldly. "Your destiny is cracking, Phenex. Your servants are beginning to see you're not worth following blindly."
He boosted again. "Boost! Boost!" Power multiplied further. With a powerful crimson blast enhanced by the Emperor's Boost, he forced Riser into a defensive position near the ruined castle bridge.
Rias fought beside him seamlessly, her Power of Destruction tearing through Riser's flames. Their coordination was far superior to anything the original canon had shown so early.
In the forest, Akeno's lightning storm suppressed the Phenex knights. Kiba's speed allowed him to disarm one opponent and move to support the center.
The system continued feeding updates:
**[Fate Theft Progress]**
**Yubelluna (Bomb Queen) — Loyalty to Riser: 34% Stolen → Shifting toward curiosity about the Emperor**
**Ravel Phenex — Interest Thread: 27%**
**Overall Enemy Coordination: Dropping rapidly**
Riser, sensing the shift, tried to rally his team. "Don't listen to his nonsense! Crush them!"
But the damage was done. The Emperor isolated Riser on the bridge while the peerage handled the rest. Koneko and Asia held the rear perfectly, with Asia's healing keeping everyone in fighting condition far longer than expected.
As the battle reached its peak, the Emperor faced Riser directly once more. Flames and crimson energy clashed violently.
"You think you can steal Rias from me?!" Riser shouted, regenerating rapidly from injuries.
"I already have," the Emperor replied, his voice ice-cold. "She is mine. Heart, body, and future. Your immortality is meaningless when I steal the very fate that protects you."
He activated **Destiny Sever** again, this time targeting Riser's regeneration thread linked to his phoenix bloodline. The flames around Riser flickered weakly for a moment — not enough to stop him completely, but enough to create an opening.
Rias seized the moment. She channeled a massive Power of Destruction attack, supported by the Emperor's boosted power. The combined blast struck Riser square in the chest, sending him crashing into the castle wall.
Riser struggled to stand, his regeneration slower than usual. "This… this is impossible…"
The Emperor walked forward, the Boosted Gear glowing brightly. "The game is over, Riser. Surrender, or I will take everything from you — including any remaining loyalty your peerage still holds."
One by one, Riser's servants began to waver. Yubelluna lowered her magic circles. Ravel watched with wide eyes, clearly impressed by the Emperor's strategy and raw presence.
The arbiter's voice echoed across the arena:
**"Riser Phenex's team has lost significant combat capability. Riser Phenex, do you surrender?"**
Riser clenched his teeth, flames dying down. For the first time, real fear and disbelief appeared on his face. "I… I surrender."
**"Gremory team wins!"**
The battlefield dissolved. They returned to the official viewing hall where Sirzechs, Grayfia, and many high-class devils had been watching.
Cheers and shocked murmurs filled the hall. Rias stood proudly beside the Emperor, her hand openly intertwined with his. The peerage surrounded them, exhausted but victorious.
Sirzechs Lucifer stepped forward, a rare look of genuine interest on his face. "Impressive, Issei Hyoudou. Your growth is… unnatural. You fought with the mind of a veteran and the power of someone far beyond a new reincarnated devil. Rias, your peerage has exceeded expectations."
Rias smiled confidently. "Because we have a true leader now."
Riser, humiliated but alive, was helped up by his peerage. He glared at the Emperor but said nothing — his arrogance had been severely cracked.
The Emperor addressed the hall with calm authority. "This is only the beginning. Rias Gremory is under my protection. Anyone who tries to take what is mine will face the same fate."
In the shadows of the viewing area, Raynare watched everything with gleaming golden eyes. Her wings twitched. The display of power, strategy, and dominance had pushed her theft progress even higher.
**[Fate Theft on Raynare: 67%]**
**Recruitment Window: Open**
As the celebrations began, the system delivered its rewards:
**[Main Quest Completed: Defeat Riser Phenex]**
**EXP Gained: 1,850**
**Level Up! Current Level: 4**
**All Stats +12**
**New Skill Unlocked: Phoenix Thread Theft (Beginner) — Can steal regenerative concepts and loyalty from phoenix-blooded individuals.**
**Fate Points: 95**
**Bonus: Public Reputation Increased Among Devils — "The Fate Thief" title beginning to spread.**
The Emperor stood tall, Rias at his side, the peerage behind him. The weak Issei Hyoudou was now nothing more than a fading memory.
But this was only the first major victory.
**Chapter End Teaser**
With the Rating Game won, the Emperor's influence was growing rapidly. Sirzechs began to take a personal interest. Riser's peerage members were visibly shaken. And Raynare was now seriously considering offering her services.
What would happen when the Emperor began actively claiming the hearts of Akeno, Asia, and the others? Would Ravel Phenex become the next target of Fate Theft? And how long before other factions — fallen angels, angels, or even the Khaos Brigade — noticed the anomaly known as the Fate Thief Emperor?
The conquest had truly begun.