A sly laugh echoes through the dust and smoke. "Heh, a hunter's easiest prey is one relaxed after the hunt. Basic strategy. Sacrificing a few pieces to take you down is worth it. One loss cripples your side."
"Nice plan, but too soft, Raiser's queen," I say, brushing off the debris.
"What!?" Her shock is palpable.
She thought her sneak attack was a sure hit, but Koneko-chan and I stand unscathed. We baited her, showing a false opening. I blocked her strike at the last second.
"The hunter's most vulnerable after the hunt? That's you," I retort.
BOOM!
Lightning crashes down on the queen, charring her as she plummets, smoke trailing. Above, Akeno-san hovers in her miko outfit.
"Perfect timing, Akeno-san," I call.
"Thanks to your signal, Issei-kun," she replies.
We turned her ambush against her, dealing massive damage. She raised a partial barrier just in time, avoiding retirement.
"Didn't expect her to pull that off," I mutter.
"You'll pay for this!" the queen snarls, glaring from the ground.
She pulls a small vial from her pocket.
"What's that?" I ask.
"Phoenix Tears!" Akeno-san gasps.
The captain mentioned those. The queen sprinkles the liquid, and her wounds vanish, like Asia's sacred gear.
"You'll regret humiliating me!" she growls, radiating hostility.
Akeno-san lands in front of me. "As planned, I'll handle her. Issei-kun, Koneko-chan, go help Yuuto-kun. Time to show off my training."
A golden aura surges from her, sharper than before.
"Got it, Akeno-san. It's yours!" Koneko-chan and I sprint toward the field.
Behind us, explosions and thunder roar.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kiba," I say, joining him behind a shed in the field's corner.
"You two look fine," he notes.
"Of course. Not a scratch," I say, spreading my arms.
Kiba tilts his head. "No sacred gear, Issei-kun?"
"Didn't need it."
"Impressive."
We check the situation. "No losses on our side. They're down six pawns, one rook, and their queen's tied up with Akeno-san. She'll win," I say.
"That leaves two pawns, two bishops, two knights, one rook, and Raiser," Kiba calculates.
"Yeah, and they've thrown everything but Raiser at the field," I add, sensing presences.
Kiba and Koneko-chan nod, picking up on it too.
"What's the plan, Issei-senpai, Yuuto-senpai?" Koneko-chan asks.
"Hiding's a pain," I say.
"Agreed," Kiba adds.
Koneko-chan nods.
"Alright, let's do this!" I step out and shout, "Hey! Hiding's a drag, so here we are!"
"Issei-senpai, you're so uncool," Koneko-chan mutters.
"Haha, classic Issei-kun," Kiba laughs.
Ignoring them, I face a girl in armor, sword in hand—a knight.
"Coming out openly? You're insane, but I love fools like you!" she declares.
Yeah, she's kind of a fool too.
"I'm Karlamine, Raiser's knight! Name yourself, Gremory knight!"
"I'm Yuuto Kiba, Rias Gremory's knight. A knight's duel… I've been waiting for this!" Kiba replies.
They clash, swords sparking, both thriving in the fight. Sword nerds.
Koneko-chan and I are left twiddling our thumbs.
"Bored, huh?" I say.
"Utterly. Sword-obsessed idiots slugging it out. So crude. Karlamine even grimaced when Raiser sacrificed pawns. Doesn't she like his strategy?" A masked woman and a blonde girl in a dress with vertical curls appear—Raiser's rook and bishop.
More of Raiser's team emerges, surrounding us.
"Finally, everyone's here," I say.
"So calm. Are you the Red Dragon Emperor Raiser mentioned?" the masked woman asks.
"Don't know what Raiser said, but I'm Issei Hyoudou, Rias Gremory's pawn and this generation's Red Dragon Emperor. He didn't know that at first, though."
"Raiser was shocked when he found out. I'm Isabella, his rook. Sorry, but you're retiring here."
The bishop traps us in a dome-shaped barrier. Koneko-chan pounds it, but it's solid.
"They want no interruptions while we take you down," Isabella says.
A concentrated attack on me, huh?
The blonde steps forward, conjuring flames. "I'm joining too. You're a threat."
"Am I that scary?" I ask.
"Yes. My brother deemed you dangerous. You surpass high-class devils without a sacred gear. Of course we're cautious," she says.
Wait. Brother?
"You said 'brother'?" I ask.
"Yes," she replies.
Our thoughts freeze.
"You're Raiser's sister?" I confirm.
"Indeed. I'm Ravel Phoenix, a true Phoenix daughter."
That fried chicken made his sister a servant! His team's all smirking awkwardly.
Isabella explains, "Raiser said, 'Including my sister in my harem is socially significant. Some people are into that, right? I'm not a sis-con, just for show.'"
"I don't get it," Ravel sighs, shoulders slumping.
Is he an idiot? I get thinking your sister's cute, though.
An announcement cuts in. "Raiser Phoenix's queen and one knight, retired."
Akeno-san and Kiba won.
Ravel's group looks shocked.
"So, what now? Your queen's down, and you've lost half your pieces. We're untouched," I say.
"I'm stunned. Losing Yubelluna was unthinkable. But you're forgetting something," Ravel says.
"Your immortality, right?" I counter.
"Exactly. No matter how strong you are, you can't kill the immortal."
"But there are ways. Break their spirit with repeated defeats or hit with a god- or Demon King-level strike."
"You think you can do that?" Ravel asks, eyes wide.
"Bet I can."
Her shock grows at my instant reply.
"Then we definitely can't let you reach my brother," she says, her team readying for battle.
I sense Raiser moving—toward the old schoolhouse.
"Got it. You're stalling me while Raiser takes out the captain," I say.
"Exactly. Defeat Rias, and we win," Ravel confirms.
She's right. The captain's with Asia, whose defensive magic can't block Raiser. The captain will have to protect her, putting her at a disadvantage. If the king falls, we lose.
BOOM!
An explosion roars from the old schoolhouse. Raiser's attacking.
No time to waste. I leap skyward and smash the barrier. It shatters with a fragile sound.
"The barrier!" Ravel gasps.
They didn't expect it to break so easily.
Kiba and the others join me. "Sorry, I'm heading out. I promised to protect the captain. Kiba, Akeno-san, Koneko-chan, can you handle this?"
"Of course," Akeno-san says.
"Got it," Koneko-chan adds.
"Save the captain, Issei-kun," Kiba urges.
"On it!" I race to the captain.
[Rias's POV]
I face Raiser on the old schoolhouse roof. Asia channels healing aura to me.
This wasn't the plan. Raiser attacking our base himself?
"Rias, resign now," he demands.
"No, you'll resign. Your team's down to half, your queen's gone. We're unscathed. You're out of moves," I counter.
"True, I underestimated you. Losing Yubelluna was a shock. That's why I'm ending this by taking you out."
He's serious. I can't beat him alone, and with Asia here, her defenses won't hold against him. Protecting her puts me at a disadvantage. Joining the others is impossible. I have to stall for help.
"I know your plan, Rias. Stall for reinforcements," Raiser says.
He's read me.
"That Red Dragon Emperor won't come soon. My remaining team, including Ravel, is holding him in a strong barrier. Even he'll struggle."
I'm stunned. Raiser fears Issei that much?
"Resign, Rias!" he roars.
"Never!" I snap back.
My destructive magic clashes with his flames. His body vanishes, but the fire scorches me. My barrier softens the blow, but the impact lingers. Asia heals my wounds, but fatigue builds. Raiser regenerates endlessly. I'll burn out first.
"You're tough, but try this!" Raiser hurls a massive flame at Asia.
She can't block that! I leap in front, raising a barrier, but it crumbles under the fire's force.
"Aaah!" The heat engulfs me.
"Captain!" Asia heals me, but the damage is heavy. My body's numb, barely moving.
"Checkmate, Rias. You're done. Resign," Raiser taunts.
"Never! My team's fighting, and I won't give up!"
No matter the pain, I won't quit.
"Then I'll finish this!" Raiser unleashes an even larger flame.
My body won't move. I brace, closing my eyes.
The attack never comes.
"You okay, Captain?" Issei stands before me, blocking the strike.
"Is Asia safe?" he asks.
"Yes! But… the captain shielded me!" Asia cries.
"I see. Excuse me, Captain." Issei places a hand on my chest. A pale blue glow eases my body.
"I adjusted your energy flow. Asia's gear heals wounds, but not this. You'll move soon. Sorry I was late," he says, bowing apologetically.
"Rest, Captain. I'll handle it," he says, turning away.
Raiser glares. "You got here fast."
"Your team's busy with mine," Issei replies.
"Hmph. Ravel's there, as strong as Yubelluna. Your friends won't last."
"Don't underestimate them. They'll win," Issei says, brimming with confidence.
"Bold words. But if I take you out, Rias's hope dies, and I win!" Raiser roars.
"I promised to protect her. I won't lose and break that. I'll take you down and keep her safe!" Issei declares.
His back radiates strength. In that moment, I realize the truth behind my feelings for him.
"Get ready, Raiser. I'll end this in one blow," Issei says.
I know now… what he means to me.
[Rias's POV Ends]
"One blow, huh? Big talk, Red Dragon Emperor," Raiser sneers.
"I'll end it," I say, aura flaring, my killing intent locked on him.
"Without your sacred gear, this pressure…! But I'm an immortal Phoenix! I can't lose!" Raiser roars, flames bursting from him.
"Firebird, phoenix, immortal flames! Burn to ashes!" he shouts, unleashing a torrent of fire.
It's intense. A normal devil would be ash instantly.
"Phoenix flames can scar dragon scales. Taking it head-on's bad," Ddraig warns.
No kidding.
"Your pathetic flames won't touch me!" I activate my qigong, closing the gap and landing a punch.
"Gah, you brat!" Raiser swings back, but it's nothing to me.
My energy-charged kicks and punches rock him. Sensing close combat's disadvantage, he flies up.
"Die!" he roars, raining countless flames.
Each carries massive heat. I fire energy blasts, snuffing them out.
"What!?" Raiser gapes.
I spread my devil wings, charging him. He tries to flee, but I accelerate, catching him and landing an uppercut to his gut.
"Guh!" The blow shakes him.
It's not enough to beat his immortality. But I've got one move that can, without Balance Breaker.
I hurl Raiser higher, readying my right fist. Releasing all the energy I've stored since the game began, my fist glows blindingly.
Zing!
The light swells with a piercing sound. Raiser, still reeling, can't escape.
Now's my chance.
"Raiser, this ends here," I say.
"Wait! This engagement is for the devils' future! Do you know how grave it is to ruin it!?" he pleads.
"Don't care. If the captain wins, the engagement's off, right? You agreed to that."
"And did you ever consider her feelings? To see her as Rias, not just a Gremory?" I continue.
My fist's light illuminates the night.
"You hurt her for your pride. My job? Beat you and save her. That's it!"
I aim my fist, gripping my wrist with my left hand for precision. This won't miss.
"Agni!" I roar.
A massive torrent of energy erupts, my strongest attack without a sacred gear, named for the fire god.
"Ddraig vouches for its power. Vanish!" I shout.
"Damn you!" Raiser screams, swallowed by the light.
"Raiser Phoenix, retired. Rias Gremory's team wins!" Grayfia announces.
Our victory is sealed.