"So this is how they're using their King? I thought moving it to the front was just to increase combat power or use it as bait, but I never expected them to use an irregular castling to bring their strongest pieces to the front lines."
The golden-haired Shrine Priestess standing atop her Divine Beast on the left side of Sora and Shiro's territory was somewhat surprised by their actions.
However, "Izuna, do you still have some stamina left? Can you handle things over there?"
"No problem, desu… I can still fight, desu…"
"Good. Since the Immanity have gained a numerical advantage and the Sirens have started defending, our situation has become delicate. But we still have one advantage."
The Shrine Priestess remained calm. Even though the situation wasn't favorable, the two of them with their 'Blood Break' abilities could turn the tide.
Miko continued, "Once the Sirens finish their move, we'll launch a full-scale attack. In the face of overwhelming power, small tricks are nothing to fear."
"Understood… I'll defeat Sora and Shiro, desu."
Speaking of moves…
When it was Haruya's turn to move, he hesitated for a moment, deciding to slow down the pace. He couldn't let Sora and Shiro dictate the flow of the game.
This entire situation was likely part of Sora and Shiro's plan. They had calculated the moves and outcomes of all three factions, creating an ideal scenario.
Sora and Shiro's strongest combat pieces were all waiting at the front.
On Haruya's side, the only strong piece at the front was the Queen. The rest were Pawns, with the Knight and Bishop slightly behind.
"Haru-kun, Haru-kun, what should we do now?"
"Don't panic. At this point, 'Virtual Divine Beast Chess' has already stopped being like chess. So, let's use methods that don't follow the rules either."
"Huh? What do you mean? Do you have a trump card, Haru-kun?"
"What are you talking about? Our trump card is you." Said Haruya, pointing at Plum.
"Me?! I'm not going to charge forward and fight those terrifying Divine Beasts! Even if I won't really die, it'll still hurt!" Plum shook his head, looking unwilling.
Haruya sighed in response.
He walked up to Plum and placed his hands on his shoulders, "This is something only you can do."
"Only me? Hehe, I'm not that amazing~… Wait, no, no! Haru-kun, don't try to trick me! It's definitely something difficult, right?"
"Not at all. You just need to give it your all."
...
Outside the game, the audience watching through the large screen began to murmur.
"What's going on?!"
"Are those two going to *papapa*?! Isn't that considered harmful behavior in the game too?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" On the other side, Laila holding Mihama bit down on a towel, tearing at it with a look of clear frustration on her face, "Darling has never said anything like that to me…"
"Mama's expression… is scary!" Mihama flinched.
"Ah, don't misunderstand, Mihama. I just want to cut off that Dhampir's little brother."
Mihama tilted her head in confusion, "Cut off his little brother?"
"It's too early for you to understand." Laila said, patting Mihama's head.
Their conversation ended…
...
In the game...
Haruya looked at Plum, who was blushing and confused, and pulled him to the side of the Divine Beast.
Then, he whispered in his ear, "We'll do it like this… like this, like this, and like that…"
"Will that really work? It has nothing to do with chess."
"You said it yourself earlier, right? That method can alter the opponent's perception. If that's the case, then the Divine Beasts should also be included, since they're living beings. As for whether it has anything to do with chess, do you think the current situation has anything to do with chess?"
Hearing Haruya's question, Plum looked at Sora and Shiro standing atop the lava giant, then at the two Werebeasts on the front lines, and finally shook his head.
From the very beginning, this probably wasn't about winning through chess, "Then, Haru-kun, should we execute the plan now?"
"No. To achieve the best effect, we need to do it at the most impactful moment."
"The most impactful moment…"
In chess, there are three most impactful moments:
First: Victory
Second: Castling
Third: Pawn promotion
Winning directly through chess is impossible, castling is no longer an option, so the only choice left is pawn promotion.
'However, only Pawns can be promoted, so we must protect the Pawns...'
"Can we give our pieces the qualifications for promotion? Do you have a plan, Haru-kun?"
"Of course, but the prerequisite is..." Haruya looked at the King and other pieces beside him, "The prerequisite is to make a choice, to make a sacrifice, to offer a tribute."
Sacrificing pieces to protect the Pawn's advance.
Thus, Haruya and Plum began their actions.
According to the rules, you can't continuously attack the same target, but what if all your moves are for defense?
Thanks to this, Haruya moved all his pieces toward Sora and Shiro's side.
All the pieces; the King, Rook, Bishop, and Knight, surrounded a single Pawn.
In the distance, the golden-haired Shrine Priestess frowned. For the first time, she was truly puzzled.
'Suicide? Surrender?'
'No, that couldn't be the case...'
Not far away, Izuna also stared intently at Haruya's battlefield, as the collisions between the Divine Beast chess pieces slowly unfolded.
Haruya paid no attention to what others were thinking. He decided to go all in.
Success or failure hinged on this move!
"Haru-kun! The attack is coming!!" Plum warned.
"Hide! If we get taken out, it's game over!" Haruya pulled Plum over, and the two of them hid beneath the Divine Beast's body.
The attack from Sora and Shiro's side arrived the next moment, and a violent impact and explosion erupted.
The King Divine Beast, which had been with the two of them all along, now used its massive body to block the attack from the lava giant.
The reason Haruya didn't choose to advance toward the Werebeasts was because he feared their combat power was even stronger, especially at the beginning and the end.
Outside the game, the audience was puzzled by Haruya's actions, thinking them foolish.
It was as if he was giving away his pieces for free, as Haruya's pieces rapidly decreased.
Like an offering to the gods, he was handing over his pieces.
That was the Sacrifice.
At that moment, the King Divine Beast let out a roar, and Haruya's army began to close in on Sora and Shiro's baseline...