All those magic circles scattered around Diadora's throne room disappeared when he was defeated.
His remaining pieces collapsed to the floor, unconscious. The black aura that surrounded them dissipated as if it had never existed.
For her part, Asia almost fell to the ground when Diadora threw her, but Excalibur had moved away too quickly. So I caught her while she was still in the air.
"M-Milicas..."
"It's all right now, Asia."
The Rating Game was over.
"KYAAAAAAAA! THAT WAS AMAZING!" Serafall Leviathan exclaimed, flapping her legs excitedly.
At the same time, the castle walls disappeared as if they were just holograms. Finally, we could see the euphoria at Ajuka Stadium.
Even those who were rooting for Diadora Astaroth were excited and shouting things, because this Rating Game was not as tedious as others, but very exciting because of the series of twists, turns, and hand-to-hand combat. Both Diadora and I had demonstrated skills that went far beyond those of an ordinary devil, and that was more than enough to satisfy most of the spectators.
"My dear companions, we have just witnessed an intense Rating Game! And now... the obvious verdict. The winner of this Rating Game is..." Serafall Leviathan twirled her magical girl wand before pointing it at me. "MILICAS GREMORY!"
With an explosion of fireworks, my name appeared in flaming letters a few meters in the air, while cheers and shouts of celebration could be heard from the watching audience.
Asia let out a sigh of relief that it was all over. Gasper blinked a few times, his eyes returning to normal. Meanwhile, Makima crossed her arms, looking at it all with a satisfied expression.
Serafall flew excitedly over to me, and suddenly, a microphone appeared in front of me. "So, Milicas-kun, how does it feel to be the big winner of your first Rating Game?"
"I just did what was necessary. Diadora wanted one of my servants, and I used this opportunity as an example for those who might think the same in the future."
Serafall smiled. "So serious! But the real protagonist in a battle like this has to be classy, right?" She then looked at my empty right hand and asked: "Wait, weren't you using a sword just now?"
"Yes, I was. It was a magic sword that I sometimes use, no big deal."
She looked at me for a few moments, but she wouldn't dwell on the subject in public. Then she turned to the audience and exclaimed:
"My dear little stars, now that this Rating Game is over, stay tuned for our next shows. Serafall Leviathan, your lovely host, bringing all the excitement of the world of devils directly to you!!! Chuuu~!!!" She blew a kiss to the audience.
I was so exhausted after using so much Magic Power and two Simple Domains in a row that my legs almost gave out right then and there. However, just as that was about to happen, Makima appeared and steadied me with her power. She wouldn't help me directly so as not to complicate things with so many eyes on us, but she could help me with her telekinesis.
I smiled at her and was about to thank her, but then red magic circles appeared under our feet.
After a brief and intense crimson glow, we all opened our eyes and saw that we were in the middle of a luxurious place with a panoramic view of the stadium that was emptying. This was the stadium box, where two people were waiting for us.
To my right was a tall man with red hair wearing a formal white and gray suit. To my left was a man with light green hair wearing a long lime green tunic.
They were Sirzechs Lucifer and Ajuka Beelzebub, respectively.
My father smiled when he saw me. "Milicas, congratulations! You've really won your first Rating Game!" he said, opening his arms for a hug, but I turned my face away.
"Now, do you think I'm capable enough to look after myself?"
Ajuka, always serious, looked at Sirzechs out of the corner of his eye and saw my father's slight smile disappear and his arms lower. He then took a deep breath, looked at me, and said:
"Milicas-san, you defeated my brother convincingly, so I must congratulate you on your performance. It was something worthy of the son of a Maou."
I bowed my head in respect and gratitude to Ajuka. "I thank you, Beelzebub-sama."
"By the way..." Ajuka put a hand to his chin. "I asked your father, but he couldn't give me an answer. I think it's because you don't have a very close relationship..." he whispered. "What techniques were those you used during the battle? Was it some kind of Senjutsu?"
"The last technique I used was, yes. As I didn't have the opportunity to live in an ordinary school when I was a child, I drowned myself in books of different techniques and origins... As you may know, my father has a very large library, and I used it when he wasn't around."
"What?!" Sirzechs suddenly exclaimed. "So you were the one who was always leaving the books out of place?!"
I shrugged. "That's your fault for almost turning me into a recluse."
Asia, who was standing just behind me, laughed.
"Hmm... What kind of Senjutsu was that?" Ajuka insisted on knowing.
"I'm sorry, but I won't reveal it so easily. It was something I developed on my own, so it still has a lot of flaws. I'm sure you understand that."
Indeed, Simple Mastery had been essential for me to win this battle and complete the Occasion Mission on time. However, it was an easily beatable technique if my opponent delayed his blow by a second, because, like it or not, being intangible for a second was the norm. Also, it was very taxing on my body, because, in the absence of cursed energy, it took twice as much energy out of me.
Ajuka, seeing that I wouldn't reveal anything about my techniques to him, smiled.
"All right, I understand your reasoning." He said and turned to look at Sirzechs again. "You've got a good boy on your hands, Sirzechs."
Then a greenish magic circle appeared under Ajuka, and he disappeared in an instant, leaving my father, me, and my companions alone.
"Come on, guys. It's time to go," I said, turning towards the exit door.
"Wait," Sirzechs said in a serious tone. "There's something we need to talk about. It's about that sword you used..."
I turned my body just a little towards him. "Yes, it was an Excalibur," I answered before he could ask.
My father didn't seem surprised. "Your aunt had already warned me you had one. She just didn't tell me you'd be using it today... Why did you do that? What did you have in mind?"
"As well as doing it to win, I also did it to show those in Kuoh's shadows that they won't be able to continue what they're doing. I used the sword so quickly and put it away immediately that most devils wouldn't realize it was a Holy Sword, let alone an Excalibur. However, those who are familiar with these weapons will surely know, and that's why I'm leaving it here..."
The Excalibur Rapidly emerged from a small magic circle. I pulled it out and stuck it in the ground between me and my father.
"Lock it up in some vault or return it to heaven, but don't give it back to the Church. Humans shouldn't own a weapon like that," I said.
If this Excalibur went back to Kuoh, even with me, it would be a big problem. The more fragments of the Excalibur that were gathered together, the stronger they would be when united, so I would rather not have it than risk losing it during a fight.
Besides, wielding something so sacred caused excruciating pain in my soul. My father knew this, so when Makima, Gasper, Asia, and I were leaving the room, he said:
"Asia-chan..."
She turned back to hear what he had to say. "Yes, Otosan?"
"Otosan?" Sirzechs blushed, hardly believing that she had been so direct.
In Japanese, Otosan was what a woman called her father-in-law after she was married.
"Please, Asia-chan, heal Milicas' right hand. It may not seem like it, because he hides it very well, but using a sacred sword has hurt him."
Asia's eyebrows rose, and she nodded. "Right, sir! I'll do it!"
Sirzechs smiled and bowed his head in thanks. He was an ambiguous father. At the same time, while being strict with me, he was a doting father, so I knew he was thrilled with my recent performance. I just couldn't treat him affectionately all of a sudden, because we've never had that kind of relationship and it would be strange to suddenly change just because I now knew I'm a transmigrate.
It should be a slow process until we can treat each other as father and son normally.
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