CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! PRANG!
Meanwhile, Yuuto just got his sword shattered by Karlamine's flaming broadsword after several clashes between the two's blades. As the Gremory knight leapt backwards to avoid another strike, the Phenex knight stopped to fix her position again. Yuuto himself gritted his teeth slightly, while their speed was equal since they both are knights, it still felt aggravating to have his weapon being taken away from him. The female knight herself was quite prominent in swordsmanship as well, after all, she managed to destroy Yuuto's sword.
"I must say, you're not bad at all, Kiba Yuuto. However, it seems the battle has been decided…" Karlamine commented as she pointed her sword at Yuuto.
The Gremory knight simply smiled in return. "Fufu, sorry but, that's not all of me, yet"
Karlamine snorted at Yuuto's bravado. "Hmph, that's really unsightly of you, knight of Gremory, to…" then her sentence was cut-off as eyes widened to see Yuuto created another sword in his hand. However, the sword was only a hilt with no blade.
"Freeze", at Yuuto's word, the surrounding air became colder and ice started to form from the hilt, creating the sword with an ice-blade.
"An ice sword!? Are you telling me that you possess multiple sacred gears?" Karlamine asked with slightly incredulous expression.
"Well, rather than multiple, I'd say that this sword, Flame Delete, is a part of my only Sacred Gear", Yuuto replied as he prepared his own stance. "Shall we test if you can still hold your flame before this sword of mine?" then Yuuto sprinted towards Karlamine to engage in another swords-clash.
CLANG! CLANG! CREAK… CREAK… CREAK… PRANG!
When Karlamine's flaming sword made a contact with Yuuto's Flame Delete, the former's sword, together with its flames, slowly frozen until it broke into tiny pieces of ice. Clicking her tongue, the Phenex knight brandished her dagger and pointed towards Yuuto.
"Fire is not the only element that Phoenix has control over!" Karlamine shouted as fire, this time combined with a whirlwind, shot out from Karlamine's blade, crating a fire vortex twirling towards Yuuto.
WHOOSSHH!
Yuuto remained calm as he dismissed his Flame Delete to the ground, and he summoned another sword. This time, the sword had a square-like hole around the tip of the blade.
"Stop", at Yuuto's command, a small black hole appeared in the middle of the square hole and the hole sucked all the wind from the vortex, automatically defuse the fire.
Before Karlamine could have made any comment, Yuuto beat her first, "Replenish Calm, the sword that absorbs all wind around it."
Karlamine put up a thoughtful expression. "Creating multiple swords while you claimed as a single Sacred Gear… Could it be…"
"Yes, this is my Sacred Gear, Sword Birth. It allows me to create demonic swords."
Karlamine smirked in amusement. "I see… It seems to be a fate for me to meet another special sword users…"
Yuuto raised his eyebrows in interest, "Another? You meant you met with someone like me before?"
Karlamine nodded, "Yes, around two years ago. However, unlike you who wield demonic swords, the one I met that time used a holy sword."
Suddenly, Yuuto's expression turned grim as his killing intent leaked more from his body. The rest of combatants felt Yuuto's killing intent as well, but they managed to remain focus in their own fight.
With cold tone, Yuuto said, "I see… I need you to tell me more of this holy sword user…"
Karlamine did not flinch much as she positioned herself with her dagger, wind and fire dancing around her blade. "I'm afraid not, since I've promised her secrecy as a knight. Why don't we talk with our swords instead of our mouths?"
"Fine by me…" Yuuto's cold expression remained as he lounged again to clash his blade with Karlamine.
X
Ravel Phenex, Riser Phenex' bishop as well as his little sister, was standing while watching the fight between two knights, a rook with two pawns, and a pawn with a rook and a knight. She was sure that Isabela, Siris, Mihae as well as Ni and Li are enough to take care the enemy's rook and pawn, while the Gremory knight, who could keep up with Karlamine caught her attention for a while. Oblivious with the other battles occurred as she remained to observe the battle between knights for a while longer, Ravel's mind sometime wandered to a fairy-tale she used to hear in the past, the fairy-tale about a knight in shining armour who struggled and went through many hardships to unite with the princess. The young Phenex girl always hoped that she would meet her own knight in shining armour someday as she look at the fight. However, Ravel's musing was interrupted by the voice beside her.
[Reset!]
Ravel snapped her head to the source of the voice and she saw Issei standing right beside her. The Gremory pawn simply smiled at her with his hand up in greeting.
"Hello, there"
Ravel's face turned to a shock expression at the sight of Issei. "Wha- How-!" Ravel turned her head towards the battlefield and she saw Isabela, Siris and Mihae were sprawled motionlessly on the ground. Siris' Zweihander was broken into two, Isabela's mask was shattered and the pieces could be seen near her, and Mihae… she was simply out-cold. Ravel also took a note that Ni and Li were starting to have difficulties in fighting the Gremory rook as well, as Koneko started to gain more upper-hand against the two pawns.
"Riser-sama's rook, knight and bishop have retired"
Grayfia announced as the bodies of the three mentioned disappeared in white light.
Ravel turned to Issei again, who surprisingly remained still on his spot in relaxed pose as the pawn was observing the fight that was still going on. She then noticed the red gauntlet that still present on Issei's left arm. However, while Ravel was still processing her thoughts, Issei's eyes was planted on Yuuto, the knight's earlier killing intent nerved Issei a bit, but the pawn decided to watch for now.
"I see… I guess it's understandable that Isabela, Siris and Mihae were loosing against the Red Dragon Emperor", Ravel said with cautious tone, her body shifted backwards, preparing to flee at moment's notice.
"Thanks for the compliment, err… Ravel-san, right?" Issei turned towards Ravel and he offered his right hand. "We haven't properly introduced ourselves, have we? My name is Hyoudou Issei, Rias Gremory-sama's pawn at your service", Issei said with a smile.
Ravel blushed slightly at Issei's introduction, then she huffed with her eyes closed. "Hmph, I suppose I should introduce myself properly as well. I'm Ravel Phenex, the youngest daughter of Phenex clan, one of 72 pillars in underworld", Ravel said without taking Issei's hand. The latter simply nodded and pulled back his hand.
After a second, while Issei returned to watch the occurring battle again, Ravel took a glance at Issei as she spoke up, "So… You won't fight me?"
"Would you like me to?" Issei replied with his smile still present and his eyes darted to Ravel, the latter saw the former's eyes gleaming oddly. She instinctively took a step backward and Issei quickly understood what she meant.
"Thought so. You don't appear to me as a fighter-type at all", Issei returned his gaze towards the battlefield.
"Are you sure? I mean… We're enemies, you know? I might going to attack you when I got the chance here." Ravel said nervously yet cautiously.
Issei only smiled at the question. "Just admit it, Ravel-san… You're fully aware yourself that you won't be able to beat me now", Issei glanced back at Ravel. The two staring each other for a minute before the latter finally turned away with a sigh.
"You're right. I admit that you're strong…" Then Ravel's gaze turned to the new school building. "But I doubt you're strong enough to defeat onii-sama. Given your current condition." Ravel said as she took in Issei's state from Yubelluna's explosion attack. The bishop also aware that, despite manage to survive the large explosion from earlier, the explosion must have had some effects Issei's body. The pawn could be seen stretching his neck and body, relieving his slightly aching muscles and joints.
Issei's eyes widened slightly at Ravel's declaration. "Onii-sama?" then Issei recalled that both Riser and Ravel had resemblance in their features. "You serve under your own brother, Ravel-san?"
"No, not really. The reason I joined onii-sama's peerage was because he wants to fulfil his so-called 'harem collection'. He said something about he needs a 'little sister type' to fulfil his collection", Ravel said with a shrug.
"Oh… I see…" Issei said with a sweat-drop. This Riser guy is just another pervert that does not die.
"And aren't you going to help them? They are your allies, right?" Ravel asked again.
Issei simply smiled as he watched the fight before him. "Well, we are comrades, I won't abandon them and all, but I believe in them as well. I'm ready to help if they're to need it, but you know…" Issei then showed his goofy grin to Ravel, "If I help them too much, what's the point of them training so hard for these past 10 days?"
Ravel only stared at Issei and she did not say anything else in return and turned her attention back to the field.
[It's 9 days, actually. Everyone was taking a break in the last day] Ddraig added in. Issei himself only ignored the dragon's remark.
When the two resumed their observation again, the fight between Koneko with Ni and Li had been concluded as Koneko landed a jaw-breaking uppercut towards Li, with Ni had already knocked out nearby. As Li dropped to the ground after a mouthful of blood spurt from her mouth, both pawns' bodies disappeared in the white light as well.
"Riser-sama's two pawns have retired."
"Good work, Koneko-chan!" Issei shouted with his thumb up and the rook simply nodded in acknowledgement. Ravel only sighed at the defeat of her two pawns allies. "Now that leaves only Kiba… I wonder how's Akeno-san doing now? There's nothing about her so far…"
"Riser-sama's queen has retired."
"Oh, come on!" Ravel yelled in frustration as she stomped her feet.
"Never mind. Nice one, Akeno-san!" Issei thought as his smile widened. "Wait, that means… How long have we been here then?" Issei's eyes widened in realisation. They were supposed to finish their fight quickly so they could help Akeno.
Issei then turned towards Yuuto, who still had his cold expression and clashing swords with Karlamine. "Oi, Kiba!" it seems Issei's shout managed to snap Yuuto out of his own thoughts. "We've wasted too much time here! Remember our goal!"
Yuuto shook his head as he recalled the situation at hand. "Of course… How could I forget? I guess I need to put this behind me for now…" then Yuuto's eyes focused back on Karlamine. "Let's finish this…"
"Well said! I'm also on the same page! We'll finish this in one strike!" Karlamine stated as she sprinted towards Yuuto with the fire vortex around her dagger.
However, when Karlamine was closing in, Yuuto simply fixed his footing and he thrusted his Replenish Calm, and suddenly multiple demonic swords with various forms came out from the ground and impaled the surprised Karlamine.
SCHLING! SCHLING! SCHLING! SCHLING!
The Phenex did not manage to let out any scream as blood came out from her mouth, then her body, still impaled with Yuuto's demonic swords, disappeared in bright light.
"Riser-sama's knight has retired."
Issei let out a sigh as he walked from Ravel to regroup with Yuuto and Koneko. "Good work, you two", Issei said complimenting the knight and the rook. "Now, we just have to regroup with Akeno-san, regroup with ojou-sama and Asia, and…"
"Akeno-san!" Issei's sentence was interrupted with Yuuto yelled out the queen's name with his eyes widened in panic. Issei and Koneko turned their heads toward the direction Yuuto was looking, and their eyes widened in panic as well when they saw Akeno, with her body heavily injured with burn and charred marks, and her shrine-maiden outfit was torn here and there. Her breathings were heavy, and the Gremory queen was barely able to keep herself in the air as she slowly descending, or rather, falling towards Issei's group.
"Akeno-san/Akeno-senpai!" Issei and Koneko yelled out in worry as the former caught Akeno's body.
"Akeno-san? Akeno-san! Please hang in there!" Issei yelled as he shook Akeno slightly. He cursed himself for dragging his own battle and his comrades' battle for too long.
Akeno, whose eyes were previously closed from exhaustion, slowly opened them again as she showed a weak smile. "Fufufu, I did it, Ise-kun…" Akeno raised her hand in victory sign. "Although I did not manage to stop Yubelluna from using the Phoenix tears…"
Issei smiled in relief that his senpai was still in the game. "Yeah, good work for that, Akeno-san! Sorry that we weren't able to help you", then he turned to his other allies. "What's Phoenix tears, by the way?"
Yuuto, after let out a sigh of relief with Koneko, replied to Issei, "It's a healing artefact that can only be created by a pure-blood devil from Phoenix clan. Phoenix tears are famous for it's power to heal injuries, even to re-attach severed limbs." Then Yuuto sighed in exasperation, as if realising a blunder. "We should have taken into account that our enemy will bring Phoenix tears into the game…"
Issei's eyes furrowed at Yuuto's explanation. "Bringing healing potions of that calibre… It's kind of cheating, don't you think?"
"Not really", the group turned their heads towards Ravel who replied to Issei's comment. "We from Phenex clan are allowed to bring only two vials of our tears in rating games. One was given to Yubelluna, while the other one…" instead of finishing her sentence, Ravel simply took out a small vial containing water.
Deciding to test his luck, Issei asked to Ravel, "Well… Can you give that tears of yours to us? You know, I don't think that you'll need it, anyway", the pawn asked sheepishly.
Ravel put on an expression as if she was asked a stupid question. Rather, it was actually kind of a stupid question for her. "Do you really expect your enemy to do so?" Ravel said putting the Phoenix tears away.
Issei only sighed in understanding. Then Koneko stood up with her eyes on Ravel, presumably attempting to take the Phoenix tears by force, before her shoulder was held by Issei, who shook his head slightly.
The rook eyed Issei for a second, and she got the message that it was not really honourable to attack an opponent who does not want to fight. Koneko then closed her eyes and she relaxed her body.
"Alright, now we just have to bring Akeno-san to Asia, regroup with-"
KA-BOOM!
Another huge explosion was heard from the new school building.
"Oh, what now?" Issei whined as everyone turned towards the new school building. There was a smoke came out from an area within the building.
"Ise-san! Everyone!" everyone turned their heads to see Asia running towards them.
"A-Asia? What are you doing here? And where's-" Issei's was not able to finish his question as Asia quickly informed them when she arrived at the group.
"Buchou-san just accepted Riser-san's challenge, and she's currently fighting him in the new school building!" Asia said between her breaths, and she finally got a good look on everyone's condition, especially Issei and Akeno. "…(gasp)! Ise-san! Akeno-san! You're hurt!"
"Wait, what- Actually, Asia, can you tend to Akeno-san first?" Issei asked as he tried to cast a spell. He was not sure if he was doing right, then as he placed his hand on his ear, he channelled his magical energy and after focusing for a second, a small magic circle appeared beside his ear.
"Hello, ojou-sama? Can you hear me? Ojou-sama!" Issei was trying to establish a magic link.
"Ise?" Rias' voice was heard from Issei's magic circle. It looked like Issei had finally learned a thing or two about magic.
Relieved slightly that his master was still in the game, Issei replied, "Ojou-sama, I've heard from Asia, what are you doing there alone? This isn't part of the plan!"
"Then change of plans. Riser just gave me a challenge that I couldn't refuse, so this is now my fight, Ise…" Rias voice then cut-off by buzzing sounds as another explosion was heard.
"Ojou-sama?! Ojou-sama!" Issei yelled to get another respond but the connection was already cut. Issei dismissed his magic link and clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Asia, how's Akeno-san?" Issei turned to the former nun who was still using her Twilight Healing on Akeno.
"I'm half-way done!" Asia said as she poured every ounce of her power to her healing.
"Issei-kun, you should go first. Leave Akeno-san and Asia to us, we'll catch up with you soon", Yuuto interjected.
"What? But I can't just-" Issei was about to protest but Akeno cut in.
"Ise-kun… Right now, you're the only member that has the highest chance to defeat Riser… Just go, I'll be fine. Please, save Rias…" Akeno still sounded quite weak, but better than earlier as some of her wounds had been healed.
Issei stared Akeno for a second, then he looked at Asia who was still healing the queen. "We're going to be fine, Ise-san…"
Then the pawn turned to Koneko. "Go", the rook simply said while nodding.
Issei gave a quick glance towards Ravel, whom still standing there with her arms folded. It seemed that the Phenex bishop did not intend to fight at all. The pawn took a deep breath to steel his resolve, then he stood up and started to head towards the new school building.
"Hold it, you", Issei stopped on his track, he, along with everyone else looked at Ravel who threw a small vial towards Issei.
"Do you honestly think that you can defeat my brother in your state?" hearing her words, Issei took a look at the vial that contained Phoenix tears, then he looked at Ravel again in slight confusion.
"Don't get wrong ideas", Ravel huffed and turned her gaze elsewhere. "I simply want to show you that even in your prime condition, you still won't stand a chance before the might of the immortal bird…"
Issei took in Ravel's words for a few seconds, and he smiled. "You know, you really are a nice person, aren't you, Ravel-san?" then his smile turned to a grin. "I kind of like people like you."
At Issei's words, Ravel blushed furiously, as she stuttered, "W-w-w-what are you babbling all of a sudden!? Don't just blurt out something like that to your enemy in the middle of battlefield! Idiot, idiot!" Ravel said before she let out her fiery wings and flew somewhere else.
Issei only blinked couple of times and he turned to his friends, "Err… Did I do something wrong?" Issei asked sheepishly, not sure what really happened just now.
The others only sighed in unison at Issei's bluntness, with particularly Asia letting out a whine and Akeno letting out a giggle. Shrugging his thought for now, after watching Ravel flew far enough, Issei drank the content of the vial, and as his wounds completely healed, he continued his journey towards his master as he dashed and jumped away.
[Boost!]
X
BOOM!
On the roof of the new school building, Rias, now breathing heavily, just fired another of her power of destruction towards her opponent. She had launched all of her attacks towards Riser Phenex, but so far, the latter simply counter her attacks with his flames, or just took on her attack let his body to be disintegrated, only to recover after few seconds. Rias' last attack earlier just blew up the entire lower body of Riser from the chest down, but the latter only smirked in indifference. Soon, flames gathered around Riser's lower body and formed the destroyed body parts, earlier, returning Riser's state to full condition.
"Kukukuku… My dear Rias… It's starting to get painfully dull for me here. Why don't you just give up and take my hand now? It will save you from a lot of pain and humiliation…" Riser said arrogantly.
Rias' condition had been much worse from her previous state before fighting Riser. After firing numerous shots of her magic, her stamina finally ran out. Her magical reserves were now depleted, her breathings were heavy, her body, now forced to prostate on the ground struggling to stand up, and her clothes, are bruised and burned due to Riser's flames. Nevertheless, despite her current condition, while gritting her teeth in frustration, Rias Gremory remained proud.
"Giving up… to the likes of you? I'm sorry, Riser… But if I were to end up marrying you, I'd rather die, right here, right now…" Rias said between her heavy breaths, with a regal smirk on her face.
Riser's eyes twitched in annoyance from Rias' stubbornness. He let out his fiery aura and his wings, powerful flames of Phoenix soon erupting around his body again. "Still being stubborn until the end… But it ends now. I shall put you properly in your place before the might of the Phoenix!" Riser held up his hand and shot a large fireball towards Rias.
Unable to move anymore due to extreme exhaustion, Rias simply shut her eyes, ready to accept her fate.
SLASH! PA!
However, as she did not feel any pain nor heat that supposed to be enveloping her by now, Rias opened her eyes slowly and she saw someone, all too familiar to her, standing with his back facing her. When Rias took in the person's appearance, her sights spotted a red draconic gauntlet with two green jewels on it, clad on the left arm. The said figure's position just back-handed Riser's fireball with a simple back-handed punch with the gauntlet, dissipating the flame almost instantly.
Riser himself could not help but bewildered to see his prided flames to be easily swatted by a mere pawn whom he met during the meeting in the clubroom.
Rias who finally recognised the person before her, muttered a single word in slight disbelief tone. "Ise…?"
The said person turned his head to meet his eyes with her, and once their eyes met, the said person smiled kindly. "Ojou-sama… That was really reckless of you", Hyoudou Issei had arrived right in time to rescue Rias Gremory.
Rias Gremory only stared in silence for a moment, taking in the sight before her carefully. Judging from the rich aura that was pouring from Issei's body, the pawn was most likely had promoted into queen when he reached the place, since the place they were at could be considered as the enemy territory. Due to exhaustion, Rias did not manage to hear Issei's earlier remarks.
"… Jou-sama? Ojou-sama!"
Rias' mind was snapped back from her daze at Issei's shouting. "E-eh?" Rias simply asked in bewilderment.
Issei only sighed again while he looked over from his shoulder. "Ojou-sama, can you still move?"
Rias was way too tired as she could only muster so much strength in her body. It seemed that the fireball earlier was enough to scare Rias out of her wits for a moment as her legs just gave up on her.
Learning upon his master's current state, Issei shrugged as he stay smiling. "Then it's fine, ojou-sama. Asia and the others will catch up with us. Just stay there and rest", Issei then turned his gaze at Riser. "I'll take care of him".
Riser, who was only watching earlier, got out from his slight shock as he returned with his arrogance. "Hmph, I see that you managed to survive my flame… Well, I'll give you guys credit for taking out all of my cute servants without loosing any of your own. As reward, I'll wait for you to regroup with your comrades before I finish all of you myself", Riser said folding his arms patiently.
Issei did not say anything in return as he simply took few steps closer towards Riser. When he stopped, the pawn jerked his head slightly towards Rias, as if he was waiting something from his king.
Rias furrowed her eyebrows in confusion on what her pawn was doing, "What is he…" then, her eyes widened slightly in realisation. She steeled her expression as she gathered her resolves to put her faith in her newest pawn.
"Ise, this is my order", Rias said as she clutched her hands together on her chest. "Defeat Riser Phenex… And grant me victory!"
Issei's smirk could be seen when the pawn heard her orders.
"As you wish, milady…"
And when the pawn turned to Riser again, his eyes gleamed with power and he suddenly let out a burst of aura, mixed of green and red, flaring around him.
"Let's do this, Ddraig!"
[Hahaha, this is gonna be a blast!]
"Balance Break!"
[WELSH DRAGON BALANCE BREAKER!]
Red armour materialised on Issei's body starting from the rest of his left arm, his torso, his legs, his right arm, and finally his head. When the armour had finished to put itself on Issei. Riser and Rias' sight were met with a figure in red dragon armour covering his entire body.
"Ise… So you're able to reach your Balance Breaker during the training?" Rias asked in awe and slight disbelief, but Issei did not heed her question as his attention was focused on Riser.
Riser him self was baffled before he regained his composure by the sight of the armoured figure before him. "I see… You manifested the power of the Dragon into a suit of armour… However!" Riser's wings of flames erupted from his back as his fiery demonic power flared out around his body. "You, a low-class devil are still nothing in the face of the immortal me!"
[Jet!]
CRASH!
Suddenly, a red blur appeared pass through Riser and the Phenex king suddenly lost his entire right arm, along with a bit part of his right waist. Issei himself was found skidding to stop his advance behind Riser. Behind his helmet, Issei was smirking on the damage he had done to Riser.
"GUAAH!"
Riser, screamed in pain, clutched the stump where his body parts previously were. It was strangely enough, painful to him, but his damages were soon recovered with his Phoenix flame.
"Kuhk…! This pain…! Could he be…!?" Riser was suspicious of something at first, but when he took another look at Issei, the pawn did not seem to have anything other than his scale-mail. Then his eyes widened in disbelief and horror. "Don't tell me… This mere pawn is powerful enough to inflict pain on an immortal like me without the use of holy artefacts? Preposterous!"
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
BWOOSH!
Issei then sprout out a pair of dragon wings from his armour and using the armour's jet propeller, Issei launched again towards Riser.
Riser turned around then quickly fired a barrage of fireballs towards Issei, but the latter still launched without evading, taking the brunt of the fire with his armour. With incredible speed, Issei once again planted his right fist into Riser's gut.
"Ohok!"
Riser vomited a mouthful of spit mixed with blood, then when his back was jerked backwards from Issei's punch, the latter quickly brought his hands together and pounded Riser to the ground.
BAM! CRASH!
Riser was buried deep into a crater.
Issei, who was still in the air, found that a part of his armour was cracked and the pieces dropped to the ground.
[Be careful, partner. The fire of Immortal Bird Phoenix can scratch even the scales of dragons. I suggest you don't take too much of that flame head-on]
"Oops… Okay, I got it. Thanks for the warning, Ddraig", then Issei reformed the lost part of his armour and took another look around his dragon wings again.
Strangely enough for him, it feels easier to fly in his Scale Mail. Was it perhaps since there was a jet propeller to help him? Or the armour itself was helping him to move in the air? Issei's musings were soon interrupted when he suddenly had to evade sideways as a large stream of fire heading to him.
FWOOSSHH!
"Whoa! That's was close…"
X
Meanwhile, the rest of Rias' peerage finally arrived at the roof-top, where Rias was still sitting there. Akeno, who had healed completely, Yuuto, Koneko and Asia quickly went to Rias' side.
"Buchou/Buchou-san!" Rias turned her head towards the rest of her servants. "Where's Ise-kun?" Akeno asked the king.
Rias simply turned her gaze towards the red figure that was evading a torrent of fire and the others followed Rias' gaze as well. Their eyes widened as soon as they recognised the red figure.
"Is that… Issei-kun?" Yuuto asked with wide eyes at Issei. He was planning to support the pawn, but seeing something like that, Yuuto decided to stay out of the way.
"Ise-san? Is that really Ise-san in that armour?" Asia asked as she was intimidated by Issei's appearance.
"Fufufu… It seems that is what our little junior had been hiding from us since that night…" Akeno said as she looked at Issei who was confronting Riser again.
"Amazing…" Koneko said in amazement at the large amount of aura that surrounded Issei's body.
On the other side of the battlefield, Ravel was hovering in a good distance as she saw the spectacle of her brother being damaged by the figure in red armour.
"Incredible… Is that the power of a dragon?" Ravel said in slight worry for her brother.
X
Riser, with his breathings heavy, slowly ascend to the sky to confront the Red Dragon Emperor once again, while he tried to hold the pain that running through his entire body. The man could not believe, after years of victory and glory thanks to his flames and immortality, he met someone who managed to give him pain for the first time. An angel or fallen angel would be one thing, but this time, the person who inflicted pain into his person is none other than his own kind, a low-class one to add. Clinging to his pride as a high-class devil of Phenex clan, Riser steeled his self again.
"Wow… You really don't die, do you?" Issei commented, slightly impress on Riser's tenacity.
"Of course I won't! I'm a Phenex, a devil who has the same power as the legendary bird Phoenix! Even if you have grasped the power of the dragon inside you, you won't be able to beat me! Never!" Riser snapped as raging fire dancing around him again.
"I see… Then it's good, I guess", Riser furrowed his eyebrows at Issei's reply.
"Huh?"
"Since you won't die, it means that I can go all out against you!" Issei said as his body exploded in red and green aura again before he charged towards Riser.
The battle went on as Riser was being pushed back by Issei, whom flew around Riser with incredible velocity as his power and speed kept increasing by seconds. Riser could not do much but using his flames (which could only damage Issei's armour ever so slightly, and even if the armour were to break, Issei quickly regenerated his armour again) to attack Issei and surround himself to act as a barrier, while Riser would try to counter Issei's strike in futile. Simply put, Riser could barely touch Issei, let alone damaging him.
After the one-sided battle had gone for another while, Riser finally caught on Issei, whom was speeding straight with both of his fists pointed to him from the distance. Holding both of his hands towards Issei, Riser roared out and a giant torrent of fire was shot towards Issei.
The latter who saw his path was blocked by a torrent of fire heading to him, simply ordered his armour to increase his power again and he forcefully went to the fire, trying to penetrate through it.
FWOOSHH!
"UOOOHH!"
CRACK! CRACK!
The sounds of Issei's armour cracking could be heard as the Phoenix flame started to deal some damage on it.
[Oi, partner! What did I tell you about Phoenix flames?]
"I know, I know!"
While Riser was still busy putting more force in his flame attack, Issei skilfully changed the course of his flying and he went around to strike Riser from the side. Riser, who did not see anything coming, could not avoid Issei as the latter planted both of his fists towards Riser, pushing him and bringing him across the building as they went through the walls, and they finally dropped on the ground at the other side of the school building.
CRASH! BRAAAK! BOOM!
As Issei had Riser lying beneath him, Issei did not waste any more time as he started to pound Riser with punch after punch.
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
Riser who could barely guard himself from painful punches that Issei delivered, mustered his entire strength and magic to create a fiery explosion from his body.
"UOOOGH!"
BLAARR!
"Kuhk!"
Issei was forced to leapt back from the sheer force and heat of the fire that came out from Riser's body. The latter wobbly got up back on his feet, while the wounds and bruises on his face and body from Issei's attacks have started to heal, his mentality and spirit were starting to reach their limits.
"…(Pant)… (pant)… Why… WHY ARE YOU GETTING IN THE WAY OF THIS ENGAGEMENT!?" Riser roared in frustration, his physique may be unharmed due to his immortality, but his spirit would not recover that easily. In a fit of desperation, Riser ran charging towards Issei, whom also charged back. Soon the two were engaged again in a fist-fight as Riser desperately attacked Issei with his flame-coated strikes.
WHAM! WHAM! BAM! BAM! WHAM! WHAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
Obviously, Issei was winning, as he easily blocked and dodged every strike from Riser, and the latter kept receiving a painful blow after blow from the former. Riser's mentality that had dropped nearing its limits had gone down even further.
"Isn't that obvious? A man like you doesn't deserve to be with her!" Issei yelled as his fist went towards Riser's gut. "And I have sworn that I'll fight for her! I'll fight to help her to achieve her dreams! I'll even defeat a God for her if I have to!"
BAM!
"Guhk!" Riser grunted in pain as his body skidded across the ground.
Riser got his footing again and he shouted, "Don't you understand!? This engagement is necessarily important for the future of pure-blood devils! A reincarnated devil brat like you doesn't have anything to do with this! So why are you getting in my way? WHY!?"
Issei sighed at Raiser's words. "If you really care about the future of those pure-blood devils or whatever, why don't you just marry a heiress from another clan!?" Issei shouted back as his armour charged his power even further.
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
Then Issei blurred away as he was suddenly appeared in front of Riser.
"Besides, didn't I tell you back in the clubroom?" Issei said as he used his right arm to deliver a jaw-breaking uppercut to Riser's chin, launching the latter high in the air. "I'll tell you again this time!"
BAM!
"Gaahk...!"
Riser who was still in the air could not move as Issei's strike to the chin managed to reach his brain as well. At the moment of his paralysis, Riser caught Issei was extending his left arm towards him.
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! BOOST!]
Then Issei shouted out on top of his lungs, "RIAS GREMORY-SAMA'S VIRGINITY BELONGS TO ME!" then he fired his boosted Dragon Shot at Riser.
BWOOOOSH!
Issei's voice was so loud the spectators were able to hear it clearly. Ravel was taken aback with flustered face from Issei's bold declaration, while the members of Occult Research Club had various reactions. Rias' face was beet red, Akeno and Asia gasped with the former giggled afterwards, Koneko simply had wide eyes and Yuuto could not help but whistled.
"That's not what you said back there…!" Riser's voice was slowly disappeared when his body was enveloped in a large red light. When the light dissipated, Riser's body was not seen anywhere.
"Wait… What the hell am I saying!?" Issei yelled as his eyes widened and his face flushed in embarrassment. "What the fuck was I thinking!?"
Ddraig only laughed in half-amusement and half-mocking manner.
[Hahahaha! Don't get all embarrassed when you just spoke a quote of the century! Hahahaha!]
"Riser-sama, the king, has retired. Victory of this rating game goes to Rias Gremory-sama."
As soon as Grayfia's announcement was spoken, Issei dismissed his Scale Mail and he slumped to the ground.
"Fuaah… I never thought using Balance Breaker would be this tiring…" Issei said after exhaled deeply.
If it was not for the Phoenix Tears that Ravel gave earlier, Issei believed that his body would end up even in a worse shape after he dismissed his scale-mail. When Issei was still steadying his breath, his vision suddenly covered with bright light, along with his surroundings.
By the time his vision cleared up, he had already back in the clubroom, sitting on the floor. The pawn looked around and he found his friends and his master were behind him, still in their previous position when they were teleported back from the rating game arena. All of them were looking at Issei with a look of disbelief and awe.
Deciding to break the ice, Issei simply held up his hand in victory and he said, "Hey, guys."
Simply put, the others quickly snapped from their reverie as they regain their senses and they cheered as they ran to Issei. Rias was the first one to run towards her pawn as she quickly tackled Issei into her embrace. Tears of joy leaked from her eyes as she hugged Issei into her bosoms. Issei was blushing at the contact, but peeking from Rias' breasts, he could see the others were either complimenting him and simply smiled to themselves. From the cheering, Issei could hear Rias kept mumbling her words of gratitude.
"Thank you, Ise… Thank you very much… My Ise…"
Issei relaxed in his master's arms as he slowly returned the embrace. "Yes, it was my pleasure… buchou."
"By the way, Ise-kun…" Akeno's voice made Issei to break away from Rias, much to latter's displeasure, as the queen had her teasing smile on her face. "Those words you said when you blew Riser away… I never thought you'd be that bold… Fufufu…"
Issei and Rias' face were beet crimson red as they avoided each other's eyes. "Well… Sorry, it was just… Y'know…" Issei mumbled nervously.
"Hahaha, Issei-kun, I never heard a proposal like that in my entire life before…" Yuuto laughed teasingly as he patted Issei's back.
"No, no, no, no… Like I'm trying to tell you, it's just…"
"Pervert", this time, it was Koneko.
Issei simply stunned in place as Koneko's harsh words pierced through his body.
"Buchou-san and Ise-san… Hauu…" Asia whined in despair. It seemed Asia would have to do even better in winning Issei over.
Fortunately for Issei and Rias, before the situation could have been more awkward, the door was knocked and it opened to reveal the student council group.
"Sona, what brings you here?" Rias said with slight relieve in her tone as she spotted her childhood friend.
Sona stepped in with a smile on her face. "I'm here to congratulate you about your first rating game." Then her peerage followed behind her inside the room. "That was quite a performance you have there… Especially your pawn against Riser Phenex."
Issei noticed the reference from Sona's gleam, and when he also saw some of her peerage were giggling in amusement, and Saji with mixed expression on his face, his face went slightly red again. To avoid the topic of his 'declaration' to be brought again, Issei then said as he walked in. "Well, who's up for the party? We have to celebrate buchou's first victory, right? Kaichou, would you like to join us?" Issei finished as he asked to the student council.
"Well, thank you for the invitation, but…" before Sona could have finished, Rias interjected.
"Come on, Sona… Will you join us celebrating too? The night still long, and we don't have school later either. Why don't you take a break once in a while?" Rias said persuading, gesturing at Akeno who had quickly prepared a trolley full of drinks, cakes etc.
Sona looked around her peerage for a moment, whom looked back in her with looks that they would like to join the party as well (except Tsubaki, who was more reluctant and prefer to follow Sona's decision).
"I guess we'll have a drink or two…" Sona said after she sighed. Her peerage behind her had their expression brightened as they quickly blend in to talk with the members of Occult Research Club.
"Then, with all said and done…" Issei raised his fist to the air. "Let's party!"
"Yeah!" everyone chorused in unison.
X
Everyone inside the clubroom, Rias' peerage and Sona's peerage were holding a plastic cup with their choice of drinks on their hands. Rias stepped forward in the middle of the room, proposing a toast.
"For our first rating game victory!" Rias said raising her cup.
"Cheers~!" Everyone, plus another newcomer chorused as they raised their cups as well. Wait, another newcomer?
The other who recognised the foreign, yet familiar voice turned their heads and their eyes widened in shock at a figure of a man in white suit who had Grayfia, with her stoic demeanour, standing behind him. The man was a handsome and young, having the appearance of a man in his early 20's with shoulder length crimson red hair and blue-green eyes, similar to Rias. As a matter of fact, Issei thought he was looking for the male version of his master. The said man just finished downing his drink before he looked around with interest in his eyes.
The occupants of the room were frozen at the sight of the man, some of them even dropped their drinks on the floor with their eyes widened in shock and horror. The said 'male version of Rias' simply smiled as he looked around, as if wondering what was happening.
"What? You're supposed to drink after the cheers!" the man said gleefully.
As soon as the man had spoken, everyone quickly took to one-knee, bowing their heads in respect and submission towards the crimson-haired man. Issei who looked around the others' actions a second before, also quickly did the same after he patted Asia to prompt her to do the same.
The crimson-haired man simply raised his one hand as he showed his kind smile. "Stand up, all of you. At least for tonight I'm not here as a king", then everyone slowly stood up at the man's words.
Rias who was still in shock stuttered, "Wha- when- How-! What are you doing here, onii-sama?"
Issei's and Asia's eyes were widened at the mention of the word 'onii-sama' from Rias.
"O-onii-sama? Come to think of it, that appearance… Holy shit! It's… It's the friggin' Maou!" Isse screamed in his mind as his face paled slightly.
"It- It's buchou-san's brother, the Maou himself!" Asia thought as her eyes still glued on the crimson-haired man.
"Is it wrong for me to come here to congratulate my little sister's victory on her first rating game? I even went through the door to make it a surprise here…" the man replied with friendly tone.
"Well, I guess… That's not it!" Rias finally snapped from her stupor. "Onii-sama, you should've told me beforehand if you want to visit!" Rias said as she was agitated in more ways than one.
Rias' brother, or known as the Maou himself, simply laughed in amusement while Grayfia only sighed in exasperation. After laughing, the Maou addressed the others, "Now, now. Please return to your activities, everyone. We're here to celebrate for my little sister, no?"
Even with such a friendly tone, the rest of occupants still not sure what they should do in front of their king. While the room was still in process to regain its lively-ness, the Maou turned to Rias. "Rias, can I borrow your pawn for a moment?"
Rias widened her eyes in confusion, but after looking between Issei and her brother for a moment, she reluctantly complied. "Ise!" Rias called her pawn. Issei raised his eyebrows as he approached his master. "Onii-sama would like to talk to you for a moment. Is that alright with you?"
Issei turned his gaze towards Rias' brother, who still had his friendly expression on his face. "Hyoudou Issei-kun, correct? Can we talk outside the room? It won't take long."
"Y-yes, sure", Issei automatically replied. While the pawn followed the Maou and Grayfia towards the door, Issei was thinking about why a devil king would like to talk to him in private. Then his eyes widened as he recalled about the past events.
RIAS GREMORY'S VIRGINITY BELONGS TO ME!
Issei's face lost its colour as soon he remembered that he had said those words. "Oh, shit, shit, shit! Ddraig, what should I do here!? No doubt the Maou was watching me back there!" Issei thought in panic.
[Man up]
"Screw you!"
Once they were outside the room in the hallway, Issei swallowed a lump as he decided to initiate the conversation first. "U-um… M- Maou-sama? What would you like to ask of me?"
The Maou simply smiled in kind manner. "Not much, actually. I simply would like to know the son of a friend of mine." Then he extended his hand for a shake. "Nice to meet you, Hyoudou Issei-kun. My name is Sirzechs Lucifer, formerly Sirzechs Gremory, one of Four Great Satans and also Rias' elder brother."
Issei nervously took the hand of the Maou known as Sirzechs Lucifer and shook it. "M-my name is Hyoudou Issei, Rias Greomory-sama's pawn. Y-Your younger sister and my master has been taking good care of me", Issei said while bowing his head slightly, still nervous. Sirzechs simply chuckled in amusement.
Then Issei's eyes widened slightly again at the mention of 'son'. "U-um, excuse me, Lucifer-sama… but when you mentioned that I'm the son of your friend, does that mean…"
Sirzechs immediately answered, "Yes, I know your father, and we've been keeping in touch for a while now. Your performance back in the rating game has truly proved yourself as his son. I'm sure Saitama-kun would be proud if he were to watch you there, Issei-kun." Sirzechs' smile grew brighter when he said those words.
Issei only let out sheepish chuckles as he rubbed the back of his head. While Issei was flattered from the compliment of the Maou himself, his eyes shot back as he remembered that there was something he had to say regarding the rating game.
"Please forgive me!" Issei suddenly bowed formally, resulting Sirzechs and Grayfia to rise their eyebrows. "Without considering anything, I suddenly have said those words about your sister! Please forgive my insolence that time!"
Sirzechs blinked couple of times at Issei whom still bowing his head. And then…
"Pfft…! Fuhahaha!"
From inside the clubroom, Rias and some others could hear their king was laughing. While curious of what was going on, they decided not to interrupt.
Meanwhile, while Sirzechs was barely able to control his laugh, Grayfia was smiling behind him, not bother to reprimand her master about his behaviour.
Issei slowly lifted his face enough to see the laughing Sirzechs. "Err… Lucifer-sama?"
"Hahahaha… Ha... Huff…" Sirzechs let out a breath, finally able to calm himself. Wiping out a tear that came from laughing in his eyes, Sirzechs smiled again at Issei. "Fufufu… You should apologise to my sister instead of me, Issei-kun… However, I like you even more now. My little sister really has recruited a fine man such as yourself to be her servant."
Issei only smiled sheepishly again at Sirzech's compliment. Then he was brought back to Sirzechs again when he asked, "By the way, how's your father doing at home?"
X
Long story short, after Sirzechs had done his private talk with Issei, the Maou and Grayfia bid their farewells towards Rias and the others, and the party went on without any incidents, aside of occasional bantering between Saji and Issei, occasional Akeno teasing Issei, and occasional some of Sona's peerage teasing Issei about his declaration when defeating Riser Phenex. All in all, everyone was laughing in joy during that little party.
At the moment, while everyone had gone to their homes, Issei was cleaning up the clubroom after the party late at night. The pawn had volunteered himself to stay behind since he was the one who proposed the idea of victory celebration in the first place. Issei let out a sigh as he finally had placed the couches back to their place.
"Okay, it's all done now", Issei said as his eyes darted towards the window. As he stared at the moon in the night sky, of which the light shone through the dark clubroom, Issei's mind drifted back to the time when he was talking with Sirzechs.
(Flashback, one hour ago, in the hallway)
"So your father hasn't come home, yet?" Sirzechs asked to Issei, whom simply shook his head in return.
"Is that so… I thought he was going to return home after I told him about you…" Sirzechs muttered with his hand on his chin and his gaze downwards.
"Um… Lucifer-sama…" Issei called resulting Sirzechs to look at him again. "What did my dad say when he heard about me?"
Sirzechs stayed silent for a moment before he replied, "He sounded surprised, but that's all. He was busy when I called him so we didn't manage to talk more…"
"I see…" Issei replied back with his gaze on the floor.
"Lucifer-sama, it's time", Grayfia suddenly said, as if she wanted to remind her master about something.
Sirzechs breathed out a small sigh as he smiled again. "Anyway, it's nice to meet you, Issei-kun. I wish I can stay longer, but I have to return to the underworld as a Maou. Send my regards to your father when you meet him…"
(Flashback ends)
Issei contemplated about that conversation. He was aware his father may has been gone to place to place, but he did not really expect that his father would be involved in the supernatural. Not to mention, having your father to have connections with one of leaders of the underworld was quite an information he had to take into his mind.
After moments of contemplations, Issei sighed as he prepared himself to go home. When he was about to walk to the clubroom door, the door opened up and Issei was greeted with a familiar crimson hair.
"Ise?" the owner of the crimson hair called as her head peeked out from the door.
"Buchou? I thought you went home…" Issei replied back.
Rias went in, closed the door and she turned to her pawn. "I thought you might need some help cleaning up… But it seems you had it just fine", Rias said smiling as she scanned around the tidy room before her.
"Yeah, it wasn't that hard, after all…"
After Issei said those words, the two occupants of the room fell into an awkward silence. The two fidgeting with their blushing faces refused to meet each other. After a minute or two, they spoke up.
"Ise/Buchou."
!
The two were caught off-guard when they called each other at the same time. Their face blushed even more as they avoided each other's gaze.
"Um, you can go first. Please", Issei spoke with a gesture.
Rias looked at Issei before she cleared her throat. "W-well, I just… I just want to thank you again…" Rias words made Issei's head to tilt in confusion. "Before, my life had already been set by my parents. I thought that I would never be able to live freely, only to end up as a trophy for some random man like Riser…" Rias said as her eyes gazing outside the window, then her gaze turned to Issei. "Then I met you", Rias said with expression full of joy and gratitude.
Issei's eyes widened, mesmerized by Rias' appearance under the moonlight. "Thanks to you, I'm now free. I'm now able to live as myself, it's all thanks to you."
Issei stayed silent with his eyes still glued at Rias for a moment, then he closed his eyes and his expression softened. "You're welcome, buchou", Issei said as he stared at his hand for a moment.
Rias then interjected again. "However, Ise…" Rias said with her expression downed slightly. "I am free, but only for now. There's still a possibility that there will be another talk of engagement and more to come. When that time comes… Are you still willing to fight by my side?"
Issei stared at Rias before he smiled in content. "Of course. I'm your pawn, remember?" Issei replied with a grin. "There are lots of strong and powerful people out there… Much stronger than Riser, I say…" then Issei clenched his left hand into a fist. "In that case, I just have to be stronger for you, right?"
Rias eyes widened at Issei's words. Her face started to feel hot all of sudden. "No matter what kind of enemies and obstacles that want to hinder you in achieving your dreams, I promise I'll be there for you. No matter how many times and how long, I'll always protect you!" At this Issei's vow, Rias' eyes gleamed in tears of joy.
However, before Rias could say anything else, Issei spoke again. "And also…" suddenly Issei was looking nervous while scratching his blushing cheek. "About that game earlier… I'm sorry", Issei said as he bowed to Rias.
This time, it was Rias who tilted her head in confusion. "Without considering your feelings… I selfishly spew out those stupid things about your virginity…" At this explanation, Rias' face went red again. "I should've been aware that your virginity is for yours to decide what to do with it… So, again, I'm sorry."
"Ise, lift your head up", Rias commanded at Issei whom was still bowing.
Issei complied and he raised his head. "Yes, buc-!"
Chuu….
Issei's sentence was cut off when Rias suddenly walked over and she pulled his head towards her and she crashed her lips to him. Issei, with wide eyes and face fuming in red, could not say a word as he could only take in the taste of Rias' lips on his. The two remained in their position long enough for Issei to slowly close his eyes in relaxation and his arms slowly raised until they were on Rias' waists.
When they broke off, Issei covered his red fuming face with his hand, receiving a giggle from Rias.
"That was my first kiss", Rias informed, touching her lips with her finger. "A first kiss is something a girl in Japan treasures, correct?"
Issei, still covering his face, mumbled in reply, "Buchou… If you do something like that to me…" now a smoke could be seen coming out from his head. "What am I supposed to do?"
Rias giggled again and she took Issei's hand off from his face. "Then consider it as your reward for now", Rias said, then she muttered with red face, "Next time, I… probably won't mind to give you my first…"
Issei cocked his head slightly, "Yes? What did you want to say, buchou?"
"N-Nothing!" Rias shook her head furiously.
X
(Meanwhile, unknown location)
Saitama, still clad with his same outfit last time, was seen sitting on top of a pile of fallen army of monsters with various forms and sizes, and around the pile, there were more corpses of those monsters on the barren wasteland of battlefield with craters and so much destruction on the terrain. The man himself was talking through his cell-phone with leisure and his usual straight-plain face.
…
"Okay… That's not something you heard everyday. Are you sure it was him who said that?"
…
"If you don't mind, then. Wait, actually I'll just drop by your place later. Can you save me that recording?"
…
"Thanks. I'll see you there, then Sirzechs."
Beep. Click.
"…(sigh)… Jesus, Ise… What did you get yourself into, man?" Saitama said with his expression unchanging.
"So you're done here, huh…" our bald hero turned his head to see a figure with white draconian armour with wings shining in blue descending from the sky.
"Hey, white guy, err…", Saitama greeted resulting a vein twitched on the newcomer's face behind his armour.
"It's Vali. How long will you take to remember a name that simple?" the figure in white armour, known as Vali spoke while supressing him from lashing out.
"What are you doing here?" Saitama said, ignoring Vali's remarks.
Vali sighed from behind his helmet. "Azazel sent me to check on you, of which I'd say it's pointless. You never need any help to begin with", Vali said as he looked around the destruction and numerous corpses across the field.
Vali then noticed Saitama's cell-phone in the latter's hand. "Keeping tabs on my rival again?"
Knowing what Vali meant, Saitama only shrugged. "Not really, rather, I suddenly got a call about him."
"How's he? Did he become even stronger?"
"Pretty much, I guess. Sirzechs just said that he just defeat an enemy that kind of can't die or something like that."
In this statement, Vali only chuckled in amusement.
"Anyway, let's head back. Azazel said earlier that he just got a new game and he asked me to try it with him", Saitama said as he stood up from his sitting spot.
Vali only snorted in his armour as he levitated himself again to the air. He looked back last time to see Saitama staring at him.
"What?" Vali asked him.
"You're not taking me with you?" Saitama asked with indifferent expression.
"Go back by yourself."
"Hey, come on now… You know it took almost like forever for me to go back on foot… You can just teleport me together with you, right?"
"Then just suck it up. I'm going back myself", Vali said as he started to flew away.
Saitama widened his eyes slightly as he started to run and jumping after Vali who was in the air. "Hey, come on! Don't be mean now, Volley!"
"It's Vali!"
To be continued