Life.4 The Game Begins!

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[Woaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!]

[Oppai Dragon! Oppai Dragon!]

[Switch Princessssssssss!]

As the commentator held the mic, the crowd started to shout our names. The whole stadium looked very energetic. We, the members of the [Sekiryuutei of the Blazing Truth] team were waiting at the pa.s.sage before the gate to the stage. Everyone had gotten so used to partic.i.p.ating in a game that not even one of us was nervous as we relaxed while waiting for the match to begin. Riass team must be waiting at the other gate. Ravel checked her pocket watch.

Ise-sama, Rias-samas team will enter the stage soon.

I see.

This was a stadium built in the castle town of the Gremory territory. Its only natural for the next head of the Gremory household, Rias, to enter the stage first.

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[Woooooooooooooo!]

[Princess Rias! Princess Rias!]

The spectators were all fired up! Being regarded as a princess to those living in the Gremory territory, as well as the fact that she was the Switch Princess, meant that there was no one who didnt know her. On top of that, she was also very famous for being the younger sister of Maou Sirzechs Lucifer.

[Kiba-kyuuun!]

[h.e.l.lcat-chaaaan!]

There were also some who called for Kiba and Koneko-chan. As always, the handsome guy and Koneko-chan sure were famous. I guess its also because they appeared as characters in [Oppai Dragon]. After Riass team entered the stage, it was our turn now.

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The [Oppai Dragon Song] played along with the announcement! The song had become an iconic song that was played every time I walked onto a stage! Well, its my song, so I guess its okay!

[Oppai Dragon! Oppai Dragon! Oppai Dragon! Oppai Dragon! Oppai Dragon! Oppai Dragon! Oppai Dragon! Oppai Dragon!]

The spectators were calling out for me. There were many childrens voices. I said to my team members,

Well then, even though our opponent is Rias, lets not hold back and win!

[Yeah!]

Following their response,

Lets go!

We then entered the stage as well.In the centre of the stadium field, both teams lined up facing each other. After this, the teams would get transported to their own respective HQs, and then the game would officially start. Well, its your usual Rating Game. Before the game started, we shook hands with the opponent team before us. Well, me being the King meant that Id shake hands with Rias. She smiled boldly as we exchanged a handshake.

Finally.

I also answered with a brave face.

Yeah. May the best one win.

The arbiter then stood between us and said to everyone on the stage.

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Following that signal, both teams got enveloped in the transportation light.

Part 2

As I opened my eyes I couldnt believe what I saw. The place we were transported to was very unexpected! It was the entrance of the Hyoudou Residence! It looked like everyone was also surprised by the destination that they looked around the house as they thought that there had to be some kind of a mistake. However, no matter how you looked at it, its the Hyoudou Residence!

Lets investigate this quickly.

Yeah.

Xenovia and Irina went around the house to investigate. Theres only one thing I could think of looking at the situation. I said to Ravel.

This means that our HQ is our house, huh.

Yeah. That being said, the stages field itself is

Before Ravel could finish, the announcer said something to us.

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Ah, as expected, Kuoh town was the stage, huh! On top of that, my teams HQ was my house while Riass was the school! To think that theyd make the place we live into the stage However, broadcasting the interior of Hyoudou Residence felt like a privacy violation As I had such thoughts, the announcer spoke.

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Ah, so they wont broadcast the interior of the house, huh. Thats nice.

Theres furniture missing in each room.

It might be because of privacy issues. They also equipped it with the built-in features.

After Xenovia and Irina finished investigating, they returned to the entrance hall and said that. So there was no furniture but we could still use the features, huh. Ravel suggested to everyone,

Lets go to the bas.e.m.e.nt. The bas.e.m.e.nt is safer than it is here.

Rossweisse-san agreed to it saying,

Indeed. Although its very unlikely, there is a chance that well be attacked by a long-ranged ma.s.sive attack that could destroy this house.

If theres anyone who could do that, I guess it would be Crom Cruach. Well, considering our past experiences, Rias and Crom Cruachs movements and this times match type, its unlikely that they would fire a strong burst attack But its better to be safe than sorry. Crom Cruach wanted a one-to-one fight with Ddraig after all I didnt think hes the type that would shoot a powerful burst attack until Ddraig comes out. Well, if Ddraig didnt manifest, he might get impatient and do it though.

And with that, we hid in the bas.e.m.e.nt of the Hyoudou Residence replica and started our strategy meeting. Of course, we brought the table map that showed the whole area along to the bas.e.m.e.nt (depending on the match, the table can be removed at times, but it could also not be removed. This time, it was possible to be removed). The discussion took place in the training room of the first-floor bas.e.m.e.nt. We also checked the large transportation magic circle at the third floor of the bas.e.m.e.nt to see if we couldn use it.. For example, we were trying to see if we could just teleport to Kuoh Academy instantly even if this was a pseudo s.p.a.ce. After investigating, Rossweisse-san said,

As expected, the transportation magic circle in the bas.e.m.e.nt isnt functional.

Well, if it could be used, I guess theres no point in making the whole town as the field. The field would just be the teleportation from one HQ to the other. As everyone gathered around our strategist Ravel, she said this,

Weve talked about this in the training camp, but this game is without a doubt an important game to Ise-sama.

Ravel then lifted three of her fingers up.

There are three people in Rias-samas team who have the power to turn the game around. The first is Rias-sama clad in Gasper-kun, the second is His Eminence Vasco Strada, and the last is Crom Cruach-sama. These three opponents, to be honest, can only be taken on properly by Ise-sama or Bina-sama.

As a result of her h.e.l.lish training, Rias was able to figure out a way to clad her body in Gaspers Sacred Gear power. That form was so powerful that its raw power exceeded a Maou-cla.s.ss, and it was said to be as powerful as the G.o.d-eating Wolf Fenrir at eighty percent of its power. Fenrir was among the beasts known throughout all mythologies, very much like the Greek mythologys Typhon. It was really surprising that they were on par with Fenrir even though its power was at eighty percent. Last year, when the Evil G.o.d Loki attacked us, we were able to somehow seal Fenrirs power using the demonic chain Gleipnir, Excalibur Ruler, and Valis Juggernaut Drive. It was so powerful that it required a lot of preparation. However, there were also some weak points to Rias and Gaspers combination technique. Ravel continued,

Rias-samas form change drains stamina real fast. Although its possible that she might have increased the time shes able to stay in that form thanks to trainingI still believe that its going to be hard maintaining that form for long. However, its also possible that she can change form several times for a shorter period of time.

The weak point of Riass new form was the stamina drain. She could only use it at important times. Ravel further continued,

As such, the important thing is to realise that Ise-sama cant take all three alone. If Ddraig-sama were to show up, then its possible to take two of them. However, theres a time limit to Ddraig-samas manifestation, and also the very high chance of Ise-sama struggling to defeat a strong enemy.

Yeah. If I were to take Rias, His Eminence Strada and Crom Cruach alone, Id have to use Dragon Deification, butI still couldnt take on all three at the same time. For example, if I were to fight against Crom Cruach before taking on Rias Even if I were able to defeat him, Id have used up all my power, which would render me powerless against His Eminence Strada and Rias. If Ddraig could manifest himself, hed also have a time limit, meaning that he could only take one of those three at best. On top of that, wed also have to deal with their Longinus user and the ace Kiba. It was difficult for us to figure out how we should fight as one mistake could prove fatal to us.

The difficulty level of isolating His Eminence Strada and Crom Cruach would be tremendously high. His Eminence, after managing to regain his golden ages strength thanks to Rias and the others, even managed to defeat Vali in his Empireo Juggernaut Drive form, Bikou, Fenrir, Gogmagog, plus one of the strongest swordsmen, Arthur Pendragon of Team Vali. On the other hand, Crom Cruach was brutal and a powerful Evil Dragon even among his kind. His strength was said to be on par with the Heavenly Dragons, and was currently said to be even more powerful than Ddraig. These two were too powerful. From Ravels point of view, considering the tournaments simple rule (defeat the opponents King first), the possibility of being able to defeat Rias after defeating His Eminence Strada and Crom Cruach was close to zero.

The opponents p.a.w.n, Crom Cruach, being able to use the p.a.w.ns specialty, Promotion, was also one of their aces. Like actual chess, the p.a.w.n could promote once it arrived at the enemys base. Normally, a p.a.w.n would promote into a Queen, boosting their whole abilities. However, Crom Cruach was obsessive of his own power, and Rias also knew about this, so we wouldnt have to worry about promotion being done. After identifying the problems, Ravel presented a solution.

Our strategy is simple. Well have Ise-sama take down Rias-sama. The rest of the team members will distract the enemies so Ise-sama can save up stamina even if its just for a little bit. Well reduce the enemys fighting power bit by bit.

Yes, before our fighting power decreases, wed use a bold and simple strategy that Ravel proposed, which was to take the King with King first. While I went to Riass place, the other members would distract the enemy. Xenovia asked,

So our role is to decrease the enemys fighting power as much as we can to make Ise and Ddraig keep on living, huh?

Ravel nodded.

Yes. Once Ise-sama arrives at Rias-samas place, well win if Rias-sama is defeated. Even if someone loses, please buy as much time as you can. Of course, the best-case scenario would be the enemy being defeated.

Xenovia smiled.

That being said, now that it has come to this, Ill fight them with all my strength.

Ravel then said to Ddraig, who dwelled inside my Sacred Gear.

Ddraig-sama, considering both teams fighting power, you might end up facing either His Eminence or Crom Cruach, soIm counting on you.

Ddraig gave a rea.s.suring answer.

[Sure, leave it to me. Ill do as much as I can as long as the time allows me.]

As the matter was finished, Ravel moved to the next topic.

One more thing. I talked about this during the training camp, but I believe theyve also thought about this strategy that were using. Thats why, the key player here will be

Ravel looked at Asia.

Each teams healer. If a team has a healer who can heal their strong comrades, it will be a big advantage. Thats why taking the healer out will be a great thing for us.

Having His Eminence Strada and Crom Cruachs wounds healed would be a scary thing for us As for them, Asia, whod be healing me and Ddraig, couldnt possibly be ignored.

Ravel said to everyone,

That means, another important thing in this game is to take down the enemys healer Valerie-sama. If that can be done, the match will change drastically.

Gaspers childhood friend Valerie Tepes the Vampire had the Longinus Sephiroth Graal. With the forbidden skill [Resurrection], she could bring back those whose bodies were destroyed as long as the soul existed. Qlippoths leader Rizevim took a liking to Valeries [Resurrection] and used it to revive the legendary Evil Dragons. However, reviving the dead took a great toll on Valeries mental health, which made Valerie step into the darkness for a period of time. As of now, Valerie was in the middle of recovery thanks to the help from various mythologies, which in turn restricted her from using [Resurrection] and only enabled her to use her [Healing] ability. Her healing ability was not as strong as Asias Twilight Healing, but the fact that it could still heal wounds meant that it was still useful in a game. Asia confirmed to Ravel,

I know full well that Im going to be targeted. However, in this game, Ise-san is more important than me right?

Ravel closed her eyes and nodded.

Yes. having Ise-sama reach Rias-samas place is our top priority.

Understood.

Having confirmed that, Asias determination showed on her face. Ravel then said to everyone once again,

Ill confirm this with you guys one last time. Our top priority is to enable Ise-sama to stay alive. In order to do that, well chip away at our opponents fighting power. We also have to find Valerie-sama and defeat her. That is all.

Nakiri smiled boldly.

This time, its nice and simple. Weve always been given complicated instructions by Phoenix-san after all.

Ravel pouted in response to her cla.s.smates words.

Oh, Nakiri-kun. Even so, I still put Ise-samas and everyones thoughts into consideration when making strategies, you know?

Ravel had also become closer to the boys in her cla.s.s and she started to attach -kun after Gasper and Nakiri. Bova laughed.

Hahaha! Our strategist has finally begun to think about our warrior hearts while making the strategy calmly and heightening our chance of winning in this tournament.

Nakiri-kun nodded.

Like Bo said, a clear and simple strategy is nice.

Roygun-san also smiled.

Ufufu. I look forward to seeing how you guys will do in the Pro Rating Game scene.

We also received an acknowledgment from the ex-second rank of the Rating Games.

As the strategy meeting was concluded, we started to scout the area in order to get an idea of the situation of the field. The ones who went out for reconnaissance were Bova, Roygun-san and Elmenhilde.Ravel said,

Bova-san and Roygun-sama will go outside and scout the area without getting noticed. Elmenhilde-sama, please spread your bats around the area.

Understood.

Our strategy commenced along with their responses. Irina then asked Ravel about something that had been bugging her.

I wonder if Gasper-kuns darkness and beasts will reach this field?

Thanks to his Sacred Gears power, Gasper could create countless beasts from the darkness. Hes also able to spread his darkness over a wide area. Thats why Irina felt like his power should be able to cover the whole Kuoh town in darkness. Ravel replied,

Id say that his darkness beasts are only out for scouting purposes. However, an ability that has a wide coverage I feel like hes not going to use it to cover the whole town.

Why is that?

Ravel answered this in response to Irinas second question.

The main focus here is the combination technique with Rias-sama. And because that is the most important thing, I dont think hes going to use techniques that will use up his stamina. That combination technique also requires Gasper-kuns stamina after all. If he wants to lengthen the time of his form-change even for a second, then hed only use his darkness over a wide area at certain times. That being said, its better to be on your guard.

That was Ravels answer. As such conversations were concluded, Bova and Roygun-san went onto scouting. The members that were left here started to talk about how we should go to the enemys HQ. Suddenly, something happened.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

A big exploding sound could be heard, shaking the whole house! The shock even reached the bas.e.m.e.nt! Everyone looked at each other! Were we being attacked nearby!? We quickly went outside the house while still shocked due to the explosion that occurred just a while after our plan started.

As we left the entrance hall, we heard something.

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A retirement announcement! Wait, wait, wait, its my teams retirement announcement! As I felt the presence of an aura and looked above there was a black incarnation floating! A jet-black humanoid silhouette, with ten wings on its back and a crimson third-eye on its forehead! Its the combination technique of Rias and Gasper, [Forbidden Invade Balor The Princess]! Kiba with the Demonic Emperor Sword Gram and Lint-san, who had a halo on top of her head, six silver angelic wings sprouting from her back and wielded a purple-flamed sword, also came along with Rias, who had turned into a jet-black beast! In a place not far from there, the injured Roygun-san was floating in the sky facing Rias and the others! I couldnt see Bova anywhere. Of course, the one that was announced retired was my p.a.w.n, Bova! Ravel, who was next to me, ground her teeth while looking frustrated.

A sudden attack! To think that theyd come attacking our HQ using that from the start!

Whod expect that their King herself would attack the enemys base from the very start!

Riass third-eye took a glimpse at us who were below her and started to glow red No, crimson! Looking at that, Roygun-san screamed at us!

Get inside the house!

Roygun-san enveloped herself in aura and quickly charged at Rias, Kiba and Lint-san with high speed! Following Roygun-sans words, Ravel quickly grasped the situation and pulled my arm inside the house and quickly closed the door from the entranceway. I said to Ravel,

But Roygun-san!

Ravel lashed at me.

You cant! Rias-sama plans to use her third eye and stop time! Your time will be stopped as well since you havent even changed form yet!

Following that. We received a brutal report.

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That was Roygun-sans retirement report. Faced with Riass boldness, I sat down in the entrance hall and slammed my fist against the ground in response to the merciless beginning. Were done. Ravel put her hands on my shoulders from the front and said to me.

They know it very well. The fact that they could win as long as they could decrease Ise-samas stamina or spirit. Thats why, if they managed to decrease a big amount in the beginning, they decided that it would be the best scenario and hence the surprise attack!

Ravels expression was full of frustration. She must have felt that she was supposed to know Rias already and didnt expect to be surprised like this from the beginning. No, she planned to know Rias. Both me and Ravel. I mumbled,

Rias Gremory is strong even without the Red Dragon Emperor, huh. Thats how Rias was seen in the tournament.

Yeah.

My heart was completely fired up. No, the fire which was already lit now burned even more fiercely and had turned into a flame. No, it too had even burned up so much and turned into a blaze1.

Although theres no such word, that was the word that reflected my hearts current situation.

Ravel.

Yeah.

I stood up and enveloped myself in aura, and said to Ravel.

Lets replan everything and strike back.

Of course!

We went down to the bas.e.m.e.nt and started planning a new strategy.

Blaze = Kanji was (Itsueki). No such word actually exists, but judging from the Kanji, it means blaze.