"DXD: Infinite Loot System"Chapter 298: Isabella's Stubbornness
"Lord Sairaorg's Knight—eliminated!"
"Lord Tenra's Knight—eliminated!"
"And that's it—the Knight battle goes to Team Tenra Kamiyo!"
The host's voice rang out across the arena, and the crowd erupted in a new wave of cheers.
The first Knight battle was over. Siris had held out to the very end, securing victory for Tenra's side. Above their heads, the scoreboard flashed: 3 points for Team Tenra.
With a shimmer of light, the battered Knights were transported back from the alternate space. Tenra stepped forward, catching Kalamaina as she nearly collapsed.
"Lord Tenra…" Kalamaina whispered.
"Don't speak. I'm proud of you both," Tenra said, cutting her off gently.
He activated [Mother's Smile], healing her wounds with a soft glow. Siris, drained of magic, was helped away by Mihae and the other girls to rest.
They'd suffered, and some had fallen, but Tenra's quiet praise made every hardship worthwhile. For Kalamaina, being Tenra's Knight was the luckiest thing that had ever happened to her.
Between matches, there was always a brief intermission—time for the audience to catch their breath. Dancers in tight, flashy costumes burst onto the stage, their wild choreography sending the male devils into a frenzy.
The break was short. As the dancers exited, the host returned to center stage.
"Next up—the Rook battle! Will both teams' Rooks please step forward to the platform? We'll begin transport momentarily."
At his cue, Xuelan and Isabella emerged from the back.
"Don't lose out there, Xuelan. Isabella," Tenra said, brushing their foreheads with a gentle hand.
"Yes, Lord Tenra!" Both girls replied in unison, faces set with determination. They stepped into the transport array together.
—
The second battlefield was a wasteland, pocked with craters and scorched earth. Nothing else in sight—just emptiness and ruin.
Xuelan and Isabella's opponents were Sairaorg's Rooks. One was a tall, wiry man; the other, a hulking giant, easily three meters tall, muscles bulging like cables. His arms alone were thick as the girls' waists.
"We're Lord Tenra's Rooks," Xuelan said, voice steady.
"Isabella," her partner added.
Their opponents introduced themselves with equal brevity.
"Ladora Vana."
"Gandoma Balam."
Ladora barely spoke, his eyes cold and silent. Gandoma's reply was a deep rumble, his massive frame looming.
"Isabella, I'll take the big guy. The other's yours," Xuelan murmured, sizing up the match.
She was the stronger of the two, and usually took on the toughest foe. Isabella nodded—this was always their routine.
"Contestants, prepare yourselves. The match begins… now!"
The host's voice echoed overhead, but neither side rushed in. Knights relied on speed; Rooks were all about power and defense. Whoever moved first risked exposing a weakness.
Seeing Xuelan and Isabella holding their ground, Sairaorg's Rooks made the first move. Ladora let out a guttural growl, his body swelling and warping.
A whip-like tail unfurled behind him. Black wings tore from his back. Fangs jutted from his jaw, fingers twisting into claws. Before everyone's stunned eyes, the wiry man transformed—into a dragon.
"Ohhh! Sairaorg's Rook Ladora has become a dragon! Can someone explain what's going on here?!" the host shouted, echoing the crowd's disbelief.
From the VIP seats, Diehauser Belial smiled and offered commentary.
"Ladora is the last descendant of the Vana Pillar clan. The Vana family were dragon rulers, and some could transform into dragons themselves. Even among pure-bloods, only a handful ever awakened that power. Ladora's transformation is recent—he's just come into his heritage."
Sairaorg had sought out Diehauser's guidance before the match, and under his tutelage, Ladora had unlocked the Vana clan's ancient ability.
Back in the alternate space, the battle was already in motion.
"ROOOAR!" Ladora, now a dragon, beat his wings and soared into the air. A massive fireball formed at his jaws—and he hurled it straight at Xuelan and Isabella.
"Scatter!" Xuelan shouted.
Both girls leapt aside as the fireball crashed down, leaving a charred crater where they'd stood.
At the same time, Gandoma lumbered forward, every step shaking the ground—a living mountain barreling toward them.
"Isabella, change of plans. I'll handle the dragon. You take the giant," Xuelan called, eyes narrowing.
But Isabella shook her head, stubbornness flashing in her eyes.
"No, Xuelan. Stick to the original plan. I'll take the dragon."
"Isabella, this isn't the time to be stubborn!"
"Then let me be stubborn—just this once!"
Xuelan's frustration flared, but Isabella stood her ground, fists clenched.
"It's always you facing the strongest enemies. Honestly, I'm tired of it. I want to matter. I want to be someone Lord Tenra can rely on."
"So please, Xuelan—let me do this. If you're worried, finish your fight quickly and come help me."
Isabella's words were impulsive, even selfish. Xuelan had a dozen retorts ready. But looking into Isabella's eyes, she saw nothing but resolve.
What was she angry about, really? Isabella's desire to grow stronger was the same as her own.
"…I understand, Isabella."
"You take the dragon. I'll handle the giant. But until I get there—don't you dare lose."
Xuelan met her gaze, voice solemn.
"Right. We're Lord Tenra's peerage. We won't lose!"
A smile flickered beneath Isabella's mask. She wasted no more words—her feet slammed against the ground, launching her like a cannonball toward the airborne dragon.
Even as they spoke, Gandoma's thunderous steps brought him close. Xuelan exhaled, determination burning in her eyes.
She had to end this quickly.
She leapt, Gandoma's massive form filling her vision, his fist like a boulder swinging toward her.
Xuelan dropped into a fighting stance, braced herself, and with a sharp cry, punched back—
—
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