"Good afternoon, everyone! I'm Naud Crocell of the 72 Pillars' Crocell House, and I'll be your host and commentator for today's match!"
A tidal wave of cheers exploded across the packed arena. Above the crowd, a shimmering light screen appeared, and a flamboyantly dressed man with a headset materialized to wild applause.
"First up, let's welcome Lord Tenra Kamiyo and his peerage!"
"Ahhh—Lord Tenra!"
"TENRA KAMIYO! TENRA KAMIYO! TENRA KAMIYO!"
As Tenra and Yubelluna's group stepped out from backstage, the stadium erupted. Maybe Tenra himself didn't realize just how famous he'd become in the Underworld. Fans screamed his name, and more than a few young women fainted from sheer excitement at the sight of him.
"And now, please welcome Lady Rias and her peerage!"
"Lady Rias, we love you!"
"Princess Rias, go for it!"
Rias—noble princess of the Gremory family and next in line as heir—was every bit as much an idol as Tenra. Her arrival, flanked by Akeno and the others, set off another round of feverish cheers.
Standing center stage, Tenra and Rias locked eyes.
"Tenra, I've waited so long for this. The day I finally get to challenge you!"
Rias's voice trembled with excitement, her gaze unwavering.
"I'd rather this day never came," Tenra sighed, putting on a melodramatic face. "Just thinking about how pitiful you'll look after I've wiped the floor with you… it breaks my heart."
His deliberately smug expression made Rias clench her fists.
"Y-you jerk, Tenra! We'll see who bullies who!"
"Did you forget I told you this match would bring a huge surprise? Watch closely, Tenra. Try not to faint from shock."
Rias flashed a mysterious, triumphant smile.
"Surprise?" Tenra frowned, vaguely recalling her promise. But before he could press her, the host's voice rang out once more:
"And finally, let's welcome our special team—Lady Sona and her peerage!"
"What?!!"
Tenra gaped, and the entire arena buzzed with confusion:
"What's going on? Why is there a special team?"
"This is a Rating Game—how can a third team enter? That's against the rules!"
"Yeah! Someone explain!"
The host broke into a cold sweat, but he was just following orders. He quickly shifted the spotlight to the real decision-makers:
"Now, let's have Lord Lucifer explain about the special team."
The light screen flickered, and Sirzechs's projection appeared.
"Everyone, please settle down."
The stadium fell silent at the Maou's command.
"This match was intended to be between Tenra-kun and my sister Rias. But as you all know, Tenra-kun's current power rivals that of us Maou. Rias is excellent, but defeating him is virtually impossible."
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
"Tenra Kamiyo already has Maou-level power…"
"Come on, that's gotta be an exaggeration. He's strong, sure, but Maou-level?!"
"Ahhh—Lord Tenra!!!"
While most of the Underworld's elite had some idea of Tenra's strength, hearing Sirzechs say it aloud stunned many. Maou-level power was the absolute pinnacle—and Tenra, once dismissed as the Underworld's "trash," had reached it in barely a year.
No wonder he was called the Phoenix family's miracle.
Sirzechs smiled, pleased with the reaction, and continued:
"Wouldn't a match with such a power gap and a foregone conclusion be boring?"
"So, to balance the sides, we've arranged for Sona Sitri and her peerage to join the match as well."
"One team versus two—this is an exception among exceptions. It may be the only time in Rating Game history."
The crowd roared again. Suddenly, the match wasn't a foregone conclusion. Tenra and Rias's popularity, their engagement gossip—those were draws before. But now, with Sona's team in play, the outcome was anyone's guess. One team against two: a historic event.
They wanted to see how this played out.
"Rias, is this the surprise you mentioned?" Tenra asked, still reeling.
Rias just smiled, refusing to answer. Tenra turned to Sona, suspicion rising.
"Sona, so you were conserving energy to team up with Rias against me?"
"Correct."
"So you two were in on this from the start. And you kept it from me."
Tenra's shoulders slumped, and both Rias and Sona's lips curled in sly satisfaction.
But they weren't done yet—the real shock was still to come.
"Brother, announce the other matter, please," Rias called out.
Sirzechs nodded from the light screen, and with everyone watching, he spoke again:
"In addition, I have one more important announcement—"
"In this Rating Game, if Tenra-kun emerges victorious, he'll earn the right to become engaged to the Sitri family's next heir, Sona Sitri!"
The crowd exploded. Even Tenra's eyes went wide in disbelief.
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