Issei's mind was currently in a state of having killed Rizer 5832 times..... A severe yellow lightning spark was crackling from Akeno's hand. Rizer glanced at Issei, then chuckled and flicked his finger. A magic circle with Rizer's symbol appeared on the floor of the practice room, and figures emerged from the circle one by one.
"Here are my cute servants."
At Rizer's words, Issei slightly opened his eyes and looked at Rizer's followers. A knight-like figure in armor. A mage-like figure with a hood pulled deep. A child in a cheongsam dress. Two girls with animal-like ears on their heads. Twin-like girls with the same face. A loli-like girl. Two older sister-style girls with nice bodies. A virtuous woman in a kimono. A child like a Western princess in a dress. A wild-looking older sister with a sword on her back. A child in dancer-like clothing. A suspicious woman with half her face covered by a mask. In total, there were 15 of them. Rizer, seeing his followers, seemed to become even more arrogant, and he called for his queen. The queen stepped forward to Rizer. Riser then began to share a deep, intimate kiss with her. Their tongues intertwined as he caressed the woman. Rias and her peerage, still in the room, were dumbfounded by the sight.
'Disgusting.'
(Disgusting. To do that kind of thing in front of his fiancée....)
'I think it's better to stay awake.'
"What... what... you're finally getting up? Rias... you really chose a weakling as your pawn."
"What, Fire Chicken?"
"It seems you still haven't learned your lesson. Miira, Hea."
"Yes, Master Riser!"
A small, young-looking girl, about the same size as Koneko, pulled out a long club and charged at Issei. The girl's club struck Ise's stomach.
'Pffft!' 'Crack!'
The club shattered, sending Issei flying into the air before he crashed hard to the ground.
"!! Issei -san!!"
"Issei -kun!!"
The girl, club in hand, put away her weapon. Riser approached the fallen Issei, mocking him.
"You're really weak... The one who just struck you is my pawn, Miira. She's the weakest of my servants, but at least she has more combat experience and is a better devil than you. Boosted Gear? Hah. It's certainly one of the most fearsome and invincible sacred gears. Depending on how it's used, it can even defeat a Demon Lord or a God. Besides you, there have been countless users in the past. But, no Demon Lord has ever been defeated, nor has a God ever been destroyed. Do you understand the meaning of that?"
"....."
"This sacred gear is incomplete, and the users were only weaklings who couldn't handle it properly! You're no exception! What's the human saying... Yeah, spoiling a treasure, a pearl necklace around a pig's neck! Hahaha! Yes, a pearl necklace around a pig's neck!! That's you, Rias's pawn!!"
Riser playfully patted Issei's head. Meanwhile, Miira's hand, which had struck Issei, was still trembling. Or rather, her whole body was still shaking.
"What's wrong, Miira?"
"Oh... nothing... hahaha."
'What was that? When I hit that guy... my hand tore. Not only that... it's still numb, like I just punched bare-fisted into solid steel... And that staff... it's a staff that's perfectly fine even after doing considerable damage to a Rook, who has excellent defense. But... why did it break?'
"Rias, how about we schedule the game for 10 days from now? We could do it right now, but I think it would be more fun that way."
The moment Riser said that, a smile, however fleeting, spread across Issei's lips. What he was aiming for... was time. Issei had endured humiliation and even being hit, all to get what he wanted. The reason was simple.
'Sirzechs wouldn't force a marriage on the little sister he cherishes. Plus, sending that stubborn old hag here proves it... There's definitely something going on... That guy is definitely plotting something.'
"You're giving me a handicap?"
Rias's pride was strong. Looking at her, Issei and Ddraig let out a deep sigh internally.
'This isn't the time to show off useless pride, you idiot... Can't you even understand the situation?'
(That's why nobles are troublesome.)
"Don't like it? Humiliation? The rating game isn't so lenient that you can win based on your own emotions. If you don't bring out the power of your servants, you'll be defeated right away. It's not strange for you, who's new to the game, to train with your servants. Even if you're talented, I've seen many people lose their first fight without unleashing their full power."
The moment Issei heard Riser's words, he felt something was strange. Riser's words had substance. Issei forgot his anger at being hit by Riser and looked at him. Riser's gaze shifted from Rias to Issei.
"Don't bring shame to Rias. Rias's Pawn. Your blow is Rias's blow."
'Oh?'
(It seems that guy... really likes Rias.)
'I know... his personality is a problem... but... he really seems to like Rias. But that insensitive guy...'
Issei's gaze shifted to Rias, and Rias seemed quite furious at Riser's words.
"What!! Seriously!!"
'...She's really dense.'
"Akeno.... Let's make a plan."
"Okay."
Rias said briefly, took Akeno inside the clubroom, and told everyone to go home. Asia wanted to stay because she was worried about Issei, but Grayfia looked at Asia and smiled, saying,
"Don't worry. I'll take care of him and take him with me...."
"But...."
"I am Sirzechs-sama's Queen. I can handle basic healing."
"...Okay."
After sending Asia off like that, Grayfia said in a completely different voice.
"I know you didn't take any damage. So you can stop pretending to hold your stomach now."
"Hmph...."
"I must say... I'm surprised. To think you would deliberately pretend to be hit and even suppress your anger to help Rias... You're finally aware that you're a member of the Gremory peerage..."
"Don't misunderstand. I just want to see Rias Gremory's power. I'm going to use this opportunity to test whether the nickname 'Ruin Princess of the Crimson Hair' suits her or not. And... while blasting that fire chicken away would be easy, I'm more curious about what you and Sirzechs are plotting behind the scenes..."
"Do you think you have the right to do that?"
"Shut up old hag. I choose my own master. And it's impossible for someone without power to dream of anything. I took those hits on purpose to buy 10 days. In that 10-day period, all she has to do is become stronger than that fire chicken."
"...May I ask why you think we have some ulterior motive? Brat."
"Because there's no way you and Sirzechs would forcibly do something Rias hates."
"!?"
Issei said this, pushing himself up to leave. Grayfia watched him go, then looked at the room where Rias was currently holding her strategy meeting and said with a smirk.
"Rias... hope you can win. That is, if you wish to become the master of the Red Dragon King."