"President, it's terrible!!"
As Rias was formulating plans for tomorrow, Issei and Raynare burst into her room in a panic.
Upon hearing what happened—that Asia had been taken by Diodora—Rias was furious. Abducting an opponent's servant on the eve of a Rating Game was an outrageous violation of the rules.
After listening to the detailed account from Issei and Raynare, she prepared to teleport to the Astaroth mansion in the Underworld, taking Akeno and Yumi with her.
However…
"President, please take me with you!"
Issei pleaded. He likely felt responsible for Asia being taken right before his eyes, but in his current state, he'd probably try to attack Diodora on sight.
Ultimately, Rias yielded to Issei's fervor, allowing him to accompany her in Yumi's place.
With a hint of unease, they teleported to the Underworld…
"Welcome, Rias Gremory-sama. My master awaits. This way, please."
Arriving via magic circle in the entrance hall of the Astaroth mansion, they were greeted by a single woman—likely Diodora's Queen. Following her guidance, they were led to the room where Diodora waited.
"Well!! Hello, Rias. Given our mutual penchant for sudden visits, I won't hold the discourtesy against you. So? To what do I owe the pleasure?"
His feigned ignorance was infuriating. Suppressing her irritation, Rias sat across from Diodora, with Akeno and Issei standing behind her. Diodora's Queen similarly took her place behind him.
"You know perfectly well why! What is the meaning of this, Diodora, on the day before the Game?! Return Asia to me!!"
Rias got straight to the point.
However,
"How hurtful, Rias. That makes it sound as if I forcibly took Asia. Don't misunderstand; she came to me of her own free will."
"Wha—!?"
"She approached me right after I teleported and begged, 'I don't want to stay here anymore. Please take me with you.' So, I simply granted her request and brought her to this mansion."
'The idea that Asia would go to Diodora of her own accord... It was unbelievable! It had to be a fabrication!' Issei thought.
"Don't spout such nonsense! Asia would never say such a thing!"
Rias outright rejected Diodora's claim. A mocking smile played on Diodora's lips.
"And how can you be so sure? Even as her master, you don't know everything about her, do you?"
"It's true, I don't. I simply trust that girl."
"Trust... A convenient sentiment, but unfortunately, it's hardly proof."
He was right. Diodora claimed Asia wished to go with him, while Rias denied it. Their arguments would remain at an impasse. To resolve this, they needed Asia's own testimony.
"Where is Asia? She is unharmed, I trust?"
"Of course. However, she is currently deeply wounded in spirit. After pleading with me to take her away, she fainted and still shows no signs of waking. She's resting in another room... But tell me, just what did you all do to her?"
"That's...!?"
Diodora turned a meaningful gaze toward them, the corner of his mouth lifting.
'This bastard is truly insufferable!'
"Regardless, she is hurt. I cannot allow her to see the very people likely responsible."
"Grrr...!"
It was frustrating, but Rias had no retort.
"You should calm down a little. For now, I will keep Asia. I'll bring her to tomorrow's Game; you can speak with her there."
"But then Asia won't be able to participate in the Game!"
Registration for the Game's participants had to be completed twenty-four hours before the match began. Meaning, if Asia wasn't with them by midnight tonight, her participation would not be recognized.
"Rias... Do you truly intend to field Asia in her current state? Surely even you realize that's impossible?"
"Ugh!?"
'Damn, he's right...' Failing to consider Asia's condition showed a lack of composure. Given the circumstances, her absence was unavoidable...
"Fine, Diodora. I'll leave Asia in your care until tomorrow's Game. However! If you lay a single finger on her, I won't forgive you!!"
"Oh, how frightening. Understood. Once the Game is over, she'll become my bride. I can wait until then."
"You bastard! You've been spouting nothing but bullshit this whole time! Cut it out!!"
The remark about making Asia his bride finally caused Issei's anger to explode. Honestly, it was impressive he'd held back this long.
"Rias... Your servant's education is truly lacking. Interrupting a conversation between Kings... How utterly ill-mannered. ...Honestly, no wonder he can't get it up when it counts, you o-nii-san."
"You, you know about...!?"
'What was that?' Rias couldn't quite catch it, but at Diodora's muttering, Issei's face turned deathly pale.
"Besides, why are you acting like the victim here? The reason Asia left you all is entirely your fault, isn't it?! You, who hurt Asia and caused her to leave, have no right to complain so self-righteously. Honestly, how thick-skinned and shameless can you be!?"
"I, I...!"
Counter-accused by Diodora, Issei could muster no rebuttal. After a dismissive glance at the speechless Issei, Diodora snorted as if utterly bored.
"Hmph, can't even muster a retort. ...Rias, in that case, let's settle everything with tomorrow's Game. If you win, I'll return Asia. But if I win, I'll take her for myself."
If Asia remained unconscious, their standoff would continue. The wager was already set; perhaps deciding everything through the Game wasn't a bad idea...
"...There are many things I'd like to say, but fine. The point is, we just have to win tomorrow's Game. Let's go, Akeno, Issei."
After a final glaring match with Diodora, Rias led the despondent Issei out of the room.
Having his Queen see Rias and the others off, Diodora then paid a visit to a certain room within the mansion.
In the center of the room was a large canopy bed, upon which a beautiful young girl—Asia—lay sleeping.
"Asia, Rias, and the others have gone home. She didn't believe you had asked me to take you away... Well, it's true I was lying."
That said, the situation was such that it wouldn't be strange for Asia to have thought that way. Even Rias would have to admit that.
"That's why she readily agreed to my proposal to settle everything in tomorrow's Rating Game... Kukuku, what fools. Who in their right mind would play a fair game?"
Playing a serious, proper game now was utterly pointless. Once the current government was overthrown, none of it would matter anyway.
Asia was still sleeping in her Kuoh Academy uniform. Violating her in her sleep wasn't really his taste, so he wouldn't lay a hand on her just yet.
After all, violating a woman was best done in front of the man who loved her. The anguished cries of the woman being violated and the sounds of despair from the man watching his woman get defiled were, to Diodora, the finest of spices.
"What kind of sounds will you make for me when the time comes? I'm sure they'll be unbearably sweet. I'm looking forward to it already, Asia. Kukuku..."
As he stroked her cheek, he couldn't help the laughter bubbling up.
Diodora had been eyeing her ever since he first laid eyes on her. Some annoying interference along the way had made acquiring her take an unexpectedly long time, but he would never let her go now.
'Asia, you are mine. I won't let you escape ever again. Fufufu...'
…
The Rating Game against Diodora was now about to begin…
...
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