The Rating Game against Diodora was now about to begin…
The game's format was a base assault where Rias would attack the stronghold defended by Diodora.
Rias's victory would be achieved by breaking through the servants Diodora had stationed throughout the base and defeating Diodora himself in its deepest part. If Rias were defeated before that, Diodora would win.
Akeno waited along with the others to be transported to the battlefield. Honestly, the team's atmosphere was terrible. There were seven people present, two fewer than their full roster.
Kazuki, who had gone to test a new ability, had said he would return before the game, but he still hadn't. And Asia, too, was gone—
Both Kazuki and Asia were pillars of emotional support for the team. Without them, everyone seemed to have lost their composure. Especially Issei. Ever since Diodora accused him of hurting Asia, he had been trapped in deep self-recrimination and remained depressed.
Akeno couldn't help but wish Kazuki were here at a time like this, 'Really, where could he have gone...?'
She found herself feeling resentful that he was absent during such a critical moment.
Akeno had heard from Raynare the reason Asia had run off. Frankly, she couldn't help but think "what a mess," but she couldn't say Asia was solely to blame. If anything, it was just terrible timing... 'Really, it felt like a cruel twist of fate. Ah, but God was gone now, wasn't He?'
As she lost herself in these disjointed thoughts, the three-minute warning arrived.
"President, it's almost time. Please say something to everyone."
At Akeno's urging, Rias nodded and stood up. She surveyed the group and spoke.
"Everyone, listen. Kazuki hasn't returned, and Asia is also missing. Our situation could hardly be worse. But Kazuki will come back, and we will get Asia back."
Issei reacted slightly to Rias's words.
"Asia is with Diodora right now. To get her back, we have to win this match! Understood, everyone? We will defeat Diodora and take Asia back!!"
"Yes!!"
Perhaps their spirits had been roused a little; everyone's reply sounded reliable.
"Issei, we will get Asia back. But it's your role to truly keep her by your side."
"President..."
Rias addressed the brooding Issei.
There was something Akeno had only realized since Asia disappeared. Who would have thought that Issei, who was excessively perverted and openly declared his dream was to be a Harem King, harbored a fear of women...
"It was my failing not to have noticed it at all, seeing how you usually are."
The irony was that the one who had noticed was Raynare herself, the very person who had planted that traumatic fear in Issei.
To be more precise, Issei was currently in a rather troublesome state where, due to his fear of betrayal by women, he couldn't deeply engage with them.
Akeno felt she could understand Issei's fear. If Kazuki had rejected her back then, she would likely have ended up the same way.
"But listen, Issei. You have a responsibility. Not the responsibility for letting Asia go, but the responsibility to answer that girl's feelings."
"Responsibility..."
That's why Akeno knew. For Issei to truly recover, he had to properly accept the love from a woman who loved him. And the only one who could do that was Asia. If they lost Asia here, erasing Issei's fear would become even more difficult.
"What if you could never see Asia again...? What would you do?"
"That... I don't want that!!"
"Right. I don't want that either. So, Issei, you must properly put your feelings into words and tell Asia. Feelings kept only in your heart won't reach her. Use your own words to truly get Asia back!"
"President... I understand! I... I'll do it!!"
Encouraged by Rias, a fire ignited in Issei's eyes. Good. It seemed things might work out now.
"Alright! Let's go, my adorable servants! We will definitely get Asia back and bring victory to me!!"
"Yes!!!"
With their spirited cries, they were transported to the battlefield.
…
"It's finally about to begin..."
The battlefield for this game was modeled after the Greek Parthenon.
Azazel watched the broadcast from the Gremory team's VIP room, along with Sirzechs. Besides them, the room held Lord and Lady Gremory, Millicas, Grayfia, as well as Irina and Raynare.
Rias's side had seven members. Besides Kazuki, who was originally ineligible to participate, Asia was also missing.
Azazel had heard about the Asia incident the previous night. Asia's absence severely weakened the team's staying power. 'Could they really fight their way through against that Diodora in this state?'
"By the way, what about Diodora's side?"
Azazel inquired about the results of the investigation he had asked Sirzechs to conduct.
"Yeah, it's still ongoing, so there's no concrete evidence yet, but it seems true that he was in contact with some shady characters. Diodora's power-up is most likely due to 'Ophis's Snake.'"
"[The Infinite Dragon God, Ouroboros Dragon] Ophis, huh... Why is that one aiding terrorists like the 'Khaos Brigade'...?"
"Who can understand what that one is thinking? 'Infinite' and 'Illusory.' No one can comprehend a being that surpasses everything."
"Speaking of which, that thing is capable of shapeshifting and can change form and gender, right? Last I saw, it was an old man with white hair, but who knows what form it takes now..."
Just as Azazel was exchanging views with Sirzechs, a voice suddenly interjected.
"It might surprisingly be in the form of a little girl, you know."
"KAZUKI!?"
"Sorry, I'm back now."
There stood Kazuki, wearing an apologetic, wry smile.
'Good, you returned safely.'
"Tch, you're late, Kazuki. Rias was pissed."
Hiding his inner relief, Azazel spoke sarcastically.
"Well, it's my first time using that ability, so I didn't know how to control it well, and that made me late..."
"Well, it's good you're back safely. Fortunately, it hasn't started yet... By the way, who's she?"
Indeed, Kazuki wasn't alone. A girl wearing a yellow hooded coat. But the aura she emitted wasn't that of a girl; she carried the dignity of a seasoned champion.
What the hell was this? One could easily believe she was a hero from myth or history!?
"Let me introduce her. My [Queen], Artoria."
Kazuki introduced his servant with some pride. Then, she lowered her hood, revealing her face.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Artoria, who by fate has become Kazuki's Queen."
Instantly, everyone present was riveted on her.
She was a beautiful girl with golden hair like woven gold thread and clear, emerald eyes like a tranquil lake. But she wasn't just beautiful; her lovely features were dignified and sharp, her clear jade eyes held a strong will, and she possessed a charismatic charm that irresistibly drew people in.
"Hey, hey, Kazuki, where'd you drag this one in from?"
Her—Artoria's—bearing was that of a warrior. Completely unflappable. Careless, and even Azazel might be in trouble. A powerhouse of this caliber, and he didn't know about her...?
"We met in a place I reached by crossing dimensions. Man, it was tough."
"Hmph, what do you mean, Kazuki? That makes me sound like a troublesome woman."
"Hahaha, sorry, Artoria."
'Hold on, a place reached by crossing dimensions... meaning another dimension, or to put it simply, he brought her from another world!? I see~!' That would explain why Azazel didn't know her.
However, did Kazuki realize that what he'd done was essentially like an otherworldly summoning?
Just as Azazel was about to point that out—
"Wait. The match is starting."
At Sirzechs's voice, their eyes were drawn to the screen.
...
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