We entered the temple, equipping Odin's communicators.
"All good? Azazel here. Odin passed them to you, right?" Azazel's voice crackled.
"Got a lot to say but listen first. This Rating Game's been hit by Chaos Brigade's Old Maou faction. The field and VIP areas are crawling with their demons. We predicted this. Factions are teaming up to crush them."
"What do you mean, predicted?" Xenovia asked, frowning.
"Rias probably heard—recent suspicious deaths tied to the current Maous were Old Maou faction hits. Glasya-Labolas's heir? Murdered, not an accident."
They killed Glasya-Labolas's heir to target Maou bloodlines. Why's Diadora with Chaos Brigade?
"The masterminds are descendants of Old Beelzebub and Asmodeus. Like Katerea Leviathan, whom I took down, their hatred for the current Maou regime runs deep. This game's a prelude to world upheaval, targeting Maou kin like Rias and VIPs like Odin for a terrorist strike."
Our match was a trap from the start, aimed at Rias and Odin.
"Diadora's power spike?" Rias asked.
"He took Ophis's snake for cooperating with Chaos Brigade. It turns third-rates into first-class. Using it in a game was their miscalculation, tipping us off."
Ophis's snake grants massive power boosts. Others might have it too—trouble.
"They don't care if we're onto them; they think they'll win. But it's our chance to crush the Old Maou faction. Current Maous, Seraphs, Odin, Greek gods, Indra, and Buddhists are all out there smashing terrorists. We hinted at the plot to faction leaders beforehand, and they all joined in. Everyone's itching to fight."
No faction bows to terror.
"Sorry, Rias. Said wars were rare, yet here we are, putting you in danger. We needed the game to start to draw them out, so I told Issei and the others after you transferred," Azazel said.
"What if we'd died?" Xenovia asked casually.
Azazel's tone hardened. "I told Issei and them—if it came to that, I'd take responsibility, even with my life."
He was ready to die to lure them out.
Issei, leading, radioed Azazel. "Teacher, Diadora took Asia. We're changing plans to rescue her!"
"Damn, too late… Got it. With you there, I'm less worried. Handle it, but be careful. This field's sealed by a Chaos Brigade God-Slaying Gear, Dimension Lost. Even Odin's magic can't break it. Entering's possible; escaping's near impossible."
"Roger!" Issei shouted.
"One more thing: they acted knowing we might suspect them, meaning they've got a trump card," Azazel warned.
"A hidden ace?" I asked.
"Exactly. We don't know what, but this field's dangerous. No retire transfers since the game's off. Issei's with you, so you're solid, but not invincible. Stay sharp."
Rias turned to Issei. "What was the original plan?"
"I'd join you, then lead everyone to a shelter under the temple. Diadora screwed that up."
So, we beat Diadora, save Asia, and reach the shelter.
"Where's Asia?" Rias asked.
"I sense her and Diadora deep in the temple. Let's charge through," Issei said.
We nodded silently and ran deeper.
The temple was vast, a series of grand halls with towering pillars, nothing else notable. We passed through, aiming for the next temple, repeating the process until we felt a presence.
We stopped. Ahead, ten hooded, robed figures—Diadora's peerage.
"Hey, Rias Gremory and crew," Diadora's voice echoed.
His presence didn't move—projected by magic.
"Red Dragon Emperor, you came too. Let's play a game, a substitute for the canceled Rating Game."
This guy's mocking us.
"Each side sends pieces to fight. Used pieces can't fight again until they reach me. Do whatever after that. First match, I send eight Pawns and two Rooks. Oh, all my Pawns are promoted to Queens. Eight Queens off the bat—fine, right? Rias Gremory's famed for her strong peerage."
"I'll indulge your nonsense. I'll show you what my peerage's made of," Rias accepted.
"Is that wise?" Miu asked.
Rias narrowed her eyes. "We have to. They've got Asia hostage."
Diadora's unpredictable. Best not to provoke him.
Rias glanced at Koneko and Gasper. "No need for Issei yet. Koneko, Gasper, Xenovia—step up."
"Xenovia, take out the Rooks. Go all out," Rias ordered.
"Got it. I'm good at that," Xenovia grinned.
She'd handle two Rooks easily unrestricted.
"Koneko, Gasper, handle the Pawns. Koneko, offense—use senjutsu to disrupt their core. Gasper, drink Issei's blood and support."
"Got it," Koneko said.
"Understood!" Gasper replied.
I cut my finger with a demonic sword, giving Gasper my blood.
Thump! His chest pulsed. A strange aura enveloped him, his red eyes glowing.
The trio stepped forward. Diadora's voice rang out. "Let's begin."
His peerage readied. Xenovia unleashed Durandal and Ascalon, dual-wielding, advancing on the Rooks.
"I'm taking Asia back," she declared, radiating intense pressure, her gaze razor-sharp.
"I never had friends. I thought God's love was enough," she continued as the Rooks charged.
Unfazed, she went on. "Then I met people who treated me equally. Asia always smiled at me, even after I was harsh to her. She called me 'friend' like it was nothing!"
Xenovia… she's been carrying that guilt.
"I'll save my best friend! Asia!"
Boom! Durandal and Ascalon erupted with massive aura, blasting the Rooks back.
Tears in her eyes, Xenovia raised both swords. "Please, Durandal, Ascalon—lend me strength to save my friend!"
Crossing the swords, a colossal holy aura surged, forming a towering light pillar that pierced the temple's ceiling.
Zwoosh! A massive holy wave swallowed the Rooks.
Boom! The temple shook, dust swirling.
When it cleared, two massive claw-like scars stretched before Xenovia, pillars and walls obliterated.
That's Xenovia unleashed. Summer training paid off big.
She was panting—continuous attacks were tough.
Now, Koneko and Gasper. Gasper split into bats, Koneko's cat ears out, body glowing blue-white with senjutsu qi.
The eight Pawns rushed Koneko, but she stayed expressionless, reading their movements and dodging effortlessly.
Her daily effort to master her power was paying off.
The Pawns grew frantic, their attacks missing. Some froze.
"Now, Koneko-chan!" Gasper's voice echoed, his evil eye halting them.
Koneko struck the frozen Pawns with qi-charged palm strikes, disrupting their magic and knocking them out.
Perfect combo—Gasper's time-stop and Koneko's qi attacks. Unbeatable in close combat.
The eight Pawns collapsed, unable to rise, though alive.
We were outnumbered but unscathed, dominating instantly.
"Great job, Koneko, Gasper, Xenovia. Training paid off," I praised.
They smiled, pleased.
Hang on, Asia—we're coming!