Afterwards, Kazuki left the hospital room and met up with Rias. As they walked, he listened to her overall assessment of the Rating Game.
In the original story, their evaluations had been quite harsh, but that wasn't the case here. On the contrary, since many of them had demonstrated new abilities, the Gremory peerage and the Siri received quite high praise.
The fact that Issei and Xenovia had been taken out was actually seen as Sona's side having played well, so it didn't count too much against them.
Yumi was selected as the MVP. She was chosen for her achievement of defeating four out of eight opponents and the impression left by her [Sword Birth: Meteor] technique.
That move, undoubtedly inspired by that technique... was flashy and eye-catching. Azazel, for one, had been whooping with excitement.
The Fighting Spirit Awards went to Kuroka and Saji. Kuroka was recognized for her precise support that contributed to the team's victory, while Saji was awarded for using his ability to force Issei into retirement.
In the original story, Saji had been highly praised, but it wasn't to the same extent this time. The reasons were likely that Issei hadn't been as active as in the original, so defeating Issei didn't carry the same weight as defeating the Gremory team, and also because everyone else's subsequent performances were more impressive.
Honestly, because Kazuki was present, Issei was weaker than in the original story. The fact that he hadn't yet achieved [Balance Breaker] was the clearest evidence. He might need a boost sooner or later.
"Well, if it isn't Sirzechs's little sister."
As the two of them walked side-by-side down the hallway, a voice called out from behind them.
It was the white-haired old god he had seen in the VIP seats. Behind him was a silver-haired beauty, presumably his bodyguard.
"You are the great god Odin of [Norse Mythology], correct? It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Rias Gremory, sister of the Satan, Sirzechs Lucifer."
"And I am her servant, the [Pawn], Kazuki Fuwa."
Kazuki bowed slightly, following Rias's lead. 'So, this old god was Odin... which meant the woman behind him was the Valkyrie, Rossweisse.'
"Hmm... Today's game was quite worth watching. Keep up the good work."
"Th-thank you very much."
Rias bowed slightly at God Odin's words. But,
"Gufufu, but my, they are large! They look like such fine, bountiful fruits with a wonderful feel to them!"
"Eh?"
The solemnity from moments ago vanished as if it were a lie. Odin leered, reaching a hand out towards Rias. However, Kazuki caught his hand before it could touch her.
"Hyah!?"
"Your mischief is excessive, Lord Odin. Please refrain from casually trying to lay hands on my Master."
Kazuki glared at Odin, a clear warning in his eyes. But Odin remained unfazed.
"What's the harm, it's not like she'll shrink from it. Don't deprive an old god with little time left of his simple pleasures."
"What are you saying? You don't look like you'd die even if you were killed. Besides, if you want to touch someone, why not the woman behind you?"
"Fweh?"
Rossweisse, suddenly brought into the conversation, flustered.
"Ah, Rossweisse here is... a bit difficult to make a move on, you see."
"And why is that?"
"Her appearance is beyond reproach, but she's so strait-laced, you see... Her 'years without a boyfriend' equals her 'age,' she's that pitiful. If I carelessly made a move, she'd demand I take responsibility, and that'd be far too troublesome to deal with."
"Wai—! Lord Odin!? Why are you making me sound like some troublesome, high-maintenance woman!? What if people actually believe that!?"
Rossweisse's face turned bright red as she protested.
"'Take responsibility'? Don't tell me she'd demand you marry her?"
"No, she'd just pester me incessantly to introduce her to a man she likes."
"Ah, I see. That is a shame, especially since she's quite beautiful..."
Kazuki joined in on teasing Rossweisse, sighing dramatically.
"Please don't you believe him too!!"
Rossweisse screamed indignantly. 'I see,' Kazuki thought, 'this is fun. No wonder Odin kept her around.'
As he indulged in this mischief, Rias gave a light knock on his head.
"Kazuki, that's enough. Lord Odin, your jesting is also excessive, don't you think?"
Rias spoke with an exasperated sigh. Odin laughed jovially.
"Hohohoho! My apologies... I simply got carried away having fun. Hey now, Rossweisse. How long are you going to carry on?"
"Hah!? ...Eh?"
Leaving a bewildered Rossweisse behind, Odin straightened his demeanor.
"Let me introduce myself properly. I am the great god of [Norse Mythology], Odin. This here is my bodyguard, Rossweisse. A Valkyrie. My apologies for the excessive jesting."
"Not at all, I joined in as well, so please don't concern yourself."
Kazuki also bowed his head again properly.
"Mm. You're quite quick to play along, lad. I shall look forward to our next meeting... Now then, let's be off, Rossweisse."
"Eh? Ah, please wait, Lord Odin!"
Rossweisse gave a quick bow and hurried after Odin.
The great god Odin of [Norse Mythology] and the Valkyrie, Rossweisse. In the original story, these two would become deeply involved... Kazuki wondered just how things would turn out this time…
Lord Odin had been in a noticeably good mood ever since his encounter with Rias Gremory, the [Satan's Little Sister], and Kazuki Fuwa, the [Guyver].
"What's the matter, Lord Odin? You've been grinning to yourself for a while now."
'It's creepy~!! 'Rossweisse refrained from adding that last part, a small act of self-preservation. Completely ignoring her attitude, Lord Odin posed a question.
"Hey, Rossweisse. Do you think you could fight and win against that lad?"
"Eh?... Ah, you mean Kazuki Fuwa-san? Hmm, let's see... It seems he'd have the advantage in close combat, so I believe I could win if I kept my distance and forced a magic battle."
She analyzed and delivered her judgment based on what she had seen. However, Lord Odin looked at her with an exasperated expression.
"Hopeless, absolutely hopeless... It's because you think like that that you still haven't found a single boyfriend."
"Wh-What!? That has nothing to do with this!?"
As she retorted, Lord Odin let out a sigh and then raised his right hand in front of her eyes.
"What are you...! Th-This is!?"
The moment she focused on the hand, she was stunned. A clear mark of having been grabbed was visible on Odin's right wrist.
"This... from that time?"
It was the mark left when Kazuki had stopped Lord Odin from touching Rias.
"Indeed. I am, for better or worse, a [God]. Grabbing my arm and leaving a mark like this is no feat any ordinary low-rank devil could accomplish. I heard his [Guyver] is a [Sacred Gear] not even listed in the registry, but perhaps... it might even be a [Longinus]."
"[Longinus]..."
A top-tier Sacred Gear possessing power enough to slay even a god. In other words, Kazuki had the potential to destroy Lord Odin.
'If Kazuki-san were to appear as an assassin, would I be able to protect Lord Odin?' Rossweisse fell into a deep, troubled thought.
"Now, now, no need to think so hard about it. The point is, we simply must not make enemies of the devils—no, the 'Alliance forces'. When we return to the homeland, I must give everyone, especially that Loki, a stern warning.... That Sirzechs, I must say... he's acquired quite a formidable piece."
Even as he said this, Odin seemed pleased that the long-stagnant state of affairs was finally beginning to shift.
On that day, Rossweisse engraved the name Kazuki Fuwa into her mind as a person of extreme interest.
That night───
"Haah, ahn, ahn, nnnn───!"
The sound of Yumi's passionate moans, as she rocked her hips fervently atop Kazuki, echoed through the room…
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