Kiba returned via the magic circle.
"Great fight!" I said, high-fiving him.
"Good work, Yuuto-senpai," others chimed in.
"Thanks, Asia-san," Kiba said as Asia rushed to heal his wounds.
Her healing's our edge.
Kiba, serious, said, "They're stronger than in the footage. Sairaorg and his team have leveled up."
"Sairaorg trained with Tannin. His team follows his lead, just like us," I said.
"Gremory takes the first win! Who's next? Kings, roll the dice!" the announcer called.
Rias rolled a 6, Sairaorg a 4. Total: 10.
"Total 10! Both teams can field up to 10 points, including multiple fighters!" the announcer said.
Strategy time. What's Rias planning? I'm 8, Akeno's 9, Rias is 8—too high for solo. Kiba's out due to the no-consecutive rule. Rest up, man.
The barrier sealed our base. Rias spoke, "Let's play smart. Rossweisse, Koneko, you're up."
"Understood," Rossweisse said.
"…Got it," Koneko replied.
Double Rooks! Each worth 5, perfect for 10. They stepped onto the magic circle, hyped. Who's Bael sending?
The circle glowed, transferring them.
The battlefield: a dim temple with massive pillars and an altar, like Diadora's fight. Bad memories.
Bael's fighters: a blond man in light armor with a sword, and a three-meter giant.
"I'm Liban Crocell, Sairaorg's Knight. This is Gandoma Balam, Rook," the blond said. Balam stayed silent.
Huge guy—his forearms thicker than Koneko's torso!
"Balam's known for brute strength, right?" I asked.
"Yeah, Gandoma's strength was insane in the footage," Kiba confirmed.
Crocell's from a fallen 72 Pillar house, likely a surviving descendant. The Underworld searches for such devils, and Rias has protected some.
"Second match, begin!" the referee signaled.
"…They're tough, so I'm going all out," Koneko said, cloaking herself in touki, sprouting cat ears and two tails—Nekomata Mode Level 2. It boosts power and agility using senjutsu, distinct from my Tengeki's secrets, which are too taxing for her now.
Koneko darted, landing a punch on Balam's face. A loud thud! Balam didn't flinch, swinging back with wind-shattering force, toppling pillars. Koneko dodged nimbly, landing touki-infused punches to disrupt Balam's inner energy.
She just needs to avoid his hits.
Balam swung again, missing. Rossweisse unleashed a full-burst magic barrage from behind.
Boom! Dust rose, but Balam emerged, smoking but unharmed. "High magic resistance. Like Heracles in Kyoto," Rossweisse muttered, summoning a magic rifle from Risha.
Suddenly, the ground dented, pinning Rossweisse. "Got you!" Crocell's eyes glowed.
"Gravity manipulation!" Rossweisse gasped, trying to summon a magic circle.
Crocell froze her feet with a magic circle. "Magic swordsman here! Crocell blood, human mage heritage, skilled with swords. My Sacred Gear, Gravity Jail, locks targets in my sight!" he boasted.
"His gaze controls gravity. Don't let him focus!" Rias warned via earpiece.
Like Gasper's time-stop, it's a pain. Crocell charged Rossweisse, sword drawn.
"Even pinned!" Rossweisse's rifle vanished. A beam shot from above, missing Crocell but freeing her from his gaze.
"Sniper shot!?" Crocell looked up as the rifle fell back to Rossweisse.
"I charged it while you talked, then sniped remotely. Missed, but I'm free," she said.
Like Kiba's remote swords! Clever distraction, Rossweisse!
Koneko's voice came through my earpiece. "…Issei-senpai, can I sit on your lap later?"
Huh? Mid-fight?
"…If you give me a lap pillow too, I'll get stronger."
More demands!?
Like Akeno's date-powered boost! The girls glared silently. Miu's crew probably too.
I exhaled. "Of course! With head pats!"
Koneko's eyes sparkled, touki surging. She zipped to Balam, grabbed his leg, and lifted him! That tiny body hoisting a giant!?
She spun him like a tornado. Insane power! Where'd that come from!?
"Issei power," Rias said.
"Her feelings for Issei-kun are strong. She really wanted to be spoiled," Akeno added.
Koneko hurled Balam at Crocell, who dodged. Rossweisse seized the moment, surrounding them with magic circles.
Boom! A massive full-burst hit, stronger than before, shaking the field.
"Did it work?" Koneko asked.
"I felt it connect. They're down," Rossweisse replied.
As the dust settled, Crocell lay defeated, but— "Balam's gone!?" they gasped.
Crocell's eyes glowed, pinning them with gravity. A bloodied Balam roared, slamming a fist into Koneko. She flew, crashing hard.
"Koneko!" Rias screamed.
Crocell, Balam, and Koneko vanished in retiring light. Rossweisse cradled Koneko.
"Koneko-san…!"
"You're still here, so Gremory can fight…" Koneko said.
"I'm sorry, I let my guard down!" Rossweisse cried.
"Don't apologize… I'm happy. I helped… took two out. Rias-buchou, Issei-senpai… win—" Koneko vanished.
We've got you, Koneko.
"Sairaorg Bael's Knight and Rook, and Rias Gremory's Rook, retire!" the referee announced.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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