Aside from the two Satans—Leviathan and Lucifer—the third most intimidating presence in the grand hall was the silver-haired maid standing silently by the banquet table.
Though Grayfia dressed and carried herself as a servant, none dared treat her lightly. Even the proudest nobles spoke to her with deference.
For beyond her maid's attire lay another identity: the wife of Sirzechs Lucifer. Her family's duty to serve generations of Lucifers bound her to this role, but her personal strength was undeniable.
Titled "The Silver-Haired Annihilation Queen," she stood as the mightiest Queen in the Underworld's history.
As the clock ticked toward the match's start, Grayfia stepped onto a crimson magic circle, vanishing to reappear in the battlefield's school broadcast room.
"Attention all participants. I, Grayfia, servant of House Gremory, shall serve as referee and commentator for this Rating Game between Houses Gremory and Phenex."
Her voice echoed through both the battlefield and the banquet hall via enchanted speakers.
"By the authority of my master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I bear witness to this duel. Both sides are reminded to exercise restraint and minimize casualties."
Scarlet light engulfed Rias and Riser's teams, teleporting them to their designated bases.
"The transferred locations will serve as each side's 'Home Base.' Lady Rias's base is the Occult Research Clubroom in the old school building. Lord Riser's base is the Student Council Office in the new building. Pawns wishing to activate 'Promotion' must reach the vicinity of the opponent's base."
Grayfia's crisp explanation of the rules concluded with:
"With the preliminaries complete, I hereby declare this Rating Game—begin."
Her voice faded as tactical discussions erupted on both sides.
---
Occult Research Clubroom
"As planned," Rias declared, "King versus King, Queen versus Queen. Jubey, you'll engage their Queen. Aisha, you're with me for the direct assault on Riser. Kiba, Koneko—I know it's unfair, but the remaining fourteen are yours."
"Understood, Buchou." Kiba lifted his wooden sword, confidence blazing in his eyes.
Koneko merely cracked her knuckles, spikes glinting ominously.
"Yoru, base defense falls to you. Remember, if three opposing Pawns infiltrate, we lose by default."
Yoru nodded. This had been their strategy from the start—keeping their ace in reserve.
"Good luck."
With Aisha in her arms, Rias spread her wings and soared into the crimson sky. Jubey followed with a playful wave.
"Hold the fort, Yoru-kun~"
After a respectful bow, Kiba and Koneko exited, splitting to guard the only two approach routes: the sports field and the gymnasium's back entrance.
---
Sports Field
Kiba raced across the turf, exhilaration surging through his veins.
Fourteen against two... What glorious madness.
A grin split his face as shadows flickered ahead—Riser's forces, advancing precisely as Rias predicted.
"Lady Calmell! Lady Cyrus! Enemy contact!"
Two maid-clad Pawns alerted their Knight escorts—a bandaged woman wielding a greatsword and her armored companion.
"Eliminate quickly. Three Pawns in their base ends this," the bandaged Knight ordered.
"Sorry, but this road's closed."
Kiba's voice rang out an instant before his blades did.
Too fast—!
The Knights barely registered his movement before silver streaks lashed through the air.
"Defensive stanc—!"
The second Knight's cry died as Kiba twisted between their raised swords, dual blades whirling like lethal butterflies.
Clang!
Metal shrieked as the Knights froze mid-swing, their bodies locked in eerie stasis.
"My ladies!" The Pawns rushed forward—only to halt at Grayfia's icy announcement:
"Riser Phenex's two 'Knights'—retired."
---
Phenex Base - Student Council Office
"What?!"
Riser shot to his feet, wine glass shattering on the floor. Beside him, his little sister Ravel gasped.
Two minutes. That's all it had taken for his elite Knights to fall.
"Did their King or Queen intercept them?" Ravel asked.
"Impossible. Their Queen is already engaging Yubelluna... And Rias would never stoop to such tactics. No, she's coming for me."
As if summoned, Rias's voice thundered outside:
"Riser! King versus King—I've come to claim your head!"
"Ravel, check on the others. I'll handle Rias." Gone was Riser's arrogance; his expression was grim. This wouldn't be the effortless victory he'd anticipated.
"Yes, Brother."
Ravel hurried out just as Grayfia's voice boomed through the banquet hall, plunging it into stunned silence.
The sycophants who'd been fawning over House Phenex froze mid-toast, goblets dangling limply from their fingers.
On the projection screen, two words flickered ominously under Riser's name:
[KNIGHTS: ELIMINATED]
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