"It seems... this will be a hard-fought battle after all."
Sirzechs narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling gratified by the strength of his sister's servants. He had originally thought Rias was placing all her hopes on that demon reincarnated with eleven Evil Pieces, but reality proved otherwise.
Though few in number, each of Rias's servants was undoubtedly a powerful existence capable of holding their own.
"Two Knights... eliminated." Kiba Yuuto smiled weakly as he slowly stood up leaning on his twin swords. Just the act of turning around forced the two remaining Pawns to retreat several steps.
"What an excellent seedling. Rias has indeed acquired a fine servant." Grayfia praised after witnessing Kiba's performance firsthand.
After offering her compliments, Grayfia noticed the situation on another battlefield and coldly announced through the speakers:
"One 'Rook' and three 'Pawns' of Riser Phenex have retired."
The hall remained silent as everyone watched the footage of the petite girl kneeling on the ruined sports field outside the gymnasium.
Although the final lethal blow had been delivered by the Queen, Jubei's lightning strike, such large-scale attacks required lengthy preparation and were too slow, making them easy to evade. There was no denying that Takanashi Koneko had performed excellently in containment.
However, the exhausted Koneko soon fell to an attack and retired.
The attacker was a winged figure floating in midair - a female dressed like a sorceress in a cloak.
This was Yubelluna, the Queen among Riser's servants and his strongest piece.
"One 'Rook' of Rias Gremory has been eliminated."
Grayfia's voice remained emotionless, but as the Phenex family regained some face, the hall erupted in murmurs again.
"Hehehe. When hunting, the moment prey commits to an action is when they're most vulnerable and easiest to take down. Though we suffered some 'losses,' eliminating one of yours is enough. After all, you were already short-handed to begin with. Just this alone is a heavy blow, no? In any case, even if you defeat all of us, you still can't defeat Lord Riser. Your efforts are futile." The sorceress Yubelluna said delightedly.
"Tch... you bastard." Jubei cursed through gritted teeth, lightning crackling across her body. She hadn't expected this sneak attack when she turned to assault.
"Three 'Pawns' of Riser Phenex have been eliminated." Just as Jubei was speaking with Yubelluna, Grayfia's voice came through the broadcast again.
"What an impressive 'Knight.' But I'm afraid his performance ends here." Yubelluna said with slight surprise before quickly attempting to head for the sports field.
"Don't think you'll get a second chance! Your opponent is me!" Golden lightning grazed past Yubelluna's body as Jubei said coldly.
"It seems I'll have to deal with you first, 'Lightning Priestess'!" Abandoning her plan to intercept the 'Knight,' Yubelluna raised her staff toward Jubei.
On the sports field, Kiba Yuuto's battlefield.
"I admit you're strong, 'Knight,' but this is your limit, no?" Ravel Phenex said, looking down at the battered Kiba Yuuto below while stretching her fiery wings like a proud little princess.
The boy's performance had truly shocked Ravel - instantly slaying two of their 'Knights' at the start, then holding out against one Rook, one Bishop and five Pawns until now, even managing to eliminate three Pawns.
Truly worthy of being called the servant of Rias-neesama, the Crimson-Haired Princess of Ruin.
"Surrender, 'Knight.' You no longer have the strength to swing your sword." Ravel pointed at the bloodied Kiba leaning on his sword from her lofty position.
"Who knows? I feel like I can still take one more down with me." Surrounded by scattered swords of all kinds, Kiba standing amidst them gave off the aura of a hero at the end of his road.
"Tch, stubborn till the end. Isabella, send him off."
"Understood, Lady Ravel!"
Not letting their guard down, not just Isabella but also the remaining Bishop and two Pawns attacked together.
Now! Kiba's eyes sharpened as he suddenly raised his greatsword high before slamming it into the ground.
"Demon Sword! Creation!"
With Kiba at the center, a flower of swords... bloomed!
A deafening metallic screech filled the sports field as countless blades erupted from the ground in an instant, transforming the entire area into an ocean of swords pointing skyward, annihilating everything around.
Unlimited Blade Works of the Demon Sword Creation!
The ultimate result of Kiba's training, his trump card. Unfortunately the range was too small, which was why he had waited for this exact moment when enemies swarmed him!
"How... impossible..."
"Is this... the power of a Sacred Gear's Balance Breaker?"
Riser's servants groaned in pain. Of course - their bodies were being pierced by demonic swords emerging from the ground.
In a flash, their bodies emitted light before vanishing from the spot.
Retired!
"Two 'Pawns,' one 'Rook,' and one 'Bishop' of Riser Phenex have retired." Grayfia's icy voice rang out instantly.
This is my limit... But at least I didn't disgrace Rias-sama...
A wry smile crossed Kiba's face as he felt his empty body give out, collapsing weakly into the forest of swords he had created. Yet at this moment, an astonishing announcement came through:
"The 'Queen' of Rias Gremory has retired!"
"The 'Knight' of Rias Gremory has retired!"
Having exhausted all his stamina, Kiba also lost consciousness on the ground before disappearing.
The masterless demon swords let out ethereal chimes as they shattered one after another.
The sword fragments glittered silver as they danced across the field, creating an almost fantastical atmosphere before all traces vanished within seconds.
"What a magnificent performance, 'Knight.' You've earned the Phenex family's respect. But... unfortunately, victory in this game still belongs to my brother." Ravel smiled triumphantly upon hearing the two consecutive announcements.
"Lady Ravel." At the same time, Yubelluna, Riser's Queen, appeared beside Ravel completely unharmed.
"You used that?" Ravel raised an eyebrow.
"Though it pains me to admit, in a one-on-one fight I'm truly no match for that 'Lightning Priestess.'" Yubelluna smiled bitterly, holding up an empty exquisite vial.
Tears of the Phoenix - an incredibly powerful healing medicine that could instantly cure any injury. It could be said Jubei's loss wasn't unjust.
"A victory is a victory. Now only Rias-neesama remains." Ravel said cheerfully.
Clearly, they had all forgotten about one particular existence - someone waiting at the Gremory base who was growing rather restless.
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