"Are you serious!? They can even use Fafnir!? The difference in firepower is way too huge, isn't it!?"
Well… if you ask whether it's really necessary to sacrifice Asia's panties just to summon Fafnir in this game… I'd honestly have trouble answering that.
["As for the 'Pawn' pieces, please proceed to the enemy base when performing a promotion. As a note, Hyoudou Issei is also restricted to using his promotion only at the enemy base."]
"I suppose that's unavoidable. Since the rules are based on the original format, Issei's ability to promote anytime would violate the game's regulations… Not to mention, it's already borderline cheating in a Rating Game."
Rias was right. During my match against Sairaorg, I was able to freely use Triaina and the Cardinal Crimson Promotion because he accepted all of my abilities outright.
If you think about it in terms of actual chess, my ability is basically like all 'Pawn' pieces being able to promote freely in a single move right from the start… Yeah, that's seriously broken.
Still, even though my movements are somewhat restricted now, the enemy is allowed to use Fafnir. So overall, it's not just balanced—it still leans in our favor.
Honestly, I'd gotten so used to promoting left and right that I forgot this is how it's supposed to be.
"However, if they're recreating the past conditions, it's likely the opposing team still possesses Phoenix Tears."
"Oh my, ufufu. That gave us quite a hard time last time, didn't it?"
Ahh, yeah… that happened. On top of a Phoenix's natural regeneration, having two Phoenix Tears for recovery was just absurdly persistent.
["Now then, the time has come. The game begins."]
Right after Grayfia's announcement, the academy bell rang out, signaling midnight.
Unlike last time, there was no strategy meeting, but we had already been inside this space for about thirty minutes. We assumed the rules hadn't changed much, so we had already discussed our initial positioning.
Within the academy grounds, the new school building lies to the south, the old building to the north, and various sports facilities are spread between them.
To the far east are the pool and tennis courts. Next come the soccer field and baseball field. At roughly the center between the buildings is the gymnasium, and to the west is a general-purpose field.
…Thinking about it again, this academy is ridiculously huge.
Not that it matters much for this battle, but there's even a student assembly hall next to the new building. Honestly, wouldn't a single gym be enough for that?
Anyway, Rossweisse is assigned to the tennis courts.
Akeno covers the soccer and baseball fields.
Xenovia and I take the central gym.
Koneko and Kiba handle the western field.
The eastern side, where the specialized facilities are, is wide but offers good visibility. So the two who excel at large-scale destruction will crush any approaching enemies, while Xenovia and I, with our breakthrough power, will head straight into the new school building.
Once we get there, I can perform my promotion.
On the western side of the gym, Koneko and Kiba—both highly perceptive and adaptable—hold the line. Since we're short on 'Pawn' numbers, the defense near Akeno's side is slightly thinner, but we've reinforced our base—the old school building—by deploying Gasper's dark creatures.
Rias, Asia, and Gasper himself remain stationed at the base.
"Heh, I wonder what kind of moves Ravel has prepared this time."
As Xenovia and I ran toward the gym, she spoke with excitement.
"Enjoying yourself is fine, but be careful. Compared to me in armor, you'll take more damage if you get hit by a counterattack."
We're both power types, but against unknown counters, Xenovia is definitely at greater risk.
If she could fully utilize the various abilities of Excalibur while maintaining technique, that'd be ideal.
She's started using them more often, but for now, her overwhelming power still dominates, leaving those abilities as just minor support.
"I know," Xenovia replied, as we entered the gym.
We slipped in quickly through a window, but the members of Riser's peerage were already waiting inside. It seemed they had noticed our presence.
"There's no point in sneaking around. Come out."
They were calling directly toward where we were hiding. Clearly, it wasn't a random guess.
Xenovia and I exchanged glances, nodded, and stepped out from cover.
"Ahh, so we've been found."
"We've undergone training as well. Naturally, our team has members with sharp senses."
The one who responded was a girl in a china dress.
Aside from her, there was a Japanese-style girl wielding a staff, a woman carrying a greatsword, and twin loli girls holding chainsaws—seriously, who picks that as a weapon?
As expected… it's all cute girls!
Still, they've committed quite a bit of strength to the center. Our total piece value is equal at eleven, so it's technically even.
As I was thinking that, the girl in the china dress introduced them.
"I am Lord Riser's 'Rook,' Xuelan. The one with the greatsword is the 'Knight,' Siris. The remaining three are all 'Pawns'—Mira with the staff, and the twins, Ill and Nell."
I already knew their names and roles from before, but introductions are important.
The twins in gym uniforms raised their hands energetically.
"I'm Ile!"
"I'm Nel!"
Honestly, it's hard to tell them apart, so that helped.
From what I can see, Ile ties her hair on the right side, and Nel on the left.
"I'm Hyoudou Issei, 'Pawn.'"
"I am Xenovia, 'Knight.' A pleasure."
After exchanging names, everyone readied their weapons and fists.
I quickly donned my armor and raised my fists.
Looks like I'll be facing Xuelan and Mira both close-combat types.
On Xenovia's side… everyone's using large blades. Not sure if a chainsaw counts, though.
Xenovia split Ex-Durandal and Excalibur Destruction, preparing to dual-wield against multiple opponents.
Oh right—before the fight starts, I need to report to Rias.
"This is the gym. Xenovia and I have encountered one 'Rook,' one 'Knight,' and three 'Pawns.' Engaging."
["Understood. How about Yuuto's side?"]
["We've also engaged. One 'Rook,' one 'Knight,' one 'Bishop,' and twin 'Pawn' nekomata."]
Right, the 'Rook' is Isabella, the masked one. The 'Knight' is Karlamine, and the 'Bishop' is Mihae in a twelve-layered kimono… seriously, that outfit must be impossible to fight in.
The twin 'Pawns' are Nel and lle, the nekomata.
Unlike Ile and Nel, their hair colors differ—light blue and red.
Still… I didn't see tails in the footage.
Could they be the round-tail type?
I'd really like to confirm what's under those skirts…
"…Why are you suddenly grinning like that?"
Oops, did that show on my face?
"Issei is a genius when it comes to letting his thoughts drift into perverted territory. He's definitely imagining something indecent unrelated to the match."
"That's not true! I'm merely pursuing intellectual curiosity—pondering the mysteries of the world (like what's under a beautiful girl's skirt)!"
Anyway, getting back on track—Akeno and Rossweisse are probably facing the enemy 'Queen,' Yubelluna, along with a 'Bishop' reinforcement.
Then suddenly, Akeno's urgent voice came through the communicator.
["This is Akeno! The enemy 'Queen' and the assisting 'Bishop' have appeared… The reinforcement is—Kuroka!"]
"Whaaaaaaat!?"
Kuroka!? On Riser's team!? Seriously!?
Well Ravel could call her in…
She lives with Ikki, and since she reincarnated as a 'Bishop,' her role fits perfectly. Plus, she loves messing with people—this totally tracks.
This is bad… I thought this would be an easy win…
Even without special abilities, she's one of the strongest among us—second only to Ikki!
Against Ikki's she still manages around a 30% win rate!
In reality, after mastering limiter-release techniques, it's closer to 40%.
Just as I was panicking, Rias's voice came in.
["Everyone, listen. This was unexpected, but the objective remains the same—defeat the 'King.' Akeno and Rossweisse, focus on defense. I'll send Gasper's creatures as reinforcements. Stall the 'Queen' and Kuroka. The rest of you—eliminate your opponents quickly and go after Riser. Xenovia, after clearing your enemies, support Akeno. We likely can't defeat Kuroka, so this is a race against time. Once the gym and field are cleared, I'll head to the new school as well. We take Riser down as fast as possible."]
["Roger!"]
Everyone responded in unison.
As expected of Rias, calm even under pressure.
Yeah… even if it sounds arrogant, the only real threats are Kuroka, Riser, and maybe their 'Queen.'
We should go all-in with a fast attack.
Even if they've prepared counters… we'll push through!
And more importantly—they're all cute girls!
Time to use that move again!
Using the enhanced speed from my Boosted Gear Scale Mail, I dashed past them, tapping each one.
"Heh… conditions met. Dress Break."
SNAP!
At the sound of my fingers snapping, their clothes shattered into pieces!
If someone suddenly ends up naked, it's hard to maintain fighting spirit—regardless of gender.
Sure, it's called a scummy technique… but tactically, it's actually top-tier!
But just as their skin was briefly exposed, their bodies were instantly covered in flame-like magic, and new clothes formed around them.
"Hmph. As expected, you used that shameless technique. But it's useless. After Lady Ravel experienced it before, she thoroughly trained us to counter it. Everyone in the Phenex peerage can now instantly re-equip using magic!"
"Wha…!?"
They countered Dress Break!? As expected of Ravel…
"By the way, each of us has prepared one hundred outfits. You may be able to destroy them all—but do you really have the time? That's right—you must suppress your desires and fight us properly!"
Mira added:
"If we seal the perversion of the Oppai Dragon, his motivation drops. Since your Sacred Gear depends on emotion, you won't be able to perform at 100%. We don't expect to win outright—but we'll stall you as much as possible! Also, I'm actually a fan! Please give me an autograph after the match!"
"…Ah, sure."