"Game's in its final stage! Kings, shoot the dice!" the announcer urged.
Rias rolled a 5, Sairaorg a 4—total 9.
I stood silently, heading to the magic circle. Before stepping in, I glanced at Rias and Asia. "I'm off."
I vanished in the teleportation light.
The battlefield was an empty coliseum stage. Facing me was Kuisha Abaddon, Sairaorg's Queen.
I expected the Soldier, given her fatigue from fighting Akeno. My surprise showed, and Kuisha raised an eyebrow. "Something on my face?"
"No, I thought the Soldier would come," I said.
She nodded. "He won't. He can't fight alone, so I'm here."
Can't fight alone? Is he unstable? I pushed the thought aside.
"You're calm. I thought you'd be thrilled to face a woman," Kuisha teased.
"Of course I'm happy! I welcome beauties!" I grinned.
"Let's do this!" Ignis cheered.
"Not now, Ignis! Why so hyped?!" I snapped.
Kuisha, hearing Ignis, hugged herself protectively. "You're not planning to use that technique from Coriana, are you?"
"Of course!" Ignis replied.
"Don't answer for me! I won't use it! Stop backing away!" I yelled as Kuisha retreated five steps.
The announcer interrupted, "Due to its intensity, Issei Hyoudou's technique from the third match against Coriana Andrealphus is banned from this match onward."
"It should be banned entirely," Azazel added.
"Female devils would flee," Emperor Beelzebub agreed.
Sorry! It was too much for everyone, especially kids!
"Men crave that moment!" Ignis chimed.
Where's that confidence from?! "Sure, it was erotic, but shut up! Let's get serious!" I begged.
I coughed to clear the air and faced Kuisha. "You sure? You can't beat me, especially exhausted."
Like Sairaorg did with Kiba's team, I tested her resolve. She smiled, then turned serious. "Of course. Red Dragon Emperor—go Balance Breaker. My lord Sairaorg wants your full power, and so do I."
Her resolve matched Kiba's team. "Seventh match, begin!" the referee called.
She waited for my true form. Fine.
"Balance Breaker!" I shouted.
Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker! My gauntlet's jewel flashed red, encasing me in armor.
"This is my Balance Breaker. And now—" Sparks flew around me. "Second Stage Zweite Phase—Tenbu Zenon!"
BOOM! A red aura storm erupted, cratering the ground. "This is my full power."
"Incredible… the current Red Dragon Emperor!" Kuisha gasped.
"One strike. I'll end it. Don't block—dodge, or you'll die," I warned.
"I won't flee. For my lord!" she declared.
"Understood." I aimed my palm, focusing energy. Accel Booster! BBBBBBBBBBBBoost! My power surged explosively.
Kuisha deployed a 'Hole,' but— "Agni!" A red energy torrent shattered it, engulfing her.
BOOM! The beam obliterated the coliseum, leaving a massive hole.
"Sairaorg Bael's Queen, retired," the referee announced.
The crowd roared. But I saw—Kuisha was enveloped in retire light before Agni hit.
Sairaorg's image appeared, his face grim. "I forced Kuisha's retire. Your attack would've killed her. You meant to, didn't you?"
I released my armor, smirking. "I answered her resolve. Holding back would insult her."
"So, you'll do the same for me?" Sairaorg asked.
"Of course. I'll meet everyone's will with full force. That's my resolve," I said.
I showed Kuisha my all, even if it meant her death—it was respect. Sairaorg did the same for Kiba's team.
He grinned. "Great answer. I've dreamed of facing you, Red Dragon Emperor. Committee, enough rules! Let's make the next match a team battle—everyone!"
A team battle—me, Rias, Asia versus Sairaorg and his Soldier. Bold, but I agreed. "I'm in! The next matches are predictable. Let's settle it now!"
Beelzebub smiled. "He's right. The rules make it obvious: Gremory's Bishop versus Bael's Soldier, then Sairaorg versus Issei. Predictable."
Azazel nodded. "Boring. A team battle settles it cleanly, keeping the momentum. I back Sairaorg's idea, but what's the committee say?"
"I'm fine with it," Rias agreed, likely wanting to skip Asia's forfeit match.
Minutes later, the announcer returned. "The committee approves! The next match is a team battle, the decisive clash with all remaining members!"
The crowd roared. The final battle was set.
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