With almost all of Riser's pieces accounted for, Draconis knew it was time to make his move.
Even if that last Pawn was still lurking somewhere, he didn't care. Once he got his Promotion, he'd be more than a match for any of Riser's soldiers.
"Rias, I've found the rest of the pieces. They're all near the field."
He relayed the info through his magic communicator.
Rias's mind was already on the same track.
"Want me to hit them with a surprise attack?"
"Go for it. I'll cover you."
Draconis kept his double's eyes on the enemy squad while his main body and Koneko raced toward the field.
Rias and Asia arrived not long after. From a distance, they could see Riser's team dismantling the illusionary magic arrays.
One of Riser's Rooks disabled a node, revealing Rias's old school building in the distance. The Rook grinned.
"Did they really think a simple illusion would stop us? How naïve."
Akeno's illusions were clever, but mostly just a time sink—no real bite.
That's when Rias struck from the shadows.
Red flames roared, her demonic power surging and engulfing the group.
One of Riser's Knights spotted the danger instantly.
"Ambush! Watch out!"
Armored and brave, she charged straight into the attack.
But Rias's flames hit home, and the Knight's scream echoed as her armor turned molten red. The beautiful devil was flung aside, smoke rising from her, knocked out cold.
Despite the loss, Riser's squad didn't panic.
"Heh, you finally couldn't resist, huh?"
A girl in a pink dress, golden hair just like Riser's, smiled with effortless poise.
"The tide turns fast. Sacrifice brings reward. We finally lured you out, Lady Rias."
Rias recognized her instantly.
"Ravel, right? Riser's little sister."
Ravel waved off the question, all elegance and detachment.
"I'm just here to watch, not to fight."
She hung back, directing Riser's servants with a mischievous little smirk.
"Go on, everyone—give our King a proper welcome."
Rias smiled, unbothered.
"You think this bunch can take me?"
The plan had shifted, but battles were always chaos. She'd adapted, striking when the moment felt right.
But Ravel's mysterious smile lingered.
"Just these people? Are you sure? Maybe there's more you haven't seen yet."
That hint sent a chill down Rias's spine.
She remembered the missing Pawn—
She'd left the base unguarded, and that Pawn was almost certainly headed for Promotion.
If it worked, Riser would have another Queen on the board.
"Let's finish this first!"
Rias snapped, unleashing another attack.
Riser's remaining pieces surged forward, forcing Rias onto the defensive.
She wasn't worried, though—Draconis and Koneko had arrived.
A rush of wind—the two burst into the fray.
"Rias-senpai!"
"Rias!"
With Koneko and Draconis flanking her, Rias felt the pressure lift.
"Perfect timing. Help me finish them off! Draconis, use your trick!"
She didn't need to say more. Draconis flipped his hand, summoning the Sigil of Suppression, which hovered above his palm.
"Go."
The anti-magic field snapped open, and Riser's girls immediately felt their powers sluggish and heavy.
The Sigil flapped its tiny wings, darting forward in a flash of silver, striking the enemy girls.
Slap, slap, slap, slap—
One after another, seals landed—
The Sigil blazed, and armor and fabric alike exploded off the girls in a shower of shreds.
"—Kyah!?"
"Ahh? What the—?!"
A chorus of shocked, embarrassed shrieks filled the air as the girls scrambled to cover themselves.
"What is that thing?!"
Ravel, safely out of range, paled in horror.
The Sigil of Suppression—practically designed to torment women.
Rias gave a helpless smile.
"Sorry, my kid's Familiar has… unusual tastes."
She had to admit, the Sigil's power was off the charts, but its love for blowing up clothes was borderline criminal.
Magic swirled around Rias's hands, her lips curling in a sly grin.
"Well then, everyone—safe travels?"
She unleashed her spell.
Just as her red magic was about to engulf Riser's team, a wall of flames erupted, bursting with life and instantly snuffing out Rias's attack.
Above, Riser descended, fiery wings unfurled, hands tucked into his pockets, polished shoes touching down with casual elegance.
"My beloved Rias, I knew you wouldn't be able to resist."
Riser's smug smile said he'd predicted every move.
"You left your base too?"
He laughed.
"Don't act like you're the only one willing to take risks, Rias. You don't even have any Pawns left—did you really think I'd just sit and guard my base?"
Riser sneered, eyes fixed on Rias. To him, Draconis was just background noise.
Defeat the King, end the game.
Rias, meanwhile, was secretly thrilled.
He still thought she was Pawn-less.
She'd kept that secret locked down tight.
Riser, oblivious, laughed.
"And I bet Yubelluna's almost finished with your Queen by now…"
"What? Akeno…"
Rias's brow furrowed. She'd never doubted Akeno could handle Riser's Queen, but Riser's cocky grin made her uneasy.
—
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