Just as dread crept over Rias, a thunderous explosion ripped through the air—a shockwave that made the ground tremble.
Draconis whipped around. In the distance, Akeno Himejima was plummeting from the sky.
Mid-fall, she dissolved into white light and vanished from the battlefield—out of the game.
"One Queen of Lady Rias has been eliminated."
Grayfia's voice rang out, cold and final.
Draconis and Rias both felt their hearts sink.
By rights, Akeno should have been more than a match for Yubelluna. Even if she couldn't win, she should've been able to hold her off. So how…?
Before anyone could process the loss, danger surged again—Koneko was ambushed!
Draconis tried to break free, but the Knight blocking him suddenly threw all caution to the wind, charging headlong through the anti-magic field, desperate to keep him pinned.
That split second cost him. He couldn't reach Koneko in time.
Boom!
A blast of raw magic slammed into Koneko, detonating in a blinding eruption.
Her scream was lost in the blast—her small form swallowed by the explosion, grievously wounded. Draconis could only watch as she flickered into white light and disappeared.
"Koneko!"
Rias's cry was sharp and panicked.
Above, a new figure hovered—cloak swirling, eyes cold.
Yubelluna.
She'd taken down Akeno, and now she'd finished off Koneko too.
"Well done, Yubelluna,"
Ravel Phoenix called, her smile proud. "Brother couldn't ask for a better Queen."
Yubelluna bowed her head, a hint of regret.
"I'm ashamed, Lady Ravel. In the end, I had to use this."
She produced a tiny bottle, the liquid inside shimmering with dense, pulsing life force.
Draconis's eyes narrowed. That bottle—his gut said it was the reason for Akeno's defeat.
Ravel caught his gaze, her tone smug.
"Curious? That's a Phenex Tear—a secret of our immortal clan. Use it, and you're instantly healed, no matter the injury. Pretty rare stuff."
So they had this kind of cheat item?
Didn't that mean the Phoenix family was basically invincible in this game?
Rias spoke up, voice tight.
"They're only allowed two per match."
Ravel just shrugged.
"So what? If you use them at the right moment, victory's all but guaranteed."
Riser's laugh was full of cruel satisfaction. His confidence was palpable as he turned to Draconis, eyes sharp.
He still hadn't forgiven Draconis for his earlier showboating.
"Now, time to teach you a lesson!"
Riser snapped his fingers. A surge of magic crashed toward Draconis—a pureblood devil's strength, nearly matching Rias's own, bearing down like a tidal wave.
Draconis summoned the Divine Lament Shield, bracing against the assault.
Yubelluna looked ready to join the attack, but Rias intercepted her, forcing her back.
At least the Knights and Pawns were still sealed. The Sigil of Suppression had locked down a lot of strong mid-class devils, so the effect wouldn't last long—but for now, it kept disaster at bay.
Boom!
Riser's magic blasted a crater where Draconis stood.
"That's it? Is that all you've got?"
Riser sneered. "As Rias's Knight, you're a disappointment."
From the start, Draconis hadn't pulled off anything spectacular—just taken down a few soldiers.
A Knight should be dominating, not just barely scraping by.
"If this is your best, Rias really picked the wrong person."
Riser's voice was cold, almost contemptuous.
In this, at least, he was honest. The devil race needed strong Evil Pieces to thrive. Weak pieces were a stain on their King's reputation.
Draconis blocked another vicious attack, his face calm, unflinching.
"No need to worry about me, Lord Riser. You'd do well to watch your own back. Until the final moment, no one knows who'll come out on top."
His reply was cool, his shield steady, his aura perfectly composed.
He hadn't even drawn his sword yet.
Riser laughed, half furious, half amused.
"You have no idea what you're up against."
He glanced toward the old school building.
"Shuriya, you're done, right?"
As he spoke, a wave of terrifying magic erupted from the direction of their base.
"That's… our base…"
Asia whispered, voice trembling.
Rias's eyes flashed, her voice low.
"A Pawn just Promoted."
Riser's formation now had another Queen.
A girl—Shuriya—soared over, her smile brimming with confidence.
"Master, Promotion successful!"
"Excellent,"
Riser said, satisfied. In a Rating Game, two Queens on the field meant checkmate.
"Rias, what's the point in resisting? Give up and come back to the Underworld with me."
With victory in sight, Riser's trash talk came easy.
Rias and Asia felt their hopes slipping away—their last chance rested on Draconis.
"Save your breath. I'll never give up!"
Rias snapped, unleashing an attack that severed Riser's arm.
But flames erupted instantly, and his arm regenerated—Phoenix rebirth in action.
"So stubborn… Too bad I'm out of patience. Your last hope is this boy? Fine. I'll burn him to ash right here! Accidental death's allowed in the game, after all."
Murderous intent radiated from Riser as his magic surged toward Draconis.
Rias tried to help, but the two Queens kept her pinned, unable to break free.
"No!!"
Rias's scream was desperate.
But Draconis stood his ground, eyes locked on the incoming attack. His lips barely moved.
"Promotion."
—
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