[Rating Game] Board.
"{To all participants, the teleportation will commence momentarily.}" Said Grayfia over the [Rating Game's] broadcast system.
A few moments after Grayfia's voice rang, a teleportation magic circle appeared in the Occult Research Club's club room. From that magic circle, Rias and her peerage appeared.
"Huh? Are we still in the club room?" Issei asked as he surveyed his surroundings.
"It looks like Riser is really underestimating us, huh?" Rias said while similarly surveying her surroundings. "Giving us such a big advantage with this [Game] board is a bit insulting."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Issei asked once again, confused by the whole situation.
"Allow me to explain, Issei-Kun." Akeno said while smiling gracefully.
However, before Akeno could explain, she was interrupted by another broadcast.
"{Ladies and Gentleman, today's [Game] board is a recreation of the school that Lady Rias Gremory attends in the Human World, Kuoh Academy.}" Grayfia said, explaining the answer to Issei's earlier question. "{Both teams have been placed on different sides of the board. Each team's starting location is their base for this [Game]. With Lady Rias' base being the Occult Research Club's club room and Lord Riser's base in the Student Council's office.}"
"Seriously, this place is just a recreation?" Issei asked in shock.
"That's right. Rias said while taking a seat at the replica of her desk. "If you still don't believe it, why don't you take a look at the sky."
Taking Rias' suggestion, not only Issei, but Asia also looked out one of the ORC's windows. When they caught sight of the sky, all they could see was a blank white.
"Whoa, this is crazy." Issei said while staring blankly at the white sky overhead.
"Yeah, I've never seen anything like this before." Asia muttered while looking up at the sky in wonder.
"Before anything else, everyone make sure to put one of these transceivers in your ear." Rias said as she pulled a small case containing the aforementioned transceivers from her pocket. "With these, we'll be able to keep in contact and report our positions or request back up."
Following Rias' instructions, they all took one of the small transceivers and placed them in their ears. Shortly after they all had one equipped, Grayfia's voice was broadcast once again.
"{[Pawns] will be eligible for promotion upon reaching enemy territory. For Lord Riser, that means advancing his [Pawns] to the Old School building where the Occult Research Club is located. While Lady Rias must advance her [Pawns] into the new school building.}" Grayfia said, continuing her explanation of the rules. "{Now, both teams will be given thirty minutes to prepare and strategize. Once these thirty minutes have passed, the [Game] will officially begin... Team preparation time begins, now!}"
Upon hearing that their time for preparation had begun, everyone gathered around Rias' desk where there was a map of the academy spread out.
"Okay, guys, we've already discussed a basic version of the plan we'll be using for this [Game]." Rias said while looking at the members of her peerage. "All we have to do is make some minor adjustments so that the plan fits the map."
Hearing that, the rest of her peerage nodded in understanding. Then, Rias began to give orders in preparation for the beginning of the [Game].
"Koneko, Yuuto, I want the two of you to take a map into the wooded area around the old school building." Rias said as she gave her first set of instructions to her peerage. "Set traps out there and make sure to mark their locations on the map. You have fifteen minutes. Go!"
"Understood." x 2
With that, Koneko and Yuuto picked up the things they needed and left the club room.
Human World, Japan, Kuoh.
At the same time in the Student Council office. James, Sona, and Tsubaki were watching both teams make their preparations.
"*Sigh* Riser really isn't taking Rias seriously at all, is he?" James asked exasperatedly.
"From what I know, that's how he's fought all his [Rating Games]." Sona said while shaking her head. "He relies so heavily on his regeneration that he doesn't even care if he's the last one left on his team."
"So, basically, his entire team is expendable in his eyes, right?" James said while narrowing his eyes. "I can't say I agree with that way of thinking."
"Unfortunately, devils like you fall into the minority in this case." Sona said while adjusting her glasses.
"Either way, if Riser's peerage isn't more than what they showed during the meeting ten days ago." James said while shifting his attention from the monitor to Sona. Then, he continued. "This [Game] isn't going to be very interesting."
Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.
Like James and Sona, Rias and Riser's families were also discussing both peerage's preparations for the [Game].
"It would seem that Riser has no respect for his opponent." Sirzechs said as he narrowed his eyes. "If he acts like this during a [Rating Game] I can only imagine how he would treat Rias if they were married."
Noticing that Sirzechs was growing angry because of his arrogant and foolish third son, Lord Phenex began to sweat.
"I'm sure this must be his way of relaxing before an important match." Lord Phenex said nervously.
Currently, the image on the monitor was Riser passionately fondling and making out with most of the members of his peerage. The only one who was free from the lecherous hands of their [King] was the [Bishop], Ravel Phenex. In other words, Riser's sister.
"*Sigh* He can't even hold back in front of his sister." Lady Phenex said while massaging her temples. "His arrogance has grown more and more out of control ever since he found out he would be marrying into the Gremory House."
"If I didn't know any better," Venelana said while narrowing her eyes like her son had earlier, "I would think that Riser was thinking he would become the next Head of the Gremory House after marrying Rias."
"Of course, that's not the case." Lady Phenex said with a nervous laugh.
'I don't know why those two thought this plan would work.' Lady Phenex said as she glanced at her husband.
"Not that it matters." Venelana said as her expression reverted to a smile. "I doubt Rias will lose to someone who underestimates her when his strength doesn't even exceed hers."
[Rating Game] Board.
Sitting in the Student Council office, Ravel watched the debauched actions of her older brother and the other members of his peerage with a deadpan expression. She could not believe that for such an important [Game], her brother was not taking it more seriously.
'*Sigh* It really isn't hard to understand why Rias refuses to marry you Big Brother.' Ravel thought to herself while trying to block the images her eyes were sending to her brain. 'And seriously, what kind of stupid kink is this? Why do I have to watch him play with his girls?'
As Ravel was thinking, Riser has a strange kink. He enjoys having his sister present for his acts of debauchery. To the outside, however, Ravel is overly attached to her brother. In human society, either of these situations would be cause for concern. However, in devil society, incest is more common than you would think. Especially for those clans who believe in bloodline purity. Luckily, Ravel has not been forced to do anything by her excessively lustful brother.
'*Sigh* Even though letting you win is not an option.' Ravel thought to herself as she hoped for the [Game] to start sooner. 'For your sake, I pray for your victory in this [Rating Game].'
On the opposite side of the [Game] board, in the Occult Research Club's club room, Rias was wrapping up the final explanation of the strategy with her peerage.
"Any other questions?" Rias asked while resting her elbows on the desk.
"No, ma'am." replied the members of the peerage.
"Good." Rias said with a nod of satisfaction. "Take the last few minutes to relax and get your minds prepared."
With that, everyone separated. Issei and Asia sat in a couple of chairs lining the wall. For peace of mind, Asia held Issei's hand tightly. Koneko sat on a sofa while nibbling on some snacks she brought with her. Yuuto rechecked the straps on his gauntlets and grieves. And Akeno served Rias another cup of tea. After a few minutes, Grayfia's voice rang over the [Game] board once again.
"{The thirty-minute preparation period has ended. Now, let the [Game] begin.}" Grayfia said in a neutral tone.
"Okay, everyone." Rias said to get her peerage's attention. "As long as we follow the plan and don't underestimate our opponents, this [Game] is ours."
"Yeah!" The peerage exclaimed in unison.
"Now, you all have your assignments." Rias said passionately. "Follow the plan and use what you've learned while training and we'll have nothing to regret at the end of this [Game]."
With that, Koneko, Yuuto, Gasper, and Issei were the first to leave the club room. Shortly after them, Rias, Akeno, and Asia left as well. As they left the old school building, the three passed Issei who was assigned the role of protecting the old school building.
"Issei, I'll be leaving this place to you." Rias said as she strode past her [Pawn].
"Of course, Buchou, I'll make sure no one makes it into the old school building." Issei said as he thumped a fist against his chest.
Shortly after that exchange, the trio of girls made their way into the wooded area surrounding the old school building. Meanwhile, Issei began a conversation with Skiadrum.
"Hey, Skiadrum." Issei said nervously, completely opposite of the attitude he displayed in front of Rias and Asia.
"[What is it, Brat?]" Skiadrum replied in an annoyed tone. "[If you say anything about tits, I'm going to strangle you with a shadow.]"
"Ha ha... I don't know if I'm ready for this." Issei said with a wry smile. "If I mess up, Buchou would have to marry that douchebag. More importantly, James-Senpai might kill me."
"[Tch! So, you're gonna break down and cry like a little bitch, huh?]" Skiadrum scoffed at the cowardice his host was showing under pressure. "[No one will blame you as long as you give it your all, moron. Didn't the redhead say that already? Follow the plan and do what you've always done in training. That way there will be no regrets.]"
Hearing that, issei took a deep breath. Slowly, he released it and felt better.
"Thanks, Skiadrum." Issei said with a smile. "I really needed to hear that."
"[Well, I can't have the host of the Shadow Dragon King looking so pathetic, can I?" Skiadrum said nonchalantly. Even if hearing the genuine thanks was nice, he would never admit it to the perverted idiot he was stuck with. "But if you don't give it all you got, Ddraig's host really might kill you when this is over."
Issei shuddered at the thought of the hell he would go through because of James if he did not do his best. Shortly after their conversation ended, Darkness fell over the old school building and the wooded area surrounding it. A moment later, Issei equipped the [Shadow Claws]. With his eyes glowing in the same blue color as the gems on the back of his hands, Issei spoke excitedly.
"I wonder how many of Riser's ladies will fall into my shadows?"
Moments before Issei equipped his [Sacred Gear], Asia put her training over the last ten days to use. She created a dark fog that covered the old school building and its surroundings. Considering that her demonic energy reserves were quite small, due to her lack of time to increase it, she used up more than half of her reserves with that one cast.
"Good job, Asia." Rias said, gazing at the effect of Asia's spell.
"*Pant* Thank you. *Pant*" Asia said through labored breaths.
"How long will this fog last, Asia-Chan?" Akeno asked while rubbing her tired underclassman's back.
"A little less than six hours, I think." Asia said unsurely.
"And you're sure you'll still be able to perform healing if necessary?" Rias asked with concern.
"Yes, there is no problem with my healing." Asia replied with a nod. "As long as I have the time, I don't have to use any demonic energy to heal. Adding demonic energy strengthens the power of [Twighlight Healing], though."
"I see, that's good..." Rias began to reply, before she was interrupted by a report from the transceiver.
"{Buchou, this is Gasper.}" Gasper said firmly with a nervous undertone. "{The enemy has started to move.}"
Hearing that, Rias could not help but smile. Then, she spoke in an aggressive tone, broadcasting to all the members of her peerage.
"All right, everyone!" Rias said excitedly. "It's time to start the hunt! We will teach Riser to underestimate us."