The day of the tournament arrived, and Rias led her peerage to the grand venue early in the morning.
Badr was taken aback when they entered the location, a massive stadium capable of holding tens of thousands of spectators.
"This is the competition venue?" Xenovia asked, her eyes wide with curiosity at the impressive scene.
"Hehe, not exactly," Rias replied with a smile. "We'll be fighting in a separate dimensional space. This stadium is for broadcasting the matches to the audience."
She went on to explain that the *Rating Games* were far from ordinary games. The battles were real, injuries were common, and the competition could become quite intense. Isolating the battlefield from the audience wasn't just a practical choice, it was essential.
Additionally, any piece that sustained severe injuries would be immediately removed from the battlefield and treated by a dedicated medical team, something that was only possible in a controlled, isolated space.
Having participated in a *Rating Game* before, Badr was already familiar with these rules and followed Rias calmly into the stadium.
Inside, the seats were already packed with devils of all shapes and sizes, their excited chatter and cheers filling the air.
"So many devils…" Asia murmured, her voice trembling. The sight of the vast crowd and the deafening roar of excitement left her visibly shaken.
"Don't worry. Just relax and pretend the audience isn't there," Rias said with a reassuring smile.
However, her next words made Asia's face pale even more.
"Keep in mind, this is just the number of people attending in person. The matches are being broadcasted across the entire Underworld. Though it's only a rookie tournament, it's still on the same scale as the major competitions."
Asia and Xenovia were left speechless at the thought of a Rating Game with such a massive audience. Even Akeno and Koneko couldn't help but tense up at the realization.
"Let's head to the preparation room and discuss our strategy," Rias said, clapping her hands to refocus her team.
Once inside the preparation area, the group began strategizing for their upcoming matches.
As Rias was explaining the tactics, a knock came at the door. A female devil in uniform entered respectfully.
"Lady Gremory, Lord Diodora Astaroth is here to see you."
"Diodora?" Rias frowned slightly in confusion. "What's he doing here? Let him in."
Moments later, the door opened, and a young man with a gentle expression and black hair stepped into the room. It was Diodora Astaroth, the heir to the prestigious Astaroth family, a house with a status equal to that of the Gremory family.
"What brings you here, Diodora? Shouldn't you be working on your team's strategy?" Rias asked, her tone polite but tinged with curiosity.
"Ah, my strategy is already well-prepared. I came to discuss something more important," Diodora said with a smile. Though his demeanor was warm and polite, there was an underlying discomfort in the room, as if something about him was off.
Unlike the open and approachable aura of Maou Sirzechs, Diodora's presence exuded a sense of secrecy and hidden intentions, leaving an unsettling impression.
"Get to the point then; we're in the middle of a meeting," Rias said firmly. "And you better hope we don't draw your team in the match."
Diodora chuckled lightly. "Straightforward as always, Rias. Very well, I'll be direct. I'd like to propose a trade."
"A trade?" Rias's frown deepened.
"Yes, I'd like to exchange our [Bishops]," Diodora said, his gaze shifting to Asia, who stood beside Badr. "Specifically, I'd like to trade for Asia Argento."
The moment his eyes fell on Asia, her hands clenched tightly, her expression instantly filled with resistance.
Badr narrowed his eyes. He didn't mind the concept of trading pieces in the *Rating Games*, but only if it was done with mutual consent. Cases like Ravel's voluntary trade were understandable, but forcing a trade against the will of the piece was unacceptable.
Asia's discomfort was clear, but Diodora seemed entirely unfazed. Instead, he pulled out a servant manual, ready to make his offer.
"My offer is, "
"There's no need for that," Rias interrupted sharply. "I don't need to see what's in your manual to give my answer. I'm not trading Asia."
Her tone was resolute, and her displeasure at Diodora's approach was evident.
"This isn't about the value of your piece compared to Asia's. She is one of my most treasured peerage members, and I have no intention of giving her up," Rias continued, her voice firm.
It was clear she rejected Diodora's request not because of any inadequacy in his offer but purely out of respect and care for Asia as her servant and friend.
"Is it because of her value? Or are you simply too attached to her?" Diodora asked, his smile unwavering.
"Both. I see Asia as a little sister. She's part of my family," Rias said coldly, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Well then, I won't give up so easily." Diodora turned his attention back to Asia, his voice softening. "Asia, don't you remember me? You saved my life once when I was gravely injured."
Asia froze, her eyes widening as memories surfaced. "You… you're the devil I healed back then…"
Her voice trembled, and Xenovia frowned deeply. "Was it because you healed this man that the church branded you a heretic and stripped you of your title as a saint?"
"…Yes," Asia admitted, her expression pained. Those were some of her most traumatic memories.
Before anyone could respond, Badr stepped forward and gently pulled Asia into his embrace, cradling her protectively. His hand rested on the back of her head as he softly stroked her hair, silently reassuring her with his presence.
...
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