At that moment, the heavy doors began to open with a deep, groaning sound.
"Fog is appearing..."
As Rias said, a dense fog had begun to fill the temple interior around the time the second round ended.
Advancing cautiously, suspecting it was another of Diodora's traps, a massive door eventually appeared before Issei and the others. This seemed to be the deepest part of the temple. 'Diodora is here... and so is Asia...'
"Look! The door is opening!"
As they stood before it, the door began to swing open with a groaning sound.
"Let's go."
Nodding at Rias's voice, they passed through the doorway.
Beyond the door stretched a vast space.
Seated on a throne at the room's far end was Diodora. At his feet lay Asia, chained and, for some reason, collapsed in a wedding dress.
"ASIAAA!?"
"Issei-san, everyone..."
Seeing Asia's sorrowful face, Issei's rage exploded.
"Diodora, you motherfucker!!"
"Quiet down. I can hear you just fine without the shouting, Red Dragon Emperor."
Diodora sighed as if annoyed.
"...Even so, to have all of you reach this place without losing a single member... Your servants are truly excellent, Rias."
"Of course they are!"
Rias puffed out her chest as if stating the obvious. Her massive boobs jiggled magnificently.
"Hmph. Thanks to you, my servants have been completely wiped out. Especially the Rooks and Pawns. They were burned by fierce lightning and sacred auras to the point of being incapacitated. Really now..."
"Hahaha..." Akeno and Xenovia were pretending not to know anything. That said, the one they couldn't forgive was Diodora himself; those girls were completely caught in the crossfire... 'What a shame.'
"I have no interest in hearing your complaints, Diodora. Choose: quietly return Asia, or die right here."
Rias pressed for a choice, acting as if there was no other option.
"Is that so... You say such things..."
Saying this, Diodora pulled a pen-like object from his pocket.
"Kyaaaaaaaahhhhh!!?"
The moment he pressed a switch, Asia began writhing in pain.
"Asia!? Stop it, Diodora!"
"Stop it? You should watch your language, Rias. Shouldn't it be 'Please stop, Lord Diodora'?"
"Guh... P-please stop... Lord Diodora...!"
Rias squeezed out the words, filled with frustration. Seemingly satisfied, Diodora pressed the switch again, and Asia's screams ceased.
"That's right, that's better. With just one press of my switch, an electric current runs through Asia. That was the weakest setting, but on the strongest, she'd be charred black in an instant, you know?"
'What the heck! Asia has been taken hostage. But what does this mean in terms of the game?'
"Diodora... what is your intention? Taking a hostage is a clear violation, an outright foul—you'd lose by default. You of all people should know that, shouldn't you?"
'Right. But if it was a foul loss for Diodora, why hadn't the match been called off?'
Then Diodora, grinning, answered Issei's unspoken question.
"Kukuku, how foolish, Rias. Did you think the game was still going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"It means this game broke down a long time ago."
"!?!?"
The game broke down? What was he talking about?
"Fog started appearing after the second round ended, right? That's a barrier created by the Sacred Gear, [Dimension Lost]. That fog barrier is difficult to break through or destroy unless you possess considerable power. By now, the fog has enveloped the entire field, meaning you're all completely trapped."
'A Sacred Gear barrier!? How the hell did he have something like that!?'
"In other words, the Rating Game you love so much is already over. Frankly, I never understood the appeal of such frivolous play. It's utterly beyond me."
"Wha!? What are you talking about!? The Rating Game is a noble contest where we wager our status and hono…"
"Ah, none of that matters to me."
"Wha!?"
"Fundamentally, the Rating Game is just something the current government has the nobility do using status and honor as bait to entertain the masses. I have no interest in being a spectacle."
"...What are you say—"
"Besides, the current government will end soon. Once that happens, things like the Rating Game will lose all value."
"You can't possibly mean—"
"Fufufu... That's right. The world will change soon. It will be reborn by the hands of the [Khaos Brigade]!"
"!?!?"
Everyone was struck dumb with shock. Diodora was with the Khaos Brigade!?
"Since when have you...?"
"I was recruited about a year ago. It seemed like I'd be able to do whatever I liked more freely if I joined their ranks."
"You... you utter scoundrel!! How dare you still call yourself nobility!? Have you no shame!!"
Rias shouted in her fury, but Diodora merely looked at her and smirked.
"Oh my? Is that so strange? 'Be true to your desires'—that is the very nature of a devil. I've merely followed it. Now then, as long as Asia is in my hands, you cannot oppose me. But a one-sided affair is boring, so I'll give you a chance too.—Come forth, Red Dragon Emperor-kun. I'll personally crush you."
The gaze of everyone present focused on Issei. 'There is no way this bastard would fight fair at this point. What is his game?' As Issei pondered this, Diodora continued as if reading his mind.
"Weeell, I just want to fuck you up and sever Asia's lingering attachment to you. Nothing more. Let's settle this one-on-one."
Frankly, this guy's words weren't worth believing, but it was a perfect opportunity to buy time.
If they could buy enough time, maybe Sirzechs could do something. Or, if Kazuki had returned, he would surely come and help.
"Is that so? Then—!"
'[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]'
'No, this isn't right~!! I can't afford to waste that much power now.' Issei thought.
'[Welsh Dragon Half Plate Armor!!]'
The jewels of the [Boosted Gear] shone, and partial armor materialized to protect key points on his body: his right arm, chest, shoulders, waist, and knees.
Combat preparations complete. Issei beckoned Diodora with a curling motion of his index finger, as if to say 'bring it on.'
"Hoh? Then here I come!"
Diodora's fist, clad in magical energy, shot straight for him.
However…
...
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