Volume 4: Belial of Championship Complex

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Volume 4: Belial of Championship Complex

“

No need for all of these unneeded formalities, Belial-san.

”

Prologue

Going Throughout

Well... How should I explain it...? Hmm... I think it's orthodox to explain from where it all started.

At first, I was just another Satan, Asmodeus, who had a will to revenge against a certain WereDevie. Well, after that, I took my revenge against that some WereDevie. And... And... What happened after that was... Yes, right after when I took my revenge agianst that some certain WereDevie, right then, he appeared. By the way, when I say "he", I'm referring to Kodoku Lucifer, a descendant of the original Lucifer. He fought me over the title of the one and only best and true Satan, the title of [A True Daimaou].

After that, a little revelation was made. A little revelation regarding the Rephaite, the Top-Class Annihilation Gear, must have a being sealed inside of them. And while fighting and talking, I activated Breakdown of Sword Gear, as well as Breakdown of Lightning Judgement. Well, actually, "His Majesty" has called Kodoku Lucifer, so he did hesitate a bit, but for some unknown reason, Kodoku Lucifer suddenly just wanted to go back, and so he did.

And after that, I went back to home, well, Kodoku Lucifer went back, so why should I stay? I mean, it was already late. And when I was back, someone unexpected welcomed me home, weirdly enough. And, well, it was the one you expected she would be. Yes, it was Sakucchi. She welcomed me home as if we were some kind of couple. What did she think to herself!? She isn't my wife or whatever! I am single! Heed it well, Sakucchi! Well, although that, I know that actually she wouldn't learn, anyhow and any way. Ahhh... Sakucchi sure is too much for me... Ahhh... Really, I literally mean it. Why she has to do such things? Doesn't she know what privacy is!? Well... I know she actually really doesn't know what privacy is. Ahhh... Really, I literally cannot bear with her anymore... Leave me alone...

Right then, after all that, my servant, who is, by the way, my Queen, Ophis, came to me, in order to report to me of certain something, which I will say what it is later. For some reason, which I didn't know until the very end, Sakucchi became somewhat irritated, she was really upset. I mean, it's not like there's some new love rival here, right? It's not like I'm some harem man or something any close to that. Why was she that upset? Well... I actually did consulted it with Ophis, but, it was after she already left. I asked Ophis why did Sakucchi leave, and she answered me really, and not somewhat, awkward, odd, bizarre, answers. Well, she is, too, very weird, but still, there's no comparing her to Sakucchi, because, you know. It's Sakucchi we're talking about. She's the weirdest thing to exist. And then, still not knowing why either why was Sakucchi so much upset, nor did I know at the end why did Sakucchi leave on such a short notice, why did Sakucchi leave suddenly, without any reason to it? Why, really? And so, I asked my servant, who is my Queen, Ophis, what did she come to report. And her answer was... Well... Well... How can I put it into words...? Her answer was... Weird? I guess... No, no, no. Her answer was unexpected! Yes, that's it. Her answer was unexpected. She came to report to me of a Rating Game which I was to participate at against Diehauser.

And so, we went to the Rating Game. We were in a real time hurry. Because, after all, she came to report to me at the day, while the Rating Game was at the night!!! Well... When it's about Rating Game, especially against someone as Diehauser, which is the former champion, you usually report it something like at least 10 days earlier! I mean, at this rate, how am I supposed to gather all of my peerage!? And... Well... Yeah... We arrived the Rating Game arena a hour before the Rating Game was to start. Well... It is early, but we should have been there much earlier! Well... Yeah... But it was against none other than the former champion, Diehauser! So... It isn't orthodox to come only with your Queen, when competing against someone as strong as him. But... Well... I'm pretty much sure that my Queen alone can defeat his whole peerage. I mean, she's Ophis. So... I don't really unnecessarily worry about the results.

Life 1: Complex And Addiction

Part 1

Hello, this is me, Asmodeus. Yep. So... We are here a hour before the Rating Game starts. Well, yeah.

--A Hour Later--

As I and Ophis walked to the middle, just as the other peerage did, the announcer said in excitement:

"Wow, wow, wow! What! Do! We! Have! Here!!!"

The announcer continued:

"Why, if it isn't the former champion, Diehauser!!!"

That announcer sure is excited... The annoucer then continued:

"Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!"

The announder then continued once again after his excitement:

"Why! If! It! Isn't! The! Current! Champion! And! His! Queen!"

Everyone cheered Ophis on, and the announcer, just as well.

Everyone sure is excited... The announcer then continued:

"Just as thought, everyone is cheering Ophis the Queen!"

The announcer then made a side note:

"Actually, it may be expected, it might be unexpected,"

The annoucer continued:

"But..."

The annoucer continued again:

"I'm cheering for Ophis the Queen!!!"

All of the crowd cheered for Ophis "the Queen".

The all screamed one thing:

"Ophis the Queen!!!!!!", that was what they all screamed.

"Ophis the Queen! Ophis the Queen! Ophis the Queen! Ophis the Queen! Ophis the Queen!!! Ophis the Queen! Ophis the Queen! Ophis the Queen! Ophis the Queen! Ophis the Queen!!! Ophis the Queen!!! Ophis the Queen!!! Ophis the Queen!!! Ophis the Queen!!! Ophis the Queen!!!!!! Ophis the Queen!!! Ophis the Queen!!! Ophis the Queen!!! Ophis the Queen!!! Ophis the Queen!!!!! We'll never stop cheering for you! Ophis the Queen!!!!!!"

The announcer then said:

"Well... As expected, Ophis the Queen gets all the glory!"

Well, Ophis "the Queen" really does take all the glory.

We then entered the area of the Rating Game.

The announcer announced:

"And the match begins!!!"

We got teleported to the arena. The arena was set as Mt. Issei, for some reason. Why is the arena set as Mt. Issei? Don't ask me. I'm confused just as well. The announcer said in excitement:

"Asmodeus sure is bold!!!"

"Bold"??? I??? Am I??? What the heck did I do? I don't get anything!!! Explain what you say, properly, as you should, announcer-san!!! The announer explained:

"For those who don't get it, Amsodeus is really bold. Why, you ask? How, you ask? Why? Because he is here with only his Queen. How? Diehauser has came with all of his peerage! Which is, by the way, a. Full. Set!!!!!! So what do you think about our champion, Asmodeus, and his bold act??? Comments are wanted, not to mention whether are they welcomed or not, because they are!!! The excitement isn't dropping a bit!"

What!? Well, it may sound weird, but in terms of power, I don't really need any of my peerage to take the position of the champion. I mean, I host three Rephaite. In the most cases, one would, most likely, nearly die from hosting only one Rephaite, so actually hosting three Rephaites, without being even exhausted, even a bit, while also using things such as Pressure, and even with that, after a harsh battle, not being exhausted, not even a little bit, it's very special case, very rare case. And, well, I also don't get injured, but a little bit, while also having Friendly Healer to heal me in worst scenario, yep. It means I can kick their asses with minimum effort, with ease, and despite that, I actually bothered to hurry and try to connect the rest of my peerage, I really don't know why I cared about this... Well, going against a full set, being just me and my Queen... This sort of things... Things of the sort... Doing these things, even such things... Sure is bold. So, yes. What that announcer-san said... About me being bold... Well... It was true, at least, the part of me being bold.

The rounds were announced. It was this way:

Ophis, my Queen, was up against —

Diehauser's strongest Pawn, Marihara D'ark, a male, ranked as top 3 strongest Pawn, known for being a real time strategist, as he proved in the wars he participated, reducing the estimated losses to only one percent. I heard rumors, saying that actually, in the Human world, he was worshipped as a God, because he "made miracles happen", even though he said he isn't, and that is from the time of when he was still a Human, despite not being any kind of hybrid. He was 100% Human! And —

Diehauser's weak Rook J'anne Toshi, a female, ranked as top 6 strongest Rook, known for being a smart Rook, using her brains and not just brute force, nor just powerful attacks, despite being a rook, but that doesn't mean she's weak. Not at all. Nor means her being Diehauser's weak Rook that she's weak. Actually, bluntly, she's very strong. And —

Diehauser's strong Bishop, Yanderu Koujiro, a male, ranked as top 2 Bishop, as his name suggests, he's a real freak. Well, but he's really strong. His magic is not to be compared. He's said to have such a powerful magic, being capable to destroy the whole Underworld, casting simple magic casts, using not really strong magic, which is really amazing, another thing is that even though he's crazy, he's a great stragegist when needed to be one, which worries me.

It means this is 9 vs 9, in meaning of points. As Ophis is a Queen, which epuals 9, and she is up against 1 Pawn, which equals 1, one Rook, which equals 5, and a Bishop, which equals 3. Doing math, Ophis is simply 9, while Marihara Dwark plus J'anne Toshi plus Yanderu Koujiro is 1 + 5 + 3, which equals to 6 + 3, which equals 9. Meaning it's 9 vs 9, in terms of points. She's on a tough spot. I worry about her. Will she do okay? I know she's really strong... Actually, she's a bit overpowered, but still... Well, worrying over it won't change anything. Not for good, nor will it change anything for bad. Everything will just be the same, so, just worrying over it won't do any good, and won't do even any bad. So I won't worry, and will trust her!

That was for the first round. For the second round it would be me up against:

Diehauser himself, a male, which is a given, and he is ranked as top 2. Well... As a King, he really is a tough opponent. And by that I mean to both strategist-wise and being-a-powerful-King-wise. Because, I mean, he still is the former champion, meaning he still is ranked as top 2, meaning he is very strong and knows how to build a strategy, very well, and he might even have a slight chance of outsmarting me! And —

Diehauser's 7 other Pawns,

Shinji Toudou, a male, ranked as top 15 Pawn, and known to be very strange as he almost never uses promotion, for some unknown reason. I have heard some rumors, but I don't think it's like the rumors say, and Adolf Weiss, a male, ranked as top 5 Pawn, seems like he has some black past, but hey, he's German. How can a German live, be, or even simply exist, without having a black past??? I mean, it's very much the orthodox for a German to have a dark past, right? Just kidding. Well, he is known for being weird, just as well, because for some reason, he refuses to use promotion to Queen, despite not refusing to use promotion to either Knight, Rook, or Bishop, a weird guy, and Lucy Maria, a female, ranked as top 10 Pawn, weirdly enough, in terms of power, she surpasses the both of them, but in terms of being a strategist, she's just another failure, in other words, she's a power idiot, and Harry Livan, a male, ranked as top 22 Pawn, and actually, out of them, weirdly enough, he doesn't have any problems with promotions, not to Queen, nor to Rook, nor to Knight, nor to Bishop, nor styaing without promotion, and Maya Abbadon, a female, ranked as top 18 Pawn, she is very tough opponent, and mustn't be one to think and actually underestimate her, and Eli Phoenix, a female, ranked as top 12 Pawn, a strong-willed Pawn, might pose a problem by her will to do everything for her master, Diehauser, and Shin Takami, a male, ranked as top 7 Pawn, overall, he isn't that special, surprisingly enough. And —

Diehauser's strong Rook, Edward Schwartze, a male, ranked as top 4 strongest Rook, and known for being a great strategist, being a great help during wars and skirmishes. He's a really tough opponent. He might really pose a problem even for Ophis. And if he gets a team strong enough, he might give me real time hardships that I haven't experienced for years. No, for decades. No, for centuries! He's bad news. And —

Diehauser's weak Bishop, Shibata Kirino, a female, ranked as top 5 bishop, known for being very capable magician even before being reincarnated as a Devil by Diehauser, due to her being a hybrid of a Valkyrie and of a Human, making her an excellent magician, even befroe getting reincarnated by the one which is her current master, Diehauser. And —

Diehauser's two Knights, Miki Shino and Iri Shino, two males, twins. Miki Shino is ranked as top 10 Knight, and, just as well, Iri Shino is ranked very high, ranked as top 5 Knight, something serious which should be feared. They are known for their really, actually, might be over-reliable, but still, reliable, teamwork. They say their teamwork is something that will never repeat itself, and won't be seen at other teams, so much their teamwork cannot be compared to any other teamwork that existed, that exists, or that ever will exist. And —

Diehauser's Queen, Mashiro Ha, a female, ranked as top 2 Queen, she is known to be almost as strong as all of the full set that Diehauser holds, whether in terms of power, or in terms of technique, or even in terms of being a good overall strategist. She might pose a serious problem.

Well... With that much against me, I can't help worring. Because, I mean, in terms of points, it's 0, me, against 30, who I'm up against. Do the math. It's 7 Pawns, which equal 7, as a Pawn equals 1, so 7 Pawns equal 1 X 7, which equals 7. That and, a Rook, which equals 5, and, a Bishop, which equals 3, and, two Knights, which equal 6, as a Knight equals 3, so two Knights equal 3 X 2, which equals 6. That and, a Queen, which equals 9. Doing math, that means 7 + 5 + 3 + 6 + 9, which equals 12 + 3 + 6 + 9, which equals 15 + 6 + 9, which equals 21 + 9, which equals 30. I have what plenty of reasons to worry, if I want, but I don't need to worry. Even if Ophis'll fail, Diehauser goes against me, so... Once I finish him off, everything ends, even if Ophis'll fail herself.

Part 2

The match strated right now. Ophis went. She didn't build a strategy, because she said she didn't need. Well, I don't think, too, that she actually needs to build a strategy or whatever. I think she can do it without building a strategy. I think she doesn't need to build a strategy. Well, I did say I will trust her, so I need to trust her until the very end, to keep my word.

The battle strated with a good start at our side. Meaning, Ophis started smoothly. Speaking bluntly, it's hard to believe that she didn't build a strategy. Her opponents built strategy for 30 minutes or so, and she didn't build strategy at all, and despite that, they aren't able to harm her the least. Well, actually, we are communicating through some kind of device, and I tell her what to do, so it isn't that surprising, actually.

"Ophis, attack the Pawn. He's about half of their Queen, as he is now, after using promotion. Be catious of him, and make sure to take care of him smoothly, without doing unnecessary moves. Got it?"

I told her to attack the Pawn, while being catious of him. I mean, he is a great strategist, even when he was a Human he was known for being a great strategist, so she needs to take care of him, while, also, being catious of him. Simply, I ordered Ophis to attack Marihara D'ark carefully. Ophis responded to me with a postive response, saying [Yes, Master.], as she usually does.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!

The Bishop, Yanderu Koujiro, relaesed an overwhelming offensive spell. He sure is crazy, and sure is strong. I mean it. He seriously managed to take off one of Ophis' arms! I'm starting to get worried. Maybe they are really strong. Maybe, perhaps, I should have postponded it and wait until I have had all of my peerage gathered... Well, there's no helping it. But, nevertheless, I still do worry about Ophis...

"It's okay, Master. I will, definitely, carry out my task. I will, definitely, carry out my task, that Master has gave me. I will, definitely, carry out the task that Master has gave me. So please, Master, don't worry about me. Trust me, Master. Please. If Master won't trust me, who will? So don't worry about me, and trust me, Master."

Ophis tried to calm down my distrust directed at her. Well, how can I put it into words...? I guess she did manage to calm down that distrusting me, as I trust her. Even if she lost a arm a little while after the first round's start, that doesn't mean she won't win. Not at all. Actually, with that, our victory will be much more impressive. So she might have lost that arm on purpose, in order to make our win much more impressive. If so, then I must thank you humbly, Ophis. For you have done well, because you have done a lot further than required. So thank you, Ophis, my Queen.

"Okay. Sorry for distrusting you, my cutie little Queen-chan. Just kidding. Continue and carry out the task I gave you, Ophis, because I can say for sure that you will."

"It's okay, Master. Because I will carry out everything that Master will order me to."

GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!

This time, it was actually the Rook, J'anne Toshi, who cast spell. Ophis stood doing nothing. She took it all, and that attack didn't have any effect at all. That's right. If Ophis wants to, their spells are nothing special, and she can just stand, waiting for the impact that won't come. That Ophis... She really did lose that arm on purpose. I really do need to thank her properly after the Rating Game ends. Ophis said something weird:

"...To think I already won't have enough time..."

W... What!? "Time"!? "Time" as in what!? What is happening!? N... N-No. I have to trust her. I said I'll trust her, and I will trust her! Ophis continued with her strange thing:

"...Ha... Ha... It's really... Funny... Isn't it..."

Funny? What is funny? How? What does she mean exactly!? I don't get anything that happens! No... No... No... I... I won't distrust her...! I... I won't distrust Ophis, my Queen! I'll trust her! I'll trust Ophis, my Queen! She will carry out the task I gave her! She won't fail! I'm sure of that! Ophis continued further, saying even stranger things:

"...J'anne Toshi... To... Think... You will... Get in my way... Of carrying out... The task that Master... Has gave to me... You sure are tough opponent..."

What Ophis said is strange. I mean, what!? J'anne Toshi??? Get in Ophis' way of carrying out the task that I gave to her!? W... Wh-What does she mean!? Might that mean that that attack that J'anne released, actually have had some kind of impact!? On Ophis!? No, that can't be! Ophis can't be defeated! I trust her!

What Ophis said sure was out of the blue, weird, but... But what J'anne Toshi said... It was at a whole different level of weirdness...

"Kakkakka! You fell for it! Don't think you can defeat us this way! We built strategy with Diehauser-sama, and over 30 minutes, on top of that! There is not a slight chance for you to win!"

They seem to be conident... But... I cannot allow myself to think this way...! No, I said I'll trust her, so I'll trust her...! I... My trust... My trust won't go down that easily! I trust you, Ophis, my Queen! I believe in you, Ophis, my Queen! I know you can do it, Ophis! Go for it! Don't back down! I ordered Ophis:

"Ophis! Don't back down! I will trust you! Ophis! Don't back down! I will believe in you! Ophis! You are my Queen, so don't you dare lose or whatever! Because if you will do so, my trust will be for nothing! Take this fight a little bit more seriously! Got it? Did you, Ophis? Did you get it, Ophis, my Queen? Are you my Queen, Ophis? Do you really, and honestly, deserve the title of being my one and only Queen? Do you?"

As I ordered Ophis to not back down, because I trust her, because I believe in her. As I ordered Ophis to stand up to her title of being my one and only Queen. As that happened, she got up, and said:

"Got it, Master! I got it, Master! I won't back down! If Master trusts me, I won't back down! If Master believes in me, I won't back down! If Master says so, then I'll take this fight more seriously! I got it, Master! If Master says so, then so will I do! Yes, Master! I am Master's one and only Queen! And if Master says so, I will do anything to stand up to the title of being Master's one and only Queen! If Master says so, I'll do anything...!!!"

Ophis really did prove her loyalty. But, her opponents were ready for at least as much. It seems like we are playing right into their hands, and that is, even though I am here... Something isn't right... Ophis released some powerful attack, which seemed overpowerul, a bit.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!

Seems like the attack was directed against Marihara D'ark, who was probably the biggest problem here, right after Yanderu Koujiro, who might be even a greater problem. The attack was harsh, because it was too quick for Marihara, in order to dodge this, resulting in him recieving all of the attack. Marihara D'ark spat blood and said:

"Wow... You... Really... Are... Some... Thing... Else... Ophis... "The Queen"..."

Seems like Marihara D'ark isn't still retired. He's trying to figure out Ophis' weakness. But, then, he understood something. And because of that, he was being somehow reckless... He doesn't seem to be in his peak. He said:

"Now I understand... That makes me laugh. So that was why he sent us against her... Diehauser... He sure is caring for us..."

It's still a great mystery for me. What did Marihara D'ark understood, that is. It seems that he thinks that by sending them against her, Diehauser is actually a good King, making the right decision, caring for his peerage, which seems weird for me... What is his plan, sending only them against Ophis??? Can it be...!? I then ordered Ophis:

"Ophis, win faster. It seems that this battle isn't wholly going for you. The odds for them winning against you aren't high at all. But, even with that, I mean the odds of them winning against you using purley, and only, power, and I don't mean to their odds of winning against you using strategy and tactics, and their odds of winning against you that way, aren't high, as well, at all. But, they aren't that low. Meaning, they might have a slight chance of winning against you, and I'm sure that Marihara D'ark will, for sure, use that against you, so be careful, Ophis."

Once again, Ophis' comment to that was a [Yes, Master. If Master says so, then so will I do.] but that's actually totally fine. Also, upon hearing what I said, Ophis started to think about settling this battle. Ophis then released an even more powerful magic, causing Marihara D'ark to hardly stand.

GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!

She then went against Marihara D'ark, pushing J'anne Toshi, who stood in her way, causing her to fall on the floor, trying to stand, without being able to, in other words, Ophis immobilized J'anne Toshi. She then, also, just as well, pushed Yanderu Koujiro, who stood in her way, too, but he didn't fall. He stood. And then he released a very powerful offensive magic.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!

Ophis got injured a bit. Although, she did lose an arm from some certain magic, but that, actually, was, on purpose, so that doesn't count as anything of the kind. Also, further than that, she then, right away, released, too, a very powerful attack.

GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!

Although that, Ophis' attack was blocked by Yanderu Koujiro's barrier. And yet, Yanderu Koujiro couldn't block all of Ophis' attack, causing him to fall, being immobilized. Ophis then ran straight to Marihara D'ark, dropped him on the floor, and then she choked him, until he couldn't do anything. And then, she cast an even more powerful offensive magic, causing to attack even those who were just immobilized, almost making them retire.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!

They then spat blood out of their mouths, and just as well, meanwhile, there was announcement of Marihara D'ark's retire.

[Diehauser-sama's one Pawn, Marihara D'ark, retires!]

Part 3

After Marihara D'ark's retire, Yanderu Koujiro got up really quickly, and cast a healing spell, in order to be able to maintain this battle for a longer period. ALthough, the other one, who fell easily, J'anne Toshi, didn't manage getting up just yet, resulting in Yanderu Koujiro healing her, too, so he'll be able to support her, because even if he's tough, he, Yanderu Koujiro, still is a Bishop, and she, J'anne Toshi, still is a Rook, making it so that the positions are her, J'anne Toshi, in the front lines, and him, Yanderu Koujiro, in the rear, supporting her, J'anne Toshi, who is on the front lines, fighting Ophis. I ordered Ophis:

"Ophis, my Queen, make Yanderu Koujiro retire. He's the key for this battle, as things are right now. But..."

As I ordered ophis, I stopped, saying [But...]. Ophis asked me what I want to say, saying [Hmm...? Master...?]. I continued saying what I stopped, saying [But...], and said:

"Ophis, my Queen, even though I ordered you to make Yanderu Koujiro, the key for this battle, as things are right now, retire, I... I don't want you to be reckless, because Yanderu Koujiro is strong, and he might be crazy, much more than you think, or than will you ever, but, even with that being said, he still is smart, so don't think he won't do things that will pose a problem to you. In other words, you mustn't unerestimate Yanderu Koujiro, Ophis, my Queen. Got it?"

Ophis simpley nodded after I stated that much, and said [Yes, Master.], and added [If Master says so, then so will I do.], as she always does. And, right after that, simpley, few seconds, or even just few milliseconds, right after Ophis nodded, saying what she said, she, J'anne Toshi, ran straight towards Ophis, with the intent of making Ophis retire, after she, J'anne Toshi, will attack Ophis, with the support of him, Yanderu Koujiro, who's supporting her, J'anne Toshi, who is fighting in the front lines, from the rear. And, of course, as the one supporting her, J'anne Toshi, he, Yanderu Koujiro, released a very powerful offensive magic, in order to support her, J'anne Toshi, who rushed at the direction of Ophis, as she, J'anne Toshi, was trying to attack Ophis.

GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!

...

...

...

[Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus' Queen, Ophis, retired!]

Everyone was surprised. Well, that's a given. After all, how did Ophis, the Queen which is ranked as top 1 Queen, was defeated, and has been made to retire by Marihara D'ark, top 3 Pawn, and J'anne Toshi, top 6 Rook, and Yanderu Koujiro, top 2 Bishop!? They are, all of them, ranked highly, but even so, Ophis has to be much stronger than them! He could she get defeated and how could she have been made to retire by them!? She is much stronger than them! No matter the strategy, Ophis should have win, defeating Marihara D'ark, top 3 Pawn, and J'anne Toshi, top 6 Rook, and Yanderu Koujiro, top 2 Bishop! She should have defeated them and make them retire! Just what the hell happened here that the tables have been turned like this!? What happened!?

J'anne Toshi then woke up from the illusion she was seeing until a moment ago, which was she, J'anne Toshi, and the one who supports her from the rear, Yanderu Koujiro, they together, managed to defeat Ophis, making her retire. But, exactly, that was all illusion. J'anne Toshi then said in surprise:

"A... A d-dream...? N-No... Is it... An illusion?"

J'anne Toshi, the Rook who was in the front lines, just a moment ago, while rushing towards her opponent, Ophis, had an illusion of her and the Bishop, supporting her from the rear, Yanderu Koujiro, defeating their opponent, Ophis, together, which was absurd. It couldn't be, "so easy", at least. J'anne Toshi was severely injured, and now, to add on it further more, she is, just as well, confused too much to focus on fighting in the front lines. In order to help her to fight that round more, in order to help her maintaining the fight for a little bit more time, her master, who isn't any other than the former champion, Diehauser, helped her focusing on the fight, clearing the air for her, telling her this:

"J'anne Toshi, you are my servant, aren't you? If you are, then live up to my expections, and be a good Rook who can focus on one's fight, even when being severely injured, being confused, too. So, let me clear the air, for you, J'anne Toshi, my servant, my Rook. What you saw right now was an illusion. You probably won't win against Ophis, but if you won't try to, it won't be of any gain. Not to you, nor to me, you master, Diehauser. So, please, my servant, J'anne Toshi, my Rook, try to win against Ophis, even if you can't win. Just, try. That's all, Okay?"

J'anne Toshi, who was surprised until just a moment ago, focused on her fight, and thanked her master, who is none other than the former champion, Diehauser, saying:

"Thanks, Diehauser-sama. Thanks to you, I have no doubts, and I will fight proudly, trying and struggling, all that, while fighting proudly, as your Rook, against Ophis, who is ranked as top 1 Queen, who is your opponent's, Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus', Queen!"

Then, J'anne Toshi asked Yanderu Koujiro some favour. Ophis couldn't hear and report that to me, because she, J'anne Toshi, asked Yanderu Koujiro, whispering.

By the way, that attack which Yanderu Koujiro released, it wasn't illusion. Even though it was very powerful, Ophis didn't get any serious injury, nor did she get any serious injuries. And all that, even though she didn't dodge it, but actually blocked it, without using any kind of barrier. I ordered Ophis, again, to win this against them quickly, because I'm worried what kind of action Yanderu Koujiro would take... Ophis answered me:

"Okay, Master. Worry not, Master. If Master says so, I will make them retire. Even if it means this moment. If Master says so, then so will I do. So don't worry, Master. Master just needs to order me, and I will do just as Master says. Everything it may be, if Master says so, then so will I do, if master asks me to, then so will I do, and if Master orders me to, then so will I do, and just as Master says, without missing anything...!"

Ophis is confident when it's coming to her strength, and so am I. So I won't worry. After that, I told Ophis [Okay, Ophis. I understand. I understand what you are saying, Ophis.]. Upon hearing what I said, Ophis understood one definite thing: I trust her. I can understand what she is saying. With understanding that I trust her, Ophis got excited, resulting in her releasing a very powerful attack.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!

With that attack, J'anne Toshi fell on the ground, immobilized, once yet again. Upon seeing that, Yanderu Koujiro understoo what he's ought to do, which is, protecting J'anne Toshi, after he, Yanderu Koujiro, healed her, J'anne Toshi, and atop of that, while doing so, he, Yanderu Koujiro needs to attack Ophis, who is getting closer and closer to J'anne Toshi. As of that, Yanderu Koujiro healed J'anne Toshi, but she, J'anne Toshi, still didn't manage to stand. Which resulted in Yanderu Koujiro doing the impossible, creating a barrier which will defend her, J'anne Toshi, while casting a very powerful offensive magic, which will stop, or even damage, Ophis.

GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!

Ophis, strangely enough, dodged this time, instead of blocking, the attack. But, it wasn't like she thought she cannot block this attack, and she could. But, she decided to dodge in order to get to attack J'anne Toshi, faster, and by that J'anne Toshi's retire will be sonner. But, Ophis thought so because she didn't think that Yanderu Koujiro would really be able of creating the barrier that fast, right after casting that offensive magic. Because of that, Ophis just cast a very powerful offensive magic, one that would be capable of breaking through the barrier and making J'anne Toshi retire, both at the same time, because of its strength.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!

The offensive magic that Ophis cast broke through the barrier, and almost got her, J'anne Toshi. But, surprisingly, J'anne Toshi knew magic, and she used a defensive magic, powered up by her Rook trait, which luckily managed to, at least, blocking that offensive magic that Ophis cast. But, it wasn't enought to block all of that. Although that, she, J'anne Toshi, didn't retire. It was because the attack didn't rech to her, which was because Yanderu Koujiro expected at least that much, so he put up another barrier, under the defensive magic that J'anne Toshi put up in order to defend herself. And fortunately, Yanderu Koujiro's plan went smoothly and all. But —

Even though he foresaw everything, he foresaw another thing, which was their defeat right after that. Yanderu Koujiro knew, already from the start, that they didn't stand a chance against Ophis. And that was what Marihara D'ark have understood when he retired. After J'anne Toshi managed to get out from what happened, in one piece, she tried to get far away from Ophis. But Ophis just cast another very powerful offensive magic.

GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!

Yanderu Koujiro put up three barriers. Ophis' attack passed straight through the first barrier. J'anne Toshi understood that they don't stand a chance agianst Ophis, too. Although, they should really try to win against Ophis, so, because of that, she, J'anne Toshi, casted two defensive magic. One under the second barrier that Yanderu Koujiro cast, and another one, under the third barrier that Yanderu Koujiro cast. Ophis' attack Passed easily, straight through both, the second barrier and the first defensive magic. Ophis knew that her attack might not pass through all of that, upon that she cast another very powerful offensive magic.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!

Together, Ophis' two attacks passed through the third barrier and through the second defensive magic, easily. Ophis then ran towards J'anne Toshi. Yanderu Koujiro had a thought. A crazy one, at that. His thought was to cast a magic that increases physical abilities. He cast that in order to stop Ophis, using brute force, and all that, despite being not a Rook, nor a Knight, but a Bishop, which is why he cast a magic that increases physical abilities. So that he will be able to get in Ophis' way, and so he did. Although, Ophis rushed towards J'anne Toshi, and just pushed him down.

Ophis' attack finally reached J'anne Toshi, and now she is on her way to make J'anne Toshi retire. In order to be one hundred percent sure that J'anne Toshi has been immobilized, she, Ophis, released another, this time, actually, not, very powerful, offensive magic. But, it was powerful enough to immobilize her, J'anne Toshi.

GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!

In fear of that still powerful attack, Yanderu Koujiro created a very powerful barrier, in order to halt Ophis for a bit, not matter how much a bit. Ophis then, upon seeing that very powerful barrier, ran faster and faster, and went, just going through that barrier, breaking it. Yanderu Koujiro was afraid, upon seeing that horrifying thing, namely Ophis, which is ranked as top 1 Queen. Although she defeated them utterly, she didn't really used all of her strength, and rather, she even held back. That horrifying thing, its name is Ophis.

Ophis then ran even faster, and then she finally reached J'anne Toshi, and her, Ophis', attack reached to her, which has made her immobilized. Ophis then just cast another powerful offensive magic, causing J'anne Toshi to retire.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!

That attack, being so much powerful, has reached, even to Yanderu Koujiro, which was really far away, and that was not the abnormal, the horrifying thing in that. What was abnormal, what was horrifying in that was actually that Ophis' attack didn't only reach to Yanderu Koujiro, but also made even him retiring!

[Diehauser-sama's one Rook, J'anne Toshi, and one Bishop, Yanderu Koujiro, retired!]

Life 2: Further Addiction; Power ∞ VS ∞ Power!

Part 1

None of the crowd was surprised. Although, they all did clap to Ophis "the Queen" for her great victory. Then, it's my turn, now, to show off, isn't it? Then, I saw Diehauser's face. He looked as if he plans to kill me, probably angry from that??? Although that, unlike when Ophis battled, this time, the crowd cheered on both sides, almost equally. Which is surprising a bit, because I'm much more amazing than Ophis, but... Well, who cares. They teleported me, now and the battlefield, of course, didn't change from Mt. Issei to something else. Well... I have to be prepared... This isn't so much good, battling alone, almost a full set... But, hey, I am capable of doing that, nontheless, so there's nothing to actually worry about, is there? I'll just go there and kick their asses!

Their formation was obvious. Diehauser's 7 (other) Pawns: Shinji Toudou, Adolf Weiss, Lucy Maria, Harry Livan, Maya Abbadon, Eli Phoenix, and last but not least, Shin Takami. They all stood at the front lines, after already using promotion, to Queen.

Diehauser's (strong) Rook, Edward Schwartze, surprisingly enough, stood at middle, alongside with Diehauser's (weak) Bishop, Shibata Kirino, and even further surprising thing is that even Diehauser's Queen stood at the rear! Although, it isn't that much surprising, for the Queen to stand in the rear, as she is probably something like the King's trump card.

But, even with all that being said, Diehauser's (two) Knights, Miki Shino, and, Iri Shino, whihc are twins, by the way. They stood at the front lines, alongside with Diehauser's 7 (other) Pawns: Shinji Toudou, Adolf Weiss, Lucy Maria, Harry Livan, Maya Abbadon, Eli Phoenix, and last but not least, Shin Takami.

In addition, obviously enough, Diehauser, which is the King, stood in the rear, awaiting for my to arrive, after kicking his almost full set's ass, even though he doesn't think I am capable of that, yet, I surely am capable of that, without it being said.

I stood at my rear, even though there wasn't anyone of my peerage to stand in the front lines. Well, I did come here without anyone of my peerage. Other than Ophis, that is. But, she has already battled, against Diehauser's (strongest) Pawn, Marihara D'ark, Diehauser's (weak) Rook, J'anne Toshi, and last but not least, Diehauser's (strong) Bishop, Yanderu Koujiro. Diehauser ordered his 7 (other) Pawns:

"My dear seven Pawns. Shinji Toudou, Adolf Weiss, Lucy Maria, Harry Livan, Maya Abbadon, Eli Phoenix, and last but not least, Shin Takami. All of you are my dear servants. Do not disappoint me. My dear servants, my dear 7 Pawns, Shinji Toudou, Adolf Weiss, Lucy Maria, Harry Livan, Maya Abbadon, Eli Phoenix, and Shin Takami. All of you, rush towards Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus! Attack him! Make him retire! Don't give up until the very last one of you! And even then, don't give up! Don't give up until the very last second! And further I add, even then, don't give up! Fight until the very end, and even after that!!!"

Upon hearing what their master, Dihauser, said, Diehauser's 7 (other) Pawns: Shinji Toudou, Adolf Weiss, Lucy Maria, Harry Livan, Maya Abbadon, Eli Phoenix, and Shin Takami. They all rushed towards me, intending to attack me, in order to make me retire. But, I mustn't let Dihauser think that measly 7 Pawns can actually make me, the great Maou, who is also a great Daimaou, Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus, retire! Thus, I'll show him what I, Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus, am "made of", as they say!

Diehauser's 7 (other) Pawns saw my face, and could have guess what I thought. They then changed their horrified faces, which was horrified becuase they saw my face and could have guess what I thought, porbably. They changed those faces of them, into determined faces, ready for everyhing that might happen to them, as they have already been ordered to, by their master, Diehauser. All of them mustered a lot of magic power, demonic power, precisely. After mustering enough lots of magic power, demonic power, they all cast a very powerful offensive magic.

GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!

Seeing seven very powerful attacks, I created seven powerful barriers, although, the seven attacks, together, didn't manage to actually pass, even through the first barrier. The first barrier, even though that, did take damage, and is damaged from those attacks. I cancelled all of the barriers. I then told them:

"Waver in fear! Tremble! For I am none other then the great Maou, Asmodeus, who is, also, none other than the great Daimaou, Asmodeus! I am, Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus! I am, the victrious one! He who will go through you! He who will pass through the two Kinghts! He who will go through the Rook and through the Bishop, as well! He who will go through the Queen, make her retire! And finally, passing through all of his almost full set! He who will reach to your King, to your master, who is, none other than the previous champion of the Rating Games, Diehauser, whose championship was once taken by me already!"

Hearing my words, heeding them, Diehauser's seven (other) Pawns: Shinji Toudou, Adolf Weiss, Lucy Maria, Harry Livan, Maya Abbadon, Eli Phoenix, and Shin Takami. They all became horrified once again! Desperate for winning, not for them, but rather for their master, for their King, Diehauser, they mustered even more magic power, demonic power, and were about to cast an even further more powerful offensive magic. But, right then, someone stopped them, not by force, but with words. It was their master, their King, Diehauser, who told them:

"My dear seven Pawns. Shinji Toudou, Adolf Weiss, Lucy Maria, Harry Livan, Maya Abbadon, Eli Phoenix, and last but not least, Shin Takami. All of you are my dear servants. Do not disappoint me. My dear servants, my dear 7 Pawns, Shinji Toudou, Adolf Weiss, Lucy Maria, Harry Livan, Maya Abbadon, Eli Phoenix, and Shin Takami. Do not disappoint me, is what I said. So don't disappoint me! Do not become desperate for winning, as it is not winning for any of you, but rather winning for me, your master, your King! But! I don't want to see you winning after fighting that desperately! This isn't of my will! If you are willing to do as I wish, if you are willing to do as I will you'll do...! If you are, then do not win because you fought desperately! Win, because you won! Win, because I, your master, because your King, Dihauser, none other than me, ordered you to...! Don't disappoint me, my dear servants!!!"

Hearing those words, those kind words, which are none other than their master's, which are nont other than their King's, whihc are none other than Diehauser's, words, Diehauser's seven Pawns became even further determined, enough to sacrifice themselves in order to win against Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus! But, this is nothing to fear. For I'll pass through them, making them retire, pass through the rest of his peerage, until I'll reach him, and make him retire, after which, I will win! I then said:

"Hahaha... Hahaha... Hahaha... This is funny... Hey, do you really, honestly, believe, that you, can defeat a great Maou, who is a great Daimaou, in the same time? Do you really, honestly, actually, believe, that measly you, can defeat me, a great Maou, Asmodeus, who is a great Daimaou, Asmodeus, both at the same time, I, Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus?! Then, think again! What do you think the chances of you winning agains me are!? What do you think the chances of me being capable of doing somethig like, hmm... Let's see... What do you think th chances of me being capable of making one of you retire right now are!?"

As they are right now, they won't waver. Not after what their master, not after what their King, not after what Dihauser, told them. Yet, they did waver a bit, because they do recognize my strength, my power, because they do know that they really don't stand a chance against me, because they do know that I can make one of them retire, if I want, right now. Then, Shin Takami, who is top 2 among them, said:

"All of what you say is true, Asmodeus-dono. Actually, we really, honestly, actually, believe that measly us, can, or rather, might have a slight chance, of defeating you, a great Maou, who is, at the same time, a great Daimaou, who is Maou, Asmodeus. In other words, you, Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus-dono. And this is after we thought again, Asmodeus-dono. What do we think the chances of us winning against you are? Hmm... Let's see... Probably something close to 0%, but still isn't 0%? I'm not really sure. What do we think th chances of you being capable of making one of us retire are? Hmm... Let's see... Something about 100%, probably. But, it might be also, even less than 100%, and it might be less than 90%, even though probably not, but still, it might be so."

After hearing what Shin Takami, who is top 2 among them, said, I couldn't help making a wry smile, with laughing a bit. I thought it might be some kind of joke, so I asked him whether or not is it a joke, and when he told me [No! this is not a joke at all! I am, really, very serious here! Thus, I would like you to tkae things a bit more seriously, just as well, Asmodeus-dono!]. I mean, this is just way too hilarious! I asked him, once again, and I got the same answer, once again...! He is such a joker. Then, I stopped laughing, because, still, it is Rating Game, and the one over the championship, at top of that, so I decided to take things a bit more seriously from now, and it was not, definitely not because of what that Shin Takami brat said, but because it's still is a Rating Game, over its championship, so being a bit more serious here isn't necessarily a bad thing. I then asked him whether or not is he sure about what he said:

"Hey, you, that Shin Takami brat who goes all full of himself, thinking that being ranked as top 7 Pawn is actually amazing, and thinking that being ranked as top 3 Pawn of Diehauser's Pawns is actually amazing, and thinking that being ranked as top 2 of the Pawns who are currently attacking me is amazing, let me tell you, brat, you do not even stand a chance against me, and not the least! Heed my words, you brat! Are you sure about what you said!? Are you really sure that you might stand a slight chance against me!? Are you really sure that the chances of me being capable of making one of you retire, right now, might be lower, might be less, than 100%!? Are you really sure that the chances of me being capable of making one of you retire, right now, might be lower, might be less, than even 90%, even though it's probably not, but it still might be so!? Are you really sure!?"

Shin Takami, who is top 2 among them, became horrified, seeing me, because he knew what might happen if he won't get it right, because he knows what might happen if he answers not as Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus sees as fit. Yes, that's right. He knows that if he says what Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus doesn't want to hear, he knows that if he answers not as Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus sees as a fitting answer, he might be the one who will be killed "right now". He knows that they might lose because of his answer, he knows that he mustn't annoy Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus, he knows that he mustn't make him, make Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus, angry, because that will be the cause of their loss. But, even with that being said, he couldn't allow himself to lick up to Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus, "just so we won't lose", so he said what he really thinks, even if that will make Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus angry, even if because of that, Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus will make him retire:

"Yes. I am pretty much sure of that, even if it is you, the great Maou, Asmodeus, who is, at the same time, the great Daimaou, Asmodeus, even if it is you, Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus-dono, your strenth is not absolute, meaning even the chances of us winning against you aren't an absolute 0%! Meaning that even the chances of you being capable fo making one of us retire, right now, aren't an absolute 100%! Meaning we might have, actually, a chance, even if a slight one, of winning you! Also meaning, that even the chances of you being capable of meking one of us retire, right now, might be lower, might be less, than 100%! Meaning that even the chances of you being capable of making one of us retire, right now, migh be lower, might be less, than even 90%!!!"

Hearing that, I, Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus, or shortly calling me, Asmodeus, according to me being the Maou, Asmodeus, who is, at the same time, the great Daimaou, Asmodeus, none other than Ahrle Gahkryl'Laremahre McJail Safcron Asmodeus, but still, I am Asmodeus, so shortly, you can call me Asmodeus, as I call myself so. Anyway, back to the topic. Hearing what that Shin Takami brat said, I got really irritated. And also, with that being said, because of that, I mustered a lot of magic power, or precisely, demonic power, and used one of the Hyoudou Clan's techniques. Not, it is not that technique you think about. It is not Pressure. It is other technique of the Hyoudou Clan, which is similar to Bael Clan's techbique, named Power of Destruction. You can already have the image in your mind. The techbique that I used is... Power of Annihilation!!! I then screamed its name while using, or rather, while unleashing, that tecnique, while unleashing, Power of Annihilation:

"Ohhh………!!!!!!!!! Power………!!!!!!!!! of………!!!!!!!!! Annihilation………!!!!!!!!!"

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!!!

In fear of that really, very, really overpowered attack, or rather, technique, not only Shin Takami, but all of the seven Pawns, ran away. But, because that attack was directed at the direction of Shin Takami, Asmodeus changed the attack's direction to the direction that Shin Takami is running at. But, enough to Asmodeus' dismay, all of the seven Pawns cast defensive magics, or rather, created barriers. But, those barriers were really strong. Passing through the first barrier, the attack's power didn't really decrease that much. Maybe by 5% for the most. Then, passing through the second barrier, the same. Meaning, it didn't decrease Asmodeus' attack that much, as well. Maybe by 5% for the most. And then, passing through the third barrier, and the same happened. And then, passing through the fourth barrier, the same happened, once again. And then, passing the fifth barrier, and the same happened, once yet again. And then, passing through the sixth barrier, and the same happned, even then. And then, it finally passed through the seventh barrier, and the same happened.

But, then, Shin Takami, who is the one who is targeted, created further stronger, at least 3 times, stronger barrier. And then, much to Shin Takami's dismay, Asmodeus' attack still did manage to pass through it. But, at the same time, much to Asmodeus' dismay, this time, Asmodeus' attack's power has been decreased further by 15%! Meaning Asmodeus' attack's power has been reduced to half of its actual power. Or in other words, the eight barriers that has been created, together, decreased Asmodeus' attack's power by 50%! Do the math. The first seven barriers have decreased Asmodeus' attack's power by 5% each, and the last, the eighth barrier, has decreased Asmodeus' attack's power further by 15%. So, it's 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 +15, which equals 10 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 15, which equals 15 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 15, which equals 20 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 15, whic equals 25 + 5 + 5 + 15, which equals 30 + 5 + 15, which equals 35 + 15, which equals 50. And back to the topic, still, even after being reduced to half, even after being decreased by 50%, Asmodeus' attack still did serious damage to Shin Takami. One of his eyes was destroyed, one of his arms' half has been destroyed, and one of his legs was destroyed, just like that. Then, in response for Asmodeus' harsh attack, Shin Takami said to Asmodeus:

"Aren't you a bit too much serious here...? Hahaha...! Seems like this fight is going to be an actually fun one!"

Part 2

A lot has happened. I said that I will make one of them retire, right now, but… Damn it! He managed surviving my attack…! Just who the hell is he!? Just how the heck did he manage and pulled this off!? I'll show him…!!! I then told Shin Takami:

"Oi, brat. Think you're going to stay here? Think you're going to stall me? Think again! I'll shut you, this time, for sure, so be sure to be prepared! Oh… I forgot you are exhausted from that attack, and all the things it made you do… But, falter not! You are going to retire right now!"

Hearing this, the [Pawn]'s that were sent against me got frightened furthermore. Well, I can't blame them. They just saw a powerful attack, and that was even though I held back, and now I just told them that I'll do it for real… They are to be frightened. Actually, if they weren't to be frightened from that, that would be weird. Much more than being frightened from what I said. I then said:

"Well… You brats… Got any last words? Well, it isn't as if I'm going to make you all retire right now. I mean, this Rating Game needs some entertainment, it needs to be interesting! Thus, I won't make you retire right away, and let you struggle a bit. But, I will make you retire, at the end, and then I won't have the time to listen to your last words, before retiring, so…"

They all got even much more frightened than they already were. But, right then, there was one, who said words of courage, words of cheering. That one was no less than Shin Takami. He told them not to fear me. Although, he was afraid of me himself. But, his fear was that I might be as strong as his master, Belial, or even more, meaning that I am to pose problem, problems, hardship, and hardships, to Belial, and Shin Takami feared that, because if I'll manage to pass through them, the chances of me winning are almost clear 100%, meaning, in other words, if I pass through them, I win. Shin Takami really feared that. Then, he, Shin Takami, with the rest of the [Pawn]'s that stood near him, or rather, with him, said:

"No, thanks!"

Seemingly, they rejected my offer. So, they declined my kind offer, in the end… Loyalty sure is convenient, in a lot of meanings. After that, I checked their determination, in one way or another, and the result was this: Their loyalty is not to be broken, their loyalty will stand strong, above all else, or at least so it seems. I then asked Shin Takami whether or not is he ready for yet another very much powerful attack, one that much powerful, enough so Shin Takami is sure for not surviving this attack, regardless of Shin Takami's dodging, or blocking, or whatever it will be, method. Shin Takami's answer was [Be sure I'm much more than ready…!], and so, answering with power, to Shin Takami's response, I gathered again, a lot of power, saying:

"Ohhh………!!!!!!!!! Power………!!!!!!!!! Of—………!!!!!!!!!" and was cut, and also, just as that, I, was cut, by my own self, nonetheless.

It… My attack being cut, by myself, was rather disturbing. Because all of those [Pawn]'s knew that there isn't anything able, nor even at least as much as capable, of stopping one such as me, or rather, stopping me. And, atop of that, why would I stop myself, at the middle of casting [Power of Annihilation]!? But, well, there is a very good reason for that, surprisingly enough. Can you guess what the reason is? You can't? Hmm… What can I do? I guess I'll tell you right now why I have stopped! I have stopped myself from casting [Power of Annihilation], because I am, going to, do, something, much more powerful than something like casting something like [Power of Annihilation]. Yes, that's right. I am going to use Sword! And I'm going to use… Can you guess…??? That's right…!!! I, am, going, to, use… [Breakdown]…!!! That's right, that is, freaking, right…!!! I then told them, the [Pawn]'s, the miserable [Pawn]'s, that were up against me for now, to stop me from advancing towards Belial, their master, their [King].

O sword! O dear sword! Sacrifices are to be, made and given.

And thou, dear sword, annihilate and vaporize! Give my [Dream] its [Realize]!

And for thou, dear sword, I shall give the whole world!

And thou, dear sword, shall make me thy [Lord]!

{Sword Gear – Breakdown!!}

Ahrle then glowed, it wasn't very bright, and even rather frightening. His armor had the shape of a Tatami armor. His armor didn't have a helmet with it. Also, his gloves had a few thorns out of it, and thorns also came out of the part that covers his legs, just as well. His armor was a seemingly very light armor. But, although that, his armor was actually, surprisingly enough, very solid. His armor's color was a combination of very few colors. The armor's color was just the combination of the following colors: Dark blonde, dark grey, black, and white. Ahrle also held a sword with one of his hands. It was Sword's "main body", you could say that. That sword's shape was pretty much regular. It was very sharp. The sword, that is. That sword had the shape of a very long, sharp, sword. That sword had thorns out of all of the sword, all along. Although, there weren't any thorns out of its hilt. The sword's hilt was at the shape of a pretty much normal Katana. The hilt wasn't actually that much special. Also, that sword's color was the combination of the following colors: Light red, light blond, and white.

That sight, of Ahrle, with such an armor, with such a sword… That very sight on its own, that was already frightening enough to make all of the [Pawn]'s that were to fight against him tremble. Ahrle smiled, with sad eyes. Ahrle mumbled to himself something about Sword. His look, his look in his eyes, changed to a bit more serious look. Ahrle then told to all of the [Pawn]'s that were to fight against him and make him retire, or just so was their master, their [King]'s order. Ahrle told them that:

"Don't even think about getting close to me. Did you actually think that 7 [Queen]'s would equal to a [King] like me?! Huh?! Think again! And you, Shin Takami! You are going down right now! I'm going to make you retire right now! Don't you think that anything else will happen! Don't you think that anything else even might happen! Don't you think that measly you would be even capable of making me retire, not to talk about actually being able to! Got it?! But… I think that if you'll back down and will not try your best to fight against me… That would be boring at its own, so… I guess I will let you try to fight against me, as long as you won't, as long as you don't get ahead of yourself! The only one here that actually worth fighting me the least is no other than your master, your [King], Belial! So! Don't get ahead of yourselves, measly [Pawn]'s, pretending to be [Queen]'s! You are nothing but a sore sight!"

After all of that talk of Ahrle, all of the [Pawn]'s had to admit at least one thing: They will lose. But, even so, even though they will lose, even though they won't be able to actually do as their master, as their [King], Belial, ordered them, even though all that, they will still fight Ahrle and really try to make him retire, even if they know that they cannot accomplish that. Shin Takami then, right after all that speech of Ahrle, right then, he, Shin Takami, said to Ahrle:

"Well… [Pawn]'s are—" Shin Takami spat blood out of his mouth. Shin Takami took too much damage that he couldn't talk very well. "The [King]'s pieces—" Shin Takami spat blood out of his mouth once again. He can barely talk. Shin Takami tried once again to talk and continued, but didn't really do it that well. "That are to be… Sacrificed, in order—" Again, Shin Takami couldn't talk well. "To get a victory, in order… To win, so… We should—" And so, again, Shin Takami tried to talk, but couldn't do that very well. "Try, at least, do something, for… Our [King], as [Pawn]'s that are—" Once yet again, Shin Takami is forcing himself to say what he's trying to say. "Being sacrificed, so that our [King]… Would be able to win—" Once again, Shin Takami tried his best to say what he's trying to say, but he just can't get himself to do it, because Ahrle damaged him way too much. "Don't you think that—" And once yet again, Shin Takami tried, and tried, but couldn't talk. "Actually, if we will not do… Anything, that—" And so, once again, Shin Takami tried to talk, so that he would say what he wants, which is to encourage the other [Pawn]'s, probably. "Would be a sore sight?" Shin Takami finished what he wanted to say with that.

Ahrle had nothing to say. Ahrle thinks that actually, what they say, is true, so he had nothing to say. And also, he did say he wants them to try hard, so that they will at least be able to entertain him, so, if they are going to try their best to try and make him retire, Ahrle would be actually entertained, and so, Ahrle had nothing to say back at what Shin Takami said. But, still, he has to say something, right? So, then, Ahrle said, or rather, replied, to Shin Takami:

"Well then… Did you finish your last words?" Saying that, Ahrle pointed Sword at them. And Ahrle then continued and said: "Because, well… I am getting bored, and I want to wrap things up quickly, get back home. And well, you know, I can't stay here, bored, forever. So… With that said, I'm going to get through all of you, one-one, and then just finish this rather boring [Game]."

Once Ahrle finished talking, he went at them. Ahrle walked very slowly, so that the [Pawn]'s will at least manage to run from him, so that there will be a minimum of effort in what he's doing. Because Ahrle doesn't really like to do things easily. After all, he has immense power, he can do whatever he wants. So, just doing things, easily, while he can skip it if he wants, annoys him, because he doesn't want to get bored. Ahrle then said:

"Okay~ So… Are you ready…?" Ahrle said that with a devilish voice, and made a grin. "Because I am going to start [Annihilating] you [Pawn]'s, so…" Ahrle swung Sword. "Well then…" Ahrle made a grin and had a devilish look on his eyes. "Ready or not," Ahrle clenched his fist, "here I come…!" Ahrle hit the ground, and made it split to pieces, and then he could see the seven [Pawn]'s that he "searched" for. Shin Takami said then:

"Falter…" He still, could, barely, speak. "Not…" Shin Takami is trying to say this as he is trying to crawl the ground, because he already cannot possibly walk, not to mention running. "Leave me and g—" Shin Takami finally could not talk already. Shin Takami only barely managed to just continue saying "go" as he couldn't complete this, "—…o…—" Shin Takami finally really could not speak anymore. Shin Takami tried to crawl and crawled towards Ahrle, probably intending to explode on him or something like that. Ahrle then said:

"How unsightly." Ahrle held Sword, ready for making Shin Takami retire. "Well… At least you did manage to survive a half of my attack," Ahrle swung Sword and continued, "and that's commendable." Ahrle landed the finishing blow, and used Basic Slash, saying to Sword. "Hey, Sword, well… You know what to do." And then continued and said. "Sword, Basic Slash."

{Understood, Hyoudou-kun.}

{Basic Slash.}

Shin Takami then, just before he really, once and for all, retired, he said:

"J—" Shin Takami tried very hard, even spat blood out of his mouth, and continued, "—…ust you—" Shin Takami tried even harder, despite the fact that he's all bleeding, every inch and inch of his body, but still, Shin Takami tried his best, and continued. "—…Wait—" Shin Takami's bleeding worsened furthermore. Shin Takami continued. "—…Master Belial is… Much stronger… Than you think—" Shin Takami's state worsened furthermore, but Shin Takami still tried his best and continued. "—…So much that… Even you don't stand the least—" Shin Takami still bled, but Shin Takami tried his best, nonetheless, and continued. "—…Of a chance… Against him—" Even though Shin Takami finished talking, it still sounded as if he got cut in the middle, because Shin Takami could barely even talk, so saying all of that was much beyond his limits. Then the Basic Slash cut through Shin Takami, and then, there was the announcement, that Belial's one [Pawn], namely Shin Takami, has retired:

{Belial-sama's one [Pawn], Shin Takami, retired!!}

Life 3: Frightening Ahrle; From Six To Zero!!

Part 1

"J—" Shin Takami tried very hard, even spat blood out of his mouth, and continued, "—…ust you—" Shin Takami tried even harder, despite the fact that he's all bleeding, every inch and inch of his body, but still, Shin Takami tried his best, and continued. "—…Wait—" Shin Takami's bleeding worsened furthermore. Shin Takami continued. "—…Master Belial is… Much stronger… Than you think—" Shin Takami's state worsened furthermore, but Shin Takami still tried his best and continued. "—…So much that… Even you don't stand the least—" Shin Takami still bled, but Shin Takami tried his best, nonetheless, and continued. "—…Of a chance… Against him—" Even though Shin Takami finished talking, it still sounded as if he got cut in the middle, because Shin Takami could barely even talk, so saying all of that was much beyond his limits. Then the Basic Slash cut through Shin Takami, and then, there was the announcement, that Belial's one [Pawn], namely Shin Takami, has retired:

{Belial-sama's one [Pawn], Shin Takami, retired!!}

Ahrle then made a grin and had especially, very, very, devilish look on his eyes. "We'll see" Ahrle wiped his smile and clenched his fist, "who's stronger." Ahrle made a grin again and had a laugh over what Shin Takami said. "Just you wait??" Ahrle mumbled to himself, making an evil laughter. "Master Belial is stronger than you think??" Ahrle made a devilish face. "So much that even I won't stand the least chance against him, you say!?" Ahrle hit the ground. "Fine, then." Ahrle had an evil look on his eyes, and made a grin. "I'll show you who doesn't stand a chance against who."

Ahrle then walked in the mountain, searching for the other six [Pawn]'s.

"Huh?" Ahrle saw something weird, outstanding, out of nowhere, which might be something important. "What is this??" Ahrle made a weird face, and tried to understand what it is. "Well," Ahrle started walking towards it, a bit by a bit, and made a grin, "I guess I'll have to see it from zero range to know what it is." Ahrle had a devilish look on his eyes, a look of a predator that sees his prey.

"What!?" Ahrle heard a voice coming from the direction that he's walking towards. "It cannot be…!" Ahrle heard another time the same voice. "How did he find me so quickly!?" Ahrle took Sword, and hurried and made a grin. Reaching to his thought-to-be a good destination, Ahrle had a surprised look on his eyes and said:

"Ahh…" Ahrle had a disappointed look. "What a disappointment…" Ahrle put down Sword. "And here I thought that I'll find Belial…" Ahrle made a bored face. "And here I find Belial's weakest [Pawn], Harry Livan, instead…" Ahrle made a weird face. "Ahhh… Forget it." Ahrle took Sword. Ahrle pointed Sword at Harry Livan. "Are you going to fight me, or not?" Harry Livan, who was the weakest [Pawn], was very afraid. Harry Livan answered:

"W-Well…" Harry Livan was very, very, afraid. And that was, maybe, because Harry Livan knew that he couldn't stand the least of a chance against Ahrle. "I-I'll d-d-do a-a-a-anything f-f-f-for Master B-Be-Be-Belial…!" Ahrle was surprised just a bit and said [Ohh…]. Ahrle then told Harry Livan something, and that something was true, much to Harry Livan's dismay, and that was:

"You'd better regroup with some other [Pawn]'s, before I make you retire, if you want to do actually something for Belial, right here and now, you know." Ahrle continued. "Well… Since you are Belial weakest [Pawn], it would be boring, fighting against you, one-on-one, so… I'll give you time to regroup with some other [Pawn]'s." Harry Livan couldn't help smiling, as if he was saved from death and was about to thank his saver— But, Ahrle continued and said one more thing. "Although that, don't you think to yourself that I'll give you the whole time in the world. Because that'll be even more boring. So I think I'll just count to 20, or something, before I come at you, ready or not. So… Yeah. You'd better—" Before Ahrle could finish talking, Harry Livan was already out of his sight. Ahrle continued what he was cut at the middle of saying, "—…get going already…" Seeing that, Ahrle made a grin. "20," Ahrle started counting. "19…"

"18, 17, 16…" Ahrle still counted, while Harry Livan saw some [Pawn] and asked him. Much to Harry Livan's dismay, he was none other than Maya Abbadon, who is the weakest [Pawn], just before him, meaning they won't stand the least of a chance. "15, 14, 13…" Ahrle still counted. Although, Harry Livan smiled a bit, because now they can do a little thing for their master, Belial. "12, 11, 10…" Ahrle keeps his word. Maya Abbadon smiled, as well, because, she, too, was alone, and she feared only from one thing. It was that she would happen to clash Ahrle, all by herself, which wasn't all that impossible. So, having another one by her side relived her very much, even if that another one was the weakest [Pawn]. They then said [Let's do it!!] and smiled at each other, clenching their fists. "9, 8, 7…" Ahrle still counted, waiting to Harry Livan coming with some other [Pawn]. They walked towards Ahrle, a bit confident.

"6, 5, 4…" Ahrle still didn't finish counting, and they already were there. "Seems better than nothing." Ahrle laughed a bit and made a grin. "So… Are you ready and good to go? Or is it that you guys came to me yet to be ready??" Ahrle continued. "You know, you got three more seconds." Ahrle said, laughing. Although, Harry Livan, together with Maya Abbadon, said in response to what Ahrle told to them [No, thanks. We are more than ready and resolved to fight against you, Asmodeus-dono!! Even if we know that we'll lose to you, for sure.], clenching their fists once again. Ahrle made a grin and couldn't help laughing at that wishy-washy behavior, because they just act too much foolishly. But, that exactly what he expected.

Both Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon was very afraid of Ahrle, but that is exactly why they wanted to exhaust him, even if it is as much as nothing, only so that their master, their [King], Belial, wouldn't have a hard time fighting against Ahrle. But why Belial? Because they knew, that Ahrle will pass through all of Belial's servants. But, still, even so, they wanted to do their best, so that they'll know, once the Rating Game ends, that they did contribute in the battle, that they actually did something for their master, for their [King], Belial, and didn't just get in the servants' way.

Right then, both Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon cast a powerful offensive magic. It was three times Ahrle's size. But— Ahrle just laughed at it, and cut it with Sword. Ahrle replied to them, with a belittling tone:

"Is that all?? Can't you do something better?? Can't you cast a more powerful offensive magic? Maybe one that will… I don't know… Just... Something better, can’t you??" Ahrle held Sword on his shoulder, as if they cannot do anything, so he doesn't care the least what they'll try to do to him. "Well… If you keep this up like that… I'll end up just wiping you two up without even trying, and that won't feel that much good, both for you and me, and especially for you, so…" Ahrle held Sword a bit more seriously, even though he held it as if he takes lightly, both Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon. "Try a "little bit" more than that," Ahrle made a grin and advanced towards them, "okay?" Ahrle was just about swinging Sword against Harry Livan, but stopped himself. Ahrle then went back. "Okay? Good? So now, let's try that again." Ahrle talked as if he is training them or something, but that was just how much Ahrle belittled, both Harry Livan, who is Belial's weakest [Pawn], and also, just as well, Maya Abbadon, who is Belial's weakest [Pawn], just one above Harry Livan, "1," Ahrle got into position, although he didn't really get into that much of a position for fighting, "2," Ahrle stepped forward with one feet and held Sword once again, "3," Ahrle prepared himself to fight Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon a bit more seriously, "go!!" Ahrle ran towards Harry Livan.

Harry Livan clenched his fist, and Maya Abbadon tried to cast an offensive magic, but much more powerful one than before. While, on the other hand, Harry Livan, just clenched his fist, and got into position of counter-attacking Ahrle. WHAT THE HECK!? WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS!? COUNTER-ATTACKING AHRLE!? One thing for sure, he is crazy. Harry Livan made a grin. Ahrle understood what Harry Livan was trying to do, and made a grin, and laughed. Seeing this, Maya Abbadon, out of fear that Ahrle will beat Harry Livan to a pulp, created barrier, to protect Harry Livan, in addition to the offensive magic, which was directed at Ahrle. Seeing this, Ahrle made an amused look [This is going to be fun!!].

The offensive magic that Maya Abbadon cast got close to Ahrle. Ahrle made a grin. Instead of dodging the attack, or blocking the attack, or using Sword to just return this attack back to nothing, Ahrle just smiled at this, and…

"What!? How is this possible!?" Maya Abbadon, over-surprised by what she saw, said that. What did she see exactly? It was Ahrle going past through her attack with just a fist!! "What trick did he use!?" Maya Abbadon mumbled to herself.

BOOM!!

"WHAT THE HECK!?" Maya Abbadon screamed in surprise. Not only did Ahrle got past through her attack with just a fist, but he also got past through her barrier, with his fist alone!! And atop of that, not only that happened, but Ahrle also blocked Harry Livan's two fists, which Ahrle predicted, with only one hand, in an amazing speed! And Ahrle also blew Harry Livan off, with the same fist, which with he got past through Maya Abbadon's barrier!! And Ahrle did all this with ease, and belittled them [This is all you two can do, together, combining forces!? I'm deeply disappointed!!], saying that what they did together, combining forces, was just like a little kid's play!!

"Don't waste my time! If this is all that you two can do, together, then I'll just go ahead and make you two retire. Don't make me do things I don't want to! I want this fight to be fair, so I hold back as much as I can, but I have limits to just how much I can hold back, holding Sword!!"

Ahrle was really pissed off. But, both, Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon were much more pissed off, but they couldn't just show this, because they were too much afraid, too. Harry Livan then told to Maya Abbadon [Should we do this?]. Maya Abbadon, in response to what Harry Livan told her, answered [Well… I really don't want to use this, but against someone like Asmodeus-dono… I guess we have no other choice but this, if we want to actually do something…]. And then, both, Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon mustered all the demonic power they can. Then, Harry Livan tried to use his Touki to its utmost. And, Maya Abbadon tried to cast the most powerful offensive magic she could possibly ever cast.

GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!

And then, Harry Livan ran, rushing, towards Ahrle, intending to try do something, not matter how much small it will be, with all of his power.

"—!"

Both, Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon, were surprised. Their utmost powers combination… Did not manage to do anything to Ahrle at all!!

"Tsk…!!" Ahrle bit his tongue. "Is that you UTMOST POWERS COMBINATION!? Is this is all you can do!?" Ahrle shouted with a great disappointment. "I should have gotten rid of you two weaklings earlier…!" Ahrle said, belittling Harry Livan, his utmost power, Maya Abbadon, her utmost power, and also Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon's utmost powers combination. "This is problem…" Ahrle said. "What should I do?" Ahrle said with a sarcastic tone. "Well…" Ahrle held Sword. "I guess I should just wrap things up…" Ahrle turned to Harry Livan, who tried to hit him from back, while Maya Abbadon attacked him from the front, although, Ahrle blocked Harry Livan's attack with merely a finger!! "Right…?" Ahrle made a grin, and an evil look on his eyes. Ahrle turned to Harry Livan very dramatically and in a very scary way.

"H-How s-should I… How should I kno-know…!?" Harry Livan tried to keep his calm. After all, his hand is twisted. That's right, when Ahrle turned to Harry Livan, he twisted Harry Livan's hand, with only his finger alone!! "L-Leave—" Harry Livan was so afraid that he almost couldn't speak well. "Ah… Ah…" Harry Livan tried to refresh himself. "Leave me alone!!" Then, in response to what Harry Livan is telling to him, Ahrle answered to Harry Livan:

"Well then…" Ahrle swung Sword, and made a grin. "Let's get down to business!!" Ahrle then told to Sword to finish them off for sure. "Sword, Godly Slashes."

{Understood, Hyoudou-kun.}

{Godly Slashes!!}

Then, both, Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon, just disappeared, quickly. And then, of course, the announcement of Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon retiring was:

{Belial-sama's two [Pawn]'s, Harry Livan, and, Maya Abbadon, retired!!}

Part 2

"Well then…" Ahrle swung Sword, and made a grin. "Let's get down to business!!" Ahrle then told to Sword to finish them off for sure. "Sword, Godly Slashes."

{Understood, Hyoudou-kun.}

{Godly Slashes!!}

Then, both, Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon, just disappeared, quickly. And then, of course, the announcement of Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon retiring was:

{Belial-sama's two [Pawn]'s, Harry Livan, and, Maya Abbadon, retired!!}

Of course, that wasn't surprising. Not even one bit. But, still, Ahrle sure is amazing. Then, all the crowd went "A-s-m-o-d-e-u-s-!-!-!-!-!-!" as they saw his great win, which in it seemed as if both, Harry Livan and Maya Abbadon, were, right from the start, in Ahrle's mercy. How? Only the fact that they didn't retire right away, that fact alone, proves that.

Then, Ahrle continued farther in his "search for more [Pawn]'s". And, right then—!

"Let's ambush him…!!" Some voices were, that said something like that. "This way, we might… No, we will have an advantage," some weird figures, covered in shadows, made a grin, "even against Asmodeus-dono!!" Ahrle noticed Shinji Toudou, alongside Eli Phoenix, planning to ambush him, thinking that it will give them an advantage, even if it is against Ahrle.

Ahrle made a grin.

"Let's see how this advantage will work for your good…" Ahrle made a devilish look on his eyes. "Or rather…" Ahrle swung Sword, slowly. "Who will ambush who…??" Ahrle swung Sword, and just cut everything behind him. Then, those two [Pawn]'s, Shinji Toudou and Eli Phoenix, who were planning, up until moment ago, on ambushing Ahrle, saw Ahrle, who had a very devilish look. Seeing this, they were so frightened, that they just ran away, hoping to escape from him.

"H-e-l-l-o there~" Ahrle made a devilish smile. "What was that about?" Ahrle rushed towards them so fast, that it seemed as if he just appeared next to them. "Ambushing me, perhaps…?" Ahrle swung Sword as if he intends to kill them, but smiled, and let them run away. "Sword…" Ahrle pointed Sword at them. "Baki!!"

{Understood.}

{Baki!!}

Then, two swords appeared right next to them. Those two swords were similar to Sword, but somehow different from it. One of the swords, the right one, is colored just green, blue, and white. The other sword, the left one, is colored just grey, red, and black. Both of the swords' appearance was that of a Katana.

There is, although, a difference between them. It is their shape. The first sword, the right one's shape is rather a thorn-less sword. It is about 1 and a half meter long. Its hilt is very weird. The second sword, the left one's shape is a rather very long sword, with a lot of thorns out of it. It is about 4 meter long. Its hilt was rather large, or even huge, hilt. Despite the fact that there are a lot of thorns out of the sword, the hilt doesn't have any thorn out of it.

There was someone who held those two swords. It wasn't Ahrle. It was Sword. Sword's appearance right then was that of a handsome man, who seemed to be on his mid-twenties. He was tall, about 195 centimeters. And he was white-skinned, too. His hair was long, silver-colored, hair. "That handsome mid-twenties man" looked at them, and smiled at them. He greeted them [Hello there.] while he smiled at them.

"Are you going to save us??" They smiled, seeing Sword's "human appearance" holding two swords, and thought to themselves, that he was going to fight Ahrle, and save them. But… They were wrong. That was the exact opposite. Sword came to make them retire, as Ahrle ordered him to.

"I don't think so…" Sword swung one of the two swords he held. He almost killed them, but he let them dodge. Because of that, it ended only with Shinji Toudou getting scratched. "Well… Rather than that…" Sword caught Eli Phoenix with a third hand that appeared from his right side of his back. "I think that I'm here to kill you two…" Sword started choking Shinji Toudou with a fourth hand, which came out of his left leg!!

"Ts…k…!" Eli Phoenix was frustrated that she couldn't do anything, while Shinji Toudou is being choked to death. "This isn't for real…" Eli Phoenix couldn't face reality, and started denying what is happening at the moment, telling to herself that this all isn't real, it's all a bad dream, and such. "Don't make me laugh…" Eli Phoenix started crying, trying to get away from Sword. "Don't think you'll get away with this!!" Eli Phoenix tried to make Sword hesitate a bit, telling him that he might die if he will continue doing this.

In response, Sword laughed at her.

"This sure is funny." Sword pointed his right sword at her. "Do you have a death wish or is it that you have something of the sort?" Sword brought his right sword nearer to her throat. She bled a little bit, because the sword scratched her throat a bit. "Don't fuck with me. Got it!?" Sword, surprisingly enough, despite his normal elegant, loyal, behavior, acted rather like some kind of psychopath. Eli Phoenix didn't answer, because she feared from death. Sword took it very irritating. "Huh!? Got it!?" Eli Phoenix still didn't answer. Sword got irritated even more. "Oi! Don't ignore me!" Sword shook Eli Phoenix out of anger. Eli Phoenix made a face of one who is begging for his life to someone who is about to kill that one.

"Ohhh!!" Shinji Toudou shouted, as he managed to get free, somehow, from Sword. "Now you will pay for this!" Shinji Toudou, as he said it, took his sword. His sword wasn't anything special. Its appearance was that of a normal sword, nothing more than that. Not any special coloring, nor any special shape, or anything other than that. Shinji Toudou swung his sword, and said. "Don't think you're the only swordsman here…!"

"You lowlife!" Sword got angered by seeing someone managing to do as Sword doesn't will. "Even though you are just nothing more than small fries…!" Sword got himself to calm down. Sword then made a grin, while having a very mischievous, devilish, look, on his eyes, and said. "I know…" Sword said that as he swung his left sword. "How about this…?"

"…? How about what, exactly??"

Shinji Toudou was very puzzled.

"It's really simple, actually." Sword answered him, while still not wiping that "smile" off from his face. "I'll let Eli Phoenix away, so that she will be able to manage grouping with the three other remaining [Pawn]'s, and you, Shinji Toudou, will stay here to entertain me." Sword, while saying that, slowly softened his grip on Eli Phoenix. "So…" Sword pointed both, his left sword and his right sword, at Shinji Toudou. "How's that??"

"Kuh…!!" Shinji Toudou was very desperate. He'll do anything in order to give Belial a victory. But… That is just too much. "Don't underestimate us…" Shinji Toudou said it to himself, quietly.

"Well…" Sword made a disappointed look. "This just doesn't seem to go anywhere, so, well, you know…" Sword hardened his grip on Eli Phoenix a little bit.

Shinji Toudou tried to convince Sword that he might agree, asking Sword to give him just a little bit more time.

"And…" A little bit awhile passed since Shinji Toudou started thinking about his answer to the very frightening Sword. "Well…," Sword hardened his grip on Eli Phoenix, and his grip on her throat, a little bit. She made a noise that signed she really started having no oxygen to breathe anymore, "your answer is…?" Sword wiped his smile, and had an annoyed look as he said this.

"Tsk…!!" Shinji Toudou was very nervous. "You got a point in what you say, despite your damn psychopathic behavior, Sword." As he said it, Shinji Toudou looked down, with a sad look on his face. He acted as if he is some sort of a sore sight.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha..."

Shinji Toudou laughed a bit.

"This sure is funny." Shinji Toudou lost it. Or so it seemed… He had a very psychopathic-looking look on his face. He looked calm once again.

"Kuh—!!"

Sword hardened his grip on both, Eli Phoenix and on Eli Phoenix's throat, much more than he did before. Eli Phoenix is very near to her limit. It's just a matter of time until she'll run out of oxygen to breathe and maintain herself, and that will happen, soon enough, as long as he, as long as Shinji Toudou, will stay in his dilemma and won't decide what to do.

"Wai—!"

Shinji Toudou let out a voice. It surprised him way too much. He just couldn't possibly expect this to happen. Sword is getting more and more annoyed. The longer Shinji Toudou takes to decide, the more Sword is getting annoyed of him, and the more Sword getting in the mood of finishing both, Shinji Toudou and Eli Phoenix.

"Don't make me waste my time." Sword said that with a very serious, annoyed look on his face and continued and said. "Your answer?" He pointed his right sword at Eli Phoenix, or rather, at Eli Phoenix's throat, hinting to Shinji Toudou to make a decision, and quickly, because Sword doesn't really like to wait unnecessarily. "Yes, or no?" Sword looked at Shinji Toudou, with a very cold look on his eyes, as he still pointed his right sword at Eli Phoenix's throat.

Shinji Toudou took his sword, got into position to fight.

"Ohh…?" Sword looked surprised a bit. "So, in the end, your answer is [No]?" Sword made a grin and advanced his right sword towards Eli Phoenix's throat. "Is that so…? Really…?" Sword then laughed as if he was a psychopath, or someone who just lost it, or, in other words, Sword laughed as if he was a lost cause.

Shinji Toudou then put down his sword.

"Tsk! My answer is [Yes]. I admit defeat." Shinji Toudou looked down, sorrowfully. "Kuh!!" Shinji Toudou got filled with frustration. "Now, let Eli-chan go! It will be a fight between you and me, alone!!" Shinji Toudou said it with a serious look.

"Kuh…"

Sword let go of Eli Phoenix, including Eli Phoenix's throat, and because of that, she let out a voice, as she started breathing so suddenly.

Shinji Toudou took his sword again, and once again, got into position, ready to fight. Seeing that, Sword couldn't help himself laughing. It was just too funny for Sword to see it. Although, Shinji Toudou couldn't even hope to understand what Sword is thinking about, let alone know what Sword laughs over.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!" Sword couldn't stop laughing. "Ha…ha…ha…ha" Sword calmed down, a bit by a bit, slowly. "Ha…ha…" Sword calmed down. "You sure make me laugh." Sword let out a little bit of a laugh, and pointed his left sword at Shinji Toudou, while still not being able to wipe that devilish smile off his face. "Don't you think so, too?"

"Ha-ha…" Shinji Toudou just laughed a little bit. "Yeah. Sure." Shinji Toudou calmed down. Or so it seemed… "It's just like you say." Shinji Toudou laughed a bit like a psychopath. "Isn't it…?" Shinji Toudou pointed his sword at Sword.

Sword laughed at it. Sword said only one thing to comment on what Shinji Toudou told to him:

"Sure yeah…"

Sword then pointed his sword at Shinji Toudou, and got into position to fight him, and just like that, beat Shinji Toudou, to pulp. Sword laughed a bit.

"So…" Shinji Toudou looked once again a bit more serious. "Here," Shinji Toudou stepped one step forward, while being really flashy, with one leg, "I," Shinji Toudou made a grin, "come…!!" Shinji Toudou ran straight towards Sword, thinking that he can actually do something, all by himself, alone, to the mighty Sword, who knows no boundaries.

"That's a very smart decision, actually." Sword made a grin, and laughed a bit at Shinji Toudou, who thought he stood the least of a chance against Sword. Sword suddenly continued what he stopped saying just a moment ago. "Yet horribly foolish one." Sword walked slowly towards Shinji Toudou, who is currently running towards Sword.

"Hehe…!" Shinji Toudou made then a grin, and made a mischievous, devilish, smile, and look, on his mouth, eyes, and all of his face. Shinji Toudou thought everything went according to his plan, smoothly. "Take this!!" Shinji Toudou shouted this as he reached to Sword.

"Like I said…" Sword had a rather disappointed look on his face. "You made a rather foolish decision," Sword said this as he held the sword that Shinji Toudou wielded, "you youth, young boy, Shinji Toudou." Sword pressured that sword which Shinji Toudou wielded, and it started slowly cracking. "You are just thousand years too early to simply defeat this me, young man, Shinji Toudou." As sword said that, the sword which Shinji Toudou wielded simply came back to what it was before, in other words, became nothing, and in instants, atop of it!!

"Kuh…!!" Shinji Toudou took few steps back. "You…" Shinji Toudou gulped. "You… Monster!!" Shinji Toudou screamed, with a tremendous fear holding him.

Sword just laughed and continued, moving forward, towards Shinji Toudou.

"Go away, you monster!!" Shinji Toudou couldn't keep his calm any longer. "I said…" Shinji Toudou tried and looked around if there's anything that he could equip, as some kind of some weapon, perhaps. "Go! Away!! You!!! Monster!!!!!!" Shinji Toudou didn't find any kind of any kind of thing that he could make a weapon of, and was simply just afraid.

"Don't worry." Sword laughed like some psychopath. "Because I'll get it done soon." Sword is a lost cause, no matter how you'll look at him.

Sword laughed and made a grin. That of a lost cause psychopath, that is.

"Good night, Shinji Toudou."

Sword just laughed as he stabbed Shinji Toudou. Of course, right after that, there was then the announcement regard Shinji Toudou's retirement.

{Belial-sama's one [Pawn], Shinji Toudou, retired!!}

Part 3

{Belial-sama's one [Pawn], Shinji Toudou, retired!!}

Sword made a grin.

"I won. I won. I won. I won. I won. I won. I won. I won. I won. I won." Sword chanted "I won" and he said that with a devilish, psychopath-like, look.

Then, on Ahrle's side.

"Sword, return."

{Tsk…}

"Sword," Ahrle said with angered look on his eyes, "r-e-t-u-r-n." Ahrle said it slowly, with really irritated, angered, face, or rather, look. "Got it??" Ahrle said this as he walked towards Sword's direction, intending to continue "hunting" the three remaining [Pawn]'s.

{Tsk…!}

{Understood, Hyoudou-kun…}

Then, Sword returned to the form of Ahrle's sword, as well as his armor, because Sword was in a state of Breakdown, meaning he is armor, as well as he is a sword.

"Well…" Ahrle started walking slowly towards the direction to which the [Pawn], Eli Phoenix, ran to, which was to group with the two remaining [Pawn]'s. "Then…" Ahrle made a grin, as he could see them blurrily.

Ahrle then ran in such a speed, that he couldn't be seen, maybe barely, but not any more than that. He ran towards the three remaining [Pawn]'s very fast. They probably, most likely, didn't anticipate that at all.

And, just then, on the three remaining [Pawn]'s side.

"Wha—!?" The three remaining [Pawn]'s said as they were surprised. "How— How can this happen??" The three remaining [Pawn]'s thought they are going to manage thinking on some kind of thing, at least, something that'll stall Ahrle a bit, but they were wrong.

"Hello there." Ahrle said that while he made a grin. "So…" Ahrle held Sword in position to fight. "Are you three ready...?" Ahrle said it while he pointed Sword at the direction of the three remaining [Pawn]'s. Right. They were Eli Phoenix, who ran to them, Lucy Maria, and the mysterious Adolf Weiss.

The three remaining [Pawn]'s didn't say anything, but they surely enough, definitely, reacted. They were horrified. Well… A part of their reaction was that they were so much horrified, that they couldn't even talk.

"Not that I really care…" Ahrle moved forward, slowly, towards the three remaining [Pawn]'s, Eli Phoenix, Lucy Maria, and Adolf Weiss. "Because, well…" Ahrle wiped the grin he had on his face off, quickly, and had seriously a very serious face. "I'm going to go a bit crazy today." As Ahrle said that, he ran so fast that it seemed as if he disappeared!!

"What the—!?" Adolf Weiss said in surprise. "How did you get behind me!?" Adolf Weiss was very horrified, that much that he couldn't help fearing Ahrle and thinking of him as if he was the thing that he, Adolf Weiss, fears the most of all. "Impossible!!" Adolf Weiss tried to deny the fact that Ahrle actually really did get behind him so fast that he didn't even notice any kind of thing. "This must be some kind of an illusion, isn't it!?" Adolf Weiss' breathe became very hard. He was horrified.

In Adolf Weiss' thoughts, Adolf Weiss thought to himself:

"How can I get this much horrified, in front of two other [Pawn]'s… We are all promoted, and also, even to [Queen], atop of that!! Just merely one [King]… Is nothing before three [Queen]'s, right? Isn't it? It is, right? I know, right? Aren't I right?"

Ahrle laughed, and said:

"Adolf Weiss, I can answer that question of yours, in case you are interested, you know."

Adolf Weiss became even further horrified. Adolf Weiss answered Ahrle's response:

"Asmodeus-dono…" Adolf Weiss moved, slowly, towards Ahrle's direction. "As I thought… Just as I thought," Adolf Weiss said this as he stopped suddenly, and continued further, and said, "I cannot possibly let you get close to our [King], our master, Belial!!" Adolf tried to get a cool, and not that of a horrified and horribly terrified, expression. It was to support the other two [Pawn]'s who couldn't help themselves being horrified more than they ever were.

"Well then…" Ahrle swung Sword with a devilish look on his eyes, as if he was about to kill all of them, slowly, a bit of sadistic look. "I don't give a fuck," Ahrle said it with rather cold, rather emotion-less, expression, "so…" Ahrle cut off Adolf Weiss' hand. "You'd better do something," Ahrle moved towards the two other [Pawn]'s, besides Adolf Weiss, Eli Phoenix, and, Lucy Maria, who hid behind Adolf Weiss, "or you'll end up just getting shit beat out of you," Ahrle said it and was already was very close to the two other [Pawn]'s, "got it??" Ahrle said that with a rather cold expression, as he pointed Sword at Eli Phoenix's direction, even though she was actually rather near to him, resulting in Sword even already touching Eli Phoenix.

"Kuh!!"

Eli Phoenix said that with frustration.

"Get…" Some voice, which said that, was. "Away…" That "some voice" got closer and closer to Ahrle. "From…" It was Adolf Weiss. Adolf Weiss said all of this as he ran with his spear. Adolf Weiss continued, and said. "Them!!" As Adolf Weiss said that, he tried to stab Ahrle with his spear.

His spear is as long as Omi no Yari and its head is that of a Jūmonji Yari. Its color is something like scarlet and purple. Adolf Weiss held it in both of his hands. The blade that Adolf Weiss holds is the legendary spear, Amenonuhoko.

"—!"

Ahrle turned around, to Adolf Weiss, just a moment before Amenonuhoko was in the range to hit Ahrle. And then—!

"Impossible…"

Adolf Weiss couldn't believe this. Ahrle just stopped, with ease, Adolf Weiss' spear, which is the legendary spear, Amenonuhoko!! And yet, Ahrle just stopped that legendary spear, with just his finger alone, as if it was nothing!!

"Don't be so surprised." Ahrle said with a smile on his face. "At least thank me that I didn't do something like making that Amenonuhoko spear of you return to nothing." Ahrle said it with annoyed tone, as if he did a favor for Adolf Weiss, just now.

"Tsk…" Adolf Weiss got filled with frustration. "Eli Phoenix," Adolf Weiss called Eli Phoenix, "Lucy Maria," Adolf Weiss called Lucy Maria, too, "let's combine forces and do something for our master, for our [King], Belial!!" Both Eli Phoenix and Lucy Maria agreed with Adolf Weiss [Yes, you are right.].

Ahrle walked back a bit, and then suddenly broke out with a laugh.

"This "being friendly" thing…" Ahrle had a smile, but sad eyes. "This sure is funny." Ahrle said that while pointing Sword at their direction. "To think that I need to actually waste my time on you plebs…" Ahrle looked on them, as if they were nothing.

"Don't look down on us!" Adolf Weiss said that with angered tone. "Even if you will get past through us, don't think that you'll be able to get anywhere far!!" Adolf Weiss gave a hand to both Eli Phoenix and Lucy Maria, and helped them get up. "And even if you will…" The three [Pawn]'s pointed at Ahrle, and said, together. "Belial-sama will, definitely, stop you!!"

"So, should I demonstrate it to you, or you'll never understand?" Ahrle pointed Sword at them. "Is it like that?" Ahrle swung Sword. "Is it right??" Ahrle swung Sword once again. "Is it!?"

Then Ahrle swung Sword once yet again.

Ahrle came close to them once again, and pointed Sword at Eli Phoenix's direction, as he held her throat with his other hand.

"This time," Ahrle hardened his grip on Eli Phoenix's throat, as he continued and spoke, "it is not stupid Sword," Ahrle hardened even harder and harder his grip on Eli Phoenix's throat, as he continued and spoke, "who will make trades with you and will let you go." Ahrle advanced Sword and it finally started to tough Eli Phoenix. "So," Ahrle said it while Sword already started cutting Eli Phoenix, "you will serve as a demonstration for these two fools that actually think that merely Amenonuhoko and brute force, power idiot, is enough to actually defeat me." As Ahrle said that, he almost cut off Eli Phoenix to death, and then he took a bit distance. "Sword, Basic Slash." Ahrle said that, that's right… He ordered Sword to use his technique, actually, his basic technique, namely, Basic Slash.

{Understood, Hyoudou-kun}

{Basic Slash.}

Eli Phoenix really disappeared with this, Basic Slash, landing the finishing blow on her, after all she has been through, and not to mention that she didn't have any oxygen. Well, almost, to be precise. Eli Phoenix did have a little bit of oxygen, but of course, it was hardly enough to… Simply exist, simply maintaining her existence, and nothing more than that.

Then there was the announcement that one of Belial-sama's [Pawn]'s, Eli Phoenix, retired.

{Belial-sama's one [Pawn], Eli Phoenix, retired!!}

Part 4

"Sword, Basic Slash."

{Understood, Hyoudou-kun.}

{Basic Slash.}

Eli Phoenix disappeared, with this order to Sword, from Ahrle, which was to release Basic Slash, and that made Eli Phoenix retire. Also, then there was the announcement, announcing that Belial-sama's one [Pawn], Eli Phoenix, has retired.

{Belial-sama's one [Pawn], Eli Phoenix, retired!!}

Then, Ahrle told to the two remaining [Pawn]'s, Adolf Weiss, and, Lucy Maria:

"Now, you two brats, it's your turn." Ahrle said it as he swung Sword. "Are you ready for it?" Ahrle said it, as he pointed Sword at the direction of the two remaining [Pawn]'s, Adolf Weiss, and, Lucy Maria, who stood one near to the other. "Although, I'll advance towards you two brats, no matter what your answer will be." Ahrle said it as he returned Sword into his, Sword's, scabbard. After Ahrle said it, he walked towards them, and then just passed through them.

Then, Adolf Weiss tried to stab Ahrle, from behind, as he thought he would be able to hit Ahrle, maybe, perhaps, somehow, if he were to stab Ahrle from behind, while Ahrle doesn't expect it. That's what Adolf Weiss thought to himself. Adolf Weiss said, as he turned to Ahrle:

"Don't ignore us!! Even we can defeat you, once you completely ignore us, thinking that we won't be able to do to you any single kind of thing, Asmodeus-dono!!"

Adolf Weiss thought that he would actually be able to hit Ahrle. Adolf Weiss really thought that to himself, really, from the bottom of his heart that really is what Adolf Weiss thought to himself, as he stabbed Ahrle from behind, or rather, as Adolf Weiss tried to stab Ahrle from behind, thinking to himself that it might succeed. Although, much to Adolf Weiss' dismay—!

"Did you really think that measly you, Adolf Weiss, all alone, would actually manage, to do the smallest thing, to me, the great Asmodeus?!" Ahrle said all that while he held Adolf Weiss' spear, which was the legendary spear of Izanagi and Izanami, Amenonuhoko, and all that just his finger, and didn't even bother to turn around. "If you actually got ahead of yourself that much, and actually thought that," Ahrle "stabbed" Adolf Weiss, with Sword, who was in his scabbard, and continued and said, "then think again, brat." While Ahrle said that, Adolf Weiss just got blown away, and got smashed on the wall, resulting in him, Adolf Weiss, creating a crack on the wall while getting blown away and smashed on the wall. "You are five hundred years too young to actually challenge me, Adolf Weiss brat." Ahrle said it with a condescending tone and eyes. After Ahrle said that, he continued, and walked away.

Then, Lucy Maria healed Adolf Weiss. After that, Adolf Weiss, once yet again, tried to, most likely, ambush, Ahrle, thinking that even Ahrle isn't always ready for everything. Although, this time, once yet again, much to Adolf Weiss' dismay, Ahrle blocked Adolf Weiss and his spear, with just his finger, despite Adolf Weiss' spear being the legendary spear of the deities known as Izanagi and Izanami, Amenonuhoko. Ahrle then replied to Adolf Weiss:

"Well…" Ahrle said it while still not bothering to turn around to Adolf Weiss' direction, and doing that while holding Adolf Weiss' spear with ease, with just one finger, not even thinking to bother and turn around to even just block Adolf Weiss' spear. Ahrle continued and said. "Like I said before, Adolf Weiss, you are simply too young to challenge me, one-on-one, so just don't even think about it, okay? Get lost before I'll really make you really regret it. Got it?" Ahrle said it, still, without even bothering to think about bothering to actually turn around to Adolf Weiss' direction.

Then, once again, Ahrle blew away Adolf Weiss, using Sword's scabbard alone, while with only this, making Adolf Weiss getting blown on the wall and getting smashed on the wall, resulting in Adolf Weiss' getting blown and smashed on the wall making a crack on the wall. And then, once yet again, Lucy Maria healed Adolf Weiss, and he jumped ahead of himself, once again, already, and the result was the same, of course.

Ahrle then told to Lucy Maria:

"Stop healing Adolf Weiss." Ahrle then turned to Adolf Weiss' direction, despite the fact that he didn't even bother to even think about turning to Adolf Weiss' direction, even if it was just simply to block Adolf Weiss' surprise attack. Ahrle continued and said. "He's a sore sight. Well, if you two will resign, then I won't make you a sore sight, and just go on." Ahrle said that with a rather condescending tone, which was more condescending than before.

Adolf Weiss then told to Ahrle, in response:

"Well…" Adolf Weiss said that, despite the fact that he actually doesn't have any energy left inside of him. Not after that much damage, that is. Adolf Weiss continued and said. "Don't you think…" Adolf Weiss' situation, and what he tries to say… Is very much similar to Shin Takami's, right now. Adolf Weiss continued further and said. "That as [Pawn]'s…" Adolf Weiss, once yet again, couldn't speak very well. Although, unlike Shin Takami's case, Adolf Weiss doesn't spit blood out of his mouth, and isn't getting cut amid of what he says. Adolf Weiss, once again, continued further, and said. "Resigning would be…" Adolf Weiss tried his best in order to finish what he tries to say, like Shin Takami. Adolf Weiss continued further and said. "Rather more…" Adolf Weiss tries, once yet again, to actually finish what he tries to say, very much alike to Shin Takami. Adolf Weiss continued further and said. "Of a sore…" Adolf Weiss tries even further. Adolf Weiss is almost there, just a little bit more, and he'll finish what he tries to say. Adolf Weiss continued further and said. "Sight…?" Adolf Weiss finally finished what he wanted to say. Adolf Weiss did not continue and did not say further anything.

Ahrle then broke out on a laughter, once yet again. Ahrle said to Adolf Weiss:

"You…" Ahrle said it with a very not-serious-face. Ahrle continued further and said. "You say just the same things that Shin Takami said." Ahrle said it with a face with tears out of laugh. "You sure are funny…" Ahrle said it, while calming himself down.

Ahrle then calmed down. Ahrle continued and said further:

"Well…" Ahrle said it while making a grin. Ahrle also touched Sword's hilt, a little bit. Ahrle then continued further and said. "If you aren't resigning, then…" Ahrle said it with very devilish looking eyes. Ahrle drew a little bit of Sword. Ahrle continued further and said. "I guess I'll have to make you retire, the hard way!!" Ahrle said it while he drew all of Sword.

Ahrle then questioned the two remaining [Pawn]'s, Adolf Weiss, and, Lucy Maria, who wants to actually resign, and who actually wants to fight for their master, fight for their [King], fight for Belial [Lucy Maria, will you resign, or will you fight for your master, your [King], Belial? The same goes for you, Adolf Weiss brat.]. Although, the answer Ahrle got was pretty much what he already expected [Of course, you know that we'll fight for our master, that we'll fight for our [King], that we'll fight for Belial!!]. Ahrle then said to Lucy Maria:

"Well…" Ahrle pointed Sword at Lucy Maria's direction, all of sudden. Ahrle continued further and said. "I guess I'll have it better if I'll make you retire first," Ahrle got into position to fight, and continued further and said, "am I right?" Ahrle said that with a devilish-looking smile, while making a grin, on that amused-looking face, all while he was behind her, Lucy Maria.

After Ahrle finished saying all that, while still being behind Lucy Maria, Ahrle commanded Sword to unleash Basic Slash, in order to make her, Lucy Maria, retire, saying:

"Sword, Basic Slash."

{Understood, Hyoudou-kun.}

{Basic Slash.}

Sword's Basic Slash cut right through Lucy Maria, making sure that she isn't here anymore, making sure that there'll be an announcement on her, Lucy Maria's retirement.

Then, there was the announcement, saying that one of the two remaining [Pawn]'s of Belial-sama's [Pawn]'s, namely, Lucy Maria, has retired.

{Belial-sama's one [Pawn], Lucy Maria, retired!!}

After that, Ahrle walked towards Adolf Weiss, who is currently, kind of… Immobilized… And not to mention that Adolf Weiss is currently kind of immobilized thanks to Ahrle's weird ways of blocking, which include in them throwing the enemy away as if he is nothing, although, for one like Ahrle, it is actually rather easy.

Ahrle then said, as he walked towards immobilized Adolf Weiss' direction:

"Well…" Ahrle, as almost always, pointed Sword at his enemy's direction, who at this case was Adolf Weiss, meaning, Ahrle pointed Sword at Adolf Weiss' direction, or rather, Ahrle pointed Sword at immobilized Adolf Weiss' direction. Ahrle did all that while saying "Well…" and also, just as well, Ahrle continued further and said. "I guess you already know what happens next," Ahrle stabbed immobilized Adolf Weiss, and continued further and said, "don't you," Ahrle pulled Sword out of immobilized Adolf Weiss as he said that, and continued further and said, "Adolf Weiss brat…?" Ahrle said that while being very close to Adolf Weiss, who Ahrle just stabbed with Sword, and pulled Sword out of, who also is currently immobilized.

Ahrle then commanded Sword to make the immobilized last [Pawn] of Belial, who is very near to him, Ahrle, retire. The [Pawn]'s name is Adolf Weiss. Ahrle commanded Sword to use his basic technique, namely, Basic Slash. Ahrle said it this way:

"Sword, Basic Slash."

{Understood, Hyoudou-kun.}

{Basic Slash.}

Even though actually, this, Basic Slash, was more than enough to actually take Adolf Weiss down, making him, Adolf Weiss, retire, Ahrle didn't want that. Ahrle wanted to do more things, to use more techniques, and only then, allowing Adolf Weiss, who was right then immobilized, to actually be finished, making him, Adolf Weiss, retire.

Ahrle then commanded Sword to use advanced technique of him. The technique that Ahrle thought on using, at the moment, was Godly Slashes, which was Sword's not-basic-technique. And that, despite the fact that Basic Slash alone was more than enough. Ahrle said it this way:

"Sword, Godly Slashes."

Ahrle said it with a rather, unexpectedly, cold expression, for some reason. Then, Sword said what he says always, to Ahrle, responding to his, Ahrle's, command.

{Understood, Hyoudou-kun.}

{Godly Slashes!}

Adolf Weiss was, surely enough, finished off with this. Actually, Adolf Weiss was already not in any condition to fight, even before Ahrle used Basic Slash. And after Ahrle used Basic Slash, Adolf Weiss was already finished off, but Ahrle wanted to use more techniques, so he, Ahrle, used another technique, namely, Godly Slashes, very quickly. And this, Godly Slashes, more than surely enough, finished off Adolf Weiss.

But—!

Even though that, even though Ahrle knew that Adolf Weiss was already finished after Basic Slash alone, not to mention after Godly Slashes, even though all that, Ahrle still wanted to use more techniques. Although, Ahrle is much pickier than he seems. Ahrle did, certainly, want to use more techniques, but Ahrle did not want to use Baki, so he used other technique.

That's right, Ahrle didn't want to use Baki, so he just, simply, used other technique that he has, but he didn't want to use Lightning Judgment just yet, so it wasn't Lightning Judgment's special ability, Breakdown, and it wasn't any of Lightning Judgment's other abilities, namely, Divine Retribution, Night of Light. And also, it wasn't even [Pressure]. Yes, that's right. It was none other technique, than, [Power of Annihilation]!! Ahrle said it this way:

"[Power of Annihilation]!!"

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!!!

Adolf Weiss, then, more than surely, really, definitely, was finished off. Ahrle smiled at that sight, and laughed. That's right. Right now, Adolf Weiss really is finished off. Right now, Adolf Weiss is not just immobilized and not finished off from just Basic Slash nor from Godly Slashes. And also not from Ahrle's tremendous [Power of Annihilation].

That's right, exactly. Right now, Adolf Weiss is finished off from all of these attacks, combined! Even though Adolf Weiss was already finished off from Basic Slash, even though Adolf Weiss was already much more than finished off from Godly Slashes, even though the fact that with [Power of Annihilation] alone, Ahrle could finish off Adolf Weiss, if he wanted to, even though all that, Ahrle actually finished off Adolf Weiss with the combination of the following attacks: Sword's Basic Slash, Sword's Godly Slashes, and, finally, last but not least, Ahrle's tremendous [Power of Annihilation], which actually did most of the work, even though Ahrle's tremendous [Power of Annihilation] didn't really have anything to do. Not anything much, at least. Yes, exactly, that's exactly right. Even though Ahrle could finish Adolf Weiss off with just Sword's Basic Slash, or with just Sword's Godly Slashes, or with just Ahrle's own, tremendous, [Power of Annihilation], not to mention Lightning Judgment's Divine Retribution, or also, just as well as that, Lightning Judgment's Night of Light, and really, especially, not to mention, more than that, Lightning Judgment's Breakdown, and even more than that, not to mention Lightning Judgment's Divine Retribution, while Lightning Judgment is under Breakdown, or also, not to mention Lightning Judgment's Night of Light, while Lightning Judgment is under Breakdown, and also, let's not forget Sword's one more ability that we all forgot just now, Baki, which has been shown to be very powerful.

After that, there was an announcement, saying that Belial-sama's (one) last [Pawn], who goes by the name "Adolf Weiss", has retired from this Rating Game, even though he tried his best, and did not, by any way, resign, or even try to, and even when Ahrle offered to him, Adolf Weiss, whether to fight him, Ahrle, or to resign, he, Adolf Weiss, chose to fight him, Ahrle.

{Belial-sama's one [Pawn], Adolf Weiss, retired!!}

Life 4: Five Remaining Against One Dominating!!

Part 1

Ahrle stands above Adolf Weiss, while he says:

"Mou~! That was way too easy!! It's unfair! Only that Belial gets to have fun, watching my battle... It unfair!!"

After Ahrle said that, he got up from Adolf Weiss. Ahrle is advancing towards Belial. Well, he still is really far away from him, but he still is advancing, and it's not as if it's far for Ahrle. Ahrle can get to Belial in a shorter period of time than a millisecond. But, he doesn't want that. And that is because Ahrle wants to "have fun", so he wants to fight Belial's other pieces, those who still remain. They are none other than: Belial's remaining [Rook] - Edward Schwartze, Belial's remaining [Bishop] - Shibata Kirino, Belial's [Knight]'s Duo - Miki Shino and Iri Shino, and, also, last, but not least, none other than Belial's one and only [Queen] - Mashiro Ha.

Ahrle's still walking. He thinks to himself [Why can't I find some strong opponents? Only once I've come to like fighting, I can't fight against opponents who will satistify me, or rather, my fighting desire, or even "lust".] Ahrle made a sigh after he thought what he though. Ahrle isn't stopping his advancing, slow as it may be, and gets disappointed more and more as time passes.

Ahrle then sees something in the his sight's end. Ahrle gets disappointed [So that's how far Belial gets...? I expected much more than that, from the Rating Game's former champion, and seems like it was for nothing...], and makes a sigh after thinking about that disappointment. Ahrle gets closer and closer, disappointed from the too much short period of that Rating Game. Then—

"—What's that? Disappointed, thinking that you'll win against me, the great Belial, who once was the Rating Game's champion?" Belial got up from his chair, slowly, while he said that. Belial continues. "Did you actually think such pathetic thoughts? Huh?!" As Belial said that, he made an angry look on his face. Then, Belial continues, and says. "Am I right, Asmodeus-dono?" Belial looks down on Asmodeus, from height, as he says what he says.

"No need for all of these unneeded formalities, Belial-san."

Right then, Belial says with an annoyed look on his eyes:

"-san, you say? "Formalities", you say?" Belial said that while looking down on Ahrle. "Don't make me laugh. This is a Rating Game." Belial turns his back to Ahrle and continues. "On the championship, atop of that." As Belial said that, suddenly, two figures appear. "Miki, Iri, take care of Asmodeus-dono." Belial said that and now he goes away. He goes away and sits on another chair. But—

Before Asmodeus would be able to get to that chair, he would need to fight against the three other remaining servants of Belial, namely: Belial's [Rook] - Edward Schwartze, Belial's [Bishop] - Shibata Kirino, and last but not least, Belial's [Queen] - Mashiro Ha. And not only that, but they are all together. Then, Ahrle thinks of something:

Wait a minute... If I were to advance, then I will have to fight Miki Shino, Iri Shino, Edward Schwartze, Shibata Kirino, and Mashiro Ha, at the same time. Well... That might do something... Well, maybe, just maybe, I'll use Zhū Nǎi... Well, I'll see to it. I mean, what'll happen, exactly?? Okay. So, I'll just go there, make Belial retreat further, and "have fun" with Miki Shino, Iri Shino, Edward Schwartz, Shibata Kirino, and last but not least, I will have fun with Mashiro Ha, too. I'll have fun with all of them, together, at the same time.

"Now then... Miki Shino and Iri Shino, the male [Knight] twins, right?" Giichi starts walking towards Belial's current location. "At any event... I take my leave here." Giichi laughs a little bit. "So follow me as well as you can, okay~?" When Giichi finished saying that, he was already far away from Miki Shino and Iri Shino.

Miki Shino and Iri Shino then say, at the same time:

"Tsk!"

Miki Shino, and Iri Shino, are now following Giichi, after they bit their tongues.

Miki Shino says then:

"Let's follow him...!" While Miki Shino said that, although, Iri Shino said the exact same thing, at the exact same time [Let's follow him...!].

Both, Miki Shino, and Iri Shino, then follow Giichi. Although, Miki Shino and Iri Shino really didn't think that what happens now would be what would happen......... Giichi is actually halfway between where Miki Shino and Iri Shino were, to where Belial, Edward Schwartze, Shibata Kirino, and Mashiro Ha, are. Meaning, these two male [Knight] twins, Miki Shino and Iri Shino, just have to stop Giichi right there, by themselves, or else, Giichi will reach to where Belial seats on a chair, and Edward Schwartze, Shibata Kirino, and Mashiro Ha — are guarding him, which will prove Miki Shino and Iri Shino useless.

"—How long are you two gonna stand there.........huh!?"

As Giichi said that, the male [Knight] twins duo, Miki Shino and Iri Shino, both have let a weird noise, out of panic. They didn't expect to be exposed that quickly...... They thought they would get some time, but to be exposed, halfway, from behind.........that's means either that luck is really not on their side, or that lady luck hates them. Anyway, Giichi knew all along that they followed him, and just didn't care until now, and he actually didn't care, even now, but it just annoyed him.

Miki Shino and Iri Shino thought to themselves:

Do we really stand a chance against him.........!?

"—Of course not, dumbasses." Giichi said it as if he read their thoughts. "I can read thoughts, but I won't say that I master it to some kind of high level........." Giichi looks on Miki Shino and Iri Shino as he continues and says. "Wow, I have to say, I was surprised when I heard that I've mastered my thoughts reading much more than before, but......" Giichi then especially looks on their parts that specify their gender. Giichi then continues and says. "I thought my thoughts reading worked only on girls......although, I never tested it on guys, but still........." Giichi looks on Miki Shino and Iri Shino's faces then. Giich continues furthermore. "Seems like my techinque works also on men...wow......this is a bit...how should I say it......surprising.........I think.........?" Giichi then looks away from them, and looks to what's up ahead of him—Belial, who's sitting on his chair, and also, on the way, if he's already there, Belial's guardians... They look interesting.........

"Tsk.........!" Miki Shino and Iri Shino say the same exact things at the same exact time... "Whatever, let's just kick his ass...!" Right as they said that, Giichi made a grin, as if he knew this would happen, and that while, on the other hand, on Miki Shino and Iri Shino's side.........they didn't really smiled, or made a grin, or something along the lines......they rather.........had an angered look...

Giichi says to himself then:

"Wow.........they sure do have their moral down... Ahhh.........I think this means I win this battle......... It's such a disappointment......to think that I'd win so easily.........I wish it'd be at least a bit more challenging...tsk.........mou~!"

The way Giichi is acting right now.........his "switch" probably flipped over to his battle maniac side...... Giichi's "personality switch", is the kind of "switch", if you have, maybe, by any chance, wondered, on which kind of "switch" I'm talking on~.

Facing the greatest enemy of their [King], their master, Belial, Giichi Asmodeus, Miki Shino and Iri Shino gain their courage, and try to at least slow Giichi down, even the least. They then say, together, at the same exact time, the same exact thing:

"We'll make sure you never get to Belial-sama's place, Giichi-dono!!"

Giichi then faces to them, making an annoyed look in his eyes [Eh...?! What did you just say!?].

Giichi then faces back to Belial's loaction's direction. He then makes a grin. Giichi then says, after setting his feet to running:

"Oi, the male [Knight] twins duo. Try and catch me........." As Giichi says that, he takes off, and as Giichi is at the middle of running, mid-air, you could say, he continues and says, ".........if you can, if you two are up to it......that's it." Giichi then makes a grin, and disappears, running so fast, that it seems as if he was never there to begin with.

Confused from all that happened in such a short period of time, the "Shino" male [Knight] twins duo, Miki Shino and Iri Shino, tried their best and kept acting as cool as they can, tried to remain collected, as much as surprising things were, but, they have no time to waver! They have to do their best, so their [King], so their master, so that Belial, will be able to win this [Rating Game], and claim the championship that he once had, which is the championship over the [Rating Game].

Part 2

After Giichi took off, running too fast to follow after him, he finally reaches Belial's current location, which is guarded by Edward Schwartze, Shibata Kirino, and last but not least — Mashiro Ha. Then—

".........So you really did manage to come here, and much faster than I anticipated." Belial said it as if he thought low of Giichi, which might be because he took his time with Belial's 7 [Pawn]'s. "......But—" Belial then continues. "It's still not enough to beat me. In order to beat me, and really beat me, you'll need to use both [Sword of Annihilation]'s full power and [Lightning of the Apocalypse]'s full power. Although, just so you will be able to make sure to beat me, you'll need to use both [Doctor of the Dead] and that unknown mysterious "friend" of you who helped you when you were tired, and had to fight against some strong, but not too strong, although, not too weak, opponents." Belial laughs. "If you think that you don't need to bother anything when fighting against me..." Belial faces his back towards Giichi's direction. ".........then you'd better think again, young brat." Belial then runs to another position he already prepared before, which is guarded by no one, although, it doesn't mean that Belial would leave himself unguarded, meaning, he placed some barriers and magic circles around him, "just in case".

Giichi then, seeing this, just laughs it off. Giichi is thinking to himself, at this moment:

He really thinks I alone won't be able to defeat him?! *Laughter* Then he doesn't know the true power of an Annihilation Gear when used seriously, actually, and not for playing around, as I always do. *Another Laugher* Fine then.........I'll show you what true power is, Belial...!

Then, Giichi sees that the male [Knight] twins duo, Miki Shino and Iri Shino finally are here, meaning that now, he can fight Edward Schwartze, Shibata Kirino, Mashiro Ha, and the male [Knight] twins duo, Miki Shino and Iri Shino. Giichi then says:

"Well then..." Giichi then takes out Sword. "Shall we start the epic battle, with the [Rating Game]'s championship, your master's, your [King]'s, Belial's, pride, and also mine, just as well, on the line?" Giichi then starts moving his lips.

O sword! O dear sword! Sacrifices are to be, made and given.

And thou, dear sword, annihilate and vaporize! Give my [Dream] its [Realize]!

And for thou, dear sword, I shall give the whole world!

And thou, dear sword, shall make me thy [Lord]!

{Sword Gear – Breakdown!!}

Giichi laughs then. Giichi then says, after breaking out on a laughter:

"Come!! Come at me!! Now, let's battle to our hearts' content!!"

Giichi fights them, while he's actually fending them all off with ease, and is just playing around with them [Well......at least, you guys are better than those low-level [Pawn]'s]. But, although that, after a bit of fending them off too much easily, Giichi starts getting annoyed [I'm bored... Oi, can't you guys do any better than that.......?? If you are going to be like that then.........I'll just have to wipe you off in a second and finish this boring [Game] quickly...] and fends them all off with just a simple swing. They then reply to Giichi, in answer to what he said to them regarding their abilities, and regarding the comparisons he made between them and the "low-level" [Pawn]'s. Their answer is:

"So what? So if we are better than "those low-level [Pawn]'s", what?" Giichi then cuts the one who answered, who was no other than Belial's [Rook], Edward Schwartze [You need to learn how to receive compliments...], although, Edward Schwartze continues without paying mind, without showing the least intention, or even interest, to heed what Giichi is saying. "And what's your thing with that thing of you saying that you'll end "this boring [Game]", huh!?" Edward Scwartze then punches Giichi in the stomach, although, it's protected by Sword's armor.

"—Is that all you can do...?" Giichi then continues. "Sword, Basic Slash." Giichi isn't showing any sign of making any other attack.

{Hy-Hyoudou-kun...! Are you sure that just Basic Slash is fine?! Simply Basic Slash won't eliminate such a strong opponent, you know! In situations like this, against opponents like this, you need to use somewhat more flashy attacks, like Godly Slashes, for example! Or maybe even Yòu Dòu, in some cases. So how can you use simply just Basic Slash, knowing that it won't do anything special!? How, Hyoudou-kun, how!? Just, simply, h-o-w, Hyoudou-kun.}

A moment of silence passed. In response to Sword's "harsh scolding", Giichi says:

"If he's a fool that tries to puch Sword......he isn't a worthy enemy." Giichi said it while looking down on Edward Schwartze, who still didn't pull away his hand from Sword's armor, out of shock. Giichi then looks up, towards the sky. "Only he could break through Sword. Only against him, I had hard time winning, but I won, in the end." Giichi looks down on Edward Schwartze, again, and continues and says. "And this guy over here..." Giichi punches Edward Schwartze then. Giichi continues furthermore and says, "......he doesn't worth anything more than even my puch alone." Giichi then turns back.

Everyone is astonished by what they saw. A [Rook] gets beaten with brute force... And that [Rook] is the top 4 among the [Rook]'s... And Giichi, the one who just beat that top 4 [Rook] among the [Rook]'s, Edward Schwartze, just before beating him, said that he's weak, that his punch would never be enough to break through Sword's armor, that only someone else's punch could possibly break through Sword's armor, that only that someone else gave him hard time even though Giichi won in the end... Such a thing......it surprised everyone.........the crowd, these who are before Giichi, namely, the male [Knight] twins duo — Miki Shino and Iri Shino, Edward Schwartze, Shibata Kirino, Mashiro Ha. Everyone was surprised, just simply astonished, by what they just saw and heard... Everyone......except.........Belial.........only Belial, he alone, was the only one not surprised, nor astonished, and thought that this is to be expected. Although... Right then—

"Edward Schwartze, show your true nature! You are the [Rook] who is ranked top 4 among the [Rook]'s, aren't you?! Stand, and be proud of yourself. It doesn't matter of your enemy beat you. You are [Rook]. You are tough! You are able to withstand such attacks, without feeling anything, aren't you?! Then stand, and be proud of yourself! Because, you are to fight against your master's greatest enemy of all!! Such a powerful enemy, that even I would have hard time against him! If you were to be taken down by him, it will be no shame, by any means! It would only mean that you were able to gain the honor of fighting against him!! Don't let yourself down, Edward Schwartze, my [Rook]!! And don't let your team down, Edward Schwartze, my dear [Rook]!! And also, above all else, don't you even dare letting me down, understood, Edward Schwartze, my dear [Rook]!? If so, then get to it!!"

Hearing Belial's long and inspiring speach, Giichi couldn't help laughing when he heard that Belial is really intending to defeat him, and much more, when Giichi heard how Belial thinks about his strength, he couldn't help laughing. Although, on the other hand, Edward Schwartze, hearing this long and inspiring speach of his master, this long and inspiring speach of his [King], this hearing this long and inspiring speach of Belial, got his morals up, and stood.

Edward Schwartze then says:

"We [Rook]'s are way tougher than you think of us, Giichi." Edward Schwartze then makes a grin. Edward Schwartze then continues and says. "I'll show you my trump card, because you are the first one to be described as this much strong, by Belial-sama, himself." A moment of silence passes then. "........." Edward Schwartze then continues furthermore and says. "Is it alright..." Edward Schwartze stops for a moment. Then, Edward Schwartze continues once again, and says, ".........Belial-sama......?" As Edward Schwartze said that, the look on his eyes suddenly changed. Although, since Giichi can read thoughts, he already knows what's happening, Giichi already knows what it is that Edward Schwartze is saying that it is his trump card.

Life 5: Down — One After One

A moment of silence passes... Then, Edward Schwartze gets the answer he waited for:

"Yes, you have my permission, Edward Schwartze."

At that moment, Edward Schwartze makes a grin. He then says:

"Good. I waited for this!" Edward Schwartze then takes his hand up to the sky above. "How about that, Asmodeus-dono?" As he said that, he glowed in a very bright light, and then was uncovered from inside that bright light, armored with a golden armor.

"—You aren't worthy of that armor." Giichi said that with an angered tone. "If you are going to wear this, then..." A moment of silence passes between Giichi to Edward Schwartze. Giichi then clenches his fist, and then continues furthermore, and says, "......you're going down." Giichi said it with a serious look on his eyes.

A few moments of silence pass between Giichi to Miki Shino and Iri Shino, Edward Schwartze, Shibata Kirino, and also Mashiro Ha included. It's right then, when Edward Schwartze gathers up his courage anew, and then says to Giichi:

"If you aren't going to attack first, then........." Edward Schwartze then runs towards Giichi at a God-like speed! Although, Giichi isn't fazed by that at all, and doesn't even blink, nor is he surprised the least. Clenching his fist, ready to punch Sword's armor once yet again, just a moment before that, Edward Schwartze then continues further, and says, ".........I'm going to attack first......!!" He then punches Sword's armor. But—

Not only did Giichi not faze, blink, or even bothered Edward Schwartze's attack at all, but Edward Schwartze's fist didn't do anything at all to Sword's armor. Just. Nothing. At. All. It was at that moment, when Edward Schwartze's courage just disappeared, as if it never was to begin with. Although, on the other hand, Giichi's expression didn't change, what he thought about didn't change, nothing changed.

Giichi then says:

"Is that it?" Giichi then holds Edward Schwartze, and throws him away, as if he was some kind of rolled paper. "I expected more than this. Much more than this. Seems that you really were not worthy of this armor. With this armor, I had expected that you would have at least do something like......scratching Sword's armor......" Giichi then walks towards Edward Schwartze, who's somewhat upside-down, while also being somewhat not upside-down. ".........but seems like you can't do even this. Seems that after all..." A moment of silence passes, and Giichi then continues furthermore and says, "......only he could use this armor......only he was worthy of that armor..." Giichi then stops walking towards Edward Schwartze, because he is right before Edward Schwartze right now.

It is right then, that Edward Schwartze really starts getting frustrated from what happened.

"Kuh—!!" Edward Schwartze screams, suffering greatly from the impacts Giichi gave to him, both physical and mental. "Tsk...! I......have—" Edward Schwartze tries to say something, but somewhat fails to do so at the middl of that, just like what happened with Shin Takami, and something that also happened with Adolf Weiss, Although, the situation is pretty much different. Edward Schwartze continues, "......to do any kind of thing, anything, something, no matter how little it is—" Once again, Edward Schwartze is getting cut amid talking. Seems like he isn't going to end well and easily... Well, although, even with that said, Edward Schwartze doesn't seem to give up, and that's true. It is true that Edward Schwartze doesn't give up, as well as it is true that Edward Schwartze didn't give up. Edward Schwartze then continues and says, "......for.........Belial......-sama......," Edward Schwartze then gets up, while still looking like some beat-up, and he continues, and says, "......don't you think so, too......, Asmodeus......-dono...?" Edward Schwartze then spits blood out of his mouth and tries to punch Sword's armor, which is covering Giichi, meaning he tried to punch Giichi, although... He didn't have any much strength left in him.

"—Shall I put you away from you misery?" Giichi said it with a belittling tone. "Seems like you're pushing yourself much beyond your actual limit, Edward Schwatze. Are you sure that you want to come out little, like that, really?" Giichi then catches him. "I'll go ahead, be nice, and I will put you off your misery." Giichi then swings Sword, and says. "Sword, Godly Slashes."

{Understood, Hyoudou-kun.}

{Godly Slashes!}

Then, two slashes appear, and what they do is... They just blow Edward Schwartze away. Although, they still are strong, so they'd probably finish someone as strong, or rather, tough, as Edward Schwartze, leaving him lying on the floor, cut to two halves. But, even though that, Giichi knows from his experience that it's always good to check on your opponent when you finish him off, to check whether or not is he finished off. And as that is it, Giichi checks out what happened there. Then—!

Surprisingly enough, believe it or not......, Edward Schwartze managed to survive it...! Edward Schwartze managed to survive such a powerful attack of Sword, although not with ease, but still, he did manage to survive a powerful attack of Sword himself!! Giichi then says:

"Ahhh... Seems like you aren't [Rook] just in name, but actually also pretty tough..." Giichi then walks towards Edward, who's beat-up, and lying on the floor, laking any kind of strength. "Seems like I'll use [Pressure]... Or maybe even [Power of Annihilation]... Or maybe......even both of them..." Giichi then makes a grin. "Power of Annihilation!!"

Then, comes out a giant red ball, towards Edward Schwartze, and then—!

Then, as it, that gigantic ball, reaches to its target, which this time is Edward Schwartze, it gets transformed, instantly, immediately, just like that, into a very small ball, and then it resizes itself, and changes its shape......to Edward Schwartze, its' target's......shape... And then, just like that, adjusting itself enough, it just strikes all of Edward Schwartze, who is just screaming in suffer from that great impact. But, although that, Edward Schwartze isn't broken just yet. He then says in frustration to himelf "Kuh...!!" as he is trying to get up, but ends up failing to get up, and even worsens his situation, and gets to a point where he has to accept the fact that he'll lose to Giichi, without being able to do any kind of thing, doing nothing at all, after all of this.

"—That's not all, little cutie Edward." Giichi then makes a grin, and makes a devilish look on his eyes. "There's much more than that, just so you know~!" Giichi then lets out a laughter. "Well then..." Giichi then stops for a moment. He then continues and says, "......let's get to it..." Giichi then stops for another moment and lets a laugh out. He then continues, once again, furthermore, and says, ".........shall we......?" And right away, not wasting any time, Giichi says... "1,000,000,000,000,000 Ton [Pressure]!!" Giichi then lets out another laugh, on a mistake.

Then, its shape is hard to describe, but you could say that its shape is hard to describe because it doesn't really have a shape... Yes. It's something like......"The Air Itself"......or something along the lines... Then, it hits Edward Schwartze, and he just screams in response to it. Then—!

There is some announcement. Can it be...?! No! It cannot be it! There's no way that the top 4 strongest [Rook] would retire from something as not-really-that-strong like that...! There's no any kind of way, that the top 4 strongest [Rook], himself, will retire from "just" Godly Slashes and somewhat powerful [Power of Annihilation] attack and somewhat pretty-much-powerful, 1,000,000,000,000,000 [Pressure] attack!! There's just no way it can be like this!!

{Belial-sama's one [Rook], Edward Schwartze, retired!!}

Epilogue: A Forbidden Secret

--Unknown Time, Unknown Place, Unknown Details--

"Tsk...!"

There is some unknown, unrecognizable figure, and it just talked in some unknown, unrecognizable voice, right now. But, hey, wait a minute. Wait. Just. A. Minute. Too many things are unknown. What's happening here?? Well, two things are known, one of them is that the time right now is not during the [Rating Game] and there's the other thing that is known, and that is that the place isn't the [Rating Game] arena.

"—Once again..." The unknown, unrecognizable figure, is crying at the moemnt. "How many times am I going the repeat this circle!?" This unknown, unrecognizable figure, then punches something. "Goddamn it!" Seemingly, the unknown, unrecognizable figure, is crying while also being angered at something, or because of something... "Damn it!" Seemingly, the unknown, unrecognizable figure, isn't calming down, at all, and is just getting more and more angered with time. "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" The unknown, unrecognizable figure, seemingly punches some another unknown thing. "How much longer am I going to repeat this goddamn shitty circle, huh!?" Maybe, there is some chance, that actually, the unknown, unrecognizable figure, is talking to someone. Although, who knows? Then—

"Are you talking to me?" Another unknown, unrecognizable figure, is talking, with another unknown, unrecognizable voice. "I-I think that you aren't repeating any shitty circle..." Seemingly, this unknown, unrecognizable figure, is a shy one. "I-I think that......that what you are doing is good, for all of us." Seemingly, this unknown, unrecognizable figure, is getting out of the assumed room, opening something that is assumed, to be, probably, a door, out of the assumed room, and maybe in to the assumed room.

Wait a minute... "All of us"?! What the heck is going on?! Who are they?! So many questions, and for them, ZERO answers... As to "What the heck is going on?!"... It can be anything, but it would be safe to assume that this is some kind of a discussion between two unknown, and also unrecognizable, figures.

No. Maybe, the first unknown, unrecognizable figure, talked to himself, meanwhile, the second unknown, unrecognizable figure, which is most likely, probably, seemingly, shy, entered the assumed room, opening the assumed door to the assumed room, and then interrupted the first unknown, unrecognizable figure's, assumed monologue...

And... Well... As for "Who are they?!"... How the heck can we know who they are when we are calling the "unknown, unrecognizabl figure" because we don't even know how they look!? But, well, hey... Let's calm down. There is a chance that we will get to know these unknown, unrecognizable figures, sometime soon, although, we might already know them, we might know only one of them, and we might need some kind of introduction of them to us, but... That means we just all have to wait.

No... Wait a minute... It continues...! There's something more than that!

"—Thank you..." The first unknown, unrecognizable figure, seemingly thanks someone, or maybe even something. "Thanks to you..." The first unknown, unrecognizable figure, says that while probably, seemingly, crying, still. ".........only thanks to you.........I was able to do that..." Seemingly, the first unknown, unrecognizable figure, finished talking, and then...

—!

The scene then ends. Everything then ends. Everything gets darker and darker, until you can see there nothing else than a black-colored emptiness, a black, empty, nothingness.

Wait a minute... Didn't we get just more questions?! And didn't we get these questions without getting even one of our questions for that scene answered?! Who the heck, did the first unknown, unrecognizable figure, thank to?! Just who is it?! Was it himself?? Was it, actually, by any chance, the second unknown, unrecognizable figure?? There's no way to know any of that...

...This scene......wasn't supposed.........to be seen............by anyone...............

Afterword

So......hello there. In this Volume, you got questions to yourselves, and maybe, you can think of some kind of theories, you know... Just saying~

How was it? Did you enjoy (reading) it? Do you think there's something to improve (I know there're a lot of thing to improve, but tell me, still... You know...)? Tell me what you think. I want to know.

Anyway... So, the theme of this Volume was probably, mostly, a [Rating Game], and hopefully, the next Volume will continue it like that, too. Why? That's simple.

In the next Volume, there'll be Giichi's pretty cool, badass scene. And frankly talking, I think that this scene would be maybe his most badass scene that will be until maybe even Volume 10.

Also, on a side note, I'm planning on writing some fanfiction on DanMachi after I'll finish writing Volume 5, so I'll update you guys in Volume 6's Afterword.

And another thing: I want you guys to talk to me. Really. I cannot know that you are there.

Please! I want to know what do you think about my fanfiction! I want to know if you have some kind of theories regarding my fanfiction! I want to know! So please, tell me. Comment just here, you know. It would be more than enough.

Well then... See you in the next Afterword!