...
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Chapter 170: Tournament Day!
The day of the tournament arrived, and Rias led her peerage to the grand venue early in the morning.
Badr was taken aback when they entered the location, a massive stadium capable of holding tens of thousands of spectators.
"This is the competition venue?" Xenovia asked, her eyes wide with curiosity at the impressive scene.
"Hehe, not exactly," Rias replied with a smile. "We'll be fighting in a separate dimensional space. This stadium is for broadcasting the matches to the audience."
She went on to explain that the *Rating Games* were far from ordinary games. The battles were real, injuries were common, and the competition could become quite intense. Isolating the battlefield from the audience wasn't just a practical choice, it was essential.
Additionally, any piece that sustained severe injuries would be immediately removed from the battlefield and treated by a dedicated medical team, something that was only possible in a controlled, isolated space.
Having participated in a *Rating Game* before, Badr was already familiar with these rules and followed Rias calmly into the stadium.
Inside, the seats were already packed with devils of all shapes and sizes, their excited chatter and cheers filling the air.
"So many devils..." Asia murmured, her voice trembling. The sight of the vast crowd and the deafening roar of excitement left her visibly shaken.
"Don't worry. Just relax and pretend the audience isn't there," Rias said with a reassuring smile.
However, her next words made Asia's face pale even more.
"Keep in mind, this is just the number of people attending in person. The matches are being broadcasted across the entire Underworld. Though it's only a rookie tournament, it's still on the same scale as the major competitions."
Asia and Xenovia were left speechless at the thought of a Rating Game with such a massive audience. Even Akeno and Koneko couldn't help but tense up at the realization.
"Let's head to the preparation room and discuss our strategy," Rias said, clapping her hands to refocus her team.
Once inside the preparation area, the group began strategizing for their upcoming matches.
As Rias was explaining the tactics, a knock came at the door. A female devil in uniform entered respectfully.
"Lady Gremory, Lord Diodora Astaroth is here to see you."
"Diodora?" Rias frowned slightly in confusion. "What's he doing here? Let him in."
Moments later, the door opened, and a young man with a gentle expression and black hair stepped into the room. It was Diodora Astaroth, the heir to the prestigious Astaroth family, a house with a status equal to that of the Gremory family.
"What brings you here, Diodora? Shouldn't you be working on your team's strategy?" Rias asked, her tone polite but tinged with curiosity.
"Ah, my strategy is already well-prepared. I came to discuss something more important," Diodora said with a smile. Though his demeanor was warm and polite, there was an underlying discomfort in the room, as if something about him was off.
Unlike the open and approachable aura of Maou Sirzechs, Diodora's presence exuded a sense of secrecy and hidden intentions, leaving an unsettling impression.
"Get to the point then; we're in the middle of a meeting," Rias said firmly. "And you better hope we don't draw your team in the match."
Diodora chuckled lightly. "Straightforward as always, Rias. Very well, I'll be direct. I'd like to propose a trade."
"A trade?" Rias's frown deepened.
"Yes, I'd like to exchange our [Bishops]," Diodora said, his gaze shifting to Asia, who stood beside Badr. "Specifically, I'd like to trade for Asia Argento."
The moment his eyes fell on Asia, her hands clenched tightly, her expression instantly filled with resistance.
Badr narrowed his eyes. He didn't mind the concept of trading pieces in the *Rating Games*, but only if it was done with mutual consent. Cases like Ravel's voluntary trade were understandable, but forcing a trade against the will of the piece was unacceptable.
Asia's discomfort was clear, but Diodora seemed entirely unfazed. Instead, he pulled out a servant manual, ready to make his offer.
"My offer is, "
"There's no need for that," Rias interrupted sharply. "I don't need to see what's in your manual to give my answer. I'm not trading Asia."
Her tone was resolute, and her displeasure at Diodora's approach was evident.
"This isn't about the value of your piece compared to Asia's. She is one of my most treasured peerage members, and I have no intention of giving her up," Rias continued, her voice firm.
It was clear she rejected Diodora's request not because of any inadequacy in his offer but purely out of respect and care for Asia as her servant and friend.
"Is it because of her value? Or are you simply too attached to her?" Diodora asked, his smile unwavering.
"Both. I see Asia as a little sister. She's part of my family," Rias said coldly, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Well then, I won't give up so easily." Diodora turned his attention back to Asia, his voice softening. "Asia, don't you remember me? You saved my life once when I was gravely injured."
Asia froze, her eyes widening as memories surfaced. "You... you're the devil I healed back then..."
Her voice trembled, and Xenovia frowned deeply. "Was it because you healed this man that the church branded you a heretic and stripped you of your title as a saint?"
"...Yes," Asia admitted, her expression pained. Those were some of her most traumatic memories.
Before anyone could respond, Badr stepped forward and gently pulled Asia into his embrace, cradling her protectively. His hand rested on the back of her head as he softly stroked her hair, silently reassuring her with his presence.
...
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Chapter 171: The Rookie Tournament Begins
Recalling her past briefly saddened Asia, but in Badr's embrace, she quickly recovered.
At least now, surrounded by her friends, her life was filled with happiness. She couldn't help but feel grateful for her decision to become Rias's servant devil.
After all, it was Badr who had suggested this path, especially when she was being hunted by fallen angels for the Sacred Gear within her.
"I'm fine now..." Asia whispered softly, hugging Badr tightly, a serene smile gracing her face.
Nearby, Diodora's expression darkened momentarily, his narrowed eyes betraying his discontent as he watched the scene.
However, he wisely concealed his displeasure, knowing full well that Badr was not someone to anger..
The fact that Badr had the guts to kill Zephyrdor in plain view and yet walked away without any punishment spoke volumes of his boldness and influence.
"Heh... I'll take my leave now. See you in the Rating Game," Diodora said with a polite smile before turning and walking away.
Badr gently stroked Asia's hair, his gaze following Diodora as he left. From their last encounter, Badr had noticed Diodora's inexplicable hostility toward him. Now, it was obvious, the man had set his sights on Asia.
Was it because she had once saved his life?
Regardless of the reason, Asia was now part of Badr's world. He wouldn't tolerate anyone coveting her. If Diodora didn't get eliminated early, Badr thought, he might have to deliver a thorough beating to make things clear.
...
Time flew by, and soon, the preparation phase was over.
Rias and her peerage stepped into the central area of the massive stadium, greeted by a thunderous wave of cheers from the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Rookie Tournament!" the announcer's voice boomed through the arena. "Before you stand the brightest young stars of the six great families and their loyal servants!"
The event's structure mimicked a worldly sports competition, complete with a commentator and a play-by-play analyst. The excitement in the air was palpable, with devils from all walks of life cheering enthusiastically.
Amid the loud commotion, a mocking laugh could be heard.
"Zephyrdor, you've got some nerve showing up here. I can't believe you survived," Seekvaira taunted with a cold smirk, her gaze fixed on the devil standing beside her.
Zephyrdor Glasya-Labolas, who had been "killed" by Badr just days earlier, now stood alive and well on stage. Most assumed he had narrowly escaped death and had been revived with Phoenix Tears.
Zephyrdor, however, lacked his previous bravado. His gaze avoided Badr, his fear evident.
After witnessing Badr's sheer audacity and power, Zephyrdor had been thoroughly cowed. Worse still, the lack of any punishment from the Maou after his supposed "death" left Zephyrdor utterly shaken.
He realized that if Badr had killed him, it would have been a meaningless death, with no one to avenge him.
Now, whenever Zephyrdor looked at Badr, a chill ran down his spine.
And it wasn't just Zephyrdor. Among the young devils present, Badr's reputation loomed large. Killing a house heir in front of the Maou and escaping unscathed had made him a figure of both awe and fear.
...
"Now, participants, please draw your lots to determine your matchups," the announcer said with a cheerful tone, trying to diffuse the tension.
Rias stepped forward and drew her lot. It displayed the number six.
Once all the participants had drawn, the announcer revealed the pairings.
"Here are the matchups for the first round of the Rookie Tournament!
Match 1: Seekvaira Agares vs. Sona Sitri
Match 2: Sairaorg Bael vs. Zephyrdor Glasya-Labolas
Match 3: Diodora Astaroth vs. Rias Gremory
Let the Rookie Tournament begin!"
The crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers and applause, the excitement reaching a fever pitch.
Badr glanced at Diodora and smirked faintly. It seemed their paths were destined to cross, and now he had the perfect opportunity to settle the score.
...
"Good luck, Sona," Rias said, offering her encouragement.
Sona Sitri, the youngest of the six competitors, faced an uphill battle.
She and Rias were both High-Class Devils, putting them at a disadvantage compared to the Ultimate-Class powerhouses in the tournament. While they had the talent to reach those heights, their youth left them a step behind.
Despite this, Sona entered her match against Seekvaira with confidence, displaying her trademark strategic brilliance. Using careful tactics, she managed to eliminate several of Seekvaira's pieces in the Rating Game.
However, Seekvaira's superior raw power as an Ultimate-Class Devil ultimately proved insurmountable. Sona fought valiantly but was forced to accept defeat.
The audience cheered wildly for both competitors, appreciating Sona's clever strategy and Seekvaira's commanding presence. It was a match of beauty and brilliance, leaving the crowd thoroughly entertained.
...
The second match, Sairaorg Bael versus Zephyrdor Glasya-Labolas, was entirely one-sided.
Despite both being Ultimate-Class Devils, Sairaorg overwhelmed Zephyrdor with nothing more than his fists. His raw physical strength and martial skill made short work of Zephyrdor's entire peerage, as well as Zephyrdor himself.
It was no wonder Sairaorg was considered the strongest among the younger generation.
Of course, after this tournament, that title would undoubtedly belong to Badr.
...
As the second match concluded, Rias rose confidently to her feet and turned to her peerage.
"It's our turn. Let's go!" she declared.
Badr smiled as he stood, flanked by Akeno, Koneko, Asia, and Xenovia. Together, the six of them stepped onto the teleportation array that would take them to the battlefield.
In a flash of light, they vanished from the stadium, reappearing in a specially designed dimensional space where their battle would begin.
...
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Chapter 172: The Painful Downfall
The sky loomed dim and ominous, its unnatural darkness casting eerie shadows over a desolate, barren landscape.
Scattered ruins and broken stone columns dotted the cracked earth, leading to a crumbling temple in the distance, reminiscent of ancient Greek architecture.
"This place..." Rias murmured, her brow furrowed with confusion. "It doesn't feel like the tournament's designated arena."
Raising her wrist, she tried to connect with the tournament's magical communication array, but her attempts were met with silence.
There was no announcement signaling the start of the match, no briefing, nothing, only an unsettling quiet.
Badr's keen senses detected an abnormal flow of magic in the air. He turned to Rias. "This space has been compromised. Someone is tampering with it."
"What?"
Everyone immediately assumed defensive stances, their gazes shifting warily to the temple's surroundings.
Suddenly, multiple magical teleportation circles materialized in the air, glowing ominously.
"Be careful! These crests don't belong to the Astaroth family!" Akeno warned, her voice sharp. "These circles aren't linked to each other, but..."
"They're all devils!" Rias finished grimly, her expression darkening. "And if I'm not mistaken, those crests belong to the Old Maou faction of the Khaos Brigade."
"Are we under attack by terrorists?" The group braced themselves for a fight.
Badr, however, shook his head. "No, our teleportation coordinates were altered. Someone deliberately redirected us here."
This was no accident. The team had been transported to an entirely different realm, far from the tournament's designated battleground.
High above, a grotesque horde of devils emerged from the teleportation circles, their monstrous forms revealing their allegiance to the beastly lineage of the Old Maou faction.
"Pathetic imposters of the Lucifer Bloodline, Gremory filth! Your end comes today!" snarled the leading devil, charging directly at Rias.
