The Wish of the Dragon

Chapter 88:

Chapter 88:

Everyone in the stadium could hear the content of Irene and co talk since the whole area went quiet when they arrived.

Joan was very surprised after knowing that both Jeanne and Jalter are her "Ancestor" aka the first generation of Jeanne D Arc. The same goes for the others as well such as Cao Cao, Vali, etc.

Joan wanted to have a talk with them but she's afraid that she might offend them in some way so she could only hold it in for now.

Zeoticus and co, as in the parents' party wanted to greet them but Sirzechs told them maybe it would be better if they greet them later on just in case they're still having a bad mood.

Irene then saw Odin who's feeling kind of down so she becomes a little curious as for why he looks so gloomy even though he usually acts more carefree as in a perverted old man...

Irene - What's wrong with him?

Irene pointed at Odin and asked Grayfia who's standing nearby because she's been told by Sirzechs to stay nearby of Irene and co just in case they need something.

Grayfia looked at the direction where Irene is pointing and saw Odin looking gloomy.

Grayfia - Well... The thing is...

She was hesitating if it is okay to tell Irene about Rossweisse case but then she thought that it doesn't matter since it's no secret anyway.

Grayfia then told Irene and co just what is causing Odin to look so gloomy.

After Irene and co heard the story they become speechless.

Jalter - Pfft...

Jalter almost laughed out loud but manages to hold it in.

Grayfia eyes twitched a little hearing Jalter "scoff" because she thought that Jalter is laughing at Odin's suffering. But the truth is she just finds it laughable because the one they're searching for is currently safe and sound while feeling over the cloud at the same time.

Irene thought that they indeed forgot to inform Odin about Rossweisse well being. So she decided to send a message towards Odin.

Irene - [Don't worry, the one you're looking for is safe and sound, I guarantee it.]

Odin who heard the sudden sound appearing on his head becomes alarmed and instantly snapped his head towards Irene because he recognizes that voice belongs to her.

Just when Odin wanted to say something he saw Irene making a hushing gesture towards him and he swallows back his words after seeing that. But he keeps looking at Irene asking for an answer and that made some of the onlookers' feeling curious, such as Grayfia herself.

Irene then stopped looking at Odin much to the latter impatience. If it were anyone else then he would've forced them to tell what they know right away but since the other party is clearly someone he couldn't mess with he can only hold it in... He cares that much about Rossweisse after all.

Then Azazel and the other factions leader made a speech for the opening of the rating game...

It's your typical "Thank you for coming here blah blah blah...", so Irene yawned in boredom while the other girls either closed their eyes or talking with each other such as Millet who closed her eyes mediating, Ramius and co talking with each other, Gurigura who's happily eating the puff cream bread that Issei gave her for snacks...

Although they seem to be doing their own business without paying attention to Azazel and co speech, there's not a single one find it disrespectful since they have the power to back it up, even Sirzechs and co let them be... Well, more like they don't want to annoy them, to be honest...

Only Rias frowned a little thinking that Irene and co are acting arrogant but when she's about to look at them, her gaze accidentally intersected with Jalter who appeared to be glaring at her with a terrorizing glint on her eyes.

That manages to make Rias body shiver greatly because she can sense the immense bloodlust Jalter has towards her.

Rias hurriedly averted her gaze because she felt extreme trepidation just by locking her gaze with Jalter for a few seconds alone. Her heart started beating erratically in terror and she also started sweating profusely...

Akeno and co who saw Rias face suddenly look deathly white and disgruntled asked in concern but Rias doesn't dare to say anything about Jalter gaze just now so she can only say that it's nothing much to Akeno and co dismay...

Look and behold, her supposed boyfriend along with the other guys are too busy sneaking a peek at Irene and co direction thinking that their gaze went unnoticed by them.

Rias and co decided to pay less attention to their respective boyfriend during the rating game because there are a lot of eyes out here and they don't want to let anyone know about their little affair. They also already told Reiji and co to act more reserved than usual as not to attract too much attention to them.

Reiji and co are a bit confused at first but they soon accepted their request and they have to say they're liking this "Ignoring" thing a lot since they can easily feast their eyes on other beautiful girls they see.

They didn't know about Rias and the other girls being engaged to Issei so it's only natural they are clueless about this... But this ignorance will be their doom... Sure, sometimes ignorance is bliss but not this time...

Irene and the other girls obviously noticed their gaze but they let them be... They're about to die anyway, so what's the use giving a warning to a dead man walking...

Reiji and the other male onlookers' on the stadium felt like they can never get bored gazing at them just sitting there... They all are drop dead gorgeous they all thought to themselves... They're feeling envious and indignant knowing that all of these beauties are already taken.

They wish they could replace the lucky man who's able to get them all for himself... Shameless! They all said aloud inside their minds... Can't he share some of them as a fellow brother? Some of us are still single here man...

Some of them had their eyes bulging to the maximum threatening to break free from their eye sockets after looking rows and rows of the heavenly mountains up there with their nose bleeding profusely and that earned the nearby female participants spat of disgust...

Some tried to take a picture stealthily but for some unknown reason, their phone or camera suddenly broke on its own as in their screen goes cracked completely...

At some point, Sirzechs and co asked Irene if she wanted to make a speech of her own but she waves it off because she's not interested to make one in the first place. She just told them to hurry it off and start the game already...

They finally started the rating game soon after that... They have a random matchmaking system with Sirzechs trying to tinker with it so that Rias and co don't face off against Irene's team.

He's sad to say this but he hopes that their team loses against the other teams before they are faced off against Irene... It's not like Sirzechs is hoping for his beloved little sister team to loses but he has a bad premonition that if Rias's team were to face off against Irene's then it won't be anything good because it seems like Irene and co have something against Rias and co and he doesn't know why...

Unknown to him is that Irene is also tinkering with the matchmaking system without anyone realizing it...

She set it so Rias's team only fought against some weakling team to boost their confidence... Won't it be the best if they were in the highest point only to be dragged down instantly to the bottom with utter humiliation at that? Heheheh... Irene smirked to herself...

And with that, Rias's team fought against some weakling team and her team had a winning streak that made their confidence soar to the maximum thinking that they would be winning this rating game soon enough.

Although, Rias and co know better because they have yet fought against their biggest obstacles... There's also Vali team, Sairaorg team, Cao Cao team, etc... But the biggest obstacle they ought to face is Irene's team.

Reiji and co are the ones that feeling complacent thinking the other participants are not much apparently. They are basking in the fake limelight without knowing that their doom is near...

Rias and the other girls thought that they should let them be to boost their confidence.

The way they fight is like they're showing off their capabilities but unbeknownst to them, their performance is average at best compared to the other team.

Sure they manage to earn the squeal of some naive young girls from the audience thinking that the way they show off their fight is cool but for the seasoned fighters such as Vali team and the likes it's just meh...

Of course, the one they wanted to impress the most is Irene and co. They thought that Irene and co are interested in them because they keep looking at them with a "Smile"... Well, more like a mocking grin or bloodthirsty grin, but Reiji and co are too oblivious to notice that...

The arena where they fight is separated from the others so Reiji and co didn't know the true capabilities of another team such as Vali and co. They know they are strong but they thought since most of their opponents are just this much they thought that Vali and co strength isn't that far either.

Only the defeated team could observe the fights while the one who's still participating are unable to watch them... It is arranged this way so it would be fair for the participants so they can't set up a strategy to face off against their respective opponents... It also serves as a test to see the limit of their mettle.

Obviously, the audience can also watch their fight.

Irene's, Shiva, Sirzechs and co are the only exception for this since the former two are the strongest participants here so it doesn't matter if they watch the other team fight or not. While the later ones decided to just stand down from this rating game and become the observer instead...

They were planning to participate as well but because of the recent cases such as Issei's disappearance, Rossweisse disappearance and more, they finally canceled their idea of participating.

Irene and co barely pay any attention to the other fight anyway. Kathryn is the only one analyzed their fighting style for a longer amount of time before losing interest because their fighting skill is only so-so... Their biggest obstacles ought to be Vali and the other Gods team but it is still manageable.

Sure the team such as Vali, Sairaorg, Cao Cao, etc are the better ones but they still haven't unleashed their full capabilities yet since the enemies they fought are a bunch of weaklings... It's not her being arrogant but they are quite sure the amount of fighting experience they have is quite ahead compared to most of the participants here.

They fought against a lot of Godly being after all. Odin the all-father and his army is one of them... It's safe to say that Kathryn and co defeated quite a bit of Gods and Demi-Gods back then even if they need to work together to defeat them.

And it's not rare for them to have a spar with Issei and Scathach themselves. Both of them are the best of the best when it comes to close quarter combat training. Semiramis taught them about some magecraft and Forzelotte taught them how to efficiently handle their mana.

Issei also invented a lot of new skill just for them.

They can use their respective <Balance Breaker> taught by Issei himself if it comes down to it but... The only downside is that Issei might become alerted about it...

Everyone applauded for Rias and co as pleasantries sake... But not Sirzechs... He's sweating a lot because he already made sure to make Rias's team face off against Vali, Sairaorg, Cao Cao, and the like so they will lose instantly and with that, they won't need to face off against Irene team but none of it went according to his plan!

Then he had a sudden realization and looked at Irene straight away only to be greeted with an evil smirk by her... And with that, Sirzechs knows that there is nothing he can do but to pray that Irene and co won't take things too far when they do face off against them...

He can only smile bitterly... Even if he were to duke it out with Irene then he will sure to lose right away and perhaps he will bring the entire devil faction along with him to the grave if it does come to it... As for making Rias team quit the game? He doubts that will stop them...

When it comes to Irene's team match... They mostly win their fight in an instant just like Sirzechs and co expectation... But what they didn't expect that so far they only send one person at a time whenever they are fighting against another team.

One time they only send the woman named Ramius, then Gurigura, Riche, etc... They are using some sort of technique that they are not aware of, it looks like <Touki> or <Senjutsu> but quite different at the same time.

They are of course using <Haki>. Nowadays, Ramius and co can use <Haki> as natural as breathing.

Even Riche and Yunyun basic fireball are 5 times more potent and destructive compared to the normal fireball they know.

They defeated their enemy single-handedly without their other teammates interfering much to the public amazement.

The way they defeated their foes are quite simple and quick but there's a certain beauty to it that they couldn't exactly tell just what it is... More like its the effect of their beauty to be honest...

Croix is faced off against an unknown Devil team but just by looking at her standing there they already feel restless. And when she is in the midst of casting her spell they hurriedly admit defeat because just from the holy aura she's releasing alone they can tell that it would wipe them all out if it were to hit them.

Even the Devils from the audience seat can feel the power of her spell, needless to say about the Devil team which currently fighting her.

It's not like they don't try to stop her but they know that it would be useless because by the time they are able to come close to her location then her spell would be completed.

Croix stopped her spell the moment they admit defeat. She smiled and bowed a little at them and the Devil team returned her courtesy reflexively but the men in their team blushed deeply feeling captivated by her sight even though she's basically their natural enemy.

Michael and co become even feels amazed with her. They thought that if she were to become an Angel then she could easily replace Michael place as the faction leader...

Michael also knew that and he's totally fine with it... He's actually feeling attracted towards Croix but he knows that she's already taken so he can only smile bitterly thinking what a short love he has...

Just like that, they are also on a winning streak.

The other team such as Vali team also able to win their fight pretty easily. Vali and co are amazed by Kuroka because she sure becomes a lot stronger that even Vali show interest in fighting her but since Kuroka isn't that interested in fighting for nothing she waved it off saying she's not interested.

At one point, Irene team faced off against Sona team. Serafall who saw that instantly went towards Irene location without caring if she would offend them in the process.

Sirzechs and co were about to say something to her but Irene beat them to it.

Irene who saw Serafall coming towards their direction knows well just what the latter want to say.

Irene - There's no need to say anything, Serafall Leviathan. We won't harm your sister... After all, I'm quite fond of her.

Serafall at first feels relieved that Irene doesn't have any intention on hurting Sona but when she heard the last part of her words she becomes flabbergasted.

Serafall - Sona-tan is mine!

She voiced her words feeling threatened thinking that Irene also saw the wonderfulness of her beloved Sona-tan.

Ramius and co were confused about what she meant by that while Irene smirked towards Serafall with a playful smile.

Irene - Oh? Is she now?

Serafall - Of course!

Serafall nodded at Irene's words almost instantly with certainty. She even puffed her chest in confidence.

Irene - Hmm, I wonder... For all we know, she might just be our next sister, fufufu...

Irene chuckled at Serafall who turned into a statue after hearing her words. Even Sirzechs and co also becomes stupefied... What did she mean by that?

Serafall - W-What do you mean by that?!

She slammed down on the table asking Irene in indignance. She will never let her Sona-tan get stolen from her!

Sirzechs and co face become pale after seeing her act. They thought that she might just offend them but Irene only gave her a teasing grin much to Serafall annoyance and the others bafflement.

Irene - Well, who knows?

Irene then urged the other girls to enter the arena to face off against Sona team.

Kathryn and co are also curious what Irene mean by that but they thought that it's not time to ask her at this moment so they let it be for now.

With that, Irene and co entered the arena while Serafall who's feeling indignant is being held back by Sirzechs and co...

Issei might not know the vow Sona made but Irene does. When Issei told her about his little game of chess with Sona she instantly got interested in it and investigated it. If she recalls correctly from the intel they got about Sona Sitri then...

Indeed... What she found amused her because her beloved has gained a fiancee without his knowledge... She thought this ought to be very interesting considering that Sona Sitri is Rias Gremory best friend...

How would the latter feel when her best friend becomes the wife of the man who once loves them the most?

...

When both teams faced off against each other, Sona and her peerages paid their respect towards Irene and co by bowing at them while some of the girls from Irene's team returned the courtesy as well.

Saji was a bit captivated by them much to Ruruko and Momo annoyance. They both pinched his waist and that made Saji flinched with confusion.

Sona can only sigh at their antics while Irene and co smirked at the 3 lovebirds, but it seems that man named Saji isn't aware of the 2 girls feelings towards him.

The girls are a little curious about Sona and her peerages since Sona is their supposed future sister candidate while Saji is one of Issei old friend. They don't judge Sona just because she's Rias's best friend.

After all, Sona is Sona while Rias is Rias. Just because they are friends doesn't mean that both of them are completely the same.

Kathryn for one raised her eyebrows at Sona because she can tell that Sona is quite intelligent from the way she planned her strategy so far... Of course, not as intelligent as herself, Kathryn narcissistically thought inside her mind.

Riche who's by her side knew what she's just thinking so she can only smile wryly.

There's not much surprise and Irene team obviously emerged as the victorious team.

For this match, Irene told Ramius and co to fight them all at the same time but still a one on one match.

Saji is faced off against his <Sacred Gear> arch-nemesis... It's Wiz herself... When he launched his absorption line towards Wiz planning to drain her power he instead got his power drained from him.

Wiz was an ex-high lich. Her specialty is absorbing mana or life force and she's also quite an adept in using Ice Magic. Sure her <Absorption> is not as strong as Forzelotte's <Devour> but it's still good enough compared to it.

Turning her into a Dragon made her specialties got boosted. Her absorption is stronger than Vritra's himself.

Saji even already used his <Balance Breaker> for this but still to no avail.

Vritra - Give it up, partner... We just met our Arch-nemesis...

Vritra who resides inside Saji told his host to give it up. Even he has to admit that Wiz clearly has a stronger <Absorption> compared to himself.

Saji - Guh! But... I can't just accept it like this!

He gritted his teeth trying to overcome Wiz <Absorption>, to be honest, Saji is at his wits-end already and it took him everything he has just to barely stand still.

He really can't accept losing here of all places when they are so close to the final. He wanted to make his King proud but it seems he's unable to do so.

Why doesn't he just cut off the line you might ask? It's because Wiz already fortified the line he ironically used to latch itself towards her. The moment Wiz fortified it with her <Haki> and aura, she automatically gained control of Saji <Absorption Line>.

Wiz - I-I'm sorry but we can't lose here. <Ice Prison>!

Wiz apologetically said towards Saji. She launched the final blow and prisoned Saji inside an Ice Coffin. How ironic considering his <Sacred Gear> title is the Prison Dragon...

But Wiz indeed held back her power or Saji might've been already turned into a mummy by now...

And with that, Saji retired from the game... Perhaps Saji would last a bit longer if he didn't use his <Absorption Line> but alas...

The other girls are also worried about him but they have their hand full just dealing with their respective opponents.

Tsubaki for one is at close quarter combat with Natal who easily deflects her sword attack and even when she summoned her summoned creature they instantly got obliterated by Natal surrounding water sword.

Natal is standing proudly in front of Tsubaki with her sword in one hand and a couple of water sword she created with her magic. Natal is specialized in the water element.

Natal - Maa~ You're not bad. Of course, not as great as me, ohohoho~

Natal laughed in amusement because she indeed feels Tsubaki isn't that bad considering her power level.

Tsubaki gritted her teeth and swiped her naginata at Natal direction but the latter easily deflects it.

Tsubaki then took a step back to gain some distance from Natal.

Natal - Well, it's time to end this, <Water Nebula>.

Natal created two columns of water, which rotate around each other and forms a helix that headed towards Tsubaki direction.

Tsubaki who saw that grinned inwardly because this is what she's waiting for.

Tsubaki - Got you! <Mirror Alice>!

She used her <Sacred Gear> and there are 2 mirrors appeared right in front of her which intercepted Natal's attack.

<Mirror Alice> is Tsubaki's Sacred Gear. It creates a mirror that if destroyed reflects double the damage on the attacker, but cannot be summoned twice in a row without a cool-down period.

Natal - Ara?

Natal attack hit the Mirrors and it reflected the attack Natal just used. But Natal only raised her eyebrows seeing her attack got reflected.

Tsubaki thought that this counter-attack from her will at least deal some damage to Natal and perhaps even eliminate her from the game... But reality said otherwise.

Natal - Hmm, nice counter, but... Here you go~

Natal calmly waved her hand and her reflected attack instantly turned around once more towards Tsubaki direction.

Tsubaki - Wha-?!

*Bam!*

Before Tsubaki could process what just happened, Natal attack hit her and with that, she retired from the game...

Natal - Mm, if it were anyone else then your little trick might work, but sadly you met me... It was quite a nice fight nevertheless, ohohoho~

Natal laughed once more seeing her opponent has been defeated and that made her heavenly mountain jiggles which earned the male onlookers' nosebleed once again.

Just like Natal said, if it were anyone else then Tsubaki counter might be fatal for them but not for Natal and the other girls for that matter.

What she meant by it is that their attack is fully based on their respective elements. Wiz governs over an Ice element, Natal governs over Water element, etc.

They can easily control those specific elements that they govern. Wiz can control any ice in her vicinity while Natal can control water. So no matter what Tsubaki did, even if she manages to reflect Natal or the other girls elemental magic attack then the later could easily launch it back at her infinitely.

And even if it manages to hit them, it won't do anything at all considering they govern over it. For example, if Natal water attack just now hit her back, it won't do any damage at all.

Do take note that Ramius and the other girls don't govern only a single element. Jeanne and Croix for one govern over <Fire> and <Holy> element.

They can still train themselves to control other specific elements... They just need time and experience for it...

Sona's second Rook, Loup Garou is faced off against Ramius.

Loup Garou is Sona Sitri's second Rook and a second-year college student at Kuoh Academy. He is the son of a famous witch and a werewolf that is famous for its ash-colored fur.

Loup has the appearance of a young foreign man with a large physique, looking in his late teens. He has gray hair with long bangs which covers his eyes. He is described as having a handsome face and an extremely well-built body, rivaling that of Sairaorg Bael.

Loup is a werewolf hybrid, the result of the union of a werewolf and a famous magic user. This has granted him great physical prowess and magical abilities.

At this moment, Loup Garou has already turned into his Lycanthropy form aka werewolf form but he's already looking distressed fighting against Ramius. He's not really hurt but his stamina is draining on him.

Only when he uses his werewolf form that he could gain the "upper hand" against Ramius. If he was still in his human form then Ramius might've already knocked him out cold.

Ramius also perfectly countered Garou in close quarter combat. Ramius might not be as fast as him in his werewolf form but she can intercept some of his attacks no matter where it came from... It's like she has eyes behind her head...

And even if he manages to land an attack at her. She barely even flinch from his attacks... Heck, he can't even scratch her with his claws... In fact, it's his claws that got chipped away instead.

His Magic attack doesn't do anything towards Ramius at all. She even ate some of his magic attacks for God sake! What the hell is up with that! Garou cursed inside his mind.

Ramius - You're indeed a great warrior, but we should finish this soon.

Ramius nodded towards Garou in acknowledgment of his fighting spirit. Usually most opponents she faces so far gave up the moment they realized that they can't deal any damage towards her. They either tried to run away or just give up.

Garou - ...

Garou, as usual, chooses to stay silent and trying to think a way to defeat Ramius... But he got nothing... He already tried everything he's capable of to deal even at least a tiny amount of damage at Ramius but to no avail...

The reason for that is because of Ramius has a very strong <Armament Haki>, Physical defense and she's also an Anti-Elemental Dragon at that... So she's your perfect tank, strong against both Physical attack and Magical attack... She could also consume almost every element existed to regenerate her Mana/Stamina reserves.

Of course, there's a limit to the number of elements she can consume at a time.

Garou finally gritted his teeth and decided to launch his last barrage of attack.

He imbued his body with Fire Magic and launched himself towards Ramius.

He punched towards Ramius head but the latter calmly blocked his attack and counter-attacked at the same time.

Garou already expected that and he proceeds to evade Ramius counter-attack that was heading towards his face and was about to use his claws to swipe at her but what comes next surprised him.

Ramius opened her mouth and launched a flame breath towards his face. This is the first time for Ramius to uses this attack so he's caught unprepared.

He instinctively covered his face with his arms but that's what Ramius was aiming for while her flame breath was just a feint and only serves to temporarily blind him.

Ramius clutched her left hand that is armed with <Armament Haki> and then she punched towards Garou solar plexus while her right arm holds him in place.

Ramius - It was a great fight but this is it.

When Garou heard her voice, he knows that he just got tricked.

Garou - Shi-!?

*Bang!*

Garou - Gaha!

Garou exhaled all the air that is inside his stomach and before long his eyes rolled back and he passes out while his body reverted back to his human form...

Ramius - Fumu, we should fight again sometimes.

Just before Garou completely blacked out he heard Ramius voice and then he disappeared from the arena...

Bennia also got countered by Riche since the latter prevented the former teleportation magic with a <Dimensional Lock>.

With her teleportation sealed, Bennia can only withstand the barrage of magic coming from Riche until she retired from the game...

Just like that, one by one Sona loses her peerage members...

Sona who saw all this can only sigh bitterly because it seems that this is as far as her team could go... It's not really out of her expectation but it still felt bitter when it actually happens... All of her peerage members felt the same way...

She's the last one standing on the arena at the end...

The reason for that is because Millet has been standing nearby her preventing Sona to do anything at all. She can't even assist her team fighting against Irene's team.

She knows that even if she were to assist them it would change nothing and the outcome would still be the same with her on the losing side... But at least it's better than doing nothing, right?

Millet doesn't really do anything other than standing nearby her with her hands on her back but the sheer pressure she emits served as a warning to not do anything reckless is more than enough for Sona... She can only watch her team goes down one by one.

Irene - There's no need to be worried about your friends, Sona Sitri. They will be fine because my sisters held back on their attack.

Sona - Then... Thank you for your kindness, milady.

Irene also standing nearby Sona but she's only observing the latter with an amused gaze. She reassured Sona about her friends' safety and that comforted Sona's worry at the very least.

Even from here she could tell that most of them only fainted away without withstanding any major injuries.

Irene - Hmm, I heard you've been looking for a man that goes by the name "Savant"?

Irene said with a teasing tone. Millet who heard her words got her interest piqued because the only man who has that name is her beloved lord while Forzelotte is a woman.

Sona who heard Irene words opened her eyes wide in surprise because the only one who knew that information is limited to herself, Tsubaki, and the Yokai faction.

There's no way Tsubaki would tell them then that can only mean... The Yokai faction...

Sona - ...Do you know him, milady?

Sona asked in a cautious tone because she's quite sure that Irene has some connection either with the Yokai faction or with "Savant" himself. If they have a connection with the Yokai faction then...

Irene - Well... You could say that... Don't worry, you will meet him soon enough.

Irene chuckled at her.

Sona can only curiously gazes at Irene on why she said that.

Irene - Now then, I suppose this will be it... We will continue our conversation at another time... Now if you would?

Irene looked at Sona with a thin smile.

Sona knew what she meant by that so she can only sigh bitterly one last time before forfeiting the match...

...

Serafall instantly latched herself on Sona the moment she got teleported out from the arena.

She started inspecting Sona from head to toe just in case she's hurt anywhere.

Sona got embarrassed by her elder sister act but she felt warm on the inside.

Serafall who saw Irene's team started to growl at them with a gritted teeth while covering Sona with her body. She acts just like how a cat would protect its kitten would.

Irene and co who saw that chuckled at their antics which made Sona face turned another shade redder...

Croix - Maa~ look at how close they are. Riche~, let's do the same! Huggg~

Croix suddenly hugged Riche out of nowhere.

Riche - O-Onee-chan!

This time it's Riche who's feeling embarrassed.

The onlookers' felt warm looking at their interaction. They thought that Irene and co might not be as hard to get close to as they thought...

Even Serafall let her guard down for a bit because she thinks she just saw a fellow comrade as a fellow sis-con. Croix and Serafall shared a knowing smile at each other while Riche and Sona do the same but they both have a wry smile instead...

...

Back at the <Netherworld>.

Issei is currently inside an exotic looking lab while talking with a woman. Semiramis and co went somewhere else while Tio and Tilt are finalizing the design of Issei's outfit along with the others. Ophis and Lilith are playing somewhere nearby.

The woman Issei is talking to is wearing a unique looking dress with a combination of red and blue with a gold outline. She has shoulder length deep brown hair and she also has a beautiful face with sapphire colored eyes, she has this comely look on her face. There's a giant black gauntlet on her left hand and also a mechanical looking bird perched on her shoulder.

This woman is Leonardo Da Vinci but she prefers to be called Da Vinci-chan instead of her full name.

At the nearby table, there are multiple glowing rings floating in the air supported by some sort of device below them, the rings have different colored stones on each of them. There's a red colored stone, blue, black, platinum, white, etc. Overall, they really look beautiful and surely one of a kind.

These rings are obviously the rings that Issei wanted to give his wives. It took him quite a while to create these rings with the assistance of Da Vinci herself.

Da Vinci - I can only say as expected of you, master... To think that you would go this far to create these rings...

Da Vinci smiles wryly at Issei but there's a tinge of awe and worship and even a bit of envy laced in her voice. She wishes that she also got the same ring from Issei but it seems like she would need some more time to get his attention...

The reason why she said all that is because Issei used not just the combination of the strongest metals, ores, and the likes but he also imbued his own aura essence into it just to enhance it even further.

That's why it took him quite a while just to make these rings. Da Vinci only assisted Issei to create the stones while he made the rings on his own.

Issei only calmly smiles at her which earned a tinge of blush on Da Vinci face. She really can't stop marveling just how handsome he is...

Not only does he saves them all from the shackle of the <Holy Grail>, he also kind enough to let them do as they wish when usually other people wanted to gain their power for themselves...

The <Holy Grail> or more specifically Angra Mainyu tried to entice him but Issei doesn't even have a tiny bit of interest towards its enticement. It's like Angra Mainyu just talking with itself at that point.

Angra Mainyu also can't corrupt Issei in any way because of how pure his soul is. There's nothing corrupted about him... Most individuals have something they're hiding from the others, even a Holy Saintess such as Jeanne D Arc has something dark inside of her which resulted in the birth of Jalter... but not Issei...

He lives however he wants without caring about other people opinion of him...

When Angra Mainyu tested Issei one last time which will he choose between the world and his loved ones, he chooses his loved ones without a single hesitation.

His direct words quote is, "If I have to choose between my loved ones and the world then I would choose the former. Even if I have to destroy the world itself just to keep them safe then I would do it regardless of the consequences, even if I have to carry all the sins existed I would still do it".

After that, Angra Mainyu has nothing more to say... It thought that it could make Issei choose the world over his loved ones and in turn, it might be able to corrupt him with a seed of doubts planted inside him but alas...

It already tried sending all of the spirits after him but it's all for naught... Issei is too powerful for any of the spirits to inflict any damage to him.

It can only wait for its demise and along with its death the spirits are freed and the <Holy Grail War> is no more...

His answer is quite selfish but that is Issei Savant Hyoudou as a person... He has nothing to hide...

Even the holy heroic spirit such as Xuanzang Samzang and the likes cannot refute his words.

When he is asked just why he freed them all, he only said that he's doing this for his wives which made all of the Heroic spirits and the likes become stupefied.

They notice the wives he's talking about is Jeanne D Arc and Jeanne D Arc Alter. Both of them could barely contain their happiness when he answered their question. If they were in their own home then both Jeanne and Jalter might just assault Issei right here right now...

They also notice that both of them are alive again and not just a Spirit anymore. Some of the Heroic Spirits wanted to know just how they achieve that but their answer once again made them dumbfounded... While some of the female heroic spirits blushed profusely.

The answer to that question has something to do with quite an intimate act between couples after all...

Jalter started bragging at her fellow female Alter Ego/Avengers which made the latter group got ticked off... She kept on saying just how loving her master is and how awesome he is, etc... But that, in turn, bite her in the ass because some of them decided to follow Issei just to spite her...

Da Vinci - Well, anyway... We could say that the rings are finished now, master... Although, it's more like a phantasmal artifact at this point...

Da Vinci faked a cough to change the subject.

Issei - Um, thank you for your help, Leonardo Da Vin-... Err, Da Vinci-chan...

Da Vinci glared at Issei when he was going to call her with her full name.

Issei could only smile wryly at her and follow her request to call her Da Vinci-chan.

Da Vinci - Un, you're welcome, master.

Only after that, she smiles brightly once again.

Da Vinci - So, you're going to give them to your wives right away?

She asked curiously.

Issei - Hmm, maybe later... They are probably still busy with the rating game anyway.

Issei calmly answered her question.

Da Vinci - ...So you already knew after all?

Da Vinci froze for a brief moment before she sighed wryly after hearing Issei words... So, in the end, they can't hide it from him...

Indeed... Issei already knew about Irene and co going to the rating game from a while ago. During his stay at Kyoto to be exact.

They all assume that he's still in the dark about the rating game but they're all mistaken.

Issei - Well, it's not that hard to find out actually...

Issei found out about the rating game from the rumors he heard at Kyoto. When he investigated the rating game, he found out about the participation of a team named <Dragon Nest>.

He kinda already expected this to be honest but he doesn't really care that much whatever Irene and co going to do at Rias and the others. He's already suspicious just why Jalter and the others seem a little bit too agitated before this and after his investigation, he got his answer.

He's not even a tiny bit mad about them keeping him in the dark about this because he knows that they're doing this for him and that warmed up his heart so he respected their wish and feign ignorance about it.

Da Vinci - I see... No wonder I feel like the fortress is less crowded than usual so the reason for that is?

Da Vinci asked Issei even though she already knew the answer to her question.

Issei - Ah... I sent some of the girls to assist Irene and the others just in case they needed help... Well, it might've been unnecessary since Semi and Shisou are headed there as well...

Issei can only scratch his cheek while smiling wryly. He sent some of the <9 Divines> and some of the others to serve as a backup for Irene and co if things were to go downhill and also act as a messenger for him.

It's not like he doubted Irene strength for that matter, he's quite sure she alone could easily handle all of the faction leaders but it's better to be safe than sorry. He wanted to continue to feign ignorance so that's why he sent the others in his stead and besides, he still needs to make sure the rings are properly finished.

He told them to hide and only appear if the situation calls for it.

Da Vinci - Ufufufu, they are sure are loved, aren't they?

Da Vinci giggled at him.

Issei calmly smiles once again at her statement.

Issei - Hmm, I wonder if Rose is fine right now... Although, Brunhild and the other Valkyries are already with her... But still...

He mumbled lowly at himself thinking about Rossweisse.

Da Vinci - Jeez, master... Stop being a worry-wart, will you?

Da Vinci berated Issei for being such a worry-wart.

Da Vinci - You can instantly teleport yourself to her location, no? And if you want you could send us to her aid, you know that right?

Da Vinci tilted her head to the side with a knowing grin at her face.

What she meant by "Us" is the other heroic spirits just like her.

Issei - O-Oh, I guess you're right... Well, I'm going to check the rings once again just to be sure that it's fine.

Then Issei averted his attention back to the rings once again and started inspecting it.

Da Vinci who saw that smiled gently at Issei because he's really a loving husband, isn't he? No wonder the other girls are attracted to him... Including her...

...

Back to DxD world.

Riser team loses against Typhoon team which lose against Vali team and they also defeated the Sairaorg team.

Rias and most of her peerages starting to feel really uncomfortable with how things went... They never faced off against a strong team such as Vali team and the likes for some unknown reason... It's either outstanding luck or there's something else is going on...

Most of the strong team that they knew off has already been defeated.

While Reiji and co become even more complacent with themselves...

The last three teams are:

1.<Dragon Nest>

2.<Team White Dragon Emperor of the Morning Star>

3.<Team Rias Gremory>

And the next match is a match between <Dragon Nest> and <Team White Dragon Emperor of the Morning Star>...

The spectators are wondering if Vali and his team are able to forces Irene's team to let out their true strength. Even Sirzechs and co are hoping that Vali has equal power with them at the very least. That way they can have a little bit of reassurance if the worst scenario were about to happen...

Kuroka - Nyawn~ this should be a quick fight...

When they arrived at the arena Kuroka nyawned in boredom seeing the next match-up. Vali and the others didn't refute her words because they know that they are on the losing side.

Irene glared at Vali or to be more specific at Albion himself.

Vali and the others got confused by that thinking did they offend her in some way? Except for Kuroka who sniffled a laugh because she knows the reason for that. The same goes for the other girls on Irene's team.

Albion who's residing inside Vali shuddered after feeling her glare for some reason.

Irene - So... I'm guessing that you don't remember me, Albion?

Albion - ...

Albion tried his best to remember why Irene seems so familiar so he doesn't answer her question less they anger her even further.

Irene - ...I will take your silence as a yes then...

She mumbled while gnashing her teeth knowing that Albion doesn't remember her... Not she's the one to talk even though she also forgot about her own gender a while ago...

Vali - ...I wish to challenge you.

Vali suddenly speaks out of nowhere towards Irene herself which managed to surprise the spectators and his team members alike.