As Kiba's sword carved deep across Sairaorg's left side and tore through to his front, he passed by with the momentum of the strike. In that brief instant, he heard it—clearly.
"You were amazing, Yuuto-senpai."
The voice came from his junior, already dissolving into the light of resignation. Hearing those words, Kiba thought to himself that maybe, just maybe, he'd upheld his pride as a senpai—even if only barely.
But he couldn't even brace for impact. He slammed into the ground and tumbled hard, his already broken limbs flailing in unnatural directions.
Sairaorg, blood now pouring not just from his right hand but also his side, approached. He pressed his uninjured left hand to the gash on his abdomen, blood dripping thick and dark from the wound.
Kiba, lying face-down in the dirt with bloodied cheeks, turned his head to look. Upon confirming the damage he'd done, a faint but satisfied smirk lifted his lips.
"We've done our part. Now, my King—and my best friend—will take you down."
Sairaorg stopped in front of him and replied with reverence in his voice.
"There's nothing else to say. You were magnificent. I'm grateful to have faced you."
With full, unrestrained respect, Sairaorg stomped down on Kiba Yuuto, forcing him into resignation.
========
[Issei's POV]
From the players' designated seats, Rias, Asia, and I watched as Kiba vanished into the light of resignation. We didn't look away for a second.
"Yuuto… Shirone… Xenovia… You all fought so well."
Rias stood tall, eyes fixed forward, her voice unwavering.
But Asia and I, sitting so close, could tell. We saw it.
We saw the subtle trembling in her eyes, as though she were holding back tears—wanting desperately to rush to their side in the hospital room, even while overflowing with pride for her servants.
But she couldn't afford that choice. Not now.
The only way to honor their efforts was to keep her eyes locked on victory.
When Gasper fought earlier, the initial violence made her flinch. But this time, from start to finish, her gaze was fierce and unshaken.
Just as Sairaorg said—Rias had grown. She had begun to walk the path of a true King, fueled by the will of those who followed her.
…Still.
Still, I couldn't stop the blood seeping from my clenched fist and the corner of my bitten lip.
The game wasn't over yet.
The next dice roll—combined from both Rias and Sairaorg—came out to 9.
We already knew where this was heading.
It wouldn't be a soldier. According to Rias and Kiba's predictions, the Queen would take the field.
Even if it turned out to be a soldier, the outcome wouldn't change.
Asia would be sent in next, resigning immediately without fighting.
And then… it would be me. The final showdown—me versus Sairaorg.
As the next match prep began, we were enveloped by the barrier that prevented us from seeing the opponent's side—used for pre-match strategy. That's when Rias spoke up.
"Issei, you're making a terrifying face right now."
Asia followed quickly with her own concern.
"Issei-san… You haven't forgotten Ikki-kun's advice, right?"
…So I really did let it show that much, huh.
"Yeah. Don't worry. I remember it well."
There was only one person I needed to unleash all of this fury on—
Sairaorg Bael.
Even now, this very second, I could feel the storm of rage threatening to take over.
But I wouldn't forget the advice my best friend gave me.
And thanks to Rias and Asia speaking up, my reason had started to return. Just a little.
I couldn't afford to let anger push me into using Triaina just yet. Sairaorg's enhanced evasion meant he might slip through even those powerful attacks.
With those thoughts burning in my chest, the time came. I stood atop the teleportation platform.
I was transferred to the battlefield—a place like a quiet coliseum. The silence made it feel almost eerie.
My opponent… was exactly who we expected.
Sairaorg's Queen—Kuisha Abaddon.
"You're unusually composed. I thought you'd react a bit more… enthusiastically to fighting a woman like me."
"Of course! I'm always happy to face a beauty!"
I wasn't lying. That part of me was definitely still intact.
But right now, I was a balloon—bloated with air, on the verge of exploding.
Honestly, the thought of hitting a woman was something that would never normally cross my mind.
But now… I didn't know how long I could keep my head straight.
I had to finish this. Fast.
No playing around. I'd end this in a single blow.
[Match Seven—Begin!]
The announcement echoed.
Kuisha didn't move. She intended to give me the ten seconds I needed to transform.
"Become your forbidden form, Red Dragon Emperor. My King desires your full strength. As his Queen, I will face that power with everything I have."
"Then here I go!"
"Welsh Dragon, Balance Breaker!!"
Clad in Ddraig's armor, I blasted forward with my boosters—charging in head-on.
In response, Kuisha opened a massive dimensional hole right in front of her.
If I charged in recklessly, I'd be teleported elsewhere—slammed into a wall or buried underground.
Still, I didn't stop.
Instead, I pointed my transformed white right arm at the portal and slashed at it.
"Divide!!"
The moment my white-armored limb touched the portal, its size was halved.
And in that moment—Kuisha was exposed.
She was stunned. That dimensional hole—practically an impenetrable shield—had been weakened in a flash.
It doesn't work like Vali's multiple halves, but still, wielding both Red Dragon and White Dragon powers… yeah, it's basically cheating.
"What—?!"
Before she could react, I reached for the exposed part of her body and unleashed a full-power Dragon Shot!
[Queen Kuisha Abaddon of the Bael Team—Retired.]
The match was declared over.
But I still wasn't calm.
No, I couldn't calm down—not until I fought Sairaorg. Not until I let it all out. Not until I hit him with everything I had.
I returned to our team's seats and immediately locked eyes with him across the stadium.
Still not yet.
Asia's match was next. One more step.
But we could all see how it would go. She'd resign immediately. That would lead directly into our battle.
I wanted to fight him now—for everyone's sake.
"Look at that glare you're giving me. Seething with rage—your face says you can't wait another second."
Sairaorg stood, his voice rising.
"I ask the Committee—this is ridiculous! Are you really going to bind this man with arbitrary rules? I propose we end this now—with an all-out team battle, using all remaining members!"
The arena exploded in uproar.
[Indeed, it's obvious how things will play out. Under the current rules, the Bael Team's 'Soldier' would face the Gremory Team's 'Healer.' The result? A resignation and then the true final match between Red Dragon Emperor and Sairaorg Bael.]
[It'd be boring to force a meaningless match before the finals. Better to ride this momentum into a full-team showdown!]
Even Emperor Belial and Azazel-sensei voiced their agreement.
"I have no objections," Rias said, nodding at the camera.
Shortly after, the announcement came.
[We have confirmation! The Committee has approved Sairaorg Bael's proposal! The next match will be… a final battle between both teams with all remaining members!]
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
The crowd erupted. Their excitement reached a fever pitch.
"So that's the deal. I won't ask you to forgive me if you die—just make sure you're ready for it."
"I'll be coming at you to kill! I've got people I need to face after this—so I'm not holding back!"
This battle—long, yet so short—was finally reaching its end.
"Rias. Let's win this."
"Of course. There's no other outcome."
As we prepared for the final teleport to the battlefield…
I let my fighting spirit burn hotter than ever.
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