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Chapter 280 ~ Gremory Vs Phoenix

Yuuji sat comfortably on a wide, lush velvet couch, the kind that almost seemed to pull you in with its embrace. On his left, Albedo clung tightly to his arm, her soft golden eyes half-lidded in contentment as she rested her head on his shoulder. The gentle warmth of her body, the subtle weight of her curves pressing against him—comforting, intimate—was something he had grown used to. Though he’d never say it aloud, there was a quiet satisfaction in the way she molded herself to his side with possessive affection.

To his right, C.C. mirrored the gesture in her own way, more reserved, yet no less intimate. She leaned her head on his opposite shoulder, her arm gently curled around his, and her fingers, slender and cool to the touch, interlaced with his in a silent gesture that spoke volumes. 

She didn’t hold him tightly. There was no need to. Her grip was firm, steady—a quiet reminder that she was there, present, and claimed her space beside him in a way only she could. A slight smile curled on her lips as her golden eyes fixed ahead on the projection with quiet amusement.

On either side of the affectionate pair sat Aika and Erika, dressed down in matching tank tops and short hot pants that spoke of comfort and familiarity rather than seduction. They lounged relaxedly, legs curled up on the couch cushions, casual in posture and spirit.

Having spent nearly every day training Rias and her peerage alongside Yuuji, they’ve had their share of lovey-dovey time with him. Tonight, they gave C.C. and Albedo their moment, sharing a quiet understanding between them. 

Across from them, on another couch draped in royal crimson silk, Semiramis lounged with Lelouch, Tatsuya, and Satoru, her legs elegantly crossed and a cup of dark tea in hand. 

At the center of the gathering, a marble table stretched between them all. Upon it, cups of freshly brewed tea and aromatic coffee steamed gently beside a finely arranged cheeseboard and a platter of artisan crackers. The warm scent of herbs and spices filled the air, grounding them in the moment.

Floating a meter above the table, like a portal to another world, was a shimmering astral projection—an ethereal screen born from layered enchantments. It showed the battlefield of the Underworld with perfect clarity, as if a divine eye gazed upon the Rating Game between Rias Gremory’s peerage and Riser Phoenix’s peerage which was just about to start.

Yuuji raised an eyebrow as he studied the projection. “I’m still amazed you managed to get an Arcane Eye into the Underworld and keep it running. Did you use a divine ranked item?”

He wasn’t exaggerating. Even Tier-10 and Super Tier magic—immense as they were—had limitations. Magic was still bound by laws, strange as that irony might be. Spells that bent reality were, in turn, shackled by the boundaries of realms. Most forms of surveillance magic couldn’t cross such thresholds. The Arcane Eye, for instance, could only function while being in the same realm as the caster.

Lelouch smiled faintly, as if pleased to have been asked.

“It’s not an Arcane Eye,” he corrected smoothly. “It’s something I call Astral Eye—a hybrid spell. I combined the mechanics of Scrying with a 9th-tier spell of my own design, Astral Projection. Built specifically for this kind of interdimensional surveillance.”

Yuuji’s brows lifted slightly, impressed.

“Of course, it can still be detected or blocked by high-tier anti-divination wards,” Lelouch admitted, waving his hand, “but as you can see—”

He gestured to the vivid image suspended in the air, where Rias’s team stood ready for battle beneath a crimson sky.

“—so far, no interruptions. So, sit back and enjoy the show.”

Yuuji leaned back slightly, a small smile tugging at his lips as he picked up his cup of coffee.

His eyes landed on the projection that showed Rias and each and every member of her peerage. 

His gaze fell on Issei, Kiba, Koneko, and Asia one by one, all of them, he noticed, shared a slight nervousness and unmistakable determination that eclipsed it. 

Then, his gaze lingered on Akeno and Rias. 

At the end of the 10 days of training, he still couldn’t help Akeno with her trauma and hatred towards her paternal bloodline, and help her wield her Holy Lightning. 

But… he’d like to believe that the nights he had spent with her conversing, listening, had helped vent her buried emotions and alleviate her burdens a bit. 

While for Rias, he hoped she could overcome this long-coming obstacle and finally be free. 

“Then let’s see if all their hard work paid off.”

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

The rating game had begun.

A brilliant flash of light engulfed Rias and her peerage, and the next moment, they found themselves standing within the familiar confines of the Occult Research Club Room. The dark mahogany furniture, the gentle scent of old books, and the comforting stillness of the space they had known so intimately—it was as if they had never left.

But the comfort was short-lived, replaced by brief confusion and guarded caution.

A shimmering magical circle floated midair, and from it, Grayfia Lucifuge’s composed voice rang out like a bell:

“Attention to both peerages: This Rating Game will take place within a constructed replica of Kuoh Academy, set inside a separate dimensional battlefield. Rias Gremory’s peerage will be stationed within the old school building, while Riser Phenex’s peerage will begin from the new school building.”

The peerage glanced at one another as murmurs of recognition rippled through the room. The field was one they knew intimately.

“Victory will be awarded to the team that incapacitates all opposing members or forces the King of the other side to surrender. Any member incapacitated will be immediately teleported to the Underworld for healing and recovery. As usual, Pawns will gain the ability to Promote upon reaching enemy territory. Both peerages will now have ten minutes to prepare and strategize. You may not leave your base until the countdown has expired.”

As the projection faded, a heavy but meaningful silence settled over the group.

And in that silence… Rias realized the truth.

‘This must be his doing…’

Her crimson eyes softened, and she smiled almost helplessly, picturing the composed face of her older brother. Sirzechs Lucifer. For the battlefield to be Kuoh Academy—the one place she knew better than anyone—it was far too convenient to be coincidence.

The rules were absolute, but within the limits of his authority, the Lucifer himself must have nudged fate in her favor. A silent show of support for his beloved little sister.

‘Thank you, Onii-sama.’

The weight on her shoulders lightened. She wasn’t alone. She had her team, her training, her conviction—and subtle support from her family, even in the background.

More importantly, she had prepared for this.

In their nightly strategy sessions with Yuuji, Kuoh Academy had been a recurring battlefield. She had, at first, thought it was merely for familiarity’s sake—to ease them into more advanced tactics.

Now she wasn’t so sure.

Rias’s gaze flicked to the window, then to the map laid out on the desk. Every hallway, classroom, and rooftop—she could see it all in her mind’s eye.

“It seems we’re lucky.” She crossed her arms beneath her ample chest, a quiet confidence blooming on her lips.

“Ufufufu, I agree~” Akeno giggled beside her, eyes narrowed in subtle delight. “Maybe someone’s prayer for our victory manifested this way~”

But her voice carried more meaning than her words suggested. She too had reached the same conclusion—not only about Sirzechs, but about Yuuji.

She remembered how he had often chosen Kuoh for their mock simulations. She had thought he was being thoughtful, grounding them in something familiar.

But what if Yuuji knew?

The timing. The consistency. The subtle nudges in how he taught them where to plant their traps and what traps to use, how to use classroom terrain, how to trap enemies in the gym or lead them into ambushes in the courtyard, how to fight in the open fields, or pointing out important vantage points.

‘Could it be that Yuuji knew this would be the field…?’

Rias met Akeno’s eyes. A silent understanding passed between them, but Rias shook her head with a small smile.

Now wasn’t the time for speculation.

“Let’s not get distracted. We only have ten minutes. I’ll be explaining our strategy now.”

The others quickly assembled before her—Issei, Asia, Koneko, and Kiba—all standing straight, their expressions serious.

““Yes, President!””

Their voices echoed in unison.

Rias took a breath. The flames of her determination burned steady and strong.

This was her battlefield.

And she would win.

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

“Xuelan, Mira, Ille, Nel—head to the gymnasium. Lure them out,” Riser commanded coolly, his back to them, eyes locked on the glowing projection of Kuoh Academy’s map.

“Yes!” came the unified reply as the rook and three pawn girls swiftly exited the student council room, their footsteps fading as they dashed to carry out his orders.

Riser remained still, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the map.

So far, there had been no visible movement from Rias’s peerage. That could only mean one of two things: either they were bunkering down, waiting to pick off his forces one by one like cornered prey—or they were preparing a trap. A flanking maneuver, perhaps, sneaking through the new school building in a desperate bid to ambush his team from the side.

But he dismissed the latter theory just as quickly. With their reduced numbers and lack of experience, Rias and her team wouldn’t risk something so bold. No, turtling and waiting was the most likely scenario. Conservative. Defensive. Predictable.

There was still time before they made their move, so he would control the center field and force their hand.

A single rook and three pawns might not be strong enough to eliminate Rias’s pieces outright, but they didn’t need to. Their mission was to draw the enemy out. The real blows would come later.

“Karlamine, Siris, Marion, Burent, Shuriya, Li, Ni,” he continued, not missing a beat. “Move into position. Follow the plan precisely.”

“Understood!” came the sharp responses, as the two knights and remaining pawns departed, their wings igniting and casting brief shadows as they launched into the sky.

Soon, only Riser, his Queen, and the two bishops remained in the room.

Despite having deployed the majority of his forces, Riser was unshaken. His trump card was still beside him—his Queen, Yubelluna, the most powerful piece in his peerage. With her and his bishops for support, and with himself—the immortal Phoenix—at the center, there was no need for concern.

Riser might play the part of a flamboyant, arrogant noble, full of pride and indulgence, but beneath the façade was the mind of a seasoned veteran. He was the King of a peerage that had participated in—and won—numerous Rating Games. While some of his victories were orchestrated through political maneuvering and behind-the-scenes deals, others were earned on the battlefield. The same could be said for his losses.

But experience? That, no one could deny him.

Through countless games, Riser had honed his instincts—learning when to push, when to hold back, and when to strike. He understood tactics. He knew how to exploit weakness, how to use terrain, timing, and pressure to unmake an enemy’s plan.

Rias’s peerage, by comparison, was inexperienced and undermanned. In his eyes, it was only a matter of time.

Minutes ticked by.

By now, Xuelan and the others should have reached the gymnasium and begun their diversion.

Riser’s eyes remained on the map, calm and calculating.

But just as the silence began to stretch too long—

BOOM.

A tremor shook the floor beneath his feet, and a surge of power erupted across the map. Four icons blinked—then vanished.

He narrowed his eyes.

Xuelan. Mira. Ille. Nel.

Gone.

Riser stood upright, his expression darkening. His brows twitched. 

“What? That was supposed to be the Rook and Pawn…”

His fingers clenched at his sides as the realization hit. And along with it, the shame that came from falling for such a thing.

“So it was a trap?!”

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

Akeno Himejima, Rias Gremory’s Queen, stood in midair under the tall ceiling of the gymnasium with a smile on her lips and thunder wreathing her fingertips.

“Ara ara~ Took you long enough.”

Below her, four girls from Riser’s peerage stood in shocked fear. 

“Kuh…! Why is she here?!”

Why was their queen here? Of all the places! 

They expected some other pieces, perhaps her pawn or rook, to come to this place, but not the strongest piece in her peerage!

And now… they were in the frying pan. 

“Fufu~ Now then, let’s have some fun, shall we~?”

A piercing lightning shot forth from her fingers, slamming and burning into the wooden floors in between the four girls. 

“Mira, Ille, Nel! We need to close the distance! Use your wings!”

They knew they wouldn’t stand a chance against the Priestess of Thunder at range. No matter what, they had to close the distance, all while avoiding her lightnings, and strike her somehow. 

‘I need to buy time… Riser-sama should notice the battle and send reinforcement! I must hold out until then!’

Although lacking in speed to catch up to Akeno, as the rook of Riser’s peerage, Xuelan was confident with her stamina. 

She flew as quickly as she could, trying to close the distance while avoiding lightning when she could and enduring those she couldn’t. 

The four darted around the air of the gymnasium in well-practiced formation. But Akeno danced in between them, keeping her distance with leisurely grace, while casting small bolts of lightning towards them. Not enough to completely incapacitate them, but just enough to make them feel numb. A little tease. 

Her eyes narrowed as her lips curled into a mischievous grin, enjoying their reactions. 

But soon, they grew tired. And then her smile faded.

“Hm, it seems like you’ve reached your limits… Well then, It seems like playtime is over.”

Akeno raised her hands above, and thunderclouds gathered above the ceiling of the gymnasium.

And in the next instant—BOOM.

A pillar of divine lightning slammed into the gymnasium, engulfing her attackers in raw voltage and demonic power. The four screamed before they were knocked out and teleported from the field.

Within the new school building, Riser’s expression twisted into a grimace.

“How dare she!” Riser shouted, his eyes turning bloodshot. 

It wasn’t the fact that his peerage members were incapacitated by such a devastating attack. 

No… It was the fact that he had fallen into the trap of someone he thought lowly of. 

He wasted no time.

“Yubelluna, Karlamine, Mihae—go. Take out their Queen. Also, look out for their other pieces.”

““Yes!””

The three flew fast and low, weaving through the air toward the ruined structure. 

Their eyes scan through the surroundings, looking for signs of the Priestess of Thunder, who just leveled an entire building with her lightning, and the possible presence of the other pieces. 

But just as they neared the entrance—

“DRAGON SHOT!”

A beam of crimson red energy surged through the air and slammed into Karlamine with unrelenting force. Her scream echoed as she was thrown back, crashing through a tree before her body vanished in motes of light.

“One down.”

Issei landed on the ground, his crimson gauntlet gleaming. Smoke trailed from his knuckles. Koneko landed beside him, composed as ever, fists clenched.

“Yo.” Issei smirked at the shocked Phoenix Queen and Bishop. “That was a 10x boosted Dragon Shot. Thanks to Akeno-senpai stalling, I had time to power up.”

“You little…!” Yubelluna growled. Fire formed in her palm, and with a yell she hurled a massive explosion spell at them.

BOOM! The blast tore into the ground, but Issei and Koneko had already split in opposite directions.

Koneko’s eyes narrowed.

“I’ll keep the Queen busy. You take the Bishop.”

“You got it. Good luck, Koneko-chan!” Issei nodded, already on the move.

“BOOST!” The voice of Ddraig roared again as Issei charged toward Mihae , who was standing protectively near Yubelluna, preparing support spells.

Meanwhile, Koneko launched herself skyward, her small form agile and fast, fists glowing with demonic energy.

Below...

Mihae saw Issei coming and turned pale.

“He’s fast!”

The Bishop began casting a barrage of fireballs and defensive spells, trying to keep distance, but Issei swerved around each one, dashing in zigzags.

“These are easier to dodge than Aika’s icicles!” he laughed.

“Take this!”

DRAGON SHOT!

The blast ripped toward her—she leapt aside just in time, but the explosion slammed into the ground, kicking up a thick wall of dust and smoke.

Mihae coughed violently and tried to clear the air with a spell, squinting through the haze—

“Too late.”

Issei emerged from the smoke with his fist already cocked back and slammed it into her stomach.

WHAM!

She flew back, bouncing across the field before grinding to a halt. She staggered to her feet, trembling.

“Y-You brute...!”

She fired a flame burst, but Issei tanked it.

“BOOST!”

“Heh! Tis but a scratch!” he declared boldly.

He was already moving again.

Ducking under her second spell, he surged forward and—

BAM!

The second punch sent her into the wall of the school building, cratering it.

Riser Phoenix’s Bishop, Mihae: Retired.

“Phew… That was close.” Issei wiped his brow.

Then his eyes shot up toward the sky.

Explosions rocked the air above.

Koneko.

“BOOST!” The voice of the red dragon emperor echoed. Then, with wings flaring from his back, Issei launched into the sky.

“Hang in there, Koneko-chan! I’m coming!”