171.
Issei forced himself to cheer up and let out a shout. Saying he couldn't stay depressed forever, he shouted heartily and ran forward. I think he's such a simple guy.
Does a mood change usually happen that easily?
172.
We entered a hot spring to recover from fatigue.
With just a wall separating us, Issei reacted to the voices of the women coming from the other side. Well, it would be weird not to react in this situation. Kiba also seemed troubled, showing an awkward smile, and I lightly observed their reactions.
"Brother, why are you so composed?!"
Issei spoke, seemingly dissatisfied with my reaction.
Huh?
Well, even though I look like this, I've lived since before planets were born, and even though I've spent most of that time sleeping so my mental age is different, my age is basically counted in billions. Even so, isn't it unlikely for me to easily have such thoughts?
But then, who should I choose as a partner?
Even if it's a god, the age difference with me is...
Uh, um, is it okay as long as our hearts match?
173.
The final day of training.
It was time to check the results of the training. Honestly, even calling it a check, expecting something from just about 10 days is difficult. If that were possible, wouldn't everyone be a battle race? No, even battle races can't do that much. You'd need to enter something like the Room of Spirit and Time.
But the 10 days of hard training succeeded in somehow raising the baseline.
Especially Issei, who was originally a fledgling low-class devil, succeeded in raising that baseline. Moreover, the Sacred Gear he possesses, Boosted Gear, increases in power based on the user's base stats.
If he fully doubles his power, he could fight on par with Kiba or better.
If he just fired it thinking about power, his single strike even surpassed Rias's.
Everyone marveled at the power of the God-Destroying Tool all over again.
But the opponent is a Phoenix.
Unless you attack with a light spear, which is a devil's weakness like angels and fallen angels do, or with an equivalent method, it's an enemy that's extremely difficult for a low-class devil to defeat. Knowing this, Issei's expression wasn't exactly bright either.
Even from my perspective, if the current Issei fought that Phoenix devil, it's hard to imagine him winning even as an empty boast. Whether he lands a max-powered double strike or engages in close combat in a doubled state, he lacks staying power in any way.
Even in a simple fight, the Phoenix devil is stronger.
174.
The day of the Rating Game.
Issei's left arm became that of a dragon.
Huh?
175.
Since I'm Issei's brother, I was able to watch the Rating Game. Was it a consideration from Rias's side? I watched together with the student council, the other devils at the school. The opposing peerage members, who didn't know who I was, seemed puzzled, but when they heard I was Issei's brother, they all looked slightly surprised.
"How do you see this match turning out?"
I remained silent.
Frankly speaking, my true opinion is that Rias would lose with over 90% certainty. The individuals of Rias and her peerage might be strong, but the gap isn't overwhelming, and the other side also has at least average devil-level capabilities.
Even if it simply ends in a war of attrition, Rias and her peerage will be unable to exert their strength, and if the opponent's strategy works well, Rias and her already outnumbered group will suffer painful losses.
If the devil named Riser attacked without any strategy or tactics, there might be hope, but conversely, if he doesn't make such a careless mistake, there is no hope.
And the Rating Game content was largely as I predicted.
In individual fights, Rias's side won.
It's a bit harsh to say, but aside from the King, the devil Riser, there aren't any dangerously skilled fighters on his side. However, as if to assert his veteran status from playing Rating Games until now, starting with the sacrifice of a Pawn, his strategic fighting showed he wasn't a veteran for nothing.
A tactic of not caring about expending several times more resources than the opponent.
He was making good use of the numerical advantage.
Just when it seemed Issei might pull off a reversal by transferring the Boosted Gear's doubling power to Kiba, even that Kiba was defeated by the opponent's Queen.
Rias's side: Rias, Asia, Issei.
Riser's side: Riser, Yubelluna, Ravel.
It could be called 3 vs. 3, and the peerage member named Ravel didn't seem to participate in combat, so effectively 2 vs. 3, but on this side, Asia was also a non-combatant, making it 2 vs. 2.
But Rias, the King, seemed to be struggling, perhaps out of magic power, while the opponent, despite having used considerable magic power, still seemed to have some left.
The Queen named Yubelluna was already in her best state thanks to an item called Phoenix Tears, while Issei was already fatigued from considerable doubling and combat.
Probably everyone watching this Rating Game was thinking similarly to me.
They fought well.
But they'll lose anyway, that's just how it is.
And then.
176.
<<
A miracle occurred.
177.
"Asia said it! Devils are weak to crosses and holy water! If I use both together and transfer the power, even you won't be able to handle it, right?!"
"Gyaaaaaaaah?!"
178.
"Kiba said it! To broaden your view and see the opponent!"
"You!!!"
179.
"Akeno-san said it! Gather magic power as if it flows through your entire body, and feel the wave of magic power!"
"W-, wait a minute!"
180.
"Koneko-chan said it! To hit accurately at the body's center of gravity!"
"This marriage is an important matter for the future of devils!"
181.
"My brother said it! The power I have is far greater than I think! If I truly wish for it, I can win even against gods and Satans!!! He said that if I imagine the strongest version of myself, the Sacred Gear will respond to that heart!!!"
"This isn't something a low-class devil like you who knows nothing should interfere in...!"
"That can't be a reason to go through with a marriage that the President doesn't even want!!!"
Issei shouted.
"What devil society?! What matter for the future of devils?! If a devil society collapses just because the President doesn't sacrifice herself..."
──────Then just let it collapse!!!