Tale of Discovery

Chapter 113: Diodora Astaroth ; Start of the Rating Game ; (Spoiler title at the end)

"This is a little too much, even for a limousine," Nao comments upon taking a look at everyone who's currently present in the kitchen.

"There is no way, ya can fit all of us inside the car," Misa adds.

They do have a point. Now that I have had Ravel and Kuroka transfer to our school, the car will be a little crowded now.

"No problem," Koneko all of a sudden says.

"There is a problem. It will be too crowded," Nao rebukes.

In response to this, Koneko just looks her in the eyes before repeating,

"No problem."

--

"I can't believe that I didn't see this coming" Misa comments while staring at Koneko who's comfortably sitting on my lap.

In response to her words, Koneko snuggles into my embrace as her tail stands erect.

Petting her head, I say in an amused manner,

"She did solve the issue, didn't she?"

Misa doesn't respond to my words and just closes her eyes as we reach school for the first day of the second trimester.

---

I'm currently sitting in the living room and beside me are Asia and Akeno, while Koneko is sitting on my lap.

Perhaps, this is turning into a habit for her? It's not like I'm against it, but what if she becomes unable to comfortably sit anywhere else other than my lap?

Leaving that aside, today Rias is sure serious. She has been spending a while now discussing the upcoming Rating Game Tournament.

While they're all most likely listening to her carefully, I'm checking the state of other continents.

As usual, there is nothing out of order to the point that I'm starting to think we're living in an 'ordinary' world.

Suddenly, something occurs in the clubroom that forces me to get my attention back.

A magic circle has appeared near the door and after a few seconds, a black-haired guy emerges.

Alarmed, everyone looks toward the newcomer.

"Good evening," the guy introduces himself before bowing slightly, "My name is Diodora Astaroth."

That name... isn't that the name of the Devil that Rias is supposed to fight tomorrow?

The guy looks at Asia as glint passes through his eyes before looking at me.

As soon as he sights his sight on me, his expression changes ever so slightly before recollects himself and says,

"I've come over to greet you before our battle. I hope you forgive me for interrupting you."

In response to his words, Rias solemnly replies,

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

Probably sensing the displeasure in her voice, Diodora begins to act like he's looking around with a bored expression before setting his sight on Asia.

He moves closer and exclaims as a shocked look appears on his face,

"It's you! The one that saved me!"

Looking at the way he's behaving, I can easily tell that he has an alternate motive to whatever he is doing at the moment.

"Asia, make him kneel," I order.

Right after my words fade out, a gust of wind appears before Diodora who was standing a second ago is on his knees while a sword is being pressed onto his neck.

With a horrified look on his face, Diodora looks toward me and shouts,

"What do you think you're doing?!"

"Nothing much," I say, "Just kicking you out of my territory."

Lifting him by telekinesis, I open a gateway connected to the underworld and nonchalantly throw him inside.

As expected, something suspicious is going on and will probably happen soon.

---

"Are you all ready?" Rias asks everyone as confirmation once we've all stepped into the magic circle.

The next moment, our surroundings change as we find ourselves somewhere with almost-floating rocky platforms.

It somewhat reminds me of the place where I erased Loki.

We all curiously look around for a few seconds, before I suddenly notice something being amiss.

There is no broadcast voice.

Normally, in a tournament, there is a broadcaster speaking as soon as everyone has arrived, but that has yet to happen.

"Stay on guard," I instruct them all before looking around using Clairvoyance.

However, my head suddenly begins hurting as our surroundings seem to deform as figures begin to seemingly emerge out of thin air.

The pain in my head is bearable, so I focus on the uninvited guests.

"What's going on?" Rias anxiously mutters.

{WARNING: 1st Rank Unknown detected.}

It seems like the situation is much worse than I expected... At least, it's just a 1st Rank Unknown.

Examining my enemies, I'm able to sense one remarkable presence.

That one should be the Unknown.

Floating a little into the sky, I examine every being that's around us.

They're all Devils.

Suddenly, some Devils make way for something or someone to approach me.

As expected, someone slowly floats over.

It is a little girl with black hair and eyes. Her attire consists of a black one-piece dress covering most of her body.

Her appearance is similar to that of Gula.

What's weird is the expression on her face. It's like she's lost.

This little girl is an Unknown, huh? A first rank one.

Gift:

-Immortality

-Organic Constructs

-Absolute Evasion

Having gifted everyone with the necessary abilities, I activate my Paladin's Aura which results in everyone's strength to significantly increase.

Not giving us any more time, the enemies begin to rush at us like madmen while yelling,

"Down with Genesis!"

Utilizing Holy Slash, I throw a dozen or so slashes out and begin manipulating them to dice through enemies.

Rias and the rest have also begun putting what they've learned while training with me to test.

Mid-battle, Diodora's voice suddenly resounds all around us,

"It's unfortunate that you didn't get Asia with you. However, that doesn't matter.

"Once you all die, I'm going to take your bloodied bodies and throw them in front of her before taking her by force as she cries tears of agony!"

Hearing this, I conclude that he is an idiot.

I'm not planning to die.

Speaking of death, the only that should be capable of doing is the little girl that's just floating over there without any movement.

Is she not going to fight?

Now that I think about it, it's the second rank Unknowns that hunt down Anomalies like madmen.

Suddenly, a disturbance occurs as a magic circle appears in the air.

From within it, emerge Azazel, Sirzechs, Michael, Odin, and Rossweisse.

"I knew that something was wrong," Azazel remarks solemnly.

Rias and the rest have yet to realize that they've arrived as they're all busy facing the enemy.

"Excuse me," Odin says before reaching his arm out and summoning a golden spear.

The next moment, he soars into the sky and begins to cut through enemies like butter.

Michael flies over to my side and takes down dozens of Devils while at it.

"Father," he says once he's close enough.

"Support the Gremory Princess and those with her. I have something that I need to do."

"Understood," he replies before heading over to where they are.

Taking in a deep breath, I float higher into the sky and stop in front of the little girl.

As she motionlessly floats in front of me, I peer into her eyes before asking her,

"Who are you?"

The girl immediately replies in a soft voice,

"Ophis."

~~~~~

Complete Title: Diodora Astaroth ; Start of the Rating Game ; 1st Rank Unknown - Ophis