High School DxD Chapter 210: Upsetting sorcerer.2

"What an unexpected guest."

Rias-neesan approached that person — and stood next to that man.

"Good day, Rudiger Rosenkreutz-sama. May we sit with you?"

The man — Rudiger-shi waved his hand and said 'please sit' as he gestured towards the seats beside him. The members of our team also sat near those two. Shown on the display was Ise-kun's team and the reincarnated Angel team that Rudiger-shi was supervising, both sides were engaged in a fierce battle with each other. In terms of the score — Rudiger-shi's team was slightly ahead. Rias-neesan watched the match as she asked

"Rudiger-sama, may I ask something?"

"It depends on what you're asking."

"…Regarding what happened to Irina earlier, was that something you had been aiming for in advance?"

Rias-neesan was originally watching in a separate room, but after seeing Irinsan become involved in the formation effect of the reincarnated Angels, she said

"…I must find out for myself."

And then we came over here. Rias-neesan must have thought that this was one of Rudiger-shi's instructions, so she wanted to ask about the intention behind that move, or perhaps its true meaning. Rudiger-shi laughed eloquently.

"Fufufu, as long as you know about the characteristics of reincarnated Angels, this is something that is certain to be included in the strategy from the beginning. However, I wasn't aiming for that from the start. It's just that various conditions were assembled in that situation, so right in that crucial moment before scoring a goal, they should make Shidou Irina waver — that's what I suggested to them."

"…I see, if you had intended on doing exactly that from the very beginning, it might not have been possible due to distractions. So that's why you simply posed it to them as a possibility…. Is it just bad luck for Ise and the others then? No, since they're on the same field battling with pure emotions against the Angels, it can't be…"

Rudiger-shi revealed a thin smile.

"Well, it's difficult for that to succeed a second time. —Even so, once is enough. So long as that seed of anxiety has been planted into their minds. Mental stress can deeply penetrate into the performance of the body. Carrying that anxiety until the end of the match, I'm sure it'll be difficult."

Just as Rudiger-shi had said, Irinsan's actions as displayed on the screen seemed rather unnatural, and she eventually showed an opening to allow the ball to be taken away from her. If she acted freely, it was possible for that effect to be used again, and so this casted doubt over whether she would be able to continue playing on the field whilst carrying that unease…. In order to help Irinsan, Xenovia who was also a [Knight] seemed to be taking on Irinsan's share of activity as well by stepping up her actions against Rudiger-shi's team. Seeing this, Rudiger-shi seemed to laugh with a hint of irony.

"Xenovia Quarta on her own is certainly a very strong player. Basically, all she needs to do is grab the ball, and then she can be allowed to move around as she likes. That's what she thinks as well. But, if anything happens to her comrades, she'll do everything necessary to support them. Of course, that's also because she has the ability to do so. —But, if she tries to do too much, then there's a chance that she'll reveal openings."

Xenovia had increased her own mobility and defensive scope in order to help Irinsan — but the vulnerabilities in her defence also grew larger at the same time, so the Angels seized this opportunity to break through Xenovia's defences.

>

And then, they scored more points. Rudiger-shi looked at the display as if he had been expecting that to happen.

"Look, Xenovia Quarta took responsibility for the area that Shidou Irina failed to respond to, and this has revealed a small gap in their defences."

Rudiger-shi leaned against the back of his chair while putting his elbow against the armrest to support his face as he said

"If I recall, Xenovia Quarta…is the Student Council President of a Japanese high school, or so I've heard. She has a greater sense of responsibility than before, and her views have also widened a fair bit. Hence, compared to her previous focus on a strong offense, it's easier for her to reveal openings now. Although she hasn't realised this herself, it's quite obvious from an objective third-person point of view."

It was certainly true that Xenovia was constantly monitoring the condition of her comrades during the match, and she often took on more subtle roles such as assisting or passing. Compared to how she was in the past, Xenovia was doing much more right now. …But just as Rudiger-shi said, Xenovia was unable to focus solely on offense. Rias-neesan narrowed her eyes.

"…You've even perceived the changes in Xenovia's personality, so to speak."

The display then switched to show Ise-kun's subordinate Bovsan who seemed to be struggling in battle. He was doing his best to try and take the ball, and he spewed out the flaming breath of a dragon — but the Angels completely ignored it and didn't try to oppose him as an opponent. Anyone could see that Bovsan was quite anxious right now. Whilst looking at the display, Rudiger-shi said

"Bova Tannin idolises Hyoudou Issei, and he wishes to demonstrate his strength and rapid success to his exceptional older brother and father. He acts upon the instructions of Hyoudou Issei, but doesn't produce very good results — instead of trying to conceal his irritation, he's actually exacerbating it. Although Hyoudou Issei and his teammates try to pacify him, his response is only superficial…"

Ravel-san tried to coax Bovsan…but he was still being ignored by the Angels. Bovsan's anger seemed unquenchable as he continuously let loose fireballs from his mouth, and as a result, he even hindered the movements of his own teammates. Taking advantage of this opportunity, a goal had been made against Ise-kun's team again. Rudiger-shi shook his head

"These actions are overly aggressive, and will only hinder one's teammates. And then, he'll be hit by the feeling of his own powerlessness. For a dragon with a lofty sense of pride, this feeling — is unbearable."

As the game continued on, the Angels suddenly became enveloped in a gentle light. At the same time, all of the injuries that they had sustained whilst stealing the ball were healed. It came from the Ace of Raphael-sama of the Four Great Seraphim, Diethelm Waldseemüller's Sacred Gear [Holy Resuscitation][1]. It was a pre-emptive ability that would automatically activate its healing ability after a set period of time or after taking damage. And his Balance Breaker — [Fourteen Holy Salvation][2] had an increased area of effect as well as a wider range of symptoms that could be cured. If the target was a believer, even a serious illness could be completely cured. Needless to say, Asisan who was vital to Ise-kun's team also let out rays of healing light to treat the injuries of her team members. Rossweisse-san was also using magic to support Irinsan, Xenovia and Bovsan. The match had yet to reach its worst point. More than half the time had already passed in the match, so players from both sides were already breathing heavily and seemed tired because they had been moving around back and forth. It was clear that Ise-kun's team seemed worse off in terms of stamina expenditure though. Ravel-san's figure appeared on the display. Her breathing was very rapid, and the flaming wings on her back had also shrunk in size a fair bit. Rudiger-shi said

"Due to the lack of coordination between the players, Ravel Phoenix must fully exert her mind as the strategist, so she's wearing down not just her body, but also her mind."

Although such a comment was made about Ravel-san, her eyes were still sharp, and near the goal, she carefully observed the movements made by both sides and gave instructions to her teammates so as not to allow the other team to score. At that time, Ravel-san seemed to notice something and she called out

[Binsama, please dodge!]

After the masked [Queen] was warned — Bina Lessthan moved away. Binsan had also noticed something as she looked towards the surface of the ground. All of a sudden, an enormous spear of light burst forward and broke through the ground as it rose upwards. Binsan smoothly dodged…. Not far away, Gabriel-sama's Ace — Mirana Shatarova seemed a bit regretful.

[…It missed huh.]

I had heard that she was a master in using the power of light. She practised a variety of methods utilising light, and the technique in which she fired a spear of light up from the ground was one of those. But I was also quite surprised that Binsan was able to evade that attack so easily…. But just at that moment, something happened to Binsan. A crack appeared on her mask, and along with the sound of a crisp snap, the mask broke. Shown in front of everyone was — brilliant long silver hair, and the face of a beautiful girl who seemed to be of similar age to us. All of the cameras panned across and homed in as the announcer excitedly roared

The person who immediately responded to this was — Rias-neesan. She stood straight up and widened her eyes, but she was speechless. And then her expression turned serious — and it seemed to show pain. Binsan created a small magic circle with her hand to take out a spare mask, and then she put it on as if nothing had happened to return to her usual masked appearance. Ravel-san adjusted her breathing and then said once again

[Everyone, please be careful of Mirana Shatarovsan's light abilities! She was chosen as Gabriel-sama's Ace, and the reason for that — is the density of her light!]

Rudiger-shi then proudly said

"Hehe, even an ultimate-class Devil would be vaporised if they took a direct hit from Mirana's light. That's how dense it is. Incredibly thick."

But Ravel-san had observed that well. She noticed Miransan's plans before anyone else and was able to help her teammates. Binsan also seemed to have made a few slight mistakes which the opposing side noticed, and that was why they had targeted her. But I couldn't help but admire Ravel-san for her ability to see through this. Rudiger-shi also expressed his approval of Ravel.

"The daughter of the Phoenix family…is certainly talented. She has a good grasp of the overall situation. Most likely, she's able to visualise the movements of both sides on the field in her mind to give instructions. She's able to accurately grasp the abilities of the team's members and produce a response, and keep a watchful eye on the opposing team as well. However, there are still some things that she cannot see."

Rudiger-shi supported his chin with one hand as he said

"—Every member of the team has their own way of living, their own opinions, and their own personality. And that's why each person has a dream that they wish to embrace, and a darkness that they carry within them. Even if they polish their techniques and strengthen their body, they'll simply collapse if they lack mental strength. If this situation expands within the team, then that will lead to a collapse."

Irinsan and Bovsan had already reached the limits of their physical and mental capacities, and their movements had become stiff. Xenovia's reactions were also gradually slowing down. Rudiger-shi asserted

"Lady Ravel Phoenix is a rare talent. But she has the trait of [supremacy]. She is the complete opposite of Hyoudou Issei's [kingship]. That has been displayed very clearly in this match. All of the members of his team have a promising future. —However, they're still just teenagers. As youths, they still have immature personalities, and so cooperation does not exist for them. Overcoming this is impossible in just a dozen or so years."

Rudiger-shi had already told Dulio-san and the others about the weaknesses of Irinsan, Bovsan, and Xenovia. By skilfully utilising this information in the game, they were able to generate a profound impact on the minds and bodies of Irinsan and the others. …We're still young. We lack experience, and so when faced with a psychological attack — we can't fully respond. Rias-neesan was unable to reply back with anything.

"…That really hits a sore spot."

"They are strong. You guys as well. But regardless of whether it's them or you, you all still have human emotions such as joy and worry. —All I'm doing is aiming for these things. I've never thought of myself as a perfect person, nor a good strategist."

Rudiger-shi removed a chess piece from his pocket — he spoke while playing with the bishop piece in his hand.

"I'm able to win in a lot of games because high-class Devils are immersed in rationalism and the high society that they are unable to extricate themselves from. They treat pieces as mere pieces, and even the field is nothing more than a checkerboard."

He turned his gaze towards Rias-neesan as he said

"You should be able to understand, Princess Rias…how foolish it is to look at your own pieces as mere pieces on a chessboard. Unlike chess pieces, your servants — reincarnated Devils are alive. Everyone has their own way of thinking, their own heart, and their own feelings. That is especially so for those who used to be human. Humans have a culture that doesn't lose to the Devils, and there is a limit to how much you can try to deny their ideas, deny their culture, and try to order them as chess pieces. It might be debatable when it comes to non-humans, but they're still creatures with emotions. That's how simple and logical the situation is, yet the aristocratic Devils are unable to understand. No, perhaps it would be better to say that they've never wanted to understand it."

Rudiger-shi asked me

"Kiba Yuuto-kun, you're also a former human. From your point of view, do you feel the same about what I just said? When you realise that the opponent you're fighting against has the same feelings as yourself—. These kinds of things are natural. But, it's such an obvious thing that doesn't exist in the professional Rating Games. Players who are high-class Devils simply regard it as an extension of chess. With their own servants — the chess pieces are simply treated like live versions."

Rudiger-shi placed the piece on top of the chair's armrest, and then declared

"Devils are conceited because of their superior existence in the supernatural world, and this arrogance is exposed in the Rating Games."

"And, the one painting that image is…Rudiger-sama."

Hearing Rias-neesan's words, Rudiger-shi showed a sorrowful expression.

"Regarding that…I don't think it's flattering, nor something worth feeling proud about, Princess. I just want to compete in an ordinary game. Of course, the top rankers such as Diehauser are well aware of this when they stand on the field. Even so, there are many others who make it into the top ranks. But when it comes down to the bottom line, all I want to do is enjoy a pure game."

Rudiger Rosenkreutz's expression became rather solemn when he recalled Diehauser Belial, but he also seemed a bit proud. —All of a sudden, a change occurred within the game. A mysterious bubble appeared on the field. Ise-kun was actually inside the bubble. Ise-kun had been trapped by the mysterious bubble. Seeing this, Rudiger-shi revealed an eloquent smile.

"It looks like we'll be able to see that one."

Chapter end