Author's Note: I'm back :D Anyways, my phone's charger is acting like an idiot. Can you believe that it would take 3-4 Hours before my phone is fully charged? Like seriously, it's so annoying. It's a good thing that I have already written a lot of chapters before it started malfunctioning
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The ORC had to make another visit to the Underworld. Apparently, they were called for a press conference regarding their Rating Game with Sairaorg.
The Game is scheduled days before the School Festival so the ORC were trying to squeeze their schedule and multitask. They would practice for the game with the free time they got while also preparing for the school activities
Right now, they were at the Gremory estate and in the same arena where Erissei had a sparring match with Sairaorg
" Hmm. I definitely think that the Bishop form is the most troublesome in the Traiana combo."
"Unlike the Knight and Rook, the Bishop form needs time to charge the blast." agreed Kiba to the Goddess. They were watching Rossweisse and Xenovia's sparring match
" Kiba's right." Issei joined in the conversation. " I don't think our opponents will just sit around and wait. They could be aggressive and go All-out."
*(BOOOM!)*
Rossweisse blocked Ex-Durandal using her magic seal
" We'll need teamwork to overcome the problem."
"True. If the team buys me time, I won't have to actively evade and I can get a better shot." mused Erin. " But, the amount of energy I expend with the Traiana move is no joke. I may or may not be able to get two or three shots in."
Ravel was at a close range and she listened to the trio's conversation
" That's a hassle. I guess you just have to come up with alternative moves." Issei commented.
"That's right. If we're going to resort to using the Traiana, we have to make sure that it'll hit Sairaorg directly."
The three went back on watching the match and Ravel decided to approach them
" Oh, hi Ravel-chan."
" Ano.. I happened to overhear your conversation but, about the strengthened form of the Bishop in the Traiana combo.."
The trio listened attentively as Ravel explained
"Instead of a canon blast, perhaps you could transfer the shot?"
The group shared looks until they broke into a smile
" That's a good idea."
Ravel was relieved hearing this and she continued in a more cheerful tone
" Hai. That way, the others will be able to give cover fire more effectively."
"If we can make it look like a charge and boost our allies, we'll surprise them." Kiba remarked
"They'll wonder whether the next shot is a transfer or an attack as well."
"The games rules will likely be a problem." Rias interjected as she approached the group
" Buchou."
"It'll be fine if the match is a team battle but Sairaorg announced that he would like to accept all of our powers in battle. And the higher-ups allowed for this."
"Hmm. I guess we have to resort to an alternative." sighed Erin
"Because of Sairaorg's request, I believe special rules will be made for the matches."
" Special rules?" Kiba and Issei uttered in surprise
"In addition to that, the game will be held in a floating city within the Archduke Agares family's domain. They plan to invite a large audience there, so they are not expecting a long battle."
" So they want it to finish quick, huh?" Erin said and the red head nodded
"The Rating Game is also a form of entertainment so there is some catering to the fans."
" By the way, this Rating Game is already gathering a lot of attention." Ravel informed
" Well, either way, all we can do right now is to train and win." The Goddess declared with determination which was agreed by the boys. She then turned to Ravel and held a thumbs up
"That was a good advice, Ravel. Thanks a lot."
The girl blushed and diverted her gaze
"T-That much was nothing."
"All right. I'll practice my new move with some sparring match."
" I'm sorry but we are done for today." Rias sheepishly said. " We have a press conference tomorrow, remember?"
" Oh that's right." Erin spoke in realization. " I nearly forgot about that."
" If we overstrain ourselves, we'll be in terrible shape in front of the reporters." Rias faced the other members
" We'll be in television so don't make any weird faces."
" Hai!" replied the group cheerfully
" Lady Erin." Azusa arrived with Tsubaki and the former whispered something to the Goddess
Erin was mildly surprised and she replied in the same hushed tone
"Are you sure?"
" Positive."
Rias observed their interaction until the Goddess faced them
" I'm sorry but we'll have to excuse ourselves. We need to take care of something."
The group nodded in understanding while Rias watched the trio's retreating figure with slight wary
"Ara, they can be mysterious. Don't you think so?" Akeno joked lightly and the red head just sighed
" You're right."
--- Day of the Press-con ----
The ORC were currently in the waiting room where make-up artists helped them so they can be presentable on stage.
Asia and Rossweisse had their make-up done same as the boys who got light make-up applied on their face
" Gasper, are you going to stay in your girl's uniform?" Kiba curiously asked
"H-Hai. It would be strange to wear a boy's uniform after all this time. Actually... I've suddenly become very nervous!"
*(Whoosh!)*
Gasper hid in the box on the table
"I don't want to go! A press conference is too much of a hurdle for me!"
Erin stared at box sheepishly until her gaze landed on Rias. The red head was sitting on the other side and was facing away from the group. She had her face in in her hands and seemed to be in deep thoughts
"Koneko-chan, can you let me get up?" Erin politely asked the girl who was sitting on her lap. The Goddess wanted to talk with the red head in hopes of asking what her troubles are
" Fried Chicken isn't here today so I want to sit on Erin-senpai's lap." Koneko protested with a pout
" Oh my.. Koneko-chan, you think that Ravel might take Erin away from you?" Akeno asked in amusement as she overhead the words
" Is that so?" The Goddess was mildly surprised and the mascot girl just munched on her snack
"You're too kind. It's troublesome."
" Don't worry, Koneko-chan. You're my plushie and no one is stealing your spot as my cute plushie." the Goddess spoke like a fan-girl and hugged the mascot girl tightly. Her plans about talking to Rias were forgotten
Koneko blushed at this and her cat tail wagged back and forth. The red head observed their interaction with a slight glare and looked away
" She's right. Erin is kind to everyone." Rias went back to her deep thoughts and sighed
" Everyone, it's almost time. You need to be on stage 5 minutes from now." A staff member announced and the ORC got up on their seats. They exited the room and walked down the hallway
" Hello, Rias-sama, minna. It's been a while."
" Saji?" Issei uttered and the boy walked towards them
"Hi Issei."
" Why are you here?"
" Geez, what are you saying? Well. It can't be helped. We're not gathering as much attention as you guys." Saji shrugged. "You know, we have a Rating Game with the Agares Family that same day. The press conference for it is happening today."
" What? This is the first time I've heard of it."
" Oh, I didn't tell you guys?" Rias asked and was met by confused looks
"I haven't heard from you either." Erin replied to the red head
" Like I said, we aren't gathering much attention." Saji sheepishly said. "Though it looks like you guys are drowning on it."
" Saji, it's almost time." Another council member said and the boy nodded
" Well, we're off."
*(Click!)*
*(Camera Flashes)*
" And now, please Welcome the Gremory Family." A speaker said and the lights focused on the newly-arrived members. They settled on their seats and the table which is opposite of Sairaorg. Name plates were attached on their places and the Goddess squinted her eyes at the blinding camera flashes
" We will start the press conference now that both families have arrived." The speaker motioned to Rias and Sairaorg. "First, the Kings, Sairaorg Bael and Rias Gremory. What are your feelings for this game?"
" Well.. I just can't control my excitement for this upcoming match. I will use all my strength to defeat them. That's all." Sairaorg said in a relaxed and cool tone which made the press more excited
" I am honored to fight against the Sairaorg Bael family. Although he is considered number one among the young devils, we shall not lose." Rias said with a determined look. " No. We will definitely win."
*(Camera flashes!)*
"Thank you very much. Now, I would like to open up for questions. Feel free." announced the Speaker and a hand instantly shot up.
"The Star of the Underworld. I would like to ask the Toppuresu Dragon, Erin Vermillion, a question."
The Goddess blinked her eyes in surprise and the reporter looked her way
"Ah- Hai."
"So, will you be kissing Princess Rias this time as well?"
"W-what? That is so- " Erin thought in shock and the reporter continued with her questions
"If you are to kiss her, in what situation would it be?" The red head diverted her gaze at this while the Goddess couldn't believe their questions
" There have been TV reports that just like the Hero Show, you power-up when you kiss Princess Rias." The reporter said with a serious look. " I have heard you have overcome many dangerous situations that manner."
" W-where the heck did they hear these things?!" Erin thought in disbelief and another reporter butted in
"What's your type, Blue Empress? What do you like about Princess Rias? Is it because of her oppai? Just like the interests of the Red Dragon Emperor?"
Issei flinched at this and the Goddess tried hard to not face palm
" Soka soka! You're best friends with the Oppai Dragon, right? Does this mean that you like boobs as well?"
" Hai. And aside from kissing Princess Rias, do you also suck and pleasure her breasts?"
Erin gaped at the absurdity of the questions and the click of the cameras got noisier
" So you plan to suck on Princess Rias' breasts then?" Another reporter said as a mischievous smirk appeared on his face
" What the heck are these guys saying?!"
" If you power up when you kiss Princess Rias, what happens when you suck her breasts?"
" Would it be possible to destroy the entire Underworld?" The reporter asked excitedly
" Princess Rias! We would like your comment on this matter!" The same lewd reporter asked
" I... I don't know!" Rias said in embarrassment as she hid her face in her hands. Akeno chuckled at her reaction
" What do you think Sairaorg-sama?" The female reporter asked and the Goddess immediately shot her gaze on the man
" I hope he doesn't say anything weird."
" Hm. If she sucked Rias breasts.." Sairaorg glanced at the Goddess. " Then the Blue Dragon Empress may become terrifyingly strong."
The reporters awed at the response and the cameras clicked faster. The Goddess shot up from her seat and looked at Sairaorg in disbelief
"Sairaorg?! Why did you say something like that?"
The man only smirked silently and the Goddess slumped back on her seat with a defeated look
- End of Chapter -