The Abyssal Lord (DxD)

[Underworld Sitri Territory]

<Good day to you all! And welcome to today's unofficial rating game~ held between the stubborn and naïve Rias Gremory! And the arrogant and vain Riser Phenex! But hey! At least we'll have some fu-AHH!!>

<I apologize for my co-host everyone, it seems that Satan Serafall Leviathan isn't quite informed about the significance of this game to those participating in it>

A huge arena with hundreds of thousands of devils are currently in attendance today, all waiting for the rating game to start, there were even important figures here today, which aren't among the general public of course, they have their own booths to watch the match from.

Some may ask, why would all these devils come here personally to attend a rating game, an unofficial one at that.

The answer was simply…why wouldn't they? Everyone knew that the Gremory Heiress has been engaged to the second youngest Phenex scion for a while now, so when the Gremorys suddenly announced that the young heir wished to play a rating game to annual her own engagement, even ignoring her utter lack of experience.

Basically, they were here to see her shoot herself in the foot, it wasn't a secret that Riser haven't lost in any rating game he participated in, even if he was average in strength by young devil standards, he was leagues above Rias, who wasn't even old enough to participate in any official rating games yet, hence the ‘unofficial’ title.

<But Astrei-chan~ We both know that your sister-in-law is stupid! Don't tell me that she thinks she can wi-AHHH!!! Stop that!>

<As I was saying, today's game is considered a normal one, meaning that it doesn't contain any special rules, whoever claims the other teams king wins>

<The arena will also be modelled after the academy that Rias Gremory currently attends at the human world>

The moment Astrei’s voice faded, the whole arena was surrounded by a large dome of mana, and multiple sets of screens appeared all over the dome, broadcasting the events of the game happening inside.

<I guess if I keep going Astrei-chan will be mad at me, so I'll stop~>

<...On Rias Gremory's side she has a queen, a single peice Rook, a mutated Bishop piece, a single piece knight and finally, an eight peice pawn>

<Oh! I heard about that! I wonder how Rias managed to find such a fine specimen~ I'm honestly quite tempted~>

<And on Riser Phenexs' side he is in possession of a full set, with no mutation pieces or a single holder with multiple pieces>

<Heh~ I wonder how what the little girl will do~>

All the screens split in half, showcasing the different rooms where the two kings are currently.

The screen showed the two kings discussing the strategy they will implement with their respective peerages, and a large timer in the middle of both rooms, counting down the minutes until the game officially starts.

<While we wait for the game to start, I have something I'm curious about Miss Serafall Leviathan, if you don't mind of course>

<Eh~ And what might that be Astrei-chan?>

<What is the real reason that you're commentating on a match you aren't even interested in?>

Up in the commentating booth, Astrei was looking at an overly excited Serafall, the Satan was smiling silently to herself, it looked like her usual mischievous smile, but Astrei, being the experienced devil she is, could see more.

And before Serafall could give out an answer to the curious crowd, a large wave of mana swept over the entire arena, and every single devil be it Satan class or Low class, felt a chill running down their spine.

Almost all low class devils already fainted accompanied by some middle class ones too, and the ones who didn't, couldn't even stand.

The only ones who were currently fully functioning were the high class devils, and they all were currently facing an existential dread they hadn't witnessed since the moment they first laid eyes upon the world.

As for the three Satan class devils here, they were wryly smiling, they knew only one being with such a horrid presence, and it seems that he was coming here for some reason.

The only one who wasn't affected was Serafall. 

Well, affected is a funny word, she was definitely affected, evident by the face she was currently making, which by the way wasn't very becoming of a Satan…or even a lady for that matter, but luckily the only who was present to see it was Astrei, and she was busy trying not to faint from fear.

Suddenly, space was cut directly above the arena, it was sliced effortlessly and with such ease, that one can't help but wonder how a being could directly cut the fabric of space as if it was nothing but a piece of paper.

“What a lovely gathering this is~ I hope you don't mind me joining”

A single man walked out of the space distortion, he spoke not so loudly, but his voice echoed throughout the large arena, and was heard by all devils present, then he walked on air as if it was a solid ground and stared down at the devils with a smile.

But no-one could look up to him, even the Satans, it felt like their bodies refused to even dare to glance towards his direction. It was like they were currently in the presence of a being that shouldn't exist. And one wrong move means the death of them all.

The man's crooked smile widened a little bit, and without turning around, he gestured for the space fissure behind him, gradually making it bigger. 

Two more figures soon appeared from the portal, both were females and both were devils, they had their multiple sets of bat-like wings out, as they floated beside the man.

They were Lilith and Grayfia.

As the pressure was gradually fading, all devils looked up, and their eyes still avoiding the man, their bodies still instinctively refusing to look at him.

Soon gasps were heard all around, because they instantly recognised the two female devils, how wouldn't they? They were both legendary figures after all.

<Ladies and Gentlemen! As the Satan Leviathan, I'd like to formally welcome our special guests for today! Lord Xeron Kezgenoth, who after a through discussion between me and my fellow Satans, have granted him the title of honorary high-class devil! And accompanying him today is Lady Lilith Lucifer! Along with his personal maid and the strongest queen Grayfia Lucifdge!>

The man now named Xeron started descending slowly from the air, and when he was at the level of the VIP Gremory booth, his body instantly vanished along with the two devil ladies accompanying him, possibly entering the booth.

The crowd didn't even get a moment to process what just happened, when they suddenly heard the sudden sound of a horn, signaling the start of the match

…….

[Inside The Rating Game Arena - Rias' side - A Couple Of Minutes Ago]

Inside the illusionary ORC room, the Gremory peerage was seated as if this was an everyday school day, with Rias sitting at the president seat and Akeno standing behind her, along with the rest of the peerage being present in front of her on the two sofas.

But there was someone new today…or rather something.

“Gasper…please, I only ask that you at least help….please”

The voice of Rias pleading echoed around the silent room, her words were directed at the new addition to the group, the cardboard box that was shivering at the far corner of the room.

“B-B-B-But p-president!! T-There's so many p-people!! I-It's e-embarrassing!!”

A soft and slightly feminine sound was soon heard from the cardboard box, which was somewhat creepy to be honest.

“Gaspy…Get up”

Koneko's monotone voice made the helpless cardboard box shiver even more, and huddled further into the corner.

And seeing this made Rias sigh out loud, and when she looked up at the giant timer that's ticking down in the middle of the room, she sighed once more.

Her entire future was entirely dependent on this game, not mentioning the fact that neither she or her peerage have any experience fighting anything other than stray devils…Rias decided that she would rather not think about it.

“Hey, your name is Gasper-kun right?”

And when as Rias was about to regret bringing Gasper into this, she saw Issei approaching the terrified boy in the corner.

But as he was about to touch the box, it instantly vanished, appearing only a few moments later at the far opposite side of the room.

“What was that! Did he just teleport?!”

Issei said was sudden enthusiasm, and his gaze which was usually carrying nothing but perversion changed into one of fascination.

“That's Gasper-kun’s sacred gear, it's called Forbidden Balor View, it allows him to stop time for a brief period”

“What the hell! That's Hella broken!”

When Issei first heard about the dampir bishop, he thought that it was going to be some pale looking guy with two pointy ears and a pair of fangs, he thought that the dampir choose to sit in that room all day because of the sun, or garlic, or any other vampiric quirk that the race was so famous for.

But he didn't expect him to be his junior! Be a shut-in neet! And have the godly power that every teenager boy ever existed desired!! How can the world be so unfair!! 

Discarding the useless thoughts, Issei tried to approach the cardboard box again, but before the boy could stop time again, he hurriedly reached out to him with a paper bag with two large holes in the middle.

“That's really clever my cute Issei!!”

Rias, who was silently listening on her servants until now, suddenly cheered for Issei, and in her over excitement she stood up suddenly and her abundant bust swayed alluringly.

“Hehehe~ thank you president~”

Issei was naturally busy ogling his president to notice how much she was actually impressed with him, but it wasn't like it actually would have mattered if he did, which knowing Issei, was naturally impossible.

But suddenly, Issei felt his senses warning him of danger, he instinctively glanced at Akeno and saw her quietly giggling at him, so like any sane person would do, he coughed lightly to dispel the atmosphere, and turned back to Gasper.

“When president said that you don't like to show your face to people, I thought that maybe this would help!”

When Issei voiced out his intentions, the cardboard box gradually stopped shivering, and moments later, the bag in Issei's hands instantly vanished.

Issei didn't get the chance to make a comment, because slowly, the cardboard box was being slowly lifted off the ground, and when it was fully off, in its place stood a small statured male with pinkish violet eyes who's wearing the Kuoh Academy girls uniform and a pair of thigh-high socks, he truly like a beautiful girl if not for the paper bag hiding his face.

Having been previously informed that the trap in front of him was indeed a male, Issei silently thanked his lovely president for the heads up, because if she didn't say anything to him…he didn't think he would be able to live with the consequences.

“See? It wasn't that hard Gasper-kun! Come on now! Our president is counting on us!!”

The dampir didn't say anything and just fidgeted awkwardly form side to side, but Rias saw that at least he was willing to help them, and internally very grateful to Issei.

Because they at least should have a chance now.

…….

[The Gremorys’ Private VIP Booth]

Being the private booth of a duke's clan, and the Gremorys' one at that, this one in particular was quite large. So large in fact, that It looked more like a very large living room with a large glass window instead of the TV than an arena booth.

And naturally, as a very prestigious noble family, and basically the center of attention in today's event, the Gremorys’ didn't come here alone, they were accompanied by quite a few servants.

But what's strange was that this behaviour was the one that should be expected, because when one's standing is high in a society like the devils’, he/she has to have in a certain way to keep being at the top, even if it's considered quite unnecessary and tiring sometimes.

But what the Gremory patriarch and every other devil for that matter didn't account for, was the shit show that will happen, only a mere moments before his daughter's game.

A disgusting amount of pressure that flattened everyone across the ground, it didn't matter if you're a high class devil or not, a pure blood or a hybrid nobody was spared, and when the pressure finally lessens and Zeoticus Gremory got the chance to look at his servants, he found them all unconscious on the ground.

The only ones who stayed awake were him and his wife, his grandson was also unconscious, but form the brief glances that he had cast at him while being busy fighting the urge to collapse from fear, Zeoticus was surprised that the child didn't look afraid, far from it actually, it looked like the child was thrilled.

Zeoticus saw the fear in him yes, but the look in Millicas’ eyes reminded Zeoticus of Sirzechs. It was a look of unrestrained battle lust, he once saw it on his son when they first marched into the great war long ago.

Sadly, the old devil didn't get to dwell in his proud thoughts for too long, because he was soon reminded about the reason that he was here in the first place, and he actually rememberd that his only daughter and the heiress of his clan, was an arrogant slob, who's only redeeming quality is her looks.

“D-Dear, it went exactly like you said it would happen, but did he really have to do that?”

Zeoticus was suddenly pulled from his thoughts by his wife, who was breathing heavily next to him as she slowly brought back her bearings.

He was about to reply to her, but an annoyingly familiar voice replied instead of him, and he felt even more headaches forming now than when Rias said that she didn't want the engagement.

“You have to be assertive sometimes, Venelana Gremory, your race isn't exactly known for being humble, and I'm not in the mood to slaughter you all to extinction just yet”

The voice naturally belonged to Xeron, and while the words he said made both the Gremory devils shudder, it wasn't what made them truly shocked them.

“...Lady Lilith…what a truly happy surprise this is”

Zeoticus looked genuinely surprised, but as to be expected of a noble, his shock didn't hinder him a bit, and he immediately went towards Lilith and formally offered his hand in welcome, followed by his wife of course.

After Lilith politely accepted both of their greetings, she looked around and truly saw the carnage that was brought to this place.

It looked like a tornado had hit this place wiith all the bodies that were littered everywhere, i

“I'll have to apologize for this unsightly display lady Lilith, it was simply out of my control”

His apology seem sincere, as were his words, which they both new were fully true, because both of them knew the real reason for all the destruction.

“What are you three doing? Pick a seat and sit already”

Seeing the reason for all her distress lately siting casually in the patriarch seat, as well as the silver haired maid that obediently stood behind him, she felt sharp headache forming in her head, so she just sighed and went towards the seat that was at the edge of the window.

Zeoticus of course saw that his seat was taken, he also knew that he couldn't say anything about it, so he just grumbled to himself and went to a different seat, along with his wryly smiling wife.