Chapter 38: Power

Sacred Gear. A special power bestowed upon humans with the blood of the divine, given by the God of the Bible. It wasn't something given to just anyone but was limited to a select few. The type and strength of the power varied among individuals, and the number of humans who could fully utilize the power of the Sacred Gear was even smaller. Most people would live their whole lives without realizing they possessed a Sacred Gear.

Among the Sacred Gear owners, three belonged to the Gremory faction.

Yuuto Kiba, Issei Hyoudou, and Asia Argento.

Asia is our piece, so there's no problem with her. However, I'm concerned about Kiba and Hyoudou. I vaguely remember hearing from Ravel that Hyoudou's Sacred Gear is something particularly unusual, but I don't remember the details at all. I guess it's my fault for not showing any interest and just brushing it off.

"...Well, it doesn't matter."

If we're ultimately going to lose, then it doesn't matter what the battle situation is like.

I'll just sleep until there's any movement or communication. I threw myself onto the sofa in the reception area of the room and let out a big yawn. I should have brought Ravel with me for some company. Regretting it too late, my consciousness slowly began to drift into drowsiness.

Immediately after the start of the game.

The Gremory group, who had been preparing at their base, the Occult Research Clubroom, expecting a prolonged battle, never would have imagined that the situation would suddenly change in less than a minute.

"Whoa...!?"

Issei, who had been listening to Rias and the others discussing and strategizing, widened his eyes in surprise as a deafening noise and a sudden impact made his footing unstable.

Issei fell on his butt, while Asia lost her balance and supported herself on the sofa. Yuuto and Koneko remained standing, cautiously vigilant of their surroundings. Rias and Akeno, calmer than the two, gazed outside the window, where the source of the sound seemed to be.

"Too soon..."

"Could it be that they intend to have a short-term battle?"

Rias furrowed her eyebrows and murmured, prompting Akeno to question. Rias replied, "Even for a short-term battle, it's strange," and surveyed the silent clubroom.

There were no signs of a continuing attack. If they were aiming for a short-term battle, launching a surprise attack as their first move would be effective. However, they didn't do that and instead attacked as if they were observing our reaction.

"It seems like they want to lure us out."

"It appears so..."

Rias and Akeno. Yuuto tilted his head in response to the conclusion reached by the king and her strategist.

Unlike the Gremory camp, which consisted of only six members, the Phenex camp was said to have a maximum force of fifteen. There was no advantage for the Phenex camp to hold back their servants, and Rias had mentioned that they would likely deploy their full team for this game.

Despite the numerical difference, they missed the chance to deliver a decisive blow and showed no intention of launching a second attack. It was unclear what the opponents wanted to achieve by luring them out, and Issei was troubled by it.

As they pondered, the members started exchanging opinions.

"It might be risky to stay holed up here, right?"

Issei spoke up.

"But if we go outside, we'll be caught in a trap. They have probably already surrounded the old school building. We don't know their intentions, but they won't attack until they finish luring us out," Akeno suggested.

"Things might change..."

Koneko said, firmly wearing her Open-Fingered Gloves and showing enthusiasm.

Issei, Asia, and Koneko looked at Rias, who had a tense expression, and Akeno, who was calmly focusing on her thoughts. And as Issei heightened his tension, he awakened the power within him.