EPHS-Chapter 377 Peerage Battle (Part II)

Clang Clang... Boom! Boom! Boom!

Taking advantage of the forest terrain, Ni and Li flew around, launching continuous attacks on Kuroka. As Nekomata clan members, Ni and Li possessed incredibly agile and powerful bodies. 

Combined with the monster techniques they learned from Kuroka, both their melee and ranged combat skills were exceptional.

"Hehehe... You've indeed improved a bit, but don't think for a moment that you can defeat me with this level of skill." Kuroka smiled and teased while easily evading Ni and Li's attacks.

"Darn it, truly worthy of Kuroka Aneki!"

Frustrated by their unsuccessful assault, the two sisters quickly retreated and leaped into the air.

"Come at me, Aneki. Let's settle this using the monster techniques you taught us!"

"I will show Aneki how formidable we are. Once we defeat you, we'll be invincible, meow!"

With a single hand, several clusters of Spirit Qi flew out from Ni and Li's palms, swiftly spinning into two shining discs. Without hesitation, Ni and Li locked onto Kuroka below and projected the discs downward.

"You actually think you can defeat me..."

Feeling Amused, Kuroka couldn't help but chuckle. These two silly cats had become so arrogant after learning a bit. Today, she would show them the difference between mere mortals and true Nekomata!

Raising her hand, Kuroka released Spirit Qi, forming a colossal shining disc. She then launched it towards the two discs hurtling her way.

Boom!

"Ahhhhh..."

The three discs collided in mid-air, triggering a powerful explosion. Ni and Li, caught in the blast, fell from the sky, crying out in pain.

"Now do you understand? You still have a long way to go." Standing above Ni and Li, Kuroka lazily stretched her waist as she spoke.

"Worthy of Aneki..."

"We've lost, meow..."

Spewing out puffs of black smoke, the two Nekomata girls' ambition to overthrow their elder sister was now shattered.

"Two Pawns of Prince Tenraku, out!"

...

"Haha... We've got you now!"

"Prepare to be chopped, Gasper!"

Finally catching up with Gasper, who had been evading them, Ile and Nel leaped up, their faces twisted into malicious grins as they prepared to strike him down.

"Ahhhhh..."

Startled and alarmed, Gasper was about to activate his own Evil Eye ability to immobilize these two terrifying chainsaw lolis. However, suddenly, a figure shot towards them from a distance.

Boom!

With a resounding explosion, Ile, Nel, and Gasper were all sent flying, crashing onto the ground and tumbling for a few rounds.

"Ouch... pain pain pain."

"Ohh No, it's Koneko-Chan."

Holding their heads in pain, but when they saw Koneko-chan appear before them, Gasper's joy overflowed once more.

"Ga-kun—"

Turning around, Koneko called out.

"What's wrong, Koneko-chan?"

Blinking his eyes, Gasper looked up.

"You're so useless."

"..."

"Wāāāāā... Koneko-Chan is bullying me again!"

Faced with Koneko-Chan's sharp-tongued attack, Gasper felt like he had just suffered a mental blow of ten thousand points.

"Ile, what should we do? Koneko-Chan is here."

"We can't beat Koneko-Chan. Let's run, shall we?"

"Yeah, let's run. We'll come back after Koneko-Chan leaves!"

With their heads together, Ile and Nel discussed for a moment, then decisively chose to flee. They couldn't beat Koneko-chan here.

Stealthily, Ile and Nel tried to get up and escape, but Koneko-Chan was currently in her Nekomata Form. Her cute cat ears twitched, instantly detecting their movements.

"Where are you running to?!"

"Hurry, run!"

Shouting loudly, Ile and Nel dropped their chainsaws and desperately fled. However, Koneko-chan had no intention of letting them go. She leaped towards them and threw a punch in their direction.

Clang Clang Clang...

Boom!

Multiple clusters of Spirit Qi flew out, catching up to Ile and Nel, and exploded into a burst of energy.

"Ahhhhh..."

"Two Pawns of Prince Tenraku, out!"

...

Clang Clang Clang!!!

Boom!

On the other side of the forest, Karlamine and Siris were locked in an intense battle with Xenovia and Irina.

Karlamine and Siris were bestowed with the Sacred Gears "Demonic Sword Creation - Sword Birth" and "Holy Sword Creation - Blade Blacksmith" by Tenraku. 

Xenovia and Irina, on the other hand, were wielders of the Holy Swords Durandal and Excalibur, respectively. As swordsmen and knights, the four of them often sparred during their training at home, so they were familiar with each other's techniques.

Their figures flickered, and sword qi clashed. The trees around the forest continuously fell under the impact of their battle.

Although both sides were evenly matched and put up a good fight initially, as time passed, Karlamine and Siris began to fall behind. Compared to Xenovia and Irina, who wielded the Holy Swords, the two girls were ultimately at a slight disadvantage.

Clang Clang!

Crack... Crack...

In another collision, the longswords in Karlamine and Siris' hands were both left with cracks from the strikes of the Holy Swords.

Deciding not to linger, the two girls quickly retreated, putting some distance between themselves and Xenovia and Irina.

Whoosh... a sound of breaking air, and another figure landed beside Karlamine and Siris.

It was Mira!

With the tattered "Ruyi Fine Iron Rod" in her hand, Mira's face was pale as she continued to catch her breath. It was clear that she had suffered quite a bit in her battle with Akeno.

"Let's retreat, Karlamine. Tosca and the others have already been taken out," Siris said with a serious expression.

"Let's go."

Nodding, Karlamine agreed with Siris' suggestion. Although they were a bit reluctant, the three of them alone couldn't stop Princess Rias' Peerage. Even if they continued to fight stubbornly, the only outcome would be total annihilation.

"We won't let you escape!"

Seeing that Karlamine and the others wanted to retreat, Akeno's group refused to let them succeed. They flew forward, intending to keep the three girls behind.

"Demonic Sword Creation - Sword Birth!"

"Holy Sword Creation - Blade Blacksmith!"

Inserting their damaged swords into the ground beneath their feet, Karlamine and Siris quickly activated the abilities of their respective Sacred Gears. Countless Demonic Swords and Holy Swords burst forth from the ground, blocking the advance of Akeno's group.

"Cut it out. They've gotten away," Xenovia, wielding her Holy Sword Durandal, said in frustration.

"Don't worry, we'll have another chance to clash with them later."

"Let's go, everyone. Let's regroup with Rias."

With a faint smile on her face, Akeno didn't seem too concerned.

Although the strongest Queen and two Rooks from the other side were absent, their group only suffered minor injuries in exchange for the retreat of several members of Tenraku's Peerage. This could already be considered a rare and significant victory.

After a short rest, Akeno's group set off once again, swiftly heading towards the central battlefield in the forest...

"Oh oh oh... Truly Princess Rias' Peerage, effortlessly breaking through the blockade!"

In the venue outside the dimensional space, the host and the audience cheered for Akeno's group.

"Well, this was the expected outcome," Azazel commented into the microphone.

"Miko of Thunder and Light, Holy Sword wielders, female warriors, Nekoshou sisters, Vampire, and the former Saintess with a healing Sacred Gear. In terms of Peerage strength alone, it can be said that Rias is among the top in the entire new generation of Devils."

In the VIP section, Azazel evaluated with the microphone in hand.

The strength of Akeno's group was evident to everyone. The host and the audience in the venue agreed.

However, when Azazel's gaze fell on the battlefield in the dimensional space on the other side, a playful smile appeared on his face.

Unlike Akeno's resounding victory, the situation on the other side was a major defeat! The entire Peerage of the House of Sitri had been lost in the mist, one by one falling prey to the opponent's Queen and Rooks. 

If they were to be completely wiped out, resulting in their King's defeat without a fight, now that would be interesting...

To be continued...