Chapter 76: Lucias vs. Astaroth (2)

"A dice?"

Lucias muttered while glancing at the monitor in front of him containing the projection of a 6 sided dice.

[I will explain the Dice Figure so that those who don't know about it can understand it! The die prepared has six-sides like the usual die, and you can roll a number from 1 to 6 with it! By rolling it, it will determine which 'pieces (servants)' can be sent for that match!]

The announcer explained causing Lucias to immediately nod his head in understanding as he was able to connect everything to a viable conclusion.

"In other words, it's a scrambled match, huh? They're really trying to avoid us fighting in a full frontal assult..."

Lucias said before focusing his attention back at the announcer to get more information about the unfamiliar style of rating game.

[The chess in the human world has values for their chess pieces! The standard value for the [Pawn] piece is 1, and they give numeric values to the chess pieces equivalent to their strength on the chessboard. And the evil pieces for the Rating Game also use this value standard as estimation! Of course there are parts when the person from the group unleashes the power higher than their potential capacities which surpasses the value of their chess pieces, or the part things happen where it surpasses our assumption due to the hidden factor which Ajuka Beelzebub-sama input into the evil pieces! But we will be using the standard value for the rule of this game!]

He said as the projection of the standard value of each piece were shown in the projection above the stadium.

Pawn was equivalent to one, knight and bishop is three, rook is five, and finally the queen has a value of 9.

[First, both [Kings] will roll the die, and the total value rolled will determine which combatants can be sent! For example, when the total value rolled is [8]! Then you can send combatants who will fit within that value! If it's [Pawn] which has the consumption value of 1, then 8 [Pawns] can be sent! Of course you can also send 1 [Rook] with the consumption value of 5 and 1 [Knight] with the consumption value of 3, since the total value will be 8! If it is within the value range, then it is possible to send a combination of combatants from different classes! Also, group members who have consumed several evil-pieces will have the value of their total values]

The announcer added causing Lucias to glance back at his servants who didn't bother listening to the explanation except for Okita, Scáthach-Skaði, and Merlin who took the explanation seriously.

[Since both teams have a complete set of pieces, and none of their evil pieces consumed more than one evil piece, the standard values would be used for this match]

[As the match progresses, the combatants will be reduced, and possibly there might be a change in the value needed for the combatants to be sent. Then the dice will have to be rolled until the value reaches the number where combatants from both teams can be sent to the field!]

He said causing Lucias to sigh, since his choices of whoever gets sent determines how the battle turn out so he needed to fully know the abilities of his enemies to properly judge who will he send out.

[The participation of the [King]'s will depend on the number which has been given from the people from the judging committee's estimation value beforehand! Of course, like the usual rule, the game ends immediately after the [King]'s defeat!]

The announcer said causing Lucias to frown as he knew that the judging committee would give him an incredible high value due to his strength.

[Now then, the chess-piece value number the judging committee chose for each [King] is this!]

He said but stopped when one of the messengers of the judging committee pulled him down, and whisper something in his ear.

[We have few changes in the rules of the match! All left over values that each team does not consume will be added as extra values for them in the next match due to the complications of value number that Lucias Frey has]

The announcer said causing both Governor and Michael to sigh as they expected for this to happen.

[Combatant Diodora Astaroth is 9! Combatant Lucias Frey is 16! Oooh, combatant Lucias Frey has an incredible high number value, so he wouldn't be able to participate unless they accumulate enough points for him to participate!]

He shouted causing his servants to let out a prideful smile on their faces while Lucias could only curse since he wouldn't be able to participate that easily.

[Also another rule. You cannot send out the same combatant continuously. This also goes the same for the [King]'s!]

"... So in other words, choose wisely... Easy enough, I guess"

Lucias muttered before smiling at his servants causing all of them to look at him with a serious expression on their faces.

"It looks like all of you are ready"

Lucias said in a calm tone, noticing that all of them were all equip for battle. 

Kintoki held his giant one handed axe in his right hand, Abby held two giant keys in both of her hands, and Mordred completely covered herself with her armor, blocking all appraisal abilities that is weaker than [Celestial Eyes] from affecting her.

[Now, the game is about to begin! Both teams, are you ready?]

The announcer shouted in excitement as the arbiter raised his hand up in the air, raising the tension among the crowd.

[Now, the Rating Game between Diodora Astaroth's team and Lucias Frey's team will begin! GAME START!]

He shouted causing all of the audience in the stadium to scream in excitement and anticipation.

Linebreak

[So then, will the two [Kings] step in front of the stands]

The arbiter urged causing both Lucias and Astaroth to climb their respective stand.

[We will start the first match. We will choose the combatants who will be appearing. Will both of you hold the dice.]

He urged causing Lucias to glance down and look at the dice on his stand with a light smile on his face.

[Shoot!]

The arbiter said causing both of them to immediately roll their respective dice as the results were projected on the large screen in the middle of the stadium.

[The value combatant Diodora Astaroth rolled is...5! On the other hand the value combatant Lucias Frey rolled is 3! That is a total value of 8. They will be able to send out their servants within that value!]

The announcer said in enthusiasm causing both Astaroth and Lucias to glance back at their peerage as they prepared themselves and decide who are they going to send out.

[You get 5 minutes of planning time. So please choose the combatant who will be participating within that time. Also the promotion for the [Pawns] will be available once they arrive at the field. The promotion will be deactivated every time a match ends, so please use promotion every time you get on the field]

The announcer stated as both groups were covered by a sound proof barrier to avoid any eavesdropping from both sides about their strategy.

"So... this is basically what I'm going to do, I will send a minimum number of servants in the field with a few leftovers in case we need more points for the next round"

Lucias explained causing his servants to nod their heads in response as they sat down on the comfortable sofa provided by the Maous.

"One our advantages are that, none of the beings of this dimension know about the existence of heroic spirits, but your name's were all listed down in history especially Merlin. Fortunately, they wouldn't believe that you were the exact same person since your appearances are far different from what is described in the anecdotes and records in history"

Lucias explained with a serious expression on his face before pointing his finger at the demons at the other side of the stadium.

"They know nothing about your existence nor strength, and knowing him he'll do something reckless because of his pride, or he'll be smart enough to actually try and think how he will deal with us"

Lucias explained before projecting the image of the demons that they captured in the past, and is now being studies by the elves of his faction.

"The only problem is the demons... They're extremely flexible since they can copy any skill of the beings that they eat, so they have an arsenal of different skills... I guess all of them are suited to be more of a pawn due to their flexibility... They can easily adapt to any role that they take"

Lucias said before looking at both Ibaraki, and Shuten who were casually waiting for his decision.

"If I send too many pawns, we lose too many numbers, but if I send only a few of you then... It will become an extremely risky fight. I'm going to send out a maximum of 3 servants every round if possible to balance out our numbers and save values if ever we need to send more servants. So for this round... Shuten, and Ibaraki, you're up"

Lucias said causing both of them to seductively smile in response.

"Since the value is 8... There's three possible scenarios that may happen, one he will send one of his peerage as a sacrifice to study our strength for the first round, two, he'll try to out number us in the first round by sending 1 rook, bishop, or knight and at least 2 pawns, or he'll do something reckless for the first round and just send out two of his bishop, knight, or rook"

Lucias explained, noticing the smug smile on Astaroth's face as he glanced at both Shuten and Ibaraki who were both wearing disheveled Yukatas.

"The announcer said that we cannot send out servants continuously, so there needs to be a round that they are not selected... if ever that they win"

Lucias explained as the barrier suddenly dissapeared around them.

[The five minutes are about to be over. Would the combatants participating in the match please make their way to the magic-circle. The magic-circle is a transport-type. You will be transferred to a battlefield prepared in a different dimension. The match will then be fought on that battlefield. The battlefield will be randomly picked from the ones already prepared. Until the combatants are transferred to the different field, the bases of both sides will be placed in a barrier so the bases will become invisible. And that barrier will only be taken off every time a match ends]

The arbiter said in a calm voice causing both Ibaraki and Shuten to step forward while from the other side, Astaroth sent out 1 rook and 1 knight.

"I guess his more stupid than I anticipated..."

Lucias muttered while using [Celestial Eyes] on both the demons who walked towards the magic circle before being grabbed by Ibaraki and Shuten in both of his arms.

"Reward us if we win, Danna-han"

Shuten said as both of them gave Lucias a warm hug before walking towards the magic circle.

[Oooo! The combatants for the first match have appeared! As you can see, the field is the redight district of the human world! This district will be stage for the first round of the game! The ones chosen from both sides with the value of 8 are.... what's this!? Two young onis have been sent out from team Lucias Frey, 2 of Lucias Frey's pawns has been sent out to the field!! Leaving them with 6 more points for the next round!]

The announcer shouted while all of the men intensely stared with a perverted expression on their faces at Shuten's figure due to her extremely revealing outfit that barely hid her body.

[*Cough*... They're too young for my taste]

Governor said causing Michael who was sitting beside him to wryly smile at his direction.

"This perverted geezer..."

Lucias said in a helpless tone while glaring at Governor's direction.

[And from the Astaroth-Group... One Rook and Knight had been sent out to fight! It looks like Astaroth is going all out in the first round of the game!!]

He shouted as both sides were teleported into the field with both Shuten and Ibaraki standing on top of one of the pavilion in the district.

[Azazel-sama, can you tell us more about the two onis in the field!]

[... What are their names?]

Azazel asked while staring at the two onis in the field with a serious expression on his face.

[From the information Lucias Frey has given us... They're names are Ibaraki Douji, and Shuten Douji]

The announcer answered causing a few beings from the stadium to gasp in fear as they stared at the two onis who were on the field with terror visible in their eyes.

[Ibaraki Douji, and Shuten Douji... Almost anyone who lived in Japan years ago know their name. The two most powerful onis who instigated the attack and massacre of Kyoto years ago. Sparing no one and killing all humans within the city, turning them into livestocks and sake]

Governor explained while staring at Lucias in confusion on why he would allow such two vicious and mercilessly onis to join him, but what was more shocking to him was that...

[They are both supposedly dead, no one remembers what they truly looked like in the past since none of their victims lived to tell the tale]

Governor said causing some of the Youkais in the crowd to frown as they were the reason why the Youkais were now extremely feared humans.

Both of Ibaraki and Shuten on the other hand grinned in response from recieving the refreshing look of fear that both of them showered in the past.

"How I missed this feeling"

Ibaraki muttered as she tightened the grip on her sword in excitement.

"Both team get into position"

The arbiter said as he arrived from a magic circle in between the two teams before he raised his hand into the air.

"The first match, starts now!"

He announced causing Ibaraki to ignite in flames as she directly charged at the two demons at the other side of the field.

"How vicious of you, Ibaraki~"

Shuten muttered before completely dissapearing from her place without any trace of her existence.

"Foolish little girl"

The large demon with an extremely mascular body said as he directly charge towards Ibaraki without hesitation causing her to smile before slashing her sword at his direction.

"Hmph!"

The giant demon directly caught her sword with his barehands before throwing a powerful right hook at her small and delicate looking body.

Ibaraki immediately dodged his punch before completely slicing his hand into two, causing his blood to splatter in the air. 

"Do you really think that with that puny strength of yours, you'll be able to stop me?"

She asked with a large smirk on her face before giving him a right hook on his face, causing his entire body to crash into the ground, destroying several houses along the process.

"Entertain me some more!!"

Ibaraki shouted as she performed a drop kick at his chest, burying him to the ground, creating a massive crater due to the powerful force contained in her attack.

"Hahahaha!!"

Ibaraki laughed as grabbed him by the head while his wounds quickly healed due to the skills that he stole from the creatures that they ate as they arrived in this dimension.

Ibaraki then spun her body around to build up enough momentum before throwing the demon towards the dozens of houses lined up at her left, causing his body to crash through several houses before his body stopped as it crashed against a sturdy stone wall at the corner of the field.

"Promotion: Rook"

Ibaraki muttered causing her entire body to illuminate as her physical strength suddenly spiked by several folds.

"I know you didn't die from that so stop pretending"

Ibaraki shouted at the large demon who she threw a few kilometers away from her position before a large figure suddenly charged at his direction.

He threw a powerful hook at her head causing her to immediately dodge his attack as the infrastructure behind her shattered to pieces due to the immense strength contained in his attack.

"Not bad!"

Ibaraki said before throwing a powerful right hook at his abdomen, causing his internal organs to burst as his body was thrown slightly off the ground.

"GAH!"

He grunted in pain while spitting out violet blood from his mouth before being decapitated by Ibaraki who quickly sliced his head off of his body, grabbing the head from the air with a playful smile on her face.

[W-WHAT A PERFORMANCE FROM IBARAKI DOUJI! As expected from the monstrous oni that was feared by millions in history!! Destroying half of the entire field in a matter of seconds in the start of the round!!]

The announcer shouted in bewilderment and excitement from witnessing the incredible strength that Ibaraki had for a pawn.

[She's as scary as the legends say... I guess if it's him, I don't think it's that surprising that he is able to control those two monsters]

Governor commented before glancing at the two other pieces who were playing hide and seek around the entire red light district. 

[From Ibaraki Douji's strength alone, she could be as powerful as the strongest queen in the underworld, Grayfia Lucifuge, or even more powerful than her since she is just using her raw strength to overpower him]

Michael commented causing an uproar to occur within the audience due to his sudden declaration.

[Can you share to us why do you think so?]

[Diodora Astaroth's [Rook] isn't as weak as you think he is, it's just that he isn't able to fully display it because of Lucias-sama's [Pawn]. From my years of experience, I can tell how powerful the [Rook] is by the way he carry himself alone, isn't that right, Governor Azazel?]

[Huh? Y-Yeah, it looks like Diodora Astaroth's [Peerage] isn't to be looked down upon... but they look strangely... familiar? I don't know. Let's just enjoy the show]

[I-I see]

The announcer said before another powerful crash echoed throughout the entire stadium, causing him to focus his attention back at the match, only to find a large cut on the ground of the field with a single figure standing in the middle with his entire body sliced in half.

"This is the reason why I like playing with immortal beings"

Ibaraki muttered while watching the demon quickly regenerate his body with an amused expression on her face.

"I don't have all the time in the world, so I would appreciate it if you just surrender already"

Ibaraki said with a provoking smile on her face, causing the giant demon to clench his teeth in anger as he launched another powerful hook at her direction.

Ibaraki who saw his persistence sighed in dissapointment as she swiftly sliced his entire harm in half with her blade from his fist down to his shoulder.

"Too bad"

She muttered before spinning her body around and slicing his body in half, causing his blood to spray in the air while his upperbody fell on the ground.

"I'll keep doing this until you surrender so don't waste my time"

Ibaraki stated before noticing an incredible fast presence approaching her direction, causing her to reflexively raise her sword up to her chest as she blocked the figures attack.

"Tch"

A thin demon with arms that are much longer than his own body, clicked his tongue from having his blade blocked by the delicate woman in front of him, causing him to immediately reposition his body to create some distance between them.

"Found you~"

Shuten playfully said as she appeared behind his back, causing him to shiver in fear as a silver blade suddenly sliced his limbs apart.

"You're bones are really bad in quality, how dissapointing~"

She muttered in displeasure as she watched the demon's body fall on the ground.

"Shuten. You're Slow"

She complained before stepping on the giant demon's regenerating body.

"No need to be mad, Ibaraki. I arrived in time didn't I?"

Shuten said with a soft smile on her face causing Ibaraki to grit her teeth but decided to hold it in before throwing the rook demon's body on top of the knight's body.

"They regenerate fast. So I'll leave them to you, Shuten"

She said causing Shuten to smile before glancing at the two regenerating demons beneath her foot.

"it's quite a pain, so let's just melt you all at once..."

She said before cutting all of their limbs to prevent them from escaping.

"[Multitude of Colors - Providential Oni Poison]—From the tips of your nails, slowly, slooowly..."

She casted as she poured the poisonous sake in her hand to the bodies of the demons, causing their body to slowly melt upon contact. Their skin started to melt revealing their darkened flesh and greyish bones. Slowly melting every single part of their body as their screams of pain devoured the entire stadium.

"It's a shame that I wouldn't be able to create a new liquor... You're bones would taste bad if I turn it into sake. *Sigh*"

Shuten said in a dissapointed tone, ignoring the shocked and fearful stares that the audience was giving her due to her ruthless and merciless method of killing her opponents.

[Combatant Diodora Astaroth's [Knight] and [Rook], retires!]

(N/A: As requested here are the list of servants that Lucias have summoned in the past:

Yu Miyaoi

Jeanne'D Arc

Mash Kyrelight

Sengo Muramasa

Saito Hajime

Ishtar

Vincent Van Gohg

Nightingale

Irisviel von Eizenbern

Emiya (Archer)

Illyasviel von Eizenbern

Enkidu

Hassan (Old Man of the Mountain)

Leonidas I

Captain Nemo

Cù Chulainn

Anastasia

Astolfo

Artoria Pendragon:

Saber

Saber Alter

Saber Lily

Lancer

Rider Alter

Mysterious Heroine X

Mysterious Heroine X Alter

Castoria

Merlin

Solomon

Shuten douji

Ibaraki douji

Kiyohime

Scáthach

Okita Souji

Mordred Pendragon

Minamoto no Raikou

Quetzalcoatl

Nero Claudius

Jack the Ripper

Oda Nobunaga

Sasaki Koijiro

Abigail Williams

Chloe von Einzbern

Jeanne'D Arc (Alter)

Ereshkigal

Medusa (Ana)

Ushiwakamaru

Medea (Lily)

Tamamo no Mae

Leonardo da Vinci

Semiramis

Miyamoto Musashi

Yang Guifei

Scáthach-Skaði

Bradamante

Karna

Void Shiki

Tomoe Gonzen

Altera

I haven't introduced some of them yet, and I'm planning to do so in the fourth arc when the war begins)