Chapter 184: The Heights of Arrogance and Stupidity
Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.
The weekend following the Kuoh Academy school trip, James, Leona, Rias, and Sona as well as their peerages were in the Lilith. To be more precise, they were at the [Rating Game] arena. While Leona, Rias, Sona, and the peerages were in the spectator stands, along with Cassiel, Zeoticus, Venelana, Dante, and Rhea, James and Scathach were in one of the waiting rooms waiting for their duels with the Devil Council members who insulted them during the Meeting of Young Devils.
"Why did this take so long to get set up?" James asked in a bored tone.
"The members of the Council were probably trying to come up with a way to defeat us." Scathach said. "You need not worry, though, my disciple. In front of absolute power, their schemes mean nothing."
"Oh, Master, you misunderstand." James replied with a smile. "I intend to finish them off in the most efficient manner possible. I have no interest in torturing people that much weaker than me. Um... Other than Cao Cao that is."
Scathach nodded in agreement with what James had to say. Bullying the weak is not the way a warrior should carry himself. In her opinion. At the same time, the weak should never provoke the strong unless they are ready to lose their lives.
"But seriously, what do you think they have up their sleeves?" James asked. "I mean, it's been almost two months since we sent out the challenges."
"We will just have to wait and see." Scathach replied.
Meanwhile, in the spectator stands, the group of James and Scathach's supporters were also waiting for the event to start.
"I thought the members of the Council would try to stall this even longer than they already have." Cu Chulainn said. "I wonder what's gotten into them?"
"They probably came up with some, in their own minds, fool proof method of defeating James and Master Scathach." Rias replied. "I couldn't imagine what that would be, though."
"Neither could I." Sona followed up. "But they must be pretty confident if they finally scheduled this event."
"What's even more off putting is that they invited any and all devils to spectate." Venelana said, entering herself into the conversation. "It's clear that with whatever method they planned, they wish to humiliate James in front of the entire populous."
Hearing that, all the girls who were interested in James, as well as the remaining members of his peerage and the other five adults gritted their teeth. They were not worried for James' safety; they did not even think that James and Scathach would lose the fight. However, the fact that these high-born fossils wished to humiliate one of the people they cared about in such a high scale fashion was more than they could stand.
"We really should just kill all of them." Leona said, hatred oozing out of her voice.
"Calm down, honey." Cassiel said while holding back his own anger. "We have to trust our son."
"Oh, it's not a matter of trusting that James can handle himself at this point, Cass." Leona said while she held all her negative emotions just under the surface. "It's that they are messing with this lady's son publicly. I could let it slide when they were trying to suppress him. Why? Because they weren't hurting his reputation. But this is more than I can allow."
Everyone present in the group was surprised at the level of killing intent Leona was releasing. They all felt as if the temperature in the area fell by a few degrees. Still, they all completely agreed with Leona's statement.
Just at that moment, the voice of an announcer was heard. When the group looked toward the arena, a man holding a microphone was standing in the center of the arena.
"{Ladies and gentlemen.}" The announcer shouted into the microphone. "{Would you join me in welcoming the Four Great Satans of the Underworld.}"
With the announcer's cry, the crowd exploded into a jumbled mess of cheers, whistling, and clapping. Then, on a balcony that could overlook the entire arena, Sirzechs, Ajuka, Serafall, Falbium, and Grayfia, who was following from behind in her capacity as a maid, entered the view of the spectators. Once they reached the edge of the balcony, Sirzechs raised his hands then lowered them gently as a signal for silence.
"I'm sure you are all aware of what is to take place in the Arena today." Sirzechs said, addressing the crowd with his vast demonic power amplifying his voice. "Today, James Alaverus and his [Queen], Scathach, will be challenging several members of the Devil Council to a duel."
"During the Meeting of Young Devils, these Council members said some really mean things to Jay-Kun and Scatti-Chan." Serafall said in a cheerful tone. "And according to our ancient devil traditions, the offended have challenged the offenders to a duel."
Once again, the crowd shouted and cheered as loud as they could. None of them cared what the devils from the higher classes usually did. Since they were usually unaffected by their actions. But since this was happening publicly, they were excited to see some of the strongest devils in the Underworld fighting it out.
"According to the ancient traditions, the challenged have the right to select the method of battle." Sirzechs said after the crowd calmed down. "Whether the fight be with weapons, barehanded, etc."
"Meanwhile, the challengers have the right to decide if the battle will be one to the death, or not." Ajuka said calmly.
The thought of a possible death match riled up the spectators even more.
"Do you think James will opt for a death match?" Rias asked.
"Probably not." Leona said. "We came across some rather interesting information in the last few days. I think James would much rather destroy them socially than let them have the easy way out, which is death."
Hearing the ominous tone Leona finished her sentence with, all the younger devils, Cassiel, Zeoticus, and Dante could not help but begin to shudder. At the same time, Leona, Venelana, and Rhea wore some of the most sadistic smiles any of them had ever seen. Deciding it was better for their mental health, they all turned their attention back to the arena.
After speaking a little longer about the traditions of the Underworld, the Four Great Satans and Grayfia took their positions as spectators and witnesses to this duel.
"{First, let's thank the Four Great Satans for their time and that wonderful explanation of today's events." The announcer said into the microphone, to which the crowd replied with another round of applause. Once the crowd calmed down again, he continued. "Now, entering from the north entrance, the challenged members of the Devil Council!"
With that, seventeen, nearly half of the members of the Devil Council, men with middle-aged or elderly appearances entered the arena from the north with smug, arrogant smiles on their faces. As they examined the crowd, it was clear to everyone who saw them that the seventeen members of the Devil Council were confident that they could and would defeat James and Scathach in today's battle.
"{And from the south entrance, James Alaverus, the strongest member of the younger generation, and his [Queen], Scathach!"
Like the members of the Devil Council, James and Scathach also entered the arena after the announcer introduced them. And as they did, their confident steps drew the eyes of all the spectators toward them subconsciously. Subconsciously, they all felt a bit of awe and veneration toward the figures who were making their way toward the center of the arena.
"Damn..." Dante, the Son of Sparda said while his eyebrow twitched. "Why does he seem even stronger than yesterday?"
"It's not just yesterday, everyday it feels like he's gotten stronger than the last." Sona said. "Ever since he returned from the trip to Kyoto."
"What does the trip to Kyoto have to do with this?" Rias asked.
"I know the answer to that one." Leona said with a smile. "Apparently he found his reason for getting stronger."
Everyone shifted their full attention to Leona once she said she knew the answer to Rias' question. Then, to not keep them waiting too long, and to finish her explanation before the terms of the duel were decided, Leona continued.
"James grew at a rapid pace when he was young because he had the dream of standing as equals with Sona and Rias." Leona said. "Then, his pace slowed down significantly after he achieved that goal."
Everyone nodded, understanding what Leona meant.
"But now, after the attempts to kidnap Kunou, James found another reason to continue to grow." Leona continued. "He wants to be strong enough so that no one would be able to... No, that's not right. So that no one would even consider targeting the people he cares about."
Naturally, the girls that were already in a relationship with James were the happiest to hear that. Then, the girls who were interested in him found their interest growing exponentially. And finally, the girls that were not interested in him found that part of him admirable and began to subconsciously compare their love interests with James.
Tsubaki was totally different, however. She was so far in love with Cu Chulainn that the only thought that crossed her mind was...
'Setanta is his brother-disciple, so of course he feels the same way.' Tsubaki thought as she looked at the smiling Cu Chulainn who completely agreed with James' reason for growing in strength.
"{Now, with all the participants present, I ask the challenged party, the members of the Devil Council, how do you wish this battle to be fought?}" The announcer asked with anticipation in his eyes.
The rest of the crowd and even the Four Great Satans were also anticipating what kind of fight they would see. And after seeing the smug looks on the councilmen's faces, they thought there would be quite a show to look forward to.
"We, of the Devil Council, declare that this will be a battle without the use of weapons or [Sacred Gears]." The leader of the group of council men said, amplifying his voice as the Four Great Satans had done.
The crowd's excitement began to spike. However, when they noticed that the council member had nothing else to say, they began to quiet down with confusion all over their faces. On top of that, none of them even knew that James had a [Sacred Gear] since he had never needed to use it in any of his [Rating Games].
James' supporters were also interested in what the Council had planned. However, when the demands ended with no weapons or [Sacred Gears], their interest disappeared immediately. Sirzechs, Serafall, and Grayfia felt the same way up on the V.I.P. balcony.
After hearing the demands, and waiting for more, James began to scratch his head in confusion. Scathach's expression did not change, though. Then, after a moment, James signaled for the announcer to hand him the microphone.
"{Um... Is that really... All?}" James asked awkwardly.
The crowd agreed with James' question as they all stared at the Councilmen with confusion.
"Of course." The leader of the Councilmen said in a confident tone. "Everyone knows your prowess with a weapon. But without your weapons, you two will be no match for the seventeen of us."
James could only slump his shoulders after hearing the idiotic words of the man standing opposite him. Then, after a moment, he raised the microphone to his mouth again.
"{Okay *Sigh*}" James said in a bored tone. "{This will not be a fight to the death, but we want a formal apology when we win. And we want you to tell the Underworld of all your wrong doings over the last centuries.}"
The members of the council only scoffed in derision. Then, they agreed, feeling that there was no way they could possibly lose with all their battle experience. However, they had forgotten two things. First, none of them were nearly as powerful as James or Scathach. And second, it had been over five hundred years since the last time they even saw a battlefield, let alone stood on one.
James then nodded and handed the microphone back to the announcer.
"{Now that the terms have been set, I would ask Lord Sirzechs Lucifer to do the honors and signal the beginning of this battle.}" The announcer said as he made his way out of the arena.
At the same time, Sirzechs stood from his seat.
"*Sigh* I was really looking forward to the schemes that you old fossils would use to defeat us." James said to his opponents who were standing together, preparing their magic attacks from the distance. "But now I'm thoroughly disappointed. I've almost lost the motivation to fight."
"Lost the will to fight, have you?" The leader said arrogantly. "Now, you must understand where you stand in the world. Unfortunately, it is too late for you."
"*Sigh*" James sighed loud enough for the entire arena full of spectators to hear.
"Do not let it bother you, my disciple." Scathach said while patting James on the shoulder. "Just finish this quickly, we might still have time to train with everyone in the afternoon."
All the young devils shuddered at that moment.
"Okay, fine." James said listlessly.
"Now, let the battle begin!"Sirzechs announced once the announcer was out of the arena's battlefield.
As soon as Sirzechs' voice rang out, the Councilmen had magic circles appear in front of all of them as they were ready to cast their spells. However, before they could, a cube of swirling black and purple demonic energy appeared around them.
"[Hado Number 90: Kurohitsugi]." James said as he lifted his right hand toward the Devil Councilmen.
Then, for the next thirty seconds, nothing happened in the arena. However, in the V.I.P. balcony, the Four Great Satans and Grayfia were shocked.
"What is that Ajuka?" Sirzechs asked unsurely.
"That spell is controlling gravity." Ajuka replied while analyzing the spell with his Kankara Formula.
"Wow that's one of the Kido from Bleach!" Serafall shouted excitedly.
"Bleach?" Sirzechs asked curiously. "You mean the manga that James drew years ago?"
"Yeah, that one." Serafall said excitedly. "I didn't know Jay-Kun could use the spells he thought up for it too, though."
At that moment, Sirzechs and Ajuka decided to read all of James' works to see if there were any more of his techniques hidden in them. In the process, they would both become his hardcore fans. That would be a story for another time, though.
At the same time, the other three were discussing the spell James used, Falbium yawned. Then, he noticed that the cube was breaking down.
"The spell is ending." Falbium said, pulling everyone else's attention back to the battle.
A moment after Falbium spoke, the black and purple cube broke down into particles of demonic energy then dispersed into the sky. After that, the crowd saw that all seventeen members of the Council were lying on the ground unmoving, bruised, and bloodied. Shortly afterward, the announcer made his way onto the battlefield and began checking the conditions of all the fallen.
"{Ladies and gentlemen!}" The announcer shouted after verifying that all the Councilmen were alive. "{The winners of today's duel are James Alaverus and Scathach!}"
With that, the crowd went crazy while James and Scathach walked out of the arena as if they had done nothing. Because to them, they could not even call this a fight.
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