*3rd POV
Focus: Rissa's team

29:35.

"We are outnumbered. We have only six where they have nine, and they could be expected to know the area much better; but at least we wouldn't have to worry too much about their magic blabbers. All the same, render them harmless wherever and whenever you can."

"Got it!"

That was the instruction the Princess gave before we set out in three pairs. Right now I--Kouya--along with Kaigen-san, am entering one of the buildings of the so-called Kuou Academy. Even with that great war axe on his shoulder, Kaigen's still fast. A Two-Star, alright.

"Are they even gonna fight on so narrow a passage?!"

"Don't ask me..."

"Geez! I'd rather we blow it up all the way and get out!"

"Kaigen-san, you're really being loud--"

"That's the idea, dummy. Lure 'em out, hack 'em to pieces, and on with the others."

"Well, if that will suit you--"

"Damn right it will! Hah!"

"...I wonder if all ex-soldiers are like you."

"Patriotic?"

"Foul-mouthed."

"Mind your business, boyo. Not outta this yet, mind."

"...Wait."

"No stallin'!"

"Uwah..?!"

He grabbed me by the back of my collar, and was now scooping me like a child... Crap, why did I have to be with this giant in the first place...

"Umm... Kaigen? I meant to tell you of enemy pre--"

"Let's ram 'em over!"

He picked up speed, and before long was dashing through that corridor, me dangling helplessly below his right armpit. Turning at a corner, he let out a bawl identical to that of a raging bull.

"Yaahaa!! Oi there, li'l girl! Outta my way or outta your life!"

Eh? A girl..?

"Kaaaigen-san? I-don't-think..."

For only a flicker, a white-haired girl's dazed look was registered in my mind.

SLAM!!!

"GUHagh..."

The full momentum was with us.

Still my bull-like comrade kept running.

Just before I passed out, my ears caught a faint announcement delivered in an emotionless tone:

[Rias Gremory-sama's Rook, retired.]

***

...

..?

"...Kou! Get up now--"

"...Ow-ow..."

Opening my eyes, I found that we're already out on the other side of the building, and Kaigen tapping my cheek.

"Oh! There you are. Quite some ride, that, eh, boyo?"

"Ungh... I think... Wait, what did we hit? Said it was a girl..."

"Yep. Nice little white-haired cutie. No worries, she's seen to now."

"Seen to... Wait, so that announcement..?!"

"You're slow, Kou. Yes, we did it. Together. She retired, you heard the news. Now? On with the rest."

I felt my anger rising, even when trying to stand up. "How could you?! Pick somebody your own size!"

The small fact that his giant war axe was thunked into the ground (how deep, I couldn't care less) so he could talk to me with his arms folded, I chose to ignore. To my words, that bull of a man laughed lightly as if trampling a leaf.

"Death-match, boyo. Kinda harsh, I say, but they asked for it by fixing it to half-hour. Now heads up, I think our other pursuer's here."

"Koneko-chan~!"

Following the echo, from the large crack Kaigen had made simply by bursting through the wall, a well-dressed blonde guy emerged brandishing a black sword.

"This one's yours, Kou. Do your best. See ya if you're alive."

***

"One less for them..."

Andin listened to the announcement, and reported to me who was surveying the path ahead.

"Sounds like Kou and Kaigen are having a good time. Nice place they got here, I might add--this seems to be the gymnasium."

"It does appear to be. Please be careful, Princess."

"Come now, An..." I relaxedly picked up a baseball bat, "why would I be, entering a place so full of nice toys like this one? My, I could perhaps practice my swing--"

Once, twice, I swung. Hmm, pretty light-weight, this thing...

"Umm... Princess, need I remind you that we are still in the midst of a fight..."

"And who will the opponent be?"

"Us."

A male voice answered, and a guy stepped out from behind the red curtains of what passed to be a theatrical stage. His left arm was enveloped in a red gauntlet with a green jewel in it.

"Oh, hi. You must be the Red Dragon Emperor, their anchor guy."

"Shut up. What you vamps did to Koneko-chan was unforgivable. I will not allow you do the same to my other comrades--" then, turning to regard a blue haired girl approaching Andin, "don't worry, Xenovia, leave this to me. If it's girls, nothing I couldn't handle."

"Ara, so you are regarding us like so much trash. That's impolite." Calmly, I brandished the wooden bat like a sword--our actual weapons are not worth displaying to this scum. "Who, then, is willing to be first?"

"Hah! You bluffing, Miss?! You're taking me on with just that? Give me a break."

"Try me, Mr. Loudmouth."

"Some courage you got there--I'll try to go easy on you, little bit. Now, like I said..."

He was now starting to emit red aura, his arm with the gauntlet outstretched.

"...if it's girls, I need not worry!"

...Huh? His look... changed.

"Dress Break!!!"

TAP.

...

...

...He touched me...

"...Eh? Huh?"

"...Right where you shouldn't have, YOU DAMN PERV!!"

THWACK!!

"Ungyaaa!! That's... not..?"

[Rias Gremory-sama's Pawn, retired.]

"P-princess..? Are you--"

"Guh... damn right he should!" I yelled at the ceiling. "An, handle that blue jerk now, will you..."

"Understood."

"Hey, who're you calling a 'jerk', jerks?!"

While they start battling, I slipped on to a corner and put my right hand covering the right ear.

"Kai?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"How's it going your side?"

"Kou seems to be having it rough. The blondie's quite up to the task."

"Think you could safely get to where I am, the gymnasium? Got some rock here as well that I believe you'll have lots of fun budging. I will go help Kou."

"Be right there, my lady! Unless I got held up, that is."

"Right. Out."

***

22:58.

"It seems two of them had been disabled, Mestra-san; while so far, none of ours. Looking good."

"Juma!"

"Yes!"

"You know, that was only to be expected of the Princess. Our turn now."

"Right."

"Wait."

A black-haired girl (the hair fashioned into a very long ponytail) was now approaching sedately towards the pair; bringing her hand close to the mouth and giggling.

"Ara ara, so you're the ones causing this much ruckus. Surprised you didn't do any noticeable damage to the buildings themselves so far."

"Let's just say we'd like to preserve a place so dear to you," Mestra replied. "This got to be where you study, no?"

"Ara, yes, thank you for the attention. I would love to take you to a tour of them someday... but we are now in for a death-match, it seems. Now who's gonna be with me up there, lady? You, or this dandy here?"

Mestra calmly unsheathed her weapon.

"Please allow me."