The Living Weapon of DXD

Chapter 20 The Blood Game

"RAAAAAAAA!!!!!" I screamed surging upward.

Feeling immense pain I immediately doubled over. Feeling my body hit something comfortable however I realized I was not on the battlefield anymore. Forcing my vision to focus I saw I was in some kind of grand bedroom laying on a ludicrously big bed.

"I see you are finally awake." A calm voice stated.

Whirling my head to my left I saw Greyfia standing unfazed near the night stand.

"Greyfia? Where.. ugh... where am I?" I asked the maid before clutching my head. 'Damn I feel like I got hit by a train.' "You are currently in the Gremory family estate in Hell, one of the guest rooms to be specific." She answered. "Gremory estate? Hell? What... wait... the Game! Where is Rias? Did we win?" I asked slightly panicked.

Struggling to crawl my way out of bed I was about to try standing before Greyfia put her hand on my shoulder stopping me.

"Rias's Peerage was the winners of the Rating game." She stated calmly. Put at ease by this I was about to start asking more questions, only to freeze at her next words.

"You have been unconscious for 3 days since the match." She continued. "3 days... Where are the others?" I asked shaking myself out of it. "Rias and her peerage are currently on their way to the Shax family arena." She explained. "Shax family? If memory serves they own Hell's top arena. Why are they going there?" I asked. What the hell happened while I was out?

"I am afraid Lord Riser Phenex is the cause." She said, her aggravation well hidden. "Of course.... We won the match though. Their 'marriage' is called off, why would they need to meet at an arena of all places?" I wondered aloud. "I am afraid it is not so simple." She began. "After you struck down Lord Phenex the match was won and by agreement their marriage should have been liquidated." She explained. "I'm sensing a but coming..." I murmured.

"However Riser did not take this defeat in stride. Due to the power you demonstrated during the match and how you very clearly outmatched him. Riser has called the match invalid, claiming you cheated in order to win." She explained. "Bullshit!" I spat. "On that we are in agreement. However Riser's family has many friends in high places within the Old Devil Faction, and they are also in agreement that a previously unknown reincarnated devil could not be as powerful as you without some kind of outside assistance." She finished. "Thus Riser called on many favours so he could enact a Blood Game." She explained much to my confusion.

"Judging by the look your giving a Blood Game isn't good, is it?" I asked. "No it is not." She spat angrily. "The Blood Game's were the prototype Rating Games we use today. Back in the day such matches were to settle petty arguments or challenge for power, now a days they have been nearly abolished in favour of the Rating Games." She clarified.

"Devils don't just abolish tradition, what was so wrong about these games?" I asked. "Typically such matches were only till the other could not continue, but it was common for it to be to the death. Power hungry Devils abused such challenges so they could remove political opponents or rivals. There hasn't been an official sanctioned Blood Game in centuries. Until now." She muttered.

"Lord Phenex originally issued the challenge against you. However, as you have been unconscious, Rias is being forced to name a successor in you place as your King." She explained.

"And Riser thinks if he can get around me he can get their marriage solidified." I said stating the obvious.

"Precisely." Greyfia said.

"Thank you for catching me up Greyfia. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a chicken to pluck." I said standing. "Is that wise? You have not had proper time to recover from the Rating game." She asked. "This is my fight, one I will not shy away from." I said with a barely contained fury.