Before the match began, we received some advice from Ravel. If there was something that we could take advantage of in the opponent’s team, it was the weakness of their team play. That was why Ravel highlighted that our opponents would come to attack us as we climbed to the top. Agreeing with that notion, I then asked
“So, Ravel, are we going to decide who will be the best to fight against who?”
Ravel nodded and continued. “Yes, let’s think about the compatibility of the opponent’s members and the strategy of how to deal with them to a certain extent.”
And with that, we discussed how to deal with the opponent’s moves before we began to climb up the artificial Yggdrasil—. And finally the time for the game to start had come. The commentator yelled
<<Now, it’s time to start! Both teams have arrived to the starting point. The game will start when the signal gun on the field is fired! Both teams and spectators, are you ready?>>
There was a brief period of tranquil silence—-
And then, the sound of the fired signal gun echoed ‘BAAAAAAAAAAN’. <<START!>>
We started to run just as the commentator shouted out! First, we split up into two groups. One group would run up the spiral staircase and the other would fly while passing over the floating islands. By not bunching up in one place, we would also avoid a single large attack against the entire team. As a [King], the game would end if I were to be defeated, and I began to run up the stairs. This was only a temporary plan. Whilst I did think about flying through the sky, I chose to take the stairs to begin with after the situation. The ones who took the stairs were Irina, Xenovia, Rossweisse-san, Ravel, Ouryuu, and myself, the group which comparatively consisted of those who had confidence in their stamina. I quickly transformed into my crimson armour. And those who flew through the sky were Bova, Roygun-san, and Bina-shi. Asia and Elmenhilde who didn’t have confidence in their stamina rode on Bova’s shoulder. Since they flew through the sky, it was possible that they would become easier targets, but because Asia and Elmenhilde would support Bova and Bina-shi, their combination wouldn’t crumble unless there were extreme circumstances. We climbed the stairs at a tremendous pace. As we did that, we were able to visually recognise the opponent’s team as there were two stairs prepared, one for each team. The other side’s stair group consisted of…Vidar-san, Artemis-san, and Brynhildr-san. This meant that the rest were flying through the sky. …It meant that their [King], Typhon, was flying through the sky, huh. He was boldly fearless. This meant that he didn’t have any fear of getting knocked down. Both teams had climbed up Yggdrasil for thirty minutes when we started to see a large number of floating islands which surrounded Yggdrasil. …Indeed, the Tournament organisers were rather thoughtful to provide us with those [You can fight here]…! As if our opponents also understood, the first assaulting enemy finally appeared! There was someone who went down and stood in the center of one large floating island. —It was the current chief God of Olympus, Apollon-san. He then said to our team
“Who will be my opponent to keep me back here?”
And, the people on my team who had been pre-determined in our strategy flew out. Xenovia, Irina, and Nakiri. The three of them went down to the floating island that Apollon-san was standing on. Xenovia then boldly said
“Sun God-dono. I am Hyoudou Issei’s [Knight]. Let me be your common enemy.”
Irina also said as she wielded Hauteclere
“Michael-sama’s Ace! Shidou Irina! Currently a member of Hyoudou Issei-kun’s team!”
Nakiri then added while enveloping himself in touki
“The next heir of the Nakiri clan of the Five Principal Clans, Nakiri Kouchin Ouryuu. It’s an honor to be able to fight with the legendary God, but as I am also the Sekiryuutei’s junior, I will keep you down here.”
Those three were pretty audacious to choose the God of Sun as their opponent! For God’s sake, they sure are such reliable comrades! Apollon-san also seemed like he was satisfied with their introductions. “That’s an introduction suitable for the comrades of the Sekiryuutei. I am Apollon. The chief God of Olympus.”
After going through the self-introductions, the battle began—. After their battle began, Rossweisse-san immediately enclosed Xenovia and the others, including Apollon-san with barrier magic.This was to prevent the enemy from escaping from that place, and even if our comrades lost, it could still buy time for us. The barrier that was strengthened by Rossweisse-san using the wand of Misteltein was used to cover the first battlefield. Once the barrier was erected, we left them and continued to go for the top. Below us, divine rays of light were fired off several times, and the shrill sounds of destruction could be heard as the battle instantly intensified. After entrusting Apollon to Xenovia and others, we reached a huge cavity in the gargantuan Yggdrasil after around ten minutes of climbing. It seemed as though the stairs continued to go even further after passing through the hollow cavity. Since the cave was so large in both width and height, it was possible even for a flashy battle to be conducted here. In other words, it meant that. The Tournament operators wanted to say ‘You can fight here’. Unexpectedly, there was a human figure waiting inside the cave for us—. A woman wearing light armour on top of her dress — it was the Goddess Artemis. Artemis’ held a bow in her hand, something that also acted as a symbol of her. After confirming who our next opponent was, Ravel then spoke through a communications intercom. “It’s Artemis-sama.”
After hearing that, the ones who entered the cave were Bina-shi and Asia! We entrusted Artemis-san to those two. I felt bad about leaving our healer behind here, but…by entrusting her to Bina-shi, not only would Asia’s chance of surviving go up, but it was also because her compatibility with the opponent was good. “Ise-san! Everyone! I will leave the rest to you!” said Asia to us. After entrusting the Goddess to those two, we once again erected a magic barrier and then continued to climb. Well, because the opponent was a female, I thought that it might be better if I faced her, but thinking about the fight with Vidar-san, it’s simply a matter of stamina. However, because I had competent comrades, I left it to Bina-shi and Asia. After leaving the fight at the cave to those two, Ravel and I continued to climb up the stairs with the others! Around an hour after the match began, I was finally able to see the middle section of Yggdrasil. A flag that symbolised the halfway-point was placed across the entire circumference of Yggdrasil. After passing the halfway-point, my [Pawns] Ravel, Bova, and Elmenhilde were promoted to [Queen]. And with this, our battle potential had increased.