However, if we can’t make up for this, we won’t be able to win and advance in the games from now on. [Even a “Pawn” can take down the “King]—this is not only a basic rule in chess, but also a proverb of the Rating Games. In other words, it implies that [anyone can win with the proper method].”
Akeno-san also approved of Buchou’s words and nodded. “That’s right. There may be indoor battles like this on true battlefields as well from now on. If that were the case, we wouldn’t be able to completely display our power like today. This may be a good opportunity for us. Today’s battle is most suitable for getting used to indoor team battles.”
Among this discussion where all the smart people were talking, I timidly raised my hand. “U-Umm, Buchou. While I desperately trained to attain Balance Breaker and raise my power, I didn’t practice holding back my power when fighting…”
“I know. This time, things came completely opposite from what we expected. Although the battlefield and rules are decided randomly, this game may be close to being the worst for Ise. Your power is too enormous. According to the rule, destroying the building means an instant out. However, there’s sure to be somewhere where you’ll be able to use Balance Breaker. But please hold back your power as much as possible while fighting. Don’t shoot your Dragon Shot as much as possible as well. The department store may be blown away. Please survive with just hand-to-hand fighting somehow…I’m sorry for asking such difficult things from you.”
“…Y-Yes. Rather, to be honest, I’m really worried, but…”
Seriously. As a Power-type, I was really at a disadvantage at a time like this. Oh well. Since I’m aiming for the top and will be participating in the games from now on, I have to get used to this kind of battle as well. …I cried at having to face so many difficult things. I had never imagined that the training I spent most of my summer on would have no meaning in this game! Now that I think about, Azazel-sensei also talked about it. [Attaining Balance Breaker will certainly become a weapon for you. However, that’s not something absolute in the games. There are devils with servants without Balance Breaker that manage to rise up, you know?] I didn’t really understand it then, but now I do. With such a battlefield and rule, Balance Breaker wasn’t always a knockdown technique! While I fell into despair, Buchou continued her strategy plan. “Even if we attack, the atrium of this shopping mall is a problem. You can grasp the progress of the opponent from both the first and second floors. It’s the same for the other side.”
Buchou said this while looking at the interior of the store. Akeno-san also expressed her opinion. “I’ve considered an attack from the parking garage as well, but they would also be looking out for that too.”
“Yes, it’s the same for moving from the rooftop. Whether it be breaking through the centre, from the rooftop, or from the parking garage, we have to advance along these routes. Since we can’t leave the department store itself.”
“There should be cars in the parking garage as well. That’s what I feel, after seeing that they reproduced even the merchandise and merchandise shelves. They may have copied the cars that were parked there.”
The discussion between Buchou and her [Queen] Akeno-san had somehow become really diligent. Yeah, this reconfirmed once again what the [Queen] was to the [King]. Kiba raised his hand and gave a proposal. “Buchou, I’ll go look at the rooftop and parking garage. Since there are stairs nearby, I’ll go check them out.”
Buchou nodded. “Please do, Yuuto.”
Kiba immediately headed out at a quick pace. “Are the cars important somehow?”
I asked that question honestly. Why were they that worried about the presence of cars here? “If they plunge into the store interior with a car, it’d be serious, you know? Besides, we have to openly consider the possibility that they’ll use the car itself as a bomb. Though I don’t think that someone like Sona would do something like recklessly driving inside the department store.”
So said Buchou. Ah, I see. She really is thorough about this. Everything on the battlefield can also become a weapon. When thought of like that, a car was a big weapon. “You’re really cautious.”
“Naturally. I still feel like this isn't enough. It’s also possible for someone to rest and hide inside cars. Now that I think about it, we haven’t seen the inside of the staff room before. We should go check it…Even if we have Ise’s [Dress Break], there are many clothes in brand stores within the mall…Since it’s a department store, there are an endless number of things to consider.”
Buchou seemed to be considering even the minute details. She didn’t want to overlook anything. Buchou then gave instructions to Gasper next. “Gasper, please change into bats and fly to every location within the department store. In the opening of the game, you’ll inform us of the situation within the department store in detail.”
“R-Roger!”
Ooh, Gasper also had some fighting spirit. That’s right, to him, this is his first game. The strategy-planning continued on after that as well and we decided on even the minute tactics. Then, once half the time had passed since the strategy session started, we had solidified our plan. Buchou looked around at us and spoke. “The game will be starting fifteen minutes from now. We’ll gather here again in ten minutes. Everyone, please remain on standby with your respective methods of relaxing until then.”
At Buchou’s words, we all broke up and walked away. However, Buchou called out and stopped just me. “Ise, since you attained Balance Breaker, the power of the eight [Pawn] pieces I placed in you have all been forcibly released.”
Yes, it was just as Buchou said. By attaining Balance Breaker, the power of the sealed pieces inside me had been released. “With this, you may be able to completely use Ddraig’s power, but your body still can’t handle it. Ddraig should also save power in order not to break your body. Be careful. If you make a mistake with the Sekiryuutei’s power, the host’s body will be destroyed.”
“Yes! I’ll be sufficiently careful, Buchou!”
It had finally been released. One day, I’d like to be able to completely control Ddraig’s power. From the start, my value as a [Pawn] was almost completely made of Ddraig’s value. The power flowing inside me is Ddraig’s power. Being able to control Ddraig’s power is my true value! I have to keep that in mind. After that, Buchou entered a shop on the dining floor and began to pour herself some tea. So she was enjoying some tea until the time came. Gasper was eating donuts at a donuts shop. Asia and Xenovia were talking about this and that in front of a hamburger shop. Kiba was rummaging through the drugstore beside the dining floor. I see, since it seems like medicines and the like were copied as well, he was trying to find things to take.