Chapter 270 “The King’s Piece!”

[Ikki POV]

The day had finally come to visit Ajuka Beelzebub.

Right now, everyone was gathered in the underground transfer room beneath Issei’s house, just like before.

The group assembled included Azazel-sensei, the Occult Research Club members, the Sitri peerage, and Lady Griselda. Everyone else was apparently busy with their own duties and couldn’t make it.

In the original story, Issei’s parents would be kidnapped by a Qlippoth Evil Dragon during this meeting with Ajuka… I remember that clearly.

But would Rizevim who hadn’t been affected by the curse of sleeplessness from Fafnir’s reverse scale in Heaven try something similar again?

The chances were lower now, but that guy was the type who attacked Heaven “just because he could,” so there was no way to guarantee there wouldn’t be an ambush.

In the original timeline, he even invaded Kuoh Town at the exact moment when all of its major forces just happened to be absent.

Seriously… what kind of ridiculous luck is that? Like Asia-level fortune stat or something.

Even if Qlippoth spies had infiltrated Kuoh Town, it was hard to imagine they could instantly learn about the Ajuka and Azazel meeting. In other words, Rizevim likely panicked over curing Fafnir’s insomnia curse, sent out Evil Dragons on a whim… and by sheer miracle, it coincided with the town being defenseless.

Still, I had managed to advise Azazel-sensei that having all major forces leave at once was a bad idea. As a precaution, Kuroka would stay behind.

Le Fay and Fenrir weren’t called by the Vali Team either, and Kuroka could summon me if the worst happened. Plus, I had secretly assigned Izuna’s main body as a bodyguard when Issei’s parents left the house earlier.

That should be enough.

If Rizevim attacked unnecessarily, he risked exposing Agreas’ location through spatial traces anyway—so he probably wouldn’t make a move.

Having cut off all lingering concerns, the time finally came. We activated the teleportation magic circle and transferred to the place where Ajuka Beelzebub awaited.

The light of teleportation faded.

What appeared before us was a nighttime beach.

The sound of waves gently rolling against the shore filled the silence.

And there were two things that immediately drew everyone’s attention.

One was Ajuka, seated elegantly at a table and chair, calmly enjoying tea.

The other was something even more unbelievable—

Two moons hanging in the night sky.

This was neither the Human World nor the Underworld. It was an unknown realm.

Seeing everyone’s attention drawn to the scenery, Ajuka placed his teacup down and stood.

He walked toward us while speaking.

“This is a reconstructed fragment of an ‘other world’ scenery.”

Stopping in front of us, he smiled mysteriously.

“It’s been a while since we met like this. The members of ‘D×D.'”

He lumped us together as D×D… but technically, this is the first meeting after the formation of D×D.

Among everyone present, the only ones meeting him for the first time were Irina, Griselda, Rugal, and Bennia.

Still… casually recreating an unknown worldscape just from a brief encounter with Issei before… this guy really operates on a different level.

“I suppose it’s been since that encounter during the Old Satan Faction incident,” Azazel-sensei said, offering his hand.

Ajuka shook it firmly.

“Rather, this would be the first time without other VIPs present. Meetings like this are probably seen as highly suspicious by the other factions… even if D×D is in between.”

Two suspicious genius scientists—one Fallen Angel, one Great Satan—meeting peacefully. What a scene.

Jokes aside, even with the peace treaty, both demons and fallen angels still had terrible reputations. Trust from other factions was still far off. It had only been half a year since the treaty, progress like this couldn’t be rushed.

After formal greetings, Ravel, who had been glancing around anxiously, finally spoke.

“U-Um, Lord Ajuka… is my brother Riser not here?”

She had clearly been hoping to meet him here.

Ajuka nodded.

“Lady Ravel. There’s no need to worry. Your brother has already been transferred to the Phenex main family. I apologize for not arranging a proper reunion, but we have matters of confidentiality to discuss. Those not affiliated with D×D had to be excluded.”

This otherworld-like space was likely part of that confidentiality.

“At present, Riser Phenex is being guarded by members of Slash Dog. We’ve also confirmed his safe arrival at the Phenenex main household,” Azazel added.

With both reassurances, Ravel reluctantly stepped back, though she still looked disappointed.

Seeing this, Ajuka reached into his pocket and took out a chess piece.

“Do you know what this is? You can probably guess—it is an Evil Piece.”

But this piece was unlike any known form: not Queen, not Rook, not Bishop, not Knight, not Pawn.

Just an unfamiliar shape.

Naturally, everyone hesitated. Even after years of Underworld knowledge, something like this shouldn’t exist.

Just as their minds began converging on an answer—

Ajuka spoke.

“This is—the King piece.”

Everyone froze.

Their eyes locked onto the piece.

As expected of the mysterious Great Satan. Perfect timing.

While I was the only one thinking casually about it, Rias-senpai spoke with a trembling voice.

“The King… piece? But… I thought such a thing couldn’t exist… that the system wasn’t even developed…!”

“Yes,” Ajuka replied calmly. “The King piece should not exist. But not because it was impossible to create.”

He began to spin the piece between his fingers.

“There were two reasons it was never made. First, if a reincarnated devil became a King, overlapping systems inside the body could become dangerous. Second… to ensure that the existence of this piece would never come to light.”

Everyone’s heads tilted in confusion.

Ajuka continued.

“Its effect is simple enhancement. Like the Queen, it amplifies all abilities, but the issue is the scale.”

Click.

He caught the piece firmly.

“The King piece grants a minimum tenfold increase. With high compatibility, it can reach up to a hundred times amplification.”

A collective silence fell.

“In other words, raw power skyrockets. If such power were widely distributed, those who gained it would lose their self-control and wield it recklessly. It would lead to faction wars, violent monopolization… and eventually, a world war involving all mythological systems. In other words—Armageddon.”

The room turned pale.

If such a thing truly existed…

It wouldn’t just be the Underworld at risk. It could end everything.

Ajuka continued calmly.

He raised a hand, and magical circles unfolded. Moments later, countless floating displays appeared.

They showed dozens of familiar faces, famous Rating Game players.

“Those are… Rating Game professionals?” Rias murmured.

“Yes. And they all share one thing in common, they are users of the King piece.”

The shock deepened.

“But the real issue is this: those pieces were given out by the higher-ups of the Underworld.”

Azazel’s voice turned cold.

“The Rating Game is filled with profit and political influence. If you insert overpowered players into it, the outcome can be controlled. The administrators are corrupt—match fixing, manipulation of brackets, rigged battles… it’s all happening already.”

Sona’s face turned pale.

“Then… the idea that talent is properly rewarded in Rating Games…”

“That is not entirely false,” Ajuka said. “But in the current system, only anomalies like you could break through the manipulation. Even then, most cannot.”

He paused.

“Some can. Like former Dragon King Tannin, and Rudiger Rosenkreutz are examples of this tendency, mainly seen in reincarnated demons… Conversely, if you don’t have top-tier power, you’re highly likely to be defeated. That’s how dishonest the current rating game has become.”