Even Kokabiel hadn't expected that a single revelation could shatter two enemies' fighting spirit so completely.
Watching Asia and Xenovia's faith unravel before his eyes, he was delirious with glee, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.
"Hahahaha… This is priceless! Look at you now—why didn't I drop this truth bomb sooner?"
His laughter rang out, sharp and cruel, while Asia's tears fell silently.
"Stay strong, Asia," Koneko murmured, offering gentle comfort. She knew how pure the little nun's faith had always been.
Rias and Akeno could only sigh, feeling helpless. The situation left them all reeling, uncertain what to do next.
"Why did this happen? How did no one hear about it before?" Rias wondered aloud, anxiety creeping into her voice. What else were the higher-ups hiding? What was the real state of the supernatural world?
Kokabiel shrugged. "That's thanks to Michael. He's a clever one—took over God's job, running angels and humans. The old system's still ticking, so prayers and faith keep flowing."
But then he smirked, eyes glinting with mockery. "Of course, more and more believers are getting left behind. Michael can't keep up, and the balance of power is shot. These days, holy and demonic aren't even separate."
He glanced at Asia, the meaning obvious. With God gone, Asia could wield healing magic as a devil—something God would never have allowed.
"So Lord Michael's acting as God's proxy…" Xenovia whispered. "No wonder we didn't just collapse."
Kokabiel ignored their grim faces, raising his fist, eyes blazing with fanatic joy. "Perfect! I'll use your heads as a gift—restart the war, and win it myself! I'll show Sirzechs and Michael that fallen angels are the strongest!"
He was already drunk on visions of victory.
A clear, steady voice cut through the chaos.
"Don't flatter yourself. Your ambitions aren't going anywhere."
Kokabiel turned, eyes narrowing at the source—Rias's devil servant.
Draconis met his gaze, calm and unhurried. "If victory was that easy, you wouldn't have spent thousands of years fighting with nothing to show for it. There's always some wild card that ruins the best-laid plans."
"Shut up! What do you know?" Kokabiel snapped, voice rising. "War is unpredictable! That's the thrill—strategic genius snatching victory! We were this close! Victory belongs to us fallen angels!"
Draconis just smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You've been telling yourself 'victory is near' since the war began, haven't you? But centuries have passed, and reality keeps proving you wrong."
Those few words stabbed deeper than any blade.
No malice, no sharp edge—just the cold truth. And that was what made it hurt.
Kokabiel's face twisted. "…Bastard!"
Rias and the others were speechless.
There it was—Draconis's uncanny ability to win any argument. No one understood how he could infuriate someone so thoroughly with such a mild tone, but he did it every time.
Furious, Kokabiel lashed out at Draconis.
But Draconis had recovered—provoking Kokabiel was just a way to buy time. He'd been waiting for this moment; whether Kokabiel attacked or not, he was ready to move.
Seeing his foe strike first, Draconis showed no fear. The Divine Lament Shield vanished from his duplicate and reappeared before his true body.
He raised his head. Beneath his black hair, his eyes blazed gold.
The heavens trembled—an ancient, timeless power flooded the air.
Divine Lament Shield flared, bathing him in light.
Facing an opponent beyond high-class devil strength, Draconis finally unleashed his trump card.
Citadel of Endless Dusk.
Hummmm—
The air vibrated, rippling outward in waves.
Rias and the others stared, hope flickering in their eyes.
He'd activated it—Draconis's Balance Breaker.
Right now, their only chance was this move.
Kokabiel hurled a massive spear of divine light, power howling toward Draconis. He raised his left hand, fingers curling into claws.
He caught it—head-on.
Boom!
Light exploded, flames erupting as the spear detonated in his palm. For a moment, Draconis vanished in the glare.
When the light faded, he hovered in the air, untouched.
Devil wings spread behind him. He gripped the silver Regalia Blade, Divine Lament Shield orbiting him, slow and steady.
He raised his head. His black eyes now shone gold, vertical black crystals gleaming at their centers. His gaze was calm, yet impossibly commanding—imposing enough to make anyone shudder.
Above him, the sky rippled and warped. An ancient city—vast enough to blot out the heavens—materialized, stretching endlessly to the horizon. Its true size was unfathomable; only a fraction showed, the rest hidden beyond reality's edge.
Far off, Sona and her team stared, shock etched on their faces as they maintained the barrier.
Anyone who saw that city felt a primal sense of insignificance.
"This time… it's even bigger," Saji croaked, legs shaking. His fear of giant things was kicking in hard.
"President, can Draconis really beat Kokabiel?" Tsubaki asked, unable to hide her worry.
"…Hard to say." Sona shook her head. "He's up against a fallen angel stronger than any high-class devil. Who can guarantee victory?"
But even so, Sona found herself hoping. She couldn't explain it—whenever she saw Draconis, saw his calm, unshakable presence, she felt sure he could pull off a miracle.
Maybe, just maybe, he would.
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