Draconis stared at the crater where half the academy used to be, momentarily speechless.
So much for protecting the school...
Still, if he was honest, accidentally leveling the place kind of fulfilled a childhood fantasy. Not that he'd ever admit it—cough, cough.
No one had time to mourn the buildings. All eyes were locked on Kokabiel's unconscious body.
Rias and her team were beyond ecstatic. None of them had dared dream Draconis could actually defeat Kokabiel. The idea was almost absurd—he was still just a mid-class devil.
If Draconis ever advanced to high-class, or even higher... what kind of monster would he become?
He landed softly, wings folding away, and strode over to Kokabiel, sword raised for the finishing blow.
Leaving a threat like this alive felt reckless.
But before steel met flesh, a voice called out from above.
"Friend, mind handing this criminal over for judgment?"
Draconis frowned, glancing up—and spotted a figure gleaming white in the sky.
Beneath the shroud of warped black space and the looming ancient citadel, someone hovered, clad head-to-toe in mirror-bright armor. Divine light radiated from every inch, the blue wings on his back slicing through the gloom with a sacred, almost violent brilliance.
Draconis kept his tone even. "Who are you?"
"My name is Vali. Host of the White Dragon Emperor."
The words hit like a thunderclap. Rias and the others gasped.
"The White Dragon Emperor?! He's got Divine Dividing—one of the Longinus Sacred Gears?"
Draconis's gaze sharpened. He'd done his homework on Sacred Gears—some were support types, like Asia's Twilight Healing, but others were pure destruction. Divine Dividing was legendary, said to be able to kill gods themselves. That's why they called them God-Slaying Gears.
Of course, he'd just learned all the gods were already dead. So maybe it wasn't that impressive after all...
"What do you want?" Draconis asked, eyes narrowing.
Vali's face was hidden behind his armor, but the threat he radiated was unmistakable. Strong—far stronger than Kokabiel.
What was with today? First Kokabiel, now someone even scarier.
Vali replied, voice calm. "Don't get the wrong idea. I'm here on someone else's behalf. Kokabiel's a fallen angel, so the powers that be want him judged by his own kind. It's a matter of saving face."
Draconis snorted. "So you want me to send the enemy back to his home base? Not happening."
"You misunderstand. Azazel isn't planning to let him off easy. He'll be locked in hell forever. Kokabiel's strong—his power shouldn't go to waste."
Azazel. The name made everyone tense. Fallen Angel Governor—the equivalent of a devil king.
Rias stepped forward, her voice cold. "Kokabiel is our prisoner. His fate is ours to decide."
She wasn't just speaking as Draconis's master—she was the sister of a devil king. She had every right to stand her ground.
Vali shrugged, a hint of impatience in his posture. "Azazel will negotiate with your kings. Says he owes them a favor—his words, not mine. You should be getting a message from your side any second now."
Akeno's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, then nodded. "It's true. The devil king has received Azazel's request."
Rias relaxed, just a little. If that was the case, she could accept it.
Draconis weighed his options. Killing Kokabiel would be satisfying, but handing him over was smarter. Revenge was sweet, but leverage was sweeter.
Thud.
He kicked Kokabiel's limp body toward Vali.
"He's yours."
Vali smiled. "Much appreciated. If the timing were better, I'd love to test myself against you. Anyone who can beat Kokabiel—your power's impressive, even more than I expected."
He reached out, magic swirling, and lifted Kokabiel like a sack of trash.
Draconis raised an eyebrow. "Another battle junkie?"
Vali snorted. "I just enjoy a good fight. Not as obsessed as he is."
"We'll have our chance," Draconis replied, calm as ever.
Vali nodded. "Until then, I'll take my leave. One last tip—Kokabiel's magic circle isn't that easy to break. What you're seeing is just the surface."
With that, he vanished in a streak of light.
Rias and the others immediately turned to the magic circle. They'd been trying to shut it down, but even after Kokabiel's defeat, it was still active.
"What's going on…?"
Draconis stepped forward, voice steady. "It's the Holy Sword's power. Balpa triggered it by accident. The sword's energy is being absorbed by the circle."
He'd noticed it ages ago. Kokabiel probably hadn't, or maybe he just didn't care—the more destruction, the better.
"Everyone, step back. I've got some strength left—I'll handle this."
Rias bit her lip. "Are you sure? You've done enough today…"
Draconis grinned. "Worst case, I burn a little life force. Wouldn't be the first time. Asia's got my back."
Rias still looked worried. She knew he was right, but that didn't make it hurt any less.
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