Kokabiel had truly lost his composure this time.
Moments ago, he had been flying high on arrogance, convinced that no one here could ever stand against him—that everything was completely under his control.
Then Ryuichi had appeared… and utterly shattered that illusion.
Who could have possibly seen this coming?
Until now, Ryuichi had seemed to be nothing more than a mid-level Devil—weak, insignificant, someone Kokabiel could have crushed with a single finger.
And yet, the boy had revealed such terrifying power that even Kokabiel could hardly believe what he was seeing.
Monster. The word echoed silently in the Fallen Angel's mind.
That monster in human form was closing in step by step, his calm demeanor unshaken as he methodically dismantled Kokabiel's defenses. Even though time was slipping away, Ryuichi remained collected—precise in every movement, patient in every strike.
He was merely waiting. Waiting for that one perfect moment… to finish the battle in a single decisive blow.
Far above the battlefield, two figures watched from the distant sky.
One was a young man with silver-white hair, his expression impassive and detached.
"Azazel," he said quietly, his voice calm but carrying a trace of amusement. "Seems like I won't have to get involved after all."
The man beside him—the Governor General of the Fallen Angels, Azazel himself—folded his arms, the corners of his mouth curving into a grin as his gaze rested on the massive, ancient black city floating in the air.
"Eh, don't be so hasty, Vali. Let's watch a bit longer. That kid's turning out to be a real surprise. I'm curious to see whether he can actually finish off that idiot."
"At this point, it's obvious," Vali replied coolly. "He tried to cast a Divine Art at the wrong moment—his defeat is inevitable. That boy's Sacred Gear is powerful. It's no weaker than my Divine Dividing, maybe even on par with the God-class artifacts."
Azazel chuckled softly. "Oh, I noticed that too. That Sacred Gear of his is outrageous—sustaining invincibility that long? And then there's that floating citadel in the sky… I've been dying to know what it actually does."
Vali's golden eyes flickered briefly with fighting spirit. "Give it up. With that boy's current strength, he can't yet unleash the true power of the fortress."
Still, he couldn't help but feel his blood stir. The potential Ryuichi displayed was enormous, almost frightening. If that boy grows stronger... I'd like to face him myself someday.
Azazel nodded thoughtfully, though a hint of disappointment slipped into his grin.
"Such a shame. If that kid were a little stronger, maybe we could've seen the full extent of that city's true power. Guess I'll have to keep wondering for now."
Vali's eyes narrowed slightly. "The fight's almost over. That kid… he's gathering power."
Inside the barrier, Kokabiel's aura faltered. Panic flickered through his eyes.
"Damn it… fine! I'll admit it—you're stronger than me right now!"
Breath heavy, he gritted his teeth, trying desperately to fend off Ryuichi's unrelenting barrage. Then, his tone shifted—becoming coaxing, almost oily.
"A man like you shouldn't be living as someone else's slave. You have real power! Why bow to them? Join me. Together, we could rule over them all! Whatever you desire—you could have it all!"
"Oh?" Ryuichi's reply came calm and cold. "And what exactly could you offer me?"
"With our combined strength, there's nothing we couldn't seize! Why stay a subordinate when you could command everything!" Kokabiel pressed, sensing the tiniest hesitation and clinging to it with desperate hope.
But before Ryuichi could respond, Rias shouted from behind him, alarm clear in her voice.
"Don't listen to him! He's trying to manipulate you!"
Ryuichi almost laughed aloud. Did they really think I was that dumb?
"You're funny," he said lightly, his tone deceptively casual. "Trying to tempt a Devil? Seduction and manipulation are our specialty."
Then, as if a sudden thought amused him, he smirked.
"And besides… who said I'm beneath anyone? If anything, every night it's me who's on top of Rias, isn't it? Being her servant isn't half bad."
"…Huh?"
Kokabiel blinked, his brain stuttering.
Rias froze, her face flushing bright red.
Ryuichi's friends simply gawked.
For a brief, awkward moment, silence blanketed the battlefield. Rias finally snapped out of it, her face crimson from ear to ear.
Then—
A deafening hum.
Ryuichi's magic suddenly roared to life, vast and terrible. Waves of energy surged from his body, distorting the very air around him. The pressure snapped like chains of thunder across the sky.
Not good!
Kokabiel's heart lurched in dread. A primal instinct screamed at him—move or die—but his body had already been locked down by an unseen force.
Ryuichi's King's Sword flared, its blade bursting with a storm of purple-black light that tore upward toward the heavens. His aura radiated pure dominance, terrifying in its magnitude.
When he had first received the King's Sword, he could already wound Fallen Angels. But this—this was on another level entirely.
The sword's power now transcended anything human—or even Devil—could contain.
Everyone could feel it.
Rias, Akeno, and the others froze under the enormous pressure. Their hearts hammered against their ribs, their throats dry.
As for Kokabiel, the weight of Ryuichi's power forced him still. He could feel the fatal energy aimed straight at his soul—the gaze of execution itself.
What is this power…?!
Then Ryuichi's golden eyes sharpened. In that instant, his mind flashed with faint echoes of the King's Sword's forgotten memory—a royal decree, a divine sentence.
The technique revealed itself to him.
The power of judgment incarnate.
The King's Verdict.
Ryuichi drew his sword high, every shred of his magic fused into the attack, and bellowed as his aura exploded outward.
The King's Verdict descended.
Kokabiel's eyes went wide. There was nowhere to run. Dread clawed at him. Am I… going to die here?
He screamed defiantly, pouring all his divine energy into one final attempt to resist.
But the King's Verdict struck true.
Light consumed everything. For an instant, the world turned white. Buildings dissolved like sand, erased by pure destruction. The air screamed as the barrier shattered with a thunderclap.
Rias's team—Sona, her peerage—everyone nearby was thrown back, coughing blood from the backlash of Ryuichi's unleashed might.
For ten long seconds, the sky blazed with blinding light. When it finally faded, those who remained standing could only stare in silent disbelief.
Half of Kuoh Academy had vanished. The surrounding mountains—gone, their peaks obliterated.
Had that attack been aimed at the city instead… nothing would have survived.
Ryuichi blinked at the devastation, a stiff awkwardness crossing his face.
"…Well, that's… a bit more than I intended."
A faint, ragged sound soon interrupted the stunned silence.
"P—Puh…"
Everyone turned. Kokabiel lay sprawled on the rubble, coughing weakly. Blood dripped from his lips before his body went limp and collapsed.
Unconscious—but alive.