The situation was far from good, but Ryuya still had some confidence.
Rias should have already reported everything to the Demon Kings Sirzechs Lucifer and Serafall Leviathan. No matter what scheme Kokabiel had in mind, as long as the two Demon Kings were on guard, they wouldn't fall for it so easily.
That meant all Ryuya and the others needed to do was stall Kokabiel.
If it was just that, Ryuya was confident. His Sacred Gear was practically made for buying time.
Having powerful backing really was a blessing.
At that moment, Sona Sitri glanced over at him. Although she hadn't met Ryuya often, they attended the same school, so crossing paths was inevitable. After the last Rating Game, she had already realized how extraordinary he was, and naturally paid closer attention to him.
"In this confrontation, you might be the key."
It was clear she held him in high regard.
"You're too kind, President Sona."
Ryuya responded calmly, while beside him, Rias revealed a faint trace of pride in her eyes.
After all, Ryuya was her peerage. The more outstanding he was, the more it reflected on her. That was something others could only envy.
Suddenly, everyone felt a heavy pressure descend upon them.
The air seemed to thicken, as if frozen in place. Under that pressure, even their heartbeats felt slower, an oppressive discomfort weighing down on them.
As if sensing something, everyone looked up.
The sky had darkened without anyone noticing. Space itself seemed to twist, rapidly transforming into night.
A full moon hung high above, and against its backdrop, a figure stood suspended in the air. The silent pressure radiating from him was overwhelming.
It was a male fallen angel.
Pitch-black wings spread out behind him, five pairs in total.
A ten-winged fallen angel!
The young-looking man wore an ornate robe, gazing down at the group below with a wanton smile curling on his lips.
"Seems like this is our first meeting, daughter of the Gremory family… That fiery red hair of yours reminds me of your detestable brother. Tch, it makes me sick."
His tone was arrogant and rude, as if he was used to ordering others around, completely ignoring Ryuya and the rest.
"A cadre among the fallen angels… Kokabiel…"
Rias muttered, her expression turning cold and sharp.
"Remember this well. My name is Rias Gremory."
She disliked being addressed merely as the daughter of the Gremory family, and didn't hesitate to warn him directly.
"You may not understand, so let me make it clear. Our Gremory family's relationship with the Demon Kings is both close and distant. If you think approaching me for political reasons will work, you're mistaken."
Kokabiel let out a scornful chuckle.
"Negotiate with the Demon Kings? I wouldn't do something so stupid. But if I play with his little sister first and then kill her, maybe it'll make him angry? Get him to come after me… Now that sounds like a fun idea."
His tone was frivolous, his words completely unrestrained, exposing the filth in his heart without the slightest attempt to hide it.
That was how fallen angels were, beings steeped in corruption, indulging every desire without restraint.
Ryuya simply stared at him calmly, saying nothing.
If he had the chance, he would cut this bastard down with a single strike. There was no way he would let him continue spouting such nonsense.
Unfortunately… his current strength wasn't enough.
Rias showed no fear at all, looking straight at Kokabiel with undisguised contempt.
"Even your delusions should have limits. What exactly did you come here for? I'm not someone you can talk down to."
She had long since determined that he came with ill intent, so there was no reason to show him even the slightest courtesy.
And yet, Kokabiel answered her question with obvious excitement:
"I plan to use your base, Kuoh Academy, as the center and cause absolute chaos here. That way, Sirzechs won't be able to sit still anymore, right?"
His eyes gleamed with fanaticism, as if he was eagerly anticipating the Demon King's arrival.
"…Aren't you afraid of reigniting the war between the fallen angels and the devils?" Rias's expression darkened as she demanded coldly.
But to everyone's shock, Kokabiel burst out laughing.
"Heh… hahaha… HAHAHAHA! That's exactly what I want!"
His expression twisted, a trace of madness surfacing in his demeanor.
"I thought stealing those Excaliburs would make Michael declare war on me, but instead he only sent a few lackeys to die! Boring, far too boring! So I'll stir up chaos here and draw out Lucifer and Leviathan instead."
Everyone was stunned.
Ryuya tilted his head slightly, studying the fallen angel hovering in the sky. He looked young, but Ryuya knew better. This guy was an existence recorded in the Bible, there was no way he was actually young.
And yet, who would have thought… he was completely insane?
"Damn war maniac!" Rias cursed under her breath. Kokabiel's objective had completely exceeded her expectations. His goal in drawing out the Demon Kings was nothing more than a pure desire to start a war.
Kokabiel, however, seemed delighted by her anger.
"Hahaha… Exactly! You're absolutely right! Ever since the Great War between the three factions ended, I've been bored out of my mind. Seriously, why did we ever stop fighting? Wouldn't it be better to just keep battling endlessly?"
"…What a lunatic." Akeno muttered softly beside Ryuya.
Ryuya fell silent as well. He could only conclude that the bastard floating up there had something seriously wrong with his head.
"Akeno, find a chance to report this to the Demon Kings."
He spoke quietly, and Akeno gave a slight nod.
Now that the enemy's intentions were clear, it only made things worse. Kokabiel was openly forcing the Demon King Sirzechs to show himself, perfectly aligning with his own plans.
Ryuya guessed that this bastard must have some kind of trump card, something that gave him the confidence to escape even from a Demon King's grasp.
Still, as long as the situation here was relayed to Sirzechs, with that Demon King's capabilities, he would surely find a way to deal with him.
With that thought, Ryuya felt a bit more at ease.
All he needed to do now was protect everyone until the Demon King descended from the Underworld.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, a massive surge of energy suddenly erupted from the direction of Kuoh Academy!
A gigantic pillar of light shot into the sky, tearing through the distorted space above as it rose, sending a shock through everyone present.
"…The Holy Swords."
Rias and Sona exchanged a glance, both sensing that something was very wrong.
"Heh, that guy Valper's research seems to be somewhat interesting after all. Looks like he's actually achieved something. Honestly, when he said he wanted to join me back then, I had my doubts."
Kokabiel chuckled, and in the next instant, his body vanished from where he stood. Ryuya could sense that he had already headed toward the academy.
Rias's expression turned cold as she shouted:
"Quick, we're heading to the school!"
...
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