"Sienna!"
"Stella-san!?"
Sienna was busy erasing the glowing runes etched into the barrier when Stella rushed to her side and began helping.
"Sienna, Azazel-sensei ordered you to stay close to Reen. With the appearance of the former Demon King, Katerea Leviathan, our position inside this barrier is at a huge disadvantage."
"Understood, Stella-san. I'll head there once this rune is erased."
Stella nodded and accelerated her spellwork. When the last rune vanished, Sienna sprinted off.
Left behind, Stella stared at the faint markings that looked more like messy scribbles than proper runes.
'These runes…'
For the first time since learning under Azazel, a heavy sense of dread gnawed at her. Still, she forced herself to stay strong there was no time to falter.
But before she could move, several figures appeared to block her path: a group of young men and a middle-aged man. One looked like an ordinary office worker, another a young man in a sweater gripping a spear.
"Loki-sama's former test subjects."
"!!!"
The word subjects made Stella's blood run cold.
"We're here to capture you… and anyone else we can."
"So my suspicions were true. You're Loki's pawns."
Her magic circle flared to life, coating her blade in thick, blood-red aura. Taking her stance, she prepared for combat. The men wasted no time and lunged at her.
Meanwhile, the clash between Azazel and Katerea raged on.
Katerea unleashed the power she had received from Ophis. In response, Azazel equipped one of his artificial Sacred Gears the Downfall Dragon Armor.
Their battle grew fiercer, each strike more devastating than the last.
Not far away, Suzu chanted an ice spell aimed at Katerea, struggling to track her swift movements.
"…Hajime-kun…"
"What is it?"
"Are you sure this will work?"
"I'm certain. This is the perfect chance to strike Katerea Leviathan."
"…But… as a Sitri, shouldn't you be the one excelling at water and ice magic?"
"…No. This has to be you."
"…Then if something happens to me, I'm leaving everything in your hands!"
Kamiya gave a firm nod, raising another barrier to shield Suzu and himself.
Elsewhere, Issei fought desperately alongside Rias and the others.
Katerea… you won't gain anything from this assault.
Quietly, Kamiya summoned Virgo's lyre. With a single pluck of its string, he imbued Suzu with power.
"Eh? My body… it feels so much lighter?"
Suzu's eyes widened. Her senses sharpened, her strength soared, and for the first time, she could clearly follow Katerea's movements.
Then, Azazel's spear tore through Katerea's side, forcing her to morph her arm into writhing tentacles.
"Suzu! Now!"
"Take this!"
Her ice spell shot forth at blinding speed. Katerea noticed it just in time, dodging, her eyes narrowing.
"…How dare a lowly half-demon attack me with ice magic!"
Her attention shifted entirely to Suzu.
"Eh!! Hajime-kun!" Suzu panicked only to see Kamiya smiling calmly behind her.
"Good job."
Patting her head, Kamiya spread his wings and ascended. His light spear whirled with wind, growing deadlier by the second.
"Good grief, these youngsters today…" Azazel muttered.
He hurled another spear from behind, piercing Katerea's stomach.
"Cough… Azazel, you bastard—"
In that instant, Kamiya was already behind her.
"Former Demon King, Katerea Leviathan."
Without hesitation, his spear pierced her chest.
"You… worthless creature…"
"I don't know what you planned with that explosion technique, but don't try something so predictable."
With another thrust to her head, Katerea dissolved into black particles.
But instead of dispersing, the particles were sucked into Kamiya's earring.
"Boy… what are you doing with Katerea…"
Kamiya froze, feeling the overwhelming, sinister power swirling within.
"No… it's fine. This is all for the greater good…"
Azazel sighed, his Dragon Armor gleaming under the darkened sky.
"I don't know what you intend to do with Katerea's soul, but I hope you don't use it for evil."
"Ah, don't worry. I'll put it to very good use."
With a faint smile, Kamiya brushed the earring.
BLAST!
A sudden attack forced both of them to dodge.
They didn't need to look far to know who it was.
"Incredible… For someone with both angelic and demonic power, you've come this far."
"…Vali."
Vali floated above them, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"So, you're finally revealing your true nature."
Azazel chuckled, dismissing his armor into a small orb.
"I should've known you had joined them long ago."
Vali ignored him, eyes locked instead on Issei, still battling in the distance.
"I have no interest in peace. What I want is battle true strength."
"Really? Isn't fighting against powerful foes and those with potential enough?"
"A battle without risking one's life isn't a battle. It's just weakness in disguise."
Vali's gaze shifted to Kamiya.
"Hajime Sitri… Why don't you entertain me a little before I fight Hyoudou Issei?"
Without warning, he hurled a spell at Kamiya.
"Vali!"
Azazel tried to intervene, but Kamiya countered with his light-and-demonic spear.
"Yes, that's it! That's how you should've fought from the beginning!"
Vali lunged forward, his fist colliding against Kamiya's guard.
"You're holding back."
"…."
Their battle raged in the air, leaving Issei and Suzu stunned.
"What's going on with them? Why are they suddenly fighting each other?"
Issei clenched his fists, uneasy. Something inside him refused to let this continue. But before he could act
"COMRADE! BEHIND YOU!"
"?!"
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I left this novel for too long....ahaha...
.....
I'm sorry.
P.S; Good Night