"If you think throwing out news of some guy's death—someone who has nothing to do with us—is enough to cause chaos and let you escape, then I can only say you're overthinking it. Don't forget, we're devils. We should be celebrating the death of God."
After comforting Asia, Yoru turned around and faced Kokabiel with a cold smile.
"Me, escape?! Don't make me laugh! Who do you think you are?! Don't get cocky, brat! With my next strike, I'll show you what absolute power means!"
Kokabiel roared in anger, but it was obvious to everyone that behind his words lay a growing fear.
Kokabiel had already begun to fear. He had survived the great war where even gods died—not because of how powerful he was, but because he valued his life above all else.
He was cruel, violent, and warlike—but extremely protective of his own life. When facing opponents stronger than himself, he would never fight to the death.
The war he often spoke of, the one he longed for, was just a massacre of the weak—something to satisfy his sadistic desires.
But during his brief fight with Yoru, Kokabiel felt an unbearable pressure. It reminded him of that war—the Twilight of the Gods.
Back then, Kokabiel wasn't anything special, and he had sensed death many times in that war. The aura Yoru gave off—though hard to read—pressured him just the same.
That feeling of impending death.
Suddenly, both Yoru and Kokabiel's attention was drawn to the sky. In the darkness above, an unknown but powerful energy rapidly approached.
Rias and the others sensed something strange as well.
Swoosh!
Everyone present suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of tension and fear course through them.
An overwhelming presence and a suffocating sense of power came from the sky above.
Crack!
A white flash of light cut through the darkness and descended from the heavens. If it had landed on the ground at that speed, it would have caused a massive explosion, a crater, and kicked up clouds of dust.
But none of that happened.
Instead, the white light illuminated everyone's vision.
Suspended in the air above the ground, glowing white in the darkness where shadows and gloom couldn't touch it, was—
A figure in a full suit of white armor, embedded with gem-like ornaments all over. Even the face was covered—his expression completely hidden.
Behind him, eight glowing wings extended outward, slicing through the night and emitting a divine brilliance.
"...The White Dragon Emperor," Kokabiel muttered gravely.
"One of the Longinus, 'Divine Dividing'—he's already entered the Balance Breaker form. That's the 'White Dragon Emperor's Scale Mail.'"
Kokabiel clicked his tongue in irritation, his eyes showing deep wariness toward the White Dragon Emperor.
"You white bastard! What are you trying to do?!"
The moment Kokabiel shouted that, his black wings were torn through in midair.
Splash!
Blood sprayed from his body.
"Your feathers look like a crow's. What a filthy color. Azazel's feathers are darker—more like pure black," said the White Dragon Emperor casually, in a voice too fast for the naked eye to follow.
Wrapped in white armor, he held one of Kokabiel's wings in his hand. Judging by the voice, he was a young man.
"Y-You bastard! My wings!"
Having had his wings slashed twice in such a short time, Kokabiel held his wound and roared in fury. But the White Dragon Emperor simply smiled indifferently.
"They're the mark of your fall. What use are wings to someone who's fallen to the ground? You still think you deserve to fly?"
"White Dragon! Are you trying to betray me?!"
Though Kokabiel summoned countless spears of light into the sky, the White Dragon Emperor didn't even flinch.
"My name… is Albion."
"Divide."
As he declared his name, a strange sound echoed through the air.
Instantly, the aura surrounding Kokabiel diminished.
Half of the spears in the sky vanished.
"One of the powers of my Sacred Gear, 'Divine Dividing.' Within ten seconds, I halve the power of whoever I touch. Your strength becomes my nourishment. Time is short, so hurry up and fall—fall to the point where even a human could beat you."
Yoru narrowed his eyes as he observed. Even he couldn't tell what had just happened—it had been too fast. All he knew was that Kokabiel's power had been cut in half in an instant.
So this… was the power of a Longinus?
The world-renowned Sacred Gear, Divine Dividing, now stood in front of Yoru in all its glory—overwhelming and terrifying. Even Yoru dared not face it head-on.
Flapping his remaining wings, Kokabiel tried to keep up with Albion, but the White Dragon Emperor moved like a flash of light—completely untraceable.
After several exchanges, Kokabiel's movements had slowed so much that even the others could now respond with ease.
"You're already down to the level of a mid-tier fallen angel. This is boring. I thought you'd entertain me for a bit... but it's over."
Whoosh.
Albion vanished from sight. A trail of light followed his path as he launched straight toward Kokabiel.
Boom!
Albion's fist plunged deep into Kokabiel's abdomen. His body bent from the blow, and blood mixed with vomit spilled from his mouth.
"Im-Impossible… I—I…"
"Oh please, are you really using that tired old line? 'How could this happen? Me?!' What's next? 'This can't be…'?"
Albion laughed mockingly.
"Azazel said—even if he has to use force, you're coming back. You've gone too far this time."
"You bastard! I see now! Azazel… Azazel~~~~! I—I~~~~!"
Boom!
Albion's next punch landed squarely on Kokabiel's face.
Smack.
Kokabiel lost all strength and collapsed on the spot.
The once-mighty fallen angel with ten black wings now lay flat on the ground.
This enemy who had once driven Rias and the others to the brink of despair… was now hoisted over the White Dragon Emperor's shoulder like a dead dog.
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