With his right fist seized by a corpse, Vali was momentarily startled, but not panicked.
Even at his peak, Kokabiel hadn't been his match.
Let alone now-dead and being manipulated.
It was only a matter of time.
"Hehe."
Hearing Hiro's arrogant words, Vali couldn't help but laugh, irritation creeping in.
"You think a dead Kokabiel can beat me? Aren't you underestimating me?"
"Of course not."
Hiro answered calmly.
I remember clearly how you killed Kokabiel instantly in the original story.
If Vali were willing to put on the Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet-
take it off Hiro and give it to Kokabiel, then amplify it with Overdrive-
the dead man might barely be able to fight him evenly.
But Hiro had no interest in wrapping a corpse in funeral clothes.
It was a perfectly good Sacred Gear.
Why would he hand it to a puppet as a burial shroud?
While speaking, Vali had already broken free from Kokabiel's grip.
He swung his fist again and smashed it hard into that pale face.
Bang.
A dull impact echoed as a level seven or eight gale erupted between them, blasting the loose soil beneath their feet far away.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Even without moving, the stones and debris striking the Red Dragon Emperor's armor were easily deflected, failing to affect Hiro at all.
"The White Dragon Emperor... was he drawn here by Hiro, the Red Dragon Emperor?"
Xenovia, who was in much better shape than Asia and Irina, looked on with doubt.
In front of them, Rias was maintaining a magic barrier.
"No. Earlier, the White Dragon Emperor mentioned Azazel. It shouldn't be a coincidence."
"Azazel, the fallen angel governor... another fallen angel recorded in the Bible."
Recalling the events of this mission, Xenovia glanced at her twin-tailed teammate who still hadn't recovered.
Kokabiel was dead.
Valper could be killed at any time.
The Holy Sword retrieval had no real obstacles left.
But after seeing all this, could she and Irina truly return to the Church?
Could they pretend nothing had happened, praying and chanting scripture alongside the others?
Answering honestly, Xenovia knew she couldn't.
Sorry, Griselda.
I might already... be unable to return.
"Get serious, Red Dragon Emperor Hiro Nanamiya!"
After knocking Kokabiel back, Vali didn't pause for even a moment.
His toes tapped the ground.
In an instant, he appeared less than a meter in front of Hiro.
The silver-white armored fist clenched and slammed straight toward his head.
Yet even as the pressure of the punch closed in and the massive fist filled his vision, Hiro made no move to block or dodge.
He simply gestured casually to the side.
Hmm?
Before Vali could process the meaning of the motion, a dangerous presence surged from his left-right where Kokabiel had just been knocked away.
Even if Kokabiel's attack couldn't seriously hurt him, being injured by a corpse under Hiro's control-
even slightly-
was something Vali's pride wouldn't tolerate.
Thump.
Both feet stomped down hard.
Vali forcibly halted his charge, retreating explosively as a light spear nearly half a meter thick tore past him.
Hiro watched calmly, his tone unhurried.
"Because Kokabiel is already dead, there are many things we don't need to consider. Pain. Damage to internal organs. Even injuries that would normally be fatal."
Kokabiel stepped forward again, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle.
A solid-looking light spear rested in his left hand.
With his right, he grabbed his chin and forcefully twisted it back into place.
Crack.
"Alright. We're back to the beginning."
"If you want me to make a move, you'll need to beat Kokabiel into pieces first. Completely incapacitate him."
Standing behind Kokabiel, Hiro stated this calmly.
In truth, even if Vali dismembered him and smashed him apart, as long as a fragment remained and Hiro wished it-
Sadalmelik-Albus could restore Kokabiel and send him back into battle.
After all, the priority of Sadalmelik-Albus was higher than the contract of March of the Dead: Eight Spears.
Although once Kokabiel was shattered, the control of March of the Dead would be severed.
Even if repaired afterward, it would only be a complete corpse.
Damn it.
That Kokabiel was useless when alive, and he's still a nuisance after death.
Vali stared at the ten-winged figure blocking Hiro, teeth clenched as irritation surged.
'Vali. Your thoughts are in disorder.'
A cold male voice echoed in his mind, snapping him back to focus.
'Thanks, Albion.'
'It's nothing. I've been suppressed by a woman for over a thousand years myself. I'm also dissatisfied.'
'I don't want to see my excellent host killed by some random man-or worse, dragged down and turned into his toy before you've fully grown.'
As Albion spoke, Vali subconsciously replaced Kokabiel's pale face with his own.
A chill ran straight down his spine.
If his own Wings of the White Dragon Emperor were added to that corpse-
he would become a merciless killing machine.
'Vali. It's best to withdraw for now. The risk and reward are completely disproportionate. Don't act impulsively.'
Albion offered his conclusion.
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