Olba felt the last bit of holy energy inside him vanish, like the tide pulling away and leaving nothing behind.
Even the most basic magical senses—gone.
Lucifer was even more terrified. He realized that the remaining magic inside him, along with his innate angelic power and the darkness he'd gained after falling from grace...
it had all been sealed.
Every source of power he'd ever known was completely locked down by some kind of supreme, incomprehensible force.
He honestly felt weaker than a newborn baby now.
The strength they used to be so proud of—power that once shook the world...
Had been wiped away like dust, all with a single gesture from Rei Ao.
"All set."
Rei Ao pulled back his finger like he'd just flicked off some lint. His voice was completely casual.
"I've sealed away all their powers."
"From now on, they're just plain, ordinary people."
He glanced at Sadao Maou.
"The rest is up to you."
With that, Rei Ao didn't bother looking again at the completely crushed Olba and Lucifer.
He also ignored the relieved and repeatedly nodding Sadao and Ashiya Shirou.
Instead, he put an arm around Emilia and walked with her toward the sleek silver sports car that stuck out like a sore thumb in the slums.
He opened the door for her like a gentleman and helped her into the passenger seat.
Vroooom!
The engine gave a low growl, and the car sped off, disappearing into the night.
Leaving behind Sadao Maou, Ashiya Shirou, and the two once-powerful beings now collapsed like useless lumps on the pavement.
…
"Phew…"
Sadao watched the taillights vanish around the corner and finally let out a long sigh of relief.
He dropped straight to the ground, wiping the sweat off his forehead, not caring how he looked.
"Man… that guy's presence was insane."
Ashiya Shirou, still a little shaken, fixed his collar and went back to his usual stiff, proper attitude.
"Demon King-sama… what are we gonna do with these two?" he asked, pointing at the broken and blank-faced Lucifer and Olba.
Sadao glanced down at Lucifer's sorry state.
Yeah, he was annoyed—this idiot kinda had it coming.
But still, Lucifer used to be one of his Four Heavenly Kings. They'd fought together. He was a pain, sure, but also an old comrade.
Scratching at his messy black hair, Sadao sighed.
"Ugh… Lucifer's dumb as a rock, but… whatever. Let's drag him in and patch him up. Can't just leave him to die here."
He gestured toward his rundown apartment.
Ashiya nodded. He clearly wasn't thrilled, but he still walked over, grunted, and started dragging the groaning Lucifer inside.
As for Olba…
Sadao walked right up to him.
This guy—once a high-and-mighty church bishop—now looked completely wrecked.
Sadao didn't feel a shred of sympathy. Only disgust and contempt.
"As for you," he sneered. "A high priest who sold out the Hero for power? What a piece of trash."
He kicked Olba's limp body.
"This dump I live in is already too cramped for a Demon King. It sure as hell doesn't have room for some 'divine figure' like you."
"Get lost. Go crawl somewhere and rot. Just don't die on my doorstep."
Without another glance, Sadao turned around and walked back into the apartment.
BAM! The door slammed shut.
Olba was left in the freezing yard, dazed and empty.
From inside, he could faintly hear Lucifer's groans and Sadao's annoyed grumbling.
He'd spent a lifetime scheming... and ended up like this.
A wave of despair and regret swallowed him whole.
He collapsed like a pile of worthless sludge onto the overgrown grass, trembling in silence.
He hadn't just lost his power.
He'd lost his status, his dignity—everything that once made him feel like he mattered.
…
The silver sports car cruised smoothly through Tokyo's glowing night.
Inside, it was dead quiet.
Emilia leaned back in her seat, staring out the window at the neon lights racing by.
The city's glitter and noise felt like it was behind some invisible wall—none of it could reach her or warm the heaviness in her heart.
Olba's betrayal. The Church's betrayal.
Everything she learned today felt like an ice-cold spike through her once-pure beliefs.
The place she'd fought so hard to protect—Ente Isla, her homeland, her hope, her cause—it wasn't the sanctuary she thought it was.
The dark, twisted parts of the human world had never been more obvious. And it left her confused… and exhausted.
Rei Ao didn't say a word. Just kept driving.
But his hand rested over hers the whole time, steady and warm.
After a long silence…
Emilia let out a soft sigh. Her voice was a little rough.
"Rei Ao… thank you."
If it hadn't been for him, she might've stayed in the dark forever.
Or worse—been stabbed in the back by someone she trusted.
"You're such an idiot," Rei Ao said with a soft laugh, gently squeezing her hand. "No need to thank me."
"But… it's not over yet."
"It's not?" she turned to look at him, confused.
Rei Ao gave her a mysterious little smile.
"Olba's mess isn't just about him and Lucifer. There's someone else—a key person—in this world."
"Once you meet her, you'll start to see just how far your beloved Church has fallen."
He paused, then added, "And she might have info on where Emerada and Albert are."
"Emerada? Albert?!"
Emilia's eyes lit up immediately. That name blew away half the weight in her chest.
She'd been worrying about them this whole time!
Olba had taken them. Were they even still safe?
"Where is she?" Emilia asked, voice urgent.
"Buckle up," Rei Ao said with a grin. "I'm taking you to her right now."
He didn't answer directly. Just stepped on the gas.
The car surged forward like a silver arrow, weaving through the traffic—heading toward the other side of the city, and whatever truths waited there.