Chapter 176: His Attack: The Ten-Winged Fallen Angel Evaporated, the White Dragon Emperor's Fate Unknown!
A black destructive beam, at least three meters thick, seemed to plunge the entire Kuoh Academy into darkness.
The only relatively bright area was the target hit by the destructive beam—the fallen angel with ten wings, Kokabiel.
The so-called brightness came from the glow of the magical barrier he had deployed with all his might, releasing his magical power.
Crack! Crack, crack, crack!
An ominous sound rang out as the magical barrier he had deployed began to fracture like glass.
"Damn it, damn it, how is this possible? My power has increased by at least ten times, how can this be!!!"
Kokabiel's face twisted into a snarl as he roared in fury and resentment.
Even the real Bael couldn't possibly possess such power!
Smash!
The sound of shattering drained all color from his face, clearly revealing an expression of terror.
"Damn you ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!""
His scream was utterly wretched, but it vanished along with its owner as he was engulfed and evaporated by the annihilating aurora.
"Boom—!"
The entire Kuoh Academy shook violently, as the destructive beam, after devouring Kokabiel, collided with the barrier, shaking the entire space.
The barrier that was struck nearly shattered.
The reason it didn't collapse was because Michael and Sirzechs were continuously pouring magical energy into reinforcing it.
Through the barrier's reaction, they could precisely gauge the terrifying power of that destructive annihilation beam.
An average Maou-class being would be instantly obliterated.
Even the so-called chief gods on their side wouldn't dare take it head-on—a direct hit would mean certain death or at least severe incapacitation.
After rough estimation, Michael calculated he could withstand it about ten times longer than Kokabiel could. But if this terrifying power continued unabated beyond that, it would spell his doom.
So, could the opponent's energy reserves last that long?
Just who was this being?
This was definitely not the primordial devil Bael from the known Seventy-Two Pillars of Demons!
This entity was far stronger than that Bael—overwhelmingly so—
"With this form and this destructive power! It's as if the one we knew was a counterfeit," Azazel remarked half-jokingly as he landed beside Michael and the others, having regained his composure.
But no one took his words as mere jest. Anyone unfamiliar with Bael's appearance would immediately believe this being before them was the genuine individual—the true First Pillar Demon God of the Seventy-Two Pillars.
This was the authentic Demon God, not that self-proclaimed devil claiming the title.
There was a distinction between Demon Gods and devils!
After eliminating Kokabiel, the being seemed prepared to depart, completely indifferent to the current situation.
"Esteemed one..."
Katerea attempted to initiate dialogue, noting the being didn't appear aligned with Azazel's faction.
Though it had killed Kokabiel, she could simply shift all blame onto the deceased without hesitation.
However, she found this entity far too arrogant, completely ignoring her which left her both embarrassed and furious.
But now wasn't the time to make another powerful enemy!
Just then, a white flash tore through the night sky straight toward the being, causing Katerea's expression to drastically change.
Damn! It was the White Dragon Emperor. Ever seeking battles with strong opponents, he refused to let the being leave.
"BOOM—!"
A dull roar erupted as their magical energies collided.
"Come! Let me experience your power!!!"
As the White Dragon Emperor's declaration echoed, his body became encased in white full-body armor, the eight light wings on his back expanding dramatically like the thrust of human fighter jets surging exponentially.
His gauntlet-claw stretched forward, seemingly tearing through the pure magical barrier formed by the Demon God Bael, gradually piercing inward.
Facing this assault, the Demon God Bael extended his hand toward Vali, a sphere of lightning manifesting and glowing in his palm.
This power clearly surpassed what had killed Kokabiel, causing the White Dragon Emperor's magical light to be swallowed as if consumed.
In the next instant, the destructive annihilation beam flashed, instantly engulfing the White Dragon Emperor. Was he about to meet the same fate?
Divide!
Such a sound emanated from him, and Azazel knew what it was—this was the activation of one of Vali's Sacred Gear abilities, which halved the opponent's power.
Thus, the destructive beam of annihilation instantly shrank by half.
Immediately afterward, the power on Vali's body surged as if exploding, as the halved portion from the opponent was absorbed by him.
However, this power was likely an immense burden for Vali in his current state. The light wings on his back were wastefully erupting with vast amounts of energy as propulsion—precisely the power Vali couldn't fully digest being expelled.
Thus, the opponent's destructive beam was being pushed back bit by bit, though it was uncertain whether Vali could hold out for the next ten seconds or break through the beam before then!
And the so-called next ten seconds referred to Vali's ability, which halved the opponent's power every ten seconds.
Hmm?
The Demon God Bael raised his other hand overhead, where lightning gathered into a writhing mass of energy.
As this energy mass continuously compressed, it transformed, forming an amorphous spear entwined with black lightning.
Upon closer inspection, one would realize it wasn't the spear itself shaking irregularly, but rather the spear's terrifying influence distorting space, causing it to tremble.
It was akin to placing an object in clear, transparent water and agitating the water—the object would appear distorted and shaking.
"Vali, don't take it!!!"
Azazel's face abruptly changed as he shouted the warning.
Simultaneously, the beam of destruction in the opponent's hand dissipated on its own, and the Spear of Destruction detached from the other hand, leaving behind a trail of black lightning-like light as it slammed into Vali.
In the blink of an eye, Vali's figure vanished—not because he dodged, but because he was sent flying by the spear. Instantly, he shattered the barrier and transformed into a black meteor, disappearing into the night sky.
In the air where Vali had vanished, a mist of blood lingered!
Thus, Vali's fate remained unknown!
At the same time, the three-meter-tall figure of the Demon God Bael gradually faded, becoming somewhat transparent, revealing another figure inside.
Though the face was still unclear, Michael, his pupils contracting, caught sight of something and immediately recognized it!
"That is King Solomon's Ring."