Seeing that Ryuya had already eliminated the collaborator he had brought in, Kokabiel burst into laughter.
"Interesting, interesting. As expected, battle is the most entertaining thing of all. But you seem to be celebrating too early. That was merely the end of the opening act."
Laughing wantonly, Kokabiel finally rose from his throne in the sky. His body slowly descended, black polished shoes stepping onto the ground.
Dressed in a black suit, he looked like a refined human gentleman, yet his dark crimson eyes carried an endless sense of malice.
Boom!
A bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky, golden thunder striking straight toward Kokabiel.
Yet he casually unfurled the black wings behind him. With overwhelming divine power, he effortlessly erased the descending lightning.
"Don't get in my way, wielder of Baraqiel's power," Kokabiel snorted disdainfully.
"Don't compare me to that man!" Akeno's voice carried clear anger.
Beside her, Ryuya's clone, controlling the Divine Shield, protected her while also hearing Kokabiel's words.
Baraqiel, one of the fallen angel leaders, also known as "Lightning." In terms of combat power alone, it was said he could rival Azazel, the Governor of the fallen angels!
Could Akeno be…
Ryuya glanced at Akeno beside him, a thought forming in his mind.
Kokabiel completely ignored her warning and continued laughing wildly.
"Rias Gremory, your peerage is quite the interesting bunch. A nekomata, a saint who can heal both angels and devils, the daughter of Baraqiel, and a strange freak who can create clones."
Calling them out one by one, Kokabiel couldn't help but laugh.
"How amusing. Just like your brother, you really do enjoy gathering monsters!"
Rias gritted her teeth. "Insulting my brother, speaking ill of a Maou, and even mocking my servants… your sins are unforgivable!"
In response, Kokabiel only gave a provocative smile.
"Heh… then come and kill me, little sister of a Maou! Standing before you is your former mortal enemy. Are you really going to waste this opportunity?"
Unable to endure it any longer, Rias attacked.
A massive surge of demonic power formed a magic circle before her, and in the next instant, blazing crimson flames surged forth like a raging dragon, turning the air unbearably hot.
Kokabiel smirked wickedly, raising a hand to form a sword of light. With a single swing, he slashed toward the incoming fire dragon!
Slash!
Despite being a mass of intangible flames, the fire dragon was split apart by his divine blade!
The flames dissipated into the air, while Kokabiel remained completely unharmed.
At the same time, Ryuya and Xenovia charged in almost simultaneously.
Attacking from both front and back, they pressed Kokabiel between them. Both the Sword of the King and Durandal radiated sharp, surging energy.
Clang!!
Kokabiel calmly raised his light sword to block Xenovia's Durandal. At the same time, another divine light sword instantly formed in his other hand, stopping Ryuya's Sword of the King.
He looked completely at ease, effortlessly blocking the combined assault of the two!
Then, a rush of wind cut through the air.
Koneko leapt in from above, aiming straight at Kokabiel, whose hands were occupied.
But she had underestimated him.
She hadn't expected that Kokabiel's ten black wings could attack as well!
In an instant, his wings spread wide. The once soft feathers transformed into razor-sharp blades, slicing through the air and leaving behind streaking afterimages!
Koneko, who had been planning to seize the opportunity to strike, instead failed to evade in time and was hit head-on!
"Ah!!"
With a cry of pain, Koneko was sent flying backward, her body erupting with countless wounds, instantly drenched in blood.
"Koneko!"
Ryuya, in his clone state, rushed forward and caught her, but the impact still forced him to slide back over ten meters. Seeing her covered in blood, he quickly grasped her hand and began channeling his demonic power into her to heal her injuries.
Asia hurried over as well, immediately activating Twilight Healing to treat Koneko's wounds.
"I'm sorry…"
Koneko blamed herself for not being able to help.
"There's no need to apologize. This isn't your fault."
Ryuya spoke softly as he continued to pour magic into her. With both his and Asia's combined healing, Koneko's condition was finally stabilized.
On the main body's side, Ryuya and Xenovia were bearing nearly all the pressure. Even in close combat, this guy was still absurdly powerful!
Bang! Bang!
Two dull impacts rang out as both Ryuya and Xenovia were struck by a kick, their bodies sent flying uncontrollably!
Power beyond the level of a High-Class Devil was simply this unreasonable!
Xenovia twisted her body midair, barely regaining her balance. But before she could even steady herself, Kokabiel closed in and sent her flying again with a single slash.
Kokabiel burst into laughter. "You've already lost the master you're meant to serve, yet you believers of God and even devils are still able to fight. How amusing."
His words left everyone confused.
"…What do you mean?" Xenovia, however, was visibly shaken and couldn't help but ask.
"Hm?"
Kokabiel froze for a moment, then let out an amused chuckle. "Oops, seems I let something slip…"
Tilting his head, a delighted expression spread across his face.
"Oh? Right, since everything's already out in the open, there's no need to keep it secret anymore, is there? Hahaha… then I'll tell you all!!"
With a mocking grin, as if enjoying the chaos, he spoke in a tone full of ridicule:
"During the last great war between the three factions, aside from the Four Great Maou, your God also died, you know? Hahahahaha…!"
The revelation struck like a thunderbolt in the hearts of Rias and the others. Their faces were filled with disbelief.
Only Ryuya remained indifferent. He had never held much reverence for gods or Maou to begin with.
And besides… a god that could die?
Could that even be called a god?
At best, it was just a stronger individual.
Ryuya's unconcerned mindset instead drew a useful conclusion. As long as one was strong enough, even a god could be killed.
However, while he remained unaffected, the impact on Asia and Xenovia was immense.
They had both been devout believers of God.
Especially Asia. Even after being reincarnated as a devil, she still held a deep and unwavering faith in God. The revelation dealt her a devastating blow.
Even Xenovia lowered her head in despair. Durandal slipped from her grasp, and she collapsed to her knees.
"If God is already dead… then what are the love and power He granted us…? What meaning does any of this even have…?"
…
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