After the battle ended, the barrier surrounding Kuoh Academy wasn't immediately dispelled, but continued to function.
There was no choice; the entirety of Kuoh Academy had been reduced to ruins and could not be directly exposed to the outside world.
Azazel kept his word—taking responsibility for the damage, he immediately contacted the Grigori after the battle ended, asking them to send a group of Fallen Angels.
These Fallen Angels arrived via teleportation magic circles and immediately began repairing the Academy.
Using magic or sorcery, their repair speed was extremely fast.
At this rate, by early tomorrow morning, Kuoh Academy would return to its original state, and ordinary humans would detect nothing wrong at all.
During this period, the regrouped people each formed small circles, talking amongst themselves.
"You really went too far, Vali."
Naturally, Azazel approached Vali and lectured him.
"Azazel…"
Vali, receiving treatment from a Fallen Angel, looked at Azazel who had come before him, remaining silent.
Seeing Vali like this, even Azazel swallowed back all the words he had in his throat, unable to speak.
He could still clearly see that this defeat had been a huge blow to Vali.
It wasn't that Vali couldn't accept defeat, nor was he unable to accept a stronger opponent.
On the contrary, Vali was the type who became braver with setbacks—the stronger the enemy, the happier he became.
Even among the Grigori, there were those stronger than him, and he had experienced defeat before.
But this time was different.
"He truly is strong, Azazel."
Vali seemed to be speaking to himself as he muttered, "He's clearly just an ordinary human, yet he can use the Holy Spear to such an extent. Even Juggernaut Drive was completely helpless against him."
"He didn't even use the True Longinus' Truth Idea—he defeated me easily just with his Balance Breaker."
"Not even Tobio could push me to this extent."
Azazel fell silent at once.
Tobio Ikuse—like Vali, he was a Longinus wielder affiliated with Grigori.
He and Kaiser were both pure humans, possessors of Longinus-class Sacred Gears. Tobio Ikuse held "Canis Lykaon," and thus many called him the "Slash Dog."
Although Tobio Ikuse was human, he possessed exceptional talent. He was naturally awakened to the Balance Breaker of his Sacred Gear and had studied Canis Lykaon to such an extreme degree that he reached achievements in the depths of Balance Breaker that few could match.
In Azazel's eyes, Tobio Ikuse was one of the strongest among modern humans. His strength even exceeded Vali's and, until now, he was the only human aside from Kaiser who could force Vali to resort to Juggernaut Drive.
Because of this, Vali always regarded Tobio Ikuse as his rival and frequently requested to spar with him—resulting in Tobio Ikuse viewing him as an annoying younger brother and often avoiding him whenever possible.
Before meeting Kaiser, Azazel had always believed that, among the humans—and even among all Longinus wielders—Tobio Ikuse stood at the very pinnacle.
After meeting Kaiser, Azazel felt Kaiser could match Tobio Ikuse, certainly not inferior to Vali at least.
But after today, this perception had been shattered.
Kaiser, who possessed that Balance Breaker and could also activate the Truth Idea, was undoubtedly the genuine strongest human alive.
Even Tobio Ikuse would have to yield beneath him.
The reason Vali suffered such a severe blow was not because he had lost, nor because his opponent was too powerful—but because he felt powerless.
When facing Tobio Ikuse, he could still see the possibility of defeating him.
Even when facing the legendary gods from various mythologies, he still felt filled with fighting spirit and intended to defeat them.
Yet, now he was facing Kaiser, who hadn't even used Truth Idea but could possibly slay gods with just his Balance Breaker.
This made him unable to see any possibility of victory, leaving him with a sense of powerlessness.
"…Are you going to give up?"
Azazel didn't know what to say and finally ended up uttering these words.
However, as soon as he said this, Vali—who had just moments ago looked lost—instantly showed a determined expression.
"No. Of course I can't give up."
The light returned to Vali's eyes, shining again with resolve.
"Right now, I'm indeed no match for him, but I'll get stronger."
"Juggernaut Drive is powerful, but it's far too unstable. I'll figure out a way to use it even further, surpassing this powerless me."
"If Juggernaut Drive still can't defeat him, then I'll surpass Juggernaut Drive and become even stronger."
"When that happens, I'll challenge him again."
Hearing that, Azazel silently thought to himself:
"This will be troublesome."
He clearly understood Vali's personality and knew that once he made such a resolution, nothing could change his mind.
And to achieve his goal, he would surely do everything he could to become stronger.
Perhaps, from now on, he would fight even more aggressively and seek stronger opponents in more extreme ways.
Azazel could already imagine how much commotion and trouble this would cause.
Even though he thought this way in his heart, Azazel did not notice that a smile had appeared on his face.
"That's right, this is the real you, Vali."
Feeling downcast because of defeat—that wasn't like you at all.
Only the constantly courageous and advancing you, seeking to become stronger, is the true Vali Lucifer.
However…
"I'm just worried your personality will lead you down the wrong path…"
Thinking of something unknown, Azazel's smile became subtly worried.
And this worry wasn't groundless.
As he received medical treatment, Vali remembered something he had encountered not long ago.
Perhaps…he could accept their invitation now.
...
While Azazel and Vali were speaking, on another side, Sirzechs and Michael had approached Kaiser and begun conversing with him.
"The Devils do not plan to pursue the matter of Diodora Astaroth."
Hearing this from Sirzechs, Kaiser couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"That's right," Sirzechs said while looking at Kaiser with an expression different from before, appearing both amazed and emotional at the same time. "We've already thoroughly investigated the details."
"The one at fault isn't you, but rather someone from our side—it's Diodora Astaroth who's at fault."
"Although the Astaroth family refuses to accept this conclusion, and some pure-blooded Devil families are also against this decision, Ajuka and I... as well as the current Beelzebub, insist on it. The current Leviathan and Asmodeus also support us."
"So you can rest assured; the Devils won't pursue this matter against you—at least not openly."
In other words, if someone secretly takes action behind the backs of the Four Great Satans, that's another matter entirely, right?
Kaiser understood Sirzechs' implication.
He knew Sirzechs was reminding him to remain cautious of the Astaroth family.
They might secretly cause trouble for him and harm him behind the scenes.
"Of course, I believe you don't need to fear them," Sirzechs said with a smile. "After today's battle results spread back to the Underworld, those planning secret schemes might reconsider."
Facing the White Dragon Emperor who activated Juggernaut Drive, defeating him head-on using only Balance Breaker—
If that crimson spear truly could definitively slay even gods, no one would be without fear.
Moreover, combined with that God's Will, any Devil who dares oppose Kaiser would undoubtedly step onto an irreversible path toward death.
The God's Will capable of judging all evil was nothing short of a nightmare to Devils.
"We also owe you an apology."
Sirzechs suddenly turned to Asia, who stood behind Kaiser, and spoke these words.
"Huh?"
Asia was slightly startled, somewhat confused.
Seeing this, Sirzechs immediately understood that this girl likely still didn't know what Diodora Astaroth had done to her.
Perhaps this was for the best. Not everything was meant to be known.
Sometimes, ignorance was a blessing.
"And I as well."
At this point, Michael, who had been watching Kaiser with a gentle expression, also turned to Asia.
"I'm very sorry, Asia Argento. Because of internal matters among us, you've suffered unjustly."
Michael bowed apologetically to Asia.
"N-no, there's no need for this! Please raise your head, Lord Michael!"
Asia panicked slightly and spoke nervously.
"I know that merely apologizing like this cannot erase the humiliation you've endured," Michael said sincerely. "I'll do my best to find a way to compensate you. I hope you won't blame us."
As Michael apologized to Asia, the two Holy Sword wielders standing behind him were also observing her.
However, they quickly shifted their attention to Kaiser. Beneath their hoods, their eyes faintly revealed admiration and fanaticism.
Clearly, they had yet to recover from the earlier battle's impact, causing even Kiba Yuuto, who had been watching them closely, to feel annoyed.
Meanwhile, Rias stood nearby with Himejima Akeno, watching Kaiser. She seemed as though she wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent.
Beside them stood the sisters Kuroka and Toujou Koneko.
"..."
The two sisters stared at each other silently for a long time.
"…So older sister, you've decided to follow that person permanently, is that right?"
After a lengthy pause, Toujou Koneko finally asked.
"That's right~" Kuroka replied with a bright smile. "Although he refuses to give me a child, I've already grown tired of hiding from place to place."
"Haven't you noticed? With him around, even your Satans are turning a blind eye to my presence."
"I'm still an SS-rank Stray Devil, nyah~~"
Hearing this, Toujou Koneko looked at her sister with a complicated expression.
She noticed that her older sister's expression was different now.
It was the same expression her sister had worn before being reincarnated as a Devil, back when they relied only on each other.
That somewhat frivolous yet incredibly gentle older sister seemed to have returned.
"You need to become stronger too, Shirone."
Kuroka casually advised her own younger sister.
"Don't become so weak that, if we're enemies one day, you won't even dare stand before me."
Leaving behind these words, Kuroka returned to Kaiser's side, leaving Toujou Koneko alone in a prolonged silence.
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Extra chapter ahead of time... Reaching 500 will be the goal for next one!
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