The two jade-colored gems embedded in Vali's helmet flashed faintly as his wings of light propelled him backwards, eyes fixed warily on Jeanne Alter and Azazel.
"So, you suspected me from the start, Azazel?"
"Just gave everyone else a heads-up. Still, I didn't expect you to betray us right now, Vali. What a shame," Azazel chuckled bitterly, shaking his head as if mourning a favored son who'd chosen the wrong path. "Even though I suspected it, I must ask… can you tell me your reason for betrayal?"
"Their side simply seems more interesting," Vali replied indifferently. "If the world became peaceful, as you desire, my opportunities to fight powerful opponents would vanish. Your peaceful world sounds nice, Azazel, but there's no place for someone like me in it."
"So, Vali, has the White Dragon decided to bow to Ophis?" Azazel asked coldly.
"No, it's purely cooperation. They offered me something irresistible. 'Want to wage war on Asgard?' With an offer like that… How could I refuse? You wouldn't want war against Valhalla and the Aesir, would you, Azazel? After all, you hate war so much."
Suddenly, Shalba spoke up: "The preparations and intel for this attack all came from the White Dragon Emperor. Knowing his true nature yet leaving him unchecked isn't like you at all, Azazel."
Azazel's face grew even more bitter.
Vali's full name was Vali Lucifer—not related to Sirzechs, but rather a descendant of the original Satan Lucifer. Being born from the union of Lucifer's grandson and a human, he was uniquely suited to bear a Sacred Gear, normally exclusive to humans.
Thus, inheriting Lucifer's blood and serving as the host of the current White Dragon Emperor, Vali Lucifer had the potential to become the strongest holder of the [Divine Dividing] in history.
"What? Still having trouble accepting it?"
With an impatient expression, Jeanne Alter stepped beside Azazel, casting him a brief glance. "If this is too much for you, go hide in the back and let me deal with these three."
"Jeanne-dono, I'm still here, you know."
Michael descended gently, his body enveloped by golden holy light that blazed like the sun in the dark sky. "Though I may only offer a modest contribution, I believe I can still handle one or two opponents."
Azazel frowned at their words.
"I may be older, but I'm far from useless. Let me ask one last question… earlier, when your strength suddenly spiked, what exactly did you swallow?"
"Ophis possesses infinite power. To reshape this world, we've borrowed a fragment of her strength. Azazel, Michael, surely you feel how terrifying this power is? We've already surpassed you by far! Tremble in awe before our might!" Shalba gloated, reveling in answering Azazel's questions and satisfying his urge to boast.
A typical villain... Jeanne Alter silently mocked, rolling her eyes at the overly talkative fool. Instead, she turned to Vali with a contemptuous smirk.
"You keep staring at me. Three against three is perfect. Am I your chosen opponent?"
"You're strong—stronger than Azazel and Michael. I truly wish I could fight you with all my strength," Vali paused, shaking his head slightly. "But against you, I cannot unleash my full power. Your ability suppresses me completely, making a fight with you far too frustrating. So let them deal with you."
Vali glanced at the two descendants of the old Satans, saying, "I'll handle Azazel and Michael. You two take care of her."
"You dare mock us, Vali?" Creuserey scowled, clearly displeased. "Leaving an unknown human to us, while you face both the leaders of fallen angels and angels? Even if you are this generation's White Dragon Emperor, we've gained power from Ophis, surpassing you! How dare you be so arrogant?"
"Fools, she's no ordinary human!" Vali snapped impatiently. "She's Jeanne d'Arc, the Saint! Though I have no idea how she's alive again, neither Azazel nor Sirzechs denied her identity. Most likely, she's the real thing."
Shalba and Creuserey briefly faltered, surprise flickering across their faces, but quickly regained their dismissive expressions.
"So what if she's Jeanne d'Arc reincarnated? She's still a fragile human. How can she possibly contend with us, who've surpassed Azazel, Michael, even God Himself by obtaining Ophis's power?"
Even knowing their ally Katerea had been effortlessly defeated by Jeanne Alter, they still looked down on her. After all, Katerea had never even used Ophis's "snake." Intoxicated by the infinite power coursing through them, these two were now ridiculously overconfident.
To sum up their current mindset: I am invincible!
Vali silently cursed their stupidity but kept quiet. He needed them to keep Jeanne occupied while he enjoyed his fight with Azazel and Michael.
Azazel and Michael were both veterans who survived the Great War, each a powerhouse in their own right. Yet, facing them both at once, Vali felt no fear, only mounting excitement and anticipation.
As if resonating with his emotions, the gems across Vali's armor flickered rapidly, unleashing fierce, chaotic magical winds.
"Come! Make this fight enjoyable! Sharpen my strength to its peak, Azazel! Michael!"
In a flash, Vali launched himself at Azazel and Michael, a silvery meteor breaking through the sky, accompanied by thunderous sonic booms.
Meanwhile, Jeanne Alter confronted Creuserey and Shalba.
"Though I dislike Vali's arrangement, now's not the time to argue. After we're done with you, we'll deal with Azazel and Michael."
"Hmph! That brat Vali is too timid, afraid of a mere human. He's nothing but a half-breed, after all, inferior to pure descendants like us."
With arrogant sneers, the two burst forward, magic erupting from their bodies like volcanic storms, charging Jeanne Alter directly.
Over at Vali's battlefield, Azazel hurled an enormous spear of light—a lethal poison to Vali's devil heritage. Yet Vali didn't dodge. Instead, his gauntlet's gem emitted a voice:
"[Divide—]!"
A mysterious pulse hit the spear of light, instantly halving its size and power.
If [Boosted Gear]'s signature ability was "Boost," doubling the user's strength and transferring it, then [Divine Dividing]'s classic ability was "Divide," halving an opponent's strength and absorbing the other half.
"[Divide—]! [Divide—]! [Divide—]!"
The gem flashed repeatedly. By the time Azazel's spear reached Vali, even a low-ranking devil could withstand it. Vali crushed it casually, then swung a powerful punch toward Azazel.
Azazel retaliated, fists colliding explosively, causing shockwaves akin to a falling meteor.
"[Divide—]!"
With another activation, Azazel's strength was halved again, allowing Vali to easily overpower him and send him flying.
Suddenly, a hailstorm of golden light spears descended upon Vali. Once more, he raised his hand, using [Divide] to reduce their power significantly.
As he absorbed the excess energy, he unleashed blasts of lightning, colliding spectacularly with Michael's storm of light spears.
Suddenly, sensing danger, Vali ducked sharply.
Michael had appeared right before him, wielding a golden sword that sliced through Vali's armor, leaving a brutal gash on his chest.
"Guh—!"
Gritting his teeth, Vali groaned in pain and hastily withdrew, unleashing lightning spears to hold Michael back.
"That sword… Is that the Dragonslayer Holy Sword?"
Vali eyed Michael's sword warily as his damaged armor swiftly regenerated.
"This is [Ascalon], the Dragonslayer wielded by Saint George. It's effective against both dragons and devils, doubly disadvantageous for you, no?"
"Truly troublesome, that blade stings fiercely... but that's exactly what makes it exciting!"
Vali's magic erupted like a blazing inferno, his draconic aura surging fiercely.
"Overcoming disadvantages and peril—that's exactly what I seek! Only by pushing through death-defying battles will I grow stronger!"
"Come! Try your best to kill me! Otherwise, I'll soon surpass all your imaginations!"
Vali's bold proclamation and surging power forced Michael and Azazel to brace themselves seriously.
Just as Vali prepared to attack again, a sudden sound from behind made him dodge instinctively.
Creuserey slammed past him, crashing heavily to the ground, battered and struggling to rise.
"What the hell?! We haven't even warmed up, and you've lost already?! Weren't you just boasting confidently?"
Creuserey gritted his teeth, shouting furiously at Vali, "Shut up, Vali! That human is way too abnormal! Whenever we try to attack her, the 'snake' within us goes dormant—not just failing to empower us, but actively hindering us! We became weaker than before we swallowed it!"
Vali shivered at the revelation.
Even Ophis's snakes are neutralized by Jeanne's power?!
Looking back at Jeanne, he saw her casually incinerate Shalba to ashes and reduce Creuserey to nothingness in a massive pillar of flame.
Meeting Vali's gaze, Jeanne shrugged lightly, amused yet indifferent.
"Even as a traitor, your taste in teammates is pretty terrible."
Now alone, surrounded by Jeanne, Michael, and Azazel, Vali chuckled fearlessly, eyes gleaming defiantly.
"Looks like I'm cornered. Maybe using [Juggernaut Drive] could buy me a chance."
Albion spoke quietly, "That wouldn't help you against Jeanne. Even losing your sanity to [Juggernaut Drive] wouldn't harm her."
"What a terrifyingly unreasonable power. Could it be God's hidden insurance?"
"Who knows?"
"Enough whispering! It seems you don't take me seriously," Jeanne Alter smirked darkly, murderous flames spiraling around her.
"Azazel asked me to spare you, but as a wicked witch, following orders isn't my style! Struggle desperately, flee or beg—it's your choice!"
Laughing maniacally, Jeanne Alter swung her flag violently, sending waves of flames surging forth, setting the sky ablaze.