"Wait!!"
Katerea's expression shifted as she hurriedly opened her mouth to speak.
But the next second, a gust of wind blew directly into her face.
Boom!!
Katerea's body, thrown like a javelin, smashed straight through the gate of the Old Maou Faction's base.
"Enemy attack!!"
The Old Maou Faction's response was swift. The moment the gate was breached, alarms sounded across the compound.
However…
When they saw the figure who had been thrown through the gate, the devils froze where they stood.
"Lady Leviathan?!"
Katerea scrambled to her feet, spitting out dirt and dust with a few angry "Puh!" sounds. She glared fiercely at the surrounding devils.
"What the hell are you staring at?!"
They immediately fell silent.
"Katerea?"
Creuserey Asmodeus rushed over after hearing the commotion. His expression darkened as he saw Katerea's disheveled appearance.
"What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?"
Katerea snorted and crossed her arms, saying nothing.
The next moment, the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps echoed through the air.
Creuserey's frown deepened as he turned toward the source of the sound.
Suddenly, a tall figure with black hair and red eyes stepped into view.
But what made Creuserey freeze was the aura radiating from the newcomer.
At the very least… Maou-class.
Creuserey narrowed his eyes, judging the situation carefully.
But…
Was this person brought here by Katerea?
Creuserey's gaze shifted toward her.
Katerea shrugged. "Valefor. I brought him back."
Creuserey: "?"
Why didn't she just kill him?
But…
Looking at Katerea's current state—hair a mess, face streaked with dust, glasses gone, and the wounds on her limbs still bleeding under the eroding light energy—he understood.
It was obvious. She had been beaten down before arriving.
"What a disgrace."
Creuserey, who had always disliked Katerea, didn't hold back his insults.
"Hmph!"
Katerea snorted coldly. "Weren't you the one who said I wouldn't need to step in?"
Creuserey ignored her and turned his full attention to Lynn.
Despite his disdain for Katerea, he fully acknowledged her strength.
Not to mention… she had the power of the ophis' snake.
For someone to put her in this state, even Creuserey did not dare underestimate him.
"Shalba!"
Choosing caution, Creuserey immediately called for backup.
Whoosh—
A gust of wind blew through as Shalba Beelzebub, with brown shoulder-length hair, appeared beside Creuserey.
"Creuserey, can't you handle this yourself?" Shalba frowned impatiently.
He had sensed the commotion when the headquarters was breached but had assumed it wasn't serious.
If Creuserey called him, though…
Could the enemy really be that dangerous?
Creuserey's tone was calm but serious. "I don't think I could put Katerea, with her ophis' snake power, into this condition."
Shalba turned his eyes to Katerea.
Seeing her miserable state, his brow twitched.
Katerea waved weakly, forcing a smile. "Hey, Shalba. I'm back."
"Oh, and I brought a guest~"
Shalba's expression darkened. He turned his gaze toward Lynn.
The moment he saw Lynn's face, Shalba's eyes narrowed sharply.
"Valefor."
Unlike Katerea and Creuserey, Shalba had read the intel thoroughly. He recognized Lynn at a glance.
What he hadn't expected…
Was the overwhelming aura Lynn exuded.
It matched his record of killing Kokabiel instantly.
But even so…
Had Katerea really been beaten down by him that easily?
Either way…
This Valefor was far bolder than expected.
Coming here alone to the Old Maou Faction's headquarters.
Was he that confident in his power?
Or just arrogant beyond belief?
Lynn's gaze swept across the gathered devils. His expression was calm, even bored.
"Let's keep this quick."
Shalba's face twisted.
Was this brat looking down on them?
Oh…
It had been a long time since anyone dared to show such contempt to his face.
"Boy—"
Shalba began to speak, but in the next instant, Lynn's figure vanished.
Crackle!
Sparks flashed through the air.
In the blink of an eye, Lynn appeared directly in front of Shalba.
Shalba's pupils contracted sharply.
But before he could react, a spark-coated sole slammed straight into his face.
Boom!!
Shalba was knocked down before he could say another word.
Crack—
The sound of skull bones fracturing echoed clearly through the hall.
Creuserey's eyes went wide in shock.
He hadn't even processed what had happened when, the next moment—
Bang!
A heavy force struck Creuserey's shoulder, sending him flying backward like a rag doll.
So fast!!
Creuserey's body trembled as his mind struggled to catch up.
As a Maou, he hadn't even had time to react.
Nearby, Katerea stood frozen, blinking in confusion.
Then, after a brief pause, she let out a sigh of relief.
Honestly…
When she'd returned to headquarters and seen Creuserey and Shalba, she'd briefly considered whether they could turn the situation around.
But now?
Seeing them crushed instantly, she was just glad she hadn't tried anything reckless.
Katerea glanced over at the two with some sympathy.
This Valefor…
He hadn't even used his full strength when fighting her.
---
Elsewhere.
Shalba lay sprawled deep in the ruins where he had crashed.
Blood dripped from his lips as he struggled to keep his eyes half-open.
His body was a mess.
Bones shattered, internal organs pulverized.
Worst of all, the crushing blow to his head left his mind dazed and on the verge of blackout.
And that searing heat—
The flames burning on his face felt like the starry sky itself.
Damn it!!
Shalba's heart shook.
How could this be?
He had been taken down in a single strike?
No. Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!!
Such damage… only a transcendent should be able to inflict!
But…
Lynn wasn't at the transcendent level.
It didn't make sense!
Even if he were fighting a Super-Class Devil, he shouldn't have been defeated so easily!
Madness boiled in Shalba's mind as he struggled to hold on.
Valefor…
A monster!
The scene stirred an unpleasant memory.
The instant death of his grandfather five hundred years ago.
Was this history repeating itself?
No. No!!
Shalba violently shook the thought away.
He was not like his grandfather!
He possessed the power of the Infinite Dragon God!
As he clung to that belief, his aura erupted violently.
Boom!!
His power surged, connecting with the sky itself as thick bolts of lightning rained down.
Crash—
Shalba shoved aside the debris and forced himself up from the pit.
His body began to heal, wounds closing slowly.
But the flames on his face continued to burn stubbornly.
Damn it…
Why hadn't the fire gone out yet?!
The pain was maddening, but he had no time to worry about it now.
Boom!!
His magic exploded upward, shooting straight into the sky as he stood facing Lynn once again.
He cast a glance toward Creuserey, who was still catching his breath after being tossed aside.
"Creuserey!"
"I know…" Creuserey's voice was weak, but he responded.
The next moment, his ophis' snake power erupted as well.
Boom!!
Another burst of violent magic filled the air.
Panting heavily, Creuserey steadied himself, eyes locked on Lynn.
Fear.
Now he understood why Katerea had been so utterly defeated.
This was no ordinary opponent.
Creuserey was glad he had called Shalba earlier.
But…
Would even that be enough?
Suddenly, Lynn raised a hand.
A powerful suction force enveloped Creuserey.
"What?!"
Before he could resist, Creuserey's body was pulled uncontrollably toward Lynn.
"!"
Panic flashed through Creuserey's eyes as he frantically unleashed magic to resist.
But—
Bang!
Lynn's hand closed firmly around Creuserey's head.
Lynn's lips curled into a smile. "Goodbye."
Creuserey's eyes shot wide in horror.
In the next instant—
Boom!!
Flames of every color, mixed with beams of light and countless attributes, exploded outward.
The blast engulfed Creuserey completely.
"Ahhhhhhhh!!"
His agonized screams echoed throughout the entire Old Maou Faction base.
Shalba's expression twisted in horror. "Creuserey!!"
(To be continued.)
***
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