Right after Rias and Issei teleported away to rescue Gaspar, a magic circle appeared in the conference room.
"That crest… it's Leviathan's!" Yuuto recognized the emblem at once. But Asia looked puzzled.
"Leviathan… that's the president's sister's, right?"
"Not quite, Asia-chan," clarified Juno. "This crest belongs to the former Serafall Leviathan's bloodline."
A woman emerged from the magic circle, a striking figure with dark skin, glasses, and a daring dress.
"Greetings, Serafall, Sirzechs, angel and chief of fallen angels. Now, you all shall perish here."
She barely greeted before unleashing a fiery blast that shook the entire new building.
"How unbecoming for the leaders of the largest factions to hide behind protective barriers!"
The woman sneered at the defensive shield formed by Sirzechs, Michael, and Azazel, which enveloped all of us.
"Katerea? What are you doing?" Serafall called out.
"I hope you realize how you stole the Leviathan title from me!" Katerea spat back. "We've reached the opposite conclusion from your peace summit. This corrupt world must be destroyed for rebirth! And you, Serafall, I will strike your Leviathan name from history with your death, and assume the title anew!"
Residual rage flooded her voice as she glared at Serafall, convinced she'd been unjustly displaced.
"Katerea-chan," Serafall began with hurt, "why are you so angry? I'm fulfilling my duties as Maou properly!"
"Spare me your excuses! That 'Miracle☆Levia‑tan' TV show you starred in, that humiliation rattled every servant and subject! Since then, they've averted their eyes… You must die to cleanse this disgrace!"
Honestly… that bridge has been burned for too long.
"Katerea," I interjected coolly, "I get that you're emotional and we're not just your enemy, we're your targets. But talk of 'rebirth' and 'corruption' is cheap villain monologue material, not a real cause."
"How dare you mock our lofty mission!"
"All right… Sirzechs, Michael, I'll handle her if you don't mind." Azazel offered to face Katerea head-on. Sirzechs shot him a quick glance before addressing her.
"Katerea Leviathan, so you refuse to yield?"
"Yes, Sirzechs. You were a good Maou, but not the greatest!" she declared, stepping into battle.
"Very well." Azazel and Katerea soared into the sky, their auras crackling.
"She's a direct descendant of Old Satan Leviathan, an apocalypse-caliber beast. This should be fun," Azazel mused.
"Let's end this."
"Fallen Angel Commander, you dare?"
As they clashed above, Katerea landed heavy blows, but Azazel remained relaxed, one hand casually in his pocket.
"Looks like Azazel's fine. Meanwhile, we need to shut down that gate and eliminate the mages pouring out of it," Sirzechs said, turning to Grayfia.
"Grayfia, can you analyze and close the gate?"
"At once, Sirzechs!" she replied, unfolding another magic circle.
President Sona chimed in:
"While that happens, let's clear the enemies outside. After the gate closes, there'll be remnants to handle, and it's best not to send the Maous to the front lines."
"Agreed, you've got command, Sona."
"Then let's go!" everyone cheered.
Just then, I spoke up:
"Um, sorry, I'll stay inside the shield." They paused mid-step, surprised.
"Arima, why? It doesn't make sense."
I explained:
"I'm synchronizing with Izuna right now. It's delicate. If I fight, Izuna may lose the Divinity aura she granted to you and our guards. We risk having allies suddenly freeze mid-battle. Should I stay?"
Sona nodded, "Yes, please stay here, Arima."
With that, they rushed out. Outside, Rias's group and Koneko joined the fight. Gaspar and Rias watched from inside, concern etched on their faces.
Then Grayfia called out:
"Sirzechs, the gate's analysis is done, it's linked to Gaspar's time-stop field. We can't destroy just the gate without dismantling his time bubble first."
Rias stepped forward as Gaspar spoke up:
"If you'll let me, I'll shatter that time field! I still feel Issei's blood surge through me, I can do this! Please, let me try, Chief!"
Rias met his gaze.
"You think you can do it, Gaspar?"
"I can!" his eyes flashed.
"I'm a man…I'm a man!" Gaspar screamed. Instantly, the time-stop vanished, and so did the gate.
"Great job, Gaspar!" Rias hugged him tight.
Rias then prepared to clear out the remaining enemies.
I sent Izuna and the possessed guards against the mages outside. With numbers and tactics, they made a real difference.
Meanwhile, Azazel and Katerea's duel reached a climax above, they clashed fiercely.
Right after Katerea fell… Azazel was struck from behind by a fierce magical blast and dropped hard.
"Oof… even I'm getting rusty? A rebel during peace?" he sneered.
"Sorry, Azazel, but I find this more interesting than peace," Vali's voice echoed.
Azazel tensed.
"I told you, don't become a threat to the world. Now I have a question for you." He spread his wings and rose level with Vali.
"Well?"
Vali smiled. "My vice-commander Shemhazai sensed a corruption, a group named 'Khaos Brigade.' Their leader is the Ouroboros Dragon, Ophis."
"Ophis?" Rias gasped. Issei looked puzzled.
"Ophis is the Ruin Dragon God, an infinite serpent revered and feared since before creation," Rias explained.
Vali nodded again.
"True, I'm allied with Ophis. But neither of us cares about peace or rebirth. We joined forces because they wanted power through me."
"So I thought you and Katerea teamed up after losing your titles," Azazel observed.
Vali answered, "I am Vali 'Lucifer', grandson of the late Satan Lucifer and a human mother. A half-blood. And because of that lineage, I've manifested White Dragon Emperor powers… LOL, it feels like a joke, but I'm destined to be the strongest White Dragon Emperor in any era."
Azazel snorted, unimpressed.
Vali addressed Issei next:
"Hyoudou Issei, don't you find this ironic? I'm bloodline royalty and a dragon. You? Just human, 6 generations back, no magic or demon in your blood. Only your Boosted Gear gave you power. You were a regular high schooler until reincarnation, and even then, weak by demon standards. When I heard that, I laughed. We have god-tier power differences."
"Then what, Segagyo? What's your point?!" Issei roared.
"I have a proposal," Vali offered with a grin.
"What if… I killed your parents, made you an avenger? You'd have real drama. We could even do it in front of you, that rage might push you into a forbidden Balance Breaker in the moment."
Asia gasped. Issei's face twisted in fury:
"I'll kill you, you bastard! Why should my parents die just so you get your twisted plot device?!"
He charged with Boost!!, roaring a dragon's aura, but Vali simply punched him to the ground.
"Are you insane? That power gap… You can't survive without reaching the forbidden Balance Breaker!" Vali warned.
"I know he's stronger, but I'm not backing down!" Issei roared, clutching resolve in his eyes.
Vali's lieutenant, Droig, stepped forward:
"If your resolve's real, maybe I can help… I can trade for your body, turn you into a pseudo-Balance Breaker. You'll become more of a dragon than man."
Issei's eyes flashed, ready to accept.
"Fine! I'm the weakest, but if that's the price to beat him, I'll pay it!"
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32+ Advance Chapters Available on Patreon.com/Veltoria
100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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