On the rooftop of a high-rise building, Vali stood in a cool pose, gazing at the glittering city lights below with a calm expression.
Azazel emerged from the darkness.
"How is it?" Vali asked.
"I've already punished Kokabiel. Now is the right time to prepare for the meeting of the three factions."
"Hm…"
Azazel scratched his head with his finger and asked curiously, "What do you think?"
"…Hyoudou Issei. He's a worthy opponent. My instincts as a Heavenly Dragon and as a descendant of a Demon King say so."
"Aw! That's terrifying. If you say that much, Hyoudou Issei might become a threat even more dangerous than the gods."
"Gods… I think it's an insult to compare Heavenly Dragons to them."
"Hahaha, true enough. After all, two Heavenly Dragons alone are enough to give the three factions a hard time. Add in the descendant of a former Demon King and a superhuman, and I wonder what kind of future awaits you all."
Vali stared at the bright full moon shining in the sky, wearing a confident grin.
"At the very least, it won't be something the older generation like you could ever imagine."
"Hahaha, your words sting as always."
Vali shrugged with an indifferent expression.
Azazel chuckled softly.
"Vali, is it true there really won't be another war?"
"The war of the three factions may be over, but as long as the world keeps turning, no one knows what will happen."
Vali caught a subtle hint from Azazel's statement.
"So you already know?"
"A little. I just hope you won't go on a rampage here and kill me."
Vali let out a long sigh.
"There's no way I'd do that."
"Hahaha! You're a free-spirited man. You might actually do it to me."
Vali's expression turned ice-cold.
"Don't lump me together with that old man. Someday, I'll be the one to finish him with my own hands!"
Vali's tone was filled with hatred, as if he were talking about his most detestable, life-and-death enemy.
"…Hey!"
"What?"
"You don't intend to destroy the world, do you?"
"What do you think?"
Azazel shrugged and replied seriously, "Your existence is like a kite drifting wherever it wants. I can't read you."
"At least I can guarantee this—I have no intention of destroying the world. Besides—"
Vali gazed far into the horizon, as if piercing through space and time, seeing a forty-year-old woman having dinner with two small children and a middle-aged man.
That simple family looked happy, completely unaware of the bleak truth of the world.
Azazel fell silent.
"That's good to hear."
"My business here is done. See you at the three-faction meeting."
Vali disappeared within a teleportation circle.
Azazel sat cross-legged, staring up at the sky with a nostalgic gaze.
"If he were still here, I wonder what he would do?"
Whoosh!
The night wind blew fiercely against Azazel's body.
Azazel laughed freely, taking the strong gust of wind as that person's answer.
…..
Issei's daily life as a devil remained the same, except when he was doing naughty things with Asia.
Today, the Occult Research Club welcomed a new member—none other than Xenovia.
After learning the truth about God's death, Xenovia lost her faith and chose to become a reincarnated devil.
On the other hand, Irina managed to maintain her faith and chose to remain with the Church.
It was unfortunate, but Issei couldn't force her to join the Gremory Household.
"Hm? Why are Sona-kaichou and her peerage here? Weren't we the ones assigned to clean the swimming pool?"
"I thought so too, but for some reason Sona insisted on coming along," Rias replied, sticking out her tongue with a mischievous smile.
Sona adjusted her glasses and spoke coolly, "Don't make it sound like I forced myself in. I just thought I didn't do anything yesterday, so at least I should help your household."
Rias shrugged.
"I appreciate it then, but if you have some ulterior motive—like aiming for my Ise—I won't allow it!"
Rias leaned forward, deliberately propping up her large, perfectly shaped chest.
"Hm, you think I'm scared?"
Sona did the same, though her smaller chest made the gesture far less intimidating.
Issei, standing beside them, could only smile awkwardly, feeling tempted by the clash between two high-ranking devils who were also the younger sisters of the two current Demon Kings.
Just as I thought, being popular with the main heroines is the best.
… .. .
To be continued…