Chapter [69]

Azazel remained at the bottom of the crater, his eyes fixed on Vali's lifeless body. A mixture of disbelief and sadness consumed him as he watched the young man he considered like a son. Memories of their past interactions, training sessions, and shared smiles flooded his mind, intensifying the pain of loss.

"How could you let Vali slip away..." murmured Azazel, tears welling up in his eyes, his voice choked with emotion. He bowed his head, letting the tears fall freely, uncaring of who might see him in that moment of vulnerability.

Meanwhile, his anger boiled against Riser, the one responsible for Vali's death. Each breath was like a burning flame, fueling his desire for vengeance. Azazel silently swore that Riser would pay for what he did, that he would feel the pain he inflicted on Vali.

With a heavy sigh, Azazel lifted his head, his eyes now sparking with determination. He would not let Vali's death be in vain. He would do justice to his adopted son, even if it meant facing a power as great as Riser's.

"You will not escape unpunished, Riser," Azazel whispered to himself, his voice filled with promise and contained fury. He wiped the tears from his face and straightened his shoulders, preparing to act.

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Riser gestured towards the crater where Azazel was, next to Vali's body. "Actually, someone is still here," he pointed out, his voice serene as he observed Azazel's figure among the wreckage.

Rias, confused, furrowed her brow. "Azazel?" she questioned, her voice filled with doubt.

Riser confirmed with a nod. "Yes, he wasn't the one who brought Vali here."

Rias's expression became even more serious, a flame of anger flickering in her eyes. She took a deep breath, controlling her indignation, before addressing Azazel.

Sirzechs, sensing the tension in the air, intervened. "Riser, Azazel was fighting Katerea to protect the peace agreement," he said, his voice firm but tinged with concern.

Riser nodded, understanding the situation, but still cautious. "I understand, but he may not be involved in the kidnapping, but he might have information about Vali's motives."

Michael, the archangel, approached the group, his imposing presence conveying calm and authority. "Regardless, we need to talk and investigate before making hasty accusations," he stated, his voice resonating with wisdom.

Rias took a deep breath, letting the anger dissipate. She knew Michael was right and that acting impulsively would lead nowhere. "You're right," she agreed, her voice calmer now. "Regardless, Azazel is the only person who can help us find Gasper."

Azazel approached Riser with anger burning in his eyes. Without hesitation, he shouted with intensity, his voice echoing through the wreckage.

"Riser!"

Riser faced Azazel, his calm expression contrasting with the other's fury. He took a deep breath, preparing to face the leader of the Fallen Angels' wrath.

Sona, sensing the escalating tension, gently held Riser's hand, silently conveying support to her husband.

"What is it, Azazel?" Riser asked, his voice remaining firm despite the growing hostility.

Azazel didn't hold back his indignation. "Are you kidding me?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and pain. "You killed Vali."

Serefall, keeping her cool, intervened. "He was defending himself, Azazel," she explained, her voice soft, trying to calm the tempers. "Vali attacked first."

Riser affirmed Serefall's words with a nod. "It's true, Azazel. It was a matter of self-defense," he stated, his voice calm but firm.

"Self-defense? This is the second person from my people that you've killed!" he shouted, his indignation overflowing.

Riser faced Azazel with coldness, not backing down in the face of the intensity of the accusation. "And do you think I don't have the right to defend myself? Just as it's the second person from your people who came to fight in my wife's territory."

"I'm not going to give you excuses, but if you want to fight, I'm more than willing," challenged Riser, his posture demonstrating readiness for confrontation.

Sirzechs, sensing the escalating tension, intervened calmly. "Easy, both of you. We need to talk," he reminded them, his voice serene, seeking to dissipate the imminent conflict.

Serefall turned her gaze to Sona, watching her hold Riser's hand firmly. Then, her eyes turned to Azazel, transmitting a seriousness that brooked no argument. "When I said to stop the fight, you said you didn't need to. So don't blame Riser-chan," she reprimanded, her voice firm making her stance clear.

Azazel, still furious, retorted, "And you said that Riser wasn't going to participate in the meeting."

Riser took responsibility. "I wasn't going to, but some vermin tried to cause trouble for my wife, and I had to get involved," he explained, his tone of voice remaining firm and unwavering.

Azazel shot Riser a look full of anger, his displeasure evident in every expression.

Issei watched the exchange between Riser and Azazel carefully, his mind seeking an opening to destabilize the young heir of the Phenex family.

"Azazel is right," declared Issei, his voice firm echoing through the tense atmosphere.

All eyes turned to him, surprised by the unexpected interruption. Issei didn't let the sudden attention shake him, continuing to voice his thoughts without hesitation.

"If Riser weren't here, I would have defeated Vali without needing to kill him," he asserted, his voice filled with confidence in his abilities.

Riser let out a laugh, provoking Issei with his words. "You? The weakest Boosted Gear user in history?" he taunted, his expression disdainful.

The taunt struck a blow to Issei's pride, igniting a flame of anger within him. Before he could retort, Rias interrupted, her voice cutting through the space.

"Shut up, Issei."

Issei looked incredulously at Rias, surprised by her direct reprimand. "Buchou..." he murmured, his voice filled with disbelief.

Rias averted her gaze from Issei and turned to Azazel, shifting the focus of the conversation. "You need to help me find Gasper," she requested, her voice filled with urgency.

"Who is Gasper?" asked Azazel, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Rias responded promptly, her voice sounding urgent. "Gasper is the member of my Peerage who was kidnapped," she explained, her expression reflecting concern.

Azazel furrowed his brow, not understanding the connection. "And what do I have to do with this?" he questioned, his voice showing a hint of impatience.

Rias took a deep breath, trying to remain calm in the face of Azazel's reaction. "Vali was involved with the Old Satan faction, and since you are his friend, I thought maybe you had some clue about Gasper's whereabouts."

Rias's suggestion sparked Azazel's anger, who didn't hesitate to express his indignation. "Vali wasn't part of that faction," he retorted, his voice rising with the intensity of the emotion.

Sirzechs, sensing the growing tension, intervened firmly. "Calm down, Azazel. That's not how you talk to my sister," he admonished, his voice conveying authority and seriousness.

Azazel swallowed hard, his face flushing with Sirzechs's reprimand. He knew he had crossed the line, letting himself be carried away by anger and frustration.

As the conversation continued, a mysterious figure landed in the crater where Vali's body lay, raising a cloud of dust around them. Everyone turned to face the newcomer, their minds swirling with the unexpected presence.

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