112 Clash of the old and the new

It was like a scene out of a painting.

A group of devils marched in their direction with two figures leading them.

Serafall Levithan and Sirzech Lucifer.

Even if they were unholy beings, the devils, their appearance gave a ray of hope to everyone.

It was like a single light that pierced the dark cloud that surrounded their hearts.

Their existence gave them a sense of dependence and peace of mind.

"Onii-sama!"

"Onee-sama!"

Sona and Rias were happy to see their older sister and older brother.

However, Serafall, Sirzech, and the other devils, who came to handle the problem of the fallen angel, were stunned in a place as they watched the situation before them.

Everything was in ruin.

It was like the scene of the war.

It was also due to this that they couldn't help but feel a sense of regret that they couldn't come earlier.

Nevertheless, they sighed in relief when they saw their little sisters were okay.

Yet, compared to Rias and Sona, the existence that stood at the center as he beat a familiar person on the ground stunned them the most.

"RISER-CHAN!"

Serafall didn't wait for anything and sped up to Riser's side.

As for the others, Sona was okay, so she didn't care about the rest and walked to Riser's side, looking at him worriedly as he could see how heavy his injuries were.

As for Azazel? Serafall didn't care at all that she even kicked Azazel's head, thinking that it was all due to him.

"....." Azazel.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt? Ahhh! Your hands! Your body! How could it hurt so much? Phenex Tears! Get Phenex Tears for him, Sona!"

"Ye-Yes!"

Sona was also panicked by Serafall's outburst, but she also quickly took all the Phenex Tears she had with her to Riser.

"Don't stand there. This perverted fallen angel might see your panties."

Riser couldn't help but remind Serafall.

"Yes!" Serafall nodded and kicked Azazel's head again before she moved away. 

"......" Azazel.

While Azazel felt insulted by Riser's words, he didn't deny it since Riser wasn't wrong. When he was pressed on Riser's feet, he couldn't help but sneak a peak at Serafall's bottom. Unfortunately, he couldn't do that, and his plan failed.

Because of this, Azazel couldn't help but cry at how cruel Riser was.

Not only was Riser about to kill him, but Riser also didn't allow him to see panties for the last time.

How cruel!

As Serafall was cornered about Riser, and Sona was about to let him drink the "Phenex Tears," Sirzech came down and wanted to ask, but Riser beat him first.

"Sirzech Lucifer-sama, the fallen angel, had planned to initiate the Great War of the three sides! I had caught their secret weapon, the owner of the Divine Dividing and the leader of the Grigori, Azazel! We had the two of them with us! Moreover, the owner of the Divine Dividing killed the cadre of the fallen angel, Kokabiel, for an unknown reason.

As long as we strike down Grigori now, then they won't be able to do anything! We have a chance to win this battle!

"Please allow me to bring down the Grigori right now!"

His words were blazing like a volcano.

There was no trace of hesitation in his voice, and as long as Sirzech said "okay," he would have ravaged Grigori tonight.

Yet, those who heard his words fell into a daze, and they couldn't help but cast Riser in amazement.

Not only Kokabiel, the legendary cadre of the Grigori, but also Vali Lucifer, the host of the Divine Divider, and Azazel, leader of the Grigori, Riser was able to handle all of them and won.

Even though his body was battered with injuries, it wouldn't be weird for him to fall down anytime; he was still standing straight and wouldn't go down until he destroyed the Grigori. 

Still, due to his words, everyone quickly understood everything, and the group devil army behind Sirzech also couldn't help but think that it was a chance.

Grigori had lost so much.

If they attacked them now, then they could dominate the Underworld.

However, Azazel's expression was so ugly at that moment.

His life aside, he cared the most about the lives of others.

There weren't many fallen angels on the Grigori, and many of them had died due to the previous war.

It was due to these limited numbers that Azazel cared for each of them.

Yet, due to his actions, he might cause the extinction of all the fallen angels.

Azazel shuddered as he looked at the young man who had defeated him. Not only was his might greater than anyone's, but his brain was brighter as he was able to pour all the dirty water on the head of the Grigori, intending to bring down the Grigori without mercy.

Riser, at this moment, was like a military commander.

As long as he charged forward, all of them would follow him, including Serafall, who was also extremely pissed when Riser was beaten that he almost died like this. As for the demise of the fallen angel, she didn't care and thought that they might as well disappear from the world.

Nevertheless, it was different from Sirzech.

Sirzech didn't hope for war as he only wished for peace.

Moreover, Sirzech also didn't have a good impression of Riser as many things happened between them. Lastly, he could see his influence on all the devils here disappear as Riser said those words.

Frankly, Sirzech wished to finish everything without anything big.

Lastly, the situation of the world wasn't as simple as it seemed since there were many things that happened in the world, and the relationship between the pantheon was complicated, especially when their religion, Christianity, had taken the beliefs of the people that were supposed to believe in those pantheons.

Still, before that, Sirzech needed to solve this situation first.

"Riser-kun, can you let go of Azazel first?"

"I am sorry, Sirzech-sama. I am afraid I can't follow that order since I am afraid that this leader of the Grigori might use a sneak attack to attack you or the other people that I care about.

If he gets his hands on those people, then we will have a disadvantage as he will have a hostage."

In other words, if you don't care about the lives of others, then go ahead and force me to let go of Azazel.

Whether Azazel or Sirzech were speechless, neither of them decided to press forward as they could feel the tension that grew due to Riser's words.

Even if Azazel was beaten by Riser, he was still the leader of the Grigori.

Wasn't it normal for him to have a secret trump card or two?

While Sirzech was secretly annoyed, he asked Azazel, "Azazel, do you wish to have a war with us?"

"Of course not! I don't want a war! I just want to go back and sleep!" Azazel sighed and said hurriedly, causing him to cough up blood as his lungs ruptured. Still, even if talking was hurt, he continued to speak since the future of the fallen angel was determined through his words.

"I know that this is my responsibility that I didn't watch over my subordinate well. But even so, give me a chance! I will explain everything, and there won't be any war!

"I swore on my name and my life!

"If someone from my group wishes for war, I will kill them immediately, and I will take my life after that!"

There was no hesitation, and Azazel bet his life to save everyone.

Hearing that, everyone was at ease since who wished for the war.

Nevertheless, Riser only rolled his eyes, feeling that all of them were naive.

Could you believe the words of the one who you had fought for so long?

"Did you hear that Riser-kun? If so, can you let him go? He had promised that a big war wouldn't happen. Naturally—"

Sirzech stopped talking after Riser just walked away without even glancing in his direction, clearly showing Riser ignored him.

Even Sona, who wanted to heal him with the "Phenex Tears," and Serafall were stunned by his action.

"...what are you doing, Riser-kun?" Sirzech asked, and his voice was so low.

"Sirzech Lucifer-sama had made his decision. What could I, a lowly devil, do?"

Riser's words were full of sarcasm, clearly showing his dissatisfaction.

Yet, everyone also understood.

Riser was almost dead, and this matter just ended like this?

Okay, that's it?

Aside from protecting his women, what did he get from this battle?

Nothing!

Riser was sure that after this battle ended, all the good things would be taken by Sirzech, including the reputation, so that the whole devil in the Underworld could see how magnanimous and kind Sirzech was.

Knowing all of that, Riser wanted to vomit.

Yet, no one stopped him.

As he walked, everyone gave him a path as if their every being told them to do so.

"Ni! Li! Come on!"

Ni and Li quickly chased after their master.

"Huh? Why are you following me?"

Riser looked at Xenovia, who suddenly appeared by his side.

"I can't stay any longer in the church after knowing all of this."

After knowing God had died, how could Xenovia die?

She felt disillusioned by the church. Moreover, she didn't think heaven and the church would let her go after knowing this secret. The only place she could stay was Riser's side, as he was the only one who came to protect her.

His figure that fought so many strong opponents to protect her still burnt deep into her heart and mind.

The only one that she could rely on in this world was him.

"I have made a lot of enemies, you know?"

"I don't care." Xenovia looked at Riser with a determined expression, then asked pitifully, "Can you let me follow you?" There was no doubt even if the church and everything betrayed her, he was the only one who would be by her side, and like him, she would stay by his side.

Riser only raised his brow. "Then, come."

Xenovia smiled brightly and then nodded. "Um!"

As the four left, Sirzech was still full of dissatisfaction, but he didn't say anything and was just glad that everything was over. There was no need to press this matter further, especially when the one at fault was the Grigori, yet—

"RISER PHENEX!"

Vali Lucifer, who had seemed to be forgotten, suddenly shouted with his lungs.

"You idiot!" Azazel wanted to curse Vali.

Yet Vali, who was known as a ball of pride, was unstoppable.

"Today, I have lost, but I, Vali Lucifer, will repay this disgrace in the future! I will defeat you! So you better be ready, or I will take your life!"

"....."

Everyone fell in silence as they watched this young man say those words courageously.

Nevertheless, no one said anything as the temperature around them started to grow hotter, yet strangely enough, they felt cold.

Riser stopped his steps and then looked at Vali.

Vali also stared at Riser bravely without flinching. Even if it was hard for him to move a single muscle, he still stubbornly stared at Riser and stood up straight as if telling him that he would defeat him in the future, but—

Riser raised his finger and shot out a concentrated beam of blue fire toward Vali.

"—?!"

Vali widened his eyes as he had never thought Riser would kill him immediately.

'Ah, I am to die...'

Vali felt helpless, powerless, and, at the same time, unwilling.

Huh?

Just like this?

Was he going to die just like this?

A sense of regret burst deep within his heart.

Yet, everything was meaningless; Vali didn't even have time to fight as he was about to be burnt to ash.

"VALI!" Azazel cried while regretting not teaching Vali to be humble.

Yet—

As expected, Vali wouldn't die so easily.

After all, Sirzech made a move and stood in front of Vali to protect him. He raised his barrier and quickly blocked Riser's attack, yet that barrier was meaningless, and that concentrated beam of blue fire was about to hit him!

'Oh, no!'

Sirzech had heard from his wife that Riser had become stronger, but he didn't take it to heart, yet watching him again, he realized how strong he was, and he knew if he didn't use all of his power, he would be heavily injured!

Then—

A sense of dread swept everyone away, and they felt a cold sweat as their legs were trembling due to the horror of this power.

Riser's fire beam was destroyed by something, and after a moment of struggle, it vanished as if it was swallowed.

When the fire beam disappeared, everyone could see the figure that brought them so much horror.

"RISEEERRR!"