The sudden swell of Draconis's power sent a ripple of shock through the fallen angels.
He'd actually broken through his magic bottleneck—in the heat of battle, no less?
But after the initial surprise, the trio recovered quickly. So what if he was a mid-class devil now? They still had two super-class angels and a high-class angel on their side. Against that, a mere mid-class devil was still just cannon fodder. If he could be killed before, he could be killed now.
Divine light flared—pure, oppressive, and deadly—as the fallen angels unleashed their holy power. It was almost comical, seeing fallen angels wielding such sanctified energy. No wonder the pure angels loathed them; this was a mockery of everything heavenly.
Draconis felt the attack coming, and instinct took over. He raised the Divine Lament Shield, placing himself between Asia and the oncoming storm.
His golden eyes blazed. Something inside him shifted—a strange, ancient power awakened.
Suddenly, his magic was being drained at a terrifying rate.
The silver shield pulsed, and its aura transformed. In that moment, it wasn't a shield at all, but a city—an impossibly vast, immovable fortress, ancient and eternal. It was as if a mountain had risen between them and their enemies, a bastion untouched by time.
The fallen angels' attacks struck.
And vanished.
Their divine power hit the shield and melted away, dissolving like snowflakes in sunlight. It was as if an abyss had opened, swallowing their magic whole—first stilling it, then erasing it entirely.
"What the—?"
All three stared, dumbfounded.
Their combined assault, snuffed out by a mid-class devil's shield?
Understanding dawned on Draconis. He'd unlocked something new—a deeper power within the Divine Lament Shield. Until now, he'd only used its basic defensive field; if the artifact had a soul, it must have been exasperated, watching its true might go untapped.
This was the real strength of the Divine Lament: the immovable, unyielding force of an eternal city.
Of course, there was a price. His magic was nearly spent, the connection to the black city inside the shield fading.
Then, a rush of knowledge filled his mind.
If his magic was strong enough, he could summon that city in full—the Citadel of Endless Dusk, the shield's ultimate move. Within its domain, every aspect of himself would become motionless, frozen in time, immune to change so long as the citadel stood.
He wasn't there yet. He could only call forth a fragment of that power, just enough to reinforce the shield.
But even that sliver had been enough to block three fallen angels at once.
Draconis felt a surge of confidence. He still had some fight left.
Behind the shield's cover, he lashed out—a blade of light arcing toward Freed.
The priest, already crippled by Draconis's sigil and battered by Rias and Akeno's magic, barely clung to life. The sword strike ended it, severing his head cleanly.
Without hesitation, Draconis pulled Asia back, retreating from the fallen angels.
Predictably, they gave chase—only to be met with a barrage of devastating magic from Rias and Akeno.
Cursing, the fallen angels were forced back on the defensive, helpless as Draconis and Asia slipped safely to Rias's side.
"Well done." Rias's crimson eyes sparkled with delight.
"Ara ara, looks like we can finally cut loose~" Akeno purred, licking her lips, her gaze on the fallen angels hungry and electric.
That sadistic queen energy was overwhelming.
Draconis spared a half-second's pity for their enemies.
"Akeno, don't let a single one escape." Rias's voice was velvet and steel, her killing intent unmistakable.
Whatever restraint she'd shown was gone. The Crimson Princess of Ruin was ready to unleash hell.
Draconis didn't relax. He watched as Rias and Akeno unleashed their full power, no longer holding back.
The difference was terrifying. Their magic roared, each spell a storm of destruction. Rias, even as an underage pure-blood devil, was already among the elite of her rank. And Akeno, her Queen, matched her every step—her mastery over the evil pieces' traits making her a force of nature.
The high-class fallen angel was the first to fall, overwhelmed in seconds. Without the support of the two super-class angels, he'd never have lasted even one exchange.
With one down, the others quickly followed. Twin screams echoed, black feathers raining as thunder and fire reduced the last two to ash.
Only then did Draconis finally let himself collapse, body sagging into Asia's arms.
"Draconis! Are you okay?" Asia's voice trembled with worry.
"Just… wiped out." He managed a weak smile. Most of his wounds had closed, thanks to Asia's healing, but blood loss and magic exhaustion left him shaky.
The real damage, though, was magical—he'd pushed himself to the limit.
"Let's get you home." Rias approached, gently brushing his cheek. "Asia, keep healing him. I'll replenish his magic—he'll be back on his feet soon."
Her touch was warm, her eyes full of affection. "You really gave it your all today."
Draconis shook his head, a quiet smile on his lips. "Rias, I did it. I leveled up."
She blinked, then understood—he'd been fighting for her expectations all along.
Her gaze softened. She murmured, "Idiot… Don't ever push yourself this hard again."
🔥 Want to read the next 20 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]