Suddenly, a figure dashed straight into the crowd.
Blades swept through the vampire soldiers with terrifying swiftness, their agonized screams ringing out as they fell helplessly.
They tried to capture that figure, but all they grasped were fleeting afterimages. By the time their eyes followed, the sword's radiance flashed again, leaving bloody arcs behind as its wielder moved like wind incarnate.
"These vampires are indeed far more resistant to holy power than before… Is this the strength granted by the [Sephiroth Graal]?"
Kiba Yuuto muttered to himself, weaving ghost-like through enemy ranks at dizzying speed. The twin Holy-Demonic Swords in his hands felt like natural extensions of his own arms. His elegant swordsmanship traced beautiful, crescent arcs, like moonlight reflecting on still water—yet hidden within their beauty lay lethal danger.
"The holy power from my swords isn't suppressing them as before…but it's fine," Kiba smiled confidently. "They're still vulnerable to a blade's edge. As long as my swords can cut, I remain a swordsman."
"[Destruction]!"
"[Holy Lightning]!"
Tremendous magic surged, crimson and golden magic circles appearing before Rias and Himejima Akeno, respectively. The next instant, destructive energy and crackling golden lightning erupted, tearing through enemy lines and causing cataclysmic explosions.
The vampire soldiers' armor and flesh proved fragile as paper, easily ripped apart by lightning and obliterated by destructive magic. Even these supposedly perfected vampires—freed of their traditional weaknesses—couldn't withstand Rias's [Power of Destruction] nor Akeno's [Holy Lightning].
"HAAAAA!"
Xenovia swung [Durandal] with a fierce shout, its golden sword-pressure surging forth, violently obliterating everything in its path. Countless vampire soldiers were shredded instantly, leaving behind a deep chasm gouged into the floor.
Several vampires attempted to ambush Xenovia from behind, but precise ki blasts struck them down before they could reach her. Xenovia turned, spotting Toujou Koneko's expressionless face.
"Xenovia-senpai, you're charging too far ahead," Koneko complained quietly, eyebrows slightly knitted.
"If I were alone, I wouldn't rush ahead like this," Xenovia grinned easily, "but since I have you all backing me up, it's fine."
Trust shone clearly in Xenovia's eyes as she hoisted the blazing [Durandal] onto her shoulder, rushing again toward the densest cluster of enemies. Watching Xenovia's reckless charge, Koneko sighed deeply before following close behind.
Rossweisse was the most dazzling presence on the battlefield. Vibrant magic circles churned out massive bursts of magic power, bombarding enemies relentlessly like artillery.
"Everyone's really giving their all!" Hyoudou Issei stared in awe at the spectacular display, fighting spirit burning fiercely inside him. "Alright, Ddraig! We can't fall behind!"
"Let's do it, partner!"
A vivid crimson dragon's shadow seemed to rise behind Issei. Dragonic aura exploded around him, whipping up turbulent gusts of wind in every direction.
Since meeting Jeanne-san, Issei's dragon aura had grown steadily stronger—even without conscious effort. Now, his strength had reached terrifying heights, capable of threatening even Maou-class opponents.
He condensed this crimson dragonic aura into his palm, forming a massive sphere of energy two meters in diameter.
"Take this—[Dragon Shot]!"
Launching the enormous crimson sphere, countless vampire soldiers were instantly annihilated.
Among them, Gasper was the least experienced, yet he fought bravely, determined to rescue Valerie.
"This…is impossible…" The vampire commander stared at the battlefield in utter disbelief, watching his plans collapse completely. "Mere low-class devils defeating our perfected vampire army?! We've overcome all weaknesses! We're the same elite force that crushed King Tepes—how could we lose?!"
At that moment, a spear of light pierced through the vampire commander's abdomen.
Though their group had overcome many weaknesses through the [Graal], they weren't entirely immune. Azazel's light spear still inflicted lethal damage, searing through his organs. The pain and realization of defeat twisted the commander's face in agony.
"You should never lose focus in battle. Even a fresh recruit knows that," Azazel coldly lectured, hovering overhead with twelve pairs of pitch-black wings spread wide, gazing disdainfully at the commander.
"Impossible…I refuse to accept this… We vampires have already evolved into perfect beings. How can we lose to mere devils and a fallen angel…?"
"Nothing's impossible," Azazel replied casually. "While you vampires indulged yourselves with titles and privilege, these kids survived countless battles far crueler and harsher than you could ever imagine. They've faced stronger foes, seen far more hopeless battlefields, yet they've survived to reach this day—and they'll keep growing stronger."
As Azazel finished off the vampire commander, the others swiftly concluded their battles. The vampires posed no significant threat—there was simply too large a gap in battle experience.
Not everyone had the dubious honor of repeatedly fighting the likes of Fallen Angel Cadres, the god-slaying wolf Fenrir, or Loki the Trickster God, and still surviving.
Though they'd often walked the razor's edge of death, they'd undeniably grown stronger—their harsh training paying off.
Ophis hadn't even needed to act.
"As expected, these vampires couldn't pose a threat to any of you."
As that voice echoed, a figure suddenly appeared in the hall.
He wore an intricately decorated silver robe, his hood drawn low, hiding his face. From his voice alone, they discerned he was male.
Azazel and the others turned sharply, hostility radiating toward this unknown newcomer.
Referring to vampires as "these vampires" meant he wasn't one himself.
"You…" Azazel's gaze grew icy. "You're with the Khaos Brigade?"
Instead of answering, the man turned toward Rias.
"Rias Gremory… Seeing your bright crimson hair makes me recall Sirzechs—that despicable false Maou."
"'False Maou?'" Rias's eyes narrowed dangerously, staring directly at him. "Anyone referring to my brother like that must belong to the Old Maou Faction."
"I have nothing to discuss with the false Maou's sister."
"As a villain and terrorist, you're especially bad at conversation," Azazel retorted sarcastically, summoning a spear of light into his hand. "In that case, we'll simply use force to extract the information we need."
"Unfortunately, Governor-General, I have no intention of fighting you myself," the hooded man responded calmly. "We've prepared more suitable opponents."
Azazel, sensing danger, immediately moved to strike, but it was already too late.
Suddenly, the vampire corpses scattered around them began swelling grotesquely. Their claws sharpened, their gazes turned fierce, scales sprouted across their bodies, and wings tore through their backs.
Azazel's pupils constricted sharply as he clenched his teeth, angrily shouting:
"That bastard—!"
The vampires' twisted bodies transformed fully into massive Evil Dragons. Terrifying roars echoed, unleashing a wave of violent dragonic aura that descended like black storm clouds.
"ROOOAAAAARRRR——!!"
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T/N: comment if ur reading or else i destroy this translation