Fallen Angel Territory
The journey to Fallen Angel territory had taken most of the day. Algernon moved carefully through the outer regions, his presence masked by layers of concealment magic he'd practiced specifically for this mission. This wasn't Gremory-controlled land where his name carried weight—here, he was an intruder in hostile territory.
The cave system loomed ahead, exactly where the system's coordinates had indicated. Dark, foreboding, and emanating a subtle wrongness that marked it as a place of power.
Algernon checked his equipment one final time. The black mask was secure, his crimson-black mutation pieces stored safely in his inventory, and his demonic energy reserves at full capacity after a day of careful meditation.
He was as ready as he'd ever be.
'Peak Mid-Class against a Longinus wielder,' he thought grimly. 'This is either brilliant or suicidal.'
The system had led him here with a promise—someone with extraordinary potential. And based on the timeline, the location, and everything he knew about canon, there was only one person this could be.
Vali Lucifer. The White Dragon Emperor. Wielder of Divine Dividing.
One of the most powerful beings in the entire DxD universe.
'No pressure,' Algernon thought with dark humor as he entered the cave.
The interior was exactly what he'd expected—rough stone walls, minimal light, the kind of place someone would use as a temporary shelter rather than a home. Someone who was hiding, or didn't care about comfort.
Algernon positioned himself in the main chamber and waited. According to the system, his target would arrive within the next thirty minutes.
He didn't have to wait that long.
Twenty minutes later, a presence approached—young but overwhelming, like standing near a contained nuclear reaction. The magical signature was distinctive, carrying both demonic and draconic elements intertwined.
Then he appeared.
A boy around Algernon's age—twelve, maybe thirteen—with stark white hair and piercing silver-blue eyes that seemed to analyze everything they saw. He moved with unconscious grace, every motion efficient and purposeful.
And on his person, invisible to normal sight but blazing to Algernon's magical senses, was the unmistakable presence of Divine Dividing.
Vali Lucifer stopped at the cave entrance, those sharp eyes locking onto Algernon immediately. "Someone's in my shelter," he said, voice cold and analytical. "Bold. Stupid, but bold."
Algernon remained seated, projecting calm confidence he didn't entirely feel. "I've been waiting for you, Vali Lucifer."
The effect was immediate. Vali's entire posture shifted, becoming defensive, dangerous. White wings flickered into existence for a split second before vanishing—a warning.
"You know my name." It wasn't a question. "That's... unfortunate for you."
"I know more than your name." Algernon stood slowly, non-threateningly. "Descendant of the original Lucifer. Wielder of Divine Dividing, one of the Thirteen Longinus. Host to Albion, the White Dragon Emperor."
Vali's expression didn't change, but the air grew heavier. "If you know all that, you should also know what happens to people who threaten me with that knowledge."
"I'm not here to threaten you." Algernon kept his hands visible, his posture open. "I'm here to offer you something better than hiding in caves and running from your bloodline."
"Better?" For the first time, something like curiosity entered Vali's voice. "And what could you possibly offer me?"
"Purpose. Power. And opponents strong enough to actually challenge you."
Vali laughed—sharp and humorless. "Everyone who knows what I am wants to use me. The Fallen Angels want a weapon. The Old Satan Faction wants a symbol. The Hero Faction wants a tool. Why should you be any different?"
"Because I'm not asking you to be a weapon or a symbol." Algernon met his gaze steadily. "I'm asking you to be a partner. I'm building a peerage—not servants, but allies who share a common goal."
"And what goal is that?"
"To transcend the limitations of this world. To become strong enough that beings like Great Red and Ophis are rivals, not impossibilities." Algernon let his ambition bleed into his voice. "You're trapped, Vali. Trapped by your bloodline, by this world's power structures, by the ceiling that even the strongest beings can't break through."
He took a step forward. "But that ceiling isn't absolute. Not if we're willing to push beyond it together."
Vali studied him for a long moment, those analytical eyes searching for deception. "Bold words from someone I've never heard of. You hide behind a mask, claim grand ambitions, and expect me to just follow along?"
"No. I expect you to test me." Algernon's lips curved into a slight smile beneath the mask. "You live for battle and strength—I know that about you. So here's my offer: fight me. If I'm too weak to be worth your time, you can kill me or let me leave, whatever suits you. But if I prove myself..."
"Then you'll consider my offer seriously."
Interest flickered in Vali's eyes. "You want to fight me? A wielder of Divine Dividing, one of the Longinus sacred gears that can kill gods?"
"Yes."
"You're insane." But Vali was smiling now, a genuine expression that transformed his cold features. "Finally. Someone who doesn't waste my time with politics or manipulation. Fine, masked stranger. Show me if you're worth listening to."
White wings erupted from Vali's back—twelve of them, scaled and magnificent, radiating power that made the air itself feel heavier. The Divine Dividing armor didn't fully manifest yet, but the threat was clear.
Algernon took a breath and released his own power. Crimson-black energy flared around him, compressed and dense from months of refinement. Not as overwhelming as Vali's draconic presence, but focused and controlled.
"One condition," Algernon said. "No Divine Dividing's division ability until I say otherwise. I want to fight you on more even footing first—test our actual combat skills, not just who has the better hax ability."
Vali's grin widened. "Confident. I like it. Fine—no power division, just pure combat. Don't regret this when I'm beating you into the ground."
"We'll see about that."
They moved simultaneously.
The first exchange told Algernon everything he needed to know: Vali was faster, stronger, and more experienced than him.
Vali's opening strike—a simple straight punch—carried enough force to crater the cave wall when Algernon dodged. The follow-up kick would have shattered ribs if it had connected. Only Algernon's compressed energy reinforcement and precognitive analysis of Vali's body language saved him from immediate defeat.
But Algernon had advantages of his own.
His energy manipulation was far more refined than Vali's raw power approach. While Vali relied on overwhelming speed and strength backed by his draconic heritage, Algernon fought with precision and technique.
He created compressed energy spheres mid-combat, using them as both projectiles and proximity mines. He shaped barriers that redirected Vali's strikes rather than trying to block them directly. His movements were economical, wasting no energy, every motion serving multiple purposes.
It wasn't enough to win, but it was enough to survive.
Vali's fist caught Algernon in the ribs—even without the division ability, the force sent him flying into the cave wall. Stone cracked, and pain exploded through his torso.
But Algernon was already moving, using the impact's momentum to spring off the wall and launch a counterattack. His compressed energy sphere caught Vali in the shoulder, the detonation sending him skidding backward.
"You're good," Vali admitted, rolling his shoulder experimentally. "Better than I expected. But this is barely a warm-up for me."
"Then stop holding back," Algernon challenged, ignoring the pain in his ribs. "Show me what you're really capable of."
Vali's eyes gleamed. "Careful what you wish for."
The white dragon's speed increased. Suddenly Algernon wasn't fighting one opponent but what felt like five, Vali's movements creating afterimages that made tracking him nearly impossible.
Algernon switched tactics. Instead of trying to track Vali directly, he flooded the cave with compressed energy spheres—dozens of them, creating a minefield that limited Vali's approach angles.
Vali adapted immediately, using his wings to maneuver through three-dimensional space, finding paths through the energy field that shouldn't have been possible.
But it slowed him down just enough.
Algernon caught him mid-approach with a compressed energy wave that detonated like a flashbang, disrupting Vali's senses for a crucial second. In that opening, Algernon landed his first clean hit—a magic-reinforced strike to Vali's solar plexus that had every ounce of his compressed power behind it.
Vali's feet left the ground, his body crashing through one of his own energy spheres before he caught himself with his wings.
Silence fell over the cave as both fighters assessed each other, breathing hard.
Vali touched his chest where Algernon had struck him, and his grin was absolutely feral. "Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! You actually hurt me!"
Before Algernon could respond, Vali's power surged. The white armor of Divine Dividing began manifesting—not fully, but partial coverage on his arms and chest.
"I think you've earned a real fight," Vali said. "Let's see how you handle this."
'Shit,' Algernon thought, but he kept his expression confident. 'This is where it gets really dangerous.'
The battle's intensity multiplied immediately.
With even partial Balance Breaker, Vali's speed and power increased exponentially. Algernon found himself on the defensive, every exchange costing him energy and focus just to avoid serious injury.
But he'd been preparing for this. He knew Divine Dividing's capabilities, knew what to expect.
The moment Vali's armored hand touched his shoulder, Algernon felt it—his power being divided, siphoned away into Vali's reserves.
[Divide!]
Half his current energy, gone in an instant.
Algernon immediately disengaged, putting distance between them. "So that's the legendary division power."
"Like it?" Vali flexed his fingers. "Every ten seconds, I can halve your power and add it to mine. How long do you think you can last?"
"Longer than you expect."
Algernon shifted his strategy entirely. He couldn't win a direct confrontation anymore—not with his power being divided. But he didn't need to win. He needed to prove himself worthy.
He created dozens of energy constructs—illusions mixed with real attacks, all compressed to maximize their impact while minimizing energy expenditure. He used the cave's terrain, creating rubble barriers and using debris as projectiles.
Most importantly, he made Vali work for every division.
Each time Vali closed in to touch him, Algernon forced him to fight through layers of defense. Each division cost Vali time and position. Each exchange demonstrated Algernon's tactical thinking and combat adaptability.
[Divide!]
Quarter power remaining.
[Divide!]
Eighth power.
Algernon was running on fumes now, his movements sluggish, his energy constructs flickering and unstable. One more division and he'd be completely helpless.
But he'd accomplished what he needed to.
Throughout the entire fight, despite being outclassed in raw power, despite facing a Longinus wielder, despite having his energy systematically stripped away—he'd never stopped fighting. Never given up. Never shown fear.
And more importantly, he'd forced Vali to take him seriously.
The final exchange came when Algernon was at his weakest. Vali closed in for what should have been the finishing touch, hand reaching for another division.
Algernon used the very last of his energy for one final compressed sphere—so dense, so concentrated, that it looked almost black. He detonated it point-blank between them.
The explosion sent both fighters flying in opposite directions.
When the dust settled, Algernon lay on his back, completely exhausted, his energy reserves at absolute zero. Moving was agony. Standing was impossible.
Vali landed more gracefully, his Balance Breaker armor dissipating as he walked over to where Algernon had fallen.
For a moment, Algernon thought he might actually die here. Then Vali started laughing.
"You're insane," Vali said, offering his hand. "Completely, utterly insane. You challenged me knowing you'd lose, just to prove a point."
Algernon took the offered hand, letting Vali pull him up to a sitting position. "Did it work?"
"Yeah." Vali's grin was genuine now, not just battle-hungry but actually impressed. "You're not the strongest opponent I've faced, but you're definitely one of the most interesting. Most people give up the moment they realize they're outmatched. You fought until you literally couldn't move."
He sat down across from Algernon, his silver-blue eyes assessing. "So. Tell me about this peerage of yours. What exactly are you building?"
Algernon took a moment to catch his breath before responding. "A team of the strongest individuals I can find. Not bound by traditional devil hierarchies or political alliances. People who want to transcend their limits and reach heights no one else believes possible."
"And you think I fit that description?"
"I know you do. You're trapped here, hiding from people who want to use you. But with me, you'd have a purpose beyond just survival. A path to become stronger than even the Heavenly Dragons of legend."
Vali was quiet for a moment. "You know what Divine Dividing can do. You know I'm a descendant of the original Lucifer. Yet you're still offering me a place as an equal rather than trying to control me."
"Control is an illusion," Algernon said. "True strength comes from people who choose to fight together, not those forced to serve. I need allies who share my vision, not slaves."
"What about your other peerage member? You said you were building a team."
"One other so far. A Bishop with extraordinary talent in Senjutsu and spatial manipulation. She chose to join me because I offered her freedom and a chance at revenge against those who wronged her."
Vali's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "And what piece would I be?"
Algernon pulled out his case of mutation pieces, opening it to reveal the glowing crimson-black chess pieces. "These are mutated pieces. They enhance natural abilities rather than just granting devil powers. I'd offer you a Rook piece—it would amplify your already ridiculous physical capabilities while maintaining your draconic strength."
"Or," Vali said slowly, "you could give me multiple pawns. Pawns can promote, gain the abilities of other pieces temporarily. For someone like me, that flexibility would be more valuable than pure physical enhancement."
before Algernon could reply, something unexpected happened.
(END OF CHAPTER)
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