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There was no special reason—he simply wasn't going to hand him over, period.
As far as Bokue was concerned, it boiled down to a simple logic:
—[Your subordinate invaded my territory and caused trouble first. I didn't actively seek you out to create issues. You stayed silent when your subordinate stole Holy Swords from the Vatican. You stayed silent when he ran amok. You stayed silent even when I nearly put him six feet under. And now, only when he's finally about to kick the bucket for real—you show up?]
Just what have you been doing all this time?
"Come on~ Can't you just be a bit more flexible?" Azazel scratched his head helplessly, smiling wryly at Bokue's stubborn expression. "I understand you're dissatisfied. But from my perspective, it's also something beyond my control. If not…"
"If not, your grand plan won't continue?" Bokue interjected flatly.
"Huh?"
The Fallen Angel governor stopped mid-sentence.
Bokue continued coldly, "Kokabiel appeared and was swiftly taken down by me within a very short period. Prior to this, he never openly showed himself. Yet your representative was able to arrive here almost immediately. This indicates that you've been closely monitoring your subordinate from start to finish. Given this, it's impossible you were unaware of the theft of the Holy Swords."
"Also, according to Kokabiel's harsh comments about you, you're clearly a conservative among Fallen Angels, opposed to restarting the war. It makes no sense for you to protect an extremist like him."
"Taking these factors into account, I'm very curious about what exactly your plan is. What do you intend to do after you take him back?"
"....."
"Ah…" Azazel felt like he'd been stripped bare. He exchanged a glance with the silver-haired youth beside him, who had already withdrawn from his [Balance Breaker] state, and then chuckled in resignation.
"Well… I didn't expect you to see through it so easily. Fine, fine—I admit it. I've been aware of Kokabiel's scheme from the very beginning. However, I also prepared a backup plan."
"As you correctly guessed, I've indeed been closely monitoring Kokabiel's movements. My original intention was to have Vali apprehend him the moment he revealed himself after stealing the Holy Swords—but unexpectedly, you beat us to it."
"In my original plan, after Vali caught Kokabiel, I intended to use him as leverage in negotiations with Heaven and the Underworld."
"Negotiations?" Bokue raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"Your subordinate stole the Church's Holy Swords and then tried to ignite a new war by killing the younger sister of a Satan. And you still intended to negotiate with the other two factions afterward?"
Was he planning to openly provoke them or just humbly grovel in front of them?
Azazel sighed and shrugged helplessly. "What choice do I have? It was my subordinate's reckless action. As the governor-general, no matter how skilled I am, I can't possibly know every single thought my subordinates have. But since he has already acted, it's my responsibility as his superior for not managing him properly."
"So?"
"So, I want to use this incident as an opportunity to formally establish a peace agreement between Heaven, the Underworld, and the Fallen Angels. After all, according to my intel network, the current leaders of both Heaven and the Devils are moderates. They'll likely accept my proposal more readily now."
"Just that?"
"Just that," Azazel affirmed seriously, his casual demeanor giving way to sincerity.
Bokue scrutinized him silently for a few moments, then abruptly nodded.
"Alright, fair enough. Deal."
With that, he casually tossed the half-dead Kokabiel over to Azazel.
"Huh?"
Azazel blinked, genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected his request to be granted this easily.
Hadn't this kid just firmly refused earlier?
"No need to stare like that," Bokue shrugged lightly. "I'm not some battle-crazed maniac. I just wanted to make sure you weren't planning something bigger by retrieving him. Honestly, if possible, I'd much rather stay at home playing games and spending time with my girlfriends. Who enjoys fighting every single day, anyway?"
Azazel's lip twitched slightly at the boy's remark.
He silently thought to himself that it had taken him countless years to develop such a relaxed mindset as the Governor-General. Yet, this generation's Red Dragon Emperor seemed to have reached that mentality far earlier. Really intriguing…
But then again…
His eyes discreetly glanced at Vali standing quietly by his side.
As expected, the next second, the silver-haired youth slightly raised his head, handsome features brimming with excitement and fighting intent.
"Hey, wait. Don't just end things here. I've been looking for you for quite a while. Why don't we have a fight right now?"
"Huh?" Bokue shot him an unimpressed look.
"What's wrong? Are you not interested? Even if I don't quite get your Sacred Gear's situation, you're still someone capable of easily defeating Kokabiel. You possess strength beyond a Fallen Angel cadre—surely you're not afraid of a fight?"
"Nope, not interested."
Utterly ignoring the challenge, Bokue casually raised his left hand—still glowing green—to flash Vali an internationally recognized 'friendly gesture', expression blank.
"If you want a fight, go find someone else. I'm going home for dinner. No time for you. Besides, don't you have anyone waiting at home for your dinner too?"
"I—"
Vali visibly froze at Bokue's words, momentarily lost for words.
Bokue rolled his eyes dismissively, waving him off, "Next time. It's too late today. Technically, this is overtime for me. I'll play with you if we have a suitable time and place next time."
"Wait—!" Vali clenched his fists, preparing to activate Balance Breaker again—
But the next moment:
BOOM!!!
A horrifying golden spiritual pressure exploded from Bokue's body without warning, a blazing pillar of golden light shooting straight into the sky, lighting up the night and piercing the clouds.
Bokue turned his head slightly, silently gazing at Vali, who was already forced onto one knee by the sudden monstrous spiritual pressure. The crimson dragon-claw-like markings appeared once again on Bokue's forehead, his golden, intricate six-pointed star eyes rotating slowly, exuding overwhelming pressure.
"Ngh!"
Vali grit his teeth, trying to stand, but without even activating Balance Breaker, he couldn't resist such immense spiritual pressure.
Dammit, I underestimated him…!
Yet, a mere blink later, the mountain-like weight vanished completely.
At the same moment, Bokue had already arrived beside Rias and the others, calmly remarking:
"Alright, issue's resolved. Let's go."
"You all go first," Sona pushed up her glasses, calmly assessing the massive crater in the ground.
"Our Student Council must repair the damage inside school grounds before tomorrow morning."
"…Sorry for the trouble."
Bokue reached out, gently grasping Rias's hand. He exchanged a meaningful glance with her bright crimson eyes.
"Shall we?"
"We…" Rias initially considered staying to help—but when she saw the scornful look hidden behind Sona's glasses, disgustingly mocking the 'lovey-dovey couple stench,' she decisively chose to flee the scene.
"…Yes, let's go."
Meanwhile, as Bokue's group disappeared, Vali stood back up slowly.
"You okay?" Azazel teased lightly.
Vali merely stared at the dust now staining his trousers from his forced kneel, unexpectedly breaking into a broad smile.
"Interesting. Truly interesting, Albion. It seems my destined rival isn't weak at all. With this, I won't be bored for quite a long while. Hahaha!"
❁❁❁❁
Scene Shift.
After seeing Rias, Akeno, and the others safely back to the Occult Research Club building, Bokue finally headed home for dinner.
As he walked leisurely beneath the shadowy trees outside the old school building, the green glow on his left hand flared softly again, Ddraig's voice drifting out:
"Speaking of which, I still can't remember clearly…just what happened ten years ago?"
Bokue glanced down: "Huh? Oh, you're still awake? Well, that story is kinda complicated. Let's discuss it in detail another time."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Means see you later."
"Wait—you're not planning to—?!"
Ddraig's voice faltered, panic creeping in.
Bokue sighed: "Didn't I tell you already? I'm going home for dinner."
"So…?"
"So you're interested in tonight's dinner menu at my house?"
"Honestly, not at all…"
"Then why are you asking about people's private life?"
With that, Bokue's Golden Spiritual Pressure flickered faintly, instantly sealing Ddraig back into silence.
And when he finally raised his head again, a familiar figure stood quietly ahead.
For some reason, Irina was alone. Hands hidden behind her back, she slightly averted her gaze. Fading sunset rays cast warm shadows across her delicate features, hiding her true emotions.
"Um…Bokue? Do you have a minute to talk?"
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