With a power that was comparable to Sirzech and Ajuka...
Then, with a sharp mind that was comparable to Zekram Bael, the initiator and the leader of the Anti-Satan Faction during the Devil Civil War, and the de-facto leader of the Devils after the death of the original Four Great Satans...
Azazel could only lament why the devil was so lucky.
They had so many strong individuals born, and each of them could affect the balance of the world.
Yet, Azazel also knew that if this continued, there was no doubt that the fallen angel's demise was just in front of his eyes.
However, in his current situation, what could he possibly do?
After all, under the pressure generated by Sirzech and Riser, there was no third person that could possibly enter.
Still, Azazel knew that everything depended on Sirzech; depending on Sirzech's answer, what he needed to do would be different.
Nevertheless, it was Sirzech's first time under so much pressure, unlike the time when he fought in the Devil Civil War. Even if his opponents were strong, he could erase their existence with the power of destruction.
Yet, could Sirzech do that with Riser? No.
Sirzech could see how strong Riser had become, and if he really did so, he knew that he wouldn't be able to bear the consequences, especially when there was no doubt his action was wrong.
Between Vali and Riser.
In the eyes of the devil, who should they help?
The answer was obvious, right?
Yet why did Sirzech save Vali?
However, as Sirzech had lived so many years, he still had the demeanor of a politician.
"Riser, you don't understand. You should see the big picture. We, the devil, aren't like before. We can't bear the consequences of the war. If war happens, then many of our kin will die, or do you want to see them dying so much due to your revenge?
"I know that his words might have hurt you, but please bear with it."
Sirzech's voice was filled with sadness and helplessness. "This is for the future of the devil. Moreover, I will make sure that the host of the Divine Dividing won't do anything to you." He then looked at Azazel, who was still on the ground, and asked, "Is that right, Azazel?"
"Of course!" Azazel quickly followed. "I won't let Vali do whatever he wants. If he does something that will hurt you, then I will kill him with my hands immediately!"
Azazel was also ruthless.
After all, even if he thought of Vali as his stepson, he had enough of Vali's stupidity, who thought that he could rule the world.
If Vali was really strong enough to kill everything and dominate the world, then Azazel might not say anything and support his action, but Vali was too weak to do that.
Moreover, Azazel would be lying if he didn't have a grudge toward Vali, especially when Vali had killed his comrade Kokabiel.
Kokabiel might be a criminal, and it wouldn't be weird of him to be killed.
Yet... yet... Kokabiel was his dear comrade who had fought so long together.
Even if that guy was a bastard, Azazel still thought of him as a friend and wished to put him in prison instead of killing him.
Nevertheless, it was impossible for Azazel to throw Vali away since, as Riser had said before, the Grigori had grown so weak that they needed to rely on many Sacred Gear users and mated with the human or the other races to increase their number.
Yet, wasn't it normal?
God had died, and it was impossible for the number of angels to increase further, so the leaders of the angels definitely would forbid and stop the angel from becoming the fallen angel as it would cause the number of the fallen angels to decimate even further.
"Now, you understand, right, Riser-kun? This is for everyone's sake. We can't bear the consequences of war, or do you want to see everyone dying so much for you?"
"...."
Serafall frowned at Sirzech, clenching her fists, but she didn't say anything since, as Sirzech had said, their race couldn't bear the consequences of having a war.
Yet, watching her little brother-in-law, the existence of a man who had made her interested to be belittled like this, how could she bear it?
However, what could she possibly do?
Others were also quickly affected by Sirzech's words.
With their limited minds, they thought that Sirzech was someone who cared about them and no one wished to have a war, especially when they knew they might die and their family might also be involved.
No one liked the war, after all.
Even if they were a devil, a being that was known for being malevolent in the eyes of others, they weren't much different from others. They knew what it meant to love and care about others. They knew what their family was like, and they also wished for peace.
At this moment, if Riser really forced himself to kill Vali, he would become a sinner in the eyes of others. He would become the target of hatred of every devil as he was the one who initiated this war.
There was no doubt the tide was slowly moving into Sirzech.
Once again, Sirzech became the wise and gentle leader in the eyes of everyone.
Watching this, Azazel could only shake his head and thought even though the devils were fortunate to have a lot of talented and powerful beings, their races were often fighting each other, which was something that he was glad for.
Yet, at the same time, Azazel had a feeling that there was no way for Riser to swallow all of this.
Even though Azazel knew that his life might be in danger, he still wanted to know how Riser was going to react.
Yet—
Riser wanted to vomit, and at the same time, he disdained Sirzech even more.
Was this Sizech's only means of defeating him?
Riser wanted to yawn, and at the same time, he knew that there was no need for him to hold back anymore. He knew that Sirzech came with a bad intention and wanted to screw him.
If it was before, Riser would endure it, but after so many troubles that he encountered, there was no way for him to endure all of this.
Moreover, the increase in his power, especially due to the "Crisis," greatly boosted his confidence.
There was no need for him to be polite anymore.
It was a time to tear each other's faces.
There was no need for him to hold back anymore.
"I see..."
His voice was low, yet it was heard by everyone.
Once again, Sirzech felt a sense of dread, but under this situation, he believed that there was no way for Riser to do anything but—
"Sirzech Lucifer-sama... No, Sirzech Lucifer, this might be the last time I have shown respect toward you."
Riser's expression was that of a sincere yet also sadness. "As a devil, there is no doubt that I respect you. I adore you like any other devil, but the greater my expectation is, the greater my disappointment is."
"...what do you mean, Riser-kun?"
Even if Sirzech had a good temper, being called impotently by a young generation like Riser in front of everyone, there was no way for him to be able to maintain his calmness.
Being Maou Lucifer, Sirzech had gotten used to being respected by everyone.
No, everyone should respect him since it was the meaning of being in this position.
Yet, Riser said that he was no longer going to give him respect; what did it mean?
"You wish for the peace of all the devils; what an incredible dream, yet your way makes me dread.
"By letting the secret weapon of the Grigori, the White Dragon Warrior, and currying favor to the fallen angel, you wish to have peace.
"Then, next time, you will sacrifice my life so you can gain peace.
"Then, what about next time? Are you going to sacrifice the Phenex House? Are you going to sacrifice the other Maou? The Great King Faction? If that's not enough, will you also sacrifice your family for so-called peace with the fallen angel, angel, and other pantheons?
"If they ask you to do it, will you comply with their wish like a puppy?
"Maybe you will sacrifice everyone's life here so they will shut their mouths and clean up your reputation?"
Riser looked at everyone with a meaningful smile, causing everyone to feel dread in their hearts.
That's right!
For the so-called peace, Sirzech might do what Riser had said.
If Riser, whose status was above theirs, could be abandoned by Sirzech and made into a piece on the board of chess that could be toppled down anytime, what about them?
There was no doubt that they could be thrown away like trash.
Their hearts filled with chillness as they were tense as if ready to fight anytime.
'Oh, no.'
Azazel was frightened by the terror that came from Riser's decisiveness and ingenuity.
All the tides that had been built by Sirzech crumbled like a quicksand.
It was impossible to stop it, and with few words, Riser had won the hearts of everyone.
"Sirzech Lucifer, I won't let you do that! We, the devil, are strong! We don't need to rely on others to gain peace! We don't need to sacrifice the others and the favor of the other races to gain peace!
"I, Riser Phenex, will use my life to stop you from doing such an atrocity!"
At that moment, Riser was like a ray of hope.
The sun that was blazing and the one that could lead all of them.
"RISEEERRRR!"
Watching Sirzech cry an incompetent roar, Riser felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart.
The feeling of trampling those who thought that they were better than you...
The feeling of winning against those who thought they were above you...
The feeling of making your opponent could only cry an incompetent roar; Riser was afraid that he might become the villain that the system wished to be.
Yet, it couldn't be helped, right?
After all, being a villain was so much fun~!
---
Tomorrow will be the last, and this charade will end.