Chapter 60

Disclaimer : 

The characters, scenarios, locations, and images used in this fanfic are the property of their respective creators and/or rights holders. This fanfic is a non-profit work created solely for entertainment purposes, with no intention of infringing any copyright.

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— Dimensional Gap.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Training Field —

While Le Fay and Natsumi conversed about various topics (though, for the most part, it was Natsumi giving her advice on magic), Arthur silently observed the training field, maintaining his stoic posture as he analyzed every detail of the environment.

…

"So, they came looking for training… or rather, for a beating. Why else would they be here? After all, when I beat up this little dragon, he couldn't even land a clean hit on me. But oh well… I have no intention of abusing the weak."

His gaze settled on Vali, who stood before him with an expression of wounded pride, and on Bikou, who rested atop a flying cloud with a staff on his shoulder, watching the scene with his usual carefree smile.

For a moment, Aiden wondered if that staff was the [Ruyi Jingu Bang], the legendary weapon of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King.

Considering that Bikou was his direct descendant… or something like that, the possibility wasn't far-fetched.

Vali frowned, feeling irritation build up inside him.

But he couldn't deny the truth.

He was weak compared to Aiden.

In their last battle, he had used everything he had, activating his [Balance Breaker] and unleashing all his power.

And yet, Aiden had overwhelmed him with ease, using only magic and a sword enveloped in [Touki].

He didn't even break a sweat.

And although Vali hadn't used [Juggernaut Drive], he had the suspicion that even with it, the result wouldn't have changed.

The spell Aiden had used to finish the fight had the potential to annihilate him in a single blow… and who knew how many more tricks he had up his sleeve.

Uncertainty was a feeling Vali wasn't used to experiencing.

"Well? Why did you bring us to your secret base?"

Vali asked in an indifferent tone, glancing around with an air of feigned nonchalance.

However, deep down, he couldn't help but feel slightly impressed by the place.

"I don't think you're so interested in giving us a sightseeing tour," he added with a faintly ironic smile.

"And even more so considering you brought us to what looks like a training field," Bikou commented with a mocking grin, resting his staff on his shoulder while watching Aiden's expression with interest.

Vali nodded in agreement.

"Well, you see… I'm not planning to fight."

Aiden smiled calmly, raising his hands as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

Then, with a gentle push, he nudged Kaguya, who was on his left, and Tohka, who was on his right, forward.

"My dear wives will be the ones to kick your asses… after all, they were bored."

Aiden said it with a somewhat awkward expression.

After all, they had suddenly joined him, complaining that they had nothing to do.

Kaguya flashed a confident smile, crossing her arms with an air of superiority as the wind gently stirred her long orange hair.

"Don't worry too much, White Dragon Emperor of this generation."

Her voice carried a natural elegance, each word imbued with absolute confidence.

"I don't plan to crush you immediately… but I do hope you can at least entertain this majestic queen."

The confidence in her tone wasn't empty arrogance.

It was the certainty of someone who knew exactly what they were capable of.

"…"

Vali stared at Aiden.

"…"

Aiden said nothing, merely smiling naturally.

But deep down, he knew exactly what Vali was thinking.

Surely, the White Dragon was convinced that all of this was a joke.

"Vali… I don't think it's a good idea to underestimate this young lady."

Bikou, standing beside him, spoke in a more serious tone than usual, his mocking smile disappearing for a moment.

"My senjutsu is warning me to be extremely careful…"

His eyes narrowed, and his body tensed slightly as he analyzed Kaguya's energy.

"It feels like I'm standing in front of that Monkey."

It was a sensation he had never experienced with anyone other than his legendary ancestor.

As if he were standing before a god…

Or at least, before something that wasn't below one.

Her energy level was absurd, probably superior to Sun Wukong at his peak.

Although Bikou didn't know who would win in a direct confrontation, the mere possibility that she could match him unsettled him.

Then, his gaze shifted from Kaguya to Tohka…

And his eyes widened.

"She is stronger…"

Bikou whispered, his tone reflecting pure incredulity.

Where the hell had these monsters come from?

This couldn't be a joke.

Two beings at the level of (or even stronger than) a high-ranking God… it was unheard of.

Strange.

Did individuals like this exist, unknown to the world?

Yet there they were, right in front of him, defying all logic, as if their very existence shattered the established power hierarchy.

"At the same level as Sun Wukong, the Monkey King…? This is getting interesting."

A slow smile appeared on Vali's face—a mix of pure excitement and anticipated adrenaline.

As long as his opponent was strong and the fight allowed him to grow even more powerful, he cared little if the situation bordered on the absurd.

In fact, the more absurd, the better.

"I, the descendant of the true Lucifer, couldn't be more thrilled."

"Pffft, you sound like a complete lunatic."

Kaguya laughed in amusement, arms crossed and a mocking expression on her face.

"Look who's talking!"

Vali retorted with a raised eyebrow, wondering why the hell he had blurted out something so ridiculous without realizing it.

"Yeah, Vali, stop saying weird stuff… you're giving me goosebumps."

Bikou joked with his usual carefree smile as he took a slight step back, though deep down, he was already mentally preparing himself.

He knew he had to train with Tohka, and at least she was strong enough to go all out, push his limits, and grow stronger.

Which was perfect.

Because if there was one thing his lineage loved, it was fighting opponents who forced them to evolve.

"Damn monkey… Hmph!"

Vali clicked his tongue in annoyance, ignoring Bikou's sarcasm.

Without wasting any more time, he walked away, a mix of irritation and excitement shining in his eyes.

Fighting someone like that always motivated him.

Aiden, Kaguya, and Tohka watched them walk off in different directions until Aiden spoke in a casual tone:

"Just… don't break them too much."

He sighed and gave an ironic smile before adding with a hint of resignation:

"Bah, whatever… in the end, I know you'll do whatever you want anyway."

"Hmph! If Lucifer isn't strong enough, this queen won't have to resort to the spear that breaks worlds. A simple hand-to-hand fight will be more than enough."

Kaguya declared with her usual arrogance, raising her chin with a regal air.

But then, with a thoughtful look, she added indifferently:

"But if he manages to impress me even a little… maybe, just maybe, I'll allow him to glimpse a fraction of my true power."

It was a promise, a challenge, and at the same time, a taunt.

Because, from her perspective, it was unlikely that Vali could even force her to show her true strength.

"Anyway, I'm off."

Just as she tried to leave, Aiden gently took her hand, stopping her.

The difference in temperature between his fingers and hers made her shiver for an instant.

"Is my lovely queen leaving without giving me a goodbye kiss?"

He asked with a playful smile, his eyes shining with a mischievous glint.

Kaguya blinked, her face instantly turning red.

"N-Not here! There are people watching, you fool! That kind of thing is only done in private chambers!"

She exclaimed, her face burning as she averted her gaze in clear embarrassment.

"I see… what a tragedy…"

Aiden sighed dramatically before turning away with exaggerated movements.

"Tohka, I need comfort!"

Without hesitation, he threw himself into Tohka's arms, who, with an indulgent smile, simply patted his head gently, as if he were a spoiled child.

"Hmm~ hmm~ no problem. If Kaguya doesn't want you, I can comfort you as much as you want."

Tohka said with a radiant smile, shooting Kaguya a challenging look, as if enjoying provoking her.

"Grrr…!"

Kaguya growled, feeling a sharp sting of irritation rising in her chest.

Before she could think twice, she suddenly approached, cupped Aiden's face in her hands, and gently pulled his cheeks while scolding him.

"Bad Aiden, bad!"

However, just when it seemed like she was about to continue reprimanding him, her face turned even redder than before.

With a frustrated pout, she leaned in and planted a kiss on his lips before immediately pulling away, flying off in Vali's direction without daring to look at him again.

Aiden just chuckled in amusement, gave Tohka a kiss on the lips, and left the training field with his hands in his pockets, still smiling.

…

/Boom! Flash!/

As soon as Aiden left the training field, Vali immediately entered his [Balance Breaker] mode.

His white armor shone with a blinding intensity, projecting a divine radiance as his crystalline blue wings unfolded majestically, emitting a faint hum of pure energy.

He didn't waste a single second.

In the blink of an eye, he was already charging at Kaguya, eager to test his power.

However, Kaguya completely dominated him in their first exchanges.

It was overwhelming.

Now, both were streaks of light intertwining in a fierce dance of destruction, clashing in the sky with deafening impacts and sometimes crashing into the ground with such force that enormous craters emerged wherever they passed, tearing the terrain apart as if it were fragile paper.

"[Divide]!"

Albion's voice constantly resonated from [Divine Dividing], splitting Kaguya's power over and over again…

But she barely seemed to care.

She didn't even bother using [Raphael] or equipping her [Astral Dress], which exponentially increased her power and overall defense.

She didn't need it.

Kaguya relied solely on her raw physical strength, channeling her Ki with impeccable precision to enhance her punches and kicks, while her Reiryoku kept her floating with a defiant grace, as if gravity itself had no hold over her.

Suddenly, a mischievous smile crossed her face.

"Kazamachi Super Kick!"

Without warning, she appeared above Vali in an instant, her speed leaving behind a residual echo of energy.

With a dramatic spin, she used the momentum and delivered a devastating kick directly to his stomach.

The air vibrated with an overwhelming pressure.

/Boom!/

The impact was as if a giant hammer of pure energy had struck him.

The Ki pierced through his armor effortlessly, striking his body directly with monstrous force.

His [Balance Breaker] shattered instantly, unable to withstand Kaguya's brutal power.

Vali was sent plummeting toward the ground at terrifying speed, his figure turning into a silver blur as the friction burned the air around him.

But before hitting the ground, he twisted in the air with mastery, stabilizing his body at the last second and floating once again.

He placed a hand on his abdomen, feeling a faint burning sensation even through the regenerative armor.

He murmured to himself with a mix of disbelief and frustration:

"What kind of ridiculous strength does this lunatic have…?"

As his armor rapidly reconstructed itself, a sphere of demonic power began to form in his hands.

It wasn't ordinary magic.

It was pure draconic power.

In a matter of seconds, the compressed energy in his palms split into hundreds of projectiles, vibrating with imminent lethality.

Albion's voice resonated in his mind with its usual mix of skepticism and resignation:

'[Hmph. At first, I thought Aiden was a peculiar case, but it seems he has gathered a house full of equally extravagant… and powerful individuals. Even she is just playing with you. Honestly, I don't understand where these characters come from.]'

Vali couldn't agree more.

But that only made the irritation invade him even further.

It was humiliating.

That lunatic wasn't even taking the fight seriously, treating him like a mere punching bag.

He wasn't going to allow it.

"[Dragon Bullets]!"

With a sharp movement of his hands, he launched the hundreds of projectiles at Kaguya.

The spheres of draconic power tore through the air like lethal meteors, illuminating the sky with trails of pure energy, advancing with a deafening roar.

However, instead of dodging, Kaguya simply stopped midair as if the projectiles were nothing more than harmless toys.

With a confident and mocking expression, she assumed a martial arts stance as ostentatious as it was unnecessary, extending her hands with exaggerated theatricality.

"Hmph! These insignificant projectiles are nothing to me… But running from something so weak would be an unforgivable disgrace. Therefore…"

/Flash!/

Her confident smile shone intensely.

Her hands became a blur.

With precise and elegant movements, she deflected each projectile with insulting ease, as if she were performing a show rather than engaging in a real battle.

Each strike of her palms caused a deflected bullet to explode in the air, dissolving into bursts of light.

/Boom!/

The explosions echoed one after another, raising a rain of debris and shaking the training field.

But amidst the chaos and destruction…

Kaguya only smiled.

"Tch!" Vali clicked his tongue in irritation, but inside his armor, a sharp smile formed on his face, silently enjoying the thrill of combat.

Albion, sensing his wielder's burning fighting spirit, smiled silently.

Vali was evolving, growing stronger with every second.

He couldn't help but wonder… how powerful would the wielder of his eternal rival, Ddraig, be?

If only I knew…

…

"Hmm… Are you sure it's okay to let Kaguya, with all her nonsense, shatter the pride of this boy Lucifer…?" Natsumi commented, comfortably seated on Aiden's lap as she watched the fight between Vali and Kaguya.

The group was gathered around an elegant tea table that Aiden had taken out from the [Gate of Babylon].

"I-It's fine, hahaha… I think?" Le Fay responded with a nervous giggle, sitting to Aiden's right.

"Vali-sama is surely irritated because his pride has been torn to pieces, but… knowing him, I bet deep down, he's also enjoying it."

"This can also be a valuable lesson for him. If he learns to control his pride, he'll stop acting so impulsively, which would undoubtedly be an improvement… After all, his obsession with seeking fights could one day cost him his life," Arthur commented with his usual calmness, watching the scene with serenity.

However, inside, he was speechless.

He never imagined seeing Vali lose to Kaguya.

It wasn't that he had anything against her; he had simply always believed that Vali was extremely powerful.

Seeing him get kicked around by Aiden during training in the Underworld had already been shocking, but now, witnessing how Kaguya dominated him with total ease—and was only playing—made him question the reality of the world.

"Yes… If he keeps challenging anyone and one day faces someone who won't tolerate his antics, he could end up dead… Though, well, there are few beings who could defeat him if he uses his trump card: the [Juggernaut Drive]," Aiden commented distractedly as his gaze shifted to another battle.

Tohka was giving Bikou a beating.

Bikou wielded his staff, capable of growing in size and length, combining it with Youjutsu, Senjutsu, and [Touki] as he exchanged blows with Tohka.

He was an excellent martial artist.

Moreover, his flying cloud allowed him to manipulate lightning, but in the end… Tohka wasn't Aiden's second strongest bride for nothing.

With pure Ki control, she was completely dominating him.

She didn't even need to resort to her [Astral Dress] or her [Angel], but at least… Tohka was having fun.

…

Some time passed as everyone continued watching the fights, until suddenly, their expressions changed upon hearing an unexpected sound.

Or rather… a chant.

The chant came from Vali, who, covered in bruises, began reciting the words that activated his transformation.

Aiden frowned, annoyed. If Vali entered that mode, he would lose control, and in a simple training session, that was a problem.

The "killing intent" he would emanate wasn't suitable for a friendly match.

"That brainless fool…" Aiden muttered in exasperation.

"Vali is a complete idiot…" Arthur agreed calmly.

"Vali-sama is a fool… Why is he doing this? Does he really have to exaggerate so much…?" Le Fay murmured, furrowing her brow, her gaze filled with concern as she watched Aiden.

"Hoh~ so that's the famous [Juggernaut Drive], huh. What a hassle… Not only is he an idiot, but he's also about to lose control against my sister. Well, it's not like he had any chance of winning anyway, but still… it irritates me," Natsumi commented calmly, playing with a strand of her hair as she watched Aiden, who was already communicating mentally with Kaguya.

"Aiden-sama… Vali-sama didn't do it with bad intentions…" Le Fay began to say, trying to defend him, but she immediately stopped when Aiden silenced her with a simple gesture.

"There's no need, Le Fay-chan… I know perfectly well that he's an idiot. And precisely because I know, I'm not going to kill him or anything… But this will serve as a lesson. He'll just end up very, VERY beaten, that's all."

"….." Le Fay didn't know how to respond to that.

"Vali is a complete idiot…" Arthur sighed, bringing a hand to his face with evident resignation.

However, he felt relieved knowing that Vali wasn't going to die.

He himself doubted he could defeat Aiden, not even with his [Caliburn].

…

"Hoh~ his power keeps increasing… Is he planning to force me to unsheathe the lance that breaks worlds?" Kaguya murmured with a confident smile, watching Vali with interest as he continued his chant.

"I, the one who shall awaken…"

"I am the Heavenly Dragon who stole the principles of God's supremacy…"

"I envy the 'infinite' and pursue the 'dream'…"

"I shall become the White Dragon of supremacy."

The air vibrated with an electrifying intensity.

Floating in the air with her arms crossed, Kaguya watched him patiently and with a certain amusement, enjoying the spectacle as her opponent underwent the transformation process.

It was a fascinating scene.

Little by little, Vali's body began to change shape.

His silver armor took on a more organic texture, as if it were fusing with his very being rather than just being an external piece of equipment.

His arms lengthened and thickened, adopting the musculature and form of a dragon, with sharp claws strong enough to tear through space itself.

The same happened with the rest of his body.

Each transformation, each change, was accompanied by an overwhelming increase in his magical pressure.

Kaguya felt the fluctuation of energy and narrowed her eyes slightly, analyzing it with interest… until Aiden's voice echoed in her mind.

"Kaguya, Vali is using something that will make him partially lose control. You may sense his 'killing intent,' but it doesn't come from him—it comes from the past wielders of [Divine Dividing]. Don't kill him… He's an idiot. He probably just got carried away by the excitement."

Kaguya blinked once, processing the information, before letting out a sigh that was somewhere between amused and resigned.

"So… does that mean I can leave him on the brink of death?"

Her voice sounded carefree, but her mischievous smile made it clear that deep down, she was delighted with the idea.

As she spoke, she stretched with absolute calm, as if she were about to warm up rather than face a draconic abomination.

"…"

"Sure," Aiden replied without hesitation.

"Okay."

Kaguya lowered her arms and tilted her head, looking at Vali with the excitement of a predator that had just found a new toy.

"I'll take you to the farthest limits of innocence!"

Vali's roar echoed across the battlefield as his transformation reached its climax.

"¡[Juggernaut-Drive]!"

In an instant, his aura exploded into a whirlwind of overflowing power.

Shockwaves shook the sky and earth, tearing chunks from the training field and generating a suffocating pressure around him.

His silhouette no longer belonged to a human.

Now, he was a dragon.

The White Dragon of Supremacy.

But Kaguya was unfazed.

On the contrary.

She grinned even wider, as if the scene before her was the most fun she had seen in a long time.

Her muscles tensed slightly, preparing to attack.

And then, with absolute confidence, she declared in a playful voice:

"Alright, I just need to chain a combo of a thousand hits… Let's see if you can handle it."

…

..

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A/N:

I like Kaguya so much that, for no valid reason, I made her beat up Lucifer Junior.

Here are some images:

[Image]

As always, thank you for reading my fanfic.

It really means a lot to me.

I love you, dear reader.

Peace out.

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