Like a railgun shot from the heavens, Vali was fully enveloped in the radiance of magical power.
This was what set Vitan apart from other magicians.
Ordinary magicians could only operate within a single archive, studying different themes and applying them in combat through switching and interlinking.
But Vitan, who possessed a true Demon King Core, could perfectly integrate and fuse the powers of all seven archives.
The compatibility between archives wasn't as simple as 1 + 1.
Rather, it formed exponential changes like 1 × 2, 2 × 4.
That was why, even though Vitan was only at the level of an Ultimate-class devil, by combining the archives of "Lust," "Sloth," and "Gluttony," he could temporarily attain a Maou-level attack power.
However, this level of power could not be maintained for long.
"Hah! Now this is satisfying!"
The exuberant laughter continued to ring out, making Vitan frown as every nerve in his body tensed.
"Now that's more like it!
——Balance Breaker!"
With that wild and exhilarated shout—
A white figure suddenly soared into the air like a cannonball.
An overwhelming magical power far surpassing that of the highest-level devils surged out from his body. The light wings unfolding behind him also emitted a powerful magical fluctuation.
In the next instant—
Pieces of pure white armor appeared on his body one by one, like an innate spiritual equipment, gradually covering him entirely, perfectly protecting him in a full suit of white armor.
"This feeling of being filled with magic... now taste your own power used against you."
With his entire body once again clad in white armor, Vali flapped the light wings on his back and instantly shot down from the sky, swinging his armored fist straight toward Vitan's face.
The White Dragon Emperor's powers of halving and absorption are not without limits.
To put it simply, Vali's body is like a kettle. Transforming into the White Dragon Emperor only increases the kettle's capacity—it doesn't allow him to overfill it.
And Vali's current capacity is only limited to the level of a Maou.
Vitan's earlier strike, strong enough to severely wound a Maou, had already filled Vali's internal "kettle" to the brim.
A piercing sound tore through the air as a powerful gust of wind swept in.
Two ultra-titanium alloy sabers appeared out of nowhere in Vitan's hands, and at the same time, the '卍' symbol on his chest burst out with an indigo glow.
Magic was converted into the purest form of physical strength, and that strength was continuously infused into his arms.
Clang—!
The sound was the crisp clash of metal.
A shower of sparks scattered across the green plains. A blade met a fist.
The two remained locked in a deadlock.
Yes, a deadlock.
Using his "True Word Technique," Vitan had previously grappled with Sairaorg, the Underworld's King of Strength. Now, when facing Vali in pure physical confrontation, both were surprisingly evenly matched.
"I didn't expect that, even with two ultra-titanium blades between us, you're still managing to drain the power from my body."
"—Divide!"
The mechanical voice echoed continuously from the light wings behind the white armor encasing Vali.
The fact that the White Dragon Emperor could also steal power wasn't a secret to Vitan, which was why he hadn't rushed in barehanded.
Instead, he chose to use alchemy to forge two ultra-titanium blades from magic and engage in close combat.
"I'm surprised too. I didn't think you'd be this strong, especially after I've already drained so much of your power."
Vali's fighting spirit only grew fiercer. The light wings on his back began to release excess energy he couldn't contain as glowing particles.
This balance of give and take...
Even though Vali had started out weaker than Vitan, the fact that he was gradually pushing back Vitan's blades now proved that the tide was turning in his favor.
"Looks like you're enjoying using my power quite a lot."
Vitan's expression turned grim. For the first time since arriving in this world, aside from facing Grayfia, he was tasting defeat at someone else's hands.
He couldn't overpower Vali with brute force. No matter how many tricks he had, at best he could only ensure his own survival.
"This has indeed been an exhilarating fight. But unfortunately for you, your bargaining plans are probably going up in smoke."
Turning the absorbed power back into his own, Vali pressed forward, pushing his fists against Vitan.
The back edges of the sabers Vitan had created were nearly pressing into his own chest.
In that moment, a tremendous surge of magic erupted from Vitan's entire body.
He ignited an incredible fury.
At the center of that fury, flames began to spiral.
This was the demonic blaze capable of burning all things.
This was the infernal flame that devoured everything and fed itself.
Legend had it that among the original Four Great Satans of the Underworld, the Satan Asmodeus, besides his innate power over lust, also wielded the most offensively powerful flame of destruction in all the Underworld.
These pitch-black flames were the very color of hell.
Under this flame, whether it be magic, divine power, senjutsu, demonic energy, or even inorganic materials like stone and earth—nothing could escape its burn.
Once ignited, it was absolutely inextinguishable.
(T/N: Amaterasu type of shii.)
As long as the opponent's magic did not exceed Vitan's, the flames would never stop burning until the enemy was reduced to ash.
This was the flame Sairaorg had once wished to see with his own eyes.
This was the power of fire that had not been inherited since the original Asmodeus died in battle against the God of the Bible.
The black flames raged around them, devouring the plains, scorching the air, forming a flaming tornado with Vitan and Vali at its eye.
"So this is the legendary flame of destruction, huh? But doing this—are you planning on taking me down with you?"
Even in this moment, Vali showed no fear. His expression was as calm as ever as he watched the narrowing ring of flame around them.
The ground burned continuously beneath them, revealing magma-like crimson beneath the surface.
The rising heat soaked Vali's body in sweat even within his armor.
The pitch-black flame seemed to have a life of its own. With an automatic tracking instinct, it avoided the spot where Vitan stood and began climbing from Vali's feet upward, scorching him.
"My attacks never reflect back onto me."