52 Seventh Rank (1/2)

Inside the barrier, two heavenly dragons could be seen were fighting fiercely on midair. Blasts of wind and impacts continuously spread from them as punches and kicks packed with force flashed, quickly interchanging between Vali and Rafi. At one point, several minutes after they started fighting, both of them exchanged a particularly strong blows and ended up separating for a moment, distancing themselves for a breather.

”You are quite entertaining, Vali. Unfortunately, this is your current limit.” Rafi said serenely as he looked at Vali who reverted back to his Balance Breaker form.

”...huft, huft, to think you could use Juggernaut Drive like that! How can you don't get the repercussion after using it so long!?” Both of them were still on midair as they looked at their opponents tightly. Though, Vali's gaze were mixed with shock and disbelief as he stared at Rafi with unresigned feeling. When he thought back to their previous battle, it could only be described as one-sided battle, with him being under Rafi's control at every moves. Their disparities were too large, as every his moves were countered and nullified. No matter if it were his magics, Divide or Half Dimension abilities, they couldn't properly showed their effects on Rafi, as Rafi countered them all with his nearly inexhaustible energy and various repertoire of skills. Added with Rafi's vigorous vitality as an Ōtsutsuki and his curse of immortality due to his recently gained True Progenitor bloodline, his defensive and self-healing prowess could only be described as otherworldly, which made Vali was more frustated when he saw his attacks barely injured Rafi.

”That is our difference, Vali. Though, if I may say, our disparity is more than that. Train harder, Vali, or else you can't achieve your goal of killing that 'man'.” When Rafi said so, he suddenly appeared in front of an exhausted Vali and struck him heavily, thus sending him on the ground with a thunderous rumble. After he did so, he looked at another battlefield where his clone fought Bikou and Kuroka, only to find both of them were laying weakly on the ground while they were tied with Wood Dragon Technique.

”Then, how about we start the real fight now, Ophis?” Rafi looked at Ophis with serious expression as he readied himself for another fight, and summoned Gungnir to his grip tightly.

Although he already powered up crazily previously, but facing an existence like Ophis, he couldn't show any negligence. It was because he understood that Ophis itself was an incarnation of limitless energy. As long as there was void, space or the world, any losses of Ophis's energy would be restored, including if she had any injuries. It was because she was an incarnation of the concept of infinity that was born from void of the world. Although Rafi could also absorb surrounding energy to replenish himself due to his cultivation manual, the fight between Rafi and Ophis could only be said as a contest of will and control, as it was hard to decide the victor if they kept restoring themselves unlimitedly.

”No need. It is meaningless. Let us meet again,... later.” Ophis smiled lightly as she looked at Rafi with clear eyes. As she did so, she suddenly disappeared and bringing the unconscious Vali, Kuroka and Bikou with her, while leaving a puzzled Rafi who was still ready for a fight. Several seconds later, after ascertaining that Ophis was not around, Rafi undid his Juggernaut Drive as he then looked wryly at the destroyed terrain around him.

”Well, guess this is also my fault for not holding back eh. But still, why the heck Ophis coming here suddenly for?? Ah, and I still have to deal with them after this! Fortunately, Ophis has just decided not to fight, or else it will be just another time-consuming battle. What a pain...” Rafi sighed slightly as he cleaned the aftermath of battle, and then removed the barrier which was surrounding the area. After doing so, he was going to went to the place of Loki and Fenrir, to deal with them as he planned before, when he felt several presences approached his place.

In his previous plan, he should only kept an eye on Koneko and Kuroka's dispute as he watched the fun from behind the scene, before he went to deal with Loki. Because, he already matched the place and time of Loki's sealing to his invitations previously, as he wanted to make an example of Loki to other stubborn Gods. Though, who would guessed that a big shot like Ophis would appear on the scene of Kuroka and Koneko's dispute, and thus forcing him to come out of his hiding place. If he didn't come out, he believed that Vali would just captured Koneko and co., and invited him out to save them. Rather than being passive in initiative, Rafi decided to just sent Koneko and co. away from battle, as he dealt with Ophis and Vali. Although, it made his plan on Loki being delayed for a moment due to his fight with Vali and his team. Sighing a bit, he left a clone in his place, as he flashed to Loki and Fenrir's sealing place. Then, after he seamlessly left the clone to deal with the newcomers, he appeared on the due place, only to be dumbfounded as there were only a sealed Loki and Fenrir, while no other Gods could be seen on the scene beside Sun Wukong and Yu-Long.

Meanwhile, his clone was facing a barrage of questions from a worried Serafall as she appeared with Sirzechs, Azazel, Odin and Rossweisse after they heard things from Rias and Issei.

”Rafi, are you fine?? Rias said that you were facing Ophis and Vali weren't you!?” Serafall said in concern as checked up on him.

”I am fine. Look at this handsome appearance, how can they hurt me easily. HoHo ~~, you are looking like rather concerned about me. Have you fall for me, Serafall ~ ??” Rafi smiled smugly at Serafall as he teased her more, after seeing how worried she was.

”Hmph, it is worse that they don't beat you up! You really need a beating, Rafi!”

”Hey, hey, why are you cursing me now?”

”Hmph!”

”Rafi, what actually happened here?” Azazel couldn't help to cough after he saw Rafi and Serafall looked like going to be at it for a long time. In his mind, he couldn't help sighing to himself as he looked at their couple's fight, and lamented at how quick Rafi ensnared Serafall's heart.

”Hm, actually I've just dealt with Vali, Bikou and Kuroka. Ophis was only seeing our fight from sidelines. In the end, she just left with them after those three couldn't fight anymore.”

”Strange... why would she approached you suddenly? And then she just left like that?”

”Or else what? If me and Ophis really fight, do you think it will be finished shortly? At least when you all arrive here, we would still be fighting, you know.”

”That is why it is strange.” Azazel held his chin in confusion as he was still analyzing Ophis's goal for her sudden appearance.

”Well, then how is your side, about the Peace Treaty?” Rafi just shrugged as he said to Sirzechs, when he saw Azazel was still pondering about Ophis.

”No need to worry about that, Rafi. It is signed already, thanks to Odin-dono's support.” Sirzechs said as he smiled toward Odin in appreciation. While Odin smirked as though it was just an easy thing to him.

”Then, now is the time to discuss how to deal with Loki. Ajuka's seal will only stand for several moments, and it is getting weaker by the moment now. I plan to deal with Loki myself, but I also still need to see your opinion on it, Old Man Odin. Especially after North Mythology is part of the Peace Treaty. After all, he is still a God of North Mythology, and your son to boot.”

”...he is my responsibility. Let me handle him, though I am now too old to deal with such troublesome kid like Loki, so I don't refuse a help for apprehending him.” Odin said somberly after a brief of silence, as he then revealed a cunning grin when he looked at Rafi in the end.