Chapter 223: What will you do?

Receiving an order from Riser, Vali fell into silence.

"....."

Vali stayed in his place for a minute before he stood up, ready to do the order that Riser had given to him.

"...are you going to follow his order, Vali?"

Albion felt conflicted and enraged as he thought his proud host had been reduced to a mere tool.

However, Vali didn't say anything as if he ignored Albion, but the truth was that he was afraid that Riser might be able to listen to their conversation. Even if he might have a short-term memory loss about who he shouldn't fight with, he still remembered the precautions and whatever he needed when he faced his opponent.

Nevertheless, among all the beings that Vali had fought, Riser was the strongest.

Not only was Riser the strongest, but his methods were also crueler than anyone, especially with the lives of Vali's mother and step-siblings within Riser's hands.

If Vali said something wrong, then Riser heard it; what should he do?

"You don't need to feel afraid. After that day, he didn't do anything to you. I think that he might have used a special means to eavesdrop on you at that time. Right now, that effect might have disappeared."

The word "might" didn't ease Vali, so he quickly just did the jobs that were asked by Riser.

Compared to killing Sirzech at that time, this job was easier.

Moreover, the faster Vali finished this job, the faster the feeling inside his heart that made him uncomfortable disappeared.

No, he might not have any emotion anymore after that day since he knew that he was nothing but his tools, and as a good tool, he needed to listen to him, or else—

Watching Vali, who lost himself like a walking corpse every day, Albion was unable to hold it anymore, but at the same time, he knew what kind of burden Vali needed to face.

"VALIIII!"

Albion screamed with all of his might inside Vali's mind.

Nevertheless, Vali was the same as ever; he didn't answer Albion's words and just continued his order, as he only had 12 hours. If he was late, then—

"I know what you are worried about, but just listen to me. While there might be a chance that bastard might be able to listen to the voice within your heart, it is impossible for him to listen to me."

How can you be so sure?

Vali didn't ask that question as he didn't want to gain any animosity from Riser anymore, but then he knew that whatever Albion said that day, even if Albion mocked Riser, belittled him, and many others, Riser had never said anything, so there should be some truth within Albion's words.

Yet, even if Vali knew what, what could be done?

The lives of his mother and step-siblings were in Riser's hands.

Moreover, no people could help him as Vali was afraid to involve them in his troubles.

Even worse, Vali knew that Riser could kill him anytime.

When Vali saw how Riser could become Lucifer, as everyone was still oblivious about everything instead of hatred, he felt fear.

Yes, a fear.

Vali never thought that someone could be so vile, yet no one other than him could have such an impression. Instead, everyone thought of him as the strongest being, someone who was worthy of respect, which made him feel panic, anxiety, and terror as he was targeted by such an individual.

Vali knew that Riser wouldn't kill him, yet he wished to be killed instead!

For Vali, dying was better than living like this!

Yet Vali couldn't do that, especially when the lives of his mother and step-siblings were in Riser's hands.

Could Vali just run away like that?

By then, Vali knew his mother's life and step-siblings would be even worse than him as they needed to bear Riser's anger.

Vali didn't dare to bet, and he knew the only thing that he could do was to become an obedient tool for Riser as he followed every one of Riser's orders.

Yet—

"Vali, let's fight."

Albion suddenly said.

However, Albion was ignored by Vali.

"Instead of living like this, where there is no shred of dignity that comes as the descendant of Lucifer and the host of the White Dragon Emperor, it is better for us to die as you bring that bastard with you to the afterlife."

"....."

Vali, who had been working, stopped all of his actions, and his expressionless face suddenly regained some colors, but all of that disappeared instantly as he continued to collect all the information about the leaders of the Khaos Brigade for Riser.

There was some truth in Albion's words, but could he really do it?

Bringing him together to the afterlife with him.

It was easier than one said, especially when Riser was from the Phenex House, a devil who was famous for their immortality.

No.

Such a possibility didn't exist at all.

Even if Vali used Juggernaut Drive, there was no possibility of defeating Riser.

"Reduce."

Albion continued the conversation without minding Vali's reaction. "It is my strongest original power, which releases a special type of poison that can destroy the body and soul.

"When he is caught in that position, it will destroy Riser's body and soul. He might be immortal, but it is because he is immortal that he will be inflicted by this poison for an eternity.

"By then, his life will be even worse than dying, and he is as good as dead.

"However, to use this poison, not only your Demonic Power but also your life force might be taken out.

"Even with your current, the moment you use "Reduce," your life force will be reduced to the limit. Your long age as a half-devil might disappear, and your age might not be much different from a human by then.

"Even worse, you will die as it will be my first time using this poison, especially when none of the previous hosts ever used my strongest ability, so I can't give you a guarantee."

As for whether Riser could escape from this poison or not, such a thing was never within Albion's thought at all.

As one of the Heavenly Dragons, his only match was Ddraig.

Facing his strongest poison, Riser could only writhe in pain and die.

Nevertheless, to use this poison, Vali's life would also be in danger as his body might not be able to handle this power.

"Everything is your choice.

"Will you stay obedient as his tool, or will you go all out, betting everything to gain your dignity, Vali?"

"...."

Vali didn't say anything and just fell into silence as no one knew what he was thinking.

Nevertheless, Riser didn't bother to listen to their conversation. If he wanted to listen to Vali's conversation, he needed to focus on the collar that connected to Vali's neck, but he didn't have such an idea at all since that guy was as good as over. Instead, he went to the United States, in California.

As for why he was here, he was searching for the most suitable "Sacred Gear" for himself, and his ability, "Location," guided him into this area. Frankly, there were two places, and the two of them happened to be in the United States, but he decided to visit California first as it was the territory of his family in the human world.

Nevertheless, Riser kept walking, following the direction of "Location," and finally found his target.

"Is this the one?"

Looking at the muscular Caucasian man in his late twenties, there was no hesitation in his heart as he made this guy pass out and steal the Sacred Gear within his body, trying to try the possibility of the power of "Kote Kote no Mi."