Linfia and the others entered the town of Bassau and saw a black sphere floating in the sky and a massive black hole spread out beneath it.
"There's no need to explain. This is the hole that connects to the Underworld, right?"
"We need to close it quickly."
Due to Barum summoning a large number of monsters at once, there weren't many appearing, but skeletons were gradually emerging from the hole. If left alone, they would continue to increase.
"We need to do something about that black sphere..."
"If my sister is inside, she might respond if I call out to her."
"The question is how to get there."
Liese looked up at the floating sphere. It was clearly out of reach by jumping. As she was thinking this, she suddenly received an attack from the side. She was blown back, but she rotated in mid-air and landed. However, the sword she was holding was broken in half.
"Hmm, just from an attack, it's like this..."
"I intended to kill you."
Fullcas casually swung his sword. Fullcas was surprised that two humans could withstand his purely combat-oriented attacks. However, there's a difference between being able to withstand an attack and being able to fight. Fullcas slowly approached Liese, but Linfia and the soldiers blocked his path.
"I think you should step back."
"Are you sure you're okay? Won't it be bad if you attack me?"
"That concern is no longer an issue. My summoner is in a deep sleep, inside that sphere I created."
"You put my sister in there...!"
"You're misunderstanding. She called us. In despair, she asked for help from anyone. And she sought a safe place, so I protected her inside the sphere."
"Protected...!?"
Demons cannot directly rebel against their summoners, but the interpretation of commands is up to them. If they are told to help, they will help, but the method is left to the demon's discretion with such vague commands. This is why demon summoning has declined. In most cases, demons are more cunning and sly than humans, and they often get the better of humans through interpretation issues.
Linfia showed anger at Fullcas's explanation but didn't recklessly charge in. Fullcas took a step forward, but at that moment, Silver teleported in front of Linfia.
"I'll take care of you."
"Really? Did you leave Barum behind?"
"I didn't think a prince would fall to that level."
"Don't underestimate demons."
"I'll return the favor. Don't underestimate humans."
Their magic power surged. Linfia and the others took a step back, realizing they would be in the way.
"Your Highness, are you hurt?"
"No. More importantly, let's think of a way to get there."
As Liese spoke, a stair-like barrier formed in front of them, extending all the way to the black sphere.
"Quite considerate, masked adventurer."
"It's an honor to receive your praise. Linfia, go. It's a type of barrier. If the summoner inside wakes up, anything can happen."
"Yes! Thank you! Silver."
Linfia began to climb the barrier. Skeletons gathered to stop her, but a circle was formed around Liese to repel them.
"Defend at all costs!"
Under Liese's command, the skeletons were repelled, but with the endless stream of enemies, they would eventually break through. Linfia ran with all her might. Fullcas appeared in front of her.
"Did you think I'd let you go?"
"Of course, I will go."
Linfia didn't slow down at all. Several spells flew towards Fullcas to support her. Fullcas deflected them all with his sword but was hit by a spell from behind and thrown off Linfia's path.
"Damn!"
"I said I'll take care of you."
"It seems I have to deal with you first!"
With that, their battle began. Meanwhile, Linfia reached the black sphere.
"Shinfa! Shinfa!!"
Not knowing what to do, she called out her sister's name. But the black sphere showed no reaction. Linfia steeled herself and thrust her right hand into the black sphere.
"Ow!!"
A sharp electric shock ran through her right arm. But Linfia didn't give up and pushed her right arm deeper into the sphere.
"Shinfa...! It's me...! Linfia!!"
The sensation in her right arm was gradually fading due to the electric shock. Still, Linfia pushed deeper, inch by inch. Her right arm began to penetrate the black sphere, but the electric shock intensified as if trying to expel the foreign object.
"Ugh!! Ah!!"
Linfia gritted her teeth and endured the pain, telling herself it wasn't painful.
"Sorry... I couldn't protect you... Shinfa... It's okay now... Big sister is here..."
Linfia pushed her right arm deeper. When her right shoulder was submerged, a voice echoed in her head.
"Li... Big sister...?"
"Shinfa!? Shinfa!! Are you there!?"
"I'm scared... Big sister..."
"It's okay... I'm here..."
But there was no response from the end of Linfia's right arm. She continued to call out, wishing she could reach her.
"It's okay now... Let's go home together..."
"But..."
"I'm not scared... I'll protect you..."
"People who tried to help me the same way died... Big sister will die too..."
"What are you saying... I won't die... I have many friends..."
"Friends...? Are the many grown-ups friends...?"
"Yes... They gathered to help Shinfa..."
"...Grown-ups are scary..."
Hearing the suspicious words, Linfia clenched her teeth tightly. Shinfa used to be a friendly and good child before they left the village. How could she have become like this? What had she gone through? What had she been made to go through?
"...I'm sorry... I'm sorry... Shinfa..."
"Big sister, are you crying...?"
"No... I'm fine... As long as Shinfa is safe, that's all that matters... There's nothing to be afraid of... I'll protect you from everything... Even from scary grown-ups..."
"Really...? Really not scary...? Not just me... everyone else too...?"
"Everyone...? Are there other children? Are they safe?"
"Yes..."
"You were protecting everyone... Good job... It's okay... I'll protect everyone, no matter how many..."
The electric shock didn't stop, but Linfia didn't show any pain. She couldn't worry Shinfa. If Shinfa got scared now, everything would be for nothing. Many people had helped her. She hadn't come this far alone. She couldn't let such people down by failing at the electric shock.
"Reach out your hand! Shinfa!"
"Yes... but where is Big sister?"
"Just reach out your hand! I'll reach out too!"
Linfia stretched her hand as far as she could. She felt something brush against her hand. Convinced it was her sister's hand, Linfia steeled herself and submerged her upper body into the black sphere. Electric shocks ran through her body, making it hard to breathe. Still, she didn't let it deter her. She had something precious in front of her. Leao had said he would stand his ground. She felt the same way. Determined not to back down, Linfia stretched her right hand. She felt something brush against her hand again. She didn't let it go and pulled it up with all her might. The girl pulled out of the black sphere had chestnut hair and eyes that were red and blue.
"Oh... Shinfa..."
"Big sister..."
It was undoubtedly Shinfa, her sister. The sister she had sworn to protect. The sister she had failed to protect. Linfia hugged her tightly, determined never to let her go again. However, the moment didn't last long. With Shinfa, the center, now outside, cracks began to form in the black sphere. The black sphere then emitted light and disappeared. As it disappeared, the children inside began to fall.
"!!"
Linfia immediately jumped down and shouted loudly.
"Silver―――――!!"
Linfia shouted while trying to pull the children closer. But her hands were not enough. Liese and the others below also started moving, but it was too late. If they fell, they would land in the hole connected to the Underworld. Suddenly, a giant silver eagle appeared in front of Linfia. The eagle carried Linfia and the falling children and flapped its wings.
"Wow... such a beautiful bird..."
"This is..."
"A recreated eagle using magic. I wanted to summon one, but..."
Silver appeared parallel to the silver eagle and smiled when he saw Linfia, Shinfa hugging her, and the many unconscious children.
"Good job. Leave the rest to me."
"Yes... I'll leave it to you."
"Hey, what's this bird's name?"
"Name? I haven't given it one yet. You can name it."
"Really!? Hmm, what should I call it?"
Smiling at Shinfa's adorable reaction, Silver blocked an incoming attack with a barrier. Behind him, Fullcas was filled with rage.
"I won't forgive you... for interfering with my plans...!"
"You won't forgive me? That's my line. Don't think you can die easily."
"Don't be overconfident. I know your power. You can't match me."
"Is that so... then let's see."
At that moment, Silver's magic power surged even stronger and larger. Linfia realized he had been holding back to avoid affecting the surroundings. This was Silver's true power. It's time to see Silver's true strength. Here comes the super unchained time.