Chapter 87
After entering the city of Bassau, Linfia and the others looked up at the black sphere floating in the sky and the enormous black hole spreading out beneath it.
"No explanation is necessary. That's the hole connected to the Demon Realm, correct?"
"We have to close it quickly."
Because Balam had summoned the monsters all at once, they would not continue appearing in huge numbers, but skeletons were steadily emerging from the hole.
If left alone, their numbers would only keep growing.
"So we need to do something about this black sphere..."
"If my sister is inside, perhaps calling out to her will get a response."
"The problem is how to get up there."
Liese looked up at the sphere floating in the sky.
It was far beyond jumping distance.
As she thought that, Liese suddenly came under attack from the side.
She was sent flying, but she spun in midair and landed on her feet. However, the sword she had been holding was broken halfway up the blade.
"Hmm. This is what happens just from taking a hit?"
"That was an attack meant to kill you."
Saying that, Furcas lightly swung his sword.
Furcas could not hide his surprise that two humans had managed to withstand attacks from a purely combat-oriented demon like himself.
But withstanding an attack and being able to fight were two different matters.
Furcas slowly headed toward Liese, but Linfia and the soldiers stood in his way.
"I think you'd be better off stepping back."
"What about you? Wouldn't attacking me be a problem?"
"You no longer need to worry about that. I have put my summoner into a deep sleep, inside that sphere I created."
"You did that to my sister...!"
"Your anger is misplaced. She was the one who called us. She was desperate, begging anyone at all to help her. And because she sought a safe place, I protected her inside that sphere."
"You call that protection...?!"
A demon cannot directly defy its summoner. However, commands can be interpreted in different ways.
If someone asks a demon to help them, it will—but with such a vague command, the method is left to the demon's discretion.
This danger was why demon summoning had fallen out of use. In most cases, demons are slyer and more cunning than humans, so people often get outmaneuvered over matters of interpretation.
Linfia was furious at Furcas's explanation, but even so, she did not charge at him blindly in her anger.
Furcas took a step toward Linfia, but at that instant, Silver teleported in front of her.
"Your opponent is me."
"Oh? You left Balam behind?"
"I didn't think a prince like him would be defeated by an opponent of that level."
"Don't underestimate demons."
"I'll return those words verbatim. Don't underestimate humans."
The magical power of both men rose sharply.
Meanwhile, Linfia and the others retreated, realizing they would only get in the way if they stayed nearby.
"Your Highness, are you injured?"
"No. More importantly, let's think of a way to get over there."
Just as Liese said this, a stairway-shaped barrier formed before her and the others.
It extended all the way to the black sphere.
"How considerate of you, masked adventurer."
"I'm honored by your praise. Linfia, go. That's a type of barrier, too. Once the summoner inside wakes up, we can deal with the rest."
"Yes! Thank you, Silver!"
With that, Linfia climbed the barrier.
Skeletons gathered to stop her, but the soldiers formed a defensive circle around Liese.
"Defend this position at all costs!"
Under Liese's command, the skeletons were driven back, but against enemies that continued appearing without end, they would eventually be overrun.
Linfia ran at full speed, knowing she had to hurry. Furcas appeared in front of her.
"Did you think I would let you pass?"
"Of course. I'll be going through."
Linfia ran without slowing even once.
As if to support her, several spells flew toward Furcas.
Furcas knocked them all away with his sword, but spells fired to circle around him struck from behind and knocked him out of Linfia's path.
"Tch!"
"I told you your opponent was me, didn't I?"
"It seems I'll have to deal with you first!"
Thus, the battle between the two began.
In the meantime, Linfia reached the black sphere.
"Shinfa! Shinfa!!"
Not knowing what else to do, she simply called her sister's name.
But the black sphere did not respond.
Linfia steeled herself and thrust her right hand into the black sphere.
"Guhhhh!!"
A sharp jolt of electricity ran through her right arm.
But Linfia did not give up and pushed her right arm farther into the depths of the sphere.
"Shinfa...! It's me...! It's Linfia!!"
The electricity gradually robbed her right arm of its sensation.
Even so, Linfia kept advancing little by little.
Perhaps thanks to that, Linfia's right arm began to sink inside the black sphere.
But the electricity grew stronger, as if trying to expel a foreign object.
"Uuuuu!! Aaaaaa!!"
Groaning in pain, Linfia clenched her teeth.
She told herself that it wasn't hard and that it didn't hurt.
"I'm sorry... for not being able to protect you... Shinfa... It's all right now... Big Sis is here..."
Linfia sank her right arm deeper and deeper.
And when it had sunk as far as her right shoulder...
A voice echoed inside her head.
'L... Lin... Big Sis...?'
"Shinfa!? Shinfa!! Are you in there!?"
'I'm scared... Big Sis Lin...'
"It's all right... I'm here..."
But there was no response from beyond Linfia's right arm.
Urging Shinfa to reach out, Linfia kept talking to her.
"It's all right now... Let's go home together..."
'But...'
"There's nothing to be afraid of... I'll protect you..."
'The person who tried to save me like this died... You will die too, Big Sis Lin...'
"What are you saying...? I won't die. I have lots of friends with me."
'Friends...? Are all those grown-ups your friends...?'
"Yes... They came together to save you..."
'...Adults are scary...'
Hearing the distrust in those words, Linfia ground her teeth.
She had been a friendly, good child until they left the village.
For her to be saying such things now... What had she gone through? What had I put her through?
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... Shinfa..."
'Big Sis Lin, are you crying...?'
"No... I'm fine... As long as Shinfa is safe, that's all that matters... Nothing scary will happen anymore... I'll protect you from everything... Even if there are scary grown-ups, you'll be fine..."
'Really...? They're really not scary...? Will you protect everyone too, not just me...?'
"Everyone...? Are there other children too? Are they safe?"
'Yes...'
"You were protecting everyone...? What a good girl... It's all right... I'll protect however many there are."
The electricity did not stop.
But Linfia never allowed the pain to show.
She mustn't do anything that would make Shinfa worry.
If Shinfa became frightened here, everything would be for nothing.
Many people had helped her. She had not come this far alone.
If she lost to mere electricity, she could never face those people.
"Reach out your hand! Shinfa!"
'Okay... But, Big Sis Lin, where are you?'
"Just reach out your hand! I'll reach out mine, too!"
Saying that, Linfia stretched her hand out as far as she could.
Then something grazed her fingertips.
Certain that it was her sister's hand, Linfia steeled herself and sank her upper body into the black sphere.
Electricity coursed through her entire body. She couldn't breathe.
Even so, Linfia ignored it and reached out her hand.
Someone precious to her was right before her.
Leo had said he would have things his way. She was no different.
She was determined never to retreat.
Having resolved not to back down, Linfia reached out her right hand.
Then something brushed against her fingertips again. Linfia did not let it escape; she grabbed it firmly and pulled it up with all her strength.
The girl she pulled from the black sphere had chestnut-colored hair.
Her eyes were red and blue.
"Ah... Shinfa..."
"Big Sis Lin..."
There was no doubt: the girl was her little sister, Shinfa.
Her little sister, whom she had sworn to protect. Her little sister she had failed to protect.
Linfia hugged her tightly, determined never to let go again.
But the moment did not last long.
As Shinfa, who had been at its center, emerged from the sphere, cracks began forming across it.
Then the black sphere emitted light and vanished. Once it disappeared, the children inside began to fall.
"Ah!!"
Linfia jumped down on reflex and shouted loudly.
"Silver―――――!!!!"
Still shouting, Linfia pulled as many children toward her as she could. But she did not have enough hands.
Liese and the others below noticed and started moving, but they were too late. At this rate, the children would fall into the hole still spreading below, connected to the Demon Realm.
In the midst of this, a gigantic silver eagle suddenly appeared in front of Linfia and the others.
The eagle caught Linfia and the falling children on its back, then beat its wings powerfully.
"Wow... What a beautiful birdie..."
"This is..."
"It's an eagle I recreated with magic. I wanted to summon one, actually, but..."
Saying that, Silver appeared alongside the silver eagle.
Then Silver looked at Linfia, Shinfa clinging to her, and the many unconscious children, and smiled faintly.
"You did well. Leave the rest to me."
"Yes... I'll leave it to you."
"Hey, hey, what's this birdie's name?"
"Its name? Hmm. It doesn't have one yet. Why don't you name it?"
"Really!? Hmm, what should I call it?"
Seeing Shinfa's delighted expression, Silver smiled, then caught an incoming attack with a barrier.
Behind him stood Furcas, seething with rage.
"I won't forgive you... How dare you interfere with my plan...!"
"Won't forgive me? That's my line. Don't think I'll let you die easily."
"Don't bluff. I've gauged your strength. It doesn't measure up to mine."
"Is that so...? Then test it."
The moment he said that, Silver's magical power swelled far more powerfully than before.
Seeing that, Linfia realized.
He had not been fighting seriously because he had taken the effect on those around him into account.
This was Silver at his full strength.