Though held back by the succubus, Piyo managed to reach the crystal.
The crystal ball, slammed forcefully to the ground, shattered with a loud noise. A large crack appeared in the center, and the pulverized fragments sparkled as they danced in the air.
The succubus, who had been about to reach them, looked towards the altar.
“Damn it, I was so close!”
“Are you sure? If you don’t hurry, you won’t be able to return to Hell.”
Sharin, regaining consciousness, called out to the succubus.
The door, having lost its energy source, began to shrink rapidly.
“You’ll regret this!”
With those parting words, she slipped into the closing hole and returned. My blurry vision cleared, and the sounds around me became distinct.
“Hey now, get up, you sorcerer!”
“Ahhh, I was so close!”
The ominous old man, cloaked in a mantle, was led away by the guards, and the Orcs were subdued by reinforcements who had evidently arrived later.
“Piyo, you did good!”
“Hehehe, I did it!”
I ran over to Piyo, who was by the altar.
“But Arisugawa, the crystal ball is broken. That was your hope, wasn’t it?”
Sharin picked up the fragments apologetically.
“Well, that’s true, but now we have hope of returning. There’s more than one way, right?”
There must be other items that could open a door to another world. For now, quelling the disturbance was the priority.
Some of the remaining demons were vanquished, while others retreated from the town. The captured people were also freed, and thus, peace returned to the town once more.
“My, my, thank you, Brave Hero. Thanks to you, our town was saved.”
“Heehee, just like I expected from the Brave Hero. I knew you’d be the one to do it from the start.”
The Lord and his retainers, changing their tune as if flipping their hands over, offered flattering words. As thanks, we were bestowed gold coins, jewels, a sword, and a cloak.
