It was during the recent battle with the Hydra that I first realized the potential of this technique.

Just before delivering the final blow to its massive heads, I understood that Flare’s power alone wouldn’t be enough to accomplish it.

At that moment, a spur-of-the-moment idea enabled me to draw out even more of her strength.

Since then, we’ve found time to practice this technique. It’s risky and lacks certainty, so we hadn’t used it in actual combat until now.

Even in the battle with Cerberus in the Tria Labyrinth, we refrained from using it for those same reasons.

But now, things are different.

The greater demon standing before us is an enemy that cannot be defeated without exhausting every last ounce of our strength.

And so, I whisper softly.

“String Manipulation —Connection Link.”

The Puppeteer job skill, String Manipulation.

Invisible threads of magic extend from my body toward Flare and Tetra.

Through these threads, I can move their bodies by my will.

Normally, having two wills control one body would only cause interference.

However, the three of us have spent enough time together to connect our hearts and minds.

Surely, we can overcome that hurdle and reach even greater heights.

Then, I announce the name of this technique.

“――――Synchronization.”

At that moment, Flare and Tetra’s movements accelerate.

“Wha?! Your movements suddenly sped up… What did you do!?”

“We didn’t do anything!”
“We’re just putting our trust in Ike.”

Synchronization depends entirely on how well I can trace their movements.

Flare and Tetra simply trust me and move as they usually do, but… how difficult that must be.

It may sound simple when put into words, but what they’re doing is truly incredible.

I cannot betray them!

Think. Think. Think!

What do they want to do at this very moment?

Merge your thoughts, your hearts, into one!

“Guh! I can’t keep up!”

Responding to my will, Flare and Tetra gradually overwhelm the greater demon.

The demon flails its arms wildly, relying on brute strength, but Flare evades every attack with impeccable timing, landing dozens of sword strikes in the process.

Tetra takes advantage of the openings Flare creates, stepping forward to deliver blow after blow with a strength unimaginable for her small frame, tearing through the demon’s torso.

The greater demon lacks the power and speed necessary to keep up with the two of them.

“This can’t be! My greater demon is being pushed back!?”

Shion, watching the scene unfold, widened her eyes in disbelief. She must never have imagined facing such resistance.

And then,

“Do not think that only Flare and Tetra can assist our master! Inferno of Envy・Phase!”

Lycia unleashed her Envy Flames to add to the assault.

The pitch-black flames bypassed Flare and Tetra, clinging exclusively to the greater demon.

“Something like this won’t work on my body—GAAAH! The heat is inside me directly!? Why, why, WHYYYY!?”

The greater demon, scorched by the Inferno of Envy, leapt back in agony, landing beside Shion.

As the demon returned to her side, Shion clicked her tongue.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen. I planned to deal with you all in an instant and move on to my true target. How vexing.”
“Then why not surrender? We have plenty of questions we’d like to ask you.”
“… I’m afraid that’s not an option. I must fulfill the mission entrusted to me.”
“A mission, huh?”

For a brief moment, Shion’s demeanor seemed to change.

It felt less like she was speaking her own words and more as if they were forced upon her by someone else.

The greater demon turned to Shion and demanded,

“Master! Orders! Give me the command to kill them!”
“I understand… I suppose I have no choice. This was originally reserved for slaying the hero, but if I don’t eliminate them here, that goal will remain out of reach. Use it.”
“… Acknowledged!”

Shion’s tone carried a note of finality as she gave the order.

With that, the greater demon flapped its wings and ascended into the sky.

“What’s it planning to do?”
“You’ve proven to be more troublesome than anticipated, so I’ve decided to use my trump card. Regret not finishing this battle sooner.”

The moment Shion spoke those words,

A fierce wind blew down from the airborne greater demon.

What is it?

As we watched warily, an astonishing sight met our eyes.

“That’s… a mass of jet-black magic?”
“I can feel incredible power…”
“… It’s strong.”
“This is beyond imagination.”

A sinister black magic gathered before the greater demon.

The oppressive aura made me shudder.

Seeing our reaction, Shion smirked.

“That is my trump card, the Dark Cannon. It consumes nearly all of its magic power to unleash the ultimate attack of the demon race. Do you have any means of defending against it?”
“Damn it…”

The only potential defense would be Tetra’s Aegis Shield, but…

Even that shield, which withstood the Hydra’s onslaught, might not hold against this overwhelming magic.

Should we focus on evasion?

“No… that’s not an option.”

I glance behind us.

Most of the people nearby have evacuated, but further back, many civilians remain.

If the Dark Cannon is fired, it will likely reach them.

If we don’t stop it here, we cannot protect everyone!

“Tetra, prepare the Aegis Shield. I’ll channel all my magic into it.”
“… Understood.”

Tetra nods firmly.

I don’t know if we can block it, but at this point, the Aegis Shield is our only hope.

We have no choice but to stake everything on this.

Just as we were about to brace ourselves for the attack—

A voice suddenly rang out.

“――――Sacred Sword.”

In an instant—our vision was engulfed by pure white light.

No, it wasn’t light.

It was a slash of pure magic so concentrated and refined that it only seemed like light.

That slash raced across the sky, heading straight for the airborne greater demon.

While everyone else was stunned, the first to react was Shion.

“This can’t be…! Fire it now!”
“Dark Cannon!”

Following Shion’s command, the greater demon fired the Dark Cannon.

Though incomplete, the blast still held enough energy to devastate the land.

However,

“This… cannot be!”

The pure white slash effortlessly consumed the jet-black mass and surged forward with even greater intensity.

In mere moments, it engulfed the greater demon,

And as the light vanished over the horizon, so too did the greater demon.

“No, no, this can’t be happening…”

Shion staggered back in shock at the abrupt turn of events.

Meanwhile, all of us except Shion turned to face one direction.

That attack… was the divine strike usable only by a hero.

Which meant the one who unleashed it could only be the leader of the hero’s party residing in this town.

But no.

I know better than anyone that he isn’t capable of this.

There’s another.

There’s one more hero in this town.

“I felt a sinister presence, so I came to investigate… and to think I’d encounter such a nostalgic face.”

Before us stood a stunning woman with flowing golden hair.

In her hand, she held a sacred sword.

The first to react to her presence was, of course, Iris.

“――Mother!”

Yes.

The person standing there was none other than Lene Grace, the one once hailed as the strongest hero.