After an unknown amount of time, Belle gradually regained consciousness.
In the darkness, she vaguely heard someone calling out.
"Belle, Belle, how do you feel?"
It was McCleary's voice.
Belle groaned, her consciousness gradually clearing as she rubbed her head and sat up.
But everything before her was pitch-black. She could not see where McCleary was at all.
Belle could only feel around as she said, "Is it dark, Mr. McCleary? Why haven't you turned on the lights?"
A sigh sounded in the darkness.
Then she heard McCleary say, "Unfortunately, Belle, your eyes were injured..."
"To be precise, they've gone blind."
"It should have something to do with that Dragon Rider Captain."
"Can you remember what happened at the time?"
Belle's entire body trembled. "Blind?"
"I've gone blind?"
She reached toward her face and touched the bandages wrapped around her eyes.
Belle's body suddenly began to shake. Then, a searing pain erupted in her eyes, and she covered them and groaned.
"Quick, bring the painkillers."
A moment later, the stabbing pain in her eyes subsided, and Belle finally caught her breath.
"Are you all right?"
McCleary looked at the girl with a grave expression.
They were currently in a forest. Jack and the others were sitting on stones or grass nearby, and their expressions were just as unpleasant.
Only Loki sat on the hood of the car, chewing gum and occasionally blowing a bubble.
Belle shook her head, then continued.
"At the time, Sariel had already activated Soul Control, but while searching for that captain's soul, she discovered a humanoid figure inside him that resembled a Fierce Beast."
"Sariel's arm was bitten off by that figure."
Jack and the others could not help raising their heads to look at Belle. Then they exchanged glances.
"The Holy Projection had its arm