Unlike Duanmu Huai, Mary and the others found the bell in the cargo hold without much trouble—the reason was simple: Mary could see it.
"That's far enough."
With one hand gripping her staff and the other pulling Ellie back, Mary stared at the Golden Bell before them. In Mary's eyes, she could see the bell radiating a dazzling golden light. That light had pierced through the wreckage of the battleship, allowing them to find this place so easily.
But that was all. The fact that Duanmu Huai hadn't destroyed it could only mean that, in his eyes, it posed no threat. At the same time, Mary knew very well that since Duanmu Huai hadn't taken it with him, this thing clearly wasn't anything good in his opinion—if it were, he wouldn't have left it here.
"He wants me to go up and touch it."
As the only person here who could currently communicate with the other side, Ellie obediently conveyed what she had heard to the others.
"No."
Mary stepped forward again and signaled Lorena and Naruse Mio to prepare for battle. The one thing that reassured Mary was that Minme Satori was still following behind them with an idle, bored look, yawning as if she were taking a leisurely stroll, rather than grinning as she drew her blade and hacked at the thing. That meant it at least wasn't hostile toward them for now.
What happened afterward was hard to say.
"Who are you? Why did you call us here? Answer me at once."
Mary stared at the bell and spoke. The Golden Bell remained silent for a moment, and then...
"Bong——!"
A deafening boom erupted from the bell. The sound was so loud that the girls involuntarily felt as if a hammer were pounding against their brains, sending