This scene left Bell visibly stunned.
'I didn't expect it... Vanargand was the one who broke the deadlock with sheer force.'
Although the Spirit had already taken heavy damage from Nine Hell's magic, it possessed regenerative abilities that allowed it to recover by expending magic power. The earlier attack by Nine Hell didn't so much injure it as strip away the defensive petals surrounding it—its strongest form of protection.
But Vanargand's strike had pierced through both its defenses and regeneration, hitting the Spirit's core directly.
'Was that just a coincidence?'
'To land a blow right on the magic stone like that...'
Bell shared a connection with the Spirit, so he knew exactly how devastating Vanargand's attack had been—an attack that came at the cost of his right leg.
The magic stone was the heart of any monster. According to the laws of the Dungeon, once it was shattered, the monster would disintegrate into ash.
But due to the Spirit's unique nature, its magic stone was far more durable than those of ordinary monsters. That was the only reason it hadn't turned to ash on the spot.
Still, the damage inflicted was beyond imagination.
Bell's opinion of Vanargand instantly rose.
'Even if it was a one-time miracle, the power he unleashed in that instant was enough to briefly reach Level 8.'
'It's hard to believe... a Level 5 could deliver an attack that powerful in a life-or-death moment.'
"Go, Ais!"
The voice of encouragement snapped Bell back to the battlefield.
Finn had already charged ahead, clearing the path. Tiona and Tione flanked him, fending off vines striking from the sides.
In the center was Ais, maintaining her spell, "Ariel."
Bell could clearly feel her magic power surging—her presence growing stronger with every passing second.
Bit by bit, she was approaching the pinnacle of Level 6.
The realization left Bell speechless.
'Is it a skill effect?'
'How could her power be increasing this much?'
He immediately noticed the fury on Ais's face—the cold mask she usually wore now etched with unmistakable hatred.
Bell glanced toward Bete, spotting his completely shattered, charred right leg.
'Did the sacrifice of a comrade awaken something in her—an evolution in her skill?'
Witnessing it unfold in real time stirred deep emotions in Bell.
The same feeling he once experienced while watching it on a screen—it was now happening right in front of him.
'...Well, I guess that's your win.'
Though he was supposed to remain impartial in setting the difficulty of this trial, even Bell had gotten caught up in the intensity.
Everyone's hopes had converged on this moment—on Ais standing at the front line, unleashing her strength against the Spirit.
It was a scene that stirred Bell's heart deeply.
At this point, even if he wanted to intervene, it would be meaningless.
The magic stone had been struck. The expedition team's victory was already assured.
The Spirit, now hit at its core, had lost its earlier might. Its strength was dropping rapidly.
From its previous peak at Level 8, it had already fallen to the baseline of Level 6.
Even if Bell tried to exert control now, the Spirit no longer had the power to change the outcome.
All that remained was to accept the expedition's victory.
"Tem…pest!"
Soaring high into the air, Ais unleashed her ultimate move on the Spirit, which was struggling to regenerate and had no strength left to retaliate.
A concentrated mini-typhoon, born from her immense magical power, surged forth and devoured the Spirit entirely, shredding it to pieces.
That final strike marked the end of the expedition.
...
"…"
In the prayer chamber, the four gods watched as Loki and Hephaestus's expedition team successfully brought down the Spirit. For a moment, none of them could find the words to speak.
The battle had been brutal.
The mages in the rear were not only providing cover and openings for the frontline but also dealing with the seemingly endless Virgas and Violas.
Finn Deimne, the captain of Loki Familia, had displayed remarkable bravery. He sacrificed his offense entirely to draw the Spirit's attention and even managed to block its short incantation spell—laying the groundwork for victory.
Everyone had given everything they had. In a dramatic conclusion, the Spirit was defeated...
The story might've followed a somewhat typical script, but the emotion and intensity of the battle moved all four gods.
"I didn't expect Loki's children to possess such brilliant souls," Freya remarked in awe.
"They threw everything they had into taking down the Spirit. Despite the vast gap in strength, they ended the fight with overwhelming speed. Their strength and courage are truly commendable," Hermes added with generous praise.
"They're all outstanding children. Loki truly knows how to raise them," Ganesha said, unable to hold back his admiration.
These three gods, each influential and respected in Orario, offered sincere praise for Loki Familia. Few other Familia could earn such recognition.
"They cleared a path for their comrades to press forward—and that path led them straight to victory. They deserve all the praise," Ganesha added, feeling deeply moved.
His own children were talented and full of potential, but when compared to those who stood their ground against such a formidable enemy, even they seemed to fall a bit short.
The children of Loki Familia had faced an opponent far stronger than themselves. That alone was something no other Familia in Orario could likely manage.
"Still... there was something odd about the Spirit at the end."
Ganesha couldn't help but voice his observation.
"After the Spirit was hit by the werewolf's magic, its strength dropped sharply. What happened?"
"The core was probably hit," Freya said with a soft smile, her gaze lingering on the victorious expedition team. She too had noticed the odd moment, and she had a good idea of what had caused it.
"That flame the boy kicked out nearly destroyed half the Spirit's body. Most likely, it was then that he struck its core."
"Oh! That makes sense," Ganesha nodded, realization dawning. That did sound plausible.
Since monsters all had a magic stone as their core, it stood to reason the Spirit had one as well.