[Welcome, Argonaut!]

Vol.1 Ch.8: Black Goliath

As the chaos unfolded with the Black Goliath and the berserk monsters, Bell strategized with his allies. Ryuu, Anya, and Chloe approached him, seeking guidance.

"So, Cranel-san, what do we do?" Ryuu inquired, noting Bell's smirk and echoing it with a smile of her own.

Bell closed his eyes, reflecting on the situation. "I sensed that the passageways to both Floor 19 and 17 were sealed off, which means we have no way of escaping. Adding on to that, we have no idea what this Boss is capable of, but..." Bell opened his eyes, revealing a confident smile. "That doesn't mean we don't have what it takes to defeat it."

Ryuu, Aiz, and Gareth joined Bell with determination. "You three are with me. Our job will be to stall this monster until everything is prepared to take it down. Anya, Chloe, Welf, Ouka, Mikoto, Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya, I need you all to hold off all of the monsters that have gone berserk. Finn and Riveria, I'll leave the strategy to take it down to you. Chigusa, please guard Hestia." Bell's orders were met with nods and smiles from the assembled group.

Finn couldn't help but be impressed by Bell's leadership, and Gareth laughed heartily at the rabbit's boldness. Asfi received a direct order from Bell. "Perseus! Notify everyone in Rivira to prepare for battle! We need everything they can give, weapons, armor, potions, everything!" Asfi nodded and swiftly headed to Rivira to spread the urgent message.

"Alright, all of our pieces have been set," Bell declared. Lefiya, however, had something more to say.

"Bell!" she called out. Bell turned his attention to her.

"Yeah?" he responded.

"I know you wanted to keep your true strength a secret for the time being, but... I think it's about time you stopped holding back," Lefiya suggested. Bell smiled and faced the looming Black Goliath.

"I know, I had no intention of holding back," Bell admitted. "Now, COME FORTH!" Bell commanded, and his shadow began to grow and take shape. His eyes glowed once again as the shadows surrounded him.

Everyone present was shocked as figures emerged from the shadows. "Impossible, the Astraea Familia?!" Riveria exclaimed.

"That knight..." Aiz said, her thoughts mirroring her astonishment. 'He looks incredibly strong!'

Bell's grin widened. "Astraea Familia, take the rest of the shadow army and help kill off all of the out-of-control monsters! Igris, you're with me; our target is the Goliath! Now, move out!" Bell ordered, and the shadow army dispersed, leaving Igris by Bell's side.

Riveria, curious, questioned Bell. "Bell, what is this?" Bell didn't turn to face her.

"This is my Shadow Army. I'll explain everything in private once this battle is over," Bell assured.

"Alright, you promise?" she pressed, and Bell turned his head slightly, showing his smile.

"Yeah, I promise," Bell affirmed. "Okay, let's go!" he ordered.

"Right!" Everyone exclaimed, ready to face the impending battle.

As chaos unfolded in the battle against the powerful Black Goliath, Bell's group launched a coordinated assault. Aiz and Ryuu delivered a barrage of slashes, while Bell targeted the monster's legs, forcing it to kneel. The Goliath retaliated, attempting to strike Ryuu, but Gareth and Igris intervened, severing its forearm.

With the monster momentarily crippled, Aiz activated her magic, attempting to penetrate its chest with LI'L RAFRAGA. The Goliath, however, used its remaining arm to block the attack. Bell, keenly observing, anticipated the monster's next move. When the Goliath opened its mouth to unleash a powerful HOWL, Bell leaped forward, delivering a destructive kick to redirect the attack away from the group.