The demon’s predictions didn’t come true.
As a result of Ren’s efforts, both of us ended up with too much free time on our hands.
If anything, the fault might lie with me, but it was Ren who made the suggestion.
Starting from the day after the treatment, the English magical girls began working hard, and the number of monsters I could defeat decreased.
There are plenty of S Rank ones left, but to defeat them, I’d have to use the power of Arcana.
And if I use the power of Arcana, there’s a risk of being detected by witches, so I can’t use it.
S Rank would be fine, but since I can’t defeat SS Rank in my normal state, I ended up with too much free time.
That said, it’s been a while since then, and my life in England will end in two days.
Although the destructionists never attacked, I can’t let my guard down.
But, free time is free time.
Since the day I received treatment, Rinde hasn’t visited, which is somewhat frightening, but according to Demon’s checks, she seems to be continuing her monster hunts regularly.
Even if she does come, I’m just sitting at home like a NEET, so it’ll only cause trouble.
Hatred has been quiet for now, and I don’t feel any abnormalities in my body.
I think it’s because I’ve managed to defeat some monsters, even if only a little, but all I can do is pray that nothing happens.
However, calling it hatred, it feels wrong to criticize it too harshly.
It originated as a feeling that sprouted within me, remnants of my life as a man.
Though it’s a bomb, it’s pitiful to treat it so carelessly.
…All this free time is making my thoughts strange.
(Hey, Demon.)
“Hmm? What’s up?”
(If I remember correctly, there were two more surviving Arcanas, right? What kind of people are they?)
I don’t remember whether Demon or NigoShiro mentioned it, but when I became a magical girl, there should have been five surviving Arcanas left.
Fool. High Priestess. Sun. Lovers. Devil.
Only High Priestess and Sun remain, but while we’re at it, I might as well ask.
Considering the flow of events so far, I’ll probably meet them eventually.
(High Priestess… her name is Eve. Since our numbers dwindled, she’s taken on a leadership role. Her personality is like a mix between Arongante and Haruna. I can’t tell you about her abilities, but she leans more toward combat.)
A fighter, huh… I thought someone with that name might specialize in healing, but it seems not.
Even without further contracts, her offensive capabilities sound appealing.
Apparently, it’s not completely out of the question to contract with another Arcana, but…
“Almost certainly, you’d die. Your current state is already dangerous enough. Under no circumstances should you contract with another one.”
Yeah, that makes sense.
Why I’m still alive despite having two contracts isn’t entirely clear to me.
I doubt I could handle a third.
(Then what about transferring an Arcana like Fool did, either to Demon or Hermes?)
“That would be fine, but personally, I don’t want that. Haruna wouldn’t want to become stronger by killing Taragon or Marin either, right?”
(True.)
Fool was an exception; such suicidal behavior is uncommon, and the recipient would likely refuse as well.
It seems difficult to grow stronger through the powers of Arcana…
In that case, I need to strengthen myself. But how?
(In my current state, could I defeat a witch?)
“You have about a 30% chance against a witch alone. However… ”
(However?)
“After that, the chances drop below 10%… Even if you win, there’s a possibility the planet will become uninhabitable due to pollution.”
(The monster sealed in the Arctic… Is the pollution caused by magic power?)
“Yes. In this world, magic power arises from accidents, but in over 80% of worlds, that monster is involved. Incidentally, most worlds ultimately perish due to monsters. Witches release them, but most capable magical girls are killed off.”
Witches, sure, I hear they’re strong or amazing, but it doesn’t really click yet.
Having prior information doesn’t help much anyway, and I’ll figure it out during the fight.
“And… oh?”
(What’s wrong?)
Demon seemed about to say something but suddenly paused.
It’s intriguing when she stops mid-sentence. What’s going on?
“It looks like we have a visitor.”
Visitor… Ah, Rinde?
What could she want?
Rising from bed, I descended to the living room downstairs, where Rinde stood looking suspiciously fidgety.
“Ah!”
“Is something wrong?”
Upon noticing me, Rinde looked slightly embarrassed but quickly reverted to a smile.
“I actually have a favor to ask of Inie-san…”
“A favor?”
“Yeah.”
I don’t think there are many situations in present-day England where someone would ask me for a favor.
“Let’s prepare some drinks before we talk. Would cocoa be alright?”
“Yeah. Thank you very much.”
I poured milk into a pot, warmed it briefly, added cocoa powder, and it was ready.
Personally, I prefer to simmer the milk a bit, but it’ll do this time.
“Here you go. So, what’s the matter?”
“I’d like you to join me on today’s monster hunt.”
Monster hunting, huh?
I don’t think I’m necessary anymore, so what’s this about?
“Since an amazing magical girl from another country is here, I thought it’d be nice to watch her fight up close. Unfortunately, the senior I usually fight with has other commitments today… Would it be okay?”
“Wouldn’t Ren-san suffice?”
“She’s… a bit…”
I understand her sentiment, but Ren’s fighting style isn’t exactly something to emulate.
Taragon-san and Blade-san were exceptional magical girls, but Ren surpasses even them.
Like the highest-level spells in old RPGs, she’s incomparably powerful.
Still, those peculiarities aside, the issue lies with Rinde’s proposal.
While I’m bored and could agree to it, something feels off.
Just a hunch, but it feels like she’s hiding something.
(What do you think?)
“Hmm. It’s true that the magical girl who was around when Haruna helped is taking a break today. Even if there’s some hidden agenda, with Haruna’s current strength, I think we’d be fine no matter what.”
Indeed, even if some mediocre monsters or magical girls showed up, I could handle them.
If I unleashed my trump card, simultaneous activation of the Arcanas, I might even surpass Ren.
…Am I overthinking this?
Maybe it’s because I became a magical girl myself, but I’ve never liked them much.
I used to enjoy them as part of subculture or watch their combat videos like anime, but I can’t fully trust their existence at its core.
Especially with someone I barely know, it’s understandable.
In any case, even if it’s a trap, breaking through it should suffice.
“Alright. Since I’ve got nothing better to do, I’ll accompany you.”
“Thank you! We’ll depart in two hours, so we still have some time, but shall we move?”
When she mentioned moving, I wondered what she meant. Normally, we teleport directly to monster appearances via a teleporter and wait in the Magic Bureau’s standby room.
For stray magical girls like me, it’s almost irrelevant, and I’ve only used the standby room twice so far—once at the academy and once at the Tohoku Branch. Neither experience was pleasant, so I’d rather avoid it if possible.
“Let’s relax here until it’s time. There’s still some cocoa left, too.”
“Yeah. By the way, what kind of abilities does Inie-san have?”
Now that I think about it, the way she addressed me changed from ‘-chan’ to ‘-san.’
Probably something the senior magical girls told her, but since our interaction will likely be brief, I see no need to correct her.
“Four elemental magics: fire, water, wind, and earth, along with healing magic. I can mix elements to create ice or thunder, but that’s about it. Since I specialize in magic, I can’t fight with weapons. How about you, Rinde?”
I know about Rinde’s abilities, but I asked to keep the conversation flowing.
“I can use wind magic, but I’m better at close-range combat with my battle axe.”
“I see. If only I could engage in close combat too, but I’m strictly magic-focused.”
Close combat becomes possible with Arcana or the second form, but in my current state, it’s challenging.
Like the previous Old Base imitation, it’s technically possible, but without tactile feedback, it lacks excitement.
“I think magic is better though. It’s more dazzling and entertaining to watch.”
Indeed, magical girls using magic are iconic, but these days fewer magical girls can wield it.
Many use magic as support, but when it comes to main abilities, perhaps one in ten qualifies.
Such idle chatter passed the time quickly.
“Oh, we should get going soon.”
“Right. Let’s go then.”
I hope everything goes smoothly, but I have a feeling something will happen.
During our conversation, Rinde kept checking the time and blinked excessively—clearly acting suspiciously.
Is she planning something herself, or is she being manipulated by someone else?
I hope Demon is right, and I can handle whatever comes up….
We arrived at the London Magic Bureau headquarters a little earlier than the time Rinde mentioned and spent a short while in the waiting room.
Soon, Rinde’s terminal rang, signaling the mission request.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
As we approached the teleporter, I noticed Rinde discreetly fiddling with her terminal.
She’s definitely hiding something.
When we entered the teleporter, the operator appeared startled, but the teleportation started immediately.
We landed in a wasteland, but Rinde, who should have teleported with me, wasn’t nearby, nor could I spot her with a quick glance around.
(Akuma)
“Sorry… It seems like someone tampered with it.”
From Akuma’s reaction, it appears the situation is quite serious…
Of course, knowing it was a false request, my luck remains poor.
(Then, where are we?)
“Yes. Here is… ”
“Long time no see, Inie.”
Interrupting Akuma’s explanation, a voice sounded.
I understood where we were even without Akuma finishing her sentence.
Linne, Lockwert, and four unfamiliar magical girls surrounded me.
“Quite the welcoming party. I don’t recall receiving an invitation.”
“Glad you noticed. I assume you realize escaping isn’t an option, but do you know what will happen if you try?”
Lockwert pulled the restrained Rinde from a rift and placed her in front of me.
Now, what should I do…?
