The Resolve of a Magical Girl
“Was it good?”
“What are you talking about?”
Leaving Inie and her three companions inside the barrier, after sending Rinde, who was about to collapse, home, Rinne and Lockwert had returned to their base.
Rozanne, who had been with them, headed off at Rinne’s request to delay Rent. Since Rent could potentially break through the barrier and rush to save Inie, they decided to take action.
Though Rozanne might find it difficult to defeat Rent, she could buy enough time until Inie’s battle concluded.
“Ultimately, we’re back to the original plan, but are you really intending to kill her?”
Rinne slowly nodded.
“Yes. She must be stopped. Even if Arcana is present… no, precisely because Arcana is there, she must be eliminated.”
“It certainly felt eerie, but what exactly do you mean? Elraks also seemed off, so what’s going on?”
During the battle with Elraks, Inie underwent a transformation. It wasn’t the monstrous appearance Inie displayed during the fight with Shengxi but rather a human form that still carried an unsettling presence.
While watching the footage, Lockwert only felt an eerie impression, but Elraks and Rinne reacted differently while in combat.
Elraks’ reaction could have been influenced by receiving a blow from Inie, but Rinne froze in shock upon seeing Inie.
“Perhaps… That thing is a mass of thoughts. No, I believe it’s a being formed from emotions. If it dies as it is now, that would be fine, but if it mutates due to Arcana… well, even if that happens, its ultimate end won’t change. The process may alter, but the result will remain the same.”
“Why are you making conclusions all by yourself?”
Instead of answering Lockwert’s question, Rinne muttered to themselves, seemingly content with their own reasoning. Although overwhelmed at the scene, now that things have calmed down, Rinne thought Inie’s transformation wouldn’t matter much.
“I apologize. I momentarily thought Inie could become the same kind of existence as a witch. I lost my composure back then, but regardless of how things turn out, it doesn’t concern us.”
“So what exactly does that mean?”
For some reason, Rinne was satisfied with their own understanding and refused to elaborate further. Mentioning witches meant nothing to Lockwert.
“Inie can become the same kind of existence as a witch, albeit not as insane. Moreover, due to Arcana, there’s a possibility it could worsen.”
“If that’s the case, wasn’t it unnecessary to kill her?”
“I already said it – it could worsen. A witch’s wish and Inie’s wish are different. They share similar principles of action, but their essence differs. Beyond my imagination, it was merely spreading hatred.”
Given Linne’s deep-seated hatred for the world, they could sense what Inie harbored within.
Simultaneously, Linne wondered why someone with such feelings could live normally and oppose them. Why was Inie acknowledged by Arcana, the will of the world?
This incident occurred as the witch’s plan reached its final phase. Given the current power gap, Inie’s chances of defeating the witch were low, but since they weren’t zero, Rinne couldn’t overlook Inie’s current state back then.
“Hatred… isn’t it fine anyway? We’ll all die eventually, right?”
“That’s true… but let me steel myself too. However…”
Rinne activated the monitor to check the battle’s outcome. What appeared on the screen…
“—She’s really fighting. And it seems like she’s grown somehow?”
“How she’s growing is unclear, but this must be her trump card. Still, against three opponents… Inie is probably the strongest magical girl right now.”
On the monitor, three individuals surrounded Inie, attacking relentlessly.
Swords clashed with spears, naginatas swung wildly, storms raged, and thunder mixed with ice.
At the center, Inie skillfully wielded two swords and twin large scythes on her shoulders, defending against all attacks while steadily landing hits on the trio.
Her movements were so precise it was as if she foresaw the future, creating a barrier-like defense impenetrable to any attack.
“—I’m back!”
Just as the battle was reaching its climax, Rozanne returned, her body partially covered in ice.
“Seriously, Japanese magical girls are strange. By the way, did something happen? Did she grow taller?”
“She’s likely optimizing her body in some way. How did Freilenschlaf go?”
“I think I managed to buy some time. But looking at this, it probably wouldn’t have made a difference whether I was there or not?”
While shedding the ice from her body, Rozanne sighed as she watched the monitor. Inie was moving unscathed against the three opponents, strategically anticipating their moves before countering.
“I thought with three of us, we’d surely win, but against her… I’m stepping away. If I don’t return, please proceed according to the usual plan.”
With those words, Rinne disappeared somewhere.
“Phew… Playing around as Lady Witch pleases her, but still…”
“There’s no point worrying about it. Besides, shouldn’t you get healed?”
“Oh no!”
Rozanne realized not only was her body covered in ice, but she had sustained significant injuries. With Rinne gone, Rozanne lamented her oversight.
1
Throwing one of the large scythes into the air with full force, it locked onto Natalia’s naginata. Using the opening, Inie blocked Elraks’ greatsword with her right-hand sword, released it, and deflected Eleonora’s spear with the other scythe.
Before the sword used to block Elraks’ greatsword flew away, Inie gripped it again, evaded the counterattack, sheathed it once more, and slashed Elraks with the scythe falling from the sky.
It was less a display of swordsmanship and more acrobatics, but from afar, it would appear as though weapons were dancing around me.
“Just a little longer!”
As the Demon said, breaking this balance was almost within reach.
If I eliminate one of them, I could take the offensive.
Still, with all three opponents, the collateral damage was immense.
All the rocks nearby had vanished, leaving massive craters scattered everywhere.
Moreover, various spells constantly raged, and without the barrier, perhaps even continents would have sunk into the sea.
Without haste, I exploited every minor opening, accumulating damage bit by bit.
Initially, I thought having these many weapons was meaningless, but in this battle where even a single strike couldn’t be endured, they proved useful.
My growth allowed for greater freedom of movement, increased magic capacity, and enhanced physical strength.
Responding at speeds that would otherwise be impossible, I could assess and react to the trio’s movements.
By instantly switching weapons, I maintained parity in terms of number against the three opponents.
Additionally, combining barriers enabled free movement even in the air.
Ordinarily, barriers are used to defend against enemy attacks, but against these adversaries’ magic, they barely served to delay attacks.
(A few more moves…)
“Is everything alright with your body? Any weird sensations?”
“Absolutely no issues. In fact, it’s enjoyable how well my body responds.”
Through my lover’s ability, I acquired this grown body.
This form is likely where I can best utilize my capabilities.
It responded perfectly to the reckless maneuvers I envisioned, and my vision has aligned closer to what it was when I was male, eliminating any discomfort.
Ideally, I’d want to stay in this form forever, but that’s tragically impossible.
“Then it’s good… Now!”
Their constant coordination faltered slightly as Natalia’s movements slowed due to accumulated damage. Though minimal, it was sufficient for my current state.
“Heaven and Earth Close Bite – Heaven Crusher”
Swinging both large scythes from above and below, the blades closed in like a beast devouring its prey, slicing Natalia into dust.
“Unparalleled Dance – Scattered Blossoms”
With one less coordinated opponent, stopping me was beyond their capability.
Wielding all weapons like a storm, I carved through the remaining two.
Though I could have ended it here, remembering Orneas, I resolved to finish thoroughly.
Exerting his last strength, Elraks charged forward, but I met his greatsword with my scythe.
“Asura Array”
Both large scythes shattered into pieces, transforming into chains that restrained the two.
The restraint would last about five seconds, but with my current form, that was plenty.
The sword embedded in my waist disintegrated into particles, reforming into a single blade.
Circulating magic throughout my body and infusing it into the sword,
my armor transformed into anchors fixing me to the ground, completing my preparations.
Draining every ounce of magic from the two supply lines, I unleashed my all-out spell.
“Starlit Condemned One Who Sings of the End”
Light erupted from the descending sword, engulfing the two.
Distorting space itself, cracks began forming in the barrier’s sky.
Before the spell completed, a sound akin to shattering glass echoed, and the barrier collapsed.
(…uh-oh.)
Ignoring the magnitude, I poured all my available power into the spell, but it seems I overdid it slightly.
The peak of the towering mountain before me was gouged out, and the clouds along its extension were obliterated.
Would this qualify as a forbidden technique…?
“Haruna”
(Spare me the lecture. I am reflecting a little. Confirming, are there any reactions from the three?)
“They’re gone. We’ve won… though your strength was truly incredible.”
The power equivalent of two Arcanas, yet the strength felt multiplicative rather than additive.
An ordinary magical girl would explode under such power, but thanks to my reserves, I pulled off this secret technique.
Still, I should reconsider how I use this power.
(In this state, do you think I could win?)
“Hard to say without trying, but judging from this battle, I’d say better than fifty-fifty odds.”
Ultimately, we won’t know unless we try.
For now, the battle’s over, so I should revert before I exhaust myself.
“Hermes”
“Understood. I estimate it’ll be reusable in about two weeks this time.”
That it’s usable sooner than last time is a relief.
My body glowed, reverting to its original height.
Arcana dissolved, returning me to my usual white robe attire.
I may have overdone it slightly, but it seems there’s still something left to do before heading back…
“Haruna!”
(I know.)
Though I said I understood, the situation appears somewhat troublesome.
(Is Arcana usable?)
“Technically yes, but assume there’s no time limit. While it’s safe now, activating it will bring instant strain.”
That’s right. Escaping seems like the best option.
A magic circle appeared, and someone began to emerge from it.
It wasn’t Lockwert, and none of my acquaintances possess this level of transfer magic.
Most likely, it’s a member of the Catastrophism faction.
And the person who emerged was…
“We just met earlier. Please don’t be so tense. You know I can’t fight, right?”
Rinne appeared from the magic circle, hands raised in surrender.
(Are there others around?)
“No responses. It seems she really came alone.”
What business could she have?
Unless others are lurking, she alone shouldn’t pose any threat. While she doesn’t seem intent on fighting, it’s best not to let my guard down.
“Do you have some business?”
“I have a question. What exactly happened in your past?”
What indeed… how should I answer that?
