Chapter 35

The magical girl is going to ambush in the dark.

(What’s the situation this time?)

“Maybe I can handle Haruna alone, unlike last time, but it’s difficult with Jeanne too.”

Aside from the fact that I used a magic circle midway because I got tired of the hassle and instantly recovered, nothing happened and the treatment session ended without incident. Afterward, an S-Rank monster emergence forecast was suddenly issued, and only Jeanne and I ended up being enveloped by a barrier.

And what concerns me are the words Jeanne just said.

If she’s the one who got us involved, does she know something?

“What do you mean?”

“There are designated assassination species after me, and one of them is troublesome.”

“Ah, the nihilist faction of magical girls, huh. I see.”

I don’t entirely understand, but…?

After summarizing what Jeanne and the demon said afterward, there’s a group called the Nihilists that aims for the destruction of humanity, and Jeanne is being targeted by them.

I’ll omit the details since they’re not relevant now, but among the higher-ups, there’s someone who uses spatial magic, and they seem to be the culprit this time.

However, the name “Nihilist faction” didn’t come up in Jeanne’s story, and it slightly contradicts some of the demon’s additional information.

Also, the name of the magical girl responsible this time is apparently Lockwert.

And this isn’t the first time; it’s the third.

Due to the constraints of that magical girl, Jeanne alone cannot be enveloped in the barrier; another magical girl must also be included.

That’s me.

And there’s another problem this time.

“Can Jeanne defeat an S-Rank enemy?”

“It’s impossible even with magic power. I specialize in recovery, so I can barely take down a B-Rank.”

You see, there are monsters inside this barrier as well.

It’s definitely correct since the demon detected them.

The issue is that both Jeanne and I have expended quite a bit of magic power, and without my staff, taking on an S-Rank is pretty tough for me.

Moreover, there’s also an enemy magical girl.

Why do we keep ending up in such dire situations?

“Haluna, Haluna?”

(What’s wrong, Demon?)

“Could you help Jeanne out?”

It’s rare for the demon to ask anyone for help.

I owe Jeanne something anyway, so I wasn’t planning on running off alone, but why now?

(That’s fine, but it’s rare.)

“If Jeanne were to leave here, it would cause problems later on. Please help her.”

Later on… Well, we should decide our strategy for now.

“Is there any possibility of reinforcements arriving?”

“Glint would find it tough. Blade might cut through the barrier, but… Is this the time to pay our dues?”

Jeanne shakes her head with a sigh.

I could fight if I had magic power and my staff, but I lack both right now.

The landscape inside the barrier resembles Egypt, with many brick houses and tents, and the ground is sandy.

So, visibility is poor, but that works in our favor.

After all, we’ve got the demon acting as radar. Poor visibility increases our chances of striking first.

“Shouldn’t we move to try and take the initiative? By the way, how does Jeanne fight?”

Jeanne summons bits from the void and manipulates them.

“I can use these for shooting or setting up barriers. Though, the extent is limited. Oh, by the way, what happened to your staff?”

Now that you mention it, I was going to ask Jeanne about that.

But I completely forgot because of the messy room we met in.

“My staff was broken. Is it possible to repair it?”

“Hmm. It’s said that weapons break when a magical girl’s spirit is broken. In other words, it means losing one’s ability…?”

Jeanne looks me over from top to bottom and tilts her head.

“Why are you so familiar with being a magical girl?”

“…Who knows?”

That’s what I’d most like to know.

Even without a staff, I can fight to some extent, and in second form, I probably wouldn’t lose to anyone ranked around 20th place.

“In any case, it’s difficult for me and Inie alone to turn this situation around. Even if we strike first, there’s too much of a firepower gap.”

“Perhaps if the magical girl Haluna defeats, things might work out?”

Ah, since this barrier was created by a magical girl, eliminating that magical girl might allow reinforcements to arrive.

If we encounter the monster before defeating it, there’s nothing we can do, but with the demon around, we shouldn’t worry. But…

(Does that mean the magical girl I fought in the Tohoku region will be exposed?)

“Come on! You can do it!”

This is how the lower ranks get dragged into reckless orders from above…

“Will this barrier be lifted if we defeat the magical girl targeting Jeanne?”

“Probably. The last two times, she dissolved the barrier and escaped, but since a monster is also trapped this time, it’s unclear. We may not be able to defeat her, but we have no choice but to try.”

“In that case, let’s aim to defeat the magical girl. If the monster doesn’t show up, we might not be completely helpless.”

In a worst-case scenario, I’ll knock Jeanne unconscious.

I’m used to either punching or using magic to render someone unconscious.

Following the demon’s instructions, after walking for a few minutes, the demon calls out to stop.

I extend my arm and signal for Jeanne to halt as well.

(What’s wrong?)

“There’s a square about five minutes ahead, and there’s a response that seems to be from a magical girl.”

(Understood.)

“What’s wrong, Inie?”

“There’s a response that seems to be from a magical girl in the square ahead.”

“I see. Then, let’s launch a preemptive attack.”

After briefly discussing tactics with Jeanne, we move into action.

Well, the strategy is simply for Jeanne to draw attention while I ambush in the dark.

“I’ll count on you. I won’t die easily, but please hurry.”

“Understood.”

As I watch Jeanne head toward the square and climb onto a rooftop where I can overlook it,

“Wind, carry my voice.”

This auxiliary magic hardly uses any magic power.

Now, all I need to do is wait for the right moment.

“Hmm? Isn’t that Jeanne? Showing up yourself is quite interesting.”

“You find it amusing, but I think people like you who don’t consider others’ inconvenience are foolish.”

The sound of their conversation reaches my ears.

As expected, the atmosphere is quite tense.

The magical girl known as Lockwert has gray and black hair split down the middle, and from behind, I can only confirm the cloak part of her outfit.

“There should be another magical girl around, unless she fell to the monster?”

“Hmm. Could the monster be something you prepared?”

“You’re partially right but also wrong.”

Since there’s no point in eavesdropping forever, let’s prepare. The timing should be when Lockwert launches an attack.

“Flowing water never ceases. Rising winds herald the sounds of spring. The convergence in the sky signifies the end of all things.”

If only I could use my staff or auxiliary magic, I could skip the incantation and cast spells…

By the way, it’s kind of embarrassing.

(I just thought, since this barrier belongs to the enemy, is it not being broadcast inside?)

“It’s currently in a state where the fairy’s barrier covers Lockwert’s barrier. When Lockwert’s barrier is active, it probably hasn’t been recorded.”

(I see. If this fails, I’ll have Jeanne sleep.)

Sorry, but I have my reasons.

Please don’t think ill of me.

“The roaring water wets everything, and the gathered water becomes ice that pierces everything.”

Jeanne is buying me some good time.

All that remains is to seize the opportunity to act against Lockwert.

“With ease, I’ll dispatch you, Jeanne alone.”

“Will it go as smoothly as you think? I’ve acquired new power. Come at me.”

It’s almost time.

A spell is gradually forming above Lockwert.

She’s concealing it, but how will it turn out?

“Despair-scattering thunder roars. Heaven’s thunder covers the sky. Open the door to bury thee.”

Lockwert swings her sword and charges at Jeanne.

As planned, I’ll have Jeanne deploy every possible barrier and then retreat.

“Receive the cold judgment of the world within the binding confines. Tears of the white world.”

Eight icicles descend from the sky surrounding Lockwert, instantly forming a magic circle and trapping her inside.

Surprised by the sudden event, Lockwert, please die already.

A single drop of water falls from the sky, enveloping the world in white light.

I’ve squeezed out all the magic power I can, and though it’s close, did I manage to defeat her?

(How’s the reaction?)

“There’s still a faint presence. Perhaps she retreated to another space to endure? She couldn’t escape the magic circle but seems to have taken damage.”

Tch. Despite casting a spell with extra precautions, it failed.

(Currently, can Jeanne defeat Lockwert?)

“It’s hard to say… Ah!”

Ah?

The Egyptian-like scenery changes into a grassland.

So, Lockwert escaped, but I feel ominous vibes coming from behind.

I start running.

I run as fast as I can towards Jeanne, far away.

But even as a magical girl, my physical abilities are trash, so I can’t gain much speed.

Glancing back, a dragon-type monster is about to breathe fire.

In my current state, I can’t cast a spell strong enough to defend against the dragon.

Moreover, it’s impossible to use magic while running.

Just then, while thinking of ways to evade, a white robot descends from the sky.

It’s Glint piloting Lind.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. We’ll handle this from here, so you go ahead and meet up with Jeanne.”

No way, that’s so cool…

…Wait, am I the protagonist here?

Don’t waste time thinking nonsense; let’s run now.

“Thank you very much!”

“Of course.”

Glint fires his gun, interrupting the dragon’s breath attack.

He gathers hate toward himself and starts fighting while moving away from us.

“Hey, Inie. Thanks earlier.”

“We couldn’t defeat Lockwert, and she escaped.”

“That can’t be helped. This time, just surviving is a win.”

Jeanne and I sit on the grass and watch Glint’s battle.

Robot vs Dragon—it’s entertaining to watch.

“By the way, regarding Inie’s weapon, Kaede might be able to do something about it.”

“Why Kaede?”

Her ability was summoning, wasn’t it?

Is there any relation?

“Why is that?”

“This isn’t widely known, but Kaede can summon anything she knows. So, she might be able to summon Inie’s weapon too.”

Even if she summoned it, the ownership would remain with Kaede, wouldn’t it? Does it have any meaning?

“If Inie can seize control of the staff Kaede summons, there might be a chance. It’s speculative, but I think it’s worth trying.”

Since no better method comes to mind, it might be worth attempting, especially since I found no useful information in the academy’s library tower.

When I asked Jeanne, she questioned why I could transform into a magical girl.

Oh, Glint is cutting off the dragon’s wings.

“I’ll contact her next time. Thank you for the information.”

“Not at all. It’s a thank-you for today’s assistance. Besides, there’s a debt for involving you in this mess. I think Inie’s identity hasn’t been exposed to them yet, but stay cautious.”

“Understood.”

Glint thrusts his gun into the dragon’s mouth and pulls the trigger.

A few seconds later, the dragon turns to dust, marking its defeat.

Although our lives were slightly in danger this time, it was better than M·D·W.

“It seems to be over. Shall we head back?”

“Yes.”

As Glint approaches us, he dismisses Lind and lands in front of us.

“Was the opponent Lockwert?”

“Yeah. I served as bait, and Inie tried to defeat her, but she escaped again.”

With more magic power or a staff, I believe I could have defeated her, but it’s embarrassing.

I probably won’t face Lockwert again, but if I do, I’ll take her down quickly in my second form.

“I panicked when I received word that the two of you suddenly disappeared. The director of the Kansai bureau nearly collapsed, complaining of stomach pain.”

“Sorry about that. Let’s head back for now. Inie must be exhausted too.”

“That’s true. Thank you for helping Jeanne, Inie.”

I bow my head in gratitude for Glint’s thanks.

I’m really tired and want to go home soon.

‘Thankfully, both Jeanne and Haluna are safe.’

“Truly, it’s fortunate that everything worked out despite owing no favors.”

‘Well, well. This outcome might bring a brighter future someday—for me and for Haluna.’

Indeed, things would be problematic without Jeanne’s power.

But since I can also use recovery magic, I don’t think I’ll need to rely on Jeanne’s powers often…

The demon seems oddly meaningful. What does he know?

I’m tired today, so I’ll go home and sleep.

The fairy bureau’s barrier is lifted, and we reunite with the other magical girls.

Sweep hugged me tightly, nearly pushing me to the ground, which hurt quietly, but Jeanne cast recovery magic on me, so it was fine.

Somehow managing to separate from Sweep, I leave Jeanne and Glint behind for further discussions and head home first.

I’ll rest properly tomorrow since I have Mikachan’s matter next week, and I pray nothing happens this time.

I need to check Kaede’s availability later.

Sigh, it’s frustrating how I’ve gotten used to this body lately.

Will the day come when I can return…?