QQQ was unable to stop flapping his wings due to his restless heart.
“Hurry… please hurry…”
He was almost driven mad. He knew this sight was an act, but what if it wasn’t?
He couldn’t rule out the possibility that he had been deceived. Most importantly…
“If I capture Iris, please call the others. I’ve sent the letter, but there’s a high chance they might not see it.”
To summon all the magical girls, what could be their intention?
“…My head hurts…”
A long sigh from QQQ. Beside him, Stella landed.
“QQQ! Where’s Noah?”
“Miss Stella…”
QQQ looked at Stella. She too wore an equally urgent expression.
“Is Noah alright?”
“QQQ…”
“Surely not…!”
“Iris is… captured by the Kraken…”
“The Kraken?”
“Yes. It seems like they’re planning to cause serious trouble this time.”
Stella’s expression twisted.
“After being quiet for a while, this is what they were planning…”
“QQQ… What about the others…”
In sync with QQQ’s sigh, the other magical girls arrived one by one.
Natalia arrived, followed shortly by Black Heart landing as well.
Both looked bewildered. Well, how could they not be?
Upon receiving the message, they found out Iris was in danger, and a letter suspected to be from the Kraken also arrived.
It would be strange if they weren’t shocked.
“Everyone has gathered. I’ll explain on the way, so please hurry.”
QQQ quickly took off into the air.
Following his lead, the other magical girls joined in flight.
QQQ’s explanation was brief: The Kraken had captured Iris, and the situation was dire.
Following QQQ’s guidance, they arrived at the location, where…
“Iris!”
“…Stella!”
Iris bound by tentacles.
And then…
“Why are you so late?”
“…What?”
“I nearly passed out…”
For some reason, the Kraken was showing irritation.
“Why are you irritated?!”
“Black Heart.”
“Quickly release our sister!”
“Sister… Ha! How amusing.”
“What?”
“A parasite clinging onto Iris like a leech.”
After muttering discontentedly, he shook his head.
“Further conversation is a waste of time.”
Then he extended his hand, tightening the tentacles even more.
“Ugh… Ah…!”
“Iris! You… Stop it immediately!”
“Refusing, Natalia. You’re a parasite too.”
“…What?”
“Experience it firsthand, the powerlessness within yourselves.”
+++++
“What do you plan… to do!”
Iris struggled.
She seemed to sense something ominous.
“Just a short nap, that’s all.”
“Don’t joke around!”
“…I apologize.”
I focused my magic into my eyes. Through the mask, I could see Iris’ pink irises.
Her eyes were trembling violently. I could feel my magic seeping into her body.
Shapes rushed towards me. The others were rushing to save Iris.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I deployed the remaining tentacles to block the magical girls. Magic drained rapidly from my body.
My vision blurred momentarily and my head spun, but I didn’t stop. If I did, something worse might happen.
…If I look like I’m getting beaten like a dog now.
If I had planned to quit halfway, I wouldn’t have started in the first place.
“Aaaah…!!!”
A scream cut through the morning stillness.
Iris’ body trembled violently, and the magical girls’ attacks grew fiercer.
They clearly wanted to protect Iris at all costs.
But what could be done?
‘Weaklings, what can they possibly protect?’
With cruel intent, I cast a domination spell on Iris.
At some point, the sound ceased, and silence fell. Iris stood like a marionette with its strings pulled taut.
Her eyes turned towards me.
“…Master, awaiting your command.”
A tear like a shooting star fell, then the light faded from the girl’s eyes.
Success. In dominating Iris’ spirit.
It wasn’t a pleasant feeling. Quite the opposite.
“…Sigh.”
“…Why are you like this?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
I felt uneasy. Subjugating and controlling a close younger sibling. This probably means I won’t be going to heaven anytime soon.
Still, this would serve as a good preventive lesson for them.
“A… Iris!”
“…Sis!”
“Snap out of it! You shouldn’t listen to that guy!”
Despite her friends’ calls, Iris maintained a vacant expression.
As if her soul had left her body.
I pointed at them with my hand.
“Let’s give her a little help.”
“Yes, Master.”
Like a well-trained guard dog, Iris obeyed my words. Even if the command was to attack her friends.
BOOM!
The shockwave tore through the air. Iris charging forward.
The first target was none other than Natalia.
“Kyaa!?”
Removing healers is fundamental in battle. Iris clearly understood this fact.
The punch came so fast Natalia couldn’t react in time. Her body floated into the air…
“Urgh…”
A loud crash echoed as the wall shattered.
That was it. Natalia lay face down, twitching on the ground.
Impression…
“…That was harsh.”
Did she have pent-up frustration? Even brainwashed, was she supposed to hit that hard?
No, Natalia’s resilience was weak too…
“…Sa… Spare them.”
“Yes?”
“No, just… give them a little help. I don’t wish for their deaths either.”
“Yes, I’ll go easy.”
“Please do.”
With a nod, Iris charged again. Her figure resembled a fierce tiger.
Her claws this time aimed at Stella.
“Snap out of it…!”
“Following Master’s orders, disposing of her.”
Stella fired arrows while creating distance. As expected of an archer. Her movements were swift.
Perhaps faster than Iris when it comes to speed alone.
However…
‘That’s all there is.’
Iris didn’t care much about the arrows. Though minor abrasions appeared, that was all.
No lethal wounds, no hidden trump cards to reverse the situation. When losing in battle, defeat was inevitable.
“Choke!?”
Iris flew up and delivered a kick. Stella wobbled after being struck on the back of the head and fell.
“Are you okay, Iris?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“So, is this the end?”
Our gazes turned toward Black Heart.
She…
“…”
Was frozen stiff, unable to move.
Could it be…
‘PTSD?’
Did memories of being beaten by Iris resurface?
The incident must have been severe. Who would have thought Black Heart would appear so frightened.
Iris prepared to throw a punch, clenching her fists tightly. I shook my head and grabbed her shoulder.
“That’s enough.”
“…Yes, I’ll stop.”
“Your great power should not be wasted on cowards who bow before enemies.”
“…Keh…”
Black Heart’s head hung low. After taking care of Stella and Natalia, she retreated from the scene.
Stella and Natalia unconscious. Black Heart doing nothing. This should leave quite an impact.
Attacked by Iris and simultaneously unable to do anything.
“…Phew.”
“…Please escort this lady to the police station and return. We have somewhere to go.”
“Yes.”
Iris, whose trance was wearing off, was held and flown away.
She’ll likely take her safely to the police station.
“…Haah.”
Today especially, my conscience aches.
Even though I console myself saying it’s all for the world.
+++++
The place we arrived at with Iris was near a motel. Seemed best not to stay at home where we might be discovered.
I rented a room at a nearby motel and planned for her to stay here for a while.
We reverted transformations in a nearby alley.
“Revert.”
Transforming back to our original forms, I recalled worrying about revealing our identities, but it seemed unnecessary.
Through several experiments, I learned that memories during hypnosis mostly disappear. That’s why we could do this.
To Noah, I am neither Shin Hyun nor the Kraken, but simply the master.
“…Big Brother?”
“…”
Not quite?
“…Big Brother… Is that the Kraken?”
“No, impossible. I don’t know who the Kraken is.”
“Eh? Then why… Master is the Kraken but…”
“Tch, what if I am the master? Don’t like it?”
Noah rolled her eyes mischievously and smiled broadly.
“I like it…”
It was a direct blow to my chest. Acknowledging me as her master like this.
No, rather. Could she recognize me despite the hypnosis? The others didn’t even recognize family during experiments.
“…How did you identify me?”
“Huh?”
“Noah, do you remember me?”
“Yes, Big Brother, or Master.”
“Uh… Hmm.”
“How could I ever forget you?”
“Really?”
“Of course. Because I truly love you.”
…Noah…
‘Strangely became more proactive, didn’t she?’
Should I say her attack power increased, or her inner thoughts are spilling out directly?
Looking up at me intently, Noah made a request.
“Master.”
“Hmm?”
“…I demand a reward.”
Reward for the task.
Suddenly demanding a reward? Well, she did do a good job, but isn’t it too sudden?
I blinked.
“Rew…ard?”
“Yes, I need a reward. A reward filled with Master’s love.”
“Love…?”
“Yes. If I don’t receive Master’s love, I’ll become sad. I might even burst into tears.”
Saying that,
“Please bestow a reward filled with love. Master.”
“…”
“Yes? I humbly request this, from my beloved Master.”
She clung to me, rubbing her cheek against mine.
This was a completely unexpected side effect.
