The Witch’s Invitation
“What in the world is that Magical Girl!”
Around the time Inny’s match had ended, a roar of anger echoed through one of the conference rooms within the Fairy Bureau.
“Even we didn’t expect something like that.”
“I never thought it would get to this extent. And yet, despite all the handicaps, she’s unstoppable.”
Gathered here are senior officials from the Magic Bureaus located in various countries, all involved with the New Demon War.
Ideally, they’d prefer their own nation’s Magical Girl to win.
That’s what everyone present desires.
However, as things stand now, they know that won’t happen.
“Inny Flowering… I mocked Kaede’s plan, but this makes us look like nothing more than jesters.”
“The first day is already over, and if things continue like this…”
As it stands, the New Demon War will conclude with Inny’s victory.
This much is obvious to anyone who looks at the situation.
While there might be lingering resentment, should things end as they are, there wouldn’t be any real issues… under normal circumstances.
“Must we endure being overshadowed by those Magical Girls again, especially by Kaede?”
The divide between those who seek rights and power, and Kaede’s group of Magical Girls who act solely for the sake of the world and humanity, is deep.
That is the problem.
We issue orders and leave all dangerous tasks to the Magical Girls; with the promise of money, corruption was inevitable.
Especially events like this one generate substantial profits.
Yet, one Magical Girl has ruined everything.
Inny, a Stray who keeps her distance from the Magic Bureau, is a thorn in the side for some members of the organization.
Because of her abilities, local branches have tried to approach her, but if she doesn’t belong to the bureau, she’s just an obstruction.
Furthermore, since she’s under the guardianship of Kaede and Thalagong, making a move could result in physical annihilation.
“At least if he didn’t win, it would save face…”
The man grimaced and leaned his elbow on the table. At that moment, his terminal buzzed.
Kaede’s name appeared on the display, and though he wanted to curse, he managed to restrain himself.
“Is there something wrong?”
“It’s a call from Kaede… Hello?”
“It’s been a while. I imagine you’re in a meeting, but I have a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“Yes. I thought this might cause you trouble.”
The man clenched his teeth as Kaede spoke. She’d hit the nail on the head and was about to place them in her debt—something he couldn’t refuse given the situation.
“…Speak.”
“Perhaps you should consider changing the tournament format to a battle royale? There will likely be some criticism, but Inny has already agreed, and if things continue as they are, it’s your side that will bear the brunt of the backlash.”
Changing the tournament format after the first day was an audacious suggestion, but it might actually be a good idea.
Most importantly, it would prevent Inny from facing other Magical Girls one-on-one.
It’s clear as day that Inny would win if things continued unchanged. While there may be some unrest, it would still be better than the current state.
What irked the man most was that the suggestion came from Kaede.
“Thank you for the valuable proposal. We’ll consider it.”
“Understood. Please inform everyone once a decision is made. Goodbye.”
After the call ended, the man cleared his throat and relayed Kaede’s suggestion to the others: switching the tournament format from a knockout to a battle royale, starting anew. They already had Inny’s approval, so the rest was up to them.
“Though reckless, we have no choice. If things stay as they are, we’ll suffer heavy losses.”
“If our own Magical Girls win, that’s one thing, but we can’t afford for Inny to triumph.”
One by one, those attending the meeting voiced their agreement, and the proposal was unanimously approved. However, deciding here didn’t mean it could be changed immediately—it wasn’t that simple.
“Well then, let’s wrap things up. Everyone, please handle the necessary communications and announcements.”
As the meeting concluded and people began leaving their seats, the man who had been on the phone with Kaede remained seated, lost in thought.
When he became the last person left and stood up to leave, a voice suddenly called out.
“You were having quite an interesting conversation, weren’t you?”
“Who’s there!”
From somewhere unseen, a woman’s voice rang out.
“Just a lowly Magical Girl. It seemed like you’ve been having quite a bit of fun, so I thought I’d lend a hand.”
“…Why don’t you show yourself first?”
The man cautiously scanned his surroundings, but the conference room was empty, with nowhere to hide.
Then he noticed something odd—the door connecting the conference room to the hallway was closed.
A cold sweat trickled down his cheek.
“Fine, if you insist.”
Behind the man, a magical circle appeared, revealing a hooded figure cloaked in darkness. The lower part of their face was obscured by deep shadows, making it impossible to discern any features.
But since they claimed to be a Magical Girl, it was safe to assume they were female.
Moreover, their ability to infiltrate the conference room unnoticed indicated they were no ordinary opponent. Any use of magic inside the room should have triggered alarms.
Help wasn’t coming.
All he could do was ascertain the true intentions of this Magical Girl.
“—What kind of help do you offer?”
“I figured you’d be upset about being toyed with by Kaede and Inny. Use this, and Inny won’t win.”
The Magical Girl produced a small device from a magical circle and handed it to the man.
“This contains an interesting program. Just connect it to your simulation equipment, and you’ll be fine.”
“…Won’t that leave evidence? Such foolishness cannot be done.”
“Once it’s loaded, there won’t be any evidence. Even if we could do it ourselves, don’t you want revenge?”
There had been countless times when this man had been humiliated by Kaede and her allies, and he’d often wished for retribution. But due to risks and unforeseen consequences, he’d always held back.
Dark thoughts swirled within him as he listened to the Magical Girl.
“Do you hate them? Even if you get caught, you can blame me. Do you really think, even with the battle royale, Inny will lose?”
“…”
“I entrust this to you. Whether you act or not is entirely up to you.”
With that, the Magical Girl turned to leave.
“Wait! What’s your name?”
She paused, and a faint sound of footsteps echoed.
Her obscured face turned toward the man, and the hood shifted slightly as if she smiled.
“Hmm… You can call me a Witch.”
With that, she disappeared into the magical circle.
The door, which had been closed, was now open as if nothing had happened. The man felt as though time itself had stopped within the conference room.
He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped away his sweat, wondering if the entire incident had been a hallucination—but the device in his hand confirmed its reality.
(If I use this, I can finally get my revenge…)
He replayed the Witch’s words in his mind.
There was indeed a question about whether any evidence would remain.
But if he missed this opportunity, he might never get another chance to retaliate against Kaede and her group—or even keep his current position.
Clutching the device tightly, the man rose from his seat.
Where he was heading…
—
“Long time no see.”
“Fool… it’s rare for you to come here voluntarily.”
In the vast expanse of darkness, NigoShiro sat in a white chair as Fool approached him. NigoShiro picked up a cup from the table and took a sip; the cup contained a red liquid.
Fool tilted his head as he looked at NigoShiro.
“Why do you look like that?”
“This? To not forget her… Haruna.”
“Ah, the one who transforms into Inie, right? I met her recently.”
“Oh? How was it?”
“Those eyes are great, but she’s far too weak. As it stands, she’ll die needlessly.”
Fool was offered a chair by NigoShiro and sat across from him. Like when he met Inie, Fool wore a smile as he spoke.
“Anything else?”
“…So she’s the only one left now?”
“Yes. It’s just her now. Surely you understand the rest?”
Her. Whether this referred to Inie or a Demon didn’t matter much—it wasn’t a favorable situation either way.
Fool’s smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.
“You’ve lost the spirit to make any more contracts, haven’t you?”
“—Do you understand now? That’s right. I’ve already given up. Endless battles, days of defeat—I couldn’t endure it anymore, even if I’m called a Fool.”
“I see… what do you intend to do?”
NigoShiro wore a slightly melancholic look and took another sip of the red liquid. If Fool were gone, only four would remain. NigoShiro knew trying to stop Fool would be futile.
“That’s right. If she—Inie—is a reckless dreamer, I’ll disappear with her. But…”
Fool paused and drew out a card. The image of a Fool was painted on it, and he tossed it into the air.
“If there’s a chance for Inie to defeat the Witch, I’ll stake everything on her.”
The Fool card fell and hovered mid-air, perfectly upright.
The Fool—a seeker of possibilities, freer than anyone.
Or perhaps, the most foolish and confined of all.
Countless years and days of defeat had worn down even the spirit of someone beyond human limits.
“I see. It’ll be lonely, but it can’t be helped.”
“I’m thinking… maybe it’s alright to lose to him. The disputes of humans must be resolved by humans themselves. Honestly, I don’t believe humans can overcome ‘him’ or ‘that.'”
NigoShiro closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.
Since when had it started? Even Fool, who used to be so spirited, had reached this state. If they don’t win, not only humanity but the world itself will perish.
In the end, nothing will remain but emptiness.
NigoShiro opened his eyes and stared at Fool.
“I don’t think so. I believe in the potential of humans—it’s not something to give up on.”
“Alright… then let’s test it with Inie. Whether she becomes the victor, the loser… or perhaps the savior.”
With that, Fool vanished from NigoShiro’s presence.
“Savior… huh. That’s not something so kind. If I had to compare, it would be akin to a White Mage heralding destruction…”
NigoShiro fights because he wants to fight. The Witch is merely an afterthought for Inie.
To Inie, neither justice nor evil matters.
All she desires is battle.
