Chapter 75

The second day of the New Demon War and the Magical Girls

The second day of the New Demon War.

From the early morning, this day was enveloped in commotion, with disturbances occurring.

It was due to the announcement made last night regarding the changes in the format of the New Demon War.

Even though the first day’s tournament had already concluded, it was announced that the format would be changed to a battle royale.

While the audience vaguely understood the reasons, this was by no means acceptable.

In particular, some who had placed their bets on Inie strongly opposed the change, but since it was an official announcement, lodging complaints proved futile.

Additionally, since Inie herself and the other participating magical girls agreed with the change to a battle royale, the event staff proceeded quietly with the preparations.

Some were angered by this situation, while others rejoiced.

These were the magical girls who lost on the first day, as well as those who had bet on them.

“Uh, ladies and gentlemen present at the venue. As you may already know, the competition format for the New Demon War has been changed.”

“While you may have various thoughts, please direct any complaints to the respective Magic Bureaus.”

As yesterday, Faye and Arongante seated themselves in the commentary booth, pushing all responsibility onto the Magic Bureau to calm the situation.

Though the Magic Bureau was indeed at fault, the two commentators also received backlash, so they shifted the responsibility right there.

“Then, let me reiterate the changes to the rules. Until yesterday, it was a tournament format, but after considering the combat capabilities of a certain magical girl, it has been changed to a battle royale format.”

“As a result, the magical girls who were eliminated earlier will also be given another chance.”

Those who had been eliminated but now had a second chance due to the format change effectively found themselves with another opportunity.

“By the way, what about the handicap for a certain magical girl?”

“Due to requests from the participating contestants, there will be no handicap this time.”

“Well, the outcome of the battle is pretty clear anyway.”

Of course, the “certain magical girl” referred to Inie, which needed no further explanation.

Moreover, it was evident that the other magical girls, having witnessed Inie’s overwhelming power, would likely target her first.

“There have also been changes to the betting format, so please confirm before the match starts.”

“The odds have completely changed. Dendrobium is currently the top favorite, followed by Inny Flowering.”

With only 30 minutes left until the start of the match, Marin and the academy group sat in the spectator seats just like yesterday, waiting for the match to begin.

If there was any difference from yesterday, it was that they were asked about Inie more frequently.

Although Inie’s exceptional abilities were widely known through her achievements, she kept her videos private, so apart from M·D·W, few had actually seen her in action.

However, yesterday, Inie’s combat style was revealed to the public.

Her overwhelming power was displayed even without wielding a weapon or obstructing her vision.

After witnessing that battle, no one could mock Inie anymore.

“President, you seem quite happy, don’t you?”

“Yes, it’s delightful to see that the world is finally recognizing Inie.”

Marin tried her best not to grin too much while responding casually to the questions about Inie that she heard around her.

Yesterday, it was all talk mocking Inie, but today, it was filled with praise for her.

For Marin, who liked Inie, this was a joyous occasion.

“Still, isn’t this battle royale targeting Inie?”

“Well, after such a display of magic, it’s understandable, isn’t it? Still, I don’t think Inie will lose.”

“If there were handicaps, incantation times might be an issue, but without them, there’s no reason for her to lose.”

Marin, who prided herself on knowing Inie better than anyone else, believed that it was impossible for Inie to lose without any handicaps.

If Inie gave it her all, defeating the level of magical girls participating in the New Demon War would be effortless.

Marin was confident after witnessing Inie’s simulated battle with Thalagong and the subsequent fight between ranked fighters.

“But still, how did such a reckless change get approved?”

“Isn’t it pressure from higher-ups? They probably thought continuing with a guaranteed Inie victory would look bad.”

“Corruption…isn’t that what you call it?”

Mika felt disheartened and lowered her gaze.

The corruption within the Magic Bureau, deeply intertwined with magical girls like Mika and Marin, was troubling.

Issues included giving priority to extermination requests for select magical girls, inflating payment amounts upon completion, or siphoning off funds. The list was endless.

Recently, an incident at the Tohoku Branch was publicized, but it was merely the tip of the iceberg.

“When we graduate from the academy…”

As the start of the match approached, the participating contestants were already waiting inside the simulation.

Since it was a battle royale, the field was larger than yesterday, and the participants were scattered across various positions…

“Hmm? Is there a malfunction with the equipment?”

“Is that true?”

Noise ran through the hologram, and with a pop, the image disappeared.

Then, a figure in a black hood and nine individuals presumed to be magical girls appeared on the screen.

Among them were Rinne and Lockwert, the magical girls who had attacked Inie.

“Hello, people of the world. Are you enjoying the New Demon War? We are the ones calling ourselves the Annihilationists. Does the name ring a bell if I say M·D·W or Dopple?”

People who didn’t understand what was happening began to inquire about M·D·W and Dopple from nearby fairies and magical girls.

Both were well-known among magical girls, but the defeated monsters were only known to the general public through videos of magical girls.

However, since M·D·W involved civilians, it was quite famous in Japan.

“We aim to cleanse the corrupt human race and bring about destruction. To spice up today’s match, we’ve prepared a gift. While battles among magical girls are fine, don’t magical girls truly shine when fighting monsters?”

The video of the Annihilationists became semi-transparent, showing Inie and the others.

Then, a single monster appeared in the field.

At this moment, Arongante was communicating with the managers of the current simulator but frowned at the situation.

“Hehe. It seems Arongante has been informed. We’ve already taken control of the simulator system. Death in the simulation equals real death. By the way, the images and holograms can’t be turned off either. Since it’s such a great opportunity, why don’t you explain this monster?”

Currently, the magical girls participating in the New Demon War are confined in cube-shaped boxes and unable to move.

The monster is similarly immobilized, but its full appearance can be observed.

This monster stands about four meters tall in a humanoid form, with four pairs of black wings on its back. Its right and left arms have unusual shapes.

Its face is obscured by something resembling restraints, but red glowing eyes can be seen through the gaps.

There are many restraint-like objects attached to its body, making it resemble a prisoner.

This monster was once defeated in a fierce battle by Arongante long ago.

“…The monster’s name is Mastidizaya. Its abnormal arms transform: the left into a sword, the right into a large cannon. A single swing of the sword can part the sea, and a single shot from the cannon can freeze magma. Additionally, when the restraints come off, its power is unleashed, and its final monster rank becomes…Irregular.”

A scream rose throughout the venue as those who grasped the situation began to move.

Irregular… This refers to a monster so powerful that only Ranked-class warriors are permitted to engage it.

It’s unimaginable for rookie magical girls to win against such an opponent.

“Thank you for the introduction. Oh, we left a present in front of the Fairy Bureau. The hint is missing magical girls.”

The disappearance of the Ranked warriors discussed at the recent meeting was orchestrated by the Annihilationists.

Not only did this demonstrate their power, but it also showed their ability to conduct covert operations undetected by the Magic Bureau or the Fairy Bureau.

And the missing magical girls….

Faye contacted a fellow fairy to gather information about the Fairy Bureau.

“That’s…right. Understood.”

“What’s wrong?”

After hearing from her colleague, Faye ended the call with a pale face, worrying Arongante.

Faye leaned close to Arongante’s ear and whispered the contents of the previous call softly.

Arongante widened his eyes and clenched his fists tightly to suppress the rising anger.

Several women’s and girls’ headless corpses, along with unidentified heads frozen in ice, were dumped in front of the Fairy Bureau.

Once a magical girl dies, they’re just ordinary people.

Their transformations wear off, reverting them to their original forms.

Though unidentified, considering the earlier statements, it wasn’t hard to guess who these victims were.

“It seems our present was well-received. By the way, call me Witch. Well, shall we begin? The magical girls seem restless too.”

The reactions of the ten visible magical girls were roughly divided into two categories:

Those who couldn’t comprehend the situation and were overwhelmed by fear, and those who were determined to overcome the adversity.

But regardless of their reaction, the magical girls had no chance of winning.

They would be brutally crushed and killed.

However, some magical girls—like Marin, Mika, and Arongante—quietly standing there brought hope that perhaps, just maybe…

The magical girl who defeated monsters far beyond her capability, like M·D·W and Dopple, saving other magical girls.

The one who repelled Lockwert in front of Jeanne and Mika, secretly engaging in a fierce battle with Shengxi and driving her away.

Only Arongante knows about the incident with Shengxi, and she hasn’t told Inie yet.

Everyone else fell into despair, mourning the impending loss of life among the magical girls.

“President…”

“Don’t worry. Inie will surely win. There’s nothing impossible for magical girls.”

Mika looked worriedly at Marin, but Marin showed no signs of agitation.

Inie always stood before the other magical girls, fighting tirelessly.

Protecting others while injuring her small body…

Perhaps… Only Inie could create another miracle.

It was hard not to think so.

However, only Jeanne and Thalagong, who weren’t present here, knew what the outcome truly meant.

“Then, please enjoy the final battle thoroughly. And since it’s such a grand battle, do make sure to provide proper commentary, won’t you? Otherwise, you know what’ll happen, right?”

The witch finished speaking, and the image disappeared.

Amidst the chaos in the venue, the barrier surrounding the magical girls inside the simulation and the monster dissolved.

The roar of the monster—Mastidizaya—echoed through the venue, shaking the air.

Thus began the life-or-death battle of the rookie magical girls.