Chapter 84

Kaede was slightly delighted.

“Isn’t the Magic Bureau unnecessary?”

Thalagong, who had been feeling down over the Inie incident, said something to that effect shortly after the tea party began.

This hastily arranged tea party.

The main agenda was about the witch and her organization, the Annihilationists, regarding the extreme punishment the Magic Bureau inflicted on Inie.

The Fairy Bureau also participated in compliance with the Magic Bureau, but what the Fairy Bureau wanted to know was solely about the events that occurred in the simulator room.

They weren’t overly concerned about Inie’s behavior or changes.

“I understand your feelings, but there are those who would be troubled without it. Haven’t you heard from Inie?”

Kaede also chuckled wryly but shared the same sentiment as Thalagong.

Kaede had been planning to reform the Magic Bureau for quite some time but ended up allowing this kind of tyranny due to procrastination.

Kaede had tried to intervene, but the upper echelons of the Magic Bureau insisted it was for clarification and refused to engage further.

Kaede understood the Magic Bureau’s intentions but could do nothing given the circumstances.

Kaede had been considering who to assign as Inie’s partner but found herself unable to focus on that anymore.

Perhaps if a partner had been assigned earlier and there was something to prove Inie’s innocence, they wouldn’t have had to tolerate the Magic Bureau’s oppression.

“In regard to Inie, she won’t lose to just any magical girl out there, so there’s nothing we can do until she shows up herself. The issue is the matter of the Annihilationists. Tampering with the simulator, which even fairies couldn’t manage, high-density barriers, and forces capable of defeating rankers—each one is a threat.”

The heads of rankers placed before the Fairy Bureau, the program that feeds back all events within the simulation, and the unknown barrier that enveloped the simulator room.

Each one posed a threat, marking the first time in human history that an organized threat other than monsters appeared.

While individual magical girls designated for extermination have appeared numerous times in the past, none have formed organizations.

One reason for this is that no one among the designated exterminators has ever been capable of defeating rankers.

The extermination of designated targets is primarily handled by rankers; without the ability to defeat them, it’s impossible to unite.

“Weren’t there some among those killed who were stronger than us? We’ve been advised not to act alone, but from now on, we should be even more careful,” said Glint, summarizing his thoughts while reading through the data Kaede had prepared overnight.

To cleanse humanity—this includes magical girls.

If magical girls disappear, inevitably, monsters will proliferate, and there will be no one left to fight them.

Inevitably, the human population will decrease, leading to extinction.

Moreover, witches have been controlling these monsters.

The Mastidizaya this time and M·D·W that appeared in Japan.

Both are ferocious monsters far beyond the capabilities of ordinary magical girls.

“Tch. We’ve got some troublesome opponents here. So, what do we do?”

“The witch and her accomplices, the Annihilationists, will be designated as extermination targets, and all members will be targeted for elimination.”

In response to Blade’s question, Kaede declared clearly.

“I’d be at a loss if you didn’t say that. Is this the same opinion held by other countries?”

“Yes. It’s already been announced. However, the Magic Bureau’s response is too slow…”

Due to one of the elders of the Magic Bureau being swayed by the witch, their response has been delayed.

Additionally, because Inie is suspected of knowing secrets, they’re preoccupied with that instead.

“Our job doesn’t change, does it? There are just more enemies now.”

The third-ranked magical girl—Magical Girl Momodouji—was exasperated by the ominous content of this rare tea party.

Though understandable, she couldn’t help but wish for a lighter topic internally.

She had looked forward to hearing about her sister Inie from Thalagong occasionally, but now Inie was missing and being pursued by the Magic Bureau.

“That’s true, but please be extremely cautious moving forward.”

This meeting was crucial, and for the first time since the beginning, all ten participants were present.

The third-ranked Magical Girl Momodouji, known as the Oni God.

The sixth-ranked Magical Girl Fleur, known as Wise Plant.

And the tenth-ranked Magical Girl Zeahrfil, known as unknown.

Momodouji and Fleur specialize in designated extermination targets and excel in combat against people.

As for Zeahrfil, even Kaede doesn’t know what she does.

Kaede had once investigated but couldn’t track Zeahrfil due to her abilities.

“Most likely, there won’t be time for future tea parties. If there’s anything, please bring it up now.”

Ideally, they would swiftly eliminate the Annihilationists, but considering their past actions, a prolonged battle is anticipated.

As the top-tier force among magical girls, the rankers’ reduction would lead to casualties among both civilians and magical girls.

Indeed, it will become a race against time.

Gathering such rankers for a meeting will be difficult from here on out.

As Kaede scanned everyone, Zeahrfil raised her hand.

“What is it?”

“I’ll take care of the Magic Bureau and Inie’s case. I can’t stay idle any longer. I’m not suited for fighting, so it should be fine, right?”

Magical Girl Zeahrfil, who had been active as the tenth-ranked member even before Kaede became the first-ranked, remains shrouded in mystery regarding her profile and activity records.

Japan’s tenth-ranked position has always been held by Zeahrfil, never changing.

Assigning the Magic Bureau aside, trusting someone unknown with Inie was something Kaede disliked.

“You mean, the first thing you say to me is a challenge?”

If Kaede felt this way, then Thalagong, who cared for Inie, would feel the same.

Thalagong couldn’t possibly allow Inie’s case to be handed over to someone he didn’t know, and had intended to follow Kaede’s instructions to observe silently regarding Inie’s situation.

However, Thalagong would not accept Zeahrfil casually getting involved.

“The Annihilationists… witches cannot be ignored. It seems like the witch is meddling with the Magic Bureau. Since Inie seems to be involved as well, someone needs to handle it, right?”

What Zeahrfil said was shocking.

If what Zeahrfil said was true, it would explain why the Magic Bureau’s response has been sluggish.

Therefore, they might need to extend their reach to the Magic Bureau, not just the monsters or the Annihilationists.

However, resources are limited.

Kaede lacks the capacity to handle everything smoothly.

“…Hmph!”

Thalagong understands what needs to be done.

If they must intervene in the Magic Bureau or Inie’s case, the only options besides themselves are Zeahrfil, who isn’t counted as part of the fighting force, and Jeanne.

Thalagong launches an attack on Zeahrfil in frustration, but everything is swallowed by the shadow Zeahrfil deployed.

“—Understood. I’ll leave the Magic Bureau and Inie to you, but if anything happens to Inie… you know, right?”

“Don’t worry. Inie is still needed in this world. I’ll make sure she can move freely.”

Zeahrfil smirked and fell silent again.

“Lastly, the magical girls who participated in the New Demon War are currently hospitalized as a precaution. Also, all bets seem to be refunded. Let’s meet here again once everything is settled.”

Thus, the tea party concluded, and each participant moved towards their respective tasks.

No one knows how many magical girls will be able to return to this tea party when everything concludes.

Nevertheless, Kaede and the other magical girls have no intention of allowing sacrifices.

But they don’t yet realize the horror of the witch.

Her destruction of countless worlds and heralding of the apocalypse.

The Anhelen Plan has already begun…

1

“I’m resigning from the Magic Bureau.”

Two days after the witch’s declaration, Marin submitted her resignation to the North Kanto Branch.

“Wait, Marin. Don’t rush into things.”

Marin’s expression was very cold, radiating an aura that brooked no argument.

She was usually a vibrant and lively girl who greeted everyone without fail, except during the period when she was disheartened over the Inny Flowering incident. Now, however, there was no trace of that vibrancy.

When Tian Cheng saw Marin enter his office with her resignation letter, he had a bad feeling but didn’t expect her to actually resign.

“What’s going on?”

That single question made Tian Cheng break out in a cold sweat, but he kept calm and thought carefully.

The reason Marin wanted to quit the Magic Bureau was most likely related to the Inny Flowering incident.

He presumed she was dissatisfied with the judgment made by Japan’s Magic Bureau headquarters and the various Magic Bureaus around the world.

“And what will you do after quitting? You can’t do anything alone, Marin.”

“Compared to staying in this corrupt place, being a stray is better. I never imagined it would come to this.”

When Marin joined the North Kanto Branch as a magical girl, she was informed about the current state of the Magic Bureau.

She had agreed with Tian Cheng’s ideas, but after this incident, she could no longer see the point in staying with the Magic Bureau.

She thought it would be better to operate as a stray and search for Inie rather than stay here.

In other words, she intended to oppose the Magic Bureau.

“—Even if you say that, I can’t argue, but would you at least hear me out?”

“Hear you out?”

“Yeah. While Japan’s headquarters is saying foolish things, including myself, the directors of the Northeast and Kansai branches oppose this matter. She has helped us countless times, and there’s no way we can consider her evil.”

Until now, Inie has achieved many accomplishments.

The North Kanto Branch, under Tian Cheng, saved Marin and two other magical girls from the threat of M·D·W. In Kansai, together with Jeanne, they volunteered to treat many civilians.

In Northeast Japan, they saved novice magical girls.

Given all this, neither Tian Cheng nor the other directors are as corrupt as to turn their backs on such a magical girl simply because she underwent some changes.

“But do you understand what will happen if you defy headquarters?”

“After all, this is just a place for exile. Moreover, there’s also the matter of the magical girls who call themselves witches.”

Of course, Tian Cheng and the other branch directors witnessed the battle between Inie and Mastidizaya.

While that battle was problematic, the fact that witches possess the ability to control high-ranking monsters was even more concerning.

According to reports from Arongante, if witches were allowed to manipulate higher-level or irregular monsters as they pleased, Japan could easily fall apart.

Although Japan’s rankers are among the strongest in the world, its regular magical girls are relatively weak compared to others.

There are quite a few magical girls who can defeat S-class monsters, but when it comes to SS-class, only rankers can even hope to buy time against them.

Despite all this, Inie managed to easily defeat the SS-class Mastidizaya, regardless of the process.

Tian Cheng believes that Inie is absolutely necessary for Japan’s current situation.

“I understand why Marin is upset, but how about we strike a deal?”

“…A deal?”

“Yeah. Three of us directors, including myself, have decided to search for Inie. And when we find her, we’ll report to Marin first.”

If Marin becomes a stray, she would have no method to find Inie and would end up searching aimlessly.

However, the Magic Bureau possesses devices that can detect and locate magical girls’ wavelengths.

Although there are various restrictions, the chances of finding her are higher than aimless searching.

For Marin, it wasn’t a bad proposal.

And for Tian Cheng, losing Marin would be highly inconvenient.

Mentally unstable and not in good condition, Star Nail, and Blue Colette, who doesn’t listen to orders…

Star Nail’s issues might be resolved with time, but Blue Colette’s situation is different.

As it stands, in the near future, Blue Colette might have to quit being a magical girl.

If that happens, the North Kanto Branch will only have Star Nail as a magical girl.

It would be impossible to maintain the Magic Bureau’s structure with just Star Nail alone.

“…Are you telling the truth?”

“Have I ever lied to you, Marin?”

After letting out a long sigh, Marin withdrew the resignation letter from the desk.

She thought that staying affiliated with the bureau would offer more advantages than leaving emotionally.

“Thank you, Marin.”

“If you think that, please address the headquarters’ tyranny.”

“Heheh. I’m trying my best, but I’m short on manpower. But it seems we can’t keep things as they are.”

Since the witch’s declaration, the number of monster appearances has significantly increased.

Not only that, but there are more high-ranking monsters, causing harm to magical girls and civilians alike.

Reports indicate that another ranker has gone missing, and if the witch continues unchecked, there will be no future.

“…I’ll handle all threats above mid-level from my side, so please delegate everything to me. How are the other two doing?”

“Whitekigawa is looking after Star Nail, but Blue Colette’s situation seems hopeless. I feel ashamed of myself.”

Marin had been somewhat concerned about the changes in the two since the M·D·W incident.

However, after battling Dopple, she secluded herself and lacked the bandwidth to worry about them.

“…I see. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

With some thoughts in mind, Marin exited the director’s office without saying much else.

Left behind, Tian Cheng wiped the sweat that had poured down, relieved to have retained Marin’s services.

“Sorry, Marin. I’m truly sorry…”

If possible, Tian Cheng wished Marin could live freely.

However, if Marin left, the North Kanto Branch would fall into dysfunction and be absorbed by headquarters.

In that scenario, Tian Cheng would have to resign in responsibility and lose the ability to gather evidence of headquarters’ misconduct.

Bound by adult circumstances, Tian Cheng felt guilty for using the young girl but found himself powerless in the situation, able only to apologize repeatedly.