Chapter 97

Magical Girl Marin became enraged.

As she had the previous day, it began with her slipping out of Tamake’s arms.

Honestly, though, this part didn’t really matter.

More importantly, things were getting quite interesting.

Who would have thought that I would be marked as a designated target…?

This was during breakfast while watching the news—it was certainly impactful.

“Without a doubt, it’s the witch’s scheme. What a ruthless move.”

“What is this…? Why has this happened… when Inie helped us…”

Tamake, watching the news, couldn’t find words to express the gravity of the situation.

To begin with, within that barrier, the Magic Bureau couldn’t establish communication or capture any footage.

This was undoubtedly something leaked by the witch.

Their images were carefully edited so that Marin and Star Nail wouldn’t appear.

Furthermore, Blue Colette’s image only showed up at the very end, making it look like I killed innocent magical girls.

Now, how should I react to this…?

“Things are getting pretty wild here. Is this true?”

“There’s no way! Inie helped me and Marin and even took our place… ugh!”

In her anger, Tamake slammed the table.

But the fact that this was broadcast means the Magic Bureau obtained this video from the witch.

Which means…

(The North Kanto Branch is also involved.)

“Adults are nothing but trash… They probably abandoned Haruna to save themselves.”

I’m one of those trashy adults too.

Even if I’ve officially been marked as a designated target, if some random magical girl comes after me, they won’t stand a chance.

Even if a high-ranking one shows up, I can escape quickly with my teleportation magic.

It would be troublesome if someone like Lockwert came, but spatial-type magical girls are rare, and they’re likely too busy to bother with me.

“I’ll go protest at the Magic Bureau. If they know I was there that day…”

“It’s useless. Without evidence, anything you say will just be dismissed as childish nonsense. Besides, isn’t your Director involved in this too?”

Tamake looked shocked.

Most likely, they’ll just dodge the issue. The fact that such a video is being aired so soon suggests the witch handed it over to the Director of the North Kanto Branch.

I’d heard the North Kanto Branch was the best among all branches, but Arongante’s information wasn’t reliable either.

Well, to them, I’m just an outsider.

They chose self-preservation over the truth, but if the truth never gets out, that could be problematic.

If no one knows, it’s possible someone might fall for the witch’s tricks.

All I want to do is fight, so why does it always end up this complicated…?

“Still, we have to say something… If the Director is involved, we need to tell them it’s wrong!”

I think it’s futile, but there’s no need to discourage her further.

“Alright then. Do as you wish, Tamake, but please don’t overexert yourself.”

“―Yeah.”

The Magic Bureau… Maybe it’s time to consider dismantling it entirely.

Anyway, I’m leaving this world eventually, so I don’t mind taking all the blame.

(Headquarters of the Magic Bureau is in the Fairy Realm, right?)

“Yeah. There are headquarters and branches in each country as well.”

While magical girls are one thing, dealing with fairies is another matter entirely.

Besides, I’m not heartless enough to kill innocents.

First, I need to eliminate the witch’s subordinates.

“Shouldn’t we head to the Magic Bureau soon?”

“…Yeah. I’ll go. Oh, and here’s lunch. Will you be home for lunch today?”

“I have errands today, so don’t worry about lunch.”

Yesterday, I slaughtered a bunch of minor threats as practice, but today I plan to set traps for the higher-ranked ones and locate the doomsday cultists.

Based on past trends, Japanese top-tier magical girls haven’t been targeted yet, so I’ve asked Demon to monitor foreign rankers’ reactions.

(Are the traps set properly?)

“Honestly, it’s impossible to track everyone, but I’m trying to pick up signals from the 7th to 10th ranked magical girls.”

(Understood. Until we get a response, let’s continue as we did yesterday.)

“Alright, I’m heading out. Make sure to lock the door when you leave.”

“I know. See you later.”

“Yeah. See you later.”

Unlike the cloudy days before, today was clear, so Tamake transformed and left.

Though I don’t expect anything to happen immediately, I’ll pray for peace.

(Alright, let’s get moving.)

“Yeah. Let’s work hard today.”

1

When Star Nail tried to enter the North Kanto Branch, a loud explosion echoed from inside.

Something flew skyward from within the branch office.

Although it was brief and unclear, it didn’t take long to figure out who or what caused it.

(Ah, Marin, huh.)

Knowing Marin harbored strong feelings towards Inie, Star Nail understood what had transpired.

Instead of entering through the entrance, Star Nail went directly to where the ceiling had collapsed and peered down from above.

“Wait! I truly had nothing to do with it!”

“Liar. Did you underestimate me as a child? I’ve already received information from Arongante.”

Upon learning Inie had been marked as a target, Marin didn’t act impulsively but instead contacted Shirokigawa calmly.

Through Arongante, she reached out to Amakaze and requested hacking assistance with his device.

The video circulating on the news was discovered this way.

Shirokigawa was astonished by the situation but couldn’t ignore Amakaze’s feelings either.

That said, there are limits to what is acceptable and what is not.

Because of this, Shirokigawa decided internally to abandon Amakaze.

With evidence in hand, Marin attacked Amakaze, swiftly thwarting his plans.

(Wow, Marin is really angry.)

Peering through the hole created by Marin, Star Nail cautiously observed the scene.

Marin’s expression was cold, her bow pointed at Amakaze.

Though she probably didn’t intend to kill him, her eyes suggested otherwise to Star Nail.

“Ugh… It couldn’t be helped. If I hadn’t done this, I would have had to take responsibility. And if that happened, I’d have to step down from my position.”

Marin fired an arrow, gouging the floor near Amakaze.

“You sacrificed Inie as a scapegoat for yourself. You thought it was better than other options, but clearly, it was a miscalculation.”

“―This was the only option. Even if I explain now, it won’t change anything…”

Amakaze wiped cold sweat while making excuses, which only fueled Marin’s anger further.

At this point, Amakaze was no longer seen by Marin as merely an obstacle but as an adversary.

“Though I haven’t been under your care much, our paths part here today. Star Nail! What will you do?”

“Eh? Me?! Umm, thank you for everything!”

Marin called out to Star Nail, who was peeking from above, asking if she wanted to join her.

Star Nail, who had intended to voice complaints against Amakaze anyway, ended up bidding farewell to him in the flow of events.

When their eyes met, Star Nail gave a slight nod before leaping down next to Marin.

“Stop! What do you plan to do by leaving here? There’s no future for you as strays!”

Amakaze was troubled by Marin and Star Nail’s departure.

If they left, the status he had managed to preserve would lose its meaning.

Without direct magical girls under his command, he’d likely end up manipulated by headquarters again.

“Don’t worry about us. We’ve already arranged to assist Arongante. Let’s go, Star Nail.”

Marin briskly walked forward but paused briefly.

Amakaze clung to faint hope, only to have it shattered by Marin’s words.

“Oh, and by the way, I’ll cover the repair costs here. This is my last bit of mercy.”

Following Marin, Star Nail exited the battered director’s office.

“Are you okay with this?”

“I’ve been given permission by Shirokigawa to do whatever necessary. Were you alright with it, Star Nail?”

Though Marin had noticed Star Nail by chance and decided to ask, she hadn’t intended to involve her.

Arongante had mentioned they could rely on her if needed, but there was still uncertainty about securing stable income as before.

“Yeah. Colette’s gone too, and I’ve had my own thoughts. What will we do next?”

“I plan to contact Arongante and search for Inie while carrying out missions. Fortunately, I’ve met Inie in civilian form, so there’s some possibility of finding her.”

“Really? What’s Inie like in civilian form?”

Currently, only Marin and Thalagong knew Inie’s civilian identity.

Though she occasionally revealed her face in water-related scenarios, among magical girls, only these two knew.

“Well… Her manner of speaking and presence remain the same, but her hair stands out the most.”

“Hair?”

“Yes. She has pale, long white hair. Likely, no one else around here has hair like that.”

At that moment, Star Nail stopped walking.

Everything connected in her mind, forming a line.

Except for the part about regular people, everything made sense.

If the ordinary person who died turned out to be her—Fūru—the calmness Fūru exhibited seemed more understandable.

(So… that’s how it was, Colette.)

“Is something wrong?”

Star Nail hesitated whether to tell Marin.

Star Nail believed the girl named Fūru was Inie.

Just as Inie was special to Marin, Fūru had become special to Star Nail.

Moreover, Fūru had promised to leave Star Nail’s house in a few days.

If Star Nail told Marin, the remaining time with Fūru would vanish.

Therefore, Star Nail…

“Nope, nothing. By the way, what’s Arongante like?”

(I’m sorry, Marin.)

Marin decided not to tell her.

She felt guilty,

but for now, she didn’t want to give up Fūru to anyone.

“She’s like someone who can make Shirokigawa serious.”

“Oh, I see.”

The two inadvertently resigned from the Magic Bureau and were set to work for Arongante.

“Good, you’re here. That was quite a racket, but no one got hurt, right? And Star Nail, are you alright?”

When the two entered the teleportation room, White Pine was already waiting for them.

“Yes. I restrained myself from causing serious harm. Is everything okay with Star Nail?”

“It’s fine. Extra hands are always useful. Well, shall we go?”

“Where to?”

“To a base prepared by Arongante, just in case.”

White Pine explained their future plans to the two.

Replacing the ineffective Magic Bureau, they aimed to create an organization to defeat the doomsday cultists.

Afterward, they planned to take over the Magic Bureau.

Lastly, they discussed bringing Inie into the organization at all costs.

“Considering how Inie effortlessly defeated SS-class enemies while using that unique transformation, her power is indispensable. Therefore, I need both of you to find her.”

“I understand, but isn’t it difficult to meet Inie through normal means?”

As with Blue Colette, since Inie could teleport, catching her reaction and moving fast enough would be nearly impossible.

“That’s the tricky part… Do you have any good ideas?”

“If I did, she’d already be captured by now.”

“That’s true. I’ll try to find a method from our side. For now, let’s move. It’ll be troublesome if he follows us.”

Leaving Amakaze behind, the three departed from the North Kanto Branch.

Amakaze, having fallen for the witch’s trap, followed the same path of destruction as Blue Colette.