Negotiations with the Magical Girl
Following Ms. Ren’s suggestion, we temporarily decided to treat the magical girls.
It’s for strengthening our forces, but thanks to going along with Jeanne last time, our proficiency has increased.
Because of that, we should be able to treat them quickly and with little magic power.
Well, we’ll need to handle severe injuries individually, but thanks to Hermes, efficiency has improved.
Although it will take a bit of preparation, once we start, it shouldn’t take more than two hours.
We could do something like covering an entire country as we did in Australia, but doing it on such a grand scale would be embarrassing.
Even though it might not make sense since the forces of doom could be moving, it’s better to proceed discreetly.
Now, the number of operational magical girls in England may decrease due to preparations and other things, but I’m sure Ms. Ren will push through alone there.
“Well, let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“For a preemptive investment.”
We could wait until everything is ready, but since we’re free anyway, let’s get moving.
There should be a few magical girls resting in the infirmary anyway.
Treating them first will be perfect for demonstrating safety.
After all, aside from the volunteer work with Jeanne, this will be the first time I’ve officially been requested to heal someone.
Though I did treat many in Australia, even then, my fame probably hasn’t risen much.
Rather, the impact of monster slaying was likely stronger.
So, I want to ensure things progress smoothly.
Fortunately, I mostly understand the internal structure of the Magic Bureau, and with Akuma around, I won’t get lost.
Leading Lind with her nervousness, we head towards the infirmary guided by Akuma.
“Excuse me.”
Inside the infirmary, there was one female staff member who seemed to be an attendant and another who seemed to be a magical girl.
Both looked extremely exhausted, as if they were about to collapse at any moment.
“Is it an emergency? Is there a risk to life?”
“Not patients, but assistance.”
To the two fatigued individuals, I use the fatigue recovery magic that Arongante often uses.
Upon doing so, they widen their eyes and begin checking their bodies.
“There’s a spell like this…?”
“I believe you’ll receive official notification from the Director or someone soon, but currently, I will treat everyone here, including the detained magical girls.”
“That’s absurd…”
The staff tries to say something foolish, but the magical girl interrupts.
“Are you perhaps the one from Australia?”
“If you know, it saves time. First, can you guide us to the patients here?”
“…Do you have proof that you’re acting under the Director’s name?”
The magical girl braces herself as if sizing me up.
Indeed, saying “let me through because I’ve come to heal” is a difficult story.
They probably want to be healed, but without permission, they cannot proceed arbitrarily.
That’s why I brought this troublesome companion.
“This magical girl is the proof.”
I bring Lind forward.
She gives a slightly stern look but nods.
“Indeed, she’s sufficient proof. Alright, follow me.”
Lind, who doesn’t fully grasp the situation, panics slightly, but since she’s the Director’s granddaughter, her presence with me serves as evidence of the Director’s trust in me.
Following the magical girl, we are led to a room where several magical girls lay on beds.
Though there’s no smell of blood, their gazes toward me aren’t favorable.
“Please introduce them to us starting with the severely injured.”
“It would be faster to check their charts. Here you go.”
Indeed, that makes sense.
The worst case seems to be the loss of both arms.
There are also cases of finger loss and poisoning, but as long as the internal organs are intact, it’s not too difficult.
Let’s get it over with.
“Understood. It seems there shouldn’t be any issues with me, so let’s proceed one by one.”
“…Are you really alright with this?”
“Yes, I have Jeanne’s seal of approval.”
“—Master’s?”
Oh? Apparently, she’s Jeanne’s disciple.
I recall her mentioning that she takes care of those with aptitude for healing magic, so this isn’t unusual.
Approaching the magical girl at the far end who has lost both arms, she looks at me with lifeless eyes.
Since having no arms renders one unable to do anything, I understand why she’d feel this way.
And she’s probably keeping her transformation active out of fear of the pain?
There’s much to consider, but healing her will resolve the issue.
“Return to thy original form.”
Judging by this sensation, it’s been quite some time since she lost her arms.
It’s understandable why she’d become pessimistic thinking it couldn’t be cured.
For me, it just means a slight increase in consumed magic power, which isn’t too burdensome.
As the light from the magic dissipates, a magical girl with arms regenerated lies there.
“It’s done. Please try moving your arms.”
Her lifeless eyes now reflect confusion, then transform into surprise.
“They move…”
She mutters as if savoring the moment.
Witnessing the actual healing, the attitudes of the other magical girls change, igniting hope.
“Is your magic power okay?”
“Yes. At this level, I could heal a hundred or even a thousand people.”
Though they look at me as if I’m some suspicious thing or a monster, those who actually possess recovery magic must realize how abnormal I am.
But such gazes don’t bother me, so let’s heal the others as well.
“I’ll heal everyone in turn. Please wait quietly. The treatment cost will be covered by the Director, so don’t worry.”
Actually, it’s on Ms. Ren, but letting Bayern take the credit will improve impressions.
Small actions accumulate greatly.
Thus, I proceed to heal each person, eventually treating all the patients in the ward.
With the work done, let’s finish up properly.
“There’s no treatment fee, but I have a small favor to ask. Those who can move, please help spread this news across various locations.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
“You already gave the answer with your initial reaction.”
Even if Bayern or other Directors reach out, gathering people through me alone would be difficult.
However, if those who were healed spread the word, we might gain some trust.
A few seem confused, so I’ll explain further.
“Did anyone truly believe I could heal when I said I would?”
Everyone avoided eye contact.
Good honesty.
“In a few hours, an announcement will likely be made, but spreading the word beforehand will be more effective. Please tell others that I healed you. Only those who can move need to help.”
“What’s your name?”
“Inny Flowering. A Japanese magical girl.”
I started feeling slightly embarrassed, so I leave the ward.
It’s better to exit before something awkward is said.
“Are there any other patients?”
“Here, only the severely injured remain. We treated those with minor injuries who could be helped, and sent those beyond help to the Fairy Realm.”
The extent of “beyond help” is unclear, but it seems like a reasonable judgment.
“Understood. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Hearing that from you feels odd… Oh, why are you still wearing the hood?”
“Because I don’t want to reveal my face.”
Though I can see normally, to them, it appears as a dark void.
While it might be unsettling, it’s preferable to showing my face.
They gave me a strange look but didn’t press further.
“So, this healing you mentioned earlier is true, right?”
“Yes, it’s an order.”
The magical girl seemed to ponder something, then nodded once.
“If you don’t mind, would you wait here until the appointed time?”
“Why is that?”
“From what I heard, there will be quite a number of people. It wouldn’t be fair to leave it all to you as a British magical girl, so I’ll gather some help.”
Since she’s willing to assist, I have no intention to object.
“Understood.”
“And regarding the patients, I’ll leave it to you. Thank you.”
Leaving those words behind, she exited the infirmary with the remaining staff.
“You’re amazing…”
Linde suddenly muttered.
Though called amazing, this isn’t the power I originally possessed.
It’s a remnant of hatred.
“I’m not amazing. Rather, let’s grab something to drink. We still have time.”
I wanted to hunt monsters until the call came, but since I’ve been entrusted with this task, I’ll wait here.
Until Lind returns with drinks, I’ll sit in the examination chair and wait.
1
A cold wind cuts through the skin.
No. That wasn’t just any wind.
Blowing past as if caressing the skin of the monsters, it turns them to dust.
Nothing remains after the wind passes.
Freezing Sleep… Ren’s ability is to freeze.
Similar to Thalagong’s ability, but its power is incomparable.
If Ren went all out, perhaps only someone on Kaede’s level could defeat her.
Monsters appearing in England immediately freeze upon appearance, turning into dust.
Ren, keeping her promise to Bayern, exterminates the monsters.
However, using such large-scale magic is akin to announcing that something unusual is happening in England.
“Already weird ones are showing up. What should we do?”
“What shall we do?”
While monitoring the tragedy unfolding in England, the witch and Rinne were somewhat troubled.
Just as Arongante predicted, the witch intended to stir up trouble in England but is contemplating what to do seeing Ren wreaking havoc.
“Do you think she’s there?”
“Hmm, can’t you track her from your side?”
“Not possible now. Akuma keeps covering up everything. Unless you use your abilities, I can’t locate her.”
With the resources equivalent to two Arcanas provided by Fool, Akuma wasn’t just searching for the witch but also concealing their own activities.
Ordinarily, one could only handle either task, but thanks to Akuma’s enhancement, both were possible.
“Got it… I think she’s there.”
“I’ll take your word for it. Since the Arctic preparations are almost complete, let’s make this our final game.”
“Finally… We’ve known each other for a long time, but is this our farewell?”
Rinne chuckled lightly.
“Yes… Or maybe not.”
“Are you…expecting something?”
“No. Let’s just say it’s curiosity. If she wins, I’ll entertain expectations for the first time.”
The witch’s goal is to destroy the world.
However, there’s a different purpose hidden beneath that.
She hasn’t told anyone, and no one knows about it.
But Rinne had a vague understanding of what that true purpose was.
That’s why she’s letting Inie slip away and watching over her as much as possible.
This is nearing its end.
The witch’s preparations are almost complete, and all that’s left is to wait for the opportune moment.
Therefore, this was planned to be the final test for Inie.
Though it could change depending on the witch’s whims, only the witch knows that.
“Can you let me handle this round? If this is the last, there’s something I want to try.”
“Hmm… Sure, what’s your plan?”
“Not very exciting. Just thought if it’s the last, let’s have a grand finale.”
Rinne explains her devised plan to the witch.
After hearing it, the witch simply nods and permits Rinne to execute her plan.
“It’s not thrilling, but that’s fine. Besides, throwing existing monsters at her now would be meaningless, so this is probably the best option.”
“Yeah. Ideally, I’d prefer doing it outside the barrier, but interference would surely occur. Can you handle the other arrangements?”
“Understood. When’s the execution?”
“February 14th… Let’s make it five days from now.”
There’s no deep meaning behind Rinne choosing this date.
Regardless of victory or defeat, it’s merely granting them a brief respite before the end, setting aside five days.
Nothing will remain at the end.
The future of destruction is drawing near…
“Right. While we’re at it, let’s use her as well.”
The world is plagued solely by despair disguised as hope.
