Desire Overflowing with the Magical Girl
“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. There was a bit of an issue with the acceptance process, so I got delayed… Are you alright?”
Ms. Roshe returned to the temporary break room looking apologetic and noticed Rinde’s swollen red eyes near her eyes, asking her worriedly.
“I’m fine. Just got some dust in my eyes.”
“…Is that so? If anything happens, rely on the Director. That person always worries about you. Well then, are you ready?”
“Yes.”
Though I want to say unnecessary adult concern is unneeded, since it comes from goodwill, I’ll keep quiet. Personally, I’d like to just push through any fatigue and finish everything at once, but it seems that’s considered unreasonable.
We ended up having an unnecessary break, but I won’t worry about it.
Leaving the temporary break room, we walk while shooing away the approaching magical girls.
Among those treated, there were already people who could walk normally, as well as those who still couldn’t move.
Even if they can move, their condition isn’t perfect, so going out to slay monsters is forbidden.
It would be best if they at least spend a day doing nothing but eating and sleeping.
Fortunately, Ren is working hard.
“This way. Not only magical girls, but also staff and other related personnel are present, so there’s quite a number of people, but will you really be okay?”
“I’m fine. You can tell everyone not to move after we enter.”
“Understood.”
There are indeed quite a number of people in the room as Ms. Roshe mentioned, but anyway, I’ll only use magic once.
Looking around a little, I saw a magical girl who was at the London Magic Bureau’s infirmary.
She said she’d do something, but looks like she’s helping out.
I’m glad she kept her word.
“I’m going to start the treatment now, so please don’t move!”
Ms. Roshe called out with a microphone in hand.
There was a bit of noise, but following Ms. Roshe’s words, most people stopped moving and looked at us.
Well then, let’s get this done.
Taking out my staff and tapping the floor, I spread out a magic circle.
Performing a quick examination and thinking about the most efficient magic to use.
“Fairy Spring”
The magic circle that had spread across the floor rose into the air and stopped. Then, light like misty rain began to fall, healing everyone present.
Consumption-wise, about 30%.
Not bad time-wise either.
“It’s over. Let’s go to the next place.”
I call out to Ms. Roshe who’s standing there dumbfounded after seeing my magic.
Startled by my voice, Ms. Roshe reacts and clears her throat once.
Soon, the people who’ve been healed will start making a commotion, so I’d like to leave this place quickly.
“Understood. Please follow me.”
We leave the room and enter the opposite one.
There are fewer people here, but there are those lying on beds and others sitting lazily on chairs.
As before, I ask Ms. Roshe to announce and then use my magic to finish.
Incidentally, if we were to request full payment for this treatment, it would amount to at least several hundred billion yen minimum.
A country can’t just cough up that kind of money, which is why Mr. Bayern and the others were at their wits’ end.
And the ones who can just cough up that kind of money are the Rankers.
Though, even if it’s just the balance in their account, it’s impossible to withdraw it all at once, right?
With the treatment finished, we retreat outside the room and enter what appears to be a break room.
“That’s all, but what should we do next?”
“We’re on standby. It’s believed that magical girls will come since the announcement from the Magic Bureau turned out to be true, so we intend to observe for about three hours.”
That sounds reasonable.
This should somewhat improve the relationship between the British Magic Bureau and the magical girls, making things better than before.
And according to Ren’s request, even if the country gets chaotic due to issues—like the destructionists—we hope they’ll overlook it.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Also, Rinde, it’s fine for you to go home once. Inie-san also doesn’t have much else to do besides being on standby.”
“…Yes. Understood.”
She looks deflated, but since her eyes aren’t dark, she should be fine now.
However, just being on standby might get boring, huh…
“Can I wait here until I’m called?”
“Yes. It’s fine to step out briefly if necessary, but it’d be appreciated if you could stay here as much as possible.”
That’s what I thought.
If we could wait at home, that would’ve been preferable, but it can’t be helped.
“Is that so? Then I’ll wait here, so feel free to ignore me.”
“Understood. If anything happens, we’ll have staff outside, so please take care.”
Ms. Roshe bowed once and left the room with Rinde.
Since I have time, I might as well check the current situation.
(How’s Ren doing?)
“There’s no problem. The monsters that appear instantly turn to dust, and S-Rank or SS-Rank are instantly killed.”
That sounds safe enough.
Let’s just hope Ren doesn’t accidentally freeze any magical girls or civilians.
(What about the destructionists?)
“There’s no trace of them. We’d prefer it not to become like Australia, but it’s difficult…”
They’ve fought countless Arcanas.
Even knowing all the abilities of the Arcanas wouldn’t be surprising.
Knowing their abilities means countermeasures can be devised.
Taking the first move is probably impossible.
I wonder what kind of attack they’ll launch next…
―I’m quite excited.
(Are there any problems on the Japanese side?)
“Hmm… Nothing significant. All the Rankers are rushing around, Arongante is cutting down on sleep, Marin and Star Nail are working as hard as ever.”
Same old, same old, but humans have limits.
When someone collapses, someone else works hard to fill the gap and ends up collapsing too.
If this continues, it’ll spiral negatively, and everyone will perish.
Could the witches be targeting this?
It’s unusual to target overwork instead of directly attacking, though troublesome.
(Are there no problems, but is there an issue with time? How’s Australia?)
“Negative feelings towards the destructionists are increasing. Also, reconstruction is difficult due to a shortage of magical girls.”
In today’s world, magical girls are indispensable.
No need for heavy machinery to dig holes, demolition is child’s play.
Land leveling, high-altitude work.
Foundations and such can be completed at an incredible speed compared to the past.
Although regular methods are likely being used as well, the difference in completion time is vast.
As long as there are people left, reconstruction should somehow be possible, so we’ll have to rely on their efforts.
(I see. Reconstruction has to be handled by the locals. As expected, there’s nothing we can do but wait.)
“Yeah. But probably, this will be the last time after one or two more instances…”
(Why is that?)
“Because the Earth can’t handle it anymore. And considering Haruna’s abilities, they shouldn’t be testing anymore and should come hunting soon.”
Even though they claim to be testing, it feels like they’ve been trying to kill all along…
Practically speaking, we’ve lost every time.
In M·D·W, we’d be dead without our original bodies.
During the new recruit training, we’d be dead if they hadn’t let us off.
In Mastidizaya, we’d be dead without Fool.
Orneas is different since it was her own decision, but she was a strong opponent.
Luckily, we obtained a magic eye, but without it, Nightmare might have died.
Anyway, using Arcana in its second form is a double-edged sword, so we hope a cheat-level magical girl like that doesn’t appear.
And the fierce battle in Australia.
While it might seem contrived, thanks to Hermes, one of the Arcanas, and Sora, the owner of the body, we managed to live again.
We also obtained our trump card, so even if drugged, we should be able to win with both of us together.
Of course, it’d be tough against three or four opponents, but realistically, such a situation shouldn’t occur.
If the Ranker class uses that many people, the enemy’s forces should be practically annihilated.
Using drugs means death anyway.
But if the Demon says so, there’s a possibility they’ll throw such unreasonable challenges at us.
There’s no way to prepare… we’ll just have to judge on the spot.
Thinking about these troubles, I hear a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
“Additional patients have arrived, so please move. The patients are at the location where external injury patients were housed. I’ll guide you, so please follow me.”
“Understood.”
Before leaving the waiting room, I glance at the clock and realize it’s already been an hour since I arrived here.
Time passed quicker than I thought…
Will this be the last session for today time-wise?
The corridor is busier than before.
Teleportation movement can’t be completed in an hour, so everyone must be on standby.
Walking quietly to avoid drawing attention, I head toward the destination room.
“Is this the last session?”
I ask the staff member guiding me along the way.
“Yes. It’s judged that no more patients will arrive even if we wait longer. Also, it’s considered impractical to burden Inie-sama further…”
“I see. Can we be free after finishing?”
“Yes. Also, Ren-sama intends to exterminate today.”
“A while ago, I received a mail from Ren. She says to prepare something edible beforehand.”
“(Understood)”
Now that I think about it, while Ren might be fine, I can eat out normally without issues…
Even if affected by instant-effect drugs, I can heal myself, and with Demon and Hermes around, some life extension is possible.
But, if I make food anyway, it might be more worthwhile to make mine as well, so I’ll cook at home today.
“Understood. Is everything clear regarding the treatment process?”
“Yes. I’ve informed those gathered to wait seated. If anyone isn’t seated, I’ve also conveyed that it’s at their own risk, so treating them the same way as before should be fine.”
That’s good news.
Let’s wrap this up quickly and go home.
Entering the room, I glance around to confirm the approximate number of people.
The number itself is small, but I feel skeptical gazes. Why does their trust in me remain so low despite knowing I’m coming?
They came because others have been healed, yet it’s puzzling.
…Ah well. Let’s just get it done.
“Fairy Spring”
After resting for an hour, even without transforming, my mana has fully recovered.
Thus, without any discomfort from mana depletion, I managed to complete the treatment.
“I’m done. I’m heading home, but if anything happens, please contact Ren.”
“Understood. Thank you very much today.”
The staff member who guided me bowed deeply after saying that.
Seeing that, I teleported back to the base house.
1
“Hey, long time no see. How’ve you been?”
“…Yeah.”
Rinde parted ways with Inie, returned home, and was deep in thought in her room.
Rinde felt jealous of Inie but became confused after hearing Inie’s story.
She wanted to grow stronger. Preferably right away.
However, Inie told Rinde that gaining strength required sacrifices.
The reason Inie was strong. After hearing that, Rinde hesitated.
Even when weak, there are things one can do.
Do such things truly exist?
That’s what she was pondering…
Ordinary happiness… Happiness varies greatly from person to person.
And Rinde’s version of happiness…
To such Rinde, a certain person came visiting.
“Don’t point your weapon at me with such a face. What about our friendship, Rinde? Besides, aren’t you troubled about something?”
Hearing that, Rinde widened her eyes.
But given her current state, she thought it made sense to be guessed correctly.
“Let’s talk, shall we? You know I can’t even compete with Rinde, right?”
“—Yeah”
“Good answer. Do you know about a magical girl named Inny Flowering? Ah, I see from your reaction, no need to answer. Hmm. Is your trouble about strength as a magical girl?”
Rinde swallowed and lowered the weapon she had readied.
“Looks like you’re correct. She’s amazing, right? That petite figure achieving greater results than some Rankers. Possessing the power that both you and I desire.”
—Strength gained through loss—
Inie’s words echoed in Rinde’s mind.
That’s right. Even though I’ve lost so much, why am I so powerless?
What I desired wasn’t this.
Such thoughts began to bubble up.
“Don’t look so scary. Now, let’s get to the main topic. Knowing about Inie means you’ve probably been taken care of by her, right?”
Rinde nodded.
“Indeed. To confirm, what do you wish for Inie, Rinde?”
Rinde envied Inie.
Yet, she was also grateful.
Without Inie and Ren, they would have been on the brink of extinction before the witches did anything.
Continuing as a nation would have been difficult, and Grandfather Bayern’s fate would be uncertain.
Therefore, despite feeling envy, she didn’t hate Inie.
Then, what does she want for herself?
“…I want to see.”
“Hmm?”
“I want to see Inie’s true potential.”
That’s what Rinde wished for.
She knows Inie is amazing. But how amazing exactly, Rinde doesn’t know.
She’s watched videos of the New Demon War and the battles in Australia, but that’s not what she wants.
What Rinde wants to know is what Inie envisions while fighting and what the outcome of that vision is.
“Fufu. That’s interesting. A bit different, but convenient for me. Then, let me ask for your cooperation. Something only Rinde can do. Though there’s a possibility Inie might die, you want to know, right? As your sister, I understand you well. Even after eight years.”
“…”
Rinde avoided her sister’s gaze but couldn’t deny it.
Her heart, once stirred, couldn’t be calmed by the mature Rinde.
“Then, let me explain. A plan betting on the survival of the world…a fun one.”
Rinde’s sister explained the upcoming operation to her.
Occasionally, Rinde showed signs of hesitation, but ultimately agreed to the plan…or rather, accepted it.
“…That’s all, but do you have any questions?”
“What happens if we lose?”
“You know where I belong, right? Inie’s death equates to the world’s demise…but honestly, it doesn’t matter. Whether the world perishes or survives makes no difference. If we can fulfill that person’s ultimate goal, it’s fine.”
Decisively, Rinde’s sister stated and took out a memory card from her pocket, handing it to Rinde.
“What’s this?”
“If Inie survives, please give it to her. Doing so should prevent you from being held accountable. So, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yeah. Bye-bye, Sister.”
“Calling me that… We’ll meet again on the day of the operation.”
As light filled Rinde’s room, her sister disappeared.
Left alone, Rinde tightly gripped the memory stick handed to her.
