“El, are you really alright?”
“What exactly are you talking about?”
“A conjecture that something unpleasant involving Carriel has affected us. And addressing our mentor this way might narrow your standing, which is rather regrettable.”
The Emperor and the Imperial Princess.
The Empress and the Chamberlain.
Thus, the four of them moved through a grand yet silent corridor, where stillness hung heavily.
The corridor contrasted sharply between lit and unlit sections with light and shadow. However, thanks to the elderly Chamberlain leading the way with a mana lamp, they weren’t troubled by inconvenience or anxiety.
Blindingly bright light disoriented their vision.
And too dim a light wouldn’t illuminate the surroundings clearly enough.
The perfect balance of light intensity and non-irritating properties—all products of contemporary magic.
“I had to be firm because it was necessary. You know well that an injured predator could strike at any time.”
“Then what about Carriel?”
“You mean someone pulling strings? A curse? Misfortune? Or perhaps a calculated move targeting Carriel himself from all sides? Is that what you’re hinting at?”
“…This is too vague. It’s not convincing or persuasive enough to anyone.”
“I don’t care.”
“So, it’s like that, huh?”
The Emperor let out a long breath.
It sounded almost like a sigh to the Empress.
“What matters isn’t that. Surely you know that even if someone manipulated things, it doesn’t erase what we’ve done in the past, right? Either way, I don’t mind. Ultimately, some form of atonement is inevitable.”
“But if external pressures were involved even slightly, I’ll burn everything related to it to ashes. Not a speck of dust will remain. I’ll incinerate it all without error.”
“And…”
“To have even the slightest chance, we must lower our guard somehow, truly, truly.”
Whether it’s Carriel, Ruelde, Hermine, or anyone who opposed, criticized, or maligned him—it applies to all.
…This kindness cloaks cruelty.
But maybe…
It’s the cruelest truth disguised as reality.
“Anyway, doesn’t everyone only see and hear what they want to?”
“……”
The Emperor finally sighed.
“And showing this attitude to outsiders, making it seem like they’re judging us, isn’t good on many levels.”
If problems arise, it’s the Empire’s responsibility.
And however the matter is resolved—whether apology, punishment, or anything else—it should stay within their control.
“It must end here.”
The Imperial Princess spoke her thoughts coldly.
“Regretting is a waste of time. We must prevent the situation from worsening further—for a better future.”
“…Do you think it can be reversed?”
“That’s…”
At that moment, the Princess hesitated.
“I don’t know. Not yet.”
At least…
If Ruelde hadn’t shown her that letter…
She might still have been filled with false hope.
Thinking everything was fine.
Believing there was no knot tying up the ending yet.
But upon reading the contents Ruelde handed her, she realized she’d been living under a massive delusion.
“All I’m doing is trying to protect both sides.”
The hero who saved the world and the Holy Maiden.
And…
====
“If we find Carriel, let’s bring him back to our country.”
As Geoffrey rubbed his long ears in the guest room, Hamren looked uneasy, his eyebrows twitching nervously.
“Is that okay?”
“There’s no way Ruelde would cause trouble over this. Much less raise an army? Even if the Emperor is renowned for strategy and tactics, how could he justify this nonsense?”
“But isn’t that how such situations are often framed?”
“That’s why Ellie is the problem.”
Geoffrey observed and shuddered again.
The room bathed in an overwhelming white glow.
That oppressive scene.
“She’s completely assimilated the Legacy of the Great Demon King now.”
“Isn’t that something you gave her?”
“It wasn’t me; she seized the opportunity.”
The three remnants of the Great Demon King’s legacy were surrendered by the defected daemons to humanity. But simply possessing them didn’t make one their master.
And among those qualified, Ellie claimed hers confidently.
“The feeling of having no choice but to consume poison knowingly.”
One couldn’t refuse it.
If it disappeared from sight only to return later as unforeseen calamity…
How could one possibly deal with it then?
“The seal should have been maintained! We should have left it untouched in the Demon Realm!”
“But if someone capable handled it and became a Demon King, invaded…?”
“It’s fortunate—or unfortunate—that the other owners are still inexperienced.”
Geoffrey clicked his tongue and sprawled on the sofa.
“Carriel’s whereabouts are likely known to them already.”
“Hmph.”
“How do you plan to report this to higher-ups?”
“We need to observe a bit more.”
There are still many unanswered questions.
And if…
If the princess’s suspicions are true, and outside forces were involved…
There must be a purpose behind it.
“Did demons orchestrate this?”
To offer an irresistible proposal?
Or has human malice reached its peak?
We don’t know yet.
But soon we will.
For that, they must have exposed their own vulnerabilities willingly to uncover the truth.
====
My head feels like it’s going to split.
Creeeak—
Grrreeeeak—
“Ugh!”
Am I about to break?
After flailing around for a while, I found myself in an unfamiliar place.
“Where am I…?”
Barren land.
Red sky.
Not a single plant in sight, just twisted, dead trees.
The ground looks less white and more like ash and bone powder.
This wasteland seems like everything is fading away. Could it get any more desolate and bleak?
“What…?”
Then, a small light descended from afar.
Without knowing why, I instinctively headed toward it.
There stood a tiny winged angel.
“An angel?”
The childlike angel turned its back to me and flew away.
Slowly.
…As if inviting me to follow.
Creeeak—
“K!”
Another headache hit me, though it felt fundamentally different.
I collapsed and gasped for several minutes.
“…”
I don’t understand.
Why am I here?
Following blindly toward where the baby angel waits, it flies away again.
Further into the wasteland.
When I finally catch up, there lies a deep pit.
“…”
Though I don’t know why, my heart sinks with unease.
The angel stands there.
I shout, wave, beckon for it to come closer.
But…
The angel cries and shakes its head.
With clasped hands in prayer, its drooping wings never rise again.
The angel continues crying endlessly.
I ponder…
And then…
I step into the pit.
…
This place is familiar.
“…?”
So, I don’t understand.
Is all this just a dream? A chill runs down my spine.
Did I fall asleep briefly?
Why am I here?
This place is familiar.
Too familiar, sending shivers down my spine.
Uncontrollable tremors run through my body.
Sitting in a chair at a desk, this situation feels so normal.
‘Why…’
Isn’t this my room?
I definitely left home, right?
Right?
Was all this a dream?
An imagination?
A torrent of uncontrollable emotions surges like a flood.
Despite trembling hands, I suppress the turmoil with deep breaths.
Shaking won’t change anything.
‘It’s not too late, even now.’
Calmly, I open the window as usual…
“…”
Why does it feel so high now?
I used to jump down effortlessly, but now it feels like I’d get hurt—or worse, die.
The world hasn’t grown taller; I’ve shrunk.
“How?”
No, panicking is premature.
Focus on what needs to be done now.
First…
…I need to leave through that door.
Just approaching it feels suffocating.
I don’t want to go near it.
To me, that door is another nightmare’s gateway.
Worrying endlessly about who might enter when I open it.
Tension rising from every faint sound outside.
Forcing myself to appear busy, pretending to work hard…
…But staying here won’t change anything.
I press my ear against the door, listening intently.
…Silence. Dead silence.
Quietly opening the door, stepping into the corridor…
…An eerie stillness greets me.
Confusion mixes with relief, leaving my mind hazy.
My legs tremble, strength leaves my ankles, but…
‘Let’s say I came out to drink water because I’m thirsty. No one answered when I called, so I came out.’
That excuse works.
And as a backup, I’ll say I also wanted to use the restroom.
Please, don’t let me meet anyone.
Moving as quietly as possible, senses and hearing fully alert…
Barely…
Hardly…
…I reach the main door.
The large front door is another barrier to me.
I don’t want to touch it.
Approaching it feels repulsive.
What if something happens just by getting close?
I’m scared.
“…”
But to leave here, this is the only way now.
Windows are firmly shut.
They won’t open.
However, there’s a slight gap in the main door.
It’s not locked.
Why lock it from inside anyway?
…Unless it’s a prison, which changes things, but that’s beside the point.
“…”
Quickly checking my surroundings, including the stairs and landing…
Stepping lightly toward the front door…
Sliding my hand through the crack…
Finally pulling it open…
Thud!
—Someone grabs my shoulder.
“Kal.”
Right behind me, a voice whispers.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Cold sweat drips down as my mind goes blank.
White dots fill my vision.
My jaw trembles, teeth chatter involuntarily.
“Isn’t it time for studying?”
“…”
Breathing.
Between calm breaths…
A grinding noise…
It fades.
“Why are you here? Answer me, Kal.”
“I, it’s…”
“Stop stuttering. Speak clearly.”
“I, I’m thirsty…”
“If you’re thirsty, you shouldn’t be here, should you?”
“…”
“You lied, didn’t you?”
“No, I didn’t!”
“You lied to me, Kal. To your mother.”
“I, I really…”
“You could have just told the truth.”
That I want to leave.
That I’m scared.
That I can’t breathe!
“But lying! How dare you lie to me! Where did you learn such bad manners!”
“No! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to…”
Turning around belatedly, I bow deeply.
Still…
Her voice lingers near my ear.
With that eerie breathing.
“Kal. Did you really think you could escape from me?”
“?!”
“Give up. You’ll always be here.”
You can’t escape.
“Because I’m your mother.”
My neck is grabbed.
“Ugh!”
“If you want to leave, leave your body behind.”
Sleepy?
Dying grants eternal rest.
Tired?
That’s a blessing of being alive.
“Don’t you want to live forever with your mother?”
“Ugh! Sorr-sorry…!”
“Trusting and relying on me leads to eternal life! In heaven, we’ll be together forever! I don’t want to separate! Never! Why won’t you understand my earnest wish?! Repent! You must repent! With your father and mother! Why can’t you fulfill this simple desire?! Whywhywhy!”
Breathing becomes impossible.
Struggling with my tiny frame proves futile—.
“Loving you so much… why won’t you understand, Kaal!”
“Choke!”
It feels like breaking.
Fighting back desperately with hands and arms…
Everything is meaningless.
‘I am…’
Dying like this…
…
Gold flickers before my eyes.
The entire world drowns in gold.
Like passing rain showers.
Countless golden petals swirl in the wind, creating a magnificent spectacle.
A colossal tree stands tall, its golden leaves shimmering as it struggles to straighten its bent trunk.
It remains steadfast.
Below it, streams of gold flow endlessly like coins, stretching far beyond the horizon, filling the vast wilderness.
“…?”
Where am I?
“I asked for help! Why must I suffer alone like this!”
“A disgusting, fleeting nuisance.”
A dark figure sneers and mocks amidst the wailing.
“You worm! Who do you think you are to dare address me!”
“Open your eyes, trash. I once ruled ten thousand beasts. Don’t compare me to your level. You’re digging your own grave.”
“KIAAAHHHH!”
“Ow, my ears.”
Casually rubbing his ears, Gold then…
“…And what are you?”
Suddenly, he tilts his head looking at Carriel.
—
“?!”
The moment I opened my eyes afterward…
“Our handsome brother? Are you somewhat conscious now?”
The first thing I noticed and felt was…
The extreme presence that no thin layer of clothing could conceal.
Truly enormous breasts of a woman.
The reason I recognized them immediately…
…is because this wasn’t the first time I ended up face-first buried in her bosom like this.
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
