The magical girl does not betray.
“Arongante”
“――I can confirm visually, but I’m not getting any response from the bits. Inie, everyone, please step back.”
(How about outside?)
‘Within this barrier, our abilities aren’t reliable… we won’t detect them until they enter Haruna’s line of sight.’
―So it’s their field, huh.
If they’re coming closer just to make themselves known, there must be a reason, right?
One of them is a woman with silvery-white hair. She wears a white shirt and a black skirt, but unlike Jeanne, she exudes an unsettling aura.
The other one has short red hair and wears a kimono scattered with maple leaves; she radiates an air of superiority.
“Stop right there.”
When they are about ten meters away, Arongante raises her railgun as a warning.
“Arongante, huh? I sensed your presence and came to check it out, but I didn’t expect to find a ranked fighter here.”
“What is your purpose? We may have to eliminate you if necessary.”
I’m curious why they’ve appeared, but judging by Lockwert, they’re probably no good.
“Your purpose? If I tell you that we’ve come to recruit Inny Flowering over there, what would you say?”
Huh?
You came to recruit me?
(What do you think this means?)
‘That old hag is basically picking a fight with me. That much is clear.’
Rarely, the Demon seems angry… It’s like they’re trying to steal my contractor, so it makes sense.
“…What do you mean?”
“Innie is quite skilled at healing magic, right? So we thought there might be a chance to persuade her to join us.”
“Is there any connection between healing magic and you people?”
“Ah? Looks like you don’t know anything. Did Jeanne not tell you?”
Marin looks worried as she glances at me, but I’m curious too—what’s the connection between being able to use healing magic and those who advocate for destruction?
(Demon, do you know anything?)
‘I’ve never contracted with a magical girl who could use healing magic, so I don’t know. But if these two are from another world, I might recognize their names.’
Yeah, if you knew, you’d have told me already…
The Demon will probably tell me their names without prompting anyway.
Villains usually introduce themselves eventually.
“Let me introduce myself before I explain. My name is Rinne, and the one next to me is Shengxi, my bodyguard. You could call us… advocates of destruction.”
“―Is that so? And earlier?”
“Don’t rush. The potential for healing magic only manifests in those who strongly wish for the end of the world. Do you understand the meaning of this?”
…Everyone except Arongante turns to look at me.
I want to say I’ve never thought such things, but I’m troubled because it rings a bell.
Right now, my purpose is set thanks to my encounter with NigoShiro, but I see… my instincts weren’t wrong after all.
If I had been born as a girl, lived the same life, and become a magical girl without meeting the Demon, I would have been on their side.
“As a bonus, the effectiveness of healing magic grows stronger with deeper resentment and hatred towards the world… right, Inie?”
Marin grabs my robe, and Mika looks worried.
‘…Haruna?’
Even the Demon seems confused… Hmm, this is troublesome.
(The answer is no, and I’m not interested in the world right now, so don’t worry.)
‘Bah! Not that I’m worried or anything! Just deal with the situation around you!’
That’s reasonable.
“Unfortunately, I have no interest in you.”
“…I know you possess powerful healing magic. Your lack of interest surprises me.”
Rinne’s expression wavers slightly. Is she really surprised?
Honestly, I’d rather fight them than destroy the world.
But would an ordinary girl say that?
I’ve made enough mistakes in conversation so far, so it’s better not to be honest here.
Besides, I haven’t even told the Demon the truth.
Careless words are dangerous.
“Right now, I have something more important than destroying the world, so please leave.”
I believe this is the best answer under the circumstances.
“Innie… you…”
Her voice is drowned out by the rain, but Marin mutters something.
Mika and Sweep nod vigorously at the edges of my vision, but I don’t know what they’re thinking.
“Looks like it’s a no-go again, so let’s move on. If you value the lives of those here, come with us.”
“―Are you deliberately provoking me?”
“Hmm, is that so? What’s your answer?”
So they’ve resorted to threats since the direct approach failed.
Typical villain behavior.
Still, if someone like M.D.W were summoned here, it would be problematic.
Even if I could win, it’s unlikely anyone else would survive.
Honestly, I don’t care about others’ lives… but if I consider the future, fewer sacrifices are better.
Is it worth going to such lengths to recruit me?
Well, fine. There’ll be chances once we’re out of the barrier, so perhaps it’s wise to comply for now?
As I’m about to respond, Marin steps forward with her bow raised.
“I’d rather fight you than hand Inie over.”
“Aye. I’d rather lose my best friend than surrender without a fight.”
Following Marin, Mika steps in front of me with her Chakram ready.
Seeing this, Arongante smiles faintly and begins charging her railgun.
“Looks like negotiations have broken down.”
There’s no need for them to risk their lives for someone like me… This is why magical girls are troublesome.
“Alright then, let’s see how long you can struggle.”
When Rinne raises her left hand, all the buildings and ruins vanish.
And surrounding us, duplicates of ourselves appear.
‘Doppelgangers… and S-Rank ones at that.’
“Let’s see what you’re capable of. Shengxi, let’s go.”
“Heh, sure thing. I follow orders.”
“No way we’re letting you escape!”
As Rinne tries to leave, Arongante fires her railgun, but it’s negated by the duplicate’s own railgun.
We just fought against our doppelgangers the other day, and now we have to fight again…
When the railgun’s blast clears, both of them are gone.
(What are the characteristics of these duplicates?)
‘They transform into magical girls. The higher the rank, the closer they get to the abilities of the person they mimic.’
(So at S-Rank…?)
‘It’s like fighting your strongest self. Given our depleted state from the previous battle, we’re at a disadvantage.’
I see.
“Our opponents are duplicates! Try to handle your own copies if possible!”
‘There’s another trait—they target the person they’re mimicking.’
So that’s what Arongante meant.
If we attack someone else’s copy, our own copy will attack us.
After shouting this, Arongante ascends rapidly.
Her duplicate follows suit.
Probably to avoid involving others.
Who would have thought we’d end up fighting in this rain… I should step back for now.
My magic becomes wider in range as its power increases.
Like Arongante, it’s wise to distance myself from my classmates.
“Marin, Mika. My magic could endanger you, so I’m stepping back. I’ll return as soon as possible, so please survive.”
“On the contrary, I might knock you out first and come save you.”
“I doubt I can manage, so please help.”
Mika… I appreciate the sentiment, but…
“Wings!”
I sprout white wings and fly off into the rain.
Before leaving, I catch Prizes’ eye and nod.
(Now, how should I fight?)
It’d be simplest to skewer them with my staff, but that could backfire, so it’s probably best to avoid it.
Given the possibility of consecutive battles, it’s better to conserve energy.
‘Why not try the second form? You might be able to take them out instantly.’
Hmm, that could work.
If I transform and they do too, it might turn into a messy fight, but if they don’t, I’m confident I can kill them easily.
(Any pursuit from behind?)
“Yeah, they’re following… Ah! Incoming magic, dodge!”
(Got it.)
I follow the Demon’s advice, evade the fake’s magic, and ascend further.
I dodge ice spears and fireballs… Let’s take a gamble.
(I’m going in!)
‘Understood. Timing is… Now!’
For a moment, my body glows white as I transform into my second form. Since the transformation cancels ongoing spells, I create a barrier mid-air to serve as a foothold.
Using that barrier as leverage, I charge toward the duplicate heading my way.
I deflect incoming spells with barriers and close the distance.
“Instant Sword – Star Arrow”
I create another barrier while falling and use it as a platform to continue my charge.
I hear an ominous sound from beneath my feet, but it’s necessary to ensure a clean kill.
The duplicate disintegrates into dust and vanishes.
A decisive victory, I’d say.
‘Having two forms is definitely unfair, but it’s a nice advantage.’
True. Though NigoShiro didn’t mention this, I wonder why I can transform…
Anyway, while falling, I revert to my White Mage form and heal my shattered legs.
(Now, let’s head back and lend a hand.)
‘No one’s disappeared yet, but let’s hurry just in case.’
Understood.
“Wings!”
I extend my wings and head back toward my classmates.
(My magic reserves haven’t dropped much, so this was easier than fighting M.D.W.)
‘Normally, this opponent would beat us nine times out of ten, but we got lucky with the matchup… Dodge!’
The Demon suddenly shouts, so I flap my wings to evade urgently. A slash flies in from somewhere, slicing through my wings.
It looks like returning immediately won’t be possible…
