NOVEL WEB Chapter 15
The Thoughts and Reality of Magical Girls
After the strategy meeting, Marin remained in the spot, dazed.
This time, they were tasked with exterminating a special S-Rank super-large monster, the Mother Disaster Wall.
An ordinary magical girl wouldn’t even be able to approach it without being defeated.
Even Thalagong, who had fought in the past, resulted in over ten casualties during its extermination.
Thinking about Inny Flowering having to fight alone against such an opponent made Marin feel utterly useless.
She knew she couldn’t contribute anything. She understood why Thalagong had made the difficult choice.
Still, Marin wasn’t heartless enough to dismiss Inny Flowering’s sacrifice as unavoidable.
Just arriving here had been a hindrance, and being relegated to the backlines for the final battle was unacceptable to Marin’s pride as a magical girl.
…But there was nothing Marin could do. If only she possessed power on par with Thalagong, things might have been different, but she lacked that strength.
It is said that the magic of magical girls is related to the strength of their resolve.
This belief became popular after weaker magical girls began appearing compared to the past.
For instance, Blue Colette and Star Nail are just regular girls who happened to become magical girls. Together, they can barely defeat a B-Rank monster.
In contrast, Marin has the talent to become a magical girl and chose this path because she wanted to fight as one. Unlike the two mentioned above, she can defeat B-Rank monsters alone and, depending on compatibility, even stronger ones.
Thalagong’s case was similar to Marin’s until after battling M·D·W, when her power skyrocketed dramatically.
The mental strain from losing a senior colleague and fellow magical girl while fighting alongside them, coupled with hatred for monsters and frustration with her own inadequacies, drove Thalagong to train fiercely. Over time, she climbed to her current position by spending her days defeating monsters.
The thoughts hidden within her journey bordered on madness.
Without something extraordinary like that, people—or magical girls—couldn’t grow stronger.
(Inny Flowering…)
Marin had met her only three times, including this occasion. The first time was inside a barrier. The second time was in the Fairy Realm, and then again inside another barrier…
Once more, she was risking her life to save others.
At the cost of her own life…
(Just a job… What will you have left afterward?)
While lamenting her own weakness for one magical girl, Marin overheard a conversation between her colleagues.
“It’ll count as us defeating an S-Rank if we go back now, right? It was tough, but pretty easy overall.”
“That girl is definitely strong, but something’s off about her. Those eyes aren’t normal…”
Hearing these words was enough to break Marin’s patience. Slowly standing up, she approached the two. Star Nail and Blue Colette noticed her and tried to speak, but froze upon seeing Marin’s cold gaze.
“Are you two satisfied staying like this? We’re older than her, yet we’re letting that girl die?”
“Well, there’s no way we can do anything. There’s no way we can defeat a monster like that.”
Star Nail replied to Marin’s anguished voice.
“We’re just ordinary magical girls. We’re not like Thalagong or someone strange like Inny Flowering.”
“But if that girl wins, our rankings will rise too, so it’s fine as long as we don’t have to work hard.”
Blue Colette agreed with Star Nail.
Their attitude suggested they only cared about their own survival, regardless of anyone else’s death. This realization filled Marin with disdain.
Why did she ever trust these two?
Unable to bear their callousness any longer, Marin punched them both and left.
(I… I!)
Marin wandered aimlessly, tormented by swirling thoughts, when she spotted someone lying down in a familiar white robe.
The once pristine white was now stained crimson, and her bare feet were covered in dirt.
Without hesitation, Marin approached Inny Flowering.
Her frail body, small stature, and tattered appearance belied her efforts to save civilians and reunite with the group.
At that moment, Marin felt an odd sensation. How could Star Nail remain unscathed while Inny Flowering was so injured?
Was it really right to make her risk her life for the sake of others like us and civilians?
Just then, Inny Flowering turned her gaze toward Marin.
“Is this what you want?”
The question slipped naturally from Marin’s lips.
Surely, Inny Flowering had a future ahead of her. Surely, she must have endured immense hardship to look this way.
And now, she was about to meet an untimely end because of their incompetence.
“…It’s my job.”
After a brief pause, Inny Flowering responded matter-of-factly, as if it were completely normal.
Ah, this girl was truly mad. Even facing death, her unwavering gaze filled Marin with profound sadness.
“Will you… come back?”
Marin knew it was an impossible wish, yet she couldn’t help asking. If there was even the slightest chance, surely she could persevere…
Even knowing it was a lie, she wanted to hear “I’ll come back.”
“…Yes.”
It was obviously a lie, but getting angry here would change nothing. All Marin could do was pray for it to become true.
So she would believe this lie. Because Inny Flowering herself had said, “There’s nothing a magical girl can’t do.”
“…I believe in you. Please come back. I’ll be waiting…”
Without waiting for a reply, Marin left. Staying there any longer would’ve made her cry again, so she went to ensure Inny Flowering wouldn’t feel burdened.
15 minutes until the operation begins.
Thalagong stood atop the tallest building among the ruins, observing M·D·W.
Approximately 50 kilometers away, invisible on Earth but faintly visible within the Barrier’s alternate space.
Because of that creature, someone else had to die. One magical girl or many lives…
Though it wasn’t discussed in the plan, if Thalagong went with Inny Flowering to defeat M·D·W, Inny Flowering wouldn’t have to sacrifice herself.
Though it would be challenging to defeat M·D·W, Thalagong was confident she could protect Inny Flowering from the final explosion.
However, everyone else would perish as a result.
Magical girls hunt monsters and protect civilians. No matter how young, this was absolute.
Wasn’t there some way to save everyone?
All Thalagong could think of was achieving maximum results with minimal sacrifices.
“I have to shoulder this burden again…”
Fated to face M·D·W, Thalagong had to entrust this stronger foe to a rookie.
If she lost, Thalagong would reluctantly choose to sacrifice everyone.
But after witnessing Inny Flowering’s combat prowess firsthand, Thalagong didn’t think she’d lose.
No, she refused to consider that possibility.
Despite being severely injured in their simulation battle, Inny Flowering never backed down—not even an inch.
(Hopefully Light and Glint won’t be too mad when I return…)
The premature death of a magical girl who was supposed to be a beacon of hope.
Especially Glint, who adored Inny Flowering as his fan, would be deeply affected.
If bowing could resolve it, that would be preferable, Thalagong thought.
(Since it’s a good opportunity, maybe I should retire. I’m tired anyway.)
At 22 years old, Thalagong was considered relatively experienced among magical girls.
Repeatedly forced to make sacrifices and compromises, she was exhausted.
Although the successful elimination of M·D·W would earn praise in Japan, Thalagong wasn’t strong enough to endure further burdens.
With thoughts of succession and retirement plans, Thalagong decided to step back.
Therefore, she needed to conclude this battle with minimal losses and maximum results.
If anyone should blame her, let it be for her own inadequacies.
With this sentiment tucked in her chest, Thalagong began her preparations.
1 minute until the operation begins.
Rising from the rubble for the final check, Inny Flowering and the Demon.
Marin, crushed by her desire for power and unattainable wishes.
Star Nail and Blue Colette dreaming of future glories.
And Thalagong, defeated by reality.
The Mother Disaster Wall extermination operation begins…