NOVEL WEB Chapter 19
The magical girl is desired to die.
Thalagong and Inny Flowering flew through the sky heading towards M·D·W, while Amakaze and Shirokigawa quietly watched from the Operator Room.
Though they knew it was part of the operation, Amakaze couldn’t help but wonder if flying at that speed wasn’t terrifying as he watched them soar.
Such misguided thoughts were turned upside down when a barrage of fire was unleashed by M·D·W in retaliation.
“This isn’t anything like the M·D·W we’ve seen in the past!”
“The engagement distance and volume seem to have doubled,” added Marin.
Massive cannonballs, akin to those carried on battleships, along with various hues of magic filled the air. Thalagong darted through it all like a fighter jet, appearing almost as if from an animated scene.
Inny Flowering served as the main body, with Thalagong attached as a booster. Their mobility was astonishing, so much so that even through the monitors, Amakaze found himself gripping his hands tightly.
Even though Thalagong was transporting Inny Flowering, should there be any mistake resulting in a direct hit from M·D·W’s barrage, the operation would end right there.
The video feed displayed Thalagong and Inny Flowering captured from a diagonal overhead angle, making it difficult to clearly see Inny Flowering who was being carried.
“Can she handle such abrupt movements without feeling sick?”
“A normal human would likely die from the stress caused by the speed…” replied one of the Fairy Bureau operators, drawing a grim response from Shirokigawa.
Even if she were a magical girl, the speed and movement seemed enough to cause fainting for anyone with ordinary nerves, Shirokigawa silently added.
As the minutes passed, the time for Thalagong and Inny Flowering to part approached.
“We’ll separate soon. Are you ready?”
“Yes. I’m ready whenever.”
This was only the preliminary stage of the first phase of the operation. The real battle would begin once Inny Flowering acted alone.
(Finally, it begins…)
Amakaze wiped the sweat slowly trickling down his cheek and focused on the monitor. The lives of the three members of the North Kanto Branch were at stake, but if M·D·W were released into the world, Japan would face an unprecedented crisis.
If Inny Flowering succeeded in her mission, the sacrifice of one would ensure the survival of everyone else. It was a simple trolley problem…
“I won’t say ‘come back alive.’ Please… please die for us.”
The voice transmitted through the monitor tightened Shirokigawa’s chest. There was no false hope of return; instead, words pushing Inny Flowering away.
Was this some form of recompense? Or perhaps penance? Perhaps Talagon believed the blame should rest solely on themselves.
“You know, I joined the Magic Bureau to prevent magical girls from being used as resources and dying tragically.”
“Hmm.”
Shirokigawa listened as Amakaze spoke gently. He remained because he respected Amakaze’s earnest efforts to change the current state of affairs.
“And yet… all I can do is watch as one magical girl goes to her death… I can’t do anything.”
Tears fell from Amakaze’s eyes as he stared at the monitor, revealing a gentle expression that contrasted sharply with the turmoil within.
“I understand how you feel. So let’s at least bear witness to her final moments. That’s the only thing we can do.”
Recently, issues and incidents related to magical girls had been increasing in Japan. However, they rarely received serious attention despite the fact that without magical girls, the world would have long since perished.
“I will fulfill my duty as a magical girl. I swear it upon my name.”
“…Alright! The rest is up to you!”
The words spoken by the young magical girl were far too heavy for her age. Responsibility and duty should be borne by adults, not children…
(Your resolve is admirable. But why are you so calm about this?)
Contrasting with Talagon’s trembling voice, Inny Flowering’s tone was flat.
At that moment, Inny Flowering was launched from Talagon. Talagon made a U-turn and headed back, capturing Inny Flowering from behind in the video feed.
Then wings sprouted from Inny Flowering. Were these wings meant to deliver hope? Or were they destined to carry her to heaven? Or would they be shot down, heralding despair? No one knew yet.
All they could do now was watch.
Unlike before when Talagon was transporting her, the speed and volume of attacks against Inny Flowering acting alone were incomparably greater.
This highlighted the overwhelming difference between an ordinary magical girl and a top-tier ranker.
Amakaze involuntarily clenched his fists. Would this operation truly succeed? Would Inny Flowering’s resolve be in vain?
It was common knowledge that Inny Flowering could use healing magic. She probably judged that accepting hits and charging forward would be more effective than taking evasive actions.
As expected, Amakaze thought her choice was correct.
“Ho ho. They’re using homing missiles too. Given its capabilities, this thing is definitely irregular.”
“How are the other Rankers and international forces faring?”
“Unfortunately, no one’s available. They’re dealing with designated extermination targets or equally troublesome foes, so there’s no help coming.”
Well, even if they were free, there probably wouldn’t be any magical girls capable of helping anyway, he added.
Despite knowing this, Amakaze still wanted to do something, anything, that might improve the situation.
Amidst the adults’ internal struggles, Inny Flowering finally engaged M·D·W.
Her already battered robe, riddled with countless hits, made finding white spots nearly impossible. Though her expression couldn’t be discerned from Amakaze’s vantage point, her pallor was certain.
None of the monitor watchers believed she could defeat M·D·W, given her already grievous condition before the fight even began.
Inny Flowering’s previous actions and attitude had been admirable. Facing a powerful enemy alone, it was the kind of story that stirred hearts.
But what happens if that one person fails? In this case, it would result in deaths beyond Talagon’s.
No matter how spirited someone may be, without results, their efforts amount to nothing more than a meaningless death.
(Well, what will you do from here?)
Amakaze continued to intently watch Inny Flowering.
With her white wings shimmering brightly, Inny Flowering’s back began to glow with a dark light.
Black wings started to grow beneath her pair of white ones. To Shirokigawa, it seemed as if these black and white wings mirrored Inny Flowering’s unstable heart.
And so, Inny Flowering’s battle commenced.
She accelerated and dodged just as she did while being transported by Talagon, destroying the summoned monsters and gun emplacements that appeared to intercept her.
She was indeed engaging M·D·W in battle… but…
“There aren’t nearly enough attacks.”
Various spells were being cast, but few dealt decisive blows to the monsters or gun emplacements.
“The summoned monsters appear to be A-Rank and S-Rank. While A-Rank might be manageable, S-Rank seems tough.”
The Fairy Bureau operator was right; while the gun emplacements were being destroyed to some extent, the number of monsters wasn’t decreasing significantly.
The highest-ranked monster summoned during the last appearance of M·D·W was B-Rank. Still, Amakaze thought it was unreasonable to expect too much.
Just then, the monitor feed suddenly switched.
“What? That’s strange. The feed changed even though nothing was done.”
“Isn’t that Marin and the others? And why are monsters appearing here?”
“It’s a mutation, so anything could happen. But why did the feed switch?”
More shocked by Marin and the others’ dire situation than the feed change, Amakaze and the team watched anxiously.
The footage showed Blue Colette already down, with Star Nail and Marin desperately fighting on.
“Damn! Even Talagon hasn’t returned yet.”
While worrying about the poor performance of two of the operatives and the excellent performance of Marin, who were like younger sisters to Shirokigawa, the situation worsened further.
Star Nail ran out of magical power and couldn’t fire anymore, leaving her vulnerable to a monster’s attack.
“No! This can’t be happening…”
Out of the three, only Marin remained. Imagining the impending disaster, Shirokigawa became frantic.
Of course, Amakaze wasn’t calm inside either, but having collapsed onto his knees and cried and screamed, he managed to stay calmer than Shirokigawa.
As the North Kanto Branch was enveloped in sorrow, Marin fought on alone. Was it for the sake of the operation? Or was it because of a promise? And then… Marin’s sword broke.
“It’s over…”
“I won’t lose. I can’t afford to lose yet!”
Whether Amakaze’s mutterings came first or Marin’s determination, it didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was that a “miracle” had occurred… No, “resolve” had become strength.
“That child has reached it…”
Thinking it was over and crying, Shirokigawa looked at Marin’s transformed figure with profound emotion. Achieving the Enhanced Form, which even she herself hadn’t mastered, under such dire circumstances was nothing short of miraculous.
“Heh heh. Remarkable. This isn’t something that usually happens. What drove her to this?”
The Fairy Bureau operator laughed joyfully. Amidst recent scandals involving magical girls, this was a welcome rarity. She could potentially play a crucial role in the future of magical girls, seeing hope amidst such despair. The fairy operator smiled approvingly.
Thus, Talagon rejoined the fray.
From that point onward, the battle progressed in a way that reassured everyone watching. With Marin leading the charge and Talagon providing support, their battle continued until the artillery ceased.
“The artillery has stopped.”
“Could we really have done it?”
The artillery visible on the monitor had ceased, and the monsters were disintegrating into dust. This was proof that Inny Flowering had succeeded in the second phase of the operation.
However, no one understood how she had managed to pull it off. Before the feed switched, Inny Flowering was in a state where carrying out the operation seemed like a pipe dream.
“Uh… Not only has the feed switched, but we can’t control the monitoring anymore. I’d like to see Inny Flowering’s side too.”
This was what everyone present was thinking.
On the monitor, Talagon and Marin, who had deactivated her Enhanced Form, were shown, and Talagon had begun the final preparations.
“Can we really defeat M·D·W?”
Thinking he might be dreaming, Amakaze pinched his cheek, feeling the pain. With Marlin awakened in the face of death and Inny Flowering putting M·D·W, thought to be unbeatable, in checkmate, it was a joyful event for both the North Kanto Branch and Japan.
If things continued this way, they would be able to rescue the civilians trapped within the barrier without any casualties. The affiliated magical girls had sustained injuries, but they would complete the extermination without loss of life.
Except for Inny Flowering. Her fate was decided from the start.
No one knew her current condition, but everyone understood she must be injured.
No one dared to hope she was unharmed. All they could do was pray for the success of the operation.
A magical circle appeared in the sky. It was so massive that it could be seen from 50 kilometers away from M·D·W. It was likely prepared for the final spell Inny Flowering would cast.
“Thank you, Inny Flowering. I will never forget you.”
Amakaze closed his eyes and whispered silently.
The monitor was enveloped in light…