NOVEL WEB Chapter 8
Gathered magical girls! (More than half absent)
“Are today’s attendees only five? I wish everyone could attend…”
In the conference room known as the tea party, located in the Fairy Realm, there was a magical girl who murmured this.
She is none other than Kaede, the magical girl who ranks first in the magical girl rankings and is known by the nickname ‘Dominion’.
Her name is Magical Girl Kaede.
“The 10th, 9th, and 8th ranked are absent, the 6th is absent due to their usual requests. The 3rd is absent due to investigating an incident that occurred last night. Ahhh…”
The girl sighs, wondering what to do. Since she took over as the representative, there has only been one time when all the top-ranked magical girls were present, and that was only during the very first tea party.
Thinking she would work hard since she had become number one, she ended up sighing in this venue, which never reached full attendance, after the first tea party.
Moreover, recently, incidents involving magical girls have become more prominent, along with the corruption of the Magic Bureau, increasing her worries.
Trying her best to handle these issues, there was little she could actually do. Resorting to violence might make things easier, but she isn’t heartless enough to do so.
Then a ray of hope appeared for her. It was Inny Flowering, whom she invited as a guest to this tea party.
Despite being new, Inny Flowering is powerful, independent, and helps others.
She thought Inny Flowering might be able to change the current situation, so she sent an email without much hope.
To be honest, she thought it would fail. She even considered the possibility that no reply would come and that she’d be ignored.
Repeated worries made her inevitably negative.
When she received a reply confirming participation, she couldn’t help but raise her fists in excitement.
(I hope she turns out to be someone with good sense…)
With such thoughts, she compiled information about today’s guest.
There was various data written there.
Magical girl names, estimated heights, combat data so far, considerations upon entering barriers, and even predictions of damage caused when the sound signaling the start was used in reality.
At the end of the materials, three words stood out: “Caution Required.”
(Well, it’s almost time, but will everyone arrive on time?)
She had instructed the top-ranked magical girls to arrive twenty minutes earlier than Inny Flowering.
There were only five minutes left until that time.
She couldn’t help but worry, but all she could do was wait. Although she could contact them, she refrained from doing so after being scolded for overdoing it in the past.
Just as she was considering checking up on them, the door opened.
“I’ve been waiting for you. Please take your seat.”
She smiled at the three who entered.
“Sorry for being late. We’re just waiting for her now, right?”
The magical girl sitting in the fourth position said.
She is a magical girl who fights while riding a robot about five meters tall, popular in certain circles, and strongly recommended by Haruna.
Known as the ‘White Knight,’ her machine specializes in shooting. Due to its size and performance, she transitioned from dealing with minor threats to specializing in upper-tier magical girls.
Her name is Magical Girl Glint.
“Yes, she has her reasons. If she doesn’t come, we’ll start ahead of time. We have a guest this time, after all.”
“Is the guest the new recruit?”
The conversation between the fourth and first positions is joined by a girl sitting in the fifth position’s chair.
“Yes. Ideally, I hope she can be the key to changing the current situation.”
“Lately, there aren’t many magical girls left in Japan, huh? I’ve mentioned this to my juniors too, but Japan’s environment is a bit dangerous.”
Top-ranked magical girls travel around the world due to their strength, dealing with upper-tier or special monsters, designated targets for extermination, and the like.
While B-rank monsters frequently appear in Japan, A-rank and S-rank monsters, which are difficult to exterminate, rarely show up. There are also few extremely evil individuals designated for extermination, making it increasingly difficult for them to stay in Japan.
If they were students, they could use their student status to remain in Japan, but among the ten, the youngest is the 19-year-old first ranker. Moreover, there are no actual girls among them.
Additionally, due to monster-related damages and the advancement of magic, Japan’s compulsory education ends at age sixteen.
“By the way, did you hear about yesterday’s incident?”
“Yes, wasn’t it the case where two magical girls were defeated? Even though it may be self-inflicted, I’m interested in the magical girl who defeated the two without injury.”
The magical girl attack incident orchestrated by Haruna last night has already spread widely, and those well-informed know all about it.
When magical girls are defeated in incidents, usually, various parties move to find the culprit. However, if the reason is stopping disputes among magical girls, the situation changes.
Although the criminal magical girl is technically sought after, even if found, they are often merely warned and praised.
Since magical girls generally have distinctive appearances, they are easily identified.
However, upon investigation based on the victims’ testimonies, the magical girl responsible didn’t match the description.
“The report says she uses a sword and probably some kind of barrier-like ability. Additionally, she seems to possess a power related to movement.”
“Sounds like sheer strength alone, huh? Until the next report comes in, let’s keep it on hold?”
“Yes, there’s no urgency. Now, it’s time to confirm attendance.”
Out of the ten seats, four are filled, and everyone straightens their posture.
“Fourth rank, White Knight”
A girl dressed in a white pilot-like suit nods.
“Fifth rank, Explodia”
A girl whose hair sways like flames raises her hand in response.
“Seventh rank, Sword King… hey”
Sword King remains seated and asleep, awakened by a golden basin summoned by the first ranker hitting her head.
“Ai”
Satisfied, she nods and dismisses the golden basin.
“With the above three and Dominion of the First Rank, we shall begin this tea party.”
The magical girl known as Dominion of the First Rank announces the commencement of the tea party. This roll call started in this generation and is unpopular among others.
“This time, we’ve invited a new recruit as a guest. The main agenda is about the decline in quality of Japan’s Magic Bureau and magical girls.”
Issues include recent conflicts among magical girls, an incident involving civilians a month ago, delays in monster exterminations, and private use of magical girls by the Magic Bureau.
“It’s not just Japan; it’s a worldwide problem.”
The White Knight shrugs.
“As for the Magic Bureau, we’ll deal with it later, but regarding disputes among magical girls, we’d like to ask the newcomer.”
Though they spend little time in Japan, top-ranked magical girls generally have too much firepower, making it difficult to subdue opponents without causing severe injuries.
For designated extermination targets, many don’t question life or death, but it hasn’t reached that point yet.
It’s fitting that the newly arrived recruit was asked, given the circumstances.
“Well, next… it seems like she’s arrived.”
A notification came through on the first ranker’s smartphone, indicating that Inny Flowering had arrived.
Even among the rookies, she boasts the highest monster extermination count in the history of magical girls. So far, she has caused almost no collateral damage locally and enters barriers to save other magical girls.
Possessing firepower capable of eliminating targeted monsters and even possessing healing abilities, this greedy set of skills belongs to the mysterious magical girl.
Knock knock knock knock, the door was tapped four times.
She was deeply moved by this act.
Magical girls, typically children, often neglect etiquette and manners.
It’s just knocking. Nevertheless, knocking. She raised her evaluation of Inny Flowering by one level.
“Please come in.”
The door opened, and Inny Flowering entered the room.
Dressed in a white robe with the hood still on, she didn’t carry a staff but otherwise looked unchanged.
Following instructions, she sat down, her demeanor refined for a young girl.
“First, let me introduce myself. I am the first-ranked magical girl, Magical Girl Kaede.”
“I’m the fourth-ranked Magical Girl Glint. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Taragon, ranked fifth. Don’t mind the small crowd.”
“I’m Blade, ranked seventh. You’re tiny~”
Introductions proceeded from Kaede onward. While Inny Flowering nodded and responded accordingly, she showed particular enthusiasm only toward Glint.
“Before your introduction, could you please remove your hood?”
After a brief pause, she nodded, and the hood swayed forward.
Slowly uncovering it with both hands, her beautifully radiant blue hair was revealed. Her long hair swept back outside the hood complemented her beautiful face.
However, Kaede was surprised by her eyes. Contrasting with her youthful and beautiful features, they seemed murky, like the deep bottom of the sea.
Her chest felt constricted by the feeling emanating from those eyes.
“I am Magical Girl Inny Flowering. Thank you for inviting me; it is an honor.”
Hearing her voice, Kaede snapped back to reality. First, she decided to ensure that today’s tea party would proceed smoothly.
“This time, I’ve invited you to express gratitude and make a request. Any complaints from the Magic Bureau can be ignored.”
“If anyone directly says something, feel free to ignore it too. Monster extermination is a race, after all.”
Kaede’s statement was followed by Taragon’s additional comment.
The complaint from the Magic Bureau requested restraint in exterminating monsters without official dispatch, but given the ranking manipulation and illicit funds exposed within the bureau, the top-ranked magical girls disregarded such requests.
“First, I thank you for rescuing a magical girl inside the barrier.”
“That was coincidental, so please don’t concern yourself with it.”
Looking at her expressionless face, Kaede sensed she genuinely felt that way, though she couldn’t help but think it was unlikely for such a rescue to be purely coincidental.
“As one magical girl to another, I would appreciate it if you remembered my gratitude. And although I won’t go into detail, can you freely enter and exit barriers?”
After a slight pause, she nodded in affirmation. While there are those who can destroy barriers, fewer can enter without breaking them.
Among the top-ranked here, except for Taragon, the rest can easily destroy barriers. Taragon can also destroy them, but her abilities cause collateral damage around her.
Incidentally, there are two types of barriers: general and top-ranked. Destroying the latter is significantly harder, so the ease refers to the former.
While eradicating monsters and aiding magical girls is crucial, expanding collateral damage defeats the purpose.
“Understood. Our request is for support against high-tier monsters in Japan and targeting mid-level ones instead of just low-level ones, if possible?”
Originally, she planned to request mediation in conflicts among magical girls, but seeing the dark look in Inny Flowering’s eyes, Kaede decided against it.
She likely appears around ten years old. The idea of someone this young having such eyes raises questions—neglect or perhaps orphanhood?
She wanted to believe in her goodness but needed to investigate her non-magical life before reaching conclusions.
Fortunately, there was no urgent need to rush matters, so she decided to proceed step by step.
“Both requests are acceptable. However, assistance will be based on my judgment.”
“Thank you. Regarding extermination, I cannot offer anything, but if you achieve results within the barriers, we will prepare rewards here. As a reward for the previous task, is there anything specific you desire?”
Given the numerous uncertainties, Kaede aimed to lure her with material incentives to understand her preferences better.
If she desired money, it might indicate hidden interests behind her. Considering her extermination record, she should have earned quite a fortune.
If she still asks for money, Kaede would consider taking more drastic measures to secure her.
While hoping she wouldn’t request anything questionable, she awaited her response.
Then, she smoothly raised her hand and pointed with a small finger at Glint sitting in the fourth position.
Surprisingly, what Inny Flowering wished for was…
“I’m a fan of Glint. Could I see ‘Lind’ directly?”
The atmosphere immediately relaxed.
As Kaede had felt, everyone else sensed her peculiar nature.
What could this unusual girl possibly desire?
But no one expected her to ask for this.
Though strange, she was intriguing.
“I don’t mind, but is that okay?”
“To be honest, this is why I came here.”
From those murky eyes came an unexpected fervent passion.
Though slightly embarrassed, Glint was honestly pleased.
While popular among the public, Glint wasn’t highly regarded among magical girls.
She fights aboard ‘Lind,’ a robot about five meters tall, but robots aren’t favored by women.
As a solo fighter, she rarely collaborates, leaving her somewhat isolated among magical girls.
Thus, being directly called a fan by another magical girl delighted her.
Except for Kaede, who wasn’t particularly interested, causing her some emotional damage.
“If that’s the case, there’s plenty of space. Should we do it here?”
“Eh, yes. That’s fine.”
Glint sought Kaede’s magical permission but, still recovering from the shock, stammered slightly.
Standing up, she moved away from the table.
“Come forth, bird heralding the end.”
A magical circle appeared in midair, from which a white robot emerged. The primarily white machine featured visible blue lines resembling nerves across its body.
Its landing presence was nothing short of breathtaking.
Approaching Glint, Inny Flowering matched her gaze. Confirming her nod, she eagerly ran towards ‘Lind’ like a puppy.
“She’s just an ordinary kid when seen this way, huh?”
Taragon, standing beside Glint, whispered while observing Inny Flowering.
“While I’m thrilled to have fans, I must say…”
Despite the cloudy eyes revealed when she removed her hood, her current behavior—looking up at or touching ‘Lind’—seemed age-appropriate.
Considering how extraordinary she seemed, what would she bring to the decaying Japan? Kaede, still shocked, pondered this.
“Once you’re satisfied, I want you to fight me next.”
With Taragon’s explosive announcement and Inny Flowering’s acceptance, this tea party concluded.