Chapter 326
After the end of the World Apart, everything seemed to be over. The snow was still falling in the city, and people were coming and going on the streets. The battles fought by the Magic girls had no effect on Maple Plain City today.
But in some corner, the mastermind behind this unprecedented Monster incident is still clinging to life.
In a deserted, unnoticed Snowfield of the city, a woman was walking unsteadily, step by step.
She looked terrible.
However, what's even more concerning is that her body is completely illusory and constantly slipping away like dust, giving the impression that she's on the verge of collapse.
This woman is the remnant soul of Belial.
Normally, her last vestige of soul should have been extinguished in the battle just now.
But that woman, Tachibana, had secretly preserved a sliver of her soul.
When she woke up and inherited the memories, it was too late to investigate what the Demon King had done.
Lilith, that woman, didn't seem to notice this... or perhaps she ignored her for some other reason, but it doesn't matter anymore.
As long as she's alive, that's enough.
Even after the devastating defeat and when she was weaker than ever before, the hatred in her eyes did not fade, like some kind of indelible obsession.
The lingering ghost, unwilling to dissipate, was still muttering to itself:
"That's right... No, I can't stay here yet..."
She was panting, even though she had lost her body long ago.
Winter was so cold for her at that time.
It was even somewhat chilling.
Belial instinctively hugged his arms, his eyes widening as if recalling some unpleasant past.
That's right—winter.
The winter she hated most was the cold winter filled with white snow.
On the day she was driven away from R'lyeh, it was a cold winter day. She was stripped of her Magic Armament and Transformation Crystal, and like a stray dog with nothing, she was driven into the Black Forest on the border of R'lyeh.
That was the most desperate and humiliating moment of her life.
Endless white snow, a void of darkness, and the sound of the forest mocking her from its depths.
On that day, amidst endless panic and pain, she made a vow.
She wanted to take revenge for everything she had suffered that day, and to condemn those who looked down on her and ignored her to an eternal abyss of despair.
So... on that day, she received a response.
She heard a call from the depths of the Black Forest.
Then, he obtained forbidden power.
"I will prove I'm right... I did nothing wrong, they were just too foolish and naive, and they will all pay the price..."
She raised her hand, trembling, and slowly grabbed her face, revealing a pair of terrifying eyes.
This woman, who once possessed a beautiful face, is now consumed by hatred and obsession, even to the point of being distorted. Perhaps those she once hated have either left or no longer recognize her.
Her soul has been wandering alone in this world for far too long... far too long.
So much so that it became unrecognizable and hideous.
Why was she banished from the Kingdom and forced to wander the Black Forest?
To be honest, she couldn't remember very clearly anymore.
Now, all she has left is obsession.
But all of this vanished easily in front of Lilith.
"I'm completely different from those weak, naive Magic girls... I don't need anyone's care or warmth, nor will I be bound by boring love or family ties... That's why I'm better than anyone else."
She kept talking to herself in the Snowfield, trying to keep her consciousness from fading away.
What should we do next?
She gazed into the distance, at the peaceful and tranquil city protected by Magic girls.
In the distance, people come and go on the street.
There must be someone among them who can possess her.
Although she certainly can't compare to that ordinary female company president or Kirishima Ai, it doesn't matter anymore.
Even a bad container will do.
She will wait for hundreds or thousands of years until one day she will regain her body.
That's right.
No matter what, she will keep struggling.
Nothing can stop her; her obsession will not dissipate or be resolved; her hatred will forever drive her to continue down this ugly path.
"Where... is there a vessel I can possess...?"
Belial's lingering spirit drew ever closer to the crowd.
Nothing can stop her now.
She has already figured out what to do next.
But just as she was about to approach the crowd, something strange and incomprehensible blocked her path.
So much so that she was stunned.
Standing in the Snowfield is a snow-white puppy.
Its fur blended almost perfectly with the winter landscape; had it not been for its strange attire, Belial would hardly have noticed its presence.
What's even stranger is that she discovered a familiar scent about the puppy that made her feel comfortable.
... Magic Power?
Why did this dog make her feel that it was a suitable vessel for her?
In a daze, Belial's remnant soul was at a loss, even forgetting to look for its vessel; her mind was filled with what this dog was.
And why did he appear in front of her...?
"---Unlocked."
Her answer was a chilling wolf howl in the winter air.
Like the howl of wolves deep in the Black Forest.
That was the sound she once feared most.
A gust of wind whipped up large snowflakes, obscuring Belial's view.
Everything in sight was tinged with silver.
"Smoke signals—a fierce cry!"
When the snowstorm subsided once more, the little white dog had vanished, leaving only the silhouette of a tall, unfamiliar girl in the snow mist.
A jet-black one-shoulder cape fluttered wildly in the snowy wind.
She walked out of the Snowfield step by step, holding a longbow with a dignified posture and wearing long boots.
It was a Magic girl dressed in a military uniform, with silver and purple as the main colors.
With his silver hair and blue eyes, Belial felt for some reason that he had seen this person somewhere before.
The girl's temperament was as cold as the winter.
"Who are you..."
Belial stared coldly at the unfamiliar Magic girl.
The girl, with her icy blue eyes, also gazed at Belial, and calmly said amidst the desolate sound of the wind:
"I am R'lyeh, a Magic girl from Shadow Moon."
Belial quickly realized the girl's identity.
A Magic girl from R'lyeh who came in search of and to destroy herself.
This was the first time she had ever met this Magic girl.
Moreover, she knew nothing about this Magic girl.
If it were the remnant soul that possessed President Cangyue, it might know about this Magic girl, but unfortunately, she did not inherit the memories of that remnant soul.
"R'lyeh's Magic girl? Looks like she's here to destroy me again..."
The Ultimate Omen Battle Instrument is no longer with Belial.
She herself was extremely weak.
"That's right."
The Magic girl who called herself Shadow Moon nodded.
"Magic Girl Belial, it is time for you to pay the price for the mistakes you have made over the centuries. Please stop here and rest in peace forever."
Her calm and unwavering demeanor stirred a surge of emotions within Belial.
Why... is there always some troublesome guy getting in the way?
She should still have a chance.
Magic girls of this caliber alone cannot stop her; she will not fail here.
The cold Winter Snow continued to remind her of everything she had suffered in the past.
Belial's remnant soul used Magic Power to create a Magic Armament very similar to the Battle Instrument, the one she used when she was known as the Magic Girl Extreme Moon:
"Rest in peace? By your power...?"
Holding the Battle Instrument, she walked step by step toward the Magic girl Shadow Moon.
"... Then let's give it a try."
Even in her current weakened state, she has no intention of giving up. As long as there is even the slightest chance, she will continue to exist...
The same applies to Shadow Moon.
She walked towards Belial step by step, each step light and firm.
This seems to be the final battle.
Whether Belial's long, twisted soul's wandering will come to an end, or will it be a meaningless repetition and a mere ebb and flow, will be decided in the outcome of this battle.
The battle was not long.
The outcome of their duel will be decided in a short period of time.
During this battle, Belial felt his weakness and grew increasingly exhausted.
Her Magic Power was almost gone.
The shadow created by this soul power is also getting closer and closer to dissipating.
Both ends of Belial's Battle Instrument glowed with Magic Power light, and she swung this Magic Power created Battle Instrument heavily down at Shadow Moon.
The surrounding snow then began to fall and rise.
Shadow Moon simply raised her bow, using the blade on the bow to defend herself.
With a clang, the bow slammed down and caught the blow.
Amidst the sound of wind and snow, one could hear Belial's exhausted panting.
That wasn't just due to weakness.
It's as if the voice of a soul, burdened by centuries of wandering, is finally breaking.
It's unimaginable what sustains such a broken soul.
They are pitiful, yet also hateful and tragic.