Chapter 334
Thousand Sins felt that something was wrong.
However, they slowed down a bit after that.
Just as the two of them decided to search further and left the area, in the deep shadows of a corner of the alley, the shadow of a twisted monster gradually emerged.
This was a strange, shadowy Monster with countless tentacles made of shadows, and with withered goat masks embedded all over its body.
Its several mouths opened and closed, and after confirming that the Magic girls had finally gone far away, it muttered to itself:
[This is really troublesome... The Serpent System Magic girl actually noticed it.]
This Monster is called Black Goat Black Death Cult.
At this moment, its tone still carried a hint of shock.
Firstly, there's something lost nearby that's wandering around and could be discovered by these Magic girls at any moment.
Secondly, if it had just been discovered by these Snake-Type Magical Girl, it might not even have had a chance to revive after being punched to pieces.
For the sake of his safety, Black Goat decided to proceed cautiously and wait for the Magic girls to leave first.
Meanwhile, on the other side...
In Kougami Kage's research institute, the woman was looking at the unusual dark green Crystal in her laboratory with a troubled expression. The crystal was almost radiating an unusual light.
Surprisingly, the Doctor seemed less at ease when dealing with things other than Lily.
There was even some sweat on his forehead.
"Haro, how long will it take to block out the Magic Power aura it's currently emitting?"
Her expression remained calm; she simply picked up a handkerchief and wiped her forehead.
In the laboratory, Kougami Kage looked at it through a transparent wall. It was a strangely shaped Crystal formed by two interlocking rings that created an "infinity".
It's like Ouroboros.
Within the dark green crystals, there are eerie yet strangely beautiful black markings that outline ominous runes.
This Crystal is the most special one among everything in Kougami Kage's research institute.
It is an unrecorded Devil King Crystal.
This Crystal has served a variety of purposes throughout its history.
For example, providing oneself with almost unlimited Magic Power.
The prototype for the bracelet given to Lily as a gift.
Furthermore, through its sensitivity to Magic Power, Kougami Kage also relies on this to detect the flow of Magic Power in almost every corner of the city.
Of course, the ability to detect the Monster so accurately each time is essentially based on this.
However, even though Kougami has always used it with the utmost care and caution, it still cannot change the fact that it is a Devil King Crystal.
Humans cannot truly control it.
A few minutes ago, the Snake Crystal began to break free from Kougami Kage's seal and began to emit a Magic Power aura that seemed to be attracting something.
Kougami Kage reacted quickly and took appropriate action.
It should have been dealt with promptly.
However, she still detected that at the very moment the Magic Power aura leaked out, something extremely dangerous approached the research institute.
They might even be directly attracted by the Snake Crystal here.
There is no doubt that this situation is dangerous.
Generally speaking, in this situation, Magic girls should be asked to help, since it's obvious that she's just a scientist and doesn't have their level of power.
However, due to this Crystal...
If the Magic girls found out that she was secretly hiding a Devil King Crystal, then trouble would inevitably follow.
[Report: The shielding of the 'Ouroboros' Crystal's Magic Power aura has now been completed.]
Even after hearing this, Kougami remained vigilant.
She rubbed her already tired eyes:
"So, have Thousand Sins and the others already left?"
When the Snake Crystal went out of control, Crystal indirectly sent a signal to the Magic girls' alarm devices.
This caused Kougami Kage to suffer a sudden cardiac arrest.
[Just now, I interfered with the perception of Magic Power. They left this area after their conversation with you.]
Only then did Kougami Kage finally breathe a sigh of relief.
However, the lie she had just told made her feel a little guilty.
After finishing everything in the lab, Kougami lay down on the sofa to rest.
Today's experience made her realize once again that the Devil King Crystal is uncontrollable.
Although she had previously dreamed of turning Lily into a Magic girl, and had spent a long time researching the Crystal, now she had no reason to continue risking keeping it in a semi-awakened state.
Perhaps she should find a time to let this Devil King Crystal sleep forever.
Even if she is very confident, the power of Monster is always omnipresent, and she can easily let them exploit her desires without her even realizing it.
Therefore, knowing when to stop is a good choice.
After that, Kougami Kage decided to do something different to distract herself, such as asking Lily what time she would come to her research institute that evening.
As the sun sets and night falls in Maple Plain City, the area around Kougami Kage's research institute becomes even quieter than during the day, with hardly any passersby in sight.
In this dark street, where only streetlights provide light, in the corner of a building, shadows gradually gather and distort, until from the darkness emerges an indescribable, tentacle-covered goat-like shadow.
It floated in the air, looking down at the research institute that was not easily noticed.
[Hmm? I initially thought it was just a dwelling of ordinary humans, but... it actually has a way to detect Magic Power?]
The Black Goat seemed somewhat surprised.
During the day, it had only come in search of the wandering Magic Armament, but ended up finding an unexpected delight here.
So, on a night when it was most suited to act, it came here.
As it turned out, this seemingly ordinary place held a hidden secret.
Moreover, those Magic Power probes in this area are not simple.
If other Black Death Cult had appeared near the research facility, they would probably have been detected immediately.
Unfortunately, he was the most skilled in Magic among all the Black Death Cult.
It's no exaggeration to say that the Black Goat are among the most eccentric Monster throughout history who have reached the pinnacle of Magic skills.
After circumventing the research institute's detection using various methods, the Black Goat once again shrouded itself in shadow, attempting to infiltrate the institute. However, it soon encountered the next challenge.
Several strange figures stood guard around the research institute, in front of it.
These items are suspected to be the guards of this research institute.
That's somewhat similar to Monster, but not quite.
The structure on it was clearly modified mechanical, and what should have been a strange, lifelike Monster became more like a steel monster, exuding a cold, lifeless aura.
[Did they modify the Monster...?]
The people here are more dangerous than it imagined.
These mature-stage Monster, after being modified, have even reached the level of Perfect Form.
However, for this Black Death Cult, it was just a matter of putting in a little more effort.
The moment they discovered them, the Black Goat activated its Magic, instantly blocking out all sound and sight, plunging the area into complete silence and darkness.
The next moment, invisible tentacles emerged from the darkness, completely binding the modified Monster until they were unable to move.
However, the Black Goat did not intend to destroy them.
That would be tantamount to being exposed.
It merely infiltrated their Crystal in the darkness, manipulating them to refrain from any violent reactions or attempts to send any signals to their master.
After that, the group of modified Monster did not put up a strong resistance.
Ultimately, the gap between them and the Black Death Cult was simply too vast.
It seems that the appearance of these modified Monster is not due to their discovery, but rather some kind of automatic defense mechanism.
This is really getting more and more intriguing...
Having resolved the difficulties of infiltrating the research institute, the Black Goat has developed an interest in the people inside.
If we capture that person and bring them back to His Majesty the Demon King, the surprise they bring might be no less than what it sensed here.
This is not difficult for it to do.
Just as it was about to do so, suddenly, a strange woman's voice came from behind it.
"It seems you're quite interested in my girlfriend."
The Black Goat was initially confused by the sudden sound.
As the Black Goat slowly turned around, it saw a bespectacled woman who also looked like she had just arrived in the area, smiling and sizing it up.
Did this person see it?
It should have used Magic Power to become invisible; the naked eye of a normal person cannot detect its existence.
If there's something extraordinary about the other party, it can't sense any Magic Power at all...
But for some reason, the Black Goat felt that the blood in its body was unusually cold at that moment.
In the next instant, before it could even react, the Black Death Cult's consciousness snapped as if a string had broken, losing all ability to think. The only thought in its mind was who the other person was.
Its body suddenly froze in place.
Correspondingly, the woman slowly walked over, one step, two steps... until she reached the frozen Black Goat, sizing it up as it could no longer think:
"Hmm, what a pity, it's just a son; there's no way to kill you all."
She seemed to be aware of the Black Goat 'Monster characteristics.
This Monster is not a single individual; it splits into many offspring, much like the countless young offspring of a goat.
Only by killing the mother organism will all the daughter organisms disappear.
But it doesn't matter anymore.
The next moment, everything in the Black Goat's vision was swallowed by darkness, and his consciousness, along with it, vanished into nothingness with a sound of Crystal shattering...
Perhaps Kougami Kage was unaware of this.
She was always immersed in her research and had long since become complacent about her villainous career, so she was also very careless and negligent in protecting herself.
Unbeknownst to her, there were numerous instances where unsettling and dangerous things approached the research institute.
However, none of this matters.
When Kougami Kage looked up again, it was when he saw Haihara enter through the door.
When this woman came today, she brought hot crepes and coffee to go with them.
As always, after finishing their day's work, the two gathered together, enjoying a meal and discussing the day's events.
Incidentally, we also need to discuss how to spend Christmas Day.
"What's wrong? Are you tired from work today?"
Haihara raised her hand and stroked Kougami's head, tidying up her messy hair as she asked her with concern.
Kougami Kage looked a little tired today, probably because of what happened during the day.
As always, Kougami Kage took this opportunity to act cute and affectionate with Haihara.
She gently lay down on Lily, nuzzling her head against Haihara's chest, touching her affectionately.
"Yeah... I'm a little tired."