Chapter 87
If only there were a way to teach Magic girl a lesson without resorting to Monster.
Before they knew it, the two of them had been drinking until after nine o'clock.
Haihara, who was initially tired, began to show some interest.
"By the way, have you heard? There's been a recent report that a new Magic girl has appeared in the city."
Ms. Suzuki suddenly brought up the topic of Magic girls, which they hadn't talked about much before.
In a city where Magic girls truly exist, it's not unusual for adults to discuss this topic.
Even many people in their thirties and forties are loyal fans of Magic girls.
Generally speaking, the appearance of a new Magic girl is always an exciting event for the people of this city.
"I've only heard about it..."
Haihara quickly understood what Ms. Suzuki meant.
"I remember it was called... Magical Girl Dark Feather, right? Doesn't it look a lot like Silver Feather? But... I don't know why, it gives me a kind of evil feeling?"
This Magic girl is a little different from the previous ones.
Her style, behavior, and temperament are all completely different from the previous Magic girls.
"Maybe it's some kind of evil Silver Feather?"
Haihara was joking.
As someone who possesses the memories of Witch, Haihara naturally knows what's going on with that Magic girl.
Black Magical Girl are a group of fallen beings who have strayed from love and light. Although many of them have their own reasons, most of them are evil beings who have willingly fallen into depravity.
However, apart from having slightly more evil powers, she is actually no different from a typical Magic girl in every other respect.
It also requires Magic Armament, Magic Crystal... and possesses the abilities of four types of Magic: Flowers, Birds, Wind, and Moon.
However, like the Monster, they are the enemies of Magic girls.
... Huh?
Magic girls'... enemies?
Chapter Eighteen: The Witch of the Night
In the dimly lit living room, Haihara was alone, teasing the snake.
Little White's lower body slowly writhed in the wood shavings of the glass box. Its cold and slightly damp body seemed to be entangled in something. Even without the light on, it could be seen that the thing looked like a black void, constantly absorbing the few rays of moonlight coming from outside the window.
When Haihara reached out and touched the glass wall, the thing faintly emitted a blood-red glow.
In the darkness, it was barely possible to make out that it was a crystal, the light outlining the shape of a bird.
This is undoubtedly the Crystal of Monster.
However, it is completely different from the previous Monster Crystal.
This is a unique Devil King Crystal, the origin of all Crystal in the world.
Even the Snake Crystal that Haihara created before, or the Phoenix Crystal that Kirishima Ai used that day, cannot compare to this fundamental bird Crystal.
On that day, after the Magic girl Fate Kite and the Demon King were both severely injured, she briefly transformed into Witch, defeated the Demon King was on his last legs, and obtained his Crystal as her original form.
On one hand, out of kindness, although the Magic girls defeated the Demon King, they were unable to seal Demon King away without harming Kirishima Ai, so she took the Crystal from Kirishima Hina's body herself.
On the other hand, even now, Haihara herself can't explain it clearly.
Although it was only a small amount, she was indeed drawn to this Crystal from the Demon King.
It was as if a voice deep within her was calling to her to obtain this thing.
When did this idea first come to mind?
It's probably...
After getting drunk, while chatting with that young girl in the Materials Room...
Watching the little girl troubled by her past and the Monster man, Haihara was reminded of her own past.
Of course, I'm not saying they have any similarities.
But why did she feel a little envious of these children?
A unique, chosen girl, a warrior burdened with a belief to protect others...
Just like when she was a child, she admired the Magic girls in those cartoons.
In contrast, she realized what she was missing.
So, perhaps it can be called desire.
She wanted this Crystal born from humanity's boundless desires.
Suddenly, Little White hissed and wriggled its body, trying to get away from the black crystal.
It's like keeping a bird and a snake in a cage.
It's a bit crowded.
Are you hungry?
She stretched out a finger and poked Little White's forehead.
Little White still had a blank and ignorant look in his eyes, not understanding anything.
After obtaining this Crystal, Haihara was able to do many more things than before.
For example, there is much more Magic Power than before.
Previously, transforming into that Witch form required consuming the Magic Power within the Crystal.
Each transformation basically consumes the Crystal of a Mature Form Monster.
Therefore, she doesn't change that form very often.
Moreover, that form cannot be maintained for very long.
Secondly, she can now create Bird-type Monster at will.
He can even control Perfect Form Bird System Monster at will.
However, in reality, Haihara cannot use this Crystal.
In the dimly lit living room, the woman's voice was reflected in the dim mirror inside the cabinet door. Her originally shoulder-length black hair now appeared as a long, silvery-gray shadow.
Each time Haihara touches the Crystal, she gains more memories of the Witch and experiences hallucinations about Witch.
This may be related to the Magic Power within the Crystal.
Devil King Crystal are even more dangerous than ordinary Crystal.
Haihara didn't want to take another step forward.
"Lately... have I become a little sentimental?"
The woman was talking to herself.
Perhaps it's because I've realized I'm not so young anymore.
Haihara has recently been experiencing many emotions and thoughts she never had before.
That's why she became kind-hearted some time ago.
While she was having a good time chatting and flirting with a group of young high school girls, Haihara Ms. Suzuki was facing.
As for a way to deal with Magic girls without any Monster, she had some ideas.
It's 8 PM now.
Although Magic girls usually stay at home at this time.
However, tonight, she sensed the presence of a Magic girl.
Well then... it's time for the villainous Witch to make her appearance again tonight.
The brightly lit city streets are still bustling with people even in the middle of the night. The aroma of snacks and the fumes from cars mingle slightly, creating the vibrant colors of nightlife.
Beside the streetlights, many mosquitoes and moths swarmed around the firelight, seemingly misled by the dim yellow glow, mistaking it for the sun.
Maple Plain City is a bustling city filled with Magic girl culture, so you can see many cultural elements related to Magic girls in the city's street scenes.
For example, there's graffiti on the walls, worn-out promotional posters, life-size standees, and even Magic girl cosplay at night.
This area seems to have some historical atmosphere.
Because those worn-out promotional posters actually featured Magic girl Phantom Wind, not the current characters.
That is, the strongest Magic girl who disappeared three years ago.
This Magic girl is even deeply connected to the city's culture.
However, it's not just Magic girl Phantom Wind.
After all, a few years ago, this Magic girl wasn't fighting alone.
Fighting alongside the Magic girl Phantom Wind at that time was another Magic girl named Color Feather.
Judging from the name, it's somewhat similar to the style of Silver Feather.
In fact, Magic girl Color Feather is also Bird System Magic girl.
However, compared to the silent and aloof Silver Feather, Color Feather is the most classic kind of Magic girl.
Energetic, sunny, loves love and justice, and is also very gentle.
Although it's a bit old-fashioned and conventional, everyone seems to like it.
When Silver Feather first appeared, many people compared her to Color Feather.
However, like Phantom Wind, this Magic girl retired three years ago for unknown reasons.
Even at night, you can see cosplayers dressed as Silver Feather on the streets of the city.
This is quite common in this city.
Summer nights in this city aren't too hot.
Especially lately, it's been cloudy all the time.
The evening breeze swept across the street and came to a dimly lit corner.
In the dark shade of the trees, there was a slender figure, whose clothing seemed rather extravagant compared to the others.
It was a young girl dressed in a gorgeous black and purple gown, who stood there casually, seemingly unaware of her own abnormality, gazing at the people on the street in the distance.
The girl stood there quietly, as if waiting for something.
After a while, the alarm sounded, and people on the street shouted in panic.
Such scenes are not uncommon in this city.
This usually happens when Monster appears.
Soon, the broadcast came on --
"Attention! Attention! Monster has been sighted, its form is wind-type. All citizens, please evacuate immediately and await the arrival of the Magic girl..."
Before long, the girl saw the Monster's true form.
That was slightly different from the Monster of the past.
For example, the appearance of this Monster is that of a Monster whose blades are constantly spinning in the wind. From a distance, it looks like a dilapidated windmill with a torso and limbs growing out of the ground, extending more than ten meters upwards. Compared to the Monster in general, it is more like some kind of monster from urban legends.
The monster walked in the dim light, the windmill on its neck casting a cold silhouette in the lamplight.
This Monster could perhaps be called the Windmill Monster.
The prototype of the wind-type Monster is usually something without life signs.
For example, kites, or windmills.
"Magic girl, discovered..."
A deep, eerie sound echoed through the streets at night.