The King's Grand Invitation

Qili couldn't help but complain, while the girl beside her and the bespectacled man looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Teacher... please stop swearing."

"..."

"Those guys definitely misappropriated funds, embezzled funds, lined their own pockets, and practiced nepotism."

Qili used multiple modifiers to make her own unfounded guesses.

The man with glasses pushed up his glasses.

"Hey, you seem to be getting more and more arrogant lately... To be honest, you're not in charge of the funding; you're just going to a meeting."

That's true.

"Sigh, whatever, let the operations department deal with this headache..."

As Qili said this, she sighed, "I am indeed bolder now, and I have the confidence to say things that I didn't dare to say before, but what's the use?"

In response to Qili's words, the bespectacled man glanced at the bubbling test tube in front of him and casually remarked, "Isn't having a 'King' as your backer enough?"

Qili realized that she and her apprentice were getting in the way, as the latter had other matters to attend to.

"They're gone."

As she said this, Qili stood up to leave, then replied, "If it's really a 'backup,' then maybe that's enough... In the current relationship, one is clearly not enough, five would be more like it."

"Hehe--"

Amidst the cold laughter of the man in the white coat behind her, Qili led the girl back to her office.

"Teacher... it turns out that the association's leadership and cabinet aren't good people either; some are even worse than eccentrics."

The girl was openly talking to her teacher in the corridor, discussing what she had recently discovered.

This attracted numerous astonished and horrified glances from passing association members.

"You're only realizing this now?"

Qili responded nonchalantly, but she still tapped the girl's head. "

Wait, why are you starting to speak up for the weirdo?

The girl pouted at this.

"N-nothing... it's just that I felt... well, yes, wasn't the King of Wind City quite friendly?"

Although the girl is right, and the current veneration of the King of Wind City is considered politically correct within the association and in Japan.

However, Qili knew that there was something else the child hadn't said.

"What exactly happened?"

Back in her office, Qili questioned her foolish apprentice, asking for the reason behind his drastic change in attitude.

"Mmm... ah..."

The hesitant girl finally decided to tell her teacher the truth, "I saw a strange person who wanted to save people... and we became friends and even exchanged contact information."

Qili found the girl's words quite normal.

"In Central City, the number of people saved by eccentrics is no less than the number saved by magical girls... Also, according to explicit rules, those 'eccentrics' cannot be called eccentrics if they haven't committed any evil deeds."

Although it's a document written over a hundred years ago.

Modern people are too lazy to care; they just call anyone with Negative Magic a weirdo.

"..."

"Knock knock knock--"

Hearing a knock at the door, Qili, who was typing on her keyboard and writing a meeting report, looked up and said, "Come in."

"..."

"..." But there was no response.

The girl opened the door with a puzzled look, then saw a small note on the ground, picked it up casually, and gave it to the teacher.

Small notes? Who still uses that weird way of communicating these days?

With this thought in mind, the girl peeked at the note in Ms. Qili's hand and read aloud, "Lady Qili, I am following the King's orders to deliver a message to you... The King said—'See you at the usual place.'"

The girl nodded and began rummaging through the drawers in the Qili office looking for food. "Teacher, the King of Wind City is here to see you again--"

"..." The simple-minded girl didn't think of anything.

Qili sighed, burned the note with magical flames, and then felt a chill in her heart...

Although it is known that the King of King of Wind City is likely to be among the most likely members of the association.

However, he was able to know when the meeting would end, as an elder, and accurately relay the message in front of his office.

It's still too terrifying.

Thinking this through, Qili suddenly felt that everyone was a little untrustworthy... Could it be that we're all moles among us?

Could the Magical Girl Association headquarters be a strange place filled with traitors from opposing factions who distrust each other?

I am the King of Wind City's man, you are the King of North Capital's subordinate, she is a double agent for the Master of Tamamo Palace and the Cabinet...

Surely... that wouldn't happen?

Chapter 147 The King's Grand Invitation

"Come with me, I'll take you somewhere... Come to think of it, I haven't seen your apprentice in a long time."

This was the first thing Cong Yu said before leading Qili onto the Jormungandr Train.

"That child speaks without thinking; I'm afraid she'll offend you."

This was Qili's reply, but her attitude wasn't as respectful as before... not that her respect had diminished.

I just learned that Cong Yu wasn't someone who liked being respected by others.

"I don't need to worry about it, but it's a pity she didn't come today. I think her personality is very interesting."

This was the second thing Cong Yu said, but what he didn't say was— "Shuten would probably like your apprentice's personality."

The premise is that your apprentice doesn't learn to speak like an electric baton, and doesn't use foul language.

Before Qili could even sit down in the car and understand what Cong Yu meant, she noticed that Cong Yu didn't seem to have any intention of sitting down.

After hesitating for a moment, she felt it wasn't appropriate for Cong Yu to stand while she stood, so she prepared to get up...

So, there are quite a few rules here in Japan.

Well... to be precise, there are quite a few rules for humans, but the "powerful ones" in Japan tend to be rather petty.

Therefore, the disadvantaged must develop the habit of observing people's expressions and moods.

It could even be called a "habit".

"Please sit down... We're in a hurry this time, so the journey will be short, and we'll have to get up soon, which is why I haven't sat down yet."

Upon hearing Cong Yu's words, Qili realized that something urgent seemed to have happened... Nevertheless, she still stood up.

"Well then, I won't mind sitting here for a little longer."

As Qili said this, countless guesses flashed through her mind... First of all, the reason for looking for her probably wouldn't be something she couldn't do.

Although it's a little embarrassing to talk about, Qili knows the limits of her abilities and what kind of person the King of Wind City is.

Although the King of Wind City said he was in a hurry, he actually...

Then, Qili's thoughts came to a halt.

"..." Because, in front of her, the King of Wind City removed his mask, revealing a face she recognized.

Previously at Wind City High School, there was the boy who was "modified" by the King of Wind City and lived with the magical girls of Wind City.

How should I put it?

She was surrounded by two magical girls before, so Qili couldn't see clearly, but now that she's taken off her mask in the carriage...

This face is somewhat indescribable.

Is he handsome or beautiful?

Handsome... but not devastatingly handsome.

While she was undeniably beautiful, her face shape and features clearly indicated that she was male.

However, Qili was thinking about something else entirely...

That's the "why".

Generally speaking, "voluntarily revealing one's identity" is like saying, "Sorry, I'm an undercover agent."

This usually happens when someone is about to be eliminated.

Therefore, it's easy to understand Qili's feelings at this moment—she felt like she was about to be finished.

However, Cong Yu's attitude remained positive.

"Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Cong Yu. I attend Wind City High School and am a second-year student in Class A. I am also the King of Wind City."

Is the King of Wind City only doing part-time work here?!

Seeing Qili's wide eyes, Cong Yu placed the mask on the table. "The reason for telling you my identity is simple... I called a few friends, thinking they might need to discuss some things with you."

"And they know my name, so they'll definitely call me ' Cong Yu 'Cong Yu without a second thought, and it'll be more troublesome to explain to you later."

Cong Yu said simply, looking at the train that had slowed down, "Ask whatever you want, we've arrived."

In other words, there is only one question.

Qili pondered this, then immediately asked a question that puzzled her, "Then why don't you use a pseudonym?"

In other words, if we associate "Cong Yu" with "King of Wind City," then using a pseudonym as the current identity of "high school student Cong Yu" would save a lot of trouble from being easily exposed.

Regarding this...

"Actually, I did think about whether I should give myself a new name for both my ordinary weirdo identity and my human identity, such as W, or a name like 'Congfeng' or 'Cong Jack'... but I decided against it after thinking about it."

As she said this, Cong Yu got out of the car casually. "It sounds weird to me when people call me by nicknames or fake names... Besides, I'm not afraid of being exposed."

"I don't know about the other kings, but many of my friends and I enjoy excitement and fun, so you don't need to be too reserved."

Following Cong Yu's words, he walked straight out of the carriage and through the dark "door," and Qili immediately followed.

"Then, Your Majesty! Whom is this friend you speak of...?"

Before Qili could finish asking, "Who is it?", she had already stepped on an empty wine jug and almost fell.

A normal human would definitely fall.

However, the magical girl's body control ability allows her to instantly twist her body, stand up straight again, and look around.

Then, what came into her view was...

The King of North Capital, dressed in white winter clothes.

The Lord of Mount Oe, with horns and holding a wine bowl.

Sitting next to Shuten is the humanoid self-propelled tail stand, Master of Tamamo Palace.

And a sleeping, unidentified yellow animal.

Leaving aside the strange animals, the images of Snow Woman, Shuten -Tamamo, and Tamamo-no-Mae are already well-known to Qili.

In other words... it's the king.

"Glug..."

Qili couldn't help but swallow hard. She realized... she, as a magical girl, had been invited to a royal banquet.

It was a trap...

Even more so, one might very well be the main course of the feast.

Banquet? Or funeral feast!

Well, that's probably still impossible.

"Qili, you can sit in that seat... As for how to address me, you can just call me Cong Yu."

In response to Cong Yu's words, Qili looked at the spot Cong Yu was pointing to and replied bitterly, "Yes, Feng... Lord Cong Yu."