When Happiness Comes Knocking

Even the larger squads in the Central City probably don't have enough funds to support so many projects simultaneously.

That's the correct way.

Unless there is a distinction between primary and secondary projects, some projects are simply there to make up the numbers.

"..." At this, Masterpiece paused for a moment, recalled the team's financial situation, and then shook his head. "I don't think so... because many of our projects seem to be free, specifically used to apply for funding and distribute bonuses."

"..." is specifically used for applying for funding and issuing bonuses... Huh?

Cong Yu was stunned for a moment, thinking that this kind of operation seemed a bit familiar... Isn't this just a PPT presentation used to scam investors?!

"The funding doesn't actually come solely from our own team; for the vast majority of the projects, there are 'suckers' covering the costs."

As he said this, "Masterpiece" raised his head and looked at Cong Yu: "This is the title of the chief captain... actually, it's the economic support from the mayor and the cabinet."

They believed that the "Illusion" project was the hope for improving the situation in Japan... and for overthrowing the Monster King's rule.

"..." Cong Yu roughly understood... The Purge Squad and the mayor and cabinet were not of one mind, so it was no wonder that "Masterpiece" acted so fearlessly.

Because the Purge Squad and the King have no conflict of interest.

(Masterpiece: Actually, it just doesn't matter.)

Let's break down the needs of the three parties...

The cabinet ministers wanted to regain power and prestige, so they were very optimistic about the mayor's Anti-King Series Project.

The mayor, nominally under the cabinet's command, was focused on getting the weirdo back quickly to restore the Central City Magical Girl system's economy. Therefore, he had high hopes for the Purge Squad's PPT presentation.

The Purge Squad, nominally under the mayor's control, were actually just using PowerPoint presentations to scam money... basically, they just wanted to make money.

This situation truly deserves to be described as one where everyone has their own ulterior motives.

The easiest thing to deal with here is the Purge Squad... It's just a matter of money! That sword-wielding couple has plenty; buying a squad wouldn't be a bad deal.

(Gareth Yuan'an: A Couple with a Sword?)

(Dongshang Yahui Xiang: Laughs)

Secondly, there are the cabinet ministers.

The cabinet members whose demands seem to pose the greatest threat to the Monster King are actually the easiest to deal with.

Those guys were at the pinnacle of power in Japan. Even though their authority had declined due to the "rule of freaks," they were still positions that countless people wanted to climb.

In other words...

If they won't do it, plenty of others will.

Hehehe, there seem to be a bit too many cabinet members.

Having made this judgment, Cong Yu was already prepared to completely overhaul the upper echelons of Japan... This had always been part of his long-term plan.

That's it...

His plan to use his group and influence to enter politics after entering university.

Although Qili's efforts brought it forward a long time, it didn't prevent him from carrying out the step in the plan called "blood transfusion".

It's easy to handle; just kill them all.

Of the three factions, the most difficult to deal with is Mayor Sang of Central City... He doesn't want to make money for himself, but rather wants to revive the economy of Central City.

This is rather troublesome.

As the center of the Japan magical girl industry, Central City's magical girl economic network relies heavily on the active Monster Group.

It's impossible to call those weirdos back.

Even if the mayor's intention was to improve his political resume, he was ultimately considering the interests of Central City.

While it might seem a bit disregardful of the lives of the people in Central City... simply killing them outright isn't the right thing to do.

It seems we really need to meet and talk.

Let's call the others and go talk to them together later...

Is it a rare occasion to go out with the Snow Woman?

(Snow Woman: Joy)

No need. Snow Woman is very busy; she has responsibilities for North Capital. So, it's better to invite someone else who is free.

(Snow Woman: Sadness)

Having finalized the tasks for the holiday, Cong Yu sighed and looked at [Masterpiece], who was reading comics. "Afterwards, take me to the Purge Squad... and introduce me to your captain."

The "Masterpiece" showed no surprise or doubt, simply nodding and asking, "Okay, when?"

"Tomorrow... no, the day after tomorrow."

"Good."

--

That night, all three factions slept soundly, filled with anticipation for the future... completely unaware of what awaited them during spring break.

Captain: Hehe, money!

Mayor Sang: Hehe, economic recovery--

Cabinet members: Heh heh heh, the Monster King has already found a way to die!

Chapter 495 When Happiness Knocks on the Door

[Cong Yu: Have you guys been busy lately?]

[Takemikazuchi: Busy, busy with classes.]

[Snow Woman: Okay]

[Cong Yu @ Snow Woman: Tomorrow morning--]

[Snow Woman: Go]

Oh my, I didn't expect Snow Woman to have some free time lately, that's great... After all, whether she's with Shuten or Tamamo, I always feel like the art style would be a bit strange.

The former always feels like having a child with you. Imagine you're having a serious discussion, and then the other person suddenly asks, "Whose child is this?" and it all falls apart.

The latter...

Her tail is too big and too big, and she always cries and clings to me when she gets scratched or scraped... I don't want her to be rubbing her tail while we're talking.

That's so strange.

It would be best if the Snow Woman was available.

[Shuten:?]

[Tamamo: Huh?]

Clearly, neither of them understood the conversation between Cong Yu and Snow Woman... and they were even unaware that the two had completed their exchange.

Perhaps this is the terrifying kind of tacit understanding.

A unique exchange between childhood sweethearts.

(Saint King: Hello, and who am I?)

(Cong Yu: A childhood friend.)

(Saint King: Crying)

--

Snow Woman hasn't been to the Central City much... or rather, she hasn't left the city much since successfully conquering the North Capital.

Aside from trips to Wind City and Kyoto, she had rarely left North Capital. However, this time, Cong Yu's invitation made things different.

"..."

That's about it...

"Then, Takemikazuchi, disguised as someone from the Purge Squad, tried to learn the 'Replica Phantom' technique."

He mentioned this in the group chat.

Cong Yu leaned back in the carriage, explaining the recent events to the Snow Woman wasn't entirely clear on the details, "Then, through this 'Masterpiece' lady, I learned about the issues concerning the demands of the three parties."

As she spoke, Cong Yu pointed to the "Masterpiece" sitting to the side eating, and then explained the situation in the most concise way possible.

It basically clarifies the relationship between the "Purge Squad," the "Central City Mayor," and the "Cabinet."

Although it wasn't particularly clear, it was enough for the Snow Woman to understand.

After all, the Snow Woman's intelligence and comprehension are far superior to those of Takemikazuchi and the others... Generally speaking, it's quite easy to talk to the Snow Woman.

Before even arriving at the Central City Purge Squad base, the Snow Woman had already grasped the general situation.

"I see."

The Snow Woman, nodding calmly, immediately understood Cong Yu's plan. "Burying the Purge Squad, purging the cabinet, and winning over the mayor... is that it?"

Cong Yu said nothing about what to do, but the Snow Woman gave a reasonable answer...

As expected of a proper ruler of the North Capital, he was quite adept at the ins and outs of this matter.

If it were Shuten here, he probably wouldn't be able to offer any opinions other than devouring cake.

"Apart from the mayor being difficult to deal with... everything else is about the same."

As she said this, Cong Yu sipped her iced tea and watched the train gradually come to a stop, arriving at the location indicated by the "Masterpiece".

"We've arrived, let's get off."

Then, what appeared before Cong Yu and Snow Woman was a simple-looking gate with a call button at the entrance.

That's a communication device.

It doesn't look like a typical office or team location... it's more like a warehouse or a secret base for Monster Group.

Many Monster Group have gone into hiding in this way.

So this time it's the magical girls who are hiding?

"This is the back of the Purge Squad's building. You can go directly to the underground base from here without having to go around through the main entrance."

"Masterpiece," he explained, pointing to the building where the gate was located. "The front gate is the platoon's entrance... this is usually where we report back."

As she said this, Miss "Masterpiece" walked over calmly and then asked, "What should I say?"

Here, she was clearly thinking, "How do I explain my sudden return, and how can I help you all get in?"

Although the "Masterpiece" has not yet become one of their own.

However, she was definitely not a member of the Purge Squad... much like Scarlet, who was the ace, she lacked anything called "belonging".

Nowhere is a place they can go back to.

Nowhere feels like home.

"You don't need to worry about that... But since you're being so honest, I'll ask you anyway."

As she said this, Cong Yu walked up to Masterpiece and looked at her seriously. "If judged by 'universal good and evil,' do you think there is anyone in the Purge Squad who is extremely heinous? Or anyone you believe deserves to die?"

"..." Regarding Cong Yu's words, "Masterpiece" thought for a moment, "Many... have decided on 'killing their comrades' as the final training instructor."

"There's also the psychopathic vice-captain, the Lolicon Doctor who joined last year and his accomplices... and the ace of the second team, a guy who enjoys 'accidentally' injuring civilians..."

Cong Yu and Snow Woman fell silent in response to the "Masterpiece" that kept babbling on and on with examples... How could there be so many?

As expected, these magical girls were still the same magical girls Cong Yu had known before, only the new generation of little magical girls had become much cuter.

Or rather, the proportion of normal people is much higher.

That sounds really bad.

"Then when we encounter them later, remind me... But it depends on the situation; we might not resort to force directly."

Cong Yu said this, then slammed the ringer on the communicator, followed by a static sound... There was silence on the other end of the communicator.

"Masterpiece," however, stepped forward and proactively explained, "I am 'Masterpiece,' mission failed..."

Before she could even report the "mission failed," Cong Yu reached into the Jormungandr Train, pulled out a mask, put it on, and spoke first.

"I am the King of Wind City, and I address the Purge Squad at this moment—regarding your [...]"

"I'm very interested in the Anti-King Project '."