Prayer for Peace

(Ceruno)

Not long after Miluno left, a witch Viktorika Victorica awoke.

Even while she was unconscious, I sensed she was a rational person; upon waking, she exuded an even more scholarly air. Wearing heavy-looking round-framed glasses, she spoke with a blank expression:

"It seems we've been captured by the Morning Star."

The moment I woke up, I understood the situation.

"That's right, but she went back to save SpiCa."

Only after I said that did she shift her gaze from Miss Regil, who was still unconscious to the side, to me.

Asked:

"They easily dealt with us, but didn't bring her back with them?"

"Your people over there used missiles to try and kill Miluno in one fell swoop, but you had already been knocked unconscious by her, and she couldn't leave you there to die, so Miluno brought you back with her."

"My words contain not a single falsehood," Viktorika simply said.

"You are Ceruno, the Second-Generation Vega."

To these witches from seven years ago, Vega is still their father.

"Well, I have some things I'd like to discuss with you privately, which is why I moved you here."

She pushed up her glasses expressionlessly and asked:

"Aren't you afraid I'll resist? Even if I'm not as strong as Fomalhaut, I'm still a witch, and I'm confident I'm stronger than a magical girl."

Since she didn't attack me immediately after waking up, it means she doesn't have that intention yet.

"Is that so? But I'm quite confident in my defense, and this 'Zodiacal' Magic Academy has gathered four hundred magical girls. Even if you're a witch, you can't escape from here."

My answer made her think, and finally she asked:

"So, what do you want to ask me?"

She was willing to talk to me.

I dragged a chair over and sat down opposite her.

"So, Miss Viktorika, do you want to end the endless war between the two worlds? Are you willing to be a bridge to promote peace between the two worlds? Do you think it's possible for us to become friends?"

With just three questions, Viktorika understood what I meant.

"You want a witch to be a peacemaker? Impossible, that's a rather naive idea."

This reaction was within my expectations.

"Before you, I've already met several other witches, and none of them were incapable of communication. After all, you inherited the memories and personalities of magical girls, and you also possess the Star Crystal of this world..."

She answered calmly:

"However, it is one's character that determines one's stance."

"Even if you say that, you're not welcome on the 'The Other Side,' are you? Otherwise, why would your superiors be willing to sacrifice you to launch missiles at the base? Don't you have any sense of kinship with this world? Miss Viktorika, witches shouldn't belong to any side; you can be a neutral third party."

However, my persuasion had no effect, Miss Viktorika replied:

"You still don't understand. It doesn't matter how those high-ranking people you speak of view us. We are born from the Great Will and obey the Great Will. His thoughts are the guiding principles for us witches. On this point, whether it's the 'Supreme Council' or us, we are the same. Therefore, we will not stop eroding this world, because that is the expectation of the Great Will. He needs New World that can descend, and our duty is to welcome His awakening here."

I'm not sure what the other witches think, but Miss Viktorika is indeed very devout to that invisible will, and persuading her won't be easy.

I thought for a moment and asked:

"But isn't your god in a long slumber? How can you determine His intentions? And what means are there to negotiate with Him?"

Viktorika was watching me.

"He does not claim to be God, but everything we have truly comes from His grace, and the power within us all originates from a part of Him."

You mean Dark Energy, right?

The raw materials for creating the Simulacrum Factor and the Black Crystal, the energy that exists within every witch and Monster, is said to be the blood of an invisible will.

Viktorika added:

"Although you cannot communicate directly with the Great Will, you can receive His power. As long as you become His child, you can hear His voice... He is a benevolent parent who never forces his children to do anything; He only expresses His expectations and desires."

Or perhaps it's something that can't be forced?

I can't muster any positive feelings towards that unseen mastermind. Everything started because of Him, and now I'm told He's just sleeping soundly?

I said:

"My Crystal has been corrupted by darkness."

Viktorika shook her head and continued to persuade him:

"That level of power isn't enough to hear His voice. Contacting Him is perfectly safe. Doesn't your magic have the ability to filter out darkness? Wouldn't it be better to listen to His voice and then judge the witch's stance yourself?"

She was like a garrulous missionary, which made me a little impatient.

"Please let me think about it some more. You can stay in this classroom until Miss Regil wakes up."

Of course I wouldn't really consider it; I don't want to become a witch.

"If you want to say something to Regil, you don't need to wait any longer."

"Um?"

"Unless there's a mission, she sleeps most of the day. I guess she wakes up before me, but then falls Past again."

I looked at the witch with the fluffy, spiky hair.

"... Can she even sleep in this condition?"

Sure enough, in a small team, when one person is particularly reliable, the other person tends to be quite out of touch.

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking on the classroom door.

"Ceruno."

Miss Antarctic Star found me, but her tone was unusually hurried.

"Hurry back to the Control Tower, Sirius is back with SpiCa."

"Very good!"

That's great news...

"Uh, wait, you mean Sirius?"

Didn't Sirius merge with Miluno?

Could it be...?

Antarctic Star paused for a moment, then said:

"Well, Miluno... she hasn't come back yet."

I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine.

We needed to get to the Control Tower, but we couldn't leave the dangerous witch here, so Miss Viktorika carried Miss Regil and followed us into the teleportation tunnel. Under the watchful eyes of many magical girls, they dared not make any rash moves.

"Ceruno... don't worry..."

Control Tower, only Sirius and Miss SpiCa, who was lying on the ground, had returned from "the Other Side." Miss Fran was checking on Miss SpiCa's condition.

"Miss Sirius, where is Miluno?"

I was tormented by an overwhelming unease that made my heart race.

Why did they separate?

Why didn't Miluno come back?

Sirius looked terrible and didn't even dare to look me in the eye.

But he still answered:

"To allow SpiCa and me to return first, she chose to stay there alone and undergo Aldebaran's experiment."

Miluno, she...