Human Trafficking

(Miluno)

The Artificial Witch before us is probably not Aldebaran's guest.

If it weren't for the little thing's sensitivity to Dark Energy, no one would have realized that she wasn't actually Magical Girl Soldiers. After all, both of them have horns on their foreheads, and although their magical capacity is vastly different, they are indistinguishable in appearance.

Could it be a spy sent by the "Supreme Council" to spy on Aldebaran's movements?

Won't the other Magical Girl Soldiers be puzzled by her existence?

They didn't seem to suspect my presence either...

They are used to the occurrence of "unfamiliar companions appearing in their lives";

They've become accustomed to the situation where "a colleague who greets you in the morning disappears forever by the afternoon."

Although they are enemies, it is truly tragic to live a life that is born as a disposable tool.

The little creature asked, "What should we do? Should we notify Aldebaran to come down and deal with her?"

No rush, let me go and find out first.

How do you plan to find out?

What other way is there to find out? Just go up and ask.

I quickened my pace and sat down next to her, and the witch jumped up in fright, inexplicably timid... The Supreme Council is supposed to be a gathering place for the strongest Monster, how could it have such cowardly members?

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to the sofa. She was surprised by my strength, but ultimately didn't cry out.

She's still somewhat rational. If she starts making a fuss, I'll just hand her over to Aldebaran to do him a favor. But if she doesn't expose herself...

"You're actually a witch, aren't you?"

I'm not worried that she won't understand; at least for now, there aren't any witches who can't communicate with me.

"Who are you?"

"Oh dear, I'm a witch too~"

Perhaps it was my height that made her feel intimidated, or perhaps my aura was so strong that even the protective suit couldn't hide it. Even though I had lied about being a witch, she still looked terrified.

"You... you're here to arrest me?"

"... ah?"

What is she saying?

"No, isn't that right?"

"You mean you're being hunted? By whom? The Supreme Council?"

Mentioning the Supreme Council nearly made the witch roll her eyes and faint...

This guy is such a coward, who is he anyway?

"It seems there's something going on? Don't panic. I'm not a witch from the Supreme Council's faction, and of course, my relationship with Aldebaran is merely one of cooperation."

"You're... the chief advisor's person?"

Chief consultant? That probably refers to the cheap father-in-law.

"Even so."

I'm neither... I'm not a witch.

"So, what trouble have you run into? If it's not convenient to talk about this here, shall we find another place to discuss it?"

I was unusually polite and kind, but this timid witch became increasingly wary of me, as if she was ready to slip away at any moment.

But you think you can run away from me?

I casually opened a teleportation portal, grabbed her by the collar, and pulled her inside.

"What you up to?"

"Didn't I say we should find a place to talk about your situation...? I advise you to give up the idea of running away. As Artificial Witch, you can't possibly stand up to Native Witch like me. If you dare to resist or run away, I don't mind handing you over to the 'Supreme Council' as a greeting gift."

The exit of the teleportation tunnel was a residential house.

This world is full of empty, abandoned houses, and the surveillance systems are being interfered with by tiny creatures, making this undoubtedly the most suitable place for conversation.

But the witch pointed at me and accused me:

"Wait... This is... How dare you trespass into the private residence of the Great Will? If you're discovered... you're finished..."

Is this person really a witch?

"I can disable the surveillance cameras, so no one will know you were ever here."

I pressed her down into the chair.

Then, the little thing turned on the room light.

"Now, you can tell me your identity and what you've been through. If you can prove your worth, I don't mind helping you out... I'm not afraid of the Supreme Council. A bunch of outdated old fogies should just go to the museum. The stage from now on belongs to us witches. Don't you think so?"

I said that to create the image of a "witch supremacist".

This was an act for her.

"You really are the chief advisor's person... Actually, I am Si... Si."

Hiss?

She introduced herself and then waited for my reaction... How should I react? Is this name famous? But I know absolutely nothing about this world!

"Ahem, sorry, we witches were always very out of touch... I mean, are you famous?"

My words seemed to have hurt her.

The gray-haired witch lay on the table, her forehead resting on the surface, and whispered:

"You don't know me? I'm... Stratos, the former head of the Fusion Soldier Development Department!"

Is the Director of the Fusion Soldier Development Department a position held by Aldebaran?

She was the former... former director who was framed by Aldebaran, Prototype Infiltration Weapon, developed at great cost, defected, causing the entire project to fail and her to be demoted.

Although I'm a pitiful person, I have no say in the workplace struggles of this world.

"No, if you have a grudge against Aldebaran, why would you go to her research institute? And she even transformed you into a witch?"

When it came to his job, Stratos wasn't as timid as before.

She looked up and said, "After I was suspended, the Supreme Council wanted to blame me for the failure of the Infiltration Project. To evade capture, I used an Artificial Crystal to transform myself into a witch. A witch without affiliation would definitely arouse suspicion if she went to the chief advisor, so I infiltrated the new type of soldiers to find out how her theories differed from mine."

It's impossible to explain the grievances she suffered in just a few words. All I can say is that Aldebaran is a scoundrel who harms everyone he encounters.

"You've had it pretty tough too... Wait, can you change yourself?"

Seemingly realizing that I had no intention of harming her, or perhaps having given up resisting, Stratos actually pulled out an e-cigarette from his pocket and started smoking.

Huh? Why is there tobacco in this world?

"I was once the head of the development department, and even now, many of the theories used by Aldebaran are my work."

She raised her arm, and her entire palm suddenly split open, with numerous slender, soft, pinkish-purple tentacles extending from her wrist... Fortunately, I had the added benefit of rationality in my magical girl form, so my SAN value didn't drop much.

"Do all you researchers like tentacles?"

Although they are different in "style" from Aldebaran, they serve the same purpose; the tips of these tentacles also have sharp surgical blades.

She explained, "Tentacles are more flexible than human hands."

"But Aldebaran can use both tentacles and hands simultaneously, which is where you fall short compared to her... So, what are you planning to do next? You don't think you can stay in the Magical Girl Soldiers ranks forever, do you?"

Stratos frowned again.

"Actually, it's my turn to fight today. Whether I make it or Past, I'm doomed... I don't know how to fight at all."

Go to war?

So she really did manage to sneak into the top 48!

Like the previous Monster, the Magical Girl Soldiers come off the production line to create panic on the Other Side. Although they have the appearance of young girls, they are essentially suicide bombers.

"Don't worry."

I put my hand on her shoulder and gave her a sunny, warm, and kind smile.

"I'll go with you, and I'll protect you."