About Becoming a Magical Girl Chapter 38

Several Agents had accompanied her.

But by today, one year later, those Agents had died one after another in battle. By now, not a single one of Masaki Hina's old friends remained.

After a long while, Masaki Hina spoke softly.

"Have you finished reading?"

"Yeah. I skimmed through it and basically understand."

Efnir tossed the documents back and said,

"So, because we took such a heavy blow, the Alliance felt sorry for us and sent us valuable combat resources, is that it?"

"That's right."

"Looks like... I'll be getting new colleagues too..."

"I heard the people sent as reinforcements this time were the best of the best after several rounds of selection. It's truly something to look forward to. Efnir, you'd better set an example as a senior."

"I'll do my job properly."

Efnir shifted her gaze away listlessly and gave a perfunctory reply.

Giving You Time Off

The Human Alliance sending additional combat support to Xijing City was undoubtedly a good thing, but Efnir felt somewhat uneasy deep down.

It was as though the places left behind by those who had gone from her side were about to be replaced.

Such a change made her hesitate.

"Anyway, Hina, are you planning to count them as part of our combat strength?"

"That's right."

"But even if we have enough combat strength, we still need ample time to train and make plans. Besides, what if the enemy attacks while we're away?"

"The remaining people will handle any Erosion Entity attacks, while the Special Disaster Division will deal with the Apostle. They seem quite interested in the Apostle. Also, I had people check beforehand—the Boundary Stele at Maesakagawa wasn't damaged too badly and can still be used. It only ultimately failed because its power facilities were destroyed. In other words, as long as we escort an engineering vehicle there and connect the lines to its temporary power supply, we can use that place as a temporary combat base. After that, we just need to restore the power system before the temporary supply runs out."

Masaki Hina picked up a pen, twirling it between her fingers as she continued.

"All in all, your mission only covers the short distance from Xijing City to Maesakagawa. It won't take much time, so even if something happens here, you can withdraw quickly. Once the mission is complete, only one person needs to remain there on guard. Everyone else can return and stand by immediately, leaving the rest to the engineering personnel. What do you think? It's not a bad operation plan, right?"

Efnir did not answer. She merely frowned slightly as she thought.

Meanwhile, Masaki Hina waited for Efnir's reply with a look of complete confidence.

The air fell silent.

"And there's one more thing."

Masaki Hina added smoothly.

"Maesakagawa was the first place the Apostle struck. We might find the clues we need there. Conversely, if we don't actively seek a new breakthrough and only keep circling around Xijing City, we'll probably remain stuck where we are."

Efnir listened quietly. After remaining silent for a long while, she finally sighed.

"I understand. I agree with your operation plan."

The moment she finished speaking, a smile appeared on Masaki Hina's face, and she jumped up from her chair excitedly.

"Woohoo! I knew you'd agree!"

"Don't celebrate too soon. We still have plenty to plan carefully. But... what you said just reminded me of something."

Efnir looked expressionlessly at the cheering Masaki Hina. After a brief moment of thought, she spoke.

"That Apostle went to such lengths, destroying Maesakagawa just to infiltrate Xijing City and carry out her mission. So... isn't that strange? They clearly have people planted within our organization. Why not use them?"

Efnir posed the question, and Masaki Hina quieted down as well, frowning.

"So... it had to be done this way?"

Masaki Hina said.

"Yes."

Efnir nodded and explained.

"The only possibility is that the mission could only be completed by the Apostle. Or perhaps even the Apostle's appearance, or Maesakagawa's fall, was merely a smokescreen—I told you before, didn't I? The people I rescued back then were a pair of sisters. Now the older sister has appeared, so where is the younger sister?"

Masaki Hina and Efnir looked at each other, their gazes carrying an indescribable meaning.

Efnir was the first to break the silence.

"Anyway, this is also our highest priority. The reason I'm joining this operation is partly because I'm hoping to glimpse whatever lies buried beneath all this. As I said before—was Maesakagawa destroyed so those two could infiltrate Xijing City smoothly, or did they actually have other plans for Maesakagawa? We'll know once we try. If the Apostle obstructs our attempt to retake Maesakagawa, then the answer will be obvious."

Masaki Hina sank into thought as well, then gave Efnir a subtle look.

"You... isn't this fishing again?"

"We already have bait. Why not use it?"

"I understand. In any case, I'll begin preparing the plan on my end."

"Fine."

After thinking for a moment, Efnir asked again,

"Then I have nothing else to discuss. Before I leave, may I know how much time we have?"

"Fifteen days."

Masaki Hina answered.

"It'll take about a week for the reinforcements to come all the way from Central Province. I'll need the remaining time to reassign personnel and discuss some matters with the Special Disaster Division. You'll need time to train together and get used to each other too, right?"

"That works. But before that, there's something I need to ask of you."

"What is it?"

Efnir looked away, staring meaningfully at the empty wall.

"I want to take leave before the reinforcements arrive."

"Leave?"

Masaki Hina gave Efnir a surprised look and said,

"This is the first time I've ever heard you say something like that... How rare. Well, if you want to take leave, of course that's no problem. Actually, even if you hadn't requested it yourself, I'd been wanting to give you some time off... But I'm curious. Why has a workaholic like you suddenly come to her senses? Is it because of your little sister after all?"

"Who knows? Maybe I'm tired, maybe I have something to do. Guess whatever you like."

Efnir replied flatly, her gaze falling to the floor.

"Tonight... I plan to reveal my identity, as well as what happened with my younger sister."

"Huh... reveal your identity? Huh!?"

Masaki Hina suddenly sprang up with a smack, disbelief written all over her face.

"R-reveal it!? Hey, hey, hey! Are you serious!? Did I hear that right? You're going to reveal those things too?"

"I'm serious."

"Why!? I can't understand it!"

Masaki Hina frowned.

"Making this public is no small matter. You won't be able to control where public opinion goes afterward. And besides, you said it yourself—our organization isn't safe right now. If you..."

"That Apostle..."

Efnir interrupted Masaki Hina.

"She prepared several timed emails. The emails contained that file... She used them as leverage to negotiate with me, asking me to let her go, but I refused."

Masaki Hina froze slightly.

"How did I not know about this..."

"I didn't tell anyone, so unless that Apostle told someone herself, nobody would know."

"So... the missing segments in the battle record were about this?"

"Yes."

Efnir turned around and met Masaki Hina's eyes.

"So the situation now is this: either she exposes me, or I face it myself... But you know me. I don't like letting others seize the initiative. Besides, I'm tired of walking forward in constant fear. I think it's about time I faced all of this properly."

"You... have you already made up your mind?"

"Yeah."

"Is that... why you suddenly said you wanted to take some leave?"

"Not entirely."

Efnir sighed.

She would not care too much about the outcome as long as she faced her choice openly and honestly, but some hesitation still lingered.

And besides...

Though it was only a fleeting thought, Efnir wanted to spend some time with Yukina.

That was why she requested leave.

"I see..."

Masaki Hina slowly sat back down, staring blankly at the documents on the desk.

"If that's the case, I actually have a good idea. It can both improve your chances of successfully putting on an act and fishing for them, while also letting you take leave without any guilt."

"Go on."

"Suspend you from duty."

"???"

What kind of crooked idea is that— Efnir had just been about to say so, but after thinking it over slightly, she realized it was indeed feasible.

Efnir wanted to release the information that "Efnir had clashed with the commander."

At the same time, she wanted some time off.

If she were suspended, it would confirm the former. At the same time, since she would be suspended, she would be completely separated from the Orderkeepers Organization in terms of her position and could enjoy her leave without worry.

After all, taking leave voluntarily and being forced to take leave carried fundamentally different meanings.

But...

Efnir could not help feeling that Masaki Hina was using the suspension as an excuse to settle a personal grudge.

Yukina, Completely Defenseless

Masaki Hina paused, then added,

"Well, that said, if something really happens, I personally still hope you'll come back and help, Efnir..."

"If something happens that you can't handle, I'll come back even if you don't ask."

"Hehe, then thank you in advance! In that case, the notice regarding your 'leave' can be issued very soon. You can pack up and get out of here right now."

"You..."

Masaki Hina laughed heartlessly. Efnir shot her a fierce glare, her face full of disgust.

"Everything you said is true, but why do you have to be so punchable?"