About Becoming a Magical Girl

Several agents had accompanied her.

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

After a long while, Masaki Hina spoke softly.

"Finished reading?"

"Mm. I gave it a rough look-over. I basically understand."

Efnir tossed the documents back and said,

"So, because we took such a heavy blow, the Alliance took pity on us and sent us precious combat resources, is that it?"

"That's right."

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

"I heard the people being sent this time are the cream of the crop after several rounds of selection. It's 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.

Give You a Vacation

The Human Alliance sending additional combat support to Xijing City was undoubtedly a good thing, but Efnir could not help feeling somewhat conflicted.

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

That sort of change made her hesitate.

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

"That's right."

"But even if we have enough combat strength, we'll still need sufficient time to train and plan. Besides, what do you intend to do if the enemy attacks while we're away?"

"Leave any Erosion Entity attacks to those remaining behind, and leave the 'Apostle' to the Special Disaster Division. They seem quite interested in the 'Apostle.' Besides, I sent people to confirm it beforehand—the Boundary Stele at Maesakagawa hasn't suffered much damage and is still usable. It only ultimately failed because the power facilities were destroyed. In other words, we only need to escort an engineering vehicle there and connect the lines to its temporary power supply. Then we can use that place as a temporary combat position. After that, we just need to finish repairing the power system before the temporary power runs out."

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

"In short, your assignment is only the relatively short stretch 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 stationed there. Everyone else can immediately return and stand by. The rest can be left to the engineering personnel. So, what do you think? It's a pretty good operation plan, right?"

Efnir did not answer. She merely frowned slightly as she considered it.

Masaki Hina, meanwhile, wore an assured expression as she waited for Efnir's response.

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 merely keep circling around Xijing City, we'll probably remain stuck in place forever."

Efnir listened silently. After a long silence, she finally sighed.

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

The moment she finished speaking, a smile immediately bloomed on Masaki Hina's face. She excitedly sprang from her chair.

"Woohoo! I knew you'd agree!"

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

Efnir expressionlessly watched the cheering Masaki Hina. After thinking for a moment, she spoke.

"The Apostle went to the trouble of causing such a huge commotion and 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?"

As Efnir posed the question, Masaki Hina also fell quiet and furrowed her brow.

"You mean... 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 saved 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, a strange meaning flickering in both their eyes.

Efnir was the first to break the silence.

"Either way, this is also a top priority we must keep an eye on. The reason I'm joining this operation is partly because I'm hoping to glimpse whatever has been buried beneath all this. As I said before—was Maesakagawa destroyed so those two could infiltrate Xijing City smoothly, or did they actually have some other objective in Maesakagawa? We'll know once we try. If the Apostle obstructs us from reclaiming Maesakagawa, then the answer will be obvious."

Masaki Hina also sank into thought, then shot 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 start preparing this 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 aid to arrive from Central Province. I'll need the remaining time to deploy personnel and discuss a few matters with the Special Disaster Division. And you'll need time to train together and get in sync too, right?"

"That works. But before that, I have something to ask of you."

"What is it?"

Efnir looked away, staring meaningfully at the bare wall.

"I want to take leave before the support arrives."

"Leave?"

Masaki Hina gave Efnir a surprised glance.

"This is the first time I've heard you say something like that... How rare. Well, if you want to take leave, I certainly don't mind. In fact, even if you hadn't applied for it yourself, I'd been wanting to give you a vacation... But I'm curious. Why has a workaholic like you suddenly come around? 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 sister."

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

Masaki Hina suddenly shot upright with a smack, her face full of disbelief.

"R-Reveal it!? Hey, hey, hey! Are you serious!? Did I hear that right? You're revealing all of that too?"

"I'm serious."

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

Masaki Hina frowned.

"Revealing this isn't some trivial matter. You won't be able to control where public opinion goes afterward. And besides, you said yourself that the organization isn't safe right now. If you..."

"That Apostle..."

Efnir interrupted Masaki Hina.

"She prepared several timed emails. That file was attached to them... She used that 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 something like this..."

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

"So... those blank segments in the battle record were this?"

"Yes."

Efnir turned around and met Masaki Hina's gaze.

"So now, either she exposes me for 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 on edge all this way. I think it's about time I faced all of this properly."

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

"Mm."

"And that's why... you suddenly said you wanted to apply for a vacation?"

"Not entirely."

Efnir sighed.

She would not care too much about the outcome if she faced her choices openly and honestly, but some hesitation still lingered no matter what.

And besides...

Though the thought had only flashed through her mind, Efnir wanted to spend some time with Yukina.

That was why she applied for 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 increase the odds of your little act succeeding, and let you take your vacation with a clear conscience."

"Go on."

"Suspension."

"???"

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

Efnir wanted to release the information that "Efnir had gotten into a dispute with the commander."

At the same time, she wanted a vacation.

If she were suspended, it would confirm the former. At the same time, because she would be suspended, Efnir could completely draw a line between herself and the Orderkeepers Organization and enjoy her vacation without worry.

After all, there was a fundamental difference between taking leave voluntarily and being forced to take leave.

But...

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

Defenseless Yukina

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 thanks in advance. The notice regarding your 'vacation' can be sent out soon. You can pack up and get out of here now."

"You..."

Masaki Hina smiled heartlessly. Efnir shot her a vicious glare, her face full of disgust.

"Everything you said is right, but why are you so damn punchable?"