NOVEL NEXT Episode 51 – The Virtue of Magical Girls (1)
“Uh, why did you make such a decision…?”
“Why? Don’t like it? I thought you’d be happy.”
Takilas’s eyes widened at Rana’s flustered reaction. It was a pure expression of curiosity with no ulterior motives.
After all, having powerful Magical Girls in the company would be great. It was undeniable that they had benefited from it.
‘It’s already tough as it is, and now you’re suggesting adding another? There’s no way I can handle that.’
Rana was sweating profusely.
While Takilas’s statement was true, it came from the perspective of someone who treated the company like a job, essentially functioning as a mercenary.
In truth, Rana had a strong desire to grab the younger version of herself who had seen bringing Takilas in as a chance for a rebound.
“It’s not… that I dislike it. But other companies’ scrutiny is beyond what I expected. Especially lately, there’s been increasing pressure to investigate the identity of the Demon King, who is currently rising in stock on Earth.”
“I can’t understand. I’m a legitimate Magical Girl contracted with Yggdrasil, and they’re still throwing shade?”
“Exactly. Their justification is flawless. That’s why they can’t touch the Demon King directly, so they attack our company instead.”
Magical Girls are ‘assets’ of the Fairy Company. If the company goes bankrupt, those assets would inevitably be devoured by the hyenas lurking about.
And performance directly correlates to money. Takilas had made a lot of money, but money’s value ultimately depends on how it’s used.
“What? I thought you were just lounging around, but looks like you’ve been struggling.”
“…I’m just thinking this is the price I pay for recruiting someone beyond my limits.”
As she sighed deeply, Takilas smirked as if it were amusing.
“Seria is different from me. She won’t try to stand out or anything, but… your burdens do bother me. If something goes wrong for you, it becomes a hassle for me too.”
Takilas, crossing her legs, tapped the armrest of her chair.
If Rana Land went bankrupt and had to sign contracts with other companies, it would mean resetting everything related to her identity, something Takilas wanted to avoid.
“It’s fine. I can handle it, even if it’s harsh.”
“Are you being reckless? If it actually falls apart, I’ll be the only one losing out.”
“There’s just one thing. Just one thing I need you to be sure of.”
With a look of determination, Rana took a deep breath and firmly spoke in an unwavering voice.
Takilas showed interest in that resolute request for surety.
“Please truly become the strongest Magical Girl. One so overwhelming and powerful that our company can focus solely on you.”
“That’s not a difficult task.”
Rana made her bets as the head and manager of the company. She decided to stake everything on Takilas, her single coin.
Noticing Rana’s resolve, Takilas smiled, satisfied.
In hindsight, this wasn’t so different from how she had conquered the Demon Realm, coaxing numerous demon tribes into voluntary cooperation rather than complete subjugation.
Even if the agreements had been formed under intimidation, Takilas had always supported them and made good use of them in turn.
“Prepare a contract and come visit me again. I won’t be involved in recruiting her; that’s up to you.”
“Understood.”
Takilas entrusted Rana with the contract. Turning Seria into a Magical Girl wasn’t about making her live as a mercenary exploited under an unfair contract like other general Magical Girls.
She wished it to be regarded as a means for liberation in reality, and thus she sincerely thought of this as a gift.
“Well then, I’m off.”
With that, Takilas concluded her business.
As she returned to her bedroom, Rana sat dazed for a moment before letting out a big sigh.
“I’ve been called, Boss. Is there an issue…?”
“There is, indeed. Prepare the contract, Manager Yuria.”
Yuria, who came in response to the call, was startled to see Rana face down on the desk, but Rana hurried Yuria to prepare for work.
‘No. Now that it’s come to this, I’m going all the way.’
The choice had already been made. By her own hand.
*
“Hmm.”
The crack in space closed, and after greeting Rana, I returned to my room. However, unlike the first time, my thoughts were slightly more complicated.
It turned out the Fairy Company had its own circumstances as well.
“Your Highness, did you handle everything well?”
“If we move the legion, the Celestial Realm and humans will be on high alert, right?”
“Of course.”
Robert, who arrived just after I lifted the barrier, nodded seriously at my unexpected comment.
I quickly dismissed the fantasy of using the legion to conquer the Fairy Realm where the Fairy Companies resided.
“Where are you going?”
“To see the Princess. I told her I would visit.”
I walked toward the window. Before the fairies could meet her, I wanted to meet her first, as she was keen on seeing me.
I was eager to hear what words she’d say with the ‘Demon King’ before her.
“I wish you a good trip.”
As I received Robert’s polite farewell, I leapt out the window and soared into the sky.
I already knew where her room was.
With the red and blue moonlight of the Demon Realm behind me, I knocked on the blinds of the star palace’s window to wake Seria, who was peacefully asleep in bed.
“Wh-who’s there?!”
She rubbed her eyes and turned, squinting as she peered at my shadow through the blinds, only to hastily sit up in shock. Perhaps seeing just a wriggling shadow would make her think of me as the notorious tentacle monster.
[I told you I would come, Princess.]
To mask my voice, I shook her mind telepathically. Her face twisted, paling, and her eyes widened in shock.
“D-Demon King…!”
[There’s no need for human etiquette. Basic ‘courtesy’ will suffice.]
As she fell to her knees according to etiquette, I halted her action.
[I’m just here to talk. A concise and honest conversation without ceremony or pretense. I pursue efficiency.]
“I… understand.”
She awkwardly rose and sat in a chair facing the window. An intense silence settled.
[Why did you want to see me?]
“I wanted to meet the one who instigated a great upheaval in the Demon Realm. How did you manage to bring about such a change successfully?”
[Why? Isn’t the Human Empire the strongest force on the continent? The most developed, civilized, and center of the world?]
“I don’t necessarily think so.”
Perhaps my sarcastic tone made her furrow her brows, but it wasn’t because of me.
“The empire, which covers half the continent, is massive and developed, yet the reality is different. The customs and practices rooted in the present power hinder genuine reforms.”
[So what do you believe that genuine reform would be?]
“…That was the issue, but since I came here, I think I’ve learned a bit.”
Seria’s eyes darkened.
As a noble ranked among the top in the empire at just 18 years old, she was an exceptionally talented magician and scholar.
She didn’t settle for her position. She sought to know more, wanted to change, and aimed to take action.
“While traveling to study magic and observing the world, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that the empire was stagnating rather than progressing.”
However, the existing powers couldn’t see young explorers like her in a positive light. As a result, she was left keenly aware that the outcome itself was more important than the truth and ideals.
Her semi-forced arrival here by her brother, the Emperor, was no coincidence either. In the midst of those circumstances, seeing the transformations brought forth by the Demon King was inevitably impressive.
[…I didn’t know much about the internal matters of the Human Empire. It seems it hasn’t been easy for you.]
Takilas scratched her head.
She realized that Seria’s admiration for the monumental achievement she had created wasn’t a mere childish awe; there were deeper, more complex matters at play.
[Then let me ask you again. What do you want to do going forward?]
“…What do you mean by ‘what to do’?”
Seria couldn’t comprehend Takilas’s suggestion.
After all, she was a pawn brought here, essentially a concubine of the Demon King. She had no choice to make anything of her own.
[That’s not entirely wrong. I can’t set you free. But can’t you still think? If you had the chance to experience a ‘completely different perspective,’ ‘a whole other world,’ apart from being a princess, wouldn’t it be happier than now? How about it? If I, the one who possesses you, allow that deviation…]
“That might… be the case.”
Takilas bluntly dropped hints. However, with so little knowledge, Seria could only nod blankly with her wavering eyes.
In truth, it was overly frank and slightly rude from Takilas, but she didn’t care about such trivialities from the start.