*
"Now that you've calmed down, what do you want to do? I think I could guess what it is."
"... Revenge... You're coming along with me, aren't you." (Myuu)
Her swollen red eyes gazed at me intently from behind her eyelashes, her will and determination gradually building up. She was recollecting her feelings, slowly but surely she was recovering. It was impressive in a way, one wouldn't think to finish mourning that fast. I guess this is also an effect of being a magical girl, the power granted to Myuu by her transformation gave her a new option. Instead of sobbing and whining, she had the power to fight.
As a person who stood by her side for quite a while, I wouldn't hesitate to brag that I could read her emotions most of the time. I had pride in being her close friend, so I could infer right now that she wasn't angry. It was strange, anyone would be consumed by any emotions right now. Her eyebrows were furrowed, and her breathing had become more steady. It was like all signs of life had begun to stop still, other than her occasional blinking, she had become completely still. It was an odd amount of composure that confused even myself. Am I not able to read her emotions anymore? Or was she just hiding them very well?
"Let's wait until sun rise. With how dark it is right now, it would be way too dangerous." (Myuu)
Unlike the first attack we had, there was no sunlight leaking through the ceiling despite its extensive damage. It was in the dead of night and what awaited there was only danger. A deep darkness had swallowed both the ambush and our hearts. I had finally found a peaceful life in this place. If someone were to ask, I couldn't lie that I wasn't at least a little mad. But superseding all of that was Myuu, she mattered the most to me than anything else.
Did I lose something too?
Due to the supernatural physical prowess of magical girls, trips between continents could be reduced to a single day. Even in mere shifts of 2,supplies hardly become a problem now. Usually there would be more shifts to ease the burden, but that would also stretch the fighting forces too thin, or cause there to be less supplies transported at a time. Either way, there would be tradeoffs to these. There is an absurd difference in experience between magical girls of the Sanctuary and the Grundo alliance, the war had already been decided in the hearts of many.
With yesterday's demonstration, many have tried to move into another faction only to be killed by the encampment outside our territory. We have been surrounded. The rebel factions that split off from the Sanctuary have also sided with the invaders and any gaps in their defense would lead to nowhere. No food, no water, no resources, just a plain dull desert. It seemed that there was no more news about the rising Knight order since that time they attacked us, but it visibly made an impact on us. Not a physical impact but a social one, since the first attack, we've been seen as the 'weak underbelly' of the Sanctuary.
It's not exactly something anyone would want for the reputation of their sector, but it gave me all the information I needed. Why would it be so convenient for only my labyrinth to be attacked? Something else is definitely happening to the other sectors, just not something people could see. We've been tasked to kill off researchers before, so it seemed that there was a technological gap with the Illnoia Administration. Or that they could be punching down.
All of this speculation was too late anyway. They've already begun to attack, it meant that they finished their own preparations. We would see what they have in store for us. For now, we can prepare a siege and hole up defensively. All the territories are relatively similar in size, but our population is larger. Perhaps more magical girls will awaken in the future, for now even that has a similar population.
"Myuu, do you have the resolve to take life? Not for self-defense, but for revenge."
"... It's too late for that, I'll have to do it. I'll prepare myself when the moment comes. So whether I'm ready now or not doesn't matter!" (Myuu)
She looked down as she spoke, her bangs covering her expression. Her arm twitched secretly behind her, bunching up into a tight fist. When she was done, she twirled halfway to face away from me. This time her face was up,and she spoke without looking back ever again. Her tone of speech carried an inherent property to it, as if trying to mesmerise its surroundings. Yet it conveyed her intentions properly with a pitch of dignity.
"Let's rest for the night. We're going to fight tomorrow." (Myuu)
Before long, I had already arrived back in my own bedroom. Myuu having nowhere else to go, decided to stay at my place until hers was rebuilt. It was also possible that she wouldn't want to head back there ever again. It would be a reasonable reaction. The bedsheets cover our bodies, sleeping on two sides of a single bed. I could feel her warmth slowly creeping over and permeating all over.
Despite having such an enviable position, I could not think about it at all. The mood wasn't right, it was drab and the both of us didn't have it in us to even talk. All I could think of was about what happened. Even as my eyelids got heavier and heavier, it felt like my heart was under more weight and it became hard to sleep like that. My consciousness stayed up even if my body couldn't, it clung on to my thoughts not willing to let go.
Were things solved like this? How many more loose ends will there be? How could I be of help to Myuu if I feel down and depressed myself? As her friend, I want what's best for her. As a person, I wanted her to be successful in what she stood out to achieve. All of these things pertain to her, to my best friend, Myuu. What did I want for myself?
***
A tall girl with forest green hair and sharp eyes, she stood above the average with an aura of confidence as her black robe coat fluttered under the momentum of her footsteps. Her hands were tucked into her long navy jeans that sported numerous metallic plates and pads that act as armour. Below her knee was a dull dark grey metal boots that somehow made no sound as she walked. Her shirt was a baggy forest green that seemed to prioritise movement over defense. Her coat was decorated with plentiful gold badges and medals that contrasted its stark black. The top of her head was decorated with a military hat with a gold rim and black texture.
She was the commander of the local force, the one that takes authority in moments like this, Friedra nelsh. She seemed to be very familiar, though I was sure I hadn't seen her magical girl combat dress before. Combat dresses can also change between forms, but I still couldn't quite put my finger on when Is aw her before...?! When I first awaken as a magical girl, she was the one who shouted at me...
The leader-san from back then, well at least I know her name now. She was the one who asked Kanou to guide me, so I suppose magical girl awakenings aren't too common if Kanou had the time to do that. But why did she give a command to Kanou? From the social hierarchy Kanou would be the highest in this sector... Ah... Wait.... Kanou had been hiding her identity for a while until that attack by Frey and the rising Knight order...
I guess it was a tactical advantage to hide one's head from spies. Then leader-san who turned out to be Friedra was under her orders? Her combat dress was different from back then... But I feel like something of her is a bit wrong... Like the bones in her skull had shifted a bit. Was she also under a disguise? Most importantly, why was she in front of our front door?
".... You're looking to get revenge right? There are some records about you and about... Yesterday. I'd just like to say that it would be more beneficial to join us." (Friedra)
"... Why did you come here in person?" (Myuu) Her eyebrows raised, she questioned if the person in front of us truly was Friedra. The commander was an A-rank magical girl, one could say it was a realm only reached by pure talent. It was something that some could never even dream of achieving.
"I came in person to everyone. Well, since the others are busy preparing for the war. I and a few others have been gathering more forces.
And with forces, you need more power to be able to control them right? I've seen your records and what you've been through. "(Friedra)
Occasionally smirking, as if to get on our nerves, Friedra spoke her piece with energetic flare. As if staring into my soul, she had maintained eye contact the entire time, likely observing my own facial cues. I blink under the oppressive air she brought, worried about seeming pathetic, I took a step back by reflex as if to retreat. Surprisingly, Myuu who was usually very expressive stood her ground with a stoic determination.
Well, it was too late to try to look good. Breathing subtly to calm down my heart, the adrenaline had reached my head. Instead of lowering my anxiety to regain composure, I had instead raised it to an absurd point and threw away the concept of shame in that moment. There was no point in prolonging my awkwardness, so I might as well head all in with my inquiry with care for how I look.
"You're saying you have enough power to control us? What would be the point of getting weaker forces for a war?"
"That would be because war between magical girls wouldn't be about power alone. A mix of numbers, strength, tactics. It brings in new factors aside from the usual concepts of war, it even lifts restrictions like transport and supplies.
Even if you're weaker than me, you have a promising future ahead of yourself. After all, you made it to B-grade in less than 2 years. "(Friedra)
" Look at you luring young girls to their death. Did you think jsut because we are a little strong that we're suited to fighting a war?
Enough with the honeyed words, what are your true intentions, and why have you seeked us out?" (Myuu)
"... ... Good fodder. In a battle with countless magical girls and different skills with unique, casualties are a guarantee.
But what makes of it then? What is needed to be achieved to win the war?
Lives lose meaning. Skills and magic lose meaning. The fodder fight to the death, and if one side is annhilated then their commanding officers get surrounded and killed by fodder. It essentially becomes a war of attrition, who has more magical particles? Who has more magical girls?
People like you who prove to be powerful high grade magical girls deserve to be commanding officers. In other words, the last line of defense that crashed before its my turn.
Of course, this all assumes that we do well in this war. I won't lie anymore, this situation does not look good on our side. They have more experience and more numbers, since our forces are concentrated in the centre instead of a desolate side sector like this. The SouthWest sector, its doomed to fall first as one of the enemies first of invasion. "(Friedra)
"... Why did you first come to see my awakening as a magical girl? It alway struck me as odd since a newbie like me wouldn't pose much of a threat at that time. "
"... There was a big energy reading with the magical particles in the surrounding area. It matched the awakening of a S-grade magical girl. However, we alter realise it was a dimensional portal that had been opened. Unlike teleport magic, it transcended time itself which was the main factor.
We would essentially fight a time manipulating magical girl, it was a dangerous task that warranted Kanou and I to hide our identities form you. "(Friedra)
"..."
I still knew nothing about what happened that time. It transcended time? How long had I been in that other dimension?