"You wish to help me, sensei?" Momoka was truly shocked at Nekowa's unlikely decision.
"Yes, Nightingale." When I refer to a Magical Girl by her alias, either I do not know her much and do not share some kind of close relationship with her, or if I mean business and take things more seriously in whatever situation that I am in.
Since Momoka and I were friends, then naturally, calling by her Magical Girl alias is a clear sign that I'm not playing around. I truly wish to assist in this task of hers, even if it's going to leave a sour taste in my mouth due to the dark nature of it.
Momoka was at loss of words. Her reaction was understandable. After all, Momoka knew me as someone who naively uphold her sense of honor. As much as I could, I always decided to spare our enemies and give them a second chance, with the hopes that they'll be redeemed. I was born during the time of this so-called peace between humanity and the Diabli, so I really never knew the harsh reality of true warfare. For all I know, Diabli were like humans in many ways. Both races can love, laugh, smile, and forge bonds of unbreakable friendship.
Both races can also kill, deceive, and betray. Azareth fooled Aegis which caused her demise, and Luminosa betrayed me out of vengeful rage.
In short, both races are both capable of good and bad, and I was short sighted for not realizing it sooner than later in my life.
I always thought that good would always triumph over evil, but unfortunately, such was always not the case.
And reality shoved it right at my very face, mocking and leaving me hurt.
After a short while, Momoka recovered from her shock and eyed me with a solemn look, "Never would I imagine that you would make this decision, sensei. You have changed."
"It's bound to happen." I responded indifferently, "I made mistakes, and I don't want to repeat them again."
"I see." Momoka understood and nodded, "Very well, sensei. It appears that I'm going to have to rely on you for your assistance."
"Heh, just like old times." I gave her a smile, reminiscing about the younger days of my partnership with her.
"Yes, but under… different circumstances this time." Momoka replied in a grateful tone.
"So, Nightingale, what's the plan?" I decided to get down to business and talk about how we are going to proceed from here.
"I managed to interrogate one of the Diabli about the location of their hideout." Momoka said and pointed at a direction going east, "They are hold in the old department store, raking for its supplies."
"Then let us make haste." I gave the order and got myself out of sight via invisibility.
Momoka nodded with appreciation and move at a moderate pace where I could keep up. After all, a Nightingale is quite fast on her feet, and having her at maximum speed would leave me behind in the dusty winds.
During our walk, I took time to observe our surroundings. The Diabli sure did a number in this town, with ruined, burned buildings serving as the norm of what we all see around. Bodies of other Diabli and their human victims were also scattered on the field as well, a result of the rebels' destruction as their way of sending a message to the Diabli who supposedly betrayed them and the humans who were in cahoots with them.
This was indeed the sight of utter mayhem, and I could not help but feel slightly nauseated at this.
Momoka though displayed an aura of calm and efficiency, seemingly unaffected by the destruction and death that surrounded her. Of course, this was merely a façade of an emotion that she was showing, and I could tell that behind her stoic expression was unadulterated rage and the desire to murder any Diabli who were in the vicinity.
I suppose I could not blame her for this.
We remained silent throughout our trek, that was until we spotted a small group of Diabli, five of them, outside one of the abandoned buildings frolicking around.
The Diabli's appearance varied in many different races.
A rule of thumb, if it ain't human, then it's most likely a Diablus.
In this group, two of them possess a horse head with masculine humanoid body, one resembled a lizardman, and the rest of the two were werewolves.
But it does not really matter now in this context. After all, every race, no matter your background, your origins, your way of life…
All are equal in the face of death.
And no one is more proficient in delivering death than a Nightingale.
"Diabli." Cold anger leaked out from Momoka's voice, "They will die."
"Make sure to do it quietly." I instructed her telepathically. No point in stopping her, "We don't need any attention from the others who are most likely just around the corner."
"Of course." Momoka agreed and faded out of sight with her own invisibility magic.
Suffice to say, the execution was efficient, glorious, beautiful in its own sinister way. Even I could not tear myself away from such a marvelous display. Nightingales sure are masters in their craft and even made the sin of murder a sight to admire about.
Momoka dispatched the group quickly without even breaking a sweat. With a flash of unnatural speed, the Diabli never even got the chance to realize the danger they were in as they fallen to their death, with the only evidence presented for their demise was the clear slice on their respective throats.
Momoka reappeared shortly after from her invisibility, with her katana in hand.
As she was about to move on, Momoka spotted one of them, a werewolf, clinging to life, as he held his throat in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding while crawling helplessly on the ground. Momoka held her blade straight and with no hesitation, instantly stab the wolf's back, finally ending his suffering.
"Let us move on, sensei." Momoka told me with an uncaring tone, sheathing her katana back to its scabbard while walking away as if nothing ever happened.