Episode 25: Orders Issued
“From HQ to [Strawberry Pink] and [Chihuahua Yellow].
Your briefing is about to begin. Report to the principal’s office immediately.”
Within the facility, that room was known as the [Principal’s Office].
The training facilities were called the [School], and their head went by the title of [Principal]. Hence the name.
A building of grey reinforced concrete.
At its innermost reaches.
“You’re here, then, [Pink], [Yellow].”
A girl wearing an eyepatch greeted [Momotsuki Haruka] and [Kizuki Natsuki].
She sat in a rocking chair.
Her hair was a fiery red.
Her dress was crimson, like a flame.
In her uncovered left eye, stars burned like a beacon fire.
Her face was that of an innocent girl of thirteen or fourteen, yet it possessed a sharp, sword-like authority.
“Apologies for calling an unscheduled briefing, but the situation requires urgent action.”
“Yes, [Principal].”
“Yes, [Principal].”
At the perfectly synchronised replies from Momotsuki Haruka and Kizuki Natsuki, the [Principal] nodded.
“The decryption of the [Witch of Pisces]’s Magus Engine is complete.
We have also located two [Witches].
One is the [Witch of Cancer].
The other is the [Witch of Gemini].
Both are reportedly somewhere within the illegal buildings of the slum known as Chiba City.”
Her voice was cold and unwavering.
It was precisely the same voice as that of the controller whom the magical girls usually referred to as ‘HQ’.
In other words, this innocent-looking girl in crimson was none other than the supreme commander of the magical girls.
“A proposal.”
“Granted, [Pink].”
“It has already been a month since our engagement with the [Witch of Pisces]. There is little reason to believe the intelligence we gathered at the time remains reliable.”
“An entirely reasonable concern. And well done for asking without inserting your own [Thought].
…The answer is that it’s not a problem.”
The [Principal] snapped her fingers.
In response to the M-particles, an image was projected onto the floor of the principal’s office.
What appeared was a machine caught on electrical wires, burning. A Japanese sword connected to a magical cyberdeck staff, along with its mechanical scabbard.
“…”
“[Reminiscing] is forbidden, [Pink].”
“Yes, [Principal].”
“According to the authorities’ investigation, this bears a striking resemblance to the magical weaponry of the unidentified magic-user known as the [Silver Witch], with whom [Strawberry Pink] engaged in combat recently.
This was discovered the day after [Strawberry Pink] fought the [Silver Witch]. Since then, the authorities have maintained surveillance and concluded that there is a high probability that multiple [Witches] are present among the illegal buildings.”
“…Erm, so what does that mean?”
In response to Kizuki Natsuki’s question, the [Principal] gave a concise answer.
“There are at least three [Witches] hiding in Chiba. We will annihilate them.”
Her fiery eyes turned towards Kizuki Natsuki.
“It is the duty and mission of magical girls to preserve Japan’s tranquillity.
[Chihuahua Yellow], you will engage the [Witch of Gemini].
[Strawberry Pink], you will deal with the [Witch of Cancer] and, if possible, the [Silver Witch].”
“Impossible.”
“[Thought] is forbidden, Pink.”
“[Chihuahua Yellow] is going on her first deployment. Even without inserting [Thought], it’s clear that facing a twelve-year-old Witch would be too much for her.”
Momotsuki Haruka delivered her objection without hesitation.
There was no fear or concern in her eyes.
“…I was the one who forbade [Reminiscing], wasn’t I? There is no need to worry about that.”
It has been excised…
With a sigh, the [Principal] accepted that fact.
“The [Witch of Gemini] has been weakened.
Five years ago, [Viola Purple] destroyed her magical weapon.”
“Senior Purple did…?”
“Now that the [Silver Witch]’s magical weapon is damaged, we strike.
You have only to carry out the operation.”
“Yes, [Principal].”
“Yes, [Principal].”
“Ah, one more thing.”
The [Principal] took a sheet of paper from inside her clothes and held it out to Momotsuki Haruka and Kizuki Natsuki.
“Your reward this time can be chosen from an XL-sized teddy bear, a pudding à la mode parfait, or a handheld gaming console.
[Thought] is forbidden, but…
Make your selection before the operation date and write it on this form.
It’s a simple milk run. Make sure you succeed.”