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Chapter 45
Chapter 2 — Expand, my world! • Episode 2-3 • Thread Witch ④ ☆
Translated by KaiesV
Edited by KaiesV
Because of these things, I can’t say I’m a kind person.
I am very happy that Elephant-san called me a kind person, but I am also sorry.
I am a self-centered person. If it’s good enough for me, it’s good enough for me. I don’t care about incidents that are happening in places I don’t know about.
If I had time to spend on such things, I would like to stay a little closer to Elephant-san and fight for her. I want to protect Elephant-san’s smile.
「If you don’t mind, may I ask why?」
「Because I can’t afford that.」
「…I see. You said you would considering about training future generation——」
「I have changed my mind. I’ll refuse that as well.」
I will state my conclusion as a cover. Maybe she was going to pursue a different policy from the one I just mentioned, but to no avail. If she was willing to do so, I will not hesitate to do so.
By answering ambiguously, I may have given the impression that I was easy to give.
If I had refused to bust her from the beginning, she would not have taken this roundabout approach.
“I’ll think about it,” is a common phrase used by people who are not pushy.
I don’t know how much thought Crosseau-san actually put into what she was saying, but it is hard to believe that someone in a position to oversee Witches would simply solicit them without a plan. It’s also disgusting that she haven’t explicitly stated that I’m not preventing the incident. She talk about it in a way that I can associate it with her wordplay, but she haven’t said a definitive word.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with that kind of approach, but it doesn’t work for me.
I am not a good person, so if someone tries to take advantage of my good intentions, I just shake them off.
「That is unfortunate. But it’s not mandatory, so don’t worry about it.」
「Yes, thank you very much.」
It was simply that one of the negotiations broke down, and this alone did not make me and Crosseau-san hostile. Therefore, if the other party is not going to bite back, I should not say or do anything to agitate her further. Even so, Crosseau is a clearly superior person who is in charge of the Witches. I will naturally refuse to do anything that is unacceptable, but we should not fight with each other without a fight.
「That’s all I was originally going to tell you, but there is one more thing I have to tell you.」
「…What do you mean?」
「Sylph-san, do you know the term “Hunting Ground?”」
「Yes. I know it.」
Speaking of hunting grounds in the Magical Girls’ neighborhood, they are so-called “Earning Places” where the Diest occurrences are high and the ranks are high. Sakira Town has also become a frequently appearing area that is called a Hunting Ground since around the time of the New Diest disturbance, so this is a story that is not a stranger to me either.
「We don’t know which areas they intend to target, but Natural Extremists are starting to go dark to occupy the hunting grounds. It is unlikely that they would target an area with Witches, but please be careful, just in case. You may be okay, Sylph-san, but that’s uncertain for your friends.」
Tch, why are you talking about my friends here…! This is just like…
「…Are you threatening me?」
「Impossible, I won’t do that. Please do not misunderstand. It is true that if Sylph-san would join the Natural Faction and suppress the movement within the faction, there would be no need to worry at all, but I don’t have a thick pipeline to the Natural Faction. I didn’t bring this up at the beginning because that would have been a threat. This is a show of my sincerity.」
Isn’t that threatening enough even after the fact!
Are you bluffing? Did she talk about the loose Natural Faction tightening beforehand to bring it here? No, if nothing happens from this, the card of threat dies. The threat is meaningful because when I refuse, I actually make up my mind.
But if it is true that there is no pipe, then it is possible that it is not a threat, but really just advice. In the first place, Crosseau-san didn’t explicitly say that she would attack me if I refused. If I insist that a threat is outrageous, that’s all there is to it.
Or she may simply be using the information at hand to shake things up, and really have no involvement.
「Ahh, of course, I’m sure the Natural Faction will always welcome Sylph-san.」
Raising the corners of his mouth slightly, Crosseau-san smiles.
A silky white skinned hand slowly strokes my cheek, sending chills down my spine at the touch.
I was so occupied with my thoughts that I didn’t even notice its proximity until I felt the touch.
Tch… I can’t win. There is too much difference in the amount of information she hold. I have no idea what she was thinking with her poker face.
I alone can do whatever I want. I don’t think the Witches will go out directly, so even if there really is an attack, it should be up to Phase 2 Magical Girls.
But what if they attack them when I’m not around? Can Elephant-san and the others beat the Magical Girls in Phase 2? What if they lose?
「The Magic Bureau won’t be involved in the territory. If the mission and the raid coincide, I hope the defense of the territory is recognized as an unavoidable circumstance.」
「!!?」
So, that’s why!?
I’m sure Crosseau-san will decide how many more training and intensive assignments Extend-san and I will have to complete, and then there will be an assignment from the Department of Magic!
Is that what this person is saying, that she is going to pull me off a mission and then attack Sakira Town!?
Are you saying that all the talk that has been here today has been to get me down to this landing spot from the beginning!?
「What’s wrong? You seem a little pale.」
「Uhh, no, nothing, there’s nothing wrong.」
My voice trembles unknowingly.
What was I, what was I mistaken for?
Don’t you think that kind of approach is wrong? To shake me off if she’s trying to take advantage of me?
No. This person is not that simple. She is a monster. She will choose any means to achieve her goal, a devil…
「Is that so? Ahh, oh, right. As I mentioned earlier, we do not know exactly what the extremists are doing. So if you are going to take any action, the sooner the better. If you change your mind, you may mention it here. Sylph-san seems to be a bit fickle.」
「Ah, I–I… I am…」
My throat is tight and I can’t get the words out, as if I’m being shot by a hideous monster.
I can’t beat this person now… There is no hand to play against and no room to spare.
If I say I’m joining a faction here, here, then… And it’s all going to work out… Elephant is going to be safe……
「I…」
My lips tremble. If I say this out loud, I can’t go back. I will not be able to resist this person. I know this, yet fear pushes me back.
The Devil just looks at me with a kind expression. Warm eyes, as if looking at a poorly made child.
That’s what makes it even more terrifying. I can’t get my thoughts together, it’s like I’m floating in a fever…
「The f–faction…」
「Sorry for intruding!!」
With a very loud, kicking sound, someone came into the room shouting.
A pretty Magical Girl with white rabbit ears, white hair and red eyes, wearing an orange apron dress.
My mind, which had become confused, muddled and disorganized, went blank for a moment.
「It’s been a while, Tyrant Sylph!」
「Rabbitfoot-san, you were informed by the Facilities Management Department that today is a private party, correct? What can I do for you? I mean, what do you mean it’s been a while——」
「Hah!? I didn’t hear you say that! I only came here because I needed her! We’ve already talked about this anyway! I’m taking you with me!」
「Ahh, wai–, uwawah!!」
Without waiting for Crosseau-san’s answer, Rabbitfoot-san forced me to stand up and began to drag me along.
As I managed to adjust my position so that I would not fall, I looked behind me and saw Crosseau-san modestly waving her hand. She had no intention of holding me back.
Even after leaving the tea party room, Rabbitfoot-san continues on her way without a word.
「Umm, what brings you here, Rabbitfoot-san?」
「Shut up and follow me!」
Normally, I would not have gone along with such a request, but my mind was completely exhausted from the devil’s threats, so I did as I was told and withdrew my hand.
After leaving the Magic Bureau, Rabbitfoot-san finally opened her mouth.
「We’re going to the Dragon Pavilion! Use your Flying Magic like before!」
I didn’t expect to be substituted for a cab at the first sign of an opening without any explanation.
Please wait a minute. To be honest, I have not been able to keep up with the rapid development at all.
I have a lot of things to think about, and I need to cool down and calm down.
「Umm, I’d like an explanation first…」
「Hah!? Who do you think rescued you from that Evil Witch! Just do what I tell you!」
Ahh, so the whole purpose of taking me out was to rescue me.
I have no idea if Rabbitfoot-san is just acting out of selfishness or if she is acting for some purpose.
But it is true that Rabbitfoot-san helped me. Earlier I was so taken in by the devil’s influence that I completely lost my cool. I should at least cooperate with her for that.
「It can’t be helped. It’s just this one time.」
「I just need to know! Come on and hurry up!」
「Wai–, you don’t have to hold onto me—— Wawah!!」
「Just as well. Hang on like that. I’m gonna jump.」
I was surprised to see Rabbitfoot-san carrying me in a princess hug as she had done before, and as quickly as I could, I twisted around and almost fell off. I reflexively clung to Rabbitfoot-san and tried to let go immediately, but Rabbit-Foot jumped faster than me and I couldn’t let go of her.
「I don’t think we need to stick so closely together… Fly Wing.」
I activated my magic and moves into flight earlier than it reaches the highest point of its leap and begins to fall.
I don’t know if my magic can make her fly, but I don’t think it’s necessary for her to get so attached to each other without even trying.
Well, Rabbitfoot-san seems to be somewhat impatient, so I have a feeling that she would refuse if I suggested that we try other methods.
Come to think of it, as was the case in the past, I can talk easily with Rabbitfoot-san, or rather, I don’t feel embarrassed or apologetic even when we are in such close contact.
Perhaps… Was Rabbitfoot-san also a former man…?
Don’t tell me I’m an ex-male and you are too, Rabbitfoot-san? I asked her if she had any idea why she’s usually shy, but for some reason she was so easy to talk to.
「Hmph. Maybe it’s because of my magic.」
Rabbitfoot-san told me that she seems to be constantly activating her charm magic, and that the effect is probably familiar to me.
Magical Girls have a strong security feature against direct-acting types of magic, but this does not directly nullify it completely, but almost indirectly by greatly attenuating it. Rabbitfoot’s charm magic is also prevented by security as an example, but that is the magic of Witches, even though they are lower in the pecking order. It seems to me that even with attenuation, there may be a slight effect.
「It’s so vicious that you’re constantly using enchantment magic…」
「Don’t be ridiculous! I would never do anything like that if I wanted to! It’s a passive magic!」
I have heard that. That there are some kinds of magic that can’t be turned on or off that are tied to your existence as a Magical Girl. I heard that it is very rare magic, but that is what Rabbitfoot-san’s charm magic was about.
I can’t help it, because I can’t help myself, but it’s not a good feeling to have your feelings magically changed. However, I don’t really want to be friends with Rabbitfoot-san or anything like that, so the effect seems to be really slight.
I know it’s rude to think like this after having received help, but I have to be careful not to get too close to Rabbitfoot-san.