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Chapter 64
Chapter 2 — Expand, my world! • Episode 2-6 • Recapture ⑥
Translated by KaiesV
Edited by KaiesV
The Tortoise-shaped Duke-class Diest is bound with strings all over its body, but its body surface is exposed in some places because it cannot be attacked from our side without any gaps. As I can see when I get up close like this, it’s a mountain-like huge Diest. Cutting this down is a painstaking task, even with three attacking Witches. I wonder where Extend-san has gone into.
I am very suspicious that Permafrost-san is there. I don’t like to think about it, but maybe Permafrost-san and Extend-san were fighting, just like Simeracres-san and I were clashing?
「Quadra Tornado Mixer.」
「Maximum Drill Icicle!」
I am concerned, but right now we should focus on the battle at hand. If we lose here, I will not be able to care about the safety of Extend-san.
Four tornadoes roar out and scrape away at the Diest’s surface.  But the part that corresponds to the tortoise’s shell is quite hard and has not been scraped off very well. I switch my aim to the base of the left front paw and let the tornado enter the body from there.
Simeracres-san is getting under the belly of the Tortoise-shaped Diest and has been hitting it with a barrage of strikes since a few minutes ago. It was so powerful that it’s hard to believe that it was covered in blood after being hit by a tornado that was chipping away over. Each blow creates a large depression that gouges the flesh. It’s like I trusted the Devil so much. I think that if the Diest were to relax its limbs and fall down, it would be crushed, but it seems convinced that the Devil’s threads will prevent that from happening.
The large ice drill created by Permafrost-san began spinning at high speed in the air and pierced through the Diest’s shell with a screeching sound of grinding hard objects. The drill seems to have continued its momentum through the Diest’s body and stopped halfway through.
The Diest extends its wriggling, thin tentacles toward us under heavy attack, but they are all cut off and disappear, entangled in the threads along the way. It seems that it was not a big statement to say that all counterattacks would be handled.
I was using my Fly Wing so that I could also avoid it at one point, but that didn’t seem necessary, so I decided to stay on the ground and concentrate on controlling the tornado. This would allow me to go a little further.
「Sextal Tornado Mixer.」
「Ice Devourer.」
Two more tornadoes were released from the tip of the big stick to increase the pace of drilling inside the body. In addition, a large ice flower bloomed from the huge hole that Permafrost-san had made in the Diest’s body. Observing further, I’ll see ice-like spear with a sharp curved tip sticking out from all parts of the body, penetrating even the devil’s thread. Does that mean it has taken root in the Diest and blossomed?
「Frozen Cutter.」
This time, each petal of the blossoming flower became a sharp blade and began to cut through the Diest’s body. What can I say, the whole sequence of magic is like a beautiful work of art. I don’t think she was a Witch of the same Natural Lineage. I guess the magic I can use is just too little for a Witch. Field Magic is also the magic that awakened after the frustration of not being able to catch Extend-san from Tornado Mixers. I think it’s hard to learn a new magic unless you have to.
Several minutes passed without any danger, and although it took some time, in the end with the three of us, Simeracres-san and Permafrost-san, were able to cut it down and successfully defeat the Duke-class.
Nevertheless, this is not a victory for us to rejoice in unreservedly. To be clear, once the Devil was there, any other Witch would have been fine, or even a phase 2 Magical Girl could have managed. That’s how stable the string restraints were, and not a single counterattack from the Diest reached us.
I heard someone said that the 1st and 2nd ranks in the pecking order are the ones who can defeat a Duke-class by themselves, but maybe the Devil just lacks the firepower and is practically good enough to take on the opponent by herself.
I was more than a little nervous as it was my first time to fight a Duke-class, but the result showed me that my fear of that Devil was not only her viciousness, but also her solid ability.
If it were an ally, it would be reliable, but if it were a potential enemy, it would be really tricky.
「Good work everyone. It was unintentionally a training course in the area where Sylph-san is active, wasn’t it?」
「Well, what about the other Magical Girls? Aren’t they caught up in your Field Magic or something?」
「…I rescued them and evacuated them to the Magical World.」
「So, that’s why you were strangely slow. Hahaha, they’re your allies, aren’t they?」
「Tch, please don’t talk to me in a familiar way. I haven’t forgiven you yet.」
「Don’t say that. I’m just working on this place.」
「Ahh, but she kind of poked at me, so I iced one of them, you know?」
「「Ha…?」」
The case was settled without any human casualties, and I was beginning to think about how to settle the territorial dispute, when I received an innocent comment from Permafrost-san, which made me stiffen for a moment. No, I wasn’t the only one who was taken by surprise and screamed dumb. Even the Devil herself, and Simeracres-san, was surprised.
.
Following Permafrost’s guidance, we arrived at a place where we found Extend-san with a fearless expression on her face, her whole body immersed in ice. She looks like a well-made object.
「I–Is she, is she still alive, right…?」
「It’s alright, it’s alright! It’s not just ice!　Here, release!」
「——My worl…… Nhn? If isn’t Wind Witch-dono? Ohhh!? Why even Thread Witch-dono and Rigor Witch-dono is here? What on earth is the situation?」
When I asked in a trembling voice, Permafrost smiled happily and lifted the magic. Then the ice melted in a flash, and Extend-san started moving as if nothing had happened. To hear her say it, she was frozed when she tried to use the gate… And she didn’t seem to realize that.
Since I have learned to use the application of Field and Defensive Magic, I no longer get hit unilaterally, but even so, Extend-san is a stronger Witch than I am in an interpersonal battle. I find it a little hard to believe that this Extend-san doesn’t even realize that she has been hit, let alone have the time to use the Third Gate.
「Ah, Extend. Sorry, but it’s mostly over. It looks like my client almost lost a lot of money, so let’s just call it even here.」
The results of the battle, which we confirmed when we collected Blade-san and Press-san along the way, have been communicated to Simeracres-san. It seems that Simeracres-san confirmed that to the client, and she is no longer willing to fight me after being informed that the request is finished. That doesn’t mean I won’t allow it, though.
「Okay? ….What??」
「Hey, I’m going home already! I’m tired!」
「Frost-san, I think you should at least offer an apology to Extend-san.」
「It’s not my fault! That person attacked me, saying some crazy things!!」
「Ahh, no, Thread Witch-dono, I’ve got a vague idea of what’s going on, but I don’t think Ice Witch-dono has done anything for which she should apologize. This is the result of a fair fight. I apologise I was a little reckless, Ice Witch-dono.」
「Hmph— you! I don’t know you! Beh—!」
「Frost-san!」
Permafrost-san ran off to escape the Devil’s reprimand. What can I say, she was a Witch who looked like a very old child. I don’t think I can count on her age, since she uses more diverse and powerful magic than I do.
「I am glad to hear that Extend-san is safe for the time being. It must’ve been shocking to hear that you didn’t encounter a Duke-class on the neighboring town.」
「Hold on for a moment!? Duke-class!? I see, so even Thread Witch-dono is here. It was also puzzling to me that Wind Witch-dono was quietly staying with Rigid Witch-dono, but I guess that’s how it is.」
「…Please don’t mention about people who’s like a mad dog.」
「No, don’t you remember yourself? You’re quite pretty violent, don’t you think?」
「!?」
That can’t be true. I am a 30-year-old adult, after all. I wouldn’t say that I am the smartest person in the world, but I do have the degree of discretion that is required to lead a social life. I am a rational person.
「I have some idea of what is going on, but please keep the infighting to a minimum. It’s outrageous that it would make the Witches unable to fight.」
「Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.」
「It depends on the request, so I can’t make any promises. We’ll do our best.」
「I will thoroughly dispel any sparks of fire that may fall on you.」
「…Well then, see you at the Tea Party. And Simeracres-san, you are welcome to attend by chance.」
「I’ll be there if I can.」
The Devil wanted to say something, but in the end she just said something bland and moved on.
「Well then, I should get going too.」
「Haah? Are you planning to come with us?」
「We’re going to the same place anyway, right? I have to get her to sign off on the deal, too.」
「Rigor Witch-dono, I wonder if you are no longer willing to hide your client?」
「I didn’t tell you her name, so it’s safe to say that it’s obvious from the start.」
「That’s true, but…」
「Please leave me to my own devices.」
It’s also a waste of time to go to the trouble of shaking her off and transitioning.
It took us a long time to defeat the Diest and maybe the Magical Girls who are trolling the territory are waking up. I think Dryad-san will be okay since Blade-san seemed to have succeeded in persuading her, but I am worried about the other two who might do something.
I’ll head there as soon as possible.
.
「Thank you very much! Thank you very much! Elephant-sama! You’re my angel~!」
Elephant and the others evacuated to an underground training center in the Magical World. I designated that place when I called for evacuation so that we could easily meet up later.
「Tornado M—— Muguh!」
「Hold it! Calm down, Wind Witch-dono!」
「Hiieeeekkkkk!!?」
I had no idea what was going on, but I knew that I could not allow her, who had been the enemy until a moment ago, to touch Elephant-san so casually, so I decided to give her a shot. But the chanting was interrupted by Extend-san, who looked impatient and held my mouth. I don’t want to be interrupted.
The Magical Girl in the black dress, I think she called her Shadow. Was she also known as the Pseudo-Witch? As soon as I points my cane at her, she cried out and hugged Elephant-san.
…I hate that thing. I’ll make that disappear right away.
「Sylph-chan! Are you alright? Are you injured?」
「Yes, I am fine. Are you feeling better now, Elephant-san?」
While I was mumbling and wriggling under the hands of Extend-san, Elephant-san, who had handed over Shadow-san to Dryad-san, came over here. I was worried because she seemed to be out of breath when we parted, but she is back to the usual energetic Elephant-san.
「I’m just a little tired, I’ve recovered perfectly fine already!」
「That’s great then. But what happened?」
I knew that Elephant-san and Press-san won and that Blade-san convinced Dryad-san, but I have no idea what happened after that to bring us to the current situation.
「It’s because Ele-chan’s good-naturedness came out again.」
According to Press-san, who interrupted the conversation from the side, this is what she meant.
On behalf of Shadow-san and Marine-san, who were unconscious, Dryad-san apologized on behalf of Elephant-san and the others for this incident. Dryad-san isn’t a member of any Naturalist groups, and she had a different goal than taking the territory, and she was going to tell me that too, but Blade-san stopped her. Elephant-san and the others did not pursue the matter further if Blade-san was satisfied, and they settled the matter with Dryad-san.
Frankly, I think not only Elephant-san but also Press-san is sweet and good-natured enough to be convinced and forgiven for that, but unlike the other two, Dryad-san was originally one of them, so there must be something about her that I don’t understand.
The problem’s what comes after. Shadow-san and Marine-san, these two Naturalist Magical Girls, seem to have attacked Elephant-san and her group to take their territory after all. After they woke up, they made a token apology for being beaten down, but if they’re sorry for that, they wouldn’t have done this in the first place. I bet they are planning their next move in the pit of their stomachs anyway. Are they going to attack another Hunting Ground, or are they going to attack Sakira Town again with their forces in place? Either way, they’re not Magical Girls should be left on the loose. Both Blade-san and Press-san seemed to be scratching their heads as to what the best thing to do would be.
But in such a situation, only Elephant-san didn’t blink. Even though it was a kind of idealism that could be called naive, Elephant-san was still the only person who embodied the existence of a Magical Girl.
To their surprise, Elephant-san reached out to them and asked if they would protect Sakira Town together from now on. The result was the truth about that black bug sticking to Elephant-san in a sticky and familiar way.
「B–Because the number of Diests are growing, and if we have more people to protect the town with us, that would be a good thing, right!? If you want to fight in Sakira Town, it’s better for everyone to work together than for Magical Girls to fight each other!」
At the warm, raw glances from me and Extend-san, Elephant-san becomes embarrassed and intensifies her speech.
Originally, Elephant-san was in favor of this battle to take back the town because she wanted to protect the town of Sakira, where she was born and raised, with her own hands, but that doesn’t mean that she wants to protect everything on her own.
I just didn’t like the idea of having my territory taken over and not being able to operate in Sakira Town, and I don’t mind at all that other Magical Girls are protecting the town with me.
「I think you have a point.」
As expected of Elephant-san! You’re the definition of a Magical Girl!
I can’t make too much fuss in front of other people, so I pretend to be calm and convinced, while secretly praising the product.
A Magical Girl’s duty is to protect the town, and by extension, the world, by defeating the Diest. Indeed, there have been times recently when the number of Diests has been growing and growing and we have almost lost our ability to cope with them. Given that, more Magical Girls in Sakira Town is a nice idea! It’s still great of Elephant-san to be able to prioritize protecting people instead of getting caught up in personal vendettas!
「You are certainly right, Elephant-kun. But it won’t be so simple when factions are involved. If we accept the Magical Girls who attacked us to take our territory as it is, it would effectively become the territory of the Naturalists. Now other Magical Girls from the Naturalist Faction will come and try to drive all of you out with the cause that Sakira Town is the territory of the Naturalist Faction.」
I discreetly glare at Extend-san, who came to me to be stingy with Elephant-san’s good idea.
I understand what she meant. I was actually scratching my head over the threats from the Devil until Elephant-san and the others were attacked like this.
But I finally understood after the incident happened while they were struggling with it, and after the efforts of Elephant-san and her team to win the case.
If they want to come and attack us, just come. I will kick those things to the curb, and Elephant-san and the others are not just Magical Girls to be protected by me. We have the strength to overcome unreason with our own hands.
「Don’t stare at me like that, Wind Witch-dono. I’m just speaking in generalities, and I, too, think Elephant-kun’s idea is a great one.」
「Ah, then I’m leaving the faction. I don’t need any backing if I can stay here. If you want, I can spread rumors to the faction that they should not touch Sakira Town because I lost so badly.」
「Ahh, that’s what I was thinking too. That a powerful Phase 2 Magical Girl tried to take the territory but was turned back. If you were willing to expand the story, it would be nice to have more credibility. I think it would make them all a much harder target.」
Knuckle-san added to Shadow-san’s suggestion.
I’m also here, so Sakira Town should be less likely to be targeted, and since the attack this time was forced after pulling Simeracres-san in, if word of this spreads, there will be no one who will think of doing something stupid.
It’s also a good countermeasure against that Devil. This should make it harder to target Elephant-san and shake her anymore.
「Hmm, well, that changes the story then. How about you, Marine-san?」
「…I am sorry, but I have work to do in my faction. I cannot leave the faction. But, Elephant-san. Your words woke me up. My way of doing things was wrong. This was not the way a Magical Girl should be, which I once strived for with her. I swear I will never do this again. And please forgive my rudeness in not being able to take your hand.」
「No, that’s, please raise your head. But please don’t do anything terrible again, okay?」
「Yes, thank you very much. Then, Press. From you I saw the potential of a Magical Girl. I thank you.」
「No, why did you call me that? Hey, hey, hey?」
Perhaps having done it once in return has cleared up her grudge, Press-san is poking and teasing Marine-san in her usual joking tone. On the day of that attack, Blade-san may have been damaged mentally, but the physical damage must have been the greatest for Press-san. No, she almost drowned, so it could be traumatic for some people. In that sense, I can consider Press-san to be the biggest victim, both physically and emotionally. And yet, to be able to take such an attitude toward the perpetrator of that crime, she was a person of large capacity, if not as large as Elephant-san. I may have misunderstood her a bit.
Anyway, this is how the girls were treated for the time being, and the result alone was a very lenient affair with no repercussions.
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Originally, infightings were not forbidden as long as they did not go too far, so we could not ask an official body to judge them, and the only thing we could do was private punishment, but I knew that Elephant and her friends would never do such a thing because of their nature.
Although there are some aspects that are not clear to me, it’s because of Elephant-san that I was saved, and I should be happy that the town of Sakira was restored by the hands of Elephant-san and her team.