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Chapter 79
Chapter 3 — Dry scrape, burn and perforate! • Episode 3–1 — First Participation ③
Translated by KaiesV
Edited by KaiesV
The secret meeting with Earth ended about 30 minutes before the time the Witch’s Tea Party was to be held. Since it was halfway through the day and it was too early to go outside, I visited the room where the Tea Party was to be held, although it was a little early, and found the Devil, Doppelganger-san, and then a woman dressed in poisonous shades enjoying tea with three other people.
According to the prior information from Extend-san, the Witches’ Tea Party is seated in order of rank, so perhaps that woman is Discause-san, the Poisonous Insect Witch. It is the same attire as in the previously confirmed video, and the fact that she is seated higher than the Devil and Doppelganger-san should be a sure sign.
「Sylph-san, are you finished with your errands?」
「Yes.」
「Why don’t you sit over here until the other girls come? The first seat doesn’t always come anyway, so why don’t we have a little chat?」
「I don’t mind.」
While easily dealing with the Devil and Doppelganger-san who noticed my entry and came to talk to me, I was about to go to the chair with the number 14 engraved on it at the far end of the room, but I stopped myself.
I don’t intend to befriend Doppelganger-san, so I don’t think I’m going to have a pleasant chat with her, but she is the reason I was able to find out about the sex change drug and Jack from Earth. It would be unbecoming of me if I didn’t at least thank her.
「Thank you very much for your help earlier. It was helpful. But I don’t think I owe you anything.」
I move up next to Doppelganger-san, bow down flat, tell her one-sidedly that much, and turn on my heel without waiting for her response.
I shouldn’t have a problem with Doppelganger-san saying that it’s not a loan.
「You’re welcome.」
Such words were thrown at my back by a gentle voice, but I did not respond to them.
Once again, I sit down in my seat and take a breath. Thank goodness we were seated in order of rank. It would have been difficult for me to talk to them any further if we were so far apart.
I don’t want to talk to the Devil, let alone Doppelganger-san, even if it’s true.
Still, in case someone’s wondering, I didn’t ignore the Devil because Elephant-san taught me the perfect way to get rid of her. Instead of ignoring them completely, I won’t let them go deeper by communicating with them to the extent that they won’t get suspicious. This should keep the Devil from talking to me more than necessary.
「Can I offer you something to drink?」
「I’ll have orange juice, please.」
「Yes, ma’am.」
To the Swan Fairy, dressed like a waiter, who appears almost as soon as we are seated, we reply with the answer we have decided on in advance. Since this is called Tea Party, it seems that many Witches drink tea, but not all of them do, and some child Witches even order juice, so it seems that I can drink whatever I want.
It’s not that I can’t drink tea, but the first time I drank it was when I was almost tricked by the Devil, so I’ve had a bad feeling about it ever since…
In my original form, I would have ordered a cup of coffee, but in this form, I can’t help but feel a strong bitter taste, and it’s not tasty at all.
I had just finished ordering and started playing with my magiphone to kill some time until the Tea Party started when I suddenly heard a chair being pulled from the seat next to me. The number engraved on the chair next to mine was 12, I believe, so the owner of the seat was Bullshark-san the Shark Witch, the 12th in the pecking order. I can’t speak for others, but you are coming very quickly.
If I am going to act normal so as not to attract attention, I should at least say hello. So I looked up and saw the Devil sitting next to me, peering in my direction.
「Uhh!?? Wh—What is it!?」
I was so startled that I thought my heart would jump out of my mouth, and I involuntarily made a rattling, noisy noise and backed out of my chair.
Don’t tell me you are going to do something like this with all these other Witches watching you!?
「I would like to have a few words with you about the training program. May I?」
「Y–You can…」
Is this a repair… I didn’t forget about it, but I tried not to think about it. In the end, during the turf war commotion, Extend-san’s training was not finished and I was not called upon, but the time has finally come, hasn’t it?
For the time being, as long as the Extremists are being rounded up, I am not too worried about leaving Sakira Town for training. Elephant-san and her team have become stronger, and there is also Extend-san in the next town, so even if a powerful Diest. appears, it will be fine.
However, that being said, I don’t like the idea of working alone with the Devil. That’s because the Devil is the one who will be suspicious if something happens during the training, so she shouldn’t set it up blatantly, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel safe.
「Before I go any further, I would like to make one apology. I apologize for my somewhat unsettling tone the other day, although I didn’t mean it in any other way. I’m glad you and your friends are safe, Sylph-san.」
「Thank you for that.」
How dare you spout such a whitewashed line? I don’t forgive you for trying to deceive me by taking advantage for the Extremist movement, even if you, the Devil did not initiate the plan. On the surface, I try to respond calmly, but I can’t completely suppress my anger, so I have to be a little blunt.
「As you may have already noticed, the training with Extend-san has largely been completed. The only thing left to do now is to train against Duke-class Diests, so when Marquis-class Diests appear in the future, Sylph-san will be called up as a priority.」
「…I participated from the recent Duke-class battle, and do I need training now? I think I’ve shown you enough of my abilities.」
「We have not yet been able to confirm that Sylph-san is fighting alone. Besides, I’ve already applied for a Witch to join the mission, so I can’t change it now.」
「…Is that so?」
I hate it so much that I almost sigh, but it can’t be helped if it has been decided.
It would be troublesome to be selfish and be noticed by the Magic Bureau in a strange way, so when it comes to training, we should beat the Diest and leave immediately. I can treat the Devil as if she wasn’t here.
「So, if you don’t mind, after today’s meeting, we can go to a cafe for a training meeting——」
「Yo! Tyrant Sylph and Crosseau, I haven’t seen you two since the other day. Why are you sitting over here? Were you demoted?」
「Simeracres-san.」
The 11th in the pecking order, Simeracres-san, interrupted the Devil’s voice, who began to say something disturbing, and came between the seats where the Devil and I were sitting.
She is a Witch who was hired by the enemy during the recent turf war, and is also known as a Mercenary Witch in the street.
She would rather be classified as a hated person because she was siding with the Magical Girls who attacked Elephant-san and her friends, but for once I will forgive her for talking to me in a familiar manner. And let’s pretend we didn’t hear about the Devil.
Hmm? But come to think of it, according to Extend-san, Simeracres-san was basically not supposed to come to the Tea Party, so why is she here?
「It’s rare to see you at the Tea Party, Simeracres-san.」
「You’re the one who told me to show up once in a while.」
「If that’s why you’re attending, shall I go tell you every time from now on?」
「Hahah, I’m just kidding. I got cancelled on the request. I collected the cancellation fee, so it doesn’t matter, but there’s nothing left to do, so I’m just killing time.」
I was about to go back to playing with my magiphone when I suddenly felt someone’s eyes on me and looked in the opposite direction from where the demons were, and before I knew it, a tall, silver-haired woman was standing there, looking down at me. She was standing there looking down at me.
「…Bull Shark.」
「Eh, ah, I’m Tyrant Sylph.」
「…My seat.」
Suddenly, I was amused, but recognizing the woman as Bull Shark, the 12th Witch in the pecking order, I told her my name. Bullshark-san gave a small nod upon hearing this, then pointed to the seat where the Devil was sitting and blurted out. Surely that is Bullshark-san’s seat. Was she trying to say that the Devil is in the way?
「…Bully.」
「What do you think…?」
She ask me questions in a questioning manner with a tilt of her head, but I don’t think this is bullying. But something about Bullshark-san seems elusive, and I can’t get over it with a salty attitude as usual. Before I know it, I’m dealing with the bare minimum.
I can’t go on like this. I don’t know what kind of person Bullshark-san is, but I must avoid being carried away by her mysterious aura and becoming friends with her without any hesitation.
I was just about to tell the Devil to get back to her seat, and it would be a good idea to quickly put the situation behind us and try to stay out of it as much as possible.
「Crosseau-san, Bull Shark-san is here.」
「Ahh, my apologies. I was so absorbed in talking with Simeracre-san that I occupied your seat. Please, have a seat.」
「…It wasn’t bullying. Thank you.」
「No, I don’t mind.」
After the Devil is driven away, Simeracres-san also moves to her seat across from her, and Bullshark-san, finally able to sit in her own seat, gives a small thank-you.
When I replied curtly, playing with my magiphone so as not to be swallowed up by her pace, Bull Shark-san didn’t seem particularly bothered and began to put her hand on the tea cakes.
I have thought this before, but Witches are often strange people. A normal, sensible person like me would get somewhat tired just by talking to them.
「What about Tyrant Sylph? Are they no longer targeting your territory anymore?」
「…What’s with the bush. It’s none of your business, Simeracres-san.」
「No, I’m all for it. If you need help, you can hire me anytime you want.」
「I’m sorry to hear that, but it’s quite peaceful. The top tier of Extremists has been destroyed.」
「Well, is that so? Maybe the recent appeal for good friendship is working, too?」
「Kuh, you know it well.」
「That’s if you do it in a way that shows them off.」
Simeracres-san pointed out, and my face heated up when I remembered that friendly appeal. I’m embarrassed, so please don’t point it out too much to my face.
Essentially, my only friend was Elephant-san, and that in itself was a secret relationship, and externally I was not friends with anyone and was simply teaming up for the sake of combat. It wasn’t really a big publicity stunt, but if you gather rumors through people, you can easily find out.
However, Elephant-san pointed out to me that the territorial raid that happened a while ago was probably due in part to such a stance. If the local Magical Girls and Witches had a cordial relationship, the Magical Girls in other areas would not have been able to get their hands on them so easily.
In fact, Marine and the others completely believed me when I acted like I didn’t care about the local Magical Girls. Maybe that was because she had originally heard those rumors and thought that if they were a team in name only, they wouldn’t mess with me in a turf war.
So, in order not to put Elephant-san in unnecessary danger, I have been playing around in the Magical World for the past few days to show as much as I can that me and Elephant-san are a friendly team. Since Elephant-san and her team originally attracted some attention, coupled with the raid on their territory and the fact that they successfully took back their territory from the raiders, the rumor spread that the Witches and Magical Girls in Sakira Town were close enough to be easily found with a little research, although not so much that everyone knew about it.
In itself, that’s fine. But when I was playing around, I didn’t notice it because of the sense of mission or freshness, but before I knew it, pictures of me having fun with Elephant-san and others were taken and posted on a social networking sites for Magical Girls. I feel ashamed when I look at it after I’ve cooled down and realize what I’m doing.
「That said, what happened to those extremists?」
「I have them at my headquarters—!」
「!!」
「I did say I’m putting them down, but they’re still on ice.」
「Ahm, ahm, this is sweet～」
「Listen to me!」
Permafrost-san, who had arrived before I knew it, walked in between me and Bullshark-san’s seat without saying hello, stuffed a tea cake in her mouth, and returned to her own seat. The crime was so sudden and brief that I was so surprised and rigid that I had no time to say anything.
「Geez, those three little shits, still the same, huh?」
「L–Little shits, you say?」
「That brat, Rabbitfoot and Red Ball. They’re all a bunch of kids who don’t listen to anybody, right? Compared to them, you’re a bit more violent, but you’re better.」
「H–Haa…」
Was it a compliment? I don’t feel like I’m being praised when I’m told I’m better than those little shits and giggles…
I don’t know much about Red Ball-san, but, well, I certainly feel that Permafrost-san and Rabbitfoot-san are little shits. Rabbitfoot-san has some good points with that one…
「Who’s a little shit, you little shit. You’re so rude to me sometimes when I think you’ve come out of your shell.」
「Uh-oh, you’re getting in trouble for asking.」
「Ahh!? What part of me is troublesome!?」
「Ah— shut up, shut up! Ex–Magna, if you’re a guardian, be a guardian and hold her reins.」
「I’m a laissez-faire kind of person～」
「Who’s the guardian! Don’t pet me!!」
Blonde hair… or is it yellow? Rabbitfoot-san, who came with Ex–Magna, a brown girl of middle-to-high school age with vivid-colored yellow hair in a side-tail, probably ranked ninth in the pecking order, was being patted on the head by Ex–Magna, and she was shouting angrily while slapping her hand down hard. It’s so noisy. Is it always like this?
As I watched their exchange, thinking it was too noisy, my eyes met Rabbitfoot-san’s for a moment, but she immediately turned away as if sulking.
I had been asked to join the Anti-Devil group before and was eventually called away by Elephant-san at the time, but today is the first time we have met since I formally contacted her later to decline the offer. I wonder if she is still angry. It’s not that I had any intention to deepen our friendship, so I should just leave it alone, but… I’m a little concerned.
「Hmmm? Hmm, hmm, hmm? Are you by any chance Tyrant Sylph I’ve heard so much about? I’ve finally meet you! I’m Ex–Magna, nice to meet’cha!」
「…Nice to meet you as well.」
She seems kind of flirtatious or familiar, which isn’t my favorite type of person. It’s like they know me over there and I don’t have to introduce myself. I have a salty attitude, I am salty.
「Ahha♪ You’re not a half-eyed honorific cool-loli or mocking me, aren’t you～! I’m taking this one—!」
「!? Wha— What is that…!?」
「Hey, hey, will you come hang out with me for a little bit afterwards? I’ve got something very important to tell you.」
Ex–Magna-san, who had closed the distance without a sound, put her hand over my mouth and whispered in my ear. I don’t want her to talk in my ear because it tickles me.
「I’m not interested.」
「Just a little! Just a little bit! Hey! I’ll just do it right here if you want! Just listen to me!」
「H–Hey…! Please don’t pull me!」
Ex–Magna-san grabbed my clothes and clung to me as she cried with tears and lied down. What is this person!? Don’t you have any pride!?
「Five minutes! No, at least ten minutes!」
「Why is it growing…!? I–I understand…! Ten minutes then!」
「Thanks.」
Ex–Magna-san stopped crying and moved to her seat with a smile on her face.
I feel a bit tired…
「Ah, I’m already here quite a bit. It was still before your time… Geh!? S–Simeracles-san, how rare of you to be here…」
「Yeah, well, it just happened. You don’t have to be so scared, I ain’t gonna do nothing.」
「I–I’m not sure of that. I’m not freaking out… By the way, I’m not feeling well today, so I’d like to go home after all…」
「Dragon Call-chan…」
「Uhh, lie, it’s a lie! I’m totally okay!」
A girl of about middle-to-high school age, wearing a revealing costume that exposed red scales clinging to every part of her body, and with her black hair tied back at the bottom of her back, is clearly frightened when she sees Simeracres-san, and stretches her back when Doppelganger-san smiles and calls her by name.
She appears to be Dragon Call-san, the seventh in the pecking order, as evidenced by the large red scales that are visible on the exposed areas.
Did something happen to her with Simeracres-san? In terms of the pecking order, Dragon Call-san should have been higher than him, but she seemed to have been very humble. On the other hand, Simeracres-san seemed to have no special feelings.
「It’s a little early, but now that all the participants for today are here, we will start the Tea Party. Lazy Lady-san will be absent as usual, but Red Ball-san, Captain Treasure-san, and Extend Traveler-san will be absent due to personal business.」
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The Devil began to so preside after confirming that Dragon Call-san had taken her seat with a blue face.
Extend-san, she said something about homework not being done yet, so perhaps it was the reason. I don’t know about the other two, but it might be the same reason as I thought.