Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Seriel is No More
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A moment later.
"Ughhh… Why didn't I know about something like this sooner…."
"Ugh, look at her. She's totally melted. Ha-yul, come on, there are other people around—show a little restraint?"
I couldn't help but melt into the floor, pressing my back against it pathetically, even as Sena draped a towel over my chest with a sigh.
"This is paradise…."
And who could blame me? It was a bit embarrassing to admit, even to myself, but… well, my body had proportionally huge breasts for no good reason. My shoulders had felt a little stiff ever since the switch, and now I finally understood why. Anyway, that's how it was.
"The sauna… I have to come here every week…."
"You're too young to be like this already."
"Tell me about it."
The two adults—Bell and Sena—kept whispering to each other, so I shot them a light glare.
"You two try lugging these around sometime. I didn't expect them to be this heavy."
The soothing heat had my muscles loosening up like they were about to melt away, which felt so good I decided to let it slide.
…Though a few guys in the sauna with us cleared their throats and bolted. Whatever.
"By the way, how did you two end up coming all the way out here?"
Only then did it hit me to ask, so I answered Bell's question as he rubbed the bump on the back of his head with a freshly bought egg. Sena had said she'd cool off for a bit and then vanished into the ice room, with no sign of her coming back anytime soon—like she'd frozen to death in there or something.
"The plumbing burst."
"……?"
"Bathroom pipe burst, so I patched it up roughly and came out."
Before leaving, I'd peeked and seen the pipes frozen solid and then thawed enough to burst. Figured the homeowner here—Bell—would handle it, so I'd brushed it off.
"……."
Not quite, apparently. Bell froze solid, dropping the egg he'd been rubbing on his head. I snatched it up quick and cracked it open to eat.
"Oof, your water bill this month is gonna be brutal…."
He said that, but he didn't look like he was in any rush to move.
"I'll call a plumber around dinner and get it fixed, so hang in there till tomorrow."
"Okay."
Bell gaped at me like he wanted a bite too, so instead of sharing my egg, I shoved a handful of shells from the basket into his mouth.
"Grurk…!"
"What's his deal?"
"Guess he wanted the shells."
Then Sena finally finished her ice pack treatment and came back, her skin so chilled it cooled the air around her. The three of us spent our last day off before the real script kicked off in fine style.
* * *
The next day.
"What perfect weather again today."
I stretched lightly, gazing up at the endlessly clear blue sky that had been like this every day lately.
-Ugh, I hate days like this. Give me some nice gloomy weather.
-Sena, please get some sunlight for once. Why are you turning more nocturnal by the day?
-Not human, so it's fine, right? Modified human anyway. Hehehe.
-Sigh… Should've kept my mouth shut.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the inane chatter from the two adults through my earpiece.
"—Transformation."
Transformation
Just like that, today too… I transformed into Robelia on the rooftop of a high-rise in the unfamiliar city center.
"Let's get started."
Facing the cool wind head-on, I stepped onto the rooftop railing… ready to kick off the second script for real.
Beep—!
Amid the sensation of overlooking the entire city from above, I felt magic thick with the repulsive aura unique to Demonic Beasts… and the Crisis Alert Devices stationed across the streets began flashing yellow lights.
This is an announcement to all citizens. This is not a drill—it is a real situation. Please remain calm and proceed to the nearest shelter. We repeat: This is not a drill—it is a real situation….
As always, looking down revealed a truly pathetic sight.
"……."
People ignoring the alarms and going about their business. Idiots hoping a Demonic Beast might pop up nearby. And monkeys sneering at the orderly evacuees. Same as ever.
-Jackpot right away. Magical Girl spotted. Not Mei Mei!
Instead of charging at the monkeys like before… I waited for the moment the Magical Girl lured the Demonic Beast beyond the boundary.
"…She's fast, as expected."
With my senses expanded to the max, scanning out to the city limits, I caught the biggest magic reaction since taking the name Robelia—then it retreated.
-Boundary Inversion confirmed. She went in with the Demonic Beast, so she'll be out soon.
I hopped off the rooftop with light steps, Sena's voice in my ear.
Boom…!
Just before landing, I focused magic at my feet for a shockwave that drew the monkeys' eyes.
"Robelia…!"
"Run! It's Robelia!"
They finally had a shred of sense. The monkeys, moments ago dreaming of peaceful days, belatedly fled.
"Hehe."
Clack, clack. Strolling casually down the chaotic street, hands behind my back, I smiled at each monkey who met my eyes. A smile is stage basics… as Bell said.
"Bell. Ready?"
I watched the fleeing monkeys without touching them for a bit. True to form, some monkeys watched me curiously from afar. Before the main act… maybe tease a few in rehearsal.
-Ready anytime you give the signal♥
Perfect timing. Along with Bell's usual floaty voice came a massive presence hurtling toward us at insane speed—the star of the day, Magical Girl Mei Mei.
"Now then… which one should it be?"
I scanned around casually, picking the tallest monkey still gawking at me… loosening my fingers while closing in on the idiot who'd thought he was hidden, snapping photos nonstop from behind a parked car.
"Wh-where'd she go?"
"If you wanted pics, you could've just asked. I might've posed."
"Eek!?"
It was laughable. Did he think I'd miss him hiding like that? If so, it was starting to piss me off.
"Come on, don't run. I'll let you take one."
"……."
"Sheesh, why so scared? You're a guy, right?"
The tall guy—college student probably, freckled face, checkered shirt under a puffer jacket—stumbled back dazed, grabbing his dropped phone. I tugged his sleeve and yanked him close.
Crack…!
How clueless could he be? I grabbed both arms of the gaping fool and snapped them, hurling him forward.
Kaboom…!
Like lightning from a clear sky, a white shadow smashed into the road at blinding speed, catching the monkey mid-air just before impact—fast enough to leave afterimages—and cradling him.
"Gaaahhh!!"
I waved cheerily at the oh-so-gentle Magical Girl who'd knocked out the writhing monkey with a hand chop to the neck.
"Hey there. Nice to see you, Magical Girl Mei Mei. I'm…."
"Traitor Robelia."
Her magic surged with rage so intense it made even me flinch, crackling through the air.
"…Why are you doing this?"
I knew it. This was fury at herself—for turning away when another Magical Girl faced a Demonic Beast… and landing late over a busted road.
"You were a Magical Girl too. So why…."
Even as her chubby brown hamster-like Mascot caught the monkey with magic and backed away… she bit her lip, eyes locked on me, pride unbroken.
"You weren't like this. Why are you doing this? Tell me, Seriel…!"
Brown hair twirled into big loops on both sides. Flashy white cheongsam-style dress. Fists clenched so tight her bandaged hands bled… One of my senior Magical Girls. To Mei Mei.
"What changes if I answer?"
"…What?"
"We won't understand each other anyway. So why should I bother talking?"
Recalling her warm hand catching me when I tripped not long ago…
"Sorry, but Seriel's gone now."
To steady my heart shaking from meeting an old acquaintance, I signaled Bell watching from afar.
"Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Robelia."
A vile smirk curled my lips, unlike before. Every move exaggerated. Legs crossed, waist bent slightly. One arm over my chest, the other gesturing to the spectacle ahead.
——!
With the signal, boom, bang. Explosions rocked the city with deafening roars, scorching heat, and blinding flashes. Against that backdrop, to the enemy—Magical Girl—still staring blankly, unable to process…
"—I'm the villain."