Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Galaxia's Scales
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Celestial Monster Galaxia.
She cuts a mysterious figure, clad in witch-like garb that shimmers with an overall green glow. She forever strives for perfect neutrality, meticulously balancing the four scales cradled in her four arms so they never tip.
Her abilities are the strongest—no, downright fraudulent—among all the monsters in this world, and there are just so damn many of them.
Even just from the novel, she boasts a unique domain impervious to any influence, instant teleportation, telekinesis, future sight, judgment via her scales, and a laundry list of others besides.
The place I'd come to by stopping time was none other than her unique domain.
Untouched by any external effects, she could converse with me just fine even within the time I'd frozen.
That said, the icebreaker-slash-casual question I'd tossed her about my future wife had elicited a response I never saw coming...
"Pardon?"
I hadn't expected that.
'Who first?'
"...Just to be sure, when you say 'first,' you don't mean my wife is..."
"Ah."
Right. Galaxia only accepts three questions about the future, as a rule.
The novel mentioned she'd refuse if you went straight to serious stuff from the jump, so I'd planned to use one to build rapport and save the other two for the real deal. But I'd almost blown an extra one in surprise.
"...Thank you for the consideration."
"Then, allow me a somewhat serious question."
Even without seeing her face clearly, I could tell she was smiling.
Did she approve of me raising Comet to change the ending? Or maybe she just found all my antics amusing.
"Galaxia, among my actions so far, has there been anything that could bring about a great catastrophe?"
Galaxia drew two green orbs from her cleavage and placed one on each scale held by her two left hands.
The upper scale tipped toward the orb, while the lower one—empty—tipped the opposite way.
"...If it's that bad, then it's not a terrible trade."
With Abyss, Kedi, and all sorts of unaccounted-for monsters throwing curveballs everywhere, I needed to confirm my actions hadn't gone off the rails.
But a disaster hitting only me? In this chaos, that wasn't half bad.
'Not that I'm planning to martyr myself like some magical girl. I'll tough it out somehow.'
No guarantee a "great disaster" means I die, right?
I have to survive to see Comet and the others, plus Ji-yeon and Ji-hoon, all happily married to their partners.
I smiled, lost in that satisfying vision of the future, when Galaxia spoke to me in a gentle tone.
"Huh?"
I knew that much from the novel.
But why bring it up now?
Galaxia's previously indistinct face gradually took shape.
Ashen skin, eyes bound by pure white cloth—the visage of a stunning woman.
The Celestial Monster, more saint than witch, smiled at me.
"..."
Her demeanor was like a mother beaming at her pride and joy.
It warmed me in a way I couldn't explain, and I replied with a bit more enthusiasm than intended.
"But aren't all those things you just mentioned utterly pointless?"
I snapped my fingers and laid out my reasoning for the quizzical Galaxia.
"Defiling magical girls? That's the sort of trash third-rate villains like the Breeding Monster stoop to. What I do? Raise them up. It makes the magical girls happy and saves the world—a pursuit with crystal-clear purpose. Same goes for the rest. A tyrant ruling monsters? How long would a monster-ruled world even last?"
I propped my elbow on her desk and rested my chin in my hand as I gazed at her.
"Pointless slaughter... You even called it 'pointless' yourself, Galaxia. All of it is..."
"A waste of time. I've become a time-stop monster—can't exactly squander it."
As my explanation wrapped up, a smile spread across Galaxia's lips.
I hadn't thought it was that entertaining, but she seemed to enjoy it plenty.
"Pardon?"
"Ah."
Got too excited chatting and forgot this space had a time limit.
Better hear the answer and head out.
"Ahem. Then, my final question."
"The magical girls, Ji-yeon, Ji-hoon, even Arin and Sori. Will they all live happily?"
Galaxia once more produced two green orbs from her cleavage, placing one on each scale in her two right hands.
Again, the upper scale tipped toward the orb, the lower—empty—tipped away.
"Oh dear, not good for me again, huh?"
Her reaction gave it away.
Just like before, everyone else gets happiness at my expense.
"Not a bad trade this time either. Excellent."
Galaxia covered her mouth with her hand and giggled demurely.
No idea what tickled her, but it didn't seem bad.
"Then I suppose it's time I took my leave."
I rose from my chair and bowed to her.
"Thank you, Galaxia."
As I turned to go, Galaxia's upper-left arm caught my wrist.
She'd been sitting, but now she stood right in front of me.
The scales had long since been set aside on her desk.
Suddenly, she called me by my original human name.
Her upper two hands cupped my cheeks.
"Because if I stop, it's over?"
"Many... people?"
Galaxia's face drew closer.
Something soft and moist brushed my cheek, then pulled away. Green light flowed out, seeping into my watch.
"What is this?"
"...Not sure I follow."
Galaxia's four arms shoved me hard.
My body floated back smoothly, as if gravity had quit working.
My vision faded to black, the last sight Galaxia waving goodbye.
"...Ow."
When I opened my eyes again, I was out in the alley.
Even with time stopped, no way was I lying on the filthy ground. I hauled myself up.
"Let's keep the momentum going."
With ironclad confirmation from the all-knowing Celestial Monster Galaxia...
My path was set.
"Get stronger, Magical Comet! Solar! And Stella and Luna when they show up!"
I'll help our flatfish magical girls and their companions grow as much as possible.
Clear out the bullshit broken-balance monsters, pit them only against foes they can handle for growth, and Comet won't need that depressing garbage ending.
'Keep an eye on the Monster Alliance for now.'
A big event's coming up soon, but the magical girls can handle it with minimal injuries.
It's more mental trauma than physical harm for Comet.
But with how she is now—having learned the Genesis skill through her bond with Solar and me stepping in briefly at the end—she'll pull through just fine.
'Time to head home.'
With a refreshed mind, I returned home, released the flow of time, and shifted back to human form.
Ji-yeon was at the table, sipping coffee.
"Ah, o... oppa, wh...?"
She started calling me with her usual golden retriever energy, then froze like she'd seen a ghost.
"? Ji-yeon, what's wrong?"
"O-oppa, your cheek..."
"Huh?"
"...N-nothing, someone like oppa might just... Khh! Waaah!"
-BAM!
"J-Ji-yeon?! Ji-yeon?!"
Ji-yeon suddenly bolted out the door.
Sobbing her eyes out.
Worried something was wrong with my appearance, I checked myself in my phone camera—and realized.
"Ah..."
A bold green lipstick mark from Galaxia's kiss sat proudly on my left cheek.
"I'm screwed..."
It's not what it looks like.