Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Magical Girl's Spring
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One Magical Girl haunts Korea.
The sky.
The sun.
Your Excellency.
And us.
All of us, as one—with that 'one' Magical Girl.
Their numbers had grown a bit larger than before. All thanks to Ma Soyeon's exploits.
Before launching the Magical offensive, Ma Soyeon had sent out the call.
If they were going to spark a Magical revolution anyway, why not do it right? That was her line of thinking.
A Magical revolution was truly magical.
It made the seemingly impossible a reality.
But a Magical revolution wasn't magic.
Magic was fleeting. It ended with a single cast to slay a Monster.
Yet a Magical revolution didn't fade in an instant like magic.
It toppled the old Magical order and erected a new one that endured.
That was the true Magical revolution.
Especially if waged against Magical Girl White Phoenix—the Magical fallout afterward would be monumental.
Her actual skills might be laughable, but on the surface, she was the strongest Magical Girl.
So.
To quell that Magical fallout as much as possible while embodying the spirit of the Magical revolution, they needed true Magical talent.
Magical soldiers lacked the chops.
They needed Magical officers.
Of course, she had no intention of drawing rank lines. Naturally, all Magical Girls were equal before the Magical revolution.
'Well, more equal than your average Magical Girl...'
There might even be some who were more equal.
Anyway.
For those reasons, Ma Soyeon reached out to talents fitting for the revolution.
Junior Magical Girls who were always eager to please.
Fellow Magical Girls whose vibes meshed well.
Senior Magical Girls to trot out as Magical scarecrows.
How much time passed like that?
Some Magical Girls ignored the call, but others responded and showed up in person.
"Wait, you're really doing this? Against Magical Girl White Phoenix of all people?"
"Hey, you sure about this? Think it over again."
"S-Soyeon, I kinda sensed something off about you, but I never thought it'd be this..."
Of course, no one looked thrilled.
But Ma Soyeon paid it no mind.
Instead, she faced them all and declared boldly.
"The night of the Magical revolution is short, but its Magical glory will endure forever!!!"
It was a strangely compelling statement.
A cry for an empty ideal.
Words utterly devoid of any realism.
"And!"
But.
"I, Ma Soyeon, won't hoard that Magical glory all for myself! Trust me on that much!!!"
Words that inexplicably stirred the heart.
Still, lingering unease prompted one Magical Girl to ask Ma Soyeon in a trembling voice.
"B-But what if some other general-rank Magical Girl shows up to help?"
"That won't happen."
Ma Soyeon shook her head vigorously.
Who in their right mind would be in a Magical Major General's private quarters at this late hour? Absolutely no one.
Would they come running if called for help?
No.
Not a chance.
Even Ma Soyeon, the (true) Magical leader with flawless presence, had failed to rally everyone.
So how could Magical Girl White Phoenix successfully summon others?
'Impossible.'
Ma Soyeon spat words brimming with conviction to the Magical officers, banishing their doubts in one go.
"Even if you beat the general-rank Magical Girls to death tonight, they won't show! Just trust me!"
The moment she finished, not a single Magical officer raised an objection.
They simply gripped their personal magic wands in silence.
"Let's go! The hour of the Magical revolution is upon us!!!"
Ma Soyeon raised her hand and took the lead. The Magical Girls surged after her in a horde.
'Stay right there and don't move a muscle.'
There was only one destination.
Where the strongest Magical Girl awaited.
The Magical Major General's private quarters.
'I'll bring a swarm of Magical Girls and smash her skull in!'
It was a dark night, but reaching the destination was easy. The Magical Girls illuminated the path for their Magical leader with their Magical flashlights.
And.
An even brighter, redder flame of revolution spread through everyone's hearts.
"But, Senior. Why call her the Leader?"
"A revolution needs a Leader. Right?"
"But 'Leader' is just a Magical remnant from the fallen Soviet Union, isn't it?"
"Sora, you think the Soviet Union really fell?"
"Sis, then what?"
"The Soviet lives on in the hearts of the Magical people, waiting for the day its chorus rings across the world in the Magical Internationale."
Kim Siyul traded light banter with two Magical Girls—conversation utterly unfit for a revolution.
But Ma Soyeon didn't stop them.
They were ignorant, benighted Magical Girls, after all.
Embracing even them made her the true Magical leader.
And.
'Leader, huh...'
Not bad at all. Ma Soyeon smiled.
Those who wielded power deserved titles befitting that power.
Major General?
Three stars weren't the pinnacle.
Just a stepping stone in her Magical ascent.
Leader suited her far better than Major General.
"For the Magical Girls, we are one!!!"
How far had Ma Soyeon led her flock of Magical Girls?
They finally arrived at the destination.
Without hesitation, Ma Soyeon kicked open the door to the Magical Major General's private quarters.
Bam! Beyond the roughly flung door stood Magical Girl White Phoenix.
"Huh? What's with the sudden visit at this hour?"
Her blatant surprise suggested she hadn't anticipated this at all.
'Perfect!'
A golden opportunity.
To show who the real leader was.
Ma Soyeon drew her magic wand and proclaimed.
"You old hag! Hand over that seat right n─!"
"Can you extend lights-out a bit longer, please!!!"
In that instant, Kim Siyul barged in.
Cutting Ma Soyeon off mid-sentence.
Stunned by the utterly unexpected words, Ma Soyeon stared blankly at Kim Siyul.
"...Hey, what did you just say?"
Didn't you drag me into this for a Magical revolution against her? Ma Soyeon mouthed silently, eyes wide with shock.
It wasn't just her—the other Magical officers began shooting Kim Siyul bewildered looks.
Regardless, Kim Siyul simply gazed at Magical Girl White Phoenix.
"Is that no good?"
"Oh, did I forget to approve it? Sorry, Siyul."
"No, it's fine."
"Thanks for understanding."
Magical Girl White Phoenix gave a slight smile, then addressed the other Magical Girls.
"Lights-out is self-regulated from tonight on. Do whatever you want, whenever."
But, she continued in a calm tone.
"Just don't harm others or let it affect the next day's duties. Of course, if problems arise, self-regulated lights-out ends completely."
It was a shocking declaration.
Nothing this groundbreaking had ever happened before.
But to Ma Soyeon, it was shocking for an entirely different reason.
What the hell was this?
'What the fuck.'
All that agitation just for Magical lights-out?
She'd gathered this many people for lights-out?
'N-No, it can't be.'
Ma Soyeon desperately held her smile, glancing at the Magical soldier-rank Magical Girls.
This couldn't be the end, right?
They'd come for a real Magical revolution?
Her eyes pleaded with that message.
'Please.'
But.
The Magical soldier-rank Magical Girls' reactions were worlds apart from what she'd hoped.
"Knew coming was the right call. Woke me up in the middle of sleep—thought it was something big."
"Yeah, that's how you seize Magical self-regulated lights-out through Magical revolution!"
"No more being tied to lights-out time! Revolution delivers!"
They simply bloomed with Magical smiles over their improved lot; not a shred of the fighting spirit from moments ago remained in their eyes.
Yes.
The spark of revolution had died out completely.
At that moment, Kim Siyul smiled and bid farewell.
"Thanks. We'll head out then."
"Rest easy."
No sooner had the words left than Kim Siyul and the Magical soldiers vanished from the room.
It felt like watching the tide.
Fiercer than any wave when surging in.
Yet utterly silent when receding.
In the end, only Ma Soyeon and the Magical officers remained in the Magical Major General's quarters.
They exchanged silent glances.
Laden with questions.
What now?
But before they could answer, another unexpected twist unfolded.
Good or bad? Definitely bad.
A voice rang out where none should have.
"Soa's really changed. An patriotic conservative like her handing out perks like this. Love's one scary thing."
"Hey, don't call me that!"
It was Magical Girl Purple Snake.
Incomprehensible. Why were two Magical Major Generals here in the dead of night?
Soon, Ma Soyeon and the Magical officers exchanged silent looks, sharing one sentiment.
We're fucked.
Without the Magical soldiers to lead the charge, their odds had plummeted. And now another Magical Major General?
'Truly fucked.'
Literally the worst.
Being stranded amid a Monster horde seemed more hopeful.
Still, Ma Soyeon steadied her shaking resolve. She figured one last shot remained.
For reasons unknown, Magical Girl White Phoenix was smiling faintly despite her anger—seeming secretly pleased.
And Magical Girl Purple Snake wasn't even paying them mind, too busy teasing White Phoenix.
So if they slipped out quietly without drawing attention, they could escape.
Worry about later later. Survive now. A Magical escape route was even in sight.
'Y-Yeah.'
The universe wouldn't just demand their deaths.
"Hey."
"......"
She'd thought that.
Until Magical Girl White Phoenix called out.
She wiped the bright smile from her face, her expression turning icy.
Her gaze even colder as she glared.
"What did you just call me?"
At the same time, Magical Girl Purple Snake, who had been lurking, smiled as she stepped forward.
"Pulling out your personal magic wands—here for some 'serious' business?"
Her eyes not smiling one bit.
"Like, say, 'treason'?"
Two Magical Girls fixed ferocious glares on the 'one' Magical Girl.
"......Fuck."
Someone muttered a hollow curse.
Blasphemous before exalted Magical Girls, but Ma Soyeon had no mind to correct it.
They were truly fucked.
That day, Ma Soyeon and the Magical officers earned three Magical skulls apiece. Actually a few more than three, but whatever.
Anyway.
The Magical Girl's spring had thus been lost.
The moment I woke, I geared up to head out.
"Be right back."
"Senior, where to?"
"Saw a cafe last time. Gonna grab some coffee there."
I was so sleepy.
Paying dearly now for staying up way too late partying.
"Not hitting the Magical PX? They sell Magical coffee too."
"Don't know where it is—never been. Besides, cafe coffee's always better, right?"
"Fair point."
Still, eating alone felt off, so I casually asked Sora and Whitey, the only ones left in the dorm.
"Want me to grab something on the way back?"
"Inari udon if they have it. Or inari sushi. Love stuff with inari."
"Cafes sell that?"
"Yeah, Magical cafes are more like restaurants. Menus change all the time, though."
"Will do if they've got it."
"Thanks, Senior."
Learned Sora's taste by accident.
Likes food with inari, huh...
Pretty foxy, yeah.
During Magical morale training before, they said mascots and Magical Girls share traits and tastes. Sora fit the bill.
Meanwhile, Whitey offered concern instead of a request.
"You okay?"
Worried question.
"With what?"
"Got the cash? Magical cafes are stupid expensive."
Of course, baseless worry.
"More than you think."
Appreciate the concern, but it didn't apply to me.
Would a major shareholder in Top□ and No□pia freak over a couple coffees?
"So speak up if you want something."
"Don't bluff me. Short on cafe cash? Just hit Ne□ver Cafe."
"You crazy bitch, that's a different chain."
Whitey's remark was dangerous in multiple ways.
If I were still slinging armbands, it'd warrant blocks—pretty serious.
"Whatever. Heading out."
"Hurry back, Senior."
"Have a good one. No staying out late."
Anyway, brushed them off and stepped outside.
Whitey? Sweets would do.
Dogs all love the sweet stuff anyway.
Stumbling half-asleep like that for a bit, I finally reached the Magical cafe, pushed the door—and
"Huh?"
—spotted something else.
In the shadowy spot next to the cafe, I saw a stray cat.
Or more precisely...
"P-Please don't do that!"
A stray cat getting bullied.