Chapter 82
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Intermission - Because We're Magical Executives
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Magical officers' lounge in the Magical Training Ground.
Several executive-level Magical Girls had gathered there.
"What on earth could have caused something like this to happen?"
But no one could easily speak up in response to the Magical Captain's question.
It was unavoidable.
A major Magical incident had occurred.
"For now, shall we start by looking into the Magical cause...?"
The Magical Captain ran a hand down her face and continued.
"As far as I know, Private First Class Kim Siyul and the Magical Girls on the other side have no particular Magical connection. Does anyone know anything about it?"
"I heard there was some minor Magical friction a while back at a Magical cafe, where they were bullying another Magical private."
"What was the Magical friction about?"
"Four Magical Girls, including Magical Girl Yellow Lion from the dorm where Kim Siyul lives, tried to unilaterally bully Magical Girl Black Kitty. Kim Siyul tried to stop them."
The cause was truly trivial.
It was barely even worthy of being called a cause.
If you had to pinpoint it, it was that Kim Siyul had interfered with the Magical Girls' bullying.
But.
For something as minor as bruised egos, the Magical Girls had blown it way out of proportion.
Not only did they opt for Magical Safety OFF—a condition we're explicitly told never to choose—
but they even forcibly activated the opponent's Magical conditions somehow.
On top of that, they ignored the rules of Magical one-on-one duels entirely and ganged up for a Magical special assault. Against a civilian whose mind wasn't fully intact, no less.
It was practically an attempted Magical murder.
"Ha."
The Magical Captain clutched her head.
At least it had stopped short of actual attempted Magical murder, but that hardly made it fortunate.
Kim Siyul was someone Magical Girl Purple Snake had her eye on. And lately, it seemed Magical Girl White Phoenix was taking an interest too.
Yet that very Kim Siyul had gotten hurt.
And of all times, while she, the Magical Captain, was the senior-most officer on duty at the Magical Training Ground.
It wasn't even something she'd volunteered for.
Right now, he was nothing more than a pure Magical victim, struck by the other side's Magical malice.
'Fuck.'
The primary blame would fall on the Magical Girls who caused the incident, but the Magical Captain couldn't escape responsibility either.
No matter what, she was the executive-level Magical Girl in charge of today's Magical mock battles.
In other words, the one responsible for controlling the Magical Girls.
She hadn't, so she had to take the fall.
And since this Magical accident could have been prevented by simply canceling the Magical mock battles, she couldn't even make excuses.
'We're screwed.'
She couldn't see a way out.
Not only was her Magical promotion stalled, but demotion was now on the table.
Magical Girl ranks rarely dropped once earned, but Magical Girl Purple Snake was more than capable of making it happen.
'No, it might not end there.'
In the worst case, she could be forced into Magical retirement. It was entirely possible.
'Those fucking bitches, why couldn't they do it when I wasn't here.'
The Magical Captain ground her teeth.
Honestly, she felt wronged.
Why today, of all days?
If the Magical Girls hadn't caused this Magical incident today—no, if the Magical Battalion Commander hadn't assigned her the mock battles in the first place—
"Oh?"
In that moment, an idea struck her.
"What's up?"
"I've got a good idea."
"What kind of good idea?"
In response to one executive Magical Girl's question, the Magical Captain flashed a confident smile.
"Let's bury it."
"Pardon?"
The questioning executive Magical Girl blinked in confusion.
The Magical Captain elaborated.
"We'll bury it by invoking the Magical Battalion Commander's name."
She added that it was an event scheduled by the Magical Battalion Commander herself.
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
Soon, the executive Magical Girls broke the silence with their own remarks.
"W-Well, it's a clever Magical move, if nothing else..."
"Even so, it feels a bit risky. Even most Magical Girls steer clear of Magical Girl Pale Crow."
"...I don't think it's a great idea."
"R-Rather than invoking the Magical Battalion Commander's name, maybe we should handle it among ourselves..."
"The Magical Battalion Commander did propose today's mock battles, but she's not directly in charge..."
Most of the responses were negative.
It wasn't an incomprehensible reaction. The Magical Battalion Commander's position might be a little shaky right now, but she still wielded significant Magical influence.
A toothless Magical tiger was still a Magical tiger.
But.
"So, are you all prepared to take responsibility?"
No one could confidently answer the Magical Captain's stern follow-up.
They all knew.
They couldn't escape blame either.
Especially since most of these executive Magical Girls had been slacking off on their Magical duties. If held accountable, they'd take a serious Magical hit too.
"And."
At that moment, the Magical Captain gave a sly smile.
"Invoking the Magical Battalion Commander's name might actually be the safest option."
"Why's that?"
One executive Magical Girl voiced her doubt.
The Magical Captain turned to her.
"Everyone knows the injured Magical private, Kim Siyul, is a favorite of Magical Girl Purple Snake, right?"
"Yes, that's what's making this such a headache."
The Magical Captain's smile deepened.
"Magical Girl Purple Snake already despises the Magical Battalion Commander to an extreme degree because of a similar past Magical incident."
"Oh."
The Magical Girl let out an exclamation.
It wasn't just her reaction.
Everyone realized what the Magical Captain was getting at.
Right on cue, she spelled it out.
"If we invoke the Magical Battalion Commander's name, Magical Girl Purple Snake will direct all her Magical wrath solely at the Magical Battalion Commander."
It was speculative, but the Magical Captain had her reasons for believing it.
Or rather, correction:
She was certain.
The Magical Captain was constantly stuck handling the Magical Battalion Commander's scut work. Most of it came from tasks assigned by Magical Girl Purple Snake.
So she knew full well how deep that Magical hatred ran.
In that case.
'Just a little.'
Wouldn't it be fine to fan those flames a bit more?
Relationship repair was off the table at this point anyway.
'Yeah, why'd you have to dump all that bullshit busywork on me, you bitch.'
Plus, she could vent some Magical frustration in the process.
"So, what do you all think?"
The Magical Captain asked again. But this time, the responses were different.
"Your Magical insight runs deep. It does seem like a solid plan."
"A true Magical Zhuge Liang. Oh, not in the short-lived sense."
"Well, wasn't it all about staying on Magical Girl Pale Crow's good side anyway?"
"Honestly, today's Magical incident was basically caused by the Magical Battalion Commander."
"The one who ordered it is at fault, right?"
At that moment, the Magical Captain clapped her hands.
"Alright, then we'll chalk this incident up to the Magical Battalion Commander. If anyone has any objections, speak now."
There were no objections.
It meant they all agreed.
The Magical Captain smiled in satisfaction.
"Perfect. Though we're all a bit resentful, let's take a moment of silence for our gracious Magical Battalion Commander."
For the first time, she felt grateful toward the Magical Battalion Commander.
Thanks to her, they could resolve this Magical incident smoothly.
'I could start selling her name and make a profit.'
And that wasn't all. A solid Magical business idea had just come to her.
Her Magical dream car wasn't far off.
At this rate, she'd have it soon enough.
All thanks to the Magical Battalion Commander.
'Thank you.'
After the moment of silence, the Magical Captain spoke up with a much brighter expression.
"Well, since we're all gathered, why not hold this week's Magical executive meeting early?"
With nothing left to worry about, the once-heavy atmosphere in the lounge lightened up. The meeting topics were a given.
"By the way, when's the third Magical golf course supposed to be completed?"
"They said next year, but I'll push to move it up."
"Great. If needed, grease the palms of the folks involved a bit."
It was called a Magical executive meeting,
but it was really just Magical chit-chat.
"Oh, right. I heard you're planning to get a new car, Magical Captain. Got a model in mind?"
"I do have some options. Just haven't fully decided yet."
"I know a Magical used car dealer in Incheon. Let me know if you need an intro—they'll give you a fair price."
"Haha, thanks. I'll think about it."
No more mention was made of today's Magical incident.
"Sis, didn't you say you splurged on a bunch of Magical ornamental fish?"
"Eh, it wasn't much. Bought them in a fit of pique. Swing by later when you have time and watch the kids feed them."
"You're making the kids handle that? Who’s the real monster here?"
"What? You're the one assigning Magical plant care."
"Hey, it's about teaching them the value of life."
They kept bringing up only their personal matters. Well, that's what Magical executive meetings were like anyway.
At that moment, one Magical Sergeant spoke up and pointed.
"By the way, what do we do about that?"
What she pointed to was the electronic board in the Magical Training Ground.
【Magical Training Ground Accident-Free: 3012 Days】
Her implication was clear.
Shouldn't they reset it to 0?
The other Magical executives exchanged glances in silence.
Soon, they all broke into wry smiles.
"Do we really have to count this as a Magical accident?"
"Yeah, this doesn't even qualify. Unless the Magical building collapses or something."
"We'll just leave it as is. No need to make a fuss."
"Ah, in that case, incrementing it tomorrow is a hassle anyway—I'll bump it up now."
"Good idea."
The Magical Sergeant quickly fiddled with the board, increasing the number by one.
【Magical Training Ground Accident-Free: 3013 Days】
Today, too, the Magical Girls enjoyed a peaceful day without accidents.