Mr. Magical Girl

Chapter 31. Don’t Rest for More Than 5 Minutes (1)

A dark room.

The silhouettes of a desk and chair were barely visible with the weak lighting. A faint light emitted from the monitor set on the desk, but it didn’t mean much.

A typical meeting room of a monster organization. They all had similar designs as if someone injected them with memories.

I dragged one of the 13 chairs in the circle towards the center and leaned back.

Clack.

The door opened, and two monsters entered.

A rat monster holding a staff, draped in a gray robe.

It had the form of a human, but was actually made of a continuously flowing liquid.

“Long-term reunion delight. Crimson Hammer Hero.”

“Call me Haram Lee.”

“Haram Lee Hero. Reason for association summons is unclear. Please respond.”

Is this guy okay? Why does he talk like that? The last time I saw him, there was a strange sound mixed with his voice, but he didn’t talk like this.

I turned to another monster, pointing at him and wondering what was wrong.

“He went brain-dead during the last raid incident. Please understand.”

“Ah, then it doesn’t matter.”

At least it’s not a prank.

I took a white rod from my pocket and put it in my mouth, responding to the rat monster’s inquiry.

Crunch.

“I’ll talk once everyone’s here.”

“Let’s go.”

The rat monster, limping, was supported by the human-form monster and was seated.

As two of the 13 association leaders took their seats, a mechanical sound resonated.

Whirrrr. Crackle. Crackle.

The noise of a computer cooler whirring, static emanating from the speakers.

As the remaining 11 monitors lit up, the faces of the monsters appeared on the screens.

“What’s happening suddenly? Is there an urgent matter?”

“Can we take a nap, you guys?”

“It’s not like we see each other often, so let’s stay quiet for once.”

“This isn’t a regular meeting, it’s Lady Linshua’s summons. Naturally, it’s noisy.”

You noisy bastards.

“I summoned you, you idiots.”

Crackle. Crackle.

The clamor ceased, and only a small static noise flowed from the speakers where their voices had been.

Silence followed.

“…Did you meet your daughter well?”

The one who cut through the silence was the great octopus head.

“Al’sel. Let’s meet that year.”

The seafood head’s desperate attempt to break the silence ended futilely, and the monsters on the monitor exchanged glances, rolling their eyes.

By the time their heads were filled with thoughts, I opened my mouth.

“What did I ask of you when I entrusted Linshua to you?”

It was truly a simple request.

“To let her live freely in a safe place. To educate her with basic knowledge.”

The contract from the speakers flowed out.

“Right. That was all. I said I wouldn’t care whether you fed off Linshua’s power or made her your leader.”

“We never intentionally violated the Savior’s words…”

“You little bastard. Is the building next to the association a safe place? Why are you sitting in the middle of this mess? Why don’t you dig in your area of expertise?”

After shouting, I quietly waited for an explanation, but my words seemed to render them speechless, and silence enveloped us again.

I thought they might argue, but now I was the one feeling flustered.

Did they set up this branch knowing it was dangerous around here?

What were they thinking?

“Haram, there’s a saying in Korea: ‘It’s dark under the lamp’…”

Does that brat not grow spikes unless it does something nasty?

“Shut it, Al’sel. If you don’t want to see me jump rope with your tentacles, just keep your trap shut.”

Was it my rough words that caused this?

An endless silence flowed.

As I pondered the idea of beating each of them senseless and going on a world tour, someone asked, “May I have a word?”

A human-like monster dressed in a black suit asked for my permission.

“Go ahead.”

“I’m Enklu, in charge of finance. Nice to meet you.”

“A new leader?”

If he’s in charge of finances, it should originally be that rat monster, did they newly recruit this one? Or did he get promoted?

“Yes. The former finance head, Queph, ended up like that…”

“The current head is still active.”

The rat monster, angry, flailed around with its staff on the chair, but couldn’t manage it properly, as another monster held him back.

This one’s done for.

“In any case, we thought it wouldn’t be a problem for Linshua Hero to reside in that place.”

“If it’s not a valid reason, do you know what might happen? Go ahead, tell me.”

A de facto threat that I’ll blow this place up if it’s not reasonable.

“How well do you understand the current situation of the organization?”

“I know you got beaten up by the association and were chased out, and then did some weird volunteer work.”

To be honest, their misguided point was also the reason I helped them.

Regardless of Linshua, they were the largest organization in the world with 10 A-Ranks and 2 0-Ranks, yet they acted like the worst neighborhood bullies.

They called themselves a world-conquering organization, and even if they betrayed humanity, I knew they wouldn’t actually harm humanity.

“From what you’re saying, it sounds like we did well. That’s just a part of our company.”

“What company? Are you doing something weird again? Are you trying to get blown up again?”

These fools were like delivery boys for painkillers in a battlefield advertisement while getting blown up, weren’t they?

They should just stick to regular construction and stop acting like thugs.

“This project is actually going quite well. You’ve probably heard of it at least once.”

If I remembered the numerous messed-up projects you guys screwed up, there would be more than ten.

“Let’s hear it.”

“Arejes Security Service.”

Look at these guys!

I slapped my palm against my chin, recalling what kind of company they were.

A giant company that provided goods, technology, and knowledge related to the otherworld, which had rapidly grown in recent years. Thanks to their technological offerings, the association had benefited immensely.

Thus, the advancement of technologies related to the otherworld had sped up dramatically, alleviating the manpower shortage the association had been struggling with.

Even that was just a tiny example; the benefits of otherworld technology to humanity were astounding.

And it was all thanks to these guys.

“Indeed, so it was you.”

“Thanks to the company’s success, we no longer need to hide and have come out into the open.”

It wasn’t that the area was dark under the lamp.

These guys had adorned themselves legally from the start.

“What about the Great Barrier’s Purification Volunteer Organization? That would be something you’d be responsible for.”

“It’s a decoy organization to redirect attention from headquarters. It’s been going well lately, so I’m feeling good about it.”

A clever fellow.

Different from the previous association leaders.

“Where are you from?”

I needed to exclude him from the leaders.

He’s too realistic. A type that knows how to set up a realistic game, unlike the foolish monsters overflowing with dreams and romance, somewhat like Al’sel.

However, unlike the deliberately dark path the advisor Al’sel walked, under his guidance, the organization had stepped into the forefront of human society. What they gained was the power and funds to walk in a world of light.

If they go wild with the funds they’ve earned, those they spared for being low-risk and human-like will become the target for exclusion.

“I was granted life by Linshua.”

What’s your rank?

What’s your objective?

“Maintaining the organization. Most importantly, ensuring Linshua’s safety.”

“What about world domination?”

“If we must, it would be through financial and technological control.”

Not a bad answer.

I wasn’t sure if that was his true intention, but at least I felt no need to exclude him right now.

“I’ll keep an eye on you to make sure you don’t cross the line.”

“I will bear that in mind. Grandfather.”

Startled by the sudden expression, I wondered if that word had a different meaning.

After wracking my brain, one answer remained.

Grandfather?

“You rotten bastard.”

Beeep

I cut off the communication and ran away.

Yeah, there’s humor too. Isn’t that it?

Although Al’sel had always been crumpled from my constant scolding, as soon as I called for him, he returned a strong response.

“Tell that cocky bastard that if he doesn’t get some manners before I see him next time, he’ll never speak again in his life.”

‘If you think so, why not say it directly?’

A small murmuring sound could be heard over the speaker.

Even though it wasn’t a very good speaker, it was loud enough to hear, which made me suspect that he was purposely speaking to me.

“You’ll deliver it, right?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Good.

I looked around at the faces of the other leaders.

Most of them looked at me with fear, but it wasn’t strong.

Most were filled with respect and gratitude.

Even after helping them settle for over a decade, they still hadn’t forgotten their gratitude towards me.

Other than Al’sel, I hadn’t seen most of their faces in a long time.

“Well, I’ll end the scolding here.”

I relaxed my expression.

“How has everyone been?”

With my E-dull tone, the meeting room became lively again.

Everyone began sharing their recent events without restraint, discussing my behavior as the Black Marauder.

The rat, who had been quietly seated, also started throwing out unknown words, while Al’sel grumbled along with the lively atmosphere.

The monsters shared many tales, and as I listened with a slowly growing smile.

Even now, I feel that saving them back then wasn’t a wrong decision.

They are the purest beings.

Weird entities who rose against the invasion of the otherworld, seeking to defend their own, even if they were slaughtered, built their own faith.

In the final moments, I extended my hand toward them. Those who had been abandoned by everyone could now smile.

After all, it was not a bad choice.

“Let’s hurry!”

Was it to hide their monster identity? Linshua, wearing sunglasses and a small beret, welcomed me.

“I’m sorry. It’s been a while since we met, so I had a lot to say.”

Maybe the monsters also had many things to share; the conversation took longer than expected.

Was it because of the long wait? Linshua’s expression turned angry as she grabbed my sleeve and led me along.

In the dark corridor, I entrusted my body to her actions for the promise made with the daughter I hadn’t seen in a while.

Though it was a restraint I could easily shake off, I instinctively and rationally knew I shouldn’t.

Through the tightly held sleeve, the child’s anxiety was conveyed.

While I briefly attended that meeting, anxiety arose in Linshua’s heart.

Perhaps it was because she feared I might leave for a long time again.

Committing that wrongdoing again would be unthinkable.

That’s why I yielded to my daughter.

Passing through the dark corridor, we arrived at a dining area where several monsters were seated and eating.

It had a neat and somewhat upscale atmosphere, but it was narrow for a restaurant of a giant corporation.

Was this a restaurant exclusive for monsters? Where does one get their food?

As I briefly looked around, Linshua led me somewhere.

A small microphone with a button attached.

And a small elevator next to it, perhaps to bring food up.

“Just say what food you want into here, and it will come up from below!”

Was it a device to separate monster staff from human ones? So they weren’t thoughtless after all.

As if Linshua wanted to demonstrate for me, she pressed the button next to the microphone and opened her mouth.

“Chicken salad, sandwich please!”

Proudly puffing her chest as if she had done something incredible, Linshua stepped aside after finishing her order.

“Dad, you try too!”

Can I order anything?

“A beer and borscht. Lots of meat, no cabbage please!”

Linshua tilted her head with a clueless expression as if she didn’t understand what borscht was.

It’s hard to explain… Well, she’ll get it when she sees it.

After a brief wait, the elevator moved, and the food appeared, and we took it to the table.

While I sipped my beer with the borscht as a snack, Linshua cheerfully stuffed salad into her mouth.

By the time my borscht and beer were about halfway gone, and Linshua’s bowl of salad was disappearing…

“Are the monsters uncles friends of Dad?”

Linshua innocently asked.

Friend.

Can we call it friendship, which is merely a give-and-take relationship? They are just showing their gratitude towards me. A transaction would be more accurate.

“Why do you think that?”

“When the monster uncles talk about Dad, they look somehow happy.”

“What did they say?”

“They said heroes like you who run around defending your world are rare.”

With a bang sound, Linshua made fighting gestures with her hands, mimicking the battles described by the monsters.

I swung my hammer, defeating evil and protecting the world, with strange stories.

I couldn’t figure out what battle she was portraying, but at least it must have been one of the battlefields I fought alongside the monsters.

Did they tell such stories?

I had sins behind my hammer, so I didn’t tell Linshua anything about my actions.

My hammer bears the blood of Linshua’s parents.

I wanted to tell her, but the actions I could not verbally express were conveyed through the mouth of a monster.

Al’sel, I’ll forgive you.

For trapping me in this, consider it forgiven.

“Oh, but the octopus uncle grumbled. Said he gets put through tough tasks all the time.”

Cancel that. Curse that seafood.

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