The girl’s limbs slammed heavily against the ground like a broken rag doll, her body instantly covered in dust.
Falling from a height of over a hundred meters, with no form of cushioning—no one could survive, not even a Magical Girl.
For them, whether killed by bullets or smashed to death from a fall, it was all over in an instant. In a way, that was a blessing—not having to endure prolonged pain.
Yang Nini stared in horror at the girl who had fallen before her eyes. The girl was drenched in blood, her features no longer distinguishable as human.
Terrified, Yang Nini took several steps back. The Magical Girl next to her wore the same expression and moved just as she did.
“She’s… dead…?”
Yang Nini couldn’t believe it. This was the first time she had seen the death of a Magical Girl, and in such a cruel way.
The corpse lay motionless, blood slowly seeping out from beneath the black trench coat.
“No, how could this happen…”
Yang Nini imagined that the owner of this corpse might have been a girl just like her… She felt overwhelming pity for her, but her fear of death kept her from approaching.
Qixing descended from the sky, swiftly landing in front of Yang Nini.
“Yang Nini, don’t go near them. The bodies of dead Magical Girls are radioactive—don’t touch them.” Qixing took Yang Nini’s hand, pulling her away.
“But… they’re so pitiful, falling from such a height… It must have hurt so much…”
Qixing gently stroked Yang Nini’s head in comfort. “No, it was over in an instant. They didn’t feel any pain.”
Yang Nini couldn’t hold back her tears. She gripped Qixing’s hand tightly, seeking further comfort out of helplessness.
“Why… Why must Magical Girls kill each other… Qixing-jie, I don’t understand.”
“When you grow up, you’ll understand.”
Qixing hesitated, unsure if she should explain—after all, for a girl so innocent, big truths would only confuse her.
“For now, don’t overthink things. Stay with the main group. I need to take care of something.”
“No…”
Ignoring her pleas, Qixing pulled free from her hand and had a teammate lead Yang Nini away.
Once she saw the unwilling Yang Nini forcibly taken away, Qixing turned back to see that the bodies of the Wings of Freedom members had already been gathered before her, ready for further disposal.
Xinyu led a squad of military personnel to seal off the scene.
“Damn it… A fatal incident right in front of the newcomers. Xinyu, what happened this time?” Qixing clenched her fist, nerves taut as she spoke.
“They tried to steal a batch of important military goods, mobilizing nearly all their members. This strike dealt them a devastating blow—they probably don’t have the strength to act again for a while.” Xinyu replied.
“I’m curious, how did you set this up so quickly? Don’t tell me this was an entrapment operation? And what exactly were those goods? Why would they risk everything to get them?”
“Oh my, such a string of questions, future Consul—sorry, all military secrets. No comment.”
“Tch… At least I should have the authority to inspect the bodies, right?”
“If you want to, we couldn’t stop you anyway.”
White sheets covered the bodies. Holding back against the acrid smell of blood, Qixing lifted a sheet off one of the corpses.
She could clearly see the bullet wound in the abdomen, fresh blood still seeping out. The bullet was deeply embedded, impossible to extract.
“May the gods receive their souls, and forgive their sins… so that they may ascend to the highest heavens.”
Xinyu prayed, palms pressed together. She wore a Western-style nun’s habit. Among all the Magical Girls of Song City, she was truly unique.
Qixing quickly inspected the other bodies, feeling perplexed.
“How did you manage to penetrate their magic shields?”
Xinyu shrugged. “Maybe they were already exhausted, and their shields weakened enough for firearms to get through.”
She’s lying. Qixing knew it, but prying intel from the shrewdest Magical Girl in Song City was near impossible.
Xinyu was the Witch Committee’s observer to the Military Committee—a position that meant she had numerous ties to the military.
Qixing suspected she’d already betrayed the Witch Committee and pledged allegiance to the Military Committee instead.
While Qixing was deep in thought, Xinyu silently moved behind her.
“I know you suspect me.”
Xinyu pressed herself against Qixing from behind, clutching the cross necklace at Qixing’s chest…
“But you have to believe, everything I do is for the peace and stability of Song City. As long as we keep working together, one day Song City will flourish, and every Magical Girl will find salvation.”
As Xinyu tried to get closer, Qixing pushed her away.
“I know. But you don’t have to win me over like this,” Qixing said.
“But deep inside, you still believe the gods will eventually save every Magical Girl, don’t you?” Xinyu smiled wickedly.
“I… I’m just carrying too much…” Qixing lowered her head, looking at the plain cross necklace, a deep sense of guilt welling up in her heart.
Noticing Qixing’s wariness, Xinyu changed the subject. “By the way, did you bring newcomers from outside the city? I think I saw a few unfamiliar faces.”
“Mm, they’re promising candidates. I plan to register them as Magical Girls.”
“Can I meet them, then? I’m quite curious.”
“As long as you don’t start chanting weird things in front of them.”
Qixing muttered reluctantly. After all, it was tradition for seniors to greet newcomers among Song City’s Magical Girls. She had no reason to refuse Xinyu’s request.
“Hahaha… Future Consul, could it be that you’ve taken a liking to some little girl and want to personally nurture her?” Xinyu seemed to guess Qixing’s thoughts.
“Think whatever you want… And stop calling me the future Consul. Yandong hasn’t decided on a successor yet. Why are you so sure it’s me?”
Xinyu crossed her arms. “You’re the most popular among all the Magical Girls right now—everyone trusts you. How could it not be you? I know Consul Yandong well. She admires you greatly.”
Under Xinyu’s sly gaze, Qixing felt as though she was sitting on pins and needles.
“But I really don’t want the position… Never mind. Enough small talk. Let’s go.”
“I don’t wanna stay here! I want to go back to Wudong Town!”
***
The girl called Zhang Pei waved her arms, pouting at her big sister who was looking after her.
By now, Yang Nini had calmed down. Watching Zhang Pei cling and fuss with her senior, Yang Nini silently recalled the recent events. The image of the girl who had fallen before her eyes remained vivid.
She wanted to know the truth, but no one around her could answer her questions.
In the end, Zhang Pei knelt on the ground and burst into tears……
For a girl not yet ten years old, this was understandable. Though Wudong Town wasn’t big, Yang Nini didn’t know Zhang Pei, so she had no reason to comfort her.
A green-haired girl sat down next to Yang Nini.
“Are you afraid?” she asked.
“Mm, but there’s nothing I can do now…”
“I can tell—you’re special. What’s your name?” the green-haired girl asked.
“Yang Nini. What about you?”
“Just call me Xia Xue.”
Xia Xue looked to be about the same age as Yang Nini, but Yang Nini knew you couldn’t judge a Magical Girl’s age by her appearance—she might be much older.
“Okay, Senior Xia Xue.”
Yang Nini forced a smile from her sorrow, only for Xia Xue to immediately pinch her cheeks.
“So cute! I wonder if you’ll be even cuter after you become a Magical Girl.”
“Ah, Senior Xia Xue, what are you doing…”
Yang Nini’s cheeks flushed red again.
“It’s nothing.”
Xia Xue let go.
“Yang Nini, after what just happened, do you still want to become a Magical Girl?”
Xia Xue’s expression turned serious. Yang Nini knew this question was important, and she had no choice… To seek the truth, to pursue justice, she could only answer, “Yes, I still want to become a Magical Girl.”
“Even if you end up like those Magical Girls who were shot?”
“I’m not afraid.”
Xia Xue smiled again, though this time it was tinged with bitterness.
“Haha, what a strong little sister. I really couldn’t bear to see such a cute junior die in front of me…”
Yang Nini quickly retorted, “I won’t die!”
“Then you’d better train hard once you become a Magical Girl. I’ll be your instructor in the future.”
“Senior Xia Xue will be my instructor? What about Qixing-jie?”
“Qixing will be promoted soon, and she probably won’t do missions with us anymore. Honestly, I’m a little envious….”
Just then, Qixing spoke up from behind them. “Xia Xue, what are you talking about?”
Xia Xue jumped in surprise. “Eh, eh, eh, Captain Qixing, why did you come back so suddenly? I—I wasn’t talking behind your back, honest…”
“I’m not here for you. Come, Yang Nini, are all your registration procedures done? Let’s go—the ceremony site awaits. It’s time to become a Magical Girl.”
“Okay!” Yang Nini jumped up and grabbed Qixing’s hand.
At that moment, Yang Nini noticed someone in strange attire following behind Qixing.
“This is Xinyu, also your senior,” Qixing introduced.
“Senior Xinyu, hello.” Yang Nini greeted her.
Without hesitation, Xinyu scooped Yang Nini up in her arms.
“As expected of Qixing—such great taste. The newcomer is so adorable, I can’t help but want to pamper her.”
Yang Nini’s brain completely blanked as she was hugged and petted.
“Eh, Senior Xinyu, what are you doing…
Qixing quickly rescued Yang Nini from Xinyu’s arms.
“Hey, Xinyu, don’t do weird things to the newcomers out of nowhere!”
“What’s the ceremony site?” With her hand tightly held by Qixing again, Yang Nini asked.
“It’s the place where girls become Magical Girls. There’s a special device there that lets you transform.”
“So Magical Girls are all artificially created? What about the very first Magical Girls?”
“I know what you want to ask. In the beginning, Magical Girls appeared by chance—after meeting certain special conditions, a girl would awaken as a Magical Girl, obtaining a magic heart from another dimension.”
“Now, artificially creating Magical Girls means deliberately reproducing those special conditions, so that more girls can become Magical Girls.” Qixing explained.
“Then, what are the special conditions?”
“Contact with a Beast Core—but don’t worry. As long as it’s carefully controlled, it won’t hurt.”
Upon hearing this, cold sweat broke out on Yang Nini’s forehead.
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