CH 81

Whereabouts of Persuasion

Translated by LyraDhani

Edited by LyraDhani

–I want you to lend me your strength. Yukino took a small breath as Hagakure told her so with a serious face. The strong will to never give up, and the color of anxiety that sometimes appeared in contradiction to that. However, her eyes were firmly fixed on Yukino and the others.

“Even if you ask me to lend you my strength, I can’t give you a reply unless I know the details. What on earth are you going to do?”

When Yukino asked this question, Hagakure began to speak with a serious face.

“The first condition is to free Hitsugi-san from the control of the Demonic Beast. If we can remove the nucleus, Hitsugi-san will no longer be manipulated, right?”

“…It would be theoretically possible. If the magic nucleus is taken out and the path to Hitsugi is forcibly cut off, Hitsugi will no longer be manipulated. The contract God who is used as a tank of divine power via Hitsugi should also be awakened. If there is a problem, it is how much the erosion of the magic nucleus is spreading. If that part is deeply rooted, it may be necessary to cut out the surrounding flesh. But that method cannot be used if we don’t know the location of the magic nucleus. I don’t think it’s true, but are you going to take a guess and cut out Hitsugi’s flesh?”

When Yukino asked in a strong tone of voice, Hagakure shook her head slightly.

“–I know the location of the magic nucleus nestled in Hitsugi. I also have a vague idea of the extent of its encroachment. As long as I can get close enough to touch it, I think the removal itself is possible.”

“…Don’t be stupid. Even my contract God couldn’t locate the nucleus. How could an ordinary human being know such a thing? If you can do that, why didn’t you tell us about it earlier? Are you trying to be coy?”

Yukino frowned and said so. The name of Yukino’s contract God was Nasatya – the Indian God of medicine. It was hard to believe that a human being could make a diagnosis that exceeded that of the God of medicine. In addition, the timing of the declaration was too dishonest. It was impossible to trust her.

After being accused in a strong tone of voice, Hagakure bit her lip as if trying to endure something. The red blood smeared on the lips.

“…I didn’t keep quiet on purpose. I can’t explain very well why I know the location of the magic nucleus. This power is not something I can use at will. However, I am able to see it now. I will not make a mistake. Please believe me.”

Hagakure gently stroked her left eye area and bowed her head again.

Yukino’s eyes narrowed in thought as she gazed at the appearance of Hagakure.

–If she claimed to be able to “see,” she might have some kind of magic eye. However, Hagakure’s basic skills were [Thread] and [Transportation]. There should be no room for the skill of the magic eye.

Very rarely-some people, like Yukino’s relative, had powers beyond human knowledge. However, without exception, people with such abilities were not qualified as Magical Girls. This was because the vessel for receiving divine power was filled with different abilities. …What does this contradiction mean?

“–I’ve been bothered by this mess since a while ago.”

As Yukino pondered this, Hyuga, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, said in a low voice.

“There is no need for more troublesome questions and answers. In the end, will Hitsugi-senpai be saved? Or not? Answer me. I don’t want Senpai to die…”

Hyuga’s voice trembled slightly. Tears were pooling in the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill out at any moment. Her appearance, as if clinging to the slightest hope, was a far cry from her usual bullish image.

…Thinking about it now, Hyuga seemed to have opened up only to Hitsugi.  To Hyuga, Hitsugi might have been a special person like an elder sister.

–However, nothing can be saved with feelings alone.

Hagakure lightly said that she would “save” Hitsugi, but from the looks of it, she didn’t think the success rate would be that high. Considering the damage that would occur if she failed, it was a proposal that was completely out of question.

Just as Yukino was about to spin words of rejection, Hagakure made a move.

“–I’ll save her.”

Hagakure said so clearly. Then, Hagakure put her hands on Hyuga’s shoulders, and their gazes met firmly.

“I will definitely rescue her. –I will never let Hitsugi-san die.”

A large drop of water dripped from Hyuga’s eyes. Then, with tears streaming down her cheeks, she said in a voice that sounded as if she was trying to squeeze them out.

“I believe in you. –I will do anything, please save her.”

Yukino let out a deep sigh as she looked at Hyuga, who said this with a small sob.

–If I refuse this, I will look like a villain.

But why? There was a mysterious charm in Hagakure’s words that made her want to believe in them. Was it really a whisper from an angel or the sweet words of the devil? Either way, a conclusion must be drawn.

After a moment of contemplation, Yukino opened her right hand, which had been clenched for a long time.

“Geez. I guess I’m getting burnt out too.”

With a small blur, Yukino approached Hagakure.

“Ah, it can’t be helped. I’ll lend you a hand, too. –But I can’t start anything unless you tell me what the plan is first. I am asking you, don’t let me down, okay?”

Saying this, Yukino laughed.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

When Tsugumi finished explaining the strategy, Yukino looked a little reluctant, but somehow he managed to convince her. He let out a small exhale of relief. Originally, he thought it would be more difficult to persuade Yukino than Hyuga.

“…That’s pretty much the case. If anything, we might as well do it while Hitsugi is stuck, right? The stop tag should only last a couple more minutes.”

“No, it is useless unless it is against a moving Hitsugi. Otherwise, I can’t read the flow of power.”

Tsugumi cowered slightly as he said this. The movement of the muscles and the circulation of the blood. The root seemed to stay in the right lung as far as a quick look, but it was impossible to determine without a closer look.

“The tag is ready. …Is it really okay?”

Hyuga asked this question with an anxious look on her face. To this, Tsugumi nodded his head firmly.

–The success rate was estimated to be 70 percent. He couldn’t say it was flattering, but for some reason, Tsugumi had confidence. The elation and heat swirled in the depths of his chest. It was as if that white girl was pushing his back.

“It’s okay. I am sure it will work.”

He told Hyuga, as if saying that to himself.

Then Tsugumi and Hyuga approached Hitsugi, who had come to a stop. The tag affixed to the chest had black cracks spreading across it, and it looked like it was about to tear at any moment. The moment it started to move, a large number of boxes might be deployed again. But measures had already been taken for that.

“I use ‘defense’ and ‘evasion’ tags on me, as you said, but is it okay for Hagakure-san to not do anything?”

“I’m okay. –I can’t say it well, but I’m feeling great right now. I feel like I can avoid whatever comes my way.”

Saying that, Tsugumi laughed softly. The headache had gone away before he knew it, and his consciousness was clear. The black flames that were entwined with Hitsugi and the red flames that were scattered all over the place. Somehow, he had a feeling that he should not approach those red flames.

Perhaps, the red flames indicated the place where the box would appear next, or the place where he would be likely to get injured. In other words, if he could avoid the flames and identify the area where the magic nucleus was eroding, then he could say that the strategy was almost a success. Once the erosion area was identified, all that was left to do was to approach the area with transportation.

“The threads to reap the magic nucleus and the power to transport has already been restored. …This is the crucial moment. –Now, let’s go rescue the captive princess.”

“Huh, don’t tell me what to do? …But well, I’m relying on you.”

Then he lightly patted her on the back and looked forward with a serious face.

–It’s clear what to do. Now, let’s do what needs to be done.