I Became a New Magical Girl Priest

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It didn’t take long for all six of us to gather again.

It was already settled that I would go see Ji-hye, and everyone knew the location of the orphanage. After confirming that there wasn’t much to be gained at the company, the kids who came to the orphanage didn’t seem too flustered.

And why would they? It was because Ha-yoon, Jua, and I had already coordinated our stories.

“We didn’t entirely avoid talking to government officials, right? There were discussions about the combatant issue and such,” Rose remarked.

“True, but it’s the first time they’ve made demands like this,” Dalia added.

I thought the Federation was simply being cautious of the government. After all, they were behaving as if they respected our side’s reluctance to join.

I figured they had to adhere to the law in their own way, but the longer things dragged on and incidents erupted, it seemed like the government was being drawn in more and more towards the Federation and the company.

Looking at the current situation, though, the company, if not the Federation, should have been stripped bare by the government already. No matter how connected they were at the top, openly leading an armed group to terrorize people was a problem.

The whole issue with combatants might not be that grave. It’s not easy for a coup to happen just because there are hired thugs. Although armed, it wasn’t like they had firearms or bombs, so calling them an ‘army’ seemed a stretch.

So, even if we let that slide under the presumption it was ‘beneficial’, things changed when it came to producing aliens through research on earthlings.

Even if nothing has been accurately revealed, conducting such experiments without permission could easily mark one as a target for investigation.

Well, this was technically just the first step, anyway.

That was the problem with the current situation.

“Are you thinking of cooperating?”

“…….”

Dalia’s question left me deep in thought for a moment.

If I just knew the location…

If I could pinpoint that location, I could plan a raid to rescue Pang-pang. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure if Pang-pang was safe right now.

And regrettably, we had no assets that could help us find that ‘location’. If we received help from the government, locating it would be far easier than now, wouldn’t it?

Even if she had fled to outer space, she’d need to buy supplies to survive. Even if the government hasn’t joined the Federation, they’d likely have at least some channels to those alien planets, and if she was still on Earth, it would be much easier to find her.

When I thought about the fact that they hadn’t been able to find us for several months, it was somewhat despairing, though.

“What about the Federation?”

When I asked that, the magical girls, including Ha-yoon, flinched.

They exchanged glances before turning their eyes towards me.

“What do you think the Federation will make of this?”

When I asked again, the kids pondered briefly before responding.

“The Federation is, for now, on the opposing side of Noir Corporation…”

“Still, won’t it be a bit difficult to get their help? There are a lot of stubborn people at the top over there,” Ha-yoon said while tilting her head, and Rose wrapped up the thought.

I see.

Well, broadly speaking, the Federation is a government organization. People say there are assemblies, executive branches, and legislative branches. It’s just that all the various countries below it find it difficult to band together.

But conversely, this means the Federation’s attempts to annex other countries indicate that many nations on those alien planets think that drawing Earth into their camp would be beneficial.

On the surface, it looks like they’re opposing the Noir Corporation, but they’re likely trying to latch onto them in some way.

……Could it be that the highest-ranking people in the Federation were aware of the ‘usefulness’ of earthlings?

“Speaking of which, I find it odd why the company is acting this way.”

Iris furrowed her brow while speaking.

“The more overtly they commit wrongdoings, the harder it will be for the government to back them.”

“There’s another way for the company to survive, though,” James chimed in.

James had landed a drone on the desk belonging to Ji-hye and me, and he was wandering around as if he were pondering with the rest of us.

“Are they able to survive?”

“If they think of leaving this country, it’s not impossible. If the spaceship is large enough, equipped adequately, and has a good reason to operate, businesses can continue.”

James stopped walking and looked at me.

“Well, still, it would be much more complex and less stable than trading with the nation or the Federation, but your mess has left us in this situation.”

“It’s not because of me; it’s because of their reckless greed. If the chairman hadn’t initiated a coup, the company could have just been operational, casually undermining the government.”

In that sense, was the coup… a good thing for me?

Everything got tangled, and my life was a mess, but it was different now. Back then, I felt like I was trapped in a swamp, while now I felt as if I could stand up.

…Although, even so, it was still a lot worse than if I had never entered the company in the first place.

“But if that is possible?”

Jua asked James.

“Keeping a ship in space, by Federation standards, is considered normal, but ships have a lifespan.”

James explained.

“Even if you build a spaceport instead of a ship, it’d be the same. The energy required for that…”

“You can secure the energy.”

James interjected.

“Almost permanently secure it, isn’t it? You fought against those ‘energy sources’ just today.”

“…….”

The room fell into silence.

“People who buy goods consider it too. Of course, the Federation won’t be too happy about creating something resembling that kind of militia, but perhaps their view might change if they see what comes out of it. In any case, ‘androids’ are a unique technology of Noir Corporation. Just by conducting gene manipulation and part production aboard a ship, continuous production becomes possible.”

James’s gaze fixed on me.

“If the Federation makes it directly, there will be a massive controversy. They might need a bit of a disguise. Perhaps they’ll cover it with various parts, plates, and ceramics and sell it off as ‘batteries’.”

“Then there’s no reason to buy such things…”

“A significant amount of energy allows for constructing and maintaining substantial facilities.”

James said.

“The Federation may appear mighty, but in reality, it’s always a group walking on thin ice. Many planets have joined to present themselves as one ‘nation’, but in truth, various countries are fighting for their interests under the name of the Federation. The number of countries on a single planet can be as few as a couple to several hundred. Just look at Earth; the number of nations is vast.”

Thus, being dominant in the Federation is more likely to help obtain rights, whether above the planet’s surface or below the sea level.

Most nations are indifferent to the historical issues or emotional disputes of distant countries. If it’s like that on the opposite side of the Earth, how about entirely different countries on another planet where no such disputes arise?

Besides, on planets other than Earth, resources exist that are used like ‘oil’ or ‘coal’. If a resource-rich ‘oil-producing nation’ exists, that country would likely be at the hub of all sorts of territorial disputes.

“So, you mean such facilities… will inevitably be desired?”

“Yes. Can you imagine?”

James continued to wander around the desk while feeding further into the discussion.

“A nation that has faced defeat in war, one that has suffered a blow to its national pride without bearing a national catastrophe, or nations that have lost areas brimming with resources; how would they react if they intend to swallow neighboring countries for historical or ideological justifications?”

“Do you think the Federation would allow that?”

“The ones aiming to rise in the ranks within the Federation could easily become customers for that kind of product. Some may even reach out with an intention to protect whole nations or planets. Strength can serve as justification in its own right. What will people think when they have secured the essential technology and ‘materials’ to create that strength?”

As he observed our frozen expressions, James spoke with an unexpectedly serious demeanor for him.

“Of course, technology can also be developed. However, for those who haven’t thought of ‘that kind of usage’, it could take quite a long time to catch up with that technology. Moreover, since someone has already been identified as a being attempting to carry out such acts on Earth, there will be fierce debates in the future, and securing the technology will not be easy.”

Nuclear weapon technology isn’t something that just anyone can easily acquire with a bit of tech expertise.

If one attains a certain level of technical skill, it’s not entirely impossible to create a functional nuclear weapon within a year if they truly intended to.

However, those who create those weapons face severe international sanctions. As a result, except for countries that completed nuclear armament before a particular point, effective development is essentially blocked by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

…Conversely, it means that those who already hold nuclear weapons might continue to utilize them. Even if they don’t create more, they can keep them as a contingency against others.

“Reestablishing order within the Federation, is that it?”

“That’s correct. Perhaps the reason why the Federation hasn’t shown any significant movement now is that something is happening at its core. After all, they mightn’t be able to pay attention to this side.”

“…….”

Hearing that gave me a slight understanding. It’s not uncommon for them to indulge in internal conflicts regarding practical matters, neglecting those practical matters while focusing solely on disputes.

But—

“So?”

I asked James with that.

I had a feeling the conversation had gone oddly off-course since earlier.

What I wanted was to rescue Pang-pang.

Of course, it would be nice to slap the chairman and hand him over to the police in that process. If I couldn’t learn the identities of those ‘earthling aliens’ they use to destroy their facilities and inhibit humans from being utilized thus, that would be good too.

I too am an earthling; I know enough about what’s right and wrong. …It’s just that I’m not making rational decisions.

But still, I never became a magical girl with an expectation for justice.

All of that had been a secondary concern for me. Right now, what mattered most was saving Pang-pang, and next would be to deal a blow to the chairman.

I really didn’t care much about James’s beliefs or the political logic within the company and the Federation.

“Is it so critical how we can find Pang-pang?”

It could be important, relating to me, but was it necessary for me to comprehend the Federation’s mindset or the company’s situation?

“It is important.”

Yet, James simply replied succinctly.

“Why?”

“Because Pang-pang might just be the granddaughter of the former chairman.”

“…….”

I didn’t comprehend James’s words for a moment.

“Pang-pang is the former chairman’s granddaughter?”

“Indeed. The likelihood is high.”

“What’s your reasoning?”

“Noir Corporation doesn’t have a proper understanding of the relations between you, me, and that girl.”

“They could have figured it out.”

“Even if they figured it out, it wouldn’t be that easy to think you’d be that enraged for her. If that was the case, they would have already searched the school you were attending first.”

While I had no friends inside the school except for Ha-yoon, that was still something the company would likely be unaware of.

“More importantly, that automatic turret that came from their house. That’s far too dangerous for an individual to possess. Someone likely handed it over.”

“……So, Pang-pang… did she hide me because she’s the former chairman’s granddaughter?”

“That’s also uncertain. Could you imagine the granddaughter of the chairman living in such a basement?”

“…….”

“There’s a possibility that while the granddaughter exists, their relationship wasn’t so good. It’s a common story. A wealthy heir disinterested in their family business ends up running away when they fight about it. Or conversely, what if she was unaware of being the chairman’s granddaughter? We have no means of knowing personal matters, but if there’s any complexity, such scenarios could happen.”

“So….”

“From our deductions, it’s likely the item was received post our departure from the girl. While I haven’t known that girl for long, she appears to favor Earth more than the Federation, at least on the surface. Thus, I doubt she would have intended to use such equipment when she received it.”

There wasn’t even a place to hide such a turret anyway. If it was hidden outside, it wouldn’t have been possible to come and set it up at that moment.

So, if we piece this situation together as James suggested, it unfolds like this.

After we left, the former chairman’s side sent someone upon discovering Pang-pang’s whereabouts.

For some reason, Pang-pang rejected the offers from those individuals. Perhaps due to a major fight with the former chairman, or maybe she was unaware she was the granddaughter of the chairman.

However, that defensive piece of equipment was left behind and Pang-pang put it into her house.

And today, the current chairman’s people came to raid Pang-pang’s home. Pang-pang tried her best to fend off that situation by activating the turret, but for whatever reason, that came far too late, and she ended up getting kidnapped.

…We arrived at that scene right after.

“What’s the point in capturing the former chairman’s granddaughter now? Wasn’t the company already in their hands?”

“That, I don’t know well either,” James articulated.

“I’m loyal to the former chairman, but….”

He was just a mere officer as well.

Even the high-ranking officers were not related to the chairman’s bloodline. Not everyone could fully grasp the family matters intricately.

I pressed my hand to my forehead and let out a long sigh.

“…Fine.”

I looked at James.

James was staring up at me. Was he perhaps hoping for my assistance?

I wasn’t clear on how loyal James was to the former chairman. But typically, loyalty based on ideology can often be deeper than that formed by mere financial ties. Especially individuals like James and the former chairman, who possessed unique ideologies, could almost be likened to holding a shared faith.

“Regardless of the circumstances, Pang-pang is my benefactor. And… right, she’s the only friend I have left.”

Things were complicated, but I decided to sweep all those complications aside for now.

That’s right. Be it energy to reverse the universe’s entropy or political struggles to seize the initiative in the Federation, none of that really mattered to me. What was important were the people around me.

And my own safety.

If I could just protect everything properly, I chose not to worry about anything else.

So, what I needed to do right now was singular.

I must rescue Pang-pang by any means necessary. I could think about what follows after that.

“Therefore, I will rescue her. The rest I’ll think about afterward. …What about you guys?”

I glanced around.

Even though this was Ji-eun and my room, Ji-hye wasn’t here. There were no other officials from the government. I had asked them to arrange a space for us to talk comfortably.

The expressions on the kids were serious.

But somehow, it felt like I could guess what they would say.

“Of course we’ll help.”

Rose declared.

“For now, it seems our goals align. Right?”

She smiled lightly, giving a shrug towards me.

“So even though I can’t pinpoint why they took her, rescuing her is certainly a way to deal a blow to the chairman, right? Naturally, I will help.”

That was Dalia speaking.

“…There isn’t any other way.”

Delphinium chimed in.

I then turned to look at Jua and Ha-yoon.

“…I’ll help.”

Jua said.

“If it’s someone who kept us from making things worse,” she added.

Was she referring to the ordeal that had me fleeing?

I didn’t think it was the magical girls’ fault, but I doubted Jua would accept me saying I was fine here.

Above all, nothing was resolved yet.

…After we fix some things to an extent, I’d have to address those long-standing feelings somehow.

“Of course we’ll help.”

Ha-yoon nodded as our eyes met, her tone serious.

Her previous smile had vanished. Perhaps a bit self-conscious due to my demeanor, she seemed to be more aware of the atmosphere now.

Nevertheless, I could distinctly sense her sincerity in that voice.

“Because it’s Ji-eun’s business.”

Because it’s mine.

Ha-yoon’s words made me a bit glad.

Throughout the years of our acquaintance, I had felt more during our time together than from the feelings I had accumulated in all that time. Ha-yoon has her weak points and emotional parts, but—

Among the kids I had seen, she was the most straightforward.

And in Ha-yoon’s eyes, it was only natural to find a friend’s benefactor.

“…….”

While I was preoccupied with my own issues, they were different kids, focusing solely on tomorrow.

It was probably why I had perpetually felt jealousy and inferiority.

And perhaps that’s why I liked her.

……The answer to my question about my feelings was ultimately that simple.

 

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