At the very moment Liu Li was enjoying her first outing with a female classmate from her year, Zhou Huanan, having returned to base as a combatant, found himself utterly devoid of cheer. The operation had been a resounding success: all six combatants who deployed had returned, and not a single one sustained an injury. Captain Six, in his elation, was already planning to treat everyone to dinner after their shift. Yet, at this precise moment, both Zhou Huanan and Captain Six instantly wiped the joyous expressions from beneath their masks, for Dr. Zhuge stood before them, her face a mask of grim displeasure. Everyone within Banjao knew the reason for her mood. Ever since the Commander of C City’s base was implicated and investigated following the awakening of Magical Girl Grey Moon, Dr. Zhuge had effectively ascended from the de facto leader to the undisputed, official head of operations. And at this moment, she was unhappy. Exceedingly unhappy. When one’s superior was displeased, it was always wise to temper one’s own joy.
“You, come here.”
Dr. Zhuge’s tone was utterly devoid of patience, prompting both Zhou Huanan and Captain Six to step forward in unison.
Captain Six let out a small “Ah?” and, turning to Zhou Huanan, waved a dismissive hand.
‘Seriously, buddy, do you still think you’re a captain?’
‘Can’t you recognize your place?’
“I wasn’t calling for you.”
Dr. Zhuge clicked her tongue and furrowed her brow in a swift, dismissive gesture. She waved Captain Six away, then crooked a finger at Zhou Huanan.
Captain Six, left standing alone, felt a profound humiliation, utterly flustered. Zhou Huanan, hurrying to catch up with Dr. Zhuge, cast a quick, apologetic gesture back at Six before swiftly following Dr. Zhuge out of the corridor.
“Hehehe…” Behind Captain Six, a combatant couldn’t suppress a snicker.
“What’s so funny!? Is there something amusing here?”
Captain Six attempted to drown out the mockery with a booming voice.
****
Zhou Huanan followed Dr. Zhuge through the labyrinthine corridors of the base for such a prolonged period that he began to wonder if Banjao’s facility was truly this vast. Before him, Dr. Zhuge had already chain-smoked three cigarettes, her agitation palpable.
Unable to contain his unease, Zhou Huanan finally spoke.
“Doctor?”
“Don’t speak. I’m irritated.”
Dr. Zhuge abruptly flicked her cigarette butt against the wall. Zhou Huanan, discerning the abysmal state of her mood, kept his head down and followed diligently as they proceeded deep into the base, finally stopping before the Commander’s office door.
As had been previously stated, the Commander was currently under investigation, so the office should have been empty.
Yet, Zhou Huanan watched as Dr. Zhuge meticulously smoothed her sleeves and adjusted her glasses before casting a significant glance his way. Understanding the unspoken command, Zhou Huanan stepped forward and rapped on the door for her. Dr. Zhuge’s expression softened with evident satisfaction; this, she thought, was precisely why she had brought Zhou Huanan instead of Captain Six.
“Enter.”
The mere sound of the voice from within the room sent a chill down Zhou Huanan’s spine, as if he’d been pierced by a shard of ice.
As the door swung open, Zhou Huanan’s breath hitched at the sight of the monstrous figure seated behind the desk. It was a creature with the upper body of a serpent and a humanoid lower half, its form sheathed in shimmering green scales. Draped in a magnificent robe, it exuded an aura of elevated status. Undeniably, this monster was of Archdemon caliber.
“That Magma fellow failed,” the creature hissed, “and you lot haven’t even heightened your vigilance, allowing that Grey Moon to continue her growth! This merely proves that humans are a despicable species; we never should have agreed to cooperate with your kind. We should have simply done as we did with other conquered worlds: tens of thousands of Archdemons tearing through space and overwhelming everything. Why bother with such needless complexity, agreeing to Banjao’s preposterous cooperation schemes?”
Upon seeing Dr. Zhuge, the snake-man Archdemon immediately launched into a tirade, spewing complaints about incompetence, utter stupidity, and the inherent superiority of monsters. Even Zhou Huanan, a man with few moral boundaries, found his brows furrowing in distaste.
After a lengthy diatribe, the Archdemon finally took a deep breath, concluding its verbal assault with a contemptuous snort.
“Nevertheless, I, Mo Jiashi, shall bestow upon you wretched beings a revelation…”
As the snake-man Archdemon, who introduced himself as Mo Jiashi, huffed and clamored, Zhou Huanan seized the chance to steal a glance at Dr. Zhuge, observing her obvious struggle to contain her temper.
‘It seems she shares my sentiment: this monster is an utter fool.’
Mo Jiashi declared, “Regarding Magical Girl Grey Moon, action must be taken without delay!! That detestable Magical Girl Grey Moon, Grey Moon, Grey Moon!! She is unacceptable; she must die immediately, die now, her growth can no longer be tolerated!! Cease your struggles, human female doctor.”
Mo Jiashi rose to his full height, stating coldly:
“Take me to Magical Girl Black Iris, at once.”
****
It was only as Zhou Huanan followed the others into the elevator that he realized Banjao’s base extended three levels below ground. The first basement floor housed the combatant activity zone and prisoner detention, while the second was designated as the monster living quarters. But the third basement floor… that was entirely new to him. Zhou Huanan understood he was now privy to Banjao’s deepest secrets. A thrill coursed through him, yet as he glanced down at his drab grey combatant uniform, an ineffable dread began to coil in his heart.
“Ding.”
The elevator chimed, having reached its destination.
The trio stepped out of the elevator and immediately found themselves in a rather narrow, inverted U-shaped glass corridor. Beyond the glass lay a vast chamber, brimming with a viscous green liquid where countless monsters were being cultivated. Traversing the glass corridor, the three passed through a hermetically sealed metal door into another hallway. Here, behind the glass panels of the rooms, there was no liquid, but rather a dazzling array of treasures.
The core of the Magma Demon, the existence-erasing device Zhou Huanan had once worn, and refined crystals of Magical Girl love—each item was a renowned treasure. Yet, even these priceless artifacts were deemed unworthy of the innermost chamber. For the deepest, most secluded room held captive a living Magical Girl: Magical Girl Black Iris.
In C City’s previous era, four Magical Girls had been active: the missing Golden Tulip, the fallen Magical Girl Violet, and the injured, now-retired Orange Bellflower… and, finally, the captured Black Iris. She was confined within a specialized time-magic array, meticulously crafted for her by Banjao. Through the glass, Zhou Huanan watched Black Iris slowly open her eyes—eyes that possessed the same resolute spirit he had witnessed in Grey Moon, eyes characteristic of a true Magical Girl. They burned with an unyielding resolve, a refusal to surrender or compromise.
Yet, facing Magical Girl Black Iris, who harbored such an indomitable spirit, Mo Jiashi delivered an utterly contemptible assessment.
“This is trash.”
Zhou Huanan could plainly discern Dr. Zhuge’s rising fury. However, Mo Jiashi’s focus remained entirely on Black Iris, or perhaps he simply chose to disregard Dr. Zhuge’s anger, for he continued speaking.
“Am I wrong? A Magical Girl who can be captured by refuse like you is, naturally, refuse herself. And the monsters spawned from such ‘trash’ Magical Girls are equally worthless. Those A-rank monsters said to wield time magic? When I first heard of them, I imagined them to be formidable. Yet, were they not ultimately reduced to dust by Magical Girl Grey Moon? Hiss… what purpose does it serve to keep such a valueless Magical Girl? Dispose of her. Recycle her into pig feed or whatever else; it matters not. It is the precious time-magic array that binds her which holds true value. I’ve heard you’ve nearly subverted Magical Girl Scarlet, haven’t you?”
Mo Jiashi turned his cold, serpentine gaze back to Dr. Zhuge. Though the immense pressure wasn’t directed at Zhou Huanan, it still caused his breathing to shallow.
“Repurpose the reclaimed time-magic array into a trap. I care not what methods you employ to lure Magical Girl Grey Moon into it. When the time comes, I shall personally intervene. To slay Magical Girl Grey Moon. Hiss… Do you comprehend?”
A long silence stretched. Only then did Dr. Zhuge manage to force words of obedience through clenched teeth.
****
Mo Jiashi departed. Only Zhou Huanan and Dr. Zhuge remained. After Zhou Huanan had mentally purged the images of his superior’s impotent fury in that room, Dr. Zhuge cast a fleeting glance at Black Iris, still ensnared within the time-magic array, before leading Zhou Huanan back to the first floor.
Perhaps it was a twist of fate. Or perhaps, someone above truly watched over them, bestowing a measure of pity.
As Zhou Huanan and Dr. Zhuge exited the elevator, they happened to see Magical Girl Violet emerging from a room, embracing an unfamiliar man. After Violet sweetly waved the man goodbye, she spotted Dr. Zhuge and immediately adopted a fawning expression, much like a puppy seeking approval.
“Doctor, Doctor! Didn’t I do well this month? I even handled C City’s mayor! Can I please visit my older sister, Black Iris, earlier this month?”
Perhaps Magical Girl Violet was merely performing her usual playful plea, not truly expecting Dr. Zhuge to agree. After all, year after year, her single monthly visit to her biological sister was a fixed regulation. Yet, when she saw Dr. Zhuge uncharacteristically nod and utter a simple “Alright,” adding that Violet should spend more time with her sister, the young Magical Girl was utterly overcome. Most Magical Girls, after all, were inherently simple-hearted. Magical Girl Violet, her head spinning with sudden joy, didn’t pause to consider the underlying reasons. Instead, she excitedly and gratefully made her way to the downward elevator.
Watching the excited Magical Girl Violet, whose face was alight with a happiness akin to winning the lottery, both Zhou Huanan and Dr. Zhuge maintained stern, silent expressions. They swiftly averted their gazes, as if from an affliction, daring not to look upon that blissful, beautiful face for even another moment.
“Ding.”
The flick of a lighter ignited a flame. Dr. Zhuge had lit another cigarette. After a deep, unconscious draw, she spoke after a moment:
“Summon Magical Girl Scarlet to the base.”
Zhou Huanan listened to Dr. Zhuge’s detailed instructions, nodding. Though many specifics eluded his understanding, a superior’s command was absolute; he simply had to obey. Leaving the area, he left Dr. Zhuge to her solitude. Dr. Zhuge remained pensive, lost in thought, leaning against the wall.
“Don’t disappoint me, Magical Girls.”