The Price of Command

“I understand now…”

Upon learning of Chloe’s demon-slaying power, Nelly swiftly grasped her significance to the team. If they could successfully integrate her, they might very well become a top-tier fighting force with Chloe at its core.

Although they found it difficult to fully accept in their hearts, Aurora and Izha, guided by reason, had no choice but to welcome Chloe into the team. They were also keenly aware that within this squad, Nelly excelled at assassination, Aurora at close-quarters combat, and Izha at overall control. However, following Yilan’s departure, a crucial role providing powerful offensive capabilities remained vacant.

Should this void not be filled, the team would be incomplete, incapable of accomplishing its various missions, and thus destined for disbandment. In truth, the three of them had already braced themselves for being separated. Before this day, none among them had dared to propose “reformation,” simply because the bond shared by the original four was too profound; they preferred to preserve it as a cherished memory rather than allow anyone else to tarnish it.

Yet, if things continued on this path, the notion of avenging Yilan would become little more than a fantasy. To forge a combat unit aimed directly at the most formidable monsters and witches, with the singular goal of their utter annihilation, success hinged solely on leveraging the unique advantage of demon-slaying power to assemble an impregnable fighting force.

This was Ke Lan’s strategic objective as the supreme commander, and it also aligned perfectly with the fervent desire of the three original magical girls to avenge their fallen comrade. Consequently, Chloe successfully became an official magical girl, taking Yilan’s place as the core offensive member of the original team.

“Since no one has any objections, so be it. Chloe, you may go and acclimate with Nelly and the others. Tia, please stay a moment; I have something to discuss with you.”

After the four newly re-formed team members departed the office, only Tia and Ke Lan remained, making the space feel particularly desolate.

“I don’t believe we have anything to discuss.”

Ke Lan did not immediately respond; instead, she walked to the window, gazing at the scenery outside, her back turned to Tia.

“You were unwilling to cooperate with my plan for the complete annihilation of the witches back then, and this current situation is something no one desired, do you understand? Merely knowing how to protect isn’t true protection; even the most meticulous plans have their flaws. Only by utterly eliminating the enemy can we achieve a stable life,” Ke Lan spoke earnestly, her face obscured by the sunlight, making her expression unreadable.

Tia’s face darkened, her eyes, fixed on Ke Lan, seemed ready to ignite with fury. “You did this on purpose. You knew all along that Chloe was the one targeted by the witch, so you deliberately assigned Yilan to protect her. Yilan’s sacrifice was the outcome you desired, all to provoke me into attacking the witches’ tea party!”

“Ah… what slander. I never imagined my old friend would perceive me as so wicked. These are merely your subjective conjectures, are they not? You have no proof.”

“Under the guise of a protection mission, you sent the four of them to different individuals, unexpectedly misjudging the mission’s danger level, which resulted in Yilan, who happened to be protecting the witch’s target, directly confronting an enemy she could not possibly defeat.”

“You yourself admitted it was an accident. The Watchtower’s intelligence cannot always be so precise. Before then, we had no idea things would escalate to such a degree.”

“Heh heh… I find it hard to believe that a supreme commander with such meticulous planning would issue such a reckless order. You possess methods to detect demon-slaying power; you knew long ago that the witch’s target was Chloe. Knowing full well that the witch would undoubtedly dispatch top-tier forces, you still insisted on sending Yilan to protect her. What I fail to comprehend is, weren’t you afraid Yilan might fail to save Chloe, thus allowing the demon-slaying power to fall into the witch’s hands?” An agitated Tia strode directly before Ke Lan, unleashing an immense magical pressure that bore down on her.

“Is that your conjecture?” Ke Lan, an ordinary person devoid of magical power, resisted Tia’s oppressive aura with sheer willpower. A flicker of disdain crossed her eyes, which then softened into a look of sorrow. “I lost my parents when I was young. Why would you ever believe I could bear to watch witches take away others’ beloved ones again? I took this position precisely to ensure such tragedies never happen again!” As she spoke of her painful past, warm tears welled in Ke Lan’s eyes and streamed down her face.

“I… I didn’t know… I’m sorry…” Never having learned of Ke Lan’s past, Tia was momentarily speechless. Her imposing aura dissipated entirely, and her gaze fell. Perhaps it was a surge of empathy, but as Tia watched Ke Lan weep, a desire to embrace and comfort her arose within. Yet, she could not ignore the undeniable fact that it was Ke Lan’s flawed decision that had led to Yilan’s sacrifice.

Caught between hesitation and internal struggle, Tia hardened her resolve, turned abruptly, and quickly exited the room, feeling a pang of vexation over her unfounded suspicions.

After the office door shut with a resounding ‘bang,’ Ke Lan stood her ground, taking a deep breath and wiping away her tears. She returned to her desk, her palm landing on the edge of the wooden surface, then sliding along it as she moved, until it settled upon a magical girl figurine. Picking up the figurine, she toyed with it, murmuring to herself, ‘I truly underestimated her stubbornness. To think she could still cling to principles of protection even after such an event, and remain so oblivious… Truly, how foolish…’

‘Her sister, Yilan, was indeed a pure magical girl. Had she not been, how could I have dared to gamble on her successfully completing the mission, at the cost of her life?’

It mattered not. Even if Tia still couldn’t be swayed to her cause, she had a second choice. The image of a blonde girl surfaced in her mind, and Ke Lan smiled triumphantly.

‘Chloe, don’t you dare disappoint me!’

As twilight deepened, the light within the room began to wane. She returned to the window and drew back the curtains. Despite the veil of clouds, the sunlight streaming into the dim room still made her squint uncomfortably, and she raised a hand to shield her eyes from the dazzling glare.