The End of the Battle

Holy flames struck Meivi, but only left a faint scorch mark on her armor.

Flona sternly stopped her.

“I’m not planning to let you leave.”

She couldn’t allow Meivi to go.

Setting aside what the Demon King might think if he learned Meivi was in another world, just judging by Meivi’s current state alone, she was bound to cause endless trouble.

“I’ll have to knock you out.

Consider yourself lucky—everyone who’s ever truly crossed blades with me has died.”

Meivi stamped the ground, stones splashing up along the edges of her armor.

She swung her greatsword and slashed straight at Flona.

Holy flames flared as Flona condensed them into a heavy hammer.

At the instant sword and hammer collided, scorching sparks burst forth.

“They’ve engaged.”

The eyeball perked up, staring at the intense battle.

“This armor’s defense is ridiculous.

Even holy flames only leave insignificant marks.”

Seriana analyzed calmly.

“Meivi’s main strength comes from her armor, ‘War Edge.’”

It was forged by artisans under the Demon King’s orders, modeled after the divine artifact “Jealousy,” specifically for Meivi.

Not only did it boast extreme resistance, it also grew stronger the longer the battle dragged on.

Natsume Oto nodded.

“No wonder I could still trade a few moves with her earlier, but later I couldn’t even keep up with her speed, woof.”

Hoshino Sakuo suddenly had an idea.

“If we just make Meivi take off the armor, wouldn’t that solve everything?”

As soon as she said it, Sakuo realized four pairs of eyes were staring straight at her.

“Is there a problem?”

“The logic is sound,” Natsume Oto said awkwardly, “but making Meivi take off her armor sounds impossible no matter how you think about it.”

Who would voluntarily abandon their life-saving equipment?

When she had first become a magical girl, Natsume Oto had kept her crimson bracelet—her transformation device—on her at all times, afraid someone might take it.

She even became wary whenever anyone mentioned it.

“It’s unlikely she’d take it off voluntarily, but I do remember someone once developed special magic meant specifically to strip equipment and clothing from others.”

Hearing Anna say this, Sakuo hugged her shoulders uneasily.

“That kind of magic is way too perverted.”

The doll patted her chest.

“Don’t be scared, subordinate.

Anyone who dares strip you—I’ll make them streak down the street!”

Natsume Oto frowned.

“But ‘War Edge’ has magic immunity.

Even special magic wouldn’t work.”

The eyeball asked tentatively.

“What if it’s done through a price?”

“That could work.

A price itself is part of an item’s inherent traits—people rarely guard against that.”

Anna looked at the eyeball suspiciously.

“Don’t tell me Flona has something like that.”

It was hard to imagine a saintess carrying such an item.

The eyeball recalled the holy light flashing in the kitchen last time.

“She probably does.”

…

“What are you hesitating for?

If you’re going to fight, then fight properly!”

As the greatsword knocked the hammer aside, Meivi roared and thrust forward.

Flona twisted and shifted, nimbly dodging the strike.

Leaking sword energy carved a massive gash into a building.

If she fought without restraint, the entire area would be reduced to ruins.

She had to find a way to weaken Meivi.

While Flona was still thinking, Seriana’s voice came first.

“Flona, do you happen to have an apron?”

“No!”

Flona rejected immediately.

“Guessed wrong?” Anna glanced at the eyeball in confusion.

The eyeball shook its head.

It wasn’t sure either, but something worn in the kitchen was probably an apron.

“Really none?” Anna pressed on.

“Don’t forget, you owe me a favor.

Hurry up and be honest.”

“Cough, cough—how did you know?”

Flona’s cheeks flushed red in an instant.

She coughed a few times, forcing herself to stay calm.

Had the incident of her cooking naked in the kitchen gotten out?

Who leaked it?!

Gripping her hammer, Flona briefly considered whether to silence the informed party forever.

“Forget that for now.”

Anna glanced at the eyeball, which was desperately pleading not to be exposed.

“I just want to tell you that apron can be used against Meivi.”

“…It might actually work!”

The greatsword slashed again, forcing Flona to raise her hammer to block.

“Losing focus in battle is a grave mistake!” Meivi roared.

Flona was knocked back.

Meivi’s strength was still increasing.

Immediately after, Meivi poured all her magic into the greatsword.

The runes along the blade lit up, deep purple light casting an eerie glow over the surroundings.

The momentum of this move was immense.

Magic and violent wind spread outward, even the air itself trembling.

If the attack went through, even if Flona blocked it, the aftermath would cause irreparable devastation.

Just as Meivi finished charging, Flona withdrew her holy flames.

She wasn’t fighting?

Meivi froze for a moment, then prepared to rein in her magic.

“So you’re giving up already… children really are children—”

“Immobilize!”

Flona suddenly shouted.

Meivi abruptly found herself restrained, her body unable to move.

The binding wasn’t strong—she could break free in two seconds.

In that instant, an apron was guided toward her neck.

The straps looped lightly and tied themselves there.

Meivi looked down.

The domineering purple armor, contrasted against a pink, heart-shaped apron, was overflowing with girlish charm.

“You dare mock me!”

Just as she was about to erupt in fury, the armor disintegrated like melting ice.

With loud clattering sounds, it all fell to the ground.

She reflexively raised her hands to cover herself—only to grasp at nothing.

She was now practically naked, with only the apron still clinging stubbornly to her chest.

The pink-and-white fabric sometimes draped over her waist, concealing the graceful curves of her body.

Other times it fluttered in the wind, faintly revealing tantalizing glimpses.

Her fluffy purple hair cascaded over her shoulders.

A few strands stuck to her neck, failing to cover her exposed skin and instead accentuating the slenderness of her shoulders.

The fierce aura from moments ago was gone, replaced with stunned embarrassment.

“Y-you!”

Meivi pointed an accusing finger at Flona, but her words tangled in her throat and refused to come out.

The tips of her ears beneath her purple hair reddened.

Her grip on the apron straps tightened unconsciously, clearly furious beyond words.

She lowered her head, face dark.

Flona stayed alert.

“Do you still want to fight?”

Unexpectedly, Meivi suddenly lifted her head again.

Her expression softened, her eyes darting about as if searching for something.

When her gaze locked onto Flona, her eyes lit up.

She took several quick steps forward, arms outstretched with eager intent, and pulled Flona into her embrace.

The motion was filled with undisguised intimacy.

“So you like this kind of play, darling?

You should’ve said so earlier—Meivi would’ve cooperated happily.”

Meivi boldly tugged the apron wider, burying a mass of snowy softness against Flona’s face.

“And look, darling got smaller!

It’s okay!

Meivi likes everything about you, so even small you is adorable!”

“Come on, let me give you a kiss＾3＾!

Mwah mwah mwah!”

She leaned in, about to plant a kiss on Flona’s cheek.

Watching this unfold, Anna pressed a finger lightly to her chin, deep in thought.

Everyone had assumed Meivi’s personality only switched upon death.

But what they were seeing now completely overturned that conclusion.

“Is it because she’s too embarrassed, or does taking off the armor trigger the personality switch?”

“So sleepy…

Awake time’s over…”

Seriana’s eyelids drooped.

Her revealing outfit instantly transformed back into a school uniform as she swayed and was caught by Natsume Oto.

“Zzz…”

A rhythmic snoring sound followed.

Natsume Oto held Anna in her left arm and Xibai in her right, sighing.

“No matter what, it’s finally over, woof.”

Sakuo also let out a breath of relief, but her face soon turned pale as she hugged herself and crouched down.

“I think I’m not okay…”

“Subordinate, don’t die!”

The doll hurried over to check on her.

Sakuo trembled as she spoke.

“The pain price is kicking in.”

With that, she collapsed unconscious.

“No!

Subordinate!

Flona, come quick!”

In the distance, Flona struggled to fend off Meivi’s enthusiastic affection while desperately reaching out toward Anna and the others.

“Teammates?

Teammates, please help!”

In the end, it was the eyeball that went over and used its tentacles to pull Meivi and Flona apart.

“Pop!”

“Whew!

Saved.

As expected, I can only rely on you, Eyeball.”

Dawn was already breaking.

Flona wiped Meivi’s drool away with purification magic, then looked at her teammates—either badly injured or already unconscious.

Endless helplessness welled up in Flona’s heart.

Was this really her retired life?

The fight was over.

Time to heal her teammates.