Episode 19 : Mysterious investigation results

　As for the punishment of the terrorists, it will be left to the judicial system, and the results of the investigation into this case will be made public as a matter of course.

　It's been about a week since then, and we've been freed from our status as international students, and today we've been cheerfully working on meetings at Maki-ya, which was temporarily closed.

"First of all, you did a great job with this operation. It's great that we were able to obtain almost complete data about the enemy's autonomous weapon, the Golem, which we called the Hitogata."

　The colonel says while displaying the analyzed data on the screen.

　Although we managed to get away with it, MAGIA seems to have decided that the fact that it was mass-produced in such a short period of time was quite a threat, and they were frantically analyzing the remains that I had cut down. .

　Well, that makes sense.

　In a short period of time, nearly 10 beings that second-class magical girls can compete with have sprung up, so it would be troublesome if such things were mass-produced in a short period of time, including the fact that there aren't many magical girls who can deal with them. That's not enough.

　However, I'm happy to say that I don't have to worry about that for now.

　The threat of golems is their productivity, but above all, they can fire magic bullets, and without the supply of bullets themselves, they are no threat against magical girls.

　It's annoying that we don't know how the bullets are supplied, but at least in the original story there was no event where the golem army paraded through the city, and while it's not like they didn't put a lot of effort into making it, it took a lot of time for actual combat deployment. It takes --- In other words, it can be seen that they threw all their might into this matter without thinking about the consequences.

"As you can see, the golem is made with extremely advanced technology."

　The colonel enlarges the screen while showing the analysis results displayed on the projector with a pointing stick.

　The alloy for the armor, the AI ​​for the control unit, and the battery that is the heart of the golem.

　As the colonel added, these three things are particularly innovative as weapons.The alloy is both light and strong, and the fact that the AI ​​and battery have been miniaturized to this size while achieving both performance and operating time is amazing in itself. It's on point.

"You mean...what do you mean?"

"The enemy...'Akatsuki no Sora' isn't just a group of people who have broken down the patriotic movement, Mayu Nanri."

"I agree. Since these guys have such high-level technology, I suggest that it's dangerous to see them as just anti-establishment activists."

　I said, echoing the colonel's words.

　If they have over a dozen trucks of trained people, enough weapons to cover them, and even a golem, it's too dangerous to just dismiss them as a bunch of idiots.

　It is also troublesome that we do not know the size of the members.

　When he thwarted the attack on Eichiin Academy, a considerable number of people were forced to join him, but without hesitation, Mukuro posted a speech on a video site stating that he would continue his activities. From the above, it can be seen that even though they have suffered some damage, there are still some members left.

　Unfortunately, it wasn't even listed in the setting material collection, so I don't know the total number of forces possessed by "Akatsuki no Sora."

　However, in times like these, it is generally agreed that the quickest way is to ask someone who has some kind of data.

　As if urging him to continue, I turned my gaze to the colonel and closed one eye.

"That's right, Chihaya Saijo. The results of cleaning up the identities of the people we captured were quite varied, from mercenaries, mafia collapses, to terrorists from other countries."

"...I see, that is to say."

``Aside from that ``Mukuro'' thing, ``Akatsuki no Sora'' itself is being used by someone... no, it's very likely that it's been hijacked.''

　As the colonel had guessed, I knew that there was a mastermind controlling the Sky of Dawn, but I never imagined that it would turn out to be like the All-Stars, an anti-social force.

　Also, I almost forgot about it, or rather I did, but since I already knew that ``magical girls are beings under the control of the state,'' at least I thought about it on the ``last day of my short-term study abroad.'' I should have figured it out the moment it arrived.

　These guys aren't just idiots getting excited and having fun.

　Well, the Mukuro King being carried in the mikoshi is most likely just an idiot flying around, but the lighter the mikoshi, the better.

"However, the good news is that while the golem may be able to fire magical bullets, it cannot deploy magical barriers."

　In other words, you can counter it with normal equipment.

　As the colonel said, if the golem, a weapon that could be called a magical girl killer, had a weakness, it was that one.

　Although they use advanced alloys, the data on the screen shows that it is ``possible'' in test firing tests to see if the Self-Defense Forces' equipment can penetrate the armor, and in the future, ``Akatsuki no Sora'' and related organizations will Vigilance against this will likely shift primarily to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense and public security.

"So, does that mean we'll be returning to our normal duties?"

"That's right, Hazuki Shinonome. We will need to continue to monitor their movements in cooperation with all relevant parties, but your mission will mainly be to guard against and deal with critical beasts. It will come."

　So far, that choice has not been wrong.

　However, the worst scenario that can be expected in the future is that the enemy mass-produces magic bullets.

　If it could be downgraded to a level that could only be used by golems, but even regular members could use it, like the magical weapons possessed by MAGIA, then Akatsuki no Sora would become a full-fledged magical girl hunting organization. It's going to start moving.

　But for what? Why do they hunt magical girls?

　That's just what stuck with me.

　In the original work, ``Akatsuki no Sora'' gradually faded out from the main scenario, but as long as this world continues, we can't just say ``the end'' with a staff roll after the ending. We must continue to confront this threat.

　It's a setting material collection that I bought with a few thousand bills, so I wonder if they'll write down such details.

　In the first place, the price setting for a shitty game's setting material collection is way too aggressive.

　I guess they were fully planning on releasing a sequel to this shitty game after all. Eventually, that suspicion turns into certainty.

"Senpai, what's wrong? You suddenly went silent."

``...I was just thinking it was weird that I couldn't see the true purpose of ``Akatsuki no Sora''.''

　What is the real intention hidden behind the fluffy slogan of truly liberating Japan? What is the purpose of the mastermind?

　Up until now, I had been able to take action in advance because I knew the original work, but if that no longer worked, I wouldn't have known what would lead to the flag of destruction.

　No kidding, I don't want to die and I don't want anyone to die.

"...Well, I thought that was a little scary too."

"...I see. Then don't rush your life, Yukina."

"I understand."

　Yukina smiles mischievously at my words.

　I have no way of knowing how much she knows, but I would be happy if she kept it in the back of her mind.

　If possible, I would like to spend my days lazily working as a clerk at a state-run maid cafe that is always closed. I want to walk a path where no one has to die or get hurt.

　But even if I don't like it, I know that such things don't exist in this shitty game world.

　Even if this is a game world, Yukina, Koyomi, the Colonel, Hazuki, Mayu, and I are all living as members of the world, unlike when we were watching through the screen. I'm there.

　If you don't want anyone to die, and if you desire not to die, if you have that desire, the path you walk will surely be covered with thorns.

　Even so, I have no choice but to do it.

　Use everything you can, do whatever you can.

　That's probably the reason why I, who had lived a life without any value, was reincarnated as Saijo Chihaya.

"...Uh...uh...Saijo, Senpai..."

"...What's wrong, Koyomi?"

"...Um...I'm sorry if I offended you...but, right now...Saijo-senpai...she looks really scary..."

　My expression seemed to have become quite grim as I was thinking about this.

　Koyomi's body was shaking as if she was frightened.

　Hmm, even though I was deep in thought, I did something bad. Don't worry too much about it.

"...I'm sorry. It seems like I was thinking a little too much today."

"...Saijo, Senpai..."

"...Thank you, Koyomi. Even if I think about it by myself, I won't understand anything. It's a bad habit of me."

　When I need help, I can rely on you too.

　Saying that, I gently stroked Koyomi's silver hair. It has a comfortable fluffy feel that feels like it was made with silver thread woven into it.

"... Yes... I, me too... If I'm in trouble, I'll rely on Saijo-senpai... so we're mutual...!"

"...Huh, hahaha... I see, that's right. It's mutual."

　Bonded by Koyomi's soft and shy smile, I was simply impressed by the unexpected words that came out of her mouth.

　That's right, we're both the same.

　Help each other. Even though I said it myself, I can't help it since I've forgotten it.

"...Thank you, Koyomi."

　Words of gratitude cannot be conveyed unless you say them.

　So, I look into Koyomi's red eyes and say it clearly.

　While thanking Koyomi for reminding me of something important, I proceeded to continue the meeting.