I, a ship girl, am the savior of civilization.

After all, even without transforming, magical girls can handle most routine problems with their bodies specially modified for combat. However, unexpected situations that cannot be handled in normal circumstances are fine once, but if they happen too often, it will inevitably arouse suspicion.

Even if such suspicions might not trace back to Kyubey, Kyubey wasn't going to take the risk. After all, when the time was right, even a fully charged Soul Gem wouldn't change the outcome.

This is also the fundamental reason why Mami and Laura trust Kyubey so much. Because in the past fourteen years, Kyubey has never done anything to betray them.

Kyubey was always the Kyubey in their hearts, not the incubator of other civilizations.

Moreover, the real story is about to begin.

"Mami, someone is approaching this villa. Their target is very clear. I don't think you would invite anyone here, would you?"

Although it was a question, Kyubey said it with certainty. His clear voice echoed in Mami and Laura's minds, temporarily interrupting the happy atmosphere in the room.

"of course not."

Frowning slightly, Mami understood the meaning behind Kewpie's words. Laura's villa was located in the Bronx, New York, the northernmost of the five boroughs. Compared to Queens or Manhattan, the area had fewer people and undoubtedly a better environment.

Moreover, it was worth noting that the visitor was clearly not a neighbor coming to offer greetings.

"Boom boom boom!"

Mami didn't have to wait long before a slightly heavy knocking sounded at the door. Although the visitor might not be an enemy, Mami still brought a Beretta M9 just in case.

With Mami's abilities, operating an anti-materiel sniper rifle would be no problem, let alone a pistol. Beretta firearms have an advantage in terms of refinement and comfort, making them easy to use and perfectly suited to Mami's taste.

(Here's a corny joke: M9 goes better with black tea...)

The only troublesome thing was probably the difficulty Asami encountered when applying for a gun license and trying to prove that she was an adult.

"Hello, my name is..."

"I'm not interested in your name!"

Before he could even introduce himself, Mami interrupted the visitor: "What I want to know is, why did you come back to me?"

“Okay…” Looking down at Mami’s M9 tucked into her waistband, the visitor at the door wisely refrained from further explanation. Even though he was confident he wouldn’t be hurt by the M9, he didn’t want to make things too awkward between them.

After all, he came with a mission.

Kyubey had always been a reliable and trustworthy friend, even family to Mami. For Kyubey to deliberately speak up meant that the visitor would definitely have a significant impact on Mami's current life.

Under Kyubey's deliberate or unintentional guidance, Mami instinctively tensed up. This was a behavioral psychology technique that Kyubey had accumulated over more than a decade; for Mami to realize this, she would need at least several years of professional study.

Of course, in a sense, Asami's understanding is not wrong either.

"What's your name? And what brings you here?"

Realizing that her reaction might have been a bit excessive, Mami composed herself for a moment before regaining her usual elegance and composure and asking the question.

Upon hearing Mami's question, a hint of helplessness appeared on the visitor's face: this was exactly what he had wanted to say at the beginning.

"Homeland Strategic Defense, Attack and Logistics Agency, Coulson..."

3. Hope is the first step to despair.

"In short, the purpose of my trip is to invite Ms. Mami to join us in our efforts to maintain world order and peace."

Coulson explained his mission to Mami as concisely as possible, maintaining his usual gentle smile. In reality, a simple invitation theoretically wouldn't require an agent with Level 8 clearance like Coulson, but after carefully studying Mami's modus operandi and historical records, S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury ultimately chose to entrust the task to Coulson.

Compared to the problematic candidates in the Avengers' draft, girls like Mami, with their clean resumes and likable personalities, are obviously easier to get along with.

Even though her file records her age as twenty-eight, her body has completely matured since becoming a magical girl means her body is no longer the repository of her soul. Using community medical records, S.H.I.E.L.D. calculated Mami's approximate "true" age through age assessment.

Furthermore, given the subtle signs of tampering with the identity records, the answer becomes obvious.

A young, gentle girl like Mami would easily be persuaded not to side with S.H.I.E.L.D., but Nick Fury was clearly not satisfied with that. Coulson's task was to use his conversational skills and personal charm to win Mami over.

In fact, this is what Asami has been doing for the past fourteen years: following the rules, just like an ordinary person.

In fact, if Kyubey hadn't deliberately leaked the limited combat information about Mami, S.H.I.E.L.D. would never have realized that Mami was different from ordinary people. There are many strange things in this world, and S.H.I.E.L.D. can't be completely secretive.

"Having become aware of Mami's existence and analyzed her potential, S.H.I.E.L.D. will definitely not overlook her. Thus, the first step in bringing Mami and Laura into this world will be complete."

Kyubey didn't expect Mami to immediately accept Coulson's invitation; barring any unforeseen circumstances, Mami would definitely not get involved in any unnecessary conflicts. After becoming magical girls and realizing the mission they represent, most magical girls understand the preciousness of their former ordinary lives.

Fighting for justice—this goal is too grand, too distant. What girl, without a burning desire, would willingly shoulder the mission of fighting witches and become a magical girl? While Kyubey's guidance played a role, if the magical girl's heart had no vulnerabilities, Kyubey would have had no way to act.

People say that Kyubey is a bad guy who kidnaps girls, but objectively speaking, Kyubey did fulfill the wishes of magical girls and bring them the hope they longed for.

However, these hopes will eventually turn into despair. Hope is the first step towards despair.

“Just call me Mami.” Coulson’s gentle words temporarily dispelled Mami’s wariness, and at the same time made Mami realize the reason why Kyubey reminded her. As mentioned before, the invitation brought by Coulson can be described as a turning point in Mami and Laura’s lives.

Although Coulson didn't say it outright, Mami was aware of the consequences of joining: "Although I can't remember the name of your organization, I believe you have already conducted the relevant investigation on me."

"Laura and I just want to live a peaceful life. Maintaining world peace is too much of a responsibility and pressure, and I don't want to continue anymore."

A hint of sadness flickered in Mami's eyes as she recalled with a touch of melancholy the life-or-death battle she had to fight against the witch in order to fulfill her duty, and even the fear she felt when she touched the Grim Reaper's fingertips before descending into the Marvel Universe.

Only after personally experiencing the mission that magical girls must face did Mami truly understand the meaning behind the words "magical girl".

It wasn't about showing off to younger generations, nor was it about gaining admiration after defeating the witch...

Magical girl, it means to eke out a living in endless battles, and finally to end a tragic life with death - this is the conclusion that Mami silently sobbed over countless times in the dead of night when she felt lonely and heavy.

But the truth is even more tragic.

Maintaining world peace—Kyubi once used this as an excuse to encourage himself. But now, Mami has lost that once-unwavering, almost foolish, drive.

Mami's lonely life has been filled by Laura and Kyubey. To live quietly like an ordinary girl in a world without witches is Mami's current wish.

"Is that so? I understand. I'm sorry to have disturbed your life."

A sense of vicissitude was palpable in Mami's words, and her final statement, "I don't want to continue anymore," made Coulson unconsciously speculate about Mami's past experiences.

In the past, Mami must have fought to protect the world...

Deciphering the hidden message in Mami's words wasn't difficult. As a Level 8 agent, Coulson was certain Mami wasn't lying. Although S.H.I.E.L.D. had no relevant records, Coulson believed that this girl before him had once wanted to protect a world.

S.H.I.E.L.D. has no right to force a child to do something she doesn't want to do, even if she isn't a legal U.S. citizen. Whether for personal or professional reasons, to convey goodwill or express compassion, Coulson will thoroughly complete Mami and Laura's identity information.

They can't be brought in, but at least they can't become enemies.

Coulson did this very well.

Finally, with a tinge of regret, Coulson returned to Fury with the latest intelligence he had acquired. Meanwhile, Mami and Laura resumed their ordinary lives.

At least, that's how it appears on the surface.

"If ordinariness were so easy to attain, there wouldn't be so many magical girls on Earth in the main universe." Watching Coulson's departing figure, Kyubey quietly thought, "For Laura and Mami, pursuing ordinariness is itself a kind of extraordinary achievement..."

"Then, let's begin the next phase of the plan!"

Linked by the zero-delay mental network, another Cupid on the other side of the earth nodded almost imperceptibly, as if he were thinking of something.

Kyubey, also known as the Incubator, possesses the unique ability to share memories and consciousness with other Incubators. Within the Marvel multiverse, Kyubey has naturally developed its own Kyubey Network.

On Earth in the main universe, every Kyubey seeks out girls with the potential to become magical girls, and Kyubeys are as if they don't exist in front of those they haven't gained their approval.

However, if Kyubey herself is unwilling, even those with magical girl potential will not be able to detect Kyubey's presence. After all, no matter how strong the potential, it is ultimately just a human body and essence.

Only magical girls and those who have been recognized by Kyubey can discover Kyubey.

Asia, Syria

On the other side of the ocean in Syria, Merkel gazed at her home, now reduced to scorched earth, and wept in despair. The still-burning flames illuminated the darkness around this girl, no more than twelve or thirteen years old, but could not ignite her hope to continue living.

In the raging ruins lay her only remaining family member. Just minutes earlier, she and her brother had been awakened by the constant explosions in the dead of night and stumbled out to the open space outside.

"war?"

The Syrian civil war has ravaged the people of this small country. Almost instantly upon hearing the explosion, Merkel and her brother realized the danger of remaining inside. Although residential houses are generally not primary targets, they were still too conspicuous.

But just as the two reached outside, a shell struck the house they had been living in. Merkel's brother pushed her away, changing her fate of being buried under the rubble.

As a consequence, he himself is now buried.

Staring blankly at the blood spreading around her, Merkel's eyes dimmed, and the thought of ending her life gradually rose in her mind. Even in Islamic doctrine, suicide is an unforgivable sin.

During the Syrian civil war, with no shelter, limited working capacity, and no connections, the chances of a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl surviving alone were incredibly slim.

After all, no one will give up their hope of survival just because they share the same faith in Allah as Merkel.

Picking up a sharp stone from the dusty ground, Merkel slowly closed her eyes. She raised her head, pointing the sharp end at her neck.

"God, if you truly exist, why must we suffer such a tragedy..."

“If this is a test of your loyalty to your followers, then I would rather not believe in God!”

But just as Merkel made up her mind, a clear and lovely voice reached her ears.

"Merkel, do you want to change your and your brother's fate?"

Merkel's eyes snapped open, and the first thing she saw was Qubi sitting cross-legged on the ruins before her. Whether it was her imagination or not, Merkel seemed to see a halo emitting a faint glow behind Qubi.

It's just like……

"Is it... is it God?"

Feeling a vague sense of unease, and under the pressure of losing loved ones and betraying her religious beliefs, Merkel had lost her basic judgment and even fantasized about Qubi as a god.

"Unfortunately, Kyubey is not a god. However, Merkel, you..." Even though she didn't see Kyubey speak, his voice reached Merkel's mind accurately, "You have the potential to change your own destiny, something that the god you believe in cannot do."

"Tell me, are you willing to make a contract with Kyubey to change this tragic situation and bring your brother back?"

Her emotions calmed down slightly, and like a drowning person grasping at a last straw, Merkel took a breath and then said firmly, "I do!"

“Very good.” Kyubey nodded in satisfaction, then activated the logic weapon—the Key of Wishes. The Key of Wishes, a power that transcends the rules of the universe, descended upon the Marvel universe for the first time, utterly distorting the laws of this world.

"Then, the contract is established! Your wish has been fulfilled."

4. Laura's house is very big!

"Why, why did things turn out this way?"

Merkel hugged her knees, looking utterly dejected. Her eyes, which had once been full of energy and hope, had lost their sparkle, as if she had been broken and had completely lost all hope for life.

Her brother came back to life, and she became the magical girl she had always dreamed of. This double happiness, combined, should have resulted in a dreamlike bliss…

But... why is this happening?