Why are the magical girls in your area male?

He was tilting his head back and chugging the sake from the bottle, his dejected posture unchanged.

Sitting next to him was none other than Kimura Tsukasa, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

Or rather, it is a cardinal.

She wore a sharp red combat outfit, her fiery red hair tied back, and her brows seemed to have lost some of their usual playfulness, replaced by a more composed demeanor and a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.

She was also holding a wine glass in her hand, gently swirling it around, but hadn't drunk from it.

"Yo."

Hearing the noise, Red Sparrow turned around, her eyes lighting up, and raised her hand to greet Yuan Qing:

"Isn't this Yuanqing, the little guy who always daydreams in class? I didn't expect you to be among the top students in this exam. I didn't realize you had such a talent for learning."

It's been a long time since I've seen you in Moon Etch. You seem to have changed quite a bit in terms of your demeanor; you're sharper and more composed than before.

Yuan Qing sighed helplessly, "There's nothing we can do. Life is tough. People have to learn to grow up in order to survive better, don't they?"

“That makes sense, but what’s wrong with the little guy? Why has he suddenly become so sentimental?” Red Sparrow raised an eyebrow.

Yuan Qing shrugged, offering no response. Her gaze swept past Hong Que, then fell upon the dejected man beside her.

Nakado Goya was looking at him, his brown eyes, hidden behind his hair, were unusually clear, showing no sign of drunkenness.

His gaze, almost tangible, locked onto the slightly bulky canvas bag that Yuan Qing was carrying.

After pausing for a few seconds, he tilted his head back and took another gulp of wine, then turned his gaze back to the leaping flames in the fireplace and said in a hoarse voice:

"If you're looking for Shiori Shiomi, that little dwarf is at the observatory."

"Yes, I understand."

Yuan Qing nodded gratefully, greeted the two seniors, and then turned and walked towards the corridor leading to the observatory.

Red Sparrow then turned her gaze to the canvas bag in the other person's hand, her smile freezing for a moment, and her eyes sharpening.

As a seasoned magical girl who has spent years navigating shadows and bloodshed, she possesses an almost instinctive sensitivity to certain "shapes" and "weights".

The silhouette of the canvas, its heavy drape, and the faint, metallic scent that, even absorbed and blocked by the fabric, still emanated from it...

The relaxed expression on her face quickly faded, replaced by a complex look that unconsciously revealed a mixture of shock, understanding, and deep worry.

After a moment of silence, Red Sparrow opened her mouth as if to say something, but after her gaze lingered on Zhongtang Wu's silent and weathered face for a while, she ultimately said nothing and let out a barely audible sigh.

She raised her glass, downed the remaining wine in one gulp, and murmured, "Should we entrust something so heavy to a child? We adults, as elders, are utterly inadequate."

"This is the path he chose himself."

Zhongtang Wu responded softly, his sorrowful gaze falling in the direction Yuanqing had left, his tone low and somber:

"Choosing this path means taking on the responsibility that comes with it. Since he has made his choice and made the corresponding preparations, all we can do is support him."

"You sound very unhappy. Is it self-blame? Or regret that you agreed to let the shorty recruit him?"

“Regret is useless; what’s meant to happen will happen,” Nakado Go shook his head, looking helpless. “I just feel powerless.”

"Powerless?"

"They all say, 'Senior Nakado is very strong and reliable,' but in reality? I can't do anything."

They could neither change the magical girls' situation nor stop the tidal wave of the times and fate.

Two years ago, I entrusted a heavy responsibility to a 15-year-old girl. Now, I have to watch helplessly as my student bears a heavy fate.

Kimura, we've known each other for over twenty years. Do you think I'm becoming less and less useful as I get older?

"No, Your Excellency, you are just like me, with more and more weaknesses."

She turned her gaze back to the fireplace, the flames dancing in her eyes: "When we were young, we thought we could change the world, we were fearless, and we thought that as long as our fists were strong enough, we could smash all injustices."

The longer you live, the more people and things you care about, and with each additional concern comes an additional vulnerability.

Watching the younger generation embark on perilous journeys is more agonizing than facing swords ourselves.

This sense of powerlessness doesn't stem from weakness, but from a sense of 'responsibility.' Having lived to this age, our lives no longer solely belong to ourselves.

Red Sparrow paused for a moment, then chuckled self-deprecatingly before continuing, "Perhaps it's because we're not strong enough, not strong enough to destroy the Earth with a single punch."

If one could become that powerful, one could shatter the great waves of the times or the heavy burden of fate with a single punch.

But since we can't do that, we'll just stay here like this, watching over these young people, even if we can only provide them with a little bit of insignificant support. That's how we old bones are doing our part.

You must understand, this world ultimately belongs to the young people...

Nakado slowly turned his head and met Red Sparrow's gaze.

He remained silent for a long time before finally nodding, raising his glass, and gesturing slightly in the direction of the Red Sparrow.

The latter smiled, picked up his glass, and clinked it against the air as if paying tribute to those who had long since turned to dust.

......

Yuan Qing ascended the spiraling stone steps once again to the highest observatory of the Tarot Association.

The moment the door opened, a fresh, slightly cool breeze rushed in, carrying with it a delicate and unfamiliar, crisp floral fragrance that was truly refreshing.

The scene before me suddenly opened up, with the Milky Way hanging upside down, countless stars shining and dimming, and the white ribbon-like Milky Way stretching across the sky, flowing slowly.

Yuan Qing had been to the observatory once before, so he knew that this starry sky was an illusion.

However, it is indeed very beautiful.

In particular, there are things here that are even more beautiful than the stars.

Looking up, Shiori Shiomi was sitting sideways on the stone steps leading to a higher part of the platform, just like last time, with her back to him.

She appeared to have just taken a bath; her long white hair flowed like moonlight, and she wore only a very thin, pure white silk nightgown.

The nightgown was simple in style, and the fabric clung to her petite body, outlining her magnificent curves that seemed completely out of place with her youthful face and petite figure.

Her neckline was slightly open, revealing a small patch of plump, almost unreal, fair skin.

Starlight poured down, making this snow-white landscape appear as if it were porcelain.

Hearing footsteps, Shiori Shiomi slowly turned around. Her usually expressionless face glowed under the starlight, and her crimson eyes calmly looked at Genji Ao.

The latter paused slightly, his gaze lingering briefly on her impressive breasts before he smiled.

The familiar scene before him reminded him of that night not long ago, when Shiori Shiomi placed a blessed ring on his finger that would enhance his power and help him defeat the Goblin King.

It hasn't even been a month yet, but it feels like a lifetime has passed. All the things I've experienced in the meantime have made it seem like several years have been stretched out.

He carried the heavy canvas bag, walked up to her, and gently placed the bag on the ground between them.

The bowling ball inside landed with a dull thud, which was remarkably clear on the silent observatory.

Shiori Shiomi's gaze shifted downwards, landing on the bulging bag. There wasn't much reaction in her eyes, but she knew perfectly well what was inside, even through the bag and the bowling ball.

"Were there any traces left?" she asked, raising her eyes in a cool voice.

Yuan Qing met her gaze and chuckled softly, "Don't worry, it was handled very cleanly. I avoided all the cameras, and the location where I made the move was quite secretive."

Most importantly, the way I killed him would leave no physical trace.

Even microscopic things, such as scent, footprints, hair, or even skin flakes that may fall off, cannot be left behind.

I can guarantee that, apart from the fact that the target has completely disappeared, there is no evidence pointing to us.

However, the Blackwatch members will definitely prioritize suspecting the Tarot Association as a potential adversary.

"Don't worry, this is unavoidable. No matter how much those white pigs gossip, they can't produce any evidence and can only stare helplessly."

"From what I know about them, those white pigs don't do things based on evidence. They can start a war with just a tube of laundry detergent."

"Heh, that's interesting. No problem, I've already prepared the relevant risk contingency plans. Blackwatch's opponents aren't blind. We've done everything we can. It's a game at the national level, not something that can be changed by individual will."

"That's right, unless an individual becomes powerful enough to rival a nation."

Yuan Qing smiled knowingly.

He paused, then added, "I left Kitanogawa's severed finger and the ring that represented his identity at the entrance of Tsukimi Haruka's pet shop."

Although it's a bit strange and scary, I always felt that only by doing this could I console her mother and Tsukimi Haruka for their pain.

Don't worry, the box is a magical artifact I obtained. Only they can open it, and after they've looked inside, the contents will be destroyed along with the box.

However, will Tsukimi Haruka's mother be able to recognize those features as Kitano River's?

“She will definitely recognize you. You haven’t been to her bedroom, but she keeps a knife and a picture of Kitano Gawa under her pillow.”

Shiori Shiomi sighed helplessly, "She has the courage to seek revenge, but she lacks the power. To mortals, the awakened are no different from gods."

“A mother’s strength is boundless. In the past two years, she must have suffered even more than Tsukimi Haruka, especially when she decided to respect her daughter’s wish to be freed.”

I don't know how much courage it took to finally decide to agree to my daughter's suicide.

"But you put an end to their suffering, Yuanqing."

Shiori Shiomi smiled, and Ao Asahi gave her a grateful look: "Please allow me to thank you on their behalf."

"This is nothing. I only killed a roadside fish. The real big fish haven't even taken the bait yet."

Yuan Qing shrugged and said seriously, "But don't worry, President, I assure you, this is just the beginning. Our revenge has only just begun."

Shiori Shiomi nodded slightly: "Yes, I believe you."

"is it?"

Yuan Qing raised an eyebrow at her and said meaningfully, "Then I'll get down to business tonight."

"...?"

"You've seen what I brought."

"Uh."

"So, stop hiding from me, where is Asakawa Sena?"

"..."

A rare look of surprise flashed in Shiori Shiomi's eyes.

She paused for half a second, then asked with some confusion, "How do you know she's still alive? And how are you sure I know her whereabouts?"

"I don't know, just a gut feeling." Yuan Qing shrugged. "When you said yesterday that Asakawa Sena was missing, I felt you were lying."

You can say anything without any change in expression or tone of voice, so I can only guess based on my intuition.

My intuition tells me you're lying, so you must know her whereabouts.

"...Heh, interesting."

Shiori Shiomi's lips curled into a meaningful smile, her expression a mix of provocation and disdain.

"Yuan Qing, you've become so bold as to start guessing what I'm thinking?"

"After a while, will you start to act recklessly and do whatever you want to me?"

"Why would I need to wait a while to criticize it? I'm thinking about it right now."

Yuan Qing grinned and reached out to grab Shiori Shiori's head, making a gesture as if he was going to rub it hard.

Unfortunately, the moment he reached out, his wrist was grabbed by the other person.

Shiori Shiomi's fingers were like iron clamps, gripping Gensei so tightly that he couldn't move.

A flippant smile played on her lips, seemingly unimpressed by Yuan Qing's direct and straightforward flirting style.

"Yuanqing, do you think I'm like that innocent idiot Danzhu, who can be won over by just hearing a few sickeningly sweet words from you and then having your head patted in an ambiguous way?"

Shiori Shiomi met Genichi's gaze, the unspoken meaning hidden in her eyes, "If you want to win me over, you'll have to go back and practice for a few more years."

"Really?" Yuan Qing met her gaze without any pressure and teased, "But my intuition tells me that you're lying again."

"Heh, you'd better rein in your childish intuition, lest you find yourself getting yourself into trouble one day without even realizing it."

A hint of unease flashed in Shiori Shiomi's eyes. She chuckled softly, released her hand, and her usual cool expression returned.

She stood up, gracefully walked past Yuan Qing, and went straight to the center of the observatory.

The illusory nebula above continued to swirl, and she lowered her head, as if hesitating about something.

After a moment of contemplation, she finally sighed, gave Yuan Qing a helpless expression, and said:

"Alright, come with me, I'll take you somewhere."

"it is good."