Chapter 24: The Armory and the Carousel

The abandoned amusement park basked in the soft, warm glow of the clear Monday afternoon sun.

Lily of the Valley sat alone in the dimly lit interior, where the walls before her were meticulously adorned with an array of cold, hard firearms and knives.

This space had once served as the amusement park’s shooting gallery, where, in days gone by, visitors relished the simple pleasure of target practice, using cork-filled air guns to pop balloons.

Now, however, Lily of the Valley had transformed it into a veritable armory, its walls, once a mere target range, now bristling with loaded firearms and live ammunition.

Before every engagement, she meticulously selected an array of weapons tailored to her opponent’s unique traits, scrutinizing each one and ensuring its flawless condition before setting out, a ritual she believed maximized her chances of victory and, indeed, proved to be her secret to an undefeated record.

The young woman stood silently, her emerald gaze sweeping over the arsenal of firearms.

After a prolonged period of careful deliberation, she raised a slender finger, deliberately indicating a semi-automatic shotgun with a shortened barrel, two large-caliber revolvers, a sniper rifle, and a dagger of obsidian black.

Responding to her silent command, the vines adorning the walls stirred to life, meticulously retrieving each weapon and transporting them behind her. As her fingers brushed against the cold metal of the gun barrels, her expression grew increasingly grim.

‘Sacrificing rapid fire for ultimate pinpoint destructive power… This should be the optimal strategy against a small, heavily defended opponent like Fireworks.’

Yet, despite her meticulous planning, she found herself unable to envision a clear path to victory.

‘No, there’s no need to fixate on victory or defeat.’

‘This engagement isn’t a battle to the death; rather, it’s a controlled spar, fought under conditions of suppressed magical power, to probe for any vulnerabilities.’

‘If I can discern Fireworks’ true capabilities and confirm her identity, that will constitute my victory. It shouldn’t be too difficult.’

‘…But will it truly be that straightforward?’

The dazzling flames she had witnessed yesterday flickered intermittently before her eyes, a tide of tension and fear washing over the young woman. She raised her hands and, with unsparing force, delivered two sharp slaps to her own cheeks, compelling herself to regain composure.

‘…Enough. Fear serves no purpose now. It’s time to depart.’

Lily of the Valley drew a deep breath, consciously banishing the labyrinthine thoughts from her mind.

Having secured the weapons to her back, she exited the shooting gallery and, facing the direction of Linzhou Cemetery, clasped her hands together for a brief, habitual prayer.

With a flick of her earring, she then stepped forward, enveloped by surging magical energy, and headed directly towards the appointed battlefield.

****

“Good afternoon, Miss Lily of the Valley. You’re fifteen minutes early, so we still have plenty of time.”

“There’s quite a lot of cake here; would you mind helping me finish a slice?”

No sooner had Lily of the Valley stepped into the clearing than Fireworks’ voice halted her.

The red-haired girl, already transformed, was leaning against the carousel, munching on cake, striking poses for Lu Chen’s camera, and extending an invitation to Lily of the Valley. Several small, sprite-like reflectors and cameras hovered around her, giving her the appearance of a Disney princess encircled by butterflies and birds.

After a moment of bewildered contemplation, observing Xia Shi, who resembled a primary schooler on an autumn picnic, Lily of the Valley hastened to Lu Chen’s side.

The young man held a remote control, with which he manipulated the cameras and reflectors, his gaze fixed on a screen as he reviewed the recently captured footage.

On the long table beside him, several fluffy, pale yellow cupcakes were piled high, and beneath it, a poster of Morning Star striking a ‘V’ pose with an air of calculated cuteness was prominently displayed.

Lily of the Valley’s gaze settled on the cakes. “What is this?” she inquired.

Lu Chen turned his head. “It’s cake,” he replied.

“It’s cake, a dessert crafted from eggs, milk, and sugar.”

“Thank you for the culinary lesson, but I am well aware of what cake is. My question pertains to its presence here.”

“They are cakes provided by a sponsor,” Lu Chen explained, “and are required for the promotional video shoot.”

“A promotional video…? At this precise moment?”

Lu Chen’s gaze flickered away, a tell-tale sheen of cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Xia Shi swallowed another mouthful of cake, then addressed Lily of the Valley.

“While it’s a bit remote from the city, making professional equipment difficult to transport, rest assured, Lu Chen has secured this enchanted photography system, allowing him to manage everything single-handedly.”

“So, will you have some cake?”

As Xia Shi spoke, she offered Lily of the Valley a cupcake, her smile a practiced, genial curve. Lily of the Valley, pressing a hand to her suddenly throbbing temples, responded,

“I wasn’t concerned about your ability to film a decent video… but never mind. It’s inconsequential.”

She drew a deep, fortifying breath, her turbulent emotions settling, and a keen, emerald glint sparked in her eyes.

“I appreciate the offer of cake, but I do not partake in sweets before a confrontation. Take up your weapon; the time is upon us.”

Lily of the Valley’s voice was stark, the weaponry on her back glinting with an ominous, cold sheen.

Fireworks’ smile faded. She pushed off the carousel, approaching Lily of the Valley with measured steps, her fiery aura flickering in the breeze, a few cake crumbs still clinging to the corners of her mouth.

“Indeed. Lu Chen, please withdraw beyond the perimeter of the field, lest you be caught in the crossfire.”

“Understood. Don’t let your guard down, and be exceptionally cautious.”

With a brief admonition, Lu Chen produced a tissue, gently wiped Xia Shi’s mouth clean, and then swiftly departed, remote control in hand.

A faint breeze stirred, leaving only the two magical girls, locked in silent confrontation, upon the expansive, empty grounds.

Lily of the Valley clapped her hands together with a sharp, resounding crack that reverberated across the clearing.

In response, the vines encircling the area surged upward, stretching and coiling with astonishing speed, instantly weaving a dark green barricade that drew the magical energy from within the field, creating a near vacuum.

Having long adapted to conditions of diminished magical energy, Lily of the Valley deftly manipulated the vines, which in turn coiled around the weapons she bore on her back, training their poised muzzles and her own focused gaze squarely on the red-haired girl.

Under the suppressive effect of the magic-draining vines, the perpetual flames that enveloped Fireworks’ form dimmed considerably.

Yet, Fireworks displayed no trace of unease or nervousness; instead, a flicker of genuine curiosity danced in her clear eyes, as if the sensation of diminished magical power was an entirely novel experience for her.

Observing her relaxed posture and empty hands, Lily of the Valley’s voice deepened.

“Let me reiterate: arm yourself and prepare. I have witnessed the intensity of your magic when amplified by your wand; do not confront an opponent empty-handed while your magical reserves are compromised.”

Fireworks’ eyes widened slightly in surprise, then she offered a faint smile, extending an open palm toward Lily of the Valley. Several clusters of flames immediately sprang forth, circling incessantly above her head.

“I appreciate your concern, but it’s quite alright. Feel free to attack at will.”

‘…You possess the same arrogance as Lu Chen.’

Lily of the Valley ceased her admonitions, instead channeling her magic. Simultaneously, every vine-wielded weapon pulled its trigger, and from their long-poised muzzles erupted a furious, dazzling blaze of gunfire. A dense storm of bullets tore through the air, reaching Fireworks in a flash of lightning.

While bullets of this caliber could not claim a magical girl’s life, a direct hit would undoubtedly pierce flesh and rend bone!

The red-haired girl merely flicked a finger, conjuring a wisp of pale orange flame.

This wisp of flame danced silently, darting erratically, yet with uncanny precision, intercepting every incoming bullet. In an instant, the overwhelming assault was utterly neutralized, leaving behind only a dissipating cloud of smoke and dust.

—However, this concentrated volley was merely a diversionary feint, for Lily of the Valley had already seized the opportune moment to flank Fireworks from behind.

Bursting through the lingering smoke, she lunged, her short dagger flashing out like a meteor. A dark, malevolent glint preceded the blade, and Fireworks, seemingly sensing the ambush at the eleventh hour, spun around, conjuring flames to deflect the sharp weapon.

Yet, Lily of the Valley’s assault was far from over. Tensing her slender core, she pivoted with the momentum of Fireworks’ deflection, channeling her full strength into a powerful kick aimed at the red-haired girl.

Fireworks, seemingly without time to recall her protective flames, could only raise an arm in a hasty block.

However, her physical prowess proved distinctly inferior to Lily of the Valley’s, and she was instantly sent reeling several paces backward, narrowly avoiding a complete fall.

Lily of the Valley did not press her advantage. Instead, she twirled her dagger, her gaze, sharp and cold, fixed upon the red-haired girl who had only just managed to regain her precarious balance.

“Your mastery over magical techniques is exceptional, sufficient to withstand my full assault. Yet, your magical output is astonishingly low, even less than that of an average sorcerer, which is inexplicable even under conditions of suppressed magic.”

“Are you expending your remaining magical energy merely to sustain this transformation? Are you… truly Xia Shi?”

The red-haired girl blinked, a hint of awkwardness in her expression, and then subtly cast a glance skyward.

Lily of the Valley’s keen perception registered the movement. She warily followed Xia Shi’s gaze upwards, only to discover several small cameras, which had seemingly drifted into the arena unnoticed, now circling above Xia Shi’s head.

A jolt of surprise coursed through Lily of the Valley.

She had, without a doubt, been entirely focused on Xia Shi moments ago, yet even with such concentration, these intruders should not have escaped her notice. How had she failed to perceive them?

Concentrating her thoughts, Lily of the Valley swiftly replayed the recent skirmish in her mind, finally unearthing the explanation.

‘…At the outset of our engagement, Xia Shi had conjured several small flames above her head.’

‘Whenever those hovering cameras shifted into a potentially exposed position, she would subtly maneuver the flames to obscure them, only allowing the lenses to become visible again, and resuming recording, once she was certain I wouldn’t notice.’

The realization struck Lily of the Valley like a physical blow, and she clenched her dagger in disbelief. Simultaneously, Lu Chen’s urgent voice echoed from beyond the vine wall.

“Xia Shi, that’s sufficient! There’s no need to continue obscuring the cameras, nor to suppress your power any further!”

Fireworks straightened, offering Lily of the Valley an apologetic smile and a slight bow.

“My apologies; I was rather impolite just now. Now, shall we formally begin?”